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The Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods

Last updated on October 5, 2021

We looked at the top 5 Recirculating Cooker Hoods and dug through the reviews from 16 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Recirculating Cooker Hoods.

Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods

Our Review Process

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Range hoods are kitchen appliances installed over your stovetop with mechanical fans that pull grease, odors, heat, steam and smoke from kitchens. These unwanted cooking byproducts can be transported outside through ductwork. However, recirculating or ductless cooker hoods work differently.

Recirculating cooker hoods filter the kitchen air and blow it back into the room, which is good if there is no exhaust air outside. Recirculating cooker hoods suck air in and run it through carbon filters that absorb dirt and odors. The returning air is nice and clean.

Ductless cooker hoods do not require any ventilation, which makes them easier to install. However, they do not have as much suction; usually around 180 cubic feet per minute (CFM) while exhaust hoods can average 500 CFM. They do cost less, though, and are less noisy.

Most of these range hoods measure around 30 inches wide. Keep in mind that they should be the same size or one size larger than the range (the next size up is 36 inches). While ductless hoods have less power, they don’t need that much because the air is being redistributed, not extracted. Some experts feel that higher suction ratings do not always indicate better performance; instead, it’s more important to focus on the filtration system.

The two most common kinds of filters are made from carbon or aluminum mesh. When you buy a hood, make sure you get replacement filters as well, since they only last about four to six months (unless your kitchen gets exceptionally smoky, in which case they may last for less time).

Our Picks For The Top Recirculating Cooker Hoods

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best All-Purpose Pick

Broan NuTone Ductless Stainless Steel Recirculating Cooker Hood, 30-Inch

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Broan NuTone

Ductless Stainless Steel Recirculating Cooker Hood, 30-Inch

This rust-resistant stainless steel range hood insert eliminates odors and smoke effectively. It features a replaceable charcoal filter and a two-speed fan. Keep your kitchen cleaner and smoke-free with this tool.

Overall Take

Effective FiltrationThis affordable recirculating cooker hood will keep kitchens smoke-free and smelling great.

Pros
" Mitered sides and hemmed bottom deliver the perfect blend of safety and style. Removable combination grease-charcoal filter provides clean indoor exhaust recirculation."
Cons
"The charcoal filter is great for smoke and odor removal but not much effective for heavy greasy and oily cooking."
 Runner Up

Broan NuTone Lighted Convertible Insert Recirculating Cooker Hood

Broan NuTone

Lighted Convertible Insert Recirculating Cooker Hood

Built with a dishwasher-safe mesh filter, a 7-inch round vertical duct and a 190 CFM blower, this stainless steel black hood range insert makes using your cooktop so much easier. Your kitchen will stay clean and freshly ventilated, thanks to this high-quality range hood.

Overall Take

Sleek, Modern StyleUsing your cooktop will be a breeze with this range hood.

Pros
" You can duct it vertically or horizontally 3.25″ x 10″, a vertical 7″ round duct, or non-ducted. Plus, it comes with a built-in 7-inch adapter for convenient installation. Apart from that, an aluminum grease filter effectively removes smoke, oil, and..."
Cons
"We felt the product’s design could’ve been much better, given how its price is slightly on the steeper side. Moreover, it does not come with an in-built damper, and you must purchase that."
 Strong Contender

Broan NuTone Recirculating Cooker Hood Insert With Incandescent Light

Broan NuTone

Recirculating Cooker Hood Insert With Incandescent Light

This stainless steel range hood insert keeps your kitchen perfectly ventilated with a two-speed fan that can be set up for top or rear exhaust. Choose how you want to set up your ductwork, too; this product gives you options.

Overall Take

High-Performance, Top QualityOnce you have this range hood installed, you'll never have to worry about bad smells or smoke when you cook.

Pros
" Other Products We Considered."
Cons
"We found the installation process to be very time-consuming and slightly tricky. Initially, we were unable to do it by ourselves, but then on calling up the brand’s customer care, they helped us through the process."
 We Also Like

CIARRA Push-Button Ducted Recirculating Cooker Hood

CIARRA

Push-Button Ducted Recirculating Cooker Hood

This super-thin, 30-inch stainless steel range hood looks like a million bucks and is designed to fit into small spaces. It has three speed levels and a five-layer detachable aluminum mesh filter.

Overall Take

An Easy Cooktop UpgradeEliminate fumes and grease whenever you turn on this good-looking range hood.

Pros
" The motor of these machines is quiet but strong. It can produce 200 CFM airflow from 3 fans and yet keep the noise at less than 65 dB at the highest speed."
Cons
"Some may find the air circulation power a little weak."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
12

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the recirculating cooker hoods available to purchase.
5

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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16

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Best Reviews Guide, Kitchen Nexus, Homesthetics, BestReviews, Architecture Lab.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 5 Recirculating Cooker Hoods and also dug through the reviews from 16 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Recirculating Cooker Hoods.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Broan NuTone Lighted Convertible Insert Recirculating Cooker Hood

Our Expert Score

8.0
3 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.9
836 user reviews

Our Take

Built with a dishwasher-safe mesh filter, a 7-inch round vertical duct and a 190 CFM blower, this stainless steel black hood range insert makes using your cooktop so much easier. Your kitchen will stay clean and freshly ventilated, thanks to this high-quality range hood.

What other experts liked

You can duct it vertically or horizontally 3.25″ x 10″, a vertical 7″ round duct, or non-ducted. Plus, it comes with a built-in 7-inch adapter for convenient installation. Apart from that, an aluminum grease filter effectively removes smoke, oil, and grease from your kitchen. Similar to many other mesh filters,...
- Kitchen Nexus
We really liked its externally vented, 7-inch round vertical duct attachment. It’s easy to operate and quite efficient. Speaking of efficiency, we have to talk about the product’s rocker switch that adjusts both the fan and light setting. Its dual-fan speed tackles both heavy and mild smoke and simplifies the...
- Homesthetics

What other experts didn't like

Relatively noisy.
- Kitchen Nexus
We felt the product’s design could’ve been much better, given how its price is slightly on the steeper side. Moreover, it does not come with an in-built damper, and you must purchase that.
- Homesthetics

What to Look For

  • The majority of range hoods are installed above cooktops underneath kitchen cabinets, though other options may be available.
  • Aluminum mesh filters can be cleaned and reused until they have to be replaced. Follow the manufacturer’s directions when you decide to clean them.
  • Note that charcoal filters are not reusable.
  • Lightbulbs for recirculating cooker hoods are usually sold separately.
  • Some range hoods can be installed with or without ducts.
  • You can also shop for high-tech ductless range hoods that have timers, LED lighting, dual fans, automatic shut-off functions and different fan speed options.

Recirculating Cooker Hood Rankings

More to Explore

Sometimes the tastiest foods smell the worst; think of potent cheese and fish, for example. For instance, Swedish surströmming is made from herring that is soaked in a barrel of brine and left to marinate for up to three months.

The smell of Korean doenjang soybean paste is compared to ammonia, but the ingredient is tasty when added to seafood, radishes, potatoes and mushrooms in a stew. And although it sounds fancy, vieux boulogne cheese is a French cheese made from cow’s milk that has won awards for its unpleasant aroma.

If you cook any of these dishes or other strong-smelling foods in your home, an effective range hood would certainly come in handy!

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