Assessing Rangehood Performance: An In-depth Evaluation
In the world of kitchen appliances, choosing the right rangehood can make a significant difference in your cooking experience. That's where CHOICE comes in, an independent consumer advocacy organisation that provides expert reviews to help you make informed decisions. Funded by members who value these services, CHOICE rates rangehoods based on three key factors: performance, noise, and ease of use.
Performance Testing
CHOICE evaluates a rangehood's performance by measuring its airflow capacity, usually in cubic feet per minute (CFM), to determine how effectively it extracts smoke, odors, and airborne grease from the kitchen air. Proper matching of duct size to the rangehood’s CFM rating is crucial to ensure maximum efficiency and avoid reduced performance or excess noise.
Noise Testing
Noise is an essential factor in the buying process, and CHOICE ensures it gets the attention it deserves. Noise levels are measured in sones or decibels at low, medium, and high fan speeds. Modern rangehoods can operate as quietly as 1–3 sones, comparable to a whisper or refrigerator hum, making them ideal for those who value a quiet kitchen environment.
Ease of Use Assessment
CHOICE also evaluates the practicality and user-friendliness of a rangehood's features. This includes examining the availability and practicality of features like multiple fan speeds, heat sensors, timers, auto shut-off, filter maintenance indicators, and lighting. The usability of controls, ranging from push-buttons to touchscreens or remotes, as well as the accessibility and cleanability of filters, are also key factors.
The testing process involves ordering rangehoods and their associated installation kits, following manufacturers' installation instructions, and conducting a steam removal test. Videos are recorded for the steam escaping to ensure accurate scoring.
In summary, CHOICE rates rangehoods based on measured airflow (performance), sound levels during operation (noise), and feature practicality plus user-friendliness (ease of use), supported by expert and technical assessments to provide comprehensive and reliable product ratings.
It's worth noting that some recommendations have changed due to the new testing rig, but rangehoods no longer recommended are still considered worth considering. The expert tester for rangehood reviews is Adrian Lini.
CHOICE does not accept ads or sponsorship, ensuring unbiased advice for consumers. Scores from rangehoods tested before 2025 may have been adjusted to align with the new testing rig's performance.
In 2025, a more robust and future-proofed testing rig was invested in, allowing for the testing of downdraft and island rangehoods. However, downdraft rangehoods with external motors, such as those from Schweigen, are not currently tested due to lack of lab space and capacity.
Replacing carbon filters (if applicable) should not be a fiddly task. Controls for fans and lights need to be easy to access, and lighting must be sufficient for cooking visibility. Ease of use is evaluated by assessing the accessibility, removal, replacement, and cleaning of rangehood filters.
Rangehoods are tested in both ducted and recirculating modes, with carbon filters required for the recirculating mode. The scoring system is such that a continuous stream of steam escaping at the sides and front will score 20%. Noise levels are measured and converted to a score, with higher noise levels resulting in lower scores.
In the end, with CHOICE's thorough testing and unbiased reviews, finding the perfect rangehood for your kitchen becomes a little easier.
In the realm of home-and-garden appliances, CHOICE’s expert reviews on rangehoods can guide you towards a lifestyle choice that prioritizes optimal performance, quiet operation, and practical features. By evaluating factors like airflow capacity, noise levels, and ease of use, CHOICE offers comprehensive and reliable ratings that help simplify the decision-making process for your home.
