If you don’t have an external outlet that can be used and is permitted, choose a cooker hood specifically designed for recirculation and check which odour filter is compatible. Then compare the noise level in recirculation mode, access to the filters and the dimensions. Extraction may be better suited to removing steam, but only if the duct and any work required are suitable and permitted.
If there’s no external outlet available, first look at a cooker hood that can be used in recirculation mode. Don’t assume a duct can be installed. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the right mode depends on the layout of your home.
If your kitchen opens onto a living area, check which odour filter is compatible and how it needs to be maintained. In recirculation mode, air passes through a carbon filter before returning to the room, according to UFC-Que Choisir’s guidance.
If you want to keep your existing layout, check the required cut-out dimensions and access to the filters for the model you’re considering. Electrolux filter-group hoods come in different sizes, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll fit your unit.
If your kitchen has no usable external outlet, start by checking what’s compatible with your home. Then compare the filter, maintenance requirements and noise levels.
Worth considering: if there’s no suitable, permitted external outlet available.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a suitable odour filter, and the air and steam are returned to the room. UFC-Que Choisir explains how this differs from external extraction.
Worth considering: if a dedicated external outlet is compatible with your home and any relevant permissions.
Bear in mind: installing an outlet may involve building work and applications for permission. UFC-Que Choisir advises against connecting a cooker hood to a chimney or mechanical ventilation system (VMC).
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for your home | Check that the exact model supports recirculation, and find out which filter or kit it needs. For external extraction, check feasibility and permissions first. | If I don’t have a usable outlet, I want a cooker hood that’s suitable for my home before comparing options; around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Cooking smells | Check the carbon filter’s reference, whether it’s included and the maintenance instructions for the model. | If cooking smells spread into my living area, I check that the right filter is available and how to maintain it; around 27% of consumers make odour control their priority. |
| Filter maintenance | Check the difference between the grease filter and the odour filter, and find out how to access them and maintain the version you’re considering. | If I want to keep maintenance to a minimum, I check how easy it is to access the filters and which consumables I’ll need; around 20% of consumers prioritise easy maintenance. |
| Noise and steam | Compare the stated noise levels for the same operating mode and similar speeds. Recirculation does not vent steam outdoors. | If I cook near my living areas, I compare the noise in recirculation mode and how steam is handled; around 20% of consumers prioritise this kind of everyday comfort. |
The figures for the same cooker hood can differ between recirculation and extraction. So the figures for extraction mode may not reflect how you’ll use it in a kitchen without an external outlet.
Compare the figures for the mode you’ll use and at similar speeds.
The odour filter and its reference vary by model; a grease filter is not a substitute.
Before ordering, check which filter or kit is compatible, whether it’s included and how it should be maintained.
Depending on the model, the filter or kit may need replacing. Check which consumables you’ll need for the way you plan to use it.
Installing an outlet could involve alterations to a rented home, affect the exterior of a building or involve communal areas. The required permissions depend on the property and the work involved.
Before choosing an extraction hood, get the proposed outlet and any relevant permissions checked. Don’t connect the cooker hood to a chimney or a mechanical ventilation system (VMC).
External extraction may also involve building work and applications for permission, depending on your home.
The LFG615X and LFG517X filter-group hoods show two stated widths—52 and 70 cm respectively—and models that can be used in recirculation or extraction mode.
The DWK65DK60 is a 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood that’s stated to support recirculation or extraction; it’s not a built-in filter-group hood.
The French catalogue includes filter-group cooker hoods in a range of styles, including built-in and suspended models.
The CBCB9201-OW is an example of a 90 cm wall-mounted model with a specified carbon filter, while the CBCB6921-OW is described as a slimline under-cabinet option.
Compare these built-in, under-cabinet and wall-mounted models if you’re looking for a cooker hood for recirculation. Check which filter is compatible and which style suits your installation.
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For a kitchen without an external outlet, the product description states that this model works in recirculation mode and includes a carbon filter.
Width: 60 cm; stated extraction rate: 250 m³/h; stated noise level: 60 dB. Three power settings and 2 W LED lighting.
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For a kitchen without a usable duct, the product description states that a filter system for recirculation is included and that the hood can be fitted under a cabinet.
Width: 60 cm; stated height: 85 mm; stated maximum extraction rate: 184 m³/h. The description mentions several speeds and two washable aluminium grease filters.
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If you’re looking for an under-cabinet cooker hood that can be used without a duct, the product description states that it works in recirculation mode and includes a carbon filter.
Width: 60 cm; stated maximum extraction rate: 370 m³/h; two speeds. The specified carbon filter is the CBCF002X2.
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For a kitchen without a usable duct, the product description states that carbon filters for recirculation are included.
Width: 60 cm; stated maximum extraction rate: 650 m³/h; stated maximum noise level: 59 dB. The description doesn’t break these figures down by mode, so they can’t be used to compare performance specifically in recirculation mode.
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If you want to keep your wall unit, this built-in cooker hood is stated to support recirculation. Compatible carbon filters are sold separately.
Width: 52 cm; stated extraction rate: 350 m³/h; three speeds. The specified compatible carbon filter is the CBCF005.
No. A recirculating cooker hood filters the air and sends it back into the room; it doesn’t replace the general, permanent ventilation required in homes under the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance. Don’t block existing air inlets or outlets to install your cooker hood.
Check the difference between the grease filter and the odour filter required for recirculation, and follow the instructions for your chosen model. Electrolux states that a standard carbon filter is included with the LFG615X; CIARRA recommends replacing the filter every 2 to 4 months for the CBCB9201-OW. This guidance applies to that model and not to all cooker hoods.
For recirculation, check whether the compatible odour filter is included and how often it needs replacing for your model. External extraction may involve building work or applications for permission, depending on your home, so get the project assessed before comparing options.
Not without checking which permissions and applications apply to your home and project. Service Public states that tenants need their landlord’s prior consent for certain types of work. In a block of flats, work affecting communal areas or the external appearance may require permission; an external alteration may also need a prior planning declaration. The answer depends on the building and the work involved.
No. UFC-Que Choisir advises against connecting an extraction cooker hood to a chimney or a mechanical ventilation system (VMC). If you don’t have a suitable dedicated external outlet, look instead for a model designed for recirculation.