Hisense HBE3501CPS 30-in Freestanding Electric Range Review

About the Hisense HBE3501CPS 30-in electric range

• Fuel type: Electric
• Dimensions: 29.875” W x 47” H x 26.5” D
• Oven capacity: 5.8 cubic feet
• Slide-in vs freestanding: Freestanding
• Finishes: Stainless steel
• Number of burners/elements: 5
• Number of oven racks: 2
• Number of oven rack positions: 7
• Control panel: Top-control
• Oven settings: Air Fry, Dehydrate, Pizza Bake, Keep Warm, Bread Proofing, Convection Bake, Roast, Frozen Bake, Broil, and Self-Clean
• True convection: Yes
• ADA compliant: No
• Energy Star rated: No
• User manual: Hisense HBE3501CPS

What we like

It's packed with features (at a low price)

With such a budget-friendly price tag, we were surprised to discover how many features and oven modes are offered with this range.

In addition to true convection (which performs excellently), this oven also offers pre-set modes for things like pizza, bread proofing, frozen foods, dehydrating, and more. This takes the guesswork out of several kitchen tasks and offers more confidence to cooks of all skill levels.

There are also two self-cleaning modes offered in this range: Traditional self-cleaning for regular maintenance and a steam-clean option for occasional deep cleaning.

Controls are intuitive and organized

Although there's a lot to keep track of with this feature-rich range, we never found ourselves reaching for a manual before we got the hang of it.

The control panel is clear and concise, with descriptive buttons for every function, as well as the oven light and timer.

Plus, there are added safety features built into the design, including a light indicating when a burner is on and another for when the cooktop is still hot.

It boasts solid construction and fast, even heating

Investing in a budget-friendly appliance can be worrisome for consumers, especially when it comes to concern about build and quality. This range squashed those fears for us, proving that quality can come at a good price.

Everything about this appliance feels robust, from the smooth oven door to the sturdy storage drawer and gliding oven racks. The frame and casing construction is also solid and well-finished, with no rough welds or sharp edges.

During testing, we found this oven to be extremely well insulated, proven by thermal imaging tests. Temperatures were precise and accurate with very minimal fluctuations, especially in true convection mode. And there was even heating throughout the oven's interior.

Plus, preheat times were impressively fast with this range, and the burners boiled water quickly and efficiently.

What we don’t like

The rear controls get very hot

One downside that was hard to ignore with this range is how hot its rear controls got while the range was in use. The controls got particularly uncomfortable to hold when the rear burners were in use.

Unfortunately, this is an issue that's common among most ranges that are designed with the controls behind the burners instead of in front, but it's still worth mentioning.

Burner temperatures are too high

Although we found that these burners heat quickly and efficiently, they don't perform as well at maintaining low temperatures.

The low-end temperatures averaged around 200°F or more, which is too high for delicate tasks like melting chocolate. It also may make it difficult to maintain a gentle simmer.

Meanwhile, the high-end of these burner temperatures reached up to 800°F, which can be hot enough to damage some types of cookware if you're not careful.

Warranty

The Hisense HBE3501CPS offers a two-year limited warranty for parts and labor on the appliance, which is double what similar ranges in the industry offer. Read more details about the warranty here.

Should you buy the Hisense HBE3501CPS electric range?

Yes! Especially if you're looking for a feature-rich range at a low price

For the price, this range performs exceptionally well and offers a wider array of features than most of its competitors. The oven heats quickly and evenly, offering true convection mode and self-cleaning features that make everyday cooking tasks easier.

Its minor flaws, including the high burner temperatures and overheating control knobs, can be mitigated with trial and error and a little extra care taken during use. But if you'd rather invest in a range with front-facing controls, check out our list of the best electric ranges, and look to the LG LREL6325F electric range for a range with smart features.