How to Choose a Rangehood: Complete Buying Guide Australia
A rangehood is essential to any functional kitchen — it removes steam, grease, smoke and cooking odours before they spread through your home. Despite their importance, rangehoods are often an afterthought in kitchen planning. Here's a complete guide to choosing the right one for your kitchen.
Ducted vs Recirculating Rangehoods
This is the most fundamental choice you'll make.
Ducted Rangehoods
A ducted (or extraction) rangehood draws air through the filters, through a duct in the wall or ceiling, and exhausts it outside the building. This is significantly more effective — it actually removes pollutants, moisture and heat from your kitchen. Most serious cooks and kitchen designers prefer ducted systems.
Requirement: Access to an external wall or roof for duct exit. The duct distance should ideally be under 3–4 metres for best performance.
Recirculating Rangehoods
A recirculating rangehood draws air through grease filters, then through carbon/charcoal filters that absorb odours, and returns the cleaned air to the kitchen. It does NOT remove moisture or heat — only grease particles and some odours. It's the only option when ducting to outside is not possible (e.g. a kitchen island with no overhead duct access, or an apartment with strict ducting restrictions).
Recirculating rangehoods require carbon filter replacement every 3–6 months (they cannot be washed, unlike aluminium grease filters).
Key Specifications
Airflow (m³/h or L/s)
The most important performance specification. Airflow is the volume of air the rangehood can move per hour at maximum power. For a home kitchen: aim for at least 600 m³/h for a standard 60cm cooktop, and 900 m³/h+ for a 90cm rangehood or for heavy cooking. Under-spec'd rangehoods fail to clear smoke and steam on high-heat cooking.
As a rough guide: rangehood airflow should be at least 10 times the kitchen's volume per hour (but ducting length and bends reduce effective performance, so bigger is better).
Noise Level (dB)
Rangehoods get louder on higher speeds. Good rangehoods run quietly on low and medium settings (40–55 dB). Budget rangehoods can be very loud even on medium (65+ dB makes conversation difficult). Check the dB rating at all speed settings, not just maximum.
Width
The rangehood should be at least as wide as the cooktop, ideally 10cm wider on each side. A 60cm cooktop should have a 60cm rangehood minimum; 90cm cooktop needs a 90cm rangehood.
Height Above Cooktop
Standard installation height is 65–75cm above gas cooktops and 55–65cm above electric/induction cooktops (manufacturer specifications vary). Too high and effectiveness drops; too low and it interferes with cooking.
Rangehood Styles
Wall-Mounted Canopy Rangehoods
The most common type. Mount to the wall above the cooktop with a chimney section extending to the ceiling. Available in 60cm, 90cm and 120cm widths. Best for: cooktops against a wall.
Island Rangehoods
Suspended from the ceiling above a kitchen island or peninsula. Require ceiling duct access. Best for: island cooktops in open-plan kitchens.
Under-Cabinet Rangehoods
Slim units that fit under a cabinet above the cooktop. The most compact option. Best for: smaller kitchens where a full canopy is not desired. Limited to ducted or recirculating based on cabinet configuration.
Slideout Rangehoods
Built into the overhead cabinetry, extending out when in use. Very clean visual appearance when not in use. Best for: kitchens where visual minimalism is a priority.
Recommended Brands in Australia
Smeg, AEG, Miele and Bosch offer premium rangehoods with excellent performance and build quality. Westinghouse, Electrolux and Fisher & Paykel offer solid mid-range options. For budget choices, Hisense and Euro Appliances provide functional rangehoods at accessible prices.
Key Features Worth Paying For
- Baffle filters (rather than aluminium mesh) — more efficient grease capture, easier to clean
- Touch or gesture controls for ease of use and cleaner design
- Timer function — auto-off after a set time
- LED lighting — better cooktop illumination and longer life than halogen
- Quiet motor — specifically stated low dB rating at medium speed
Shop Rangehoods at Oceania Appliances
We stock rangehoods from Smeg, AEG, Electrolux, Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel and more. Free delivery across Sydney. Visit 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park, call or WhatsApp 0422 489 492, or email support@oceaniaappliances.com.au. Open 7 days, 10am–8pm.