Rangehood buying guide

The rangehood isn’t the most glamorous part of your kitchen, but it can have a big impact on the functionality of your space. A rangehood plays a huge role in maintaining clean air and removing cooking odours from your home – crucial in the open-plan layouts Australians love.

What to look for when buying a Rangehood

“The rangehood is one of the most important aspects of your kitchen as it keeps the air in your home clean and fresh by removing smoke, cooking odours, oil, grease and heat from your home,” says Tania Grillinzoni, Cooking, Dishwashers and Kitchenware Buyer at The Good Guys. . With style choices ranging from sleek and modern to traditional – and four different types to choose from – rangehoods can make a great feature of your kitchen. Let’s explore the options.

Finding the right rangehood starts with understanding which type of Rangehood will suit your kitchen layout, along with your cooking appliance selections. Let's begin by exploring the four main types of Rangehoods.

Undermount Rangehoods

The most unobtrusive option, undermount rangehoods are popular as they’re discreetly installed above the cooktop into kitchen cabinetry. While that means undermount rangehoods are visually hidden away, it does limit their effectiveness as their air collection area is reduced and they may not be as effective as canopy rangehoods in collecting steam.

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Slide out Rangehoods

Slide out rangehoods are also installed into your kitchen cupboards. They also feature a fan that switches on as you slide it out, and lights to illuminate the cooktop surface. They’re often less effective than a canopy or fixed rangehood as their air collection area is small, but the fact that they can be pushed out of sight when you’ve finished cooking can give them an edge for those seeking a minimalist look.

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Canopy Rangehoods

Set against the wall, a canopy rangehood channels the style vibes of a commercial kitchen as they are usually made of stainless steel and due to their larger size, they are indeed a feature piece. They’re the choice of serious cooks as they are extremely effective at capturing steam, smoke and cooking odours, thanks to its large air collection area and powerful function.

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Fixed Rangehoods

Set against the wall, a canopy rangehood channels the style vibes of a commercial kitchen as they are usually made of stainless steel and due to their larger size, they are indeed a feature piece. They’re the choice of serious cooks as they are extremely effective at capturing steam, smoke and cooking odours, thanks to its large air collection area and powerful function.

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More tips for choosing a Rangehood

Size

The most important thing to consider before selecting a rangehood is to measure the width of your cooktop. This will determine the size of the rangehood you require – the size should be the same – to effectively clear smoke, heat, odour, condensation, grease and more, to keep the air in your home clean and fresh. The next step is to measure the area above your cooktop, regardless of the type of rangehood you’re looking to buy. Be sure to check the dimensions of the rangehood you’re interested in to ensure it will fit in your kitchen. “Making sure your measurements are accurate is critical, because you don’t want a rangehood that is too small for the size of your cooktop,” says Tania Grillinzoni. “If that happens, your rangehood won’t do its job properly, and that is to clear your home of smoke, heat, cooking odours and more. Rangehoods keep air clean and fresh for healthy living.”

Ventilation

Considering how air will exit your home is the other critical aspect to consider when buying a rangehood. A ducted rangehood removes odours and heat externally, while a recirculating rangehood does as the name suggests – it filters the air and recirculates it back into your kitchen. “Ducted rangehoods are the most effective and powerful,” says Tania Grillinzoni. “They rid your home of harmful smoke, cooking smells and that lingering oil or grease you can often feel in the air after frying or cooking oily dishes. “What many people don’t realise is that when you don’t have a rangehood that is working effectively, you’re also risking damage to your cupboards or cabinets, which are in close proximity to your cooking.” The type of rangehood you choose might depend upon existing ducting, which may be concealed within cabinetry, vented outdoors or it may not be ducted at all. Check on existing ducting before making your choice.

Noise level

Rangehood noise levels vary depending on the type of rangehood you choose and the fan speed you use during cooking. Most manufacturers provide a decibel rating so you have an idea of noise levels, but if you’re after one that is as quiet as possible, check the features and look for one with a soundproof motor or special insulation to maximise soundproofing.

Rangehood style

“When it comes to rangehood style it’s all about the look you’re going for in your kitchen,” says Tania Grillinzoni. “Is the kitchen the feature of your home, with all the latest appliances – as much about their slick design as their function? Or do you want to make your stunning cabinetry the focus? These are the things you need to think about before making a decision.”

Modern kitchens

For sleek kitchens with minimalist cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances and stone-look surfaces, undermounted or slide-out rangehoods are a great choice as they can be completely concealed within your cupboards. For a feature piece, look to square-edged canopy rangehoods that nod to open commercial kitchens.

Scandinavian kitchens

Perhaps modern Scandi style is more your vibe. Growing in popularity with its blonde timbers and bright, light palette, this style suits the Australian lifestyle perfectly and works well in open-pan areas, where hidden rangehoods are the choice du jour. Choose an undermount, slide out or fixed rangehood to get this seamless and simple look in your kitchen.

Industrial kitchens

A style for those who want to make a statement (and who might have designs on a large freestanding cooker), a stainless-steel canopy rangehood creates an impactful industrial look. Canopy rangehoods are powerful at removing smoke and cooking odours, and a beautifully designed one will catch the eye and make a stunning feature piece.

Country kitchens

Cookers and cabinetry are the highlight of country kitchens and there are two ways to approach the rangehood to suit this style – bold or concealed behind a decorative facade. If you want to make a statement, then look to build in the canopy rangehood. To keep cupboards and cabinets the focus, choose an undermount or slide out rangehood, which can be installed within your cabinetry.

Price ranges

Prices for entry-level rangehoods start at $98 and go up to just over $7000 for a premium 120cm canopy rangehood with a stainless-steel finish that can be installed over an island bench. Shop the biggest range of rangehoods from the best brands, including Miele, Smeg, Schweigen, Fisher & Paykel and more, in-store and online now at The Good Guys.

Installation requirements

All rangehoods are required to be installed by a licensed electrician, while plumbers can set up your ducting. The Good Guys Home Services has the expertise to install your rangehood and get it up and running for you. We’ll even clean up and take away all the rubbish, so you don’t have to. “Before you install or organise to install your new rangehood, check that it fits in the existing space and that there’s easy access to your kitchen if it’s located upstairs,” says Tania Grillinzoni.

The Good Guys Home Services Rangehood Installation Services includes installation, a demonstration and clean-up. We also offer installation and removal, which means we’ll not only install and show you how to use your new rangehood, we’ll take your old rangehood when we leave. Plus all The Good Guys Home Services are covered by a 12-month warranty.

Find out more about our Rangehood Installation Services here.

We’ll break down all the tech talk and acronyms that you need to know.

Baffle filters

Stainless-steel filters that use directional panels to trap grease. Durable, dishwasher-safe, and common in high-performance or commercial-style hoods.

Carbon/charcoal filters

Filters used in ductless/recirculating rangehoods to remove odours. Must be replaced periodically.

Ducted Rangehood

A hood that vents cooking air outside the home through ductwork. Best for performance and odour removal.

Ductless/recirculating Rangehood

A hood that filters air through charcoal filters and releases it back into the room. Easier to install but less effective at removing heat and moisture.

Ducting

The pipes/tubing that carry air from the rangehood to the outdoors.

Extraction rate

Another term for airflow - how much air the hood removes per hour.

Fan speeds

The different power levels for the motor. More speeds offer better control over noise and airflow.

Grease filters

Traps grease particles from cooking fumes.

Make-up air

Fresh air brought into the home to replace exhausted air. Required in some regions for high-powered rangehoods.

Noise level (dB)

How loud the rangehood is when running.

Recirculating kit

A kit that allows a ducted hood to operate without external ducting by adding carbon filters and redirecting airflow.

Bulkhead

A framed box section built above cabinetry to hide ducting or blend the hood into the kitchen design.

Downdraft ventilation

A system that rises from behind the cooktop or is integrated into the surface, pulling air downward instead of upward.

Auto shut-off/delay timer

A feature allowing the hood to continue running for a set time before turning off automatically.

LED lighting/task lighting

Lights built into the rangehood to illuminate the cooking area.