Electric Ranges

Electric smoothtop ranges are most popular

If you decide on an electric range, you must choose between a smoothtop and a traditional coil burner. Most reviews and consumers say smoothtop burners are easy to clean, but they're sometimes more expensive and require flat-bottom cookware -- coil burners are less expensive to repair and replace. Both types of ranges heat up a pot quickly, though most reviews agree that electric rangetops heat up a bit faster. If you prefer a range with coil burners, don't wait too long to buy one -- fewer models are being manufactured, and experts say they may soon be obsolete. As with gas ranges, a higher price gets you a classier design and extra features, but performance differences between high-end and lower-end electric ranges are often small.

Professional reviews often recommend Kenmore electric ranges, saying the smoothtop Kenmore 96412 (*Est. $800) is a good value. This model not only has high-power and simmer burners, but it also has one dual burner -- meaning you can use it as either a 6-inch or a 9-inch burner. Additional perks include quick heating (due to a 3,000-watt element), a stovetop warming zone and a warming drawer. This Kenmore range broils particularly well, according to tests. However, the Kenmore 96412 isn't included in our Best Reviewed chart because it receives mixed reviews from owners. At one site that offers owner reviews, it earns only an average of 2.5 stars (out of five) in 30 reviews, and it fares only slightly better in nearly 40 reviews at Sears.com. Most complaints are about unexpected failures, while others say the oven takes far too long to preheat and that the oven-door handle can break.

A similar-looking range, the Kenmore 96112 (*Est. $530) will save you a couple hundred dollars, but it skips the warming zone and warming drawer. This model performs almost as well in professional tests, and according to owners, isn't plagued with problems like the more expensive Kenmore 96412. At Sears.com, the Kenmore 96112 gets higher ratings than its sibling.

The Maytag MER5752BAW (*Est. $500) is a basic smoothtop range that includes a storage drawer (but no warming drawer) and has an adjustable self-cleaning feature for light, medium or heavy soil. This range performed well in one professional test, but owner reviews are mixed. We found quite a few complaints about control panel failures and poor construction, but about one-third of owners posting reviews are happy with the range and say it's a good value. It comes in black, white, bisque and stainless steel (for an extra $150).

If you want a very basic smoothtop range, the Hotpoint RB787WHWW (*Est. $580) has four burners, a self-clean feature, electronic oven controls, five oven rack positions and a small oven window. The Hotpoint doesn't do as well as other models in testing for broiling or boiling (Good Housekeeping's tests show that it's slow), but it's very good at baking and simmering. Furthermore, GH editors found its self-cleaning feature to be particularly effective. It comes in white, black and bisque.

If you can spend more and want a fancier looking smoothtop range, the Electrolux EW30EF65GS (Est. $2,400) outperforms every other range it was tested against in two professional reviews, including the head-to-head test at Good Housekeeping. Experts say it can broil a steak as well as an outdoor grill, and it bakes, sautes, and simmers perfectly. The Electrolux range has two ovens: a full-size convection oven and a mini-oven/warming drawer. It also offers electronic touch-screen controls, a huge viewing window, hidden bake element and temperature probe. Pre-programmed oven settings, including a "perfect turkey" setting (which experts and owners alike praise) simplify cooking. The handful of owner reviews we found for this model is universally positive. The Electrolux EW30EF65GS comes in a stylish stainless-steel finish. It's also available in black and white for about $200 less.

Another electric range with convection option is the Jenn-Air JER8885RA (*Est. $1,400), an electric smoothtop range. The Jenn-Air has a couple of unique features, including a bread-proofing cycle. With 5.3 cubic feet of cooking space and automatic convection conversion, the Jenn-Air does an excellent job of baking, broiling and roasting in testing. There are five elements, a glass ceramic surface and three oven racks. There is one triple element (12 inches, 9 inches and 6 inches) and a warming drawer. In addition to an electronic clock, there are also two timers. This model is available in white or black, with a stainless steel finish costing about $200 more. The downside is that, according to owner surveys, Jenn-Air has a historically higher rate of repair than Kenmore, Hotpoint and others. Owners report that about 15 percent of Jenn-Air electric ranges end up needing major repairs. That's higher than the repair rate of Hotpoint, GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool or Frigidaire.

Electric coil ranges are less expensive than smoothtop electric ranges. Although they seem to be less popular than they once were, they perform well in comparison to smoothtop ranges. If you want the most basic of electric ranges, you may want to look at the Hotpoint RB757WHWW (*Est. $400). This model performs well, and its features include two oven racks, electronic controls, electronic clock and timer, audible preheat signal and automatic oven shut-off, as well as the important self-cleaning benefit. Reviews say the oven window on this electric range is inconveniently small, but if price matters above all else, the Hotpoint is a good, reliable, no-frills choice. It comes in white and bisque.