1) Start with size and fit

Before you compare brands, make sure your new range will physically fit the space you have:

• Width: Most homes use a 30-inch range, but some kitchens use 24", 36", or specialty widths.
• Height: The cooking surface should align cleanly with your countertop height.
• Depth and clearance: Confirm the door opens fully without blocking walkways, drawers, or an island.

If you want a quick measurement walkthrough, see “What Size Range or Oven Do I Need for My Kitchen?”.

2) Choose a style: freestanding vs. slide-in

Most electric ranges fall into two common styles:

• Freestanding ranges: Finished sides and typically a backguard with controls. They’re flexible, forgiving on fit, and often more budget-friendly.
• Slide-in / front-control ranges: Controls on the front for a cleaner, built-in look. Fit is more precise, and you’ll want to confirm countertop and side gaps carefully.

If you’re replacing a freestanding range and you’re not remodeling, another freestanding model is usually the simplest swap. If you want a more custom look (or you’re updating counters/backsplash), a slide-in range can be a great upgrade. We compare them in “Freestanding vs. Slide-In Range: Which Is Better?”.

3) Pick a cooktop type that fits how you cook

Your main electric cooktop options each have real trade-offs:

• Coil: Simple, durable, easy to service, and usually the most affordable.
• Smooth-top (radiant): Sleek glass surface, easy wipe-down, and generally more even heating than coils.
• Induction: Very fast, very responsive cooking with a glass surface—but it requires compatible cookware and tends to cost more up front.

If you want the full pros/cons breakdown, see “What’s the Difference Between Coil, Smooth-Top & Induction Cooktops?”.

Florida ownership tip: In busy households (and in humid kitchens), easy-clean surfaces and realistic day-to-day maintenance matter just as much as peak performance.

4) Choose oven features you’ll actually use

Many ovens offer a long menu of modes. The features that most often improve everyday cooking are:

• Convection baking: A fan circulates air for more even cooking and faster baking (great for cookies, casseroles, and multiple racks).
• Air fry modes: Can crisp foods well with the right pans and airflow, but results vary by model and cookware.
• Timers and delay start: Convenience features that many homeowners use constantly.
• Self-clean or steam clean: Helpful for baked-on spills, but follow the manufacturer’s guidance for your exact model.

We break it down in “What Range and Oven Features Actually Matter?”, and go deeper on convection/air fry in “Do I Need Convection or Air Fry in My Oven?”.

5) Reliability, brands, and local service matter

A range can look great in the showroom but become frustrating if parts are hard to get or there’s nobody local who can service it. When you shop, ask:

• Which models have a strong track record for reliability in your area
• What warranty coverage is included and how claims are handled
• Whether the dealer can sell and service the brands they carry

Beacon Services & Appliances works with trusted brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and others—and our friendly technicians in yellow can service what we sell. For more, see “What Is the Best Range or Oven Brand to Buy?”.

6) Think long-term: repairability later

Even a good range won’t last forever. Choosing a model from a brand with strong parts support (and straightforward service access) makes future repairs more realistic.

If your current range is older and facing a bigger repair, our guide “Should I Repair or Replace My Range or Oven?” can help you weigh the trade-offs.

Need help choosing the right range?

If you’re not sure where to start, the Range & Oven Buying Guide Help Center has more Q&A articles to help you compare sizes, cooktop types, features, and brands before you buy.

If you’d like help confirming fit or troubleshooting your current electric range, request service at /request-service or call (352) 726-7530.