Best Range Hoods of 2025

Vented range hoods come in two basic styles: under-cabinet and wall-chimney. In our tests, models of each type have performed extremely well, and the shape doesn’t matter. The models below are a mix of the two styles. Each range hood was among the fastest at moving air and most effective at clearing smoke. 

As the name suggests, under-cabinet range hoods are installed under a wall-mounted cabinet, which conceals the ductwork that runs from the top of the hood and through an exterior wall. These hoods are rectangular, resembling the shape of a DVD player, and the vast majority are 30 inches wide, matching the width of most ranges.

Wall-chimney range hoods (also called wall-mount range hoods) include a chimney, usually made of stainless steel. The chimney is used to hide the ductwork, and most people choose to run the chimney to the ceiling for aesthetics, even if the ductwork exhausts out at a lower point. The hoods themselves vary considerably in design—most are metal but some use elements of glass or wood—though they’re typically 30 inches wide to match the width of most stoves.

Smoke is inherently hard to control, so our test engineers built a custom jig that uses a smoke machine to produce controlled quantities of smoke for our tests. The jig holds each range hood at the same height as we fill the area with smoke for 10 seconds. Then we turn on the hood and film the area as each hood works to clear the air, allowing our expert engineers to watch and make visual assessments about which models do the best job. 

We also measure the pressure exerted by the total airflow at the end of a standardized duct to calculate which models move the largest volume of air within a controlled amount of time on each setting. “Models that move air faster will clear smoke faster,” says Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer in charge of range hood testing. A model needs to clear the air both effectively and quickly to score well in our range-hood ratings for both smoke and volume. (Those with strong marks for smoke will work effectively but won’t clear the air as fast as those that also earn high marks for volume. Finally, we use a noise meter just below the hood to see how loud the range hood is, at a height chosen to simulate where a user’s ears might be while cooking.

The typical installation for a vented range hood—one that exhausts air to the outside—requires cutting through exterior walls, running ductwork, and in most cases, adding cabinetry or a soffit to conceal the ductwork. It’s possible to replace an existing range hood after it dies, but your choices are limited, given that you must choose a model that uses ducting of the same diameter.

If your range hood is struggling to clear the air, try cleaning or replacing the existing filters, because a dirty filter can restrict airflow. If the hood won’t turn on at all, you can have a repair person replace the internal blower or fan, which is easier and less expensive than replacing the entire hood. Skilled DIYers can even attempt the job themselves. If you do, remember to turn off the power before you start working, and make sure to select replacement parts that are compatible with your current hood.

Some range hoods, which are often called ductless, ventless, or recirculating hoods, don’t vent to the outside. Instead, they draw air through a series of filters designed to capture droplets and particulate matter before recirculating that air back into your kitchen. In our most recent tests, the lone recirculating hood (from a leading brand) we tried was the worst of the bunch—which makes sense because it was only capturing contaminants in filters instead of completely expelling the dirty air outdoors. But if you live in a home or apartment where you simply can’t vent to the outside, ductless range hoods can provide some benefit, particularly when it comes to cutting grease. Just remember to open windows, too, when you cook.