A lot of people don’t actually think about how important a range hood is, but it’s actually a really important thing to have in a kitchen. A decent range hood will help you to get rid of any smells, smoke, grease and more when you are cooking to keep your kitchen clean and fresh.
Of course, you may be wondering what exactly the best under cabinet range hood is. After all, there are a lot of options out there and it can sometimes be tricky to narrow down what option is the best for you. That’s where we come in! Read on to find out more about the best under cabinet range hoods. We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
Top 5 Best Under Cabinet Range Hood
OUR TOP PICK
Summary
The BV 30” Under Cabinet Range Hood is a 30 inch long range hood that’s a solid performer. Perhaps the main stand out feature of this rangehood is that it has two motors that are able to create a huge 900 CFM of airflow, so it’s ideal if you want a powerful model.
The hood is very attractive, featuring a stainless steel build and a satin coating, so it will fit in perfectly with any modern kitchen. It has two high intensity 3 watts energy saver LED lights, which is ideal as far as the utility bills are concerned! The hood features a 4 speed fan control, so you can cater the speed to whatever you need at the time.
Not only this, but the hood is very easy to remove and the baffle filters can be cleaned effortlessly. If you are concerned at all, the product comes with a 2 year warranty for extra peace of mind. In comparison to some of the other options on this list it’s not as user friendly, but it’s ideal if power is what you need above all else.
Pros
- Powerful dual motor
- 2 year warranty
- Attractive design
Cons
- Not as user friendly as some of the other models on this list - may take longer to get used to it
EDITORS CHOICE
Summary
You can say goodbye to food smells and other air pollutants with the Broan 413604 ADA Capable Non Ducted Under Cabinet Range Hood. This product is ideal with a 36 inch width and a non ducted design, so if you want to avoid a ducted design then this is perfect for you.
The Broan model is made out of stainless steel, and as far as longevity is concerned it is truly ideal. It also has a durable filter, which is not a commonly seen feature in a lot of range hoods. Not only this, but this device works along with an ADA compliant accessory and a rocker type fan that can help to reduce the amount of heat that’s in your house.
The hood comes with a lamp lens that only uses 75 watts of power, which is ideal for keeping your utility bills low while keeping your kitchen well lit. It has a replaceable charcoal filter along with sides that are easy to clean. With this, there is no need to worry that you will have to clean it for hours on end!
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Non ducted design
- Durable
Cons
- Very basic - does not offer all of the features of some other choices on this list
BEST VALUE
Summary
The Chef 30” PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood is a truly impressive option. This is ideal for people that run a restaurant or for those that love to cook for the whole family on a regular basis. With a simple installation process and a lot of power, this is a truly impeccable option that is certainly worth your consideration.
To begin with, this range hood is ideal for helping you to have a cleaner kitchen. When you’re cooking a lot, grease can start building up on your cabinets, walls and more pretty quickly. This device can help you with that, as it will reduce the amount of grease build up in your kitchen. It has vents filters and even a motor that is able to produce an impressive 860 CFM.
If you are worried about a range hood potentially messing up the look of your kitchen, you also have no need to fear - this range hood features a contemporary look that will fit in perfectly with any modern kitchen. It’s also got a bunch of cool technology built in, including a touchscreen display, a delay shut off feature and LED lights that can help you to light up your kitchen.
Pros
- Attractive, modern design
- 860 CFM
- Easy to clean
- Six speed fan setting
Cons
- Motor is not as powerful as the BV 30” Under Cabinet Range Hood
RUNNER UP
Summary
Horrid smells will be long gone from your kitchen with the Proline Wall Undercabinet Range Hood. This range hood has 600 CFM which means any contaminated air will get right out of the way in no time. This is the perfect range hood for saving space, and it’s incredibly slim to the point that you will barely see it beneath your cabinets.
Of course, just because the design is slim it doesn’t mean it’s not attractive! This range hood looks both stylish and modern, so it’s perfect for adding an extra clean look to your kitchen. It’s incredibly easy to install, and it takes no time at all to do so.
Not only this, but the hood has LED lights that are perfect for illuminating your cooking space. In addition to that, you may expect that the power of this hood means that it’s noisy. That is thankfully not the case, so you can enjoy a little bit of music in the background while you whip up delicious meals.
You can use it in a range of different ways, and you can even remove the rear panels so it can be vented from either the top or the back depending on what you want. If none of that has sold you, you will also be pleased to know that it has a 3 year limited manufacturer guarantee in case anything breaks.
Pros
- Minimal noise
- Four speed dual blower
- Durable
- 600 CFM
Cons
- While it has a decent amount of power, if you are cooking in a restaurant or just cooking often, you may need a little more power
RUNNER UP
Summary
If you want a fairly simplerange hood that isn’t going to stick out like a sore thumb in your kitchen, then look no further than the Broan 403004 30 In. Stainless Steel Ducted Range Hood.
This range hood is ideal for pretty much all cabinets, as it even allows you to install it either horizontally or vertically! It takes up barely any space too, measuring a mere 30 inches.
Of course, this is a fairly inexpensive option and as such it boasts a mere 160 CFM. This is not the most powerful option out there but it certainly does the job. You can choose from a range of different colors, and it’s incredibly durable.
Not only this, but the hood is fairly quiet as a result of the 2 speed rocker fan switch. It’s simple to clean, and is very safe to use. Perfect for kitting out a kitchen on a budget.
Pros
- Affordable
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
- Takes up little space
Cons
- Not very powerful
Best Under Cabinet Range Hood Buying Guide
Why Should I Get An Under Cabinet Range Hood?
So you may be wondering what is the point in getting a range hood for underneath your cabinets. There are a lot of reasons for investing in an under cabinet range hood. To start with, it helps to improve the air quality.
It’s important to reduce the risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning in your house. This is because the levels of carbon monoxide increase when a kitchen hasn’t been ventilated properly. In addition, a decent range hood should help to remove things such as grease and smoke from the air.
Not only this, but a range hood can help to make the process of cleaning that much easier. When you don’t have a properly ventilated kitchen, things like grease can end up getting deposited onto the walls and can become sticky. If it’s ventilated well then it means that it’s easier to remove the grime from the walls.
A range hood also helps to keep the kitchen cool, making it a much more pleasant environment to cook in. No more overheating! Range hoods also help to enhance the value of your property when you are selling, and can make your kitchen look a lot better.
Things to Consider
Size
It’s always important to think of the size of your under cabinet range hood. Generally a lot of homes will use a 30 or 36 inch range hood because of the cooktop size. A range hood should only stick out by around 3 inches on each side.
When you are getting the range hood set up, it should be mounted around 24 to 30 inches from the gas cooker, and then roughly 20 to 24 inches away from an electric stove. This may differ for your individual device though, so make sure that you check the installation manual to check where it needs to go.
Power
Some of the best range hoods will come with two different motors along with a fan system that you can use to adjust the speed. If a range hood has two different engines then naturally it is a lot more powerful and is able to create more air flow.
This is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet Per Minute) and the higher the CFM is the more efficient the range hood is going to be when it comes to removing any contaminants and strong odors.
With that being said, you can adjust the airflow within the range hood if you have an adjustable fan control. Having a higher fan speed is the best if you are going to be doing a lot of heavy duty cooking tasks and it is best for removing any particularly strong odors.
Unfortunately having a powerful range hood on a high fan speed also means that you are likely to get a lot more noise in the kitchen. It is possible to find options that are fairly quiet though in order to bypass this issue.
Ventilation Types
There are three main kinds of ventilation types to consider:
Vented or Ducted - These kinds of range hoods will use vents or ducts in order to get rid of any grease and contaminants out of the kitchen
Duct Free or Non Vented - These sorts of range hoods will absorb any air that contains smoke, purify it and then make it circulate back into the kitchen. They usually come fitteed with charcoal and this absorbs any grease.
Convertible - These are the best of both worlds - ducted and duct free. You can use these range hoods in whatever way you wish according to what you prefer.
Amount of Noise
Perhaps the biggest issue that comes with having a range hood is the amount of noise that they generate. It should be noted, however, that certain models are designed to be much quieter than others are.
If you are looking to buy a range hood from an online retailer then you don’t need to worry, simply check online for other consumer reviews to see if there have been any complaints about your chosen range hood in the noise department.
Energy Star
You should always check what the energy star rating of your chosen range hood is before you buy. This is because range hoods can contribute to your utility bills, and it’s good to get an option that can save you a little bit of money in the long run.
Heat Sensors
Heat sensors are particularly handy to anyone that loves cooking as it will automatically trigger the vent once the temperature gets to a certain level, meaning you don’t need to remember to turn it on when you’re in the middle of cooking.
Automatic Shut Down
Let’s face it - sometimes remembering to turn the oven off can be tricky enough, without having something else to remember!
For this reason, you should check out some range hoods that have an automatic shut down feature as these will turn the range hoods off without your input.
Lights
You will find that a lot of range hoods will come along with extra lights that will help to add more illumination to your kitchen.
LED lights are the preferred choice these days as opposed to other lighting options because they are brighter and save more energy.
Kinds of Range Hoods
Under cabinet range hoods aren’t the only range hoods available! Here are a few other kinds that are currently on the market.
Under Cabinet Range Hoods
This may seem like a fairly obvious assertion, but an under cabinet range hood is just that - a hood that you fit under a cabinet that’s above a stove. These can help to get rid of any smoke and smells. They’re ideal if you don’t have a lot of space.
They’re pretty common and can come either with or without ducts.
Wall Mounted
Another common style of range hood is the wall mounted style. This will take up the whole space on top of the cooking range.
They have ducts straight up for a roof exhaust or they can go up and straight out. They tend to cost the most money.
Ceiling Mounted Range Hoods
These range hoods are made for cooking in areas that don’t have walls. They are most commonly known as island hoods.
They aren’t connected onto the walls, and are instead connected to the ceiling and vent out any smoke from the roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean a range hood?
You will find that the vast majority of range hoods are made out of stainless steel. Most of the time, all you need is a little warm water, a washcloth and a little bit of detergent.
Rinse off the surface and then wipe it over with a dry cloth so you don’t end up getting any watermarks. If you want to you can also polish it with a little bit of oil to give it an extra sheen.
How much should I clean the filters on my range hood?
Ideally you should be cleaning the filters on a case by case basis depending on how often you are going to use the cook top.
You should try to clean it once a month it you use it on a fairly regular basis but you should wash it more if you use it more often.
Is it better to get a ducted or non ducted range hood?
This is largely going to depend on the setup of your kitchen. A ducted range hood is going to be better for ventilation than a ductless range will be, but they also need more power in order to get the air out of the kitchen.