Under-Cabinet Range Hoods

Inexpensive but effective

Although under-cabinet range hoods aren't as attractive as other types, they still have plenty to offer. Most kitchens are built with the required ductwork and cabinetry in place, and replacement is easy enough that many people do the installation themselves. Under-cabinet range hoods cost far less than other types and still outperform all but the best wall-mounted models. It's no surprise that under-cabinet hoods are by far the most popular and most often reviewed. The main disadvantage of under-cabinet models is that they require a cabinet directly above the range. Over time, wood cabinets may be damaged by steam and retain cooking odors, but this is often preventable if the range hood is consistently turned on while cooking.

Although most under-cabinet range hoods are plain and functional, stainless-steel versions are widely available, and some are more stylish than others. If you're restricted to an under-cabinet model but want a modern look, a slide-out range hood may be a good option. The hood itself is hidden in the cabinet and nearly invisible when not in use; when turned on, a slim glass or stainless-steel fan tray slides into position above your range's burners. Of course, you'll pay a premium for this technology -- basic slide-out range hoods start at about $350 and the cabinet may need to be modified to accommodate the hood.

We saw more recommendations for the Broan-NuTone Allure line of range hoods than we did for any others; however, we also read mixed or poor reviews that gave us pause. Appliance.com recommends Allure range hoods for their quiet operation, and all receive quite a few positive owner reviews. The Allure line of range hoods is sold in three series: the QS1 (Allure I), QS2 (Allure II) and QS3 (Allure III). All of these share the same sloped case design, have dual halogen light fixtures and can be used in a recirculating configuration for homes without ventilation ducts. All are available in white, black, almond, biscuit and stainless steel, and in 30-, 36- and 42-inch widths.

The Broan-NuTone Allure I QS130 (*Est. $170) is the 30-inch version of the QS1 line, the least expensive of the three series. It has a maximum airflow rate of 220 cubic feet per minute (CFM). It's a bit quieter than average, producing 5.5 sones (one sone is about as loud as a running refrigerator) on high and 1.5 sones on low. It has two fan settings and mechanical controls. At HomeDepot.com, the Allure I receives an average of almost five stars (out of five) in about a dozen owner ratings, but reviews at other websites are mixed. Most owners like that the range hood is quiet, and we saw quite a few compliments on its appearance, which is a bit more stylish than most under-cabinet models. However, a few owners report that it's unusually difficult to install, and several say that it doesn't do a good job pulling smoke and steam from the air.

The next step up, the Broan-NuTone Allure II QS230 (*Est. $250), is the 30-inch version of the QS2 series. It's more powerful at 300 CFM and a bit quieter (0.9 sones) on low speed. It adds a third fan setting, touch-pad controls and a heat sensor that turns the range hood on automatically. Owner feedback for this model at AJMadison.com and ABT.com is overwhelmingly positive; most of the reviews describe how quiet the fans are or how nice it looks. We also read a few comments that indicate this model doesn't perform as well as expected.

For an extra $80, the Allure III QS330 (*Est. $330) offers several additional features, including a 430-CFM boost speed, filter cleaning reminder light, delayed shutoff and glossy finish. This model is the 30-inch version of the QS3 series and receives a Best Buy award from ConsumerGuide.com, though the accompanying review gives no indication that the range hood was tested. The one professional test we saw for the Allure III was disappointing -- it receives one of the worst smoke removal scores. As with the other Allure range hoods, owner feedback is very positive at some online retailers and mixed at others. While most people seem satisfied, some owners at Epinions.com complain that it just doesn't perform as well as it should.

It's interesting to note that while the Broan-NuTone Allure range hoods are fairly powerful for under-cabinet models in this price range, they're outperformed in professional tests by less expensive models with lower CFM ratings. Several owners weigh in at GardenWeb.com's appliance forums and Epinions.com with possible reasons, including the sloped case design, which owners say allows smoky air to escape more easily. Another possibility is the placement of the intake vent. Owners at Epinions.com say the intake is located further back on the underside of the range hood than is usual to allow for the sloped case front. Since most people use the front burners more often than the rear burners, reviewers say this design may allow smoke and steam to escape without being sucked up by the fans. Because of these mixed reviews about the overall design of the Allure models, we have decided not to include them in the ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed section, despite the many positive reviews they receive.

The Kenmore 52340 (*Est. $200) is a mid-priced range hood that performs well in professional tests and offers a nice array of features to improve performance. The 9-inch high casing allows for a deeper canopy to capture more air than most under-cabinet models, and rather than being limited to two or three settings, the Kenmore range hood has a slider to allow infinite adjustments to the fan speed. At 360 CFM, it's more powerful than most and produces a fairly quiet 5.5 sones at top speed. It uses dual 75-watt incandescent bulbs for lighting and has an aluminum dishwasher-safe filter. About half a dozen owner reviews at Sears.com give this model an average of 4.8 stars (out of five). One owner notes that the infinite fan speed control isn't as useful as he'd hoped, and another says it is easier to install than most range hoods. The Kenmore 52340 is available in a 30-inch width in almond, white and black. The similar Kenmore 52440 (*Est. $215) is 36 inches wide, and the Kenmore 52540 (*Est. $230) is 42 inches wide.

If you're looking for a stylish under-cabinet range hood, the Best by Broan U102I (*Est. $650) is a top performer in professional tests. This range hood offers an airflow rate of 500 CFM, much higher than usually seen in under-cabinet range hoods, but at 10 sones (on the highest setting), it's also much louder than similarly priced models. It includes a stainless-steel, dishwasher-safe filter, as well as halogen lighting, delayed shutoff, a filter-cleaning reminder and a heat sensor. One unusual feature is the slide-out design. The U102I's internal workings are hidden in the cabinet in which it is installed, and the sleek glass canopy retracts under the cabinet when not in use. This setup is much more attractive than typical under-cabinet range hoods, but it is more difficult to install. Owner feedback is limited but positive thus far. The Best by Broan U102I is available with an internal blower in 30- and 36-inch widths. Similar versions are sold in other sizes and configurations in black, white and stainless-steel finishes. We couldn't find the U102I online; it is sold through dealers.

The Whirlpool Gold GZ7730XGS (*Est. $420) is another slide-out range hood that performs well in professional tests and receives a glowing recommendation from ConsumerGuide.com. Compared to the Best by Broan slide-out range hood, the Whirlpool costs about one-third less but has an aluminum rather than stainless-steel filter (stainless-steel filters are last longer and are easier to clean), fluorescent rather than halogen lighting, and lacks the delayed-shutoff feature. It's also much less attractive -- while both range hoods are available in stainless steel, the Whirlpool is oddly reminiscent of medical equipment. It does have one nice extra, however -- a sensor that automatically adjusts the fan speed as needed. As with all slide-out range hoods, installation can be tricky and may require an extra cutout in the cabinet. The Whirlpool Gold GZ7730XGS is available in stainless steel only and in 30-inch and 36-inch widths.

Range hoods are among the most recent appliances to go green, and only a few energy-efficient models are available so far. Broan's QDE series (*Est. $400) under-cabinet range hoods are Energy Star-certified and use compact fluorescent lights and a centrifugal blower to reduce power consumption. They are fairly quiet and powerful, drawing 280 CFM and producing 5.5 sones on high speed. One caveat is that while the QDE range hood is among the most energy efficient available, it uses only 564 kilowatt-hours less electricity than similar models over its entire lifespan. This amounts to a total savings of about $60, or $4.25 per year over 14 years. We were unable to find owner reviews for the Broan QDE, but this range hood was one of 13 products chosen by a panel of judges for Building Products magazine's 2008 Green Products Awards. Broan QDE range hoods are only available in a 30-inch width, and they come in white, black and stainless steel.

If you're on a tight budget, the Broan Economy 403001 (*Est. $50) seems to be well liked by owners. At 160 CFM and 6.5 sones, it's not especially powerful or quiet, but it is one of the most inexpensive vented range hoods available. It uses one 75-watt incandescent bulb for lighting and has low and high fan settings. The filter is aluminum rather than stainless steel (as seen in higher-priced models), but it is dishwasher-safe. This range hood receives overwhelmingly positive owner reviews at ABT.com and other retailer websites, though it's clear that most users posting comments do not have great expectations of this low-priced range hood. Still, the consensus among reviewers is that the Broan Economy 403001 range hood works remarkably well considering its price. The 403001 is the 30-inch white version, but it's also available in 21-, 24-, 36- and 42-inch widths, and in white, biscuit, almond, black and stainless-steel finishes. However, it cannot be converted to recirculating for homes without ventilation ducts.

If you must use a recirculating installation, Broan makes a ductless model that also receives good reviews from owners. The Broan Economy 413001 (*Est. $50) is identical to the 403001 except that it passes air through a charcoal filter and recirculates it back into the room rather than venting it outdoors. While this isn't nearly as effective, it does remove most cooking odors from the air. We read more than 100 owner comments for this range hood (in several widths and colors) at ABT.com and Amazon.com. Aside from occasional complaints about installation difficulties and dead-on-arrival units, reviews were entirely positive. The Broan Economy 413001 is the 30-inch white model, but it is also available in 21-, 24-, 36- and 42-inch widths, and in white, biscuit, almond, black and stainless-steel finishes.