Do you want to the find the best downdraft range hood?
In this guide, you'll discover:
- Our #1 top pick for downdraft range hoods
- Do they need to be vented?
- Tips on picking the right hood
- And more!
As a licensed property inspector, I have seen a number of downdraft hoods over the years, but they are still pretty rare!
The best part about downdraft hoods is that they take up minimal space, and sometimes they even rise up out of the countertop.
Downdraft range hoods provide a compact and elegant way to exhaust cooking fumes from an island cooktop or kitchens with very tall ceilings.
Below is a quick list of all our top downdraft hoods. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best downdraft vent hoods.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick  | Top Pick | Broan-Nutone Eclipse
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Zephyr Europa
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Broan Elite Rangemaster
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Best D49M30SB
|
| View on AJ Madison | |
Best Look  | Best Look | Viking VDD5300SS
|
| View on AJ Madison |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On January 2, 2023
- 500-cfm fan speed (great for most kitchens)
- Stainless steel for durability
- Compact & space saving
My overall top pick for the best downdraft range hood goes to the Broan-Nutone Eclipse. This 36-inch downdraft range hood is rated at 500-cfm which is more than enough power for most kitchens. Due to its design, it is highly compact and will save space — great for island cooktops or kitchens with tall ceilings. It is also made of stainless steel for a durable finish.
Top 5 Best Downdraft Range Hoods
Are you in a hurry? Check out our top 5 downdraft range hoods below! Keep reading for a complete reviews of the top picks.
What Is A Downdraft Range Hood?
A downdraft range hood is a type of kitchen exhaust appliance that is motorized to rise up next to a kitchen cooktop. They are usually rectangular in shape and thin in appearance.
Downdraft range hoods can rise up next to a cooktop anywhere from a low of 7-inches and all the way up to around 19-inches.
When a downdraft range hood is near the cooktop (rather than overhead), it pulls the fumes into a vent underneath the cabinet, and from there either to a side wall or under the floor to the outside.
Some downdraft range hoods come with LED lighting which adds a nice touch of illumination to your kitchen cooktop. These LED lights can have different levels of intensity. LEDs are also compact and incredibly energy-efficient.
Downdraft range hoods are generally in the range of 500 to 750 cfm (fan speed).
Some downdraft range hoods can also be connected to remote controls so you can turn it on or off even when you are in another room.
Read Also >> What Are The Code Requirements For Range Hood Venting?
Do Downdraft Ranges Need To Be Vented?
Most range hoods can be converted to be ductless or recirculating if you had a charcoal filter instead of the conventional mesh filter.
However, all of the downdraft range hoods I have reviewed are not rated to be recirculating. They all need to be vented or discharged to the outside.
And none of the manufacturers make charcoal filters for these downdraft range hoods.
It is also healthier and better for your kitchen if you exhaust all of the smoke, grease, and fumes to the outside rather than recirculating it.
Read Also >> How Do You Vent A Range Hood Through A Wall?
Are Downdraft Range Hoods Effective?
Downdraft range hoods can be highly effective at removing smoke, odors, and grease from your kitchen.
However, due to their design, they will never be equal in performance to overhead range hoods.
This is because downdraft range hoods have to suck in the fumes from the side even though the fumes are rising straight up. Basically, the cooking fumes farther away from the range hood won't be removed as effectively as the fumes closer to the appliance.
Read Also >> How To Pick The CFM (Fan Speed) For A Range Hood?
What Is The Best Downdraft Range Hood?
Here are my full reviews (with their pros and cons) of the top rated downdraft range hoods. Check it out below...
The Eclipse by Broan-Nutone is a high quality downdraft range hood that is compatible with almost all kitchen cooktops.
It is made of durable stainless steel so it will last for a long time and hold up to acids and kitchen grease.
The adjustable speed control is flush on the side of the range hood for a nice look.
The 36-inch Eclipse is rated at 500-cfm which is more than enough power for most kitchens.
- 500-cfm
- Stainless steel
- Compact and space saving
- Noisy
The Europa by Zephyr is a premium 36-inch downdraft range hood which is great for kitchens with very tall ceilings or island ranges. This range hood has a stainless steel finish for a great look and for durability.
One great feature of the Zephyr is that it has heat sensors which will increase your range hood fan speed automatically when it senses more heat.
It also has an auto delay off feature so it will turn off automatically. The Zephyr is rated at 500-cfm which is more than enough power for most kitchens.
- 500-cfm
- Automatic heat sensor
- Auto delay off
- Stainless steel finish
- Minimal customer reviews
The Elite Rangemaster by Broan is a great addition to any cooktop where a conventional range hood is not possible. This 500-cfm downdraft range hood is made of stainless steel for a durable and long lasting finish.
It features a heat sentry mode which means the blowers will automatically speed up when it detects an increase in heat. You can also buy an optional remote control with this 30-inch range hood.
It will also range a high of 9.5-inches which is great for when you are using tall pots and pans.
- Stainless steel
- Rises 9.5-inches for large pots
- 500-cfm
- Heat sentry
- Minimal customer reviews
The D49M is a premium downdraft range hood by Best that will capture smoke and grease from your cooktop. This range hood has two LED lights to give you some extra illumination for your cooking area.
It will also rise to a very tall height of 18-inches to capture all of your cooking fumes and from tall pots.
The D49M includes a heat sentry mode which will automatically increase fan speed when it detects extra heat.
You can also buy an optional remote to control this range hood from a separate room. It is four speeds with a glass touch control panel. You must buy a separate blower for this unit (not included).
- Heat sentry mode
- LED lighting
- Tall rise of 18-inches
- Glass touch controls
- Must buy separate blower
The VDD5 is an ultra premium downdraft range hood by world renowned Viking.
This range hood will rise to a tall height of 18-inches which is great to capture smoke and grease from tall pots and pans. It features a two level LED lighting system to add some extra illumination in your kitchen.
The VDD5 also has heat sentry mode which will automatically increase blower speed based on heat.
It has a brushes stainless steel cover for extra durability and for a great look. The fan is four speeds and it has a control panel on the top and on the side of the range hood.
- Heat sentry mode
- LED lighting
- Tall 18-inch height
- Brushed stainless steel cover
- Pricey
- Minimal customer reviews
