By Glenda Taylor, Deirdre Mundorf
Updated on May 23, 2024 5:01 PM EDT Doorsprings
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There’s the potential for structural and surface-level damage if a bathroom isn’t properly ventilated. Excess humidity causes damage in myriad forms—cracked paint, peeling wallpaper, and warped cabinetry.
Moisture buildup in the bathroom also encourages mold growth in drywall and caulking, threatening indoor air quality. The best bathroom fan removes excess moisture effectively, protecting the bathroom from water damage while helping eliminate mirror fog and odors.
We recommended the HVI-certified Broan-NuTone Heavy-Duty Ventilation Fan as our best overall pick because of its 2-in-1 functionality as a light and fan, 80-CMF air output, and GFCI-protected branch circuit for a long lifespan.
However, there’s a wide variety of bathroom ventilation fans, from bare-bones models to high-end fans that come with built-in lighting, heaters, and motion sensors. Read on for a guide to navigating the options and some top picks below!
After searching through an array of ventilation systems available for bathrooms, the top picks represent some of the most thoughtfully designed and reliable options. The models featured in this guide are all from trusted manufacturers with a demonstrated history of producing quality bathroom exhaust fans.
Taking into account functional features like lights and heaters, installation requirements, and pricing, the above list accounts for different bathroom sizes and user needs. As a bonus, many of these bathroom exhaust fans are Energy Star certified, meaning they perform more efficiently and offer greater savings compared to typical exhaust fans.
Continue reading to discover some of our top picks to consider when shopping for the best bathroom exhaust fan. These products were selected to meet a variety of needs and budgets.
This Broan-NuTone model is made to mitigate moisture, odor, and mildew buildup effectively within spaces of 75 square feet or less. The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI)-certified fan produces 80 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and has a reasonable 2.5 sones rating (see the Noise section below for more information on sones). For those looking for the best bathroom exhaust fan with light, built-in lighting supports a 100-watt incandescent bulb protected with a shatter-resistant glass cover.
The branch circuit in this model is GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protected for a longer lifespan and increased durability. Installation is relatively straightforward with the included keyholed mounting brackets and a tapered, polymeric duct fitting, but DIY installation is recommended only for experienced DIYers.
Get the Broan-NuTone HD80L bathroom fan at Amazon.
Save money with this 50-CFM model from Broan-NuTone that eschews bells and whistles without sacrificing quality. Though its 4-sone rating means it hums more loudly than some of its peers, this basic bathroom fan does a great job of eliminating humidity and excess moisture in bathrooms up to 45 square feet.
This model features a white polymeric grill that can be painted to coordinate with different bathroom decors. The fan boasts easy installation in the ceiling with a 3-inch duct connection, or it can be mounted on an exterior wall.
With the torsion springs grille mounting, no tools are required for either installation option. This bathroom ventilation fan features a permanently lubricated motor to ensure long-lasting operation.
Get the Broan-NuTone 688 bathroom fan at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.
Those looking for the quietest bathroom exhaust fans with a light may be interested in the Panasonic WhisperValue ventilation fan. With the Pick-A-Flow Speed Selector, users can choose from CFM outputs of 50, 80, or 100 to accommodate smaller or larger bathroom spaces.
This energy-efficient fan operates quietly with sone ratings between 0.5 and 1.3 depending on the CFM output selected. This Energy Star–rated quiet fan includes a 10-watt dimmable LED chip panel to illuminate a bathroom space. It is also designed to be quick and easy to install with its L-shaped bracket.
Compared to other models, this fan also offers a very slim profile, which provides easy installation in tighter spaces.
Get the Panasonic bathroom fan at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Unlike other models, this decorative bathroom fan from Hunter features a classic Victorian-style design with a chrome and porcelain frame and white glass dome.
It has a 90 CFM output and a 2.5-sone rating, making it suitable for use in smaller bathrooms. The fan is designed to circulate the air in the room effectively to reduce humidity levels, moisture, and odors.
Users can choose to wire the light and fan to the same switch or wire them separately depending on their needs and preferences. The manufacturer includes all the necessary hardware for installing this flush-mount fan. Remove the chrome finial and glass cover when needed for easy cleaning or to change the bulbs.
Get the Hunter bathroom fan at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Thanks to its heating element, this Delta Breez fan radiates warmth while working to remove humidity in bathrooms up to 80 square feet with its 80-CFM rating. A built-in thermostat allows users to set the temperature to their desired level. Just know that because the fan includes a heater, it must be wired to a dedicated electrical circuit.
The fan operates at a soft 1.5 sones to keep noise and vibration to a minimum. This model also includes an LED light, which can supplement existing bathroom lighting.
The corrosion-resistant galvanized-steel construction and DC brushless motor work together to offer a long-lasting product. A detachable 4-inch duct adapter is included to simplify installation.
Get the Delta Breez heater bathroom fan at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
The Delta Breez GBR80 GreenBuilder Exhaust Fan features a built-in humidity sensor that detects when bathroom humidity levels are too high, and then adjusts the CFM output accordingly. Users can program specific humidity levels between 50 percent and 80 percent.
This quiet, energy-efficient bathroom fan operates at just 1.4 sones. Since it’s so quiet that users may not even notice when it’s running, it also includes an indicator light beneath the grille to verify that the fan is indeed on. To reduce utility bills, this is also an Energy Star–certified bathroom fan.
Get the Delta Breez GreenBuilder bathroom fan at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.
This bathroom exhaust fan from Kaze Appliance offers a 150 CFM output to remove moisture and odors from bathrooms as large as 150 square feet. The fan’s design includes an 11-watt LED light to add soft glow lighting to the space, although this may not be bright enough to be the only light source in the bathroom. It has a near-silent 0.5-sone rating.
This model offers universal installation options and adjustable heavy-duty triple-point mounting brackets. It features a permanently lubricated brushless motor that operates at low temperatures for long-lasting durability and operation at multiple humidity levels.
Get the Kaze Appliance bathroom fan on Amazon or Kaze Appliance.
Shoppers looking to control humidity levels in a smaller space where there is no room to install ductwork should consider this option from Broan-NuTone. Installed between either ceiling joists or wall studs, this compact and duct-free square ceiling fan helps reduce humidity in smaller bathroom spaces. The white grille is paintable to suit a more colorful decor, so it won’t stick out in a bathroom styled in darker tones.
Installation is a breeze with a toolless torsion spring-mounting system. It’s also budget-friendly, so this fan is a great option for covering multiple areas with additional ventilation. Maintenance and cleaning is made more simple thanks to the snap-to-fit motor, with no need to worry about screws.
While this fan does not exhaust air from the room, it does filter the air and recirculate it, helping reduce humidity and odors.
Get the Broan-NuTone 682 bathroom fan at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Shoppers looking for a bathroom fan that will do more than simply remove moisture and odors from a bathroom may want to consider this model from Broan-NuTone. The 70 CFM rating means that this model can be used to ventilate, light, and heat bathrooms up to 65 square feet. It offers a 1,500-watt heating element and is safe to use with up to 100-watt bulbs. Buyers can also use the included four-function wall switch to turn on the 7-watt night light (bulb sold separately) for a relaxing bath or middle-of-the-night bathroom runs.
This bathroom fan has a 3.5-sone rating. The model is designed for easy installation for professionals and home users alike. All of the parts needed are included in the fan’s box.
Get the Broan-NuTone 9093WH bathroom fan at Amazon or The Home Depot.
While looking through the best bathroom exhaust fans, there are quite a few features to keep in mind. These include the airflow capacity, energy efficiency, and noise of each model. Beyond technical features, consider ease of installation, versatility, and how it will look in a space.
Before looking through the options for the best bathroom exhaust fans, it’s important to decide which fan type is preferred. Bathroom ventilation fans come in two main types: ceiling fans and in-line fans. Each type offers pros and cons to consider.
As the name implies, ceiling fans are mounted in the ceiling of a bathroom. An air intake vent sits right in the ceiling, with the fan portion directly above it. The fan pulls air from the bathroom up into the vent by creating suction and then releases it through the roof vent on the other side.
Some ceiling fans include lights and can be used to make a bathroom brighter or to replace an existing overhead or vanity light. They are also generally a bit easier to install. However, due to their size and weight, the installation options may be more limited than they are with in-line fans.
Since ceiling fans are located directly above the bathroom, users may notice more noise and vibration than they would from an in-line fan.
In-line fans are installed either in the attic above the bathroom or another location a bit away from the bathroom. For these models, users install a vent in the ceiling with ductwork that routes to the exhaust fan.
This setup moves the fan a bit farther from the bathroom ceiling for reduced noise and vibration. It also makes it possible to add multiple ceiling vents and connect them to the same fan to provide additional ventilation to a larger bathroom.
With an in-line fan, shoppers aren’t as constrained by the available space in the ceiling directly above the bathroom. In some cases, this makes it possible to install a larger and more powerful fan than would otherwise fit. However, installing an in-line fan and setting up the ductwork can be more involved than installing a ceiling fan.
The best bathroom exhaust fans’ performance is measured in CFM, which gives the amount of air moved by the fan each minute. The product’s box will list the CFM number, and it will typically give a suggested room size as well.
As a general rule of thumb, choose a fan with a minimum CFM rating equal to the bathroom’s square footage. For example, choose a 50-CFM-rated fan for a 50-square-foot bathroom and a 100-CFM-rated fan for a 100-square-foot bathroom.
For even more accuracy, measure the bathroom and use the following mathematical formula:
Length x Width x Height x 0.13 = Suggested CFM
Suppose the bathroom is 10 feet long by 8 feet wide by 8 feet high. Multiply 10 by 8 by 8 by 0.13 for a total of 83.2. In this case, a fan with a CFM rating of 80 would probably be sufficient for the bathroom.
As with purchasing any new appliance or electrical product, consider energy efficiency when shopping for a bathroom fan. Bathroom exhaust fans that are energy efficient use less energy than other models, meaning that they can help save on monthly electric bills while also decreasing the home’s environmental footprint.
Energy Star certifications were developed to help users easily identify energy-saving models. Energy Star–certified ceiling fans use an average of 70 percent less energy than their less-efficient counterparts.
In order to receive Energy Star certification, most bathroom fans must also meet the maximum allowable sound levels and performance levels for airflow.
Most bathroom fans are designed for more than just ventilation. Consider models with these convenient features:
Visual appeal can also be important when choosing a bathroom fan. Consider the overall style and decor of the bathroom, and choose a fan that will coordinate with the space. One basic item to consider is the fan’s color.
Most bathroom fans are white, but some may include a paintable cover that will allow shoppers to customize the fan’s color to blend in with their ceiling or walls.
Other bathroom fans offer decorative fixtures that can help add to the style of the space. For example, some bathroom fans may feature interchangeable finials or trim in different finishes (such as white, chrome, nickel, or brass), hanging pendant lights, or other intricate or eye-catching designs.
The noise emitted by an exhaust fan is rated in sones, and the quietest bathroom exhaust fans have a sones rating between 0.5 and 0.6. The lower the sones number (which is typically printed on the fan box), the quieter the fan will be when operating.
Since a sones rating of 1 compares to the sound of a quiet refrigerator, any fan with a sones rating of 1 or less is considered among the quietest bathroom exhaust fans. On the other end of the scale, a sones rating greater than 4 might be loud enough to drown out someone’s shower singing.
Many manufacturers today produce bathroom fans that operate quietly. If shoppers are very concerned about sound, they might want to consider installing a 6-inch ducting attachment for the fan rather than the standard 4-inch attachment. Air can move easier in a wider duct, so a 6-inch duct puts less strain on the fan and allows for quieter operation.
When drawing moisture-filled air out of the bathroom, it needs somewhere to go. Some bathroom vents release exhaust into a home’s attic; however, this setup isn’t ideal since excess moisture in the attic can lead to mold-related issues. It’s usually best practice to vent bathroom fans to the outdoors.
When installing a bathroom fan, the best location is typically between the shower and toilet, in an area of the ceiling without any obstructing joists or pipes. Replacement fans should be installed in the same location as the existing fan, and the area should be prepared using the best bathroom cleaner prior to installation.
Keep in mind that larger bathrooms may require multiple fans to ventilate the space effectively. Fans with features such as lights, heaters, and night lights may require additional wires or a designated circuit to operate.
There are many benefits of adding a bathroom fan to your bathroom, but you may still have some questions about choosing the right fan for your space. Refer to the frequently asked questions below to gain more knowledge to help you make the best selection.
Ventilation fans and exhaust fans both share the goal of leaving the air in a space cleaner and fresher, but the way they go about reaching this goal is different. Ventilation fans pull cleaner air into spaces from the exterior, while exhaust fans remove pollutants and other contaminants from the air in a space.
To determine the CFM needed for your bathroom, consider the square footage of the space. The CFM should be at least as high as this number, so a 100-square-foot bathroom will require a fan with a rating of at least 100 CFM. For greater precision, use the following formula to make sure you choose the right fan for your bathroom: Length x Width x Height x 0.13 = Suggested CFM.
When installing a bathroom fan, it is important to vent it to the outside, either through the attic or a sidewall. If bath fans are not vented outside, you’ll simply be moving the moisture to another area in the home, where it may cause problems.
Running a bathroom fan all the time is not a good idea. If the fan is run for too long, it can cause the motor to wear down or even pose a potential fire hazard. Run the fan for about 20 minutes after bathing or showering to allow it to do its job and remove the moisture from the room, and then turn the fan off.
The HVI recommends running a bathroom fan for about 20 minutes after showering. This amount of time will allow for proper bathroom ventilation and prevent moisture from lingering and causing issues.
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