A cooker hood should remove steam, grease and cooking odours without dominating the kitchen with noise. If your extractor sounds louder than expected, the hood itself is not always the problem. Ducting, installation, filters and airflow can all make a significant difference.
How to make a cooker hood quieter
- Use the lowest fan speed that is effective for your cooking.
- Keep external ducting as short and straight as possible.
- Use the duct diameter recommended by the hood manufacturer.
- Avoid unnecessary duct reducers and tight bends.
- Use smooth rigid ducting wherever practical.
- Keep grease filters clean and replace carbon filters when required.
- Check for vibration from loose ducting, panels or fixings.
- Compare noise ratings carefully when choosing a new hood.
How noisy should a cooker hood be?
Cooker hood noise is normally measured in decibels, shown as dB. The quoted figure will vary according to the fan speed being used, so always check whether a manufacturer’s figure relates to a normal operating speed or the hood’s maximum or boost setting.
| Approximate noise level | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 45-55 dB | Relatively quiet operation |
| 55-65 dB | Typical everyday extraction |
| 65-70+ dB | More noticeable, particularly at higher fan speeds |
A powerful hood does not necessarily need to be noisy all of the time. Most cooking can be handled at a lower or medium fan speed, with maximum extraction reserved for frying, boiling several pans or dealing with a sudden burst of steam.
8 ways to reduce cooker hood noise
Use a lower fan speed
Maximum or boost settings move a large volume of air and will naturally create more noise. For everyday cooking, start at a lower setting and increase the speed only when required.
Keep ducting short
A long duct run creates additional resistance. Where possible, plan the shortest practical route from the cooker hood to the external wall or roof outlet.
Reduce the number of bends
Every bend changes the direction of the airflow. Multiple bends, particularly sharp 90-degree turns, can increase turbulence and make the extraction system noticeably louder.
Use the correct duct size
Never reduce the duct unnecessarily. Many modern cooker hoods are designed around a 150 mm outlet, although the correct size should always be confirmed in the installation instructions for your particular model.
Choose smooth ducting
Smooth rigid or semi-rigid ducting usually allows air to move more freely than long lengths of corrugated flexible hose. Flexible ducting should not be compressed or allowed to sag.
Clean the grease filters
Grease gradually builds up on cooker hood filters. Restricted filters reduce airflow and can make the extractor work harder, so wash reusable filters regularly in accordance with the hood instructions.
Check for vibration
Sometimes the noise is not coming directly from the motor. Check that the hood, ducting, ceiling panels, flaps and external vent are properly secured and are not vibrating while the fan is operating.
Check the external outlet
A restrictive grille, partially blocked vent or unsuitable outlet can restrict airflow. The complete ducting route should allow extracted air to leave the property as freely as possible.
Ducting can have a big effect on cooker hood noise
One of the most common causes of excessive cooker hood noise is poor ducting. A high-performance extractor needs to move a large quantity of air, and anything that restricts that airflow can increase turbulence and noise.
For example, connecting a hood designed for a 150 mm outlet to a much smaller duct can restrict the airflow. The same can happen with several tight bends or a long run of flexible hose.
Is rigid ducting quieter than flexible ducting?
Generally, smooth rigid ducting provides a better airflow path. The smooth internal surface creates less turbulence than heavily corrugated flexible hose and is less likely to move or vibrate.
Flexible ducting can still be useful where space or installation constraints make rigid ducting difficult, but it should be kept as short and straight as practical and extended properly rather than left compressed.
Can dirty cooker hood filters make it louder?
Yes. Grease filters gradually collect grease and airborne particles. As the filter becomes restricted, less air can pass through it freely.
Washable metal grease filters should therefore be cleaned regularly. If your cooker hood is operating in recirculation mode, it may also use charcoal or carbon filters. These normally need replacing periodically because they are designed to absorb cooking odours rather than simply capture grease.
Ducted vs recirculating cooker hoods
A ducted cooker hood sends extracted air outside through ducting. A recirculating hood instead passes the air through grease and carbon filters before returning the cleaned air to the kitchen.
Both systems can work well, but the installation requirements are different. If external ducting is practical, careful planning of the duct route is particularly important for achieving good airflow with minimal unnecessary noise.
If you are still deciding which installation method is suitable, see our guide to ducting vs recirculation.
Choosing a quiet cooker hood
If noise is an important consideration when buying a new extractor, do not compare models using a single headline figure alone.
Consider:
- The noise level at normal operating speeds.
- The maximum or boost noise level.
- The extraction rate available at each speed.
- The recommended duct diameter.
- The planned length and complexity of your duct route.
- Whether the hood will be ducted outside or used in recirculation mode.
Correct sizing is also important. A hood needs an adequate capture area above the hob so that steam and cooking vapour can be collected effectively without relying unnecessarily on maximum fan speed.
See our cooker hood size guide for more help choosing the correct width.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my cooker hood suddenly louder than normal?
Check the grease filters first, followed by the ducting and external outlet. A blocked filter, loose component, obstructed vent or vibrating section of duct can all cause a noticeable change in sound.
Does reducing the duct size make a cooker hood louder?
It can. Reducing the duct below the size recommended by the manufacturer restricts the airflow and may increase turbulence, noise and pressure within the extraction system.
Are cooker hoods always noisy at maximum speed?
Maximum and boost settings will normally be noticeably louder because the motor is moving a greater volume of air. They are intended for periods when stronger extraction is required rather than continuous everyday operation.
Can flexible ducting make an extractor noisier?
Long or compressed flexible ducting can create more resistance and turbulence than a smooth duct. If flexible duct is required, keep the run short, extend it properly and avoid unnecessary bends.
Should I replace my cooker hood if it is too loud?
Not necessarily. Check the filters, duct size, duct route, external vent and installation first. In many cases the surrounding installation can contribute significantly to the amount of noise you hear.
Looking for a new cooker hood?
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