Do you fancy cooking but are bothered by the smokes, odors, and fumes in your kitchen?
Range hoods are a great solution to help evacuate these air-borne pollutants.
The only problem?
Most range hoods require a fan to help accomplish this, which can create an annoying noise.
I firmly believe that cooking is an art and no artist can create incredible art whilst surrounded by earsplitting noise.
If you can relate to this, I have some good news for you.
A couple of months ago I, together with help from my husband Daniel, went looking for the quietest range hoods that we could buy.
You’re going to learn everything we have discovered. You can use this research to make an informed buying decision.
Ready to get started?
Note: If you’re serious about reducing noise in your kitchen space, you might love my ridiculously detailed guide on helping you buy a quiet garbage disposal that doesn’t break the bank.
1. Cosmo Under-Cabinet Range Hood
Are you looking for a stylish under-cabinet range hood for a small kitchen? Well, this product from Cosmo might just be what you’re looking for.
At maximum, it generates only about 56 dB of noise.
This 200 CFM range hood keeps smoke and odor out of the kitchen effectively.
If you’re looking for even higher values of CFM, you might try checking out ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood. It also helps save the walls of your kitchen from unwanted grease by trapping them in the two dishwasher-safe aluminum filters.
It comes with 3-speed push-button controls (high, medium, and low.) It is pretty sturdy and durable due to its brushed stainless steel. This range hood utilizes 430-grade stainless steel with a 20-gauge thickness to keep away heat, dings, dents, and scratches.
With the quick-release feature of the filters, it is very easy to clean and maintain the range hood. This ducted set can be converted to recirculating with the optional purchase of a carbon filter kit (CFK4).
Installation is also very easy especially because of the 2 exhaust ports that help fit in different homes and configurations. The two 3-Watt LED lights present under the cabinet increase visibility in the dark.
It comes with a warranty of 5 years.
There are a few negative points about this product as well.
According to a few users, the airflow is comparatively less when recirculating than exhausting. Also, since the body is made out of steel, it is prone to rust. It also requires timely honing.
Pros:
- Stylish
- Quiet operation
- Sturdy and durable
- 5-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Comparatively less when recirculating
- The steel body is subject to rusting
- requires honing periodically
2. Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Wall Mount Range Hood
If you are hunting for an effective range hood for a small to the medium-sized kitchen, the Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Wall Mount Range Hood might be worth looking into.
This is one of the quietest models in my list with a noise rating of only 65dB or less at 400 CFM.
This is a 30-inch wall mount cooker extractor range hood with a brushed stainless steel exterior. Its European Italian design enhances the overall get-up of your kitchen.
The push control buttons help regulate the speed. It provides 3 different speed settings (low, medium, high.) The two 2-watt bulbs illuminate and increase visibility at night.
The powerful 194W motor sucks any steam or smoke from cooking very effectively. The two mesh filters are dishwasher safe and remove all grease or smoke stains to ensure a perfect airflow and efficient ventilation.
The system is convertible from vented to ventless and vice versa. It converted to recirculating with the carbon charcoal filters that are sold separately.
The product comes with a 3-year limited parts warranty.
It does have its fair share of flaws, too.
A few users mentioned that the LED lights were a bit bluish which might not be appealing—though this is just nitpicking to be honest with you. My major gripe is that the energy consumption is slightly on the higher end, which might add up to your electricity bill expenses.
Nevertheless, its powerful motor, appealing design, and different speed settings make it a great product in this range.
Pros:
- Durable
- Interconvertible between vented and ventless
- Can be converted to recirculating
- 3-year limited parts warranty
Cons:
- Above-average energy consumption
- Blue LED light might not be appealing
3. ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood
This model from ZLINE is a 30-inch high CFM range hood that is ideal for a small to a medium-sized kitchen. It comes with a 4-speed professional motor with an industry-first lifetime warranty.
This is a relatively quiet model generating only about 52 dB of noise. It is about 35% quieter compared to Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Wall Mount Range Hood.
It facilitates external venting with an option for going ductless for recirculation. The dishwasher-safe stainless steel filters effectively eliminate grease and foam.
It has got a modern design to exemplify the beauty of your kitchen. The built-in LED lighting illuminates the cooktop from beneath the hood.
You can also go ductless with the charcoal filters that are sold separately. It is comparatively more powerful than the others mentioned earlier. It can have up to 760 CFM with the 4 different fan speeds to ensure appropriate airflow while cooking. The CFM value is about 60% more compared to Cosme Under-Cabinet Range Hood.
The product is HVI certified. The HVI or Home Ventilating Institute confirms that the product is reliable by conducting a series of tests. It also comes with a 3-year parts warranty.
Coming to the downsides…
The quality of the LED lights seems mediocre and could use some refinement. Also, the exhaust pipe is made out of plastic. Hardly a deal-breaker, but still, ZLINE could have gone with a sturdier material to increase durability.
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Appealing looks
- High CFM values
- HVI certified
Cons:
- Mediocre LED lights
- Plastic exhaust pipe
4. BV Range Hood Under Cabinet Range Hood
Are you looking for a range hood with a remarkably powerful motor for a smaller kitchen? The BV Range Hood might be worth considering.
With a CFM of 860, this model from BV is an absolute monster when it comes to motor power. It is about 75% more compared to Cosmo Under-Cabinet Range Hood.
But that does mean it inherently comes with a downside.
It creates about 70 dB of noise, which is a bit on the higher end. In case you wish to get a quieter model, you may check out ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood.
This 30-inch range hood can take away most cooking smoke and grease with the help of the dual motors. It comes with 3 fan speeds to give the optimum result as per your requirement.
The dishwasher-safe stainless steel baffle filters efficiently keep grease and fumes away. The appliance comes with 2 ultra-bright 2-Watt LED lights to assure perfect visibility at night.
The body of the range hood is made out of high-quality 430-grade stainless steel that makes it very durable. Its modern look just glorifies your kitchen.
The range hood comes with a 2-year limited product warranty.
It has its fair share of issues too.
It does not have the option for recirculating which most of its competitors mentioned on this list have.
The installation might be a bit tricky, but if you have help—it shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Pros:
- Incredibly powerful motor
- Reliable
- Durable
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- No option for recirculating
- Installation might seem tricky without an expert
5. Broan-NuTone Ductless Range Hood
Are you on the lookout for a high-quality ductless range hood? Broan-NuTone might come to your rescue!
This stainless steel hood insert gives a great boost to the ventilation and is ideal for medium to large kitchens.
The smoke and odors are completely removed by the non-ducted filtration system. The lighting over your stove improves visibility in the dark. It has a CFM value of 200.
The appliance is provided with a protective lamp lens that accepts bulb of up to 75W. The maintenance of the set can also be accomplished very easily since the charcoal filters are replaceable.
Rocker switches are included to control the lighting and select the optimum speed of the 2-speed options available. In case, you wish to have more choices in terms of the fan speed, then you may check out models like Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Wall Mount Range Hood.
This under cabinet range hood comes with a limited warranty of 1 year.
There are a few negative points to this product too.
It could certainly utilize a stronger fan for more efficient operation. Also, the noise emitted by the product is slightly on the higher end.
Pros:
- Effective incandescent lighting
- Easy to clean
- Appealing look
Cons:
- Mediocre fan quality
- Noise level slightly high
The Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Buying
1. Installation Type
Wall Mount
Wall-mount hoods are quite similar to under cabinet range hoods. The only difference is that they are attached to the wall instead of to the underside of a cabinet.
Wall-mounted range hoods are large enough so that they can completely clean the air inside the kitchens. They effectively remove moisture from the air and also destroy odor.
If you want to go for these types of range hoods, then the Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Wall Mount Range Hood is noteworthy of a mention.
Under Cabinet
These range hoods mount under the bottom of a wall cabinet. The smoke and fumes are expelled out via the ductwork inside an adjoining wall. They can either be ducted or ductless.
These are quite easy to maintain. The installation is pretty simple. They are budget-friendly too. It must be noted that the height of the cabinet must match the height of the range hood.
One of the best under cabinet range hoods in my list is BV Range Hood Under Cabinet Range Hood.
Island
These chimneys require no cabinet and are mount to and vent through ductwork in the ceiling. An important to note with regards to these types of range hoods is that it must be about six inches wider than the cooktop to ensure complete removal of funnel fumes.
They are very stylish and effective and come in a wide variety of prices. Here is a short video to illustrate the same.
![AKDY Island Mount Range Hood: Installation Tutorial (Type A) [How-To]](https://soundproof.expert/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F0rD9pmHi7Rg%2F0.jpg)
Credit: YouTube
2. The Power of the Motor (CFM)
Considering the speed of the motor is of paramount importance when it comes to purchasing the perfect range hood for your kitchen. It is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the CFM value that the range hood needs to have to suffice your specific needs.
The speed is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute) which determines the rate at which the hood replaces air. Generally, the higher the CFM value, the greater is the noise emitted by it.
The kitchens that have to do a lot of heavy cooking need to get a range hood with at least 350 CFM. If the workload is not that high, you may go for the lower CFM value containing range hoods.
From the products mentioned in my list, Cosmo Under-Cabinet Range Hood with CFM of 200 is great for the smaller kitchens. And for the larger ones, I would recommend going for ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood that has a CFM of 760.
| Type of Cooking | CFM per Square Foot of Hood |
| Light duty (Oven, range) | 50 |
| Medium duty (fryer, griddle) | 75 |
| Heavy duty (wok, fryer) | 100 |
3. Duct Or Ductless
Ducted hoods need periodic removal of air from the kitchen. Hence, the user has to judiciously decide the location to install them to facilitate the easy removal of the air.
These types of range hoods are connected to a duct with pipes that carry the airborne particles away from the kitchen to the outdoors whereas, in the case of ductless hoods, the air is just circulated through a filter and then back into the kitchen.
Ductless hoods give you more choice in terms of choosing the location for installing them. The filter often contains activated carbon or charcoal which helps to remove odor and smoke particles from the air and direct it back to the kitchen.
If you opt to go for ducted ones, I would suggest you go for Cosmo Under-Cabinet Range Hood and in case, you would like to go for the ductless range hoods, the best option from my list is Broan-NuTone Ductless Range Hood.
4. Noise level
Besides looking for a range hood that gives you an efficient smoke-free kitchen, it is important to note the decibel levels or sones of different products before jumping to conclusions.
Most of the noise from a range hood comes from the blower motor. The noise level of a range hood is always measured at its highest output. Generally, the noise is expressed in units called Sones.
There is a difference between Sones and decibels. Sones are linear which implies that 2 sones are twice the noise level of 1 sone and 3 sones are three times the noise of 1 sone.
Whereas, decibels are progressive which states that there is a very slight difference between two successive decibel values.
One of the quietest products on my list is ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood with a noise rating of only 52 dB.
Credit: https://www.grainger.com/
5. The Right Size
Getting the correct size ensures that the fumes will not escape to other directions except the ducts. This can be done by getting a range hood that has dimensions slightly larger than the stove to allow the fumes to directly get into the ducts and channel out of the kitchen.
It must also be large enough to keep the entire kitchen smoke free. If you go for smaller ones, they might not prove to be quite efficient.
In this light, I would like to suggest you go for Broan-NuTone Ductless Range Hood.
6. Filters
Filters make the range hood environment-friendly. The smoky air with an enormous amount of grease in it if directly expelled outwards can cause air pollution.
To avoid such catastrophic acts, it is necessary to have filters. The aluminum filters with mesh or activated charcoal soak up the grease and dry up the air to make it less harmful.
The filters are removable and hence the grease that gets stuck in the filters can be easily cleaned up and reused.
ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood comes with charcoal filters that completely remove the grease from the air.
7. Other Features
A good quality range hood is expected to have a few additional features to make the set more user-friendly.
The first feature that hugely benefits the users is LED lighting. This enhances visibility and helps users use if effectively even in the dark. Fortunately, all the products mentioned in this list contain LED lights to help the users view the control panel and buttons on board clearly at night.
Another lucrative feature is the thermostat. This helps to automatically turn on the device whenever the temperature of the immediate surroundings reaches a certain level. Auto shut off features are also very useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Many Sones is a Quiet Range Hood?
The lower the value of sones for a range hood, the quieter it is. Generally, the ones that generate 2 to 3 sones or 40 to 60 decibels of noise are considered quiet.
2. What is the Best CFM for a Range Hood?
The best CFM for a range hood will differ slightly based on the requirements of the user. If they are in need of a range hood with a powerful motor then it is wiser to go for higher CFM containing products for example 350 CFM. But it must be noted that the higher the CFM value the greater is the noise emitted.
3. What is the Best Way to Clean a Range Hood?
The range hoods can be easily cleaned by following these steps.
- remove the filters
- put the greasy filters in a bucket containing boiling water and baking soda
- Scrub the filters
- rinse them and let them dry
4. Should a Range Hood be Wider than the Range?
It is preferred that the range hood must be at least as wide as the range or cooktop and preferably 3 inches longer on each side. This allows for additional capture areas, providing more efficient ventilation.
5. Can I Install a Range Hood Myself?
It depends. In most cases, yes, this task can be accomplished without taking the help of the professionals. Here’s a general guideline on how to install a range hood DIY:
- mark the vent holes
- cut interior holes
- drill locator holes
- cut the vent hole in the siding using a reciprocating saw
- fix the duct
- mount the hood securely
The Bottom Line
Of all the products on my list, in my opinion, the best is ZLINE Wall Mount Range Hood. It is an HVI certified stylish wall mount range hood that is ideal for small to medium-sized kitchens. This 30-inch 760 CFM range hood is a perfect blend of performance, durability, and looks.
The first runner up is BV Range Hood Under Cabinet Range Hood. It is remarkable under cabinet range hood that uses a high-quality filter to completely remove the grease from the air of small kitchens. It has the highest CFM value (860 CFM) out of all in my research.
The second runner up is Cosmo Under-Cabinet Range Hood. If you are on a budget and looking for an under cabinet range hood for smaller kitchens then it is worth a look. This stylish 30-inch range hood comes with a CFM value of 200 and an easy installation process.