The Best Oven Features to Look for in 2025 – A Comprehensive Guide

The oven market in 2025 is undergoing a transformation. Today’s ovens aren’t just about heating food—they’re smart, efficient, and designed to fit the evolving needs of modern kitchens. Whether you’re an experienced chef or a busy parent juggling dinner and homework, choosing an oven with the right features can dramatically improve your cooking experience. For example, many families prefer convection ovens for fast and even cooking, thanks to their ability to circulate hot air and deliver consistently crisp and delicious results in less time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the top must-have oven features in 2025—from self-cleaning modes and air fry functions to smart connectivity and energy-saving tech—so you can make the most informed purchase for your lifestyle and kitchen setup.

1. Smart Technology & AI Integration

In 2025, ovens are becoming smarter than ever—thanks to advanced AI and connectivity features. Today’s smart ovens can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps, offer personalized recipe recommendations, and even adjust temperature and cook times automatically based on the dish you’re preparing. Take Samsung’s Bespoke AI Oven, for example: it uses internal cameras and artificial intelligence to recognize different foods and suggest optimal cooking settings—no guesswork required.

These innovations are more than just flashy tech—they’re real time-savers. Imagine getting dinner started while you’re still on your way home or letting the oven tell you when your roast is perfectly done. If convenience, precision, and efficiency are what you’re after, a smart oven could be a game-changer in your kitchen.

2. Advanced Convection Systems

One of the most sought-after features in 2025 ovens is advanced convection technology. Unlike traditional ovens, convection ovens use internal fans to circulate hot air evenly around your food—resulting in faster, more consistent cooking. Many models now offer “true convection” or “European convection,” which adds a third heating element to ensure perfectly crisp edges and evenly baked centers, especially useful for cookies, roasts, and casseroles.

These systems aren’t just for professional chefs. For busy families or baking enthusiasts, convection ovens reduce cook times and eliminate the need to rotate trays or guess if your dish is cooked through. Whether you’re roasting veggies or baking multiple batches of cookies, the results are deliciously even, every time.

3. Self-Cleaning Functions

Scrubbing greasy oven walls is no one’s favorite chore, and in 2025, self-cleaning ovens are smarter and more effective than ever. Pyrolytic cleaning is the most powerful option—it heats your oven to extremely high temperatures (around 500°C), turning stubborn grease and food splatters into ash that you can simply wipe away with a damp cloth.

For those looking for more energy-efficient solutions, many models also offer catalytic liners that absorb grease during cooking, or steam cleaning (hydrolytic) that uses water and heat to loosen grime with minimal effort. These innovations help busy households save time and reduce the need for harsh chemical cleaners—making your oven as easy to maintain as it is to use.

4. Air Fry Capabilities

With healthy eating on the rise, air frying continues to dominate kitchens in 2025—and now, you don’t need a separate appliance to enjoy crispy, golden meals with less oil. Many modern ovens, like the Frigidaire Gallery 30-Inch Electric Oven with Total Convection, come equipped with powerful built-in air fry technology.

This feature uses high-speed convection to mimic deep frying results without the added fat, making it ideal for cooking everything from fries to chicken wings. Built-in air fry ovens not only help reduce clutter on your countertop but also offer faster cooking times and easier cleanup compared to traditional countertop air fryers. If you’re looking to streamline your kitchen and boost nutrition, this feature is a game-changer.

5. Steam Cooking Options

Steam ovens are becoming a kitchen essential in 2025, offering a healthier way to cook while enhancing flavor and texture. Unlike traditional ovens, steam ovens use moisture to cook food gently, which helps retain nutrients, prevent drying out, and bring out the natural flavors of your ingredients.

Whether you’re baking artisan bread with a perfect crust or preparing flaky fish and tender veggies, steam-assisted cooking delivers impressive results. Top-tier brands like Miele and Electrolux offer combi steam ovens with adjustable steam levels, giving home chefs precise control for everything from roasting to reheating leftovers.

If you’re exploring new oven options, it’s helpful to explore all types of ovens in one place before deciding which features suit your needs best. From steam ovens to convection and beyond, the right choice depends on your cooking style and household needs.

6. Intuitive Touchscreen Controls

In 2025, intuitive touchscreen controls are redefining how we interact with ovens. Say goodbye to bulky knobs—today’s high-end models feature sleek, responsive digital panels that offer everything from precise temperature settings to guided cooking modes. These smart oven touchscreens often double as interactive hubs, allowing users to follow recipes, adjust cook times mid-cycle, or even sync with their smartphones.

Samsung’s “Screens Everywhere” initiative exemplifies this shift, embedding smart displays across appliances for seamless integration with your connected home. Whether you’re baking cookies with a child or meal-prepping on a busy Sunday, these touch panels streamline the process and offer a modern, user-friendly experience.

When shopping for your next oven, consider models that offer high-resolution displays, voice command compatibility, and personalized presets—hallmarks of a truly next-gen cooking experience.

7. Multi-Zone Cooking

Some modern ovens come with a multi-zone cooking feature, allowing you to prepare different dishes at varying temperatures simultaneously. This innovative technology is perfect for complex meals that require precise temperature control for different components. For example, you can roast a chicken in one zone while baking a pie in another—each dish cooked to perfection without the need for constant temperature adjustments.

This feature not only saves time but also ensures that each dish is cooked according to its optimal temperature, preventing overcooking or undercooking. Multi-zone cooking is particularly beneficial for large family dinners, holiday meals, or when preparing multiple courses at once.

If you enjoy hosting dinner parties or cooking large meals efficiently, a multi-zone oven could be the game-changer you need for your kitchen.

8. AI-Powered Cooking Assistance

AI integration is transforming the way we cook. With smart ovens featuring AI-powered cooking assistance, your oven can now monitor cooking progress and make real-time adjustments, ensuring your meals are cooked to perfection every time.

For instance, the Signature Kitchen Suite’s Combi Wall Oven uses advanced AI technology to recognize food types and automatically adjusts cooking settings, such as temperature and cooking time, based on the dish. Whether you’re baking, roasting, or grilling, AI takes the guesswork out of cooking, so you can focus on other tasks while your meal is perfectly prepared.

This technology is a game-changer, especially for home cooks who want consistent results without constantly checking their dish. AI-powered ovens can even suggest optimal cooking settings based on your preferences or previous cooking history, making them ideal for beginners and experienced chefs alike. 

9. Safety Features

Modern ovens are equipped with a range of enhanced safety features designed to ensure peace of mind while cooking. These features include automatic shut-off capabilities, child locks, and cool-touch doors, all working together to reduce the risk of accidents and provide added convenience.

• Automatic Shut-Off: This feature ensures your oven will turn off automatically if you forget to shut it down, helping to prevent overheating or potential fire hazards.
  
• Child Locks: Perfect for households with young children, child locks prevent curious hands from accidentally opening the oven door or changing settings, keeping your family safe.
  
• Cool-Touch Doors: Modern ovens are designed with cool-touch technology, meaning the outer door stays cool to the touch, even while the oven is hot. This reduces the risk of burns, especially in homes with children or pets.
  

With these safety features, you can confidently cook without the constant worry of mishaps, making your oven both safe and efficient for daily use.

10. Easy Maintenance and Cleaning

Modern ovens are designed with features that make maintenance quick and easy, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your meals. Some of the top features include fingerprint-resistant finishes, removable racks, and steam cleaning options, all of which help keep your oven looking like new with minimal effort.

• Fingerprint-Resistant Finishes: Many ovens now come with special coatings that resist fingerprints and smudges, keeping your oven clean and sleek without frequent wiping. These finishes are especially useful in high-traffic kitchens, where the oven is constantly being touched.
  
• Removable Racks: Removable racks make it simple to clean every nook and cranny of your oven. You can easily take them out and give them a quick wash to prevent grease buildup and ensure optimal cooking performance.
  
• Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning is an innovative feature that uses the power of steam to break down food residues inside the oven. In just a short period, your oven is clean and ready for the next meal—without the use of harsh chemicals.
  

These cleaning features make it easy to maintain your oven in top condition, ensuring it stays functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

Conclusion

As you begin your search for the perfect oven in 2025, it’s essential to consider which features best suit your cooking style and needs. Whether you’re drawn to the convenience of smart ovens, the precision of convection cooking, or the efficiency of multi-zone features, modern ovens offer something for every home chef.

Remember, the right oven can elevate your cooking experience, making everyday meals faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Take your time to explore options, compare features, and select an oven that aligns with your unique kitchen habits and goals.

To learn more about the latest oven trends or find a top-rated model, check out our detailed oven buying guide or explore our picks for the best compact and space-saving ovens for 2025 — perfect for small kitchens or families looking to maximize space.