If your kitchen has no usable external outlet, choose a cooker hood whose recirculation mode is specified for the exact model, then check which kit and filters you’ll need. Recirculation filters the air and returns it to the room, so the filters need regular maintenance. External extraction is only an option if it’s technically possible and you have the necessary permissions. If you’re planning a new kitchen, the space available in a cupboard or beneath the worktop may also influence your choice.
If there’s no outlet available for a cooker hood, look for a model that’s compatible with recirculation and factor in filter maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the installation method affects how you use your cooker hood.
If you’d like to install an external vent, check what permissions you need before choosing an appliance. UFC-Que Choisir says tenants must obtain their landlord’s permission first. In a block of flats, work affecting communal areas or the building’s exterior should be checked against Article 25 of the Act of 10 July 1965.
If you’re choosing kitchen furniture too, you could consider a built-in unit fitted into a wall cupboard or a hob with an integrated extractor. In either case, the dimensions and airflow for recirculation need to suit your planned layout.
First, confirm which operating mode is possible in your home. Then compare the filtration, space requirements and maintenance of the models that fit.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation compatibility | Check the manual to confirm that the exact model has a recirculation mode and is compatible with the required kit and filters. Elica says that not all its cooker hoods can be converted. | Without a usable external outlet, I need to be able to install the hood in the mode intended for my kitchen; around 36% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Filtration and noise | Compare the filtration and noise-level information for the mode you’ll use, rather than looking at just the maximum extraction rate. | If I cook often, smells, steam and noise all affect my everyday use; around 29% of consumers prioritise managing these factors. |
| Fitting with your kitchen furniture | Measure the space in the cupboard or beneath the worktop, including the clearance needed for recirculated air. Check the housing and plinth for an extractor hob. | When planning a new kitchen, I want the extraction to fit the furniture I’ve chosen; around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Filter maintenance | Find out the filter model number, whether it’s available, and the cleaning, replacement or regeneration instructions for your chosen model. | If I want maintenance I can keep up with over time, filter availability becomes a deciding factor; around 14% of consumers put it first. |
Elica says that not all cooker hoods can switch between operating modes. A kit or filter designed for a different model won’t resolve this incompatibility.
Before ordering, check the manual for the permitted operating mode and the part numbers of the accessories that fit your chosen hood.
Remember to allow for a recirculation kit and charcoal filters if they’re sold separately.
A recirculating cooker hood filters the air and returns it to the kitchen. By contrast, an externally vented hood expels vapour from the home, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
If you need to use recirculation, maintain the filters as instructed and keep the home’s general ventilation in place.
Installing an external vent may involve altering the property or affect the building’s exterior. Choosing an externally vented hood doesn’t in itself mean the work is permitted.
If you’re a tenant, get your landlord’s written permission before going ahead. In a block of flats, check the leasehold rules and the permissions that apply to the proposed work; also check local regulations.
A built-in unit needs to fit inside its cupboard, while an extractor hob takes up space beneath the worktop. For example, Elica specifies a plinth of at least 6 cm for some recirculation set-ups in its Suit S range, but this measurement doesn’t apply to other models.
Compare the measurements for the cupboard, housing and plinth with the installation plan for your chosen model.
If the available space isn’t suitable, you may need to rethink the cupboard or housing layout.
Wall-mounted cooker hoods and recirculation accessories, selected by appliance model number.
Cooker hoods and extractor hobs with installation requirements that are worth checking model by model.
Recirculation options and Monoblock filter systems to consider depending on your chosen cooker hood.
A range of angled wall-mounted cooker hoods that includes recirculation configurations.
CleanAir recirculation modules designed for selected wall-mounted cooker hoods.
These wall-mounted cooker hoods are suited to projects where recirculation is required. For each model, check the set-up you’ll need, the compatible filters and the dimensions of your space. This selection doesn’t include built-in units or extractor hobs.
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Worth considering if you have space for a 90 cm wall-mounted cooker hood and no usable external outlet.
The product name lists touch controls, four speeds with a Booster function and a stated extraction rate of 650 m³/h. Check the installation dimensions and the conditions under which this extraction rate is measured in recirculation mode.
Check the model number of compatible charcoal filters and the replacement instructions.
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Consider this for a 60 cm wall-mounted space, provided you confirm that its recirculation configuration suits your installation.
The product name lists push-button controls and convertible ventilation. Check which kit and filters you’ll need for this mode, as well as how to maintain them.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an angled wall-mounted cooker hood and have a space that suits this design.
The product name lists extraction and recirculation modes, three speeds with touch controls, and a stated extraction rate of 580 m³/h. Check the installation measurements and the conditions under which the extraction rate is measured for your chosen configuration.
Check the model number of compatible charcoal filters and the replacement instructions.
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Worth considering for wall mounting when your kitchen needs a recirculating cooker hood.
The product name lists extraction and recirculation modes, an included charcoal filter and a stated extraction rate of 300 m³/h. Before buying, check the full dimensions, noise level and the conditions under which the extraction rate is measured in recirculation mode.
Also check which replacement filter fits this model.
Don’t make alterations to a rented property without getting your landlord’s permission first. UFC-Que Choisir advises asking for permission before installing an external vent. Set out the proposed work in writing before choosing a cooker hood that depends on it.
If the work affects communal areas or the building’s exterior, authorisation by the general meeting is subject to the conditions set out in Article 25 of the Act of 10 July 1965, published by Légifrance. Before choosing external extraction, check the building’s rules and any local regulations that apply to your project.
No. It filters the air and returns it to the kitchen, rather than venting the vapour outside like an externally vented hood. It doesn’t replace the home’s general ventilation.
Follow the instructions for your exact cooker hood and filter, as maintenance requirements vary between systems. Bosch recommends cleaning the metal filter monthly with regular use and states a lifespan of 6 to 12 months for its Clean Air Standard charcoal filter. Instructions for Novy Monoblock filters vary by generation.
Yes, provided the model you choose supports a recirculation set-up that’s compatible with your kitchen. Check the kit, airflow and space beneath the worktop. Elica specifies a minimum 6 cm plinth for some Suit S configurations, but this measurement doesn’t apply to every model.