Cook anywhere with the best portable induction hobs

Discover why portable induction hobs are finding their way into homes across the country.

best portable induction hob

by Ryan Houghton |
Updated on

Whether you're short on space or looking to cut down on energy bills, the best portable induction hobs can be a brilliant little investment for your home that'll change how you cook. Easy to cook, easy to clean, lightweight and safe – the benefits of induction hob cooking are essentially endless. So what's stopping you from grabbing the latest and greatest in kitchen tech?

We've picked a great range of portable induction hobs from household names with excellent reviews to select the ultimate portable induction hobs for you. From size, weight, energy efficiency and cooking modes, each of our options are some of the best you'll find anywhere – and they're all at a great price.

Best portable induction hobs at a glance

Induction hobs create a magnetic field between the element and the pan, generating heat directly in the pan rather than on the hob's surface. This makes them very energy efficient and keeps the area around the pan cool. If you have a small kitchen, you might prefer a single or double-ring hob to keep bills down as well as save space.

Sleek and fully portable, these compact hobs can be plugged into mains electricity or camping adaptors. A good induction hobs and compatible pan can boil water faster than a kettle, making them perfect for motorhomes. However, portable induction hobs contain a fan to cool the internal electronics, which can be surprisingly noisy if you're unaware of it. But, the noise level is typically no louder than a microwave.

Best portable induction hobs

Tested

Best portable induction hob for ease of use

Yours/Vonshef

The Vonshef Single Induction Hob can be used in motorhomes, caravans, or for catering events, office kitchens, rentals or second homes. It directly heats the contents of your pan, rather than the surface of the cooking ring, so food cooks faster and the cooktop remains pristine. The ceramic plate is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Increasing or decreasing the power (W) is easy by repeatedly pressing the button. The power ranges from 120-2,000W. In addition, the timer can be set up to 180 minutes. Plus, the temperature range has 10 settings between 60-240°C.

Our reviewer, Commercial Content Writer Natalie Knowles, says: "I have a property without a cooker, so I rely on several countertop appliances. My air fryer, microwave, and multicooker fulfil 90 per cent of my cooking needs, but I still want to fry an egg occasionally.

"This Vonshef portable induction hob is sleek, lightweight and fits perfectly on the countertop. Previously, I had a two-ring portable electric hob, and the rings quickly corroded. It produced a fierce heat that destroyed several pans. So, I was pleased that the Vonshef appears to have a durable surface and more precise temperature control. Plus, the key to induction cooking is that it heats the pan and its contents, rather than the cooking surface getting hot, so the hob should stay pristine for a long time.

"I needed to get used to adjusting the wattage, and it's better to start with a lower setting and work your way up. On my first attempt at cooking a pancake, I set it to 2,000W. The pancake burned, and I set the fire alarm off! Interestingly, the hob was warm to the touch but not scolding hot after use, so it's much safer than other types of hob and there's a child lock too.

"I very quickly got the hang of the touch controls; if you own an air fryer you'll be a dab hand at setting the temperature and time. Just in case you're planning on flipping pancakes – an EO error message will appear when the pan is removed from the ring. Induction cooking relies on the magnetic connection between the pan and coil under the cook-top.

"Finally, one thing that surprised me was the noise this hob makes. But I've learned this is a feature of portable induction hobs. They contain a fan that helps to regulate temperature. It's nothing unusual: air fryers and microwaves make a comparable sound."

Pros

  • Fast, efficient and powerful cooking
  • Very easy to use
  • Sleek and compact design so it doesn't take up too much space
  • Better temperature control than your usual portable electric hob

Cons

  • It has a fan inside that's rather noisy, but no more so than a microwave
Dimensions:W28.6 x D36.8 x H6.5cm
Power:2000W
Weight:‎3.05kg
  • 3 hour timer
  • 10 heat settings ranging between 60-240°C
  • Press and hold the + and - buttons to engage the safety lock.
  • Pan diameter range is 12-26cm

Best induction hob overall

You probably know them for their ultra-reliable pans, but Tefal tech is some of the finest you can buy in the UK, and their everyday slim induction hob is no exception. With seamless touch controls, timers, auto-shutoff and some fantastic, intuitive modes, there's no better induction hob on the market for the price.

This slimline hob is a popular pick on Amazon, with over 3,080 reviews rating it 4.4 out of 5. Customers praise it for being extremely efficient and has excellent temperature control. Whether you're looking for a temporary cooking solution or need a space-saving hob, this Tefal comes highly recommended.

Just remember to start at a low temperature and let the pan heat gradually, as this hob can reach very high temperatures that will damage induction pans.

Pros

  • Ultra slim, lightweight build
  • Simple, yet elegant design
  • Fantastic pre-built settings

Cons

  • Slightly pricey for a single hob
Product dimensions:4.5 x 30 x 38 cm
Weight:2.65 kg
Temperature range:60°C - 240°C
  • Pre-built settings - stir-frying, frying, slow-cooking, stewing, and boiling
  • Auto-shut off
  • Easily repairable

Best value portable induction hob

Duxtop has delivered a terrific portable hob that brings excellent heat and power wherever you go. With a phenomenal heat range (temperatures reaching upwards of 240°C), rest assured, cooking has never been easier. Our only complaint is the unfortunate use of Fahrenheit rather than Celsius, as Duxtop is an American company—that, and the fan is fairly loud, but we doubt you'll even notice while you're cooking up some grub.

Customers comment that it comes with an adaptor plug so it fits a UK plug socket. They're impressed with the discounted price and the hob's efficiency.

Pros

  • Incredibly powerful unit, rapid heat-up time
  • Useful digital display
  • Energy efficient with fast cooking

Cons

  • Temperature is measured in Fahrenheit rather than Celsius
Product dimensions:29 x 35.5 x 6.3 cm
Weight:2.72 kg
Temperature range:50°C - 240°C
  • Automatically shuts down when a pan isn't detected
  • Childproof lock
  • Automatic timer up to 10 hours

Best twin induction hob

VonShef Twin Induction HobVonShef

A fantastic option for those needing a little more versatility with the best portable induction hobs, the VonShef twin hob offers double the fun at a great price. Its temperatures can reach upwards of 240°C, so dinner will be ready in time. Our only gripe is that it's a fairly basic hob with no additional pre-set modes such as frying or boiling, but we're sure you'll get along with it just fine.

This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product. It has a fantastic temperature range and can accommodate two large pans. It's easy to use, efficient and a doddle to clean. Just remember that it can reach extremely high temperatures, so using it on lower power settings is better (and more economical).

Pros

  • Great value for twice the hobs
  • Solid build quality to cope with large and heavy pans

Cons

  • Bulky, takes up a lot of countertop space
Product dimensions:58.5 x 36.9 x 7.2 cm
Weight:4.4 kg
Temperature range:60°C - 240°C
  • Auto-shutdown mode
  • Hob locks
  • Timers

Best for slow-cooking

Aobosi's dual induction hob brings some real power to your surface top. With the ability to control the power levels of each hob, you can easily fine-tune your cooking process so that different components of your meal cook just as intended. Aobosi has created the perfect hob for stews, slow roasts and soups by packing in a fantastic four-hour timer, giving you that slow simmer without worrying about overcooked meat—what more could you want?

This is a popular choice on Amazon, with over 3,200 reviews rating it 4.5 out of 5. Customers praise the temperature range and precision control. The induction hob is responsive when you change the power level. It's noisy, but that's because it contains fans that help to cool it down. For comparison, it's not as loud as a microwave.

Pros

  • Fantastic option for feeding a large group
  • Energy efficient, heats up fast

Cons

  • Heavy and large for a countertop
Product dimensions:58 x 35 x 5.5 cm cm
Weight:5.87 kg
Temperature range:60°C - 240°C
  • Stay warm mode
  • Dual power zones
  • Timers
  • Safety locks

Best slim twin induction hob

electriQ Portable Induction Hob with Dual Zone and Touch ControlselectriQ

EletriQ's Portable induction hob is an absolute diamond when cooking a meal with limited space. Unlike our other induction hob picks, it's incredibly thin. Its streamlined design means gives you some more versatility for storage options. Despite not having many options and settings for convenience, it works just as well, if not better than a standard hob, and setup is as easy as plugging it in and cranking up the heat.

Customers praise this hob for being energy efficient and easy to wipe clean. While it looks sleek and minimalist, some reviews say it's not the best quality. While it offers a cooking solution for temporary or occasional use, it's not the most durable for everyday cooking.

Pros

  • Fantastic slim aesthetic
  • Large surface for big induction pans
  • LED display for the perfect cooking setting

Cons

  • Is fairly large and heavy so less convenient while travelling
Product dimensions:60 x 36 x 4.5 cm
Weight:5.5 kg
Temperature range:60°C - 240°C

Best portable induction hob for limited space

The Daewoo single induction hob is an extremely compact, slim and simple-to-use appliance. It has touch controls that allow you to set the time and temperature. Five pre-set cooking functions are available, including Stew, Fry and Boil. That's a great feature because with some portable induction hobs you have to rely on trial and error, which ends up warping the bottom of induction pans. It can accommodate pans 26cm in diameter and will shut off if it doesn't detect a pan.

This is an Amazon's Choice recommended product. Customers comment that it almost instantaneously produces heat, making it very efficient for cooking. Plus, it cools down faster than electric and gas hobs. Do note its dimensions, as some customers commented that it was bigger than they were expecting.

Pros

  • Glass surface is extremely easy to wipe clean
  • Easy to read digital display

Cons

  • Noisy fan
Product dimensions: ‎36 x 28 x 4.6cm (26cm diameter)
Weight:2.27kg
Temperature range:80-240°C
  • Over heat protection
  • Auto shutoff when it doesn't detect a pan
  • Three year warranty

Best portable induction hob for camping

Judge Portable Induction HobJudge
Price: £45.44

This lightweight and portable induction hob suits various lifestyle needs, from campervans to studio apartments. It is thicker than other portable induction hobs, but the benefit is that it contains a bigger fan that prevents the hob from overheating. It's notable for its wide temperature range of 10 selectable temperatures ranging from 60°C to 240°C. Plus, it can boil a saucepan of water in less than two minutes.

Customers have successfully cooked with it when camping, and it is connected to an EHU and a camping inverter. The Judge Portable Induction Hob is great for camping, students or people living on their own.

Pros

  • Instant heat for fast and efficient cooking
  • It's a doddle to wipe off stains from its surface

Cons

  • Chunkier than other portable induction hobs
Product dimensions:31 x 27 x 5cm
Weight:2.1kg
Temperature range:60°C to 240°C
  • Digital display and touch controls
  • Two-year guarantee
Vonshef Single Induction Hob tried and tested
©Yours/Vonshef

FAQs

How does induction cooking work?

An induction hob works by heating the induction pan directly, meaning the stovetop doesn't get hot. It means no more burnt food you have to scrape off! This direct heating of the pan ensures that cooking is direct and even, giving you faster heat than gas and greater precision compared to electricity - it really is the best. You can't use regular pans - you'll need some induction cooking pans, which are available pretty much everywhere nowadays.

Is induction cooking safe?

Induction cooking is far safer than traditional gas or electric cooking. It's mainly because it's impossible to burn yourself on the hob. Food can't burn on it either, so there's no chance of any oil spills catching on fire.

Is induction cooking cheaper than gas?

Induction cooking is far cheaper and more efficient than typical gas cooking, mainly because all of the energy is diverted straight into the induction pan, so very little is burnt and lost like it's on a traditional gas stovetop. It's also more efficient than an electric stove simply because there is no time wasted heating the pan - the pan itself is emitting the heat!

Is induction cooking better for cooking overall?

Induction cooking is a far more even and precise way of cooking food than traditional gas cooking. Gas fires are fairly uneven at cooking - fire temperatures fluctuate and don't heat the pan anywhere near as thoroughly as an induction pan would.

Vonshef single portable induction hob
©Vonshef

Hannah Richards, Brand Manager at Stellar, explains the features of induction-compatible pans and how to use them on an induction hob:

Ask the expert

What's different about induction pans?

Hannah tells Yours what to look for in a quality set of induction-compatible pans: "Most induction pans are designed to perform on all other hob types, including gas. There are only two exceptions: if the base of the pan is very thin or if the base has been sprayed with a magnetic or non-stick layer. As induction pans must be made of a magnetic material, they’re typically only made of iron or steel. These high-quality materials ensure efficient heat generation and distribution through food, benefiting the use of gas hobs.

"High-performance induction pans feature a thick, flat base, ensuring maximum contact with the hob and a prompt response to temperature adjustments. Pans with an encapsulated aluminium base layer (such as the Stellar Flow range) also conduct heat excellently and much better than stainless steel alone. When using a quality induction pan on a gas hob, you can expect efficient cooking and consistent performance."

What's the right way to use a pan on an induction hob?

Hannah says: "When using an induction pan on a gas hob, we recommend always heating the pan gradually and using over a low-medium heat. Match the size of the pan base to the size of the heating area and adjust the flame so it does not extend up the sides of the pan. If high temperatures are necessary, preheat the pan on a low then medium heat to avoid any discolouration or damage to non-stick surfaces. Never allow the pan to boil dry and never heat an empty pan."

This article contains expert commentary from Hannah Richards, Brand Manager at Stellar.

Ryan Houghton is a Commercial Content Writer for Bauer Media Group, specialising in technology - specifically gaming, PCs, and televisions. As an English Literature and Film graduate, with an unhealthy obsession with PC gaming.

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