Choosing Between Two Iconic Range Cooker Brands
If you're shopping for a range cooker in the UK, two names come up again and again: Rangemaster and Smeg. Both are premium brands with loyal followings, but they're quite different in heritage, design philosophy, and price.
As a retailer that stocks Smeg range cookers and knows the Rangemaster range inside out, we're in a good position to give you an honest comparison. No marketing spin — just what matters when you're spending £1,500 to £5,000 on a cooker.
Brand Heritage: British Engineering vs Italian Design
Rangemaster has one of the longest histories in British manufacturing. The brand traces its roots back to 1830, when William Flavel built the original Kitchener range cooker in Royal Leamington Spa. Nearly 200 years later, Rangemaster still designs and builds its 90cm, 100cm and 110cm range cookers by hand at the same Leamington Spa factory. It's the only range cooker manufacturer that still makes its products in the UK.
Rangemaster is now part of the AGA Rangemaster Group, which also owns the AGA and Falcon brands.
Smeg was founded in Italy in 1948 and has built a global reputation for combining serious cooking performance with distinctive Italian styling. While Smeg is best known in the UK for its retro fridges, its range cooker lineup — including the Opera, Victoria, Portofino, Concert, and Symphony collections — is genuinely impressive.
Design and Style
This is where the two brands diverge most clearly.
Rangemaster range cookers have a classic British look. Models like the Classic, Elan, and Nexus are understated and professional. The Nexus range brings a more contemporary feel with charcoal blacks and glossy finishes, but overall Rangemaster tends towards a functional, no-nonsense aesthetic. If you want a range cooker that looks like it belongs in a country house kitchen or a serious home cook's setup, Rangemaster fits the bill.
Smeg leans heavily into design. The Victoria collection has a traditional, ornate feel with polished chrome detailing. The Portofino is bold and modern. The Opera range is sleek and professional. Smeg range cookers are designed to be a centrepiece — something you show off rather than hide away.
If design and visual impact are your priority, Smeg generally has the edge. If you prefer something more understated and traditional, Rangemaster is more your speed.
Cooking Performance
Both brands make excellent range cookers, but there are differences worth knowing about.
Rangemaster has a reputation for even oven cooking and powerful hobs. Their dual-fuel models combine gas hobs with electric fan ovens, and the larger models (100cm and 110cm) give you two or three separate oven cavities with independent temperature controls. Which? reviews have historically rated Rangemaster well for cooking performance.
Smeg range cookers also deliver strong performance. The Opera and Symphony ranges feature multiple oven cavities with a wide range of cooking functions. The Concert 90cm, for example, offers a six-burner gas hob with powerful output. The Portofino range includes models with mixed-fuel hobs — combining gas burners with induction zones and even a built-in griddle — giving you exceptional flexibility.
Some forum discussions mention that Smeg ovens can be slightly less even in heat distribution compared to Rangemaster, though this varies by model. In general, both brands perform well for serious home cooking.
Build Quality and Reliability
This is where real-world experience matters more than marketing claims.
Rangemaster range cookers are solidly built, as you'd expect from a product assembled by hand in the UK. The materials are heavy-duty, the oven doors feel substantial, and the hob surfaces are built to last. Independent repair engineers generally rate Rangemaster well for long-term reliability.
Smeg range cookers also feel premium. The stainless steel is thick, the controls are precise, and the overall build quality reflects the price point. Repair professionals have noted that Smeg units often feel slightly better quality in terms of materials, though reliability between the two brands is broadly similar.
Both brands offer a 2-year manufacturer's warranty as standard. Smeg occasionally runs extended warranty promotions (up to 5 years), which is worth checking when you buy.
Price Comparison
This is where Smeg might surprise you.
Contrary to what many people assume, Smeg range cookers are often cheaper than equivalent Rangemaster models. Here's a rough comparison:
- 90cm dual fuel: Smeg Concert from around £1,400 vs Rangemaster Classic from around £1,700
- 90cm premium: Smeg Opera 90cm from around £3,167 vs Rangemaster Elan 90cm from around £3,200
- 110cm dual fuel: Smeg Victoria 110cm from around £3,436 vs Rangemaster Classic 110cm from around £2,500
The pricing varies significantly by model and collection. Smeg's entry-level Portofino and Concert ranges offer excellent value, while the Opera range sits at the premium end.
You can browse our full Smeg range cooker collection to see current prices.
Colour Options
Rangemaster is hard to beat for colour choice. Depending on the range, you can choose from over a dozen colours including racing green, cranberry, slate, and classic cream. If matching your range cooker to a specific kitchen colour scheme matters to you, Rangemaster gives you the most options.
Smeg offers good colour variety too, particularly in the Victoria and Portofino ranges. The Victoria comes in black, cream, slate grey, and blue. The Portofino is available in bold colours including matt black. However, Smeg's colour range is generally smaller than Rangemaster's.
Size Options
Both brands cover the standard range cooker sizes:
- Rangemaster: 90cm, 100cm, and 110cm models
- Smeg: 60cm, 90cm, 100cm, 110cm, and 120cm models
Smeg actually offers a wider range of sizes, including compact 60cm range cookers (like the Victoria 60cm) and large 120cm models (like the Opera 120cm) for bigger kitchens.
Fuel Types
Both brands offer:
- Dual fuel (gas hob, electric oven) — the most popular choice
- All electric (ceramic or induction hob)
- All gas
Smeg's Portofino range includes an interesting mixed-fuel hob option that combines gas burners, induction zones, and a griddle plate on the same hob — something Rangemaster doesn't currently offer.
If you're considering induction, our guide on induction hob vs gas hob is worth reading.
Our Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?
Choose Rangemaster if:
- You want a British-made product with nearly 200 years of heritage
- You prefer a classic, understated design
- Colour choice is a top priority
- You value proven reliability and easy access to UK-based servicing
Choose Smeg if:
- Design and visual impact matter most to you
- You want Italian styling and premium aesthetics
- You're looking for excellent value in the mid-range (Concert and Portofino)
- You want a wider choice of sizes including 60cm and 120cm
- Mixed-fuel hob flexibility appeals to you
Both are excellent brands that will serve you well for years. The "right" choice depends entirely on your priorities — performance, style, budget, and kitchen design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rangemaster better quality than Smeg?
Both brands offer premium build quality. Rangemaster is handmade in the UK with a focus on durability. Smeg uses high-quality Italian manufacturing with a stronger emphasis on design. Neither is definitively "better" — they're different approaches to the same goal.
Are Smeg range cookers cheaper than Rangemaster?
Often, yes. Smeg's Concert and Portofino ranges start from around £1,400, which can be several hundred pounds less than equivalent Rangemaster models. However, Smeg's Opera range sits at a similar price point to premium Rangemaster models.
Do Rangemaster and Smeg use the same warranty?
Both offer a standard 2-year warranty. Smeg occasionally offers extended warranty promotions of up to 5 years on selected models, which can be a significant bonus.
Which brand is more reliable?
Independent repair data suggests both brands have similar reliability records. Neither is significantly more prone to breakdowns than the other. Regular maintenance (cleaning burners, checking door seals) keeps both running well.
Can I see Smeg range cookers at Core Appliances?
Yes — we stock the full Smeg range cooker lineup including the Opera, Victoria, Portofino, Concert, and Symphony collections. Browse our Smeg collection or get in touch for advice on choosing the right model.