Are you searching for a top quality under cabinet range hood?
These range hoods installed underneath cabinets save space, are easy to install, and are very effective at removing cooking fumes.
In this product review, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for the best under cabinet range hood
- Three important tips on buying the right hood
- Pros and cons of all my top picks
Let's get started with this guide!
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
- 500-cfm
- 30-inches wide
- Backlit touchscreen control
- Remote control
- Delayed auto shutoff
- Two LED lights
- Steel baffle filters
My overall top pick for the best under cabinet range hood goes to Cosmo. This kitchen vent hood is made out of stainless steel, and also comes with two steel baffle filters. It comes with two bright LED lights for cooking illumination. This vent hood also features touchscreen controls as well as a remote control.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick  | Top Pick | 1. Cosmo COS-QS75
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| View on Amazon |
 | 2. Vesta
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| View on Amazon | |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | 3. Cosmo 5MU30
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| View on Amazon |
 | 4. Broan-NuTone F403004
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| View on Amazon | |
 | 5. Broan-NuTone BCDF130SS
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| View on Amazon |
Top 5 Best Under Cabinet Range Hoods
My top picks for the best under cabinet range hoods are made out of stainless steel (a few have black options), and range from a low of 160-cfm to a high of 860-cfm for the fan speed. All of the hoods includes lights, mostly energy efficient LEDs. Check them out below...
Cosmo COS-QS75 (Top Pick)
Vesta
Cosmo 5MU30 (Best Budget)
Broan-NuTone F403004
Broan-NuTone BCDF130SS
What Are Under Cabinet Range Hoods?
Under cabinet range hoods are a type of range hood that's installed on a kitchen wall.
These kitchen hoods usually screwed into the underside of a kitchen cabinet, and sometimes they are secured to the kitchen wall with brackets.
The nice thing about under cabinet vent hoods is that they save space. They usually have a slim profile, and these hoods allow you to keep your kitchen cabinet above the oven—keeping that valuable space.
The other main type of range hood that is installed on a kitchen wall is the wall mount hood—you can read my top picks for wall mounted hoods here. Wall mount range hoods have a so-called 'chimney' that goes up along the wall, and sometimes all the way up to the ceiling. Obviously, wall mounted range hoods don't work with cabinets in the way.
Read Also: What Are The Quietest Range Hoods?
What Is The Best Width For Under Cabinet Hoods?
The two most common widths for under cabinet vent hoods are 36-inches, and 30-inches.
It is important that your range hood is at least as wide as your range or cooktop.
And if you can buy a range hood that is a few inches wider, that is even better because it will capture more smoke and fumes.
Read Also: How To Install A ZLine Range Hood?
Are Under Cabinet Kitchen Hoods Ducted?
Another important consideration for buying an under cabinet kitchen hood is whether it is ducted or non-ducted.
Some range hoods are designed to only be for non-ducted (recirculating) or ducted use. Other range hoods can be installed either way. For these hoods, to make it ductless or recirculating, all you have to do is keep the vent opening blocked, and to install a filter that has a charcoal layer.
Discover If Existing Hood Is Ducted
If you aren't sure whether your existing hood is ducted, one way is to look into the upper kitchen cabinet and see if there is a duct. However, the duct may also be hidden and go immediately into the wall through the rear of the range hood. So I would also remove the range hood filter, and look into the hood enclosure with a flashlight for a duct.
And if you have the choice, I always recommend venting a range hood to the outdoors if at all possible. Ductless range hoods simply can't compete with vented hoods, they are much more effective.
Read Also: What Are The Best 400-cfm Range Hoods?
What Is The Best CFM For Under Cabinet Hoods?
When choosing an under cabinet range hood, picking the right CFM is an important factor in your buying decision—you can read my guide on picking the right CFM here.
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and it is a rating of the fan power of the range hood.
Most range hoods range anywhere from 160-cfm to a high of 900-cfm. Probably the most common CFM for home kitchens is around 300-cfm. I recommend that homeowners pick at least 100-cfm for each linear foot of your range. So if your range or cooktop is 2.5-feet, then I recommend at least a 250-cfm hood.
Read Also: Do Range Hoods Have To Be Vented Outside?
Makeup Air Systems
Homeowners should also be aware that in some jurisdictions, if you buy a range hood that is more than 400-cfm, you may need to install an automatic makeup air system. Makeup air is an automatic damper that brings in fresh air from the outside to make up for the expelled air from the hood. This helps keep the air pressure balanced in the home and prevents negative air issues that can even create carbon monoxide hazards if you have gas appliances.
Read Also: What Are The Best 36-inch Range Hoods?
What Brand Is The Best Under Cabinet Range Hood?
Here are my full reviews of the best under cabinet range hoods. Check them out below...
My #1 top pick for the best under cabinet vent hood is the COS-QS75 by Cosmo.
This 500-cfm rated (30-inch wide) range hood is made out of stainless steel with a brushed satin finish.
It includes a backlit touchscreen control panel, a remote control, and even an auto off delay timer.
This Cosmo hood comes with stainless steel baffle filters that are dishwasher friendly, and will last a long time.
There are also two 1.5-watt LED lights for cooking illumination.
Pros
Cons
This is a premium kitchen vent hood made by Vesta and it is rated an a high 860-cfm for strong suction power.
The Vesta hood is great for larger kitchens or when you need a more powerful range hood.
However, you may need an automatic makeup air system to safely operate this hood since it has a high CFM.
It is made out of stainless steel which is highly durable and easy to clean.
This Vesta hood includes a touch screen control panel, two halogen lights, and stainless steel baffle filters.
It also has 6 fan speeds together with an auto off delay feature.
Pros
Cons
The 5MU30 is a budget friendly under cabinet range hood made by Cosmo.
This 30-inch kitchen hood has a space saving slim profile which is great for small kitchens, condos, or apartments.
This sleek range hood has three fan speeds with push button controls.
The 5MU30 is also quiet, and it only puts out 56-decibels of noise at its maximum speed.
The aluminum mesh filters are multi-layered which provides superior grease filtration.
It can be converted to ductless with the extra purchase of charcoal filters.
Pros
Cons
The F403004 is a under cabinet range hood made by Broan-NuTone that won't break the budget.
This price-friendly kitchen hood has two speeds that are controlled with a rocker switch.
It also comes with a 75-watt light for cooking illumination (bulb is not included).
Made out of stainless steel, this vent hood is durable and easy to clean, and it is rated between 160 to 190-cfm depending on install.
It also has 4 install options: rear vent, top vent, round vent, or ductless (with purchase of carbon filter).
Pros
Cons
This is a premium under cabinet range hood by Broan-NuTone.
It is constructed of stainless steel, and it includes two LED lights.
The lights are energy efficient and have two intensity levels.
This fan is rated at 300-cfm, and it includes to micro-mesh aluminum filters for enhanced grease filtration.
It is also pretty quiet, and comes in at only 1.2-sones when on its normal speed setting.
Pros
Cons
My #1 Top Pick: Cosmo COS-QS75
My best choice pick for under cabinet kitchen hood goes to the Cosmo COS-QS75. Here's why...
#1. Nice Controls
This vent hood has a touchscreen control panel which is backlighted. And not only does it look and feel nice, it also makes it easier to clean. And in addition to the touchscreen, it also comes with a remote control so you can operate the hood in the living room.
#2. Stainless Steel
This 30-inch wide under cabinet range hood is made out of stainless steel. It looks great, but it also makes it tough and durable. The Cosmo hood also comes with stainless steel baffles which are dishwasher friendly.
#3. LED Lights
The Cosmo COS-QS75 comes with two energy efficient LED lights. You can use these lights to help you cook during any time of the day.
How Do You Inspect Bathroom Fans?
1. Suction
First step is to see if it is working. Turn the fan on, and place a single piece of toilet paper up to the grille to see if there is suction.
2. Exterior Vent Hood
Check the exterior vent to make sure there is air flow, that the damper isn't stuck, that there isn't a bird's nest inside, and other problems. All bath fans should vent to the outside.
3. Correct CFM
Make sure that the CFM or fan speed is correctly sized for the bathroom. Get the model number of bath fan and look up CFM.
4. Clean Grille
Bath fan covers get frequently dirty and need to be cleaned so air flow doesn't get restricted.
5. GFCI
Bath fans installed above wet areas like showers and tubs should be connected to a GFCI which is a safety feature that will switch off the electricity if it detects a voltage leak.
