While they're often overlooked, range hoods are an important component of any kitchen. They can extract unwanted fumes, vapors, and odors produced throughout the cooking process, helping purify and freshen our air. You may not pay much attention to them when they're doing their job, but you'll certainly notice their absence.
If you're in the market for a new range hood but are also watching your wallet, we're here to help. We've put together this expert-picked list of the best range hoods under $500.
Faber LEVG30SS300
The Levante G under cabinet range hood by Faber comes with 300 CFM of blower power. It also features backlit push button controls to make setting selection quick, easy, and accurate. The controls also come with an energy-efficient backlit LED indicator to indicate the current blower speed.
With dishwasher safe grease filters, maintenance is a piece of cake. There's no need to worry about constant scrubbing. Just toss the filters in the dishwasher and move on with your day. What's more, this unit offers the flexibility of ducted or ductless installation, making it adaptable to many types of kitchen setups. Additionally, it comes with bright LED lighting for clear illumination of your cooktop.
GE Profile PVX7360SJSS
Next up on our list of the best range hoods under $500 is this 36-in. stainless steel, under cabinet range hood from GE, which comes with 400 CFM of blower power. As a convertible hood, it can be connected to a duct or used for recirculation. This hood is incredibly easy to install. One person can have it up and running in under 10 minutes.
LED lighting illuminates your cooktop to help you keep an eye on your food, while minimizing the impact on your power bill--another plus for those watching their wallet. This unit even features a dimmer nightlight to provide a warm glow for your kitchen throughout the nighttime hours. What's more, glass touch controls make it quick and easy to select the correct settings for your needs.
With Chef Connect, you can sync your hood with a compatible GE range using Bluetooth to coordinate blower power and lights. And when you're done cooking, the auto-shut off feature can automatically shut the hood down after 15 minutes, once venting has been completed, saving you a step later.
Electrolux Icon E30WV60PPS
This 30-in. stainless steel wall mount hood from Electrolux Icon’s Professional Series comes equipped with an impressive 600 CFM of blower power. It blends seamlessly with other appliances from the Professional Series and adds a striking, modern look to any kitchen. The unit can be installed for vertical or horizontal ventilation to give you extra flexibility in how you utilize your space.
Two halogen lights with dimmer controls help keep your cooking space illuminated and add a pleasant glow to your kitchen. With four blower speeds, it's easy to select the perfect one for your needs every time. And a centrifugal fan circulates air quickly and quietly to minimize disruptions as you cook.
Stainless steel filters extract fumes and odors from the air and are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, saving you time and effort.
Related Questions
What is the best CFM for a range hood?
For electric cooktops, look for 100 CFM per 10 in. of stove width. For gas, it is best to choose a hood providing 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs that your range is capable of producing.
How do I choose a range hood?
First, make sure that the width of your hood is at least equal to if not greater than your cooktop width. It's also important to keep in mind the type of cooktop you own, because gas needs more ventilation power than electric, due to the fumes produced.