Best ceramic hobs for 2024

An electric ceramic hob consists of a tough, shatterproof glass surface with heating coils beneath. When you turn on the power, the coils produce heat and the cooking zone warms up. 

Our expert buying advice and Best Buy recommendations will help you choose the best ceramic hob for your kitchen - one that heats quickly, simmers gently and is easy to use and clean.

Not sure what type of hob to buy? See our guide to the best hobs for the pros and cons of each type.

See our electric ceramic hob reviews for detailed information on models to suit all budgets.

How to buy the best ceramic hob

It's worth asking yourself a few questions before deciding whether an electric ceramic hob is the best choice for your kitchen:

• Do you need low running costs? Electric ceramic hobs are pricier to run than induction hobs because they're not as energy efficient. Gas hobs have even lower running costs, but this is simply because gas is cheaper than electricity, not because the hob type is more efficient.
• Is safety a top priority for you? Ceramic hobs have residual-heat indicators - lights that tell you if a heating zone is still warm - for good reason. After switching off, they take a while to cool down. This makes them a poor choice if children could touch the hob.
• How robust do you need your hob to be? While the glass surface is shatterproof, it's more prone to scrapes and superficial damage than the sturdy cast-iron pan supports you get on gas hobs.
• Is instant heat adjustment important to you? Both gas and induction hobs respond instantly if you turn the power up or down, but there's a slight time lag with ceramic hobs.
• Do you need a hob that's easy to clean? The smooth glass surface means there's nowhere for cooking grime to lurk, unlike gas hobs which have nooks and crannies galore.

Not sure if a ceramic hob is for you? Find out more about the best induction hobs and best gas hobs.

Ceramic vs induction hobs

Ceramic hobs and induction hobs look similar but there are big differences in the way they work.

What’s the best way to clean a ceramic hob?

One of the joys of electric hobs, whether electric ceramic or induction, is that they have a flat surface. This means keeping them clean can be as simple as a quick wipe with a damp cloth.

Some ceramic hobs have knobs or dials, which can be fiddly to clean around, but if you go for a model with touch controls then cleaning is easier still. 

If something spills, the heat can cause it to encrust on the surface. Deal with this as soon as the hob has cooled down. You can buy glass-cleaning tools and specialised ceramic-hob cleaners, but washing-up liquid and a non-scratch cloth can do as good a job (although it might take a little longer).  

What pots can you use on an electric ceramic hob?

If you buy a ceramic electric hob, the pots and pans you already own should all work.

Many modern pans are made of stainless steel or aluminium, but if you also have a favourite heavyweight cast-iron pan, this will work on your ceramic hob. Be gentle, though - although the glass is specially strengthened, it can still be damaged if you drop something heavy on it.

Find out if any budget brands match up to Le Creuset by heading to the best non-stick frying pans and best saucepans.

Are electric ceramic hobs repairable?

Every year we ask owners of hobs if they've had any problems, and what they are.

Compared with other appliances, hobs are very reliable and rarely break down. But if they do, the main issues are:

• an electrical fault
• one of the heating zones stops working
• damage to the hob surface.

If the glass surface gets seriously damaged, then it's time for a new hob as this cannot be repaired.

For expert advice on hob guarantees and hob repairs, see our guide to the most reliable hob brands.