Toxic air, smoke, and grease can accumulate while you’re cooking with a gas or electric oven. Oil can also cling to your furniture and harbor bacteria. The smoke and charcoal burning can pollute your indoor air and increase the temperature, not just in the kitchen but in the adjacent rooms too.
For all this, a range hood is just what you need to eliminate toxic gas, steam, and grease. There are two types- ducted and ductless. The former involves a series of pipes installed- familiar in commercial establishments or spacious kitchens. On the other hand, you can install the latter just about anywhere, so that you have clean air in your kitchen. These are also cheaper and easier to setup.
We are going to review five of the best ductless range hoods that will improve indoor air quality.
Recommended Ductless Range Hoods to Get in 2020
Here are five ductless range hood options for your kitchen. A summary of their main features can be found below.
| Product name | Dimensions | Weight | CFM | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchenexus Stainless Steel | 29.8 x 5 x 8 inches | 17.6 lbs. | 300 CFM | Two years limited |
| Cosmo QS75 | 22 x 29.5 x 10 inches | 52.9 lbs. | 900 CFM | Five years limited |
| Zuhne iChorus | 35.4 x 23.5 x 26 inches | 80 lbs. | 600 CFM | One year limited |
| Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Island Mount | 35.3 x 23.5 x 49.3 inches | 65 lbs. | 343 CFM | Three years limited |
| Broan-NuTone 413004 | 17.5 x 6 x 30 inches | 10 lbs. | Unknown | One year limited |
1. Kitchenexus Stainless Steel Ducted or Ductless Under Cabinet Kitchen Vent Hood
This Kitchenexus stainless steel ductless range hood has a rather modern design- clean lines, simple, perfectly fit for your contemporary kitchen. The two baffle filters are also pure stainless steel and mesh. The aluminum mesh filters effectively trap grease and smoke. And when the filters are full of gunk, it’s always easy to clean it up.
You can easily remove the baffle filters and pop them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
This outstanding product features touch controls conveniently located at the front of the range. You can access the three fan modes via this button. The metal fan blades effectively suck in all the toxic fumes from your cooking.
Kitchenexus also includes built-in lights that illuminate your cooking. This under-the-cabinet range hood can effectively rid your kitchen of unwanted odors, smoke, and grease. It has a sleek and compact design that fits perfectly under your cabinets. It doesn’t require too much space and works well for almost any kitchen area.
The high lumen LED lights are bright too, making this model an energy-efficient ductless range hood- perfect if you’re doing a YouTube video or a vlog on your homemade recipes. It would give you that perfect illuminated shot for your vlogs and Instagram posts.
- Operates quietly
- Easy to clean filters
- Easy to install
- Energy-efficient LED lights
- The edges of the range hood may be too sharp for some
This 300 CFM, sleek stainless steel ductless range hood by Kitchenexus would pop in your modern themed kitchen. It’s straightforward to install, so it’s ideal for those who don’t want a complicated DIY.
2. Cosmo QS75 Ducted-Ductless Under-Cabinet Stainless Steel Range Hood
This 900 CFM Cosmo range hood comes with powerful dual centrifugal motors. Running at 900 cubic feet per minute, it quickly eliminates toxins from the air. It results in a well-ventilated kitchen area free from grease and smoke.
Cosmo QS75 is heavy-duty with its stainless steel body. It can function both as a ducted or ductless range hood. You have to purchase the optional carbon filter kit, and it can work as ductless. It boasts touch control panels and LED lights, too, with a black finish that adds a touch of sophistication.
The canopy style of this range hood, stainless steel construction with a satin finish will look posh in your modern kitchen. You can control the four motor speeds via remote control or the LCD touch screen panel.
It will also work wonders if you have a lot of burners working simultaneously. The powerful motor can keep up with all the cooking frenzies.
- Two options to control the motor speed- LCD panel and remote control
- Has a variety of mounting options
- Heavy duty
- The instruction manual is not that clear
- Heavy
- The filter grills have awkward positioning
This satiny stainless steel range hood is pure stainless steel. It’s durable and equipped with a powerful motor that can continuously draw out all the smoke, especially if you’re grilling burgers.
3. Zuhne iChorus Kitchen Island Mount Vented-Ductless Stainless Steel Range Hood
This 36-inch Zuhne range hood can be with both ducted and ductless exhaust systems. You have to install the charcoal carbon filters if you like it ductless.
It has a stylish modern design that features a high airflow, the 4 LED lights bear bright illumination, and the filter baffles complete the sophisticated look of this product.
This Zuhne island mount hood operates with three centrifugal fans with three options for the fan speeds- low, medium, and high. It also has an auto shut-off system that turns off the range after 5 minutes. The motor can be on and off because of the speed button. It doesn’t have its power button.
This iChorus Zuhne range hood is also perfect in a kitchen with high ceiling.
- Stylish and modern
- Has an auto shut off system
- Superior build quality
- Challenging to install
- No dim light option
- No power button
Zuhne iChorus Kitchen Island is one stylish range hood. From the chimney extension, the brushed stainless steel grained finish, and the bright LED lights, it’s sure to be a star in your kitchen.
The baffle filter traps in the grease, and the charcoal filters clean the air. Even if you’ve been cooking for hours, this will make sure that your indoor air stays clean and fresh.
4. Perfetto Kitchen and Bath Island Mount
This 36-inch island mounted range hood by Perfetto Kitchen and Bath is a combination of stainless steel and tempered glass. It includes three LED lights that will illuminate your cooking. It can serve as a spotlight in your kitchen, emphasizing more the lovely design of this range hood.
The two built-in fans effectively remove the combination of grease, fumes, and smoke from cooking. You have three fan speed settings. The pushbuttons located at the front of the range make it so convenient.
This Perfetto Kitchen & Bath model can be utilized either as a ducted or ductless range hood. You just need to install the optional carbon filter kit should you go ductless. Overall, this range hood has excellent suction. It isn’t that silent, but it operates with a bearable amount of noise. It looks costly, but it doesn’t cost that much.
- Easy to access push buttons
- Bright LED lights
- Has chimney extension
- Challenging to install
This slim fan hood has a luxurious European Italian design that will make your kitchen look high-end. The brushed stainless steel material of Perfetto Kitchen & Bath is rather durable too. It can effectively remove the smell and smoke with the highest fan setting. The sound is a small price to pay for the service it provides.
5. Broan-NuTone 413004
Broan-NuTone 413004 has a slim profile. This ductless hood insert is over the stove, so no matter how limited your kitchen area is, this model can surely find a spot in it. It should be installed approximately 18 inches above your stove.
The Broan 413004 ductless range hood may be small and compact, but this can eliminate smoke, fumes, and grease decently. The baffle filter traps in the oil while the charcoal filters clean the air.
It has a protective lamp lens from which you can install the LED bulbs. You have to purchase it separately. These lamp lens evenly distributes light on your cooking range.
This product can also be wall-mounted; you need to use a corresponding bracket.
It’s effortless to install too. You plug it into the outlet, no hardwiring needed. So this works for those who don’t want to deal with complicated installations. It works as expected.
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Light and simple
- Can be under the cabinet or a wall-mounted range hood
- Does not include a bulb
Broan NuTone is a necessary range hood that can keep your indoor air clean even with everyday cooking. It’s light and straightforward. The noise levels are not zero, but you can still talk while it’s turned down. That’s not such a bad thing.
How Ventless Range Hoods Work
How do these things work? First you need to distinguish a ducted hood from the ductless kind.
A ducted range hood vents the air outside. It sucks all the smoke and fumes, passing them through pipes and vents that lead outside.
A ducted range system needs proper ducts and ample space. These range hoods are typically in a commercial establishment or homes with a huge kitchen area.
Ventless or ductless range hoods, on the other hand, don’t vent externally. It uses a filtration system to clean the air. Using exhaust fans, it sucks in all the smoke, fumes, and grease. The activated carbon and charcoal filter the air and recirculate it back into the kitchen. So the end product is relatively fresher air without the harmful toxins and excess heat. That’s why it is also called a recirculating range hood.
Though ducted range hoods might seem more superior in terms of cleaning the air, ductless range systems have their advantages.
Let’s take a look at the things that you’ll be enjoying should you decide to go with a ductless system.
Advantages of a Non-ducted Range Hood
Ductless range hoods or ventless range hoods don’t always have to pay a second banana to the ducted exhaust system. It has several advantages that you will find very useful, not to mention, less of a hassle.
1. Less expensive
Most ducted range hoods come with a price. Since it involves a series of ducts and pipes, expect the cost to be higher too.
2. Versatile
Ductless range hoods are more slim and compact. It also doesn’t require a duct system for the installation. So it pretty much fits any kitchen, no matter the size. You don’t need to connect it to a duct in the ceiling or wall.
3. Easier installation
Since you don’t need to consider a duct system, you no longer have to worry about where to place your stove. Because there’s no need for an exhaust pipe, you have the liberty to choose where to place your cooking area.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle, a ductless range hood is for you. It requires minimal DIY skills too. And you don’t need to cut a hole in your kitchen walls.
A favorite advantage of a ductless range hood by many is that it can be under the cabinet. You don’t need to remove your ideal vintage cupboard so that you can have a range hood.
More and more homeowners are favoring the ease of a ductless installation.
4. Environment-friendly
When you’re using non-ducted range hoods, you are also lessening your carbon footprint. While the ducted hoods vent the smoke externally, it may add up to air pollution. The ductless range hood, on the other hand, filters the air and reuses it.
So you’re going to go big on recycling air once you go ductless. It’s friendlier to Mother Earth.
5. Modern and sleek design
First-rate ductless range hoods have some pretty severe aesthetics. It matches well with a modern and contemporary kitchen; it can even make your kitchen look more high end without the high-end price.
So, what to buy?
A lot may say that a ductless range hood is inferior to the ducted kind when it comes to regulating indoor air. But, as long as you keep your range hood tidy and well-maintained, you can enjoy clean air. Make sure always to clean the grease filters and the fans once the grease and particles have accumulated.
Recirculated air doesn’t need to be inferior. It depends on how you take care of your range hood. Our top brands are so low-maintenance.
Conclusion
Our buying guide reviews some of the best ductless kitchen range hood brands. These are quite superior in terms of style, design, efficiency, and cost. You don’t need to shell out a lot of bucks or dig holes in your kitchen wall to get a reliable vent.
You can enjoy improved indoor air quality even if someone is cooking a festive meal. And that’s at a cost lower than the ducted hoods.
For me, cooking is a beautiful and relaxing activity- more so eating! To match my appetite, I always make sure that my kitchen & dining aesthetics are on point. With my suggestions, I’m sure you can achieve the same thing.
