Your Complete Guide in Buying the Best Under Cabinet Range Hood

The kitchen is easily the busiest part of any household. Therefore, it needs more cleaning and maintenance to make sure that you’re preparing your food in a healthy environment. One of the common things that accumulate in the kitchen is airborne impurities such as smoke and various odors from cooking. But how can you get rid of them if they can’t be wiped down?

Range hoods are one of the must-haves in any kitchen because it is their sole purpose to purify the air in the kitchen. And one of the most common types is the under cabinet range hood. From the name itself, you’ll install this unit under your cabinetry right above your stovetop. This is an excellent location because it directly receives the smoke and odors from where you’re cooking.

However, there are a lot of under cabinet range hoods in the market. It can be confusing to choose among them because they are all quite similar. Our buyer’s guide discussed the difference between the types and even the factors that you should consider when buying this kitchen essential. And to make it even easier, you can check our top products below that we think are worthy of the title as best under cabinet range hood.

Best Under Cabinet Range Hood Comparison Table

Best Under Cabinet Range Hood Reviews

KOBE IN2636SQB-650-5A Deluxe – Best 36-inch Under Cabinet Range Hood

The first under cabinet range hood that we have on our list is the KOBE IN2636SQB-650-5A. And as long as its name, this is a 36-inch model that also happens to be our favorite among the other range hoods in this list with that size.

36-Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood

When choosing an under cabinet range hood, a significant deciding factor is the size of it. For starters, you should determine if your cabinetry can accommodate the range hood. And if you have enough space for a 36-inch model, you might as well buy one because that means it has a wider capacity for doing its job.

Seamless Look

Kobe is an 18-gauge commercial-grade stainless steel unit. And unlike the other models in this review, Kobe gives off a seamless look after installation. You also won’t need a mounting bracket since you’ll only need to screw it into place.

No Need for Mounting Bracket or Liner

You can also skip using a liner, because as we have mentioned earlier, Kobe will install flushed under your cabinet. This design, combined with the satin finish, gives Kobe a more aesthetically pleasing look compared to other units that has pieces sticking out.

Dishwasher-Safe Stainless Steel Baffle Filters

You’ll also see that it has stainless steel baffle filters. Since baffle filters “capture” grease, you’d like to have them made of stainless steel, so they are easier to clean afterward. In fact, you can put them in the dishwasher to save more time and effort.

Powerful Yet Quiet

Kobe offers multi-exhaust options on both the top and rear venting system. This gives you location flexibility during installation. And as for its maximum capacity, Kobe is at 700 CFM with 6 speeds to choose from.

QuietMode

But if you really need your range hood working but you can’t have it too loud, its lowest setting is enough. It is at 300 CFM, and Kobe will activate its QuietMode feature. Think of this as an extra silent setting with an impressive 1.0 sones.

Eco Mode

We also appreciate that this model has an eco mode. What this feature does is that it will do the cleaning for you without the need for manual intervention. Kobe will turn on every hour for as long as 10 minutes. This means you don’t have to check your kitchen and turn your range hood on/off throughout the day for it to remove odors, microscopic particles, and excess moisture.

Time Delay System

Another somewhat similar feature that you can appreciate is the range hood’s time-delay system. What this does is that is that it will have a 3-minute delay shut-off, so it can still work once you’re done cooking. This is a nice function since it will remove any lingering odors in the kitchen.

What We Don’t Like

Lastly, this under cabinet range hood comes with two 3W Led lights. Because of the location of under cabinet range hoods, having an extra illumination above your cooktop is always a plus.

Proline 185.36 – Best Space-Saving Under Cabinet Range Hood

Next on our list is also a 36-inch under cabinet range hood, which is the PLJW 185.36. It is a #430 brushed stainless steel model, which is great when it comes to durability. This type of stainless steel is excellent when it comes to corrosion resistance, so in the long run, you don’t have to worry about your model getting damaged.

Choose from 36-inch or 30-inch

Overall, this under cabinet range hood looks nice and wouldn’t take much space. Yes, it is 36-inches, but it is only 5 inches high, so it’s not going to be difficult to fit in your kitchen. Now, if you need it to be smaller, Proline also offers a 30-inch version of this model.

Bright and Energy-Friendly LED Bulbs

We also like that its LED bulbs produce cool light in contrast to the one from Kobe. The bulbs are nice and bright, and they’re in a good position to illuminate your cooktop. They are also only 1.5 watts, so they won’t take a huge chunk of your electricity.

Multiple Venting Outlets

Proline is a ducted under cabinet range hood. And similar to our previous unit, it also offers multiple venting outlets for you to choose from. For example, you can opt to use the ventilation system out the top or back if you remove the rear panels of the model. This way, you can follow the design of your cabinetry when installing this unit.

Dishwasher-Safe Stainless Steel Baffle Filters

The unit also uses stainless steel baffle filters. As you can assume, they are easy to clean if grease accumulates on their trays, and you can just put them in the dishwasher. However, the springs that hold them feel rather flimsy, which makes it questionable if they’ll last over time. Nonetheless, they perform really well when it comes to trapping grease that accumulates when cooking.

4 Blower Speeds

As for the blower speed, Proline gives you the choice of four. Its maximum capacity is at 600 CFM, but it still wouldn’t sound, so loud that you won’t be able to carry conversations in the kitchen. To give you an idea, at maximum Proline is only 5.0 sones, which we think is quiet enough considering its capacity.

4-Minute Time Delay System

You can also appreciate the time-delay system where you can use a 3-minute timer to remove any residual odors after cooking. This feature is useful, especially when you just did some light cooking in the kitchen.

Hauslane Chef Series PS18 – Best 30-Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood

So far, we’ve reviewed 36-inch under cabinet range hoods. However, depending on your kitchen layout, you might be needing a 30-inch model. If so, the PS18 model from Hauslane might be the perfect match for you.

Modern Design

This range hood is a full stainless steel unit like our previous models. However, it has a prominent digital screen in the middle, adding to the overall modern look of this unit. For us, this unit is easily one of the most good-looking range hoods in the market. But it’s not just all for show.

Comes with Adapters

Hauslane is very versatile when it comes to installation. It already comes with three different adapters that can fit to round and rectangular ducts. This basically saves you the trouble of additional works during installation.

Three-Way Venting

This under cabinet range hood offers three-way venting. As we have mentioned earlier, it comes with multiple adapters. In particular, you’ll get a 6-inch round adapter and a 10 x 3 ¼-inch rectangular adapter, with the latter for rear venting. However, you will need to buy the exhaust ducting separately.

Not DIY-Friendly

Nonetheless, it still allows you to install the unit according to your kitchen layout without the need for additional drywall works.

Button-Less Control Panel

Hauslane has a touch LED display panel at the front. This panel is of course, smooth and button-free, so all you need to do during cleaning is wipe it. Because of the range hood’s location, their buttons are prone to accumulating residues from cooking, so being buttonless works to your advantage in terms of maintenance.

860 CFM with 6 Speeds and Time Delay

What about its power capacity? Among the three units that we reviewed so far, Hauslane comes with a whopping 860 CFM at maximum. You can choose from 6 speeds as well, so you can adjust it accordingly to what suction you need and what noise you can tolerate. And like the previous under cabinet range hoods, you can use the time delay system for added convenience.

Quiet Operation

At maximum speed, we didn’t find this unit too noisy. We still think it’s tolerable at 63.8 dB, which is comparable to restaurant noise.

Dishwasher-Safe Stainless Steel Baffle Filters

Overall, because of its high CFM, you can expect that it can extract all the residues we have from cooking. Hauslane also utilizes dishwasher-safe stainless steel baffle filters, so you can easily get rid of the grease that will accumulate in them.

Adjustable LED Lamps

Lastly, it comes with 2 LED lamps with adjustable brightness. However, the brightest setting is not applicable on delay timer. Nonetheless, their brightness is enough to give visibility on your range top. The only potential drawback is that we’re seeing some users getting other types of lamps that aren’t LED.

Hauslane Chef Series C400 – Editor’s Choice

Up next is another under cabinet range hood from Hauslane. But this time, we are reviewing the C400. We have some potential drawbacks with this unit, but they are not significant enough to affect its performance. Nonetheless, the pros outweigh the cons, which is why this is our top pick for the best under cabinet range hood.

Touch Control Panel with Digital Screen

Similar to the previous PS18, it is also a stainless steel unit without the buttons and, instead, has a touch control panel. It also has a digital screen that shows the clock on the extractor hood, which is a nice detail. Overall, we can say that the C400 is definitely a curvier-looking model compared to our previous ones.

3-Way Venting Options

Another similarity that this unit shares with the previous Hauslane range hood is the fact that it comes with a round and rectangular adapter. Again, this is a plus because it makes the unit much easier to install without the need for drywall modifications. It also offers top and rear vent options, which is a trend we see so far in this review.

6 Fan Ventilation Speeds

In the touch control panel, you can adjust the fan ventilation speed. The 750 CFM motor offers 6 speed settings to choose from. However, we don’t appreciate that you have to go through the whole cycle if you want to choose a different setting. But on the bright side, it still has the delay shut-off function for light cooking on a busy day.

Warm White Light

As for the lights, we like the two halogen lamps that this model uses. They produce a warm white light, which is not an eyesore and doesn’t make the food look unappetizing.

The only comment we have here is that the fan and lights are connected, so you can’t turn just one of them off without the other getting affected.

With Auto-Clean

Cosmo QS75 – Best Commercial Under Cabinet Range Hood

We are halfway on our review, and what we have here is the Cosmo QS75. If you are on the hunt for the unit that can remove odors and other nasty contaminants in a busy kitchen, you’re on the right product.

Convertible as Ductless

First, this range hood is an 18-gauge brushed stainless steel unit that won’t look out of place in a modern kitchen. It has a 7.5 round top vent, but what’s unique with this unit is that you can also opt to use it ductless. Although you still have to purchase the CFK5 carbon filter kit from Cosmo, it’s still a nice option to have.

900 CFM Capacity

However, unlike the previous under cabinet range hoods, you can only vent from the top of the unit as it doesn’t offer 3-way venting.

Quiet Operation

At the top is a backlit touchscreen, and you’ll have 4 speed settings to choose from. Depending on how much your kitchen needs it, you can adjust the suction accordingly.

How loud can it get? We can say that it’s louder than the previous units, which we expected because of its power. However, it’s still not too bothersome.

Dishwasher-Safe Filters

Cosmo also has an auto shut-off timer, which is extra useful in a busy kitchen. This way, you can let the unit do the job on its own and remove any residual odors before you call it a day. This under cabinet range hood also uses arc flow filters. They do a great job in getting residues, and they are also dishwasher-safe to save you more time and effort.

Lastly, Cosmo uses two 1.5-watt LED lights. They are nice and bright enough to keep your cooktop visible, but they are not adjustable.

BV – Best Ducted Under Cabinet Range Hood

Next on our list is another 18-gauge stainless steel range hood. This model, in particular, is BV, and it gives off a straightforward look with a seamless slanted design and satin finish. This is also our top choice as the best ducted under cabinet range hood if you’re looking for this type of ventilation system.

Stainless Steel Dishwasher-Safe Baffle Filters

Just like our previous units, it also uses stainless steel baffle filters. Again, they work at your convenience because you can just place them in the dishwasher. They are pretty useful in capturing grease, which is why it’s a plus that washing them is this easy.

900 CFM with 4 Speed Settings

If you need something a bit more affordable than the previous Cosmo QS75, BV is an excellent consideration. It also offers 900 CFM of power using its two motors. This power capacity is excellent, especially if your kitchen is busy. At the same time, you have the choice of 4 speeds if you need something less powerful.

As for the noise, the lowest is at 1.5 sones at 385 CFM, and the highest is ay 7.5 sones at 900 CFM. We expected this noise level considering the power of the unit.

Top Venting Only

And while this is our top pick for the best ducted under cabinet range hood, note that it’s only top venting and doesn’t offer other venting options. If your kitchen design is limiting you, you can check out other ducted units like the Hauslane C400 and Hauslane PS18. These models offer other ducting options, and therefore, are more flexible in installation.

Bright, White LED Lights

Broan F403604 – Best Convertible Under Cabinet Range Hood

Flexible Ventilation System

If you don’t know which type of ventilation system will benefit you more, you can opt with a convertible model. Our next unit offers the flexibility of being ducted and ductless. So if you want to have both options of ventilation system, take a look at the Broan F403604.

This way, you can get the benefit of both ventilation systems. For example, a ducted system is more “powerful” when it comes to purifying the air compared to recirculating systems. However, a ductless system will not require additional ductwork or potential kitchen modifications.

Ducted or Ductless

Under Broan’s F4000 series, the F403604 unit allows 4-way convertibility. This gives you more freedom in insulation because you can use vertical, horizontal, or round ducting with this unit. At the same time, you can also skip the ducted system and just use it with air recirculation.

Minimalistic Design

As for its overall aesthetics, it looks minimalistic and low-key. It uses buttons instead of a touchscreen, but nonetheless, Broan won’t look out-of-place in any kitchen. You can also notice that it has mitered sides instead of going with a continuous look. And it doesn’t leave any sharp edges on the bottom for added safety.

No Bells and Whistles Functionality

Compared to our previous units, Broan only offers 2 speed settings for its fan. It is also not as powerful because its highest capacity is at 190 CFM. However, we think this capacity is enough for most regular households, and it is also quiet enough at 6.5 sones.

What about its filters? Instead of using stainless steel filters, Broan opt for aluminum material in its filters. They are still dishwasher-safe, so cleaning their grease away is still not going to be tedious.

Incandescent Bulb

Lastly, this under cabinet range hood uses one incandescent 75-watt bulb. If you compare it to our previous units, you might prefer LED more. And while the incandescent bulb is nice and bright, you can replace it with LED since LED is more energy-friendly.

Cosmo 5MU30 – Best Value for Money

Our next under cabinet range hood is also an excellent consideration if you’re looking for a convertible unit. This is the Cosmo 5MU30, and we think this unit will give you the best value for your money.

Beautiful and Durable

For starters, Cosmo easily looks aesthetically pleasing. It is made from 430-grade stainless steel that is also 20-gauge thick, so you know that it is going to be durable in the long run. However, the main attractive feature of this unit is the fact that Cosmo sells a carbon filter kit. This means, you can also go ductless with this unit similar to our previous one from Broan. And again, this is a nice option for households who cannot have additional kitchen modifications.

Multiple Venting Options

And what’s also great is that Cosmo allows both top and back venting, so you’re not limited to your venting options. In fact, you are also not limited to installing this range hood under your cabinet because you can also have it against a wall.

Powerful and Bright

As for the power capacity, Cosmo at maximum is at 200 CFM with a 56 dB of noise level. It also offers 3 speed settings, all capable of removing odors and other air contaminants from cooking. Again, this power capacity is enough, especially for most household kitchens that doesn’t do a lot of kitchen work.

The unit also opts with two 3-watt LED lights, which are excellent in energy-saving than incandescent. However, it still boils down to personal preference since some users might argue the advantage of incandescent.

Cleans Easy

The control for these features is via buttons, and we found no problem in pressing them. And since Cosmo is using a stainless steel body, you can quickly wipe any potential grease easily.

Broan-NuTone 413604 – Best Ductless Under Cabinet Range Hood

Our last two units come from Broan-NuTone, and if you’re looking for the best ductless under cabinet range hood, this particular model is for you. If you’ve visited our buyer’s guide beforehand, you know that range hoods come in ductless, ducted, or convertible ventilation system. And some users might prefer the ductless units, since they are easier to install.

Hassle-Free Installation

Similar to the other Broan units in this review, this under cabinet range hood looks very simple, without much bells and whistles. It is made from stainless steel on all sides, so cleaning it is as easy as wiping the surface. And as we have mentioned earlier, this is a ductless model, so you won’t need other kitchen modifications and additional ductwork.

Unlike the earlier convertible Broan F403604, this range hood already comes with a charcoal filter. This is designed as “quick-release” and you can put it in the dishwasher for cleaning.

The Drawback of Going Ductless

Because it doesn’t have ducts that bring air outside the kitchen, this type of hood might be underwhelming for busy kitchens. Or if not, you might need to clean the filter more often to make sure that it’s going to perform at its best capacity. We would’ve also preferred it better if Broan opted in using two filters instead of just one. However, as an entry-level under cabinet range hood, this unit performs to expectations.

The fan is quiet, and it still manages to remove odors and some grease after cooking.

Incandescent Lighting

Lastly, the Broan-NuTone 413604 uses a 75-watt incandescent bulb. This might be misleading since the bulb is sold separately. Again, depending on which bulb you prefer, you might consider replacing it with LED instead.

Broan-NuTone 403004 – Best Budget-Friendly Under Cabinet Range Hood

Our last and the most budget-friendly unit in our list is another unit under the 40000 series of Broan-NuTone. This time, we’re taking a look at the ducted 403004 model. It is not convertible into a ductless unit like the Broan-NuTone F403604, so we recommend checking that model if you prefer to have flexibility in installation. You can also read back our previous review on the 413604, if your kitchen requires you to go ductless.

Basic and Quiet

Back to our review, this model has a 160 CFM power capacity that gets as loud as 6.5 sones. Obviously, this is very tolerable, and we can say that this maximum power if just enough for typical day-to-day cooking. You can install the duct horizontally or vertically, and Broan offers you two speed settings with this unit. We like that you will not be limited in venting options, and that you can get another speed setting for specific cooking situations.

Aluminum Dishwasher-Safe Filter

This model doesn’t use a stainless steel filter, and instead, it is made from aluminum. Nonetheless, it is still dishwasher-safe, so you’re confident that you can get rid of the grease from cooking. As for the other features in ducted models like the time-delay function and auto-clean, you wouldn’t see them in this unit. Overall, this model is a more budget-friendly version of the simple Broan F403604, without the option to go ductless.

Incandescent Bulb

What about its light? Unfortunately, the 75-watt incandescent light bulb is not included upon purchase. Some users choose to use LED instead, but according to Broan, incandescent is a better option in areas exposed to high heat.

Buyer’s Guide

Types of Under Cabinet Range Hood

We can classify the different types of under cabinet range hoods into the ventilation style that they are using:

• Ducted:

Ducted under cabinet range hoods, also known as “vented” under cabinet range hoods, are models that use air ducts to purify the kitchen air. These ducts transport smoke, odors, and other airborne contaminants in the kitchen. To give you a better idea, the pathway of these ducts start from the kitchen and then exits outside of the kitchen.

So basically, this type of ventilation aims to transport the airborne contaminants outside.

• Ductless:

Instead of utilizing ducts, “non-vented” or “recirculating” under cabinet range hoods suck in the kitchen air first. Then, they’ll purify it before circulating the air back into the kitchen, hence the name “recirculating” under cabinet range hoods.

Compared to ducted models that transport contaminants outside of the kitchen, ductless under cabinet range hoods purify the air themselves using charcoal filters.

• Convertible:

If you want a more flexible model, you can consider a hybrid between a ducted and ductless under cabinet range hoods. This way, you can choose whatever kind of ventilation system is more compatible with your usage.

Factors to Consider When Buying an Under Cabinet Range Hood

• Size

The size and shape of the model are first on this list because you have to make sure that it will fit when you mount them onto the underside of your kitchen cabinet. For example, the most common width of under cabinet range hoods in homes measure 30 to 36 inches.

Typically, this size is enough for the unit to do its job well and capture all the by-products of cooking. But before installing, make sure that you’ve read the manual about the allowance and other size requirements.

• Type of Ventilation System

Your ventilation system should match the intensity of your kitchen usage. For example, we recommend ducted under cabinet range hoods for commercial kitchens because they’re more “heavy-duty.” But if you don’t need that much power, you can opt for ductless types.

• Ease of Installation

Some people prefer to do the installation themselves, and it can be easy if your cabinetry and ductwork are already in place. Overall, your placement of the range hood should depend on your convenience afterward. For example, the lower your range hood is, the closer it can get to filter the air from cooking. However, it will also mean that you’ll be deducting on your available headspace. You might also need a deeper range hood if your kitchen requires a higher CFM.

• Power

You have previously read the acronym CFM, but how is it significant when choosing an under cabinet range hood? First, CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. Think of this as the power output of a range hood. Your cooktop will dictate what CPM rating should you choose when buying a range hood.

For example, if you’re going to use the range hood in a commercial kitchen, then you’ll want something higher than 1 CFM of airflow per 100 BTU. Otherwise, typical households with gas and electric cooktops wouldn’t be as meticulous with the CFMs of their range hood for it to perform well.

• Fan System

The fan system is also related to the CFM of the range hood. Commonly, a unit will have two motors and a fan system. Some might only use one motor, but having two will, of course, makes a more powerful airflow. Remember that the more powerful the airflow is, the more efficient your range hood will be in doing its job, which is to filter and get rid of airborne contaminants and odors.

• Ease of Cleaning

Since ductless under cabinet range hoods use charcoal filters, you have to be extra meticulous in checking and cleaning them. If you regularly use your cooktop, chances are your filter is going to need more frequent maintenance. But usually, once a month is enough for an average kitchen.

Additional Features

• Auto-Shutoff

Like with any other kitchen appliance, an auto-shutoff feature is a nice function for added convenience. You won’t have to manually turn the unit on or off, and you can also control what time you’ll need it to shut off.

• Heat Sensor

Another nice-to-have feature is a heat sensor. What this does is the range hood will adjust its own fan speed depending on the temperature. This way, your unit will always be efficiently performing in doing its job.

• Lighting

You might want LED lights for a more durable and energy-saving lighting. Since range hoods are already underneath your cabinetry, you might as well want it to provide illumination in that area.

• Filter Change Reminder

An alert when you need to clean or replace your filter is useful, especially for busy households that usually forget to check their range hood. Again, this will keep your unit performing efficiently, and even extend its lifespan.

Conclusion

There are many types of range hood, and each has its own advantages depending on your kitchen setting. However, placing them under the cabinet and directly above your stovetop makes it more efficient when it comes to removing odors, grease, and other cooking residues.

For us, our top pick is the Hauslane Chef Series C400. Right off the bat, it is a good-looking model that adds modern and elegance to any kitchen. It has a touch control panel with digital screen, so you don’t have to worry about scrubbing in between buttons during cleaning.

We also like that it already comes with adapters, and you are given with 3-way venting options, unlike most units that only allow top-venting. You can also benefit from the delay shut-off function to do the work for you after cooking. And as for the fan speed itself, Hauslane offers 6 settings that are all fairly quiet, so kitchen conversations are still possible. Lastly, it has some quality lights to illuminate your cooktop, and it can also clean itself to ensure a longer lifespan.

Overall, finding the best under cabinet range hood will depend on what is the most convenient for your kitchen. Maybe you want a convertible unit, or perhaps your kitchen only limits you with ductless models. You might also want to consider the size of your kitchen and the power of the range hood suitable for it. Nonetheless, feel free to revisit our buyer’s guide and create your own personalized criteria so you can shorten your list of options. 

Do you have any questions? Leave them below, and we’ll get back on you!