Choosing the Best Kitchen Range

Ranges with radiant electric smoothtops are the popular pick. All the models in our tests have at least one high-power burner. Most have expandable dual or triple elements that let you switch from a large, high-power element to a small, lower-power element within it. Some ranges have a warming element in the center to keep side dishes warm.

There is a lot of residual heat, so when reducing the temperature it can take a few minutes to really settle at the lower setting. 

Electric ranges with an induction cooktop use magnetic coils below the ceramic glass surface to send pulses directly to cookware. They boil faster and simmer more steadily, and any adjustment you make to a burner happens immediately because the elements themselves don’t get hot. 

Magnetic cookware is needed for induction to work. If a magnet strongly sticks to the bottom of a pot, it will work with an induction cooktop. Some stainless steel cookware is induction-capable, and some isn't.

If you prefer cooking with gas, you’re not alone. The flame makes it easier to judge the heat and provides a level of sensory feedback that electric models just can’t match. Most gas ranges have four to five burners of different sizes, typically with at least one high-power burner and one simmer burner. 

Response time is particularly quick, especially when compared with a radiant smoothtop. When you turn the knob from high to medium on a gas cooktop, the pot and the food in it experience that change almost immediately. And with most gas burners you can strike a match to light them when your power is out. But you should know that gas burners tend to be slowest to bring water to a boil. 

Pro-style ranges in our ratings are either gas or dual-fuel, meaning they partner gas burners with an electric oven. They tend to be beautifully built, with heavy-gauge stainless steel, well-insulated ovens, and cast-iron continuous cooking grates. 

But these touches don’t translate into better performance—the best gas and electric ranges in our ratings outperform the very best pro-style models. Plus pro-style models are pricey; expect to pay two to 10 times what you’d spend on a comparably equipped traditional range. 

That said, the best pro-style models are a work of art and a tool that can leave you feeling empowered in the kitchen. If that’s your rationale for wanting such an appliance, we think that’s pretty hard to argue with.