Most under-cabinet hoods look alike from the front: a 30-inch stainless box with a light and two or three fan speeds. The differences that matter are hidden. How much air it moves, how loud it is doing it, whether it can run without a duct, what duct size it wants, and whether the grease filter is a mesh screen or a baffle you can put in the dishwasher. Get those four right and installation is an afternoon; get them wrong and the hood is either useless or a return.
We went through the 172 range hoods in our appliances catalog and kept five 30-inch under-cabinet models. This is a comparison of listed specifications and owner reviews, not a lab test; we did not measure airflow or noise ourselves, and the CFM and decibel figures below are the manufacturers’ claims. Prices are not printed because they change daily, and every button opens the live Amazon page.
How we picked
- Owner ratings of 4.4 stars or higher with at least 1,000 ratings each. Range hoods are a smaller category than kitchen gadgets, so the counts are lower, but every pick has years of installed use behind it.
- 30-inch under-cabinet mount only. Wall-mount chimney hoods and inserts are in the same catalog category, and we left them out because they install differently.
- Five different jobs. A value all-rounder, a like-for-like replacement for an old Broan, a ductless-ready hood, a high-airflow hood under $250 and a premium baffle-filter hood.
- Specs from the listing. Airflow, noise, duct size, filter type and warranty are quoted from each product page, and we point out where the listing is vague.
The picks
COSMO COS-5MU30 30 in. Delta Collection Ducted Under Cabinet Range Hood, Button Controls, Reusable Filters, LED Lights, Stainless Steel
The Cosmo is the hood that owners describe as looking more expensive than it is. The body is brushed stainless, 29.75 inches wide and only 5.5 inches tall, with five push buttons for three fan speeds and the light. It ships with the parts that are often extra: a 3-prong plug, a backdraft damper, a length of flexible duct and the mounting kit. It vents through a 5-inch round duct out the top or the back, or runs ductless if you add Cosmo’s CFK4 carbon filter kit. The two aluminum mesh filters lift out and wash.
Owners rate it 4.4 stars across more than 4,300 ratings. The praise centers on clean lines, simple controls and a noise level that one owner calls “not bad, even on high.” The listing claims 50 dB on the lowest speed with rigid ducting. The consistent complaint is the light: a one-by-three-inch LED at the very back of the underside that works as a night light more than a cooking light. The listing does not publish a CFM number, so if you need a hard airflow figure, look at the OSTBA or Hauslane.
- Comes with a 3-prong plug, backdraft damper, flexible duct and mounting kit
- Slim 5.5 in tall body suits condos and tight cabinet gaps
- Convertible to ductless with the CFK4 carbon filter kit
- 4,300+ ratings at 4.4 stars, the most-reviewed name-brand pick
- Listing does not state a CFM figure
- LED is a small lens at the back edge; several owners call it dim
- One owner reports the cord exits flush at the back, complicating a flush wall fit
Broan-NuTone Economy 30-inch Under-Cabinet Easy Install Convertible Range Hood with 2-Speed Exhaust Fan and Light, 210 Max Blower CFM, White
If you are replacing a 20-year-old white or black hood that vents through a 3.25 by 10 inch rectangular duct, this is the shortest path. The Broan-NuTone Economy keeps the same duct options (rectangular vertical or horizontal with damper, or 7-inch round with a damper sold separately) and uses Broan’s EZ1 bracket system so one person can hang it. Two rocker switches run a two-speed fan rated at 210 CFM and 6.5 sones, and a lens covers a socket for a 75-watt incandescent bulb that you supply.
This is the highest-rated hood on the page, 4.6 stars across more than 2,100 ratings, and the reviews are consistent: installed in ten minutes to an hour, fit the old opening exactly, quieter than the unit it replaced. Owners are honest that it is a basic appliance: low speed is quiet enough to leave on while simmering, high speed is loud but clears oven smoke. It is hardwired, and the listing describes a ducted install, so budget for the bulb and, if you lack a duct, choose the Cosmo or KENDRAJA instead.
- EZ1 one-person install system; owners report fitting it in under an hour
- Uses the 3.25 x 10 in duct found behind most older builder-grade hoods
- Dishwasher-safe one-piece grease filter
- 2,100+ ratings at 4.6 stars, the highest average here
- 210 CFM and 6.5 sones: fine for simmering, loud and modest for searing
- Takes an incandescent bulb that is not in the box
- Hardwired, no plug; listing says ducted, so check before planning ductless
This KENDRAJA hood earns its place on one practical point: it is the only pick that ships ready for ductless use, with the charcoal filter in the box rather than sold as a kit. For a stove on an interior wall, a stone or block house, or a rental where you cannot cut ductwork, that is the difference between a working hood and a shelf. It is rated 550 CFM across three touch-controlled speeds, with six-layer mesh filters that go in the dishwasher and 3-watt LEDs.
Owners rate it 4.5 stars across more than 4,700 ratings, the biggest sample here. Several installed it alone with a screwdriver and pliers in about an hour, and the ductless owners say it does what they needed. Two cautions from the reviews: it arrives with free wire ends, so you either hardwire it or scavenge a cord from the old hood, and the carton is flimsy, so inspect for dents. Keep expectations in line with the price and the one-year warranty.
- Charcoal filter, expandable duct pipe and install kit are in the box
- Touch panel instead of buttons that trap grease
- 550 CFM is more than double the Broan for similar money
- 4,700+ ratings at 4.5 stars, the most-reviewed pick
- Generic brand (KENDRAJA) with a 1-year warranty and no name recognition
- Arrives with bare wires: no plug, so you wire it or add a cord
- Owners report thin packaging and minor dents on arrival
OSTBA 30" Under Cabinet Range Hood, 750 CFM Kitchen Vent Hood, 3 Fan Speeds
The OSTBA brings features from $400 hoods to a mid-price listing: 750 CFM, three speeds, stainless steel baffle filters instead of mesh, and a shut-off timer you can set from 1 to 15 minutes so the fan keeps running after dinner is plated. Control is by touch panel, by waving a hand past the sensor, or by the included remote. The body is 430 stainless steel with rolled edges, and it vents out the top or the rear through the included rectangular adapter.
Across more than 2,000 ratings it averages 4.4 stars. Owners who replaced over-the-range microwaves or 40-year-old hoods call it solid and quieter than what it replaced, and one has had it running for several years with only bulb swaps. The lighting is the weak point: more than one owner describes a dim, bluish LED and mounted a separate light strip underneath. Check the paper template against the hood before drilling, and note that the wiring connections sit exposed, which one owner disliked for cleaning.
- 750 CFM with real baffle filters, normally a premium-hood feature
- Wave-to-control gesture sensor plus a remote for greasy hands
- Delay shut-off keeps clearing smoke after you turn off the burner
- 2,000+ ratings at 4.4 stars
- Owners describe the LED as dim and bluish; two added their own light bar
- One owner found the drilling template spacing wrong, so measure first
- Ducted only, no ductless option in the listing
Hauslane Range Hood 30" Under Cabinet,900 CFM Kitchen Range Hood | 3 Speed Exhaust Fan, Delay Auto Shut-Off Vent Hood | Stainless Steel Electric Stove Ventilator | Chef Series PS10
The Hauslane PS10 is for the kitchen where the hood is doing real work: 20,000 BTU burners, weekly stir-fries, steaks seared in cast iron. It is rated 900 CFM at 7 sones with three speeds and a delay auto shut-off, and the filtration is the kind found on pro-style hoods: three stainless baffle filters that channel grease into an oil tray you slide out and empty. The listing covers the motor for life and the rest of the hood for two years. It vents through a 6-inch round duct with the adapter included.
It averages 4.4 stars across just over 1,000 ratings, and the reviews read differently from the budget hoods. Owners talk about smoke from front burners being captured, about curries and high-heat stir-fries leaving no smell in the house, and about a self-clean function working as advertised. The costs are weight and installation: plan on a helper to hold it, and expect the rear screws to be a tight reach. One owner received a dented corner and had trouble reaching the seller, so inspect it on arrival.
- 900 CFM and 190 W: built for searing, wok cooking and frying
- Three baffle filters drain into a removable stainless oil tray
- Lifetime motor warranty and two years on the rest
- Owners say it is the first hood that clears the front burners
- The most expensive pick here, and it needs a 6 in duct
- Weighs enough that owners recommend two people to hang it
- Rear mounting screws sit close to the fan housing and are awkward to reach
Compare the picks
| Product | Airflow | Noise (listing) | Ductless option | Owner rating | Our score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmo COS-5MU30COSMO | Not stated | 50 dB low | Yes, with CFK4 kit | 4.4 / 4.3k+ | 8.8 | See price |
| Broan-NuTone EconomyBroan-NuTone | 210 CFM | 6.5 sones | No (ducted) | 4.6 / 2.1k+ | 8.4 | See price |
| KENDRAJA 550 CFMKENDRAJA | 550 CFM | 65 dB max | Yes, filter included | 4.5 / 4.7k+ | 8.2 | See price |
| OSTBA 750 CFMOSTBA | 750 CFM | 63 dB | No (ducted) | 4.4 / 2k+ | 9.8 | See price |
| Hauslane PS10Hauslane | 900 CFM | 7 sones | No (6 in duct) | 4.4 / 1k+ | 8.8 | See price |
What to look for in an under-cabinet range hood
Decide ducted or ductless before anything else. A ducted hood pushes smoke and grease outside. A ductless hood pulls air through a charcoal filter and blows it back into the room, which removes some grease and odor but no heat or moisture. Ducted is always better if a duct exists or can be added. If not, buy a hood that lists a ductless mode and check whether the charcoal filter is included (KENDRAJA) or a separate kit (Cosmo CFK4).
Match the duct size to what is in the wall. Older hoods usually vent through a 3.25 by 10 inch rectangular duct, which the Broan-NuTone Economy uses directly. Newer hoods want round duct: 5 inch on the Cosmo, 6 inch on the Hauslane. Adapters exist, but reducing a 6-inch outlet to a smaller duct cuts airflow and adds noise.
CFM is a claim, and more is only better if you cook hard. The picks here range from 210 to 900 CFM. For boiling, simmering and the occasional pan of bacon, 200 to 400 is adequate. For gas ranges with high-output burners, regular searing or wok cooking, owners of the 750 and 900 CFM hoods are the ones who say smoke from the front burners actually gets captured.
Sones and decibels are not the same scale. Broan and Hauslane publish sones (6.5 and 7); the others publish decibels (50 to 65). You cannot compare across the two directly. Within either scale, lower is quieter, and every hood is loud on its top speed. Low-speed noise is what matters for leaving it on while you simmer.
Baffle filters beat mesh for grease. Mesh filters are aluminum screens that clog and need regular washing. Baffle filters are stainless channels that condense grease and drain it to a tray; they are easier to clean and last longer. Among these five, only the OSTBA and Hauslane have baffles; the other three use washable mesh.
If a hood replaces an over-the-range microwave, you will need a countertop model: see our microwave guide. For the rest of the cooktop upgrade, our indoor electric grill guide covers the appliance most likely to test your new hood.
How many CFM do I need for a 30-inch range hood?
For an electric range and everyday cooking, 200 to 400 CFM is adequate; the Broan-NuTone Economy is rated 210. For gas ranges, frequent searing or stir-frying, owners report the 750 CFM OSTBA and 900 CFM Hauslane are the ones that clear smoke from the front burners. CFM figures are manufacturer claims, not independent tests.
Can an under-cabinet range hood be ductless?
Only if the listing says so. The KENDRAJA hood ships with a charcoal filter for ductless use, and the Cosmo converts with the separately sold CFK4 kit. The Broan-NuTone Economy, OSTBA and Hauslane are listed as ducted hoods. Ductless hoods remove some grease and odor but not heat or steam.
Do I need an electrician to install a range hood?
The Cosmo comes with a 3-prong plug and can go into an outlet. The Broan-NuTone is hardwired and the KENDRAJA arrives with bare wire ends, so either you connect them to the existing hood circuit or you hire someone. Several owners of each hood installed them alone; if you are not comfortable with wiring, that part is a short job for an electrician.
What is the difference between mesh and baffle filters?
Mesh filters are aluminum screens that trap grease and need washing often. Baffle filters are stainless steel channels that condense grease and drain it to a tray; they go in the dishwasher and hold up longer. The OSTBA and Hauslane use baffles; the Cosmo, Broan-NuTone and KENDRAJA use mesh.
Bottom line
Buy the Cosmo COS-5MU30 if you want a good-looking three-speed hood that arrives with a plug and a damper and costs little; more than 4,300 owners rate it 4.4 stars. Choose the Broan-NuTone Economy if you are swapping an old rectangular-duct hood and want the fastest install, the KENDRAJA if you have no duct at all, the OSTBA if you want 750 CFM and baffle filters without a premium price, and the Hauslane PS10 if you cook hard enough to need 900 CFM and a lifetime motor warranty.
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