If you have an outside duct
If you cook often, first check that the duct can be used with the cooker hood you’re considering, and that its use or any work needed is permitted. Choose a model only once you’ve confirmed this.
Who are these options for?
If you don’t have an outside outlet
Recirculation lets you use a cooker hood without a duct to the outside. Check that the model supports this mode, then find the kit and filters that are compatible with its full model reference.
If you cook in an open-plan living space
In an open-plan kitchen, noise can matter as much as the installation method. Compare the stated noise levels at the speed and in the configuration you plan to use, rather than relying on a general promise of quiet operation.
What should you check before buying?
Whether extraction is possible is the first thing to consider when choosing between the two types of cooker hood. Your existing ventilation is there to complement it: ADEME advises you not to switch off your mechanical ventilation system and says a high ventilation rate in the kitchen may be needed while cooking or when steam is being produced.
Extraction to the outside
Consider this: if there’s a usable duct to carry the extracted air outside.
Check first: confirm the duct route and whether any permissions are needed for the work before you buy.
Recirculation with filters
Consider this: if extraction to the outside isn’t available or permitted, and you have a hood designed for recirculation.
Bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the kitchen, and compatible filters need regular maintenance.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | For extraction, check the duct and the model’s connection dimensions. If work is planned, check which permissions apply to your home. | I want to avoid choosing a cooker hood that won’t work with my kitchen’s installation options; around 31% of shoppers put compatibility first. |
| Steam and odours | Check whether the air will be extracted outside or filtered and returned to the kitchen, along with the stated specifications for your chosen mode. | If I cook often and find steam and odours bothersome, I first look for effective extraction above the cooking area. This is the top priority for around 31% of shoppers. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise levels for the specific models, at similar speeds and in comparable installation modes. | In an open-plan living space, I want to cook without the cooker hood drowning out conversation; around 19% of shoppers prioritise quiet operation. |
| Filter maintenance | For recirculation, find the reference for the compatible kit and filters, then check the maintenance interval in the manual. | If I use my cooker hood regularly, I want to know which filters to replace and be able to find the right references; for around 19% of shoppers, maintenance is the main concern. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Relying on a recirculating cooker hood for general ventilation
Recirculation returns filtered air to the kitchen; on its own, it doesn’t ventilate your home.
Keep your mechanical ventilation system switched on, as ADEME recommends, and use the cooker hood to extract air above the cooking area.
-
Buying an extraction hood before checking the duct
Extraction to the outside requires a suitable route for the duct. In a block of flats, work affecting shared areas or the building’s exterior may also require permission.
Check the duct, any restrictions that apply to your home and the permissions you need before planning to drill through a wall or choosing this installation method.
-
Assuming recirculation accessories are universal
Kits and filters are selected according to the cooker hood’s model reference. Bosch notes, for example, that its initial-installation kits for recirculation aren’t universal.
Make a note of the model’s full reference and check it against the compatibility lists for the kit and replacement filters.
-
Comparing noise without checking the configuration
A single noise figure doesn’t tell you what speed the cooker hood will run at or which mode it’ll use in your home.
Use the acoustic data for the exact model to compare the configuration and speeds that match how you’ll use it.
Brands to compare
Bosch
Bosch offers cooker hoods and accessories for extraction and recirculation, with model-specific compatibility information for some kits.
- The brand explains the difference between the two modes and says when its appliances need an initial-installation kit for recirculation.
- Bosch kits aren’t universal: check the references for both the cooker hood and the accessory before pairing them.
Elica
Elica filters and accessories may be worth considering for a cooker hood used in recirculation, particularly if you want to plan ahead for maintenance.
- Elica lists the appliances that are compatible with its CFC0140055 carbon filter.
- Elica recommends replacing this specific filter every 3 to 4 months; this interval doesn’t apply to all its filters.
Falmec
Falmec offers cooker hoods in several sizes; installation options and features should be checked for each model.
- Falmec offers the Verso NRS in 55 cm and 85 cm sizes, with washable metal filters and a recirculation option using a charcoal-zeolite filter.
- Falmec’s claim that the Verso NRS is quiet is a feature it advertises for this model, not a quality established for all its cooker hoods.
Cooker hoods to consider on Joybuy
These cooker hoods are listed with extraction and recirculation options. To choose between them, first check what can be installed in your home, then look at the accessories and specifications for the model you’ve selected.
Image unavailable
Ciarra 60 cm black wall-mounted cooker hood with push-button controls
Consider this if a 60 cm wall-mounted installation suits your kitchen and you want to choose between extraction and recirculation.
The product name lists both modes and push-button controls. Check that the connection is suitable; for recirculation, check which filters are compatible.
Image unavailable
Ciarra Slimline 60 cm stainless steel cooker hood for under-cabinet installation
Worth considering if the space under a kitchen cabinet points you towards a compact design.
The product name lists a 60 cm width, two ventilation modes and push-button controls. Check the cabinet’s installation dimensions and, for recirculation, whether the CBCF009 filter is compatible.
Image unavailable
Ciarra CBCS6765B 60 cm white glass angled wall-mounted cooker hood
Consider this if an angled wall-mounted design suits your cooking area and you need to choose between extraction and recirculation.
The product name lists an extraction rate of 580 m³/h and three-speed touch controls. For recirculation, check which accessories are required and whether the CBCF055 carbon filter is compatible; compare the noise level for the mode you’ll be using.
Image unavailable
Ciarra 60 cm black wall-mounted cooker hood with Wi-Fi controls
Worth considering if you’re looking for a wall-mounted cooker hood with touch controls and app control, provided it can be installed in your kitchen.
The product name lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, a booster function, and extraction and recirculation modes. Check the number of speeds and the reference for the filters that suit your chosen mode.
Image unavailable
Comfee TSHM77SS-60 60 cm stainless steel T-shaped cooker hood
Consider this if a 60 cm T-shaped cooker hood fits your available space and you’re comparing extraction with recirculation.
The product name lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, gesture and touch controls, and both modes. Before installing it for recirculation, check which carbon filter and kit are required for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Does a recirculating cooker hood replace the mechanical ventilation system?
No. A recirculating cooker hood returns filtered air to the kitchen, while the mechanical ventilation system helps ventilate the whole home. ADEME advises you never to switch off the mechanical ventilation system; use the cooker hood to extract air above the cooking area.
Can I install an outside extraction duct in a block of flats without asking permission?
Don’t assume that work affecting shared areas or the building’s exterior is permitted. For relevant work by a flat owner, Article 25 of the law of 10 July 1965, published by Légifrance, requires approval from the general meeting. Check the duct route and any permissions needed before drilling.
Does a cooker hood used for recirculation need a specific kit?
It depends on the model. Bosch says that its cooker hoods installed for recirculation need a compatible initial-installation kit. Check the manual for your chosen hood to find out which accessories you need; don’t assume one kit fits every model.
When should you replace a carbon filter?
Follow the replacement interval for the specific filter and cooker hood model. For example, Elica recommends replacing its CFC0140055 filter every 3 to 4 months; this guidance doesn’t automatically apply to other filters.