For an open-plan kitchen, first choose an installation method that works with your home: extraction sends the air drawn in outside through a duct, while recirculation filters the air and returns it to the room, and requires the odour filters to be maintained. Then compare the width, stated extraction rate and, above all, noise levels measured under comparable conditions. A figure recorded in intensive mode may not reflect how quiet the hood will be during everyday cooking.
If your kitchen opens onto the living room, consider where the extracted air will go and where the hood will sit in relation to the hob. The installation method must also suit your walls, island and home's ventilation.
If you eat, chat or work nearby, noise at the speeds you use for cooking matters more than a single minimum figure. Compare the figures for normal use and intensive mode separately.
Ask a professional to identify any existing duct before choosing an extraction hood. If you are considering an outlet through an external wall, also check the status of the façade and any permissions required. Recirculation is another option to consider if this installation is not possible.
Consider this: if a dedicated duct to the outside can be used with your home's layout.
What to bear in mind: the extracted air leaves the room, but using an existing duct or creating an outlet may require checks and building work.
Consider this: when a dedicated outlet to the outside is not possible.
What to bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the room, and the compatible odour filter needs to be maintained according to its specific model.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Identify the type of duct and which operating mode the hood supports. If you need to create an outlet in a leasehold flat, check the lease and get any necessary permissions before work begins. | I want to choose an operating mode that my home can actually accommodate. |
| Noise | Compare dB(A) figures measured under the same conditions. EU regulations specify the declared noise level at the highest setting in normal use: this should not be confused with a figure for intensive mode or with noise levels at the speeds you use most often. | My kitchen opens onto the living room, so I need to know how noisy the hood is while I cook, not just at its lowest setting. |
| Size and extraction rate | Check the width of the hob, whether the hood will be wall-mounted or island-mounted, and the installation clearances in the instructions. Check the mode and speed used to measure the extraction rate rather than comparing maximum figures taken under different conditions. | My hood needs to fit the available space and the way I can install it above the hob. |
| Filters | For recirculation, check the reference of the compatible odour filter, whether it is included and how it should be maintained. Make sure you distinguish this from the grease filter. | If I choose recirculation, I want to be able to maintain the filters specified for my exact hood model. |
The type of duct determines whether your planned extraction set-up is suitable for your home. If you choose an extraction hood before checking, you may need to use a different installation method.
Ask a professional to identify the existing duct before choosing your hood and its connection.
The lease and the status of any affected parts of the building may determine whether the work can go ahead. According to ANIL, work affecting communal areas or the external appearance of the building requires approval from the general meeting.
Check the lease and confirm what approvals are needed before commissioning the work or settling on extraction.
In an open-plan living space, noise during cooking can make conversation difficult. An extraction rate in intensive mode and a noise level measured during normal use relate to different settings.
For each model, compare the extraction rate and dB(A) levels at the speeds you plan to use, taking the measurement conditions into account.
Compatibility and maintenance instructions vary by model, so the recommended lifespan for one filter does not automatically apply to another.
Before buying, check the odour filter reference, whether it is included and the instructions for replacing or regenerating it.
Maintaining a recirculation system means following these instructions and, where specified in the manual, replacing the filter regularly.
These examples can help you identify features and accessories to check for a specific model; they do not cover every cooker hood made by each brand.
The Plane Plus NRS range is worth considering if you want a wall-mounted or island hood and noise is a priority.
The CleanAir 17000172 recirculation module shows why it is important to choose an accessory that is compatible with your hood.
If you plan to use recirculation, check Elica replacement filters by model reference.
The LC91KLT60 is an example of a wall-mounted hood to consider if you are looking at both extraction and recirculation.
These models are designed for wall mounting and are either 60 cm or 90 cm wide, depending on the model. If your hob is on an island, don't assume this selection is suitable for ceiling mounting or installation above an island.
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Worth considering for a 90 cm wall-mounted space. The product name lists four speeds, including an intensive mode, and an extraction rate of 650 m³/h. For an open-plan living space, check the noise levels at the speeds you normally use, as well as which filter you need if you plan to use recirculation.
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Compare this model if you have a 60 cm wall-mounted space. The product name lists four speeds, including an intensive mode, and an extraction rate of 650 m³/h. Check the noise level at the settings you normally use and the filter reference required for recirculation.
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For a 90 cm wall-mounted installation, check the connection required and the installation clearances for your hob. If you choose recirculation, the charcoal filter is listed as not included, so check which reference is compatible. Also check the noise levels at normal speeds rather than judging how comfortable it will be in the living room based only on intensive mode.
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Worth considering for a 90 cm wall-mounted space, with extraction or recirculation depending on your chosen installation. The product name states that a charcoal filter is included; check its reference and maintenance instructions, as well as the noise levels at the speeds you will use in an open-plan kitchen.
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This 60 cm T-shaped design is worth comparing if your hob is against a wall. The product name lists both extraction and recirculation. For recirculation, check which odour filter is suitable and whether it is included. If noise in the living room is a factor in your decision, also check the dB(A) figures and the conditions under which they were measured.
No. Extraction sends the air drawn in outside through a duct, while recirculation filters the air and returns it to the room. If you are considering recirculation because there is no dedicated outlet, check which odour filter is compatible and how to maintain it before choosing your hood.
Compare dB(A) figures measured under the same conditions, then look for noise levels at the speeds you will use. EU regulations on cooker hood energy labelling define the declared noise level at the highest setting in normal use. This figure alone does not describe intensive mode or every setting you might use while cooking.
Follow the instructions for your exact model rather than relying on a replacement interval that supposedly applies to all cooker hoods. Bosch recommends replacing the CleanAir 17000172 module annually, while Elica recommends replacing the CFC0140343 filter every 3 to 4 months. Check that your chosen filter is compatible with your appliance.
Ask a professional to identify the duct and check the lease, as well as the type of work involved. According to ANIL, work affecting communal areas or the external appearance of the building requires approval from the general meeting. Confirm the process that applies to your project before planning an outlet.
Yes, it is a useful starting point: ADEME says that energy labels for cooker hoods are available online and in shops. Check the model's product information too, to confirm the noise measurement conditions, dimensions and installation requirements.