This kind of kitchen range hood fits neatly under the cabinet, making it easy to install.
An under-cabinet range hood is an exhaust fan that sucks dirty air from the kitchen.
So, if you want to improve your air management system in the kitchen, I've listed my favorite under-cabinet range hoods that you can consider — alongside a quick buying guide to ensure you get the best one for your needs!
Best Under-Cabinet Range Hood
Here's the list of the 10 best under-cabinet range hoods, perfect for enhancing ventilation and air quality in your kitchen while providing a sleek and convenient installation solution.
What I like
- Auto-shut off exhaust timer
- Stainless steel ARC-FLOW filters are easy to clean
- Built like a commercial stainless steel unit
What I don't like
- Need two or three people to install properly
- Installation manual can be confusing
The best under-cabinet range hood is the COSMOS COS-QS75. It's built like a commercial stainless steel unit, so you get the pros and cons of one too.
For one, it's heavy. In fact, I needed another person to help me with the installation process. If you want to try installing this range hood alone, I suggest you use cabinet jacks.
It has ARC-FLOW baffle filters — which are easy to clean and last for years before needing to be replaced. They also maximize airflow and grease filtering.
I especially loved the soft-touch screen control panel that lets you easily control power, lights, and fan speed settings.
One warning I'd give is to not use the packaged manual. Instead, download and print the latest version of the manual.
Product dimensions: 22 x 29.5 x 10 inches | Weight: 52.8 lbs | Airflow displacement: 500 CFM | Noise: 40 dB | Control console: Digital touch controls
What I like
- Sleek space-saving design
- Easy to install
- Simple but functional
What I don't like
- Suction for filters aren't as strong as others on this list
- Doesn't come with charcoal filters
Most kitchen hoods are at least 5 inches in height. This can make cooking difficult for those with low cabinets or small spaces.
CIARRA's convertible range hood is only 3.94 inches tall, so it's extremely space-saving. It has a low-profile design that can suit any kitchen.
I loved how it's easy to install. The range hood comes pre-assembled (except for the vent pieces on top). It also has a template, so you don't need to pull out measuring tools!
However, I've noticed that the suction isn't as strong as others I've listed in this article — even with an adjustable fan speed.
Despite that, this simple range hood does its job well while giving you enough cooking space.
Product dimensions: 29.76 x 19.69 x 3.94 inches | Weight: 12 lbs | Airflow displacement: 200 CFM | Noise: 54.4 dB | Control console: Push button controls
What I like
- Has a protective lamp lens
- Affordable but functional
What I don't like
- No CFM rating
- Bulb sold separately
The best range hoods don't have to be expensive! Broan-NuTone is an affordable alternative to everything else on this list, which works very well for the price.
I didn't like how the incandescent bulb was sold separately. But I did appreciate the protective lamp lens, which distributes light evenly.
It has a replaceable charcoal filter, as well as quick-release filters that are dishwasher-safe.
This range hood doesn't have a CFM rating — however, it performs well quietly with a two-speed fan with plenty of suction. It has two simple rocker switches that control the fan and light.
Product dimensions: 17.5 x 6 x 30 inches | Weight: 10 lbs | Airflow displacement: N/A | Noise: 55 dB | Control console: Mechanical push button controls
What I like
- Stylish stainless steel design
- Advanced features that work well
- Easy-clean range hood
What I don't like
- Not easy to install on your own
Want to know what it feels like to live in the future? Then I highly recommend this stainless steel range hood by BRANO!
Normally, you'd be wary of a product that claims they have "advanced features." However, I assure you that this range hood features three control methods that all work.
You can control it through voice, touch, and gesture — but the voice control impresses me the most. Your cooking partner "Andy" will perform tasks like controlling the three fan speeds.
The stylish design is easy to clean too. This is thanks to stainless steel baffle filters that are dishwasher-safe.
It also has a round corner design, so it won't hurt too much if you bump your head.
Admittedly, it's not made for a DIY installation, but I'd say that's only a minor setback.
Product dimensions: 19.7 x 29.5 x 6 inches | Weight: 22 lbs | Airflow displacement: 900 CFM | Noise: 60 dB | Control console: Remote
What I like
- Works quiet enough
- Buttons aren't on a touch screen
- Helpful customer service
What I don't like
- Carbon filter not included
- Lights are pretty dim
SNDOAS offers a convertible under-cabinet range hood with 3-way venting — top round-shape venting, top rectangle-shape venting, and rear rectangle-shape venting. This makes it perfect for both roofs and apartments.
This stainless steel product has push-button controls, which I found convenient.
After all, you can feel the controls and not worry about whether having water- or oil-stained hands will affect the operation.
It has three fan settings with a 500 CFM airflow and is surprisingly quiet.
The light works well as a nightlight, but I wish it had been stronger. I'd sometimes have to use the kitchen light to more clearly see what I was cooking.
There's no easy way to upgrade the light bulbs either.
Product dimensions: 19.7 x 29.8 x 5.98 inches | Weight: 24.8 lbs | Airflow displacement: 500 CFM | Noise: 66 dB | Control console: Push button controls
What I like
- Has good warranty
- Automatically turns on when needed
- Relatively quiet operation
What I don't like
- Can't turn off gesture control
- Not easy to install
IKTCH's range hood has four fan speeds — with level 4 sucking 900 CFM of air. It has a relatively quiet operation for something this powerful.
I say "relatively" since it has two powerful fans, so you'll certainly get some level of noise.
The stainless steel range hood automatically turns on once it senses steam and vapors! I love the bright LED lights that are also adjustable, depending on your needs.
The gesture control was a good idea too. However, I found it too sensitive, and there was no option to turn it off.
Installation was also tricky — one reason was that the manual wasn't in proper English. The screws and anchors that came with the range hood weren't high-quality either.
Product dimensions: 19.68 x 35.7 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 39 lbs | Airflow displacement: 900 CFM | Noise: 60 dB | Control console: Touch
What I like
- Great customer service
- Heavy-duty and high-tech
What I don't like
- Motion sensors might be a problem
HisoHu has four fan speeds that you can also control by waving your hand in front of the range hood.
I've read some customers complaining that the motion sensors are pretty sensitive. I didn't really have a problem, so just consider that possibility when eyeing this product.
One way to solve that is to cover the sensors with tape to lower the sensitivity.
It's heavy-duty, with a maximum airflow of 900 CFM. Despite that, it only has a maximum of 60 db at the highest speed!
Customer service is great — the after-sales service team will work with you until your problems with the product get solved.
Product dimensions: 32.6 x 23 x 10 inches | Weight: 29.8 lbs | Airflow displacement: 900 CFM | Noise: 60 dB | Control console: Touch, remote
What I like
- High-end look
- Works great even on the lowest setting
- Bright and adjustable LED lights
What I don't like
- Didn't come with good-quality screws
- Too heavy for a single person
A ducted range hood is more effective than a ductless one. So, if that's what you're looking for, I'd say Awoco has the best range hood for you.
It looks like a high-end range hood with powerful fans. You also get two bright LED lights to adjust between two levels. You can change the settings using the remote control.
The baffle filters have angle hooks on the bottom, so they don't fall.
This stainless steel model comes with a kit, so you can direct the power cord to the top or rear orientation of the range hood.
However, I didn't like how it doesn't come with good-quality screws — so expect a quick trip to the hardware store.
Product dimensions: 19.75 x 29.75 x 6 inches | Weight: 48 lbs | Airflow displacement: 900 CFM | Noise: 62 dB | Control console: Touch, remote
What I like
- Light and compact
- Good suction speed
What I don't like
- Can be tricky to install
- Expensive compared to other range hoods
More premium models are entering the range hood market — and perhaps one of the best is this one by KOBE.
It's light and compact with a stainless steel design that will suit any kitchen.
It has three-speed settings, with the lowest one already being good enough for most meals. If you need more help with thick smoke or fish smells, just crank it up!
However, though this is marketed as an under-cabinet range hood, I feel like it's more of a wall mount.
If you want to install it under the cabinet, you'll need to remove a part of the bottom and back of the cabinet.
Product dimensions: 20 x 35.75 x 12.18 inches | Weight: 33.5 lbs | Airflow displacement: 600 CFM | Noise: 28 dB | Control console: Push button
What I like
- Consumes only 51-kilowatt hours per year
- Easy-to-clean filters
- Quieter than expected
What I don't like
- Lighting could be improved
- Installation can be confusing
If you want to be more eco-friendly, COSMO has the best range hood for you.
This convertible model has an energy-efficient motor and lights that makes it consume only 51-kilowatt hours per year. This also means you get to save some money!
It has multi-layer filtration, including reusable aluminum mesh filters that trap grease.
These filters are also easy to clean — you can hand wash them easily. I'm surprised that it's somehow quieter than I expected too.
However, the lighting is quite dim, so I sometimes had to work with the kitchen lights on.
Installation is quite complicated too. I wish they had provided a better instruction manual since it was confusing.
Product dimensions: 19.75 x 29.75 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 14 lbs | Airflow displacement: N/A | Noise: 50 dB | Control console: Push button
Best Under-Cabinet Range Hood Comparison Table
Why Should You Buy an Under-Cabinet Range Hood?
An under-cabinet range hood would probably be the most popular range hood.
If you're curious why you should buy one, here are some reasons:
1. Existing Cabinets
Rather than removing a cabinet, you can install the range hood underneath an existing one.
Just mount the cabinet hood, install ductwork, and you're done!
You can check the cabinet to see if there's an outlet you can plug the hood into once you've installed it.
2. Overall Kitchen or Apartment Size
An under-cabinet range hood is okay for any kitchen size, especially if you need a bigger, more comfortable cooking surface.
These kinds of range hoods are space-saving but powerful. They have good suction speed, ensuring cooking smells don't fill your home.
Those with small apartments would appreciate this more.
3. "Built-In" Look
If Installed correctly, under-cabinet range hoods blend seamlessly into the kitchen.
Aside from being a modern and stylish upgrade, it will provide proper ventilation too.
What Are the Benefits of Using Under-Cabinet Range Hoods?
Under-cabinet range hoods are very handy to have in the kitchen. Below I've listed down the specific benefits getting this kind of hood can give you:
1. Easy Installation
Under-cabinet hoods are relatively easy to install since you'll generally have to just mount them to the bottom of a pre-existing cabinet — unless you have to install any ductwork.
In fact, you can expect to spend just half a day installing it.
Check the manual for installation instructions. However, you might have noticed from my reviews that some range hoods can come with confusing manuals.
If that's the case, look at the manufacturer's website to see if there's a better version.
You can also check customer reviews since some buyers give tips on making installation easier for a particular model.
2. Budget-Friendly
Under-cabinet range hoods tend to be budget-friendly, with prices usually ranging from $200 to $400.
Since they're easy to install, you can install them yourself, saving on labor costs. But even if you do get a professional to do it for you, installation costs will be around $85 an hour.
3. Compact
Under-cabinet range hoods are made to fit under kitchen cabinets. They're perfect for small kitchens since it opens up more counter space.
Their compactness ensures a sleek design that doesn't look bulky or out of place in the kitchen.
4. Clean Air
Of course, an under-cabinet range hood is primarily made to ensure you always have clean kitchen air.
It removes airborne smoke, heat, grease, and combustion products from your cooking area.
This means you won't have to worry about fishy smells, thick smoke, and others spreading throughout your home.
Besides, those smells might latch onto new foods. You wouldn't want to keep whipping out your portable pizza oven to escape the smelly kitchen.
You'll especially appreciate this if you've had a cooking mishap and want the burnt smell gone as quickly as possible.
5. Better Kitchen Lighting
Unless you have a kitchen island, you're normally preparing food with your back to the light. This can mean you're not properly seeing what you're doing.
Fortunately, a range hood holds light bulbs that shine on your stove so you can see the food more clearly.
You can also use them as a nightlight if you don't want your kitchen to be completely dark at nighttime.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Under-Cabinet Range Hood
There are many range hoods in the market nowadays. So to help you find the best under-cabinet range hood for your needs, below are the different factors to consider:
1. Size of Cooking Surface
Your range hood should be the same width as your cooking surface so it can effectively suction the air you want to filter.
It's okay if the range hood is a bit bigger than the cooking area — however, it should never be smaller. Otherwise, it won't be as effective in cleaning the air.
Remember to focus on the width rather than the depth of the stove.
That's because cabinets normally don't cover your whole cooking surface. As such, the range hood you get might not cover your whole stove either.
But don't worry! Under-cabinet range hoods are designed to give adequate ventilation as long as it meets the width requirements.
So, if you have a 24-inch gas range, get something of the same width or bigger.
2. Size of Cabinets
It can be hard to find a range hood with your cabinet's exact width and depth.
As such, the best you can do is ensure that your cabinet's width and depth are enough to accommodate the range hood.
Leave an allowance of around two to three inches on either side for the best possible ventilation.
Aside from that, remember to leave enough space for ductwork and vents that come with the range hood.
3. CFM and Fan Speeds
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, measures the airflow of a range hood. This essentially refers to how much air a range hood can process, filter and remove at once.
CFM isn't the only factor that guarantees effectively filtered air — but it's certainly a huge help.
How to Choose CFM for Under-Cabinet Range Hoods?
A higher CFM rating will give you faster (but not necessarily better) ventilation.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 100 CFM for each linear foot of your stove.
However, most range hoods have at least two fan speeds. Some, like Hauslane, have up to six speed settings!
The lower speeds are good for getting rid of some steam in the air. But for smoke or greasy air, use the higher speeds.
While six fan speeds are certainly useful for customizing the experience, I'd say three or four speed settings are enough.
4. Vent Type
There are three types of under-cabinet range hoods: ducted, ductless, and convertible.
Ducted range hoods push the dirty air outside. Because of this, you'll need to install an exhaust vent on an exterior wall.
You'll also need a clear way through the wall framing for ductwork.
Ductless range hoods don't have an exhaust vent. Instead, it also acts as an exhaust fan that recirculates the air through filters and back into the kitchen.
Thanks to that, you can install it on any wall.
Convertible hoods can be used as either a ducted or ductless model. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions to properly configure the product.
Are Ductless Range Hoods as Good as Ducted?
I'd say ducted range hoods are way more effective than ductless ones.
That's because a ducted model will vent the air outside your home. This ensures that it's really replaced by cleaner air.
Meanwhile, a ductless hood will only vent the processed air back into the kitchen. Because of that, you'll need to be diligent in cleaning and replacing filters.
However, a ductless model is good enough for small kitchens or those who don't cook often.
5. Exhaust Timers
This feature means the range hood will automatically turn the fan off after a set period — typically 10 minutes.
This is helpful if you want to keep the range hood running even after you're cooking to get rid of any excess fumes.
6. Noise Level
Two things affect a range hood's noise level — fan motor and duct size.
As expected, you'll experience more fan noise using it at higher speeds. As such, check the model's maximum noise level since anything too loud will be a nuisance.
As for duct size, the larger the duct opening is, the less noisy the range hood will be.
7. Certifications
A certified under-cabinet range hood is a good-quality one. Some certifications to watch out for are:
- Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) - evaluates airflow, sound, energy, and lighting in residential products
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - checks if the elderly and people with disabilities can use a product without needing much help
- Energy Star Rating - ensures good energy efficiency
- Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL) - certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It means the product has undergone extensive testing in various areas to ensure its safe use.
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) - similar to ETL, it evaluates a product's safety
8. Additional Features
A higher-end range hood can offer additional features that make food preparation easier and more comfortable.
For one, some let you adjust the brightness you want the lights to be.
Another feature is the voice or gesture control to make usage more convenient. Some have a wireless remote control, so you can adjust settings from anywhere — as long as you're in range.
Some range hoods have an auto-on heat sensor, automatically turning the model on once it detects a certain amount of heat. This is certainly helpful if you keep forgetting to turn it on yourself!
While not really a feature, some manufacturers include a template or pre-assembled range hood to make installation easier.
9. Price
The more features an under-cabinet range hood has, the more expensive you can expect it to be. As such, you should carefully consider your needs.
For instance, if you love cooking or tend to cook a lot of seafood (which smells), a range hood with higher maximum speed levels can help you get rid of the smell quickly.
A ducted model is preferable too, so you won't have to worry about replacing or cleaning filters too much.
More powerful range hoods can be more expensive, especially if you have to spend on ductwork.
But if you cook a little, you can save some money by getting a ductless model that doesn't require a lot of power.
FAQs Related To Under Cabinet Range Hood
Are you still thinking about what cabinet kitchen hood to get? I’ve answered a few questions below that might help you:
As the name implies, a plug-in range hood is a plug-and-play kind of product. These kinds of range hoods have a 3-pronged plug that you’ll plug into a 120-volt outlet in the upper cabinet.
If your range hood doesn’t come with a plug, then it’s hardwired. That means you’ll have to physically connect it to your household wiring.
An alternative is to buy a power cord adapter kit to plug it in to use it.
It’s actually not really necessary.
However, some people don’t like waiting for the cooking smells to disappear — especially if you’re handling cooking mishaps or smelly foods.
You might be using a plastic-free kettle to avoid contaminating your drinks, but the air might end up making them taste like something anyway.
But aside from that, a range hood improves kitchen air. It pushes out the greasy and hot air to let fresher air in.
This means you (and other people in the household) won’t have to simmer in kitchen smells.
The average cost of installation is $750. But this can go higher or lower depending on the required infrastructure.
For instance, adding ductwork and replacing an existing system can make installation more expensive.
If you’re hiring a professional, rates can go from $50 to $100 an hour.
A Recap of the Top Picks
Before I end this article, let me give you a recap of my favorite under-cabinet range hoods:
This range hood works very well for a budget pick.
It has a protective lamp lens to ensure that the light is distributed evenly. It's pretty quiet, but provides a lot of fan suction.
This model is less than 5 inches in height, making it an easy and sleek addition to the kitchen.
It comes mostly assembled already, so it's very easy to install.
My pick for the best under-cabinet range hood is from COSMO.
It's built like a commercial stainless steel unit with a soft-touch screen control panel. Its filters will last a long time too.
Conclusion
An under-cabinet range hood is very convenient since it ensures fresh air in the kitchen as you cook.
However, when choosing a new range hood, remember to consider factors — such as the cubic feet per minute rating, noise level, and features you'd like to have.
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