Having a kitchen exhaust fan has somewhat become a necessity nowadays, thanks to heavy cooking that happens in almost every household.
Even if you don’t have heavy cooking happening, owning the best kitchen exhaust fan helps in keeping the overall air of your kitchen clean and clears out unnecessary fumes from the room, to not leave the smell of spices as well as cooked food items, around.
Also, it aids in proper ventilation of the kitchen, which is extremely necessary, since there are high temperatures for long hours at a stretch, in the kitchen.
Top-rated Exhaust Fans for Kitchen: A Comprehensive Review
1. Broan-NuTone 505
The Broan-NuTone 505 is one of the best exhaust fans for the kitchen as it is made of polymeric and is button controlled. It comes in the color white and has quite a few interesting features which are
- It helps to eliminate cooking odors, humidity as well as tobacco smoke
- It has a galvanized steel house which is easy to install in the ceiling, where it is best needed
- It is extremely power efficient, running on 200 CFM and providing 8.5 sones to ensure excellent all-round performance
- It has steel mounting brackets that come with keyhole slots to ensure quick and easy installation
- It has paintable polymeric grilles, to allow you to make it cohesive with your kitchen décor
- It is 8-inches
- It is an energy star as well as HVI certified
2. SAILFLO 10-inch Exhaust Shutter Fan
The Sailflo 10-inch exhaust shutter fan comes with a 2-way linkage blower and is available in three sizes – 6 inches, 8 inches, and 10 inches (in case you’re looking for a smaller size). It is considered one of the best kitchen exhaust fans because
- It consumes 35 Watts to run
- It has an extremely large airflow of 470 CFM
- This ventilation fan is a two-way type linkage one
- It has the ability to eliminate hot air, and smoke and then inhale cool natural wind to maintain proper ventilation
- It has a water-resistant high-quality sleeve bearing motor that has the ability to run for 9,000 hours straight!
- It comes in-built with an overheat protector as well as an efficient temperature fuse.
- It is extremely easy to install
- It is button controlled and is of wall mounting type
- It comes with a 33-inch UL certified power cord and plug
- It has a detachable panel which makes it easy to clean and maintain
3. iLIVING 10-inch Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan
The iLiving 10-inch wall-mounted exhaust fan can provide for variable speed and is button controlled. It comes in silver color and extremely efficient making it one of the best kitchen exhaust fans.
Some of its key features include
- It helps get rid of excess moisture and heat, thereby preventing molds and allergens from staying in the kitchen
- It helps to reduce excess electricity bills
- It is corrosion resistant and its fully enclosed motor is both permanently lubricated as well as thermally protected, thus helping in easy maintenance
- It has an adjustable speed functionality (when bought in combination with their speed controller that is sold separately)
- The shutters are constructed using durable and high-grade aluminum which is why they can withstand excess moisture and heat and also keeps it protected from the formation of corrosive rust
- It is 10-inches
- It runs on 120 Volts and can provide cooling to an area of 600 cubic feet every minute
4. Broan Aluminium Exhaust Fan
The Broan aluminum power pack range hood insert exhaust fan has two variants – aluminum and stainless steel and it is considered one of the best kitchen exhaust fans because
- There are two power variants – 250 CFM and 390 CFM
- It has three-speed slide controls and it works at 8.0 sones for 250 CFM, ensuring reliable performance every time
- There is an enclosed lighting area in it (which is sold separately) for two incandescent candelabra bulbs of 40 Watts each
- It has a single aluminum mesh filter which is washable, which ensures maximum grease capture
- Its smooth surface helps to clean it easily
- It has quick-release filters that are dishwasher safe, thereby reducing unnecessary time being spent in the kitchen
- It has the ability to work in an ADA compliant situation too when it is wired to a standard 2 or 3 rocker wall switch which helps to turn the hood both on and off
- It has a two-speed motor and a 7-inch round duct and non-ducted discharge
5. Cabina Home 6-inch Silent
The Cabina Home 6-inch exhaust fan can easily be considered one of the best kitchen exhaust fans there is, thanks to its zero noise mechanism. Other than that, it has quite a few interesting features, which are
- It is made of metal
- It is a wall mount exhaust fan
- It comes in the color black
- It is extremely easy to install as well as clean
- It is 6-inches
- It has a 2800 rpm fan speed
- It runs on 220V
- It has a safety net cover which ensures dirt doesn’t enter the fan space
6. Broan-NuTone F403004 Exhaust Fan
The Broan-NuTone F403004 is considered one of the best kitchen exhaust fans because multiple sizes it is available in, along with the different colors they have on offer, to help you choose an exhaust fan based on your kitchen décor. Read on to know more!
- It is available in four sizes – 24-inches, 30-inches, 36-inches and 42-inches
- It comes in 7 unique color variants
- This hood insert exhaust fan helps to improve overall ventilation as well as lighting atop the stove through four distinct ways – it is ducted horizontally or vertically wherein it operates at 6.5 sones and 160 CFM, there is a 7-inch round vertical duct that operates at 190 CFM or a non-ducted type wherein you will have to buy the filter separately – as per your convenience
- It has a protective lamp lens which helps to evenly distribute light over your entire cooktop and you can insert a 75 W bulb (bulb is to be bought separately)
- It has a single piece dishwasher safe mesh filter made of aluminum that helps to maintain maximum grease capture
- It is extremely versatile, having separate rocker switches that help to control light as well as a 2-speed fan for your convenience
- The range hood of the exhaust fan measures 30-inches and is to be installed at least 18-inches above your cooktop
- The style of the exhaust fan is contemporary
7. Broan-NuTone 509 Fan
The Broan-NuTone 509 through the wall exhaust fan is one of the best kitchen exhaust fans because, not only does it help to remove humidity from the kitchen, but it also removes all sorts of cooking odors as well as tobacco smoke.
Some of its other key features include –
- It is available in three variants – 6-inches having 70 CFM and 6.0 sones, 8-inches having 180 CFM and 6.5 sones, and 10-inches having 270 CFM and 6 sones
- It is imported
- It is made of plastic
- It is an extremely versatile fan which not just helps to remove the odor of food items but also helps to maintain proper ventilation, ensuring that your house smells fresh and clean all the time
- It operates on 180 CFM and provides for a 7.5 sones rating which is quite powerful for a kitchen and can cover a room of up to 170 sq. ft.
- It is extremely easy to install and can easily be adjusted to wall fittings that are anywhere between 4.5 to 9.5 inches thick or 5.25-inches to 10-inches thick
- It comes with printable polymeric grilles that allow you to make it cohesive to the décor in your kitchen
- It has an in-built damper which minimizes backdraft to ensure energy efficiency along with a specially designed fan blade made of polymeric to ensure optimal performance always
8. Broan-Nutone 512M Exhaust Fan
The Broan-Nutone 512M ventilation and exhaust fan which appears last in our list of some of the best kitchen exhaust fans have three variants to choose from. Lets us see what they are and more
- It has three variants which are – 6-inches having 70 CFM and 6.0 sones, 8-inches having 180 CFM and 6.5 sones and 10-inches having 270 CFM and 6 sones
- This fan not only helps to get rid of humidity but also removes cooking odors as well as tobacco smoke, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh and clean always
- It is an extremely efficient and effective exhaust fan, running on 70 CFM and 6.0 sones
- Its motor is really easy to install and it has a ‘twist-lock’ mechanism along with adjustable housing features to help fit into walls ranging between 4.5-inches to 9.5-inches thick and 5.25-inches to 10-inches thick – as per your convenience
- Its paintable polymeric grilles ensure that your exhaust fan is cohesive to the décor in your kitchen
- It has an in-built damper that minimizes backdraft to ensure energy efficiency along with a specially designed fan blade made of polymeric to ensure optimal performance always
No matter how big or small your kitchen is, having a good exhaust fan ensures that excess humidity and the smell of food do not accumulate in the kitchen, making it extremely uncomfortable to stay there.
Our comprehensive list of some of the best kitchen exhaust fans will not just ensure that all these problems are met, but will also ensure that your kitchen is left smelling fresh and clean at all hours of the day. Most of the exhaust fans we have mentioned above are extremely compact and energy-efficient, so you needn’t worry about exorbitant bills simply for keeping your kitchen away from unnecessary odor.
So, choose anyone and get to worry less about cooking right away!
For an even more refined and stylish kitchen, consider upgrading your faucet with a high-quality option from our collection of premium kitchen fixtures.
How To Choose Kitchen Exhaust Fans
So, with this very purpose set in mind, let us start by looking at some of the key factors you will have to keep in mind when you set out to buy a good kitchen exhaust fan.
Factors to keep in mind when looking to buy the best kitchen exhaust fan
Its capacity
As is known, every kitchen requires needs a certain amount of airflow for proper ventilation. The airflow in an exhaust fan for a kitchen is usually measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. While small exhaust fans have a CFM airflow ranging between 30 to 50, larger models provide a CFM airflow anywhere between 200-300. So, based on the size of your kitchen, choose an exhaust fan that will ensure thorough ventilation.
Its size
The size of your kitchen exhaust fan is important because it depends on the location you intend on placing it and the size of your kitchen. A small kitchen fan won’t be very useful in a moderately big kitchen and vice-e-versa, so remember to consider this factor too.
Its sound level
The loudness of a kitchen exhaust fan is measured in sones. A fan that measures 2 sones or less, is considered ideal as it is going to be quiet. Similarly, a fan that measures 4 sones is considered loud. The price of an exhaust fan also depends on the total sones generated by a fan. Thus, the lower the sones, the more will be the price.
Its mounting type
There are many different ways in which an exhaust fan can be mounted, such as – ceiling mount or exterior mount and wall mount. Wall mounts are usually considered the best as they can be placed anywhere as per your convenience. Exterior fans are similar to wall mount fans, with the only exception being that the noise is created outside. Ceiling fans help to improve overall airflow through the ventilation system present in the ceiling. Most modern homes opt for ceiling fans because they are considered a better option.
It’s automatic controls system
The latest exhaust fan models have a ton of new technical features to it, one being automatic controls, which tend to switch on as soon as the machine detects a rise in the humidity levels or overall temperature levels. However, it is important to keep in mind that a user will have to manually turn it on to ensure the removal of unwanted odors.
Its price
This is the most important factor when looking to buy an exhaust fan because the price of the fan determines its size and features too. So, depending on your budget choose a good exhaust fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a kitchen exhaust fan necessary?
Having a kitchen exhaust fan is not only necessary but also recommended for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Cooking generates smoke, steam, and grease, which can lead to the buildup of unpleasant odors, moisture, and pollutants. These substances can be harmful to your health, cause respiratory problems, and damage your home over time.
Kitchen exhaust fans help to remove these contaminants from the air by sucking them up and venting them outside. This prevents them from circulating and settling on surfaces, reducing the risk of damage to your cabinets, walls, and other kitchen appliances.
In addition to improving air quality, exhaust fans also help to reduce the temperature in the kitchen, making cooking more comfortable and preventing the formation of condensation and moisture on surfaces.
What is the best CFM for a range hood?
The best CFM (cubic feet per minute) for a range hood depends on the size of your kitchen and the type of cooking you do. As a general rule of thumb, experts recommend a minimum of 100 CFM per linear foot of range. For example, if your range is 30 inches, then you should look for a range hood with a minimum CFM of 250.
However, if you do a lot of heavy cooking, like stir-frying or deep-frying, you may want to consider a range hood with a higher CFM. For a kitchen with high heat output, a range hood with a minimum CFM of 400 is recommended. It’s important to note that a higher CFM can also mean more noise, so you’ll need to consider how loud you’re willing to tolerate.
Will exhaust fans reduce heat?
Exhaust fans are not designed to reduce heat in a room. Instead, their primary function is to remove unwanted odors, moisture, and pollutants from the air.
However, by removing these elements from the air, exhaust fans can indirectly help reduce the feeling of heat in a room.
This is because excessive moisture and humidity can make a room feel warmer and more uncomfortable. By removing the moisture, the room can feel cooler and more comfortable.
Additionally, if the exhaust fan is connected to a range hood or stove, it can help remove heat and steam generated by cooking, which can also help keep the room cooler.
Which type of exhaust fan is best for the kitchen?
The best type of exhaust fan for a kitchen will depend on the size of the kitchen and also on whether you’d prefer opting for a wall mount fan or a ceiling fan. Most opt for wall mounts because they can throw out unwanted odor outside, instead of a ceiling fan which simply provides proper ventilation.
Where should a kitchen exhaust fan be installed?
Ideally, it would be best to have a kitchen exhaust fan installed somewhere close to a window or opening to allow all the humidity and food odor to pass out.
If you are looking for a faucet for your kitchen then do check out the reviews of the best kitchen faucet brands which will provide you with useful information about the faucets and their use cases.
