Currently there are 3 major types of cooking hob available in the market.
The traditional cooking gas type has been around for a long time, and perhaps is the most commonly used type.
On the other hand, there are 2 types of electrical hob, one type works using radiation under ceramic top, and another is the induction type. The heating source of the ceramic hob can be of cooker ring elements, halogen lamp, or some other materials.
The table below compares the characteristics, pros and cons among the gas hob, ceramic hob and induction hob (click on the image to enlarge it).
There is little doubt that the electrical hobs are better than the traditional gas hob, especially in terms of safety.
While the induction hob seems to be a better choice than the ceramic hob, its limitation in cookware compatibility is a major set back.
Luckily nowadays there exist 2-in-1 cooker hobs that contain both ceramic burner and induction burner on same piece of hob for you to get the best of both.
Another major consideration when buying a hob is the material used for its glass surface, as poor material is easier to get scratched, cracked or broken. Brand names such as Eurokera, Schott, NEG, etc. could give you some confidence on the ceramic glass material quality.
