How to Choose a Rangehood: A Complete Buyer's Guide for Australia
A rangehood is an often-overlooked but essential kitchen appliance. It removes smoke, steam, grease and odours from your kitchen, protecting your cabinets, walls and ceiling from grease build-up and keeping your home's air clean. This guide explains how to choose the right rangehood for your kitchen.
Types of Rangehoods
1. Undermount (Slide-Out) Rangehood
Installed under a wall cabinet above the cooktop. The fan and filter slide out from under the cabinet. Affordable and common in budget kitchens. Limited extraction power (typically 300–500 m³/h).
2. Canopy Rangehood (Under Canopy)
A wall-mounted unit with a visible canopy that extends over the cooktop. Available in both ducted and recirculating versions. Good extraction capacity (600–1200 m³/h). Very popular for Australian kitchen renovations.
3. Island Rangehood (Ceiling Mount)
Suspended from the ceiling over an island cooktop. A design statement as well as a functional appliance. Available from Bosch, AEG and premium brands. Higher cost but excellent extraction and looks.
4. Slideout or Visor Rangehood
A slim unit that sits under a cabinet and slides out when in use. Space-saving. Lower extraction capacity than canopy. Good for kitchens with limited space.
Ducted vs Recirculating
| Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ducted | Extracts air to outside via a duct | Best performance; preferred for heavy cooking |
| Recirculating | Filters air and recirculates it back into kitchen | Apartments, kitchens where ducting is not possible |
Ducted rangehoods are significantly more effective at removing heat and steam. Recirculating models are acceptable for light cooking but less effective for high-heat or strong-smelling cooking.
Key Specifications to Consider
Extraction Rate (m³/h)
This measures how much air the rangehood moves per hour. As a general rule, your rangehood should be able to cycle the kitchen's air volume at least 10 times per hour. For a standard kitchen with a 60cm cooktop:
- Minimum: 400 m³/h
- Good: 600–900 m³/h
- For heavy cooking / gas cooktop / open plan: 900–1200+ m³/h
Width
The rangehood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, ideally wider. Standard widths are 60cm, 90cm and 120cm. For a 90cm cooktop, choose a 90cm or wider rangehood.
Noise Level
Measured in dB. Under 65dB at maximum speed is considered quiet for a rangehood. Bosch and AEG rangehoods are among the quietest in their categories.
Filter Type
Aluminium mesh or baffle filters are standard. Baffle filters (found in professional-grade rangehoods) are more effective for high-heat cooking and easier to clean in the dishwasher.
Top Rangehood Brands
- Bosch: Excellent build quality, quiet motors, wide range from canopy to island
- AEG: Premium quality, good design, baffle filters on many models
- Electrolux: Good mid-range value
- Westinghouse: Entry-level, solid performance
Shop Rangehoods at Oceania Appliances
Oceania Appliances stocks rangehoods from Bosch, AEG, Electrolux and Westinghouse. We carry canopy, island and slideout models in 60cm and 90cm widths. We regularly have ex-display models. Visit our Wetherill Park showroom or contact us at support@oceaniaappliances.com.au. Open 7 days 10am–8pm.