People without a usable external duct
If you want to keep your kitchen as it is without installing ducting, look at appliances designed for recirculation. Make sure the odour filter is easy to access for maintenance, too.
Who are these options for?
Kitchens with wall cabinets or a housing unit
An integrated hood can fit inside a cabinet if the cut-out, depth and installation height match the instructions. Check that the filters will still be accessible.
People replacing their hob and worktop
A hob with an integrated extractor may be worth considering if your project also allows enough space beneath the worktop for the appliance and its recirculation installation.
What should you check before choosing?
Wall-mounted or under-cabinet hood
Consider this if: you’re keeping your hob and have space above the cooking area.
Bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the room, and the odour filter needs appropriate maintenance.
Integrated hood
Consider this if: you want to fit the extractor inside a wall cabinet or housing unit.
Bear in mind: the cabinet must have room for the appliance and allow access to its filters.
Hob with an integrated extractor
Consider this if: you’re replacing your hob and don’t want a hood above the cooking area.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up space beneath the worktop and changes how the hob is installed.
| Priority | What to check | To suit your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation mode | Check the instructions to confirm recirculation mode, then check the model numbers for the odour filter, kit and any included components. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes recirculation, which returns filtered air to the room, from external extraction. | I don’t have a usable external duct, so I need a setup designed to work without ducting to the outside. |
| Filter maintenance | Check how to clean the grease filter and when to replace or regenerate the odour filter for the model you’ve chosen. | I want to be able to access the filters and follow the maintenance instructions for the appliance. |
| Installation dimensions | Compare the full dimensions, any required cut-out, the space available in the cabinet and the installation clearances specified in the instructions. | My wall cabinet or drawers beneath the worktop need to be compatible with the installed appliance, not just its stated width. |
| Noise and extraction rate | Look for figures for recirculation mode and compare noise levels at equivalent speeds and settings. Don’t assume figures given for external extraction will apply. | I want to compare hoods in the mode I’ll actually use while cooking. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying only on the extraction rate quoted for external venting
A figure given for an installation with an external outlet doesn’t necessarily reflect how the appliance performs in recirculation mode.
Check the specifications and, where available, the results stated for the recirculation mode of the model you’re considering.
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Assuming the filter and kit are included
Recirculation compatibility alone doesn’t tell you which accessories come with the appliance.
Note down the hood’s full model number and check the model numbers of the kit, filter and any installation parts you’ll need.
Depending on the model, you may need a separate recirculation kit for the initial installation.
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Measuring only the visible width
The body of an integrated hood or hob with an extractor can obstruct a drawer or take up more space than your cabinet allows.
Compare the cut-out dimensions, height, depth and installation clearances with the fitting instructions.
If the dimensions don’t fit, you may need to adapt the cabinet.
A guide to the brands
Bosch
Bosch offers integrated hoods and hobs with integrated extractors, among other options. Check the recirculation setup for each model.
- Bosch provides maintenance guidance for the metal filter and activated charcoal filter used in its recirculating hoods.
- Check which accessories are compatible with the exact appliance model before planning the installation.
Novy
Novy offers integrated and telescopic hoods, among other options, with recirculation available on selected models.
- Specifications for some models give the installation dimensions and the type of monoblock filter they’re designed for.
- The stated lifespan of a Novy monoblock filter depends on the filter and cooking conditions. Check the instructions for the model you choose.
Elica
The NikolaTesla range includes hobs with integrated extractors and accessories for recirculation installations on selected models.
- Elica offers a regenerable ceramic filter for compatible NikolaTesla hobs with integrated extractors.
- Check the hob variant and filter model number: a NikolaTesla accessory won’t necessarily fit every model in the range.
A recirculating wall-mounted hood at Joybuy
This option is for a wall-mounted installation above an existing hob in a kitchen without a usable external vent.
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Heinrich's HDU 7622 SW — 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
If you want to keep your existing hob, this wall-mounted hood is listed as suitable for recirculation and includes a charcoal filter.
It’s 60 cm wide, and its stated extraction rate of 300 m³/h isn’t linked to a specific operating mode. Check the installation clearances and replacement filter model number in the instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a recirculating hood replace your home’s ventilation?
No. It filters the air it draws in and then returns it to the room, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. Keep your home’s air inlets and outlets clear: a cooker hood doesn’t replace general ventilation.
Do you need an odour filter without an external vent?
Yes. Recirculation requires an odour filter that’s suitable for the appliance, as well as a grease filter. Check the instructions for the exact filter and kit model numbers you need.
How often should you maintain the filters?
Follow the instructions for the model and filters you’ve installed: clean the grease filter, and replace or regenerate the odour filter depending on the system. For example, the stated lifespan of Novy monoblock filters depends on the model and cooking conditions.
What should you measure before buying an integrated hood?
Measure the available width, depth and height, then compare them with the cut-out and installation clearances specified in the instructions. Also check that you’ll be able to remove the filters once the hood is installed.