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 options to choose from. Keep reading to get your hands on the best bathroom exhaust fan for your home.
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The bathroom fans in this article are ceiling fans that may require an additional ducting kit and vent box. When shopping for a brand new ceiling fan, make sure to get a duct kit that is the same diameter as what the fan is rated for. If you have a duct in place, you can tell what the size is by holding a tape measure up to the inside of the ducting. If you will be installing a new duct you will want to purchase the kit with the fan, making sure they are the same size.
The best bathroom exhaust fan is one that will turn your bathroom time into an experience you look forward to. The company Broan-NuTone makes the ChromaComfort bathroom fan that has a 24 color changing LED light, bluetooth speaker that is android and iOS compatible, and timer feature as well. It moves air at 110 CFM, and at 1.5 sones it sounds softer than a quiet library.
- 110 CFM Air Movement
- 1.5 Sones of Sound
- 24 Color Changing LEDs
- Connects to Smartphone App
- EZDUCT Connector for Simple Installation
How Do I Know What Bathroom Fan to Buy?
There are several important things to think about when picking the right bathroom fan. Each bathroom is different in its own unique way, and may have specific requirements from the members of the household. Below is a series of bathroom fan characteristics you want to consider when searching for your best bathroom exhaust fan.
Bathroom Fan Buyer’s Guide:
(These are the categories you will be considering when buying a bathroom exhaust fan)
Performance
Look for a fan with sufficient airflow capacity (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 performance. The low end for bathroom fans is <0.3 which is around 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
Opt for an Energy Star certified model, as these fans are designed to be more energy-efficient. This will save you money on electricity in the long run while also be beneficial for the environment.
LED Light Quality
Consider the brightness and color temperature of the LED light. Look for a fan with LED lights that provide sufficient illumination for the bathroom and have a color temperature that suits your preferences.
Durability and Build Quality
Ensure that the fan is well-built and durable. Look for features such as a sturdy housing and a quality motor. Reading the reviews can be a good starting point for this.
Easy Installation
If you’re planning to install the fan yourself, choose one with a design that facilitates easy installation. Some models come with user-friendly installation instructions and features.
Brand Reputation
Consider well-known and reputable brands in the ventilation industry for this purchase. Reading customer reviews and checking ratings can provide insights into the performance and reliability of a particular model. Some popular brand names to consider are Broan-NuTone, OREiN, and Panasonic to name a few.
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 Switch
Some bathroom fans include a built-in timer. I recommend getting a timer switch you can replace your light switch with. This will be much easier to use, and will do the same thing in the end. Make sure the bathroom fan you choose is compatible with timer light switches.
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 either 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.
Duct Size
There are several duct size options you can choose from. The most important thing to consider is if you have an existing fan you will want to know what size duct it has. Although rare, there is a chance your bathroom fan is ductless. This is when the bathroom is not near an exterior wall. If you have no fan and are going to install one with a duct, pick the same size duct as the fan output hole.
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 Fans According to Their Features
Now that you know what features are available in a bathroom fan, let’s see what fans are available that offer features you are looking for. Below is a series of bathroom fans that are ideal for different situations.
A LED light is one of the most desired features in a bathroom fan. This boosts the fan’s functionality tremendously. When looking for a bathroom exhaust fan with a LED light, you want one that is dimmable. This will be much better than having a fan with a preset level of light. That’s why I recommend the Homewerks 7141-50 Bathroom Fan.
- 50 CFM Air Movement
- 0.7 Sones of Sound
- LED Light
- High Quality Galvanized Steel
- Easy Installation
In some situations you want a more powerful bathroom exhaust fan. And sometimes having a built-in light on the fan is really important. OREiN offers a fan that moves 160 CFM, and only puts out 1.0 sones of noise while doing it. It has 4 light options, and a built-in humidity sensor as well. Take a look at this fan on Amazon by visiting the link below.
- 160 CFM Air Movement
- 1.0 Sones of Sound
- Includes Humidity Sensor
- Multiple LED Light Modes
- 6 inch Duct Size
The Delta Breeze GBR89H is the best bathroom exhaust fan with a built-in humidity sensor. There are multiple options available including two CFM levels. You can also choose between multiple speeds, LED light option, motion, and humidity sensor.
- 80 or 100 CFM Air Movement
- 0.8 Sones of Sound
- LED Light Option Available
- Dual Speed Option Available
- Humidity Sensor Option Available
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.
- 80 CFM Air Movement
- 1.5 Sones Sound Level
- LED Light Option Available
- Ducting Kit available
- Multiple Light Switch Available
A bathroom fan is one of the best ways to prevent mold in the most humid room in the house. Having the right amount of airflow will move moist air out of the bathroom and away from surfaces that would otherwise harbor mold growth. Below is the best bathroom fan to prevent mold. The Broan Nutone AE110 Invent Flex pushes 110 CFM of air. It is whisper quiet, making it a great choice for the average size bathroom.
- 110 CFM Air Movement
- 1.0 Sones Sound Level
- Energy Star Rated
- Easy Installation
- 4 in Duct Size
A bluetooth speaker is one of the best accessories the bathroom fans come with. Play your favorite music, podcast, or anything else you desire over the Broan NuTone ChromaComfort Bathroom Exhaust Fan. It also includes a 24 color option LED light, making your bathroom time an experience.
- 110 CFM Air Movement
- 1.5 Sones Sound Level
- 24 Color Changing LEDs
- Connects to Smartphone App
- EZDUCT Connector for Simple Installation
Feature Options Without The Fan
Sometimes we have a perfectly fine bathroom fan, but we want to add some of the features like the ones listed above. Now you can get the features you want without installing a new bathroom fan. Here are some accessories ideas that will upgrade your bathroom experience.
Leviton makes a humidity sensor that can be installed where the fan’s wall switch is. If the humidity gets too high the fan will turn on automatically. You are also able to turn the fan on and off manually as well. It’s available in three colors.
- Humidity Sensor Turns on Fan
- Manually Turn Fan On and Off
- Moisture Control
- Easy Installation
- Adjustable Settings
Plug-in Heater
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- Electric Wall Heater
- Cool to the Touch
- Silent
- Energy Efficient
- Easy Installation
The JBL Flip 5 is a portable bluetooth speaker that is perfect for using in the bathroom. This is a great option if your existing bathroom fan doesn’t have a built-in speaker already. It’s waterproof and portable, allowing you to use it in any room of the house.
- Portable Bluetooth Speaker
- Waterproof
- 14 Color Options
- 12 Hour Playtime Battery Life
- Can Link Multiple Speakers
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
There are many options in the world of bathroom fans nowadays. Taking a moment to think about what features can best accommodate your household will help improve your bathroom experience. But also remember that sometimes it’s best to keep things simple as well.
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!
-Kevin
