How to Choose the Best Induction Hobs for Your Kitchen: A Complete Guide
In the dynamic realm of kitchen appliances, induction hobs emerge as versatile, efficient, and stylish solutions for modern culinary spaces. Today, we embark on an exploration of induction cooking with an in-depth review of four top contenders: the Belling IHL773, Indesit IB 88B60 NE, Miele KM7201FR, and Neff N90 T66YYY4C0. Each hob brings its unique array of features, functionalities, and design aesthetics to the forefront, promising to elevate your cooking experience to new levels.
From swift heating prowess to innovative control mechanisms, we'll delve into the strengths and limitations of each hob, drawing from our hands-on testing experience to provide invaluable insights. Whether you prioritize rapid performance, precise temperature control, versatility, or smart connectivity, our comprehensive review aims to arm you with the knowledge required to select the ideal induction hob for your kitchen. Join us as we navigate through the realm of induction cooking, uncovering standout features and determining the ultimate champion among these four contenders.
Belling IHL773
For those seeking the versatility of a wider hob to accommodate larger pots and pans, the Belling IHL773 presents an excellent value proposition. With its spacious 77cm design, it offers ample room around the burners compared to standard models measuring around 60cm.
Controlled by dedicated slider controls at the bottom, each of the four burners, including the flexible bridge zone, ensures even heating without any side becoming hotter than the other. The bridge zone offers the flexibility to function as two individual burners or a combined higher-power zone with a simple swipe.
In our evaluation using a thermal camera, we found that all burners, including the flexible bridge zone, heat evenly. Notably, the Belling IHL773 emerges as one of the fastest hobs in terms of performance and power. While smaller pans exhibited similar heat-up times to other hobs, larger quantities of water, such as 1.5 liters, reached 90°C in just 3 minutes and 24 seconds—a remarkably swift achievement.
Although lacking some smart features found in other induction hobs and dedicated cooking modes like melting or boiling, the Belling IHL773 compensates with its wide design, rapid heating capabilities, and even heat distribution. For those prioritizing speed and uniform heating in a wider hob, this model stands out as a compelling choice.
Indesit IB 88B60 NE
Unlike conventional burner rings, this hob features a pair of Flex Zones that can be combined to create a single, larger zone—perfect for accommodating square dishes and sizable grill plates.
The controls, conveniently located along the bottom edge, allow for easy adjustment through the nine power zones. Additionally, the Indesit hob offers buttons for zone deactivation and max power activation for 5 minutes, facilitating quick water boiling. Notably, the IB 88B60 NE boasts clever Push&Go modes designed for specific purposes—Push&Boil for bringing water to a rolling boil and Push&Warm for keeping food warm or gently reducing liquid.
While it may not be the fastest in boiling water, the Indesit IB 88B60 NE emphasizes consistent performance over sheer speed. It maintains maximum power across all zones without compromising power allocation elsewhere, making it a standout in power management. The automatic modes, such as Push&Boil and Push&Warm, deliver consistent temperatures—near 100 degrees for boiling and 72 degrees for warming—ensuring optimal food preparation without the risk of drying out.
Miele KM 7200 FR Induction Cooktop
The Miele KM7201FR stands out as an exceptionally rapid heating hob, albeit at a premium price point.
During testing, it impressively boiled a substantial 1.5-liter pan of water in just 2 minutes and 19 seconds—faster than most kettles—thanks to its formidable 3650W power output. Even when reducing the water quantity to 1 liter or half a liter, the speeds remained commendably swift, albeit with slight decreases. Thermal imaging revealed that the KM7201FR's round cooking zones distribute heat relatively evenly, although some slight warming around the outer edges of the pans was observed—typical for traditional hobs but easily managed with occasional stirring.
Featuring a stainless steel surround instead of edge-to-edge glass, this hob exudes sophistication while providing added protection to its sides. Its configuration of four round rings, including mid-sized and smaller zones, caters to various pan sizes.
Operating the hob is a breeze, with an auto-detect function that recognizes when a pan is placed on the hob. Manual control options are available via a row of buttons for adjusting the nine power levels. Additionally, the Miele hob offers two levels of power boost for rapid boiling, a Keep Warm function, and an auto-heat-up feature for quick pan preheating—ideal for minimizing waiting times.
Neff N90 T66YYY4C0
For those seeking an effortlessly stylish and user-friendly hob with precise cooking control, the Neff N90 T66YYY4C0 emerges as a top choice.
Available in various trim colors, including bronze, black, silver, and grey, the Neff N90 T66YYY4C0 not only boasts aesthetic appeal but also practicality, with trims that magnetically attach to the hob's side clips. This design feature facilitates easy color customization and hassle-free cleaning.
Setting itself apart with innovative design elements, the Neff T66YYY4C0 eliminates traditional zone or burner markings, opting instead for a split layout into left and right zones. This allows for flexible positioning of pots and pans across the hob, unrestricted by burner size limitations.
Controlled by the Twist Pad Flex, the Neff T66YYY4C0 offers unparalleled ease of use. Unlike conventional touch controls, the Twist Pad Flex magnetically attaches to the hob's center, enabling users to navigate power settings for each of the four nominal burners with intuitive directional presses.
Beyond user-friendliness, this hob delivers precise temperature control and rapid performance, boiling 1 liter of water in just 2.5 minutes—an impressive feat for an induction hob.
As a smart appliance, the Neff T66YYY4C0 integrates seamlessly with the Home Connect app, although its Twist Pad Flex interface remains the preferred choice for most users. The app allows for convenient adjustment of power modes, receipt of cooking notifications, and firmware updates.
Whether you're a novice cook or a seasoned chef, the Neff T66YYY4C0 ensures a seamless cooking experience with its intuitive design and precise control capabilities.
How We Tested
Heating Speed: Assessment of how quickly the hobs bring pans of water to boiling temperature, considering different pan sizes.
Power Distribution: Examination of how evenly heat is distributed across burners and whether there's any power-sharing behavior observed.
Usability Features: Testing of auto-cooking functionalities, timers, and other user-friendly features.
Smart Capabilities: Evaluation of any smart features, such as app connectivity or voice control.
Ease of Cleaning: Assessment of how easy it is to clean the hobs after use.
Overall Performance: Consideration of overall performance, including heating efficiency, reliability, and user satisfaction.
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