Best Range Hoods

Top 10 Range Hoods 2024

By Brittany Rowland

Range hoods come in a number of formats: chimney, island, professional, and built-in. No matter which style you choose, you should keep in mind certain factors that ensure quality performance:

1. Adequate air flow for the cooktop and length of duct
2. Variable fan speeds
3. Relatively low sones, or noise
4. Straightforward installation instructions for you or a professional
5. Removable, washable filters
6. Attractive design
7. Ample light for the range
8. Multiple ducting/non-ducting options

Range Hoods Buying Guide

How Much CFM is Necessary for My Range Hood?

Range hoods measure their air flow with a unit called CFM, or cubic feet per minute. CFM determines how much air is exhausted by the range hood. If you’re wondering why non-ducted range hoods don’t specify their CFM levels, it’s because those hoods recirculate, not exhaust, the vapors.

So if you’re looking for a ducted hood, how do you know what CFM level is best for your stove, and is it always best to have the highest CFM? Really, the answer lies with the type of cooktop you have, the size of your kitchen, and the length of your duct.

As a general rule, though, you can determine the appropriate CFM for your cooktop based on whether it’s gas or electric:

• Electric ranges don’t produce as much vapor and smoke as their gas counterparts, so your range hood doesn’t need as high a CFM. A hood with more than 475 CFM is not necessary for an electric range.
• Gas ranges need a ducted range hood with 1 CFM per 100 BTUs. Therefore, a gas range with 50,000 BTUs requires at least a 500 CFM hood.

While a higher CFM results in greater air ventilation, it also increases the sones, or noise level, of the range hood. Keep in mind while you’re shopping around that 1 sone is equivalent to the noise of a refrigerator, and normal conversation runs at about 4 sones.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Range Hood Articles

Range Hood Cleaning Tips

Proper ventilation is of great importance in the kitchen. Your range naturally lets off smoke, vapors, odors, and cooking particles that will linger in the air unless a range hood draws them in. You can find ducted or non-ducted range hoods in a variety of styles for a wide … [more]

Understanding Range Hood Ventilation: Ducted vs. Non-Ducted

While many range hoods have removable filters that are generally easy to clean—some are even safe to go in the dishwasher—you also have the top and other surfaces of the hood to keep clean. You’d be surprised how much grease builds up on top of the hood… [more]

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