Is higher CFM better for a range hood?

Having a higher cubic feet per minute (CFM) airflow rating on a range hood is not always better for every kitchen setup and must be carefully balanced with your cooktop type and home size. While a high CFM rating—such as 600 to 1200 CFM—is essential for heavy-duty gas ranges, indoor grills, or frequent high-heat wok cooking, installing an overly powerful blower in a tightly sealed, smaller modern home without an adequate makeup air system can cause dangerous negative pressure. This negative air pressure can backdraft combustion gases from water heaters or furnaces into living spaces. You can troubleshoot ventilation needs easily by calculating cooktop BTUs. You can verify that your CFM selection is correct when matching fan power to your cooking style ensures effective smoke removal without creating home pressurization issues.