How smart cooking stoves work, what to buy in South Africa, prices, and where to find the best deals

Smart Stove — The Complete Guide

Looking for a smart stove in South Africa? Learn what a smart cooking stove is, differences between smart electric and smart gas ranges, typical prices (SA), best buys, and where to find smart stoves near you.

What is a smart stove?

A smart stove (also called smart range, smart oven or connected stove) is a cooking appliance that pairs traditional heating elements with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, a companion app and smart-home integrations so you can remotely preheat, receive cooking alerts, follow “scan-to-cook” recipe settings, and in some models use oven cameras or food-probe telemetry for perfect results. These appliances are designed for convenience, consistency and integration with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home. (Lifewire)

Smart electric stove vs smart gas stove

Smart electric stove / smart electric range: Typically offers full smart features (Wi-Fi app, auto-modes, oven cameras and probe support). Electric ranges and built-in electric ovens are currently the most common “smart” models. (Samsung)
Smart gas stove / smart gas range: Gas cooktops paired with Wi-Fi-enabled ovens are available from major brands — you’ll get smart oven functions while keeping a gas hob. Confirm whether the gas range’s control/diagnostics are supported by the manufacturer app. (Bosch Home)

Use the terms “smart kitchen stove,” “connected stove,” “internet-enabled stove,” or “AI cooking stove” when you want to capture broader searches — these all point to appliances with networked controls and some level of automation or assisted cooking.

Common smart stove features to look for

Remote preheat, start/stop and status notifications via app. (Bosch Home)
Recipe integration or “scan-to-cook” where the app sends exact settings to the oven. (home-connect.com)
Voice control compatibility (Alexa/Google/SmartThings). (Samsung)
Oven camera, temperature probes and sensors that adjust cooking for perfect results. (home-connect.com)

How much does a smart stove cost in South Africa?

Short answer: wide range — from affordable countertop smart ovens (a few thousand rand) to premium built-in smart ovens/ranges that can cost tens of thousands of rand. Exact price depends on brand, features (camera, probes, dual oven), and whether it’s a full range or a countertop unit. (Lifewire)

Representative South African examples (prices checked on retailer pages):

Bosch Series 8 HomeConnect built-in oven (HBG7563B1) — examples appear in local stores from roughly R17,399 – R27,999 depending on retailer and promotions. (sample listings: AC Direct, Drommedaris, Hirschs). (AC Direct)
Samsung smart multifunction ovens (SmartThings integration) — Samsung lists smart ovens on its South Africa site (product pages and support show features; availability can vary). Retail pricing varies by model and retailer — check Samsung ZA or local dealers for current offers. (Samsung)
Countertop / multifunction “smart” ovens (air-fryer + Wi-Fi or app features) — commonly available on marketplaces such as Takealot; these units are an affordable way to get connected cooking features (prices in the low thousands R). (Takealot.com)

Tip: list the date when you checked prices on the article and link to the exact retailer product pages — smart-appliance stock and promotions change often.

Best smart stove categories (what to recommend)

For stove.co.za, consider a “best by use” list to help buyers quickly choose:

Best smart electric range (family / full kitchen): well-known brand model (Samsung) with SmartThings support and large capacity. (Samsung)
Best smart gas + smart oven: a gas cooktop with a Wi-Fi oven from Bosch/Whirlpool (check local dealer listings). (Bosch Home)
Best budget smart option: countertop smart multifunction ovens available on Takealot and other marketplaces. (Takealot.com)
Best value / feature-packed built-in: Bosch Series 8 HomeConnect built-in ovens offer Home Connect features, air-fry modes and multiple cooking functions. (AC Direct)

Where to buy smart stoves in South Africa / “smart stove near me”

Search local brand dealer pages and national retailers: Samsung South Africa, Bosch / Home Connect dealers, Hirschs, Takealot, AC Direct, and major appliance retailers. For the best local result, use each brand’s dealer locator or a postcode search on retailer sites. Include links to manufacturer dealer locators in your article to help readers find service centres and installers. (Samsung)

Buying checklist — what to consider before you buy

Do you need Wi-Fi features? If you rarely use remote control, a non-smart model may save money. (Lifewire)
Compatibility with your smart home: check SmartThings, Home Connect, Alexa or Google Home compatibility. (Samsung)
Warranty & local service: prefer brands with established service networks in South Africa. (Bosch Home)
Security & firmware updates: choose manufacturers that actively update their apps and firmware. (Bosch Home)

Quick FAQ

Is a smart stove worth it?
If you cook often and value remote monitoring, recipe automation, or integrated guided cooking, a smart stove can save time and reduce mistakes. If you rarely cook, the extra cost may not be justified. (Lifewire)

Can I get a smart gas stove?
Yes — many brands pair gas cooktops with Wi-Fi ovens or offer gas ranges with networked features. Confirm the exact smart features supported by the model before buying. (Bosch Home)

Where can I find smart stove deals in South Africa?
Check major retailers (Takealot, Hirschs, AC Direct) and manufacturer promotions (Samsung ZA, Bosch dealers). Compare prices and check finance options or seasonal sales. (Takealot.com)

Call to action (for stove.co.za)

Build a comparison table that lists model, smart features (Wi-Fi, app, camera, probes), and live retailer price with date checked. (Example sources: Samsung ZA product page; Bosch Home Connect pages; Takealot product listings.) (Samsung)
Include a “Find a smart stove near me” postcode search box that returns local dealer links (use manufacturer dealer locators). (Bosch Home)

Sources & further reading

Samsung South Africa product and support pages. (Samsung)
Bosch / Home Connect smart oven information and dealer resources. (Bosch Home)
AC Direct / local retailer listings for Bosch Series 8 pricing. (AC Direct)
Takealot product listings for countertop/multifunction smart ovens. (Takealot.com)
Lifewire explainer on smart ovens and stoves. (Lifewire)

Smart Stove