Range Hood Top 3 -
Best 36 Range Hood Insert (2023)

The 'KOBE INX2936SQBF-500-2' 36 range hood insert is the newest version of the wildly popular, but now discontinued (and more expensive), KOBE INX2936SQBF-500-1. Although this range hood boasts an impressive 550 CFM centrifugal motor, it's not something we haven't seen before. Obviously, there are other range hoods with more powerful motors than this particular model. To us, what stands out most about this 36 range hood insert is its build quality. From the 18-gauge brushed stainless steel to its modern and sleek design, it all feels a bit more solid than the average insert range hood. 

Interestingly enough, KOBE includes both a set of baffle and mesh filters with this range hood, so you can easily install whichever set has your preference. If you really want, you can even combine them. (We prefer baffle filters because of their more efficient grease-trapping design.) This is something we haven't yet seen before with any other range hood manufacturers, because we as consumers usually can't choose our preferred type of filter.

To no one's surprise, the KOBE INX2936SQBF-500-2 comes with KOBE's QuietMode™, which is their patented silent mode. In practice this means that this insert range hood produces only 1.5 Sones (61 dB) of sound on its lowest setting, while still being able to produce an impressive 157 CFM of sucking power. (They market this feature with the motto “So Quiet… You Won’t Believe It’s On!”.)

All-in-all, the KOBE INX2936SQBF-500-2 is a solid choice. The design, power and finish of this 36 insert range hood make it a good deal. The fact that it's cheaper than their previous model and it being shipped with a set of both baffle and mesh filters makes it a great one.

The IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 takes the number one spot in this top 3 of the best 36 range hood inserts of 2023, and it does so for a good reason: it is a complete package. For instance, it packs a whopping 900 CFM motor under the hood. That's a LOT of power, and more than enough for any home kitchen. (Make sure to provide make-up air.) All this power is controlled by an LCD touch screen, which is a welcome feature, as it provides more control than your regular push buttons. E.g., you can have the range hood automatically shut off after 1-15 minutes, so as to remove all the air pollutants and food smells from the kitchen after you've finished cooking. The IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 even comes with gesture controls, which allows you to control the speed of the range hood by waving, which makes sticky or saucy finger situations less frustrating.

IKTCH has included the option to convert the IKB02-36 insert range hood into a ductless range hood. Ductless range hoods recirculate the sucked up air back into your kitchen rather than vent it outside like a regular range hood will (in case you lack a vent in the kitchen). What's more, IKTCH even includes the charcoal filters needed for the conversion with the IKB02-36, so you don't have to buy them separately. (Ofcourse, you will obviously have to replace them after a while.) 

Aesthetically, the IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 is absolutely stunning. Crafted from premium 1mm (19-gauge) stainless steel, this 36 range hood insert will elevate the looks of any kitchen. Due to the nature of insert range hoods, the IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 will seamlessly integrate in any kitchen, regardless of the kitchen style. Since the insert range hood will only be partly visible due to a large part of it being covered by your cupboard, the visible part of the IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 will add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen.

IKTCH provides a generous 10-year warranty on the motor and blower with the purchase of the IKB02-36 insert range hood, as well as a 5-year warranty on the LED lights and switch control, and a 1-year parts warranty which covers non-consumable replacement parts or components that failed due to manufacturing defects. We wish other range hood manufacturers would take example and follow suit.

The IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 is an amazing deal. It has everything you'd want in a 36 insert range hood and more. Therefore, the IKTCH ‎IKB02-36 deservedly takes our number one stop in this year's top 3 of the very best 36 inch insert range hoods.

So, you're looking for a new range hood, but you don't know where to start. You've read a couple of other websites, but they're either too technical or don't go into detail enough. You might even have thought about hiring someone to take care of it, but you know they will charge you more than the cost of a new range hood. Don't worry, you've come to the right place. This range hood buying guide will tell you everything you'll need to know about picking a range hood. It even includes a free downloadable PDF, which will take care of all the math. The best part is that it's entirely FREE! All you will need is a tape measure, a piece of string, a pen and paper.