How We Research
Every guide on StovetopGuide starts with one question: will this hood fit your kitchen and handle the cooking you do?
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with the width and the vent
Most under-cabinet hoods come in 30 and 36 inch widths. We check the exact width each maker lists and whether a hood vents outside, recirculates or can do both.
Ductless hoods need charcoal filters. When a filter only fits certain models, we say so.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at CFM, noise, controls, lights, filters and duct size. We also note the certifications and warranty terms the maker lists.
When a detail comes from the maker, we say so.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a product. We look for patterns, like a loud fan on high, buttons that are hard to reach or filters that are hard to find.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A hood that's great in a ducted kitchen may score lower in a guide for a condo with no outside vent.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have cooked under every hood we cover.
Our guides don't replace the maker's manual. A ductless hood filters grease and odors, and any hard-wired install belongs with a qualified electrician.