The best ovens can quickly turn your house into a home, providing a spot for cooking meals and sweet treats for family and friends. A lot of time is spent using an oven, so it's important to choose one that works for your household and will stand the test of time. You need to be able to rely on it because you don't want to go hungry after a long day. You'll also want it to be energy efficient to save you money.
In this guide, we've rounded up the best ovens, from gas to electric, so that you can choose the right model for your kitchen. Modern offers have many features, so it's worth considering what you're looking for before you start searching. Maybe you want a basic oven that grills has a timer, and is easy to clean. Or perhaps you want to level up your cooking experience with self-cleaning, WiFi connectivity, convection settings, warming drawers, and slide-in drawers.
If electric ovens aren't the best fit for your home, exploring the best indoor grills might also be worth exploring. If you have a large family to cater to, the best electric wall double ovens will help you maximize your cooking space.
No matter which features are at the top of your list, this guide has a selection of brands from GE and Frigidaire to Samsung, so you can find a model that fits your needs and budget. It's also all laid out in a way that allows you to quickly see what's available so you can narrow down your search, make your purchase, and enjoy your new oven as soon as possible.
The best ovens we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews
Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.
While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.
The best oven overall
The GE 27" Built-In Double Electric Wall Oven is a great family appliance. You can cook dinner and dessert simultaneously, and its self-cleaning feature is great when combined with an optional Steam Clean system. If you're looking for a touch of modern design, you'll see the clock when you're idle and the controls when you're ready to cook.
GE guarantees the oven will fit seamlessly in your kitchen, even if you're replacing another brand's appliance.
Never-scrub heavy-duty racks last for a long time, so you don't have to scrub manually. This mode saves time and effort, eliminating the need for manual scrubbing. The Anywhere Control feature lets you preheat and monitor the oven remotely through the SmartHQ app - great for busy cooks. Also, you can start preheating on your way home, so your oven will be ready when you get home.
You can adjust the temperature with the glass touch controls, and you'll get even baking and easy cleanup with the hidden bake element.
Several customers said it's easy to use and install and praised the double oven setup for being convenient. However, some users have complained about slow heating, which may be due to the oven's energy-efficient design and the fan's tendency to circulate warm air in the kitchen, a common feature in most ovens for even cooking.
The best budget oven
In addition to simplifying meal preparation, the Whirlpool 30-inch Electric Wall Oven with Adjustable Self-Clean Cycle is also great for keeping your kitchen clean. We like the Self-Clean Cycle, which lets you clean the oven without harsh chemicals, so you don't need harsh chemicals. Steam Clean is a great way to eliminate daily spills using heat and water.
There's a 5.0 cu. ft. oven capacity, so it's perfect for family gatherings and dinner parties. The large capacity is a big deal for people who host family gatherings all the time. You can cook various dishes easily with the 3-in-1 cooking modes—Keep Warm, Broil, and Bake. Broil is great for searing meats or caramelizing casseroles, while baking is great for desserts like cookies and cakes.
Rapid Preheat is another big time-saver because it heats the oven quickly with baking and broiling. We also appreciate the electronic touch controls, which provide an intuitive interface for setting temperatures and managing cooking times, and an oven control lock for safety.
Customers consistently praise the installation process and ease of use.
The best premium oven
The Bosch 800 Series 30-inch Combination Electric Wall Oven is an impressive appliance with Wi-Fi compatibility that lets you get alerts and adjust settings remotely. With the self-cleaning feature, you don't have to worry about keeping your oven clean with little effort, and the quick preheat function saves you time. Preprogrammed settings also make cooking easier.
The Convection Multi-Rack Mode promises uniform baking results even if you use all three racks simultaneously. You can cook a lot of food at once with the oven's 4.6 cu. ft. capacity and the microwave has 1.6 cu. ft. capacity.
It has a 2000W convection element, which evenly distributes heat, a 950W microwave element for rapid cooking and reheating, and a Telescopic Rack designed for heavier dishes.
SteelTouch buttons make it easy to use, and 10 auto-sensor cooking programs make sure you get great results every time. You can easily monitor your food with interior lighting, including incandescent lights in the lower oven and LED lights in the upper oven.
In addition to auto-convection conversion, it has a warm option for keeping food warm and a Sabbath mode for religious observances. You can also send recipes directly to your oven and check your cooking status with Home Connect.
The best gas oven
The Frigidaire Gallery, 24" Single Gas Wall Oven with Air Fry, lets you cook healthier but tasty meals. Air Fry lets you cook delicious food without the guilt of traditional frying. Thanks to its True Convection system, which circulates hot air uniformly throughout the oven with a powerful convection fan and a third heating element, the oven promises faster and more even baking results.
With Steam Bake, bread and muffins rise beautifully, resulting in light and fluffy textures. With Quick Preheat, you can start baking in just a few minutes, so you'll be ready for mealtime. You can clean in two convenient ways: Steam Clean takes 30 minutes, while Self Clean does a deeper clean in two, three, or four hours.
In the Steam Roast function, you'll get perfectly roasted meats and crispy, tender veggies thanks to moisture. A responsive 4.3-inch full-color touchscreen control panel makes it easy to use the oven. With Bread Proof, the dough rises at the right temperature and humidity, resulting in perfect crusts and soft interiors.
Customers consistently praise the Frigidaire Gallery 24" Single Gas Wall Oven's user-friendly design and efficient air frying capabilities.
The best countertop oven
The Ninja 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven Air Fryer features a unique dual-compartment design that lets you cook two meals simultaneously at different temperatures.
According to our reviewer, using the Ninja Double Oven was easy. You can toast bread to a perfect golden brown using the top compartment, no matter where you place the slices. It's good for reheating but better for baking, which turns cheesy potatoes au gratin from raw to perfect in no time.
The bottom compartment is also impressive, easily handling frozen pizzas and achieving crispy fries in air fry mode. A vegan chicken green bean casserole came out hot and evenly cooked, showing off the oven's convection powers. Using the Smart Finish feature, our tester could perfectly sync the cooking times of the two compartments, so the potatoes would bake while the casserole cooked, so both dishes were ready simultaneously.
In contrast to traditional basket-style air fryers, this Ninja Double Oven has one crumb tray for the top compartment, which makes cleaning for spills in the lower section more difficult. You'll need extra effort to scrub away grease or food that clings to the oven walls, even though all accessories are removable and dishwasher safe.
Customers rave about its versatility and functionality despite its size and cleaning process.
Read more: Ninja DCT451 12-in-1 Smart Double Oven review
The best induction range oven
You can cook easier and more efficiently with the Samsung Smart Slide-In Induction Range with Flex Duo, Smart Dial, and Air Fry. Thanks to its Wi-Fi connection and voice-enabled control, you can control your cooking from anywhere in your home. It's got the visual of gas cooking combined with the precision of induction heat for optimal performance.
The Smart Dial feature simplifies oven settings and learns your preferences for a more personalized cooking experience. One of the best features is the No Preheat Air Fry mode, which lets you cook healthier meals with minimal oil. Enjoying your favorite fried foods without preheating is easy—an air fry tray is included.
The Flex Duo feature could be a game-changer if you cook many dishes at once. You can use the whole oven or split it into two smaller compartments to cook simultaneously at different temperatures. With the Ultra Express Boil induction burner, you can heat your food fast, and Virtual Flame Technology tells you when it's on.
The cooktop is easy to clean with a smooth glass surface that cools quickly. Induction technology from Samsung also ensures high energy efficiency because it heats the cookware directly, so it takes less time and energy to cook.
You can bake and roast evenly with Convection+, and the illuminated knobs let you know what's going on. You can monitor and adjust settings from your smartphone with the SmartThings App, and voice control makes it easy to multitask.
While some note the price is a bit high, many agree that this range's overall value and performance justify the price.
How to choose the best oven for you
When choosing the right oven for your kitchen, here are some things to consider.
Type of Oven: First, you'll have to decide whether you want a gas or electric oven. A gas oven heats up fast and has precise temperature control, so it's a good choice if you cook a lot. A gas oven might be better for you if you have gas lines, while an electric oven is more versatile and readily available.
Size and Capacity: Consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of cooking you typically do. Standard ovens usually fit in a 30-inch space, but if you don't have much space, a compact or built-in oven might be best. Also, if you like to cook for large gatherings, a double oven can be a great investment, so you can make multiple dishes at once.
Features and Technology: Modern ovens allow you to cook faster and more evenly, thanks to features like convection ovens, which use fans to circulate hot air. Smart ovens are connected, so you can control them remotely or access recipes directly. Self-cleaning ovens save you time and money.
Budget: It's important to set a budget before you start shopping for ovens. While high-end models might offer advanced features, there are plenty of mid-range options that can meet your cooking needs.
Aesthetics: Consider the oven's design and finish. Whether you like a sleek modern look or a classic style, pick one that fits your kitchen.
Oven FAQs
How do ovens work?
In an oven, food is cooked by exposure to a controlled hot environment. An oven transfers heat, which can happen through conduction, convection, or radiation.
Heating Elements: In most ovens, there are two main heating elements — one on the top and one at the bottom. In electric ovens, these elements heat up when electricity passes through them, generating infrared radiation that warms the air inside the oven. Gas ovens have burners that ignite gas to generate flames that heat the oven.
Convection vs. Conventional: Compared to conventional ovens, convection ovens are based on natural convection, where hot air rises and cooler air sinks, which creates uneven cooking temperatures. This is why stuff on top cooks faster than stuff on bottom. A convection oven, on the other hand, circulates hot air, so it cooks and browns evenly no matter where they're positioned in the oven. Thanks to this feature, you can cook multiple dishes at similar rates. If you set an oven to a certain temperature, it keeps it at that temperature.
Temperature Control: To keep the oven at the desired temperature, the thermostat monitors the internal temperature and activates the heating elements as needed. However, it's important to note that the actual temperature of the food may vary depending on the cooking time and the food's characteristics.
Cooking Methods: Various cooking methods can be done in an oven, including baking, roasting, broiling, and dehydrating. For example, broiling uses the top heating element to provide direct heat, perfect for browning the tops of dishes.
How much does an oven cost?
When buying an oven, you should know its cost and what factors influence it. The price of an oven generally varies depending on its type, features, and brand.
Expect to pay from $650 to $1300 for a standard freestanding oven, which usually covers mid-level models with decent features. If you want a slide-in oven, you'll pay between $800 and $2,000. A double oven, which lets you cook multiple dishes at different temperatures, can cost between $1,300 and $4,300.
Type of Oven: The oven you choose also affects the price. Electric ovens usually cost between $700 and $1,100, whereas gas ovens cost between $600 and $1,300. Gas line installation is complicated, partly because it costs more.
Installation Costs: The installation cost can add $100 to $300, depending on whether you need new electrical outlets or gas lines. If you need to modify your kitchen cabinetry to fit the new oven, you'll spend around $120 to $600 on repairs.
Additional features: For commercial-grade ovens, higher-end models with advanced features, like smart technology or built-in convection fans, can push prices even higher.
How long do ovens last?
On average, an oven lasts 15 to 20 years with good maintenance. It's one of the best kitchen appliances out there. However, the lifespan can differ depending on the type, usage, and maintenance.
A gas oven usually lasts longer than an electric oven. A gas range can last 15 to 20 years, while an electric oven will last 13 to 15 years. Built-in ovens may also last about the same amount of time, but it depends on the quality of the installation and how often you use them.
Maintenance: You can make your oven last longer with proper care and maintenance. For instance, keeping the oven clean prevents buildup that can affect performance and lead to malfunctions. Regular cleaning, timely repairs, and avoiding excessive wear can help ensure your oven works efficiently for many years.
Signs of Ageing: As ovens age, they may start showing signs of wear, like uneven heating, long preheating times, or trouble maintaining temperature. These issues can indicate that your oven is getting close to the end of its life, so it's important to fix them right away.
Investment: A good oven will last long if it's brand-named and made by a quality manufacturer. It tends to last longer than budget models. It's cheaper in the long run to get a quality oven, so you don't have to replace it as soon.
Do ovens use a lot of electricity?
Ovens generally use 2,000 to 5,000 watts of power, with many models consuming around 2,400 watts. That's why you will have a big impact on your electricity bill. It means that if you use your oven, especially for extended periods, you will use a lot of energy.
For example, running a 2400-watt oven for an hour will consume 2.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. If your electricity rate is around 10 cents per kWh, that would cost you about 24 cents for that hour of cooking. The costs can go up for higher-wattage ovens. For example, a 3,000-watt oven would cost about 30 cents per hour.
Ovens use a lot of power, but they're not usually used all day like refrigerators. Despite being energy-intensive during cooking, their overall effect on your electricity bill may be manageable. You can maximize efficiency and cut costs by cooking in batches or using the oven for multiple dishes.
You can save energy by using your oven strategically. You can reduce your energy use by preheating only when necessary, keeping the door closed while cooking, and using residual heat at the end of your cook. You can also save money on electricity by choosing energy-efficient models.