Don’t Buy range cookers

Don’t Buy-rated range cookers may have a hob that’s slow to boil water, a grill that doesn’t cover a large enough area or an oven that can’t distribute heat effectively. 

If you choose a Don’t Buy range cooker, you could end up with a terrible long-term investment. Our expert lab tests separate the range cookers you should avoid from those we recommend as Best Buys.

What makes a Don’t Buy range cooker?

Some range-cooker manufacturers will boast about certain specifications, or offer appealing discounts to entice sales, but can you trust the claims? Our in-depth tests reveal which range cookers will provide you with perfectly cooked meals and are a pleasure to use, and those that will leave you hot and bothered in the kitchen.

Every range cooker reviewed by Which? is thoroughly tested to find out how effective it is at cooking, heating and grilling food – and how easy it is to use.

• A disappointing oven won’t distribute heat evenly around its space and your baking will suffer as a result.
• A bad hob will spread heat unevenly across the surface area of your pots and pans.
• A poor grill will only heat about 50-60% of the cooking area, meaning you’ll have to move your food around regularly. A great grill will cook most of the food placed underneath it.

Avoid an expensive kitchen mistake by taking a look at our Don’t Buys. Take a look at our Best Buys, you'll find a brilliant range cooker that won’t let you down.

Join Which? to find out which range cookers we’ve named Don’t Buys.

How we test range cookers

We've reviewed the latest range cookers including models from Rangemaster, Belling, Stoves and Smeg. Our test results reveal those models that combine a great hob, grill and oven but and are easy to use and clean.

• We bake to check whether the heat is evenly supplied and distributed; we use heat-sensitive cameras to check whether the hob provides an even heat, and we toast bread under the grill to see how much of it is covered. 
• Each range cooker is given an overall Which? score, so you can compare the performance and features and see clearly which are the best and worst.
• Our Which? range-cooker tests cover several brands at various prices, and include electric, gas and dual-fuel options, as well as induction hobs.

Which? is independent – we work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our product recommendations are influenced only by our test results. We’re not influenced by third parties, and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We buy all the products that we test ourselves, so our advice helps you to make the right choice at the outset and avoid costly mistakes.

Our reviews will help you to avoid a bad choice when it comes to buying a range cooker. Join Which? for instant access to our Best Buy and Don’t Buy recommendations.