By Brittany Rowland

If you’re looking for an under the cabinet range hood with smooth curves instead of sharp angles, you’ll be pleased with this Broan 42-inch model, which features a powerful air flow of 600 CFM. The 42-inch width is plenty to gather all the smoke created by the range and oven underneath during cooking. This is an ultra quite model with a measurement of sess than 0.3 sones on the normal speed setting. That is so much better than most of the range hoods out there. We found that the internal blower worked relatively quietly and the electronic controls were easy to manage. Convenient features include a 10-minute delay start and a reminder light to clean the filter. This one is fairly expensive at mroe than $700.00, but it offers the best in quality.

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

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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]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Electric Ranges

As we came up with a top 10 list of electric ranges, we considered several factors: 1. Number and size of coil/radiant elements, 2. Oven capacity and baking functions, 3. Appearance and style, 4. Ease of use and cleaning, 5. Cooking power of stovetop, 6. Convenient features like delay … [more]

Top 10 Gas Ranges

As we came up with a top 10 list of gas ranges, we considered a number of factors: 1. Number and size of burners, 2. Oven capacity and baking functions, 3. Appearance and style, 4. Ease of use and cleaning, 5. Cooking power of stovetop, 6. Convenient features like delay start, storage … [more]

By Brittany Rowland

This is a very basic, yet functional range hood from Broan. This 30-inch wall mounted model doesn’t have the sleek look some of the others on the list have, but the high-quality stainless steel is a nice touch. It is an under the cabinet range hood, so it won’t be a good choice for a free standing island setup in the kitchen. The removable large micro-mesh grease filters are safe to go through the dishwasher. We were impressed by how the subtle appearance really fits into the look of a simple kithen. In other words, the QS130SS is highly functional without demanding too much attention from the roon. The hands down best feature of this model is the affordable price of around $350.00.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

You can’t find many decent range hoods for under $100, but this Broan 30-inch black hood does the trick considering it’s only $46.97. You have the option of installing it four ways—ducted vertically, horizontally, round vertically, or non-ducted. To be non-ducted, you have to purchase a separate charcoal filter. The hood has a 190 CFM ventilation system, which is adequate for removing the impurities that come from the stove. While this model is inexpensive and fairly noisy at 6.5 sones, it’s overall a decent performer and not too difficult to install.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

A silver range hood insert that fits within a hood liner, this Broan model is fairly quiet at its lowest speed setting but powerful at 390 CFM. You have the option to install it with a duct or without; a charcoal filter for the non-ducted fashion is sold separately. The removable aluminum mesh filter is easy to wash, but it’s not designated dishwasher friendly. We appreciated the heat sentry feature, which detects extreme heats from the range and automatically adjusts the fan speed to draw in the smoke and vapors. We found this to be an efficient model for a reasonable price of $198.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

If a ducted range hood isn’t an option for you, then this Broan economy range hood is a viable alternative. Quite affordable at $74, it effectively traps the odors and air impurities that result from cooking. You just have to remember to clean the charcoal filter regularly. The 2-speed fan is a bit noisy, but not so much that it impedes conversations in the kitchen. Best of all, the simple, slim design gives you ample space above and behind the range so you can hang up utensils and cookware. The hood accepts lights up to 75 watts, which provides more than enough brightness in your cooking area.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

For an affordable under cabinet range hood, this Air King 30-inch model has a pleasant stainless steel design and adequate 200 CFM ventilation. The range hood accepts lights up to 60 watts and has 2 brightness settings (bulb not included). We didn’t find the installation instructions to be terribly difficult, although some consumers reported problems getting the duct to fit properly. The rotary speed control gives you the ultimate control over the fan speed. Compared to some other models, it runs relatively quietly. For the quality it provides at a low price of $84.30, this range hood offers a great value.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

This Akdy wall mount range hood has a sleek, attractive European design, with brushed stainless steel and tempered glass wings that curve over the range. Even when the range hood isn’t in use, the air flap keeps heat and air impurities from returning to the kitchen. The fan has 3 speeds, but it’s fairly noisy even at the lowest setting. We were happy to see that the anodized aluminum filters detach easily and are easy to clean in the dishwasher. For its low price, $319, this Akdy range hood does a more than adequate job at venting smoke and heat from the range.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

A stylish chimney range hood from Kitchen Bath Collection, this 30-inch wall mounted model has sleek, seamless sides in high-quality stainless steel. A tempered glass visor extends from the base to trap all the rising smoke and air impurities. The 2 removable aluminum micro-cell grease filters are safe to go through the dishwasher. If you choose to install it in the vent-less style, you additional kit is required. We were impressed by the modern touchscreen control panel, which manages the fan speeds. For a hood with a powerful 700 CFM air flow, this model is reasonably priced at $379.99.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

An attractive chimney range hood in stainless steel, this $450.24 Broan model does a great job of trapping airborne impurities without costing an arm and a leg. Installation is simple enough if you know what you’re doing or you follow the instructions. If you’re ducting to the outside, you may need assistance installing the hood. The hood needs to hang 24 to 30 inches above the range; a heat sentry feature will adjust the speed of the blower when it senses excessive heat coming from the range. Cleaning the hood is also fairly simple, thanks to a latch that releases the aluminum filter, which is dishwasher safe. For the price and the quality, this Broan range hood is a great value.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

A Zephyr under cabinet range hood that vents smoke and odors efficiently, this 36-inch model has a simple, pleasing design in stainless steel or other colors to match your kitchen décor. The 3 fan speeds work quite well and not too noisily. The set comes with incandescent lights, but you have the option to upgrade to brilliant halogen lights. We wish the filters were dishwasher safe, but the hood’s ventilation is quite effective at 250 CFM. For $210, this Zephyr range hood provides more than adequate performance for a fair, affordable price.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

For a modern European-style range hood for a reasonable price, this Akdy 30-inch model mounts over a kitchen island and features brushed stainless steel and a glass visor. Compared to some other models, it’s relatively quiet and runs efficiently, pulling vapors, smoke, and impurities from the range. With an anodized aluminum filter that detaches easily and goes through the dishwasher, the hassles of cleaning and maintaining the hood are minimal. Island range hoods are usually quite pricey, but this Akdy model works really well and is available for $389.

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

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By Brittany Rowland

If you’re looking for an island range hood with smooth contours instead of sharp angles, you’ll be pleased with this Broan 48-inch model, which features 500 CFM air flow. A telescopic flue 17 11/16 inches in diameter is built for ceilings 8 to 9 feet high; it features a hand-blown glass visor at the bottom to pull in all the steam and smoke from the range. We found that the internal blower worked relatively quietly and the electronic controls were easy to manage. Convenient features include a 10-minute delay start and a reminder light to clean the filter. Expensive at $2,499, it offers the best in quality.

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

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