Altimo vs Stoves Cookers

Altimo and Stoves sit at opposite ends of the cooker market. Altimo's models run from £209 for the CESS502W to £349 for the CEDC602W double oven. Stoves' comparison models are Richmond Deluxe 60DF 60cm dual fuel double oven cookers at £899, £949 and £1,049 in three versions, plus the Richmond 90Ei TCH 90cm electric range cooker at £2,299.

Stoves' main technical difference is its dual fuel format, which pairs a gas hob with electric ovens. Its smart features include Zeus Bluetooth control from a phone app, and ProFlex cavity splitting turns one cavity into two independent temperature zones. Stoves also states precise temperature control within ±1°C, a 10-year parts guarantee and an A+ energy rating. Altimo's cookers are all electric, with ceramic hobs and simple controls, and the CEDC602W's 60-litre main oven and 30-litre second cavity give two separate cooking spaces without the smart or split-cavity functions.

Altimo suits landlords, first-time buyers and households that want an electric cooker for everyday meals at a low cost. Stoves suits keen cooks with a gas supply who want dual fuel control, smart functions and a longer parts guarantee, and it suits a kitchen where installation by a Gas Safe engineer is already planned. The 90cm range is for large kitchens, and the 60cm dual fuel models cost £550 to £700 more than the CEDC602W, so the premium needs to be justified by daily use. The 10-year parts guarantee and ProFlex splitting are the features that justify the spend, so the cheapest Stoves model at £899 is the one to compare first.

Bottom line: choose Altimo if you want an electric double oven with a ceramic hob at £349 or less; choose Stoves if you want dual fuel cooking with Zeus smart control and ProFlex splitting, with the 60cm Richmond models from £899 and the 90cm range at £2,299.