Range Hoods: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentEditors of Australia's Choice magazine test and rate 10 canopy (wall chimney) range hoods based on performance, noise and ease of use. Information on the cost and frequency of carbon filter replacement is also included for each model. Although some of the manufacturers of the reviewed range hoods, such as Bosch and Miele, also make range hoods in the U.S., the recommended models are sold only in Australia and New Zealand.

Our AssessmentAt Amazon.com, owner reviews for range hoods are mixed in with filters and other accessories, making the site harder to navigate than some. Most range hoods here don't receive ratings, but about a dozen models receive a handful of reviews each. Unfortunately, the ratings can be misleading -- some reviews discuss Amazon.com Marketplace sellers rather than the range hoods.

Our AssessmentThis article, originally published in Building Products magazine, highlights the magazine's 2008 Green Products Awards. Products were chosen in several categories, based on specifications and information packets provided by manufacturers. The Broan-NuTone QDE series is the winner in the range hoods category.

Our AssessmentMost of the owner reviews for range hoods here are for Kenmore models, which are sold exclusively at Sears. Although most reviewed range hoods have only two or three owner comments, a few have 10 or more. As at ABT.com, different colors for the same range hood model are listed separately, so you must check each color to see all the reviews.

Our AssessmentAbout 20 range hoods are reviewed at ConsumerGuide.com, a dozen of which receive either Best Buy or Budget Buy awards. The reviews date from July 2004 to August 2008. The reviews are critical and detailed, with plenty of information on how specific features work. However, it's unclear whether the reviewed range hoods have actually been tested or not. It's also unclear why certain models are selected as Best Buys over others that receive equal or higher scores. One Best Buy receives an overall score of only 2 points out of a possible 5, while several models with scores of 4 out of 5 are not recommended.

Our AssessmentHomeDepot.com is a frustrating site. Although it is easy to search for and view categories of products, such as range hoods, the site does not show the number of reviews or the overall rating each model has received. Thus, to find the top-rated models, you must click on each product page in turn -- an incredibly laborious process when there are hundreds of products to view. Also, like many sites, HomeDepot.com lists each color separately, so you must check out several product pages to see all the reviews for a given range hood. Finally, most individual models of range hoods receive only a few reviews, and the comments are a mixed bag. Some are quite detailed and reflect months of use; others simply say "nice product."

Our AssessmentOwner reviews at BestBuy.com tend to be more detailed than others, which generally makes it a good site to check when shopping for appliances. Owners are asked to list pros and cons and say whether they would recommend the range hood to a friend. Unfortunately, although Best Buy sells more than 150 models of range hoods, the few that receive owner reviews have only one or two comments each.

Our AssessmentThis high-traffic discussion board is a popular online meeting place for appliance enthusiasts. Although range hoods aren't as frequently discussed as other appliances, there are several useful threads here that compare high-end brands.