The Best Range Hood For Your Kitchen: A 2024 Guide

Choosing a range hood for your kitchen is a major decision that will impact the way your kitchen looks and functions. Every cooktop should have a vent hood that will whisk away the heat and smoke and help keep the kitchen clean. The right design can either blend beautifully into the cabinetry, or stand out to create a stylish focal point in the kitchen. In this guide, we’ll show you the different types of range hoods and explain which features to look for as you choose the best range hood for your own kitchen.

Types of Range Hoods

Before shopping for a range hood, take a look at your own kitchen’s design so you can see which type of hood is best for your particular kitchen. There are three types of range hoods:

Ducted Range Hoods

A ducted range hood, also known as an external venting hood, is the most effective way to remove cooking odors, smoke and moisture. Venting hoods use a fan to move air from the stove area to the outdoors through ductwork in the wall, ceiling or floor. They have a grease filter that traps oil and grease particles to help prevent a fire. 

Before purchasing a ducted range hood, check to see if your home has a ventilation duct in the right location. If it does not, consult a contractor to make sure that a duct can be added. Some kitchens (in apartment buildings for example) do not have direct access to an outer wall.

Ductless Range Hoods

Instead of venting air outside your home, a ductless range hood filters the air and recirculates it into the kitchen. Internal fans direct the air through two layers of filtration:

• Grease Filter: air passes through a grease filter to trap oil and grease particles and remove them from the air.
• Charcoal Filter: air goes through charcoal or carbon filters to trap smaller particles and absorb cooking odors. 

While a ductless range hood can be quite effective, it will not match the performance of a venting hood, especially when removing moisture and smoke.

Convertible Range Hood

A convertible range hood is a hybrid design that can be installed anywhere. It includes a ductless recirculating system with filters, and you can connect it to your ductwork for external venting. 

Choosing The Best Range Hood For Your Kitchen

Once you’ve chosen between an external venting or a ductless range hood, it’s time to shop. Should you use a ceiling or wall mount range hood? What material is best? Your choice will depend on the design and layout of your particular kitchen – and the location of your cooktop. 

Microwave Range Hoods

A microwave-range hood combination is a popular, space-saving solution for many kitchens today. Mounting the microwave above the stove frees up counter space and creates a compact cooking area. Most microwave range hoods have a recirculating vent system, which eliminates the need for ductwork inside the cabinets and increases storage space. If your kitchen is small, a microwave range hood may be the perfect solution.

Under Cabinet Range Hoods

Just as the name implies, an under-cabinet range hood is attached to the bottom of the cabinet above the stove. Many kitchens are built with concealed ductwork inside the cabinetry to connect the range hood to the outdoor vent. If there is no ductwork, you can use an under-cabinet range hood that has a recirculating system instead. Under-cabinet hoods typically have a slim, space-saving design. If you don’t like your microwave installed over the stove, a simple under-cabinet range hood is a great idea.

Empava 30RH01 30 in. Ducted 500 CFM Under Cabinet Range Hood

Wall-Mount Range Hoods

 

 

Wall-mount range hoods are a popular design element in today’s kitchens. Because they attach to the wall directly above your stove, they make a great centerpiece for a display of open shelving or decorative tile. Wall-mount range hoods can be made from a wide variety of materials, but wood and stainless steel are most popular. Ready-made designs are readily available. 

Empava 30RH03 30 in. 380 CFM Wall Mount Range Hood

Island Range Hoods

Island range hoods hang directly from the ceiling over a kitchen island stove. Modern, ceiling-mount range hood designs are a popular choice for kitchen islands because they provide a clean, minimalist look. While they are sometimes clad in wood, many island range hoods in homes today are stainless steel. These units are fairly easy to install and come in a variety of stylish designs.

Empava 36RH10 36 in. 400 CFM Island Ducted Range Hood

Downdraft Range Hoods 

Also known as retractable vents, downdraft range hoods are installed in the base cabinetry behind the cooktop. At the push of a button they rise up from the countertop to form a vented backsplash behind the stove. Once cooking is done, they disappear. With a downdraft range hood, you can eliminate the need for an overhead hood and enjoy an open, uncluttered kitchen design. Downdraft range hoods need ductwork installed from inside the kitchen island to an exterior wall.

Wood Range Hoods

A wood range hood is designed to match your cabinet finish; it usually combines an insert range hood with a decorative wood cover. (The insert range hood is a slim ventilation unit designed to be built into the cabinetry.) Designers of sleek, modern kitchens often install the ventilation insert into an upper cabinet with minimal trim pieces, creating an “invisible” hood. In a traditional kitchen, a large wood range hood is often used to create a focal point while concealing the insert and ductwork. 

Stainless Steel Range Hoods

Stainless steel is one of today’s most popular range hood materials; it’s easily formed into curving shapes, and on ceiling mount range hoods it gives the exposed ductwork an upscale look. The cool, textured surface of a stainless steel range hood blends beautifully with both traditional and modern style cabinets. Today’s stainless steel finishes are also easy to wipe clean.

Range Hood Design Features

Once you’ve decided which style of range hood will look best in your kitchen, it’s important to consider the functional features. 

Venting Type

As we discussed above, both ductless and ducted range hoods help remove smoke and odors from the kitchen. However a ducted hood that vents air to the outside provides the best performance. While recirculating filters do a great job removing smoke and grease, they don’t remove moisture. If you cook daily or live in a humid climate use a ducted vent to reduce humidity and help keep the house cooler in summer. 

Kitchen Size:

Every range hood fan has a CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, which indicates how quickly it circulates air. If you have a large kitchen, consider purchasing a more powerful hood with a high CFM rating to ensure the vent will clear the air quickly enough. This ducted range hood has a 500 CFM rating, enough to clear a large kitchen quickly:

Empava 36RH14 36 In. 500 CFM Ducted Under Cabinet Range Hood

Range Hood Size:

For the best coverage and performance, choose a range hood that’s at least as wide as the cooktop. For example, if your stove is 36″ wide, opt for a 36″ or wider range hood. 

2-Piece Kitchen Appliance Packages/ 36" Gas Range & 36" Range Hood

Noise Level:

A range hood with a quiet fan helps to make cooking less stressful. Check the manufacturer specs to look for a range hood that operates at a lower decibel level.

Style and Budget:

Of course, you’ll want a range hood that complements your kitchen’s design; you might even be planning to create a focal point. Attractive ready-made options in stainless steel are easy to find. 

Empava 36RH09 36 in. 400 CFM Kitchen Island Wall Mount Ducted Range Hood

If you’d like a luxury finish like copper, tile, or antique wood, you can combine a range hood insert with a custom-built hood.

Modern Range Hood Features:

Most range hoods have useful features like LED lighting, adjustable fan speeds, and heat sensors. Some offer the latest smart features, like remote control and voice activation. If you’re a passionate cook, these high-tech additions are something you might enjoy. 

The Empava Store stocks the full line of stainless steel range hoods from Empava; these high-quality vent hoods feature powerful exhaust fans and LED lighting; some models also work by remote control. 

To choose your new Empava Range Hood, Click To Shop.