Best range hoods 2021: Ductless and vented range hoods

Need one of the best range hoods to banish cooking smells and smoke from your kitchen? We’ve found all the best under cabinet, ductless, and vented range hoods from top brands such as ZLine, AKDY, and Broan. 

Designed to work over one of the best gas ranges or an electric cooktop, top-rated range hoods include a fan that sucks up cooking odors, smoke, and steam. For many, a traditional vented range hood will be sufficient, but if you aren’t able to have adequate ventilation installed due to the positioning of your range, the best ductless range hoods don’t require any external ventilation so are a great choice. 

With so many range hoods on the market, taking a look at the power each offers is a good starting point to help you pick the one for you. The higher the fan speed on each range hood, the more powerful it will be. This is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and the options in this round up of the best range hoods vary from 250 CFM up to 600 CFM.

Other handy features to look out for are bright LED lighting to brighten up your cooking area, and easy cleaning filters which are dishwasher-friendly. So, whether you need a ductless, an under-cabinet, or a standard model, find the best range hoods below to take your pick from. 

1.  ADKY RH0342 Range Hood: Best overall range hood  

The ADKY RH0342 Range Hood is sleek and stylish and features three fan speeds and can reach up to 400 cubic feet per minute (CFM). This wall-mounted range hood is great at getting rid of cooking fumes and odors and does this pretty quietly too. 

The filters on this range hood can easily be removed and placed in the dishwasher so you can keep on top of the hygiene levels. The ADKY RH0342 Range Hood is fitted with two lights, one either side of the filters which gives even brightness over your cooktop. One downside to this range hood, however, is that it is not Energy Star certified. 

• Read our ADKY RH0342 Range Hood review 

2. ZLine KL2-36 Range Hood: Best wall-mounted range hood 

The ZLine KL2-36 Range Hood is one of the best wall-mounted range hoods. It provides ample power for removing cooking smoke and steam, and its fan can reach 400 cubic feet per minute. 

This range hood has four fan speeds and comes with two 16-inch telescoping chimney pieces. The standout feature for this wall-mounted range hood, though, is that its motor has a lifetime warranty. The lights included with this range hood are also LED and are great for lighting up the area beneath them. 

One thing that is worth considering, however, is that the ZLine KL2-36 Range Hood isn’t coated in an anti-fingerprint finish so it is prone to showing marks and can be challenging to keep clean. 

• Read our ZLine KL2-36 Range Hood review  

3. Broan CLSC130SS Undercabinet Range Hood: Best under-cabinet range hood 

The Broan CLSC130SS Undercabinet Range Hood measures 30 inches and reaches 250 cubic feet per minute. While this certainly isn’t the most powerful range hood we reviewed, it is the most affordable option, and for the price you pay, you get a quality range hood. 

The other benefit of this model is that it doesn’t take up as much space as a wall-mounted range hood and as the leading range hoods have, the filters can easily be removed so that you can give them a good clean in the dishwasher. 

The switches on the Broan CLSC130SS Undercabinet Range Hood are positioned on the underside of the unit, rather than on the front, which might be frustrating for some users. 

• Read our Broan CLSC130SS Undercabinet Range Hood review  

4. Frigidaire FHPC4260LS Range Hood: Best large range hood  

The Frigidaire FHPC4260LS Range Hood is the largest model in our round up. It stretches 42 inches, making it a great choice for cooktops that have six burners. 

The fan has three speed settings and it reaches 400 cubic feet per minute, but what’s really great about this range hood is that it has four lights to make your cooking area as bright as possible. 

There’s also the flexibility with the Frigidaire FHPC4260LS Range Hood to install it over a kitchen island in either a vented or ductless way. Noise levels for this range hood are also typical for what you’d expect from a three-speed range hood. 

• Read our Frigidaire FHPC4260LS Range Hood review  

5. Maytag UXD8630DYS Downdraft Hood: Best downdraft hood 

The Maytag UXD8630DYS Downdraft Hood doesn’t need to be mounted on the wall or under a cabinet but instead is a fantastic space saving device that can slide up and down behind your cooktop. 

This downdraft hood is the most powerful out of all the models we reviewed reaching 600 cubic feet per minute. The Maytag UXD8630DYS Downdraft Hood can rise to 14 inches high to remove smoke and odors when you’re preparing a meal and its fan has four speeds. 

This clever technology doesn’t come cheap though, and the price will be a drawback for many. 

• Read our Maytag UXD8630DYS Downdraft Hood review 

Are range hoods necessary?

Range hoods collect the fumes and grease from your cooking, and they help keep your home from smelling terrible when you burn something. Although range hoods may not be required, they can accent your decor while providing ventilation and, depending on the model, excellent filtration. With hundreds of options and styles to choose from, it can be hard to find the right look and level of filtration. Read on for the features you should consider when choosing a range hood.