Canstar Blue’s 2019 rangehood review has seen Miele, Smeg, Omega, Bosch, Electrolux, Westinghouse and Fisher & Paykel rated on customer satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Miele has blown the competition away in this year’s rangehood reviews, scoring five stars for quietness while operating, design, features and overall customer satisfaction in 2019.
While you might enjoy the sweet aroma of food cooking in the kitchen, you’re still producing a lot of heat, smoke, moisture and grease during the process. Not only can this damage your kitchen cabinetry and walls, it’s not ideal for your health either. Thankfully, rangehoods are designed to remove the bad odours and provide ventilation so that these fumes are replaced with fresh air, making it a worthwhile installation in your home.
Rangehoods are not typically the first appliance that many consider when upgrading their kitchen, but they’re important to help keep your kitchen smoke free. From traditional rangehoods to modern canopy designs, they can be a stylish addition to your kitchen aesthetic. So, which brands are keeping Australian families happy and which… suck? To find out, we surveyed more than 600 households and asked about the rangehoods they have in their home.
In the second year of our rangehood ratings, Miele has bumped Electrolux off top spot and earned five stars for overall customer satisfaction, adding to its impressive reputation among the Aussie consumers who have also rated the brand No.1 for its cooktops, dishwashers, front loader washing machines and vacuum cleaners this year. That’s some record!
Canstar Blue’s latest rangehood review has seen seven big brands compared and rated in the following order for overall customer satisfaction:
Smeg, Omega and Bosch all received four stars apiece for overall customer satisfaction, while Electrolux, Westinghouse and Fisher & Paykel were left with three stars. Other results of note included five stars for Smeg and Omega on performance and ease of cleaning – the two key categories that Miele fell behind in with four stars. Alongside this year’s winner, Smeg also received a five-star review on design, Omega got top marks on features, while Bosch was another brand to get five stars on quietness.
To help you make an informed decision, read on as we review what each brand currently has to offer in the rangehoods department, followed by some of the things you’ll need to consider before making that final purchase.
Miele has a reputation as a high-end brand, with its premium prices boasting German craftsmanship. It offers four standard rangehood designs including wall, island, built-in and downdraft to accommodate for a variety of styles, sizes and functions to suit any kitchen. Miele’s units are said to be made for those who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, with their eye-catching designs. Its motorised rangehood can be built into the bench, so it’s out of sight when switched off to save space, making it a possible solution for minimalist kitchens. You’ll find features such as automatic operation, where the required fan output is automatically controlled by the cooktop settings, plus an automatic switch off system for safety.
Don’t expect to find many of Miele’s rangehoods for under $1,000 though. Prices for its wall and island units range from about $1,999 to $5,299, while for its built-in line up, prices start from $999 and go up to $3,999. Its current model within the downdraft range comes with a retail price tag of $4,399.
Miele’s range includes:
Miele was rated best for overall customer satisfaction in our latest review, as well as for design, features and quietness. It also received four stars on performance and ease of cleaning.
Smeg is an Italian appliance manufacturer providing “elegant contemporary living solutions” for Aussie kitchens. Smeg’s rangehoods reflect the elegance and style you’ll find with a number of its appliances, including ovens, dishwashers and dryers. There is a wide selection of rangehoods available categorised by design – Classic, Linear, Victoria and Portofino. Installation types include telescopic, downdraft, wall mount, under mount and island mount. On top of this, Smeg offers a variety of colour options whether you’re looking to add a pop of red or a trendy black to your kitchen. Smeg also boasts super-quiet performance with some models stated to have a noise level of 53dB. When ducting is not possible, active charcoal filters are also available.
Smeg doesn’t foray into the budget end of the rangehood segment. For the brightly coloured models (Victoria Aesthetic Canopy Rangehood, pictured), expect to pay $2,390 RRP, with the full line-up sitting between $650 and $6,590 RRP. While these might not be for every budget, if you’re looking to add a standout appliance into your kitchen, Smeg might be the way to go.
Smeg’s rangehood models include:
In this year’s review, Smeg was rated four stars for overall satisfaction, quietness and features, with five stars for performance, ease of cleaning and design.
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The Omega range of appliances is aimed to combine classic design elements and quality workmanship with affordability and versatility. Offering a range of appliances from ovens and cooktops, to washing machines and dryers, its rangehood line features fixed, slideout, canopy and under cupboard designs to suit a variety of households. Expect stainless steel finishes and different sizes from 52cm all the way up to 90cm. The slideout range features two aluminium filters, stated to be easy to remove and clean in the dishwasher.
Most of Omega’s rangehoods can be had for less than $500, so if you’re looking for a budget option, you may like to keep this brand in mind. Its fixed rangehoods are the cheapest of the lot with prices starting from as low as $199 RRP. Slideout units are priced between $250 and $550 while the canopy models go up to as much as $899.
Omega’s rangehood models include:
Omega was rated top for performance, ease of cleaning and features, but received four stars for overall satisfaction and design, plus just three stars on quietness.
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Bosch is a well-renowned name in the home appliance world, with the German manufacturing giant synonymous with both quality and technology. Featuring wall-mounted canopy rangehoods, slideout rangehoods and integrated rangehoods, each model is separated in a specific series – Serie 2, Serie 4, Serie 6 and Serie 8. Both the 6 and 8 series are equipped with electronic operation displays and boast a quiet operation.
The full range starts from a low of $449 and you won’t find any prices above the $2,000 mark. Its most expensive model, sitting at $1,949, is boasted for a low noise level of 66dB, as well as intensive speed settings. Bosch states all you can hear is a swishing sound generated by the motor itself and the air flow where 50% of the noise is ducted to the outside (with the ducted models).
Bosch’s rangehood models include:
Bosch was rated four stars overall in this year’s rangehoods review, as well as for ease of cleaning, but earned five stars for quietness. It scored three stars for performance, design and features.
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Perhaps best known for fridges and washing machines, Electrolux is a Swedish brand with a focus on technology and sophisticated designs. In terms of rangehoods, it features integrated under cupboard, island canopy, slideout and wall-mounted canopy rangehoods with 11 models in total across all types. Expect sleek and stylish touch on glass controls and removable filters for an easy clean. Some models also boast Hob2Hood technology that features sensors to automatically adjust the hood when cooking heat increases.
The Electrolux range starts off at around $500 in price for the under-cupboard models, maxing out at about $1,500 for large glass canopy units. Its most expensive 90cm canopy hood is stated to provide a maximum airflow of 1000m3/hr, while its 60cm slide out unit is boasted for a low operation noise of 47dB.
Electrolux’s rangehood models include:
Electrolux received three stars for overall satisfaction and quietness this year, but received four stars on performance, ease of cleaning, design and features.
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Part of the Electrolux Group, Westinghouse is a long-standing Australian brand covering more budget friendly options than most. It features fixed, integrated under-cupboard, slideout and wall-mounted canopy rangehoods. All models have one to two fans, as well as various speed options. There are basic design features such as inter-locked push button controls, LED lighting and just white and stainless steel finishes.
Westinghouse has by far some of the cheapest rangehoods, with prices starting from $149 for a 60cm fixed rangehood. While it might not come with many bells and whistles, if you’re on a budget, this might be one to consider. The rest are around $200 and $400, but it could go up to $1,099 RRP for the canopy rangehoods.
Westinghouse’s rangehood models include:
Westinghouse was another brand to be rated three stars for overall satisfaction, with three stars for performance, quietness and features, but was also rated four stars for ease of cleaning and design.
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Founded in New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel is a company that has been around for more than 80 years. It has emerged as one of the most technologically-advanced appliance brands and often a popular choice in Aussie kitchens. Boasting intuitive controls with touch panels, Fisher & Paykel rangehoods are stated to be easy to use and built to perform. There are 15 products in total with built in options, as well as slideout rangehoods and integrated rangehoods on offer. If you would prefer an exposed option, you can choose from box, pyramid and glass chimney style rangehoods, designed to add to the aesthetic of your kitchen.
The Fisher & Paykel range is ‘middle of the road’ when it comes to prices, with retail tags between $299 and $1,449. Its slideout rangehoods are the cheapest of the lot, and most of its canopy range sits above the $1,000 mark.
Fisher & Paykel’s rangehood models include:
Fisher & Paykel rounds out this year’s review of rangehoods with three stars for overall satisfaction as well as performance, quietness, ease of cleaning and features, but it did score four stars for design.
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Aside from the major rangehood manufacturers rated in this year’s review, there are several other brands worthy of your consideration, including:
Combining precision engineering and stylish good looks, Blanco rangehoods aim to make a statement in your kitchen. Founded in Germany, Blanco has a focus on innovation and design. The rangehood line-up features under cupboard, slide-out and canopy models.
Expect some models to come equipped with touch control operation, various speed options to suit the type of cooking, as well as a timer that switches the rangehood off automatically after 15 minutes. The Blanco Clean Air function is also boasted to ‘activate’ the rangehood for 10 minutes every hour to help reduce those lingering cooking odours. Most Blanco rangehoods sit between $400 and $600, giving you various budget friendly options. The most expensive is its canopy model – BWCG90X – that can be found for just over the $2,000 mark.
Chef is part of the Electrolux family, so you might find a few similar aspects to those featured in the Westinghouse range mentioned above. Chef is also one to offer some of the cheapest prices yet and it has just over 10 models in the full range.
There are three different styles to choose from – fixed, canopy and slideout – so you can find what looks and functions best in your kitchen. Expect up to three fan speeds, push button controls and some with slide controls. In terms of noise levels, the Chef rangehoods are stated to produce 62dB when working. The range starts at $129 and maxes out at $539, boasting simple and straightforward solutions.
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Robinhood is an Australasian brand, offering both kitchen and laundry products. Robinhood’s products are claimed to be sourced globally from leading manufacturers, and are well-designed boasting modern technology. The range features laundry tubs, ironing centres, waste disposers as well as rangehoods and ducting solutions.
Styles include all canopies, island canopies, compact canopies, tilterhoods, slideout rangehoods and powerpack rangehoods. Expect touch-screen switches and dimmable lighting, stated to generate very little heat. Robinhood rangehoods can be found from as little as around $209 for a 60cm slideout rangehood and can go up to approximately $2,200 for the island curved glass models.
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Ilve offers rangehoods for the passionate home cooks, as well as professional chefs. It’s dedicated to bringing the versatility and performance of its unique Italian brand to Australian kitchens. Renowned for continuous technological research and innovation, every Ilve rangehood is stated to be hand-assembled with care, ensuring each one is a work of culinary art.
Styles include BBQ/outdoor, canopy, concealed, island and slideout hoods with streamlined electronic control panels. Some are also equipped with a maximum air consumption capacity of 1200 m3/hr. This additional air consumption will cost you $4,580 but you can also score a 90cm slideout model for around $499. A unique style Ilve offers a cylinder island hood, boasted to be the visual focal point or discreetly integrated, as per your kitchen style.
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Now that we’ve wrapped up the different brands you might like to consider, there are several other aspects to think about when buying a rangehood, in particular your budget. On average, consumers spend $669 on new rangehoods, our research shows. Our most recent survey also found that:
More than half of survey respondents (54%) indicated that they have a ducted rangehood, while 28% own a recirculating type. The difference between the two is that ducted rangehoods – also referred to as extractor rangehoods – offer better performance by extracting the cooking fumes from the kitchen and expelling them to the outside via ducting. Non-ducted or recirculating rangehoods, on the other hand, are designed for kitchens where there is no external vent, thus the rangehood extracts cooking fumes and passes them through active charcoal filters, recirculating the cleansed air back into the room. Once you know which option is suitable for your home, you can consider other key factors such as style, size, power settings and features.
Deciding on which type of rangehood to choose from will depend on your kitchen set up. All rangehood types are typically available in 60cm and 90cm widths, covering off the most common sizes of cooktops. Different styles include the following:
Depending on the type of rangehood, many models come with different lighting fixtures. You can choose from incandescent, florescent, halogen and LED. Some rangehood brands boast dimmable lighting, so you can select the level of light that works for you. It can also be used as mood lighting when you finish cooking!
Noise levels are also an important consideration, with just two brands recording five-star reviews for quietness. According to our survey, a quarter of respondents (23%) said they often refrain from using their rangehood because it’s just too noisy, down from 33% last year, perhaps suggesting brands are improving in this area. Noise level is important because you should still be able to hold a conversation when it’s on.
Typically, there are sliding, push-buttons and touch control panels, which are easy to reach and operate. Some retractable models will feature controls on the underside of the hood, and others increase the fan speed the further you pull the hood out. Consider what would be most comfortable and suitable for you when buying.
Rangehoods often have from three to six fan speeds, with some models also offering an automatic variation of speeds. The higher speeds are used when cooking, while the lower speeds can be utilised once finished. Generally, you shouldn’t need more than three speeds, although this will come down to what you plan on cooking for dinner.
Whether you’re after a simple rangehood or one with all the bells and whistles, we hope this guide has been a useful tool to help with your rangehood purchase.
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She’s an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
*Prices taken from retailer websites, correct as of January 2020
Our latest customer satisfaction research saw a number of brands rated best in different categories:
Canstar Blue surveyed 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have a rangehood installed in their home and have used it in the last 3 months – in this case, 637 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
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