The only way to get proper ventilation in a kitchen is by installing a kitchen range hood. The sole purpose of it is to eliminate smoke, vapor and odor.
Kitchen range hoods can improve the air quality to a great extent. They are intricately designed to provide the best ventilation possible.
It will get very troublesome to choose the right range hood out of all the brands and types of kitchen range hoods. The current market is filled with brands competing with their “best ductless range hoods”.
So, which one should you buy? We have listed down the top ten best ductless range hoods in this article just for you.
Types of Ductless Range Hoods
Before purchasing a range hood, you should familiarize yourself with the types of range hoods and their function. Without a little bit of information, it would be very hard for you to pick the best range hood.
The different types of range hoods depend on the features and the layout of a kitchen. There are mainly four different types of range hoods. They have been explained below.
1. Wall Mounted Range Hood
The name is probably enough to make everyone understand the type of hood it is. This kitchen hood can be attached to the wall above the stove.
The wall mounted range hoods are installed with a chimney for better ventilation. There is an exterior wall behind them which helps the range hood to suck out unwanted odor, vapor and smoke.
2. Under-Cabinet Range Hood
Under cabinet range hoods are a sophisticated addition to your kitchen. Their sleek and compact design can turn any rusty old kitchen into a classy one. They are installed directly above the cooktop.
This type of range hood has two different categories. Ducted and ductless. A ducted range hood is compact and doesn’t take much space. It is effective in recycling smoke and vapor as well.
On the other hand, ductless range hoods take a hefty amount of space but it is very effective.
3. Island Range Hood
The island range hood is somewhat similar to the design of the wall mounted range hood. It is suspended from the ceiling directly above the cooktop.
There is no duct behind the hood. Instead of that, there is duct in the ceiling. It eliminates smoke, dust and odor from the air effectively.
4. Professional-Grade Range Hood
A Professional-Grade Range Hood is for those who want a powerful and effective ventilation system to remove toxins and smoke from their kitchens.
The built in fan with this range hood is very strong and the CFM is 900+. This is a commercial grade residential hood that can toxins and smoke from your kitchen in no time.
With that said, let's take a quick look at our top 10 best ductless range hoods for 2020.
Image | Product | Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Broan 413004 | Doesn’t make much noise Durable build Variety of sizes | |
 | Cosmo 5MU30 | Has 3 speed settings Available in 2 sizes | |
 | Zuhne Ventus30 | Easy installation Low noise design | |
 | Air King AD1248 | Compact design Has on/off light switch | |
 | Chef PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood | Has 6 different speed settings Includes 3 venting options | |
 | ZLine ZLKB36 | Smart push buttons Four speed settings | |
 | Kitchen Bath Collection STL-75 | Very quiet Strong build | |
 | Zuhne iChorus 36-Plus | Perfect for tall ceilings Powerful suction | |
 | Perfetto Kitchen and Bath 36 in | Aesthetic design Three speed settings | |
 | Broan Ductless 413001 | Charcoal Filter is provided Available in different sizes |
Top 10 Best Ductless Range Hoods (Review)
1. Broan 413004 - Best Overall Ductless Range Hood
Key Features:
Broan is back with their high quality kitchen range hoods. The price is pretty reasonable compared to the exceptional performance it provides.
The entire range hood is made out of stainless steel. Besides a sturdy and durable build, the design of this model is modern enough to make any kitchen look classy.
It includes a 2 speed motor fan which recirculates air efficiently and does not make much noise.
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2. Cosmo 5MU30
Key Features:
Cosmo presents their under cabinet range hood. Unlike other range hoods, this is a multifunctional range hood with a convertible design. That means, it can be used as both ducted and ductless range hood.
That is not the only feature it has, it also includes a 3 speed setting for faster air ventilation. It also has energy saving LED lights for easy operation.
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Key Features:
Zuhne Ventus 30 has been designed specifically for convenient and efficient use. Besides the outstanding performance it provides, the installation process is also very flexible.
The backlit soft touch controls are very responsive and easy to operate. The touch control, LED lights and baffle filter altogether form a powerful and modern range hood and that is the Zuhne Ventus 30.
It can also be used as both ducted and ductless range hood. For easy installation, all of the necessary accessories are provided.
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Key Features:
Air King’s AD1248 might not have a fancy exterior but its functions will absolutely baffle you. It is one of the best ductless range hoods currently available in the market.
The design might not interest you at first but it’s compact design and durable build is what makes it worth buying. It is made out of 23 gauge stainless steel and this model also includes dual rocker switches.
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Key Features:
Chef PS18 is one of the best under cabinet hoods available in the market. You might be wondering why? At the end of this review, you will get your answer.
Besides the ideal size and design of Chef PS18, the powerful mechanism and functions will amaze you.
It has six different speed settings along with 860 CFM power. The model also has LED lights with adjustable brightness controls.
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6. ZLine ZLKB3
Key Features:
Zline presents their new ZLKB36 which is packed with tons of exciting features. Considering the price and features of this range hood, Zline has totally outdone themselves.
If you are interested in buying a powerful yet compact range hood, then Zline’s ZLKB36 is the perfect fit for you.
It includes four speed settings along with a suction power of 170 CFM. Besides this, it also has built in LED lights.
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Key Features:
Kitchen Bath Collection’s STL-75 is a compact, stylish and affordable ductless range hood. Don’t let its size and price fool you, this model does not compromise with its performance.
The suction power is 412 CFM and it includes a three speed system. Best of all, it comes with charcoal filters and the two piece chimney can be adjustable.
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Key Features:
Zuhne’s iChorus 36plus is the perfect match for those who have tall ceilings. This range hood has been specifically designed for home owners who have taller ceilings.
The backlit touch buttons, incredibly powerful suction and easy to clean filters have made us include Zuhne to our list.
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Key Features:
Perfetto’s Kitchen range hood is one of the best looking kitchen hoods out there. Its sophisticated design can go with any type of kitchen decor.
Apart from its design, it has a power capacity of up to 400 CFM. It also has 3 speed settings.
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Key Features:
Broan kitchen appliances are a trustworthy brand, so don’t worry. Just like their other appliances, Broan 413001 will not fail to amaze you.
It can be fit anywhere without interrupting the decor of your kitchen. It has a protective lamp lens, smooth surfaces to clean and quick to wash filters.
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Best Ductless Range Hoods: Buying Guide
Before rushing into buying a range hood for your kitchen, there are a few things that should be considered.
A durable range hood with advanced features can be a pretty big investment. So, you might want to purchase the best range hood at one shot.
The factors that need to be considered while buying a range hood are briefly explained below.
1. Size
A range hood cannot provide proper air ventilation if it is smaller than the cooktop. There is no specific size for a range hood but it is a very crucial factor to consider. The range needs to be wider than the cooktop.
For example, if you have a 33 inch cooktop then your range hood needs to be 39 inches. Without the appropriate size, proper air ventilation is not possible.
2. Mount
There are several mounting options for a ductless range hood. It can be under the cabinet, against a wall or as an inside liner.
This is an important factor because you do not want to ruin your kitchen decor with the wrong mounting. Choose the right mounting option according to your kitchen decor.
3. Filter
There are two types of filters to choose from. The mesh filter and the baffle filter. The mesh filter is a kind of filter that grabs the grease using the mesh.
On the other hand, the baffle filter collects the oil and stores it in a tray. This tray can be cleaned afterwards. Both of these filters can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
4. Ventilation
Range hoods are designed to suck the oil, grease and vapour from the air and recirculate fresh air in an enclosed region.
Range hoods are perfect for small apartments and enclosed kitchens. Working without any sort of ventilation is harmful for us. So, the best option is to install a ductless range hood.
5. Height
The height of the range hood is a very important factor to be considered. The right measurement should be taken before installing it. Measure from the ceiling to the top of your stove for the most accurate measurement.
The recommended distance is between 28 to 36 inches (from top of the stove to bottom of range hood). Then from the total number subtract the recommended interval for your range hood.
The number remaining is the height of the range hood which is required. In this way, you can get the most accurate measurements.
Bottom Line
A good kitchen range hood can be a pretty good investment.
Air ventilation is very important specially during cooking. A range hood can recirculate and provide fresh odor-free air.
But there are a lot of brands and types to choose from. So hopefully after reading our review of the top ten best ductless range hoods, you can easily decide.