Best Hobs Under £300 in 2026
Three hundred pounds doesn't buy you induction technology or designer brands in 2026. What it does buy is a reliable gas or ceramic hob from established manufacturers, built to last a decade if you treat it properly. You'll find 60cm four-burner gas models between £197 and £228, electric ceramic options from £189 to £297, and if you need five burners or a wider fit, a couple of 75cm gas hobs just scraping in at £241.
This is the sweet spot for landlords, first kitchens, and anyone who cooks daily but doesn't need Wi-Fi connectivity or ponte wok burners. Every model here includes a manufacturer warranty and comes from Go Assist Appliances, a UK family-owned business based in Bournemouth with 17 years in the home appliance trade. You get 14-day free returns and UK-based support if something goes wrong.
What You Get at This Budget
- Proven technology: Gas hobs with flame failure devices (the safety cut-off that stops gas flow if the flame goes out) and ceramic electric models with residual heat indicators. These aren't experimental features, they're standard safety kit that works.
- Four or five burners: Enough cooking zones for a family meal. Most 60cm models offer four burners with at least one rapid or wok burner for high-heat cooking. Stretch to 75cm and you get five burners for under £250.
- Touch or dial controls: Ceramic hobs come with touch controls and nine power levels. Gas models use rotary dials. Both systems are reliable and neither needs a degree to operate.
- Decent build quality: Stainless steel or black glass surfaces, cast iron or enamelled pan supports. These aren't premium finishes but they clean up well and handle daily use without falling apart.
What You Sacrifice at This Budget
- No induction: Induction hobs start around £350 for anything worth buying. You're choosing between gas and ceramic electric here. Gas gives instant heat control, ceramic is easier to wipe clean but slower to respond.
- Basic aesthetics: Expect functional rather than beautiful. Stainless steel shows fingerprints, black ceramic shows every spill. If you want edge-to-edge glass or minimalist bezels, add another £200 to your budget.
- Manual ignition on some models: Not all gas hobs at this price include automatic ignition. Check before you buy if you'd rather not keep matches by the cooker.
Our Top Pick Under £300
Hotpoint PPH60GDFIXUK - £214
This 60cm gas on metal hob hits the balance between price and practicality. You get four burners including a proper wok burner, cast iron supports that won't chip like enamel, and flame failure devices on all zones. The stainless steel surface fits most standard kitchen worktops without looking cheap.
Cast iron pan supports matter more than most people think. They're heavier than enamelled alternatives, which means pans sit more stable when you're stirring or flipping. They also last longer because there's no enamel coating to crack when you drop a pan. Yes, they're harder to clean than ceramic, but a wire brush and warm soapy water sorts that in two minutes.
The wok burner delivers enough heat for proper stir-frying, not the pale imitation you get from a standard burner. If you cook Asian food regularly or just like high-heat searing, this burner alone justifies the £14 premium over the basic PAN642IXH model.
Nine power levels give you finer control than basic gas hobs, and flame failure devices mean you can safely leave a stock simmering without worrying about gas leaks if the flame blows out. At £214, this model sits comfortably in the middle of the under-£300 range with none of the compromises of the cheapest options.
Runner-Up Picks
Hotpoint HGS61SBK - £228
If you prefer gas on glass over metal, this black glass model costs £14 more than our top pick. You get the same four-burner layout with a rapid burner and nine power levels, but the glass surface wipes cleaner than stainless steel. Spills don't stick to glass the way they can on metal, and there are no joins or edges to trap grease.
The trade-off is durability. Glass can crack if you drop a heavy pan on it, whereas metal just dents. Cast iron supports still sit on top of the glass, so you're not eliminating the cleaning challenge entirely. This hob makes sense if you cook neatly and value quick cleanup over bombproof construction.
Hotpoint HR612CH - £232
The ceramic electric option for people without gas supply or who want the easiest possible cleaning. Four zones with touch controls, nine power levels, and residual heat indicators that warn you when the surface is still hot after you've turned it off.
Ceramic is slower than gas, both heating up and cooling down. You can't instantly drop the temperature by turning a dial, you have to wait for the element to respond. But for simmering, baking, and gentle cooking, ceramic holds temperature more evenly than gas. The flat glass surface wipes clean in seconds, which is why rental properties often specify ceramic over gas.
At £232, you're paying £18 more than the gas on glass model for the convenience of electric cooking. Factor in that you'll need compatible pans (flat bases, no warping) and check your electrical supply can handle the load before you order.
Hotpoint PPH75PDFIXUK - £241
Need five burners? This 75cm gas hob fits a wider worktop cutout and adds an extra burner to the standard four-zone layout. You get a wok burner, nine power levels, and flame failure devices across all five zones. The enamelled supports clean easier than cast iron but won't last as long if you're rough with pans.
Five burners mean you can run a full Sunday roast without juggling pans or turning zones off to make space. The extra £27 over the four-burner PPH60GDFIXUK buys you genuine flexibility, not just an inch or two of extra width. Check your worktop can take a 75cm cutout before ordering.
When to Stretch Your Budget
If you cook daily and plan to stay in your home for five years or more, spending £400 to £500 on an induction hob makes financial sense. Induction heats faster than gas, wastes less energy than ceramic, and cleans easier than both. You'll recoup some of the extra cost in lower energy bills, and the cooking experience is noticeably better. But if this is a rental kitchen, a temporary solution, or you're replacing a broken hob on short notice, the models above will serve you well for years without drama. Save the premium budget for when you're doing a full kitchen renovation and can justify the expense as part of a larger project.
Hand-Picked by Go Assist Appliances
Every hob listed here carries a manufacturer warranty and ships from our Bournemouth warehouse with UK-based customer support. We're a family-owned business that's been selling appliances since 2009, and we only stock products we'd fit in our own kitchens. Browse the full range and order with 14-day free returns at Go Assist Appliances.
This guide was last updated on 10 April 2026. Prices and stock states change daily — check the linked product pages for the current position. Got a question an engineer should answer? Drop us a line.
