7 Things to Consider When Buying a Range Hood

There’s nothing worse than searing a perfect steak only to have your smoke alarm provide the soundtrack and your curtains smell like grease for the next week. A range hood is more than just a kitchen accessory; it’s the lungs of your home. But with endless CFM ratings, mounting heights, and ducting options, how do you choose the right one? Don’t worry! You’ll find all the answers you need right here, in our comprehensive blog. Here are seven of the most important things to consider when buying a range hood.

1. Know Your Kitchen

Where Is Your Kitchen Range?

The type of hood you need depends largely on where you installed your kitchen range. You have several options when it comes to the type of range hood, with considerations like how many amps a range hood draws to keep in mind, you need. Yes, it might seem pretty basic once we review it, but here we go:

• If your range is against a wall, you’ll want a wall-mount range hood. If it’s under cabinets, you’ll want a closer look at our recommendations for the 5 best under-cabinet range hoods.
• Ranges on a kitchen island are also popular. For these, you’ll want an island range hood.
• If you have custom cabinetry or a custom hood over your range, you’ll want a range hood insert.
• Lastly, if your kitchen range is outside, you’ll want an outdoor-rated range hood that performs all your grill and BBQ needs!

You also have professional hoods and artisan hoods. Professional hoods are kitchen fans that move 900 or more CFM, while artisan hoods are custom-built for your kitchen. Most custom and professional models are wall and island hoods. 

What Is the Height of Your Ceiling?

Depending on your ceiling height, you may need a range hood with chimney extensions. A chimney extension is an additional accessory for your range hood that covers your ductwork. Most wall and island range hoods come with chimneys made for standard 8’ and 9’ ceilings. But if you have a particularly tall ceiling, you will likely need a chimney extension. To learn more about such extensions, check out our range hood chimney extension guide!

Do You Have Room to Mount the Hood?

The best practice is to mount your indoor hood between 28 and 36 inches away from the cooktop. Make sure you have the room in your kitchen to fit this requirement. For an outdoor kitchen, you need the room to mount your hood between 36 and 42” away from the surface of the cooktop. This ensures that your hood can vent the heavy grease and smoke coming from your grill effectively.

To understand proper installation, explore our range hood mounting height guide for perfect placement.

Is This Hood for an Indoor or Outdoor Kitchen?

Professional outdoor hoods are made of durable, weather-resistant, stain-resistant materials. These hoods can handle the elements and the intense heat of your stainless steel grill. So, if you’re remodeling or building an outdoor kitchen, it’s important to find a hood with the right materials.  

Get a clearer understanding of proper outdoor kitchen ventilation and hood placement with expert-backed insights. Watch our video, “5 Pro Tips for Outdoor Kitchen Hood Placement and Ventilation,” to see practical techniques that help maximize efficiency!

Why Should You Choose Our Hoods?

Proline’s outdoor hoods are built with a durable 304 stainless steel. It’s heat-resistant and weather-resistant, so it can last for years outdoors. Our indoor hoods, on the other hand, feature 430 stainless steel, which is not suitable for outdoor kitchens.

To learn more about outdoor range hoods and their benefits, explore our guide on why you need an outdoor range hood. For product recommendations, check out our expert picks for the best outdoor range hoods to make a confident buying decision.

2. Range Hood CFM

It’s important to get your range hood CFM right. According to ASHRAE ventilation standards, proper airflow is essential for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. We want you to be satisfied with your range hood. But if you make a purchase and find out the hood doesn’t have enough power, you will be disappointed. Generally, it doesn’t hurt to buy a range hood with a higher CFM than you think you’ll need, especially because you can’t increase your hood’s CFM after your purchase. Here are a few things to consider to find the right CFM for you:

How Large Is Your Cooktop?

In general, the larger your cooktop, the more powerful it will be. The more powerful the range (measured in BTUs), the more CFM you need for your range hood. Also, the larger your cooktop, the larger the hood you’ll need.

How Often Do You Cook? Do You Like to Cook Asian Food, Greasy Food, or Fried Food?

It’s important to think about all your cooking habits before you buy a range hood. Specifically, how often do you cook – and what do you like to cook? Frequent cooks who love Asian cooking and fried food will need a higher CFM range hood. On the other hand, those who casually cook a few times a week can opt for a less powerful hood.

If you love Asian food, you’ll love this article ‘Best Range Hood for Asian Cooking.’

How Powerful Is Your Cooktop?

Gas ranges are measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. Electric ranges are measured in watts. Typically, you want a more powerful hood for a gas stove compared to an electric stove. For your gas range, simply divide the total number of BTUs by 100 to get the minimum CFM for your hood.

How Do You Size Your Range Hood Over a Gas Cooktop?

Say the cooktop is 48” with six burners and a griddle. The small burners are 8,000 BTUs, and the large burners are 12,000 BTUs. You have three of each for a total burner output of 60,000 BTUs. The griddle uses 20,000 BTUs. The total BTUs for the cooktop are 80,000. Using our rule above of 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs, you would need a minimum of 800 CFM. You can learn more in our blog on how many CFM you need for your range hood based on cooktop power and cooking habits.

How Do You Size Your Range Hood Over an Electric Cooktop?

For an electric range, you don’t even need the watts. Just take the width of your range and multiply it by 10 for the minimum CFM of your hood. Or to check out some of our best range hoods for gas stoves!

3. Range Hood Size

For indoor kitchens, we recommend sizing your hood three inches larger than your range on each side. This added coverage helps effectively capture all the smoke and fumes produced by your cooking. If you're unsure, refer to how to properly size your range hood.

For outdoor kitchens, size your hood at least six inches larger than your range on each side. So, for example, if you have a 36” grill, your hood should be at least 48”. 

4. Noise Level

The noise level of your hood, measured in sones, thus, you must know what a sone is and how it applies to range hoods. Do you prefer power over noise or vice versa? It is somewhat of a trade-off, but a quality range hood, even a powerful one, shouldn’t be unbearably loud.

Are you particular about the exact decibel level you want from your range hood? Explore our article to learn, “How many sones is your range hood?”

One thing our customers love to do is to run their range hood on lower speeds. You can even learn a few other ways to make your range hood quieter!

Understand how range hood noise really works and what impacts sound levels in your kitchen. Watch our video, “How to Make Your Range Hood Quieter,” to learn practical ways to reduce noise without compromising performance.

Remember, quality matters. Low CFM doesn’t always mean low noise – you want a hood with an efficient motor too. For example, a 1000 CFM hood could have a quieter motor than a 600 CFM hood. It depends on the quality of install, materials and the manufacturing process used. Keep this in mind when shopping.

5. Exhaust Type – Vented & Non-Vented

There are two ways that you can set up the ventilation system on your range hood: a vented, or ducted system, and a non-vented, or ductless system. The vented system uses ducting to channel the air away from the kitchen and out of the home. With vented range hoods, you have a few venting options.

Not sure which system is right for your kitchen? Explore our detailed guide on range hoods that vent outside for maximum performance and learn whether ductless hoods actually work in real-world conditions before making your decision.

Venting Options

You can either vent your hood horizontally or vertically. Island hoods have to be vented vertically. But, wall and under-cabinet hoods can be vented horizontally through a wall or vertically through the ceiling. Explore how to vent your hood through an interior wall! On the other hand, if you are planning a ceiling vent installation, go through our comprehensive guide for installing a range hood vent through the ceiling.

How Do Ductless Systems Work?

Unlike a vented system, a non-vented system uses no ductwork. The hood sucks air through charcoal filters and then recirculates it back into your home. You can use a recirculating kit or charcoal filters for this type of hood, depending on the specific model. Ductless or recirculating hoods aren’t as effective at removing fumes and smells from your home, but can be a great option if you live in an apartment where you can’t install ductwork.

6. Installation Time and Cost

Beyond the hood itself, you’ll want to learn how to install the hood or how much it will cost.

Most homeowners can DIY the installation. We have several instructional videos on our website that may be helpful for you. You can also check out our range hood installation guide!

7. Budget

No matter how much research you do, you can’t buy the hood if you don’t have the budget. What exactly goes into the budget? Here are a few things:

Quality: Higher-quality range hoods typically come at a higher price—and for good reason. They’re built with better materials, more efficient motors, and improved overall performance.

Pro tip: Buying directly from the manufacturer, like Proline Range Hoods, can save you hundreds by avoiding retail markups.

Material: Outdoor range hoods tend to cost more because they’re made from durable, weather-resistant materials designed to withstand the elements.

Size: Larger range hoods require more materials and stronger components, which increases the overall cost.

Power (CFM): More powerful hoods (higher CFM) are generally more expensive due to stronger motors and enhanced ventilation capabilities.

Type of Hood: Island and outdoor range hoods are usually the most expensive, while wall-mounted and under-cabinet models are more budget-friendly. Under-cabinet hoods are often the most affordable option.

Long-Term Value: Investing in a higher-quality range hood can save you money over time. Cheaper models may wear out faster, leading to repairs—or even full replacement—sooner than expected.

Installation Costs: Many homeowners can handle installation themselves. However, if you plan to hire a professional, be sure to factor that cost into your budget.

Conclusion 

Choosing a range hood doesn't have to be overwhelming. By focusing on your cooking habits and your kitchen’s layout first, the technical specs like CFM and ducting will naturally fall into place. At the end of the day, a quality hood is an investment in your home’s air quality and your own comfort. Still stuck between two models? Reach out to our team at Proline Range Hoods for a personalized recommendation. Thanks for reading!

FAQs

Will a range hood interfere with my HVAC system?

It can if the ducting is improperly sized or makeup air isn't used. Ensure proper airflow balance to avoid pressure issues in your home.

Do I need a make-up air system for a high CFM range hood?

If your hood exceeds 400–600 CFM, many building codes require make-up air. We recommend planning for this early to avoid inspection or performance issues.

What duct size is best for maximum airflow efficiency?

Most high-performance hoods require 6 to 10-inch duct size. We always recommend matching the manufacturer’s duct size exactly to prevent airflow restriction.

Can long or complex duct runs reduce my hood’s performance?

Yes, significantly. We advise minimizing bends and keeping duct runs short to maintain consistent airflow and efficiency.

How often should range hood filters be cleaned or replaced?

Metal filters should be cleaned monthly, while charcoal filters need replacement every 3–6 months. We recommend regular maintenance to keep performance consistent.

What’s the biggest installation mistake to avoid?

Incorrect mounting height or duct sizing. Ensure both are properly planned for to avoid reduced efficiency and rework.