5 Best Ovens (2023 Guide)

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, veteran renovator, or somewhere in between, a quality oven can turn even the tiniest kitchen into the heart of your home. 

We compared the best ovens on the market today, including a combination air fryer-convection oven, a double wall oven with the latest smart features, several traditional, freestanding electric and gas ovens, and more.

Below you’ll find our top picks, a comprehensive buying guide, and answers to critical questions you might have while shopping.

Top 5 Ovens

• Best Oven Overall: LG Smart Slide-In Double Oven
• Best Double Oven: Samsung Smart Double Wall Oven
• Best Electric Oven: GE Electric Freestanding Range Oven
• Best Gas Oven: Samsung Bespoke Smart Gas Range Oven
• Best Wall Oven: Samsung 30-Inch Smart Wall Oven

Best Oven Overall: LG Smart Slide-In Double Oven

Pros and Cons

✔ Air fryer and double convection oven
✔ Wi-Fi and smart assistant-enabled
✔  Available in black stainless or stainless steel

✘ Air fryer features limited to upper oven
✘ Gliding oven rack fits convection oven only

Good for: Busy kitchens and serious at-home cooks.

What Customers Are Saying

Our research revealed that satisfied customers praised the double oven’s numerous functions, performance, easy use, and overall appearance. However, disappointed customers said the electric version had longer than expected cooking times and occasionally dried food out.

Best Double Oven: Samsung Smart Double Wall Oven

Pros and Cons

Good for: Extra-large households and streamlined kitchens.

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers liked this double wall oven’s overall performance, speedy cook time, sensitive broil settings, and steam-cleaning option. However, we learned of a few buyers that felt the oven’s smart features fell short of their expectations and indicated they preferred using its manual controls.

Best Electric Oven: GE Electric Freestanding Range Oven

Pros and Cons

Good for: Medium-sized households in need of a reliably performing oven. 

What Customers Are Saying

Out of hundreds of reviews our team read for this model, most customers were pleased with this electric freestanding range’s reliability and ability to cook numerous foods evenly without over-drying. However, critical buyers did not like that the power cord was sold separately, and a few customers found the electric range’s cook times were longer than expected.

Best Gas Oven: Samsung Bespoke Smart Gas Range Oven

Pros and Cons

Good for: Large households and very particular at-home chefs.

What Customers Are Saying

According to our research, satisfied customers seemed pleased with this gas oven’s numerous cook settings, speed, cooking precision, and smart functionality. However, one buyer claimed that they experienced a gas leak within a few weeks of using the oven, and a few critical buyers expressed frustration with the initial Wi-Fi setup.

Best Wall Oven: Samsung 30-Inch Smart Wall Oven

Pros and Cons

Good for: Smaller spaces and modern kitchens.

What Customers Are Saying

We found that most buyers praised this smart wall oven’s precise cooking and numerous settings. They were also pleased with its suite of Wi-Fi-connected smart controls. However, we found several reviews that indicated the initial cloud-based setup was complicated, and one customer said the oven’s interior enamel chipped after four months of use.

Buying Guide for Ovens

There are several factors to consider when choosing an oven that meets your needs.

Configuration

Ovens come in single or double configurations. Double ovens allow users to cook separate dishes using different temperatures and settings simultaneously. This is especially useful for large, busy households and meal-laden holidays. 

Double ovens can include two ovens of equal capacity and options or one smaller oven at the top and a full-sized oven below. 

Some newer double-oven models include top compartments with hybrid cooking modes, including air fry, microwave, steaming, or toaster oven functions.   

Convection vs. Conventional

Electric ovens are available in conventional or convection designs. The difference between the two is how heat within the oven is applied. Since hot air rises, the top of a conventional oven tends to get hotter than the bottom, which is why experts recommend baking foods on a center rack. 

Convection cooking ovens include a convection fan at the back, which more evenly distributes the top-to-bottom heat by circulating air.

Fuel Type

Knowing which fuel type you prefer is perhaps the most important factor when buying an oven. Ovens are available in electric, gas, or dual-fuel varieties.

• Electric: Ovens that generate heat with electricity tend to be more affordable and safer than gas or combination ovens because they’re not connected to a gas line. Electric models are known for even heating and are often preferred by bakers for this reason. However, electric ovens take longer to heat and cool than gas and combo ovens and can cause electrical fires if damaged, mishandled, or installed improperly. The majority of wall ovens are electric.

• Gas: Gas stoves rely on liquid propane or natural gas for fuel. Professional chefs often prefer them due to their open-flame ranges. Pro-style ranges always feature gas burners. Preheating and cooling times are shorter with gas ranges and ovens. Gas ovens require routine inspections for gas leaks and generally cost more than electric versions because they require a gas line hookup. However, they typically outlast electric ovens and are usable during power outages.

• Dual-fuel/combination: Dual-fuel (or “combination”) ovens use gas to ignite the stovetop burners and electricity to heat the oven. They’re popular because of their flexible fuel options. These hybrid ovens offer the fast, precise cooking of an open-fire gas range and the dry, even baking of an electric stove. However, due to their dual features and gas line requirements, dual-fuel ovens are usually much more expensive than electric or gas alternatives.

Freestanding vs. Built-In

Freestanding (or “slide-in”) ovens differ from built-in (or “wall”) ovens in a few ways. The most obvious difference is that freestanding models are self-contained and sit directly on the floor, whereas built-in ovens are installed inside a wall. Standalone ovens also include stovetop ranges with burners, whereas most in-wall ovens do not. Some counter-height wall ovens include ranges, but these models are uncommon and usually command a premium price.

Self-Cleaning

Self-cleaning ovens, also known as “pyrolytic” ovens, use extremely high heat to incinerate grease, residue, and other food messes. A self-cleaning cycle typically lasts 1–3 hours. Initiating “self-cleaning” mode automatically locks the oven door until the cleaning process is complete and the temperature inside the oven has returned to a safe level. 

Various models also offer a steam clean option, which requires a little more elbow grease but ultimately serves the same purpose and is generally more energy efficient than pyrolytic cleaning.

Smart Features

Smart technology is increasingly common in newer ovens. Smart ovens connect to smartphones and tablets via a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth. This enhancement gives users app-based control and monitoring capabilities. Some apps even provide setting and mode suggestions for various meals. 

Timer and Delay Start

Most modern ovens include a timer function that automatically turns the oven off at a specified time. Delay start is another automated timer function that powers up the oven at a later designated time. 

Oven FAQs

How do you break a new oven in?

To break in a new oven, most manufacturers recommend heating the appliance to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Doing this should clean the oven’s interior by removing potential residues left behind during manufacturing and packing.

We advise opening the windows in or closest to your kitchen and running a fan while breaking in your oven.

Can I install a wall oven on my own?

Experts and manufacturers don’t recommend installing a wall oven on your own. A professional will be able to assess your kitchen to ensure that it has the proper structural support, electrical connections, and space to accommodate a wall oven safely.

Are gas ovens better than electric ones?

Whether a gas or electric oven is better depends on your cooking style, budget, whether you already have a gas line connection in your kitchen, and whether or not federal rebates are important to you. 

If your kitchen already has a proper gas line connection, a new gas stove may be just as affordable to you as a new electric stove. However, if you’re considering upgrading from electric to natural gas or propane, keep in mind that running a new gas line can be expensive and time-intensive, particularly if you’re installing a propane-fueled stove. 

If you’re considering changing from gas to electric and you live in the United States, this year is a great time to make the switch. Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in late 2022, U.S. residents who convert from gas and dual-fuel ovens to electric are eligible for tax credits and federal rebates.

Visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), select your state, and check which energy efficiency programs are available in your area.

Who This Oven Buying Guide Is For

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a veteran home renovator, or somewhere in between, a top-rated oven can level up your kitchen. Our Reviews Team considered a variety of ovens by looking at top contenders for the best freestanding oven and the best built-in oven, as well as the best electric oven and gas oven.

Our Rating Methodology

Our team is committed to providing heavily researched recommendations and insight into the categories we cover. We seek to earn and keep your trust by practicing ongoing transparency about the process of our reviews and the factors we take into account. 

We ranked the top ovens featured in this review using a seven-factor, 100-point system:

• Features (up to 35 total points): This category accounts for the most commonly sought-after oven features, including design, fuel source, settings, and more. 
• Finishes (up to 5 points): Ovens that came in more than one finish were rated higher than those only available in one finish. 
• Average customer rating (up to 15 points): Each oven received a score from zero to 15, depending on its average customer rating. We rounded up decimal ratings to the nearest whole number. 
• Capacity (up to 10 points): Models with an oven capacity of 6 cubic feet or more received more points than their smaller counterparts.
• Smart technology (up to 5 points): If an oven included app integration or Wi-Fi compatibility, it received five points. 
• Manufacturer’s warranty (up to 20 points): We researched each oven manufacturer’s warranty and awarded each product 20 points if it came with any warranty or guarantee.
• Customer service (up to 10 points): We researched the customer service options available to homeowners after they’ve purchased their items. Each oven received points if its manufacturer offered phone, chat/text, or access to replacement parts.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our small team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of kitchen appliances—from dishwashers to French door refrigerators to laundry machines.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products from trustworthy appliance brands alongside additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

Questions or Comments?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.