Range Hoods Review

Comparing reviews of range hoods

Range hoods may not be the trendiest of kitchen appliances, but they serve an important purpose by reducing steam, smoke and odors that can damage cabinets and reduce air quality. Most are installed unobtrusively under a cabinet above the stove and use a fan to pull air up through ductwork that vents outdoors. Downdraft and recirculating range hoods are also available and, though less effective overall, can help clear the air when outside venting through a wall or roof is impossible. Although homeowners sometimes overlook the range hood when updating a kitchen, experts say that there really is a significant difference between brands and models, and it makes sense to research your options before buying.

The most credible review on range hoods we found comes from ConsumerReports.org, which tests and rates almost 30 range hoods in several categories. Although the report is now a few years old, range hoods aren't replaced by newer models as frequently as other appliances, and most rated hoods are still available. ConsumerGuide.com also reviews range hoods, but there's no indication that the rated models have undergone testing. Still, the reviews are critical and include a detailed discussion of features and value. We also found professional recommendations for range hoods in Building Products magazine and at Appliance.com.

While expert reviews give the most accurate snapshot of a range hood's performance (at least in the short term), owner comments posted at retail and review sites provide valuable insight into practical considerations. Reliability, ease of use and installation, and long-term performance aren't usually addressed in professional reviews of range hoods, but owners often post comments that touch on these important details. Of course, owner reviews vary in depth and detail, but we found quite a few useful comments for specific models at sites like Abt.com, AJMadison.com, Sears.com and Overstock.com. GardenWeb.com's appliance forum is also worth a look, especially if you're considering a luxury range hood.

Broan-NuTone, which also makes Kenmore and Zephyr range hoods, all but owns the home-ventilation market in North America. According to the company, nearly 90 percent of range hoods and bathroom fans sold in the U.S. are produced by the ventilation giant, which has been making range hoods since the 1930s. Broan-NuTone manufactures a huge variety of range hoods across all price ranges, from the basic Broan Economy 413001 (*Est. $50) to the ultra-modern Zephyr Europa Torino ZTR-M90S (*est. $3,400). Owners often report buying a Broan range hood because it's the obvious choice, and most seem satisfied with their purchases. However, it's questionable whether the obvious choice in range hoods is the best choice.

Because Broan-NuTone manufactures so many different brands and lines of range hoods, it's hard to draw conclusions about the company as a whole. Some models, like the Best by Broan U102I (*est. $650) are top performers in expert reviews, while others do very poorly. The Broan-NuTone Allure III QS330 (*Est. $330) is an especially popular range hood that receives mostly good owner reviews, but in one professional test, it receives a lower score for smoke removal than any other model save one -- another Broan range hood. Some owners attribute the Allure III's poor performance to its sloped front, which they say prevents smoke and steam from being sucked up by the fans. However, several Broan and Broan-NuTone range hoods without the sloped design demonstrate similar performance problems in tests. For these reasons, we considered reviews of Broan range hoods individually, rather than as a brand.