Range Hood Reviews

What Is a Range Hood and Why Is It Important to Choose the best Range Hoods?

A range hood is a kitchen appliance that hangs over your cooktop. Its primary purpose is to:

• Remove smells
• Remove smoke
• Decrease grease
• Prevent smoke alarm from going off

A range hood circulates clear air and removes smoke from the air. Many range hoods also come with LED lights that can be practical. Additionally, because range hoods come in all different materials and styles, they can add an element of modern design to your kitchen. Some homeowners may make it the focal point of their kitchen design.

Choosing the right range hood is about much more than choosing one that meets your design preferences. It is also about finding the right fit for your kitchen size and cooking style.

For example, if you live in an apartment, you may need a smaller, more compact, over the range hood. If you have a kitchen island that holds your cooking surface, then you will need one of the top island mount hoods. Or if you’re looking for best electric stove 2021, that pairs well with your best cookware for gas stoves, then you’ll have to focus on the material.

Regardless of which one of these range hood types that you buy, it is crucial that you have the right amount of proper ventilation in your kitchen. Improper ventilation can lead to many health concerns. It can also lead to lasting smells in your kitchen, long after you have finished cooking. Make sure you choose the right range hoods for your kitchen needs.

Range Hood Reviews and Buying Guide

Choosing the right range hood is not always easy. Here are a few top considerations when buying a range hood in 2022:

Range Styles

There are many different types of range styles to use in your kitchen. Choosing the best one depends on your needs. Here are a few available kitchen hoods:

Ducted

Ducted range hoods remove all smoke and other pollutants from the room. To use a ducted vent hood, ducts need to be previously installed in your kitchen. The ducts should also match the cabinet hood for a secure fit.

Non-Ducted

Non-ducted hoods are ventless hoods that remove the polluted air while also pulling clean air back into the kitchen space.

Convertible

A convertible range hood combines both a ducted hood and a ductless hood. This gives you more control over which type you want to use.

Wall Mount

A wall mount hood is similar to under cabinet hoods. The only difference is that a wall mount hood is mounted to the wall, rather than underneath the cabinets.

Under Cabinet

Under-cabinet hoods, as the name references, go under a cabinet. They are one of the most common types of wall mount hoods as they fit most kitchen designs. Under-cabinet range hoods can be either a duct or ductless hood. They can also be wall-mounted.

Island Mount

An island range hood sits above an island counter. It attaches directly to the ceiling and removes smoke through the ceiling pipes. An island mount may also be chimney style, which may be harder to install.

Downdraft

Downdraft refers to a minimal-sized hood range. Some people like to incorporate their range into their kitchen design. If you don’t, a downdraft range may be right for you. Downdraft hoods slide out from your cooktop or cooking surface when needed, meaning they take up less space. You may find downdraft hoods or slide-out ranges often in small spaces, like apartments.

Recirculating

Recirculating range hoods have a low power output, usually between 300-400 CFM, and are usually ductless. While it is possible to find recirculating ductless units with a higher power output, these units usually come with a higher price tag. At this point, it may be more worthwhile to instead opt for a full duct system.

Range styles also refer to mounting types. Consider how you want, or need, to mount your hood. Wall mount hoods are the most common but are not the only option available.

In addition to the range hood styles, these different styles also refer to the way in which the unit is attached in your kitchen.

The most common method of attaching a range hood is under the cabinet. You may use a downdraft hood or chimney style to obtain the look and fit you need.

However, wall-mounted range hoods are also popular. If you already have a range hood in place, you will likely replace it with a similar one. Choosing a different type may require that you rework the ductwork or change the kitchen’s layout.

Hood Size

It is also important to consider size when choosing the right kitchen range. Different types of hoods require different types of spaces.

Consider the width, depth, and height dimensions of each hood range to decide the best fit for your kitchen. Measure the inch range rating of each option, being sure to leave room for filter removals.

A 30-inch range is the most common size. A 30-inch range is usually a good size to go in between your kitchen cabinets and to accommodate traditional, 30-inch range cooking surfaces.

While the exact features will vary from range hood to range hood, you can expect most 30-inch range hoods to include a minimum of two fan settings and also some type of lighting.

Noise Level

Some homeowners may also want to choose a hood range based on the level of sound output. Some kitchen hoods can be loud and disruptive. Before choosing based primarily on sound, it is important to note that it is not really practical to completely get rid of all noise.

Range hoods rely on a recirculating hood with fans, which produces some level of noise. With that being said, some units are quieter than others. If noise is important to you, be sure to narrow down your exhaust hood options based on the noise level. We have also talked about the best quiest exhaust fan.

CFM Power

CFM levels refer to the range hood’s power output. This often directly translates to sound. CFM itself stands for Cubic Feet Per Minute. The higher the CFM, the more powerful the fan speed.

If you cook a lot, a higher CFM may be necessary. Some vent hoods also come with adjustable speeds. This allows you to enjoy a powerful range hood when you need it, and turn down the fan speeds when you don’t need as much power.

The one consideration of an adjustable range hood, however, is that they do tend to be a little louder than other range hoods.

How to Choose the Best CFM Power

How do you know how much CFM power you need in a hood range? Consider the following points:

• How often you cook
• Whether your cooking includes entertaining people in the kitchen
• If kitchen noises bother you
• If removing smoke and smells as quickly as possible is important

You want to find the right balance between CFM and fan speed. You also want to choose the perfect range hood for your sound preferences.

Design

Of course, you can also choose hood ranges based on their designs. Different materials and setups offer different styles. Think about the style of your kitchen cabinets and other appliances. You can find hood ranges in all different styles and colors. Many range hoods today are designed with stainless steel. Stainless steel tends to be the preferred material for range hoods of all types because of its durability and modern design.

Other Features to Consider for the Best Range Hoods

Here are a few other kitchen range features to consider:

• Remote control: A remote control allows you to control your range hood from afar. You can turn it off from the other room if you forgot and left it on.
• LED lights: LED lights can significantly improve the visibility of your cooking surface.
• Heat sensor: Auto heat sensors automatically turn on the air blower when it detects a certain temperature setting. This removes the heat from the cooking surface, even if you forgot to turn it on.
• Time monitor: A time monitor allows you to turn on your hood range fan for a specific period of time.
• Dimmable halogen lights: Dimmable halogen lights allow you to use your range hood lights when it is practical.

Most range hoods come with basic features like adjustable fan settings or LED lights. However, if any of the other features are important to you, you may need to shop around.

Ventless vs. Vented Ranges

You will find that the majority of kitchen ranges are vented, which means they attach directly to the exterior. Some homeowners, however, may choose to convert their kitchen range to ductless. This type of range uses aluminum mesh to catch the grease with a charcoal filter.

Ducted range hoods require a more in-depth installation process. Many people choose to hire a professional contractor. You may also need a professional installation if your range is in a unique place, such as over an island.

Some people may also choose to install a microwave range hood. These too can be either ducted or ductless.

Ventless and vented ranges may also be referred to as duct versus ductless hoods. A ducted system often has an aluminum filter, which can be more effective in removing pollutants.

What is a Ductless Range Hood?

A ductless range hood is a type of exhaust fan that recirculates air through filters, rather than existing ductwork. Charcoal filters are the most common type of filter used with a ductless range hood.

Ductless range hoods work, but not as well as duct hoods. One of the biggest pros of a ductless range hood is that it can be installed in almost any setting, including on your wall, over top of a kitchen island, or even on top of a custom cooking surface.

Ductless ranges often come at a cheaper price than when compared to traditional, 30-inch range hood attached to a duct system, but they don’t remove air pollutants as easily.

Ductless range hoods may be a good temporary option but most people prefer to vent range hoods to the outside because it is more efficient at getting rid of kitchen pollutants.

Are best under cabinet range hood useful?

Under cabinet range good can be extremely handy in drawing cooking moisture, grease, and heat and filter it out of your home for good!

What is a convertible range hood?

A convertible range hood is another option. Convertible range hoods can be installed as either a ducted hood or a ductless hood.

Convertible range hoods still offer the same purpose as hoods that are either duct or ductless. They still effectively remove smoke, steam, grease, and fumes from your kitchen space.

Indoor Air Pollution Guide

A main goal of choosing the right range hood is to improve indoor air pollution. Range hoods come with different filters and designs that can affect how much pollution it removes.

Choosing the Right Air Filter

You have a few filter options, with mesh or baffle filters being two of the most common.

Mesh filters come in either aluminum or stainless steel materials. They are designed as hood inserts that can easily be removed from your hood range for replacement. They tend to be cheaper than other options, but more difficult to clean. Some, but not all, mesh filters can be cleaned in the dishwasher safely.

Mesh filters offer the following:

• A durable design that can easily be removed
• More difficult to clean

Baffle filters are most often found in commercial kitchens. They have more recently been incorporated into residential kitchens because of their professional look. They do come at a higher price tag but also offer better durability.

Baffle filters offer the following:

• Dishwasher-safe design
• Durable materials that last

Charcoal filters are also in some range hoods. They are secondary filters that are designed to trap and remove smells from your kitchen when cooking. Charcoal filters are compatible with non-ducted ranges.

Regardless of the type of range filter that you choose, you should replace it at a minimum, every six-12 months.