Head-to-head · Best Range Hoods

Hauslane Chef Series UC-PS18 30-inch Under-Cabinet vs Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS 36-inch

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Hauslane Chef Series UC-PS18 30-inch Under-Cabinet and Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS 36-inch score essentially the same (4.5 vs 4.5). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #1 in Best Range Hoods

Hauslane Chef Series UC-PS18 30-inch Under-Cabinet

4.5

4 sourcesall derived$499.99as of Aug 1

The Hauslane UC-PS18 is the value pick that quietly outperforms hoods costing twice as much. A real 500 CFM laboratory blower, baffle filters, capacitive touch controls, and 3-way venting flexibility add up to legitimate serious-cook ventilation at the price of a basic builder-grade hood. Pair it with a 30-inch cooktop in an under-cabinet install where budget is the constraint and CFM still matters.

Strengths

— Real ducted 500 CFM laboratory airflow (860 CFM equivalent) at the price of most recirculating-only hoods
— 6-speed capacitive touch control with delayed auto-shutoff and digital clock
— Dishwasher-safe stainless steel baffle filters with handles

Watch-outs

— 57 dB on max speed reads as loud once you push past speed 4 or 5
— Single-color 3000K LED lighting lacks color-temperature options at this price segment
— Heavy 30-pound chassis makes solo install difficult — manufacturer recommends two installers

$499.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Range Hoods

Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS 36-inch

4.5

1 sourceall derived

Serious home cooks reach for the Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS when they want a pro-style wall-mount frame without jumping to commercial gear. Its 650 CFM baffle setup vents heavy oil smoke and wok flares without dragging, and Zephyr's Airflow Control Technology plus CleanAir delay-off handle the regulatory and air-quality details most mid-tier hoods ignore.

Strengths

— 650 CFM internal blower with optional 1,200 CFM upgrade clears wok-frying and high-BTU range smoke in seconds
— Airflow Control Technology lets installers cap CFM to meet local makeup-air codes without swapping the unit
— Six-speed electronic touch controls with LumiLight LED at 2700K-5000K TruHue color tuning

Watch-outs

— 650 CFM blower hits roughly 9 sones on high — audibly loud even with the larger duct kit
— Premium pricing places it well above the typical apartment-grade chimney hood
— Larger 1,200 CFM blower requires HVI-mandated makeup air, which adds install complexity

Buy at famoustate.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Hauslane Chef Series UC-PS18 30-inch Under-Cabinet

Out-vents the equally-priced Broan-NuTone EW4830SS in raw CFM (500 lab vs 460 max) and offers more control granularity (6 speeds vs 3), at the cost of a less polished chimney aesthetic. Trails the Zephyr Tempest II by roughly 150 CFM but costs around a quarter the price. The 3-way venting flexibility is unique in this roundup and useful in retrofit installs where the existing duct location dictates routing.

Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS 36-inch

Out-ventilates the Broan-NuTone EW4830SS on heavy cooking by a wide margin (650 CFM vs 460 CFM) and offers far better filter access than the value-tier Hauslane PS18, but costs roughly 2.5x more than either. Against the ZLINE KECOMi-36, the Tempest II edges out on lighting tunability and Airflow Control Technology but ships with a shorter warranty.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hauslane Chef Series UC-PS18 30-inch Under-Cabinet	Zephyr Tempest II AK7536CS 36-inch
Type	Under-Cabinet	Wall-Mount Chimney
Width	30 inches (29.75" actual)	36 inches
Airflow	500 CFM laboratory / 860 CFM equivalent	650 CFM (1,200 CFM upgrade available)
Sound Level	1.5 sones low / 7.0 sones high (57 dB max)	Approx. 1.5 sones low / 9 sones high
Duct Diameter	6" round or 3.25"x10" rectangular	8" round or 3.25" x 10" rectangular
Filter Type	Baffle stainless, dishwasher-safe with handles	Professional baffle stainless, dishwasher-safe
Speeds	6 (capacitive touch)	6 (electronic touch)
Lighting	3W LED at 3000K, 200 lumens (GU10 base)	Dual-level LumiLight LED, 2700K-5000K TruHue
Smart Control	Delayed auto-shutoff, digital clock display	Wireless remote (optional)
Warranty	2-year parts, lifetime motor	1-year parts, lifetime motor (limited)
Dimensions	22"D x 35.75"W x 8.13"H	24"D x 36"W x 18"H

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