An induction cooker is a style of countertop hob. It’s a popular option in home kitchens as it speeds up the process of transferring heat to your pans, resulting in a faster cooking time. Induction hobs also have a sleek appearance that blends seamlessly into a modern kitchen.
Induction hobs have an electromagnetic field below each of the hob rings that transfers heat directly to the magnetic cookware, causing it to heat up. An induction cooktop is more responsive to adjustments to the temperature, so you have more control over the cooking process. When you remove your pot from the ring, the heating stops.
If you’re considering making the switch to an induction hob, you’ll need to know more about the best induction hobs on the market to inform your decision. Read on for our induction hobs review, and more information on the choices available to you.
Best Induction Hobs
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Best For Low Budgets
1Aobosi Induction Hob
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Best For Higher Budgets
2Bosch Induction Hob
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| 3
Best Overall
3GIONIEN Plug-in Induction Hob
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Buy On AO1. Aobosi Induction Hob
- Portable model ideal for parties or camping
- Plugs into a mains power supply and is ready to go
- Two cooking areas, with separate controls
- 4 hour digital timer
This is a well-priced induction hob if you’re looking for a portable solution for occasional use at home, perhaps when entertaining, or to take camping.
The hob has two cooking areas, each of which can fit a pan with a diameter between 12cm and 26cm. Each area has separate controls, with a touch panel for easy temperature adjustment. If no pan is detected, the automatic shut off will kick in after 60 seconds.
The built in cooling fan can be a bit noisy, but the hob is powerful and heats pans quickly. After use, the glass surface is very easy to clean, and the slimline design makes it easy to pack the hob away and store until the next use.
Specifications
Pros
- Compatible with pans from 12cm to 26cm diameter
- Energy efficient
- Automatic shut off after 60 seconds if a pan is not detected
- Touch panel temperature adjustment
Cons
- A portable option rather than for installation in your kitchen
- Built in cooling fan is noisy
2. Bosch Induction Hob
- Four cooking zones of varying sizes
- Easy TouchSelect controls
- PowerBoost function to speed up the cooking process
- Easy installation
Bosch is a reputable electronics manufacturer and this induction hob is of the quality you would expect from the brand. The countertop hob has four zones for different sizes of pan, and there’s a handy function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for a larger cooking area.
There are simple to use TouchSelect controls to turn the hob on and adjust the temperature, though some users find it frustrating that to turn the hob off, you have to repeatedly press the temperature minus button until it reaches zero.
We like the timer with a switch-off function that cuts off the heat at the end of the cooking time, and the PowerBoost function which you can use to speed up the cooking process – it can get water to boiling point in no time. Installation into your counter surface is simple and the flat glass surface gives a streamlined look.
Specifications
Pros
- Two cooking zones can be combined as required
- Timer with switch off function shuts off heat at the end of cooking time
- Location of cooking zones marked on the surface for ease of use
- Residual heat indicator for safety
Cons
- PowerBoost function can only be used in one cooking zone at a time
- Beeps with each touch of the controls which some users find irritating
3. GIONIEN Plug-in Induction Hob
- Four cooking zones
- Plugs directly into a 13amp socket
- Touch sensitive slider controls to adjust the temperature
- PowerBoost function boils water in under 90 seconds
This is a four zone plug and play induction hob, with a number of helpful functions that make it great quality for the price. If you have a young family, safety may be a primary consideration and this hob has safety features including a child lock, residual heat indicator and also the ability to detect small items on the surface.
The touch sensitive controls are easy to use, as you simply slide your finger along a temperature scale to increase or decrease the temperature.
There’s a PowerBoost function which will have water to boiling temperature in less than 90 seconds, and we were also impressed by the programmable intelligent timer with a range of 1 minute to 99 minutes, which will turn the hob off automatically at the end of the countdown time.
The downside of this hob is that the total power is fine if you’re only using one or two of the four zones, but when the power is split across all four it’s not as effective.
Specifications
Pros
- Two cooking zones can be joined together for large pans
- Safety features including child lock, residual heat indicator and small item detection
- Programmable intelligent timer
- Easy to keep clean
Cons
- Total power of 3kW is split between zones if more than one is in use
- Can be hard to achieve the required temperatures if all zones are being used
4. SUNAVO Portable Induction Hob
- Portable design for home or mobile use
- 15 temperature and power levels
- LED touch control panel
- Temperature ranges from 40℃ to 240℃
If you need a portable induction hob to take camping, as an extra cooker when you have guests over, or even to allow you to cook during kitchen renovations, this Sunavo Portable Induction Hob is a well-priced choice.
Easy touch controls and the LED display make it easy for you to choose between 15 temperature settings ranging from 40℃ to 240℃, which give better temperature control for different dishes.
There are also 15 different power levels ranging from 100W to 2000W, and it’s simple to activate a child safety lock. This powerful hob can boil 1000ml of water in three minutes.
Specifications
Pros
- Built-in timer
- Great price for a portable or temporary cooking solution (during renovations, for example)
- Child safety lock
- Compact and easy to store when not in use
Cons
- Only one cooking ring or zone
- Compact size means it’s not suitable for very large pans
5. Russell Hobbs Induction Hob
- Four cooking zones
- Easy to use touch controls
- Two rapid zones, two semi-rapid zones with varying wattages
- Sleek and modern look with black glass
Russell Hobbs is another well-regarded manufacturer and this induction hob is well-priced. The appearance is sleek and modern thanks to the black glass, and it’s easy to clean.
There are four cooking zones in total, two of these are rapid zones and two are semi-rapid, with varying wattages between 1500W and 2000W. It’s easy to change the temperature with touch controls, and there’s a convenient timer. Safety features include a child lock and a residual heat indicator.
This model doesn’t have all the features of a more expensive product, so there’s no booster function and it’s not possible to combine zones as with some other hobs. However, this is a good all-round choice for the price.
Specifications
Pros
- Well-priced model
- Timer
- Residual heat indicator
- Child lock
Cons
- No booster function
- Zones cannot be combined as with some models
Induction Hob Buying Guide
Ceramic Hob vs Induction Hob
You may be wondering what exactly is the difference between a ceramic hob and an induction hob, as the appearance of both options is very similar, and gives little away about how they work.
A ceramic hob has coiled metal elements which sit underneath the ceramic glass. These elements are electronically heated, which in turn heats the ceramic surface, and then the pan placed on top. The elements may cycle on and off during use, so the temperature may not be completely consistent.
Induction hobs on the other hand, use electromagnetic technology. The magnets create an electromagnetic field that directly heats the pan rather than the hob surface. Some heat will transfer onto the surface from the hot pan, but most energy is transferred to the pan making induction hobs much more efficient. They’re also quicker to respond if you change the temperature so give you better control while cooking.
Type
The type of induction hob you’re looking for will depend on whether you want a model to fit into your kitchen worktop, or a portable option for occasional use, such as when you’re camping, or as a standby option if you need to prepare extra food for parties.
Portable Induction Hob
A portable induction hob will generally be smaller, with one or two cooking zones. The advantage of these models is that they are mains powered, so you can simply plug them into a power supply and use them wherever and whenever you need them.
They provide the same speedy cooking benefits as the installed models, and are compact and easy to store between uses, like portable electric hobs.
Plug In Induction Hob
A plug in induction hob is, as the name suggests, an option which you can simply plug into a mains supply. Some countertop hobs (which install into your kitchen surface) will be fitted with a plug, which makes them simple to install.
However, the downside of a 13 amp induction hob is that it can’t draw on as much power as a regular induction hob model.
This means that you may not get some of the functions such as a PowerBoost for speeding up your cooking, and if you’re using all of the zones on the hob they may not function as well as using just one or two. Plug in options are also more likely to have a limit of four zones.
Size
Assuming that you’re opting for a countertop induction hob, the best size of hob to choose depends on how much use you plan to make of it. Hobs tend not to vary too much in depth, because this is limited by the depth of kitchen units.
However the width of the hob can range from 30cm up to 90cm or even more. A 90cm induction hob tends to have five cooking zones, like a range cooker, whereas a 30cm version would have two, and a 60cm version would have four.
There are interim sizes which have flexible zones, for example Bosch make an 80cm induction hob with a large and small cooking zone for standard pans and a large area which can be used flexibly for a variety of pots.
Materials and Color
The various induction hobs we’ve reviewed here have all got a black surface, and this is probably the most common choice. Black fits seamlessly into most kitchens, and complements other appliances which often feature black glass – for example oven doors.
There are white induction hob options available if that’s your preference, and these can blend with pale worktops such as marble or corian surfaces.
Number of Burners
One of the main considerations when choosing an induction hob is the number of rings or zones you need. Unlike an older style electric hob or gas hob, these zones are part of the flat surface, so they’re not as obvious.
Some hobs have lines to show the central point of each zone, others may illuminate the areas when you turn the heat on. The different zones are usually of different sizes for a range of pans, and some hobs allow you to blend zones together to produce a larger cooking area when required.
5 Ring Induction Hob
A five ring induction hob is ideal if you have a larger family, or enjoy cooking more elaborate meals. This will give you ample space for cooking with a number of pans at once – ideal for dinner parties and family gatherings.
2 Ring Induction Hob
If you are choosing a portable hob, or a simple option for cooking for one or two people only, a two ring induction hob may be all you need. A two ring model may also be a handy piece of equipment to have on standby for entertaining, alongside a built-in hob in your existing kitchen.
Pricing Range
In general terms, an induction hob is a more expensive option than a ceramic hob. If you’re looking for a cheap induction hob, you can certainly find a portable model for around £50 and a countertop model for around £200. Pricing can rise to over £1,000 for larger hobs from premium appliance brands.
Induction Hob Cover
A hob cover can be a good way to protect your hob from any accidental scratches, and to avoid it being accidentally turned on (though many models have an automatic shut off feature if this does happen).
You’ll find a wide choice of hob covers, including some which can double up as a chopping surface. There are also some hob covers that can actually be used during cooking, maintaining conductivity but avoiding your pots and pans leaving any scuffs or marks on the hob surface.
Induction Hob Cleaner
Once your hob is completely cool, it can easily be wiped clean with soapy water. If there are grease splashes from cooking, you could use an appropriate kitchen spray to tackle the grease marks. Check the instructions for your particular hob, but in general any multi-purpose kitchen spray should be fine to tackle the task of cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
An induction hob is a type of countertop or portable stove that uses electromagnetic technology to transfer current, and create heat, in pots and pans placed on its surface.
Although there’s an element of personal preference, our recommendation is that an induction hob outperforms a ceramic hob.
- It heats pans faster, and you have better temperature control.
- An induction hob is more energy efficient because heat isn’t wasted heating the hob surface.
An induction hob has a smooth and flat surface, which is usually glass. This makes it very simple to clean using your regular kitchen surface spray and cloth. You should avoid any harsh brushes which could scratch the surface, and remember to check the manufacturer’s instructions for any specific recommendations.
An induction hob uses electromagnetic technology. Magnets under the surface create an electromagnetic field, which directly heats the pan. This makes induction hobs more energy efficient than ceramic hobs, and gives you better and more responsive temperature control.
Some induction hobs come with a plug, so simply plug into a mains power supply. Others require wiring, and the large power load means this is a task best left to a qualified electrician.
Because an induction hob uses electromagnetic technology, the cookware you use needs to be made of a magnetic based material, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel.
Pans which are suitable for induction hobs should have this information marked on them when you’re purchasing. If you want to see which of your existing pans would be compatible, the easiest way is to see if a magnet sticks to the pan base.
Our Verdict
For speedy cooking and excellent temperature control, you can’t beat an induction hob for performance.
If your requirement is for a portable model for occasional or camping use, or you want to try out an induction model before you commit to the effort of replacing a different style of hob in your kitchen, then the Aobosi Induction Hob is a great entry level option at a good price point, and a variety of handy features.
If you’re ready to commit to a built-in model for your day-to-day cooking, we rate the Bosch Induction Hob. It sits at a higher price point but the build quality is great and features such as PowerBoost for quicker cooking and the ability to join cooking zones make this a pleasure to use.
