Wall Ovens

Wall ovens offer flexibility that you won’t find in a range. They can be installed on just about any wall in your kitchen, and at any height, so you don’t have to bend over to place a roast into the cavity. 

The majority of wall ovens are electric, and that’s what we test. In our evaluations of ranges, we generally find that electric ovens perform slightly better than gas, particularly at broiling. Plus, you don’t need gas or propane service at your house to install one—an electrician can run an electric line to anywhere in your kitchen, typically for a few hundred dollars. 

One thing to keep in mind if you are shopping for a wall oven right now: There’s currently a nationwide appliance shortage. Not all appliances have been hit equally by shortages and back orders, though. You may find that you have an easier time securing a wall oven, as opposed to a range, because ranges are more popular.

But keep in mind that if you’re buying a new wall oven and a cooktop at the same time, that might prove to be more difficult. So if you’re redoing your kitchen, or replacing the major cooking appliances, you’ll want to make sure you can buy both appliances at the same time. Our advice? Look to local independent dealers, consider scratch-and-dent models or floor samples, or be ready to be flexible about which models you select—some models can ship in days and some may take months.