Under cabinet range hoods have a lot of different benefits for your kitchen. From improving the air quality to lowering the temperature and making the kitchen easier to clean. We’ve reviewed the best under cabinet range hoods in this article to help you choose the ideal model for you.
We looked at 30 of the best products on the market, and we’ve included reviews of the top 5. Our editor’s choice is the Cosmo 5U30. This is a quiet hood with a maximum decibel rating of 56 dB. It’s also slimline in design and suitable for both larger and smaller kitchens. A 5-year warranty tops off a great package. As well as the Cosmo, we’ve included four more products which are great for different purposes to help you to make the right choice for your own needs. The final decision should be down to you!
Within our reviews, we’ve looked at some of the top features that make excellent range hoods, including the type of hood and fan, the CFM and fan speed, how much noise it makes. We’ve also looked at the dimensions (you need to ensure it fits) and we’ve also reviewed the warranty on each of the hoods. Our team spent weeks researching the best options, and presented the information below. Firstly there is a simple overview table, five product reviews and a buying guide to help you to understand what the features mean before you buy a hood. This is a product you should only have to buy very rarely, but need to get it right.
More features: mesh filters are dishwasher safe; 2x2W LED for energy savings
The Cosmo 5U30 has some fantastic features, and is a good quality, small and compact range hood. The best range hoods under cabinet are often smaller, and this model is under 30 inches at its longest.
The optional filter kit can help to filter the air and this is even dishwasher safe so you don’t have to spend loads of time cleaning. The filter has multiple mesh layers, they trap grease and oil which can then be washed away. It’s easy to put under the cabinet.
The 250 CFM rating is just about okay for most kitchens in small and medium sized homes. It has a 3 speed motor so you can choose the level of extraction you need.
It is great that this is such a quiet fan, and perfect for use in apartments. It also has simple controls and LED lights.
It comes with a ductless converter, you can switch from a ducted model to ductless with ease.
This is one of the best under cabinet hoods if you are looking for something to suit a small apartment. Huge kitchens might be better if you get a higher CFM option.
The size also means that this is one of the more affordable range hoods.
More features: touch screen; flexible vent connections; 2 x halogen lights; time delay shut down
Another relatively small model of range hood, but this one has a bit more power. It offers amazing value for money, too. The VESTA Under Cabinet Range Hood has some really impressive features but it doesn’t cost the earth.
This has six different speeds, and the touch controls make it really easy to change between them. You can even use the time delay feature to stop the hood on demand after a specified period of time.
The baffled filter gives this the ability to deal with smoke that comes from oil or even burning. The suction power of 860 CFM is great for kitchens of most sizes.
There’s an oil collector that means you can get rid of excess that builds up within. You also get 2 halogen lamps included to light up the cooker.
The triple ventilation system means you can choose between top and back vent options, whichever suits you.
The build quality is great, and this comes with a warranty to back up the purchase. The whole unit has a one year warranty, but the motor itself has an impressive lifetime warranty backing up the quality of the product.
If you are looking for value for money, and have a medium or large kitchen, this could be a great choice for you. Strong airflow and a quality motor make for a good overall package.
More features: easy to clean; crafted for 6” Exhaust Ducts; 2 x LED bulbs
This is listed as a chef series product, and it is good enough to handle bigger kitchen needs with the high CFM rating and plenty of features to go with the build quality. It fits 6” exhaust ducts.
To ensure it fits the design of your home, this comes in three different colors so you can choose that which is most suitable for your kitchen.
The LEDs are energy saving, and provide plenty of light without eating up lots of energy. The steel fixtures are surprisingly excellent quality considering the price.
The oil tray included and two separate oil cups are included for simple maintenance, these collect oils that can cause clogging and even damage the hood and you can then clean the trays and cups.
There are three speeds, which is pretty standard. The control panel is very simple and sits on the front of the hood.
The 700 CFM ventilator is plenty powerful enough for most kitchens and keeps the air flowing. Standard 6” ducting allows you to fit the hood to most old-fashioned and modern kitchens with ease.
The two year warranty is pretty standard, but certainly helps to give you some peace of mind, knowing that your product is protected in that time span.
The Hauslane Chef Series Range Hood C100 is a good cheap option.
More features: 3-minute AutoTimer with delayed shutoff; 2 x LED bulbs
We’ve included this as the most powerful hood when it comes to CFM. This is good for large kitchens, and those who do a lot of cooking! It can handle whatever you throw at it. This is still a relatively small model at 30 inches wide by 22 deep, but it is pretty heavy. 61 lbs, but this is partially due to the extra power and features.
This air flow needs you to use ducted venting, and it will fit standard kitchen ducts in the USA. The four different speeds let you choose the CFM rating. 280/460/670/900 CFM options means you can choose. There’s no point having it at 900 CFM if you’re just boiling a couple of eggs.
In spite of the excellent air flow, it’s really not that loud at all, just 55 dB of noise in total.
The extra feature that is most useful is probably the autotimer with delayed shutoff, you can simply allow this to wait and turn itself off once the steam has been removed.
The baffle design filters can remove the oil from the smoke and provide a cleaner air quality in the kitchen. They’re dishwasher friendly.
The cleaning isn’t as easy as some of the other models, but isn’t too taxing, and detailed instructions are provided by the manufacturers. If you want a heavy duty model of under cabinet range hood then this could be worth considering.
More features: patented “QUICKINSTALL” one person easy installation hardware is included; large touch sensor control panel; 2 LED bulbs
The last option on our list of range hoods under cabinet reviews. The Winflo Under Cabinet Convertible Kitchen Range Hood is the best convertible kitchen range hood. It can be used in both ducted and ductless settings. Set it to vent through the back or through the top as you prefer. It comes with a plug and all the hardware you need to install this hood.
This is also one of the simplest options when it comes to installing, not just because it is convertible. It has a patented system for install called “QUICKINSTALL”. The brand claim this can be done simply with one person.
Like some of the other options on our list it is simple to clean, too. The baffle filters are totally dishwasher safe, so after use you can just throw them in the dishwasher.
It isn’t the most powerful under cabinet range hood with 500 CFM, but this is fine for most home kitchens and won’t see you still having to worry about the smoke or steam in your kitchen.
It’s not the quietest option on the list, so if this is your priority you should look at something else. It’s not super loud, though, so you shouldn’t be concerned either.
Our under cabinet range hoods reviews should have given you some idea of which option might work for you, but there might still be terms you don’t understand. We’ve created a buying guide for under cabinet range hoods to help you choose. This should help you to understand how the products work and what your choices as a consumer are.
If you’re still a little confused and overwhelmed by the choice between range hoods, use this guide to help give you some advice on the subject. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, you need to figure out the best hood for your own needs and your own kitchen.
What are the features you need to think about before buying a range hood? What should you be looking for? We’ve explained the features we used to create our reviews and how you can work out the options for you.
When we talk about the type of under cabinet range hood, what are we referring to? The type basically means ducted vs ductless range hoods. What is the difference?
Ducted hoods connect to pipes that lead outdoors from the kitchen, sucking the air out and away from your home. The ductwork needs to exist already if you don’t want expensive additional work. Ducting can be tough to get done effectively and probably not something you can do yourself.
Ductless hoods recirculate the water, they filter it and then put it back into the kitchen, which takes oil and other moisture out of the air. They may not be as effective for altering the humidity, for instance, but they can improve the quality of the air.
All of the hoods on our list have some sort of a filter. These are usually baffled in design. They help to take small particles out of the air and improve the quality of the air before it is pushed back outside or into the kitchen. Check what type of filter the hood has, and whether you need to replace it from time to time. Many of them are dishwasher safe. The ZLINE 623-30 lets you wash the filter within the dishwasher with no issues.
How many speed settings does the fan have? If you have lots of frying and cooking going on in the kitchen you might need the under cabinet range hood to be going at full blast, but if not, you don’t want the extra noise and power consumption. Many of the models have three different speeds, so you can alter the hood somewhat. However, the impressive VESTA Under Cabinet Range Hood has six speeds to choose from.
The speed you set should depend how much smoke and oil is in the air. If you’re using a lot of skillets and cooking a lot of food, you might need to have it on the highest speed.
The CFM means cubic feet per meter. This measures the movement of air, and is tied closely to the speed settings. Increasing or decreasing the speed will impact the CFM. If you are in a large kitchen you should look for a hood that has over 300 CFM. This should pull the steam, smoke and smells away from the kitchen. The models on this list, such as the ZLINE 623-30, have up to 900 CFM. This is plenty for even large kitchens. Consider how much air you need to move before you choose a range hood.
Nobody wants a range hood that sounds like a plane taking off. The noise level is measured in decibels. Cosmo 5U30 is the quietest out of all the products on the list, but generally, most of these products are relatively quiet, so you don’t have to worry about the noise. If you live in a small space, the volume can be all the more annoying. For instance, in a small apartment you might be able to hear your range hood from the living space.
The dimensions of the product are one of the simpler aspects to work out. You need to establish how much space you have and the dimensions of the cabinet before you work out the size of range hood that is best for you. This is a case of simply matching up a cabinet with the space you have in your kitchen.
Full dimensions are provided on all of our range hood reviews, so it’s time to measure up your kitchen space.
All of the hoods on the list come with some form of warranty, but some are better than others. Our editor’s choice product provides an impressive five-year warranty, and the VESTA Under Cabinet Range Hood actually has a lifetime warranty on the motor (one year on the other parts). Like with any appliance, some form of warranty goes a long way to protect your purchase.
Even a cheap option for a high quality under cabinet range hood will probably cost you over $100. This can be closer to $500 if you want top of the range. Spending a fortune isn’t necessary, and some of the more expensive hoods can be overkill.
There don’t tend to be many extra features in range hoods, but some do come in multiple different designs so that you can choose something that fits your home best. An under cabinet range hood can look bad if it is not in a color or metal that is suitable for your own kitchen.
Auto shutoff features can also be helpful, and allow you to keep clearing the kitchen after you turn the cooker off.
Installation can vary depending on the model. If you are looking for a specific model that helps you to install it easily, something like the Winflo Under Cabinet Convertible Kitchen Range Hood can be best. The maintenance should be as simple as cleaning or replacing filters, and obviously washing them as required. A clean down is essential, just like every other part of your kitchen.
The Cosmo 5U30 is our editor’s choice product, with a rating of 9.9. It has enough power for most home kitchens, a decent CFM and it is incredibly quiet, perfect for small apartments. The filters are also dishwasher safe.
If you want the best value for money option then the VESTA Under Cabinet Range Hood, you can choose between ventilation types and there are even six different speeds. All of this is at a relatively good price, making it one of the best under cabinet range hoods for the money. We’ve rated it 9.7/10.
At 9.5/10 is our value pick, the Hauslane Chef Series Range Hood C100, this is easy to clean and comes with multiple filters to catch oils. It is a great range hood if you are operating on a budget.
