Best Ductless Range Hoods

The best ductless range hoods include the SNDOAS 30 inch Ducted and Ductless for a ductless hood with a remote, the IKTCH 30 inch Wall Mount 900 CFM for a premium wall mount with strong airflow, and the Broan-NuTone 4136SF 36 inch for a 36 inch ductless hood.

On this page (10 sections)

1. Our 7 best ductless range hoods in detail
2. Side by side: width, venting and filters
3. How we picked these seven ductless hoods
4. Ductless or ducted: which do you need?
5. Airflow and noise for a ductless hood
6. Under cabinet or wall mount: which fits your kitchen
7. Controls, lights and cleaning
8. Mistakes to avoid when buying a ductless range hood
9. Installing a ductless hood: what to check first
10. Which is the best ductless range hood for your kitchen

The best ductless range hood for most kitchens is the SNDOAS 30 inch under cabinet hood, because its charcoal filter is in the box and it has touch, gesture and remote control.

A ductless (recirculating) hood pulls air through a grease filter and a charcoal filter, then returns it to the room. It doesn't remove heat, moisture or combustion gases, so it can't stand in for an outside vent.

It suits a condo, an apartment or an older kitchen where an outside duct isn't possible.

We compared seven ductless-capable hoods on width, venting, controls and the filter each one needs. Some are 30 inch under cabinet inserts, and others are wall mount hoods or a 36 inch model for a wider range.

If you want the full picture before you shop, read the ductless range hoods guide first.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for a ductless hood with a remote

   SNDOAS 30 inch Ducted and Ductless

   9.1/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a premium wall mount with strong airflow

   IKTCH 30 inch Wall Mount 900 CFM

   9.0/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a 36 inch ductless hood

   Broan-NuTone 4136SF 36 inch

   8.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   Broan-NuTone 413004

   Best for a budget ductless insert
   Check it
5. 5

   Empava 30 inch Touch Control

   Best for flexible venting options
   Check it
6. 6

   Tieasy 30 inch Wall Mount

   Best for a classic chimney-style wall mount
   Check it
7. 7

   SNDOAS 30 inch Wall Mount

   Best for a wall mount with an exhaust pipe in the box
   Check it

Our 7 best ductless range hoods in detail

The SNDOAS leads because it's ready to recirculate out of the box, while the Tieasy and the SNDOAS wall mount need a filter kit first. The Broan-NuTone 413004 ranks lower because its 100 CFM is the lowest airflow in this group.

1

SNDOAS 30 inch Ducted and Ductless

Best for a ductless hood with a remote

9.1/10Our score

• Charcoal filter included
• Touch, gesture and remote control
• 700 CFM maximum
• Three vent outlets

A 30 inch under cabinet hood with its charcoal filter in the box. It runs ductless out of the package and can be ducted with an exhaust pipe sold separately.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Charcoal filter included for ductless use
• Touch, gesture and remote control
• Three vent outlets for ducted installs

Cons

• Filter needs changing every 3 to 6 months, SNDOAS says
• Ducted use needs an exhaust pipe sold separately

The SNDOAS 30 inch hood is a stainless steel under cabinet unit with touch, gesture and remote control. It's rated at 700 CFM maximum on three speeds, and SNDOAS gives the noise as 66 dB.

The default setup is ventless, and the CF-0475 charcoal filter comes in the box, so you can start recirculating without buying a part first.

To switch modes, you open the mesh filter, flip a lever inside it to Ductless and twist the carbon filter into place.

For ducted use, the hood has three vent outlets: one 6 inch round top vent and two 10 by 3-1/4 inch rectangular vents, top and rear. The exhaust pipe isn't included.

It runs on a standard 3-prong plug, so it doesn't need hardwiring. SNDOAS says to change the carbon filter about every 3 to 6 months.

The hood has two 2W LED lights and a single motor on the right side. Pass on it if you'd rather have a chimney-style hood on the wall.

2

IKTCH 30 inch Wall Mount 900 CFM

Best for a premium wall mount with strong airflow

9.0/10Our score

• 900 CFM
• Charcoal filter included
• Gesture sensing and touch
• Remote control

A wall mount hood rated at 900 CFM with a charcoal filter in the box. It suits a range with no cabinet above it.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Highest airflow in this roundup at 900 CFM
• Charcoal filter included
• Gesture sensing and a remote

Cons

• Weighs 45 pounds
• Wall mount only, so it needs open wall above the range

The IKTCH is a 30 inch wall mount chimney hood with the highest airflow in this roundup, rated at 900 CFM. It's the pick for a kitchen where no cabinet sits above the range.

It has four speeds, a touch control panel, gesture sensing and a remote. IKTCH says the noise is 40 dB on the lowest setting and 65 dB at the highest.

A charcoal filter comes in the box, so you can use it ductless from day one. The hood is convertible, so you can also vent it outside.

Two 3W LED lights have adjustable brightness, and the two stainless steel filters are dishwasher safe. IKTCH gives the height as 51.1 inches.

It weighs 45 pounds, so get help when you mount it. Look at an under cabinet model instead if a cabinet already sits over your range.

3

Broan-NuTone 4136SF 36 inch

Best for a 36 inch ductless hood

8.7/10Our score

• 36 inch width
• Ductless only
• Fingerprint resistant PrintGuard finish
• Two-speed blower

A 36 inch ductless hood with a fingerprint resistant finish. Broan-NuTone says it suits kitchens where venting through ducts isn't possible.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• 36 inch width for a wider range
• Fingerprint resistant stainless finish
• Made in the USA, Broan-NuTone says

Cons

• Two fan speeds only
• No outside vent option

The Broan-NuTone 4136SF is the 36 inch pick for a ductless kitchen with a wider range. It's a ductless-only under cabinet hood with a two-speed blower and rocker switches for the fan and the light.

Its PrintGuard finish is fingerprint resistant and scratch resistant, and Broan-NuTone says it wipes clean with ease. The hood pulls air through a charcoal filter and sends it back into the room.

The removable filter is dishwasher safe, and the motor is permanently lubricated. Broan-NuTone says the hood is UL Listed, HVI Certified and ADA compliant.

It measures 36 inches wide, 17.5 inches deep and 6 inches tall. The light takes a bulb sold separately.

Skip it if you want more than two speeds or touch controls, or if you might add an outside vent later, since this hood has no ducted option.

4

Broan-NuTone 413004

Best for a budget ductless insert

8.5/10Our score

• Ductless only
• 100 CFM
• Replaceable charcoal filter
• Two-speed fan

A simple ductless insert with a replaceable charcoal filter. It's a lower-cost pick for a kitchen with no outside vent.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Replaceable charcoal filter
• Simple rocker switches
• Works in an ADA-compliant setup, Broan-NuTone says

Cons

• Lowest airflow in this roundup
• Light bulb not included

The Broan-NuTone 413004 is a budget ductless insert with a replaceable charcoal filter. It's the simplest hood in this list to understand, and it's 30 inches wide, 17.5 inches deep and 6 inches tall.

It has a two-speed fan and rocker switches for the 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 quick-release filters can go in the dishwasher, and the hood includes a 1 year limited warranty.

Broan-NuTone says it can work in an ADA-compliant setup. At 100 CFM it has the lowest airflow here, so use it for everyday cooking and pick a stronger hood if you fry often.

5

Empava 30 inch Touch Control

Best for flexible venting options

8.3/10Our score

• 300 CFM
• Touch controls, 3 speeds
• Four ways to vent
• 6 inch ultra-slim profile

A 6 inch ultra-slim hood with four venting options, including non-ducted recirculation. Empava doesn't name a recirculating filter, so check the manual before you buy.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Four venting options
• Slim 6 inch profile
• Baffle filters Empava says never need replacing

Cons

• No recirculating filter named
• Rated at 69 dBA

The Empava 30 inch hood is a 6 inch ultra-slim unit with touch controls and three speeds. It suits a kitchen where cabinet clearance is tight.

It has four venting choices: 3.25 by 10 inch top or rear ducting, 6 inch round top ducting, or non-ducted recirculation. Empava rates it at 300 CFM and 69 dBA, and it has two LED lights.

Empava doesn't name a recirculating filter, so check the manual for the filter your non-ducted setup needs before you buy. The stainless steel baffle filters are dishwasher safe, and Empava says they never need replacing.

The hood is 29.53 inches wide, 19.69 inches deep and 6.1 inches tall, and it weighs 18.7 pounds. Once the manual confirms the ductless filter, it's a flexible option for a tight space.

6

Tieasy 30 inch Wall Mount

Best for a classic chimney-style wall mount

8.0/10Our score

• 450 CFM
• Ducted or ductless
• 5-layer aluminum mesh filters
• Duct pipe included

A chimney-style wall mount rated at 450 CFM with a duct pipe in the box. Ductless use needs the USGDCF-Y carbon filter kit, sold separately.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Duct pipe and backdraft damper included
• Reusable 5-layer aluminum filters
• 5-year limited parts warranty, Tieasy says

Cons

• Ductless use needs a kit sold separately
• Stands 36.3 inches tall

The Tieasy is a 30 inch chimney-style wall mount with 450 CFM and three push button speeds. It works where there's no cabinet above the cooktop.

The box includes a duct pipe, a backdraft damper and chimney flue duct covers, so you can vent it outside right away.

The chimney adjusts from 15-3/4 to 29-1/2 inches and fits 7.5 to 8.5 foot ceilings, with an extension (part USGDEX-01) sold separately for up to 10 feet.

For ductless use, you need the USGDCF-Y carbon filter kit, which is sold separately. The 5-layer aluminum filters are removable and reusable, and Tieasy backs the parts with a 5-year limited warranty.

Tieasy gives the noise as 55 dB and the height as 36.3 inches. It needs open wall space above the cooktop, so it won't fit under a cabinet.

7

SNDOAS 30 inch Wall Mount

Best for a wall mount with an exhaust pipe in the box

7.8/10Our score

• 450 CFM
• Ducted or ductless
• Two aluminum filters
• 6.5 foot exhaust pipe included

A chimney-style wall mount with a 6 inch top vent and an exhaust pipe in the box. Ductless use needs the CF-1001G charcoal filter kit, sold separately.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Exhaust pipe included for ducted use
• Two aluminum filters included
• 2-year manufacturer warranty, SNDOAS says

Cons

• Ductless use needs a kit sold separately
• Push buttons only, no touch or remote

The SNDOAS 30 inch wall mount is a chimney-style hood with a 6 inch top vent for ducted use. It can also run ductless, which makes it a flexible wall mount.

The box includes a 6.5 foot aluminum exhaust pipe, two aluminum filters and two backdraft dampers, so ducted use needs nothing more. For ductless use, you need the CF-1001G charcoal filter kit, which is sold separately.

Five push buttons give low, mid and high speeds plus a light on and off control. SNDOAS suggests placing the hood 26 to 30 inches from the cooking surface.

The chimney adjusts from 22.8 to 37.8 inches in height and fits 7.5 to 8.5 foot ceilings. SNDOAS gives a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and the hood comes with a 3-prong plug.

Choose a different model if you want touch or remote control.

Side by side: width, venting and filters

Filters decide how easy ductless use is, so check whether each hood includes its charcoal filter before you order.

The SNDOAS 30 inch and IKTCH include a charcoal filter, and the Broan-NuTone hoods are built around one. The Tieasy and SNDOAS wall mount sell their kit separately, and Empava doesn't name a filter.

How we picked these seven ductless hoods

We compared the specs of each hood, then scored it for ductless use first and everything else second. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

Ductless use came first, since a hood that can't recirculate is the wrong hood for a no-vent kitchen. We checked whether each one names a filter for that mode and whether the filter comes in the box.

Next came width, controls and included parts. Hoods that include their charcoal filter ranked higher, because one less part to buy keeps the setup simple.

Airflow and noise came last, because makers rate them in different units and under different conditions. Where a maker gives two different numbers for the same spec, we left that number out of the comparison.

Ductless or ducted: which do you need?

If you can run a duct outside, a ducted hood is the stronger setup, especially for a gas range and heavy frying. A ductless hood is the practical choice when a duct isn't possible.

For a gas range or a lot of frying, check the hood manual and ask a qualified pro which venting suits your stove.

Which ductless range hoods need a filter kit

Some of these hoods are ready to recirculate and some need a part first. This table shows each one.

Filters fit by model number, so check the number on your own hood before you order. For Broan-NuTone hoods, the Broan-NuTone site is the place to confirm your model's manual and filter.

For a closer look at a hood that needs a separate carbon filter kit for ductless mode, read our CIARRA CAS75918A review.

Airflow and noise for a ductless hood

Airflow in ductless mode is often lower than the rated number, so match the hood to how you cook. Maker ratings are usually for ducted use, so expect less when you recirculate.

IKTCH gives 900 CFM and SNDOAS 700 CFM for their top speeds, while the Broan-NuTone 413004 gives 100 CFM. Those three numbers show how wide the range is across this list.

Noise changes with speed, so the same hood can sound very different on low and on high. IKTCH says its hood runs at 40 dB on the lowest setting and reaches 65 dB at the highest.

Empava rates its hood at 69 dBA, SNDOAS gives 66 dB for its 30 inch model, and Tieasy gives 55 dB. Makers measure noise in slightly different ways, so treat each figure as that maker's own number.

If your kitchen opens into a living room, noise may matter more than the top airflow number. Check the rating at the speed you'll use most.

Under cabinet or wall mount: which fits your kitchen

Choose an under cabinet hood if a cabinet already sits above the range, and a wall mount hood if the wall above it is open. Wall mount hoods are much taller, so check the ceiling height too.

The SNDOAS 30 inch and the SNDOAS wall mount come with a 3-prong plug, so they plug into a standard outlet. For more on plug-in models, see best plug-in ductless range hoods.

For wall mount picks, see best wall mount ductless range hoods. If you want a wider mix of recirculating hoods, the best recirculating range hoods list covers inserts and wall mounts together.

If you want a 30 inch under cabinet ductless hood specifically, see best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hoods.

If you're still deciding between a ducted and ductless setup, read ductless vs ducted range hood first. For the basics, see what is a ductless range hood, and for honest limits, see do ductless range hoods really work.

Controls, lights and cleaning

Controls are the part you touch every time you cook, so pick the type that suits your habits. The Broan-NuTone 4136SF and 413004 use rocker switches with two speeds, while the Empava uses touch controls with three speeds.

The Tieasy and SNDOAS wall mount use push buttons with three speeds. The IKTCH and SNDOAS 30 inch add gesture sensing and a remote.

The IKTCH, both SNDOAS hoods, Tieasy and Empava include their LED lights, while the two Broan-NuTone hoods take a bulb you buy separately.

Five of the seven have dishwasher-safe grease filters: the SNDOAS 30 inch, IKTCH, Broan-NuTone 4136SF, Broan-NuTone 413004 and Empava. The Tieasy and SNDOAS wall mount use reusable aluminum filters, so check the manual before you put them in a dishwasher.

The charcoal filter is the part you'll replace, and its schedule depends on how much you cook. SNDOAS says to change its CF-0475 filter about every 3 to 6 months, so set a reminder when you install it.

Mistakes to avoid when buying a ductless range hood

Five slip-ups are easy to catch before you order.

• Assuming the charcoal filter is in the box. The Tieasy and the SNDOAS wall mount need a kit bought separately, and Empava doesn't name a filter at all.
• Hanging a wall mount where a cabinet sits. These hoods need open wall above the range, and they're tall: 36.3 inches for the Tieasy and 51.1 inches for the IKTCH.
• Guessing the mounting height. SNDOAS suggests 26 to 30 inches from the cooking surface for its wall mount, and Broan-NuTone gives a minimum height for the 413004, so check your own manual.
• Judging by CFM alone. The top number is usually for ducted use, and airflow is often lower once a hood recirculates.
• Expecting more than a filter can do. A ductless hood catches grease and odors, not heat, moisture or combustion gases.

Installing a ductless hood: what to check first

Read the manual before you mount anything, and check the included parts against the filter the hood needs. Measure the cooktop and the cabinet above it before you order.

Broan-NuTone says the 413004 should sit at least 18 inches above the cooktop, so use that as a minimum when you plan the mount. For the wiring on any hood, follow the manual and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure.

A ductless hood needs its filter in place to recirculate, so confirm the filter is installed before you turn the fan on.

For the step-by-step process, read how to install a ductless range hood.

Which is the best ductless range hood for your kitchen

Pick the SNDOAS 30 inch if you want a charcoal filter in the box and a remote. Pick the IKTCH if you want the most airflow in a wall mount.

Pick the Broan-NuTone 4136SF for a 36 inch range, since it's the only 36 inch hood on this list. Pick the Broan-NuTone 413004 for a simple, lower-cost insert with no outside vent.

Pick the Empava if you want four venting options, once you've confirmed its recirculating filter. Pick the Tieasy or the SNDOAS wall mount if you want a chimney-style hood that can also be ducted.

If you rent with no outside vent and want the least setup, start with the SNDOAS 30 inch or the 413004, since both come with a filter.

If your kitchen might get an outside vent later, a convertible hood like the SNDOAS 30 inch, IKTCH or Tieasy beats a ductless-only model.

Before you reorder a filter, check the model number on your own hood, since charcoal filters fit by model.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for a ductless hood with a remote

   SNDOAS 30 inch Ducted and Ductless

   9.1/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a premium wall mount with strong airflow

   IKTCH 30 inch Wall Mount 900 CFM

   9.0/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a 36 inch ductless hood

   Broan-NuTone 4136SF 36 inch

   8.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ductless range hood?

The best ductless range hood for most kitchens is the SNDOAS 30 inch under cabinet hood, since its charcoal filter is in the box. If you want more airflow in a wall mount, the IKTCH rated at 900 CFM is the one to compare.

Do ductless range hoods need a charcoal filter?

Yes, a ductless hood sends air back into the room after it passes through a grease filter and a charcoal filter. Some hoods include the charcoal filter, like the SNDOAS 30 inch and the IKTCH, while the Tieasy and SNDOAS wall mount sell it separately.

Does a ductless range hood replace an outside vent?

No, a ductless hood traps grease and cooking odors in its filters, then returns the air to the room. It doesn't remove heat, moisture or combustion gases, so for a gas range or heavy frying a ducted hood that vents outside is the stronger setup.

How often should I change a ductless hood's filter?

It depends on how much you cook, so check the manual for your model and change heavy-use filters sooner. SNDOAS says to change its CF-0475 charcoal filter about every 3 to 6 months, which is a good starting point for your kitchen.