Hoover vs Smeg Built-in Ovens

Hoover and Smeg sit at different points on the price scale. Hoover's built-in ovens run from £239 for the HOC3158IN 70-litre fan oven to £469 for the HO6M5G3HTB 78-litre multifunction model. Smeg's range starts at £419 for the SF6400TB 70-litre single oven, with the DUSF400S Oven Cucina double at £1,129 and the DOSF6300X stainless double at £1,179. The SF6400TB costs £180 more than the HOC3158IN, although both have 70-litre cavities.

Smeg's ovens are built for design and build quality, with fingerprint-proof stainless steel, eclipse black glass and metal control knobs on the DOSF6300X. The SF6400TB offers vapour clean, thermo-ventilated cooking and rapid pre-heating, and the DUSF400S has a 1800W grill with 35- and 61-litre cavities. Hoover takes a more functional approach. The HO6M5G3HTB offers Wi-Fi control via the h0n app, a pizza function, 17 cooking programmes and Hydro Easy Clean, while the HOC3T3258BI has catalytic liners and a digital timer.

Hoover suits budget-conscious households that want a large oven with multifunction cooking and Wi-Fi control. Smeg suits buyers who want a retro-modern design statement in a showcase kitchen and are willing to pay for it. For families who need two cavities, the DUSF400S and DOSF6300X are the Smeg options, and they suit larger households that cook several dishes at once. Smeg models need at least 600mm of housing width, so check your cabinet before buying. Smeg's SF6400TB offers a single cavity with vapour clean, while Hoover's HOC3T3258BI offers catalytic liners and a digital timer at £249, which is £170 below the Smeg single.

Bottom line: choose Hoover if you want a 78-litre multifunction oven with Wi-Fi control for £469 or less, and choose Smeg if Italian design, a 70-litre single oven or a double-oven option is worth £419 or more.