Wall-Mounted Range Hoods

Commercial-style range hoods work a little better and cost a lot more

Wall-mounted range hoods, long a fixture in commercial kitchens, are growing increasingly popular in homes. Compared to typical under-cabinet models, wall-mounted range hoods are much larger and more visible in the kitchen. On average, they also perform a little better. However, they are also far more expensive, starting at around $450 and often exceeding $1,000. Wall-mounted range hoods tend to be equipped with more powerful fans, as well as extra features such as halogen lighting and touchpad controls.

Another major difference between the two types is styling. Under-cabinet range hoods are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, and many are almost invisible. This isn't possible with a wall-mounted installation, however, because there's no cabinet to hide the canopy and chimney. Instead, most wall-mounted range hoods are designed -- with bold lines and gleaming stainless steel -- to stand out and make a statement: "This is the home of a serious cook."

The GE Profile JV936DSS (*Est. $820) is a 600-CFM range hood that performs well in professional tests and receives a Best Buy award from ConsumerGuide.com. It has four fan speeds, dual halogen lights and two removable, dishwasher-safe, metal grease filters. Its noise level varies considerably based on speed: on the highest setting it puts out 7.5 sones, but on low, a very quiet 0.4 sones (less noise than a refrigerator). This range hood receives very good ratings for its performance, noise level and features, but it also has one notable drawback. While wall-mounted hoods include a canopy and chimney, the GE Profile only includes the canopy portion. You can buy the chimney separately (for about $120) or you can hide the duct behind a soffit or small cabinet near the ceiling. The GE Profile JV936DSS measures 30 inches wide and has a stainless-steel finish; the GE Profile JV966DSS (*Est. $845) is a 36-inch version of this range hood.

If you want a range hood that includes a chimney, the Atlas Cavaliere-Euro SV218B230WM (*Est. $450) gets very good reviews from users. Although it costs only about half as much as the GE Profile range hood, it includes a surprising array of features: two dimmable halogen lights, six fan settings, electronic controls, an automatic shutoff and a filter-cleaning reminder. Although it sports a 900-CFM internal blower, it's still fairly quiet, producing 7 sones on the highest setting and only 0.4 sones on low. The Atlas Cavaliere-Euro SV218B236WM (*Est. $510) is the same range hood in a 36-inch width; both models are available in stainless steel only. These two range hoods receive 65-plus reviews at Overstock.com, earning an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Users say the Cavaliere-Euro is a good value, praising its looks, features and powerful suction. The two most common complaints about this model are that it is difficult to install, especially for a do-it-yourselfer, and that the display on the front is hard to use. As one owner puts it, "The buttons and screen are … intensely bright, and the screen is only viewable from a particular angle."

Another Cavaliere-Euro range hood, the SV218D30WM (*Est. $530) also gets good user reviews. It has most of the same features as the SV218B236WM, including the 900-CFM, six-speed fan. Its main difference from its lower-priced cousin is its distinctive, Art Deco styling. It is also available as the 36-inch SV218D36WM (*Est. $530); both models have a stainless-steel finish. Although these models receive only about half as many user reviews at Overstock.com as the lower-priced SV218B230 and 236WM, reviewers are even more enthusiastic about them than they are about the cheaper alternatives. The range hoods' stylish looks, powerful motor and good lighting all earn praise from owners. We also did not see the same complaints about these models that we found about the SV218B230WM. Both Atlas range hoods come with a one-year warranty that covers parts only.

Owner-written reviews at Overstock.com also provide a strong recommendation for one other wall-mounted range hood: the Windster H Series (*Est. $460), which is sold at Overstock under the title "Curved Canopy Wall-mounted Range Hood H Series." As the name suggests, this model's most prominent feature is a curved, tempered glass canopy, similar to the one found on the pricier Cavaliere-Euro model. It also has a three-speed, 600-CFM fan that produces 3.8 sones on regular speed, dual halogen lights, push-button controls and a dishwasher-safe aluminum filter. The Windster H Series range hoods (30 and 36 inches) receive about 35 reviews total from users at Overstock.com, with an overall rating of 4.5 stars. Most users consider the range hood a good value, praising its appearance and effectiveness. However, owners disagree about the noise level, with some saying the hood is quite quiet on the low settings while others find it unpleasantly loud on high. We also read a few complaints about the difficulty of keeping the hood clean, and a few users find the Windster's ventilation unsatisfactory.