Who each format suits

One-pot soup cooks

If red lentil soup is usually your only pan, a portable single-zone hob lets you clear the shared worktop afterwards. Compare its power controls, timer and stated pan-size range.

Cooks using an existing saucepan

Check that your pan has a magnetic, flat base and that its base diameter fits the particular hob. A pan that is suitable for induction may still fall outside a model's stated size range.

Two-pan meal preparers

If you regularly make soup alongside another dish, a portable dual-zone hob gives each pan a zone. Allow for the larger worktop footprint and compare output per zone, not just the combined rating.

What matters when choosing

For red lentil soup, check your saucepan and the space available before deciding whether you need one zone or two. Adjustable heat matters once the soup has reached the boil; an extra zone matters only if another pan needs to cook at the same time.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Soup heat control Compare manual power settings and timer controls; read how any automatic boil or soup programme operates. I want to turn the heat down after boiling and keep track of cooking without relying on a preset to watch the pan for me. Around 36% of consumers would put soup heat control first.
Existing-pan compatibility Test the flat pan base with a magnet and compare its diameter with the chosen model's stated range. If I plan to use the saucepan I already own, I need to know it will work before buying the hob. For around 29% of consumers, using their existing pan is the primary concern.
Shared worktop space Compare appliance dimensions and identify somewhere suitable to put it away after use. I need to clear the worktop when the soup is done, rather than leave my appliance in everyone's way. Roughly 21% of consumers would prioritise space and storage.
Two-pan capacity Check each zone's stated output and whether there is enough room for the appliance and both pans. When soup and another dish need to cook together, waiting for a single zone would get in the way. About 14% of consumers would make simultaneous two-pan cooking their main priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Buying the hob before checking the saucepan

    Induction requires a magnetic pan base, and the base diameter must fit the selected hob's stated range.

    Test the base with a magnet, measure it rather than the rim, and compare it with the exact model's instructions.

    If the existing pan does not fit, using the hob for soup may require another saucepan.

  • Leaving a programmed boil mode to watch the pan

    Tefal says the boil mode on its IH201840 is programmed around 1.5 litres of water in a 20 cm pan and warns that smaller quantities may boil dry before the alert.

    Stay nearby when bringing soup to the boil, then reduce the heat using the controls appropriate to the quantity in your pan.

  • Judging a dual hob by its combined wattage

    VonHaus states a 2800W combined rating for its dual hob, with each plate capable of 1400W. The total is not the output available to one soup pan.

    Choose two zones when you will use both; otherwise compare single-zone controls, footprint and the output available to your saucepan.

  • Treating a built-in hob as a portable upgrade

    A built-in hob needs installation rather than a space on the worktop. The Samsung NZ64B4015FK/U1 example requires hardwiring to a dedicated cooker circuit.

    For a personal appliance in a shared kitchen, check whether a plug-in portable hob is permitted. Consider a built-in model only with property approval and its exact installation requirements established.

Brands to consider for portable induction hobs

Tefal

The IH201840 is a single-zone option for cooks comparing soup controls with a stated pan-size range.

  • Tefal lists Soup and Stew among six functions, nine power levels and a 12–26 cm compatible-pan range for this model.
  • Its programmed boil mode uses a specified water quantity and pan size; it is not a setting for leaving a small pan unattended.

Daewoo

Daewoo's 2200W plug-in single hob is an option for cooks who want a soup programme and timer.

  • Daewoo lists nine power levels, six programmes and a three-hour timer for its single hob.
  • Check the exact model's cookware instructions against your saucepan before choosing it.

VonShef

VonShef has portable single- and dual-zone models for cooks deciding whether a second pan justifies more worktop space.

  • VonHaus lists 10 power settings from 200W to 2000W for the single hob and two plates capable of 1400W each for the dual model.
  • The dual model's 2800W total does not describe the output available from either plate individually.

Judge

The Judge JEA90 is a compact single-hob option with selectable temperatures rather than food-specific programmes.

  • Judge lists 10 temperature settings from 60°C to 240°C, 2000W power and dimensions of 31 × 27 × 5 cm.
  • Confirm the JEA90's compatible pan-size range in its instructions if you intend to use an existing saucepan.

Joybuy product choices

This built-in two-zone option is relevant only if the shared kitchen can accommodate an approved permanent installation. It is not a portable hob to put away after cooking soup.

CIARRA CBBIH292T 29cm two-zone built-in induction hob

CIARRA CBBIH292T 29cm two-zone built-in induction hob

Consider this built-in model if you need two cooking zones and the property permits a permanent installation.

The product name specifies a 2900W rating, nine power levels, touch controls, a timer and a child safety lock.

Check that your magnetic saucepan fits the intended zone, and confirm this model's electrical and installation requirements before buying.

View on Joybuy

Common questions

Will my existing saucepan work on an induction hob?

It needs a magnetic, flat base that fits the chosen hob's stated pan-size range. Test the base with a magnet and measure its diameter; Electrolux UK also advises checking pan suitability against the cooking zone.

Can I use a portable induction hob without installing it?

A plug-in portable model does not require built-in installation, but that does not establish permission to use a personal appliance in a shared kitchen. Check your accommodation or kitchen rules and follow the chosen hob's placement and operating instructions.

Would a built-in hob make sense instead?

Consider a built-in hob only for an approved permanent kitchen installation, not as a temporary countertop appliance. Electrical requirements are model-specific: The product information lists a dedicated cooker circuit and hardwiring for the Samsung NZ64B4015FK/U1 example.

Does a portable induction hob need annual PAT testing?

The Health and Safety Executive says there is no general legal requirement for annual portable-appliance testing; appropriate checks depend on the equipment and its environment. Look for visible damage and check any rules that apply in your particular building.