A cooker should last for years to come, so it needs to be durable, high-quality and suited to you to ensure it’s a worthy investment. But before you go ahead and splash the cash, check out our must-read advice on the best cookers for what to consider before you buy.
Jump to: How to choose the best cooker for you
And if you're in the market for more appliances, check out our Buyer's Guides. You'll find round-ups of the best vacuum cleaners, best stand mixers, best dishwashers and best kitchen extractor fans.
The best cookers on the market in the UK
Leisure Gourmet GRB6GVK Gas Cooker
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Energy Rating: A+/A
Made with traditional cooking in mind, this gas range cooker has two sections available for preparing meals, each boasting an efficient energy rating.
The main section has a conventional oven built for a wide variety of meals while the second cavity has a grill function.
There's also a four burner hob on top with plenty of room for all your pots and pans and the promise of instant heat so you’ll be frying your favourites in no time.
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Hotpoint Newstyle HAE60K double oven electric cooker with ceramic hob
Energy Rating: B
In need of an oven with enough room to feed a large family? This electric Hotpoint cooker is up to the task with its two ovens and ceramic hob.
The main oven component has a 65-litre capacity, so plenty of room for a quick meal or something more ambitious, with a circulaire fan that will keep things cooking nicely. The top oven has a capacity of 45-litre, with the additional function of an integrated grill.
You can also have multiple pots and pans on the go at once thanks to the four-zone ceramic hob.
Keep your oven looking its best with our round-up of the best cleaning products.
AEG CCB6740AC free-standing electric cooker
Energy Rating: A
This quick-to-heat double oven will ensure there’s an even temperature throughout for consistent cooking and it has more than enough room for saucepans of all sizes on the hob, too.
This cooker makes use of two ovens which have three oven shelves between them, so plenty of room for your dishes with options on where to place particular types of food for the most effective end result.
It also has a built-in minute minder so you won't have to worry about overcooking your food and ruining the family dinner.
JLFSMC621 double dual fuel cooker in Silver
Energy Rating: A
From straightforward dinners to fancy dishes, this oven has you covered. It has plenty of space with four oven shelves to choose from and an adjustable electric grill, so you can easily cook several meals at once.
There are also the four gas hobs to make use of which come in a variety of sizes to specifically cater to different size dishes.
It even has a programmable timer so there’s no chance of burning your favourite meals!
Zanussi ZCI66050BA electric cooker with induction hob
Energy Rating: A
This model features Thermaflow technology which uses a fan to circulate hot air so that the flavours don’t transfer between different dishes.
It has an electric oven and grill built in with an enamel interior which will absorb any grease, and there’s also a handy induction hob on top.
If you're looking for ways to keep your oven clean, why not check out our favourite oven cleaners?
Beko ADC5422AW electric cooker with ceramic hob
- Buy now from Argos (£350.00)
Energy Rating: A
With A-rated energy efficiency, a handy grill and an electric conventional oven, you’ll be able to experiment in the kitchen while keeping your utility costs low.
There’s also a ceramic four-zone hob which features Rapidlite zones which means they should quickly heat up, so less time spent in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal!
Buy the Beko ADC5422AW from eBay
BEKO Pro XDCS663MT Electric Ceramic Cooker
Energy Rating: A
This cooker has a range of features alongside the four that will assist whatever meal you have in mind. It has uniform heating which will get to work on your Sunday roasts and desserts, as well as steam assisted cooking that will make the insides as fluffy and outsides as crispy as you like them.
With a capacity of 69 litres in the main section and 36 litres in the second, you'll have plenty of space to cook, and due to the integrated grill you’ll be able to prepare different dishes at individual temperatures.
Cleaning should also be especially easy with this cooker, thanks to the Catalytic liners inside which catch dirt. There's also a nano coating that protects the interior doors from grease and grime.
INDESIT ID60G2K Gas Cooker
Energy Rating: A
There's plenty of capacity to enjoy with those one, with 113 litres of space to pack in all your mains and sides. Thanks to the full-width grill inside you'll be able to prepare everything from grilled fish and meat, to deliciously crispy vegetables.
For more cooking options to keep things crisp, check out our best air fryers!
There are four hobs on top with a simple set of control dials so you know exactly what goes where.
It also comes with a glass hob lib that can cover the top of the oven, which is a handy way of keeping the area clean and tidy when it's not in use. This will also create a little more space in your kitchen if you want to use it as an additional prep area.
Choosing the right oven for your home is a crucial decision that can greatly impact your cooking experience. From the various types of ovens available, such as gas, electric, and convection, to the range of features and designs, it can be overwhelming to make a decision.
However, by considering your needs and budget, you can find the perfect oven to suit your cooking style and lifestyle. Our list of the best ovens highlights some of the most popular and reliable models on the market today, offering a range of features and benefits to help make cooking a breeze.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner, investing in a high-quality oven can help elevate your culinary skills and make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable.
While you're here, why not check out our recommendations for the best retro fridge, microwave, and kettle?
How to choose the best cooker for you
Gas vs electric cookers
First and foremost, you should begin your search for the best cooker that works for you by deciding whether you want a gas or an electric cooker. In general, gas cookers tend to be less costly, which makes them more appealing if you’re on a tight budget, but an electric oven will give you more control over temperatures and cooking areas.
However, although the initial investment is more expensive, a good compromise would be a dual-fuel cooker as this can use gas and electric so you get the best of both worlds.
Lauren Clark, Large Appliance Expert at AO.com explains what you should consider: ‘To decide on the fuel type, you need to think about what your kitchen is set up to cater for, but also your cooking style.
‘For example, if you bake then an electric cooker may be preferable as it distributes heat evenly. Whereas, if you’re an avid cook then a gas or induction hob might be more suitable as these are similar to those used in a professional kitchen.’
If you're looking for an electric oven, don't miss our product round-up!
Integrated vs free-standing cookers
Another vital point to consider is whether you’d like an integrated or free-standing model.
An integrated cooker will give your kitchen a sleek and stylish look, however any repairs can prove difficult as you’d have to take apart your worktop to get to the oven.
Free-standing versions tend to be cheaper and easier to install and repair as they slot easily into a modular kitchen design.
You’ll also need to figure out what size the cooker will need to be so it fits comfortably in your kitchen.
Energy efficiency and cookers
Energy efficiency is especially important if you’re trying to keep your utility costs down. An A or AA rated model is best for this, and even though you might be paying more for the cooker to start with, you’ll be making huge savings on your monthly bills, and be lending a helping hand to the environment.
You should also consider which features will benefit you. ‘There’s a whole host of technology to look out for,’ says Lauren, ‘you can find various features such as steam cooking and temperature probes; it all depends on how seriously you take your cooking. There are now even ‘smart’ ovens where you can keep an eye on food without even opening the door – it’s all done on your phone!’
Jargonbusters: A guide to cooker terminology
Confused by conventional heating and catalytic liners? This glossary translates the puzzling terminology…
Circulaire fan
A circulaire fan can reduce cooking time by up to 20 per cent. The consistent circulation means you can cook different things at the same time without a crossover of flavours.
Conventional heating
A conventional heating oven has two heating elements that warm the air inside the oven and cook food by blanketing it in a layer of heat. Usually an inexpensive option.
Minute minder
A minute minder is a timer on your oven that will ring when the set cooking time is up.
Catalytic liners
Catalytic liners are rough surfaces inside an oven that are designed to catch and break down food spills so that you don’t get a build-up of grease and grime while cooking.
Ceramic hob
Ceramic hobs have heating elements underneath a glass surface that warm up and transfer the heat to the hob. Easy to clean and work with any type of pan.
Induction hob
An induction coil beneath the hob transfers heat directly to the pan – it’s as quick as gas, and the hob surface itself remains cool. Requires iron-based pans such as stainless steel.
Interested? Why not check out our roundup of the best hobs on the market?
