Best 30 Inch Ductless Under Cabinet Range Hoods
The best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hoods include the AURAKICH 400 CFM Dual Motor for a plug-in hood with filters in the box, the SNDOAS 30 inch 700 CFM for three vent outlets and strong airflow, and the FIREGAS 30 inch Convertible for a budget plug-in ductless hood.
On this page (12 sections)
- Our 6 best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hoods in detail
- Side by side: width, venting and filters
- How we picked these six hoods
- Ductless mode: what each hood needs to recirculate
- Airflow and noise for a 30 inch hood
- Width, height and depth: will it fit a 30 inch range?
- Lights and cleaning for a ductless hood
- Gas ranges and heavy frying with a ductless hood
- Plug-in or hard-wired: what the cord means
- Mistakes to avoid when buying a 30 inch ductless hood
- Before you install: check the outlet and the filter
- Which 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hood fits your kitchen
The AURAKICH 400 CFM is our top pick for a 30 inch ductless hood, since it comes with two charcoal filters and plugs into a standard outlet.
If your range is 30 inches wide and you can't vent outside, start with a 30 inch ductless under cabinet hood. It pulls air through a grease filter and a charcoal filter, then returns it to the room without removing heat, moisture or combustion gases.
We compared six 30 inch under cabinet hoods on width, filter needs, airflow and controls, so you can see which ones recirculate right away.
For the basics first, read the ductless range hoods guide.
Our picks at a glance
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Best for a simple no-frills ductless insertCheck it - 5
Check itCIARRA 30 inch Stainless Steel
Best for a low, slim profile - 6
Best for a matte black finishCheck it
Our 6 best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hoods in detail
The AURAKICH leads because its filters come in the box, and the Broan-NuTone 413004 ranks lower because its 100 CFM is the lowest airflow in this group.
AURAKICH 400 CFM Dual Motor
- 400 CFM dual motors
- Two charcoal filters included
- Plug-in cord with install template
- Ducted or ductless
A plug-in hood with 400 CFM and two charcoal filters in the box. Its paper template helps you line up the install without tools, AURAKICH says.
Pros
- Two charcoal filters included
- Plug-in cord, no hardwiring
- Dual motors rated at 400 CFM
Cons
- Needs a nearby outlet for its cord
- Rated at 66 dB
The AURAKICH is a slim 30 inch hood with dual motors rated at 400 CFM and a standard plug-in cord. It stands 5.5 inches tall, so it suits a cabinet with limited space underneath.
Two charcoal filters come in the box, so you can run it ductless once it's installed. It also works ducted, with an expandable pipe and a damper in the box.
AURAKICH says the two round LED panels give crystal white light, rated at 12000K, and reduce shadows on the cooktop. The controls are 3-speed push buttons, and AURAKICH calls the stainless steel body easy to clean.
A paper drilling template helps you line up the mounting holes, and the plug means no hardwiring. AURAKICH gives the noise as 66 dB and covers the hood with a 2-year plan.
Look at another model if you want touch or remote control, since this one uses push buttons.
SNDOAS 30 inch 700 CFM
- 700 CFM maximum
- Three vent outlets
- Dishwasher-safe baffle filters
- 3-prong plug
A 700 CFM hood with three vent outlets for a 30 inch cooktop. Ductless use needs the CF-0475 charcoal filter, sold separately.
Pros
- Strong 700 CFM maximum
- Three vent outlets
- Dishwasher-safe baffle filters
Cons
- CF-0475 filter sold separately
- Exhaust pipe sold separately for ducted use
The SNDOAS 30 inch hood is a stainless steel under cabinet unit with a 700 CFM maximum and three speeds. It has the highest airflow rating in this group.
It has three vent outlets: a 6 inch round top vent and two 10 by 3-1/4 inch rectangular outlets, top and rear. SNDOAS asks you to check that the hood matches your existing duct before you order.
For ductless use, you add the CF-0475 charcoal filter, which is sold separately. SNDOAS suggests changing it about every 3 months, depending on how your kitchen runs.
The two baffle filters are dishwasher safe, and the push button control adjusts the fan speed and the light. The two 2W LED lights add extra light for the cooktop, and SNDOAS gives the noise as 66 dB.
The 3-prong plug comes with the hood, so you don't need hardwiring. No exhaust pipe is included, so buy one before you vent it outside.
Order the CF-0475 with the hood, since you can't run this one ductless without it.
FIREGAS 30 inch Convertible
- Charcoal filter included
- 3-speed push button
- Top or rear venting
- 3-prong plug included
A 30 inch convertible hood with its CC170 charcoal filter included. It plugs in with a 3-prong plug and vents through the top or rear.
Pros
- Charcoal filter included
- Plugs in with a 3-prong plug
- Dishwasher-safe, reusable aluminum filters
Cons
- One-year limited warranty, FIREGAS says
- Airflow and noise figures conflict, so check the manual
The FIREGAS 30 inch hood is a brushed stainless steel convertible unit with a 3-speed push button control. It's the budget plug-in pick here, with its charcoal filter included.
It comes with its CC170 charcoal filter, so you can run it ductless once it's installed. For ducted use, it vents through the top or rear and uses a 4.7 inch round duct.
FIREGAS says the 20 gauge brushed stainless steel is easy to clean, and its two aluminum mesh filters go in the dishwasher and can be reused. The hood has two 1.5 watt LED lamps for light.
The 3-prong plug is included, and the electrical requirement is 120 volts. FIREGAS gives a 1-year limited warranty and one replacement filter number, FGS-TF2275-LW, so confirm which filter it covers before you reorder.
FIREGAS gives more than one airflow and noise figure, so this roundup leaves them out. Pass on it if you want touch controls or a warranty longer than one year.
Broan-NuTone 413004
- Ductless only
- 100 CFM
- Charcoal filter included
- Two-speed fan
A simple ductless insert with a charcoal filter included. It suits a kitchen with no outside vent and everyday cooking.
Pros
- Simple rocker switches
- Replaceable charcoal filter
- 1 year limited warranty, Broan-NuTone says
Cons
- Lowest airflow in this group at 100 CFM
- Light bulb not included
The Broan-NuTone 413004 is a ductless-only insert with a charcoal filter included. It's a simple hood for a kitchen with no outside vent.
It's 30 inches wide, 17.5 inches deep and 6 inches tall, with rocker switches for the two-speed fan and the light. Broan-NuTone says to mount it at least 18 inches above the cooktop.
The light takes an LED bulb up to 75 watts, and the bulb isn't included. The filter is replaceable, and Broan-NuTone says the hood can work in an ADA-compliant setup.
At 100 CFM it has the lowest airflow in this group, so save it for everyday cooking rather than heavy frying. For more on this model, read our Broan-NuTone 413004 review.
It only recirculates air, so pick a convertible hood if you may add a duct someday.
CIARRA 30 inch Stainless Steel
- 3.94 in tall
- Ducted or ductless
- Push button, 3 speeds
- Two LED lights
A 3.94 inch tall hood for a cabinet with little clearance. Ductless mode needs the CACF006 carbon filter, sold separately.
Pros
- Low profile for tight clearance
- Lights on both sides
- 3-prong plug included
Cons
- Ductless mode needs the CACF006 filter
- 6.5 sones at the top speed
The CIARRA 30 inch stainless steel hood is the slim choice in this group, at 3.94 inches tall. It suits a cabinet with little clearance above the cooktop.
It has push button controls with three fan speeds and two LED lights, one on each side of the hood. That layout lights the cooktop whichever side you cook on, CIARRA says.
CIARRA says the hood runs ducted or ductless, and ductless mode needs the optional CACF006 carbon filter. A 4.8 inch round damper handles top venting, and the exhaust pipe isn't included.
The box includes a 3-prong plug, an installation kit, a vent cover, a damper and a manual. CIARRA gives 6.5 sones at the top speed, so run it on low for quiet cooking.
The hood weighs 13 pounds. Skip it if you want strong airflow, since CIARRA gives 200 CFM.
CIARRA 30 inch Black
- Matte black finish
- Anti-fingerprint paint
- Ducted or ductless
- 5-layer mesh filters
A matte black version of the slim CIARRA hood with an anti-fingerprint finish. Ductless mode needs the CACF006 carbon filter, sold separately.
Pros
- Matte black, anti-fingerprint paint
- Ultra slim profile
- Works ducted or ductless
Cons
- Ductless mode needs the CACF006 filter
- 6.5 sones at the top speed
The CIARRA black hood matches the slim design of the stainless version, in a matte black finish. It suits a kitchen where you'd rather have a dark finish than stainless steel.
The matte sandblasted paint is scratch-resistant, and CIARRA says the anti-fingerprint finish is easy to clean. The hood has push button controls, three fan speeds and LED lighting.
It works ducted through its top vent, using a 4.8 inch round damper. For ductless mode, you add the CACF006 carbon filter, which CIARRA says you buy separately.
The 5-layer mesh filters trap grease, and the box includes a 3-prong plug, an installation kit and a vent cover. CIARRA rates the noise at 6.5 sones at the highest speed, and the hood weighs 12 pounds.
Choose the stainless version if you want that finish, since the two share the same kit and features.
Side by side: width, venting and filters
The filter in the box decides how soon a ductless hood is ready to use, so check that first.
| Product | Best for | Width | Venting | Controls | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AURAKICH 400 CFM Dual Motor | a plug-in hood with filters in the box | 30 in | Ducted or ductless, filters included | Push button, 3 speeds | 9.2 |
| SNDOAS 30 inch 700 CFM | three vent outlets and strong airflow | 30 in | Ducted or ductless, filter sold separately | Push button, 3 speeds | 9.0 |
| FIREGAS 30 inch Convertible | a budget plug-in ductless hood | 30 in | Ducted or ductless, filter included | Push button, 3 speeds | 8.7 |
| Broan-NuTone 413004 | a simple no-frills ductless insert | 30 in | Ductless only, filter included | Rocker switch, 2 speeds | 8.4 |
| CIARRA 30 inch Stainless Steel | a low, slim profile | 30 in | Ducted or ductless, kit sold separately | Push button, 3 speeds | 8.2 |
| CIARRA 30 inch Black | a matte black finish | 30 in | Ducted or ductless, kit sold separately | Push button, 3 speeds | 7.9 |
The AURAKICH, FIREGAS and Broan-NuTone 413004 include a charcoal filter. The SNDOAS and both CIARRA hoods need a filter kit bought separately.
How we picked these six hoods
We compared the specs of each hood, then scored it for ductless use first. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Ductless use came first, so we checked whether each hood names a filter for recirculating and whether that filter comes in the box. We left out one Broan-NuTone convertible hood, because nothing in its details confirms a ductless mode.
Next came width, controls and the venting options. A 30 inch width matched every hood here, so venting and filters separated them most.
Airflow and noise came last, because makers rate them in different units and under different conditions. Where a maker gives two numbers for the same spec, we left the number out, as with FIREGAS airflow and noise.
Ductless mode: what each hood needs to recirculate
All six hoods here can recirculate, but each one needs a different filter setup. The AURAKICH, FIREGAS and Broan-NuTone 413004 are ready to go out of the box, while the SNDOAS and the two CIARRA hoods need their filter first.
| Hood | Charcoal filter | Plug | Exhaust pipe for ducted use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AURAKICH 400 CFM | Two included | Plug-in cord included | Expandable pipe and damper included |
| SNDOAS 700 CFM | CF-0475, sold separately | 3-prong plug included | Not included |
| FIREGAS | CC170 included | 3-prong plug included | Not named, uses a 4.7 in round duct |
| Broan-NuTone 413004 | Included, ductless only | Not named | Not applicable |
| CIARRA stainless | CACF006, sold separately | 3-prong plug included | Not included, damper included |
| CIARRA black | CACF006, sold separately | 3-prong plug included | Not included, damper included |
Filter kits for a 30 inch ductless range hood
Filters fit by model number, so check the number on your own hood before you order. The CIARRA hoods need the CACF006 kit, and the SNDOAS needs the CF-0475 filter.
Switching a convertible hood to ductless mode
The steps differ by maker, so follow your manual. For the CIARRA hoods, the maker says to install the CACF006 carbon filter, put on the outlet cover and turn the adjuster on the motor housing to the ductless position.
In ductless mode, CIARRA says the filtered air leaves through the front vent, so you don't need an exhaust pipe. To go back to ducted mode, turn the same adjuster to the ducted position and connect a pipe to the top vent.
SNDOAS says a carbon filter is all its 700 CFM hood needs to recirculate. FIREGAS says to install its included CC170 filter, and the AURAKICH ships with two charcoal filters for the same job.
For a full walk through one model, read our SNDOAS 30 inch review or our CIARRA CAS75918A review.
Airflow and noise for a 30 inch hood
Match the airflow to how you cook, and remember that ductless airflow is often lower than the rated number. AURAKICH rates its dual motors at 400 CFM, SNDOAS at 700 CFM, CIARRA at 200 CFM and the Broan-NuTone 413004 at 100 CFM.
Maker ratings are usually for ducted use, so expect less when you recirculate. Run the top speed only when you need it, since the fan is loudest there.
Noise matters most if your kitchen opens into a living area. AURAKICH and SNDOAS both give 66 dB, and CIARRA gives 6.5 sones at the top speed, so don't compare those two units directly.
Width, height and depth: will it fit a 30 inch range?
All six hoods are about 30 inches wide, so they match a 30 inch range. Height and depth are where they differ.
| Hood | Width | Height | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| AURAKICH 400 CFM | 29.65 in | 5.51 in | 19.69 in |
| SNDOAS 700 CFM | 29.8 in | 5.9 in | 19.7 in |
| FIREGAS | 29.5 in | 5.3 in | 19.5 in |
| Broan-NuTone 413004 | 30 in | 6 in | 17.5 in |
| CIARRA stainless | 29.76 in | 3.94 in | 19.68 in |
| CIARRA black | 29.76 in | 3.94 in | 19.69 in |
Measure your range width before you shop. A hood narrower than the cooktop leaves the sides uncovered, so match the width to the range.
For the width rule and the steps to size a hood, read what size range hood for a 30 inch cooktop.
Lights and cleaning for a ductless hood
Three of the six hoods have dishwasher-safe filters: the SNDOAS, FIREGAS and Broan-NuTone 413004. The CIARRA hoods and the AURAKICH don't give a dishwasher note, so read the manual before you clean them that way.
Lights vary by model. The AURAKICH has two round LED panels, the SNDOAS and FIREGAS have two small LED lamps, and CIARRA puts one light on each side of the hood.
The Broan-NuTone 413004 takes a bulb you buy separately, up to 75 watts, so check the wattage before you buy.
The charcoal filter is the part you'll replace, and its schedule depends on how much you cook. Keeping a spare filter on hand avoids a gap in use when the old one wears out.
Gas ranges and heavy frying with a ductless hood
A ductless hood can handle everyday cooking, but a gas range or heavy frying is where a ducted hood is the stronger setup. Frying puts grease and steam in the air, and a gas range adds combustion gases that a recirculating hood doesn't remove.
A ductless hood catches grease in its filters and returns the air to the room. For a gas range, follow the hood manual and talk to a qualified pro about the venting that suits your stove.
If you might add a duct later, the AURAKICH, SNDOAS, FIREGAS and both CIARRA hoods can all vent outside with the right duct parts. The Broan-NuTone 413004 is ductless only.
For a wider list of recirculating hoods, read best recirculating range hoods. To see how the two setups compare, read ductless vs ducted range hood.
Plug-in or hard-wired: what the cord means
A plug-in hood avoids hardwiring, which makes it a good fit for renters and condos. The AURAKICH, FIREGAS, SNDOAS and both CIARRA hoods all name a plug-in cord or a 3-prong plug.
For more plug-in picks, see best plug-in ductless range hoods. Follow the manual for any wiring, and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure.
A plug-in cord still needs a working outlet within reach of the hood. Plan the outlet location before you mount the hood, so the cord doesn't run across the cooktop.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a 30 inch ductless hood
Five slip-ups are easy to catch before you order.
- Ordering without the filter. The SNDOAS and both CIARRA hoods can't recirculate until you add their charcoal filter.
- Counting on the rated CFM. The 400 or 700 CFM number is usually a ducted rating, and airflow is often lower once a hood recirculates.
- Forgetting the outlet. Plug-in hoods need an outlet within reach of the cord, so plan the route before you drill.
- Comparing noise across units. AURAKICH and SNDOAS give dB, while CIARRA gives sones.
- Mounting too close. Every maker sets its own minimum height above the cooktop, so check the number in your manual before you drill.
If you cook heavy meals or fry often, skip the Broan-NuTone 413004, since its airflow is the lowest here. For a broader set of ducted and ductless choices, see best under cabinet range hoods.
Before you install: check the outlet and the filter
Measure the cooktop and the cabinet above it before you order, and check the hood's height against that space.
Confirm the filter is installed before you turn the fan on, since a ductless hood needs it to recirculate. For the Broan-NuTone 413004, look up your model on the Broan-NuTone site to confirm the manual and the mounting height.
For the full steps, read how to install a ductless range hood. For a broader roundup with more widths and styles, see best ductless range hoods.
Which 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hood fits your kitchen
Pick the AURAKICH if you want two filters in the box and a plug-in cord. Pick the SNDOAS 700 CFM if you want the most airflow and three vent outlets, and you'll buy its filter separately.
Pick the FIREGAS for a budget plug-in hood with its filter included. Pick the Broan-NuTone 413004 for a simple ductless-only insert with no outside vent.
Pick a CIARRA if cabinet clearance is tight, and check the CACF006 filter kit before you order. The two CIARRA hoods share that kit, so compare their finish and fit before you decide.
| Your kitchen | Best fit |
|---|---|
| No outside vent, and you want filters in the box | AURAKICH 400 CFM |
| You want the most airflow and three vent outlets | SNDOAS 700 CFM |
| You want a plug-in hood on a budget | FIREGAS |
| You cook lightly and have no outside vent | Broan-NuTone 413004 |
| Your cabinet sits low | CIARRA stainless |
| Your appliances are black | CIARRA black |
For a closer look at a hood with its own filter, read our COMFEE 30 inch review.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hood?
The AURAKICH 400 CFM Dual Motor is our top pick, since it comes with two charcoal filters and a plug-in cord. If you want the most airflow, the SNDOAS 700 CFM is the one to compare, though you buy its filter separately.
Do 30 inch ductless range hoods come with a filter?
Some do and some don't, so check the box before you buy, since a ductless hood can't recirculate without its filter. The AURAKICH, FIREGAS and Broan-NuTone 413004 include a charcoal filter, while the SNDOAS and both CIARRA hoods need a kit sold separately.
Can I install a 30 inch ductless hood myself?
Follow the manual for mounting, since each hood has its own clearance, duct and filter details that matter for a safe fit. For wiring, use a qualified electrician if you're unsure about any step, including the outlet or the cord route.
How often should I change the charcoal filter?
It depends on how much you cook, so check the manual for your model and change it sooner if you cook heavily. SNDOAS says to change the CF-0475 filter for this 30 inch hood about every 3 months, which is a useful starting point.
How much clearance does a 30 inch ductless hood need?
These hoods stand between 3.94 and 6 inches tall, so measure from the cooktop to the cabinet bottom first. Broan-NuTone says the 413004 should sit at least 18 inches above the cooktop, and every other maker's mounting height is in its manual.
