The 3 Types of Range Hoods—and How to Pick the Best One for Your Kitchen

For those who love to cook, the perfect range hood can make all the difference.

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When it comes down to kitchen design, backsplashes, sinks, countertops, and appliances seem to get all the attention. The kitchen hood is an unsung hero, though, as it does an important job. From wall-mounted, downdraft, and under-cabinet hoods to those suited for kitchen islands, we’ve compiled an extensive guide to help you pick one that perfectly suits your space.

Island Range Hoods

More than any other type of hood, island range hoods have the "going pro" vibe. These hoods will command more attention than wall-mounted or under-cabinet hoods, as they’re designed to take center stage.

In this kitchen, the existing cabinets were updated with a coat of paint and topped with new Caesarstone countertops. The refrigerator, dishwasher, and mixer are from KitchenAid, and the cooktop is from GE.

Photo: Jack Thompson

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Zline 280 - 700 CFM 36 Inch Wide Island Range Hood

Features: 700 CFM blower can quickly clear the air from your kitchen Stainless steel baffle filter is easily cleaned to preserve grease removing capacity LED lighting for illuminating your cooking surface Push-button controls allow for easy control of lighting and fan May be used as a recirculating range hood in installations where there is no way to vent the air to the outside 3 year parts warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Cavaliere-Euro 900 CFM 36 Inch Wide Island Mounted Range Hood

Features: Island Mounted Low Noise Dual Chamber Centrifugal Motor Six Speed Touch Sensitive Controls with Blue LED Lighting Constructed from High Quality 19 Gauge Stainless Steel 30 Hour Cleaning Reminder with Programmable Delayed Auto Shut Off (1-15 Minutes) 4x 35W Dimmable Halogen Lighting Optional Recirculating Conversion Kit (Sold Separately, See Model RECIRC-IM) Dishwasher Safe Aluminum Grease Filter Included Optional Baffle Filter Upgrade (Sold Separately, See Model B2-36/I36) Duct cover extension available for ceilings up to 10' (sold separately) Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Miseno 36 Inch Island Range Hood With Dual Halogen Lighting System

Key Features: Dual Halogen Lamps: Halogen lighting provides bright point-source illumination to cast the optimal amount of light on your stove or range top. You will have plenty of light to see what you're cooking. Easy Installation: Miseno range hoods are easy for the Do-It-Yourselfer to install, since they include technologies like Quick-Lock and Keyhole mounting, that make installation a snap. Mesh Filters: High-quality stainless steel mesh filters guarantee that the air is filtered thoroughly and efficiently. These filters are also dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup a breeze. Optional Recirculating Kit: An optional recirculation kit is available for this range hood, which removes the need for external venting and instead reroutes the expelled air through an interior charcoal filtration system. Dual Halogen Lamps: The powerful, variable-speed 750 CFM motor makes this hood an ideal choice for quickly venting the heat and vapor produced by your cooktop or range. Quiet Performance: Miseno range hoods offer extremely quiet operation, while at the same time delivering powerful performance. With Miseno range hoods you get the best of both worlds. Stainless Steel Construction: Miseno range hoods are constructed with only the finest materials, including sturdy Stainless Steel, even down to our control buttons. Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Portland-based pastry chef Andrea Nicholas purchased a 1953 midcentury ranch whose 2,500 square feet needed "a lot of TLC." Nicholas hired architect Risa Boyer to design the renovation, which involved opening up the kitchen to the dining room and creating a contemporary open-plan living space.

Photo by Josh Partee

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Volt 678 bar stools by Pedrali line the island. The floors throughout are hand-troweled concrete.

Photo by Joe Schmelzer

Studio Block strives for their work to be "enduring and uncomplicated, modern yet warm, and embracing simple luxury with playful moments."

Photo: Jon McMorran

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Bosch 600 CFM 42 Inch Wide Island Range Hood With Audible Feedback

Features: Absorb odors with charcoal replacement filters Audible Feedback: A tone is produced each time a button is pressed on the control panel Bulb Type: Halogen Convenient timer built into control from 1-60 minutes Duct extension accessory kit available for 9' to 11.5' ceilings Duct Size: 8" Round Safety Ventilation: Blower is automatically engaged if excessive heat is sensed in the area Signal on LCD display will illuminate as a reminder to check filters for cleaning Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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JennAir 600 CFM 36 Inch Wide Island Range Hood With Perimetric Extraction

Features: Powerful 600 CFM blower quickly clears your kitchen of smoke, steam, and cooking odors Metal mesh filters included to trap and remove grease and contaminants and are dishwasher safe for easy cleaningLED task lighting bathes your cooktop with clear, bright light, while the LED ambient lighting provides gentle illumination for the rest of the kitchen Capacitive touch controls offer easy, intuitive access to settings 1 year limited warranty on parts and labor Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Zline 280 - 700 CFM 36 Inch Wide Island Range Hood

Features: 700 CFM blower can quickly clear the air from your kitchen Stainless steel baffle filter is easily cleaned to preserve grease removing capacity LED lighting for illuminating your cooking surface Push-button controls allow for easy control of lighting and fan May be used as a recirculating range hood in installations where there is no way to vent the air to the outside 3 year parts warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Bright yellow cabinets in this kitchen add a playful, fun touch, while also maintaining a sleek, contemporary look. 

Wall-Mounted Range Hoods

From industrial-chic to streamlined and refined, the right wall-mounted hood can add a functional finishing touch to your kitchen.

This kitchen is outfitted with concrete counters and floors and off-grid-friendly low-energy appliances. The ceiling is paneled in reclaimed barn wood.

This kitchen features SieMatic cabinetry, Neolith countertops, and a faucet by Dornbracht. Mike Geno’s paintings of bread and cheese hang near a Lee Materazzi photograph.

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KitchenAid 30'' Wall-Mount, 3-Speed Canopy Hood

Perimeter ventilation pulls air from the edges of the hood. This allows the 400 CFM motor to provide effective ventilation over cooking surfaces with burners that can reach a maximum output of 65K BTUs. Perimeter Ventilation: Increases ventilation system efficiency by pulling air from the edges of the hood and speeding up the movement of air at the center, allowing it to efficiently handle up to a 65K BTU total output. LED Task Lights: Provide extra lighting over the cooking surface to help in the cooking process. 3-Speed Fan Control: Push-button controls make it easy to select and adjust fan speed depending on your ventilation requirements. Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Cavaliere-Euro 900 CFM 30 Inch Wide Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Range Hood

Product Features: Powerful 900 CFM dual squirrel cage centrifugal blower with ultra quiet dual chamber motor Two dimmable 35 watt halogen lamps ensuring you always have a clear view of your cook top Six speed front mounted touch sensitive controls featuring programmable timer and 30 hour cleaning reminder with blue led lighting Includes dishwasher-safe aluminum mesh filters engineered to keep your kitchen contaminant free with optional baffle filter upgrade (b2-30, sold separately) Telescopic chimney fits up to 9 foot ceilings with optional duct cover extension for 10 foot ceilings (sold separately) Featuring your choice of 6 inch round vertical venting or non-ducted installation Features a 1 year limited factory warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Whirlpool 36" Modern Glass Wall Mount Range Hood

Features: 3 Speed 400 CFM Fan: Quickly remove smoke, steam, and odors from the cookspace with this multi-speed blower LED Task Lighting: Efficient LED lights illuminate the cooktop making it easy to see what you are cooking Glass Edge LED Lighting: In addition providing a stylish accent to your kitchen this range hood senses when your kitchen lights dim and automatically activate the LED light so you won't have to worry about leaving a night light on Cooktop Compatible: This sleek modern style range hood works with both gas and electric cooktops Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Tile from Bedrosians Tile and Stone makes up this backsplash, which plays against the dark, masculine countertops.

Photo by Clay Grier

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Zline 280 - 700 CFM 30 Inch Wide Wall Mounted Range Hood

Features: 700 CFM blower can quickly clear the air from your kitchen Stainless steel baffle filter is easily cleaned to preserve grease removing capacity LED lighting for illuminating your cooking surface Push-button controls allow for easy control of lighting and fan May be used as a recirculating range hood in installations where there is no way to vent the air to the outside 3 year parts warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Dacor Professional Pro Range Wall Hood

Powerful, yet quiet internal blowers draw air into the ventilation system to dissipate cooking odors, even when all burners are lit. Features: 1200 CFM maximum airflow Baffle filters LED lighting Button controls with LED fan speed indicators May be converted to recirculating 1 year warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Whirlpool 36" Contemporary Stainless Steel Wall Mount Range Hood

Product Features: Includes a powerful 400 CFM in-line motor, ideal for quickly clearing your kitchen of unwanted air pollution Aluminum meshfilters effectively trap and filters unwanted contaminants such as smoke, odors, and grease Mesh filters are dishwasher safe for more convenient care and maintenance Bathe your cook top in the cool inviting glow of dual LED lighting for better visibility and efficiency Enjoy the convenience of a non-ducted/convertible ventilation system that will clean and circulate internal air while maintaining kitchen temperatures Enjoy the convenience of a non-ducted/convertible ventilation system that will clean and circulate internal air while maintaining kitchen temperatures Push button controls let you set the power level of your range hood with confidence Threespeed venting offers three varying levels of power to effectively remove steam, smoke, and odors Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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To complement the white-washed custom cabinetry in her kitchen, architect Julie Salles Schaffer has designed a tile backsplash to resemble "melting butter in a white pan." Daltile arranged her two-color AutoCAD design—white and off-white—onto a mesh backing for a small fee. To soften the edges of the cabinets’ drawers and doors, Schaffer requested radial edging.

Photo: Daniel Shea

The owners of this updated Tudor-style abode in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Amanda and William Hunter, are the design duo behind the William Hunter Collective, which rehabs homes. Handmade tile, soapstone counters, walnut wood, and steel make up the artfully styled kitchen.

Photo by Alex Zarour of Virtually Here Studios


Under-Cabinet Range Hoods

These range hoods tuck snugly under cabinets and above a wall-backed stovetop or range. They’re perfect for smaller kitchens where space is at a premium.

Waterfall island in Pietra Cardosa

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Broan 120 - 400 CFM 30 Inch Wide Under Cabinet Range Hood With LED Lighting

Features: Features a powerful 400 CFM blower to quickly clear residual heat and unwanted air pollution Dishwasher safe and easy to replace mesh filters trap and remove unwanted contaminants such as grease and food residue Included LED lighting helps illuminate your cooktop with three different settings Convertible to ducted or non-ducted operation This range hood is ADA compliant with the use of a UL listed remote switch Don't worry about leaving your fan on with the delayed shut-off feature UL and cUL listed Includes damper Covered under a 1 Year Limited, 3 Year LED warranty Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Zephyr Pyramid Under-Cabinet Range Hood

Classic, architectural lines meet at an apex to energize the familiar look of the chimney style under-cabinet hood. This expressive yet utilitarian design also features an adjustable back-panel utensil bar that accommodates a variety of cabinet depths to put cooking utensils within easy reach. New control configuration and 12″ depth ensure simple operation and a true fit with popular cabinet styles. Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Windster RA-30 Under Cabinet Range Hood With Halogen Lighting

Features: Includes a powerful 500 CFM built-in blower, ideal for quickly clearing your kitchen of unwanted air pollution Easy to clean dishwasher safe baffle filters trap and remove unwanted contaminants such as grease and odors Bathe your cook top in the warm glow of 2 halogen bulbs Push button 3-speed controls provide for unparalleled mastery of your kitchen environment Beautiful and stylish stainless steel construction Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Hatchet Design Build took a contemporary approach with this kitchen while still drawing from the a traditional palette. The grain-matched walnut cabinets echo the walnut pocket doors elsewhere.

In this kitchen, three globe pendants with brass details and burgundy cords match the hood tube hanging above the kitchen island.

Photo by Roberto Ruiz

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Whirlpool 30 Inch Vented Under Cabinet Range Hood

Features: This quiet range hood only produces 4.5 sones at the highest fan speed with a recirculating option The seamless appearance of this hidden vent matches almost every modern or traditional kitchen Incandescent lighting illuminates the cooktop making it easy to see what you are cooking This two speed hood pairs well with many cooktops Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Miseno 30 Inch Under Cabinet Range With Baffle Filters and Dual Halogen Lighting System

Key Features: Dual Halogen Lamps: Halogen lighting provides bright point-source illumination to cast the optimal amount of light on your stove or range top. You will have plenty of light to see what you're cooking. Easy Installation: Miseno range hoods are easy for the Do-It-Yourselfer to install, since they include technologies like Quick-Lock and Keyhole mounting, that make installation a snap. Baffle Filters: Baffle filters are extremely efficient and long-lasting. They never clog, which allows them to maintain maximum efficiency between washings. They are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Powerful Blower: The powerful, variable-speed 750 CFM motor makes this hood an ideal choice for quickly venting the heat and vapor produced by your cooktop or range. Quiet Performance: Miseno range hoods offer extremely quiet operation, while at the same time delivering powerful performance. With Miseno range hoods you get the best of both worlds. Stainless Steel Construction: Miseno range hoods are constructed with only the finest materials, including sturdy Stainless Steel, even down to our control buttons. Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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Broan Ductless Under-Cabinet Range Hood With Light

The 41000 series of non-ducted under cabinet hoods are made to exacting Broan standards, providing effective filtration, high quality and value. The range hood comes in a variety of appliance matching colors and widths, and includes a removable combination grease-charcoal filter for cleaner indoor exhaust recirculation, a fan designed for years of trouble free service, a protective lamp lens that distributes light evenly over the cook-top and control switches for fan speed and light activation. Photo Courtesy of Build.com

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This open kitchen pairs gray cabinetry with marble counters and sleek metallic accents.

Photo by Pierre Galant

Modern cabinet finger pulls in bright and shiny chrome dot the drawers in this sleek kitchen in Venice, California.

Photo: Eric Staudenmaier

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