An oven range can dramatically change the look of your kitchen, making it look more modern and updated. The models on our best oven ranges list vary from convection to gas-powered to smart ovens with automation features. Some even have air-frying built in. They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Here are our picks for the best oven ranges of 2022, starting with the GE 30-inch Freestanding Electric Double Oven Convection Range, which has top and bottom ovens and a variety of features to make cooking quicker and easier.
Best oven ranges at a glance
The best: GE 30-inch Freestanding Electric Double Oven Convection Range
Why we chose the GE 30-inch Freestanding Electric Double Oven Convection Range:
When you turn on your oven, the whole cavity warms up. That’s perfect for a turkey, but perhaps unnecessary for 300 or more days out of the year. Double oven ranges are a great solution because they split the cavity in two, letting you use a smaller upper oven for quicker cooking.
Altogether, this GE model has 6.6 cubic feet of capacity: 2.2 in the upper cavity and 4.4 in the lower. If you are a fan of preparing big birds, keep in mind that the lower oven is 17.5 inches in height, making it several inches shorter than other ovens’ interiors.
The lower oven uses convection, so a fan blows the hot air around the inside for faster, more even cooking. Up top on the range are five cooking elements, though one is just an on/off option that keeps food warm by heating it at a low temperature. In terms of versatility — with two ovens, convection, and a warming element — the GE 30-inch Freestanding Electric Double Oven Convection Range has a lot to offer.
The best electric oven range: LG Electric Oven Range with True Convection and EasyClean
Why we chose the LG Electric Oven Range with True Convection and EasyClean:
You won’t find a ton of frills on the LG LRE3194BD, though the interior is a nice surprise. Its 6.3-cubic-foot capacity cavity is lined with blue enamel and cooks with true convection. That means there are both upper and lower heating elements as well as one behind the fan. Thus, it is circulating heated air, speeding up preheating times, and cooking foods more precisely.
The cooktop also is all about speed. Its three-in-one element allows you to adjust the power on the same heating element, so you can cook a stockpot full of ingredients or simmer a small saucepan in the same spot. It pulls 3,200 watts of power, which gets your pot of water boiling on the double.
The large-capacity interior is perfect for cooking large meals. Plus, the interior’s enamel can be self-cleaned in 20 minutes using just water. Quicker cleaning puts the LG LRE3194BD a pace ahead of the rest.
The best gas range: Whirlpool Gas Range with Fan Convection Cooking
Why we chose the Whirlpool Gas Range with Fan Convection Cooking:
Have you ever owned an oven that has a hot side? You know, where it cooks much faster on the right than on the left (or vice versa)? This 30-inch Whirlpool gas convection oven has a fan in the back of the unit, so it circulates the air and prevents hot and cold spots. The 5-cubic-foot capacity means the oven is pretty average in size, but it’s certainly large enough to cook holiday meals. The front control panel is easy to use, and you can disable the panel as an extra safety precaution for children.
The top of this Whirlpool Gas Range is all cooktop, so you can place virtually any size pan on the cooktop, from small saucepans to large griddles. There’s also a speed-heat burner to get your water boiling faster, as well as a low-heat setting to keep your food warm.
The best convective oven range: Frigidaire Professional 30-inch Front Control Electric Range
Why We Chose the Frigidaire Professional 30-inch Electric Oven Range with Air Fry:
Frigidaire is a brand that often grabs our seal of approval, and this Professional model is no exception. Right out of the gate, we’re big fans of the SpaceWise Expandable Elements. You’ll notice outlines on the electric range, and these actually represent different sized elements, based on the cookware in your cabinets. There’s a 9-inch inner ring for medium pots and a 12-inch outer ring for larger cookware.
The oven itself is powerful and consistent. It utilizes True Convection to evenly circulate hot air. The oven heats up fast with the power of a third heating element and a strong convection fan. In true convective fashion, your food will be evenly cooked while ensuring top-notch taste for a myriad of cuisines. Not to mention the oven also can air fry. Use it to deep fry your favorite foods without the grease and oil of a conventional deep fryer.
The best smart oven range: GE Profile Slide-In Gas Range with Self-Cleaning Convection Oven and Air Fry
Why we chose the GE Profile PGS930YPFS:
The 30-inch GE Profile smart oven has an edge-to-edge cooktop, so you can cook virtually anything you want on the burners, from a large batch of pancakes to burgers for the whole family. Although the top of the oven is all cooktop, each burner is engineered to promote flexibility while optimizing functionality. With features like an oval burner and a reversible griddle, you can cook sandwiches, sauces, and whatever else your heart desires.
This model features convection, so it has a top and bottom heating element, and it also has a third heating element in addition to a fan that circulates the hot air around the oven. It even has an air-fry function, and you don’t need to preheat to use the air-frying feature. Plus, if the oven gets dirty, it self-cleans with steam.
If you like the stainless steel professional look, the GE Profile certainly has it. You can also opt for black stainless steel. Each of the color options is fingerprint-resistant. Since this is a smart oven, you can wirelessly control the range’s functions, too. You can preheat your oven, adjust cooking times, and more.
The best cheap oven range: Samsung 30-inch Gas Range with Self-Cleaning and Fan Convection Oven
Why we chose the Samsung Self-Cleaning Slide-In Gas Convection Range:
The Samsung NX58H5600SS looks like it should cost more than it does, especially because we’ve seen it on sale for as low as $600. (At that price, it’s a great deal considering all that it offers.) The five gas burners range from 5,000 to 17,000 BTU, giving you control and versatility based on what you want to cook. It comes with a useful stovetop accessory: A cast-iron griddle for pancakes, burgers, and bacon. Both preheating and boiling are quick.
The 5.8-cubic-foot capacity of the Samsung 30-inch Gas Range is more than spacious. It also has a self-cleaning setting. If you’re in the market for a gas range, you’re definitely getting more features than you would normally find with a comparably priced range.
Research and buying tips
What’s the difference between an oven and a range?
Not all ovens are considered ranges, but all ranges contain ovens. A range contains a stove with burners that sit on top of an oven where you bake and broil foods.
What is an induction oven range?
An induction oven range has a different type of stovetop than a traditional oven range. However, the oven portion of an induction oven range operates much like a regular electric oven. With an induction range, the stovetop uses electromagnetism to heat the bottom of the pan without heating other parts of the cooking surface (or the rest of the kitchen). Induction cooking is more efficient, yet you must have pans made of compatible materials like steel or iron.
What is a convection oven range?
A convection oven range distributes the heat inside of the oven differently. It moves the heat around using a fan and exhaust system, which makes food cook faster, more consistently, and more evenly. A dual convection oven usually means that there are two fans instead of one, which increases the efficiency of the oven even more.
What is a double oven range?
A double oven range has two different oven chambers, so you can cook two different dishes at the same time on different temperature settings.
What is a gas oven range?
A gas oven range uses combustible gas as its heat source. Gas is affordable and can heat very quickly, but note that it adds moisture to the oven, which may prevent some crisping options. It’s also a little harder to control the exact temperature of gas burners without practice, compared to electric or induction burners.
What is an electric oven range?
An electric oven range uses electricity as its heat source via a heating element inside the oven and behind all the burners. This isn’t very efficient, but it produces very even, reliable heat that’s easy to control. Electric burners are usually easier to clean than gas versions since there’s no need for a grid over open flames.
What is a dual-fuel oven range?
With a dual-fuel range, the cooktop is gas and the oven is electric.
What is the best oven range brand?
Whirlpool oven ranges typically receive high marks from consumers. You could also go with a brand like GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire, or for a higher-end oven range, Thermador. However, buying from a specific brand does not necessarily guarantee a quality product, and you should research each specific model as opposed to researching just the brand name.
How do I choose an oven range?
When buying a range, a lot of people think primarily about their kitchen’s design, their heat source (gas versus electric), and their budget. But in addition to choosing whether you want stainless steel or matte black and making sure your oven range fits in the space, you also need to think about how often you use your oven and what you’re going to be cooking at home. If you order takeout most nights and you only turn your oven on once a week at best, you probably don’t need to spend thousands on a high-end appliance. But, if you cook every meal from scratch, you may want to spend a bit more money and focus on features that will make cooking easier and more enjoyable for you.
How wide is an oven range?
Standard residential oven ranges measure 30 inches wide. Larger ranges are 36 inches. Other oven range sizes are less common.
Is now a good time to buy an oven range?
No matter the time of year, there’s almost always a sale going on when it comes to appliances. Just wait for the next holiday weekend — Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and so on — and chances are, you’ll see a reduced price on a range. Regardless of whether it’s February or September, Black Friday feels like it’s just around the corner, and there are usually good deals to be had on the mother of all discount days.
The range is an essential and frequently used kitchen appliance, so there’s a lot to consider when you need to replace or upgrade yours. One important factor is size. Despite all their differences, every oven on this list is 30 inches wide. Companies also sell 36-, 48-, or even 60-inch models for more luxurious and spacious kitchens. Alternatively, if you’re tight on space, you can find 20-inch ranges to accommodate smaller areas. Unless you’re building a kitchen from scratch or undergoing a serious remodel, your choice of gas versus electric versus induction will rely on your current setup.
How does Digital Trends test oven ranges?
We absolutely love testing ovens because it means we get to bake a ton of cookies and treats to see how quickly and evenly the ranges give off heat. Another factor we take into account is preheating speed, how consistently the ovens maintain their temperature, and how accurate their displays are. When we test out ranges, we check how long it takes for each burner to boil water. We also look at how well each burner maintains its heat by tracking a simmering liquid over 20 minutes.
We also consider non-cooking aspects. Since kitchens are prideful points for many homeowners, aesthetics truly matter to many people, so part of our judgment is based on looks. We also consider the interface’s intuitiveness along with other details, such as the all-important question of whether the oven burned a pizza. Intuitive controls are a major deciding factor in choosing optimal results for major appliances, including oven ranges.
Editors’ Recommendations
