Best Rangehood for Your Kitchen: Complete Australian Buying Guide 2025
A rangehood is one of the most important appliances in any kitchen. It removes cooking fumes, smoke, grease and moisture before they can spread through your home, protecting your walls, ceilings, cabinetry and air quality. This guide helps Australian buyers choose the right rangehood for their kitchen.
Types of Rangehood
1. Undermount / Canopy Rangehood
Installed directly under overhead cabinetry, with the motor and filter concealed beneath the cabinet. Very popular in older kitchens and rental properties. Best when cabinetry runs all the way to above the cooktop. Quiet and affordable. Not suitable for island cooktops.
2. Freestanding Canopy Rangehood (Chimney Style)
A visible rangehood with a decorative stainless steel chimney that rises above the cooktop to the ceiling. The most popular style in modern kitchen renovations. Available in 60cm, 90cm, and 120cm widths. Can be installed above wall-mounted cooktops or island benches. Various designs from traditional industrial to sleek contemporary.
3. Island/Ceiling Rangehood
Suspended from the ceiling above an island cooktop. No wall mounting required. These are statement pieces that become a design feature of the kitchen. Must be ducted to remove air (not just recirculated). Require a ceiling cavity or duct path.
4. Slideout Rangehood
A compact rangehood that slides out from under a cabinet. Minimal visual footprint. Good for smaller kitchens. Limited airflow compared to full canopy models.
5. Integrated / Downdraft Rangehood
Integrated into the cooktop or benchtop and rises when needed. Very design-conscious option. Generally lower airflow than overhead models. Used in architect-designed kitchens where aesthetics override performance.
Ducted vs Recirculating
Ducted (vented outside): Air is extracted and vented outside the home. Far superior in performance — moisture, heat and grease are removed completely. This is always the preferred option where ductwork is feasible.
Recirculating (filterless vent): Air passes through a charcoal/carbon filter and is recirculated back into the kitchen. Good for apartments or situations where ducting to outside is impossible. Less effective than ducted but better than nothing. Carbon filters need replacing every 3–6 months.
Airflow Capacity: What Size Do You Need?
Rangehood capacity is measured in m³/hr (cubic metres per hour). The general rule: your kitchen volume (m³) multiplied by 10–15 gives the minimum capacity needed. For heavy cooking (wok cooking, frying), multiply by 15–20.
| Kitchen Size | Recommended Airflow |
|---|---|
| Small kitchen (up to 15m³) | 400–600 m³/hr |
| Medium kitchen (15–25m³) | 600–900 m³/hr |
| Large kitchen (25m³+) | 900–1,200 m³/hr |
| Wok/high-heat cooking | 1,000–1,500 m³/hr |
Top Rangehood Brands in Australia
- Bosch: Quiet, reliable, excellent build quality. Serie 6 canopy models are outstanding.
- AEG: Very high airflow, excellent at high-heat extraction. Great for serious cooks.
- Smeg: Beautiful Italian design, strong performance. Popular in design-focused kitchens.
- Westinghouse/Chef: Strong value. Reliable and widely available service.
- Ilve: Premium Italian; ideal for Ilve range cooker packages.
Rangehood Width: Match Your Cooktop
Your rangehood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, ideally 10cm wider on each side. A 60cm cooktop pairs with a 60–90cm rangehood; a 90cm cooktop pairs with a 90–120cm rangehood.
Noise Levels
Rangehood noise is measured in dB(A). Under 60 dB is quiet; 60–70 dB is noticeable; over 70 dB is loud. High-airflow models are inherently noisier at full power. Look for models with a quiet mode or multiple speed settings.
Shop Rangehoods at Oceania Appliances
We stock a full range of rangehoods from Bosch, AEG, Smeg, Westinghouse and other leading brands. Contact us at support@oceaniaappliances.com.au or visit our Wetherill Park showroom. Open 7 days 10am–8pm.