If you don’t have a usable outlet to the outside, choose an appliance designed to work in recirculation mode with an odour filter and, if needed, a kit that’s compatible with its exact model number. Compare odour reduction and noise levels in this mode, then check filter maintenance requirements and available space. An integrated extractor hob is another option when renovating, provided you confirm that it can be fitted in your base unit.
You’re keeping your hob and looking for a wall-mounted, under-cabinet or built-in cooker hood to fit your current space. Check that recirculation is supported by your chosen model, and find out which filter and accessories you’ll need.
Odour reduction and noise matter in your living space. To compare two appliances, look for data based on their recirculation setup and take filter maintenance into account.
An integrated extractor hob could work for your project if you can check the worktop cut-out, the space beneath the hob and the route for filtered air before ordering.
Start by confirming the recirculation setup and installation dimensions. Then look at odour reduction, noise and maintenance under the conditions you plan to use it in. UFC-Que Choisir assesses recirculation and extraction modes separately in its cooker hood tests.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation installation | Setup specified for the exact model, compatible filter and kit; dimensions of the unit or installation space. | I want to keep my kitchen as it is without adding an external outlet, and the appliance needs to fit in the space available. Around 42% of consumers would make compatibility their top priority. |
| Odours and noise | Odour reduction and noise level stated for recirculation mode at a comparable speed. | In an open-plan kitchen where I cook often, I want to reduce odours without making the living space too noisy. This would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Filter maintenance | Filter model and availability; how often and how to replace or regenerate it. | I’d rather know what maintenance is involved and how often I’ll need to do it. Around 25% of consumers would put this first. |
The words “recirculation or extraction” don’t guarantee that the necessary filter, deflector and other accessories are included. Siemens, for example, specifies that a recirculation kit is needed for cooker hoods compatible with its Clean Air Standard LZ12CBI14 kit.
Make a note of the cooker hood’s full model number and check which accessories the manufacturer recommends before you order.
Depending on the model, installation may require a starter kit and a separate filter.
A cooker hood used without ducting returns filtered air to the room. UFC-Que Choisir measures performance in recirculation mode separately, including odour reduction. A figure given for extraction mode alone doesn’t describe this setup.
To compare models, look at results for the same mode and, for noise, at comparable speeds.
A standard filter and a washable or regenerable filter need different types of care. The intervals stated by manufacturers apply to specific models, not every cooker hood in a brand’s range.
Identify the compatible filter and check the manual for when and how to replace or maintain it. Don’t wash a standard filter unless the manual says you can.
The hob and its filtration system also need to fit beneath the worktop, with a suitable route for the air to flow back into the room.
Compare the model’s installation plan with the cut-out, unit depth, plinth height and any obstructions beneath the hob.
Depending on your chosen setup, you may need pipes, a deflector or a filtration kit.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a conventional or built-in cooker hood and want to find the right recirculation kit by model number.
Consider this brand for a wall-mounted or integrated cooker hood if the manufacturer provides installation details for a compatible Clean Air kit.
A brand to explore if you’re planning an integrated extractor hob with filtration inside the base unit.
Worth a look if you want to compare the maintenance involved with a standard filter and a washable filter that’s compatible with your cooker hood.
These 60 or 90 cm cooker hoods offer both extraction and recirculation modes. If your kitchen has no usable external outlet, check the recirculation setup, suitable filter and installation space for each model. The stated airflow rates alone aren’t enough to compare how well they reduce odours in this mode.
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Worth considering if you’re keeping your hob and want to install a wall-mounted hood in recirculation mode, after checking the available space and compatible filter.
The listing gives extraction and recirculation modes, three speeds and an airflow rate of 580 m³/h. For ductless use, compare the figures specifically for recirculation and check how to maintain the odour filter.
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At 90 cm wide, this cooker hood needs enough wall space, so check the dimensions before choosing it for a kitchen without extraction ducting.
The listing gives four speeds with a booster function and a stated airflow rate of 650 m³/h. Check noise and odour reduction separately in recirculation mode, along with which filter you’ll need to maintain.
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This dual-mode model could be suitable for a wall-mounted, ductless installation if its recirculation setup works for your kitchen.
The listing specifies push-button controls. Before buying, confirm the model number of the compatible charcoal filter, whether it’s included and how to maintain it.
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This cooker hood could suit a 60 cm recirculation installation if its dimensions fit your kitchen.
The listing gives three speeds, a stated airflow rate of 400 m³/h, extraction and recirculation modes, and an included charcoal filter. Confirm the model number of the replacement filter and compare noise and odour performance in the mode you plan to use.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 60 cm wall-mounted hood that can be set up for recirculation and will fit your kitchen.
The listing gives an airflow rate of 611 m³/h, extraction and recirculation modes, and an included charcoal filter. For ductless use, check the recirculation figures and how to maintain the compatible filter.
Yes, if the manufacturer specifies a recirculation installation with an odour filter and accessories compatible with the exact model. In this setup, filtered air is returned to the room. Check the manual rather than relying on the words “dual mode” alone.
Follow the interval and instructions for the filter compatible with your appliance. As a guide for one specific accessory, Electrolux states that its OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST filter lasts 4 to 6 months. A washable filter needs different care and can’t be replaced by just any model.
Compare results measured in recirculation mode and, for noise, at comparable speeds. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses odour reduction in this mode separately. An airflow rate without details of the setup doesn’t answer the question on its own.
It may be suitable if the model supports filtration and your unit allows air to flow through and back into the room. For the NikolaTesla Fit, Elica specifies a cut-out of 56 × 49 cm. Check the plans for the model and its kit against your worktop and the space beneath the hob.