#Top Range Ratings

Getting started

For fine performance either a gas or an electric range will do. Serious cooks often prefer gas for the quick response and visual confirmation of a flame. But electric elements generally heat faster and maintain low heat more precisely. Dual-fuel ranges combine a gas cooktop with an electric oven.

Pro-styles

How to choose

Zero in on our test scores. If you enjoy baking, compare ranges with impressive baking scores. A roomy oven also comes in handy when baking or hosting friends and family; we measure oven space you can actually use so check the capacity scores. Love a good steak? Then key in on our broiling scores.

Focus on features. Look for at least one high-powered burner or element for quick heating. Expandable electric smoothtop elements let you match their size to the pan. Ranges with at least five rack positions provide added flexibility when cooking on more than one rack, and ranges with dual ovens let you roast a turkey and bake a pie at the same time and at different temperatures.

Don't buy strictly by Btu. Short for British thermal unit, range and cooktop Btu are often a selling point at the store. But that measure merely indicates the amount of gas used and heat generated, not performance. Indeed, higher Btu hasn't guaranteed faster heating in our tests.