The best kitchen appliance depends entirely on your budget and cooking priorities. If you want professional-grade performance without the professional price tag, the KitchenAid KSES530SJP Smart Slide-in Electric Range at £1,874.99 delivers restaurant-quality convection cooking and smart features for a mid-range investment. For luxury buyers, the Steel Genesi Series 36-Inch Induction Range at £11,499 is unmatched. But if you’re after pure value, the Philips 2000 Air Fryer at £59.99 offers exceptional performance for tight budgets.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Smart Range: KitchenAid KSES530SJP
Price: £1,874.99 — Best for cooks who want smart features without luxury-brand markup
The KitchenAid delivers 5.3 cubic feet of capacity with dual Even-Heat™ Hyper Elements and convection cooking modes that ensure even browning across multiple racks. It’s slide-in compatible (fits flush between cabinetry), has app-controlled temperature adjustment, and costs roughly half the price of comparable premium ranges. The two-zone cooktop gives you flexibility for batch cooking.
Best Luxury Induction Range: Steel Genesi Series
Price: £11,499 — Best for professional cooks and those wanting industrial-grade reliability
This 36-inch professional induction range features 5 precision elements with bridge function (combines two burners into one large cooking zone), 3.2 cubic feet of oven capacity, and an Innvent system for advanced heat distribution. Industrial-style anthracite finish. Built for serious cooks who demand commercial-grade performance at home. The bridge function alone saves time when cooking large pots or griddle-style meals.
Best Value Air Fryer: Philips 2000
Price: £59.99 — Best for anyone wanting crispy food with minimal oil and hassle
A 6.5-quart capacity means you can cook for 4-6 people in one batch. The window lets you monitor food without opening the drawer (which saves heat and cooking time). Pre-set programmes handle chips, chicken, vegetables, and frozen foods. At under £60, this is the entry point to air frying without gimmicks. It uses 80% less oil than traditional deep frying.
Best Mid-Range Electric Range: Samsung Bespoke NSE6DG8500SR
Price: £1,195 — Best for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice smart features
30 inches, slide-in design, smart connectivity, and adequate 3.1 cubic-foot capacity for family cooking. The price is roughly 36% cheaper than the KitchenAid but loses some convection sophistication. Solid for everyday cooking in apartments or smaller kitchens.
Best Professional Electric Range: Gordon Ramsay Series
Price: £3,749 — Best for cooks who want restaurant credibility without full commercial equipment cost
A 36-inch freestanding range with the professional aesthetic and performance positioning. Black and stainless-steel finish commands authority in open-concept kitchens. Marketed to serious home cooks.
Best Retro Small Appliance: Smeg 50’s Style Blender
Price: £199.95 — Best for design-conscious cooks who refuse to hide their blender
Not a workhorse for daily smoothies, but a sculptural countertop piece that actually blends. Comes in multiple colours. If you care how your appliances look, Smeg delivers.
Best Budget Entry: Philips Air Fryer
Price: £59.99 — Best for testing the air-fryer concept without investment
Same as above — the real value play in this lineup.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid KSES530SJP | £1,874.99 | Smart cooking, mid-budget | Dual Hyper Elements + convection |
| Steel Genesi Induction | £11,499 | Professional/luxury | 5-element induction + bridge function |
| Philips 2000 Air Fryer | £59.99 | Budget-conscious, families | 6.5-quart capacity, window view |
| Samsung Bespoke | £1,195 | Apartment living, basics | Smart connectivity, compact |
| Gordon Ramsay Range | £3,749 | Design + performance | Professional aesthetic |
| Smeg Blender | £199.95 | Design-first buyers | Retro styling |
How We Chose
- Price-to-performance ratio: We prioritized ranges and appliances delivering measurable performance (capacity in cubic feet, element wattage, convection coverage) at their price point. The KitchenAid offers convection cooking at half the price of comparable luxury brands.
- Real-world utility: We excluded niche single-use gadgets and focused on appliances you’ll use multiple times weekly. Air fryer capacity matters — 6.5 quarts handles 4-6 servings; undersized models become bottlenecks.
- Smart features at accessible prices: Ranges priced above £2,000 should offer app control, temperature sensors, or convection modes that justify the premium. Below £1,200, we prioritized reliable basics over fancy connectivity.
- Aesthetic longevity: Appliances sit in your kitchen for 10+ years. We favored neutral finishes (stainless steel, anthracite) and timeless designs over trend-driven colours, with the exception of statement pieces like Smeg (which are meant to be visible).
The Bottom Line
For most home cooks balancing budget and features, the KitchenAid KSES530SJP at £1,874.99 is the best value — it combines smart control, convection cooking, and a proven brand at a price roughly half comparable luxury ranges. If you have the budget, the Steel Genesi Induction Range at £11,499 is genuinely worth it for professional-grade induction performance and durability. For pure affordability, the Philips 2000 Air Fryer at £59.99 opens air-frying to anyone and actually delivers results. Choose based on your cooking frequency: the air fryer for occasional use, the KitchenAid for daily family cooking, the Steel Genesi for serious home chefs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best kitchen appliances under £100?
The Philips 2000 Air Fryer at £59.99 is the only appliance in this roundup under £100 and genuinely worth buying. At 6.5 quarts, it handles family-sized batches. If you need a non-electric option, the Our Place Perfect Pot at £105.95 is a multi-use vessel that replaces 3-4 separate pans (Dutch oven, saucepan, skillet), though it technically exceeds your budget by £6.
Is induction cooking worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you cook daily. Induction heats 30-50% faster than electric coils, offers precise temperature control, and only heats the pan (not the cooktop), making kitchens cooler in summer. The Steel Genesi Induction Range costs £2,100 more than the Samsung electric range but justifies it through energy savings and speed. For occasional cooking, electric coils are adequate.
What’s the difference between slide-in and freestanding ranges?
Slide-in ranges (like the KitchenAid and Samsung) sit flush between cabinets for a built-in look and take up less visual space — ideal for modern kitchens. Freestanding ranges (Gordon Ramsay Series, Maytag) stand independently and are easier to install; they’re traditional and work in any layout. Slide-in models cost £100-300 more but look seamless in open-concept homes.
Which air fryer should I buy if I’m cooking for more than 2 people?
The Philips 2000 at 6.5 quarts is the minimum for families of 4+. Smaller air fryers (under 4 quarts) force you to cook in batches, defeating the purpose. The Philips holds roughly 1.5kg of chips or chicken thighs in a single batch — enough for a family meal without reheating cooled food.
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