From gas-powered models to radiant and induction options, here are the best kitchen ranges available today. The 6.3-cubic-foot oven is spacious, and it’s equipped with dual racks and an in-oven broiler. The bottom of the oven has a hidden bake element, making it easier to clean up any spills that do occur. Keep in mind that you won’t have to do much manual scrubbing, since this electric range is equipped with a self-cleaning mode, along with a 20-minute steam clean cycle for light messes. Baking enthusiasts might wish for convection cooking in the oven, but this feature isn’t available on the Samsung NE63A6111SS. Price at time of publish: $949 Whether you are a casual cook or a serious chef, this gas range is a reliable appliance for your meal prep. On the stovetop, a 20,000-BTU burner delivers high heat for fast boiling or searing. The other burners range from 5,000 to 18,000 BTU, and an included cast iron griddle straddles the center of the range. The cast iron grates are durable, but it’s worth noting that they’ll take more elbow grease to clean than enameled grates. The sizable oven has 6.3 cubic feet of capacity. While some reports suggest that the digital control panel can sometimes be difficult to read, there’s no shortage of space for cooking large meals, air frying your favorite crispy snacks, or baking multiple trays of cookies or other desserts. It has a dual-speed fan to more evenly distribute heat and produce the even, consistent baking results that convection ovens are known for. Keep the oven’s attractive blue finish spot-free with a quick steam-cleaning mode or a more in-depth self-cleaning cycle. This slide-in gas range is available in stainless steel or black stainless steel finishes. Both options include LG’s PrintProof finish, which is intended to reduce fingerprints and smudges on the appliance. Price at time of publish: $2,099 The five burners on this kitchen range include a 15,000-BTU burner for more rapid boiling and a center burner with an integrated griddle. The edge-to-edge grate system means that you can shift cookware from one location on the stove to another, without the need to lift a heavy pot or pan. Inside the oven, 5.0 cubic feet of space plus two oven racks offer enough space for average cooking needs. Keep in mind that this oven has a broiler drawer rather than an in-oven broiler. Though it’s a matter of preference, some cooks find a broiler drawer less convenient to use. It also means that there is no storage drawer for bakeware or pots and pans underneath the oven. Many budget ranges require manual cleaning and it’s true that this model also lacks a self-cleaning mode. However, it does have a steam-cleaning option that can be used for light-duty cleaning. For regular, in-depth oven cleaning, you’ll still need to manually clean the oven. Price at time of publish: $949 This slide-in range has a digital front control panel. Glide your finger along the buttons to activate the elements, keeping in mind that you’ll need to have induction-compatible cookware present on the element for it to activate. This is just one example of the safety features that have made induction ranges a popular choice. Another outstanding feature of the GE Profile PHS930YPFS is its synchronized elements, which allows you to pair two 8-inch elements together to evenly heat oversized cookware. If you prioritize high-speed cooking, you’ll be impressed with the 11-inch element that packs 3,700 watts of power—and can boil water in just a couple of minutes. The feature list is long for this range, but it also includes a sous vide cooking probe, true European convection in the 5.3-cubic-foot oven, and a soft-close oven door. It’s a pricey model, but worth the splurge if you want to explore the conveniences and gourmet functions of a modern induction range. Price at time of publish: $2,350 The oven features a third heating element and fan for true convection capabilities. The air fryer function can be enhanced with the use of a large-capacity air fryer tray that allows for circulation under and around your food. The air fryer tray isn’t necessary to take advantage of this function, and it’s not included with the range. This is a bit of a surprise considering that this Frigidaire model includes other cooking accessories, like a griddle pan and temperature probe. Air frying foods can turn messy because of splattered oil and grease, so you’ll appreciate the advanced self-cleaning options of the Frigidaire Gallery GCRG3060AF. It includes two-, three-, or four-hour self-cleaning cycles, along with a fast 30-minute steam clean for light messes. At just under $1,000, this kitchen range offers excellent value for its features. The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel or black stainless steel finish blends well with other modern kitchen appliances. Price at time of publish: $1,349 This drop-in electric range has four elements housed in a smooth, glass cooktop. One element offers 3,000 watts of cooking power along with dual rings to better accommodate large or small pan sizes. At 4.4 cubic feet in size, the oven is slightly smaller than what you’d typically find on slide-in or freestanding ranges. However, it has two adjustable oven racks with seven different positions to help you optimize the space for whatever you are cooking. An in-oven broiler and self-cleaning function round out the options available in the oven. Price at time of publish: $2,049 The model is built in Italy and has a gleaming stainless steel finish that’ll make a kitchen look more gourmet. Two multifunctional European convection ovens will help you prepare meals in record time and cook with accuracy. The larger oven has a 2.4-cubic-foot capacity, and the second one is slightly smaller at 1.5 cubic feet—so both ovens are quite small. If you’re a passionate baker, this range probably isn’t the best option for you. However, five sealed gas burners that are paired with cast-iron burner grates won’t leave your household looking for more. Whenever you’re baking or boiling a pot of water, you’ll appreciate how quickly you can get a good meal on the table with this range. Now, it’s important to note that this model is a bit wider, measuring 36 inches wide. It’ll need a larger space in your kitchen, but it offers you a storage drawer and accessories like a broiler pan, grill pan, and wok ring in return. Price at time of publish: $3,999 This double-oven kitchen range has a 4.2-cubic-foot lower oven and a 2.5-cubic-foot upper oven. As mentioned, the lower oven has an option for convection baking while the upper oven is equipped for standard oven operation only. A digital control pad on the back panel of this freestanding range makes it simple to turn on the oven or activate cooking modes for either oven, like you may need when broiling fish, baking frozen pizzas, or keeping your meal warm until it’s time to serve. When you’re done roasting, baking, or broiling, this appliance has a self-cleaning mode for easy oven maintenance, along with a quick steam-cleaning option. While the double ovens are the star of the show, the five-burner cooktop offers enough elements to keep up with large-scale meal prep. There is a triple radiant element that can be adjusted to fit 6-, 9-, or 12-inch cookware, optimizing the element size for more efficient heating. The fifth element is a handy 100-watt warming zone. Like the oven control pad, the burner knobs are located at the back of this range. This means you’ll have to reach across the stove to adjust any element, which is a small compromise if you prefer the convenience and look of a range with front-control knobs. Price at time of publish: $1,799 On the cooktop, you’ll find four burners, ranging in power from 18,000 BTU for high-heat cooking tasks to a more delicate 650 BTU for simmering and melting functions. You are giving up a fifth burner if you choose this model of gas range, but most home cooks will find that four burners still meet the needs of most meals. And as you’d expect of a professional-style kitchen range, the front control knobs put the burner functions within easy reach. The oven of the Thor Kitchen HRG3080U gas range is one of the smaller options you’ll find on the market, at just 4.2 cubic feet. However, the features inside offset the limited capacity. A pair of telescopic oven racks glide in and out with ease, thanks to a ball-bearing rack design. Convection cooking ensures uniform temperature distribution throughout the oven, evenly browning your baked goods. Finally, a U-shaped gas flame broiler puts the finishing touches on any meal. Price at time of publish: $2,339 The capacity of a kitchen range refers to oven size. Standard kitchen ranges usually have an oven with about 5 cubic feet of space, but larger models are available with 6 or more cubic feet of room, like our pick for the best gas range—the LG LSGL6335F. Larger-capacity kitchen ranges are especially useful for anyone that cooks large meals or does batch baking. You’ll also find smaller kitchen ranges with only 4 cubic feet of capacity, which can be adequate for most single people, couples, or small families. Even a small-capacity kitchen range will typically still have two oven racks to make the most of the oven space.
Fuel Type
Fuel type refers to how the range heats up the burners or elements, along with the oven. The two most common fuel types for kitchen ranges are gas or electric. Gas kitchen ranges are popular for the ability to quickly and accurately adjust the heat output of the burners. Electric ranges are praised for even heat distribution and are a popular pick by bakers. Can’t decide between the two? A dual-fuel kitchen range offers the advantages of a gas cooktop with the benefits of an electric oven. You can also opt for a range with an induction cooktop, which is an efficient, non-gas-powered alternative to traditional radiant electric ranges. Just keep in mind that induction ranges tend to be pricier, and they require induction-compatible cookware.
Cleaning Type
Oven cleaning should be on your list of regular home maintenance tasks, but it’s a labor-intensive chore that most people put off when they have an oven that requires manual cleaning. If that describes your situation, you may be better off with an oven that has a self-cleaning function. Some ranges even offer varying self-cleaning cycles, depending on how intensive of a cleaning session is needed. The Frigidaire Gallery GCRG3060AF, our pick for the “best range with air fryer,” has two-, three-, and four-hour cleaning cycles to choose from. Another increasingly popular option is a steam cleaning function. While not designed to replace a regular, in-depth oven cleaning, the steam clean setting can be used to clean up small messes. It usually requires you to pour a small amount of water in the oven. The oven heats up enough to generate steam that loosens dirt and grime. It usually only takes ten to 30 minutes (depending on the model), which is a big timesaver when compared to the two hours or more that a standard self-cleaning cycle usually requires.
Features and Number of Burners
A four-burner kitchen range has been the conventional choice, but more and more appliances offer a cooktop with five burners. This feature isn’t necessary for everyone, but if you’re an avid cook that enjoys making a number of stovetop dishes simultaneously, it means that you have more burners (with varying BTU or watts of heating power) to choose from. Keep in mind that in some cases the fifth element may be more of a warming zone or have limited heating power. In this case, it’s best used for preparing sauces or melting butter. Other burner features to keep in mind include whether or not the cooktop is sealed, in the case of gas ranges. This prevents spills and overflow from your cookware from seeping underneath the cooktop. Electric cooktops traditionally utilize coil elements, but most electric kitchen ranges today have smooth, radiant elements incorporated into the glass cooktop. This is the case for our top overall pick for an electric range, the Samsung NE63A6111SS.
Value
When shopping for a kitchen range, you want to invest in an appliance that offers a good value for the features you need. Set a budget for how much you want to spend on a new range and prioritize the list of functions you want for your new appliance. Some of the features that add value—but may also include the price point of a range—include convection cooking, a fifth element, self-cleaning options, and built-in Wi-Fi for smart functions.
Slide-In vs. Freestanding
When it comes to the overall build of a kitchen range, you can opt for a slide-in or freestanding model. Your decision depends on the layout of your home and how you want your appliance to look near your cabinets and countertops. A slide-in range will sit flush with your countertops to create a stylish and seamless look, while a freestanding range will be bulkier but won’t have any installation limits. A slide-in range will also feature a front control panel and a smaller oven cavity, while a freestanding range will typically have a back control panel and a smaller price tag.
Number of Oven Cavities
Your kitchen range can have one oven cavity, or it can have two—known as a “double oven.” A double oven is usually the more expensive choice, as this type of appliance allows you to cook two dishes at a time and at different settings. Depending on the individual model, the ovens can be stacked or situated side by side. To compare, a single oven can be less expensive upfront but give you a more spacious cooking area. Since the oven cavity is not divided, the capacity of your model can be more accommodating for holiday turkeys or casseroles.
Standout Features
Broiler Pan
Kitchen ranges with a broiler—a high-heat section of your cavity that’s perfect for making a casserole, turkey, or dish that you want a little crisp on—don’t always come with a broiler pan. So, it’s considered notable when your range does include one. This type of pan evenly distributes the heat throughout your dish and gives it that grill-like taste.
Quick Preheat Setting
In a time crunch, a quick preheat setting ensures that your kitchen range doesn’t take more than ten or 15 minutes to reach your desired temperature. It speeds up the process by adding more power to your bake element. If you’re constantly on the go or trying to prep meals in a short period of time, this feature is certainly handy.
Continuous Grates
With a continuous grate system, the top of a gas-powered kitchen range is essentially flat. In doing so, you’re able to shift cookware around the surface as needed without lifting it or bumping it into rough areas that would cause a spill. Continuous grates ultimately expand your cooking surface, making them a great feature for large households that need more space to prep meals.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Specialty Oven Racks
Most oven racks slide in and out along preset positions, requiring you to manually push or pull the rack to adjust it. However, some kitchen ranges have specialty oven racks that are more user-friendly or durable. For example, gliding oven racks like you’ll find on the professional-style Thor Kitchen HRG3080U gas range make it super simple to load your oven rack with a casserole dish or cookie sheet before sliding the rack into position. Another option to look for on self-cleaning kitchen ranges is heavy-duty oven racks that can stay in place during the cleaning cycle. Sometimes referred to as “no-scrub” oven racks, this option will save you the effort of trying to wash a large oven rack in your kitchen sink.
Air Fryer Oven
One of the newest innovations in kitchen ranges is an oven with air fryer function. This feature is gaining in popularity. It’s usually found on ranges with a convection oven and takes advantage of the built-in fan to circulate air and produce crispy cooking results in less time than regular oven operation. It’s a feature worth considering if you often make chicken tenders, fries, or other crispy treats in your oven. You’ll get more consistent results with faster cooking times when you use an oven with an air fryer. However, if you rarely make these foods or already own a separate air fryer, this feature may not be worth the splurge.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer for The Spruce with extensive experience researching large and small appliances. For this article, she considered ranges of all types from some of the most popular manufacturers. The ranges were evaluated based on fuel type, number of burners, oven capacity, self-cleaning capabilities, and other user-friendly features—among many other attributes.
