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. An advantage is that 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.
Ifyou’re redoing your kitchen, or replacing the major cooking appliances, you’ll want to make sure you can buy a new wall oven and a cooktop 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 can ship in days, and some may take months.
How CR Tests Wall Ovens
We test electric wall ovens in single- and double-oven configurations using a combination of foods and taking precise temperature measurements. To start, we wire each oven cavity with thermocouples—wire thermometers capable of withstanding high temperatures—to see how evenly the oven heats from one spot to another.
Next we bake multiple trays of sugar cookies and cakes on different racks, looking to see which models produce evenly browned baked goods and which leave these items raw or burned. In a typical year, we bake more than 2,000 cookies and more than 400 cakes in the course of oven testing. Then we put a pan of burger patties under each broiler to see how evenly the broiler heats, and whether it gets hot enough to sear.
We assess features and rack positions, and measure the usable area inside each oven. Last, to test the self-clean cycle, we paint the inside of each oven with a messy mixture that includes egg, tapioca, cheese, and pie filling, and we bake it into place before running the cycle, seeing which ovens come clean and which leave you stuck scrubbing.
For the latest test results, see ourcomplete wall oven ratings.CR members can also check out our roundup of the best electric wall ovens in our lab tests.
How to Pick a Wall Oven
Here are four factors to take into consideration before and as you shop.
Width
Wall ovens are 24, 27, 30, or 36 inches wide. The most common are 30 inches wide, so that’s what we test. If you’re replacing a wall oven, it’s crucial that you measure the wall oven and the cabinet cutout before you shop.
Fuel
Electric wall ovens are overwhelmingly the most popular type. In our tests of ovens in ranges, we find that electrics tend to perform better, particularly at broiling.
Capacity
Many manufacturers make misleading claims about oven capacity—typically, they include every square inch of space, even if there’s no way to use it to cook (such as the area below the bottom rack).We look for usable capacity, and we find big differences among models. For single-oven wall ovens, the smallest models in our test offer about 2 cubic feet of usable space, and the largest models (those that we’d rate as excellent for capacity) have more than 3 cubic feet of usable space. It might not matter much for a tray of cookies, but you’ll be glad you have the clearance when you’re finessing a giant turkey into the oven next Thanksgiving.
Configuration
Wall ovens come in single- and double-oven configurations, and we test both. A double oven lets you cook more and allows you to cook foods at two different temperatures, which is particularly helpful around busy cooking holidays. A double wall oven is a lot bigger than the double oven you might find built into a range (which is really just a single oven divided into two cavities). For a true double wall oven, both cavities are the same size.
Wall Oven Types
Most wall ovens sold are 30-inch-wide electric models. They come with a single oven or double ovens. With a model in mind, check the manufacturer’s online manual to find exact cutout dimensions for the wall oven.
Single Wall Oven
Single wall ovens are usually smaller than the ovens you’d find on a range—the single wall ovens we test range in usable capacity from 2 to 3 cubic feet, while those in ranges are usually between 3 and 4 cubic feet.
Electric Wall Ovens Ratings
Double Wall Oven
Double wall ovens offer double the capacity of a single wall oven, and they share a single control panel. They allow you to bake, roast, or broil at two different temperatures at the same time.
In addition to a true double oven, like the one shown above, some manufacturers offer a single wall oven with a steam oven or a microwave built in above the oven. Consumer Reports does not currently test those models.
Electric Wall Ovens Ratings
Proper Wall Oven Installation
When installing a single wall oven, make sure that the controls are easy to see and reach, and that the door is at a height that prevents unnecessary bending.
As with a single-oven model, a double wall oven should be installed at a height that allows for easy access—the upper oven should be reachable, and the lower oven shouldn’t require any more bending than needed.
Wall Oven Features
Generally, the more bells and whistles on a wall oven, the higher the price. Some features increase safety and convenience.And some give you the ability to do more than just bake, roast, and broil food.
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Air-Frying Capability
This oven function lets you cook crispy foods like french fries without buying a countertop air fryer. Some ovens include a perforated tray for air-frying, which allows hot air to circulate while you cook. Some manufacturers sell this tray separately.
PHOTO: GE
Control Lockout
This lets you disable the oven controls and is recommended for households with children.
PHOTO: KITCHENAID
WiFi Connectivity
Most WiFi-connected ovens work with an app on your smartphone. The app will let you check the oven temperature, set a timer, or even check the internal temperature of whatever you’re cooking, if your oven comes with a temperature probe. You can also use the app to make sure you remembered to turn off the oven, even if you’ve left the house.
PHOTO: WHIRLPOOL
Side-Swing and French Doors
The first is a single door with hinges on one side. French-door models (shown) have two doors that separate in the middle and open outward. Both types prevent you from having to reach over an open door to retrieve that 30-pound turkey.
PHOTO: GE
Convection
Many midpriced and higher-priced wall ovens have one or more convection fans that circulate hot air, which can reduce cooking time for some foods.
Variable Broil
Most electric and some gas ovens have this feature. It offers adjustable settings for broiled foods that need slower or faster cooking, instead of only “on” (typically 500°F) and “off.”
PHOTO: KENMORE
Air-Frying Capability
This oven function lets you cook crispy foods like french fries without buying a countertop air fryer. Some ovens include a perforated tray for air-frying, which allows hot air to circulate while you cook. Some manufacturers sell this tray separately.
PHOTO: GE
Wall Oven Brands
This high-end brand offers a full selection of German-engineered kitchen appliances, including single- and double-oven wall ovens starting around $2,050. Bosch wall ovens are sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and independent retailers.
This mass-market brand manufactures a variety of appliances, with wall ovens starting at $1,000. GE wall ovens are sold at major retailers, such as Best Buy, Home Depot, and Sears, and independent appliance retailers.
The cooking line from this higher-end brand includes electric wall ovens starting at $2,800. The appliances are sold through Best Buy, Sears, and independent appliance retailers.
This high-end brand sells electric wall ovens priced from around $2,500. KitchenAid wall ovens are sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, and independent appliance retailers.
LG makes single- and double-oven wall ovens starting at $1,900. Its wall ovens are sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and independent retailers.
This luxury appliance maker sells electric wall ovens priced from $3,000. The appliances are sold mainly through independent appliance retailers.
One of the larger manufacturers of wall ovens, Samsung makes single- and double-oven models that are sold at many major retailers, including Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, with single-oven prices starting at $1,300.
This luxury brand sells electric wall ovens priced from $2,900. Thermador wall ovens are sold at Best Buy and independent appliance retailers.
This high-end manufacturer is considered the original pro-style brand. The company adds premium features to its ovens and cooktops, which are sold through Best Buy and independent appliance retailers.
This midlevel mass-market brand sells wall ovens that start at $1,200. The appliances are sold through Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and independent appliance retailers.
This luxury brand sells electric wall ovens priced from around $2,700. Wolf targets consumers who want a pro look and high performance. These appliances are sold at Best Buy and independent appliance retailers.
Other wall oven brands to consider include Café, Dacor, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Maytag, Monogram, and Sharp.
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