Someone who puts the appliance away after every meal
If you generally use just one pan, a portable single-zone hob takes up less space while you cook. Measure the storage space too: “portable” doesn’t mean every model is the same size.
Which format suits you?
A couple or housemates who cook at the same time
A double hob gives you a zone for each dish. It needs more worktop space, and you should carefully check the power requirements in the instruction manual before use.
Someone who already has a hob but no oven
A mini oven adds oven cooking options without adding a second hob zone. You’ll need to set it up on a stable surface with the clearances specified in its instruction manual. It can’t be used to simmer a pan.
What sets the appliances apart?
Start with the dishes you actually make, then measure the available space and check the power supply and your cookware.
Single-zone induction hob
Choose this: if one pan is usually enough and you need to clear your worktop afterwards.
Trade-off: if your main dish and side dish each need a hob zone, you’ll have to cook them one after the other.
Double induction hob
Choose this: if you regularly need to cook two dishes in saucepans or frying pans at the same time.
Trade-off: this format takes up more space, and the appliance’s power requirements must suit your available supply.
Compact mini oven
Choose this: to add oven cooking options to a kitchen that already has a hob.
Trade-off: it can’t replace a hob for boiling, frying or simmering food in a pan.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and storage | Measure the available space while the appliance is in use, then check where you’ll store it. Compare its dimensions when set up, and follow the clearances specified in the instruction manual. | I want my worktop back after a meal, so the appliance’s dimensions matter just as much as how easy it is to store. |
| Cooking style | Decide whether you need one or two hob zones at the same time, or oven functions. Check the capacity and settings of a mini oven against the dishes you usually make. | Do I need to cook with two pans at once? If I already have a hob, oven cooking might be more useful than an extra zone. |
| Low-heat cooking and noise | Check the lowest settings listed and, where possible, look for comparable tests of low-power cooking and noise levels. Maximum power alone doesn’t tell you how well an appliance performs for these tasks: UFC-Que Choisir assesses temperature during low-power cooking, among other things. | If I’m simmering food in a single room, I’m interested in how the appliance performs at low power and how noisy it is, not just how quickly it heats up to maximum. |
| Cookware | For induction, check that your saucepans and frying pans are marked as compatible, and check which diameters are accepted in the instruction manual. UFC-Que Choisir points out that induction requires suitable cookware. | I want to keep using my usual cookware, so its base and size need to suit the hob I’m considering. |
| Power supply | Check the model’s power rating and plug type, then make sure they’re suitable for the socket you plan to use and follow the instructions in the manual. Promotelec advises against plugging several high-powered appliances into the same extension lead. | In temporary accommodation, I want to be able to position the appliance near a suitable socket without making changes to the electrical installation myself. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing induction without checking your pans
A saucepan with an incompatible base won’t heat up on an induction hob, even if it works with another type of hob.
Check that your cookware is marked as suitable for induction, and check the hob’s instruction manual for the accepted pan diameters.
If your usual pans aren’t compatible, replacing them is an extra consideration.
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Choosing based on maximum power alone
This figure doesn’t tell you how the hob performs when simmering. UFC-Que Choisir assesses low-power cooking separately in its test procedure.
Check the low settings listed and look for comparable tests if gentle cooking or fan noise matters to you.
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Choosing a double hob without measuring your worktop
The Severin DK 1031 double hob measures 59 × 35,5 cm and has a stated power rating of 3 400 W, according to Severin. You’ll need to check both the space available and the power supply.
Measure the surface, follow the clearances in the instruction manual and check the socket before planning to cook two dishes at once.
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Expecting a mini oven to do the job of a hob
A mini oven is useful for oven cooking, but it doesn’t provide a hob zone for a frying pan or saucepan.
Choose one to complement a hob if your meals also involve boiling or simmering food.
Brands and models to consider
These models give you an idea of the available formats and features. Their specifications don’t replace checking the instruction manual for the model you choose.
Tefal
The brand’s range includes the Everyday Slim IH210801, a portable single-zone induction hob.
- Tefal lists a height of 45 mm and a power rating of up to 2 100 W for this model. These details are useful when checking storage space and your power supply.
- These specifications alone don’t tell you how consistently it heats at low power or how noisy it is in use.
Severin
The KP 1071 and DK 1031 are examples of two countertop formats, with one and two zones respectively.
- Severin lists the KP 1071 at 2 000 W and 28,1 × 35 cm, and the DK 1031 at 3 400 W and 59 × 35,5 cm.
- The right model for you depends on the space available, whether you want to cook two dishes at once and the power supply you’ll use.
Moulinex
The Optimo OX441110 is a mini oven to consider as an addition to a cooking setup with a hob.
- The E.Leclerc retailer’s product listing gives this model a capacity of 19 L and a power rating of 1 380 W.
- A mini oven doesn’t provide a hob zone. Check its dimensions and the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
Portable hobs available on Joybuy
These options include portable single- and double-zone induction hobs for a studio flat kitchen. A mini oven is still worth considering as an additional appliance if oven cooking is your priority.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10, 2 000 W induction hob
This single-zone hob lets you cook with one pan at a time, then put it away. The product title lists eight power levels, a 3 h timer and compatibility with pans from 12 to 26 cm. Check the appliance’s full dimensions and specifications to make sure it will fit where you plan to use it.
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Taurus Darkfire Domino, double induction hob
Its two zones suit you if you need to cook two dishes at once. Before finding a place for it in a small kitchen, check its dimensions, total power rating and the model’s connection instructions.
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WOOX MX0237 RapidTherm, 2 000 W induction hob
This portable single-zone hob is suited to cooking one pan at a time. The product title lists eight settings and a 1,5 m cord. Check the hob’s dimensions and the compatible pan sizes before deciding where to put it.
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ochama, 2 000 W portable induction hob
This single-zone hob is designed for meals cooked in an induction-compatible saucepan or frying pan. The product title lists ten settings and six functions. Measure the space you’ll need to use and store it, and check which pan diameters are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Will all saucepans work on a portable induction hob?
No. Induction requires a compatible base. Check the markings on each saucepan or frying pan, then check the hob’s instruction manual for the accepted pan diameters.
Can a portable double hob replace a built-in hob?
It can be used on a worktop to cook two dishes at once, but it shouldn’t be installed or used as a built-in hob. Set it up on a surface that meets the requirements in its instruction manual, and check the connection before use.
What should you check about the electricity supply in a rented home?
For a portable appliance, compare the power rating and plug listed in its instruction manual with the socket you plan to use. Avoid running several high-powered appliances from the same extension lead. If you’re unsure about the electrical installation, ask your landlord or a qualified professional for advice. Promotelec’s guidance on dedicated circuits applies to fixed appliances and doesn’t remove the need to check how your portable appliance should be connected.
Can a document about the property help you check the electrical installation?
Yes, in the circumstances described by ANIL: if the property’s internal electrical installation is more than 15 years old, the landlord must provide a report on the installation as part of the technical diagnostic file. This document doesn’t replace the appliance’s instruction manual or checking the socket you plan to use. Tell your landlord if you have any concerns about the socket.