Best Slide-Out Range Hoods for 2017 (Reviews / Ratings / Prices)

Today, we will be discussing the best slide-out ventilation on the market. But first, you might be wondering what is a slide-out hood?

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What is a Slide-Out Range Hood?

Slide-out hoods are similar to conventional hoods that you will find over-the-range, the big difference being that the slide-out hood also has the capability of “sliding out” when in use. It is out of sight in the cabinet when retracted.

Slide-out hoods can come in a couple of different styles. Recently they have been available in a “wall chimney” style which is a hood that has an exposed stack going up the wall.

Benefits

Aesthetics are the main benefit to a slide-out hood. You do not see the hood when it is not in use unlike all these.

It disappears like this, so your kitchen has a trendier, more modern look.

Drawbacks to a Slide-Out Hood

Effective ventilation is composed of CFM or blower speed, efficient ducting and capture area of the hood. We cover this in detail in our Ventilation Buying Guide.  

Slide-out hoods are flat and provide no capture area, unlike regular hoods. If you cook a lot and create grease, steam, and heat, most slide-out hoods will not be able to effectively exhaust (except for the Thermador).

You also lose the cabinet space, but then again, you lose space in almost every range hood.

So now that we understand what a slide-out hood is, let’s explore the companies that make them.

The Companies

Bosch, Miele, and Zephyr are the three top competitors in this field. You can also buy less expensive units by Broan and Nutone.

Bosch / Thermador

Bosch and Thermador are owned by the same parent company, BSH, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe. In 1968, BSH joined forces with Bosch. Bosch had been producing appliance for the past 70 years and eventually made its way over to the United States 25 years ago. They then acquired Thermador in 1998. Thermador has been in the appliance industry now for 100 years.

Miele

Another European company who is out of Germany. Known for their reliability and quality in products their slogan Immer Besser meaning “forever better” it’s no surprise they have joined in on creating a slide out hood. The reason Miele has such a great product is that all of their parts are made directly in their factory to ensure their products work.

Zephyr

Zephyr is an Italian ventilation company. They were amongst the first companies to bring hood style to the United States.

Let’s look at some hoods.

Best Slide-Out Range Hoods for 2017

Bosch Benchmark Series HUI56551UC - $799

Features:

• Visor is fully extended during use
• Display will illuminate as a reminder to check filters for cleaning
• Three speed touch controls with LCD display
• Convenient timer built into control from 1 - 60 minutes
• Can be recirculating
• 500 CFM integrated blower included
• 2 Halogen Lights
• Absorb odors with charcoal replacement filters
• Dishwasher safe aluminum mesh filters

This is the Bosch Benchmark Series which is Bosch's best line. This hood is designed to fit into and existing cabinet or custom shell. Some great features of this slide-out would be the blower comes with the hood which can cut down on cost.

Charcoal filters will absorb more odors and reduce the amount of smell in the kitchen. And of course, the slide-out allows for better coverage. Bosch is another company that offers great manufacturer rebates.

Zephyr Europa Genova Series ZGEE36AS - $989

Features:

• Sliding glass visor
• 500 CFM internal blower
• 3-speed fan
• Optional wireless remote control for ADA (American disabilities Act) capabilities
• 2 Halogen bulbs with 2 levels of lighting
• Delay off option
• Optional recirculating kit

Now, this is a sleek looking design for that modern kitchen. It has everything from sharp edges to an elegant curve turning a typical insert into a showpiece in the kitchen. This slide out is made from Zephyr and as I mentioned before they specialize in hoods. This slide-out is a great balance between form and function with its 500 CFM blower and 2 bulbs to give ample lighting.

Miele DA3496 - $999

Features:

• 625 CFM Internal Blower
• 4 Speed Fan
• Automatic Shut-Off after 10 minutes
• Automatic start with fume detector
• Backlit Controls.
• 2 LED Lights in the back
• Recirculating option with carbon filters

Although this Miele does not have all the bells and whistles don’t let that fool you this insert is a workhorse. With a powerful 625 CFM blower in addition to its slide-out capability, you will capture more than the others.

Miele is also one of the most reliable brands since they manufacture down to the component level rather than outsourcing any parts.

Thermador Masterpiece Series HDDW36FS - $2,299

Features:

• 3 fan speeds plus 10 minute high-power operation mode
• 45% increase in capture area when hood is extended
• 600 CFM Integrated Blower included
• Premium electronic touch controls
• Halogen lighting spotlights your best recipes
• Brushed stainless steel finish
• Dishwasher safe stainless-frame mesh filters
• Built-in Clean Filter Reminder light
• Dimmer lighting
• Telescopic chimney that’s adjustable at installation
• Hood includes filters, lights, backdraft damper and transition

So to break this down, you get a stylish hood with 4 lights as opposed to 2, an internal blower that is included with the hood (many hoods the blower is separate.) You get the slide out feature or drawer feature which extends the capture area by 45%!

And right now with Thermador if you purchase any built-in refrigeration you get a free hood with their instant rebate. This hood is suggested to be for any cooktops or non-professional ranges.

Still, the hood will have better capture area and should perform better than the other slide-outs. However, you will see this hood, unlike the others.

How to Choose a Slide-Out Hood

If you are doing an exposed chimney hood and would like it to slide out your options are limited to Thermador. Although there are not many choices this is still an excellent brand with very quality products.  

As for inserts you have three terrific options to choose from. Bosch has a huge capture area and with its current rebates on packages if you go with a Bosch kitchen you will definitely get the best “bang for your buck”.

Miele is going to be the most powerful at 625 CFM’s and the fact it was designed, manufactured, and assembled by Miele.

Zephyr wins in the beauty section with its crescent design and unique slide-out feature.

Conclusion

First, you have to be aware you are buying this unit for aesthetics, not performance. Do not place this unit on a pro range or high BTU range.

If you want this type of style, consider placing a blower component in a wood hood. However, if you want a stylish hood to handle some light to medium cooking then the slide-out is a viable option.

Additional Resources

Want to learn how to plan your vent? Get the Yale Ventilation Buying Guide with features, specs and a how to plan CFM, capture area, makeup air and ducting. Well over 230,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

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