If you’re anything like me, then nothing beats a nice home cooked meal. Sure, cooking can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun if we embrace the creative side of it.
Experimenting with new recipes or combinations of ingredients can lead to all kinds of exciting results. Yes it takes time, but most of the time the end results are worth every second of effort.
Cooking should be fun, but it can be hard to appreciate that in a chaotic kitchen.
Often while we are preparing a meal, the kitchen can become filled with all manner of smells, some of which are appetizing and others less so.
If the room is starting to fill up with smoke, or the smell of frying grease, then the first thing you will want to do is turn on your range hood for some ventilation.
This gets rid of the smell but leaves you having to cook with the sound of a noisy fan running the whole time.
At Make It Blissful, we know just how distracting unwanted sounds can be, especially when you are busy doing something like cooking. Furthermore, if you’ve got a noisy fridge and people are opening and closing doors etc, the stress levels can build quite quickly.
You might think, that a noisy range hood is a sign that it is working properly, but you don’t have to live with the oppressive droning of your ventilation system whenever you cook.
This article is here to give you some peace of mind next time you are cooking up a storm with a list of the best quiet rangefinders.
These products are great at removing unpleasant smells, without creating a lot of noise in the process.
Cosmo COS-QS75 30 in. Under Cabinet Range Hood
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Sleek, stylish and very quiet, this cabinet range hood made by Cosmo has all the features you need plus a few extras.
Capable of moving up to 500 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air, this unit offers excellent suction power for removing any burnt smells from your kitchen.
When you want to adjust the fan speed or turn on the lights, you can do so by using the soft touch controls on the hood or with the included remote control.
The housing on this range hood is made from commercial grade stainless steel, which makes it very easy to clean and maintain.
You can choose between four different fan speeds depending on how much ventilation you require. The fastest speed setting still only produces roughly 65dB, which makes this a very quiet range hood that won’t distract you while you’re cooking.
If you want to link this unit up to an existing duct in your kitchen, then it is very easy to do so. The stand-alone product comes with stainless steel filters which trap smelly grease particles from your cooking to remove them from the air.
Alternatively, you can make this Cosmo range hood completely ductless by buying the carbon filters that are sold separately.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH (in): 22 x 29.5 x 10
- Weight(lb): 52.8
- Material: Stainless steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 500
- Available speed settings: 4
- Maximum noise level (dB): 65
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Quiet operation with powerful suction.
- You can make this unit ductless by purchasing the available charcoal filters (sold separately).
- LED lights are great for saving energy.
- Can be controlled with soft touch buttons or remote control.
Cons
- The lights are not the brightest.
BROAN NuTone BCSQ130SS
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The NuTone by Broan is another under cabinet hood made from commercial grade stainless steel. At 30 inches wide, it should be able to fit snugly under most cabinets, and only weights 21.6lbs, which makes it very easy to install.
It has elegantly simple controls, with four buttons for controlling the speed of the fan and one for tuning on the lights.
There are fittings for ducting on the top and rear of this unit, which offers a range of different installation option.
If you buy the optional filters that are sold separately, you can even do without ducts altogether. Whichever option you choose, you can kiss cooking odors goodbye thanks to the excellent suction on this hood.
The maximum airflow of this quiet hood is 375CFM, and on this setting it still only produces 5.5 sones of sounds.
While not exactly whisper quiet, this is still a very low noise level that you will barely notice while cooking.
To get the best results from this range hood, you will need to clean out the mesh filters now and again, which is very easy since they are dishwasher safe.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 19.62 x 30 x 6
- Weight(lb): 21.9
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 375
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (sones): 5.5
- Warranty: 1-year limited on the hood and 3-year limited on the LED module
Pros
- Three variable speed settings.
- Elegant five button controls.
- This unit is reasonably light, which will make installation easier.
- Can accommodate vertical or horizontal ducting or you can make it ductless.
Cons
- Instruction are not easy to follow.
- Doesn’t come with mounting brackets.
IKTCH 36-inch Wall Mount Range Hood
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This wall mount range hood made by IKTCH is a bit larger than the last two, but it needs to be to accommodate the larger fans.
You have a selection of four different fan speeds and you can switch between them by touching the control panel or simply waving your hand in front of it.
At full power, this range hood can move 900CFM of air and even with all that suction power it still only outputs 65dB of noise.
The vent on this wall mount hood is large enough to accommodate 6in ducting, or you can make it ductless with the included charcoal filters.
You also get 3 permanent stainless steel filters that are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. These filters are great at absorbing particles from cooking grease to make your kitchen both odor and noise free.
There is a delayed shut-down function that allows you to set a timer for 1-15 minutes before your hood automatically turns off.
With 2 3W LEDs on the underside, you can illuminate your cooking space to clearly see what you are doing. You can adjust the brightness of the lights as you need to make your kitchen the welcoming, and peaceful environment it should be.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 19.68 x 35.75 x 39.37
- Weight(lb): 48
- Material: 19-guage brushed stainless steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 900
- Available speed settings: 4
- Maximum noise level (dB): 65
- Warranty: Free replacement for motor for the first 10 years and replacement of LED lights in the first 5
Pros
- High-powered fan for when you need extra suction power.
- Auto sensor allows you to adjust fan speed and lights by waving your hand.
- Detachable dishwasher safe filters
Cons
- The sensor is very sensitive and may be triggered by your head moving past the range hood.
Hauslane Chef Series 30″ PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood
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Hauslane have given this under cabinet range hood a sleek modern design that makes it a great addition to any kitchen.
It offers a choice of three different venting options to ensure that it will be easy to install regardless of your current kitchen set up.
As well as being simple to install, you also won’t have any problem with maintaining this unit thanks to the dishwasher safe baffle filters.
The touch screen display tells you the time and allows you to swap between 6 different speed settings. At full speed, the fans can move air at roughly 860 CFM, which is more than enough for sucking up any foul cooking odors.
The noise level on the highest speed setting is still only 63.5dB, which is very quiet given the amount of air being moved.
Thanks to the stainless steel construction and button less design, cleaning this unit doesn’t take more than just wiping it over with a wet cloth.
The lights that come with the hood provide a warm glow, which is great for making your kitchen feel more cozy. However, if you don’t like them, the bulbs can be easily removed and replaced with any color you like.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 22 x 29.75 x 8
- Weight(lb): 41
- Material: 400 series stainless steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 860
- Available speed settings: 6
- Maximum noise level (dB): 63.5
Warranty: 2 year
Pros
- Lack of buttons makes this hood very easy to clean.
- Dishwasher safe baffle filters.
- Replaceable lights can be swapped out for any color you want.
- 6 speed settings for getting the right amount of suction without too much noise.
Cons
- No option for making this a ductless range hood.
ZLINE ZLKB-30 KB-30 Wall Mounted Range Hood
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With a stylish angular design, this wall mounted hood is a great addition to any kitchen.
The best part is that you can actually fit in any kitchen, since this product comes in 4 different sizes. Given the tall chimney, you will need to make sure that the ceiling in your kitchen is between 7 and 12ft high.
The highest speed setting is capable of moving 400CFM of air, which may not seem like a lot compared to the Hauslane or IKTCH. However, this unit is still very effective at removing smoke or foul cooking odors from your kitchen.
Plus, the lower speed means less noise, and even at max power, this hood still only makes about 56db of noise.
You have the option of connecting this range hood to ducting or, going, ductless with the charcoal filters that come in the box.
Even if you do choose to duct this rangefinder, you will find that the z-line stainless steel baffle filters are very effective at catching grease and other particles released during cooking.
The motor in this hood is made from steel and specially design to provide great efficiency with very little noise.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 17.75 x 30 x 26.5
- Weight(lb): 40
- Material: 21-Gauge 430 Brushed Stainless Steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 400
- Available speed settings: 4
- Maximum noise level (dB): 56
- Warranty: 3 year parts warranty
Pros
- Can be ducted or made ductless with charcoal filters.
- Steel on steel motor design to maximize efficiency while reducing noise.
- Available in multiple sizes to fit any kitchen.
Cons
- Instructions are difficult to follow.
Broan Aluminum Power Pack Range Hood Insert
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This product is for inserting into your existing range hood, so you can swap out the fan unit without replacing the whole thing.
The maximum fan speed produces 300cfm of suction power, and produces 8 sones in the process. While this is still relatively quiet, the noise level from this range hood is more than one would expect from a unit with such weak fans.
However, if you aren’t planning to have a barbeque in your kitchen, this insert will still be more than strong enough to remove cooking odors and grease particles.
It is designed to fit round ducting, but can also be converted into a ductless unit with the disposable charcoal filters that are sold separately.
There are two switches on this hood, one for controlling the lights, and another for the fan, which makes it very simple to use.
The 40W bulbs for the lights are sold separately, but are bright enough to illuminate your cooking space. Since most of this insert is made from aluminum, it is very light and should be easy to install.
So if you want to keep the shell of your old range hood and just replace the fans, then this insert is a cost-effective and practical way of doing so.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 11.25 x 20.5 x 2.5
- Weight(lb): 8.4
- Material: Aluminium
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 300
- Available speed settings: 2
- Maximum noise level (sones): 8
- Warranty: 1-year limited.
Pros
- Effective way to replace your kitchen ventilation system without buying a whole new hood.
- Compatible with 7in round ducting or can be made ductless with charcoal filters.
- Simple controls.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Produces more noise than it should given the suction power of the fans.
Cosmo 668ICS900 36 in. Ducted Island Range Hood
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Most of the range hoods on this list are for fitting under cabinets or mounting to walls. However, if you want your ventilation system to be more central, then this island range hood is the perfect choice.
With an extra long chimney for housing the ducting, this unit is perfect from hanging from your ceiling over a central work surface.
On it’s highest setting, the 3-speed fan can move 380CFM of air, while still only producing 65dB of noise.
While certainly not the most power Cosmo range hood, this unit will be more than sufficient for keeping your kitchen noise and odor free.
You can alter the speed of the fan, or the brightness of the lights, with the sleek touch screen controls located on the front of the hood.
The dishwasher safe stainless steel filters are perfect for capturing grease particles. If you can’t easily install ducting in your kitchen, as this range hood also supports carbon filters for ductless operation.
There are four, energy efficient light bulls on the underside of the hood, for illuminating your work surface while you are preparing food.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 23.6 x 35.2 x 47
- Weight(lb): 51.8
- Material: Stainless Steel with glass visor
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 380
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (dB): 65
- Warranty: 3-year limited
Pros
- Great island range hood that sports a sleek modern design.
- LCD touchscreen controls makes this hood easy to use and clean.
- Filters are completely dishwasher safe.
Cons
- The range hood is very heavy and will take two people to install safely.
AKDY Island Mount Range Hood
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This is another island mount range hood that can be placed in the center of your kitchen. While it isn’t as elegant as the Cosmo model we just look at, it makes up for it by having a very quiet motor.
On the highest speed setting, the fan in this hood can generate a maximum airflow of 343CFM, while only producing 60dB of sound.
According to some reviews, the actual unit they received was significantly noisier than this, as sometimes the fan s are not properly screwed into the frame.
While this is annoying, it can be fixed, and once it is the fan should be much quieter. This hood doesn’t have an adjustable chimney, so it will only fit in kitchens where the ceiling is between 8 to 9ft in height.
You can switch between the 3 different speed setting using the touch screen control panel. This also allows you to adjust the brightness of the LED lights, which are suitably bright while still being energy efficient.
Maintenance on this range hood is made very simple with dishwasher safe mesh filters that are great for catching grease.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 23.62 x 29.53 x 47.83
- Weight(lb): 50.5
- Material: Black stainless steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 343
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (dB): 60
- Warranty: 3-year limited parts warranty
Pros
- Touch screen control panel that is easy to use and clean.
- Dishwasher safe filters.
- Provided the fans are connected correctly, this unit is very quiet.
- Features energy efficient LED lights.
Cons
- No Adjustable chimney.
- Some customers have reported that this range hood is louder than advertised.
Empava 36 in. 500 CFM Island Range Hood
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Our final island mount range hood is made by Empava and comes in three different sizes for matching their range of stove tops.
This hood is capable of moving 500CFM of air, while still providing an ultra quiet performance. Even at maximum speed, this unit still only outputs 50db of noise, which is still quieter than a normal conversation.
With a sleek, modern design, this range hood makes an excellent centerpiece for any kitchen. It is made from commercial grade stainless steel, with a touchscreen made from tempered glass to provide complete resistance against corrosion and rust.
Weighing only 25lbs, this product is much lighter than the other island mount range hoods, making it much easier to install.
To make installation even simpler, this hood has an adjustable chimney for attaching to your ceiling no matter how high it is.
This unit is very easy to clean thanks to the lack of buttons and the dishwasher safe baffle filters. From the touch screen control panel, you can pick between 3 different speed settings, and turn on the 2.0W LED lights.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 24 x 35.5 x 46
- Weight(lb): 25
- Material: 18-Gauge stainless steel with tempered glass control panel.
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 500
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (dB): 50
- Warranty: 3-year US based manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to install.
- Tempered glass touch screen control panel is simple to use and clean.
- Great design, with very quiet performance.
Cons
- The LEDs aren’t very bright.
Cosmo COS-5MU30 30 in. Under Cabinet Range Hood
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While the fans on this Cosmo range hood aren’t as strong as some of the others on this list, they are still more than good enough for removing cooking odors from your kitchen.
The 30in model boasts a maximum airflow of 100CFM, while the 36in can get up to 200CFM. What you lose in suction is more than made up for with how quiet both these units are, with the 30in hood having a maximum noise level of only 50dB.
This under cabinet range hood has elegant and simple controls, with four buttons for controlling the speed of the fan and one more for turning on the lights.
There are vents on the top and back for adding ducting, or you can buy charcoal filters to make this hood ductless.
If you don’t want to keep replacing the charcoal filter, then you can sick with the aluminum mesh ones that are completely dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
To make sure this product is compatible with your current kitchen set up, you will need to have 5in round ducting for hooking up the vents.
HVAC tape is also a necessity to seal the ducts and prevent leakages.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 19.75 x 29.75 x 5.5
- Weight(lb): 14
- Material: Stainless steel
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 100 (200 for the 36in hood)
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (dB): 5
- Warranty: 3-year limited parts warranty.
Pros
- Simple to use 5 button controls.
- Aluminum mesh filters are dishwasher safe.
- Ultra quiet performance.
Cons
- Mounting brackets are not included, and the instructions are not very clear.
FOTILE JQG7501.G 30″ Range Hood
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This product works equally well as an under cabinet or wall mounted range hood. Fotile have achieved this with a unique design that see the vents placed on the side of the hood rather than the bottom.
The idea behind this is to lead cooking smells up to the air inlet, and allow you to close the baffles when they aren’t needed.
The 36in version of this hood can move about 500CFM of air, while only producing 58dB of noise, which is still quieter than a normal conversation.
It features elegant touch screen controls, for switching between the three speed setting and turning on the lights. The smooth, angular surfaces of this hood not only make it look great, but they also make it much easier to clean and maintain.
Another thing that helps with maintenance is the inclusion of an oil tray. With a special impeller unit, this hood can separate out grease from cooking fumes.
This means instead of having to wash the whole filter, you can simply empty out the oil tray from time to time and save yourself a lot of time and effort in the process.
Product Details
- Dimensions LxWxH(in): 17.5 x 35.12 x 18.25
- Weight(lb): 91.3
- Material: Onyx black stainless steel with tempered glass touchscreen.
- Maximum airflow (CFM): 500
- Available speed settings: 3
- Maximum noise level (dB): 58
- Warranty: 5 Year limited.
Pros
- Sleek, modern design with tempered glass touch screen.
- Has an oil tray for collecting grease separated from cooking fumes.
- High-powered fan that is effective and quiet.
Cons
- This unit is very heavy and will require multiple people to install safely.
Buyers Guide
Finding the right range hood for your kitchen can be quite challenging. It often comes down to striking a balance between suction power and noise level.
Although this is difficult, it is possible to find powerful range hoods that don’t sound like an airplane. Here are some of the most vital things to consider when searching for a new range hood for your kitchen.
Under Cabinet vs. Wall Mount vs. Island Mount
The first thing you will want to think about when buying a new range hood is where you want to put it.
Typically, your options in terms of placement will depend on your kitchen layout and where your stove top is located. In order to remove cooking fumes effectively, you will want your hood to be located over your stove top.
Since most people cooking surfaces will be around the perimeter of their kitchen, they will be better off with a wall mounted or under cabinet range hood.
These units are attached to the wall of your kitchen and offer easy ducting solutions for taking the fumes they suck up outside.
Under cabinet models often look sleeker, but you will need to make sure the cupboard you attach them too is strong enough to support their weight.
On the other hand, wall mounted units can be harder to install but often work better for recirculating air if you want to go ductless.
If your stove tops are located in the middle of your kitchen on a kitchen island, then you will want an island mount range hood to accommodate for this. These hoods are attached to your ceiling via their chimney.
As such, if your ceiling is very tall, or short, you will want to buy a product that has an adjustable chimney, so you can get your range hood at just the right height.
This may also require you to make a hole in your ceiling for the ducting, so make sure this is possible in your kitchen before buying an island mounted hood.
Ducting vs Ductless
The next thing you will want to consider is where the cooking fumes will being going after they are sucked up by your hood.
Many units that rely on stainless steel or aluminum mesh filters will need to ducted, so that the fume that pass through them can be taken outside. Installing the ducting for this can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t a DIY minded person.
As such, some people will choose to make their range hood completely ductless by buying charcoal filters for the fans. These filters remove all harmful fumes from cooking and make the air that passes through them completely clean.
This allows the air to be recirculated back into the kitchen without any odors or harmful carcinogens.
Since they require less work to install, ductless range hoods can be a lot more convenient.
That said, charcoal filters can’t be washed like the stainless steel variety, which means you will have to replace them regularly to keep your hood running effectively.
Fan Speed And Noise Level
Of course, the most important thing for anyone reading this list is that their range hood provide adequate suction power with minimal noise.
You can tell how effective a fan is by how much air it is capable of moving, often measure in cubic feet per minute (CFM). You don’t need a fan with exceptionally high CFM to be effective at removing cooking odors.
However, if you plan on holding any indoor barbecues in your kitchen, then you will require a much more powerful hood to deal with the resultant fumes.
As such you will want to consider the power of any fans very carefully and compare their max CFM with their maximum noise level, measured in decibels or sones.
Ideally, you want your fan to be quieter than a normal conversation, which means you will want to look for a range hood that produces less than 60dB or 9 sones.
Maintenance
Lastly, you will want your range hood to be easy to clean and look after. Whether you choose to use ducting, or charcoal filters, you will still need to do regular maintenance on your hood to keep it in good working order.
Hoods that don’t have any buttons are much easier to clean, as all you need to do is wipe them over with a wet cloth.
It also helps to have filters that are dishwasher safe, which makes removing the accumulated grease from the much easier.
Frequently Asked Question
What Are Sones?
While you are shopping for a new quiet range hood, you may see some of them have their maximum noise output listed in sones.
This is an alternative unit for measuring sound, that is simpler to understand, since it doesn’t use a logarithmic scale like decibels.
As such, 2 sones will produce double the noise of 1 sone. While these units can be easier to understand, they are less accurate than decibels. It is also very difficult to convert between the two sets of units, since one uses a completely different scale to the other.
How Often Should I Clean The Filters On My Range Hood?
If your range hood uses stainless steel, or aluminum mesh filters, then they will slowly accumulate grease after prolonged periods of use.
To keep the filters effective at their job, it is recommended to clean them at least once every two to three months.
People who do a lot of frying on their stove top may need to clean these filters more regularly. If your hood is ductless and uses charcoal filters, then you won’t need to clean them.
Instead, these filters should be disposed of and replaced with new ones every 2 to 3 months to ensure adequate ventilation from your range hood.
From here, I have always attempted to purchase the best noise-canceling and quietest electrical items and appliances possible, to keep the peace and quiet in my home. I love testing out new and innovative products to find out whether they live up to their expectations.
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