Induction is a good option if your cookware is compatible and your electrical supply and worktop cut-out meet the requirements of the model you choose. If not, a ceramic hob with radiant or halogen zones, or a combination hob, may better suit the way you cook. UFC-Que Choisir points out that cookware without a ferromagnetic base will not work on an induction hob. ADEME data, based on 409 cooking cycles a year, compares 200 kWh/year for the average ceramic hob with 115 kWh/year for highly efficient new induction appliances. These figures are not based on equivalent models and do not guarantee that every household will recoup the cost.
You want fast heating and are happy to check that your most-used cookware is compatible, as well as reviewing the installation requirements. UFC-Que Choisir explains the need for cookware with ferromagnetic bases.
You use cookware that is not suitable for induction and are weighing up the cost of replacing it against choosing a hob with radiant or halogen zones. UFC-Que Choisir points out that cookware without a ferromagnetic base will not work on an induction hob.
You are considering a hob that combines induction zones and gas burners. The ministry responsible for ecological transition says that gas appliances must meet technical and safety requirements; GRDF also covers ventilation requirements.
To choose the right technology, match your cookware and cooking habits to the installation requirements, then compare the purchase and running costs.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Installation compatibility | Compare the cut-out dimensions and connection instructions for the model with your available circuit and power supply. For a combination hob, also check the gas and ventilation requirements. | I want to avoid buying a hob I can’t use because there isn’t enough space or the power supply isn’t suitable. Around 25% of consumers prioritise installation compatibility. |
| Cookware compatibility | Make a list of the pans and saucepans you use, then check whether they are suitable for induction and whether their base sizes match the cooking zones. | I’d rather keep my pans than replace them to switch technologies. Around 25% of consumers prioritise keeping their cookware. |
| Heating and energy use | Compare measurements taken on the models you are considering under similar conditions, and factor in how often you cook. Don’t infer energy use from a single function or feature. | If I cook often, heating time and electricity use matter to me. Around 20% of consumers prioritise fast heating and energy use. |
| Overall cost | Include the hob, any cookware that is genuinely incompatible and needs replacing, and an installation quote suited to your home in your budget. | I want to assess the cost of the entire replacement, not just compare hobs. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the overall cost. |
| Keeping gas | For a combination hob, check the layout of the cooking zones, the worktop cut-out, the gas supply and ventilation requirements in the model documentation. | I want to keep at least one gas cooking zone while considering induction. Around 10% of consumers prioritise keeping gas. |
An induction hob can also have a ceramic glass surface. Radiant or halogen zones are the options that avoid induction’s magnetic cookware compatibility requirement.
Check the type of cooking zones listed for the model, not just the surface material.
The cost of replacing your hob may also depend on the cookware you need to change and any installation work required. Costs vary depending on each household’s appliances and installation.
Before comparing technologies, set a budget that includes the hob, any cookware that is genuinely incompatible and an installation quote.
Gas zones mean there are additional safety and ventilation checks to make; the overall width alone is not enough to confirm that the cut-out will fit.
Before buying, check the model’s dimensions and instructions against your home’s installation, particularly the electricity and gas supplies.
The PUE611BB5E is a useful reference point when comparing a touch-control induction hob with ceramic glass electric hobs.
The AKT8090/NE is a useful reference point for a four-zone ceramic glass electric hob.
The gas-induction combination hob range is a useful reference point if you want to keep gas burners.
The PM6743R is an example of a gas-induction combination hob for a project where the installation has been checked.
This selection brings together hobs for replacement projects, including models explicitly described as induction and others identified by their ceramic glass surface. Check the heating technology and cut-out dimensions for each model: a ceramic glass surface alone does not tell you whether a hob uses induction or radiant zones.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to switch to induction and have compatible cookware.
The product description specifies 60 cm, four zones and a Bridge function. Check your home’s cut-out and electrical supply.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if you want a four-zone hob and are comparing controls and settings.
The product description lists two dual-circuit zones, a nine-level touch slider and a 99-minute timer. Check the model’s exact heating technology before choosing your cookware.
Image unavailable
Compare this if you want four zones and would like to check that the shape of the cooking zones suits your cookware.
The product description mentions an oval zone, a dual-circuit zone and touch controls. Check the model’s heating technology and cookware compatibility on its product page.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want an induction hob with flexible zones, provided your cookware is compatible.
The product description identifies this as an induction hob. Check the model’s cut-out, electrical supply and the cookware sizes it supports.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want a 59 cm hob described as having four zones and touch controls.
The product description mentions built-in installation, a frameless surface, a child lock and nine heat settings. Check the heating technology and cut-out dimensions before buying.
Check that each piece of cookware you use is compatible: an induction zone will not work with a non-ferromagnetic base. Also compare the diameter of the bases with the dimensions of the zones on the hob you are considering.
Don’t reuse the old connection without checking the requirements for the new model. Compare its instructions and power rating with the circuit and supply available in your home; Promotelec outlines the requirements for a dedicated cooking circuit. Use a qualified electrician for the work.
Yes. As well as checking electrical compatibility and the worktop cut-out, you’ll need to check safety and ventilation requirements for the gas section. Before choosing this option, compare your home’s setup with the instructions for the model.
No. The available comparisons cannot guarantee that every household will recoup the cost. Based on 409 cycles a year, ADEME gives figures of 200 kWh/year for an average ceramic hob and 115 kWh/year for highly efficient new induction appliances. These categories do not represent two equivalent models, and the figures exclude the purchase and installation costs, as well as any new cookware you may need.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional to a private individual. For a new product, the French Ministry of the Economy states that the guarantee lasts for two years, during which the consumer does not have to prove that the fault existed on the date of sale. A commercial warranty extension is separate from this legal guarantee.