What are the best under cabinet range hoods? A good hood will not only fit your kitchen design and décor, but also be energy efficient and easy to clean. Here’s our top picks in each of these categories to help you choose the best under cabinet range hood for your space.
Best Design
If you have a smaller kitchen, or just don’t want a typical range hood sticking out from your cabinets, go for an under-cabinet range hood.
With all of these positive features and high marks from reviewers, we can confidently say that our pick—the Broan 665, 20′′ Ventilation Fan—is our favorite under-cabinet range hood for most people.
It offers excellent filtration, is easy to install, looks good in any kitchen, and is one of the quietest models on our list. It has three fan speeds and two light settings. The lights are dimmable with separate switches (which are always nice to have).
There are also four fan speeds; however, on low speed it isn’t quite as powerful as some other models on our list. Still, if you need something more powerful than what comes standard with your stovetop venting system (if you use one), but still want something less obtrusive than a full-size range hood, then it’s hard to beat for its price point.
Best Value
If you’re looking for a powerful solution that won’t empty your wallet, you’ll want to get an under-the-cabinet range hood. Many of these models still have the power of their full-sized counterparts, while also providing better extraction due to their close proximity to your stove.
With so many great choices available, it can be hard to decide which is best—but we’ve done our research and narrowed down your options so you don’t have to! Here are our top picks for best value:
The first thing you should look at when choosing an under cabinet range hood is how much space you have in your kitchen. This will help determine what size range hood will fit in your space without interfering with other appliances or cabinets.
The next step would be to consider what type of fan system would work best with your cooking habits and needs. You may find that a single fan or multiple fans work better depending on how often you cook and what types of foods tend to leave lingering odors in your kitchen after cooking them.
Next, think about noise level—how loud do you want it? Will one hundred decibels wake up all members of your household? Or will fifty decibels allow everyone in bed to sleep through dinner prep?
Ease of Use
When choosing an under-cabinet range hood, it’s important to think about how you plan to use it. Will you be doing a lot of stovetop cooking? This is an indication that a range hood with strong capabilities (i.e., powerful fans and filters) would be ideal for your kitchen.
How many people will be using your new range hood at one time? If it’s just you and your spouse, a smaller model may suffice.
Quietest Range Hoods
There are two major types of range hoods: those that suck air out of your kitchen and those that vent it outside. The biggest difference between them is noise. Air-powered hoods can be very loud, which you’ll definitely notice if you’re in another room when one is running. Exhaust-style hoods aren’t as noisy because they aren’t constantly sucking in air.
This makes them better for situations where you need to run a fan while cooking or entertaining guests—you won’t have to raise your voice to talk over a constant hum. However, exhaust fans do require some extra work on your part (the installation process is more involved than with an under cabinet range hood).
If you don’t mind dealing with a little extra maintenance, we recommend an exhaust fan for most people’s needs.
Comparison Table
The best under cabinet range hoods have a lot of factors to consider. This table provides you with an easy-to-read comparison that includes everything from decibel ratings to airflow rates.
If you’re looking for a new range hood, don’t miss out on our review section below! To learn more about kitchen ventilators, check out our buyer’s guide . *Note: These are not necessarily ranked in order.
FAQ:
Here are some frequently asked questions about under cabinet range hoods: How does an under cabinet range hood work? An under cabinet range hood removes smoke and grease from your kitchen by pulling it through a series of vents.
The vent pulls warm air out of your kitchen, and after passing through a fan, cools it down to create negative pressure. This keeps grease, smoke, odors and particles inside. What do I need to consider when buying an under cabinet range hood? Size is important.
Final Verdict:
If you’re looking for a simple range hood to do double duty as both a fan and exhaust system, take a look at our runner-up pick, which is much more compact than most models.
With great performance and an easy installation process, it can’t be beat for its price. However, if you have a lot of cabinet space to spare or need something that performs better in larger kitchens with higher ceilings, we recommend spending extra for our upgrade pick.
