Which range cooker brand is the most reliable?

We investigated the performance and reliability of some of the most popular range cooker brands, including Smeg, Rangemaster and Belling.

In our unique large appliance survey, we ask more than 14,000 Which? members and members of the public if they’re happy with their large domestic appliances and if they’ve experienced problems, so you can see which brands are worth the money.

Looking to buy a new range cooker? Head to our guide on the best range cookers for expert tips and guidance. 

Which range cooker brands develop the fewest faults?

This table summarises what we found about how quickly different range cooker brands develop faults, based on cookers bought in the past seven years.

Which? members can log in to view which range cooker brands are the most and least reliable, and which our members are most satisfied with. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Decided on a brand? Head over to our range cooker reviews to find the best model for you

Which range cooker brand do owners recommend?

As well as faults, our survey also revealed which range cooker brands owners feel happy with – and which they’d recommend to a friend. 

These results are shown as each brand’s customer score, which is based on cookers bought in the past seven years.

Which? members can log in to view which range cooker brands last the longest before they need to be replaced. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Aga cookers are not featured here or in our testing due to their unique radiant heat features, but can find out more about them in our guide to Aga cookers

The three most common range cooker problems

Range cookers are culinary workhorses, yet even these stalwart appliances can fall victim to common faults. Understanding these issues is crucial for maintaining their performance and longevity in the kitchen.

Here are the three most common faults, as reported by owners in our survey.

1. A broken door (18% of faults reported)

• The most common problems people experience with their range cooker is the door breaking in some way. 
• The door seal or lock failing will affect the ability of the oven to retain heat, which could be bad news for anything you're cooking inside.
• The door handle or hinge breaking can also cause significant inconvenience, impacting the usability and safety of your cooker. 
• If you notice any issues with the oven door, such as difficulty in closing or an uneven seal, address them immediately. Delaying repairs can lead to further damage and increased maintenance costs.

2. Hob controls broken (16%)

• Another common fault is that the cooker dials or controls break. For example, a knob on the cooker could fall off or stop engaging the gas ignition, or other buttons used to control a timer or a clock could stop working.
• This can significantly impede the functionality and convenience of the range cooker, making it a challenge to accurately control temperatures, cooking times, or even turning the appliance on or off.

3. Broken or chipped casing (16%)

• A chipped or broken casing not only affects the aesthetics of the range cooker but can also lead to more significant issues. It may compromise the insulation, causing heat to escape and affecting cooking efficiency. 
• Additionally, it could expose internal components to damage or moisture, potentially leading to electrical problems or corrosion over time.

Need to get rid of a broken range cooker? Check out our guide on how to recycle electrical items

Can a broken range cooker be repaired?

Range cookers are designed to withstand heavy use, but occasional malfunctions can occur over time. 

The good news is that most faults can be addressed, and it goes without saying that repairing a faulty range cooker is a cost-effective solution compared with replacing the entire appliance.

The bad news is that range cookers are fairly complicated, and it's likely that you'll need professional help in order to fix any problems. Whether it's a faulty heating element, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a broken ignition, skilled repair services can diagnose the problem and often fix it efficiently, but it will generally cost you somewhere between £75 and £400 depending on the complexity of the fault.  

If you need a professional to repair your range cooker, search Which? Trusted Traders to find an approved local trader.

Which range cooker brands offer the best guarantees? 

Most range cooker brands offer product guarantees of at least one year as standard, but there are a handful of brands that offer longer cover, including:

• Stoves – one-year labour warranty and five-year parts guarantee as standard.
• Smeg – two-year warranty as standard, but some promotional models come with a five-year guarantee. 
• Rangemaster – two-year warranty as standard.

Check out our guide on how to get a refund, repair or replacement.

How we discover the most reliable range cooker brands

Which? has a wealth of information on Britain's favourite brands. Every year we ask Which? members to tell us about the home appliances they own – from how likely they would be to recommend a brand, to how reliable the products are once they get them home.

This year 8,922 Which? members and 5,559 members of the public told us about more than 39,000 individual products. We calculate each brand's customer score, fault rate and reliability rating using the results of our annual survey.

Our surveys, combined with our extensive lab tests, mean we can recommend the best range cookers to buy.

For more on what it takes to earn a Best Buy recommendation, read how we test range cookers