Kenmore 52340

Kenmore offers a wide variety of range hoods, some manufactured by Broan-NuTone and others by Venmar Ventilation. Most perform well, but the Kenmore 52340 stands out in reviews -- it receives better scores in formal testing and is less expensive than models with similar cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) ratings, which measure ventilation strength. As with most under-cabinet models, this range hood isn't particularly attractive, and it doesn't include a lot of extras. The lighting is incandescent rather than halogen, and the 52340 lacks the heat sensor and delayed shutoff included in more expensive models. On the other hand, it's not too loud and it draws 360 CFM (more than most under-cabinet range hoods). If you don't need this much power, the 160-CFM Broan Economy 403001 (*Est. $50) is much less expensive and is rated highly by owners. The Kenmore 52340 is available in white, almond and black in a 30-inch width. Kenmore makes similar range hoods in 36-inch and 42-inch widths.

Among professional reviews, the Kenmore 52340 is included in ConsumerReports.org's 2006 range hood report. This review is a few years old but remains useful because range hoods evolve slowly and specific models are rarely retired or replaced. As with most range hoods, there are a limited number of user ratings for this model, but we did find several at Sears.com.