Best 600 CFM Range Hood

So, you’re in the market for a new range hood and you’ve narrowed your search down to 600 CFM hoods. That’s a great first step, but there are still a lot of variables and hood options to sift through.

Today, we’ll be exploring the ins and outs of some of the best 600 CFM range hoods on the market. I’ll also break down all the important factors from size to noise level, so you can make the smartest choice for your kitchen.

Ultra Quiet: Proline 36-Inch Stainless Steel Under Cabinet Range Hood

The Proline 36-inch hood is one of the lowest profile under cabinet range hoods you can find. 

But, at twice the price and with the same amount of power as many other options, why would anyone make this choice? I assure you there is a good reason for this, and I’ll explain.

First off, the slime design is unmatched measuring only 5-inches tall. That makes it a good choice for smaller kitchens or for squeezing under cabinets that are mounted close to your stovetop.

Next, and possibly the biggest reason it’s worth the higher price tag is the ultra-quiet dual blower system. Rather than the single fans that my other picks use, Proline features two. 

While it still max’s out at the same 600 CFM, it does a better job sucking fumes from across your entire range. That leads to less smoke and steam escaping into your kitchen. A big benefit when you don’t have the same suction as some of the more powerful hoods out there.

Back to the noise level or lack thereof. Whenever possible I try to recommend hoods that don’t go much higher than 60 decibels. But Proline manages to keep the noise down to an impressive 50 decibels on its highest setting. And that alone could be worth the price of admission.

When you don’t need all 600 CFM, there are 3 lower fan speeds each with its own dedicated button to quickly get the airflow you need when you need it.

Proline is known for making high-end and high-powered professional hoods. And while this isn’t one of their more powerful options, it has the same high-quality fit and finishes that you would get from their much more expensive models. 

Lowest Profile: MCBON 30-Inch Stainless Steel Range Hood Insert

The MCBON hood insert is a perfect 600 CFM option if you’re installing a new custom cabinet over your range or replacing an old worn out unit.

With it’s extremely low profile, this hood almost completely disappears from sight. The controls are also located on the underside of the hood, going one step further to make the hood blend into your kitchen cabinets.

If you’re not a fan of the industrial look that comes with most stainless steel hoods, you’ll love this design.

While most hoods feature fairly similar controls, I always appreciate the ones that have dedicated buttons for each fan speed. With the MCBON hood, you can select any of the three speeds without having to cycle through each option.

It’s a small detail you may not think about, but makes for a better user experience in day-to-day use.

At the lowest of its three speeds, this hood is very quiet, operating at only 35 decibels. 

Even when operating at its 600 CFM max, it clocks in at a very respectable 62 decibels. That’s just barely louder than your average speaking voice, so you won’t have to yell in order to have a conversation while you cook. 

At its modest price, you still get high-quality stainless steel baffles that are easy to remove and are dishwasher safe. And for a 30-inch range hood, the dual LED lights provide good visibility and are easy to replace. Although they only operate at one setting and are not dimmable.

Professional Looks: DKB 30-Inch Stainless Steel Wall Mount Range Hood

The 600 CFM range hood from Decorative Kitchen Bath (DKB) is a great option that will instantly elevate the look of your kitchen.

The high-quality brushed stainless steel finish is durable and easy to clean. It has a commercial look while remaining sleek and elegant.

Airflow is provided by a powerful single-chamber centrifugal motor with 6-speed settings. This gives you the ability to perfectly dial in the suction you need depending on what and how you’re cooking. 

On the lowest setting, this hood operates at around 35 decibels, about as quiet as a gentle hum. Perfect for low-heat cooking tasks where there’s no grease and smoke flying. 

Crank it up to high speed and you’ll definitely hear it. It can clear some serious fumes and steam on high, but it’s on the louder side at around 72 decibels.

This is a convertible range hood, giving you versatile installation options. It can be installed with ductwork so it vents outside. Or, ductless where it will recirculate air into the kitchen after passing through a carbon filter.

In the center of the hood, you’ll find a simple LCD screen with touch-sensitive buttons. The controls are very straightforward and include a programmable delayed shut-off timer.

When it comes to filters, you get dual stainless steel baffles that are removable and dishwasher safe. Making cleaning quick and painless.

Buyers Guide: Choosing The Best 600 CFM Range Hood

CFM

CFM stands for Cubic Feet Per Minute. That refers to the amount of air a hood can move and is one of the primary factors that determine how well it will clear smoke and fumes as you cook.

600 CFM is a mid-range option in the world of range hood power. 

At the lowest end of the spectrum, you’ll find hoods in the 150 CFM range, while the other end has powerhouses with 1000 CFM and more.

You’ll be able to find 600 CFM product options at a wide range of prices. This power level offers a sufficient amount of power for general cooking duties. But, if you do a lot of high heat cooking, cook a lot of fried food, or have a very powerful gas range, you may benefit from a more powerful option. 

Noise Level

A loud hood can be obnoxious and could lead to you using it less often than you should. Since 60 decibels is about the noise level of an average conversation, I like to use that as a general baseline for range hood noise.

Sticking to options that are close to or slightly above 60 decibels on their highest setting can be a smart choice. Especially if you like to socialize while you’re cooking.

While the power of a hood can have an effect on noise level, it’s not a definitive factor. As you can see by the wide range of noise ratings across my three 600 CFM picks. 

If the noise level is a major driver in your decision-making process, I’ve also written extensively about the quietest range hoods here.

Type Of Hood

Range hoods come in all kinds of shape, size, and installation type. Your kitchen layout plays a big role in what type of hood you’ll need, but there’s also room for you to choose styles and designs that suit your taste.

Here are some of the most common types of hood that you’ll come across, each available in different sizes and CFM ratings.

• Wall Mount
• Under Cabinet 
• Hood Insert
• Microwave-Hood Units
• Ceiling or Island Mount
• Down-Draft Hood

Ducted Vs. Ductless

There are two different ways that range hoods work to keep your kitchen air clean. Let’s take a quick look at each.

A ducted hood is connected to an outside vent, so it can suck smoke, steam, and fumes and send it outside your house. This is the best and most efficient hood setup. It can remove more fumes faster, keeping the air in your kitchen clean and clear.

However, if you don’t already have ductwork installed, that can be an expensive addition to the cost of your new hood.

Ductless hoods use carbon filters to keep your kitchen air clean. Instead of removing air, they suck it through a filter and recirculate it back into the kitchen. If you don’t have ductwork in place this option will suffice. But, it’s slower and less capable of removing large amounts of smoke, steam, and odors.

If you see a hood labeled as “convertible” that simply means it can be installed as a ducted or ductless system.

Size Of Hood

What size hood you need really depends on what size range you have. At the very least, your hood should be as wide as your range. If you have a 36-inch range, you’ll want at least a 36-inch hood.

But, if you have the space for it, a hood that’s 6-inches wider than your range is ideal. so, if you have a 36-inch range, you’d be looking at a 42-inch hood. That gives you 3-inches of overhang on each side, which will capture more fumes before they can escape into your kitchen.

The size of your hood can also play a role in how much power you need. For example, if you have a large 48-inch hood, you might want to look at higher CFM options.

Installation

Hood installation varies by brand, type of hood, and whether it’s ducted or ductless. In general, the process is fairly straightforward. But, since hoods are large and awkwardly shaped it can be a tricky process.

If you don’t consider yourself an especially handy DIY type, you may leave this one to a pro. But with the help of a friend and some detailed instructions, it’s a doable project.

Control Panel

When it comes to hood control panels, I think the simpler the better. As long as you have buttons for power, lighting, and fan speed, you’re good to go. And if you can find one with dedicated buttons for each speed, all the better.

Physical buttons have the benefit of being simple and reliable. Touchscreens give a modern look and are easy to keep clean, but they can also be a bit more finicky.

Lighting

Good lighting makes cooking safer and more enjoyable. It’s common for hoods in the 30 to 36-inch range to only have 2 lights, so make sure they’re bright enough for good cooking visibility.

When you get into the 42-inch and larger options, you might want a hood with 3 or 4 bulbs. That will offer better and more even visibility across a larger cooktop.

Style & Design

The style and design of your hood comes down to personal preference and overall kitchen design. Wall mount and island hoods automatically become focal points of the kitchen, so make sure you like how they look.

Most under cabinet mount hoods look fairly similar, and can be found in a variety of colors to match your kitchen decor. Hood inserts are one way to hide your hood altogether. But, you’ll need to make sure you have cabinetry that can hold and support those units.

My Recommendation

A 600 CFM range hood is a good middle-of-the-road option that should provide plenty of power for most casual cooks. Each of my three picks are compatible with a different kitchen layout.

While it is the most expensive of the three, the Proline under cabinet hood offers the best and quietest performance of almost any 600 CFM option around.

But, if you’re looking for an impressive looking kitchen centerpiece, the DKB wall mount hood might fit the bill. Or on the opposite end of the spectrum, if you want your hood to completely disappear into the kitchen, you might consider the MCBON hood insert.

Frequently Asked Questions