Slide in oven vs freestanding

As long as in budget, I always prefer a slide-in range look over the freestanding range style. Technically, 99% of all slide-ins are freestanding these days as they don’t lip the counter like the older models. But the main difference is controls on the face and no back guard, so I still refer to it as a slide-in as well. A slide-in will look nice, as there is no back. So your tile or backsplash will have a continuous appearance, and the controls are easy to reach, being on the front. There is no need to reach over cooking vessels or hot burners to adjust the oven, etc. Most manufacturers will offer advanced or upgraded features in the slide-ins since they are priced higher but sold more often in new kitchen designs. Bosch is one of the last holdouts still making the cooktop wider than the actual unit, so it gaps the counter edge.