Looking for an induction hob? We have researched and tested countless models to compile the 10 best options for you!
We need to get rid of gas, i.e. start cooking electrically. There are several ways to do this, and cooking on induction is one of them. In this article, we weigh up the pros and cons of induction hobs against those of other electric cookers. We also help you choose the right induction hob for you.
What forms of electric cooking are there?
Roughly speaking, you can say that there are 3 forms of electric cooking:
- The electric hob. This is not often used anymore. Electric hobs heat up slowly and consume a lot of energy. They have the added disadvantage that the hobs stay hot. Moreover, they require a separate group.
- The halogen or ceramic hob. Here, a halogen or electric element heats the cooking zones on a glass plate. The advantage is that you can set the temperature and they heat up quickly. This also requires a separate group.
- The induction hob. An induction hob itself does not heat up. A magnetic field heats the magnetic bottom of the pan. So you do need a suitable pan for it, but it works very quickly. With an induction hob, you cook relatively energy-efficiently. Low-power hobs do not require a separate group, but most do, and usually a Perilex plug and socket.
Why choose an induction hob?
Induction hobs are relatively economical in terms of energy consumption. This is because when cooking on induction, only the area under the pan is heated by the magnetic field. The heat goes directly to the pan, a very efficient use of energy. The cost is similar to that of a gas stove, but lower than traditional electric hobs and ceramic hobs. Another big advantage is safety, as the hob itself does not heat up. After cooking, you can easily clean the smooth surface of induction hobs with common products.
What is the best induction hob for you?
What is the best induction hob for you depends mainly on your budget and the power you need. That power in turn depends on the number of cooking zones you want: 4, 5 or 6. Most induction hobs are made to be built into your countertop, but there are also those that you can place freely. In our Top 10, we have picked out the best 2023 steam cooker for a wide range of preferences.
The best built-in induction hob in the test
Bosch PXV875DC1E
The Bosch PXV875DC1E induction hob has 5 cooking zones, 2 of which can be flexibly combined into one large one. This will fit a fish pan or a grill pan, for example. The temperature of each cooking zone is adjustable in 17 steps. On the lowest setting, simmer meat, on the highest you quickly cook vegetables. Extra-fast cooking is also possible, via the boost function. The Bosch PXV875DC1E also has a built-in frying sensor, which prevents your meat from burning and keeps the temperature in the pan constant.
- 5 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- built roasting sensor
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Heating function: yes
- Dimensions (w x d): 81.6 x 52.7 cm
- Recess width: 75 – 78.2 cm
- Depth: 49 – 50.2 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Operation: touch controls
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
The induction hob with the best value for money
AEG IKB64411FB
The AEG IKB64411FB is a built-in induction hob with 4 cooking zones. One of the zones is expandable to fit a small fish pan or roasting pan. The temperature is adjustable in 14 settings and the hob also features a boost function. A handy timer and the keep-warm function complete the ease of use of this induction hob. Unfortunately, the AEG IKB64411FB does not switch off automatically if a pan boils over.
- 4 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- Built-in timer
- Additional group needed
- No automatic switch-off
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: yes, 1 zone expandable
- Heating function: yes
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Recess width: 56 cm
- Depth of recess: 49 cm
- Connected load: 7,350 W
- Control via: touch controls, slider
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
The best cheap induction hob
Inventum IKI6010
The Inventum IKI6010 is a ‘basic’ induction hob. Without a flexible cooking zone, booster and heat function. Having said that, though, it is just a really good hob. It is easy to operate and clean, has a timer per cooking zone and switches off automatically when no pan is on it.
- Connecting with a normal plug
- Built-in timer
- No flexible cooking zone
- No warming function
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Recess width: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch buttons
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice induction hob with 5 cooking zones
Siemens EX851FVC1E
A good built-in induction hob with 5 cooking zones is the Siemens EX851FVC1E. The temperature of each zone is adjustable in 17 settings. If you use the extended zone then you have 4 temperature settings. The Quick Start function ensures that all zones heat up at the same time. Handy if you want to heat a lot of pans quickly. With the boost function, you have a pan of boiling water very quickly. Operating the hob does take some getting used to.
- 5 cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Boost function
- Frying sensor
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (W x D): 80.2 x 52.2 cm
- Recess width: 75 cm
- Depth of recess: 49 – 50.2 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Operation: touch controls, slider
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice induction hob with 4 cooking zones
Bosch PVS775FC5E
If 4 cooking zones are enough for you, choose the Bosch PVS775FC5E built-in induction hob. This is a spacious hob, which still fits in a small (standard) built-in recess. 2 cooking zones can be combined into 1 large one, creating space for a roasting pan or grill. A touchscreen controls the temperature in 17 settings. The boost function lets you heat a pan of water extra quickly.
- 4 spacious cooking zones
- Flexible cooking zone
- Small recess
- Frying sensor
- Boost function
- Boil-over protection
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (W x D): 71 x 52.7
- Recess width: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 – 50 cm
- Connected load: 6,900 W
- Control via: touch screen
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice 1-phase induction hob
ETNA KIS260ZT
If you want to connect your induction hob to an ordinary socket, you should opt for a single-phase appliance. The ETNA KIS260ZT is then a good choice. The fact that a single-phase connection suffices does mean that the power output is a bit lower and it will therefore take a bit longer for your pans to heat up. With the ETNA KIS260ZT, you are buying a basic appliance, without a flexible cooking zone or warming setting, but with a boost function and overcooking protection. The price is pleasant and the single-phase power supply means connection costs are low.
- 4 cooking zones
- Boost function
- Boil-over protection
- Low connection charges
- No flexible zone
- No warming mode
- Low power
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 59 x 52 cm
- Recess width: 56 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch buttons
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice 2-phase induction hob
Bosch PVW851FB5E
The Bosch PVW851FB5E is a powerful induction hob with 5 cooking zones. It fits into most gas hob recesses. That’s handy if you want to switch. 2 cooking zones can be combined into 1 large one, which fits a council slide, grill or fish pan. The temperature for each zone is adjustable in 17 settings. The boost function lets you heat a pan extra quickly. A complete appliance, but one that requires a Perilex plug and socket.
- 5 cooking zones
- lexible cooking zone
- Small recess
- Boost function
- Boil-over protection
- No warming mode
- Additional group needed
- Number of cooking zones: 5
- Flexible cooking zone: yes
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (w x d): 80.2 x 52.2
- Recess width: 75 cm
- Depth: 49 cm
- Connected load: 7,400 W
- Control via: touch buttons
- Connection: 2 phases (Perilex plug)
Good choice induction hob with 2 cooking zones
ETNA KIV12ZIL
An induction hob with 2 cooking zones is handy for single-person households, in small kitchens, but also as an extra hob for when you regularly cook for lots of people or very elaborately. If the latter is the case, opt for a freestanding hob, such as the ETNA KIV12ZIL. It is affordable, powerful and can be connected with an ordinary plug (just make sure the relevant group is not overloaded). The temperature is adjustable in 8 settings and the ETNA KIV12ZIL has overcooking protection. It also features a handy timer.
- Compact
- Works with normal plug
- Boil-over protection
- Timer
- Moveable
- Only 2 cooking zones
- No warming mode
- Number of cooking zones: 2
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Heating function: no
- Dimensions (W x D): 56.5 x 36 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: touch buttons
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Good choice induction hob with flexible cooking zones
Inventum IKI7735
The generously sized Inventum IKI7735 built-in induction hob features 4 cooking zones. The two left-hand zones can be combined into 1 large zone, on which you can place a grill plate, roasting pan or oval fish pan. Because the hob is so large for 4 cooking zones, several large pans can fit on it. This is handy when cooking for large diners. You can set the temperature of the cooking zones to 9 settings. A timer and cooking timer are built-in. An extra advantage of the Inventum IKI7735 is that you can connect it to both 2 phases (full power) and i phase (reduced power) via the Power Management function.
- Flexible cooking zone
- 4 spacious cooking zones
- for 1-phase as well as 2-phase
- Built-in timer/cook timer
- Boost function
- No 5th cooking zone
- Separate group required (Perilex plug)
The best freestanding induction hob
ETNA KIV264RVS
Say you are switching from gas to induction and you have a natural stone worktop. Then adapting the recess for the induction hob can be quite expensive. In such a case, you can also opt for a freestanding hob like the ETNA KIV264RVS. This induction hob can be connected via an ordinary socket. This is handy, but does have the consequence that the power output is not very high. So your pans will take a little longer to heat up. The ETNA KIV264RVS is equipped with a booster function, a timer, boil-over protection, a keep-warm function and a child lock. So very complete and safe, and not too expensive either.
- Use anywhere
- Ordinary socket
- Safe for small children
- Sleek design
- Limited power
- No flexible cooking zone
- Number of cooking zones: 4
- Flexible cooking zone: no
- Heating function: yes
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 59 x 52 x 7.2 cm
- Connected load: 3,500 W
- Control via: slider per zone, touch keys
- Connection: 1 phase (normal plug)
Overview best induction hobs
To make choosing the right induction hob easier for you, we list the entire Top 10 here once again:
rating Brand & type distinctive
- Bosch PXV875DC1E Best buy
- AEG IKB64411FB Best buy
- Inventum IKI6010 Best cheap
- Siemens EX851FVC1E Good choice 5 cooking zones
- Bosch PVS775FC5E Good choice 4 cooking zones
- ETNA KIS260ZT Best with 1 phase
- Bosch PVW851FB5E Best for 2 phases
- ETNA KIV12ZIL Best with 2 cooking zones
- Inventum IKI7735 Best with flexible cooking zones
- ETNA KIV264RVS Best freestanding induction hob
Buying guide: what to look out for when buying an induction hob?
If you are going to buy a new induction hob, there are a number of things you need to take into account, and then choose the one that suits you best.
Is your electrical connection satisfactory?
You usually need to have an extra group installed and a special Perilex socket made for a Perilex plug. This has to be done by a recognised installer, so bear in mind that there will be extra costs. Only with single-phase appliances with a normal plug do you not have to incur these costs.
Will your hob fit into the recess of your countertop?
If you are buying a new induction hob as a replacement for a built-in gas hob, so there is already a recess in your countertop. Check that it matches the required dimensions of your new induction hob.
How much do you have to spend?
When deciding on your budget, you should take into account any additional costs for installation and for modifying your countertop. Only then can you decide how much is left for the induction hob itself.
Do you want luxury or can it also be simple?
Consider whether you regularly need a larger heating surface, for example for a fish pan, a roasting pan or a grill plate. Do you often need to keep food warm? Do you want a booster function to boil water extra fast? Do you need more than 4 cooking zones? Do you want the appliance to switch off automatically if a pan boils over? All questions that determine the luxury of your induction hob, and therefore its price.
Conclusion: which is the best induction hob?
It is not easy to say what the best induction hob is. In fact, it depends entirely on your needs and capabilities. Personally, I would always choose a hob with 5 cooking zones and a flexible cooking zone, such as the AEG IKB64411FB. But maybe you have a smaller kitchen unit and will have to make do with four cooking zones. Then the Inventum IKI6010 and the Bosch PVS775FC5E are worth considering. For on the side, if you occasionally cook extra-large meals, I would opt for the ETNA KIV12ZIL.
Hi, I’m Thomas!
Passion for food and writing
Together with my friend Laura – the foodie on our team – we review kitchen appliances to make the choice easier for you. This way you know which appliances are good and we save you from a bad purchase!
Frequently asked questions
It may take some getting used to, but once it does, cooking on induction is easy and safe.
When cooking on induction hobs, heat is generated by an electromagnetic field. That magnetic field heats the magnetic bottom of the pan. So the only condition is, that your pan has a magnetic bottom.
The number of phases is always in the description. It determines whether for your induction hob a connection with a normal plug on a normal socket is sufficient or not.