CDA vs Smeg Cookers

CDA and Smeg sit at opposite ends of the kitchen brief. CDA focuses on built-in ovens, with the CDA SC030BL at £189, the CDA SC020SS at £273 and the CDA SC050BL at £329. Smeg's best-known option here is the Smeg COF01 Countertop 10in1 Retro 50's Multifunction Oven, priced at £849 in black, cream or white, while the Smeg DOSF6300X costs £954.

The difference is in the build. CDA's ovens are built-in units designed for a kitchen housing, with 65L and 77L capacities, 2800W output on the SC030BL and SC050BL, and a choice of black or stainless steel. Smeg's COF01 is a countertop model with ten functions, so it does not need fitting, and its retro 1950s styling is the main reason to choose it. Because it sits on the worktop and can be moved between kitchens, it suits a renter or a small flat where a fitted oven is not an option.

CDA suits landlords, first-time buyers and cost-conscious refits that need a standard oven fitted into a set kitchen. Smeg suits buyers who want a design statement, or who need extra cooking capacity without a built-in appliance. The COF01 is a sensible second oven for baking or reheating, and the Retro 50's styling works best in kitchens where the appliance is meant to be seen, which is why the cream and white versions appeal to people with a colour scheme already in place. The countertop and built-in options are not direct substitutes, so choose by the job the oven needs to do.

Bottom line: choose CDA if you need a built-in oven that fits a fitted kitchen at a low purchase price. Choose Smeg if you want a retro countertop oven with ten functions in black, cream or white and the design matters more than a built-in cavity.