Every range hood gets a score from 0 to 100% built from six factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Hoods are grouped by how they mount (under-cabinet, wall-mount, island and insert) and use the same scale in every group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | maximum airflow, full marks from 400 to 600 CFM and easing off above that | 20% |
| Quiet at full speed | noise at the highest speed, dB or converted sones | 20% |
| Quiet at low speed | noise at the lowest speed, dB or converted sones | 15% |
| Features | steel filters, airflow cap, LED light, speeds, delay off, ductless option, hands-free control and auto mode | 20% |
| Price | current price on a log scale | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length, plus a long motor warranty | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Airflow, noise, venting, features and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet or product copy, including the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Where a maker’s own figures conflict, such as two different airflow ratings or a noise figure that doesn’t say which speed it applies to, the figure is left out rather than guessed. Prices are checked at the stores each page links to, and the lowest is used.
Some makers publish HVI-certified ratings: airflow measured at 0.1 in. of static pressure, with loudness in sones. Those certified figures appear on the product page. The airflow score uses the maker’s maximum airflow for every hood, so all hoods are scored on the same kind of figure. Where a maker publishes both a measured airflow and a larger “equivalent” figure, the measured one is scored and the other is shown but not scored.
The factors
Airflow is the maximum airflow in CFM. It is not rewarded without limit. 150 CFM scores zero, and the score rises to full marks at 400 CFM and holds there to 600 CFM. Above 600 CFM it eases off, down to 60% at 1,200 CFM. Most home ranges are served well by 300 to 600 CFM, and many building codes call for make-up air above 400 CFM, which adds cost. A ductless-only hood with no published airflow gets the neutral score.
Quiet at full speed is the noise at the highest fan speed: 75 dB scores zero and 55 dB full marks. Quiet at low speed is the noise at the lowest speed: 55 dB scores zero and 35 dB full marks. Makers publish noise either in dB or in sones. Sones are converted to an equivalent level with the standard relation between sones and phons (1 sone is 40, and every doubling of sones adds 10), so both kinds of figure land on one scale. Makers measure dB at different distances, so treat small differences with care.
Features is 20% for stainless steel baffle or permanent filters, 15% for an airflow cap the installer can set for make-up air codes, 15% for included LED lighting, 10% for three or more fan speeds, 10% for a delayed shut-off, 10% for the option to run ductless, 10% for hands-free control (gesture, remote or app) and 10% for an automatic mode that sets the fan speed from a heat or smoke sensor.
Price is the current price on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same: $1,000 scores zero and $100 full marks.
Warranty is the maker’s main warranty: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks. A lifetime motor warranty, or one of 10 years or more, adds a quarter of full marks, up to the maximum.
What isn’t scored
Width, duct size, controls, plug-in or hardwired power, weight, HVI-certified airflow, “equivalent” airflow figures and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of them is published; a feature the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.