When looking for the best wall mount range hood, most people want to ensure they get every bit of value from their initial investment. Shoppers now demand a wall mounted range hood that is functional, quiet, stylish, and affordable.
We have found the best wall mount range hoods of the year. Here is a quick list of them below:
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Best Overall Value
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Best High CFM
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Runner Up
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$450.00
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$399.95
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However, before we begin the long task of sorting out which one will work best for you and your home, it might be a good idea to differentiate the difference between a wall mount range hood from any other available variant.
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How We Evaluated Range Hood Brands
My home inspection business tests hundreds of range hoods each month. For this article, we tested and reviewed 20+ range hood brands, vetted over 25,673 customer reviews, and data from trustworthy services like Consumer Reports.
What is a Wall Mount Range Hood?
If you are stumbling into this article, you probably have a decent idea of a wall mounted range hood and what it is capable of, but for clarity, let us briefly chat about it before moving on.
A wall mount range hood is a range hood attached directly to your wall.
The sole purpose is to make your cooking space cleaner and play an active role in keeping those pesky odors that arise while you are cooking from invading the rest of your home.
The utility of a range hood does not end there, though. Not only do wall mount range hoods reduce the smells from you, making whatever culinary delights you fancy, but they also manage to reduce the steam build-up that occurs while cooking actively.
Range hoods also reduce the overall heat of the room by association.
What is the Best Wall Mount Range Hood?
Now that we’ve gotten a better grasp of what a wall mount range hood is and how it functions, we can better understand what would allow someone to decide the best one and, more importantly, why.
A few categories will allow us to discern a specific efficiency level between each range hood.
Those topics include CFM, the noise produced when actively in use (in decibels), what filters are available for the unit, and the lighting accompanying the range hood.
Each aspect is essential in making your wall mount range hood a necessity in your kitchen, and we will break down what they do below.
1. Cosmo 63190 36 in.
Starting strong, we have the pyramid design Cosmo 63190, and for $274, you will be left not only satisfied with the price but you get a lot of options at your disposal.
The Cosmo also features a polished stainless steel finish that can fit almost any home’s aesthetic.
Firstly this unit can be converted into ductless, which requires the charcoal filter to make use of it.
Still, you can save space on installation from the ducting itself, although at the cost of completely removing the grease and odors.
Another perk this model comes with would be the 2-watt LEDs, accompanied by a 3-year warranty attached to the product.
You can expect it to meet almost all your needs for a moderate price.
2. IKTCH 36-inch
Next up, we have the IKTCH, and while the design base isn’t all too different from the Cosmo, as we still see that pyramid design coming it at $429, it goes with a bit more of a modern take by coming off the shelf with patented gesture sensing and touch control panels.
One of the most significant setbacks when using a wall mounted range hood comes from needing to press the buttons to operate it while cooking. Still, the IKTCH makes that a thing of the past with gesture sensing capabilities, keeping your unit nice and clean for longer.
The unit has four unique speed settings available. It can even be as quiet as 40 dB when utilizing it on the lowest setting, making it almost silent while in use, but even on its highest setting, which sports a whopping 900 CFM, it still only breaks 65 dB!
Like the Cosmo, the IKTCH also supports a 3-watt LED lighting system.
However, unlike the other model, the IKTCH allows you to adjust the brightness to fit the mood or need at the time, giving you a greater variety of options.
3. ZLINE ZLKB-30 KB-30
The ZLINE ZLKD-3O KB-30 comes between the two above as a happy medium between its features and the more affordable price range of $399.
You get the stainless-steel material that makes cleaning a breeze and a very respectable 760 CFM when utilizing the 4-speed fan option.
As with the above model, you can expect a 3-year warranty with this model, but that is where the similarities end because you won’t have the ultra-quiet running options to be found in other models, nor the no-touch required options available here.
It is essential to note that the ZLINE has seven different model types available with different designs and abilities.
This review covers the KB model, so if the baseline product interests you, check the other styles available.
4. Cosmo 668WRCS75
The Cosmo makes another stunning return on this list, this time with the 668WRCS75 model, you get a sleek range hood with a glass top, that is made out of stainless steel.
It has an exquisite design with glass. It has permanent filters that are also innately dishwasher safe, so you can expect to save a ton of time on maintenance and upkeep and still have a respectable 380 CFM to keep the odors down to a minimum.
The lighting on this model is weaker going from the 3-watt bulbs to 2 watts, but you still keep the 3-year warranty, which is an absolute must if you want to keep your unit as hassle-free as possible.
Another perk worth mentioning with this model is that despite it coming standard at 19.5 inches tall, you can extend the set to 39.4″ depending on your needs.
So, it is a bit of flexibility available depending on your exact requirements, be sure to check if the extension is in stock, though!
5. EKON 36 inch
The EKON kitchen expert has some pretty substantial things going for it. First and foremost, the 30-inch model costs about $529 as of writing this article, but you can expect some pretty cool stuff for that investment.
The wall mount range hood is powerful, sporting a 900 CFM motor with 4-speeds at your disposal.
You will never have to worry about smelling different odors throughout your home, and baffle filters come standard making this a top-of-the-line range hood.
Touching your range hood is always a problem due to smudging it while in the heat of the moment (yes, pun intended), but you can keep the grime at bay by using the remote control with each unit.
General upkeep on the EKON is made child’s play by having dishwasher-safe filters that will allow you to keep cleaning to a minimum, giving you more time to do what you love.
Finally, that powerful motor runs at 65 dB, which might be more than most on this list.
Still, for 900 CFM, that is comparatively a drop in the hat, as other models featuring the same speeds can sometimes top 80 dB depending on the quality of the model itself.
6. CH-105-CS Made by NT AIR
Imposing a robust design, the CH-105 sports a very robust style that doesn’t need to look shapely to handle a job well.
While it is bulky, the CH-105 strengthens its form, with a whopping 940 CFM at its disposal for a somewhat pricey $549.
Sacrificing some of the more modern appeals, you get some flexibility for your initial investment, you can go ductless, and it comes with two very strong halogen lightbulbs to utilize at an impressive 20 watts.
If you want to go with a more sturdy and robust product, the CH-105 might be a perfect choice.
Our Favorite Wall Mount Range Hood
Our overall favorite wall mount range hood is the COSMO 63190. Where it matters most, this Cosmo model has 380 CFM of venting power and max out at 65 decibels at the highest speed with a 3-year limited parts warranty. This convertible kitchen hood can be made ductless with a conversion kit.
Our best high CFM hood is the IKTCH 36 inch Wall Mounted Range Hood. This wall mounted convertible hood has a maximum airflow rating of 900 CFM as a ducted hood. As a ductless hood, you won’t achieve this much CFM, a maximum of about 400 CFM. Loudness is comparable to the Cosmo at 65 decibels. It performs as well as comparable hoods twice the price for the price.
The ZLINE ZLKB-30 KB-30 Wall Mounted Range Hood is a comparable hood to the IKTCH hood with a slightly lower maximum of 760 CFM. It is quieter at 56 decibels on high speed. As a ductless hood, the CFM is reduced to 400 CFM. It features a 3-year parts warranty.
All things considered, we feel that the Cosmo 63190 is the best value, especially if you intend to use it as a ductless hood.
Buying Guide for Wall Mount Range Hoods
As you can see, there are quite a few things to be considerate of while shopping for your wall mounted range hood.
As you might have guessed, there is still info required before you can make a sound investment in any of them, so without further ado, let’s define what separates the amazing from the mundane!
1. CFM Rating (Airflow Power)
Initially, airflow power may seem one of the least essential details about your wall mount range hood, but it is vital.
The airflow is due in no small part to the CFM rating directly telling you how quickly your range hood will be able to remove the odors from your kitchen.
Speaking directly of the CFM, the acronym breaks down to cubic feet per minute.
Most average-sized kitchens or kitchens with a relatively high amount of cooking that homeowners do in them should have a wall mount range hood insert that is at least 350 CFM.
Doing so negates most of the odors and heat it produces.
When looking for a new range hood, this CFM rating is so big that it might even be listed in the product’s name or somewhere slightly after it.
If this rating isn’t high enough, some shoppers may stop reading further because they need to hit a certain threshold to cover their kitchen space efficiently.
2. Size Needed
The size of the wall mount range hood itself only pertains to what can and can’t fit inside your kitchen, considering the amount of room you need to accommodate whichever wall mount range hood you purchase.
To ensure you get one that can meet your needs and fit within the space given in your kitchen, you must take the time to measure the surrounding area for exact measurements and then carefully inspect the dimensions of the range mount you intend to purchase.
Typically the size of the wall mounted range hood doesn’t directly reflect the amount of CFM you can expect, but there will be some ramifications for getting a smaller model instead of a larger one.
Depending on what is available, this size difference may come in the form of the light options available, fan sizes, or even noise levels.
Multiplying Length x Height to Get Cubic Feet
Assuming the size reference was a nod towards precisely how many CFM you would need to adequately cycle the air from the room, you would need to do some math to get the accurate number.
Step 1: Essentially, you’d want to multiply the room’s length by the height to get the exact amount of cubic feet in the room.
Step 2: Then, you’d like to multiply that number by however many times you’d want the air in the room to be cycled per hour.
Step 3: Finally, you would divide that answer by 60 (because there are 60 minutes in an hour, and you’d have an accurate answer.
(Width x length x height x cycles per hour ÷ 60)
The math itself may be confusing initially, but the goal would be to cycle the air roughly 20 times per hour for any given room size to cleanse the room of odors and heat sufficiently.
Your minimum requirement, as stated above, should always be a minimum of at least 350 CFM.
3. Noise Level
You can expect ambient noise associated with the process when utilizing multiple fans and filtering systems.
Unfortunately, your wall mount range hood will be no exception to this rule, but there are a few things to keep in mind so that you can still hear yourself think or, at the very least, maintain a normal conversation.
While shopping for your wall mount range hood, there will usually mention of how loud the range hood will be while in operation.
This noise level gets measured in decibels in most cases, and ideally, you would want to seek one between 40 and 60 dB.
Anything above this could serve to interrupt a regular conversation going on.
You can expect a normalized conversation from about 3 feet to reach 60 dB as a bit of reference.
If your wall mounted range hood exceeds that, you could expect it to grow annoying to talk around or endure for extended periods.
4. Fan Speed
Having a bit of variety is always nice but is not always necessary. Maintaining variety rings true of fan speed options available on your unit.
The feature itself can be pleasant for specific occasions and instances but otherwise wouldn’t be something to concern yourself with too heavily.
You need to be wary of the most significant changes here: when to use the different fan speeds properly and what you would stand to gain alternating through them.
Aside from that, fan speeds don’t play too much of an intricate process in your daily use of the range hood itself, and it’s the CFM you need to be conscious of.
5. Filters
Arriving at something that can genuinely be considered vital to the entirety of the wall mount range hood itself, we come to filters, and their uses are about as plentiful as the options.
In most cases, you have three that stand out the most. They are as follows:
- Charcoal filters
- Baffle filters
- Mesh filters
Each of these serves a unique purpose and grants excellent benefits for users.
They are all used to catch excess smoke, grease, and other odors filling the air as you cook and keep you from inhaling them passively while making your delicious meals. In other words, the filters are the icing on the cake.
It is essential to remember that filters are typically more critical for ductless range hoods than any other kind because the air is not being removed from the area but instead recycled.
One final aspect about filters, in general, would be how easy or difficult they can be to clean when working with something like a baffle.
You will find it much easier to wipe away the grease and grime from the stainless steel material it’s made of, as opposed to the aluminum mesh.
Keep things like that in mind when choosing which filter you want to get the most out of your investment!
Mesh
Mesh filters are often forged entirely out of aluminum and are made to utilize several layers of mesh, as the name might imply.
The filter can efficiently capture any grease stirred up with this construction style while making your food.
Traditionally, mesh filters get viewed as “you get what you pay for.”
While they are significantly less resilient to wear and tear than other filters on this list, they are also cheaper.
Charcoal
Utilizing a charcoal filter is imperative if your wall mount range hood is ductless because you need to effectively recycle the air in the area and allow it to be redistributed safely.
Charcoal filters are used in tandem with mesh and baffle filters to get the most out of the product itself, as they are an added layer of support to remove excess odors from the area.
Baffle
These are the most complex of the three due to their construction.
They do so with fantastic finesse by using a series of interlocking baffles that catch any grease that may permeate a more poorly designed filter.
Unlike mesh filters, baffles get built to last. Compared to aluminum metal mesh filters, baffle filters are fashioned out of stainless steel. It’s easy to understand why they are more durable and easier to clean.
As you would expect, this durable and strong sense of design does come at a price.
You can expect to pay a bit more when going with a baffle filter, but the quality for investment is quite lovely.
6. Lighting
Clarity while cooking up whatever exquisite treat you fancy is something everyone can sympathize with.
The number of lighting options available with a wall mount range hood is somewhat staggering.
Almost every model comes standard with some lighting system built in to help you better view whatever you are making.
Still, they can also allow you to cook in lower light settings without interrupting anything in different rooms.
The lighting systems themself can come in a myriad of different types ranging from your standard lighting systems to some that are LED compatible or make use of innovative power-saving options that can lower your electric bill over time.
What Maintenance is Required for Wall Mount Range Hoods?
As a general rule of thumb, you will always be required to perform some level of upkeep when you acquire something new.
While these additional chores can be a tad tedious initially, keeping up with them will allow your wall mounted range hood and filters to last longer, but they will save you substantially in the long run!
What kind of maintenance can you expect when getting a wall mount range hood, and what can you do to save yourself a bit more time while doing them? Read on to find out!
1. Clean the Filters
As some may have guessed, you need to clean the air filters you buy. The process can be more complicated depending on the filter itself.
Baffle Filters
While shopping, you can make this task easier by being vigilant about the key phrase “dishwasher safe.” Most of the time, these air filters must be cleaned every two to three months.
While this may not be that important to some, cutting a corner here and saving yourself just a few more minutes throughout the day can add up to a significant amount of time for other activities in the long run.
Remember to keep in mind that you will most likely deal with vented hoods when it comes to baffle filters or dishwasher-safe filters.
Charcoal Filters
Touching base briefly on charcoal filters, you don’t need to clean them unless they need one or have a clean design.
You can clean only certain charcoal filters; otherwise, you should expect to replace these every two months.
2. Clean the Vent
When it comes to cleaning a wall mounted range hood, most people tend to forget that while it is essential that the unit itself looks good and doesn’t have large amounts of grease build-up that can make it unsightly to look at, some tend to forget you need to clean the inside as well.
After removing your filter from the wall mount range hood itself, you should be able to see inside the vent above.
Depending on the severity of the grease, you will have a few different cleaning options you’ll be able to take.
If you are only dealing with a fair amount of grime inside, you can get away with gently wiping the inside with a damp cloth and calling the job done.
On the other hand, if your vent has grease everywhere, you may consider using acetone or grease remover to break down the oil and clean the inside of your unit more thoroughly.
Occasionally you can have even more difficult stains and grime that you will need to clean, and even acetone or grease remover will not be strong enough to defeat the yuck you’ve got living there.
You may want to consider utilizing a bit of soft scrub or stainless steel scrub to bring the fight home for those situations.
If things are bad enough that you have to utilize soft or stainless steel scrub in the first place, you should be wary of using anything that you go with a no grit option to avoid damaging your hood.
3. Clean the Range Hood
Thankfully we have a bit of grace when it comes to cleaning the outside of the range hood because it’s the same process as cleaning the interior of the unit in that you will be utilizing the same methods and solutions.
The filth on your unit will dictate how in-depth you need to go with your cleaning regimen.
You can knock out light with a glass cleaner and take care of heavier build-ups with acetone or grease remover.
Turn to the soft or stainless steel scrub for an all-out offensive against grime, which should be your last resort.
4. Replace the Motor & Clean the Fan
Replacing the motor is not considered a DIY project and should be best left to professionals when the option is given.
When purchasing your wall mount range hood, ensure you provide the warranty that comes with it thoroughly once over to ensure you can get the most out of it to avoid this scenario.
However, cleaning the fan is more time-consuming than most other maintenance options on the list, but it isn’t impossible. You will need to make sure you are equipped for the job.
Check what drill bit you need to remove the screws from your blower, and then remove it utilizing a drill to gain access to the fan.
Remove the blower from the wall mount range hood, and remove the fan blade cover and the nut to remove the fan blades themselves.
Go ahead and toss your fan blades in the dishwasher if it is safe. If not, you will want to soak them in soapy water, then wipe them thoroughly with a microfiber towel to get all residue off the blades and leave them in pristine condition.
Follow those exact instructions but in reverse to put everything back into place safe and secure, and you’ll have a nice clean range hood, inside and out, for your efforts.
How to Install a Wall Mount Range Hood
If you plan to install your new wall mount range hood, this is a great how-to video to help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Higher or Lower CFM Better for Range Hood?
When removing the odors and excess grease produced from cooking, you want to have a higher CFM because it means you filter more air per minute, thus getting the job done faster.
How Can I Make My Wall Mounted Range Hood More Efficient?
Cleaning your wall mounted range hood is the best way ensure it is always running at its highest potential. Aside from that, you will want to make sure you purchase a wall mounted range hood that has enough CFM to meet your needs.
How Often Should Range Hood Filters Be Replaced?
In most cases, replacing your range hood filter every three months could be safe, but if you do a lot of cooking, you may want to replace it once a month.
Are Charcoal Filters Effective in Wall Mounted Range Hoods?
Yes, but they are only really effective in ductless units where the air itself is not being removed from the kitchen and has to be recirculated.
What is the Quietest Range Hood Insert?
The quietest range hood will have a 2.5 sone rating or less on high speed. You’ll want to look for a range hood with 56 decibels (dB) or less. The Zline 721 34-inch ducted range hood insert will meet those needs in style. It features 700 CFM for only 52 dB of noise pollution.
How Much Should I Spend On a Wall Mounted Range Hood?
You can expect to pay $250 to $750 or more for a wall-mounted range hood. A wall mount hood with a lower CFM will have a lower price with many good amenities like LED lighting and washable stainless steel filters. For heavy cookers, you’ll need a wall mount chimney range hood with a higher CFM, costing $400 to $1000 or more. that suits your needs.
Can You Mount a Range Hood to the Wall?
Some range hoods can be mounted on a wall. Wall mount range hoods have mounting hardware that anchors the range hood to the wall. The chimney stack covers the ducted flue to make it more aesthetically pleasing.
What is a Good Brand for Wall Mount Range Hood?
Cosmo, IKTCH, and Z Line wall mount range hoods are good choices for the money. These brands make aesthetically pleasing range hoods with thousands of 4-star and 5-star reviews online.
Are Expensive Wall Mount Range Hoods Worth It?
Many expensive range hoods are made for heavy cookers needing higher CFM to remove more smoke, grease, and cooking odors. These hoods also have better fan motors and a longer warranty. A more expensive wall mount range hood is worth it if you do a lot of ethnic cooking or frying foods.
Why Trust Home Inspection Insider
Home Inspection Insider has a team of experts who provide top-notch reviews and advice on anything related to your home, including kitchen or bathroom fixtures. Hubert Miles is a Certified Master Inspector with over 20 years of experience testing home-related products.
Conclusion
Choosing a wall mounted range hood that meets your needs and facilitates the lifestyle you want to lead but does not hinder how much time you invest to keep things running well can be difficult.
Still, hopefully, this article has granted some clarity on which product will best fit your home and needs.
Upgrade your kitchen without the hassle by using one of our top-rated local kitchen remodeling contractors. Get new countertops, cabinets, sinks, faucets, and more installed quickly and easily.
