First, choose a cooker hood that suits the installation options available in your kitchen. Extraction requires a dedicated duct to the outside, while recirculation requires a compatible hood and charcoal filters that need regular maintenance. Then check the space available and compare noise levels and airflow in the mode you’ll actually use.
If you regularly cook with steam, smoke or hot oil, check whether a dedicated duct to the outside is possible. Consider the route the duct would take and the hood’s dimensions before choosing an extraction model.
If your kitchen has no suitable outlet, or your project doesn’t include ducting, look for a hood that supports recirculation. Check the charcoal filter reference and any accessories needed for your chosen installation.
In an open-plan living space, noise at the speeds you’ll use matters just as much as how the hood fits on the wall, in a cabinet or above an island. Check the installation dimensions and make sure the filters will be easy to reach for maintenance.
Consider this: if there’s a separate duct to the outside already in place, or one can be included in your project.
Bear in mind: the duct route and any building work will affect the installation. A mechanical ventilation system (VMC) or chimney must not be used as a cooker hood duct.
Consider this: if there’s no usable external outlet, provided the hood supports this mode.
Bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the kitchen, and charcoal filters need regular attention.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and dimensions | Check which mode the model supports, then measure the space available on the wall, in the cabinet or above the island. | If my layout requires the hood to go in a specific place, I want to rule out models that won’t fit. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Smoke, grease and odours | Compare airflow in the mode you plan to use and, where available, look at separate results for grease capture and odour reduction. | When my cooking produces smoke or odours, my first priority is to limit how much they spread through the kitchen. Around 27% of consumers would put this control first. |
| Noise in an open-plan kitchen | Compare the noise level in dB at a similar speed and in the same installation mode, and check which accessories are required. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want the hood to disrupt conversations in the living room. Quiet operation would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Filter maintenance | Check the references of compatible filters, the maintenance instructions in the manual and whether a recirculation kit may be needed. | If I want to keep maintenance under control, I focus on how to clean and replace the filters. Around 20% of consumers would put this first. |
A hood may suit the space but still not support your planned extraction or recirculation setup. Elica, for example, notes that not all of its hoods can be converted.
Before choosing a finish, check the operating mode, dimensions and accessories required for the exact model.
Installation may also require ducting or, for recirculation, a compatible kit and filters.
UFC-Que Choisir advises against connecting an extraction hood this way and says it should have its own dedicated duct to the outside.
Check whether a separate duct can be included in your project. If not, look for a model that genuinely supports recirculation.
UFC-Que Choisir measures cooker hood airflow separately in extraction and recirculation modes. A single airflow or noise figure therefore isn’t enough to compare the setups you’re considering.
Compare figures for the same mode and a similar speed. For odours and grease, look for results that measure these separately rather than relying on airflow alone.
Recirculation relies on charcoal filters that are compatible with the hood. Maintenance depends on the filter type and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Make a note of the required kit and filter references, then check the manual for guidance on how to maintain or replace them.
Worth a look if you’re after a wall-mounted hood or recirculation module, with accessories you can check by reference.
Worth considering for a range of styles, including wall-mounted, built-in, ceiling-mounted and island models.
Worth considering if noise is a key factor, particularly for an open-plan kitchen and a model from the NRS range.
A brand to compare if you want to check the specifications of wall-mounted or built-in models against your kitchen dimensions.
No. A cooker hood designed to remove cooking fumes cannot replace general ventilation in your home. Make sure your ventilation works independently of the hood.
No, it depends on the model. Elica says that not all of its cooker hoods can be converted. Check the manual for the model you’re considering, and find out which filters and kit you’ll need.
Follow the instructions for your hood and its filters, as maintenance frequency depends on the filter type. For the relevant models, Elica recommends cleaning its metal grease filters about once a month. If you use recirculation, also check the instructions for the charcoal filters.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, an extraction hood must not be connected to a mechanical ventilation system (VMC) or a chimney. If you’re considering extraction, check whether a separate duct to the outside is possible.
Check whether it’s possible to install a dedicated duct along the route you have in mind, and find out what permissions you’ll need before planning any drilling. Depending on your circumstances, ask your landlord or property management company which steps apply to your project.