With thoughts of veggies roasting and apple pie baking, we reached out to Stefan Bucur, a home-improvement specialist from Rhythm of the Home, to talk about wall ovens and their advantages. “A major benefit of having a wall oven is that it blends in with the rest of the appliances, and it creates a seamless integrated focal point between the oven itself and the cabinets,” he tells The Spruce. Plus, “they are typically positioned at chest or torso level, so you don’t really have to crouch when checking on the food or lift heavier trays when taking them out of the oven.” We spent hours researching models from the most popular appliance brands, evaluating each one on size, features, and overall value. Our top pick, the GE Profile 30-inch Electric Wall Oven, is a sleek oven that provides a large cooking surface and multiple functions to help you deliver flawless food every time. Here are the best wall ovens on the market, so you can wow your dinner guests with a show-stopping meal in no time. The oven has a 5.0-cubic-foot cooking area, giving you room to cook large dishes such as a family-sized turkey and a rack of lamb. However, the oven only comes with two oven racks which makes it difficult to cook multiple dishes at once. If you entertain often, you’ll have to do a bit of planning to efficiently use the two racks. This oven’s smart features are the real star of the show. After you download the GE Appliances Kitchen app, you can control your oven without being in the same room, freeing you up to mingle with guests or tackle your to-do list. The smart oven also has a No Preheat option for a variety of cooking modes, which saves you time. The oven automatically adjusts temperature and cook times to deliver perfect results. Price at time of publish: $2,998 Available in black, white, and stainless steel, this single oven fits seamlessly into any kitchen. The Ready Select control panel makes it easy to manage cooking temperatures and times. If you finish cooking before mealtime, simply pop your dishes in the warming drawer to keep them at the desired temperature. Price at time of publish: $1,980 Installing the oven may be challenging, as there are reports that it might not come with an instruction manual. But it’ll be easy to use once it’s properly set up. Thanks to Whirlpool’s FIT System, which provides various installation options, the oven will fit effortlessly into your space. Price at time of publish: $1,199 But a quicker cook time doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. The Temperature Meat Probe monitors the internal temperature of poultry, beef, and pork to prevent under- or overcooking. When it comes to casseroles and baked goods, the closed-door broiling prevents intense heat from escaping the oven, resulting in even browning on your dish. Although the oven has five rack levels, there may only be room for two racks. Still, with 4.6 cubic feet of cooking area, there’s plenty of room to cook multiple dishes all at once, making an at-home five-course dinner a total reality. Price at time of publish: $3,049 Rest assured, this 3.8-cubic-foot oven isn’t just for bakers. With 15 cook modes, including Air Fry, Slow Cook, Air Sous Vide, and Dehydrate, there’s something for every home chef of all different specialties. When it’s time to clean, you can choose among a 30-minute steam clean or a 2-, 3-, or 4-hour self clean. The number of features drives up the price, but it’s definitely worth the money. Price at time of publish: $1,949 When it comes to the interior, there are two removable and adjustable oven racks so you can fit any of your bakeware or roasting pans with ease. Dials let you choose your cooking mode and temperature, but they may take practice and time to master, as the instructions aren’t exactly clear. For safety, a cooling fan turns on automatically when the oven is hot, so its exterior stays cool. If you’re willing to overlook its lack of a self-cleaning option, then it’s a solid pick. Price at time of publish: $878 With multiple fans maintaining temperatures, you’d think the oven would be noisy, but it’s a quiet appliance. Maybe too quiet, as the timer does not alert as loudly as others. But that may be easy to overlook, given the number of features and sleek design. Price at time of publish: $3,149 Meanwhile, the 1.7-cubic-foot microwave will make heating your favorite foods easier with a built-in sensor that adjusts cooking times and power levels. Simply put a plate of leftovers or a bag of frozen veggies into the unit, and let it work its magic. If you’re the type who likes to keep an eye on their food, be warned that the microwave door tends to collect steam. Price at time of publish: $5,110 Although this oven lacks a No Preheat mode, you can get the temperature rising while doing yard work or even while doing laundry with the Café Appliances Kitchen app. You may also want to use the app to time your cooking; the numbers on the oven are small and can be difficult to read. Price at time of publish: $3,443 Of course, the real highlight of this appliance is its French doors, which are both sleek and chic. And you can keep your oven looking like new at all times with a steam-clean option for small spills and a self-clean cycle for larger messes. Like most new purchases, you will need to get familiar with its ins and outs during the first few uses. However, the Cafe appliance will prove to be worth the hearty investment. Price at time of publish: $4,498 A combination wall oven is paired with a built-in microwave or, more recently, an air fryer. Stefan Bucur, a home-improvement specialist from Rhythm of the Home, says this is ideal for people who want to save on counter space and purchase items as a unit. Finally, a French door model has two doors that open to the sides. Bucur tells The Spruce that this wall oven style is “a great space saver for kitchens with limited floor space” and “more stylish and from an interior design perspective.” However, it is expensive and will require more space to install.
Fuel Source
Your wall oven can be powered by either gas or electricity, and you’ll want to consider what your home is equipped for before buying your new appliance. Gas units, for example, require a gas line to be run into a kitchen. Gas ovens heat up quickly to give you more temperature control, and they can be cheaper upfront. That’s why we chose Frigidaire Series’ 24-inch Self-Cleaning Gas Single Wall Oven. Frigidaire’s Ready Select control panel makes it easy to manage cooking temperatures and times. In contrast, an electric wall oven can be more expensive upfront but cheaper to operate and great for baking. Bucur adds, “Gas wall ovens are usually less energy-efficient than electric ones, and gas ovens are also prone to gas leaks, so that can weigh heavily into the buying decision. That’s why more people have made the switch to electric.” They tend to keep a consistent, even temperature and have a smooth, stylish cooktop. For electric, our must-have pick is GE Profile’s 30-inch Smart Single Electric Wall Oven with Convection Self-Cleaning in Stainless Steel, which has a dual-broil element that provides full heat coverage for consistent and even cooking.
Extra Features
Wall ovens can come with a range of extra features, including a temperature probe and safety lock. A temperature probe lets you set a desired internal temperature for a dish you’re roasting or baking, and you can be notified when it’s reached that temperature. A safety lock feature prevents the oven from being used unless it’s turned off, so children can’t turn the heat on and accidentally burn themselves. On top of these extras, some wall ovens have smart features. Another, newer feature that you should consider is whether the wall oven has smart tools and settings built into it. Bucur explains that some new models come with app control, whereby you can set cooking times, temperatures, and other useful commands straight from your phone, without having to be right next to the oven. “That can be useful if you are planning to cook a turkey or other difficult food, because you can set a temperature control, a cool-off period, and even a door-opening feature when it’s done,” he says. While these extra features can add to the price of a model, they are worth considering when shopping. They can make your experience more streamlined.
Standout Features
“Keep Warm” Setting
The “keep warm” setting on wall ovens preserves dishes at the ideal temperature for serving without drying them out. If you entertain often or have household members who eat dinner at different times, you can still serve a meal that’s well prepared. The setting works similarly to adjusting your oven to a very low temperature, but it is more precise so that taste and texture aren’t altered.
Built-In Air Fryer
Instead of purchasing a separate appliance to prepare crunchy wings and tater tots, a few wall ovens come with a built-in air fryer. This feature turns your oven into the perfect environment for that “crispy but not greasy” food. To use it, you will need to purchase a separate air frying pan so that your oven won’t smoke from the oil and residue.
Hidden Bake Element
If your oven’s bake element is hidden, it’s tucked under the bottom surface of your oven, where it won’t get dirty. A wall oven with this feature is usually fueled by electricity and may take a bit longer to preheat. However, the inner surfaces of the oven will be significantly easier to clean, because the most sensitive area is concealed. Any household that frequently cooks, and therefore cleans the oven regularly, can freely apply cleaner and not feel stressed about their routine.
Self-Cleaning
Cleaning an oven is no easy task, which is why the self-cleaning feature is a definite perk and “worth having if you frequently cook at home,” according to Bucur. With this feature, the oven’s temperature reaches 1,000 degrees in order to burn spills, stains, and food particles to ash. It can be easily wiped once the cycle ends. Allison Brady, Home Depot’s Merchant of Cooking, tells The Spruce that some self-cleaning ovens have bottoms that you can pop out, wash, and slide back into place for an even easier process. Similarly, Brady tells The Spruce that steam cleaning is a newer innovation in ovens that reduces and simplifies the cleaning process.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Leah Rocketto, a lifestyle writer and editor for The Spruce. Her articles have appeared on sites such as INSIDER, Romper, Bustle, WomansDay.com, and POPSUGAR. To select the best wall ovens, Leah researched several models. She also spoke with Allison Brady and Stefan Bucur to select a top wall oven. Brady is Home Depot’s Merchant of Cooking and is responsible for staying up to date on all devices in these categories. Bucur is a home-improvement specialist at Rhythm of the Home, with a focus on kitchen appliances.
