Getting the best bathroom exhaust fan is one of the most important purchases for a bathroom. A good one will be able to remove foul odors and humidity out of the room without your noticing. Now bathroom fans come with a variety of features to choose from. Keep reading to get your hands on the best bathroom exhaust fan for your home.
The products in this article may require an additional ducting kit and vent box to properly install it. Make sure you purchase a duct kit that is the same diameter as what the fan requires. If you have a duct in place already, you can verify the size by holding a tape measure up to the ducting. If you will install a new duct you will want to purchase the kit with the fan, making sure they are the same size.
When you find the best bathroom fan, visit the article on How To Install A Bathroom Fan. Here you will get complete instructions on how to install the one you choose. You also may want to visit the article before picking your fan to find the best spot in your bathroom for the fan.
Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Light Color: 24 Color LED Light
Airflow: 110 CFM
Duct Size: 4 inches
Dimensions: 13.25″D x 13.25″W x 5.75″H
Noise Level: 1.5 Sones
App Available: Yes
Price: $183
When you are picking the best bathroom exhaust fan, you want one that gives you an experience you look forward to. The Broan NuTone Chroma Comfort Bathroom Fan will elevate your bathroom time to an amazing experience. This fan has multiple features including, multiple light options, a bluetooth speaker, and quiet levels of noise when operating. Consider this option if you want to take your bathroom to the next level.
Key Features
App Controlled: Control multiple features with your smartphone through an available app. This lets you customize which features you want to use, or turn off when not needed. It also comes with a wireless wall-mounted remote that runs off of 2 AAA batteries.
Multiple Color Options: Create the best mood for your bathroom experience. You can choose from 24 dimmable color options, giving you any option you may desire.
Bluetooth Speakers: Play your favorite music or podcast from your Apple or Android smartphone. The speaker easily syncs up with your bluetooth device, allowing you to play whatever you want to listen to.
Quiet Operation: At 1.5 sones, this bathroom fan is considered quiet to most people. This sound level is considered comparable to a quiet refrigerator while running.
Easy Installation: The EZ Duct design allows you to quickly and easily install this fan in your bathroom. Don’t get fed up with the difficulty you can run into while installing other bathroom fan styles.
The features listed above makes the Broan NuTone Chroma Comfort the best pick for bathroom fan options. It combines all the best features in a bathroom fan you could ever want.
Bathroom Fan Buyer’s Guide
Airflow Performance
Look for a fan with sufficient airflow (measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM) to effectively ventilate your bathroom. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends a minimum of 50 CFM for each fixture (toilet, shower, bathtub, etc.) in the bathroom.
Quiet Operation
Choose a fan with a low sone rating for quiet operation. A lower sone rating indicates quieter sound levels while in operation. The low end for bathroom fans is <0.3 sones, which is comparable to a low whisper. On the high end, 6.0 sones is similar to the sound level you might hear in a sports arena.
Energy Efficiency
Choose an Energy Star certified model when looking for an energy efficient option. These fans are designed to help save power and reduce your energy consumption. This will save you money on electricity in the long run while also be beneficial for the environment.
LED Light
Some bathroom fans offer a built in LED light. When shopping for one with this option, consider the brightness and color temperature of the light. Look for a fan with LED lights that provide sufficient illumination for the bathroom and have a color temperature that suits your preferences.
Ease of Installation
Some fans are designed with easy installation in mind. This is helpful if you are not an experienced bathroom fan installer, and want to do it yourself. If you are planning on hiring a handyman to install your fan, they will appreciate one that has built in features like the “EZDuct” feature found in the ChromaComfort listed above.
Brand Reputation
Well known brands in the bathroom fan market got their recognition from being reliable over a long period of time. You can quickly learn which fans are good picks by checking the ratings and reading the reviews.
Humidity Sensor
A humidity sensor on a bathroom fan can be a helpful feature to have. The fan will turn on when the humidity reaches a certain level in the room. If your fan doesn’t have a humidity sensor, a good alternative is to use a timer switch that will turn it off after an allotted amount of time.
Timer
A timer switch is a light switch with a built in timer. If you change the switch, you can add this feature to your bathroom fan. This type of switch will work with virtually any bathroom fan, as long as you choose a one that is rated with the same electrical load as the fan.
Venting
There are three main options for venting a bathroom fan. Some fans require a 3 inch duct, some use a 4 inch duct. There are also bathroom fans that don’t use any duct, but rather recirculate the air after running it through a carbon filter. The best option is to go with a bathroom fan that hooks up to a duct. But if this is not an option for your situation, you have the recirculating fan as an option as well.
Price
The prices of a basic bathroom fan for a small bathroom can be as low as $25-30. The price will go up for larger models, and fans with more built-in features. The high end brand’s prices for a bathroom fan can be several hundred dollars.
CFM Rating
Bathroom fans have a CFM rating which stands for cubic feet per minute. To find out what the minimum CFM rating for your bathroom, measure the length (in feet) and multiply that by the width. The CFM of the fan you choose should be whatever the square footage is of your bathroom at a minimum.
Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan With LED Light
Light Color:
Airflow: 50 CFM
Duct Size: 4 inches
Dimensions: 13″D x 13″W x 7″H
Noise Level: 0.7 Sones
App Available: No
Warranty: 3 Years
Price: $89.99
The Homewerks 7141-50 Bathroom Fan is a nice option for small to medium size bathrooms. It has a quiet operation level, with a simple design. This model has a dimmable light without the visible fan grate that other fans have.
Key Features
Quiet Operation: At 0.7 sones sound level, this fan is one of the more quiet fan options available. That makes this a perfect option for smaller and ensuite bathrooms.
Easy Installation: It installs easily into a 7-1/2 x 7-1/4 inch opening. And it hooks up to a 4 inch hose, which is a common size for bathroom fans.
Warranty: Includes a 3 year warranty to give you peace of mind that this product will work the way it should for a long time.
LED Light: Built in light is dimmable
The Homewerks 7141-50 is a bathroom fan with a simple design. The built in light is powerful enough to light up your bathroom. Put it on a normal light switch, or add a dimable light switch for complete control.
Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan With Humidity Sensor
Light Color: N/A
Airflow: 110 CFM
Duct Size: 6 inches
Dimensions: 8″D x 8″W x 8″H
Noise Level: 0.8 Sones
App Available: No
Price: $119.89
The Tech Drive Bathroom Fan With Humidity Sensor is an amazing choice when looking for a fan that has a built in humidity sensor. This option moves a whopping 110 cubic feet per minute of air, while only producing 0.8 sones of sound. That makes it powerful for a medium size bathroom while being as loud as a whisper.
This model has a deeper housing dimension, requiring a taller void to install it in.
Key Features
Quiet Operation: With a 0.8 sone level of sound, this is a very quiet fan. This feature makes it a great option for bathrooms that are adjacent to bedrooms, as well as laundry rooms that may be next to quiet spaces in the house.
LED Indicator Lights: Blue and orange LED lights show the power level of the fan, and the humidity level in the room.
Dual Speed: Dual fan speed options make it optimal for any humidity levels. Choose the best airflow for your bathroom when you need it.
Energy Efficiency: The low power draw makes it a great choice for an energy efficient option. Get all the airflow you need, without driving up your energy bill.
This is a great fan option for first floor bathrooms and ones with attics above. it’s 110 cfm of air flow helps move more air as needed, with a low 0.8 sones of sound level.
Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan With Heater
Light Color: Warm White, Bright White, Daylight
Airflow: 80 or 110 CFM
Duct Size:
Dimensions: 16″ x 10-1/4″ x 5-7/8″
Noise Level: 2 Sones
App Available: N/A
Price: $215.70
The Broan NuTone BHFLED110 PowerHeat is a great exhaust fan with a built-in heater. It pushes 110 CFM of air, making it strong enough to be used in any medium sized bathroom. It has a LED light option available for those who prefer a bathroom fan with a light.
Key Features
Multiple Light Options: Choose between three light choices for the best option in your bathroom. Warm white makes a calming, spa-like mood. Bright white helps you see better when needed. And daylight is the best option for activities like applying makeup.
Dimmable Light: Add a dimmer switch to raise and lower the light level as needed. Set your light to the perfect level for what you are doing.
Built-in Heater: The heating option makes your bathroom temperature comfortable when getting out of the shower. You can heat up the room as needed, making your bathroom experience more enjoyable.
Adequate Airflow: 110 cubic feet per minute means you will be pushing plenty of air, helping clear out humidity and harmful smells quickly.
The Broan NuTone BHFLED110 PowerHeat bathroom fan has a series of built-in features that make it a great option for any bathroom. The dimmable light means you can have it at the perfect light level for what you are doing. The built-in heater helps make the room more comfortable for you. And it has adequate airflow for most sizes of bathrooms.
Best Bathroom Fan to Prevent Mold
Light Color: N/A
Airflow: 110 CFM
Duct Size: 4 Inches
Dimensions: 11.5″ (D) x 12″ (W) x 5.75″ (H)
Noise Level: 1 Sones
App Available: N/A
Price: $87.06
The Broan-NuTone AE110 Invent Flex bathroom fan is a great choice when looking to move a large amount of humid air in a relatively short period of time. This means you are less likely to have an environment where mould can take hold and grow over time.
Key Features
Reliable Brand: Broan NuTone is a brand that has been around for a while. They continue to make a reliable product that continues to please consumers.
Adequate Airflow: With 110 CFM of airflow, you will be able to move enough humid air from a medium to large size bathroom quickly. This will help prevent an environment for harmful mold to grow.
Easy Installation: Design allows for easy installation, entirely from inside the bathroom. There is no need to access the space above like an attic when installing the fan.
Quiet: At 1.0 sones, this fan is very quiet. You wont be hearing a loud fan when you are in the bathroom, or in a neighboring space.
Energy Efficient: This energy star rated product is does not use a lot of power to operate. It is an efficient fan that moves ample amounts of air, without being a harm to the environment.
The Broan-NuTone AE110 Invent Flex is a bathroom fan powerful enough for a decent size bathroom. It will move a good amount of air, at a reasonable price.
Bathroom Fan Accessories
Disclaimer: When installing a switch on a fan, etc, match the amperage on both devices. It is important that both are rated the same to ensure they will work properly. If you are unclear with what this means, or are uncomfortable when working with electricity, please consult an electrician.
Best Bathroom Fan Timer Switch
Color: White
Amp Rating: 15 Amps
Number of Devices: 7
Dimensions: 1.69″ (W) x 1.5″ (D) x 4.06″ (H)
Installation: Requires single pole with neutral wire
App Available: No
Price: $51.99
The Honeywell Home ECONOswitch is a great addition to any bathroom fan. This versatile light switch adds the benefit of being able to set the amount of time a ceiling fan can be on. It works for multiple devices, making it possible for you to use it on a fan that has multiple features as well.
Customizable Controls: Easily customize the timer that controls multiple devices. Set timers for up to 7-days, or as needed.
Save Energy: This switch will turn your fan off automatically, making it so you don’t need to remember. It turns off when needed, saving on unnecessary power consumption.
Versatile Uses: Is compatible with LED, CFL, incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lighting for outdoor or indoor operation.
Multiple Modes: Choose between manually controlling your fan, or the automatic 7-day mode.
The Honeywell Home ECONOswitch is an amazing accessory for your home’s bathroom fan. When purchasing a new switch for any fixture, you must ensure the amperage is equivelant between the fan/light/etc and the switch.
Best Humidity Switch For Bathroom Fan
Color: White
Amp Rating: 2 Amps
Dimensions: 4.13″ x 1.73″ x 1.38″
Installation: Install with or without neutral wire
App Available: No
Price: $39.99
The Leviton Humidity Sensor Switch helps control your ceiling fan based on the humidity level in your bathroom. If the humidity level is high, the fan stays on. This wall switch is most effective when installed near the space with highest humidity levels. When the humidity level drops in that room, this switch will shut the fan off. Wall plate is sold separately.
Key Features
Easy Installation: Install the switch either with or without a neutral wire. If you are unclear what this means, or uncomfortable when working with electricity, please consult an electrician.
Convenient Feature: Automaticaly turn bathroom fan on when humidity level is detected. Fan shuts off when the humidity in the room is removed.
This humidity sensing switch will help remove the humidity in the room. Once it detects no humidity, it will automatically shut the fan off. the push button can turn the fan on and off when needed. When shopping for a new
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand is best for a bathroom exhaust fan?
There are several brands that are known to be good bathroom exhaust fan brands. The brand Broan-NuTone is known for making bathroom exhaust fans that are extremely quiet and last a long time.
Is a higher CFM better in a bathroom exhaust fan?
The higher the CFM rating, the quicker the air will be removed from the room. A higher CFM rated fan will move disgusting smells and humidity out of the bathroom in a shorter amount of time. This is helpful to look at when shopping for a fan for a larger bathroom (see above diagram). Oftentimes the faster the fan, the louder the motor is.
What is the best type of fan for a bathroom?
A ceiling mounted exhaust fan is the most efficient way to move humidity and foul odors out of the bathroom. They use a duct that pushes the bad air out of the room so the fresh air can come in.
What’s the most powerful extractor fan for a bathroom?
The Panasonic FV-40VQ4 boasts a whopping 390 CFM rating. This fan will be able to handle a large residential bathroom with ease. This is not a common CFM rating for bathroom fans. On average, the higher CFM rating is going to be in the 120-160 range.
Conclusion
When you are looking for the best bathroom fan for your home, you have many great choices. Pick what features are best for you before making a decision. This will help you narrow down the best option for you.
I hope this article helped you come to a decision. Here at Remodel Upgrade I am dedicated to helpineg you turn your home into your own private sanctuary.
Happy Remodeling
-Kevin
Kevin
I grew up in a family where my dad and several uncles were general contractors. They took me to the jobsites, and also taught me so much about home maintenance. I remember spending several summers in high school helping my father build houses. It gave me so much knowledge that I am excited to share!
