5 Best Under Cabinet Range Hood In 2023 [Reviews + Buying Guides]
Would you like to have a kitchen that you will love going to every time? If so, the most essential thing to do to is to install a range hood. Without it, your kitchen will lack style and the visual appeal. It will also very likely be filled with smoke and odors after every cooking session.
The problem is that finding the right range hood is not as easy as it seems. Surely there are thousands of under-cabinet range hoods out there, but not many of them can actually be called great.
In this article, we will be reviewing the top 5 best under cabinet range hood. For those who wants to jump straight to the final verdict, here are our top picks.
Top 5 Table of Comparison
We have designed a comparison table below for your easy reference.
However, it is important to note that the positions are in no particular order of importance. Some models may be preferred by others, therefore, please do read in details, which models may suit you the best.
Best Under Cabinet Range Hood Reviews
If you don’t have too much knowledge on the subject of under-cabinet range hoods, it’s best not to rush with your decision. Rather than buying the first product you run into, we advise you to take a few moments to go through our reviews.
Apart from being quiet whilst working, each of these devices is also great for eliminating smoke and other odors that would otherwise stay in your kitchen. Another factor we took into account was their quality and durability.
All of these 5 range hoods are bound to work fine for a long time. This might make you suspect that these hoods are expensive, but the opposite is the truth – these devices will not ruin your home budget!
1. Zephyr AK1200BS Essentials Breeze Series – Editor’s Top Pick
This stainless steel under cabinet range hood is very sturdy and its blower is capable of delivering up to 400 CFM, thanks to its 3 Speeds and Recirculating Option. It also comes equipped with an auto delay-off feature that clears the air and powers down after 5 minutes.
Read More
2. Proline 30″ Range Hood – Super Slim for Space Saving
The Proline PLJW 185 is a very compact range hood that only measures 5-inches in height. This product was clearly designed to fit smaller kitchens but don’t let its size fool you because the PLJW 185 can also pack one hell of a punch. The range hood is actually very powerful for its size, which makes it a good pick for big kitchens as well.
Read More
3. KOBE Brillia RAX2130SQB-1 Range Hood
The Kobe Brillia is a low profile under-cabinet range hood that looks perfect in any modern day kitchen. Thanks to its simple design and satin finish, the Brillia doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb and does its job quietly and efficiently. The noise does become noticeable at the highest speed setting but that’s to be expected.
Read More
4. Chef Range Hood C400
The Chef Range Hood C400 is a bit more high-tech than most under-cabinet range hoods out there. For one, this particular model features a very efficient auto clean system that prevents grease from slowing down the unit. Even better, the system is also extremely fast as it cleans the range hood in just 38 seconds.
Read More
5. Broan QS130BL Range Hood
The Broan QS130BL is one of the quietest range hoods currently available on the market. The manufacturer put a lot of time and energy into making sure that not only this particular model but the entire QS1 series features products that are both efficient and quiet as a mouse. This is all thanks to the innovative axial blade technology used for the range hood’s fans.
Read More
Buying Guides: Under-Cabinet Range Hood
How to choose a kitchen range hood? If this is the question that’s been bothering you, we’re here to give you an answer. Before you go shopping, it’s essential to first learn more about how these devices work. The most important thing to know about under-cabinet range hoods is that they’re mounted below a wall cabinet, that is, under its bottom, hence the name.
The purpose of these range hoods is to exhaust smoke and unpleasant odors outside your kitchen, through a system of ducts. The thing is that the cabinets are usually much shallower than the stoves, which is why a range hood might not be capable of collecting all the smoke. The solution is picking a device that comes with an extension that covers almost the whole length of the stove, directing the smoke and fumes into the ductwork.
But, how much smoke will actually end up expelled away from your kitchen doesn’t only depend on how big the range hood is. It also depends on its suction power. The amount of air this device can exhaust is measured in CFM, that is, cubic feet per minute. The rule is simple, the bigger the CFM number, the better the range hood! Other types of range hood can be found here.
The Speed?
The CFM number is definitely an important factor when deciding whether to buy a range hood or not. However, the experience has taught us that even the devices with a more modest CFM number can do the work very well.
The thing is that it all depends on how much smoke there is in your kitchen. For regular users, most range hoods are enough to take care of the job. But, if you’re making indoor barbecue or some other dishes that create powerful odor, a more powerful device is what you need.
A great thing about CFM-high range hoods is that they feature a speed control. What this means is that you don’t have to use them at full speed all the time. Instead, choose one of several different speed settings (there are usually three speeds to choose from) according to how much airflow you actually need at the moment.
Another great thing about being able to choose the right speed is that it helps you save some money. Obviously, the fastest speed spends the most electricity, so why use you it if you don’t need it. Furthermore, when working at the highest speed, some of these devices famously get incredibly loud. If that’s the case with the range hood you’ve picked, it’s best to run it on high-speed settings only at special occasions.
Thermostat Sensor
Here’s one feature that can be quite useful. Although it’s not the most important thing, having thermostat sensor is definitely a plus. The reason why this is the case is that it automatically turns on the fan once the temperature under the hood becomes too high. This way, even if you forget to turn the device on, the hood will do it for you.
Not only can this feature save your kitchen from becoming smelly, it can also prevent malfunctions of the range hood caused by high temperature. Unfortunately, there’s a drawback to this feature. It’s not quite safe as you might have imagined. For example, if something catches fire on the stove, the fan might make it even more powerful.
Durability
The fact is that these devices aren’t too expensive. But, then again, it doesn’t mean that you should buy one every couple of months. A good range hood will serve you well for quite some time. We’re not talking years, but decades.
So, how are you supposed to find such models? Well, the easiest way is just to scroll up and take a look at our top 5 reviews. These devices are among the best range hoods you can finds on the market for a number of different reasons, including the fact that they’re built to last. Of course, there’s another method of finding quality devices – that is sticking to reliable brands.
Best Brands
Zephyr is our favorite, mainly because this company manufactures the range hoods from the Power Typhoon series. If you buy one of these devices, we guarantee you won’t make a bad decision.
Still, the main reason why these range hoods stand out from the crowd is that they’re super-efficient in what they do. You can be sure that if you install one of these in your kitchen, smoke and fumes won’t bother you again.
Apart from Zephyr, you should also take a look at what Broan has in its offer. Their range of products called Best is a pretty good choice. These range hoods are famous for being top-quality, but what’s bad about them is that they aren’t cheap.
You should also take a look at what other brands have to offer, namely Tatsumaki, KOBE, Whirlpool, Viking, and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much CFM is enough?
The best-case solution would be to get a range hood that allows you to change the airflow speed according to your current needs. What this means is that there’s no upper limit to how big the CFM rating can be.
But, what about the minimum CFM?
Well, it depends mostly on what kind of cook top or gas range you have installed in your kitchen. If its output is high, our recommendation is to go with a range hood that has at least a 100 CFM rate.
Q2: How big the distance between the stove and the range hood should be?
Generally speaking, the distance from the bottom of the range hood to the top of the cook top should be between 24 and 32 inches. This way, the range hood will be able to capture all the fumes, smokes, and odors created by cooking. At the same time, it won’t make it inconvenient for you to move around in the kitchen.
Q3: How to clean the range hood’s surface?
It all depends on the material of the surface. In most cases, it’s stainless steel, which should be cleaned with dish detergent or some mild soap. Basically, all you got to do is soak a clean cloth in water, and detergent and clean it. When done, it’s very important to wipe it dry in order to prevent stains from appearing.
Q4: Should I install the range hood on my own or opt for a professional installation?
We believe that it would be best to leave it to the professionals. It’s not only because the chance is that they would do it much quicker than you would, but there’s also the issue concerning the safety.
The fact is that when it’s not installed properly, this device can increase the risk of kitchen fires. It’s because a range hood creates negative pressure while sucking out the air from the kitchen. As a result, it can draft dangerous gases back into your kitchen.
Q5: What is the so-called makeup air and why is it so important?
The solution to the problem of negative pressure is the use of a system that will provide an air supply into the kitchen. It’s called the makeup air. This way, there’s no danger that the stove or furnace will back-draft CO and other harmful gases.
In fact, because it is so important for the safety, there’s a requirement in many states that each range hood with over 500 CFM rating needs to have a feature that would ensure the existence of makeup air. This is another reason why letting professionals install your range hood is the right thing to do.
Q6: How long should I expect my range hood to last?
Generally speaking, these devices do not have a due date. If properly installed, they can serve you well for a really long time. Of course, their longevity also depends on the build quality.
Buying a quality product means that you won’t have to get another one anytime soon. Even if they do not come with a super-long warranty, it’s still fair to expect them to last for many, many years.
But, if you want to be completely sure that your range hood won’t break too soon, it’s best to pick one made by a reliable manufacturer. If you need help with making the right choice, simply scroll up and take a look at our top 5 picks!
Final Verdict
Zephyr AK1200BS Essentials Breeze Series
Unless you want a smelly kitchen, you need to have a good under range cabinet hood installed. Such a device can help you get rid of all unpleasant fumes, gases, and odors. Of course, this is only true if you buy a reliable under-cabinet range hood on the market.
But, which features are a must in order for a range hood to be called the best. Well, it needs to be great at getting rid of unpleasant smells. It also needs to be easy to install, not to mention that its noise must not be too high. The best under cabinet range hood should also be quality made, so that it would last for a long time.
The final factor is that it’s not too expensive. So, how can you find a product that matches all of the aforementioned criteria? Well, all you have to do is pick one range hood from our top 5 list. If you want our most-heartily recommendation, go with this model!
Elle Lori
Hi, Elle here. I am a simple girl that loves gymnastics, cooking, fitness and of course, pampering myself with a good massage after a hard day at work. As a creative copywriter, I combine my passion mentioned above to develop reviews and content to help my readers get what they want.
Thanks for sharing your honest & un-biased reviews! Keep it up!