People with an open-plan kitchen
When your kitchen opens onto your living space, cooking smells and cooker hood noise matter in the area where you eat or chat, too. Compare the figures for the mode you’ll be using.
Who is this choice for?
Renters or flat owners without an available duct
If installing an external outlet would involve building work, first check what your property allows. Recirculation is an option to consider when extraction isn’t possible.
Buyers looking for a hood fitted into a wall unit
An integrated cooker hood needs to fit inside the unit while leaving enough room for your chosen installation method. Check the dimensions of the unit, hob and hood in the instruction manual.
What should you check before choosing?
External extraction
Consider this: when there’s a suitable external outlet, or you can confirm that one can be installed before buying.
The trade-off: the route for the duct and any building work will affect the installation.
Recirculation
Consider this: when your property doesn’t allow for a practical external outlet.
The trade-off: air is filtered and returned to the kitchen, and carbon filters need to be maintained appropriately.
Once you’ve chosen a mode, compare cooker hoods using that setup, then check they’ll fit above your hob.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Air treatment | Check whether air is vented outside or filtered and returned to the room. For recirculation, check that the carbon filter is compatible and look at performance in this mode: UFC-Que Choisir measures airflow separately with and without a carbon filter. | In my open-plan kitchen, I want to take cooking smells in the living space into account when choosing. |
| External outlet | Check for a suitable outlet and a possible route for the duct. Before arranging building work in a rented property or flat, check what permissions you need and which rules apply to your plans. | If my property doesn’t have an available duct, I need to know whether extraction can actually be installed before choosing a hood that relies on it. |
| Noise | Compare noise levels at a useful speed and in the mode you plan to use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the installation mode affects noise; a figure recorded for extraction doesn’t necessarily reflect recirculation. | I’d like to use the hood while people are in the living space, without basing my choice solely on the stated airflow rate. |
| Filters and maintenance | For recirculation, find out the carbon filter reference, whether it’s available and how often it needs replacing. Also check the cleaning instructions for the chosen model’s grease filter. | I’d prefer to know what maintenance is involved and which accessories I’ll need before choosing an installation without a duct. |
| Dimensions and installation | Measure the hob, wall space or inside of the wall unit. Check the instruction manual for the cut-out dimensions, space needed for the duct or kit, and the recommended installation height. | I want the hood to fit my existing kitchen, without finding out after buying that the unit or the space above the hob isn’t suitable. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing extraction before checking the outlet
A cooker hood used for extraction needs to vent air outside. Creating an outlet may involve ducting, building work and arrangements specific to your property.
Confirm the planned duct route before ordering. If you rent or the work affects a shared building, find out which permissions you need; also check any relevant local rules.
Drilling through a wall or modifying ducting means extra work to plan for.
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Assuming recirculation accessories are included
Recirculation requires a carbon filter that fits your cooker hood model. Some models also need a specific kit.
Check the list of compatible accessories and what’s included, then read the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
You may need to buy a compatible kit or filters separately, and replace the filters as instructed.
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Comparing figures from two different modes
Airflow measured with a carbon filter in recirculation mode isn’t comparable with a measurement taken without the filter in extraction mode. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these setups in its test method.
For both noise and airflow, look for figures that match the mode and speed you plan to use.
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Relying on the visible width of the hood alone
A wall unit also needs to leave enough room for fitting the hood and its filters, as well as a duct or recirculation kit, depending on the setup.
Measure the available space and follow the instructions for your chosen model, including the dimensions and installation height above your type of hob.
You may need to adapt the unit or duct route as part of the installation.
Brands to consider
Ranges and accessories vary by model, so always check the operating mode and compatible parts for the specific cooker hood you’re interested in.
Bosch
Bosch offers wall-mounted and integrated cooker hoods, as well as recirculation accessories for some models.
- Bosch documentation makes it possible to find the accessories designed for a particular model.
- Bosch notes that recirculation may require additional accessories; check they’re compatible and included in the box.
Siemens
Siemens offers cooker hoods and recirculation kits to consider for different kitchen layouts.
- Kit references help you identify the setups designed for each hood.
- A module’s compatibility doesn’t automatically extend to other models: check the exact reference before buying.
Elica
Elica offers a range of cooker hood styles, including wall-mounted and integrated models, with extraction or recirculation depending on the model.
- The range of styles gives you options to consider for fitting a hood above your hob.
- Elica explains that, in recirculation mode, filtered air is returned to the kitchen; check the filter maintenance instructions for the model you choose.
Wall-mounted cooker hoods available on Joybuy
These five wall-mounted cooker hoods are listed as suitable for both extraction and recirculation. If you’re considering recirculation, check which accessories are compatible with each model and look at its noise data in this mode. Their wall-mounted design isn’t suitable for plans to fit a hood inside a wall unit.
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Ciarra CBCS6765B, 60 cm angled wall-mounted cooker hood
Designed for a hob against a wall, this model is listed with extraction and recirculation modes. Its name states an airflow rate of 580 m³/h, three speeds and touch controls. Check the figures for your chosen mode, the installation height and which carbon filter is compatible.
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Samsung NK36M5070FS, 90 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
At 90 cm wide, this model requires you to check the available space and hob dimensions. The product name states an airflow rate of 670 m³/h. For recirculation, check that the carbon filter is compatible—it’s listed as not included—and look at the noise level in this mode.
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Comfee TSHM77SS-60, 60 cm T-shaped wall-mounted cooker hood
This wall-mounted cooker hood is listed with extraction and recirculation modes, and its name states an airflow rate of 650 m³/h. Before installing it without a duct, confirm the reference for the compatible carbon filter and check what’s included. Also check the available height and noise figures for your chosen mode.
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Comfee CH60A17EM400SS‑EU, 60 cm cooker hood
The product name lists extraction and recirculation modes, an airflow rate of 400 m³/h, three speeds and an included carbon filter. To decide if it’s right for your open-plan kitchen, check the installation dimensions and noise level for the setup you have in mind.
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Heinrich's HDU 7631 IX, 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
The name of this cooker hood lists extraction and recirculation modes, an airflow rate of 611 m³/h and an included carbon filter. Before choosing it for an open-plan kitchen, check the installation dimensions, the height above your hob and the noise level for the mode you plan to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is an extractor hood always suitable for an open-plan kitchen?
No. It needs a suitable external outlet, which isn’t possible in every property. If you have one, the hood vents air outside; if not, consider a model that supports recirculation and has a compatible carbon filter, then compare its noise and performance in this mode.
Can I connect an extractor hood to the mechanical ventilation system (VMC)?
No. Bosch advises against connecting a cooker hood’s extraction duct to the mechanical ventilation system (VMC). Before choosing an installation that relies on ducting, check whether a suitable external outlet can be fitted.
Do I need a carbon filter for an extractor hood?
Carbon filters are used in recirculation mode, which returns filtered air to the kitchen. For an extraction installation, follow the instructions for the grease filter and duct for your chosen model instead.
How can I check whether an integrated cooker hood will fit in my wall unit?
Compare the cut-out dimensions in the instruction manual with the inside of the unit, not just the visible width of the hood. Also allow for the space specified for filters, ducting or a recirculation kit, then check the installation height above your hob.