A steamy bathroom after a hot shower might feel relaxing, but all that trapped moisture can lead to problems like fogged-up mirrors, peeling paint, and even mold growth. With a working bathroom extractor fan, the case is much easier as air freshness and humidity are kept at bay.
No matter the scale, a small bathroom with little natural light or an expansive space for proper air exchange, the right fan is everything. In this guide, we’ll explore the top options to help you pick the best bathroom extractor fan for your needs.
1. Delta Breez GBR80H GreenBuilder Exhaust Fan
- Quiet operation at 0.8 sones
- An indicator light underneath the grille assures you that this quiet fan is...
- Adjustable humidity set points between ~50% to ~80% RH
The first exhaust fan to kick-start our list of the best bathroom extractor fans is the Breeze GBR80H GreenBuilder 80 CFM Exhaust Fan from delta Production Corporation.
The GBR80H GreenBuilder Exhaust Fan is without a doubt one of the more intelligent fans around by virtue of its ability to tailor adapt. To begin with, the size of the GBR80H fan is 10.8 x 10.8 x 6 in and provides you with air flow power of 80 CFM.
That it is easy to install and suitable for bathroom with area less than 80 square feet. With respect to noise level, it is relatively quiet (0.8 sones). This well-built exhaust fan is also HVI certified and quality tested, as well as energy certified. It uses almost 90% less energy!
That's going to save a lot of dollars and we're not only okay with that, but also excited about it. However, the thing we liked most about the GBR80H GreenBuilder Exhaust Fan is how smart it is built. To begin with, it has an indicator light built underneath the grills that let you know the fan is running and well.
However, the most attractive feature is the adjustable humidity level which can be adjusted from 50%RH to 80%RH.
However, every time the humidity gets higher than the threshold, the fan will be operated at full speed and, when the humidity is lower, the fan will be operated on a lower target CFM. See how intuitive that is? It's got a mind of its own!
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2. BV Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Ventilation and Exhaust Fan
- Super quiet performance. Silent-Clever Technology with only 0.8 sone
- Mounting opening: 9.25" x 9.0". Height: 7.5" Stainless steel 4" duct collar
- Ventilating area for bathroom space up to 90 sq-ft
If you are seeking an acceptable level of exhaustion fan at no great expense then the Ultra-Quiet Bathroom Ventilation and Exhaust Fan is proof that quality does not need to be costly!
The BV companies Ultra-Quiet Exhaust Fan is one of the most quiet effective, and reasonable bathroom exhaust fans available in the category. It has a mounting hole of 9.25 inch x 9.0 inch in height of approximately 7.5 inch in diameter with a 4-inch collar which can be easily and conveniently installed and set on your bathroom.
Not to mention, this exhaust fan provides you with a CFM (cubic feet minute) of 90. That is, the airflow generated by this fan itself will lead to this device being suited to a bathroom around 90 sq ft in size. Wow, that’s a power level to be expected out of such an inexpensive exhaust fan, we think.
With regards to durability, the BV Ultra-Quiet Exhaust Fan is also pretty good. Made from quality aluminum housing and parts, this thing should last you a while, but the thing that we always look into, and so should you, is the noise output. And let's just say, the Ultra-Quiet Exhaust Fan is not called that for no reason. The fan runs on Silent Clever technology and emits only 0.8 sones of noise.
So far, the Ultra-Quiet Exhaust Fan from BV looks and sounds like a quality buy, but to certify this, it even comes with HVI-2100, ETL, and CSA approval! This means the fan comes tested to standards before reaching you. And to top it off, as a bonus, a one year limited product guarantee with technical support is provided for every purchase. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us guys.
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3. Broan QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan
- Motor/Blower: Power Rating of 120 volts and 60 Hz.
- Motor/Blower: Motor equipped with thermal-cutoff fuse.
- < .3 Sone. Grille Size (in sq.): 13 inches
The 4th contender to make it to our list of the best bathroom exhaust fans is the very popular and very renowned QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan from Broan!
If you are looking for an exhaust fan that will work without exhaustion, then the Broan QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan is a great start. This bathroom fan has been made specifically for continuous use. It also incorporates quality motor robust parts, wiring, which is robust enough to run non-stop all day long!
The housing measures 10 and a half inches in length, 11 and 3/8 in width, and 7 5/8 inches in height. It also has a 6-inch ducting size. You will also find hanger bars for fast and universal installation in all types of construction.
It is easy to install and set up, no doubt about that. As for the CFM, the Broan QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan gives you a good 80, making it ideal for a bathroom as big as 80 square feet. And having a sound and noise output of only 0.3 sones, you will get to not worry about a single thing and have the most quiet and peaceful time in the bathroom that is wanted.
Last but not least, the Broan QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan is HVI certified so you know you are getting something more substantial and reliable.
It is also Energy Star certified, thus much lower power consumption. But if you by no means want to get involved with a lot of things to change and install a bathroom exhaust fan for, say, the next few years, then the Broan QTXE080 Ultra Silent Bath Fan is the way to go!
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4. Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan
- Ul 705 standards listed
- Totally enclosed motors
- Speed controllable
Thirdly, we present an exhaust fan exceeding our everyday and standard exhaust fans, the Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan.
The Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan, as you can guess from the name already, does not have the same construction and design like some of the previous exhaust fans. This ceiling mountable exhaust fan has shutters and we are very into that!
The shutters are made from OSHA compliant guards, which are furthermore coated with gray polyester to resist corrosion. It has a diameter, low-pitched propeller with an enclosed motor, in pursuit of providing maximum protection against moisture and humidity. As far as CFM is concerned, the Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan provides a staggering 585! It's is enough to ventilate and dehumidify a 585 square feet room! It also happens to be one of the most lightweight exhaust fans on our list! On top of that, the speed of the fan (1725 rpm) is also adjustable to another setting, which is obviously very much needed when you want to control the air outflow more precisely.
Then comes the quality assurance. The AMCA Sound and Air Certified, cULus The Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan. Quiet, simple, yet so powerful! Definitely worth another look.
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5. Professional Grade Products 9800512 Metal Shutter Exhaust Fan
- Comes with power cord
- Painted for protection and corrosion resistance
- 10 inches in Diameter
Firstly, one of the key reasons we are in favour of the 9800512 Metal Shutter Exhaust Fan is the shutters. Not unlike the Fantech 2SHE0721 Axial Wall Shutter Fan, this exhaust fan also has shutters.
That is, you are able to turn the fan on/off as you see fit. The whole unit is coated to resist corrosion and rusting, which is a foregone conclusion in the presence of moisture and dampness. Besides, you will see that the fan is relatively thin.
It is 10 inches in diameter and weighs under five pounds. That said, we would not judge a book by its cover. The powerful motor is positioned in the rear and takes airstream and is able of up to 403 CFM! Yep. This makes it ideal for large rooms and spaces. But if it will work in there, it sure as hell will keep your bathroom dry, too! It is extremely minimal and basic, retro.
It is a nice feature that shutters of this fan can open and close automatically based on whether the unit is on or off. Includes power cord, relatively quiet for such an incredible unit of power and, well, intelligence.
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6. Panasonic FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan
- Comes with power cord
- Painted for protection and corrosion resistance
- 10 inches in Diameter
If you want an exhaust fan that is able to provide a little more kick and power than the Panasonic FV-08VQ5 WhisperCeiling then the FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan is the one for you!
The FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling Ceiling has a 4-inch duct diameter and measures 14.17 x 16.73 x 10.83 inches in dimensions and has a mounting opening of 10 inches.
The unit has a double hanger bar type and you can arrange the fan as you please. All in all, installing the FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan is not going to be a problem.
As for the power factor, this exhaust fan can provide you a CFM of 110! Ideal for a bathroom as large as 110 square feet. It also includes a power rating of 120 volts and 60 Hz condenser motor which is relatively high current. Yet, with such a strong motor, it produces a noise output of 0.3 sones.
On top of that, the exhaust fan is also energy star qualified and therefore uses a minimal amount of power. The FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling, as a whole, appears to be a pretty good power low-noise unit for any medium to large size bathroom, and it's got some quality certifications!
In the realm of certifications, the Panasonic FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan is an HVI-certified unit which is supplied only after it has undergone through extensive testing and quality control. I think we can all appreciate that, right? To add to this, there is a 3 year limited warranty on parts and components.
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7. Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan
- QUIET AIR FLOW: Designed for light commercial applications, this powerful...
- LONG LIFE, GUARANTEED: Panasonic ventilation fans use less energy to move...
- EASY-TO-INSTALL: Designed for 6" ducts. The double hanger-bar system...
If all other fans are not making the cut for you, and you want something a little more powerful, then take a look at the FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling 290 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan from Panasonic. Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling 290 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan is 15 x 15 x 10.2 in. in size with a mounting hole of 12 1/16 in. diameter and an 6 inch duct diam. Regarding the unit itself, the housing of the fan is made of heavy gauge zinc galvanized steel, which is corrosion and rust proofed from all the moisture and dampness.
Exactly what you'd want in a bathroom. Next, you have the air ventilation capacity which goes on to offer you a good 290 CFM! That is, there isn't any limit to the area it can accommodate, up to 290 ft, thus there should not be any limit for any bathroom.
Now, here's the thing about the Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan and its noise level, despite claiming to produce 2.0 sones (which is rather high when we initially saw the description), the unit is fairly quiet! You do get a few instances of mild humming, though it's not perceptually loud unless you put a lot of effort to hear something. Weird, but great, nonetheless.
And a large part of the credit is due to its sealed condenser motor and double-tapered, dolphin-like bladed blower wheel which moves the air smoothly and quietly to minimize noise.
The Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ceiling-Mounted Fan is also energy star rated, thereby consuming less energy and providing some savings. Lastly, for the components and parts of Panasonic, it is an unconditional standard 3-year warranty. Not a bad deal at all.
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Buying Guide: Bathroom Extractor Fans Advice
Selecting the right power
Before you step into the store and check out just about any bathroom exhaust fan you find, you need to know that it doesn't work like that, there is a little math involved.
You see, one unit cannot be expected to ventilate a 500 square feet basement and a 500 square feet bathroom, is it? It's common sense.
The principle of thumb to be followed is that larger are the area, the stronger must be an exhaust fan. Fair enough. The air speed requirement (or volume exchange rate or flow rate) of an exhaust fan is expressed in CFM (cubic feet per minute). Here's what you want to get:
Formula 1 CFM X 1 square feet of space.
Therefore, for instance, if you had to get a fan for a 100 square feet bathroom, the absolute bare minimum you need to buy is 100 CFM. Simple!
Noise level
Wherever there is gushing air involved, there is noise. We totally get it. But believe us when we say this, some exhaust fans can get terribly loud. It is completely unnecessary to hear the sound of a T-rex while peeing.
Especially, for your bathroom, which typically is of smaller dimensions than other rooms and areas, you certainly want it to be of a reasonable hush. However, the sound level of these devices are quantified in sones and it can vary from as low as 4 to 0.3 sones or below. The higher the number, the louder it gets. For a bathroom, you should choose a fan whose rating is sones less than or equal to 1.
Ease of installation
If you have what you need the tools and instructions it's relatively simple to install an exhaust fan in your bathroom. Sadly, there isn't enough information and/or equipment for most units. Thus, bear in mind everything you will require to set up a unit [10]. We personally recommend getting screws instead of nails. They hold better and do not rattle.
Although it is not a requirement, we prefer a unit with shutters. This allows you to open and shut the pathway of the fan as you need. Keeps dust, bugs, water, etc. away.
Construction
A bad design can't be missed, and it isn't necessary to have a genius eye to determine between bad and good design. In other words, little direction will be needed in this area either.
Make sure that all of the components, regardless of its size, are right in terms of appearance and feel. Some motors are notorious for vibrating and rattling wildly during operation, so lookout for that. In addition, the blades of the fan should not touch the housing. This is obviously going to create friction, noise and a mess.
HVI certified
Fortunately, for the most part exhaust bathroom fans are on the market after being tested against industry standards and quality criteria.
One of the more popular being the energy start qualification which lets you know that the unit you got is going to be a lot more power conscious than a unit without an energy star qualification. And similarly, there are many more like these.
However, one thing we want you to look for, specifically, is the HVI certificate. This certificate ensures the unit is independently tested and certified to meet certain industry standards; it is reliable and going to perform as promised and claimed as long as the user uses it properly.
Warranty
And finally, you have the after-sale security factor. All, pretty much, bathroom extractor fans are expected to operate for at least a decade, if not longer. So, if you are paying a premium price for a unit, you want to make sure it lasts long and at least as long as the manufacturer promised.
There are a number of well established companies that are likely to extend warranties for parts and components up to 3 to 5 years. Refunds, repairs, and replacements are all in the future.
It is not essential to buy a product with a warranty because there are a few products that are better quality than the products with a warranty. But like we mentioned before, it always nice to have a little backup, especially if it was an expensive fan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bathroom Extractor Fans:
Would it be an overkill to install a 290 CFM extractor fan in a 90 square feet bathroom?
We are so glad someone asked. The rule of thumb when deciding CFM is that it must always equal the space in square feet.
However, there is of course, no problem to have higher CFM per square feet. With that in mind, however, it is obviously not desirable to go for a high CFM even for a relatively large bathroom. You will, however, be prosecuted under CFM. So yeah, a little overboard is fine, just don't go crazy buying a Herculean exhaust fan for a shoebox bathroom.
Will I be able to install a wall mount or ceiling mount horizontally?
A wall mount is constructed and designed to be mounted to the wall, and a ceiling mount, naturally, is designed to be mounted to the ceiling. Naturally we advice to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations.
On the other hand, we have heard of hundreds of users who were successful in installing their ceiling/wall mountable units horizontally. Nevertheless, it would probably still be a good idea to chat with the seller as well to avoid any unnecessary worry.
How should I go about cleaning the exhaust fan? And how frequently?
Great question! We would like to begin by stating that it's best not to become too hands-on with the unit. Don't handle the brush, or the detergent, or the oil. Take it easy. Just vacuum clean the grilles every 4 to 6 months to get rid of the gunk that's accumulated.
However, if you think the unit could use a thorough deep clean, then turn off the power and get busy with a damp cloth and some soapy water. However, we advise to let the deep cleaning be handled by the professionals.
Would you recommend venting the extractor fan out into the basement or attic?
Absolutely not! We know that quite a few people do it, and we know they can get away with it. However, not we, as a person, are highly opposed to that, it is a normal chemistry doggys.
Since the fan will draw the humid and wet air from the bathroom, that same effect will be produced if you exhaust the same to another closed and non-ventilated space, such as the attic, basement, storeroom, etc. Before long, moisture will start to break down your attic or basement, too! It is very strongly advised that when it comes up, you let it out into the outside air. Take the chimney for instance, would you want to vent out the smoke into another room?
My extractor fan is doing its job fine, but the air still ends up feeling a little heavy. What is wrong?
Something that few realize is that the best thing to do is to install a bathroom door that is at least ¾ of an inch off the ground. This enables newer, "fresher" air to balance the air that is vented by the extractor fan.
Final Words
There are a few things around the house that it is a bad idea to skimp on and your bathroom extractor fan certainly is one of them. Done right and the years can fade away quite easily.
Get it wrong, and well, you know what happens! And our article here is to make sure that you steer clear of such messy outcomes. We have covered everything from A to Z about bathroom extractors, so you know what to get.
We have produced, section by section, in our article, a complete set to give you the best amount of information and help move you towards being a purchasing expert as fast as possible. So go then, look around, write it down, and then go for the best bathroom extractor fan you can afford!
