First, check whether you can duct air outside. A ducted cooker hood extracts air and vents it outdoors, while a recirculating hood filters the air before returning it to the kitchen, and requires filter maintenance. If you’re considering an extractor hob, check its installation requirements and the space available too. None of these appliances replaces your home’s general ventilation.
If you want to vent cooking fumes outdoors, first check that the duct can be used. Alterations to your home may require permission: Service-Public.fr notes that tenants need their landlord’s consent for some types of work.
If you can’t connect your cooker hood to an external vent, recirculation lets filtered air flow back into the kitchen. Check that the hood is compatible with charcoal filters and find out what maintenance the model requires.
If cooking smells could spread into your living area, or a suspended hood would get in the way, consider a less visible hood or a hob with integrated extraction. You’ll also need to check the cut-out dimensions and how the air is treated.
If you cook regularly, check which installation options are available before comparing noise levels, filters and size. ADEME recommends using your cooker hood while cooking and keeping your home’s ventilation unobstructed.
Consider this if: there’s a usable duct to the outside, or you’ve confirmed that one can be installed in your home.
Things to bear in mind: check the duct route and any permissions you may need before choosing an appliance.
Consider this if: you can’t vent air outdoors and the model takes compatible filters.
Things to bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the room. Charcoal filters need maintenance, and this mode doesn’t vent moisture outdoors.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Whether ducted extraction is possible | The installation options for the model; whether there’s a usable duct and, if work is planned, whether any permissions are needed. | I want to vent extracted air outdoors, but my home needs to be suitable for this connection first. Around 33% of shoppers rank feasibility as their main concern. |
| Cooking smells in an open-plan kitchen | Ducted extraction or recirculation; for recirculation, the reference number of the compatible charcoal filter. | When the kitchen opens onto the living room, I want to limit the spread of smells and be able to maintain the filter. This matters most to around 27% of shoppers. |
| Noise levels | The stated noise level at the speeds you’re likely to use, as well as in intensive mode. | If I cook near the living area, I want to use the hood without excessive noise. For around 20% of shoppers, noise is the main consideration. |
| Maintenance and fit | Filters that need maintaining or replacing; cut-out dimensions if the extractor is integrated into the hob. | I’d prefer a solution that suits my kitchen in terms of cleaning and the space it needs. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise this. |
According to Bosch, a recirculating cooker hood returns filtered air to the kitchen, while a ducted hood vents extracted air outdoors. Recirculation therefore doesn’t remove moisture from your home in the way that external ducting does.
If there’s no usable duct, choose a model designed for recirculation and check the reference number of the compatible filter.
Charcoal filters need to be replaced or regenerated, depending on their type and the instructions provided.
Having an external wall doesn’t necessarily mean a duct can be installed through it. Service-Public.fr notes that some work carried out by tenants requires the landlord’s permission.
Before ordering a ducted cooker hood, get the duct route and any approvals required for the planned work confirmed.
In recirculation mode, odour removal depends in part on the type and condition of the charcoal filter. Elica distinguishes between filters that need replacing and regenerable models; their care instructions aren’t interchangeable.
Note the reference number of the compatible filter and follow the instructions for cleaning, replacing or regenerating it.
A hob with integrated extraction combines the requirements of a cooking appliance with those of an air treatment system. For its One range, Novy offers ducted and recirculating configurations, which you should check against the specific model you’re considering.
Check the cut-out dimensions, installation method and parts that need cleaning, and make sure the hob suits the way you cook.
Bosch offers cooker hoods and recirculation accessories, and its advice explains the differences between the two installation modes.
Elica offers recirculating cooker hoods and a range of charcoal filter technologies, including regenerable filters.
The Novy One range combines a hob with extraction integrated into the worktop.
This selection includes under-cabinet and wall-mounted cooker hoods, a tabletop extractor for certain electric cooking appliances, and a hob with integrated extraction. Start by choosing according to the planned installation and how you’ll use it: these formats suit different needs.
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Its under-cabinet design suits kitchens where space above the cooking area is limited, provided you check the installation dimensions.
Two ventilation modes are listed. If you plan to use recirculation, confirm compatibility with the CBCF009 filter and check what’s included before installation.
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Consider this wall-mounted hood if you have enough wall space and its connection requirements suit your kitchen.
The product title states an extraction rate of 650 m³/h but doesn’t specify the measurement conditions. Ducted extraction and recirculation are both listed; for recirculation, identify the compatible filter before buying. Check the installation dimensions for the flue too.
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Its under-cabinet design is suited to kitchens where this type of installation works with the existing layout.
The title mentions LED lighting and a B energy rating. Ducted extraction and recirculation are both listed; the cotton filter required for recirculation is sold separately. Check its compatibility and the installation requirements.
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This freestanding appliance is described as suitable for electric cooking appliances used on a table, such as a grill or fondue set.
It returns filtered air to the room. Don’t choose it as a replacement for a fixed cooker hood for a hob used every day without checking that it’s suitable for your setup and meets your needs.
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Consider this hob with integrated extraction when redesigning your cooking area, after checking the cabinetry and electrical connection.
The title lists four Boost Flex zones and mentions CBEHKIT installation accessories, which must be bought with the hob. Confirm which accessories you need, which filtration system is included and which installation modes are available for this variant.
No. It filters extracted air and then returns it to the kitchen. ADEME notes that home ventilation removes moisture and pollutants, so keep using your existing ventilation and don’t block its air inlets or outlets.
It depends on the work needed and the property. Service-Public.fr notes that some work carried out by tenants requires the landlord’s permission. Before drilling or altering a duct, check what approvals you need and any restrictions that apply to the building.
Follow the instructions for the filter compatible with your cooker hood. For the standard filters concerned, Elica recommends replacing them after 3 to 6 months. It also distinguishes these from regenerable filters, whose instructions and recommended lifespan depend on the product.
First, check the care instructions for the grease filter and, in recirculation mode, the charcoal filter. Bosch recommends cleaning the metal filter monthly with regular use. Check your model’s instructions before putting it in the dishwasher.