Induction, ceramic or gas hob: which one should you choose?
Replacing your hob is the moment to ask the right question: induction, ceramic or gas? Each has its strengths, but in 2026 induction wins in most kitchens. On condition you check two things many people forget: the electrical installation and your pans.
- Induction : the fastest, the safest, the most efficient
- Ceramic : inexpensive, works with all pans, but slow
- Gas : the flame, but less efficient and rarer
- In Belgium, get have the connection validated by a qualified electrician
The comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Induction | Ceramic | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle | A magnetic field heats the base of the pan directly | A heating element warms the glass, which heats the pan | A flame (natural gas, or propane and butane) |
| Speed | Excellent, with booster function | Slow to heat up and slow to cool down | Good |
| Precision | Very good, immediate response | Average (sluggish) | Very good, visual control |
| Security | The glass heats up little; switches off if there's no pan | Very hot glass, long residual heat | Open flame, combustion in the room |
| Cleaning | Very easy (nothing burns onto the glass) | Easy, but spills burn on | Pan supports and burners to remove |
| Efficiency | Electric: around 78% on average (European Commission) | Around 62% | |
| Pans | Magnetic base required | All flat-based pans | All |
| Price at Nimestore | from €299.99 | from €249.99 | mainly on cookers and range cookers |
There is no energy label for hobs, only ecodesign requirements. The efficiencies are European averages (2020 sales).
Induction: our top recommendation
With induction, the heat is generated directly in the base of the pan. The glass only heats through contact with the vessel: a spill won't carbonise, and a hand placed beside it won't burn. Water boils very quickly, especially with the function booster (often marked “P”), and the power responds instantly when you turn it down.
The zones: round, bridge, flex
- Standard zones : round, in different sizes.
- Combinable or bridge zones : two zones join together for a fish pan, a plancha or an oval casserole (CombiZone at Bosch, Zone Bridge at Hisense).
- Flexible zone : you place the pan wherever you like on a large surface, and the hob detects it.
- Full flex : the entire surface is a free zone. The high-end option.
Other useful features
- Controls : touch controls, slider, or direct power access (DirectSelect at Bosch).
- Sensors : frying probe (PerfectFry at Bosch), boil sensor, assisted programmes.
- Connection with the hood : the hood starts automatically and adjusts its speed to the cooking.
- Power limitation : to adapt the hob to your electrical installation (see below). It's the key feature in Belgium.
Ceramic glass: the budget option
A heating element warms the glass, which passes its heat to the pan. It's the cheapest solution, and it accepts all flat-based pans. On the downside, it takes time to heat up and cool down, uses more energy, and stays very hot long after cooking. For a rental, a studio or a second kitchen, it remains a sensible choice.
Gas: the flame purists' choice
Gas has its loyal followers: you can see the flame, toss food in a wok, and you don't depend on electricity. But its efficiency is lower, cleaning the pan supports and burners is more demanding, and combustion releases pollutants into the kitchen: a good extractor hood venting outside is strongly recommended.
The Belgian context is also changing: in Flanders, building permits for new constructions filed since 1 January 2025 no longer include a natural gas connection. Existing homes are not affected. In Brussels and Wallonia, check your own situation. Any gas connection must be carried out by a professional, with injectors suited to natural gas or to propane and butane.
At Nimestore, gas hobs are mainly found on the cookers and range cookers (Beko, Smeg, Indesit): see our guide to cooker hoods and cookers. For a built-in gas hob, ask us what is available.
And the mixed hob?
A mixed hob combines gas burners with electric zones (induction or radiant). It's a compromise for those who want to keep a flame, but the choice is limited. Talk to our sales adviser about it.
The hob with integrated extractor hood
Some induction hobs extract fumes from the centre or the back of the glass: no hood above your head, a clear view, ideal on an island. On the other hand, you need space in the base unit for the motor and the duct, and you must choose between venting outside and recirculation.
Electrical connection in Belgium
This is the point we always check with you before selling an induction hob. What follows will help you ask the right questions; only an electrician, in compliance with the RGIE, can validate your installation.
- Power : an induction hob of 60 to 80 cm often states a maximum of 7.2 to 7.4 kW. On single-phase 230 V, this means around 32 A: a dedicated circuit, protected accordingly, with a suitably sized cable is then required.
- Two phases : many hobs are designed for a two-phase connection (2 × 16 A), as shown in the instruction manual.
- The 3 × 230 V without neutral : a peculiarity of some older Belgian networks. Some hobs cannot be connected to this network, including some 90 cm models according to user reports. Check the manual before buying.
- Power limitation : if your installation does not support 32 A, many hobs can be limited (for example to 3.7 kW, i.e. 16 A). Cooking remains possible, with fewer zones at full power at the same time. This is often the solution before redoing the installation.
- An oven and a hob on the same circuit: avoid this without the electrician's advice.
Our hobs in store
| Type | Model | What you need to know | Public price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Hisense E6332BSCE | Entry price | 249,99 € |
| Ceramic | Bosch PKM611BB8E | Glass-ceramic Bosch 60 cm | 319,99 € |
| 60 cm induction | Hisense HI6311BSCE | Hi2 range, booster on every zone | 299,99 € |
| 60 cm induction | Beko HII64200SMT | Affordable 4-zone induction | 399,99 € |
| 60 cm induction | Bosch PUE61RBB5E | Bosch induction, a safe bet | 499,99 € |
| 60 cm induction | Siemens EU611BJB5E | Siemens 60 cm induction | 499,99 € |
| 60 cm induction | Hisense HI6431SRFZ | Hi4 range, booster on every zone | 599,99 € |
| 80 cm induction | Bosch PVS831HC1E | Series 6: DirectSelect, PerfectFry Plus, CombiZone | 899,99 € |
| 80 cm induction | Siemens ED851HSB1E | Large Siemens 80 cm hob | 889,99 € |
| Integrated extractor hood | Beko HIXI64700UF1 | Induction with integrated extractor hood | 1 289,99 € |
| Integrated extractor hood | Hisense HEH8443BSCWF1 | 83 cm, Hi8, hood that starts automatically | 1 499,99 € |
| Integrated extractor hood | Bosch PVQ811H26E | 80 cm, 4 zones, 500 m³/h claimed, 7,400 W | 2 119,99 € |
Retail prices checked on nimestore.com on 15 October 2026. Prices change: the product page prevails. Nimesclub members often get a reduced price. Specifications are taken from official product sheets; check power and connection in each model's manual.
Our verdict
Induction
Fast, safe, easy to clean, energy-efficient. A 60 cm is enough for two; an 80 cm gives room between pans for a family.
from €299.99
Glass-ceramic
When price comes first, or if you don't want to change your pans. It stays slow and stays hot for a long time.
from €249.99
Gas
If you already have gas and cook with a wok, it still makes sense, ideally with a good extractor hood venting outside.
on cookers and ranges
Before you come in, take a photo of your consumer unit and of the label under your old hob (or of its terminal block if an electrician has already opened it). With that, we can see straight away whether a standard induction hob suits, whether it needs limiting, or whether you need to call an electrician before delivery.
For the oven that will go underneath, see our oven guide. Hobs Bosch, Siemens, Beko and Hisense are detailed in their own sections.
Our hobs in store
Glass-Ceramic Hob HISENSE E6332BSCE€249.00
Hob BOSCH PKM611BB8E€319.00
Hob HISENSE HI6311BSCE€212.00
Hob BEKO HII64200SMT€399.00
Hob BOSCH PUE61RBB5E€499.00
Induction hob HISENSE HI6431SRFZ€599.00
Induction hob BOSCH PVS831HC1E€899.00
Induction Hob SIEMENS ED851HSB1E€889.00
Hob BEKO HIXI64700UF1€1,289.00
Hob HISENSE HEH8443BSCWF1€1,499.00Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my pans work on induction?
Take a magnet: if it sticks firmly to the base of the pan, it will work on induction. The base must also be flat and large enough to be detected by the zone. Copper, aluminium and glass alone do not work.
Do I need to redo the electrics to switch to induction?
Not necessarily. A 60 to 80 cm hob often needs up to 7.2 to 7.4 kW, i.e. a dedicated 32 A single-phase circuit, or a connection on two phases. But many hobs can be limited (for example to 3.7 kW, i.e. 16 A). An electrician will tell you what your installation can handle.
Is induction dangerous for a pacemaker?
Manufacturers advise people with a pacemaker to ask their doctor's advice and to keep the distance stated in the hob's manual. Don't take any risks: speak to your cardiologist first.
Why does my induction hob make a noise?
A slight hum or whistle is normal: it depends on the pan and the power level. The cooling fan may also run for a few minutes after cooking. A loud or unusual noise, however, warrants a call to customer service.
Can you still install a gas hob in Belgium?
Yes, in a home already connected. In Flanders, building permits for new constructions submitted since 1 January 2025 no longer include a natural gas connection. Connecting an appliance to gas must always be done by a professional, with the correct injectors.
Come and see the appliances in person
At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.
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