Picture this. You’re on your way home and you’re starving. No worries. Fire up your smart oven app and tap ‘preheat’ on your phone. Now the oven’s ready for you when you walk through the door! And you won’t have to wait around as long to tuck in. That’s the beauty of smart ovens.
They’re quickly becoming the next must-have kitchen gadget. Why? Well, they genuinely make cooking easier. Whether you’re a busy parent or professional – or just burn the garlic bread far too often – smart ovens are here to help.
What is a smart oven?
A smart oven is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an oven, but it’s packed with extra intelligence. It connects to your Wi-Fi and uses an app that makes cooking flexible and gives you way more control. Now, instead of relying on guesswork or hovering near the oven door, you can let the tech do some of the thinking for you. It’s kind of like having your very own sous chef.
How is a regular oven different from a smart oven?
Traditional ovens are all well and good. But they completely rely on your skill and attention. Take your eye off them for too long and those roasties are going to be a burnt mess. Or whip that pie out too early, and you’ll have a soggy, undercooked disappointment on your hands.
On the flip side of things, smart ovens remove a lot of the monitoring and guesswork. Here’s how the two stack up:
| Regular oven | Smart oven |
|---|---|
| Manual dials & buttons | App/voice control & touchscreen |
| No connectivity | Wi-Fi- built-in |
| All settings done by you | Smart presets & assisted cooking |
| No updates or automation | Software updates & added features |
| You must stay nearby to monitor | Remote monitoring & notifications |
Basically, smart ovens do more for you. And that’s a lifesaver, especially when you’re juggling work, the kids, washing, your job and everything else.
How does a smart oven work?
Smart ovens mix Wi-Fi sensors, preset programmes and (sometimes) AI to take the stress out of cooking. Here’s a quick breakdown:
It connects to your Wi-Fi – You pair the oven with an app on your phone. Once connected, you can control the oven remotely. Yes, even while you’re kicking back on the sofa.
You pick a cooking mode – Pick from touchscreen options, smart presets or specific recipes in the app. That last one’s ideal when you’re bored of the same five meals on repeat. The oven will then set the temperature and timer automatically to match whatever you’re making.
Built-in sensors monitor everything – Temperature sensors keep the heat steady. Moisture sensors then track how the food is cooking (and stops you from turning it into charcoal). In some models, there’s even a camera that’ll let you see inside the oven without opening the door.
You get real-time updates – The app alerts you when the oven is preheated or when the cooking is nearly done. Oh, and if something needs your urgent attention, it’ll tell you all about that too. No kitchen nightmares here.
Optional AI steps in – Some of the more premium ovens can detect what you’re cooking and tweak the settings for scrumptious results. It’s handy for things that are easy to overcook, like fish or brownies.
Key smart oven features to look for
It’s fair to say you won’t find any of this lot on your run of the mill oven…
App-based control – Change settings and monitor cooking all from your phone. Then get a ping when it’s time to dig in.
Smart presets – Pick your food type, and the oven will handle the timing and temperature for you.
Remote preheating – Switch on your oven and have it ready for when you get in. It’s a total time saver for those busy evenings.
Built-in cameras – See your dinner from the app without opening the door and losing heat. Only thing is, if you keep on checking, you might start getting peckish.
Voice assistant support – It’s great if you’re cooking with messy hands or juggling 200 tasks at once. And perfect for shouty types who want to harness their inner Gordon Ramsay. “Alexa, the veggies are burning!”
AI-assisted cooking – The more premium models use AI to adjust the heat, recognise specific dishes and stop over (or under) cooking. They’ll do it all on the fly too.
Top tips – Some offer step-by-step guidance, which is deal for beginners, or when you’re tackling a tricky new recipe.
Steam, air fry and pyrolytic cleaning – A lot of smart ovens combine multiple functions into a single appliance. So, now you might actually have some space on your countertop. And with self-cleaning, you won’t spend hours scrubbing gunk and grime off the door.
Benefits of using a smart oven
Smart ovens serve up a load of handy features. Once you’ve gone smart, you probably won’t go back…
Convenience – Check on dinner from the bathtub. Start cooking from the school run. It makes mealtimes a whole lot more flexible.
Better cooking results – Can’t quite nail that crumble? Sensors and preset modes make it easier to get even, consistent results every single time.
Saves time – You don’t want to be spending hours in the kitchen, especially after a long day at the office. Automated settings, guided programs and remote preheating speed up the whole process.
Less stress and guesswork – Newer chefs tend to like extra guidance. While experienced home cooks appreciate more accuracy. Smart ovens do both!
Part of a smart home – If you’ve already got smart gadgets dotted about the place, your new oven will slot right in.
No worries – Left the house and can’t remember if you turned the oven off? Just check the app. Phew.
Are smart ovens worth it in 2026?
For a lot of people, the short answer is yes. It really depends on your lifestyle though…
Smart ovens are worth it if you:
Want easier, more flexible cooking
Often multitask or work unpredictable hours
Like smart home tech (after all, it’s just plain cool)
Appreciate automatic settings and reminders
Want a future-proof appliance with software updates
A regular oven may be enough if you:
Prefer simple manual controls
Rarely use your oven’s extra features
Have weak Wi-Fi and can’t/don’t want to improve it
What about AI?
AI is all the rage nowadays, and it’s being built into all kinds of tech. And while it’s definitely useful for precision cooking, it’s by no means essential. Think of it as a bonus that’ll improve teatime here and there. Just don’t expect it to start whipping up Michelin Star meals for you.
Things to consider before buying a smart oven
Before you go all smart oven mad, you’ll need to keep all this in mind…
Installation and size – Check your kitchen and see whether you’ve got room for a single or double built-in oven. You don’t want to accidentally order the wrong size…
Wi-Fi strength – A steady, reliable connection is key. Especially if your oven’s miles away from your router. Without this, that app on your phone will be pretty much useless.
Ease of use – You don’t want to be constantly flicking back and forth through the instruction manual. Choose an oven with a clean, simple touchscreen interface and an app that’s easy to understand.
Long term app support – Stick with the trusted brands that update their apps regularly. Then you’ll always be on the cutting-edge of cooking!
Privacy and cameras – If your oven includes a camera, check how the footage is going to be used and stored. That small print might throw up some surprises.
Smart home compatibility – Make sure it works with the rest of your smart gadgets (Alexa, Google etc). It’ll make life a whole lot easier.
FAQs
Do smart ovens need Wi-Fi to work?
No, they still cook like normal without Wi-Fi. But, if you haven’t got an internet connection, you won’t be able to use any of those fancy remote features or control it over an app.
Can you control a smart oven from your phone?
You sure can. Most come with a companion app that lets you preheat the oven or set times for all your different sides. You’ll even get push alerts when it’s time to dish up.
Are smart ovens easy to use for beginners?
Absolutely. A choice of smart presets and guided cooking make them a lot easier to get to grips with than traditional ovens.
Are AI features necessary in a smart oven?
Not at all, but they do make things easier. They’re helpful for perfecting that new recipe, but honestly, basic smart features are always going to be enough for most households.
Are smart ovens energy efficient?
Lots of models are more efficient thanks to faster preheating, better insulation and more precise temperature control. And all of these smart features use very little energy.
Need more advice?
Our top cooking tips don’t end there. How long does it take to preheat an oven? Well, the answer might surprise you. And if you’re thinking about swapping to an induction hob, now’s the time to do it. But what are the advantages of induction hobs? Read on and find out!
