Choose a ducted cooker hood if your kitchen has a dedicated outlet to the outside and the model can be connected to it in accordance with its instructions. If there’s no suitable outlet, choose a hood that supports recirculation and check which kit and compatible charcoal filters you’ll need. Either way, compare the noise levels and extraction rates quoted for the mode you’ll actually use.
If there’s already a dedicated duct, you may be able to use a ducted hood, provided you check the connection requirements in the instructions. If an outlet needs to be created, first confirm that the work is feasible and that you have any necessary permissions. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this type of hood expels steam and odours outside.
If there’s no external duct you can use, look for a cooker hood that’s listed as compatible with recirculation. Before ordering, check whether you’ll need a kit and which charcoal filters are compatible with the appliance’s full model number.
If the hood needs to fit inside a cabinet, sit beneath a particular type of ceiling or meet the requirements of a rented or shared-ownership property, check where it can be installed first. A decorative or built-in design doesn’t, by itself, determine which installation method is possible.
First, find out whether air can be vented through a dedicated duct. Then choose a cooker hood with a suitable operating mode and dimensions for your kitchen.
Consider this if: an outlet exists or can be created, and the duct route complies with the model’s instructions.
Bear in mind: air carrying steam is expelled outside, but installation depends on the duct and may require building work or permissions.
Consider this if: there’s no dedicated outlet to the outside that you can use, and the cooker hood supports this mode.
Bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the kitchen, so you’ll need to maintain the compatible kit and charcoal filters regularly.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation feasibility | Confirm that there’s a dedicated outlet and that the hood supports your chosen mode. Before drilling, check any restrictions that apply to the property. | If the external outlet or the scope for building work still needs to be confirmed, I need to know which mode can actually be installed before choosing a model. Installation feasibility is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Odours and steam | Compare the specifications for the mode you plan to use. For ducted installation, also check the stated requirements for incoming air. | If my cooking creates a lot of odours or steam, I want to know whether the air will be vented outside or filtered and returned to the room. Air treatment comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise and ducting | Check the noise level for your chosen mode and, for ducted extraction, the duct diameter and route permitted in the instructions. | In an open-plan kitchen, I need to know how noisy the hood will be as installed, not just the figure quoted for a different mode. Noise levels and ducting requirements are the main priorities for around 21% of consumers. |
| Filter maintenance | Check which filters are compatible and how to maintain them. For recirculation, find out which kit and charcoal filter are required. | If I choose recirculation, I want to be able to find the right filters and keep up with their maintenance schedule. Ongoing usability is the main need for around 14% of consumers. |
Having an external wall nearby doesn’t guarantee that there’s a suitable route for a duct or that you’re allowed to alter the property. A cooker hood designed for ducted extraction may therefore not suit your planned installation.
Confirm that there’s a dedicated outlet, or that the project is feasible, before choosing a model. If ducted extraction isn’t an option, look for a model that supports recirculation and the required accessories.
Bosch offers cooker hoods and accessories for ducted extraction or recirculation, depending on the model.
The range includes built-in cooker hoods, some of which are listed as supporting both modes, as well as several types of charcoal filter.
Elica offers cooker hoods and charcoal filters for recirculating installations, including kitchens without an outlet to the outside.
Franke offers a range of installation styles, including angled cooker hoods and built-in extractors that fit inside a cabinet.
These wall-mounted cooker hoods include models listed for recirculation, ducted extraction or both modes. First choose the mode that works with your kitchen, then check the dimensions and accessories for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a 90 cm wall-mounted cooker hood for a recirculating installation. Check which charcoal filter is compatible and the noise level quoted for this mode. The product name lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, four speeds, a Booster function and touch controls with a Wi-Fi app.
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This 60 cm model may suit a wall-mounted installation of the same width, subject to checking the installation dimensions and the filters needed for recirculation. The product name lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, four speeds, a Booster function and touch controls with a Wi-Fi app.
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Consider this if a 60 cm cooker hood that can be used with a duct or in recirculation mode suits your kitchen. Its name lists an extraction rate of 611 m³/h, LED lighting and an included charcoal filter. Check the noise and extraction rate for your chosen mode.
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This decorative cooker hood is worth considering for a 90 cm wall-mounted installation. Its name lists an extraction rate of 670 m³/h and a stainless steel and glass finish. If you plan to use recirculation, check which charcoal filter is compatible and the specifications for this mode.
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Worth considering for a 60 cm wall-mounted installation, with ducted extraction or recirculation depending on your setup. Its name lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h and a five-layer filter. For recirculation, check which charcoal filter is compatible and the specifications quoted for this mode.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says that a ducted cooker hood must use its own dedicated duct, not a mechanical ventilation system (VMC) or chimney. Bosch gives the same advice about connecting to a VMC. Before installation, check the external outlet and the cooker hood’s connection requirements.
For a rented property in France, Article 7 of the law of 6 July 1989, published by Légifrance, requires the landlord’s written consent before making alterations to the rented premises or equipment. If your project involves this kind of alteration, get consent before starting work and check any other requirements that apply to the building.
In France, if work affects the shared areas or the external appearance of a building, Article 25 of the law of 10 July 1965, published by Légifrance, requires authorisation under the conditions it sets out. Before drilling, check the building’s shared-ownership rules with the property manager and confirm how your project is classified.
Follow the interval specified for the exact filter and cooker hood model. Electrolux lists 4 to 6 months for some standard filters. According to its instructions, Elica recommends 2 years for a particular regenerable filter. These intervals don’t apply to all charcoal filters.
No. A recirculating cooker hood returns filtered air to the kitchen. Keep your home’s ventilation systems in working order and make sure the hood installation doesn’t obstruct them.