Best oven 2023: The top built-in models from £349
Learn how to choose the right built-in oven and freestanding cooker with our bite-sized reviews and handy buying guide
If you’re looking for a swish integrated oven that blends in with your kitchen cabinets, this is the page for you. We’ve selected a tranche of highly rated built-in models that make roasting, baking and grilling an absolute pleasure.
However, not all kitchen layouts have the space for a separate oven and hob, so if you have a country-style kitchen and are more interested in a range cooker (a wide freestanding oven and hob) or its narrower 60cm “cooker” sibling, head over to our dedicated range cooker guide.
Best oven: At a glance
- Best oven for temperature accuracy: Miele H2265B | £619
- Best budget double oven: Hisense BID95211XUK | £349
- Best oven for bakers under £550: AEG BEB355020B | £509
How to choose the best built-in oven or freestanding cooker for you
Tips for buying a built-in oven
If your kitchen cabinets have been installed by a professional fitter, consider a built-in oven – and choose an induction hob or gas hob to match. Built-in ovens have become hugely popular and are now de rigueur in any premium-priced household.
Bear in mind, though, that built-in ovens require wooden framework or an oven housing unit, which means employing a carpenter at extra cost (this isn’t much of an issue if you’re about to commission the build of a new kitchen).
Also consider the electricity load of your model of choice, as you don’t want to find out after purchasing that you need a new oven ring main installed at great expense.
What’s the best type of oven? Electric or gas?
This is often a case of personal preference. Most gas ovens don’t have a convection fan so they won’t cook as evenly or quickly as their electric counterparts. Most modern electric ovens have fan assistance, which improves cooking efficiency. Indeed, you could theoretically cook savoury and sweet dishes at the same time without intermingling flavours. Another bonus with fan ovens is that they can cook at lower temperatures, saving energy in the process.
When it comes to baking, the jury is out. Gas ovens heat up more quickly and produce moisture during the cooking process, while electric ovens take longer to reach temperature and emit a much dryer heat. Some bakers swear by gas because their breads and cakes come out moist and without dried-out crusts. Conversely, just as many bakers say they prefer electric because it browns breads and cakes more appealingly.
The general consensus, though, is that electric ovens are easier to use, more efficient and quicker – even if they are a mite more expensive to run.
READ NEXT: Best kitchen sink
The best built-in ovens you can buy in 2023
1. AEG BEB355020B: Best oven for bakers under £550
Price when reviewed: £509 | Check price at Premium Appliances
Anyone who frequently bakes bread will know that adding steam while the bread is baking is the best way to achieve a deliciously crisp crust and light fluffy bread. Simply add water into the AEG’s water reservoir and hit the PlusSteam button, then the oven will do the rest, automatically adding steam at the start of the bake to give you excellent results.
Cleverly, this oven also makes use of its steam function to aid with cleaning by using steam to loosen baked on grime and make it easier to wipe away. The 10 oven functions give enough options to cover all your cooking and baking needs and the A+ energy rating means it shouldn’t cost a fortune to run.
This oven represents cracking value for money and while it might not be a budget oven, it offers plenty of features that are rarely seen at this price. If you’re a budding baker and you want an oven that can elevate your bakes, this one is a great choice.
Key specs – Width: 59.5cm; Number of ovens: 1; Grill: Yes; Timer: Yes; Main oven capacity: 71l; Fan assisted: Yes; Energy rating: A+
2. Hisense BID95211XUK: Best budget double oven
Price when reviewed: £349 | Check price at AO
A double oven makes life so much easier when you’re juggling multiple dishes at once – and it’s indispensable for big family roast dinners and batch baking. Hisense’s affordable BID95211XUK proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune, either.
The main fan oven has an ample 72-litre capacity and provides fast and even heat. The top 38-litre oven works as a conventional oven as well as a convenient eye-level grill so you can keep a careful watch over whatever you’re browning.
The simple dial controls are coupled with a touchscreen to operate the timer. Given the budget-friendly price you don’t get treated to extra features such as automatic cooking or catalytic oven liners for easier cleaning. But getting a decent double oven for under £400 is a treat in itself.
Users applaud this Hisense oven for ease of use and fast heat-up times, but many would prefer extra shelves and a more traditional grill pan with a handle.
Key specs – Width: 59.5cm; How many ovens: 2; Main oven capacity: 72l; Fan assisted: Yes; Grill: Yes; Timer: Yes; Energy rating: A
3. Stoves BI600G: Best built-in oven for gas aficionados
Price when reviewed: £604 | Check price at AO
Once a popular choice, built-in gas ovens are fast becoming a rare commodity – which isn’t helpful if your kitchen design means you need a replacement for an existing gas oven. With that being said, there are still a few on the market, and we think this Stoves oven will fit the bill for most people.
The simple settings include a standard gas oven, grill and a slow-cook setting. Auto ignition offers fuss-free lighting, and the LED display allows you to set an auto-off timer – a useful safety feature that offers some peace of mind to those prone to forgetfulness. A telescopic rail is available for one of the two shelves, making it easy to slide out your culinary creations. Plus, the 65-litre capacity is ample for day-to-day cooking.
Sadly, there aren’t any self-cleaning features, you’ll need to give the enamel interior an occasional scrub – or, bribe someone else to clean it for you.
Key specs – Style: Built-in oven; Width: 60cm; Number of ovens: 1; Main oven capacity: 65l; Fan assisted: No; Grill: Yes; Energy rating: A
4. Miele H2265B: Best oven for temperature accuracy
Price when reviewed: £699 | Check price at AO
When it comes to high-quality home appliances, Miele is a brand with a well-deserved reputation. This A+ rated oven has a whopping 76 litres of roasting and baking space – it has five shelf levels for optimum food placement – and comes equipped with a wide selection of operating modes, including defrost, an energy-efficient gentle bake function for succulent roasts, an intensive bake option for pizza and quiche, a fan grill for crispy outers and moist inners, and a rapid heat setting for busy times.
Most ovens are usually a few degrees out of kilter, and this isn’t normally too much of a problem with the majority of foodstuffs. However, some desserts, such as the notoriously tricky soufflé, require pinpoint accuracy, and that’s where this oven excels. According to Miele, its cooking temperatures are accurate to within one degree, and it appears that its army of contented users agree. A top-quality oven at a surprisingly reasonable price.
Key specs – Style: Built-in oven; Width: 55.4cm; Number of ovens: 1; Main oven capacity: 76l; Grill: Yes; Timer: Yes; Fan assisted: Yes; Energy rating: A+