These days, bathroom exhaust fans are becoming a necessary thing in almost every home. With the increased air pollution, having the best exhaust fan is a must in your bathroom. But, as a first time purchaser, how do you know which is the right unit for your home?
To aid you choose that, we have put together the 10 best exhaust fan that fulfills all your needs. Read this post fully and select the right one for your home.
Let’s begin reviewing!
Comparison table: best bathroom exhaust fan
| Product name | Airflow rating | Material | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELTA BREEZ SLM70H FAN WITH HUMIDITY SENSOR | 70cfm | Metal | Check Price |
| Panasonic FV-11VH2 Whisper Warm 110 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan | 110cfm | Stainless steel | Check Price |
| Tatsumaki TA-120 Ultra Quiet Bathroom Ceiling Fan | 120cfm | Metal | Check Price |
| BROAN SENSONIC BATHROOM EXHAUST FAN WITH BLUETOOTH SPEAKER | 110cfm | Galvanized steel | Check Price |
| Air King BFQL70 bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light | 50cfm | Heavy duty durable plastic | Check Price |
| NuTone Invent Series 110 CFM bathroom Exhaust Fan | 110cfm | Metal | Check Price |
| Aero Pure Bath Fan With Two Heat Lamps & Light | 80cfm | Steel | Check Price |
| RadonAway 23030-1 RP145 Radon Mitigation Fan | 80cfm | Metal | Check Price |
| BV Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan | 90cfm | Stainnless steel | Check Price |
| Akicon Ultra Quiet 90CFM Ventilation bathroom exhaust Fan | 90cfm | Metal | Check Price |
Best bathroom exhaust fan reviews:
DELTA BREEZ SLM70H FAN WITH HUMIDITY SENSOR, Exhaust fan with humidity sensor:
We’ll start our review list with the Delta breez slm70h bathroom exhaust fan. It comes with a powerful airflow of 70CFM. Equipped with a brushless DC motor, it is housed in the compact housing material of its previous model (slm50.) this exhaust fan is UL listed meaning that it can be mounted on top of the wall or in the ceiling.
It is an energy efficient equipment and the operation is much quieter than its competitors. It comes with quality features that makes it a premium product at an affordable price point. It is equipped with two simple and easy to operate modes which makes this task a much straightforward one.
The full fan speed and the humidity control are the two operating modes, and you can control it to operate it in any one of them after turning on the on/off switch. This exhaust fan comes with powerful humidity sensors. When the fan detects that the humidity level is over 60%, it starts functioning automatically.
Once the humidity level decreases below 60%, the fan stops automatically. It comes with the industry standards of three ducts, and this makes it a safe to purchase exhaust fan. The noise level is 2.0 sones and that is pretty low for this type of equipment. The power consumption is 13.2 watts.
It has a multi-color LED lighting to indicate when the fan is running in the full speed mode and when the humidity sensor is turned on. It functions accurately and senses the humidity level in the bathroom air effectively.
So, if you are looking for a bathroom exhaust fan that comes with a quality humidity sensor, don’t look further.
Pros:
- Low noise level than its competitors.
- Comes with powerful humidity sensors.
- 2 watts power consumption.
- Equipped with 2 control modes.
- Easy to install.
Cons:
- Wiring takes a lot of time when installing.
Related: Reasons to Have Bathroom Exhaust Fan & Tips to Install
Panasonic FV-11VH2 Whisper Warm 110 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan, Best exhaust fan with light and heater:
The next place goes to the Panasonic FV-11VH2 Whisper Warm 110 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan. If you are looking for a bathroom exhaust fan with ceiling mounting capability and heater combination, this is the fan to purchase. Although it looks a little bit large, it gives you high-quality performance than most exhaust fans.
It also operates quietly and you will get a longer lifespan for sure. The wheel design allows it to draw air from all corners of your bathroom.
One of the major drawback of this exhaust fan is that it is pretty challenging to install. To complete this task, you should go for expert assistance and that invariably costs money. It is particularly designed for larger bathrooms and if you have a small one, it won’t be of use to you. In order to fit this fan, you don’t have to access your attic. You can simply fit it into your ceiling.
It does a superb job of pulling all the moisture out of your bathroom, and hereafter, you won’t find a slippery spot in there. You can even heat your bathroom efficiently in those nasty cold days.
With the dedicated night light and a LED light, you will easily find whether the fan is functioning without any issue. It is powered by a 1400watt motor which will provide you high quality performance at all times.
It also reduces too much energy consumption and what it means is that you can save a lot of energy. It is made of strong and durable material, and it will give you a much longer lifespan.
It comes with a completely protected condensed motor which will safeguard the inner parts of the exhaust fan from corrosion. It is easy to operate and even if you haven’t used bathroom exhaust fans before, you won’t find any difficulty. It is designed to run at a reduced temperature and that will boost the lifespan of the motor Barings dramatically.
Overall, a high quality exhaust fan with lots of good features.
Pros:
- Quality build.
- Quiet operation.
- Comes with a completely protected condensed motor.
- Comfortable to use and operate.
Cons:
- You have to seek professional help to install this fan.
Tatsumaki TA-120 Ultra Quiet Bathroom Ceiling Fan
The Tatsumaki TA-120 Ultra Quiet Bathroom Ceiling Fan is another excellent product from Tatsumaki that will give you ultra quiet performance. It is a high quality exhaust fan with a large 120cfm air displacement to get rid of all kinds of moisture from walls, ceiling, and the mirror. It features a durable housing case that fits in between the joints of the ceiling with ease.
The double hanger bar allows for easy installation and you will be able to position the fan right above the bathroom. It comes with two years warranty and you can purchase it with a peace of mind.
It puts out a tornado level performance. You can use it in a large bathroom and it will function super effectively. As we have mentioned earlier, it is solidly build and particularly, the grill of the fan is real strong. It has sharp edges that won’t look out of place in your bathroom.
It is pretty simple to install. The brackets included in the package are easy to cut into the size you want. With a single push, you can even do the job with a pair of heavy duty wire cutters. So, there is no need to use any hardcore cutting gear.
Removing the body of the fan from the housing is easy too, making it simple to wire in. The fan is light enough that you won’t have aching arms when holding it in place. The only issue with this excellent fan is its exterior flap.
It isn’t as heavy as it should be and if the wind hits it at the wrong angle, it will rattle. And the noise could be pretty annoying.
Fortunately, you can fix it very easily by adding a little more weight to the flap. You can include a duct tape with a round object like a coin will do the trick perfectly. And if you do it before installation, it will make your life a lot easier.
All in all, it is a feature rich exhaust fan that is competitively priced for its power and it looks attractive too.
Pros:
- Quiet and powerful fan.
- Looks attractive.
- Easy to install.
- Strong and durably built.
Cons:
- The exterior flap doesn’t look strong.
- There is no LED light and sensors with this fan.
BROAN SENSONIC BATHROOM EXHAUST FAN WITH BLUETOOTH SPEAKER, Exhaust fan with bluetooth speaker:
This exhaust fan from BROAN comes with great package and excellent features. First up, the important thing to note here is that it is easy to install and you can simply DIY this task. Secondly, it is enabled with a bluetooth speaker and this is surely a fancy thing, but we seriously believe that the manufacturers included this feature to get more eyeballs on their product.
This fan will fit into all kinds of houses and if you are a homeowner who have an older house, this will be a great news to you. You also don’t have to work in your attic to install this thing. The Broan is a popular manufacturer of exhaust fans and you can purchase it with confidence.
The bluetooth speaker is suitable not only for this BROAN model. You can use it to fit to most of the models from this manufacturer. The instruction manual that comes with this fan is a simple to understand one. This will explain all the steps you need to do in order to put it together and install it into the ceiling of your bathroom.
It’s easy to operate and it’s a noise free equipment as well. When we tested its suction power, we were pretty surprised about how with its amazing suction power, it is able to operate so quietly.
Pairing the speaker with other devices is pretty simple. However, the speaker only shows up in the bluetooth available connections list after few seconds of turning on the fan. You can only pair one device at a time.
So, if you are looking for an exhaust fan to modernize your space, it’s going to be a great solution.
Pros:
- It is enabled with a bluetooth speaker.
- The bluetooth speaker is equipped with high quality volume output.
- Easy to operate.
- Supreme performance.
Cons:
- Only one device can be paired at a time.
Air King BFQL70 bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, exhaust fan with 150 CFM:
The fifth place in our review list goes to the Air King BFQL70 Exhaust Fan. It offers 70cfm with lighting and you are able to install it pretty easily. The grill of the fan is secured perfectly in place with screw mounting. The housing and the entire body of the fan is built with durable material. The moisture and humidity will be removed by the blower wheel and you can remove the LED light if need be.
It is equipped with 120volts heavy duty motor that can support continuous operation. One thing we need to note with this exhaust fan is that it comes only in one color option. So if you prefer stylistic appearance, you may find it a bit odd. Also, it is an energy efficient equipment.
It has only one fan speed and this won’t interest a lot of buyers towards purchasing this fan. the power consumption is 22.6watts and the total rpm is 1300 which is ok for a medium to large house. The snap-in brackets make it easy to mount it on to the ceiling of your bathroom.
You can use this fan to ventilate 65 to 85sqft space with ease. It is built with high quality UL listed plastic and there is no chance of this fan breaking quickly. The package includes an exhaust fan housing and as we mentioned earlier, you can install this fan in minutes.
Finally, this fan can be used in an area where there is so much salt water prevalence and if you live near such an area, then this fan is a must. The high impact housing won’t rust and it will give this fan a longer lifespan.
Pros:
- High quality build.
- Powerful exterior grill.
- Easy to install.
- Comes with a powerful fluorescent LED light.
Cons:
- Some customers complained about its noise.
See also: Guest Bedroom Ideas That Are Hotel-Room Worthy
NuTone Invent Series 110 CFM bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, Ductless bathroom exhaust fan:
This model from NuTone Invent series gives you 110cfm which will provide you abundant air movement. It comes with a soft surrounding LED light that you can connect separately or you can wire it with the fan itself. Unlike the other models of bathroom exhaust fans that has a light feature, you can even light the entire bathroom as a standalone lighting source.
It is bright enough to do it so, and it distributes the light evenly throughout the space. You don’t have to worry about replacing the light anytime soon.
You can use this fan to remove moisture up to 110sqft of space with ease. This equipment operates at 1.5 sones which will make it relatively quiet but that doesn’t mean it is silent. It is easy to install and comes with attractive looks and design. It maintains supreme air quality all throughout your bathroom.
It also eliminates bad odor from your space and your mood won’t get spoiled because of this nasty stuff. By effectively eliminating the moisture, your bathroom mirror will stay fog free and will show you a clear reflection of yourself. You don’t have to access the attic to install this fan. That’s the greatest thing with this product.
It uses the energy more efficiently and the true ceiled damper technology doesn’t allow the air to leek anywhere in the fan. It has a single mode control which will make it easy to operate. This motor has permanent lubrication and you don’t have to open the fan often for maintenance.
So if you are looking for a simple yet an effective exhaust fan, this is it.
Pros:
- All the necessary accessories are included in the package.
- Has an attractive look.
- Ultra quiet exhaust fan.
- You don’t have to access your attic for installing this fan.
Cons:
- Not as quiet as advertised.
Aero Pure Bath Fan With Two Heat Lamps & Light, best bathroom exhaust fan for cold areas:
The Aero Pure Bath Fan With Two Heat Lamps & Light is a combo unit. You will get a couple of heating lamps with this exhaust fan as an addition.
So, if you are living in an area where there is cold climate most of the year, then you will find this fan way more useful. It can heat up your bathroom very quickly and efficiently removing all the moisture from the walls and the floor with ease. There are 4 different bulbs provided to bring the right amount of heat your bathroom needs within minutes.
Also, it comes with a LED light in the middle of the unit which will serve as a lighting for your space. You can turn on the heat lamps in pairs. This will allow you to get the exact amount of heat inside your bathroom.
It comes in an attractive design and looks are really good as well. This will provide a great visual aesthetics for your bathroom ceiling. It comes with 4 years of warranty and you can buy this product with peace of mind for sure.
One thing you should note with this fan is that it is larger than most units. You need to work a little harder when you install this device. It isn’t a super quiet unit either. It will make some noise when running in full speed mode and when the air flow is frequent and quick.
Having said that, it comes with an easy to maintain grill and has a two different airflow rating namely the 80cfm and the 110cfm. The unit that we are reviewing so far is an 80cfm fan.
The housing is made of rust resistant galvanized steel which will give this unit a much longer lifespan. It comes in various color options too. This will allow you to choose the color that fits your bathroom ceiling.
A simple fan with various excellent features.
Pros:
- Can cover 80 to 110sqft space with ease.
- Comes with attractive design.
- Various color options available.
- Supreme build quality.
Cons:
- Not easy to install.
See also: Everything You Need to Know About a Dehumidifier
RadonAway 23030-1 RP145 Radon Mitigation Fan, best bathroom exhaust fan for the money:
This RadonAway 23030-1 RP145 Radon Mitigation Fan can be mounted both indoors and outdoors. When you install it indoors, make sure that you do it on the ceiling. The total rpm is 3400 making it an ideal equipment to get high amount of airflow.
The fan is ultra quiet and you won’t notice it even if it’s running in full speed mode. It is equipped with a thermal protection motor. Apart from the basic functions, this motor also resists rust.
It is an energy efficient exhaust fan and makes use of less power than its competitors. You can cover a large space with ease. It comes with five years of limited manufacturer warranty which is a lot higher than all the others that we’ve reviewed up to this point.
It is particularly designed to give you higher airflow and you can install it very easily. It is built with superior quality and highly durable material. It is a home ventilation institute (HVI) certified product and there is no question about its quality.
It is also an electrical testing lab’s (ETL) listed product and you don’t have to worry about breaching any electrical codes when installing. Because it is working so silently, you don’t have any chance to know whether it is running or not. You have to keep a constant check to ensure that it is working.
Pros:
- Comes with 5 years limited manufacturer warranty.
- Good to use both indoors and outdoors.
- Easy to install.
- A superior quality product that is built with durable material.
Cons:
- Some users complained about the increase in noise after using it for a particular period of time.
BV Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan, best bathroom exhaust fan for humidity:
From the name itself, you can say that it is an ultra quiet equipment. In fact, it only produces 0.8 sones which justifies it’s advertisement of being an ultra quiet exhaust fan. The entire body is made of stainless steel and that will increase its lifespan for a long time. It comes with an adjustable bracket for easy and hustle free installation.
It is home ventilation institute (HVI) certified and UL approved product. So, if you decide to purchase this product, you can purchase with absolute peace of mind. It uses the silent clever technology for a whisper quiet functionality. Due to this feature, you don’t know whether its turned on or off. You need to maintain a constant check to find out.
It comes with 1 year limited warranty which may be pretty low for some users. It comes with 90cfm airflow rate which is really to manage small to medium sized bathrooms. It is priced affordably and it won’t make a big dent in your pocket.
It is the most quietest exhaust fan we have reviewed up to this point. It can ventilate air to all corners of your bathroom efficiently up to 90sqft. Performance is also supreme with this exhaust fan.
It is built with durability in mind and not only the entire body, but the housing is also built with stainless steel material. This increases the lifespan of both the body and the housing as well. The heavy duty motor lasts for a long time and provide you with continuous service for the years to come.
It is easy to install and you don’t have to access your attic to do it so. It uses 120volts and therefore, saves a lot of energy. Since it is made of durable material, this fan can work for an extended period of time nonstop. The stainless steel body protects it from corrosion and resists rust.
You can use this fan to dry up small to medium sized bathrooms. It isn’t a suitable product for using in a large space. There is no nightlight provided which is a hindrance to use it during the nighttime.
So, it is an affordably priced exhaust fan with supreme features.
Pros:
- Made of high quality stainless steel material.
- Affordably priced.
- Equipped with heavy duty motor.
- Can perform continuously.
- HVI and UL certified.
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a nightlight option and it is difficult to operate during the nighttime.
See also: Digital vs Analog Bathroom Scales (What is the difference)
Akicon Ultra Quiet 90CFM Ventilation bathroom exhaust Fan, best bathroom fan on a budget:
This is one of the greatest quiet bathroom exhaust fans we’ve reviewed up to this point. Akicon is a well respected brand in the bathroom exhaust fan manufacturing industry. And this Akicon Ultra Quiet 90CFM Ventilation bathroom exhaust Fan is a top notch product.
The noise won’t be an issue with this fan as it operates quietly. Once you install it, you won’t have to worry about your mirror getting fogged. You can use this equipment to exhaust small to medium sized spaces.
It is able to generate 90cfm of airflow rate which is actually very nice. The over sized fan and the low rpm combo blends together pretty well to produce limited noise. So, when you are taking a bath or if you are just shaving, you won’t feel the irritation of the fan noise. It is an UL listed product and you can feel safe when purchasing this equipment.
As long as it is hooked up to an electric circuit with GFI protection, it is safe. What it means is that it can even be installed on a shower stall or above an encapsulated tub area. All the wiring that is needed to connect it with the GFI protection system is built right into the fan’s motor.
The manufacturer stands behind this equipment with a full three years warranty for the entire unit. The grill is assembled with low profile heavy duty plastic and the rest of the fan is built with coated galvanized steel. The duct diameter is 4-inches and the total noise rating is 0.8 sones.
So, if you are looking for a bathroom exhaust fan to dry up a large bathroom, this is going to be the best bet.
Pros:
- Very quiet in nature.
- Comes with 90cfm airflow rating.
- UL listed product.
- The grill is assembled with heavy duty plastic.
- Equipped with three years of warranty on the entire product.
Cons:
- The included light isn’t bright.
Read also:
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Buyers guide:
There is no doubt that choosing the best exhaust fan for your home is a challenging task. As a first time purchaser, how do you know what to look for when you decide to buy an exhaust fan for your bathroom? Fortunately, we have a solution for you.
We have put together a really detailed guide to give you all the things you need to know before purchasing a fan for you. Read this guide till the end, equip yourself with the needed knowledge, and select the right one.
What to look for when selecting a bathroom exhaust fan for your home?
Here are the important points you need to consider when you want to purchase a bathroom exhaust fan for your home.
Pricing:
There is a direct correlation between the available features and the brand reputation when it comes to determining the pricing of a bathroom exhaust fan. There are a wide range of prices provided in the market, based on the various needs of a customer. Some are available at a premium price and others come under the budget friendly category.
Size and capacity:
Usually, exhaust fans come with clear CFM information. This will allow you to determine how much of your bathroom space it’ll be able to cover. The CFM also signifies the total airflow rating of that particular model.
There are different set of rules provided for exhaust fans based on the CFM rating. So, you will be able to identify whether you can cover a small sized or a large sized bathroom only depending on the rules.
Noise level:
As you know already, the noise level is measured in sones. So, if a fan is rated at 2 sones, it is twice louder than the others. Likewise, if a fan is rated at three sones, it is thrice louder than the fans with 2 sones rating.
If a fan comes under 0.6 sones, usually it is very quiet. The noise of the fan is equivalent to the sound of rustling leaves. If a fan is manufactured with 1 sone rating, then the noise level is equivalent to a running refrigerator, which is also comparatively quiet.
Anything beyond that can be considered as noisy. So, if you are purchasing an exhaust fan for the first time, then get one within 0.5 to 2 sone rating. It will be considered pretty quiet.
Sensors:
Some bathroom exhaust fan units is equipped with sensors that automatically turns on the fan at certain times. A motion sensor can turn on the fan when you enter the bathroom. A humidity sensor will turn on the fan when it senses that the humidity level in the bathroom has become too high.
But one thing you should always note with these fans is that the added accessories can significantly increase its price.
Some of the fans even have lights and that will also be activated by the motion sensors.
Determine what type of mounting you want:
You should always think through the type of mounting you want in your bathroom. Decide whether you want to mount your fan in the ceiling or on the wall. This will be of great help to you if you want to DIY the installation.
The ceiling mounted fans are generally considered to be more effective, but there are some bathrooms that doesn’t have a strong ceiling to accept such a fan. In that case, you can go for a wall mounted fan. If you are looking for a ceiling mounted version, then make sure that you are able to access the attic. Most fans in this list doesn’t require you to access the attic in your home when installing.
Some fans are virtually impossible to install without accessing the attic. But others offer the installation through the side of the housing.
When you are looking for a wall mounted fan, check the size of the studs. If you don’t match what’s in place in your bathroom wall, you won’t be able to install the fan. Full stop!
Energy rating:
This is also an equally important characteristic for choosing the right bathroom exhaust fan to your home. You should always look for the right energy rating. Ideally, you have to purchase a unit that doesn’t eat up a lot of energy.
Not only it is good for the environment, but this will also reduce the sums on your electricity bill. There is a general misconception that the larger units consume a lot of power than the smaller fans. This isn’t true.
What you need to do in order to find it is to take a look at the manufacturer’s specifications. As a general rule, you have to compare the energy ratings of several units to select the one that is convenient to you.
Additional accessories:
Some fans will have nightlight that can be turned on during dark times. There are other exhaust fans that are equipped with in-built heaters such as infrared heat lamps. These heat lamps are particularly useful when the weather is a bit chilly outside. Also, as we’ve mentioned in the previous section, energy efficiency is a big factor and most fans carry the energy star label.
What are the benefits of installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom?
There are a lot of benefits associated with having an exhaust fan in your bathroom. In fact, when you have installed one, you will realize its Importance pretty soon. Here are three very important benefits of buying an exhaust fan for your bathroom.
The first benefit of having such a fan is that you will get an enhanced air quality. This is the major benefit that you’ll get when you purchase an exhaust fan. Overtime, too much exposure to humidity will trigger all kinds of respiratory problems.
Having said that, these exhaust fans eliminate excess moisture efficiently. What it means is that your walls will be preserved in top condition for an extended period of time. Also, an exhaust fan can eliminate unwanted odors and thereby, improves the air quality in your space.
The second benefit of having this type of fan is that it reduces the maintenance cost dramatically. Steam, moisture, and humidity, when its excessive, will inevitably damage your bathroom. Excessive moisture will be a perfect environment for spreading allergens.
This will invariably damage your bathroom’s drywall. By investing in a quality exhaust fan, you don’t have to deal with this problem in the future.
The third benefit of having an exhaust fan is that you don’t have to worry about mold and mildew. Once mold settles in your bathroom, you should know that it is a hustle to get rid of it. That’s the single most important reason why, you have to purchase a quality exhaust fan.
How do exhaust fans work in a bathroom?
Exhaust fans are really good to use in a bathroom. From Improving air quality to reducing moisture and fog, these fans perform amazingly well. Also, it will extract odors and other similar items through the vent, and ensures a superb bathroom environment.
If it is properly installed and you picked a high quality model, then you will enjoy every benefit of an exhaust fan to the max.
Exhaust fans work similarly to a ceiling fan. So, if you have a ceiling fan, then it is easy to imagine the basics of how it works. However, the differences is in the process that actually takes place.
A ceiling fan simply works by circulating the air to make you cool. But an exhaust fan works quite the opposite way. They draw in moisture, unwanted odors, and anything that affects the air quality of your bathroom. They are installed either in the ceiling or on the wall. They should be connected to a metal duct that leads outside, thus allowing the moisture and other unwanted stuff to be expelled out and bring in fresh air.
You need to make sure that the metal duct is properly installed. Some exhaust fan models have more power than others. So, select wisely.
Conclusion:
We hope that our review list would have helped you select the right exhaust fan for your bathroom. Thank you for reading this far! We appreciate you!
As you know, choosing the best exhaust fan isn’t an easy task.
You need to know a lot of things before purchasing one for yourself. That’s why, we’ve put together this post. Always keep your needs in mind when selecting one to your home.
Want to include your thoughts? Share them in the comments section below.
