Best Stainless Steel Ranges for $600 or Less

CR’s tests reveal 5 models that work well and look great—and 2 to avoid at any cost

Paul Hope, Consumer Reports Home & DIY Editor.

By Paul Hope
Home & DIY Editor

July 17, 2019

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If you love the look of stainless steel but hesitate to fork over $5,000 to $6,000 for a pro-style range from brands like Wolf, Viking, and Thermador, now's the perfect time to shop. Mainstream appliance manufacturers including GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore are selling gas and electric ranges with stainless steel finishes for as little as $500 to $600.

There's a caveat, though. In exchange for the using the shiny, higher-cost metal, some manufacturers have stripped away features such as high-powered burners or self-cleaning ovens to save on manufacturing costs. And it’s rare that you’ll find convection ovens, warming drawers, or griddle burners on these less expensive stainless ranges.

Gas Ranges for $600 or Less

Electric Ranges for $600 or Less

Cheap Ranges to Avoid

Paul Hope

Paul Hope is a Home & DIY Editor at Consumer Reports and a trained chef. He covers ranges, cooktops, and wall ovens, as well as grills, drills, outdoor power tools, decking, and wood stains. Before joining CR in 2016, he tested kitchen products at Good Housekeeping and covered tools and remodeling for This Old House magazine. You’ll typically find him in his old fixer-upper, engrossed in a DIY project or trying out a new recipe.