Slimmer pros aren't stellar overall

Many pro-style stoves eat up 36 inches or more of kitchen space. The GE Monogram ZGP304NRSS, $5,000, (left), and Jenn-Air JGRP430WP, $3,800, are among the ones that cram the massive, stainless-laden look into a 30-inch range. But neither packed enough cooking prowess to make our list of recommended models. Superb simmering and a spacious oven helped put the GE a notch above the Jenn-Air in our tests. Both were just middling when it came to quick heating. The GE was also so-so at broiling; the Jenn-Air was subpar. A touch screen too low for most adults is another Jenn-Air gripe.

Bottom line

Consider the GE Monogram if fitting the pro-style look into a small space is critical. Otherwise, you'll pay roughly as much for some better, larger pro-style ranges—and far less for most conventional 30-inch models.