Some may wonder what the point is to invest in an island range hood. But when you’re cooking up a storm and can’t see the onions, you’re sautéing due to smoke, a range hood can do you good. So, whether you’re remodeling, moving in, or updating a few older appliances, this element shouldn’t be skipped.
Differing between styles, materials, finishes, and configuration, a range hood can do a lot for your kitchen aesthetic. On top of looks, a good island mount range hood will ventilate your air, so you aren’t breathing in fumes after the stove is turned off.
Stay tuned to find out the best island range hoods the market has to offer and how they can seamlessly integrate into your kitchen designs.
At a Glance:
What Does an Island Range Hood Do?
How Do I Choose an Island Hood Range?
What is an Island Range Hood?
So, what’s an island range hood, and what is it good for? Whichever configuration and style you choose, the point of this stylish and sensible appliance is to control and disperse steam, smoke, and oil- or grease-related musk from your home.
On top of their functionality, the best of the best island range hoods gives you ample flexibility in the kitchen. They are installed into the ceiling, so there isn’t a clunky metal appliance overwhelming your cooking space. A bulky hood hanging down into the middle of your beautifully crafted kitchen design isn’t ideal.
You shouldn’t have to pick between form and function when it comes to your home décor. That’s why our list consists of the best island range hoods on the market that marry functionality and style.
Types of Range Hoods
Before we jump into the best island mount range hoods, let’s break down the different types of ranges your kitchen could strut.
Duct vs. Ductless
Island hoods use either a duct or ductless ventilation system.
A duct range hood ventilates the air from your home straight to the outdoors. This choice of ventilation is powerful and effective but may be a steeper price point. They remove fumes, trap odors and grease, and cool the kitchen and can be better for homeowners with gas stoves. Another perk for duct range hoods is they use less fan power resulting in lower utility bills.
A ductless range hood is more common among models and homes. If you don’t have ducts in your home and don’t want to spend the extra cash to install them, a ductless range hood performs its job well. By using a fan, they pull grease and smoke from the air, filter it, and recirculate fresh air back into the home. If you have limited kitchen space, this option is a great choice since ductless hoods don’t take up cabinetry space. Also, ductless range hoods give you more flexibility for installation. Whether you want to install your hood under a cabinet or over an island, this choice is ideal for either smaller homes or versatile kitchens.
Under Cabinet Hoods
An under cabinet range hood is one of the more popular choices. Due to the typically compact size and stylish structure, this range fits flush with many different kitchen interiors. As the name suggests, this type of range fits snug under the cabinets fixed directly above your range.
Wall Mounted Hoods
A wall-mounted range hood is directly attached to the area above your cooking space. This choice can also be referred to as a chimney hood since the structure resembles one. This can serve as a design element to spice up your kitchen’s décor. This model disposes of odors and smoke through an exterior wall directly behind the appliance.
Insert Hoods
Insert hoods are great for customizable modern kitchens. These appliances provide you with the opportunity to effortlessly blend your kitchen layout with your cooking space. Easily install a robust hood insert to your design by tucking it away into your designed range hood. Choose between metal, brick, or wood, and watch as your cooking space becomes your ideal kitchen.
Downdraft Hoods
A downdraft hood is the trendiest of the range hood styles. A discrete ventilation system is hidden when used and it features smaller vents installed below cabinetry to pull out odors. Typically, by simply pressing a button, a downdraft hood is tucked away until it’s needed causing great results in an open concept kitchen design.
Our Best Island Range Hoods
Now it’s time to dig into our top island range hood picks.
1. Best Overall: KitchenAid® 36'' Stainless Steel Island Mount Canopy Range Hood-KVIB606DSS
Our best island range hood choice is this KitchenAid canopy hood. Update your kitchen with a seamless black or silver stainless steel design to bring your home into elegance. This best range hood pick brings a four-speed fan control system and power boost functions to your cooking routines. An automatic power-on function provides you with intuitive assistance to keep smoke and steam buildup out of your home.
Why We Love It:
- Perimeter Ventilation
- Automatic Turn On Function
- 49 dBA Whisper Quiet Fan
- Max CFM: 600
- Ductless
2. Best Wall Mounted Hood: GE® Profile™ 36" Stainless Steel Island Chimney Hood-PV977NSS
This GE Profile's wall-mounted hood is our favorite mounted range hood. This pick features hidden controls to carry on your beautifully designed kitchen appeal. Along with its stylish stainless-steel décor, this chimney hood features viable speed controls and vertical exhausts that will draw out all the smoke, grease, and odor from your kitchen.
Why We Love It:
- Hidden Control Location
- Vertical Duct
- Max CFM: 450
- Duct or Ductless Options
3. Most Customizable Hood: Best® Ispira 36" Stainless Steel Black Glass Island Range Hood-ICB3I36SBB
This Ispira range hood has many customizable features that you can alter to fit your kitchen design. Between four color finishes choosing from (black, gray, stainless steel, and white) and optional colored glass panels, this choice is our most customizable. A brushed gray, black, or white glass panel will give your home a beautiful modern finish. While in contrast, choose between a vibrant emerald, lime, orange, purple, or red glass panel to spice up your kitchen décor. An optional remote control to turn your fan on or off also makes this choice a prime pick.
Why We Love It:
- Multiple Color Finishes
- Multiple Colored Glass Panel Choices
- Code Ready Tech (CRT) for Optimal Fan Speed
- PURLED Light System
- Max CFM: 650
- Ducted
4. Best Glass Hood: Broan Elite EI59 Series 36" Glass Canopy Island Ventilation-Stainless Steel-EI5936SS
This Broan wall mount hood features an opulent curved glass ventilation system to bring a curated design to your kitchen. This choice provides a delay timer control that automatically shuts the fan off if you happen to forget it on while you’re out running errands. Also, this hood will send you reminders to clean the filters, so there isn’t any excess build-up. And with 3 level halogen lighting, you’ll never have to cook through heavy smoke again.
Why We Love It:
- Curved Glass Ventilation Design
- Clean Filters Reminders
- Remote Control Accessory Option
- Ducted
5. Best Insert Hood Mount: Best 44" Wall Mount Hood-Stainless Steel-CC34E6SB
Our last pick for the best island range hood is this insert hood by Best. Harmonizing glass and stainless-steel components, your cooking space is sure to give you a well-rounded appearance. Form, technology, and function all merge to provide you with unique, stylish results. The Heat Sentry feature detects when excess heat is being omitted and adjusts the fans automatically. And if you’re done cooking but the smoke still lingers, utilize the 10-minute delay-off feature to clean the air for you.
Why We Love It:
- Glass and Stainless Steel Components
- Clean Filters Reminders
- Heat Sentry Feature
- Max CFM: 600
What Should I Look for When Buying a Range Hood?
Between configuration, blending style and function, noise levels, and more, there are many things to consider before purchasing a range hood.
CFM
You’ve seen this acronym for each hood range, but what does it actually mean? CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, which pertains to how much airflow the appliance can filter per minute. Typically, the higher the CFM, the faster the range can process odors and ventilate smoke. For casual cookers, a lower CFM is perfectly fine, but if you find yourself sautéing onions and garlic nightly, you may want to invest in a higher CFM hood. Keep in mind a gas stove will generate more odors and steam, which means your CFM should be higher to handle the needed ventilation.
Noise Level & Fan Speeds
Noise level is a big factor when it comes to deciding which of these appliances is the best island range hood for your home. When preparing dinner, most enjoy a glass of wine and a comfort movie or show to entertain their time. Common conversation and an enjoyable evening may be squandered if your fan is too loud. A range hood should at least have two or three settings of fan speeds and not exceed anything past 65 dBAs. To ground these numbers, a normal conversation is usually held at 60 dBAs.
Ceiling Height
When choosing a range hood for your kitchen, you need to make sure your ceiling will be able to fit the one you choose. There are the options to buy a chimney extension or a shortening kit, but some ranges don’t provide this option. To ensure the right clearances before installation, measure the distance from the cooktops to your ceiling and decide how much space you want.
Light
Hood ranges often offer an extra source of light via light panels or various bulbs. This can be a bonus to a darker kitchen. Also, easily stir and keep watch over your pasta so no unnecessary burning happens. Many hood ranges will feature extra light fixtures or options to include more visibility.
FAQs
Are all range hoods vented to the outside?
Range hoods do not need to be vented outside. You can invest in ductless hoods that recirculate the air back into your home once it’s been filtered.
Can you put a range hood over an island?
Yes, you can put a range hood over an island. To do this, you will need to install a couple of components. Support brackets, which are four metal pieces, will need to be installed for your range to hang over your island.
What is a good CFM for an island range hood?
The general rule is to have 150 CFM for every linear foot of cooktop. If you’re wondering, ‘How much CFM do I need for a 30-inch cooktop?’ the rule of thumb is 375 CFM.
Is a higher CFM better?
A higher CFM typically means it will perform better. Because higher CFM hoods filter air quicker, you don’t have to worry about opening an extra window for fresh air.
Why Trust Us?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 10 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Island Range Hoods at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop range hoods online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the best island range hood for you. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!
Learn More: 7 Best 30-inch Gas Ranges for Cooking in Any Size Space