Ductless Range Hoods: The Complete Guide

On this page (14 sections)

1. Start here: pick the guide that fits your kitchen
2. How a ductless range hood works
3. Range hood terms you'll see on most models
4. Ductless or ducted, and the setups in between
5. Best ductless range hoods by type
6. Single-model reviews to read next
7. Charcoal filters: lifespan, washing and fit
8. No outside vent: the options that work
9. Install a ductless or under-cabinet range hood
10. Keep the hood clean between filter changes
11. Sizing, airflow and noise for your cooktop
12. How to choose a ductless range hood
13. Mistakes to avoid when you buy
14. Which ductless range hood fits your kitchen

A ductless range hood cleans cooking air with filters and sends it back into the kitchen, so it needs no outside duct. This guide covers how they work, what they can and can't do, and how to choose, install and care for one.

Ductless hoods are a common choice when a duct to the outside is hard to add, such as in a condo, an apartment or a mobile home. Use the table below to find the guide that matches your kitchen.

Start here: pick the guide that fits your kitchen

Pick the row that matches your situation, then read that guide before you shop. Each guide answers one question in depth, so you don't need to read them all.

If you already own a hood and only need new filters, skip ahead to the charcoal filter section.

How a ductless range hood works

A ductless hood pulls cooking air through a grease filter, then through a charcoal filter, and pushes the cleaned air back into the room. Nothing leaves through a duct, so the air stays in the house.

Ducted hoods push the air outside instead. That duct is what lets them carry heat and moisture out of the home.

The fan sets how fast the air moves through the filters. Most hoods offer two or three speeds, and higher speeds move more air but usually make more noise.

If the basic idea is still new, what a ductless range hood is and how it works walks through each part in order.

The grease filter and the charcoal filter

Most ductless hoods use a metal grease filter and a replaceable charcoal filter. The grease filter catches oil in the air, and the charcoal filter traps many cooking odors.

The grease filter is the part you clean. Some makers say their metal filters go in the dishwasher, so check your manual before you load one.

The charcoal filter is the part you replace. Most makers sell it as a replace-only part, so plan on buying new ones over the life of the hood.

What a ductless range hood can't do

A ductless range hood catches grease and many odors, but it doesn't remove heat, moisture or combustion gases.

For a gas range, that gap matters. A ducted hood that vents outside is the stronger setup, especially if you fry often.

If you cook with gas, follow your hood manual and talk with a qualified pro before you settle on a setup. For a closer look at what these hoods do well, read do ductless range hoods really work.

Range hood terms you'll see on most models

Most hood specs use the same few terms, and knowing them makes side-by-side comparisons much easier. Here's what each one means for a ductless hood.

• CFM means cubic feet per minute, which is how much air the fan moves. Higher numbers move more air.
• Sones measure loudness. A lower number is quieter, so compare it at the fan speed you'll use most.
• dB (decibels) is the other loudness scale you'll see. The COMFEE' lists 65 dB and the SNDOAS 66 dB, and sones and dB don't convert directly.
• BTU measures a burner's heat output. You'll find it on the range's label or in its manual, and it helps you size the airflow.
• Baffle filter is a grease filter made of angled metal layers that catch grease as air passes through.
• Charcoal filter is the carbon part of a ductless hood. It traps many odors, and it's the part you replace.
• Recirculating means the hood cleans the air and sends it back into the room, the same as ductless mode.
• Insert is a hood built to fit into an opening in a cabinet or chimney.
• Convertible means the hood can vent outside or run ductless with added parts.

Ductless or ducted, and the setups in between

A ducted hood sends air outside, so it's the stronger choice for heavy cooking, while a ductless hood fits kitchens where a duct path isn't practical. A few other setups sit in between, and each one comes with its own trade-offs.

The main difference is what happens to the air. Ducted hoods send it out, and ductless hoods clean it and return it to the room.

A hood that can run ducted or ductless

Some hoods can run either way, so you can start ductless and add a duct later if your kitchen allows it. The SNDOAS touch model switches to ductless mode with a lever behind its mesh filter.

For ducted use, you buy the exhaust pipe separately. The hood has three vent outlets to choose from when you connect it.

Convertible hoods that can go ductless

A convertible hood can vent outside or run without a duct, but the ductless setup needs parts of its own, such as a charcoal filter. Convertible vs ductless range hood compares the two setups in detail.

Over-the-range microwaves

An over-the-range microwave mounts above the cooktop and combines a microwave with a hood fan. The under cabinet range hood vs microwave comparison looks at airflow, space, lighting and cleaning side by side.

Under-cabinet or wall-mount

An under-cabinet hood mounts beneath a cabinet, while a wall-mount hood hangs on the wall above the cooktop, so what's above your range decides the choice. Under cabinet vs wall mount range hood explains which mount suits your wall and cabinets.

Best ductless range hoods by type

For most kitchens with a 30 inch cooktop, an under-cabinet model is the simplest place to start. Wall-mount hoods suit kitchens with no cabinet above the range.

Each roundup below groups models by mount type or width, so you compare like with like.

Best under-cabinet range hoods

If you haven't picked a setup yet, the best under cabinet range hoods list is the broadest place to start. It mixes ducted, convertible and ductless models, so you can compare the main options in one place.

Best 30 inch models

A 30 inch cooktop calls for a 30 inch hood, so limit your search to 30 inch models. The best 30 inch ductless under cabinet range hoods keeps the list to 30 inch units that can recirculate air.

Best 36 inch models

A 36 inch cooktop needs a 36 inch hood, so the same width rule applies at that size. The best 36 inch under cabinet range hoods ranks the options that fit that width.

Best recirculating range hoods

Recirculating is another word for ductless mode, so this list covers hoods that clean the air and send it back into the room. The best recirculating range hoods list also includes inserts, which fit into an opening in a cabinet or chimney.

Best wall-mount ductless hoods

Wall-mount ductless hoods hang on the wall above the cooktop, so they suit kitchens with no upper cabinet over the range. The best wall mount ductless range hoods covers the main choices and their widths.

Single-model reviews to read next

Four reviews look at one hood each, with the specs and filter details you need before you buy. Read the one closest to your width and mount type.

Broan-NuTone 413004 review

The Broan-NuTone 413004 non-ducted range hood review looks at a 30 inch insert that runs only without a duct. The hood moves 100 CFM, has a two-speed fan with rocker switches, and needs to sit at least 18 inches above the cooktop.

CIARRA CAS75918A review

The CIARRA CAS75918A ductless range hood review covers a 3.94 inch tall, 200 CFM model that needs a separate carbon filter for ductless use. Check the filter number before you order, since a filter sized for a different model won't fit.

COMFEE' 30 inch review

The COMFEE' 30 inch under cabinet range hood review looks at a 100 CFM hood that runs ducted or ductless. Its aluminum filter is dishwasher safe, but the charcoal filter is matched by model number, so read the number on your hood first.

SNDOAS 30 inch review

The SNDOAS 30 inch under cabinet range hood review looks at a plug-in model that runs ducted or ductless and is rated up to 700 CFM. Its CF-0475 carbon filter for ductless use is sold separately, and SNDOAS says the filter reduces airflow.

Charcoal filters: lifespan, washing and fit

Most charcoal filters are replace-only, so washing them is rarely the right care step. How often you swap one depends on how much you cook.

How long a charcoal filter lasts

Expect to change a charcoal filter every few months, and sooner if you cook most days. SNDOAS gives 3 to 6 months for its CF-0475, and how long do range hood charcoal filters last breaks down the maker intervals.

Can you wash a charcoal filter

Charcoal filters are generally replaced, not washed, so check your manual before you try. Many makers say the metal grease filters are washable, and can you wash range hood charcoal filters covers which parts to clean and which to replace.

Charcoal filter vs grease filter

The grease filter traps oil from the air, and the charcoal filter traps odors, so a ductless hood needs both to work well. Charcoal filter vs grease filter explains what each one does and how to tell them apart on your hood.

Replacing the charcoal filter

Replacing a charcoal filter is usually a short job, but the exact steps depend on your hood. Turn the hood off at the switch or breaker first, then remove the grease filter and swap the charcoal filter.

How to replace a charcoal filter in a range hood walks through the general steps, and your manual has the exact ones.

Finding a replacement that fits

A replacement filter has to match your hood's model number, not just its width. Read the number on your own hood before you order anything, since filters are sold by model.

The best replacement charcoal filters for range hoods list matches filters to the hoods they fit.

No outside vent: the options that work

Without an outside vent, your main options are a ductless hood, a convertible hood run ductless, or a microwave that recirculates air. Each one gives up something compared with a ducted hood, so know the trade-off before you buy.

Plug-in ductless hoods

A plug-in hood needs no hardwiring into the wall, which suits renters and many condo owners. You still need an outlet within reach of the hood's cord, so measure that spot before you buy.

Best plug-in ductless range hoods collects the plug-in models in one place.

Under-cabinet hoods without a cabinet

An under-cabinet hood is built to mount under a cabinet or shelf, so a bare wall may not suit it. Follow the maker's manual before you mount one any other way, and check the mounting type in the product details before you buy.

Can you use an under cabinet range hood without a cabinet explains the options, and a wall-mount model is usually the simpler fix.

Install a ductless or under-cabinet range hood

Installing a ductless hood is mostly mounting the unit, fitting the filters and connecting power, and the manual sets the exact order. Read the whole manual before you drill, since it gives the height and clearance rules for your model.

For a Broan-NuTone hood, the maker's own site, Broan-NuTone, is the place to check your model's details.

Install a ductless hood step by step

A ductless install usually runs in this order: prep the space, mount the hood, connect power, then fit the filters. Mark the mounting points with a stud finder, and check the cooktop clearance first, since the Broan-NuTone 413004 needs at least 18 inches.

How to install a ductless range hood gives the full step-by-step, including how to find the mounting points.

If the hood is hard-wired, follow the manual and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure.

Install an under-cabinet hood

An under-cabinet install changes depending on whether you vent outside. A ducted hood needs a duct path to the outside, while a ductless one needs its charcoal filter in place and no duct run.

How to install an under cabinet range hood covers both paths, with the manual as the first check.

Keep the hood clean between filter changes

Clean the grease filter whenever it looks greasy, since buildup makes the whole hood work harder. Keeping the grease filter clean also means less oil reaches the charcoal filter behind it.

Wipe the outside and the light

Wipe the outside of the hood with mild soap and water, then dry it well so no water sits near the controls. Clean the light lens too, since grease on the lens dims the light.

The Broan-NuTone 413004 takes a bulb of up to 75 watts, and the bulb isn't included. Check the bulb type in your manual before you buy a replacement.

Run the fan while you cook

Switch the fan on as you start cooking, so the grease filter catches oil from the first minute. Use the top speed for frying and the lower speeds for simmering, since higher speeds are usually louder.

Sizing, airflow and noise for your cooktop

Your hood should match the cooktop width or run a little wider, so a 30 inch range usually gets a 30 inch hood. Width comes first, then airflow and noise, and the mounting height comes from the manual.

How to measure your cooktop and cabinet space

Measure the cooktop from edge to edge, and match the hood width to that number. An under-cabinet hood must also fit under the cabinet bottom, so measure that space too.

Then compare both numbers with each hood's width and height, such as 29.8 by 5.9 inches for the SNDOAS or 29.9 by 5.5 inches for the COMFEE'. The mounting height in the manual also decides the fit.

Airflow and the gas rule of thumb

For a gas range, a common rule of thumb is about 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTU of burner output. Check your range's BTU number and the hood manual, since the rule is a starting point and not a standard.

Maker CFM figures are usually measured for ducted use, so expect less airflow in ductless mode.

Noise and controls

Noise is rated in sones or decibels (dB), and a lower number means a quieter fan. Compare models in the same unit, since the sound changes with fan speed.

Rocker switches and push buttons are plain to read. The SNDOAS touch model adds gesture and remote control, while the Broan-NuTone 413004 keeps to rocker switches for its light and two-speed fan.

How to choose a ductless range hood

Start with the width, the power type and the filter, then compare airflow, noise and controls. Those checks rule out most mismatches before you look at extra features.

Check the power type

A plug-in hood avoids new wiring, which helps in a rental. A hard-wired hood connects to the wall box, so follow the manual and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure.

Check the filter

Find out which charcoal filter the hood uses, where to buy it, and how often you'll need one. Replacement filters are the part you'll keep buying, so that answer matters more than most features.

Match the hood to how you cook

If you fry, sear or cook on a gas range often, a ducted hood that vents outside is the stronger setup. A ductless hood with clean filters suits lighter everyday cooking.

Before you buy, check these five things:

• Width: matches your cooktop
• Mount: under-cabinet, wall-mount or insert
• Power: plug-in or hard-wired
• Filter: the model number and where to buy it
• Noise and controls: the sone or dB rating and the switch type

Mistakes to avoid when you buy

The most common mistake is buying by brand before checking width, mount and filter type. The four errors below are easy to avoid, so check each one before you order.

Skipping the filter's model number

A filter that doesn't match your model may not fit, and SNDOAS warns that a carbon filter that isn't locked in can loosen and cause abnormal noise. Read the model number on your hood, then match the filter to it before you order.

Forgetting the charcoal filter

Without its charcoal filter, a ductless hood catches grease but not odors. Check what comes in the box, since some hoods include the filter and others sell it separately.

Mounting too low

Mounting too low makes the hood harder to use and can break the clearance rules in the manual. Broan-NuTone says the 413004 should sit at least 18 inches above the cooktop, so treat that number as the minimum.

Choosing on airflow alone

A high CFM number doesn't tell you how loud the fan is or how easy the hood is to clean. The SNDOAS is rated up to 700 CFM at its top speed, yet its filter details say the carbon filter reduces airflow.

Which ductless range hood fits your kitchen

A ductless range hood suits a kitchen where a duct to the outside is hard to add. A ducted hood suits a kitchen where you can vent outside and cook heavily.

Start with your width and vent situation, then open the guide that matches. Keep a filter schedule, and check the model number every time you reorder.

Pick a ductless range hood if

• You can't run a duct outside, or running one would be hard.
• You rent or live in a condo, apartment or mobile home.
• Your cooking is mostly everyday meals, not heavy frying.
• You can keep up with charcoal filter changes.

Pick a ducted hood if

• You cook often on a gas range or fry a lot.
• You can run a duct to the outside without major changes.
• You want the stronger setup for heat and moisture.

Frequently asked questions

What is a ductless range hood?

A ductless range hood filters cooking air through a grease filter and a charcoal filter, then sends it back into the kitchen, so it needs no outside duct. It suits many condos, apartments and older kitchens, but it does not remove heat, moisture or combustion gases.

Do ductless range hoods really work?

They catch grease and many cooking odors when the filters are clean and match your model, but they don't remove heat or moisture the way a ducted hood does. For heavy frying or a gas range, a hood that vents outside is the stronger setup, so check your manual if you're unsure.

How often should you change a charcoal filter?

Plan on changing a charcoal filter every few months, since the exact time depends on how much you cook, and SNDOAS says its CF-0475 filter needs a change about every 3 to 6 months. Filters are sold by model number, so check the number on your own hood before you order.

Can a ductless range hood go over a gas range?

A ductless hood can go over a gas range if its manual allows it, but a ducted hood that vents outside is the stronger setup, especially if you fry often. A ductless hood catches grease and odors but does not clear combustion gases from the room, so ask a qualified pro if you're unsure.