AEG vs Altimo Cookers

AEG and Altimo cover opposite ends of the electric cooker market. AEG's cookers here range from the CCX1530ACB SurroundCook at £699 and the CCX6740ACB 112-litre double oven at £699 up to the SteamBake CCB6741ACB at £759 and the CCB6741ACM at £779. Altimo is the budget choice, with the CESS502W 500mm single cavity cooker at £209, the CETC502W twin cavity cooker at £289 and the CEDC602W 600mm double oven cooker with ceramic hob at £349.

The price difference is £490 between the cheapest AEG at £699 and the cheapest Altimo at £209. AEG's advantage is baking and cleaning. SteamBake releases a burst of steam at the start of baking to help bread rise and crisp, SurroundCook spreads heat evenly across several shelves, and catalytic liners on selected models absorb grease during cooking. Altimo keeps the basics simple, with dial controls, a 1400W grill on the CESS502W, double glazed doors and manual cleaning. The CEDC602W shows the contrast well, with 60 litres in the main oven and 30 in the second, at £350 less than the AEG CCX6740ACB.

AEG suits keen home bakers and families who cook on several shelves and want consistent results from a freestanding cooker, and who can accept ceramic hobs rather than induction. Altimo suits landlords, first-time buyers and compact kitchens that need a 50cm cooker. Altimo cookers are electric, so no gas supply is needed, and the 500mm CETC502W and CESS502W fit narrow gaps. Measure first, since 50cm and 60cm cookers are not interchangeable. Families who roast and grill at the same time should pick an Altimo double oven or an AEG double oven model.

Bottom line: choose AEG if you bake bread or pastry often and want SteamBake and even multi-shelf cooking from £699. Choose Altimo if the budget comes first and a basic electric cooker from £209 will do the job, with the CEDC602W double oven at £349 for families.