Best Wall Mount Range Hood: 5 Options You Won't Regret Buying in 2023
You can't always open a window to let the fresh air in. Maybe you live near a busy street. Maybe it's cold out and you want to keep the heat in.
But you still need eat and cook. Enter wall-mount range hoods.
Our kitchen experts searched for the most highly acclaimed brands and models out there and assessed each wall-mounted hood based on durability, convenience, maximum airflow, noise, warranty, and more. Let's get started!
5 Best Wall Mounted Range Hoods in 2021
1. Hauslane WM-538 - Best Overall
Specifications
- Dimensions: 35-3/8"W x 19"D x 27-46"H
- Airflow: High CFM (specific value not advertised)
- Vent Type: Convertible
- Filter Type: Dishwasher-Safe Baffle Filters
- Noise Level: 1.5-3.8 sones
- Speed Levels: 3
- Switch Control Type: Touch
Functionality
Although you won't find the exact CFM value of any Hauslane wall mount range hood, you are guaranteed superior suction power. Experienced users can attest to their performance.
Boiling? Steaming? Braising? Frying? Searing? The Hauslane WM-538 has got you covered. The robust baffle filters will last you years of heavy-duty cooking.
They also uniquely pack bright, energy-saving LED lights with a GU10 base. These are some of the most highly rated and efficient LED lights in the market.
Personalization
Hauslane wants to cater to all sorts of kitchens and it shows. The 6-inch round adapter with dampers included makes for ready and easy installation.
This unit can also accommodate up to 10-foot ceilings (as long as you buy the extension kit). Similarly, you can convert to ductless simply by buying a charcoal filter.
You can even coordinate the light color with your kitchen by swapping out their LED lights with the set you want from your local hardware store!
Pros
- Powerful even on lowest speed
- Easy to install
- Bright lights
Cons
- Can be noisy
- Charcoal filters sold separately
- Clock only available in military time
2. ZLINE KB-30 Wall Mounted Range Hood - Best Value
Specifications
- Dimensions: 30"W x 17.7"D x 10.5"H
- Airflow: 400 CFM Max
- Vent Type: Ducted
- Filter Type: Stainless Steel Baffle Filters (Dishwasher Safe)
- Noise Level: 20-41 dB
- Speed Levels: 4
- Switch Control Type: Push Button
Durability
ZLINE's reputation for quality and longevity is some of the best in the industry. Don't believe it? The lifetime motor warranty should drive the point home. You also get a 3-year warranty on all parts!
While the ZLINE KB-30 wall mount range hood has no remote control or electronic control panel, the classic and simple design of the push button makes it less likely to break down.
Flexibility
This is one of two hoods on this list with 4 fan speed options. You're covered anywhere between a quick fry to long stewing hours.
What's more? This contender for the best range hood can fit ceiling heights of 7-12 feet. That's even higher than our best overall! But yes, you do have to buy their optional extension chimney kit.
Pros
- Vent to the outside
- Easy to remove metal grates
- Can withstand daily use
Cons
- Rattles on startup and lower speeds
- May not be powerful enough for grilling
- Switch feels cheap
3. Cosmo COS-63175S - Best Budget Pick
Specifications
- Dimensions: 30 x 19.75 x 39.4 inches
- Airflow: 380 CFM
- Vent Type: Ducted
- Filter Type: ARC-FLOW dishwasher safe filters (baffle type)
- Noise Level: 65 dB
- Speed Levels: 3
- Switch Control Type: Soft Touch Digital
Accommodation
Have a modern style kitchen but not sure if your kitchen counts as big or small? This 30-inch stainless steel range hood with an adjustable chimney is the one for you.
This wall mount range hood lets you adjust the chimney height to anywhere between 25.6" and 39.4". That fits almost any kitchen!
Value for Money
Don't be fooled by its attractive price. Unlike other range hoods, the premium brushed stainless steel of Cosmo COS-63175S is 430 grade 20-gauge is quite the look.
High heat, grease, oil, and steam won't be a problem.
This wall mount range hood also uses high-lumen LED lights for even more cost-saving benefits. And that's on top of a 5-year limited warranty on parts!
Want to convert this ducted hood into a ductless range hood? Unfortunately, you'd have to buy the additional 25-dollar Carbon Filter Kit CFK1-T.
Pros
- Clean, elegant design at an affordable price
- Lifetime filters and a long-term warranty
Cons
- Touch control panel can be faulty at times
- Becomes noisy when the fan is not balanced
4. Broan NuTone BW5030SSL
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 19.75"D x 25.5"H x 30"W
- Airflow: 380 CFM Max
- Vent Type: Convertible (non-ducted kit sold separately)
- Filter Type: Aluminum mesh
- Noise Level: 1.5 sones
- Speed Levels: 3
- Switch Control Type: Push Button
Craftsmanship
This European-style convertible range hood combines performance and aesthetics.
For one, the aluminum mesh guarantees against rust. That's one of the people's biggest complaints we've found. Metals breaking down even if you barely use them. You won't have that problem here.
One downside? This is limited for use with electric cooktops and gas ranges with 45,000 BTUs max.
Pros
- Sturdy hood construction
- Accessible, easy to clean filters
- Superb finishing resistant to fingerprints
Cons
- Not for ceilings that are over 8 feet
- Loud to start
- Only 1-year warranty
5. FOTILE JQG7505
Specifications
- Dimensions: 29 7/8"W × 18 1/4"D × 17 7/16" H
- Airflow: 620 (EQUIV. 1000) CFM
- Vent Type: Ducted
- Filter Type: Baffle plate
- Noise Level: 38-56.5 sones
- Speed Levels: 4
- Switch Control Type: Touch + Motion
Versatility
The FOTILE JQG7505 is the only one on this list of best range hoods to let you choose installation types.
You get an under cabinet range hood and a wall mount range hood all in one powerful range hood. (Check that 1000 CFM equivalent!) Now you don't have to fight for a refund when you realize you actually need an under cabinet range hood.
In addition to the impressive fan speed variety, you also get a bonus quick stir fry mode. Lastly, FOTILE also cares about savings. How do they show it? By packing energy-efficient LED lights and giving you that added 2-minute delay shutoff.
Pros
- Sleek and sophisticated design
- Powerful ventilation
- Lifetime limited warranty on motors
Cons
- Fickle gesture motion control
- Mid-level noise
- Pricey
How Do You Choose a Wall-Mounted Range Hood?
#1 Coverage and Height
Regardless of the brand of the wall mount range hood, you get the same options of range hood size: 24, 30, 36, and 42 inches. It goes without saying, your range hood should be at least as wide as your range.
Aside from coverage, you also need to look into the recommended height:
- Generally, installations need 20 to 24 inches between the bottom of the wall range hood and the cooking area.
- If you have a gas range, you'd need even more space, around 24"-30" unless the manufacturer advises otherwise.
#2 Airflow (aka CFM)
Airflow quantifies your wall-mounted hoods' ventilation power.
The idea is that the higher the cubic feet per minute (CFM), the more air your wall mount vent hood vents out of your kitchen.
The higher the CFM, the more efficient your range hood's fan is.
How much CFM do you need for wall mount range hoods?
A rule of thumb for gas ranges is you need at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs. What happens if you go under this number?
For one, you might notice the steam and strong odors in your kitchen takes a long time to go away.
Quick Tip: if you do a lot of heavy cooking, say because you've got a big family you need to feed more than 3x a day, you can't go lower than 350 CFM.
CFM Is Not The Only Factor
There is no definitively set international standard for CFM. That's why some manufacturers choose not to advertise the power of their vent hoods in CFM.
Second, different manufacturers use different testing environments and labs. You could test the same range hood in the same kitchen but with the windows closed and get a different CFM reading.
#3 Noise (aka Sones)
Think of 1 sone as the volume of a whisper or the hum of an extremely quiet refrigerator. Think of 8 sones as how loud the background noise is in your favorite cafe.
The lower the sone value, the quieter the wall mount range hood.
Range hoods referred to as ultra-quiet have between 1-3 sones [1], equivalent to 40-60 decibels.
Very quiet, LOW-CAPACITY fans rated 0.5-1 sones are nearly inaudible.
#4 Ducted vs Ductless
Ducted range hoods connect to air ducts in your kitchen. This allows your blower to suck up the smoke, odor, and grease and blow it outside.
If your kitchen has a flexible aluminum duct exactly where you want it, ducted hoods will be more efficient. A ducted range hood also lets you install more powerful blowers.
Ductless range hoods use charcoal filters to capture grease, odor, and debris before recirculating the air back into your kitchen.
If your house has no built-in duct or if your cooktop is not next to an exterior wall, ductless range hoods are your saving grace. A ductless hood also gives you more flexibility, which is also good for those who constantly remodel and move things around in the kitchen.
And just so you know, convertible range hoods allow for either non-ducted and ducted setups.
#5 Grease Filters
Filters may not be the first thing you notice on your wall mount range hood. But don't underestimate their effect on user experience. This is how the 4 filter types basically differ:
- Charcoal Filters: Required for ductless hoods and need to be replaced every 3-6 months
- Mesh Filters: Affordable, reusable, layered stacked metal mesh but not dishwasher-safe (also available: aluminum mesh filters or stainless steel mesh filters)
- Baffle Filters: Reusable, dishwasher-safe, highly durable, and represent the industry standard in terms of efficiency
- Hybrid Filters: Combine the features of mesh and baffle designs
Conclusion
Whether you're looking to redo your cooking area or replace an existing range hood, you'll want to know our top picks of the best wall mount range hoods.
And no, the best wall mount range hood doesn't have to be expensive as exemplified by our carefully curated items on this list.
