Monthly Archives: October 2023

10 Best Vacuum Cleaners 2023

10 Best Vacuum Cleaners 2023 | The Strategist

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

• Best overall
• Best for hard floors
• Best for carpet and rugs
• Best canister
• Best for pets
• Best for allergy sufferers
• Best for storage
• Best wet/dry

If you want to know which vacuums work best, ask those who tackle the trickiest messes. That’s exactly what I did, reaching out to an array of experts — including home organizers, chefs, cleaning specialists, nannies, and pet pros — to see what vacuum each recommends. (One thing to note: Robot vacuums aren’t included here.) These opinionated authorities have sucked up everything from dust to dog hair to Play-Doh. They’ve also considered if a vacuum works better on one surface than another (or if it works equally well on hardwood floors and shaggy carpets) and how easy it is to maneuver. Additionally, I’ve tested over a dozen top-rated models myself to get a front-row seat to all the superlative suction. So read on for the intel and our picks for the ten best vacuums.

Over time, bagless vacuums have overtaken bagged ones as the standard because they’re easy to clean and don’t require the additional purchase of extra vacuum bags. (In fact, all of the vacuums we picked are bagless.) But there’s still a fair amount of debate about which type of vacuum is best. There are three main options: upright, stick, and canister. Upright vacuums are the most traditional, with a handle on top, a swiveling brush head, and a corded power source. Stick vacuums have become more popular thanks to Dyson, and they’re often cordless (though you can find corded options). Canister vacuums, which are usually corded, are the most compact full-size option and come with a long hose that makes it easier to get into nooks and crannies.

Corded vacuums are great if you’ve got a larger space and don’t want to worry about running out of battery halfway through your cleaning session. But of course, they’re limited to areas where you can find an outlet. That’s why we’ve listed the length of the cord, which ranges from 15 to 27 feet. For the cordless vacuums, we’ve listed the maximum run time, according to the manufacturer. (Of course, that run time is variable in real life, and it can change depending on whether the battery is fully charged and which power setting you’re running it on. But it will give you a good sense of whether the vacuum has enough battery life to clean your whole apartment or if it’s better for spot treatments.)

If the vacuum is too heavy to carry around, you probably won’t want to take it out often and clean. In general, stick vacuums are lighter than upright or corded ones.

Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

$950

$950

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 70 minutes | Weight: 7. 72 lbs.

Dyson owners are so loyal to the brand, I wasn’t surprised to find a slew of Gen5detect diehards, even though it just landed on U.S. shores in June. Emily Ranager, director of business operations at Shelfie, an NYC-based organizing service, is “obsessed” with her Gen5detect and says it’s a favorite of many in her circle. In addition to its 70-minute run time, she’s a fan of its dust-illuminating technology that has twice the power of previous versions. “It illuminates invisible dust and hair on my floors, so I can be sure I’m sucking up as much filth as possible.” Ranager also raves about how it converts to a handheld vacuum, which is ideal for countertop spills. That’s likely why Toni Roberts, the executive pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, loves using her Gen5detect in the kitchen. “It’s superlight and gets all kinds of dusty bits,” she says. “It also has multiple cleaning heads that can be swapped in, and the filter is washable, so there’s less waste.”

When I tested a Gen5 myself (I got my hands on a Gen5outsize, which has double the run time and a dustbin that’s over twice as large as the Gen5detect), what blew me away was the vacuum’s built-in LCD screen that gives you a satisfyingly grotesque count of how many particles it nabs from your floors. One pass beneath my writing desk yielded 108 million microscopic crumbs — an impressive amount of WFH bagel bits.

$950

at Amazon

Buy

$950

at Amazon

Buy

Shark IZ862H Stratos Cordless Vacuum

$381

$500 now 24% off

$381

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 8. 9 lbs.

For best overall vacuum, it was neck and neck (wand and wand?) between the Dyson Gen5detect and the Shark Stratos. Ultimately, the Dyson snagged the top spot for its run time, but the Shark has some major tricks up its cordless sleeve and is less than half the price.

For one, the stick bends at a right angle so you can slide the whole vacuum under tables, couches, and beds. Ceramicist Liz Burns says, “It’s a dream to slide my Shark Stratos under my pottery wheel and beneath nearby shelves to pick up dust and debris with ease. Plus the whole thing folds in half for super-compact storage — it’s seriously amazing how small it becomes.”

In addition to its contortionist capabilities, the Shark Stratos, like the Dyson Gen5detect, automatically boosts its suction power when it comes across bigger messes. This feature, called Clean Sense IQ in the Stratos, visually shows you when debris is detected and when it’s clean. I tested the Stratos after hosting my three kid nephews for dinner, and we laughed that it works as a messy-eater detector when you run it under each dining chair.

$381

at Amazon

Buy

$381

at Amazon

Buy

Bissell Zing Canister, 2156A Bagless Vacuum, Green

$80 now 15% off

$68

Type: Canister | Cord length: 16 feet | Weight: 10.23 lbs.

Sarah McAllister, founder of the cleaning site Bleach, Pray, Love and creator of the Instagram account GoCleanCo, says the Bissell Zing is especially great for hard floors and small spaces. Plus it proves that maneuverability isn’t reserved for only stick vacuums. “It’s lightweight, so you can carry it around to get in tight or high-up spaces,” says McAllister. And the price doesn’t disappoint either. “If you’re looking for a vacuum that packs a punch and is under $75, this is a go-to. All of my staff carry them.”

Strategist editor Maxine Builder is also a fan of the Bissell Zing, especially because the canister design fits easily at the bottom of a coat closet. And though it’s ideal for cleaning up after her (very hairy, part-husky) dog on the hardwood floor of her Brooklyn apartment, she notes that it’s not quite as effective on other floor types. “It struggles a bit more on rugs,” she says. “I usually have to go over the runner two or three times to get all the pet hair out.”

$68

at Amazon

Buy

Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach Vacuum Cleaner

$175

$175

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cljx2hbb400293b6wt5oki00o@published” data-word-count=”11″>Type: Upright | Cord length: 27 feet | Weight: 13.65 lbs.

While cleaning expert Sarah McAllister relies on the Bissell Zing for hard floors, she counts on the Bissell CleanView for carpets, noting once again that she prefers a corded option. “For carpets,” she says, “we like an upright vacuum with replaceable filters that you can clean easily,” which helps the filters last much longer — up to eight months. With a specialized roller head covered in heavy-duty bristles, the CleanView loosens, lifts, and sucks up deeply embedded debris from carpets. McAlister says that even after running other vacuums over carpeting first, the CleanView still manages to scrounge up a good amount of additional dirt, providing a truly thorough cleaning.

$175

at Amazon

Buy

$175

at Amazon

Buy

Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum

$300

$349 now 14% off

$300

Type: Canister | Cord length: 18 feet | Weight: 13 lbs.

While some vacuums are like meaningless flings — in and out the door, never quite right for your lifestyle — others are for going the distance. Miele vacuums are the latter, according to Leah Guadagnoli, an artist and the founder of the monthly dinner party Fancy Feast Supper Club, which she often hosts in her upstate New York home. “For deeper cleans, I’m in love with my Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction,” she says. “It works great for getting in between the crevices in my wood floor where flour and crumbs annoyingly always accumulate. This is for those nitty gritty corners of my kitchen and home.” It’s also the vacuum she uses to prepare for her mother coming over. “Mom’s coming to visit?” she says. “Better bust out the Miele!”

Shara Kay, a certified professional organizer and the founder of SK Organizing in Beverly Hills, agrees about the reliability of Miele canisters. She praises their high suction, efficient size, and retractable cord storage. “They’re expensive but last for decades,” she says.

$300

at Amazon

Buy

$300

at Amazon

Buy

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 40 minutes | Weight: 5. 58 lbs.

Among pet pros, Dyson gets a lot of love. The Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum landed the “best overall” title in our story about the best vacuums for pet hair. And here, the animal lovers I spoke with recommended the V8, a similar but older model. Kelly Crook — who fosters both cats and dogs and founded an ice cream company for canines called the Pupper Cup — appreciates how efficiently it sucks up animal hair in her Bronx apartment. “The V8 is lightweight, easy to maneuver, cordless, a breeze to empty (a.k.a. not gross!) and has never clogged, even though I’m vacuuming up tons of fur every day,” she says. Andrea Arden, founder of Andrea Arden Dog Training appreciates that it transforms into a handheld and “eliminates the need for an additional device.” Arden keeps a V8 as well as a Dyson Cyclone V10 at each of her five NYC locations.

Beyond fur, Jen Jordan, a hairstylist who often works out of her Brooklyn apartment, raves about the V8’s ability to pick up human hair. “Brooms and Swiffers push the cut hair into unreachable corners while this attachment has a felt roller at the front that draws the hair (and dust and cat litter) into the vacuum.” Meanwhile, Patrice Novkov, who founded the NYC-based Mulberry Nanny Agency, relies on the V8 to suck up Play-Doh and car-seat crumbs.

Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum

$34

Type: Stick with cord | Cord length: 15 feet | Weight: 2.6 lbs.

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cljx2ya94004w3b6w6jku9whk@published” data-word-count=”136″>This extremely lightweight, amazingly affordable vacuum (it’s less than 10 percent of the price of the Dyson) gets the job done for pet parents, according to Twila McGee, CEO and founder of pet-care company Nola’s Finest Pets. “Even though it’s extremely light, this vacuum has a powerful suction that makes picking up pet hair on carpet, rugs, and hard floors a breeze,” she says. And if you think such a bargain price means the vacuum won’t last, McGee notes that she’s had hers for almost two years now and it still works like it did on the first day. Like the Dyson, it can be converted into a handheld, but unlike the Dyson, it comes in bright colors, which is fun. Get a FeatherWeight and you just may have the only lime-green vacuum on the block.

$34

at Amazon

Buy

$34

at Amazon

Buy

Miele Triflex HX2 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

$599

$749 now 20% off

$599

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cljx56m0800593b6wssrfntta@published” data-word-count=”12″>Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 8 lbs.

Longtime Shark fan and even longer-time allergy sufferer Naveen Singh became an instant Miele convert after testing the Triflex HX2. “I’ve always assumed Miele vacuums are all canister design, so it was cool to find out I could get the maneuverability of a cordless stick with the power of a Miele motor,” he says. Singh was impressed by the Triflex HX2’s ability to capture dust on both hardwood floors and rugs — something he doesn’t mess around with in order to keep sneezing and runny noses at bay. With its HEPA lifetime filter, this model claims 99.999 percent filtration, picking up dust, allergens, and viruses. “Plus it turns into a handheld, so I can use it in my car, too,” Singh says. “I’m the kind of guy who even keeps a mini trash can in my car, so this level of trustworthy cleanliness is major.”

$599

at Amazon

Buy

$599

at Amazon

Buy

LG CordZero All in One Cordless Stick Vacuum

$999

$999

Type: Cordless stick | Run time: 60 minutes | Weight: 5.95 lbs.

At first, the more than three-foot storage tower that’s included with the CordZero seems like overkill. Sure, other cordless sticks lean (and fall) awkwardly when not in use, but when mine arrived I wondered if it was really necessary to pair such an easy-breezy, lightweight machine with such a sizable station. However, once I vacuumed my entire apartment off one charge and docked this cordless stick, I realized the true beauty of the tower — once the CordZero returns to its stand, the dustbin empties automatically. Within the tower, the dust is funneled into a bag that you pop out and throw away when full (about once a month). No more hovering over a garbage can to dump dirt, only to accidentally spill dust back onto your clean floors. The CordZero’s hands-free auto-empty feature makes it especially great for allergy sufferers (no wonder it’s earned certification from the British Allergy Foundation). The tower also charges the vacuum and stores its attachments too.

When Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo tried another LG CordZero model (the A9 Kompressor Stick Vacuum with Power Mop) she was amazed by how much dust, dirt, and dog hair it picked up from her rug and how it outperformed her robo vac. “Please don’t judge me when I say this, but the dustbin on the LG filled up and needed to be emptied after just 20 minutes of vacuuming,” she says.

$999

at LG

Buy

Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vacuum

$350

$350

Type: Upright | Cord length: 25 feet | Weight: 12.5 lbs.

The name of the vacuum game these days is multifunctional: Uprights transform into handhelds, pet-hair erasers also clean upholstery, and dusters become brooms. So when I heard about the CrossWave HydroSteam — a vacuum, mop, and steamer in one — I had to give it a go. Fortunately, the aftermath of a family BBQ presented the ideal testing opportunity with a minefield of mustard-strewn tile, crushed Cheetos on an area rug, and the remnants of a pukey mess in the entryway from a friend’s daughter who went too hard on the bounce house.

For a machine that promises so much, setup is surprisingly easy. The CrossWave HydroSteam comes with sterilizing formulas (for both hard floor and multi-surface), so you simply fill a tank with water and formula, then snap it into the back of the vacuum. You switch between modes (hard floor, steam wash, or area rug) on the handle, which sits at the end of a, dare I say, lovely copper stick. Within minutes I tackled my multi-surface mess and was very happy with the ease of cleanup and end results. You do have to empty a dirty water tank after each cleaning, but you’d have to do that anyway if you were mopping. Plus, an automatic self-cleaning cycle takes care of the brush roll, which is more than you can say for any mop head.

$350

at Amazon

Buy

$350

at Amazon

Buy

A good vacuum for small apartments

$358

$430

now
17% off

An upright vacuum that’s been a reader best seller (twice)

Buy
at Amazon

A powerful vacuum for pet hair

Buy
at Amazon

com/strategist/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cljybmn0000123b6w9gkur48j@published” data-word-count=”95″>• Emily Ranager, director of business operations at Shelfie
• Toni Roberts, executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
• Liz Burns, ceramicist
• Sarah McAllister, founder of Bleach, Pray, Love and creator of GoCleanCo
• Maxine Builder, Strategist editor
• Leah Guadagnoli, an artist and founder of Fancy Feast Supper Club
• Shara Kay, certified professional organizer and founder of SK Organizing
• Kelly Crook, founder of The Pupper Cup
• Andrea Arden, founder of Andrea Arden Dog Training
• Jen Jordan, hairstylist
• Patrice Novkov, founder of Mulberry Nanny Agency
• Twila McGee, CEO and founder Nola’s Finest Pets
• Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer

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The 10 Very Best Vacuums

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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10 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2023

Best Overall Upright Vacuum

Shark Stratos

$451 at Amazon

Dust Bin Type: Bagless | Cleaning Path Width: 9. 5″

REASONS TO BUY

Great carpet cleaning

Spectacular hard surface cleaning

Convenient to use

Highly maneuverable

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

The Shark Stratos stands out as one of the top upright vacuums available in the market today thanks to its exceptional cleaning performance, effortless maneuverability, and convenient lift-away feature. Shark has continuously improved its duo clean technology, equipping the Stratos with a dual brush roll system that effectively eliminates dirt and debris from various surfaces, including hard floors and carpets. No matter the type of flooring, you can expect beautifully cleaned surfaces. The lift-away feature enhances usability by enabling easy cleaning of stairs, accessing tight spaces under furniture, and reaching challenging spots.

Our evaluation of the Shark Stratos revealed very few shortcomings. Only through rigorous side-by-side comparisons was our team able to identify minor criticisms. We do think it could benefit from a slight improvement in its edging ability and a reduction in weight. Though, it still leaves carpets looking expertly clean, and you are unlikely to notice any issues at the edges. Overall, the Shark Stratos is an exceptional vacuum cleaner, leaving little room for improvement.

Read more: Shark Stratos review

The Shark Stratos left no crumbs behind in any of our carpet cleaning tests.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Most Economical Upright Vacuum

Shark Navigator Lift Away

$175 at Amazon

Dust Bin Type: Bagless | Cleaning Path Width: 11.25″

REASONS TO BUY

Great maneuverability

Picked up almost all pet hair

Reasonably priced

REASONS TO AVOID

Requires some additional passes

The Shark Navigator Lift Away took the top spot in our testing for its affordability and impressive performance. This model is extremely easy to handle and move around corners. Additional premium features of this model include a HEPA filter (so that dust and debris won’t fly out of the vacuum) and a ‘Lift Away’ mode, which allows users to take apart the vacuum and use it as a handheld vacuum. These two features are commonly seen on more premium upright vacuums, and you’ll rarely see them at this price point.

Although the Shark Lift Away is a stronger performer, we did notice a couple of flaws. It took us a couple of extra tries to pick up debris on both hardwood flooring and carpets. This will admittedly require a bit more of your time, but not much. Overall, this vacuum is great for anyone on a budget who doesn’t want to sacrifice quality features.

Read more: Shark Navigator Lift Away review

The ‘Lift Away’ feature on the Shark Navigator is very simple.

Credit: Chris McNamara

Best All-Around Stick Vacuum

Shark Rocket Pet Pro

$290 at Amazon

Power Source: Battery | Cleaning Path Width: 10 ¼”

REASONS TO BUY

Easy to use

Great at removing pet hair

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

Relatively loud

The Shark Pet Pro was one of the top performers in the stick vacuum review. This stand-up stick vacuum works like a full-sized machine — but is much easier to handle — leaving us with few critiques about its performance. This machine handles hair extremely well because the brush penetrates the carpet to extract hair while the agitator self-cleans. The Pet Pro comes with crevice, brush, and pet tools for furniture and stairs. Also, the “stick” portion of the machine can be removed, turning it into a handheld vacuum — a real plus for vehicle cleaning. The unit is just eight pounds, it has an easy-to-swap battery that lasts up to 21 minutes (in economical mode), and it has a swift recharge time of just 2.5 hours. The Pro does well on both hard and soft surfaces, large and small debris, and its 37″ articulating shaft makes it easy to get under the couch or bed without getting on your hands and knees.

The performance of the Shark Pet Pro is rather impressive. Our only criticism is that this machine is a bit loud compared to other models, and pushing the vacuum straight into a wall leaves a small gap that the agitator could not reach. However, run the agitator perpendicular to the wall, and there is almost no gap. As a bonus, the Pet Pro is freestanding — a rarity among stick vacuums — so it will stand at attention until the next time you need it.

Read more: Shark Pet Pro review

The Shark Pet Pro is a well-designed, high-quality device that can clean-up the toughest of messes.

Credit: Laura Casner

Top Premium Stick Vacuum

Shark Stratos Cordless

$388 at Amazon

Power Source: Battery | Cleaning Path Width: 10.25″

REASONS TO BUY

Superb cleaning performance

Folds up

Multiple power settings

REASONS TO AVOID

No charging indicator

Pricey

The Shark Stratos Cordless seamlessly tackles whatever mess is placed in front of it, regardless of the surface. This model gives other stick vacuums a run for their money, as it picked up almost all the oats and rice spilled throughout our testing area. A simple click of a button allows the system to transition into a handheld model for cleaning non-floor surfaces like couch cushions or car seats. This cordless model won’t be limited to locations with power outlets, so you can easily float this around the entire house without needing to replug. The machine has average maneuverability, but you should have no trouble getting around furniture and tight corners. It boasts an impressive battery life, with power settings ranging from eco to boost. When all the cleaning is done and you’re ready to relax, this system folds down, easily packing away into tight places.

The Stratos Cordless should last the entirety of your cleaning unless you exclusively run it on boost mode. When docked to charge, there’s no indicator to let you know its charge level. Instead, you have to turn it on to see what power percentage it has. It isn’t the easiest to get started with an inconveniently placed button, and it weighs in at 8.9 pounds. However, much of that weight is held in the brush head. Additionally, it’s on the pricier side. This is quite an impressive machine and we think the investment will be worth the extra cleaning power and performance.

Read more: Shark Stratos Cordless review

With just a click of a button, the Stratos Cordless transitions into a handheld vacuum for easy couch cushion cleaning.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best Overall Canister Vacuum

Eureka WhirlWind

$80 at Amazon

Power Source: Plug-in | Cleaning Path Width: 10 ½”

REASONS TO BUY

Easy to use

Good performance on hard surfaces

REASONS TO AVOID

Struggles with pet hair

Requires bags

If you want one of the best canister vacuums at an affordable price point, the Eureka WhirlWind is a top choice. This model was one of the absolute best performers in our best canister vacuum review. We were impressed by its ability to plow through cereal, oatmeal, and flour in our hard surface and carpet cleaning tests. At 11 pounds, this vacuum cleaner is also one of the easiest to carry up and down stairs. We appreciated this model for its impressive cleaning performance, handling, and ease of use.

Pet owners may want to go with another unit unless they are on a tight budget. Unfortunately, the pet hair performance was lackluster due to the absence of a brush roller. But, if you’re looking for an affordable vacuum and don’t mind making a few more passes to collect pet hair, the WhirlWind may be a viable choice.

Read more: Eureka WhirlWind review

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best Carpet Cleaning Canister Vacuum

Miele Compact C1 Turbo

$455 at Amazon

Power Source: Plug-in | Cleaning Path Width: 10 ¾”

REASONS TO BUY

Good at removing pet hair

Maneuverable

REASONS TO AVOID

Spendy

The Miele Compact C1 Turbo is an all-around top-performing, albeit expensive, canister vacuum. The machine’s key feature is a floor cleaning attachment with a rolling brush (agitator) that makes it more like an upright vacuum cleaner while maintaining the advantages and simplicity of a canister unit. Given the benefits of having an agitator, we were not surprised that the Turbo did well on carpets of all pile lengths (but particularly on the shorter variety) and most debris types. Its swivel head makes it more maneuverable than most canister units, too, while its floor attachment does reasonably well at collecting debris in corners and against baseboards. While this unit performed well across the board, it shined when picking up flour (fine debris) and the toughest debris of all — pet hair.

Although the Miele Compact C1 Turbo excelled at tackling some of the toughest messes, its performance dropped a degree when cleaning larger debris (like rice and cereal) from the fluffier varieties of carpet, requiring more passes than other machines. We also felt that the Turbo was a tad fiddly when switching between attachments. Its ease of use was further impacted by its middling weight of 15.2 pounds — not the heaviest but certainly not the lightest either. Despite this, the Turbo does a great job reaching under low furniture and has a maximum reach of 30 feet for an outlet to the attachment. If this vacuum cleaner fits your budget, it’s a great buy, particularly for pet owners with loads of carpeting.

Read more: Miele Compact C1 Turbo review

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Best Overall Handheld Vaccuum

Black+Decker Flex Vac BDh3020FL

$92 at Amazon

Power Source: Battery | Cleaning Path Width: 1 3/16″ (hose end)

REASONS TO BUY

Good in tight spots

Good with pet hair

REASONS TO AVOID

So-so battery life

Two-handed operation

The Black+Decker Flex Vac BDh3020FL does a lot for a handheld vacuum, and that’s because it’s a lot like a miniature canister vacuum. This model was a top performer in our best handheld vacuum review. The machine has an accordion hose for long reaches, multiple attachments for those hard-to-reach places, and high airflow through its 1 3/16 inch hose end. The Flex Vac did well sucking up animal hair and large debris, such as Mini-Wheats cereal, without clogging. Moreover, the little vac did a great job cleaning deep cracks and crevices (easily reaching 36″ into a 3″ gap), and it did above average in cleaning dusty surfaces with a brush attachment.

While we were impressed with the overall performance of the Flex Vac, it is not without some shortcomings. Specifically, it is loud enough to strain conversation. Also, it struggles with heavy, caked-on dirt as you would find on the floorboard of a car, though it will eventually get the job done if you keep at it. Finally, there is a lack of some convenience features that we would have liked to see. For example, the battery life is a bit truncated at just 15 minutes of runtime on a full charge, and it has a four-hour recharge interval. Also, the Flex Vac is a bit heavy at three pounds. Finally, the unit’s three attachments lack onboard storage though there is a place to organize them on the battery dock. Yet, the large and easy-to-empty canister counteracts some of these convenience shortfalls. All in all, the Flex Vac still performs quite well across the board.

Read more: Black+Decker Flex Vac BDh3020FL review

We used an anemometer to measure the suction power of each handheld vac – including the Flex.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Most Economical Handheld Vacuum

Black+Decker HHVI320JR02

$55 at Amazon

Power Source: Battery | Cleaning Path Width: ~3″

REASONS TO BUY

Good with big debris

Good in cracks and crevices

REASONS TO AVOID

Struggles with fine debris

Quite loud

The Black+Decker HHVI320JR02’s performance is a mixed bag with some real bright spots, including a great price point and the suction power to pick up big messes. The narrow nozzle with the built-in extension makes it effective at getting to those hard-to-reach places without needing multiple attachments. In the same vein, the rotating nozzle feature is a boon for maintaining a good grip on the handle when probing between couch cushions and the like. Also, the fold-down brush does well for vacuuming baseboards, though you need to be mindful not to scratch the wall with the plastic backing. Finally, the Black+Decker HHVI320JR02’s battery lasts ~15.5 minutes, weighs 2.4 pounds, and has an easy-to-empty debris receptacle.

The Black+Decker HHVI320JR02 has some limitations, too. For one, it did not fare well in our pet hair pick-up tests. It also struggles with fine debris like flour and has limited effectiveness on high-pile carpets. Additionally, the unit is considerably louder than other models in the class. Despite these issues, we still favor this unit as a reasonably effective, easy-to-use, affordable handheld vacuum.

Read more: Black+Decker HHVI320JR02 review

The Black+Decker does well in tight spots like between cushions due to its narrow, extendable, rotating nozzle and good suction.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Best Overall Robot Vacuum

Roborock Q5

$430 at Amazon

Multi-Room Navigation: Yes | Poo-avoidance: No

REASONS TO BUY

Great navigation

Useful mobile app

Excellent carpet cleaning

REASONS TO AVOID

Doesn’t pick up large debris

Gets clogged with hair

The Roborock Q5 strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, all while packing in the most advanced features. This machine connects to a mobile app, where you can find options for no-go zones, schedules, and suction power. Here, the system creates a virtual 3D map of the home and outlines its cleaning path. Undoubtedly, the Q5 is among the smartest in the lineup, seamlessly navigating the entire space without bumping into furniture, walls, or those walking around. With few exceptions, like larger objects and pet hair, the system excels at tidying up various surfaces. It effortlessly cleaned up oatmeal and rice, even on fluffy carpet.

The Roborock Q5 has a low clearance, making it difficult to pick up larger debris. It also struggled to clean powdery messes like flour. Though it still picks up hair, the strands get wrapped around the bristles over time and can clog the machine. All in all, this robot system outperforms some of the most expensive options and is a handy cleaning tool for those on the go or who simply don’t want to vacuum as often

The Roborock Q5 effortlessly glides around obstacles, avoiding furniture, people, and no-go zones.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Read more: Roborock Q5 review

Robot Vacuum and Mop

Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra

$1,400 at Amazon

Multi-Room Navigation: Yes | Poo-avoidance: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

Endless features

Efficient navigation

Excellent pet waste recognition

Mop that self cleans

Automatic dirt disposal

REASONS TO AVOID

Pricey

Bad with pet hair

All hail the mighty Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra! This super smart robot vacuum has an awesome app that allows users to set up boundaries in any room of their home. This robot is one of the first to explore mopping functionalities and actually mops pretty well. It is also a keen navigator and doesn’t bump your furniture, but still manages to clean pretty close against obstacles. One of the things we loved most about this model was its latest and greatest pet poop-avoidance technology. When we set up simulated poop in our test suite, the S7 noticed it immediately and kept its distance. We highly recommend this model to those who want the most out of a robot vacuum.

Unfortunately, this is probably not the best choice if you have pets. Although it has superb poop-avoidance technology, it still doesn’t do very well at picking up pet hair. This device is also super expensive, and we would think that a robot vacuum this pricey would be able to handle a little bit of pet hair.

Read more: Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra review

The Roborock S7 has incredible stool avoidance technology for those with pets.

Credit: Jessica Riconscente

Best All-Around Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum

Milwaukee M18 0880-20

$125 at Amazon

Power Source: Battery | Cleaning Path Width: 1″ (hose end)

REASONS TO BUY

Great hose design

Robust motor

Great accessory storage

REASONS TO AVOID

Relatively heavy

So-so runtime

The Milwaukee M18 0880-20 is an exceptionally well-designed wet-dry vacuum cleaner. This model is easily at the top of its class in our cordless wet dry vacuum review. It is conveniently streamlined and also packs a powerful electric motor that will bust the toughest messes, be they sopping wet or dry as a bone. Soaked carpets? Heavy nuts and bolts? Piles of sawdust? It will suck all that up without a fuss and, with its HEPA filter, will blow nearly particular-free air out the tail-end. When your work is done, the M18 has a slick, toolbox-like design that accommodates all the attachments and self-retracting hose within. Another nice design feature is the hose routing that runs straight into the can where others use an easily-clogged elbow.

While the Milwaukee M18 0880-20 is a great vacuum, it isn’t without some limitations. For one, it did not fare well when sucking up standing water on a hard surface. In the M18’s defense, this results from a poorly designed floor attachment, not poor suction or airflow. Another weak spot for the M18 is its run time. At four minutes and 39 seconds per amp hour, it’s below average for its class. And, at 10 lbs 2 oz, it’s on the heavy end of its class, too. However, its hose stretches from 24 to 90 ½ inches, so you shouldn’t have to move it around too much. All in all, this is one heck of a wet dry machine, and we feel that most will overlook its deficiencies in light of its exceptional performance and ease of use.

Read more: Milwaukee M18 0880-20 review

The M18 is an extremely well-designed machine that can tackle the toughest mess in quick order.

Credit: Laura Casner

Why You Should Trust Us

This complex and diverse vacuum market overview comes from hundreds of hours of researching, testing, and comparing these machines since 2015. Specifically, we tested these vacuums for ease of use, cleaning effectiveness on common mess types, battery life, and reach, to name just a few of our analyses. This overview takes the best machines from five vacuum categories — upright, handheld, canister, wet-dry, robot, and stick — and combines them to give a telling overview of the market as a whole.

We put every vacuum cleaner through exhaustive testing protocols in our lab – involving tens of different tests to assess performance in a range of common-use situations including: carpet cleaning, hard floor cleaning, vacuuming up pet hair, small particle cleaning (flour), and a variety of challenges including picking up oatmeal, cereal, and rice.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Senior Research Analyst Austin Palmer, review editor Jessica Riconscente, and author Nick Miley worked together to curate this vacuum cleaner review. This triad has well over 10 years of collective experience testing home electronics such as vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and cordless tools.

Nick brings scientific experience gained in university research facilities and writing journal articles. Austin brings hundreds of hours of hands-on testing experience assessing products ranging from keyboards to photo printers, and now runs GearLab’s testing site. Finally, Jessica has on-the-ground experience as a professional cleaner, working at hostels and upscale homes for several years. She is also a dog mom and understands the demands placed on a vacuum when it comes to hairy messes.

Our research analyst, Jessica Riconscente, spread out debris over a short pile carpet for our robot vacuum testing.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Our testing of vacuum cleaners is divided into four separate rating metrics:

• Carpets

• Hard Surfaces

• Ease of Use

• Pet Hair

These metrics contribute to each product’s overall score based on what consumers want out of their vacuum. The weightings for each metric will vary among different vacuums; for example, a handheld vacuum is quite different from an upright vacuum and therefore requires different tests and weightings. This comprehensive testing and rating approach helps us to help you find the right vacuum for your household and budget.

The Shark Stratos effectively picked up all the debris in our hardwood floor testing.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

How to Pick the Right Vacuum:

The first question you’ll want to answer is what kind of vacuum you need to satisfy your needs. While all vacuums perform the same general function, there is a high degree of specialization in the vacuum market. A good way to conceptualize this is to think about the messes you’ll most likely be cleaning and where. If this prompt made you think, sawdust in the garage, you’re solidly in the wet-dry category. On the other hand, if you thought of heavily-trafficked carpets in the house, you’re in the market for an upright, canister, or stick vacuum. The following is a breakdown of the various types of vacuums covered in this review. These categories will not only describe the machines but also where and what they do best.

Upright Vacuums

Your favorite upright vacuum is what many people think about when they imagine a vacuum cleaner. These machines are essentially the Swiss army knife of in-home vacuum cleaners. They are completely self-contained, with the canister, attachments, power cord, and extension hose all in one unit. A common feature in an upright is a roller brush or agitator that stirs up the debris for the vacuum to then suck into its canister — this makes them great for high pile carpets and hard texture surfaces where other vacuums struggle. These machines commonly have a hose that can be disconnected on one end and used with attachments like a handheld device for cleaning stairs and furniture. These are universal machines for household use, and their freestanding, self-contained design makes them easy to store in a closet or corner.

The Shark Stratos is an all-around impressive upright vacuum.

Credit: Jessica Riconscente

Stick Vacuums

Stick vacuums are simply a pared-down version of an upright device that is often battery-powered, but not always. Stick vacs often lack the accessories of uprights, such as a detachable handheld device, but again, not always. Some of the more sophisticated devices are quite comparable to high-quality uprights. The main difference is the slender profile of the unit, which makes the vacuum easier to store but also means that the canister is smaller and thus will need to be emptied more often. As such, we think these devices make the most sense in smaller areas, rooms with less traffic, or limited high pile carpet.

Many premium stick vacuums come as lightweight cordless models, which allows you to move and vacuum throughout your home without difficulty.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Canister Vacuums

Canister vacuums are similar to uprights, with the obvious exception that the canister storing the collected debris is trailered behind the vacuum head and handle. This means that the business end of the vacuum is lighter and arguably more maneuverable. Still, it can also be harder to store in a closet or corner because the unit as a whole is bulkier. However, these machines do provide a bit of a sound demeaning because the motor is in the canister, and some find them easier to use on stairs since the canister can be left on the ground or carried in one hand while the other is free to work the business end of the machine.

One benefit of a canister vacuum is the ability to easily drag it around your home or up and down the stairs.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Handheld Vacuums

Handheld vacuums are essentially an accessory and are not intended to clean a whole house. They do well at getting into all the places your upright or canister vacuums aren’t expected to reach. When we think about a handheld unit, we think about countertops, window sills, the car, or light spot cleaning when you don’t want to get out the full-size vacuum. These devices are battery-powered, so the runtime can be an issue, but the lack of a cord makes them all the more agile and nimble.

Handheld vacuums work well for hard to reach areas.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Robot Vacuums

Robot vacuums are more than just a novelty. These machines offer users real time-savings when used correctly. While they are no substitute for a traditional vacuum cleaner (and the human running it), they are great for routine cleaning of the home and some light spot cleaning. The downside of the robot vacuum is that they require some setup, charging, have relatively small dust bins, and are not always intelligent — meaning that some cannot reliably make decisions not to run over something that doesn’t need picking up.

Many robot vacuums now come with smart capabilities and mapping that can be managed from your smart phone.

Credit: Jessica Riconscente

Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuums

As the name suggests, “wet-dry” vacuums are designed to tackle a whole other type of mess compared to those units discussed above. Wet-dry vacuums specialize in big messes where water or other liquids are involved. For example, these machines can suck up a bucket of water into their cans, something we wouldn’t dream of doing with an upright device. However, wet-dry vacs lack an agitator, so they are not great at cleaning large carpeted areas. When we think of wet-dry vacs, we think of work in the garage, motorhome, car, truck, or boat. Most of these units are battery-powered; thus, battery runtime will be something you’ll want to pay attention to if you put them on big jobs. These machines are self-contained, compact, and powerful.

The M18 is completely self contained making it easy to use, carry, and store. However, don’t be fooled by its simplicity – this machine can tackle the big, wet messes.

Credit: Laura Casner

To Bag or Not to Bag

While the bag debate was an important part of selecting a vacuum cleaner at one time, that is no longer the case. Nowadays, the vast majority of vacuums are bagless. This is a good thing for the most part because the lack of a bag reduces waste and trips to the store. However, there is no denying that, when emptying a bagless canister, some of the dust collected can escape into the air. If you are sensitive to dust, a bagged vacuum cleaner may be the right choice.

Bagless canisters tend to be easier to empty.

Credit: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion

This general overview of the vacuum market has highlighted the best models in the several classes of vacuums, including upright, stick, robot, canister, wet-dry, and handheld. Along with the overview, we have included a buying advice section to help you narrow down the market. These tools will assist you in selecting the right vacuum for your needs. With the proper vacuum, cleaning isn’t just a chore — it can be an enjoyable task.

18 Best Powerful Vacuum Cleaners – Rating 2023

Performance

Before you start looking for the best vacuum cleaner, think about what you expect from it. Are there pets living in the house, because of which the floor and furniture are covered with wool? Do you have young children known for their ability to litter with great speed and enthusiasm? If you answered yes to one of these questions, you really need a powerful vacuum cleaner. In other cases, this criterion can be put aside.

Take note of the suction power. The higher it is, the faster and more efficiently the device will cope with cleaning the floor, carpets and upholstered furniture. It is desirable that the suction power is at least 300 watts.

Some manufacturers indicate the power class, the dust extraction class on smooth floors, the dust extraction class on carpets and the filtration quality. These classifications range from A to G, but you should only choose Class A devices. These are the ones that will give you the best results.

By the way, do not forget to take into account the noise level. The quietest models generate a sound of about 64 dB.

Filter types

Not all filters are equally good at trapping dust and allergens. There are 3 most popular types of filters, each of which has its own distinctive properties.

1. Disposable filters hold debris well, but cost extra because they need to be replaced.

2. Washable filters allow you to wash them as needed, which has a positive effect on financial expenses. They do not need to be changed as often as disposable or foam filters.

3. HEPA filters are great for trapping tiny particles, allergens and pet hair. They are recommended for people who are demanding on air quality.

The choice of filtering system depends on what effect you want to achieve. For allergy sufferers, it is better to take a device with a HEPA filter, but if you want a washing vacuum cleaner, then an aqua filter will be installed in it. Good qualities have cartridge filters that capture dust microparticles well.

Usability

No matter how great a vacuum cleaner is in terms of technical characteristics, if it is inconvenient, it will not be of any use. That is why pay attention to ergonomics before making the final choice.

If you are interested in bagless models, take into account the capacity of the tank or dust container. Their size should correspond to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house in order to avoid complete filling during standard cleaning.

If you prefer wired devices, make sure the power cord is long enough. But cordless vacuum cleaners should suit you with their autonomy. Although in most cases, wireless models have less power than their wired ones.

The type of construction also affects the usability. Vertical ones are more maneuverable than horizontal ones, but the latter are equipped with a much larger dust collector and a more powerful engine.

Don’t forget about accessories. It is desirable that the vacuum cleaner you choose comes with a furniture brush, a brush for smooth floors, a turbo brush, and so on. The more interchangeable nozzles, the easier it will be for you to clean a particular area.

Best Vacuum Cleaner Rankings by Suction Power

Contents

1. Powerful Household Vacuum Cleaners
2. Best Powerful Vacuum Cleaners Ranking
3. Powerful Vacuum Cleaners with Container

A vacuum cleaner is an indispensable household appliance, but its choice is complicated by the variety of models presented by different companies. You can choose according to a variety of conditions, among which design, the presence of filtration systems are important, but power always remains the main parameter.

Powerful Household Vacuum Cleaners


In the first part of the review, it is worth paying attention to the outstanding brands that produce vacuum cleaners with strong traction. More than others stands out the company known for many technological innovations – Philips. Even the simplest branded models come with a thrust power of at least 350 watts, and the latest advanced models differ in power from 400 to 550 watts.

The second competitor is the German equipment manufacturer Bosch. The models are distinguished by serious resources, and the power of some reaches up to 2500 watts. The only negative phenomenon for all powerful devices is the maximum power consumption.

LG manufactures state-of-the-art 400W to 500W cyclonic vacuum cleaners. Most of the designs are equipped with the latest Kompressor technology, providing significant energy savings. LG vacuum cleaners usually have a multi-stage filtration system, which often causes a breakdown. However, rapid clogging of the filters can be avoided by cleaning them after each cleaning, and even in the process. Given the above characteristics, we offer a small rating of current models, selected taking into account some other characteristics.

Best bagged vacuum cleaners:

• Philips FC9174 Performer
• Bosch BGL35MOV41
• Samsung VC20M251AWB

Best Power Container Vacuums

• Philips FC9733 PowerPro Expert
• Bosch BGS2UPWER2
• LG VK89609HQ

Next, we will analyze the presented models according to more detailed technical characteristics

Rating of the best powerful vacuum cleaners

The most popular Philips model is listed first. Its technical characteristics are impressive. The input maximum specified for the motor is 2200W and the suction power is up to 500W. Moreover, the data indicated by the manufacturer fully justify themselves in practice.

Such indicators will provide effective dry cleaning of smooth and carpeted surfaces, even if the latter will not have the shortest pile. The Vacuum Cleaner technology helps to deal with pet hair, while the Turbo Brush nozzles remove even hair stuck to carpets.

The equipment is equipped with a bag of 4 liters, which is enough for any cleaning. Changing the bag is environmentally friendly and hygienic, even the smallest pollution will not get into the air. The filtration system includes modern Ultra Clean Air HEPA 13 filters that can get rid of allergy problems.

• Model benefits:
• Nice design.
• Rubberized wheels.
• The presence of a power regulator.
• Telescopic tube 10 meters long.
• Turbo brush and set of nozzles available.

Cons of the model in the absence of a storage compartment, lack of control on the handle.

Bosch BGL35MOV41 is a practical model, powerful, made very soundly. The manufacturer claims the engine power is 2400 W, and the suction power is 320 W. The device is made in the classic yellow color for the company. On the case, only a rotary control is highlighted, which allows you to select the optimal operating modes. The device is equipped with a branded dust bag, which is considered the primary filter. Another filter element is installed in front of the motor, and Hepa 13 is installed at the outlet.

The device will cope with pet hair, as it comes with an effective turbo brush, and there are also different nozzles for standard cleaning, for hard-to-reach places, crevice, for soft ottomans and sofas.

Advantages of the device:

• Quality assembly.
• Mobility and light weight.
• Robust telescopic tube.
• Long power cord.
• Slightly noisy.

Cons of the model in expensive replaceable bags, but according to users, adapted Korean versions have recently appeared.

Samsung VC20M251AWB is an inexpensive powerful model with a nice design. Inside is a 2000-horsepower motor with a suction power of 460 W, with the possibility of adjusting the maximum manually on the body. Inside the device is a 2. 5 liter bag dust collector. The permanent bag is easy to empty and eliminates the expense of disposable bags.

Standard set of nozzles, telescopic type steel tube. Advantages of the model: availability, pleasant appearance, small size and maneuverability. The device is equipped with large wheels that do not scratch the floor. The hose attachment is movable by 350 degrees, increases the cleaning area with a short cable length of 6 meters.

Among the minuses, users note excessive noise and the absence of a modern filtering system.

Powerful vacuum cleaners with a container

Philips FC9733 PowerPro Expert is a business card not only of the brand, but of almost all known ratings. The manufacturer indicates an energy consumption of 2100 watts and a power of 470 watts. For devices with a container collector and a cyclone system, this is a very good indicator.

The container has a fairly good capacity – 2 liters. The cleaning system claims modern PowerCyclone 8 filtration and anti-allergic filtration at the outlet. Telescopic tube with a very comfortable handle. TriActive+ is the most effective handpiece available today, and there are also additional handpieces. DiamondFlex is a state-of-the-art 180 degree rotation system with memory until reset.

Main advantages: in adjustable power, adequate noise level, container tightness sensor, the ability to store nozzles. The negative property of the model in a high price.

Bosch BGS2UPWER2 is an agile and powerful model from a reliable manufacturer. It impresses with a claimed power of 2500W with very serious suction power. SensorBagless technology maintains high performance, which eliminates frequent maintenance of the device. The container has a volume of 1.4 liters. There is a system of fine filters.

Complete with hose, telescopic tube, main brush, crevice and furniture nozzle. The advantages of the vacuum cleaner are in the electronic power setting, the presence of an alert, the convenience of the container. Negative qualities in a short cord and inconvenient activation of the winding.

LG VK89609HQ is a powerful vacuum cleaner with a pleasant appearance and low power ratings. The suction power specified by the manufacturer is 420 W, and the motor efficiency is 2000 W. Power control is provided on the handle. The container has a volume of 1.2 liters, but inside the press technology is implemented using a special blade, so you can hold up to 4 times more garbage.

The filtration system includes several levels, the main of which is a turbocyclone that does not allow the finest dust to pass through. The outlet filtration is SLG, BAF certified, which means it is approved by pediatric allergists and immunologists.

Advantages of the model in modern design, ease of power regulation, convenient tube, good set of nozzles. Cons in a short cord and the absence of a turbo brush.

When choosing vacuum cleaners by power, it is better to pay attention to traditional variations with a bag or container.

Pros & Cons of Island Range Hoods | East Coast Appliance

At a Glance:

• What is an Island Range Hood?
• Pros & Cons
• FAQs
• Why Trust Us?

Kitchen islands are one of the most popular design trends. They add additional counter space to kitchens while creating natural congregation points in the room. Islands also create flow. People can move in and out of the kitchen without crowding the chef.

However, these kitchen islands also come with complications. It’s difficult to install a stove on a kitchen island without a range hood above it to collect smoke. The last thing you want is to drive your dinner party guests outside because you don’t have proper ventilation. 

There is good news for island-loving homeowners: you can install a range hood that is functional but also fashionable. Here are a few pros and cons of island range hoods as you search for ventilation solutions.

First, What is an Island Range Hood?

Before you can dive into the pros and cons of island range hoods, it helps to understand exactly what these appliances do and how they differ from standard options in your kitchen. Your range hood provides ventilation in your kitchen. It pulls smoke and other fumes caused by cooking out of your space while circulating clean air through your kitchen.

Ventilators are typically placed above ovens and stoves. If you burn something in the oven and a large plume of smoke comes out whenever you open the door, you will want a ventilator to catch this air pollution before it spreads throughout the house – and likely triggers your fire alarm.

Island range hoods are used above stoves that are built into kitchen islands. Instead of building your stove and hood against the wall or in-between cabinets, you can cook on your kitchen island and won’t have to worry about smoke. Island range hoods are typically installed on the ceiling directly above the stove.

Pro: You Have More Flexibility in Your Kitchen Design

One of the main benefits of considering island range hoods for your kitchen plan is the added flexibility. Homeowners increasingly look for features in their islands rather than focusing on style. For example, an island needs to provide storage, not just counter space. When you tour modern kitchens, you can find islands that have stoves, sinks, miniature refrigerators, and wine holders.

If you have plans to add an island to your home, make it work for you. With an island mount range hood, you can design a kitchen with a stove in the middle of the room. You can create a flow that works for your needs and your vision as a homeowner.

Con: Your Island Range Hood Will Be Bigger Than Your Stove

While island range hoods are incredibly flexible and come in a variety of sizes, you need to make sure you choose the right one to ensure proper kitchen ventilation. If your stove range hood is too small, smoke will flood your kitchen. If it is too big, then you will likely waste money, energy, and space. Fortunately, there is a process that you can follow to make sure you have enough hood power.

The main metric to consider when shopping for island range hoods is the Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). This measures the amount of air that is either removed from the kitchen or cleaned and recirculated by your range hood. To calculate your necessary CFM:

• Find the area of your kitchen (multiply the height, width, and length of the space.)
• Divide the area by four. This is the time – in minutes – a range hood should be able to filter the air in your kitchen.

With this information, you can find an island range hood that has the power you need. However, you may find that your island range hood extends farther than your stove in order to collect smoke as it rises into the air. 

Once you calculate the power you need for your space, you can start to shop for kitchen range hoods for your island. There are several that provide reliable functionality without sacrificing style and elegance. For example, the Electrolux 42″ has a 211 minimum CFM airflow capacity and a maximum capacity of 412 CFM. This means you can use a lower setting if you need basic kitchen ventilation but can ramp up the island hood if you really need help clearing the air.

Along with other standard features like a responsive sensor that picks up on heat and advanced technology that provides quieter operation, there are additional add-ons that you can consider to make the island installation process easier. You can schedule an in-home site survey to determine whether the hood is right for your kitchen. You can also request installation and haul-away service if you are removing an older range hood. These are services offered by East Coast Appliance to create a better experience for our customers. 

Pro: You Aren’t Restricted By Cabinet Space

There is one clear benefit of investing in a range hood for island design rather than a standard range hood: you have a lot more flexibility with space because you aren’t limited by various cabinets.

Walk space is usually tight in kitchens. Most interior designers try to build as many cabinets as possible to provide storage while leaving room for natural light through windows. If you are replacing a range hood in your home, you may be limited by the cabinets that are already built-in. This isn’t an issue for island hoods. You have the entire ceiling to install a hood, no matter its size. While there are some limitations (like light fixtures and vaulted areas), homeowners generally don’t have to worry about the size of the island range hoods they choose. 

Con: Cabinets Won’t Help You Filter Air

While cabinets might seem like an unnecessary barrier to installing a range hood, they play a very real role in kitchen ventilation. Smoke rises and will try to spread out across a space. When it is blocked by a wall, the smoke looks for alternative areas to move it. As smoke rises against a traditional kitchen stove, it will bounce off the cabinets and move toward a more open area – typically right under the range hood.

An island hood doesn’t have cabinets serving as a buffer. This means your smoke can move into the center of the room if the range hood doesn’t catch it. To account for this lack of support, you may want to invest in a slightly larger range hood that can collect odors and smoke before you start coughing.

Pro: You Can Choose Ductless of Duct Island Range Hoods

Island range hoods are flexible, which means you can determine the level of infrastructure you want to invest in their installation. There are two types of hoods to consider: duct-based or ductless.

Ducts collect air and push them from one place to another. With your air conditioning, ducts push cool air from your cooling unit to different rooms in the house. With your stove, ducts collect smokey air and push it outside.

Island range hoods that connect to ductwork can be more powerful. They can collect smoke and immediately dispose of it, leaving you breathing cool, fresh air. However, ducts can be costly to install if you don’t already have the infrastructure. You may need to cut into your ceiling.

A ductless island range hood attaches to your ceiling. It will collect the smoke and filter the air, pushing it back into the room much cleaner than it was before. This is often the preferred option for easy installation. Consider the benefits of using either ducts or ductless options before you buy an island range hood. 

East Coast Appliance has multiple island range hoods to choose from. Shop our selection today for your kitchen design needs.  

Island Range Hood FAQ

How Does an Island Range Hood Work?

Ceiling-mounted or island range hoods create a pressure vacuum that pulls air into the appliance. When you cook, the island hood will pull in the hot air and smoke that you create. This will leave your kitchen with cool, fresh air that is more comfortable to cook in. 

Are Island Range Hoods Effective?

Island range hoods are effective appliances. They remove grease, smoke, and other odors from your kitchen. This makes your kitchen air clean and fresh. However, you need to choose a reliable model and the right size kitchen island hood for your space.

Why Trust East Coast Appliance?

Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you’ll receive your price match.

Shop Island Range Hoods at East Coast

There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop island range hoods online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you shop for island range hoods, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!

Learn More: 7 Range Hoods That Will Upgrade Your Kitchen

• Shop Appliance Deals
• Shop Scratch & Dent Appliances
• Learn About Our Services
• Learn About Financing Options

Best Island Range Hoods Of March 2023 – Forbes Home

Ceiling Height

Island range hoods need to have a minimum clearance above the stovetop—a variable and model-specific requirement. Whether or not your island range hood will meet this requirement depends a great deal on the height of your ceilings. Most island range hoods will mention an ideal ceiling height in user manuals but it is often also possible to buy chimney extensions or shortening kits.

Beware, these are usually sold separately. Some models often also come with an adjustable telescoping feature allowing some flexibility with the range of clearance above the stovetop.

In order to prevent any unpleasant surprises when you’re in the middle of installing your island range hood, make sure to measure the distance from your cooktop to your ceiling, decide how much clearance you want, and then check those numbers against the model’s user manual before purchase.

Ducted vs. Ductless

It’s most common for island range hoods to be ducted, but it is also possible to have ductless (recirculating) range hoods as well. If you cannot put ductwork or a vent into your ceiling and home, making sure you have a recirculation-compatible model will be the only way you can safely use your range hood.

Keep in mind ducted range hoods will likely perform slightly better than ductless range hoods; while the CPM will remain unchanged, the pollutants in the air are literally released into the outdoors via a ducted system, while the filtered air in a recirculating system will be re-released into your kitchen.

You will often also have to buy separate filter kits—available from the manufacturer of your range hood—if you want to convert your system from ducted into ductless. These kits are not included in the unit price and could eventually add up to be more expensive than installing an exterior vent.

Cooking Style

Whether you’re a heavy-duty home chef or a casual cook, you should make sure your island range hood is compatible with your cooking style. Look at airflow in CFM (cubic feet per minute), number of fan speeds and noise rating to help you determine whether a range hood will suit you.

CFM is a measure of how much air a unit can process at once. In general, the higher the CFM the faster your range hood can vent your kitchen. Fan speeds should come with at least two or three settings and the noise rating should not exceed 65dB. Anything louder and it could become quite disruptive. (For context, a normal conversation is around 60dB, so unless you prefer only conversing with your appliances, check the noise rating. Plus, range hoods are especially talkative—you won’t get a word in edgewise)

For a casual cook, a lower CFM and fewer fan speeds are probably ideal. For a more heavy-duty or professionally-aspiring chef, a higher CFM and more fan speeds may be more useful.

Appearance

Island range hoods often serve as a centerpiece to your kitchen, since they hang down from the ceiling and can easily draw the eye. You can purchase many beautiful range hoods—most widely available options made with tempered glass and stainless steel—in a variety of designs, including rectangular, slanted and curved. At its best, an island range hood will seamlessly integrate with the rest of your kitchen and be just as much of a decorative talking point as a practical appliance. At its worst, it will stick out like a tacky but necessary chandelier. Be sure to pick a range hood befitting your kitchen.

Other Features

A variety of other features you should  account for when choosing a range hood include exhaust timers, auto shut-off capability, type of control panels and filters. Your cooking style should determine which features are the most important for you. Dishwasher-safe filters are a game-changer if you like an easy, quick clean-up. If it’s important for you to know the time when you’re cooking and no other appliances have clocks built in, you may want a clock built into your unit.

You May Also Be Interested In Island Range Hoods Available On Home Depot

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How to choose an island hood according to its features – expert advice

If your kitchen area is more than 20 square meters, you can place a compact island with a stove, hood, sink and worktop in it. Island-type hoods will not only provide effective air purification, but will also become a significant element of the interior.

If you decide to create a kitchen island, the choice of hoods will be limited: either ceiling or built-in pull-out models will be available to you. Classic island hoods belong to the first type. They will cost less than alternatives, and the variety of colors and shapes will satisfy buyers seeking to create a perfectly organized and stylistically impeccable space in the kitchen.

Selection criteria

Even if you have already decided to install an island hood in your kitchen, the selection process is just beginning. The selection is made according to several parameters, among which the most important are the size, performance, noise level, power consumption and design. There are additional criteria as well. For some buyers, it is important that the equipment be controlled from the remote control, others are interested in the presence of a turbo mode, and still others are interested in the possibility of additional air purification with ozone (such models are more expensive, but ideal for allergy sufferers). For those who want to find the ideal island model, information about each of the selection criteria is useful.

Dimensions

The size of any type of hood depends on the dimensions of the hob it serves. Previously, it was believed that intensive air purification is possible only if the dimensions match. Manufacturers of island hoods produced models with a width of 50, 60 and 90 cm, since most hobs were of this size.

After the invention of the perimeter suction technology, compact models have learned to cope with air purification. So in the collections of famous brands, island hoods resembling chandeliers appeared, and their minimum diameter was reduced to 37 centimeters. However, if your kitchen has a large island with a cooking center for 6 or more burners, it is better to choose a hood with a width of 120 cm.

Another important parameter is the height. In rooms with low ceilings, it is better to install almost flat models that do not “eat up” the space. Hoods in the form of pipes or cones should not be too massive, otherwise the interior will be overloaded with details. So take measurements of the kitchen in advance so that you don’t have to urgently look for a replacement for a bulky model.

Performance

This parameter is considered the most important, since the quality of air purification in the kitchen depends on the performance of the hood. Too weak will not cope with the functions assigned to it during intensive cooking. A powerful model in a small kitchen will create a strong draft, and the cost of installing it will be excessive.

How to calculate the extraction capacity? The easiest way is to use ready-made calculators, which are available in many online stores. But if you want to do the calculations yourself, it will take quite a bit of time. First, determine the volume of the kitchen: multiply the floor area by the height of the room. The result must be multiplied by 12 (the number of air updates per hour) and by a factor of 1.3. For example, for a kitchen of 20 m² with a ceiling height of 2.8 m, the hood performance will be 873.6 cubic meters per hour. It is better to round up, so models with a performance of 9 will suit you00 cubic meters per hour.

Noise Level

Older models were noisy enough to make it uncomfortable for owners to watch TV, listen to music, or talk to their family when turning on third gear. Modern technologies have reduced this figure to a minimum level, so that most motors have a noise level of 40-60 dB, and the record at the moment is only 32 dB. The permissible figure in residential areas is 40 dB, so that all island hoods that have slight deviations (up to 45 dB) will provide acoustic comfort.

High-performance hoods usually make more noise, so you have to choose between quick and efficient removal of fumes and fumes, or silence in the kitchen. But sometimes even the most thoughtful models make more noise than the manufacturer provides. This is due to ductility in the ducts, so it is very important to invite experienced specialists to install the diverters.

Energy consumption

Depending on the model and mode of use, hoods consume different amounts of electricity. It is consumed by the motor, electronic control system and backlight lamps. For wall-mounted models, the most common power level is 240 W, but island hoods require at least 270 W.

Those who want to save money should choose models with 9-13 watt fluorescent fixtures or LEDs. Halogens are considered the second most economical, and incandescent lamps close the rating by 20 or 40 watts. Electricity consumption depends on the operating time of the hood and the selected mode. The lower the speed, the lower the costs. Although some prefer to use the maximum speed, but only when the kitchen atmosphere is heavily polluted with smoke or smoke.

Models with electronic control have sensors that independently monitor the cleanliness of the air flow rising from the hob. So the hood is switched on only when it is really needed and the energy consumption is kept at an optimal level.

Which body shape should I choose?

Many famous brands compete with each other, creating new forms of cooker hoods. In the catalogs you can find graceful “lampshades”, laconic cones and pipes of square or round section, T-shaped and flat models, spirals, complex shapes resembling flowers or UFOs. If you are practical, then you are unlikely to buy a model that is too fanciful and complex: it will be more difficult to care for it, and overhead decorative elements can interfere with the free movement of air flow.

T-shaped

This shape looks light enough that the island hood does not overload the space. The extended flat part with lamps provides excellent illumination of the working area. Some models of this type are able to fold, rising to the ceiling. Metal and glass, from which the body of T-shaped island hoods is usually made, fit perfectly into any type of modern interiors.

Cylinder, square, rectangle

Concise geometric shapes will certainly be appreciated by fans of high-tech style. Rectangular, cylindrical and square island-type hoods have a minimum of decorative elements, which makes maintenance easier. At the same time, graceful forms give the interior consistency and nobility, and with the backlight turned on, the island in the kitchen resembles a bar counter or a table in a cafe.

Dome

Designers use island-type dome chimney hoods to create interiors in Provence or retro style. They go great with wood or stone countertops. Since most fireplace hoods have a fairly large body, it is better to use them in kitchen-dining rooms: they will remove excess space and make the room more comfortable.

Diverting or recirculating: which is better?

Like other types of hoods, island hoods are divided into outlet and recirculation. Most models are designed for both types of use, so you can choose how best to connect them. When connected in recirculation mode, you will have to install carbon filters.

It is believed that extracting the exhaust air and replacing it with fresh air is the best solution, but this is not always possible. When redevelopment of apartments and houses, the kitchen or kitchen-dining room often ends up in a room where there is no ventilation. It is inconvenient to bring the air duct outside through a window or through a hole made in the wall, so in this case the owners have only one way out – to start air purification using carbon filters.

A recirculating kitchen hood is a good solution in two more cases:

• with low wall height, which does not allow hiding the air duct;
• a significant distance from the kitchen island vent (too long pipes will reduce performance and become a source of noise).

If the layout and characteristics of the room allow, it is still better to choose a bypass model, since in this case you do not have to buy replacement filters and take care of their timely replacement.

Installation of island hoods

Most cases with motors are heavy, and therefore they cannot be mounted on a false ceiling – you have to get to the main one. That is why the installation of an island hood is usually carried out at the stage of repair, when there is still access to the floors.

First, holes are drilled in the ceiling for fasteners and the power cable is connected. If you install a false ceiling that will hide the duct, the wiring can be placed in the cable channel. Then comes the turn of the air duct. Remember: the shorter the pipes and the fewer bends, the higher the real performance of the island hood will be. If your ceilings are too low, it is better to connect the equipment in recirculation mode and do without an air duct. Experts recommend using plastic pipes, since the corrugation gets dirty faster.

The next step is to fix the base platform, to which the suspended part with the motor is attached to the cables. At the same time, it is important to maintain the correct distance to the hob: at least 65 cm to induction, 75 cm to traditional electric and at least 80 cm to gas. Carefully check whether the equipment is hanging horizontally. Horizontal deviations will shorten the life of the motor. Once the case is in the correct position, you can connect the power cable and, if necessary, the air duct to it.

There is also an easier way to install an island hood: invite professionals who will do the job much faster and take care of following all the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Care and maintenance

Island hoods require periodic care and maintenance. Dirt from the housing is removed with a soft sponge or cloth. It is important to consider what material the decorative elements are made of: glass, wood and plastic will need different detergents. Abrasives and hard brushes should not be used: scratches will remain on the surface. It is better to apply detergent on the surface and wait 15-20 minutes: it will be easier to remove particles of fat and soot.

Metal grease filters, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, can be washed either by hand or in the dishwasher. The second option takes almost no time, so before buying it is worth asking if automated cleaning is acceptable. To wash the metal mesh clean by hand, it is recommended to soak it in a special solution that dissolves grease.

Charcoal filters are replaceable, although some manufacturers have removable elements that can be restored: washed and kept in the oven at 100 degrees for 10 minutes. The service life of such filters is up to three years. Regular charcoal filters are changed every 3 months. Some models of hoods have a special indicator that reports the degree of contamination of the filter element and the period of its replacement.

Benefits of Faber island hoods

The Italian company Faber produces only cooker hoods, because the narrow specialization allows for product excellence. Faber island hoods delight with a huge variety of models. You will surely be able to choose a good stylistic solution for both retro kitchens and modern or high-tech rooms. Dome, flat and geometric (cylinders, cubes, parallelepipeds) models are available in stainless steel, white, brown, black, silver. This opens up scope for design experiments and allows you to create truly interesting interiors.

The advantages of Faber island hoods are not limited to good design: the technologies developed by the company make the products of the Italian brand as user-friendly as possible. The “heart” of the hoods is the unique ENERGY motor, which is 30% more efficient and 3% quieter than other models. The unique design makes it possible to use long ducts with minimal loss of performance.

If you are going to use the recirculation mode, look out for the unique HFH carbon filters – high efficiency elements with improved performance. Installing these elements has another interesting effect: it reduces the noise level by 3dB. The FILTER ALARM system monitors the condition of the filters. The sensor constantly monitors the degree of contamination, so that the owners always know in time that it is time to wash the grease filter or replace the carbon one.

In terms of sound absorption, Faber island hoods are one of the first places. Acoustic comfort is provided by several technologies at once: COMFORT PANEL (perimeter air capture), washable SILENT KIT panels, filters and the motor design itself. Even when operating in intensive mode, the noise level only slightly exceeds 60 dB, and at first speed the motor runs almost inaudibly. If you like silence, you can turn on the round-the-clock cleaning mode. The air will be updated constantly, and energy consumption will be minimal.

By the way, when it comes to energy consumption, Faber island hoods are exceptionally economical. At medium speed, you save up to 85% in electricity consumption compared to older motors, at maximum you will reduce consumption by 35%. There is no need to wait until the atmosphere is completely cleared: the designers have equipped most models with a shutdown timer.

A kitchen island needs to be well lit, and Faber island hoods do just that. Consuming only 2 watts of electricity per hour, the LEDlight creates enough bright and pleasant light for the most natural color reproduction. Under the hoods with such illumination, you can safely photograph culinary masterpieces. And if bright light is not needed, but you want to leave a nightlight in the kitchen, the Courtesy Light function will help. One press of the remote control button, and the lighting will be dimmed.

Buy a Faber island hood in our online store and you will have stylish and reliable appliances with a wide range of operating modes. Our managers will organize the delivery of the purchase to any region of Russia.

Island hoods – advantages, features, tips for choosing

In large kitchens, it is very convenient to create working or dining areas right in the center of the room, and to ensure clean air, use island hoods. Models of this type have significant differences from the rest. First of all, island hoods have increased performance in order to provide air purification in a large room. The design is also different, as the body needs to look attractive from all angles. The installation method also has its own set of features. These and other distinctive features of island models should be discussed in more detail.

Design and principle of operation

Many people do not think about how a cooker hood works. Even a preschooler can understand the principle of operation of this device. A fan (turbine) is located inside the case, with the help of which air is sucked through the filter.

Further depends on the type of connection. If the hood operates in the extraction mode, then after the grease filter, the air flow passes through the blades and enters the air duct, then into the ventilation, and at the end it is discharged from the house into the atmosphere. When connected in recirculation mode, the air is passed through two filters: grease and carbon. Fat particles settle on fat, and odors are absorbed in coal. The air is then returned to the kitchen through an opening in the housing.

Motor and filters are not the only components. The hoods also have a control panel – push-button, slider or touch, backlight, and the best models also have a system of various sensors. Sometimes manufacturers complete island hoods with additional devices: ionizers, humidifiers, speakers for listening to music, or even full-fledged TVs with an Internet connection. But such models are expensive and rare, usually only high-quality air purification is required from a good model.

Choosing an island hood

In order for the air in the kitchen to always be clean, without fumes and smoke, and the interior to become only more interesting after installing the hood, you will have to look through many pages of the catalog. Island hoods are very diverse – both in design and in function. What should you pay attention to?

First of all, analyze the dimensions of the models. Some cases require high ceilings, and therefore are not well suited for modest kitchens. Width is of little importance, but height is important, especially if you are going to connect equipment in retract mode. The easiest way is to make a scale drawing of the hood placement and mark on it the position of the hood with the installed duct, the height of the island and the height of the family members standing next to it. This will make it easy to understand how much headroom you have.

It is very important to consider the power and performance of the models. With island hoods, these figures are quite high, but there is absolutely no need to pay for an excess of performance that you still cannot use. You can read about how to calculate the optimal level below.

A very useful option is the auto-off timer. With it, you can program the operation of the hood in such a way that the air is purified with little or no participation from you. Among other high-tech features, it is worth mentioning the possibility of synchronizing the hood with the hob: when another burner is turned on, the speed will be increased automatically.

If there are several models left after selection according to the listed characteristics, you can focus on your own taste. The design of island hoods is very diverse, so you will surely be able to find something that perfectly suits your environment.

Power

A lot of articles have been written about power, and in a good half there is confusion. The authors often refer to this word as performance, although the technical documentation refers to the connection power, which is usually 250-320 W for island hoods. The maximum connection power is important for electricians when calculating wiring in an apartment. If this value is too high, the load on the network can grow to a critical level.

Performance is an equally important parameter. In order to find out what it should be for your kitchen, you need to carry out simple calculations. First, find the apartment in the plan or independently calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. This is easy to do in square and rectangular rooms, but if you live in an old house with many niches and ledges or a bay window, it’s easier to look at the documents for the apartment. Multiplying the area by the height of the walls, get the volume of the kitchen.

According to existing sanitary standards, the air in the room must be renewed 10-12 times per hour. Therefore, if you multiply the volume of the kitchen by 12, you will get the approximate performance of the hood. Sometimes this value is multiplied by a factor of 1.3. This allows you to make allowance for bends in the ducts, loss of suction power due to the installation of a carbon filter, and so on.

Designers advise installing island kitchens in rooms with an area of ​​at least 16 square meters. If the ceiling height is 2.7 m, it is easy to calculate the minimum performance that your island hood should have:

16 x 2.7 x 12 x 1.3 = 673.92 with a minimum capacity of 700 cubic meters per hour. For larger kitchen-dining rooms, you can do the calculation yourself.

Some experts advise not to be upset if you have taken a slightly less powerful hood. Even if the error is plus or minus one hundred cubic meters per hour, the model will successfully cope with air purification above the hob. But others strongly disagree with this statement. The fact is that the island is usually removed from the ventilation duct at a considerable distance, and therefore it is necessary to make long, and sometimes ducts bent at right angles. It is estimated that even with a smooth plastic duct, the performance loss is about 10% for every meter of length, and another 15 to 20% performance is lost at a right angle turn. So try to keep the ducts straight and avoid corrugations.

Those who connect in tap mode should make allowance for the resistance created by the carbon filter, so that the headroom is also not superfluous.

Round or square, what should I choose?

Does the shape of the hood affect its performance? This question may seem strange, but it is quite often asked on specialized forums. When using perimeter suction technology, in principle, it does not matter whether a round or rectangular model will purify the air. But there are a few other important points that are often overlooked.

Rectangular hoods with railing give the kitchen a solid look. Fireplace island models are often chosen for classic or country style kitchens. Country is easy to recognize by its characteristic shape and wooden baguette. More modern kitchens are decorated with models that do not take up much space:

• T-shaped;
• cylindrical;
• spherical;
• in the form of one or more cones;
• cubic.

The round island hood looks very interesting, especially in combination with the same round island with an oval hob.

In the catalogs of different manufacturers you can find models in the form of UFOs, blooming flowers or spirals. But remember: the more complex the shape, the more difficult it will be to keep the hood clean. In addition, if you decide to make repairs, you will have to adapt to the design of non-standard equipment.

Island hoods with simple shapes are the best solution for most interiors. And if you want sophistication, you can use original dishes, textiles, chairs for the dining area and lamps. If the situation gets bored, you can easily replace it at no great cost.

Design and colors

In addition to the shape, it is worth considering the color of the case. In retro interiors, beautiful copper island hoods are often installed, echoing faucets and sinks of the same color, kitchen furniture handles, stove rotary switches. For minimalist kitchens, black and white models are considered win-win. These neutral colors can be used in a lot of different ways.

White on white or black on black are suitable for those who want to hide the hood and make it as inconspicuous as possible. By the way, if at least one wall is plain, the hood will stand out against its background, delighting with the conciseness of the form. And if a kitchen set is located behind, the effect will be the opposite. Thus, you can create completely different types of kitchens with hoods. The only disadvantage of this approach is that the drafting of the project will have to be entrusted to the designer, because it will not be easy to accurately calculate the optimal location of the island hood.

Silver stainless steel case is usually combined with gray, blue, blue. Cool tones will come in handy in south-facing kitchens. With them, the room will seem cooler. Wood is perfect for a pastel setting. Dark and light woody shades of a baguette decorating country-style models will look great with pale blue, cream, salad, light lilac.

Installation tips

Island hoods can only be classified into two categories – ceiling type or countertop models. The first is attached to the ceiling in several ways. There are models that hang from the ceiling on cables or special rigid structures – this allows you to place the equipment at the optimal height so that it captures polluted air well, and the case can be easily wiped during cleaning.

The second option is systems with a lifting mechanism. It can be operated manually or with a remote control. Such island hoods can go up and down. When they are not needed, the body is raised, and the kitchen seems even more spacious.

There is also a built-in ceiling. This is how very powerful (more than 1000 cubic meters per hour) hoods are fixed, which should only perform the function of air purification, without disturbing the beauty of the interior. The advantage of such models is invisibility.

The countertop integration simplifies the installation of the island hood, as no work at height with ladders or scaffolding is required. As a rule, manufacturers supply hoods of this type with detailed installation instructions, which describe all the nuances of connection. But it will still be more convenient to contact the masters for installing household appliances: the work of a professional will take less time.

In forums dedicated to hoods, you can often come across the question: which installation option for an island hood is better – extraction or recirculation? The answer depends on several factors. First, evaluate the appearance of the hood. If this is a dome model of a fireplace type, then connecting an air duct to it will look harmonious. But for models resembling a chandelier, a pipe extending beyond a suspended ceiling, this option is not suitable. They look much more elegant in the recirculation version. If you are afraid that the air will be cleaned less thoroughly, take an interest in the capabilities of modern carbon filters. New elements absorb odors much better, and some of them can also be restored.

The type of connection is greatly influenced by the height of the ceilings. Air ducts are very convenient to hide behind suspended structures, especially multi-tiered plasterboard ceilings. Installation of the island hood to the ceiling and its connection should be carried out by professionals in order to eliminate errors that will be difficult to correct.

Benefits of island hoods Maunfeld

If you compare the island models created by Maunfield with the same type of hoods from other manufacturers, the most striking difference is quite affordable price. Very beautiful, practical and reliable island hoods are produced under the Maunfeld brand, and browsing the catalog will convince even the most staunch skeptics that the technique has considerable advantages.

Of course, these models don’t have a built-in TV or stereo, so they won’t show you TV series or play your favorite music. But they mastered their main “profession” perfectly well. Let’s start with the basic features. Maunfeld island hoods are designed for ceiling mounting. Their capacity is from 700 to 1270 cubic meters per hour, so you can choose the right model for both medium and very spacious kitchens.

Cabinet width ranges from 35 to 90 cm. Thanks to modern suction technology, you can not adhere to the exact correspondence of the dimensions of the hood to the dimensions of the plate: all impurities will be successfully removed without any problems. Some Maunfeld models can be controlled directly from your smartphone, so you don’t have to remember where you put the remote when you’re cleaning.

The creators paid special attention to design. One of the most popular models, Kent 50, is presented in four colors at once: black, anthracite, white and red. The catalog also has models in black and white in combination with transparent glass. They look very elegant and are suitable for interiors in any modern style.

Maunfeld island hoods are available with three or four speeds. The fourth is an intensive mode, which is used for severe air pollution. As a rule, the motor does not work at the fourth speed for long, since the air is cleared very quickly. Despite the high power, Maunfeld hoods are very quiet. For example, a model with a capacity of 1050 cubic meters per hour produces a noise of only 51 dB. This allows family members and guests to talk in the kitchen without raising their voice, even if you have turned on the maximum speed.

The designers have abandoned traditional lamps in favor of economical and bright LED lighting, thanks to which Maunfeld island hoods can brightly illuminate the work surface. And if you want to create a peaceful atmosphere in the kitchen, then instead of the usual chandelier, it is enough to turn on the backlight on the hood – there will be a pleasant diffused light in the dining area.