Induction hobs are said to be the new and best way of cooking. Highly efficient, heats up quickly, incredibly responsive and no burnt on food. Make it portable, what more could you want?
If you’re not familiar with the term induction, it is a safe and efficient way to cook. The added bonus of being easy to clean. Induction hobs stay cold, heating the pots and pans up, not the hob itself. They tend to be great on energy saving as they boil water more quickly and generally reduce cooking time.
Usually induction hobs can be kept at a constant regulated cooking temperature and easy to use touch controls, meaning that dishes can be cooked thoroughly, so if boiling water to make tea is something you do frequently, an induction hob may have it’s benefits.
Below, we are looking at the best induction hobs currently on the market.
Brandt TI2SLIM (Editor’s Choice)
A favourite among French households, Brandt have been making household appliances for generations, frequently leading the market. They have now released a portable induction hob to add to their appliance list.
There are 10 different power levels this means that there are plenty of different temperature and timer options. Those wishing to cook up a great variety of dishes, this hob could make that possible with ease. Slider controls mean that controlling power and temperature can be done at the swipe of finger.
A child lock is a feature that may appeal to those with young children, giving peace of mind as this will prevent a child from using the hob. If things start to get rushed and those potatoes are needed pronto, there is a power booster function to speed things along.
This portable hob may suit a family who wish to cook whilst travelling, making every destination feel like home as it is portable, lightweight with an array of functions so few meals will be out of bounds.
There are 5 easy to use pre-programmed settings, including a keep warm function, which will keep the hot plate warm for you. The control panel is clear and can be controlled at the touch of a finger, as well as being very easy to clean with only a damp cloth thanks to the ceramic plate. A timer function is also present removing the need to clock watch while cooking.
Designed to be ultra slim but still lots of power, the provides the best induction solution for those who are keen on portability.
Pros
- Two different cooking zones so can heat multiple pots and pans at once.
- Touch controls making it easy to use.
- Huge range of power levels providing lots of different cooking options.
- Easy to clean
- Three hour timer
Cons
- Bigger than other portable induction hobs so may not be the most practical choice but does boast a larger cooking area than most.
Amzchef YL28-DC08
This ultra thin, lightweight induction hob offers two independent heating zones, meaning you could be cooking up a stir fry on one zone, and heating milk on the other all at the same time, giving great flexibility to any trip.
The Amzchef has a child lock, giving the family a safe environment wherever they are cooking. With a 3 hour timer this hob could be suited to those who like to do some serious cooking away from home.
A crystal glass top finish gives provides the Amzchef with some modern style but also makes it durable, which could be something to bare in mind if portability is a factor. There is a nice bright led display on either side to control the settings, timer etc.
The dimensions of this induction hob really does give it a true sense of being portable but is still highly practical. It has a great range of pot size (10cm – 26cm) so all types of cooking can be undertaken.
There are 9 power settings for one hob (200W – 1800W) and 5 power settings for the other (200W – 1000W). Once selected the heat will remain constant and evenly distributed and the bottom of the pan. This is great for making soups, cooking beans, a bit of spaghetti…the list is endless and could take cooking to the next level!
With the Amzchef there are 10 different temperature levels, ranging from 60c to 240c. A great feature of this induction hob is the IGBT sensor, this detects the temperature in the middle of pot. When this mode is selected, the temperature can be controlled to prevent overcooking and burning. For those wishing to sauté, sear or fry, this could be the best hob.
A feature which isn’t on all portable induction cookers is a timer, the Amzchef has a timer of three hours, which should cover cooking for most people.
Pros
- Double induction giving lots of flexibility
- 10 temperature levels up to 240 c
- One button locking panel for the child lock
- Three hour timer
- Nine different power settings for one magnetic plates, five for the other
Cons
- Ultra thin cooking surface could make it less durable, which could be important when considering a portable induction burner.
Aobosi FS-IRC108-2800
The Aobosi portable induction hob has a lot of features and is one of the best on the market. Similar to the Amzchef, it has an led display so the control panel is easy to use with the touch controls offering great heat control. The power will shut off after 60 seconds as a safety feature which could offer peace of mind.
A lightweight portable hob that has 10 different temperature settings and will heat up to 240 c, one of the best features is the keep warm function. Much like the other induction hobs here, the Aobosi is easy to clean and can be done so with a damp cloth.
This double induction portable hob will work of a home supply so would be suitable to take on holiday or as an additional burner when required. The two cooking zones are operated independently of each other and are compatible with steel, cast iron, enamelled iron, stainless steel, flat bottom pan or pot with a diameter or 12 to 26cm, making this one of the more versatile hob on the market.
One of the best features of the Aobosi induction cooker is that it has a four hours timer, which will turn the hot plate off once it has reached zero.
Portable induction cooking can get hot, a great thing about this model is there is high-quality 7 blade fan designed to rapidly dissipate heat, this will help to increase the life of the product too.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Low and high voltage warning system – great safety feature to ensure peace of mind
- Automatic power shut off after 60 seconds if no cookware is detected.
- Long timer setting
Cons
- The cooling fan can be quite noisy
NOXTON CTM302D05G1
A move away from the traditional stainless steel hobs we are all familiar with, the NOXTON hob has a mirror crystal black surface which could really make cooking stylish, while being durable. The control panel has 9 different settings, including boil, stir fry and stew, switching from one mode to another is simple making cooking easy and enjoyable.
This induction.hob could appeal to those with young children as it has great safety features, including a heat indicator to show whether the hob is still hot or not. There is also a child safe lock and a timer key to offer that additional peace of mind. The NOXTON induction hob has gone a step further when it comes to safety features and has ensured that there are no sharp corners, only round edges and it is CE&GS approved, safe and user friendly.
Portable induction cooking has said to be expensive as often you need to replace your pots and pans if they aren’t compatible, one of the best things about this induction hob is that it is suitable for all pans, Iron, aluminium, ceramic plate, stainless steel, copper, heat-resistant glass…as long as a pan.
The crystal surface is a scratch proof hot plate and more than capable of everyday induction use. With temperature control up to 240 c, it offers a lot if different options when it comes to use.
Pros
- Large choice of temperature range up to 240 c
- Suitable for all pots and pans
- Slim design is good for smaller kitchens or kitchenettes
Cons
- Nine cooking settings is less than a lot of other portable induction hobs
- Has to be electrical hardwired so for those wanting a truly portable induction hob, this is unlikely to be the best choice to buy.
- No timer feature
CUSIMAX
Equipped with two 1200 watts heating elements this hob with induction could make for a great starter to induction cooking for anyone. Due to its compact size the CUSIMAX is true to form and could be one of the best portable induction hob, ideal for those with less space or on the move.
Different to the previous induction hobs, this hob is has a stainless steel body which makes it potentially attractive for people wishing use a hob while on their travels and it will withstand more frequent use.
There are seven different power levels, the temperature will stay constant while cooking once the dial has been set to the desired temperature, making simmering, slow cooking and other cooking tasks easy and enjoyable. The CUSIMAX has four non slip rubber matted feet to help keep the portable induction hot plate stable.
This hob may appeal to those who want to keep things simple, with bright neon power indicators and easy use power indicators.
Pros
- Body of the induction hob is made out of s steel material, this could make it one of the best and most popular portable hobs on the market.
- Truly portable
Cons
- The infrared burner does hold its temperature for up to 30 minutes after use.
- No led display
- Knobs make it more difficult to clean
- No timer
What to look for in Portable Induction Hobs
Induction cooktops have a lot going for them but lets take a look at what features are standout and worth having when buying an induction hob.
- Number of cooking zones and power of each – To keep things portable generally there will be a choice of one or two cooking zones. If weight is not too much of a factor, then two cooking zones could appeal as there is much more cooking to be done! However for those where space is the main consideration they may want to consider an induction hob with a single cooking zone. This will make for a more compact hob and it will be lighter in weight.
- Temperature control and power levels – The greater number of temperature controls means the greater control over the cooking however that is not always a good thing or needed. It does offer greater flexibility and that may appeal to people wishing to do lots of different cooking style on a hob. How ever many power levels you may use, the ability to have a constant temperature in an instant is what makes induction cooktops special.
- Safety Features – A great thing about induction hobs is how easy they are to use, however with most coming fitted with control panels that could make it easy for children to use. Not ideal. If this is a concern, a lot of induction hobs come safety features, this includes things like automatic shut off. If no pan is detected, the hob will shut off. There is also the dedicated safety lock, this prevents the induction hob from being switched on accidentally or adjusted. It is common to find a timer function on lots of the hobs out there and this can ensure that the hob is turned off when you select it to be, not only is it a safety feature, it also means you can relax and let the cooking – almost – take care of itself! Features like this may provide the peace of mind for a young family and could be worth considering when looking for induction hobs.
- Weight – If an induction hob is to be portable, it is worth taking into account the weight of it. Do remember to consider the material it is made out of, if there is cast iron in there, it may weigh more but could be more durable and offer greater power. Thinking about the primary use of the hob is key, will it be used to take to various places? Or is it an add on to the kitchen when an extra hot plate is needed? If it is the latter, then weight won’t be too much of a consideration when looking at induction cooktops.
- Controls – One of the perfect things about induction cooktops is how easy to use they can be. Thinking about what controls an induction hob is to have is worth spending some time over. A touch control panel will make cleaning everything much easier as there won’t be any knobs to clean around. However a digital model may not be your thing, it could also be argued that an led screen makes things more difficult for some users.
- Timer – A timer may make the difference between a portable hob and the best portable hob. Letting the cooker take away some worry could be a great thing for some.
What are the benefits of induction hobs?
Induction hobs are up to 50% more energy efficient compared to gas or electric ceramic models so for those who intend to be cooking frequently, this saving could add up quickly and may be a determining factor between induction, gas or electric.
When it comes to induction cooking, roughly 84% of energy from the electricity supply goes straight into the food you are cooking as the pan is being heated rather than cooktop itself. If you compare this to gas, which loses around 60% of heat energy as most of the heat goes into the air, it becomes clearer why induction cooking could be said to be better than ceramic.
Induction cooking usually offers greater control of power and temperature, some cookers allow you to select the exact temperature, something which isn’t possible with gas or electric.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best portable induction hob?
The best portable induction hob will depend on the different needs and that is something to consider, however one of the best on the market would be our Editors’ choice, the Brandt.
Brandt have over 60 years in the appliances market and this hob is a great addition to the portable induction market. The control panel is easy to use and easy to clean. A large selection of power and temperature controls, along with a timer. For the price, the Brandt does pack a lot into the package to be the best portable induction cooktop in the categories.
- Are portable induction cooktops any good?
Portable induction cooktops can be great. They have many features which make them a great choice over the traditional portable cooktops.
They are highly responsive to the controls, making temperature control easy and the chances of boiling over less likely. Another bonus about induction cooking is that should anything boil over, it doesn’t stick! The induction technology is such that what is being heated are the pots and pans, not the hob itself so food can not burn on, making cooking less of a task.
- Are 13 amp induction hobs any good?
There are a lot of positives for a 13 amp induction hob, namely it makes it incredibly portable! Being able to plug a hob into a wall socket and cook anywhere could have huge attraction for a lot of people.
For those who occasionally need an extra burner or two, having the ability to simply plug in a portable induction hob, cook and then a quick wipe down clean can be attractive.
With a 13 amp hob it is common to get features you may not on other hard wired hobs, things such as a timer or ceramic surface. Certainly with rating and reviews being positive and the prices to back it up, you won’t find many reasons why a 13 amp induction hob won’t do the job.
Our #1 portable induction hob
Induction offers great flexibility of power and temperature, arguably more so than gas or electric. It is important to chose one which type will fit your needs.
From our research we would recommend Brandt TI2SLIM. It seems to be the best portable hob on the market, with plenty of temperature and power controls to facilitate all types of cooking and heat settings. Take into the fact it has a timer and a child lock, it makes it a safe choice too.
The double induction gives rise to a lot of use, put together in the stylish appearance makes it prime position for our top stop for best induction cookers.
