Smeg vs Bertazzoni Oven: Italian Design, Real-World Performance
If you're designing a kitchen around beautiful appliances, two Italian brands will inevitably appear on your shortlist: Smeg and Bertazzoni. Both are genuinely Italian, both produce stylish ovens with real cooking performance, and both command premium prices. But they're different products for different buyers. Here's a detailed comparison.
Brand Histories
Smeg
Smeg (Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla) was founded in 1948 in Guastalla, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The company became internationally known for its retro-styled FAB refrigerators in the 1990s, but has always had a serious professional appliance business beneath the design story. Smeg ovens, cooktops and range cookers are sold in over 50 countries and are a staple of premium Australian kitchens.
Bertazzoni
Bertazzoni was founded in 1882 in Guastalla — the same small town as Smeg. (They are, in fact, historically connected, with Bertazzoni family members involved in both companies at various times.) Bertazzoni is a family business that has focused exclusively on cooking appliances for 140+ years. Their range cookers and professional series are designed around serious cooking performance first, with Italian aesthetics second.
Design Comparison
Smeg
Smeg offers more design variety than Bertazzoni. Their range includes retro-inspired models (with coloured enamel options), contemporary stainless steel, and built-in models in various finishes. Smeg has collaborated with designers including Dolce & Gabbana and has a stronger brand identity in the design and lifestyle space.
Bertazzoni
Bertazzoni's design language is cleaner, more architectural and more restrained. Their Heritage series uses bold colour choices (Arancio orange, Avocado, Rosso red) on a simple, professional-inspired form. Their Professional series is in stainless steel with a crisper, more contemporary look than Smeg. Bertazzoni's aesthetic is design-conscious but less playful than Smeg.
Oven Performance Comparison
| Feature | Smeg | Bertazzoni |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | 8–13 (model dependent) | 7–11 (model dependent) |
| Oven cavity temp accuracy | Good (±5°C) | Very good (±3°C, claims manufacturer) |
| Fan (convection) | Yes, most models | Yes, all models |
| Pyrolytic self-cleaning | Yes, selected models | Yes, selected models |
| Dual cavity (90cm) | Yes (many models) | Yes (selected 90cm models) |
| Oven door glass layers | 3–4 | 3–4 |
Cooktop Performance
Both brands offer gas, induction, and dual fuel configurations. Bertazzoni's gas burners are generally considered slightly more powerful in the entry-level range (they prioritise cooking performance as their primary value proposition). Smeg's high-end models match Bertazzoni's power output. For induction, both brands offer solid but not exceptional performance — neither is Miele or AEG territory for induction.
Build Quality
Both are genuinely Italian-made. Bertazzoni manufacturing is in-house at their Guastalla factory. Smeg manufactures in Guastalla as well. Build quality for both is good at the entry level and excellent at the premium level. Smeg's retro-coloured models have specific enamel quality considerations (chips can be more visible on coloured models than stainless); Bertazzoni's Heritage colours are factory-applied with high durability.
Price Comparison (Australia 2025)
| Category | Smeg | Bertazzoni |
|---|---|---|
| 60cm freestanding oven (entry) | $1,800–$2,500 | $1,900–$2,800 |
| 60cm freestanding oven (premium) | $3,000–$4,500 | $3,200–$5,000 |
| 90cm range cooker | $4,500–$7,000 | $5,000–$8,000 |
Who Should Choose Smeg?
- Buyers who want more design variety and colour choices
- Those who want the brand recognition and lifestyle appeal Smeg carries
- Buyers looking for a wider range of sizes, configurations and built-in options
- Anyone who wants a Smeg retro-coloured FAB-style aesthetic extended to their cooking appliances
Who Should Choose Bertazzoni?
- Buyers who prioritise cooking performance and want a professional kitchen aesthetic
- Those who want a cohesive suite — Bertazzoni makes matching rangehood, fridge, dishwasher and induction
- Kitchen designers looking for a clean, architectural Italian brand
- Buyers drawn to the Heritage colour series for bold colour done seriously
See Both at Oceania Appliances
We stock Smeg and Bertazzoni ovens and range cookers at our Wetherill Park showroom. Free delivery across Sydney. Call or WhatsApp 0422 489 492, email support@oceaniaappliances.com.au or visit 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park. Open 7 days, 10am–8pm.