Siemens
iQ100 EH801FVB1E
Test score
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A great hob will be quick to heat up when you're in a hurry but also be able to simmer very gently. The best hobs will spread heat evenly to help you prepare a perfect pancake.
While gas hobs are still very popular, they aren't easy to keep clean. Flat induction hobs make removing cooking splashes and spills much easier.
Read on for our expert buying advice and Best Buy recommendations, which are based on our rigorous and independent tests.
To browse all the hobs we've tested, see our hob reviews.
We test hobs on their performance, ease of use, ease of cleaning and energy usage. The following hobs are the best induction, best electric, best gas and best gas on glass hobs we've tested. We've also included our favourite cheap best buy hob.
Only logged-in Which? members can see our Best Buy recommendations. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.
We were blown away by this hob which, despite being released in 2018, is still the best induction hob we've tested. It's a pricey purchase but if you regularly struggle to keep lots of pans on the go at once, then this 80cm-wide five-zone induction hob could be the answer.
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This is a very impressive induction hob for a reasonable price. It will heat up a panful of water quickly, but can also provide very gentle heat for delicate simmering. It’s easy to use and to keep clean and is our cheapest Best Buy on test.
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It may look like an induction hob, but this sleek hob is actually an electric ceramic hob and comes with touch controls and a handy dual-cook zone. We tested this model back in 2017, but it's still available and we still recommend it as the best electric ceramic hob we've tested.
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This gas on glass hob won’t win any awards for speed in our tests, but if you’re not in too much of a hurry you can rely on it to cook your food evenly and gently. It’s also responsive and easy to use. Only a whisker away from being a Best Buy, it's currently the best gas on glass hob we've tested.
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This stainless steel four-ring gas hob comes with automatic ignition, so it shouldn’t be difficult to light the flames and start cooking. But will it feel overcrowded if you’re whipping up a couple of side dishes to go with a tasty spaghetti bolognese? The full review of this, our current best gas hob, will give you the low down.
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Not found the hob for you? See all of our hob reviews.
Watch our video to help you choose the type of hob that's right for you and your kitchen.
With hobs, it's more than just deciding between electric or gas. Here's a brief overview of the three main types of hob. Visit our individual buying guides on ceramic, induction and gas hobs for more in-depth information.
Ceramic hobs run on electric and have a smooth, easy-to-clean surface.
They’re easy to use but are slower to warm up and cool down than gas or induction hobs. While individual hobs vary, heat distribution across the bottom of pans often isn’t as good as when cooking on gas.
Read our ceramic hob buying guide.
Gas hobs are easy to control and give instant heat. They're not as quick as induction hobs at heating up big panfuls, but they're usually better at distributing heat evenly across the base of a pan. They tend to be good at simmering, too.
Gas-on-glass hobs have gas burners mounted on top of ceramic glass, so as well as looking more stylish than other gas hobs they're also easier to clean.
Read our gas hob buying guide.
Induction hobs create a magnetic field between the induction element in the hob and the pan. This means that only the pan heats up, rather than the cooking surface.
Induction hobs are quicker than other types of hob and more efficient to run because there's no heat loss from the hob surface into the air.
Before you buy, you should check your pots and pans work on an induction hob, as you may need to invest in a new set.
Read our induction hob buying guide.
Installing a new kitchen along with your new hob? See our guide to the Best and worst kitchen brands.
From special burners for woks through to child-safety features, here are some things to think about depending on how you want to use your hob.
Looking for the perfect cookware for your hob? Read our guide to the best non-stick frying pans.
You can pick up a basic gas hob for less than £100 if you go for an own-brand model. Gas-on-glass hobs are a little pricier, starting at around £120. You can pay up to £1,000 for a high-end, five-zone gas hob from an upmarket brand.
Induction hobs have plummeted in price over the past few years, and a cheap four-zone model can cost less than £200. We've even found Best Buy induction hobs for less than £250.
At the other end of the scale, a top-of-the-range number could set you back £2,000.
Electric ceramic hobs often cost less than £200. As with gas and induction hobs, larger, pricier models are available.
Use the filters on our hob reviews to find one that meets your needs and budget.
Hobs come in various shapes and sizes. Most have four cooking zones, but there are plenty of five-zone hobs to choose from. They tend to be between 70cm and 90cm wide, and 51cm or 52cm front to back, which means that they'll fit onto standard-sized kitchen counters.
Most ceramic, gas and induction hobs are about 60cm wide. Hobs that are slightly wider should still fit a standard 60cm gap as they’re designed to overlap the worktop. The size of hobs depends on the size of the burners or hob rings, which will vary from hob to hob.
Larger hobs have five cooking zones, and gas hobs often have a central wok burner. This is a high-powered burner used for stir-frying or rapid boiling. Five-zone hobs range in width, but are generally no more than 90cm wide. Having five zones doesn't necessarily mean you'll be able to fit five pots and pans comfortably on the hob, but the extra hob zone does give you more space than a four-zone hob.
You don't have to be limited by traditional-sized hobs. Single-zone, two-zone and three-zone hobs are all available and can be built into a countertop.
While the energy your hob uses in a year is a drop in the ocean compared with heating your home and water heating, it's still worth bearing in mind how much energy a hob uses and where this energy comes from.
Whether you've got the zone on full power for a few minutes or are simmering gently for a while, an induction hob uses energy more efficiently than either a gas hob or electric ceramic hob.
Gas hobs are the least energy efficient of the three main hob types. A significant amount of heat is lost to heating up your kitchen, rather than your food. However, because gas is cheaper, you may save a few pounds a year with a gas hob over an electric hob.
In terms of sustainability, induction and ceramic hobs have the possibility to run on renewables (depending on your electricity supplier), while this is not the case for gas hobs.
If something goes wrong with your hob within the first few years, then you’re unlucky, as our regular owner survey reveals that hobs are one of the most reliable appliances. If you do experience a fault though, especially within the first few years, it’s worth checking if a fix is possible.
Most faults on a hob – whether gas or electric – will require the attention of an engineer. Don’t be tempted to dismantle parts unless you’re qualified to do so, as this could be dangerous.
Which? Trusted Traders will help locate a local company that can assess what’s wrong and maybe fix it on the spot.
Hobs are usually guaranteed for two years by larger retailers such as Currys and John Lewis, although some offer more. Sometimes a longer guarantee is offered for parts, and a shorter one for labour.
If your hob is still under guarantee when it breaks down, your first port of call should be the retailer who should fix it for free or offer you a replacement product.
Hobs aren’t yet covered by the new right to repair law that came in recently for washing machines, fridges and some other appliances. This law obliges manufacturers to have spare parts available for up to 10 years after discontinuation of the appliance. Which? is working to encourage government to extend this law more widely to other appliances, such as hobs.
Common problems with hobs include one of the zones stopping working, or the ignition on a gas hob giving up the ghost.
Head to our latest owners' survey to discover how the top hob brands rated for reliability.
If you're looking to save a little cash when buying a hob, you have a few options. But whichever route you take, it’s important to get your hob installed by a professional: a Gas Safe engineer or a professional electrician.
Ex-display can be a great option. The hob is unused, and any differences to a new hob should be visual only. If you can see it in person before you buy do so, otherwise ask to view images. You still have the right to return the hob if the description doesn’t fit, but it's better to avoid that hassle.
Refurbished models are usually those that have been returned by the purchaser, as unwanted or faulty. Again, these should be a safe bet, and you should get a full guarantee with them.
Buying second-hand can be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying new, but there are several things to bear in mind. Buying from a reputable business rather than a private individual is better, as you will be covered by various quality and safety rights. If you buy from a private individual, check the hob hasn’t been subject to a recall: see Electrical Safety First's product recall list.
If you do take the private sale route – via Gumtree or Amazon marketplace for example – try to get evidence that the hob has been gas or electrical safety tested. If it can be plugged in using a 13 amp connection it should have a a PAT test (an electrical safety test for portable appliances), too. Most gas hobs can be plugged in like this (they need electric for the ignition), but the bulk of electric hobs require hardwiring. Also ask about a guarantee and if you can, get the manual from the seller. Otherwise, look online for a free download.
Use a Gas Safe engineer to install your second hand hob and get it PAT tested at the same time.
Find out more about your rights when buying second-hand goods.
People often leave their hob behind when they move house. The inventory agreed during the sale means you will know which appliances are included.
If the hob runs on gas, the vendors should supply a gas safety certificate. If they don’t, or any check is from more than a year ago, you should get a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a safety check, ideally before you move in.
For electric hobs, unless you are able to get evidence of correct installation and a safety certificate, you should get an engineer in to give it the once-over.
According to Recycle Now, about two-thirds of unwanted electrical goods go to landfill. This not only creates a problem for the future, but prevents valuable raw materials, such as iron, from being re-used. There are a number of options for recycling your hob.
If you’re getting a new hob delivered, it’s usually possible to arrange for the old one to be taken away for recycling at the same time. Currys PC World and John Lewis offer this service for a small charge (£15 - £20). They both state appliances will be recycled responsibly.
Another route is to take your hob to the local authority recycling centre. Recycle Now has a tool to locate your nearest recycling centre that accepts electricals. Some stores also take old appliances for recycling. Alternatively, your local council will pick up for a fee.
If you're simply upgrading or redesigning your kitchen and there’s nothing wrong with your hob, you could give it to a charity (some offer collection) or sell it privately.
Find out more about How to recycle electrical items.
Once you've bought your hob, you'll need to get it installed by a professional.
For gas hobs, you’ll need a Gas Safe-registered engineer.
To get an electric or induction hob fitted, you'll need an electrician.
The shop you buy your hob from is likely to offer its own installation and disposal services, so check this when you make your purchase.
If the fee it quotes is too high, or you simply prefer to hire your own professional, visit Which? Trusted Traders to find local fitters endorsed by Which?.
For more installation advice, see our guide to installing cookers and hobs.