0:00 What's the difference between a ducted and a ductless range hood? Start with ducted: its main job is to capture smoke, grease, heat, and cooking odors and vent them completely outside your home through a duct system.
0:17 A ductless hood pulls that same smoke through charcoal filters, cleaning the air before recirculating it back into your kitchen.
0:26 So which is better? If you can vent outside, a ducted installation is always the better choice — the smoke, heat, and odors actually leave your home, so you get better ventilation while you cook.
0:37 But if you're in an apartment, condo, or another space where running ductwork isn't possible, a ductless hood is a good alternative.
0:45 They're easier to install, need no exterior venting, and are often more affordable. Because they recirculate air, they rely on both charcoal and baffle filters to reduce odors.
0:53 The charcoal filters need replacing every 3 to 6 months. They improve air quality, but can't remove heat or humidity the way a ducted system can.
1:08 Ducted hoods don't need charcoal filters, since they're continuously exhausting air outside — that means less maintenance, better ventilation, and typically stronger performance, especially if you cook often.
1:22 The biggest drawback to a ducted install is the ductwork itself. If your home doesn't already have a vent path, adding one can mean a lot more time and money.
1:31 So choosing between ducted and ductless mostly comes down to whether you can install a duct system, and the space you have to work with.
