The Best Cooker Hood 2022

The Best Cooker Hood

Designed for wall mounting, this chimney hood has a high air flow (718 m³ / h) while maintaining a particularly low noise level (45 to 55 dB on the first three speeds), which makes it the best hood silent in our comparison. As part of energy category A, this model therefore convinces with its high power, which makes it suitable for large kitchens, but also by the comfort it provides in use.

Offered at a very low price, this 60 cm wide under-built extractor hood can be installed under a piece of furniture, saving significant space in small kitchens. It operates, as desired, by external exhaust or air recycling, and offers three suction powers, for an overall power of 350 m³ / h. The control panel is simple, equipped with push buttons, as is the general operation of the device, which does not have to be encumbered with a large number of options. It is an interesting solution to equip a student studio or renovations on a low budget.

This hood presented in the form of a thin inclined panel goes completely beyond the framework of the classic hood that we are used to seeing. Its air flow can go up to 800 m³ / h, which makes it totally suitable for a large room. The panel inclination of 85 cm allows it to free up space and thus make its use more comfortable. Finally, above all, it has a double suction system, both central and peripheral, for greater efficiency.

our selection

Our Pick, Best Mid-Range	Best cheap	Best high end
Siemens IQ500 LC97BHP50	Bosch DUL63CC50	Falmec Verse 1420
Powerful with its five different operating speeds, including two intensive modes, this hood is above all the quietest of our selection. It offers a certain level of comfort thanks to two automatic shut-off functions.	Simple in appearance and operation, this under-insert hood fits easily into an already assembled kitchen and offers the most basic features. It is ideal, by its configuration and its power, for small kitchens.	Mainly chosen for its unusual design, this hood also provides good performance and easily adapts to the largest kitchens, thanks to a high air flow and double aspiration, central and peripheral.
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Honorable mentions

Ciarra CBCB6736N (€ 223.99 at the time of publication): An astonishing quality / price ratio. With its aesthetic vertical panel and a maximum air flow of 750 m³ / h, it operates, as desired, by external exhaust or air recirculation, and offers three suction speeds at a totally acceptable sound level. However, in the absence of really reliable data on the brand and its after-sales service policy, we preferred not to include it in our selection, although the user feedback is very positive.

Klarstein RGL60BL (€ 244.99 upon publication): Efficiency and aesthetics. This wall hood is decorative with its slanted panel shape. Its large glass front is organized around two panels, the upper part of which opens at the opportune moment to suck in the cooking vapors. Available in two sizes (60 cm and 90 cm), it has a maximum air flow rate of up to 600 m³ / h. It can therefore be suitable for a medium-sized kitchen and can also be adjusted remotely using the remote control.

Falmec Lumina 1420 (€ 1299 at the time of publication): 90 cm wide for good efficiency. This decorative wall-mounted hood offers four suction speeds, including an intensive one with a power of up to 715 m³ / h. It stands out for its power and efficiency, thanks to a well-designed peripheral suction system, but also for its particularly low noise level of 45 dB at maximum speed. Unfortunately, silence has a price, and that of this hood does not seem accessible to ordinary people.

How to choose your extractor hood?

Designed to absorb vapors and odors from your baking tray, the choice of an extractor hood is not to be done lightly. It is not only a question of comfort, but also of maintaining healthy air in your interior despite the more or less high frequency of your culinary exploits.

First of all, you should know that there are two possible suction systems:

• By external exhaust : this is the most efficient mode in terms of suction, but it requires the installation of an evacuation pipe to the outside, which is not always possible, if you are not the owner of your accommodation, for example. In this type of installation, attention must be paid to two parameters: the duct, whether flexible or rigid, must have the same diameter as the outlet of the hood, and must ideally start as much as possible in a straight line, elbows reducing suction efficiency and increasing noise.
• By recycling the air in a closed circuit : the cooking vapors are drawn into the hood, pass through a charcoal filter - to be changed approximately every six months - before being returned to the outside of the appliance. This type of hood is undoubtedly easier to install but its effectiveness is limited. It is therefore a system to be favored on small spaces.

Depending on the layout of your kitchen, you will have the choice between several different models:

• The chimney hood : it is a classic model of hood with external exhaust, fixed to the wall. Rather imposing, it is generally connected to a chimney or an evacuation duct, visible or not. The variant is the built-in hood, in the same way, but hidden in a cabinet.
• The suspended hood : this time it is an entirely visible model, favored for its design, and suspended above a central island. Depending on its location, it can operate with an external exhaust or in a closed circuit with a carbon filter.
• The telescopic hood : fixed under a piece of furniture, all you have to do is unfold the drawer for it to snap into place. It is a very discreet model, ideal for small kitchens since it leaves room for superior storage. It usually works by recycling the air.
• The hood cap : it is another model favored for its total independence, since it can be easily integrated into an existing and small kitchen. It fits easily under a piece of furniture and works by recycling the air.

This distinction made, other criteria must be taken into account when making your purchase.

• Suction power (air flow) : it is expressed in m³ / h and must be proportional to the volume of the room in which the hood is located. To find out what you need, multiply this volume by 10: a room of 10 m² and 3 m high will need a hood with a minimum power of 300 m³ / h.
• The sound level : it seems that the average is around 60 dB. Below this, the device is considered silent. On the other hand, above 65 dB, the sound level is considered uncomfortable. Keep in mind that just 3 dB less can give the impression of operation half the noise. So it’s the same logic in the other direction. Even if you don’t always run your hood at full power, the noise generated can quickly become very annoying.
• The size : the standard dimensions are generally 60 cm or 90 cm.
  At a minimum, your hood should be as wide as your hob. Ideally, it should even display 30 cm more (which is equivalent to an overflow of 15 cm on each side of the plate), to better absorb the vapors emitted on the ends.
• The interview : if we have specified that the charcoal filter of air recirculation hoods must be replaced every six months, it should be noted that all hood models are also equipped with a grease filter. This, usually made of metal, can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher, but there are also disposable filters, which are replaced after x uses.
• Fonctionnalities : the ideal is to have several suction speeds (at least three), to best adapt the operation of the hood to your needs without consuming excessive energy. Good lighting is also important and some people appreciate being able to adjust its intensity.
• Energy consumption : You should know that an extractor hood consumes a lot of energy, in general. To limit the impact on your electricity bill, be sure to adapt its operating speed to the intensity of the cooking vapors. In any case, reserve the Turbo function for short periods.

You should also know that there is a maximum distance recommended between the cooking plate and the hood, between 65 and 80 cm depending on the brand. If you are forced to a larger gap, the hood must be large enough and powerful enough to compensate for the escape of vapors on the sides.

Sources

1. What to choose, Comparative Extractor hoods - exhaust mode 2020, August 13, 2020
2. What to choose, Range hoods buying guide, August 13, 2020
3. Purchasing test, Choose the ideal hood (PDF), August 13, 2020
4. vandenborre, How to choose your hood? Tips and tricks from, August 13, 2020
5. Wirecutter, The Best Range Hoods on a Budget, August 13, 2020