Range hoods present an interesting kitchen paradox. One of the most important features in a kitchen, a high-quality range hood will be almost unnoticeable. Its whole purpose is to help maintain the air quality and cleanliness of your kitchen—and good ones will filter out any pollutants or unwanted odors generated during the cooking process. For this reason it’s vital to make the best choice when selecting a range hood for your kitchen. Our recommendations will help point you in the direction of some great choices, as well as offer a few tips on what you should be looking for in a quality range hood.
The 10 Best Range Hoods of 2023
- HIGH-QUALITY DUCTLESS RANGE HOOD INSERT: White hood insert improves ventilation and lighting over your stove with the non-ducted filtration system that effectively removes smoke and odors
- EFFECTIVE INCANDESCENT LIGHTING: A protective lamp lens distributes light evenly over the cook-top and accepts up to 75W bulb (bulb not included)
- 30-INCH UNDER-CABINET RANGE HOOD INSERT: Fits neatly underneath cabinets to offer a complete solution to your kitchen ventilation needs by providing both an exhaust fan and overhead light
- IMPROVES KITCHEN AIR QUALITY: Provides a MAX 210 CFM and 6.5 Sones performance to quickly remove smoke and cooking odors from the air, and the 2-speed rocker switch allows for quick fan adjustments
- Built with cutting edge technology and with the utmost of care, Cosmo brings you beautiful premium range hoods at an affordable price. Expect cooking and cleaning experiences that make life easier, brighten up your kitchen, and protect your health
- EFFICIENT AIRFLOW: 380 CFM removes smells and odors with ease for a clean kitchen. Ducted range hood vents outside and away from your home. Converts to ductless range hood with Carbon Filter Kit Purchase Part # CFK1-TM (sold separately). Noise level as low as 45 dB on lowest fan speed with rigid ducting (sold separately) under optimal conditions; range hood comes with flexible ducting for convenient installation
- Built with cutting edge technology and with the utmost of care, Cosmo brings you beautiful premium range hoods at an affordable price. Expect cooking and cleaning experiences that make life easier, brighten up your kitchen, and protect your health
- SLIM SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Slim profile saves space. Great for condos and apartments. Convertible to ductless with optional Carbon Filter Kit Purchase Part # CFK4 (sold separately). Suitable for top or back venting; install under a cabinet or against a wall
- 30-INCH UNDER-CABINET RANGE HOOD INSERT: Fits neatly underneath cabinets to offer a complete solution to your kitchen ventilation needs by providing both an exhaust fan and overhead light
- IMPROVES KITCHEN AIR QUALITY: Captur system provides a MAX 375 CFM and 5.5 Sones performance to remove 97.4% of smoke and cooking odors from the air faster, and the 3-speed push button control allows for quick adjustments
- 30-INCH UNDER-CABINET RANGE HOOD INSERT: Fits neatly underneath cabinets to offer a complete solution to your kitchen ventilation needs by providing both an exhaust fan and overhead light
- IMPROVES KITCHEN AIR QUALITY: Provides a MAX 230 CFM and 6.0 Sones performance to quickly remove smoke and cooking odors from the air, and the 2-speed rocker switch allows for quick fan adjustments
- 【450 CFM Strong Suction】 High-quality ductless range hood with 3 –speed exhaust fan provides up to 450CFM air suction for your cooking fumes, while keeping the noise low.
- 【STAINLESS STEEL & IDEAL SIZE 】 All stainless steel body and ideal sizes fit your cabinet perfectly and saves space. Great for condos and apartments. Product Dimensions: 30" W*18.6"D & Adjustable Chimney from 26.4" to 35.8“
- HIGHT QUALITY STOVE VENT HOOD: Made of Premium 430 grade brushed stainless steel, classical pyramidal hood fits most kitchen decors. Optional Carbon Filter Kit available for ductless (Purchase Part # USGDCF-Y))
- 450 CFM AIR-FLOW: with 3-speed push button control, quiet 55 dB noise level, energy-efficient LED lighting. Your ideal kitchen ventlator.
- WHAT YOU NEED: Are you looking for a top-quality hood that will complete your kitchen and keep it cleaner and more hygienic? Is it high time to change that old mounting range hood in your restaurant? Now, we offer the perfect solution!
- PREMIUM QUALITY MATERIAL: The AKDY professional hood is made from superior quality, guaranteed to withstand the test of time. The material provides anti-scratch and dent resistance, while adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen!
- 【Stainless Steel Wall Mount Range Hood】:SNDOAS range hood GD2475B is made of 430 grade stainless steel with brushed finish, two high-quality baffle filters are removable and dishwasher safe, modern and easy to clean.
- 【Kitchen Vent Hood 30 inches】:Chimney-style kitchen hood suitable for various styles of kitchen decoration,brighten up your kitchen. Two chimney covers are adjustable, fits 7.5-8.5 Ft. ceiling. Optional chimney extension for 9-Feet to 10-Feet ceilings (Sold Separately, Purchase Part # TD08-EXT). 30 inch size fits most kitchen cabinet.
How to Determine Which Range Hood Is Best for You
There are many range hood products out there competing for your attention. Read on for a better understanding of the features you should consider that will help you narrow down the field and make a final purchase.
Kitchen Layout and Size
Since some kitchen layouts will require a certain type of range hood, it’s important to know what category yours falls into when going out to purchase a product. If you have open wall space above your stove, a wall-mounted range hood is the best. If you have cabinetry or a microwave instead, stick with an under-cabinet or microwave range hood. Kitchens with islands will only be compatible with island range hoods (if you can place ductwork in the ceiling) or downdraft range hoods (if you have to put ductwork in the floor).
Similarly, depending on the size of your kitchen or your home, you may be limited in what types of range hoods you can purchase. A wall-mounted range hood might be difficult to accommodate in a small kitchen or apartment, for example, while a microwave or under-cabinet range hood will not make sense if you have a large kitchen in need of plentiful ventilation.
Ducted vs. Ductless
In a ducted range hood, the air processed by the range hood vents elsewhere (typically outside) via a duct system. This ductwork can be placed in the ceiling, walls or floor depending on your home. A ductless range hood, also known as a recirculation or recirculating system, will vent air back into the kitchen after filtration. Some range hood models are compatible with both ducted and ductless systems (and can be converted between the two), while others are only available in one style.
While a ducted system typically provides a more efficient and powerful alternative to a ductless system, your final decision will depend entirely on compatibility with your kitchen, home or apartment and its needs.
Cooking Style
It is important to choose a range hood compatible with your cooking style—and not only your kitchen layout. Take into account three main specifications when making this decision: airflow in CFM, number of fan speeds and noise level. CFM determines how much air the unit is processing at once. The higher the number, the faster your range hood will vent your kitchen. Fans should come with at least a minimum of two settings (high and low speeds), with a correlating noise level or range.
If you have aspirations to be a professional chef and are orchestrating heavy and intense cooking on the daily, you will likely want a range hood with high CFM (at least three or more fan speeds) and a noise level you can tolerate for long periods of time. If you only cook small meals once or twice a day—or a few times a week—a lower CFM and fewer fan speeds will suit you just fine (though you should still make sure you can tolerate the noise level of the fans).
Other Features
Exhaust timers, auto shut-off, type of control panel, types of filters and lighting set-up are some of the other features you should consider when purchasing a range hood. While there is no best combination, some features may provide more use to you than others. For example, if you want to wash your filters in the dishwasher, make sure they are dishwasher compatible. If you like to leave the fan on after cooking to clear out any lingering odors in your kitchen, you’ll probably want an auto shut-off or exhaust timer feature to save you the trip back. Luckily, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a range hood to match your needs thanks to the wide variety of available products and models.
Five Types Of Range Hoods
Wall-Mounted Range Hoods
A wall-mounted range hood can be installed over a cooking surface so long as no existing cabinetry presents a problem (if some does, take a look at under-cabinet range hoods instead). Like the name says, the unit is mounted against the wall and is typically ducted, though it is possible to find ductless versions. Available in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, wall-mounted range hoods are also known as chimney hoods since the overall design and ventilation system is similar to that of a chimney.
Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
Under-cabinet range hoods are installed underneath existing cabinetry. They come in both ducted and ductless systems (in the case of the former, ductwork is typically routed through the closest wall or ceiling before reaching the exhaust vent). Under-cabinet range hoods are generally smaller in size and lighter in weight than a full-size range hood. These are a great choice for everyday cooks in apartments and homes where preserving cabinet space is a priority.
Island Range Hoods
Island range hoods are installed into the ceiling to hang directly over the cooking surface. The ductwork is run through the ceiling and often features higher rates of airflow since it needs to capture all the air rising and spreading from the island into the room. Many different designs and styles are available, though island range hoods are generally more expensive and complicated to install than any other type of range hood. They also have more prerequisites, as your ceilings must be high enough to afford proper clearance for the unit. When done right, an island range hood isn’t just a practical addition to your kitchen: it can also become a stylish centerpiece.
Downdraft Range Hoods
Downdraft range hoods make for a sleek and stylish addition to your kitchen, especially because they are often installed as pop-up vent units hidden except when used. In theory, these operate by redirecting any smoke or air downward, where it is ventilated out of your home through a ductwork system in your floor. Though convenient for island stove tops, where it is not practical to install an island range hood, downdraft range hoods lack power and are the least efficient way to remove pollutants including smoke from your kitchen.
Microwave Range Hoods
If your microwave is installed over your stovetop, chances are you have a microwave range hood: that is, the fan is built directly into the underside of the microwave. This type of range hood is convenient, cheaper than installing a separate range hood (since you typically purchase only one appliance) and space efficient. A microwave range hood unit features a recirculating, ductless ventilation system where air is vented back into your home after being filtered. While popular, microwave range hoods are not as powerful or effective at filtering air as a ducted range hood.
Methodology
To determine the best range hood ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on nearly 80 products. Each product’s star rating is determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Average Price (20%)
Customer Reviews (20%)
Number of Retailers Available At (15%)
Warranty (15%)
Exhaust Timers (10%)
Fan Speeds (10%)
Touch Screen Control Panel (10%)
FAQs
How do you measure for a range hood?
In order to measure the right size for a range hood, first measure the size of your cooktop. The best-sized range hood will be the same width as your cooking surface so any smoke, grease or odors produced will be most effectively sucked up, filtered and ventilated. The most common range hood widths on the market are 30”, 36”, 42” and 48” and it is likely your cooktop will match one of those sizes. The height and depth of your range hood will depend on the size of the available space above and around your cooktop, as well as the depth of your cooking surface and what kind of range hood you plan on buying. Make sure to also measure for product clearance as some range hoods cannot be installed without a minimum amount of clearance above the stove.
How do you clean a range hood?
If your range hood is dirty or greasy, you can use a variety of cleaning solutions to remove the grime. After a gentle dusting, a standard hot water and dish soap solution will work to remove some of the dirt. Follow this up with a vinegar solution or degreasing product to remove stubborn grime. Try not to use any brush product with sharp bristles, as this may scratch the surface of your range hood. When cleaning filters, you can put them in the dishwasher (if safe) or wash them by hand using soap. You can also use baking soda to break down the heaviest layers of grease. If you prefer to use store-bought products, look for environmentally-friendly all-purpose or multi-surface cleaners and degreasers.
What is the best CFM for a range hood?
In general, the best CFM for a range hood will depend on your kitchen set-up and several other factors, including the amount of ventilation needed and how much noise you’re willing to tolerate. Since the CFM score is a measure of airflow through the range hood in cubic feet per minute, the higher the CFM, the more powerful the range hood. While you’ll need to do some research to determine the best CFM for your kitchen, for the casual cook, look for a minimum 100 CFM of airflow for every 12 inches of cooktop width. This will give you a range hood capable of handling your everyday recipes.
Can a range hood be vented through the wall?
Yes, you can vent your range hood through a wall if you have a compatible ductwork set-up. Though venting through an exterior wall is more common, with the proper precautions it is also possible to vent your range hood through an interior wall. Make sure you are not venting into a space where the contaminated air will build up. Also keep in mind that some types of range hoods cannot be vented through a wall due to design: island range hoods must be vented through a ceiling and downdraft range hoods must be vented through the floor.
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
