Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan Choices To Air Things Out – Reviews
Hot showers and baths are great for the body and mind. However, all that feel-good steam is not good for your bathroom. So, you need the best bathroom exhaust fan to clear it all out.
Bathroom exhaust fans are probably not something you think about often, but they’re an essential part of your home whether you realize it or not.
These fans have many uses and benefits and can actually save you many thousands of dollars. Plus, bathroom exhaust fans have surprising health benefits. But how do you choose the best bathroom exhaust fan for your space?
What Is A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
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A bathroom exhaust fan is a fan that is installed directly into your wall or ceiling. The best bathroom exhaust fan will remove excess humidity and moisture from your bathroom and reduce or eliminate odors.
They work by removing fumes and moisture from your bathroom directly outside through your home’s ductwork and then circulates fresh air back in.
In addition, they’re usually small, run on electricity and can include features like lighting, heating, and motion sensors.But why do you need one in your bathroom?
Why You Need A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
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There are many benefits to have a bathroom exhaust fan. The biggest reason is that a bathroom exhaust fan will prevent damage to your bathroom caused by the excess moisture and humidity that accumulates after taking a bath or shower.
For example, if the moisture and humidity aren’t removed and allowed to settle, you can end up with some serious damage like peeling wallpaper, cracked paint, and even worse: mold and mildew. Mold can grow in the corners of your ceiling and seep into your drywall and caulking.
So, instead of spending a few bucks on an exhaust fan, you’ll be spending thousands of dollars on mold removal and bathroom remodeling. Plus, mold is harmful to your health.
Plus, the best bathroom exhaust fan will remove odors, and we’re not just talking about the bodily ones. Bathrooms are usually small spaces and can be dangerous when you use harsh chemicals to clean.
Plus, the best bathroom exhaust fan will remove odors, and we’re not just talking about the bodily ones. Bathrooms are usually small spaces and can be dangerous when you use harsh chemicals to clean.
Turning on a bathroom exhaust fan (as well as opening windows if you have them) can reduce these fumes.
And bathroom exhaust fans can also get rid of foggy mirrors so when you step out of your shower, you can admire your beautiful self without a film of fog getting in the way.
Installing And Maintaining A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Bathroom exhaust fans are usually installed in the ceiling between the shower and toilet. But it all depends on the size of your bathroom.
If you’re an expert do-it-yourselfer and are only replacing a bathroom exhaust fan, it’s a relatively simple job. However, if you’re installing a new fan that requires new ductwork, electrical hookup, and ceiling or wall cutouts, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Maintaining your bathroom exhaust fan is essential to keep it running efficiently, so it removes what needs to be removed from your bathroom.
A bathroom exhaust fan that is covered in dust will not be able to remove odors or moisture out of your bathroom, which can lead to mold and mildew problems.
So, be sure to clean it thoroughly every six months, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How To Choose A Bathroom Exhaust Fan
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There are a few factors to consider before purchasing the best bathroom exhaust fan.
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How We Chose Our List
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To understand how bathroom exhaust fans work and how to choose the best bathroom exhaust fan, we researched information from home experts like Central Heating and Air Conditioning, Sylvane, and Hunker.
Next, we checked sources like Bob Vila and The Spruce for recommendations on the best bathroom exhaust fans and the reasons they were highly ranked.
We then chose a selection of best-rated bathroom exhaust fans and visited manufacturer websites to analyze their features and benefits
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Our final list was based on ventilation capability, noise level, and customer ratings. Additionally, we chose products that ranged from basic fans to those with upgraded features and included products in a variety of price ranges.
The Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Our Top Picks
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Broan Very Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Broan-Nutone QTXE110 Ultra-Silent Ventilation Exhaust Fan for Bathroom and Home, ENERGY STAR Certified, 0.7 Sones, 110 CFM
- VERSATILE FAN: Ventilation fan helps eliminate humidity, tobacco smoke, and cooking odors in a near-silent performance in rooms up to 105 sq. ft. to keep your house smelling fresh and clean
- EFFICIENT: Runs on 110 CFM and 0.7 Sones and is motor engineered for continuous operation to provide the best performance
- EASY INSTALLATION: Includes 6″ ducting for high-quality performance and hanger bars to provide a fast installation in 2″ x 8″ construction spaces
- DECORATIVE: Paintable polymeric grilles allow you to ensure the fan is cohesive with your existing decor
- SAFE: This ENERGY STAR* qualified fan is HIV certified and UL listed for use over bathtub or shower when installed with a GFCI protected branch circuit
The Broan Very Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan has a 0.3 sone rating making it one of the quietest bathroom fans on the market for its size.It’s designed for use in small to medium-sized bathrooms up to 75 square feet and is super efficient with an 80 CFM. It has no additional features, so if you need a basic fan that is quiet, this is a good choice.
The fan is Energy Star certified and is an easy install for a do-it-yourselfer’s looking to replace an existing fan. You can even install this fan over a bathtub or shower if you connect it to a GFCI protected circuit.
The housing measures 10.5 inches long by 11.38 inches wide by 7.63 inches high. The grille dimensions are 13 inches long by 13.75 inches high.Also, it has a six-inch duct collar and needs only a two-inch by eight-inch ceiling construction space for installation. It also has a three-year limited warranty.
Amazon customers gave this bathroom exhaust fan a 4.5 out of 5.0 star rating.
Pros
Cons
This can be found in Amazon
BV Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Ventilation And Exhaust Bath Fan
BV Ultra-Quiet 150 CFM, 2.0 Sones Bathroom Ventilation & Exhaust Fan
- 2.0 sone super quiet performance. Silent-Clever Technology
- Mounting opening: 10.5″ x 10.5″. Height: 8″. Stainless steel 4″ duct collar
- Ventilating for bathroom space up to 150 sq-ft
- HVI 2100-certified, and UL Approved. Quality & performance assurance.
- One-year limited product warranty with technical support service included.
If you have a larger-sized bathroom and are still looking for a basic fan with no additional features, the BV Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Ventilation and Exhaust Bath Fan might work for you. This fan has an 0.8 sone rating and is designed for bathrooms up to 90 square feet in size.
Its 90 CFM will quickly ventilate your bathroom without a lot of noise. Besides, it’s budget-friendly, so if you have a larger-sized bathroom, this fan will be light on your wallet. It’s also UL listed, and Energy Star approved.
The housing measures 9 inches long by 9 inches wide by 7.6 inches high. The grille measures 12.62 inches long by 12.62 inches wide by 0.75 inches high. It also has a four-inch stainless steel duct collar. Not only that, it will fit in a 9.4 inches long by 9.4 inches wide by 8.23 inches deep ceiling opening.Plus, it offers a one-year limited product warranty and free technical support.
Amazon customers gave this bathroom exhaust fan a 4.5 out of 5.0 star rating.
Pros
Cons
This can be found in Amazon.
Panasonic WhisperFitEZ Retrofit Fan
Panasonic FV-08-11VFM5 WhisperFitEZ Fan with Motion Sensor
- Extremely Quiet: At less than .3 sones, this fan operates as quiet as a whisper
- Motion Sensor: Make your fan truly automatic with the built-in SmartAction motion sensor, activating the fan and a 20 minute delay off timer when someone enters the room
- Long Life, Guaranteed: Panasonic ventilation fans use less energy to move larger volumes of air; Less energy leads to less overheating and motor failure, saving you on repair costs; Included 3-year limited warranty
- Easy-To-Install: Works with 4″ and 6″ ducts for flexibility in duct layout and design; Flex-Z Fast installation bracket is ideal for positioning the fan exactly where you want it
- Code Compliant: This product is ENERGY STAR certified and complies with ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, California Title 24, Washington VIAQ codes and standards
The Panasonic WhisperFitEZ Retrofit Fan is the perfect ceiling-mount fan for residential remodeling. It features two ventilation speeds so you can choose between an 80 CFM or a 110 CFM depending on how much steam is in your bathroom. That means it’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy long showers.
In addition, it’s super quiet with either a 0.8 or 0.3 sone rating depending on which speed level it’s using. It’s also Energy Star certified.
Plus, it’s easy to install and can fit in any two-inch by six-inch construction space. It’s also UL listed so it can be mounted in any tub or shower enclosure that is GFCI protected.
The unit measures 10.25 inches long by 10.25 inches wide by 5.62 inches high. The grille size is 13 inches square. It also includes a 4-inch to 3-inch duct adapter which gives you more flexibility with installation.On top of that, it has a three-year warranty on parts.
Amazon customers gave this fan 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Pros
Cons
This can be found in Amazon.
Nutone Deluxe Heat-A-VentLite
NuTone 9093WH Deluxe Heat-A-Ventlite Heater with Ventilator and Incandescent Ceiling Light, 70 CFM 1500-Watt, White (Renewed)
- 1500W heating element and 70CFM ventilation fan provides optimum performance in bathrooms up to 100 square feet, so you can have a touch of heat just when you need it
- Bright 100W incandescent lighting provides clean, even light for pleasant surroundings and enough light to focus on the details
- 7-watt nightlight provides a soft glow to light your bath during those nighttime visits
- 3. 5 Sone sound level
- Four-function wall switch included so you have the right switch to control all functions right out of the box
If you want a little more luxury in your bathroom and are willing to pay a higher price, the Nutone Deluxe
Heat-A-VentLite is waiting for you. It’s a modern-looking fan that features bright incandescent lighting, a soft glowing nightlight, and a heater.
It’s all controlled by a four-function switch so you can use whichever feature you need whenever you need it. This deluxe model is perfect for bathrooms up to 100 square feet in size with its 70 CFM.
However, it’s a louder fan with a whopping 3.5 sone rating.
It’s also not your standard square or rectangular bathroom exhaust fan. This circular fan has an 8-inch light that extends 3 inches from the ceiling surrounded by a 15.38-inch grille. The housing measures 13.25 inches wide by 7.5 inches high.
It has a four-inch round duct collar and will fit into any two-inch by eight-inch construction space. It’s also UL listed, and Energy Star certified. Plus, it has a one-year warranty.
This fan received a 4.3 out of 5.0 star rating from Amazon customers.
Pros
Cons
This can be found in Amazon.
Delta Electronics BreezRadiance LED Light With Heater
Delta BreezRadiance RAD80L 80 CFM Exhaust Bath Fan with Light and Heater
- Quiet operation at 1.5 sones
- Built-in thermostat regulates temperature. Energy efficiency at 7.6 CFM/Watt
- Precision engineered with DC brushless motor for extended reliability, this fan will outlast many household appliances
- Galvanized steel construction resists corrosion
- Duct: Detachable 4-inch Plastic Duct Adapter
The Delta Electronics BreezRadiance LED Light with Heater gives you energy-efficient LED lighting and a heater to boot. It’s not the prettiest bathroom exhaust fan on the market, but it gets the job done.
It features an 850 lumen LED light that is dimmable and a 1300 watt heating element that will keep you warm during those cold winter days. However, a dimmer switch is not included and will need to be purchased separately to use the dimming function.
The fan has an 80 CFM, so it’s perfect for bathrooms sized 80 square feet or smaller. The housing measures 14.38 inches long by 8.25 inches wide by 5.5 inches high.
There is no information on any available warranty.
Amazon customers gave this fan 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Pros
Cons
This can be found in Amazon.
The Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan Will Help Keep Your Bathroom In Tip-Top Shape
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Choosing the best bathroom exhaust fan might not be an easy task, but when you find the right one, and it’s finally installed, you’ll benefit you in many ways.
You’ll be able to take long showers and baths without worrying about damage to your bathroom caused by moisture. And you’ll reduce the growth of mold which is beneficial for everyone. Plus, your bathroom will smell better for the next person that uses it.
So, whether you’re looking for a new fan for a new house or want to replace your old one in your old home, you’re sure to find the best bathroom exhaust fan that’s perfect for you.
Do you have a recommendation for the best bathroom exhaust fan? Share yours below!