SNDOAS 30 Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood Review
The SNDOAS 30 inch under cabinet range hood is a plug-in stainless steel hood rated up to 700 CFM that runs ducted or ductless. Ductless use needs the CF-0475 carbon filter, which is sold separately, so match it to your model number.
On this page (15 sections)
- Can the SNDOAS range hood vent outside or recirculate?
- How often to change the carbon filter
- Filters, cleaning and the protective film
- Controls, lights and the fan speeds
- Airflow and noise
- What SNDOAS says and what the specs show
- Size, weight and install
- Touch control and the other SNDOAS model
- Who should buy the SNDOAS range hood
- Who should skip it
- How it compares with the COMFEE' and CIARRA hoods
- Matching the fan speed to your cooking
- Install checklist before you order
- Our score and what it weighs
- Verdict on the SNDOAS range hood
The SNDOAS 30 inch under cabinet range hood has a top airflow rating of 700 CFM. It can vent through a duct or recirculate air, but ductless use needs a filter that's sold separately.
We compared the specs, the vent outlets and the filter needs for this model. For background on the ductless setup, read the ductless range hoods guide.
Can the SNDOAS range hood vent outside or recirculate?
It can do both. Ducted use needs an exhaust pipe that you buy separately, and ductless use needs the CF-0475 carbon filter, also sold separately.
Ducted setup through the three outlets
The hood has three vent outlets: a 6 inch round top outlet, a 10 by 3 1/4 inch top rectangle and a 10 by 3 1/4 inch rear rectangle. Check which one matches your existing duct before you buy or install anything.
SNDOAS says the exhaust pipe isn't included, so you'll need to buy one for ducted use. Match the pipe to the outlet you choose, since the three outlets differ in shape and position.
A top outlet sends the duct up and a rear outlet sends it out the back. Pick the route by where your existing duct sits before you cut anything.
Ductless setup on the SNDOAS range hood
To recirculate, install the CF-0475 carbon filter in the hood. SNDOAS says the carbon filter reduces airflow, so expect less air in ductless use.
Seat the filter until it locks in place, since SNDOAS warns that a filter that isn't locked in can loosen and cause abnormal noise.
The hood in this review is model US0475BN. The filter's own details name the US0475B, US0475BPB, US0475BTC and US0475A, so confirm the number on your hood before you order the filter.
How often to change the carbon filter
SNDOAS suggests changing the carbon filter about every 3 months, and the filter's own details allow 3 to 6 months depending on how much you cook. Treat 3 months as the cautious end if you cook most days.
Replacing the filter is quick, and you don't need tools. Keep a spare on hand so the hood doesn't run without one in ductless mode.
Filters, cleaning and the protective film
The two baffle filters are detachable and dishwasher safe, according to SNDOAS. Pull them out, wash them as the manual describes and let them dry before you put them back.
Remove the protective film from the stainless steel before you use the hood. The film is there to prevent scratches, and SNDOAS says to take it off before use.
The body is smooth and flat, which makes daily wiping easier. A soft cloth is usually enough for everyday messes.
Controls, lights and the fan speeds
The push buttons control the power, the light and the fan speed. There are three speeds, labeled high, medium and low.
The hood has two 2 watt LED lights in the front, so there are no bulbs to buy. SNDOAS says they provide extra lighting for the cooking space.
Airflow and noise
SNDOAS rates the hood at up to 700 CFM and 66 dB. The 700 CFM figure is the top speed, not the everyday setting.
That airflow is the highest rating of the four reviews in this group. The 66 dB noise rating is only 1 dB above the COMFEE' at 65 dB, even though the SNDOAS motor is rated for far more air.
That gap suggests the two makers measured under different conditions, so treat both noise figures as rough. The CIARRA uses sones instead of dB, and the two scales don't compare directly.
A top-speed rating like this usually assumes a ducted setup, so expect less air when you recirculate.
What SNDOAS says and what the specs show
SNDOAS says the 700 CFM suction suits frying, steaming and stewing. That is the maximum, and the maker gives no airflow figure for the low and mid speeds.
SNDOAS also says the hood matches most household stoves. At 29.8 inches wide it suits a 30 inch range, and a 36 inch range needs a wider hood.
Size, weight and install
The hood measures 29.8 inches wide, 19.7 inches deep and 5.9 inches tall. It's made for under cabinet mounting, and SNDOAS describes it as the common 30 inch size.
The weight is 10.26 kg, which is about 22.6 pounds. Measure the cabinet space before you order, and check how far the 19.7 inch depth reaches over the cooktop.
Match the hood width to the cooktop, or go wider. A 30 inch hood suits a 30 inch cooktop, which is the size this review covers.
The hood runs on a 3-prong plug, so SNDOAS says it doesn't need additional hard wiring. Follow the manual for the install steps, and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure about the outlet, the plug or any wiring you add.
SNDOAS gives the hood's specification as ETL, a safety certification mark. Choose the vent outlet before you mount the hood, since the outlets sit in different places.
Touch control and the other SNDOAS model
SNDOAS also sells a touch, gesture and remote version of a 30 inch hood, rated at the same 700 CFM. Its controls and filter package are different, so it's worth comparing the two before you buy.
The touch version has baffle filters and three air vents too. Its details say the CF-0475 filter comes with it, while this model's filter is sold separately, so check what's in the box before you order.
If you'd rather not use buttons, the touch version may suit you better. It also adds a remote, and SNDOAS says it has a single motor on the right side.
Who should buy the SNDOAS range hood
Buy it if you want up to 700 CFM in a plug-in 30 inch hood with more vent options. It suits a kitchen that might vent through a duct now or later, because the three outlets give you room to choose.
If you fry often or cook with big pans, the higher speeds are the main reason to pick this hood.
If you will recirculate full time, the 700 CFM figure matters less, because SNDOAS says the carbon filter reduces airflow. In that case, compare it with the CIARRA on size and filters before you pay for fan power you may not use.
For plug-in choices, see the plug-in ductless range hoods. For more 30 inch models, see the best under cabinet range hoods and the 30 inch ductless hoods we compared.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you want ductless use with no extra filter, since ductless use depends on the CF-0475 filter. Also skip it if you're not sure your model number matches the filter's list.
Skip it if quiet matters most and you want a clear number to go on. The 66 dB rating is a rough guide, and the COMFEE' 30 inch review covers a hood with a similar dB figure.
Skip it too if you cook on gas most days and plan to recirculate. A hood that vents outside is the stronger setup there, and this one can do that with the pipe you add.
How it compares with the COMFEE' and CIARRA hoods
The SNDOAS rates 700 CFM at its top speed, while the COMFEE' rates 100 CFM and the CIARRA rates 200 CFM. Its 19.7 inch depth is close to the COMFEE' at 19.6 inches, and it is the tallest of the three at 5.9 inches.
All three can run ducted or ductless, and each needs a separate carbon or charcoal filter for recirculation. The SNDOAS has three vent outlets and baffle filters, while the COMFEE' has a 5-layer aluminum filter and the CIARRA has mesh filters.
The SNDOAS and CIARRA both come with a 3-prong plug. COMFEE' doesn't say whether its hood plugs in, so check that manual before you buy.
Pick the SNDOAS over the CIARRA if you have a duct and want the most airflow. Pick the CIARRA, covered in our CIARRA CAS75918A review, if the gap under your cabinet is tight.
Matching the fan speed to your cooking
Save the high speed for frying and big pots, since that is the setting behind the 700 CFM and 66 dB figures. SNDOAS says the hood is suited to frying, steaming and stewing.
Use low or mid for routine cooking. SNDOAS gives no airflow number for those two settings, so judge them by how the kitchen air feels as you cook.
Install checklist before you order
Measure the cabinet space first: the hood is 29.8 inches wide and 5.9 inches tall, with a 19.7 inch depth. Then work through this list.
- Choose ducted or ductless, and confirm the outlet size if you vent outside.
- If you recirculate, match your model number against the CF-0475 filter's list before you order.
- Buy the exhaust pipe separately for ducted use.
- Remove the protective film before you test the hood.
- Plan a carbon filter swap about every 3 months.
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 8.3 for the highest airflow rating in this group, three vent outlets and a plug-in design. It loses points for the separate CF-0475 filter, the missing exhaust pipe and a 66 dB rating that is only a rough guide.
SNDOAS 30 Inch Under Cabinet Range Hood
- 30 inch brushed stainless steel under cabinet hood
- Ducted or ductless, with three vent outlets
- Three speeds with push-button controls and up to 700 CFM
- Two detachable baffle filters that SNDOAS says are dishwasher safe
- 3-prong plug, with no hard wiring needed
A plug-in 30 inch under cabinet hood with up to 700 CFM, three vent outlets and dishwasher-safe baffle filters. It suits a kitchen that wants more airflow, as long as you buy the right filter and pipe.
Pros
- Highest airflow rating of the four reviews, at 700 CFM max
- Three vent outlets give you top or rear ducting options
- Dishwasher-safe baffle filters are easy to clean
Cons
- Ductless use needs the CF-0475 carbon filter, sold separately
- The 700 CFM figure is a top-speed rating, and the carbon filter reduces airflow
- No exhaust pipe is included for ducted use
Verdict on the SNDOAS range hood
Pick the SNDOAS range hood if you want the most airflow in this group and a plug-in install with three outlet choices. Skip it if you want ductless use without buying a filter, or if quiet matters most.
Before you order, match your model number to the CF-0475 filter, remove the protective film and check which vent outlet fits your duct.
Frequently asked questions
Does the SNDOAS 30 inch range hood need an exhaust pipe?
Only ducted use needs an exhaust pipe, and SNDOAS says the pipe isn't included. Match your duct to one of the three outlets, such as the 6 inch round top outlet, before you buy the pipe, since the outlets differ in shape.
Does the SNDOAS range hood need hard wiring?
The hood comes with a 3-prong plug, and SNDOAS says it doesn't need additional hard wiring. Follow the manual for the install steps, and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure about the outlet, the plug or any wiring you add.
Which filter does the SNDOAS 30 inch hood need for ductless use?
Ductless use needs the CF-0475 carbon filter, which is sold separately for this model. SNDOAS suggests changing it about every 3 months, and the filter's details name different model numbers, so check your own model number before you order the filter.
Are the SNDOAS range hood filters dishwasher safe?
SNDOAS says the two detachable baffle filters are dishwasher safe and washable, and the carbon filter is replaced rather than washed. Remove the protective film from the stainless steel before you use the hood, since SNDOAS says to take it off first.
