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Rangehood reviews – recirculating mode

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Last updated: 27 February 2024
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Rangehoods come in various styles but which ones are best at clearing the air? We lab test and review the latest rangehoods in recirculating mode to help you find a great model for your kitchen. A recirculating rangehood is ideal if you're renting or living in an apartment, as it vents air back into the room and uses a carbon filter to clean the air. 

Our test covers wall canopy, undermount (integrated) and retracting (pull-out) styles of rangehoods, in sizes from 53cm to 90cm, with our expert testers giving every rangehood a thorough workout to help find the models that:

  • are best at removing steam from the air
  • are the least noisy, on both low and high fan settings
  • are easiest to use and clean
  • have sufficient overhead lighting
  • have carbon filters that are easy to remove and replace.

Looking for a rangehood to vent outside (better known as ducted mode)? Check out our ducted rangehood reviews.

 
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We've partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings that the ethical consumer group gives to major companies (not individual products).

Our interactive comparison tool helps you easily sort the rangehood style and size you need, and which brands scored the highest for key areas such as noise and performance. Our Recommended list will help you quickly see which models come out on top.

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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    This is the manufacturer's recommended retail price at the time of purchase.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 99 and 2499

    Recommended products

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    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

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    Rangehood type

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    Wall canopy (a hood installed against the wall), retractable (has a pull-out element), or undermount (integrated into a kitchen cupboard).

      Size (cm)

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      Measured width of the rangehood. A rangehood should be larger than your cooktop area for maximum performance.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 50 and 90

      Noise score

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      The higher the score, the quieter the rangehood. Noise is measured at each fan setting using a noise level meter 500mm from the front edge of the hood. If a rangehood's noise score is not up to scratch then it won't be recommended, even if its overall performance is good.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 40 and 83

      Performance score

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      How well the rangehood extracts steam in both low and high fan settings, and how much escapes from the front and sides. Water is boiled using two then four saucepans, and the more steam that escapes, the lower the steam removal score.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 35 and 100

      Shop Ethical rating

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      Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

        Included in this review

        Members-only access
        • Overall score
        • Mode tested
        • Running cost per 100 hours with lights on
        • Running cost per 100 hours with lights off
        • Running cost difference – lights on vs lights off
        • Performance score
        • Ease of use score
        • Noise score
        • Noise - recirculating mode, low/high (dBA)
        • Good points
        • Bad points
        • Shop Ethical rating
        • Price
        • Annual carbon filter price
        • One-way exhaust valve supplied
        • Rangehood type
        • Size (cm)
        • Dimensions (cm, HxWxD)
        • Material
        • Control location
        • Type of light
        • Number of light globes
        • Fan number
        • Speed settings
        • Filter type
        • Filter dishwashable
        • When to replace carbon filters
        • Number of carbon filters needed
        • Model number for carbon filter
        • Minimum mounting height above stove (mm)
        • Maximum mounting height (mm)
        • Items supplied
        • Warranty (years)
        • Country of origin

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