Team KBB

How to choose the right hob for your kitchen

Posted on 27th February 2025

Whether you opt for induction, vented or a gas hob, the latest models will add a professional edge to your kitchen.

KBB journo Sally Smith reveals how to choose a hob that is both functional and right for your kitchen. Read on to find out all about the newest models – from seamless and sleek to stylish and smart – and their features…

Vented hob with integrated extractor. — The Novy Easy 90 Prestige 90cm vented induction hob features five black aluminium rotary controls integrated within cabinetry beneath the hob. It has a 10cm width matrix grid surface extractor with over nine power speed settings and knows when a pan is on the hob. Priced £4499.

What’s on offer

Induction hobs are energy-efficient, as the heat focuses on each individual pan for quick heat-up times and precise temperature control. They come in 60cm and 90cm widths, with space for up to six pans and cleverly combined heating zones, and are ideal for larger pans or fish skillets.

If you are looking for an alternative to wall or ceiling extraction, a vented induction hob where the extraction unit is neatly integrated in the centre of the induction hob – only activated when you start to cook – is perfect for an open-plan layout. While four- and five-burner gas hobs in stainless or a modern black glass finish offer the intense heat needed for flash frying used in so many restaurant-inspired dishes.

Hidden cooktop in an island. — Gaggenau’s Essential Induction is a cooktop and worktop combined into one – a single surface with no barriers, frames or gaps allows it to integrate into any living space, with a dot on the surface and a control knob. Price on application.

Modern scheme with a flush induction hob. — The Bora X Pure cooktop extractor system detects when a pan of water starts to boil and switches off the heat. Connect it to the Bora Joy app and you’ll be able to start programmes remotely, set cooking time and control the temperature. Priced at £3010.

Latest functionality

Look out for induction models with independent countdown timers for each cooking zone. The power starts at maximum and then reduces down automatically when a pan of water reaches boiling point. Multislider touch control, moveable magnetic knobs and controls that can be integrated into the cabinetry give the latest induction and vented hobs a minimalist finish.

Vented hobs can automatically adjust extraction speeds depending on the amount of steam and smells while you are cooking, helping to reduce overall noise levels. State-of-the-art cooktops with hidden induction hobs integrated within stunning porcelain worktops are the ultimate appliance for open-plan living.

Gas hob in a white kitchen with a wall-mounted hood. — The Bertazzoni 90cm gas-on-glass hob has five matt black monobloc burners including a lateral 5kW dual wok burner, single cast-iron pan support, and black, soft-touch knobs along with matching ceiling and wall extraction units. Priced £899.

Pink kitchen design with neutral worktops and cooking ingredients. — Caple’s 59cm low-profile four-burner gas hob in stainless steel features a flame safety device with auto restart, cast-iron magnetic pan supports, automatic electronic ignition and LPG jets. Priced £435.69.

Good to know

Recirculating vented hobs are ideal for a kitchen island but, if you opt for a ducted model, you’ll have to do some building work, as the pipework will need a route to an outside vent under the floor, in the ceiling or directly to an outside wall.

Check with the retailer whether the hob can be surface- or flush-mounted, and remember that your pans have to be compatible with any induction cooktop – this means they must be made of magnetic material, so either iron or iron-based. It’s worth asking for a sink drawer under a vented hob as this will wrap around the motor and still provide some storage.

Closeup of an extractor cooktop with four pots and pans. — The Miele KMDA 7272 FR-U Silence downdraft induction hob features integrated vapour extraction, is 25% quieter than its predecessor at higher levels, and reacts automatically to the settings on the hob. It also has four separate cooking zones with a choice of ducted or recirculating modes. Priced £3099.

Modern Scandi scheme with marble worktop and herringbone flooring. — Asko’s Elevate Hood-in-Hob has two smaller fans to minimise the noise from the extraction unit. The hob includes 11 power levels and a boost for rapid boiling, four cooking zones with dedicated controls, and separate countdown and stopwatch timers. The hob automatically turns off when the countdown is reached. Priced £2999.

Buying tips

It will depend on your cooking preferences and kitchen layout as to which type of hob will suit your exact requirements. There are mixed fuel hobs on the market that offer induction zones with an integrated gas burner or, alternatively, a domino-style cooktop combining induction, gas and hot plates is a good option.

It’s worth considering an induction hob that can be connected wirelessly to a compatible extraction wall or ceiling unit, making this an energy-efficient option for your kitchen. WiFi-enabled vented and induction hobs will give you the flexibility to control them remotely and receive notifications on energy efficiency and maintenance.

Scandi kitchen with wood cabinetry, terrazzo surfaces and black appliances. — The Siemens 90cm induction hob with Smart cooking zone adapts to your cookware. It comes with touch-and-slide control, ‘frying Sensor Plus’ to avoid burning and ‘power Move Plus’ with intuitive control activating three different heating zones by moving the pan. Priced £2019.

Closeup of a sleek induction hob in a blue kitchen. — Smeg’s Dolce Stil Novo mixed fuel Auto Vent 2.0 hob features two independent induction cooking zones or the two combined into a single zone. Each of them automatically adapts to the size and position of the dishes and is heated only where the pans locate. It includes traditional gas burners and a powerful gas burner with durable cast-iron pan stands. Priced £1679.

What will your new hob cost?

A vented hob which is a 2-in-1 appliance will be more of an investment, with prices ranging from £2500 to £4500, but that includes your extraction unit, too. A 90cm induction hob will cost around £1000, with a standard 60cm model coming in at about £700.

A more traditional gas hob will cost from £500 to £900 depending on the number of burners and finish. The latest induction units that can be hidden within a worktop start at £1300, but you’ll have to add the price of the work surface and installation on top.