Hotpoint vs Siemens Cooker Hoods

Hotpoint and Siemens sit at different price levels, with Hotpoint's range from £219 to £319 and Siemens from £549 to £1,149. Hotpoint's cheapest hood, the PHGC94FLMX curved glass chimney, costs £330 less than the Siemens LJ67BAM60B 60cm built-in model at £549. At the top end, the Siemens iQ700 LC91KLT60B 90cm built-in hood is £1,149, more than three times the price of Hotpoint's dearest model. The 80cm iQ300 at £699 costs more than double Hotpoint's top hood.

Siemens differs mainly in its motor and connectivity. The iQ700 and iQ300 both use an iQdrive motor, cookConnect and voice control, and link to Home Connect. The LJ97BAM60B and LJ67BAM60B have touchControl Plus with LED lighting and an intensive setting. Hotpoint focuses on boost and speed control instead, with booster modes on the PHGC94FLMX and PHVP62FLMK, a touch display on the latter and a silence control on the PHBS68FLTIX1. Most Hotpoint models also carry LED lighting, so lighting is not a point of difference.

Hotpoint suits a household that wants a capable extractor without paying for connected features. The PHC77FLBIX 700mm chimney, with its boost and silent function, is a practical choice for a standard kitchen. Siemens suits a kitchen fitted around built-in appliances, where a 90cm built-in hood with app and voice control forms part of a connected set-up and the higher price is a reasonable trade-off. A buyer with a built-in oven and hob set will find Siemens's 90cm built-in hoods a more natural match.

Bottom line: choose Hotpoint if you want effective boost ventilation for £219 to £319. Choose Siemens if you want Home Connect and an iQdrive motor in a built-in hood, and can justify a budget from £549 upwards.