Cooking Hood – Sizes, Types and Best Brands for Your Kitchen

What Size Cooker Hood Do You Need for Your Hob?

The most common cooker hood sizes in the UK are 60cm for standard hobs and 90cm for larger models. Getting the size right is one of the most important decisions you will make, as it directly affects how effectively the hood captures steam, smoke, and cooking odours. A hood that is too small for your hob will leave much of the vapour escaping into the kitchen.

According to guidance from Which?, the hood should be at least as wide as your hob. For optimal performance, many experts recommend choosing a hood that is slightly wider than the hob, up to 1.5 times the width. This ensures the rising vapours are captured before they spread across the room.

Cooker Hoods: Quick Guide at a Glance

• Purpose: Removes smoke, steam, grease, and odours while cooking.
• Key Types: Ducted (external venting), Recirculating (carbon filter), Chimney, Island, Integrated.
• Sizing: Typically match hob width; common sizes 50cm, 60cm, 90cm.
• Core Specs: Extraction rate (m³/h), noise level (dB), energy rating, filter type.

Key Insights

• Choosing the correct size ensures maximum efficiency – a hood wider than the hob captures more steam.
• Ducted hoods are more powerful but require venting to outside; recirculating are easier to install but need periodic charcoal filter replacement.
• Noise levels vary widely; look for models under 60 dB for open-plan kitchens.
• Auto-sense technology uses sensors to adjust fan speed automatically based on cooking activity, improving convenience and energy use.
• Regular cleaning of grease filters (every 1-3 months) prolongs motor life and maintains extraction performance.

Cooker Hood Snapshot Facts

Ducted vs Recirculating Cooker Hoods: Which Is Right for Your Kitchen?

The first major decision when choosing a cooker hood is whether to go for a ducted (external venting) or recirculating model. This choice depends largely on your kitchen layout and whether you have access to an external wall.

Ducted hoods expel vapours and moisture directly outside via a duct. According to the Joybuy buying guide, this is the most effective method for air purification. Because the air is removed from the room entirely, it also helps manage humidity and heat.

Recirculating hoods filter the air through carbon filters and then blow it back into the kitchen. The AO.com guide notes that there is “no real benefit” to recirculation if ducting is possible, as it is not as effective at removing moisture and odours. These units are generally used when external ducting is impractical, such as in apartments or kitchens with no external wall access.

How to Choose Between a Chimney Hood and an Island Hood

Beyond the ducted-versus-recirculating decision, the physical design of the hood matters. Chimney hoods are mounted against a wall and are the most common style. Island hoods are suspended from the ceiling over a freestanding hob or cooking island. The choice depends purely on your kitchen layout. Island hoods typically require a ducted system running through the ceiling, which can be more complex and expensive to install.

How to Install a Cooker Hood: DIY or Professional?

Installation difficulty varies considerably between ducted and recirculating models. For many homeowners, this is the deciding factor.

Can I Install a Cooker Hood Myself?

Basic installation, especially for recirculating hoods, can be done as a DIY project if you follow the manufacturer’s manual closely. The Markselectrical buying guide explains that recirculating units can be fitted on any internal wall and do not require ducting, making them significantly simpler to install.

For ducted hoods, the situation is different. Cutting an opening in an external wall and connecting rigid or flexible ducting is not a simple task. The standard ducting diameter is 15cm, according to AO.com, and reduction kits can lower this to 12cm. Poorly installed ducting with sharp bends can drastically reduce extraction performance.

Cooker Hood Ducting Requirements

UK Building Regulations, specifically Approved Document F, set minimum extraction rates for kitchens. While the regulations apply more directly to new builds, they provide a useful benchmark for any installation. The ducting should be as short and straight as possible, and where bends are unavoidable, use wide-radius bends to maintain airflow.

Key Features to Look for in a Cooker Hood: Noise, Extraction, and Automation

Once you have settled on the type and size, the next step is evaluating performance features. These determine how well the hood functions in daily use.

How Loud is a Cooker Hood? What Noise Levels Should You Expect?

Noise levels for cooker hoods typically range from 35 dB (very quiet, similar to a whisper) to 70 dB (comparable to a vacuum cleaner). The Wren Kitchens buying guide notes that recirculating hoods are often quieter than ducted ones, because they do not have the additional sound of air rushing through external ducting. For open-plan kitchens, models under 60 dB are generally recommended to avoid dominating the living space.

What is the Best Extraction Rate for Your Kitchen?

Extraction rate, measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h), indicates how much air the hood can move. The standard calculation, as advised by Which?, is to multiply your kitchen’s volume (width × depth × height in metres) by 10 for standard cooking, or by 15-20 for intensive frying or open-plan kitchens.

For context, an average UK kitchen measuring 13m² with a 2.4m ceiling height requires a target extraction rate of approximately 370 m³/h. Smaller kitchens (up to 10m²) can manage with 300 m³/h, while larger open-plan spaces (18m²+) need more than 500 m³/h.

What Does Auto-Sense or Sensor Technology Do?

Auto-sense hoods, sometimes called Hob-to-Hood technology, use sensors to detect changes in temperature, steam, or odours from the hob. The hood then automatically adjusts its fan speed to match the cooking activity. Brands like AEG offer models with this feature, which improves convenience and can reduce energy consumption by running the fan only when needed. This feature is becoming increasingly common in 2025 and 2026 models.

Which Cooker Hood Brands Offer the Best Value? AEG, NEFF, and More

The UK market includes several well-established brands, each with a range of models across different price points.

Are AEG Cooker Hoods 60cm and 90cm Good?

AEG is a major player in the cooker hood market, offering both 60cm and 90cm models. The brand is known for incorporating smart features and energy-efficient designs. According to the Ciarra Appliances blog, the 2025 and 2026 market focus is on models with smart connectivity and energy efficiency ratings of A+ or higher, which aligns with AEG’s current product lineup.

What About NEFF and Other Brands?

NEFF is another reputable brand, with a strong focus on integrated designs that fit flush with kitchen cabinetry. The Which? buying guide notes that brands often release the same hood style in both 60cm and 90cm versions, making it easier to find a consistent design across different kitchen sizes. Bosch, Siemens, and Zanussi are other common names that offer reliable performance across various price brackets. Ferrecooker provides more budget-friendly options, though these may have lower authority signals compared to the premium brands.

Evolution of Cooker Hoods

The modern cooker hood has developed significantly over the decades, from simple ventilation fans to sophisticated smart appliances.

1. 1950s: First range hoods introduced in commercial kitchens; basic fans over stoves.
2. 1970s: Home cooker hoods become popular; simple ducted units with manual switches.
3. 1990s: Recirculating hoods with charcoal filters gain traction for kitchens without ducting.
4. 2000s: Energy efficiency standards and noise reduction improvements; introduction of telescopic and integrated designs.
5. 2010s: Smart hoods with sensors, touch controls, and connectivity; EU energy labelling.
6. 2025: Current market: auto-sense, Wi-Fi connectivity, induction-friendly designs, focus on silent operation.

What Experts Are Sure About – and What’s Still Debated

Understanding what is well-established and what remains open to interpretation can help you make a more informed choice.

Analysis: How to Pick the Right Cooker Hood for Your Kitchen

Choosing a cooker hood depends on three main factors: hob width (determines hood size), kitchen layout (ducting feasibility), and cooking habits (frequency, smoke/odour production). Ducted hoods are generally preferred for performance, but recirculating models are practical for apartments or terraced houses. Noise levels should be compared in real-use conditions, not just at idle settings. Newer auto-sense models offer convenience but at a higher price point. Always check UK Building Regulations, particularly Approved Document F, for extraction requirements in kitchens without windows. For further reading on kitchen renovations, see Worktop Kitchen – Complete Guide to Types, Costs & Deals 2025.

Expert Sources and Official References

The following sources provide reliable, up-to-date information for your cooker hood purchase.

• Which? (Consumer Association) – Independent reviews and buying guides. Check latest cooker hood tests and Best Buy recommendations.
• UK Building Regulations – Approved Document F – Official requirements for mechanical ventilation. Defines minimum extraction rates for kitchens.
• European Energy Label – Mandatory classification for energy efficiency. Look for A+ or higher for savings.
• Manufacturer installation manuals (AEG, NEFF) – Official instructions for safe installation. Always follow specific height and ducting guidelines.

Next Steps: From Research to Purchase

If you are ready to move forward, follow these steps to make a confident purchase.

• Measure your hob width and check available space above.
• Determine if you can vent outside (ducted) or need recirculating.
• Set a budget and compare key specs: extraction rate, noise, energy class.
• Read reviews on Which? cooker hood reviews or trusted home improvement sites.
• Check installation requirements – DIY or hire a professional (gas hob + ducting often requires certified installer).
• Purchase from reputable retailers (Currys, John Lewis, direct from brand) and ensure compliance with UK warranty.

For a different type of buying guide, see Stocking Fillers – Best Ideas, Budget Picks and Where to Buy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooker Hoods