Double vs Single Ovens: 2025 Guide

What Is a Double Oven, and What Types Are Available?

A double oven is a kitchen appliance with two separate cooking compartments - or “cavities” - designed to offer greater flexibility and efficiency. Unlike a single oven, which has only one cooking cavity, a double oven allows users to prepare multiple dishes at the same time, potentially utilising different temperatures, eliminating the need to juggle cooking times or adjust settings mid-meal.

Some models include a larger oven compartment for big meals and a smaller oven, which can be used for quick tasks or smaller dishes. This dual functionality makes double ovens ideal for households that regularly cook diverse dishes or host gatherings.

Double ovens come in various types to suit different kitchen layouts and cooking needs, including:

Built-in column double ovens (AKA: double wall ovens)
Under‑counter double ovens
Freestanding double-oven range cookers

What Are the Benefits of a Double Oven?

Double ovens are a beneficial addition to any kitchen, providing you with:

The ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously at different temperatures.
An increased cooking capacity.
Flexibility in timing for baking, roasting, and reheating.
Greater convenience for families wanting different meals.
The ability to use the smaller oven for smaller meals or reheating, thus saving energy.
No risk of cross-contamination or smell transfusion, as each oven is self-contained, enabling you to cook in one and bake in another.

What Is a Single Oven, and What Types Are Available?

An electric single oven is a cooking appliance featuring one cooking cavity, where all baking, roasting, and grilling take place. Ideal for smaller kitchens or households with simpler cooking needs, a single oven offers straightforward operation and efficient use of space.

There are multiple types of single electric ovens, such as:

Built-in column single ovens (AKA: single wall ovens)
Freestanding single-oven range cookers

What Are the Benefits of a Single Oven?

Single ovens come with many benefits, including the following:

Generally more affordable to purchase up-front than a double oven.
Heating one cavity requires less power, consuming less energy for smaller meals.
With only one cooking compartment, they require less kitchen space.
Potentially reduces cleaning (Although check out our self-cleaning oven options)

Single Ovens vs Double Ovens: Comparison

Double ovens and single ovens serve the same fundamental purpose but differ significantly in functionality, capacity, and convenience, which can affect how they’re used in your kitchen. To help you decide whether you’d prefer a double or single oven, let’s take a look at how they compare.

Single Oven

Double Oven

Cooking
Capacity

One cavity, suitable for single or large meals.

Two separate cavities (top oven and bottom oven) for cooking multiple dishes at once.

Versatility

Limited to cooking at one temperature or mode setting at a time.

Allows cooking at different temperatures and settings simultaneously.

Energy Usage

Can be more energy-efficient as one cavity is heated as long as it is fully utilised

May consume more energy if both ovens are used simultaneously.

However, double ovens which include a smaller oven, may actually use less energy than a single oven

Purchase
Cost

Typically costs less than double ovens

Generally costs more due to increased components required, technical complexities, additional features, etc

Size Options

Takes up less space, making them ideal for smaller kitchens

Usually requires more space than a single oven.

Ideal For

Smaller households with limited cooking needs or kitchens with limited space

Families, avid cooks or those who love to hold social gatherings, who have a greater need for added flexibility, increased cooking capacity, etc

Preheat Time

Can take longer to preheat if the full space is not being utilised.

A double oven with a small oven cavity can heat up quicker than a standard single oven for smaller dishes

FAQs

Is it better to have a double oven or two single ovens?

Choosing between a double oven and two single ovens depends on your kitchen layout and flexibility.

A double oven offers shared controls and simpler installation, while two singles let you position and upgrade units independently.
Two ovens add cost and wiring complexity, but a double oven may limit cabinetry arrangements.
Opt for a double oven for a more streamlined style and installation; choose two singles for maximum modularity.

Can a double oven fit in a single oven space?

As a general guide, in-column and under-counter double ovens will not fit in a single oven space, as although the width is often the same, the height is normally much larger.
Some articles online suggest that freestanding range cookers with a double oven will fit in a single oven space. Whilst technically that can be true, in reality, there is a range of sizes available, so it depends on whether you’re replacing like-for-like.

For example, our single ovens typically come in 60cm, 70cm and 90cm widths.

Conversely, our double ovens come in 60cm, 90cm, 100cm, 120cm, and 150cm.

Why are some ovens called double ovens, whereas others are called double wall ovens? Does the latter mean it has two internal walls for better insulation?

Double ovens come in different configurations; either built-in (also known as integrated ovens or wall-mounted ovens), or as part of a freestanding cooker such as a range cooker.

The phrase “double wall oven” means it’s a wall-mounted, double oven as opposed to freestanding. However, that industry naming is a little misleading as typically ovens sit within a kitchen cabinet carcase which in-turn, is fixed to the wall, and so technically it’s not normally the oven itself which is wall-mounted. It does not mean that there are ovens specifically manufactured to have single or double internal walls.

Does a double oven use more energy than a single oven?

As you would expect, double ovens typically use more energy than a single oven when both the top and bottom oven compartments are in use. However, double ovens can also be more energy-efficient than a single oven due to the fact that some models come with a large oven and a smaller oven. This provides you with the ability to choose the smaller oven when necessary, thus reducing energy consumption, so ultimately, this comes down to your typical cooking needs.

Is a double oven harder to clean than a single oven?

No. Since there are two compartments to clean, it can take a little longer to wipe down chamber interiors for traditional double ovens, but they are not necessarily any harder to clean. In addition, our more innovative models, such as Smeg’s Dosp6390x double oven, feature a pyrolytic self-cleaning mode, which uses extreme heat to burn away all grease and dirt. Simply wipe away the ash; no detergent is needed.

Can a double oven cook larger items, such as turkey?

Yes. Double ovens don’t necessarily compromise internal capacity. Most double ovens are designed so the larger main cavity can handle big items like a turkey with ease. The full‑size oven typically offers the same capacity and rack positions as a standalone single oven, so you can roast a 10kg+ bird without any issues. However, be aware that the smaller oven isn’t designed for large dishes.

Explore Smeg's Double Oven Range!

If you’re looking for the most innovative, stylish double oven for your contemporary kitchen, look no further than Smeg’s double oven range. We offer a range of different colours and styles to give you flexibility on appearance, and each appliance is designed to maximise every dining experience through conveniently cooked meals.

Alternatively, we have a large single oven range for those who are more limited on space. If you’re unsure of which type is best for you, explore our Oven Buyers’ Guide.

VIEW ALL DOUBLE OVENS

Double Oven VS Single Oven: 2025 Guide