Choosing an Electric Stove
Today’s electric stoves have come a long way. Gone are the days of bulky, cumbersome ranges with limited features. Now the marketplace is full of sleek, innovative designs with intuitive controls and convenience features to give home cooks a better experience.
All those features can make your choice overwhelming. “Whether you’re ready to spend anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, doing your homework upfront is very important,” says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance.
Start by considering the following:
- Size: Measure your space carefully, including width and height. This is one of the most important factors when choosing a range.
- Style: Stoves come in three categories:
- Freestanding: The “traditional” stove with finished sides. It can stand alone or nestle between cabinets.
- Slide-in: This type lacks finished sides. It’s meant to fit between two cabinets, then be finished off with a trim kit. It gives a more custom look and doesn’t block a backsplash.
- Drop-in: Similar to a slide-in stove with unfinished sides and a custom look, but it includes a warming drawer.
- Budget: Electric stoves vary in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the features, brand and size.
- Features: Most ranges include extras like rapid boil burners and convection baking. Look for other standout features to make your life easier, including smart technology, stainless steel finishes and expandable heating elements that let you adjust the size to match your pan.
Best Freestanding Electric Stove Value
If you want a double oven and flexible cooktop elements, consider the LG LDE4413ST ($1,298). It boasts an extra-large capacity of 7.3 cu. ft. (the window is super-sized, too) and it’s packed with helpful features.
The upper oven offers a quick-preheat option, ideal for busy bakers, while the lower oven features ProBake convection. Bonus: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel is easy to clean.
Product Specs:
- Size: 7.3 cubic feet
- Style: Freestanding
- Elements: 5
- Features: Self-cleaning, 10 minute EasyClean, ProBake convection, fingerprint resistant, double oven
Best Electric Stove With Air Fry
If you love cooking with an air fryer, the 5.4 cu. ft. capacity Frigidaire Gallery FGEH3047VF ($1,332) comes with one built in, eliminating the need for a separate small appliance.
Consumers love their air-fryers, though they take up valuable counter space and only hold a limited amount of food. A built-in air fryer solves both these issues. Other handy features include a stainless steel finish, quick preheat and steam clean.
Product Specs:
- Size: 5.4 cubic feet
- Style: Slide-In
- Elements: 5
- Features: Air fryer, convection fan, 3rd heating element, quick preheat, and steam cleaning
Best Smart Electric Stove
The Samsung NE63T8751SS($2,499) lets you adjusting cook time and temperature right from your mobile device. Imagine preheating your oven or lowering the temperature while you run errands.
This large-capacity stove features SmartDial — one control programmed with all your favorite settings. And with the voice-control option, you can tell your digital assistant, Alexa or Google, to adjust your stove for you.
Product Specs:
- Size: 6.3 cubic feet
- Style: Slide-In
- Elements: 5
- Features: Smart dial, air fryer, fingerprint resistant, express broil, self-cleaning, and steam cleaning
Best Electric Stove for Gourmets
The GE Cafe CES750P4MW2 ($3,058) offers all kinds of options dedicated home chefs love, including a built-in temperature probe, edge-to-edge elements for maximum cooktop space and true European convection baking.
The large oven capacity (6.2 cu. ft.) lets you make several dishes at once, and the Chef Connect feature synchronizes your appliance clocks, surface lights and vent when the range is in use. This means you only need to set the clock and the vent will automatically come on when you fire up the range burners.
Product Specs:
- Size: 6.2 cubic feet
- Style: Slide-In
- Elements: 5
- Features: Built-in temperature probe, Chef Connect, edge-to-edge elements, true european convection, self-cleaning, and steam cleaning
Best Electric Range with Double Oven
The Whirlpool WGE745C0FS ($1,519) stands out for offering a true convection double oven with up to 6.7 cu. ft. capacity and five elements for multi-pot cooking. (We appreciate the ConvectionConversion option, which adjusts regular baking time and temperature to convection baking.)
Additional time-saving perks include the rapid preheat function and what the manufacturer calls Frozen Bake technology, so you can cook food right out of the freezer.
Product Specs:
- Size: 4.2 cubic feet
- Style: Freestanding
- Elements: 5
- Features: Frozen bake, true convection, FlexHeat triple radiant element, ConvectionConversion, temperature sensor, rapid preheat, and steam cleaning
Best Stove for Less Than $1,000
If you need something budget-friendly, check out the Frigidaire FCRE305LAF ($899). It offers high-end options like a stainless steel finish and five expandable elements at a great price.
Also included: A 3,000-watt quick-boil element and a special setting that keeps food on the cooktop warm until all the dishes are ready to serve. Plus, it’s got a large window, a feature not typically found on less expensive stoves.
Product Specs:
- Size: 5.3 cubic feet
- Style: Freestanding
- Elements: 5
- Features: EasyCare, easy to clean finish, 3000W quick boil element, Store-More storage drawer, and extra-large window
Best Electric Induction Stove
Induction cooking is popular with those who prize the gas-like ability to adjust burner temperature instantly, resulting in a more efficient cooktop that’s a breeze to wipe clean. The KitchenAid KFID500ESS ($2,999) is a nicely-priced category standout that offers double ovens, a 6.7 cu. ft. capacity and smooth-moving racks.
Product Specs:
- Size: 6.7 cubic feet
- Style: Freestanding
- Elements: 4
- Features: Steam rack, EVEN-HEAT True Convection, hidden bake element, glass touch controls, and self-cleaning
Best Black Stainless Electric Stove
Black stainless steel is a great way to refresh your kitchen, offering a sleek, darker texture without messy fingerprints. The 6.3 cu. ft. Samsung NE63T8711SG ($1,799) delivers the satin finish with plenty of extras, like a built-in air fryer, convection baking and express boil.
Product Specs:
- Size: 6.3 cubic feet
- Style: Slide-In
- Elements: 5
- Features: Air fryer, smart dial, convection, express broil, finger print resistant, and self-cleaning
All prices and links were current as of publication.