We replaced our old Faber with an Elica BLDC model last year, and it’s been solid so far.
Less noise, proper suction, and no more greasy cabinets.

Got the 90 cm version because our hob has 3 burners. The filterless + auto-clean part actually works — I just empty the oil collector once a month.

Would easily recommend Elica right now

I also switched to Elica recently (the smaller 60 cm one).

It’s not silent, but it’s way less noisy than our older chimney.

The motor feels smoother, and I don’t get that weird burnt smell after running it for long.

Installation matters though — make sure your duct pipe isn’t too narrow or twisted, otherwise even the best brand will perform badly

I tried a KAFF chimney before this and won’t buy it again.
Performance was okay for the first few months, but after a year the suction dropped badly and the motor started making a rattling sound.
Getting service was a headache too — no one showed up for weeks.
Elica is a bit costlier, but at least they pick up the phone.

Every brand cuts a corner somewhere:

• Faber: loud, and filters clog up fast.

• Hindware: cheap but not very durable.

• KAFF: good design, inconsistent service.

• Elica: best overall right now, though slightly pricier.

Whatever you buy, make sure you get the right suction power for your kitchen size and a proper duct installation. That alone fixes half the problems

I’ve had three chimneys in the last fifteen years — started with Hindware, then Faber, and now running an Elica WDFL 900 BLDC for the past year.

If I had to pick one brand that’s clearly ahead right now, it’s Elica.

Why? They’ve nailed the basics. The BLDC motor is quiet and efficient, the suction is consistent, and the filterless setup means you don’t have to scrub greasy filters anymore.

I use mine almost daily — frying, making curries, sometimes deep-frying fish — and it hasn’t choked even once.

The heat auto-clean function works; oil collects neatly in the tray, and you just empty it.

What people don’t realise is that ducting makes or breaks your chimney. A ₹25,000 model will perform worse than a ₹10,000 one if the duct is too narrow or full of bends. Spend that little extra to get a proper straight duct, and you’ll see the difference.

I checked Faber and KAFF before buying.

Faber was decent but louder.

KAFF looked stylish but didn’t feel as sturdy, and reviews on service were mixed.

Elica’s motor warranty (15 years on BLDC) and after-sales convinced me.

So if you want one clear answer — right now, Elica is the best chimney brand in India.
Get a model with:

• BLDC motor (quieter + long life)

• Suction between 1200–1500 m³/hr

• Filterless with auto-clean

• Proper ducted installation

Pay once, install it right, and you’ll forget about it for years

Agree 100%. We got the same 90 cm Elica last year. My wife fries papads almost every day, and we don’t have that sticky layer on tiles anymore. Totally worth it.

I’ve been through three kitchen chimneys in my home over the past twelve years, and from that experience plus a lot of reading and testing I feel confident saying: if you want one “brand to trust”, go with Elica — but only if you pair it with the correct install and expectations. Here’s why, based on real facts and what you’ll actually notice in your kitchen.

Suction capacity is huge. In Indian cooking we often have oil, tempering, strong aromas and continuous frying. I found that chimneys rated below 1200 m³/hr start struggling — they don’t clear out the oil-mist fast enough, and you’ll still see residue on tiles and cabinets. Elica’s higher-end models (90 cm width, BLDC motor) list ~1500 m³/hr suction which gives real headroom. I checked the spec sheet on the 90 cm model and saw the 1500m³/hr figure. (Source: vendor listing)

Motor type matters. Elica uses BLDC motors in many models which have advantages: quieter operation, less heat, better durability. In practice, after one year (my current install) the noise level hasn’t increased, motor doesn’t smell burnt, and the performance remains consistent. Older models I had used induction motors and after 2-3 years the suction fell and noise rose. That makes a difference.

Filter-less + auto-clean functionality matters for maintenance. The older chimneys with mesh filters meant I was scrubbing greasy filters every month, and it became a chore. Elica’s filterless model with oil collector and auto-clean heat cycle reduced my cleaning effort significantly. I run the auto-clean once a month and the oil tray gets filled; you just empty it. That convenience is very real.

Installation & ducting is the part most people screw up. Even the best brand will underperform if the duct is too narrow, full of bends, or uses soft flexible pipe. I ensured the installer used a straight, short duct, minimal bends, correct diameter — and that made the Elica run at full performance. If you skimp here, suction will drop. In fact, I compared before and after right after install: the wall still had misting after a cheaper chimney; with the Elica it cleared within minutes of a tadka.

Service and parts availability: Elica has a strong service network and availability of spare motors/jars/parts is good in my city. This gives peace of mind. I had a KAFF brand chimney at a second home: although initial cost was less, when the motor started making noise I struggled to get a same-brand service person quickly. That kind of hassle matters with chimneys.

Reality check and recommendation: If your kitchen is small (2-burner hob), and you do minimal frying, you might be okay with a mid-budget brand. But if you have a 3-burner hob, do regular heavy frying, want less cleaning hassle, then buying the higher suction + BLDC + filterless model is worth it. From my data and experience, Elica fits that sweet spot. The extra upfront cost will pay off because you’ll skip replacing it, skip cleaning filters every month, and skip dealing with faint grease film on walls/cabinets.

In summary: Buy the best brand that checks those tech boxes (suction ≥1200 m³/hr, BLDC motor, filterless auto-clean). For most Indian kitchens doing serious cooking, that brand is Elica right now. If you skip the ducting or install badly, even Elica won’t deliver — so don’t overlook those bits. Do those two things — brand + install — and you’ll likely never think about your chimney again other than “Oh yeah, it’s still working great”.