Under-Cabinet Range Hoods

Inexpensive but effective: Under-cabinet range hoods

Although under-cabinet range hoods aren't as attractive as other types, they still have plenty to offer. Under-cabinet range hoods cost far less than other types, and the best ones perform about as well as more expensive wall-mounted models. Moreover, in a kitchen that already has the required ductwork and cabinetry in place, replacement is easy enough that many people do the installation themselves. It's no surprise that under-cabinet models are by far the most popular and most often reviewed of all range hoods.

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 it's turned on, a slim fan tray slides into position above your range's burners. Although unobtrusive, this design does take up some of the available cabinet space. Also, according to Choice magazine, slide-out range hoods do not remove steam as effectively as traditional hoods. We did not find any slide-out range hoods that earned particularly strong ratings from either professional reviewers or owners.

The Kenmore 5234 (*Est. $145) is a modestly priced range hood that performs well in professional tests and offers a nice array of features to improve performance. Its 9-inch high casing provides a deeper canopy to capture more air than many under-cabinet range hoods, 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. When mounted with a vertical vent, it exhausts 360 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air and produces a moderate 5.5 sones of noise at top speed. (One sone is about as loud as a running refrigerator.) It can also be mounted horizontally, but in that configuration it is both less powerful (350 CFM) and noisier (6 sones). It uses dual 75-watt incandescent bulbs for lighting and has two light settings. The Kenmore 5234 can be adapted to run in a ductless kitchen, although experts advise against using this configuration.

In professional tests, the Kenmore 5234 range hood is a solid performer, with very good scores for smoke removal, airflow and lighting quality. However, its noise level is rated only so-so. We found about a dozen owner reviews for this model at Sears.com, the only site that sells Kenmore appliances. Users give this model an average rating of roughly 4 stars out of 5, saying that the Kenmore range hood provides good ventilation and is quiet and easy to install. One owner notes that the infinite fan speed control isn't as useful as he'd hoped, and another complains that he keeps hitting his head on the large hood canopy. However, we did not see any consistent complaints from users about this model. The Kenmore 5234 range hood is 30-inches wide and is available in white, black, bisque or stainless steel. The similar Kenmore 5244 (*Est. $175) is 36 inches wide, and the Kenmore 5254 (*Est. $190) is a 42-inch range hood.

We found more reviews overall for the Broan Allure III (or QS3) series of range hoods than we did for the Kenmore under-cabinet range hood, but they are more mixed. The 30-inch Broan QS330 (*Est. $330), has three fan speeds plus an extra "boost speed" setting, which raises its maximum airflow from 300 CFM to 430 CFM. It runs at an extra-quiet 0.4 sones on normal speed and only 4.5 sones on high, and its two halogen light bulbs (not included) allow for three different light settings. Other features include delayed shutoff, a filter cleaning reminder and a thermostat control that switches the blower on automatically when it detects excess heat. This range hood can be vented either horizontally or vertically and, with the addition of a charcoal filter, used in a recirculating configuration for homes without ducts. In addition to the QS330, the QS3 line also includes 36-inch and 42-inch range hoods. All sizes come in white, black, almond, biscuit and stainless-steel finishes. (The Broan QS3 line is also sold as the NuTone WS3 line, but in a somewhat more limited selection of colors.)

The Allure III range-hood line receives a Best Buy award from ConsumerGuide.com. The reviewer describes these range hoods as quiet and powerful, though not necessarily powerful enough for "some high-powered commercial-style gas ranges and cooktops." However, there is nothing in the review to indicate that the range hood was subjected to any actual testing. An Allure III model also receives very good ratings -- around 4.5 stars on average -- from about a dozen users at AJMadison.com. Users praise the QS330's lighting, appearance, ventilating power and quiet operation. However, the one professional test we saw for the Allure III range hood was disappointing, giving this range hood failing marks for smoke removal. Its overall score is close to the bottom of the list for under-cabinet range hoods. Because of this lackluster performance, the Allure III does not earn a position in the ConsumerSearch Best Reviewed section, despite the positive reviews it receives from other sources.

The QS3 series is the top of the Broan Allure line of range hoods, which also includes the lower-priced QS1 (Allure I) and QS2 (Allure II). All the Allure models share the same sloped case design, have dual halogen light fixtures and can be adapted for recirculating use. All are available in the same range of widths and finishes as the QS3 series. The QS2 series, like the QS3, has three speeds and can move 300 CFM of air on high, but it lacks the additional "boost speed" feature. It is also a bit noisier, at 0.9 sones on normal speed, and its controls are manual rather than electronic. The Broan QS230 (*Est. $245), the 30-inch range hood in the QS2 line, gets good reviews from around 15 users at AJMadison.com. Most say that it is both powerful and quiet and provides good ventilation. However, some also observe that this range hood can be tricky to install.

The bottom-of-the-line QS1 series is less powerful than the QS2 and QS3, with a maximum airflow of only 220 CFM. It is also the noisiest of the three, producing 5 sones on high and 1.5 sones on low. It has two fan settings and mechanical controls. At HomeDepot.com, the 30-inch QS130 (*Est. $145) and other range hoods in the QS1 line receive an overall score of nearly 5 stars out of 5 from about 20 owners. Most owners say that the range hood is quiet and provides good lighting, 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 complain that the halogen bulbs are expensive to replace. Neither the QS1 nor the QS2 range hoods has been included in any professional tests.

Range hoods are among the most recent appliances to go green, and only a few energy-efficient models are available so far. Under-cabinet range hoods from Broan's QDE series (*Est. $365 for a 30-inch model) are Energy Star-certified and use compact fluorescent lights (included) and a centrifugal blower to reduce power consumption. They are fairly quiet and powerful, drawing a maximum of 290 CFM and producing 5.5 sones on high speed. One caveat is that although the QDE range hood is one of the most energy-efficient models available, compared to a standard range hood, it offers an energy savings of only 564 kilowatt-hours over its entire lifespan. This amounts to a total savings of about $67.50 (based on Department of Energy average electricity rates), not nearly enough to offset the $220 difference in price between the Broan QDE and the top-rated Kenmore 5234 range hood. 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 available only in a 30-inch width, but they come in white, black and stainless-steel finishes.

Recirculating range hoods

Experts advise using a vented range hood if at all possible, as recirculating models do not remove all cooking odors and do nothing to eliminate heat and moisture. However, if you must use a recirculating installation, Broan makes a ductless range hood that receives good reviews from owners. The Broan Economy 413001 (*Est. $45) is part of the 41300 series, which includes models ranging from 21 to 42 inches wide in white, biscuit, almond, black and stainless-steel finishes. The hoods in this line pass air through a charcoal filter and recirculate it back into the room rather than venting it outdoors. Hoods in the 41300 series have two fan speeds and a single-bulb light fixture that can accommodate up to a 75-watt incandescent bulb; it can also take a compact fluorescent bulb to save energy. We read roughly 70 owner comments for this range hood (in several widths and colors) at ABT.com and Amazon.com. Most reviewers consider these recirculating range hoods a great value, saying they are quiet, sleek and easy to install. Only a few complain that the hood does not do enough to remove smoke or odors from the air.

Another recirculating range hood that gets good reviews overall is the Kenmore 5334 (*Est. $35), sold exclusively at Sears. This utilitarian, 30-inch range hood is available in white, black, or bisque. Like the Broan 41000 range hoods, it includes a charcoal filter, two fan speeds and a single light bulb up to 75 watts. We found roughly 25 user comments for this range hood at Sears.com, with an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. In general, users say the Kenmore 5334 is a good value: attractive, reasonably quiet and easy to install. A few owners find it too noisy, and a couple object to the fact that a power cord is not included with the range hood.