10 Best Cooker Hoods to Remove Nasty Smells & Odours

We reviewed dozens of cooker hoods from chimney, island, built-in and ceiling cooker hoods and listed the our 10 best options

Jen Hammond

Last updated on May 17, 2022

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    Cooker hoods have an important role to play in the kitchen. Good cooker hoods will offer high power, extract air, cool the kitchen and remove odours. What type of cooker hood is best for you?

    Ultimately, the best cooker hood will offer energy efficiency and protect the kitchen from a grease coating or lingering issues such as smells or discoloured paint. From chimney style hoods to Island hoods our cooker hood reviews have you covered.

     

    Top 10 Contenders Reviewed for 2022

    1.
    AEG DVE5671HG

    AEG DVE5671HG

    This chimney cooker hood is an impressive piece of kit which will do plenty to get nuisance smoke and air out of the way, and to recirculate fresh, clean air throughout your kitchen and home. As a chimney style cooker hood, it is perhaps a little more complex than most, but instructions are clear, and reviews are certainly positive. It offers a clean, black aesthetic likely to look great amongst kitchen tech and goods elsewhere.

    It’s extremely energy efficient, and the built-in technology even allows you to manage the hob directly. This is likely to be of huge benefit to anyone who has previously struggled to juggle both hobs and extraction units separately in the past. It offers three speeds of extraction, and is likely to be all you’ll need to get your kitchen air healthy and clean again.

    At just over 70db, it’s also unlikely to cause much aggravation, as there are many more noisier hoods out there. Be prepared to ask for help to install it, however – as it is a behemoth piece of kit!


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    Features

    • Dimensions: H60 x W59.8 x D41.8cm
    • Energy Rating: A
    • Airflow rate: Recirculated: 425m3 per hour
    • Noise Level: 73 cB
    • Weight: 17.8 Kg
    • Type: Chimney Cooker hood

    Reasons to Buy

    • Energy efficiency rating of A
    • One of the quieter hoods on the market
    • Lets you control hobs from the hood
    • Recirculates clean air as well as venting greasiness

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Very pricey for some people

    2.
    Bosch Serie 4 DFSO97A50B Telescopic

    Bosch Serie 4 DFSO97A50B Telescopic

    The Bosch Serie 4 line delivers the very best quality time after time. As previously mentioned, it isn’t easy to find A-rated energy efficiency when looking for a good value built in cooker hood, but this range is a fab example of the best of both worlds.

    It is capable of removing unwanted grease from large kitchens with its impressive ability to remove 740 cubic meters of air per hour. When you need its services, simply slide it out from the body and it will kick in.

    At 90cm wide, you can install it above any larger hob or range areas. The boost mode will rescue the atmosphere when you are frying steaks, cooking fish or using spices, and the lighting can be turned on if you’re struggling to see when it goes darker in the winter months.

    The higher power and smaller dimensions means it is one of the louder hoods, but as it works quickly, there’s no doubt it isn’t going to be on for long anyway.


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    Features

    • Type: Telescopic
    • Dimensions: (H)42.6 x (W)89.8 x (D)29cm
    • Energy Rating: A
    • Warranty: 2 Year
    • Number of Filters: 4
    • Extraction Rate: 740 m³/hour
    • Noise Level: 54 dB
    • Weight: 13Kg
    • External/Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • It is a powerful hood that can remove 740 m³ per hour
    • Efficient LED lights help you see your food on the hob
    • Great value - priced at less than £500

    Reasons to Avoid

    • It is loud without the Eco Silence function

    3.
    SMEG KEIV90E Island

    SMEG KEIV90E Island

    This appealing, modern and affordable cooker hood is likely to be one of Smeg’s biggest kitchen assets, and it’s likely to support kitchens of varying sizes. It’s an ‘A’ rated hood that’s ideally built for larger kitchens, meaning that if you’re struggling to clear greasy cooking air from a larger space, this could well be what you’re looking for.

    Offering three speeds and two separate filters, you can tweak and fine-tune your extraction experience as you wish. There are four LED lights fitted to the hood, meaning you can illuminate your cooktop without spending much in the way of energy. It’s a recirculating mode, which means it is going to need some form of external installation.

    Beyond this, it is exceptionally easy to use, and will likely appeal to anyone looking for island hoods with plenty of sheen.


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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)80.0 x (W)90.0 x (D)70.0
    • Energy Rating: A
    • Maximum Extraction Rate: 700 m³/hour
    • Noise Level: 66 dB
    • Weight: 28.2 Kg
    • Extraction or recirculation
    • Type: Island Cooker Hood
    • Material: Stainless Steel
    • Filters: Grease Filter

    Reasons to Buy

    • Great price for a great brand
    • Very easy to use
    • LED lighting
    • Three speeds available
    • Energy Efficiency
    • High Power
    • Recirculation mode

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Not much from what we can see!

    4.
    Zanussi ZHT611X Visor

    Zanussi ZHT611X Visor

    Zanussi’s leading cooker hood is clean looking and offers plenty of air recirculation using a carbon filter to clean the air and is available at an impressive price. This simple hood installation option is likely to appeal to anyone who is keen to cut down on fan noise, too, with an upper limit on noise reaching 68db.

    This is one of the easiest hoods to hide away, too, meaning that it’s never likely to jut out or look like it’s out of place. It’s easy enough to set up across most cabinets and kitchen systems, meaning that it might be the perfect choice for anyone who is keen to keep their spaces looking a certain way. This hood is also fantastic for extracting fumes and controlling air to a precision standard. There’s no more fumbling around trying to smoke up and out of the way.

    Paper filters are easy to come by as well as to swap in and replace, and what’s more, there are three specific speed settings. This means that you can use it to help filter out small amounts of cooking smoke as well as heavier meal demands.


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    Features

    • Dimensions: 129 x 598 x 450 mm
    • Warranty: 1 Year
    • Noise Level: 68 dB(A)
    • Weight: 6.2 Kg
    • Recirculation
    • Extraction (kit sold separately)
    • Type: Visor Cooker

    Reasons to Buy

    • Three speed settings
    • Simple filter removal and replacement
    • Not as noisy as some models
    • Clean look and fit
    • Uses carbon filter to clean the air

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Not the most energy-efficient hood around

    5.
    Zanussi ZHT611N Visor

    Zanussi ZHT611N Visor

    The Zanussi ZHT611N 60 cm cooker hood is our best cooker hood in the visor category/ It is available in either black, white or stainless steel, which is excellent if you’re fussy and want everything to match perfectly in your kitchen.

    Ideal for smaller kitchens given its 60cm width and maximum extraction rate, it is a good sized cooker hood to not be too obtrusive. There are three speeds to choose from, as well as two lights which give a great level of illumination.

    It is also a nice price under £100, so good if you’re after a great value cooker hood which still makes the purchase and effort worthwhile.


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    Features

    • Type: Visor Cooker Hood
    • Dimensions: (H)12.9 x (W)59.8 x (D)45.0
    • Energy Rating: D
    • Warranty: 1 Year
    • Number of Filters: 1
    • Extraction Rate: 210 m³ per hour
    • Noise Level: 61 dB
    • Weight: 6.2Kg
    • External/Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • Colour choice
    • Pretty quiet except on most powerful setting
    • Available in black, white and stainless steel

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Grease filter isn't washable

    6.
    Elica CLOUD-SEVEN-RC Ceiling

    Elica CLOUD-SEVEN-RC Ceiling

    If you are lucky enough to have the space and room layout for a ceiling cooker hood then there is no reason why you shouldn’t go for one. It can sort out the fumes in your entire kitchen as well as being relatively out of view.

    This model is 100cm wide, so good even above range cookers or large cooking spaces, as well as in the centre of medium kitchens. The powerful 760 cubic metres of air per hour will work hard to ensure every corner of the room is cleaned.

    Boost mode will work overtime to rid the room of that curry or fajita smell which is very unappealing the next morning. You can pop the washable filters in the dishwasher too, so there are no further costs involved and you will have a cooker hood which is always working at its optimum.


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    Features

    • Type: Ceiling
    • Dimensions: (H)97 x (W)100 x (D)37cm
    • Warranty: 2 Year
    • Number of Filter: 2
    • Extraction Rate: 550 m³/hour
    • Noise Levels: 61 dB
    • Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • Good price for a ceiling model
    • A++ energy rating

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Grease Filtering Efficiency Class of F - will need frequent cleaning

    7.
    Baumatic BEINT60X Integrated

    Baumatic BEINT60X Integrated

    When you want to keep your kitchen fresh, clean and fume-free yet don’t want an ugly cooker hood unit on the wall, it can be hard to find a happy medium. But this is where integrated models come into play.

    Just open the cupboard door and the hood will come to life, working to banish bad air particles. There is a slider where you can choose between three different speed settings, and opening the door also means the light comes on to illuminate your kitchen.

    At 60cm wide, it sits just nicely over a standard sized hob. It is very good value, comfortably under £100, and with a C rated energy efficiency, it is one of the more eco-friendly integrated options out there providing clean air.


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    Features

    • Type: Integrated Cooker Hood
    • Dimensions: (H)39.5 x (W)60.0 x (D)28.2
    • Energy Rating: C
    • Warranty: 2 Year
    • Number of Filters: 1
    • Extraction Rate: 200 m³/hour
    • Noise Levels: 68 dB
    • Weight: 8.05Kg
    • External/Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • Good value
    • Easy to change speeds and power
    • LED lighting

    Reasons to Avoid

    • Only one filter so not as good at breaking down particles - will need regular replacement

    8.
    Elica PANDORA-SS Downdraft

    Elica PANDORA-SS Downdraft

    Want the most modern answer to your extraction needs possible? Don’t like the idea of a big clunky appliance above your hob no matter how stylish it is?

    Downdraft extractor hoods sit behind your hob, and rises out of the bench at the touch of a button. This means it is always hidden when not in use, yet there in seconds when you do need it.

    As it is quite long, it is great behind either a large hob or at the side of a range cooker or similar. A boost mode will eradicate stronger fragrant smells and smoke, and the filter is washable so can be cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand using a mild detergent. This will keep it working at its best at all times, so you always get maximum performance.


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    Features

    • Type: Downdraft
    • Dimensions: (H)51.0 x (W)83.5 x (D)36.0
    • Energy Rating: A
    • Warranty: 2 Year
    • Number of Filters: 4
    • Extraction Rate: 647 m³/hour
    • Noise Level: 67 dB
    • External/Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • One of the cheapest downdraft extractors
    • A rated for energy - also one of the best

    Reasons to Avoid

    • No lighting

    9.
    Hotpoint PHC67FLB1X With Chimney

    Hotpoint PHC67FLB1X With Chimney

    Hotpoint bring a lot to the table with this chimney cooker hood. It comes with a sleek exterior and also packs a lot of power. Able to rid of any unwanted odours and grease from larger rooms, it will not interrupt your dinnertime with excessive noise either.

    In terms of value, this cooker hood is up there with the best of them. If you are searching for a chimney cooker hood for comfortably under £300 then you will be surprised to see this efficient, quality cooker hood from Hotpoint fits the bill.

    It has everything that you want and is simple to use. The buttons make switching between speeds easy, and a boost mode will help when the food is particularly fragrant.

    Designed to sit over standard sized hobs, it has a maximum noise level of 60dB and is capable of removing 757 cubic metres of air each hour – perfect for mid-sized kitchens.


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    Features

    • Type: Chimney Cooker Hood
    • Dimensions: (H)73 x (W)60 x (D)50
    • Energy Rating: B
    • Warranty: 1 Year
    • Number of Filters: 2
    • Extraction Rate: 757 m³/hour
    • Noise Level: 60 dB
    • Weight: 13.2Kg
    • External/Recirculation Venting

    Reasons to Buy

    • It can remove 757 cubic metres of air per hour
    • Can be used in a large kitchen
    • It has a boost mode
    • Silence button reduces the noise for your dinner talk
    • Is available for just over £200

    Reasons to Avoid

    • It isn’t the quietest available
    • There are cooker hoods with A-rated efficiency

    10.
    Britannia Latour Hood-BTH-C-1150 Canopy

    Britannia Latour Hood-BTH-C-1150 Canopy

    This super-efficient cooker hood is likely to be perfect for bigger kitchens. Not only does it make light work of getting rid of thick, greasy air from the general atmosphere, it also works hard to recirculate air that’s fresh to breathe, so that you can actively clean parts of the kitchen you won’t be able to take a sponge or mop to!

    This hood has a washable grease filter, meaning it’s never too hard to maintain and keep working to optimum standards. You also benefit from built-in halogen lighting, meaning that working on those meals in the dark can now be a thing of the past. It’s also amazingly efficient with an ‘A’ rating, something of a rarity for bigger hoods and those built with larger kitchens in mind.

    At just 52db, it’s also one of the quietest cooker hoods around, meaning that if you want to get rid of greasy air and smells without causing too much of a noise, this could well be the ideal choice for you. There are also four different speeds to pick from, meaning you can use it for a variety of different meals and cooking standards.

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    Features

    • Dimensions: (H)28.0 x (W)115.0 x (D)29.2
    • Energy Rating: A
    • Maximum Extraction Rate: 771 m³/hour
    • Noise Level: 52 dB
    • Weight: 12 Kg
    • Type: Canopy Cooker

    Reasons to Buy

    • Comfortable fit for most kitchens
    • Four speeds available for main fan
    • Very quiet running at just 52db
    • Great for bigger spaces

    Reasons to Avoid

    • A little high on the price side of things

    How to Choose the Top Contender for Your Kitchen

    The type of cooker hood you choose for your kitchen will come down to several factors.

    Two Different Types


    There are two different types of extraction hoods
    ; ones that ventilate and ones that extract.

    • Extractor hoods suck in the fumes and remove the odour from the building
    • Ventilation hoods filter the air before recirculating filtered air back into the kitchen.

    Extraction Vs Recirculation Hoods?

    Recirculation Contender

    A recirculation cooker hood will draw air and odours from the kitchen, filter then reintroducing clean particles into the kitchen. Recirculation cooker hoods require either a carbon or charcoal filter. The extracted air is filtered through either the carbon or charcoal filter.

    This type of cooker hood eliminates the inconvenience of difficult installation and duct pipes. One of the drawbacks of this system is that the filters can become less and less effective over time.

    Extraction Contender

    Extraction hoods completely remove air and odour to the outside of the house ensuring grease build-ups are removed from the kitchen. They do, however, require professional installation.

    Carbon Filters Vs Grease Filters

    Grease Filters

    Every recirculation cooker hood has a grease filter. The purpose of a grease filter is to filter the drawn air removing particles from your cooking. Filters are produced from ceramic or fleece and have an average lifetime of 6 weeks.

    When you are looking at the best cooker hoods for your kitchen, you should to find out how easy the cooker hood is to replace and the costs associated with replacing it.

    Carbon Filters

    Carbon Filters are also used within recirculation cooker hoods that can’t be vented outside. These filters need replacing less frequently than grease filters on average every 3.5 months. However, depending on your cooking frequency you may not need to replace them more frequently.

    Regardless of your cooking style, you must remember to replace your carbon filter.

    Common Issues Associated with Not Changing Your Cooker Hood Filters

    • Bad smells in the kitchen
    • Poor cooker hood performance
    • And at worst worn motors.

    Which Contenders are the Finest?

    AEG-DVE5671HG-60cm-chimney-cooker-hood

    The best cooker hood will either extract or recirculate depending on the brand and model. Your new cooker hood will need to be:

    • Energy efficient
    • Easy to clean
    • Easy to install.

    Chimney

    Smeg-KEIV90E-island-cooker-hood-90cm-finished-in-stainless-steel

    Chimney cooker hoods are shaped like a chimney. They have a wide design and are wall mounted above the cooker. Like other hoods, the chimney cooker hood will come with downlights, often led, to help illuminate the cooking area below.

    Built-In

     

    Bosch-Serie-2-DEM63AC00B-60cm-integrated-extractor-hood

    These hoods are wall mounted and come in lots of sub-varieties such as conventional and integrated. The most appropriate kitchen hood for you will depend on whether you need to use the cupboard above the hob.

    Downdraft

    Elica-PANDORA-SS-84-cm-downdraft-cooker-hood-shown-in-up-position

     

    Elica-PANDORA-SS-84-cm-downdraft-cooker-hood-position-down

    These cooker hoods are, and technically only ‘hoods’ at a pinch. They bring the air down and behind the hob. They differ from the other hoods which are installed above a cooking space, and they are more expensive.

    Extractor cooker hoods are made from a variety of materials, stainless steel is a popular choice, other options can include, copper, tempered glass, aluminium and heat-resistant plastics.

    Buying Guide

    How to Choose for your Kitchen

    When choosing the best cooker hoods for your kitchen you will want to find the most powerful kitchen extractor fan you can afford. We recommend checking out their key features and prices to find the perfect hood to do the best kitchen hood fan for your kitchen.

    You will need to ensure you get the most effective technology that will extract all of the greases from your cooking but you will also want to check power settings, price and other key attributes. If you need further information you can read our in-depth cooker hood buying guide.

    Extraction Levels

    As you can imagine it is integral to ensure you have the right level of extraction. It is the sole reason that you are buying a cooker hood. Depending on the size of your kitchen you will want a cooker hood that processes around 500-1000 cubic meters per hour.

    Extractor Fan Noise

    Don’t overlook noise levels, especially if it will be on when you’re eating. The noise can vary from 30dB to around 80dB. Look for good cooker hoods that come with reviews that state they are a quiet cooker hood and back this up by reading what people say how have brought the cooker hood and taken the time to review it!

    Types of Kitchen Extractor Fans

    Check out the different types of cooker hoods and find one that most suits your kitchen. You can pick from several design types but will have to take into account dimensions, extraction types and maybe even colours and control options. Chimney hoods are extremely popular as are island hoods, your choice will depend on your kitchen style.

    Extraction Filters

    Filters are an invaluable aspect of any cooker hood. Look for a reliable, easy to use and sustainable filter. The options include fleece, metal, paper and charcoal. Metal is more durable but harder to access and will need to be cleaned periodically.

    Ease of Use

    It’s no good getting a complex cooker hood that you are unable to work. The installation can be organised with a professional but from then on you should understand how either the grease filters or carbon filters work and how to use the push button controls to operate the hood. Control types include push button, sliders, digital options and even remotes. We think besides being easy to install you should also consider ‘are they easy to clean?’

    Power

    Generally, your cooker hood will have push button controls and at least three power settings which can be used depending on how hard they have to work. Look out for a Boost mode if you often fry steaks, use spices or stir fry.

    Size

    Cooker hoods come in a variety of sizes which commonly range from 60 cm – 90cm being the most popular (think of the size of your hob. On the whole, they are either 60cm for a 4 burner hob or 90cm for a 6 zone hob. If you have a range cooker you can find hoods up to 120cm and of course, although unusual 50-55cm hobs also exist extraction hoods can be purchased to support these hobs.

    Kitchen Ventilation

    There are two types of ventilation. One can completely remove the air to the outside and the other will refresh the air, removing the bad particles before releasing the good ones again. The former is better for high-demand areas but you will need to install it on an outer wall, whereas the latter is easier to place.

    Other Features

    There are a number of additional features available in higher-end models, but which may sway you into investing that bit more money. They can include a sensor that automatically turns on when there is a lot of heat, additional suction power options, self-cleaning, LED lights and the ability to control it via a remote.

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