0:00 Range hoods come in all shapes, sizes, and mounting options — so which should you choose? There are four general types: under-cabinet, wall-mount, island, and insert.
0:13 Each is built for a different kitchen, and picking the right one comes down to matching the hood to your space. Under-cabinet hoods slide neatly beneath your existing cabinetry.
0:21 They're compact, blend in rather than stand out, and are usually the easiest to install — many homeowners can even do it themselves.
0:30 Don't mistake compact for weak, though. Under-cabinet hoods come in a huge range of power, from everyday models up to serious high-CFM units built for heavy cooking.
0:38 Most are available ducted, ductless, or convertible between the two, so they adapt to almost any kitchen setup.
0:52 Wall-mounted hoods are built for open wall space above your range with no cabinets in the way, so the hood becomes part of the kitchen's design.
1:01 They typically extend upward with a chimney that hides the ductwork, giving them a taller, bolder profile than an under-cabinet hood.
1:08 Because they aren't boxed in by cabinetry, wall-mount hoods offer more freedom in shape, size, and finish — taking them from purely functional to a genuine design statement.
1:15 Island hoods are built for cooktops set into a kitchen island, out in the open and away from any wall.
1:27 Because they hang from the ceiling, they capture smoke and steam from all sides at once — exactly what an island cooktop needs, since there's no wall behind to help contain the air.
1:38 Managing a bigger capture area, island hoods are typically sized and powered to match. In an open-concept kitchen, an island hood is often the centerpiece of the whole room.
1:46 Insert hoods focus on ventilation only. They're designed to drop into a custom surround or existing hood you already have.
2:01 That means the insert is matched precisely to the dimensions of that cover and to your duct system — so you get full creative freedom on the outside while the insert handles performance on the inside.
2:08 Last are outdoor range hoods. They aren't a mounting type on their own, but a type built for the elements.
2:16 Outdoor hoods use 304 stainless steel to withstand moisture, temperature swings, and the wear of being outside.
2:24 If you're installing right on the coast, where salt exposure is heavier, that's worth a closer look — some coastal installs call for an even higher corrosion-resistant grade of stainless steel.
2:38 At the end of the day, there's no single best range hood — only the one that's right for you. Look at your layout, match it to the type built for your space, and the rest, like CFM, style, and ducted vs ductless, falls into place from there.
