What’s a Sone? How Does It Apply to Range Hoods? (Answer)

If you want a quiet range hood that won't disturb your family, you should look for one with a lower sone rating. But what about the sone?

If this post helps you, share it with a friend!

Using a kitchen hood reduces the heat, smoke, grease, and odor that enters your kitchen. However, because of how loud range hoods can be, some people avoid using them. So, keep the sone rating in mind when looking for a hood. But what exactly is a sone?

This article will explain what a sone is and how it applies to range hoods. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the best, quietest range hood.

A sone is a unit of measurement for loudness, particularly that of a range hood or kitchen ventilation fan. The sone rating is critical because it informs homeowners about how loud the range hood is.

What is a sone

In simple terms, a sone is a unit of loudness. Sones are commonly used to assess the noise level produced by a kitchen ventilation fan.

Image of a kitchen with range hood white cabinets and a marble countertop. Source: curtis adams, pexels
Image of a kitchen with range hood white cabinets and a marble countertop. Source: curtis adams, pexels

Finding a range hood with an appropriate noise level that will meet your cooking needs is critical. Because of the noise, many people avoid turning on their kitchen fans. However, with a quiet, efficient variable-speed range hood, you can cook in peace while keeping your home clean.

Sones are similar to decibels in that they are a rating of loudness. Below is a simple case that converts sones to decibels

SonesDecibelsSound
010Normal Breathing
.525Rustling leaves
6.555Moderate rainfall
9.560Normal Conversation
1970Washing Machine
A chart to help visualize a range of hoods sones and describes.
Advertisements
My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

What's a sone? How does it apply to range hoods? (answer) | 71ddmbmvgwl. Ac sl1500 | range hood homeland
My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

This is one of the best hoods available at this price point. Reasonably strong CFM for the cost, and it has received rave reviews (over 3,800 reviews!). It looks great, and the LED lights provide a pleasant brightness. For the price, its performance and style are outstanding. Highly recommended!

Why sone levels matter

Sone levels are important because they allow you to make an informed choice when purchasing a range hood. Many homeowners consider other factors, such as power, but fail to consider the loudness of the range hood they wish to purchase. This is a huge mistake because if your hood has a loud extractor fan, you will be tempted not to turn it on. This defeats the purpose of having a range hood in the first place.

What is considered a good sone level for a range hood

The appropriate sone level is determined by your preferences and how you intend to use your kitchen exhaust fan. For example, if you are more concerned with maintaining a more comfortable noise level while cooking with your exhaust fan, it is recommended that you look for a range hood with a CFM rating of 600 and a sone level of around 6-8.

You may want to adjust the noise level of your exhaust hood depending on what you’re cooking and how frequently you cook. High-heat, greasy, and fried foods and Asian cooking will necessitate more power and thus be noisier. Low-heat cooking or conversing with someone in your kitchen will necessitate a quieter setting.

Image of a kitchen with a white marble designed countertop, a stove and above it is a range hood. Source: pixabay
Image of a kitchen with a white marble-designed countertop, a stove, and above it is a range hood. Source: pixabay

Other factors that affect the quietness of a range hood

Aside from sone, other factors must be considered when shopping for a high-quality range hood. This section of the article examines other factors that influence the quietness of a range hood.

1. Filters

Filters are included with range hoods to help filter the air. These filters are available in a variety of materials and designs. Furthermore, because each filter is unique, the noise levels will vary.

2. Size

The larger your range hood, the louder it is likely to be. As a result, if you intend to purchase a large range hood, you should check its sones level to ensure it is within your desired range.

When purchasing a range hood, consider its size carefully because it depends highly on the available kitchen space.

3. The installation style

How your range hood is installed impacts its level of quietness. Before purchasing a range hood, you should consider the type of installation required and its compatibility with your kitchen.

4. The CFM

CFM represents cubic feet per second and indicates how much air can move through the system. The CFM of a range hood indicates the rate at which it can circulate or remove air from the system.

As a result, the greater the CFM of a range hood, the greater the amount of air moved through the system. CFM levels are almost always associated with noise levels. This is because more power causes the range hood to produce more noise.

If you want even more tips and insights, watch the “What you need to know before shopping for kitchen appliances” video from the Cityline YouTube Channel.

A video called “What you need to know before shopping for kitchen appliances” from the Cityline YouTube Channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about sone and how it applies to the range hood.

What number of sones should a range hood have?

Choose a range hood with a sone noise rating of 6-8 sones. These are relatively quiet and are recommended for use in the home.

How do I determine whether or not my range hood is quiet?

This can be difficult to determine, especially with low-cost hoods that may lack a noise rating. A quiet fan has a rating of 6 or 7 sones, approximately 65 decibels, or the volume of a conference room conversation.

What is the decibel level of a quiet range hood?

At maximum speed, a quiet range hood is four to five sones or 50 dB. Low speeds on quiet hoods can be as low as one sone.

Are 8 decibels too loud for a range hood?

This is a typical sound level range for your range hood. One sone sounds like a whisper or an extremely quiet refrigerator or dishwasher. A normal conversation or background noise is equivalent to eight sones.

Conclusion

When shopping for a range hood, don’t just look at the sone level. It’s also critical to decide on the best style, CFM, and ventilation for your needs. That being said, a variable speed hood that allows you to control the sound is a no-brainer.

This article covered what a sone is, why its level matters, and the sone that is good for your range hood. Here are some key takeaways:

Key takeaways

  • A sone is a unit of loudness.
  • Sone levels are important because they allow you to make an informed choice when purchasing a range hood.
  • The appropriate sone level is determined by your preferences and how you intend to use your kitchen exhaust fan.
  • A blower is a device that moves air through an enclosed area to circulate hot or cold air.

So, does your sone suitable for your range hood? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? And what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out my full blog for more tips and tricks in the kitchen. Thanks for reading, and stay safe.

Helpful resources

If this post helps you, share it with a friend!

Image Of Roger Harris
Written by Roger Harris, Staff Writer

Hey there! My name is Roger, and I've been selling range hoods for over six years. I now run this blog all about range hoods and kitchen ventilation! If you're looking for a new range hood for your kitchen, this is the place for you.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Staff Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail.

Verified User Black 24dp

Fact-Checked

Our team conducts thorough evaluations of every article, guaranteeing that all information comes from reliable sources.

Event Available Black 24dp

Up-to-Date

We diligently maintain our content, regularly updating articles to ensure they reflect the most recent information.

Leave a Comment