COMFEE' 30 Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood Review
The COMFEE' 30 inch under cabinet range hood is a basic stainless steel hood that works ducted or ductless. It suits a kitchen that wants a simple hood with a reusable filter, but its 100 CFM rating is modest for heavy cooking.
On this page (15 sections)
- Does the COMFEE' range hood work ducted or ductless?
- What ductless mode does and doesn't do
- Filters, cleaning and the charcoal filter you'll need
- How strong is the COMFEE' fan?
- Size, weight and what comes in the box
- What COMFEE' says and what the specs show
- How hard is the install?
- How does it compare with the CIARRA and SNDOAS hoods?
- How it compares with a ductless-only hood
- Day-to-day use and upkeep
- What to check before you order
- Who should buy this hood
- Who should skip it
- Our score and what it weighs
- Verdict on the COMFEE' range hood
The COMFEE' 30 inch under cabinet range hood can vent outside or recirculate air. That makes it a practical option for a kitchen that may not have an outside duct.
We compared the specs, install modes and filter needs to see who this hood fits. For the basics on both setups, read the ductless range hoods guide.
Does the COMFEE' range hood work ducted or ductless?
Yes, the COMFEE' 30 inch hood is convertible, so you can set it up for a vented or a recirculating install. COMFEE' says it can be installed in exhaust mode or recirculation mode.
Exhaust mode and recirculation mode compared
In exhaust mode, the hood moves cooking air out through a duct. In recirculation mode, it pulls air through a filter and sends it back into the room.
Each mode has its own setup steps, so read the manual before you mount the hood. COMFEE' points buyers to the user manual and its installation videos for the steps.
If you might vent outside later, read the duct steps before you mount the hood, so you know what a later switch involves.
What ductless mode does and doesn't do
In ductless mode, the hood works as a grease and odor filter. It doesn't remove heat, moisture or combustion gases from the kitchen.
The grease filter catches cooking grease, and the charcoal filter helps with odors as air passes through. For a side by side look at the two setups, see convertible and ductless hoods compared.
If you cook on a gas range or fry often, a hood that vents outside is the stronger setup. Check the hood manual and ask a qualified pro if you're unsure which setup fits your stove.
Filters, cleaning and the charcoal filter you'll need
COMFEE' calls the 5-layer aluminum filter reusable and says it's dishwasher safe. It detaches easily, so you can take it out to wash.
COMFEE' also says a gentle wipe is enough to clean the stainless steel body.
Charcoal filter for recirculation
Recirculation needs a charcoal filter in place, and filters are matched by model number. This review covers the CVU30W4AST, which COMFEE' calls its 2.0 version, so check the number on your own hood first.
Don't assume a filter from another brand will fit.
How strong is the COMFEE' fan?
COMFEE' rates the fan at 100 CFM and gives a noise level of 65 dB. Those are modest numbers, so the hood suits everyday cooking better than heavy frying.
Makers usually rate airflow for ducted use, so expect less in recirculation mode. Treat the 100 CFM figure as a starting point, not a promise.
COMFEE' uses dB for noise, and some hoods use sones instead. The two scales don't convert directly, so compare hoods that use the same unit when you can.
Fan speeds on the COMFEE' range hood
The fan has three speeds. Use the lower setting for everyday cooking and step up only when you need more pull.
You change the suction with the push-button control, which COMFEE' says is easy to use. The hood also has one LED light for the cooktop.
Size, weight and what comes in the box
The hood measures 29.9 inches wide, 19.6 inches deep and 5.5 inches tall, and it weighs 16.5 pounds. Measure the space under your cabinet before you order, and check how far the nearly 20 inch depth reaches over the cooktop.
The box includes the hood, a filter, the instruction manual, screws and wall plugs. It is an under cabinet mount, so it's built to sit under a cabinet or shelf.
At 5.5 inches tall, the hood has a slim profile under the cabinet. Still, measure the gap between the cabinet bottom and the cooktop before you order.
The 29.9 inch width is the usual size for a 30 inch range. For how width, airflow and mounting height fit together, see what size range hood for a 30 inch cooktop.
Stainless steel finish
The body is stainless steel with a brushed finish. COMFEE' says it resists high heat and salt corrosion.
What COMFEE' says and what the specs show
COMFEE' says the 3-speed fan keeps the noise low, and the one number it gives is 65 dB. That's a maker rating, so use it to compare hoods, not to predict how your kitchen will sound.
COMFEE' also says the 5-layer aluminum filter removes grease and cooking odors. The mesh handles grease, but odor control in ductless mode depends on the charcoal filter, which is a separate part.
COMFEE' also says the install is easy, and the box does give you screws, wall plugs and a manual. It leaves out the duct pipe and the charcoal filter, so both are extra purchases.
How hard is the install?
COMFEE' points buyers to the step-by-step manual and its install videos. Follow those steps in order, and check the mounting height in the manual, since it sets how close the hood sits to the cooktop.
COMFEE' doesn't say whether the hood plugs in or is hard-wired, so read the wiring steps in the manual before you plan the outlet. If you're unsure about the wiring, use a qualified electrician.
For a ducted install, the box doesn't include ducting, so check the outlet size in the manual before you buy any.
How does it compare with the CIARRA and SNDOAS hoods?
The COMFEE' has the lowest airflow rating of the three convertible 30 inch hoods, at 100 CFM against 200 CFM for the CIARRA CAS75918A. All three can run ducted or ductless, and all three need a separate filter for recirculation.
For the ductless setup on the CIARRA, read the CIARRA CAS75918A review.
The SNDOAS is the closest match in size, at 29.8 inches wide and 19.7 inches deep against 29.9 and 19.6 for the COMFEE'. Its noise rating is almost the same, at 66 dB against 65 dB.
The real gap is airflow and extras. SNDOAS rates its top speed at 700 CFM, adds three vent outlets and a 3-prong plug, and sells its CF-0475 carbon filter separately.
SNDOAS also says its carbon filter reduces airflow, so in ductless mode the gap between the two shrinks. If you plan to recirculate for good, the extra CFM matters less than it looks on paper.
How it compares with a ductless-only hood
The Broan-NuTone 413004 installs as a non-ducted hood only, so it can't vent air outside. The COMFEE' gives you that choice, which matters if your kitchen might get a duct later.
On paper, both hoods rate airflow at 100 CFM, so venting is the main difference between them. The COMFEE' has three fan speeds, while the Broan has two, and it's 19.6 inches deep compared with the Broan's 17.5 inches.
The Broan uses rocker switches for its light and fan, while the COMFEE' uses a push-button control. Broan also states a 1 year limited warranty, while COMFEE' gives no term, so check the paperwork that comes with the hood.
Pick the Broan if you will never vent outside and want a plain two-speed hood. Pick the COMFEE' if a duct could ever be an option.
Day-to-day use and upkeep
Clean the grease filter on a regular schedule, since grease builds up on the mesh over time. The filter is reusable, so a quick wash keeps it working as it should.
If you recirculate, change the charcoal filter on the schedule in your manual. Heavy cooking wears it out faster, so check it more often in a busy kitchen, and see how long charcoal range hood filters last for what changes the timing.
What to check before you order
Measure the cabinet space first, since the hood is 29.9 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall. Then run through this short list.
- Confirm the space under your cabinet fits the hood's width and height, and note the 19.6 inch depth.
- Decide between ducted and ductless, and check the duct size in the manual if you vent outside.
- If you plan to recirculate, order the charcoal filter for your exact model number.
- Read the wiring steps in the manual, and plan for a qualified electrician if you're unsure.
- Set up a cleaning routine for the reusable filter, which is dishwasher safe.
Who should buy this hood
Buy it if you want one 30 inch hood that can vent or recirculate, and you don't need strong airflow. It's a good pick for a condo or apartment kitchen where you may not have a duct.
Since the hood runs both ways, you can start with recirculation and switch to a duct later if your kitchen allows it. Read the manual's steps for the other mode first, so a later change holds no surprises.
The reusable aluminum filter means no grease filter to keep buying, only the charcoal filter if you recirculate. If you're replacing an older hood, compare its footprint with this hood's 29.9 by 19.6 inches first.
Lighter cooking, such as simmering, boiling and the occasional sauté on an electric range, is where a 100 CFM rating is easiest to live with. The charcoal filter is built for the odor side of that job.
For more options in the same size, see the 30 inch ductless hoods we compared and the best under cabinet range hoods.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you cook on gas most days or fry often, since 100 CFM is modest. Our SNDOAS 30 inch review covers a hood with a higher airflow rating, which gives you more margin for searing.
As a rough rule of thumb for gas, plan on about 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTU of burner output. Check your range's BTU rating and the hood manual before you decide, since the rule is only a starting point.
Our score and what it weighs
We compared the specs, install modes and filter needs before we scored it. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
This hood scores 8.0 because it offers two install modes, a reusable filter and a stainless body. It loses points for its 100 CFM airflow, the separate charcoal filter that ductless use needs and the missing plug or wiring detail.
COMFEE' 30 Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood
- 30 inch stainless steel under cabinet hood
- Ducted or ductless (recirculating) convertible
- 3-speed fan and one LED light
- Reusable 5-layer aluminum filter that is dishwasher safe
A basic 30 inch under cabinet hood that runs ducted or ductless, with a reusable filter and one LED light. It fits a kitchen that needs a simple hood more than strong airflow.
Pros
- Works ducted or ductless in one hood
- Reusable aluminum filter is dishwasher safe
- Stainless steel body wipes clean
Cons
- Rated at 100 CFM, which is modest for heavy cooking
- Ductless use needs a separate charcoal filter
- COMFEE' doesn't say whether it plugs in or is hard-wired
Verdict on the COMFEE' range hood
Pick this COMFEE' range hood if you want a basic 30 inch hood that can vent outside or recirculate. Skip it if you cook on gas, fry often or need strong airflow, and choose a stronger hood instead.
Before you order, check the model number for the charcoal filter and measure the space under your cabinet.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use the COMFEE' 30 inch range hood without a vent?
Yes, you can run it in recirculation mode with a charcoal filter made for your model, which catches grease and odors before the air returns to the kitchen. It does not remove heat, moisture or combustion gases, so a hood that vents outside is the stronger choice for a gas range.
Does the COMFEE' range hood need a special charcoal filter?
For recirculation, yes, and the CVU30-F49 charcoal filter is sold as a replacement for the CVU30W4AST model. Filters are matched by model number, so check your own hood's number before you buy one, and don't assume another brand's filter will fit.
Is the COMFEE' 30 inch range hood dishwasher safe?
COMFEE' says the reusable 5-layer aluminum filter is dishwasher safe and detaches easily for cleaning. Its stainless steel body needs only a gentle wipe, and charcoal filters are usually replaced rather than washed, so check the manual for their schedule.
How loud is the COMFEE' 30 inch under cabinet range hood?
COMFEE' gives the noise level as 65 dB, and the fan has three speeds, so keep it on the lower ones for everyday cooking. Raise it only when you need more pull, and compare noise across hoods before you choose one.
