A modern home kitchen is not complete without a range hood. The best ductless range hood will help keep the air quality in your home at a safe level by sucking in most of the fumes released while you cook. The range hood sucks it and leads through an airway vent to the outside.
Traditionally, when people cooked with firewood, their outdoor kitchens had chimneys to direct some of that gas, and even then, it didn't do it so well. Today, most households use either gas stoves or electric cooktops. Sadly, they also release fumes, not necessarily as thick smoke but as steam, from the fire produced, from scorched saucepans or dishes, and the gases released as food breaks down.
Range hoods are the new age indoor ‘chimneys’ that safely discard unhealthy fumes and prevent that grease coating from forming on your cabinets. Exhaust hoods vent out the fumes, but nowadays, some range hoods in the market give you the option of filtering out the harmful gasses and odours instead. These are the ductless range hoods.
Alternatively, you also have the option of convertible hoods that can easily be switched back and forth between ducted and ductless hoods. The convertible hood, sometimes referred to as ducted/ductless range hood, has both venting configurations, and at times, the charcoal filters are included.
Most single-purpose ductless hoods can be installed below the cabinet above the cooktop. Convertible hoods are more flexible and can be set up in a ducted or ductless (either vented or recirculation) system. This means more ways to mount the hood, including under the cabinet, on the wall, or even a kitchen island ceiling mount.
In places where there's cold weather, sucking out and replacing air can make it even colder in your home, so in scenarios you want to keep in the warmth, ductless hoods come in handy. Since ductless hoods recirculate filtered kitchen air in the kitchen, causing minimal heat loss.
So, what would the best ductless range hood do best? And how can you tell which options suit you?
The Best Ductless Range Hood Insert
1. Cosmo 5MU30 Convertible Range Hood
- Built with cutting-edge technology and with the utmost care,...
- SLIM SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Slim profile range hood saves space....
- EFFICIENT YET QUIET: 3-speed motor, 56dB max. Cosmo’s range...
- SUPERIOR MULTI-LAYER FILTRATION: Durable reusable aluminum mesh...
- 3-YEAR LIMITED PARTS: Our customer support team is based proudly...
The Cosmo 5MU30 ducted or ductless hood is another range hood that makes it to the list of the best ductless range hoods. The Cosmo brand has grown popular in recent years for producing the bestselling convertible and recirculating range hoods. The Cosmo 5MU series comes in two models: the 5MU30 (30 inches wide) and the 5MU36 (36 inches wide).
The Cosmo 5MU30 convertible model features a stainless steel ducted construction with an option for a ductless hood with a comparatively high CFM rating. It comes in a slim, stainless steel design that can go right under your kitchen cabinet or hang on as a wall mount range hood.
This convertible range hood uses push buttons and has a top speed that draws odours at around 200 CFM. This is more than sufficient power for a recirculating hood.
To run the recirculating setting, switch the hood set up to release the air through the front gaps instead of the air duct, then install the charcoal carbon filters.
The 5MU30 comes with two mesh grease filters. These mesh filters are dishwasher-safe but only on low-heat cycles. Even then, a manual hand wash is the best way to maximise its lifespan.
Mesh aluminium filters can go for up to 2 years. On the other hand, charcoal filters should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage.
The venting options are both up and rear venting. Both vents each have a 5-inch round duct.
It also comes with a damper, also known as a backdraft damper, that should help prevent air from entering through the duct. It also comes with a 5-year warranty. It is recommendable that the hood should be installed approximately 24-26 inches above the cooking top.
Admittedly, this is an excellent option if you’re set on getting a convertible hood.
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2. Broan NuTone 413004 Ductless Range Hood
- HIGH-QUALITY DUCTLESS RANGE HOOD INSERT: Stainless steel hood...
- EFFECTIVE INCANDESCENT LIGHTING: A protective lamp lens...
- EASY CARE: Charcoal filter is replaceable so you can maintain...
- VERSATILE: Separate rocker switches control the light and the...
- IDEAL SIZE: Range hood insert measures 30" and should be...
The Broan 41000 series is quite an established line of ductless range hoods, but its legacy in efficiency precedes it. This particular model has a compact casing, consistency in performance and offers you multiple size choices to suit your home.
The variety in sizes come between 21 to 42 inches in width. The most common purchase is the Broan NuTone 413004 (30 inches), which is the most convenient size for a kitchen space. The Broan ductless range hood has a compact, under-cabinet frame that works best when mounted 18-20 inches above the cooking counter.
The suction peaks at approximately 190 CFM, and the range hood uses aluminium mesh filters to filter smoke and other emissions in the kitchen. The charcoal carbon filters take care of the fine particles and odours.
To clean, you can remove the aluminium mesh filters, but unless the instruction manual says it's dishwasher-safe, you can only clean it by hand and some warm water, baking soda and mild degreasing soap.
The Broan ductless hood has a spot-resistant coating that makes it easy for you to clean. You need a damp cloth to wipe the exterior. Installing the 4100 series is also pretty easy because all you need is the cabinet as the platform.
Like all models in the Broan 41000 series, the Broan 413004 ductless range hood has a 1-year limited warranty.
Overall, the Broan NuTone 413004 ductless range hood is a great value pick since it's functional, affordable, and has a great reputation that you can go by in terms of reliability.
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3. Hauslane Chef 30-inch Kitchen Hood
- CONTEMPORARY DESIGN: Whether you’re remodeling your entire...
- POWERFUL SUCTION: Lingering odors in your kitchen? A thing of the...
- SAVE MONEY W/ 3-WAY VENTING: Keep your project simple and save...
- HIGHLY-CUSTOMIZABLE SETTINGS: Customize its performance through...
- EASY TO MAINTAIN AND USE: Simply pop the easy-to-remove stainless...
The Hauslane Chef PS 18 comes with touch controls that are more responsive compared to manual controls. This comes in handy in the scenario where you are cooking, and your hands are all greasy. The smart screen control is easy to use and has an automatic off-switch.
This kitchen range hood comes with energy-saving LED lights when you only need to illuminate your gas stove or cooktop. The exhaust fan is 61.2 to 63.5 dB.
The range hood has a three-way vent on the bottom and back for maximum airflow. The body of the hood is made of stainless steel, and its exhaust fan runs at 6 speeds with a powerful suction that goes up to 860 CFM that is ideal for heavy-duty cooking, which includes steaming, braising, poaching, frying, sautéing and searing.
The range hood is also fitted with a removable baffle filter that is dishwasher- safe. To convert it to a recirculating range hood, you’ll need to get the charcoal filter to complement the steel baffle filter. More specifically, a UC PS16 filter should work best.
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4. Cosmo QS75 Range Hood
- EFFICIENT AIRFLOW: Featuring 500 CFM airflow, backlit...
- EASY TO CLEAN FILTERS: Cosmo’s ARC-FLOW Stainless Steel...
- Built with cutting edge technology and with the utmost of care,...
- ENERGY SAVING LIGHTS: The energy-efficient, 1.5-watt LEDs are...
- 3-YEAR LIMITED PARTS: Our customer support team is based proudly...
If you are tech-savvy and appreciate the extra high-tech perks and features that the technology can provide, then this is the convertible range hood for you. This Cosmo model is a heavy-duty, high-end kitchen range hood with an impressive list of specifications and features.
It has a stainless steel build that is 30 inches wide and offers you 900 CFM at maximum.
It has a touch control with 4 speeds, a twin fan, LED lights, a timer, and an automatic off switch. Additionally, it has a gas sensor that automatically turns on the range hood when gas is detected and has many shortcuts for the touch screen control. This kitchen range hood can also be activated by remote control.
It uses steel baffle filters that are durable, dishwasher-safe and easily removable; however, they require a little more upkeep, so you won't need to replace them.
The under-cabinet range hood can be converted into a wall mount ducted range hood with an impressive 900 CFM rating, an 8-inch round duct spacious airway with quality build and versatility that is hard to come by.
What's more, it comes with a 5-year limited warranty that you can trust.
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5. Cosmo 63175 Ducted or Ductless Range Hood
- Built with cutting-edge technology and with the utmost care,...
- EFFICIENT AIRFLOW: 380 CFM removes smells and odors with ease for...
- EASY-TO-CLEAN FILTERS: Cosmo ARC-FLOW Permanent Filters are...
- ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTS: The energy-efficient, 2-watt LEDs are...
- 3-YEAR LIMITED PARTS: Our customer support team is based proudly...
Here is another recommendable ducted range hood that can be converted to a ductless hood. The Cosmo 63175 will definitely win you over with its quality build, sleek design, and powerful performance.
The brushed stainless steel construction has a 30-inch coverage and comes with a chimney attachment to conceal the air pipe that runs on the wall up to the ceiling.
For control, it has five pushbuttons, and at its peak, the fan speed can go up to 720 CFM which works best for the ducted range hood mode. When you switch to the ductless range, then run it at low speed for air recirculation instead.
The Cosmo 63175 uses two stainless steel baffle filters that are more expensive but last longer than the aluminium meshes in other brands. They are made of stainless steel, which means that they are dishwasher-safe when it's time to clean. Alternatively, for a more thorough cleanup, you can hand-wash them.
For a Cosmo wall mount or kitchen island range hood setup, it comes with a circular duct pipe that is 6 inches wide and a backdraft damper. For the ductless kitchen hood setup, you won’t need the duct pipe or the draft regulator. Once mounted, you can insert the charcoal filters into the motor, and it’s good to go.
Like other Cosmo models, it comes with a 5-year warranty. This level of credibility, reliability and specifications makes the Cosmo 63175 a capable solid choice kitchen range hood.
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Ductless Range Hood
A. Cooking area size
As a rule of thumb, recirculating hoods should be the same or at least one size bigger than the range size to ensure that the hood captures all of the emissions from the stovetop for quality air in your home.
B. Carbon Filter
Carbon filters are vital in ductless range hoods. The filters help purify the air by trapping odours and invisible pollutants.
C. Suction Power
Generally, ducted range hoods have a more powerful suction power compared to ductless range hoods. Ductless range hoods have suction power ratings of around 200 CFM. The suction power is low by design compared to that of ducted range hoods since ductless range hoods filter and recirculates that air, thus requires less power.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Ductless Range Hood
1. Which are better, ducted range hoods or ductless range hoods?
Generally, ductless range hoods have lower suction than ducted range hoods; however, they are also less noisy. The cost and installation of ductless range hoods are relatively low, partly because it doesn’t require ductwork.
Ducted range hoods are more effective as far as the air quality is concerned because they suck out the odour and fumes and replace it with clean air in your home. However, in cold weather places, the sucking out and replacement of air makes it even colder, so in scenarios you want to keep in the warmth, ductless range hoods come in handy. Since they simply recirculate filtered kitchen air causing minimal heat loss.
2. Why should I consider a convertible range hood?
Convertible hoods can be flexibly switched to ductless range hoods or ducted range hoods when needed, giving you both venting configurations and more ways to mount in your kitchen.
