Best Overall
Broan-NuTone Single-Speed Ventilation Fan
- This option is energy efficient but offers a high enough cubic feet per minute (CFM) for most bathroom sizes.
This option is energy efficient but offers a high enough cubic feet per minute (CFM) for most bathroom sizes.
- It only has one speed, which can be inconvenient and unnecessarily loud.
It only has one speed, which can be inconvenient and unnecessarily loud.
The Broan-NuTone AE110 Invent Flex Single-Speed Ventilation Fan ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a top-quality bathroom exhaust fan that won’t necessarily break the bank but will still provide enough power and longevity to make it worth the effort of installation.
The Energy Star-certified exhaust fan moves air at a rate of 110 cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is enough to quickly and efficiently clear steam and unwanted odors from most bathrooms in the home. This fan might only have one single CFM speed (meaning it’s not adjustable), but it’ll work for most average-sized bathrooms.
It’s also an excellent option for installing over tubs or showers since it sucks up steam before it starts to circulate. It’s designed to reduce the risk of air leakage by up to 50% compared to similar brands and models, cutting down on uncomfortable cold backdrafts.
If you’re nervous to install the fan on your own, Broan-NuTone offers comprehensive installation guidelines in the box, and there are plenty of tutorial videos available on YouTube.
Product Details: CFM: 110 | Features: Powerful ventilation | Mounting Type: Ceiling
Key Terms to Know
- CFM: CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It measures the fan’s airflow capacity (how fast it can circulate air throughout a given space). The higher the number the more powerful the fan.
- Sones: If you’re worried about your bathroom fan being too noisy, check the sones before purchasing. Sones are measurements of sound level; under two sones would be considered quiet.
- Mounting Type: Keep in mind that not all bathroom exhaust fans have the same mounting or installation type. Some models are designed to mount onto the ceiling, while others mount vertically onto the wall.
Best Budget
Broan-NuTone Ceiling and Wall Ventilation Fan
- This fan features a paintable matte white finish that allows you to change the color to blend in with your bathroom.
This fan features a paintable matte white finish that allows you to change the color to blend in with your bathroom.
- The slow (50 CFM) speed might not be adequate for larger bathrooms.
The slow (50 CFM) speed might not be adequate for larger bathrooms.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money in order for a long-lasting and reliable bathroom exhaust fan. The Broan-NuTone 688 Ventilation Fan offers the same brand recognition and customer service as more expensive models, but the no-frills design is much more budget-friendly.
Keep in mind that it’s much more bare-bones than many of the other options availablea. It caps out at 50 CFM, which is a slower speed that might not be enough for larger rooms, and isn’t adjustable. But it should be enough power for a small or mid-sized bathroom.
We also really like that it comes in a decorative coil-like design with a matte white finish. It’s super subtle when installed in the ceiling or wall and doesn’t draw as much attention as some of the clunkier bathroom exhaust fans do.
The best part? The coil design is made using a paintable polymeric material that allows you to paint over the white and customize the colorway to best suit your existing decor.
CFM: 50 | Features: Decorative design, paintable | Mounting Type: Ceiling and wall
Best with Light
OREiN Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- This exhaust fan includes a powerful LED light to illuminate your entire bathroom.
This exhaust fan includes a powerful LED light to illuminate your entire bathroom.
- The installation process can be a little tricky and might require some patchwork.
The installation process can be a little tricky and might require some patchwork.
If you’re working with limited ceiling space or you just want a simple solution to your dimly lit bathroom, a bathroom exhaust fan with a built-in light will be a smart option for your home project.
The Orein Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light costs about the same as an average bathroom exhaust fan, but it includes a built-in LED bulb that’s bright enough to use as your main light. This option is also dimmable with a compatible switch, allowing you to adjust the mood of your bathroom as needed.
Note that the light is designed to last for about five years before needing to be replaced and comes with a five-year warranty in case anything happens within its expected lifespan.
The ceiling-mounted exhaust fan offers a powerful 100 CFM blower that promises to clear any fog, moisture, and odors quickly and efficiently. It’s also designed to be whisper-quiet, which means you can leave it running while hopping into the bath without having to tune it out during your self-care time.
Product Details: CFM: 100 | Features: Light | Mounting Type: Ceiling
Best with Humidity Sensor
Delta Breez GreenBuilder GBR80H 80 CFM Exhaust Bath Fan with Humidity Sensor
- The exhaust fan automatically turns on or off based on the humidity levels in the room, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting when you get in the shower.
The exhaust fan automatically turns on or off based on the humidity levels in the room, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting when you get in the shower.
- The grilled design is a bit clunky compared to other options.
The grilled design is a bit clunky compared to other options.
There’s nothing worse than hopping into the shower only to realize you’ve forgotten to turn on the exhaust fan; the foggy mist that descends comes fast and furious during a hot shower and can quickly damage your decor or cause odors, mold, or mildew if it’s not dealt with swiftly.
That’s why a bathroom exhaust fan with a built-in humidity sensor like the Delta Breez GreenBuilder might be worth the investment—especially if you tend to get a lot of humidity in your bathroom or basement.
It automatically switches on or off depending on the humidity level in your bathroom. It basically doubles as a dehumidifier while helping ensure you’re not faced with a moldy bathroom or powder room.
The heavy-hitting 80 CFM ensures your fan quickly and efficiently gets rid of any moisture in the air—even in a larger bathroom space. It’s also very quiet (less than 1 sone), which means your household won’t be disturbed if the fan turns on automatically at night.
CFM: 80 | Features: Humidity Sensor | Mounting Type: Ceiling
Best with Heater
Delta Breez Radiance Series Ceiling Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater
- This fan includes a heater to ward off that post-shower chill.
This fan includes a heater to ward off that post-shower chill.
- Installation is difficult and may require access from above.
Installation is difficult and may require access from above.
Think of the Delta BreezRadiance RAD80 80 CFM Exhaust Bath Fan as your very own luxury hotel amenity. The relatively budget-friendly fan is a triple threat: aside from its moisture-busting abilities, it’s also a ceiling light and a heater. Say goodbye to post-shower chills.
The Delta BreezRadiance isn’t just packed with features, though—it’s also well-constructed and made to last thanks to the galvanized steel material and metal duct adapter that resists corrosion.
The DC brushless motor only runs at 80 CFM which might not be strong enough for larger bathrooms but should be more than adequate for mid-sized bathrooms and powder rooms. It’s also relatively quiet and runs at a noise rating of just 1.5 sones which means it won’t be irritating to you or your household while in use.
As far as downsides go, this exhaust fan is difficult to install from below, meaning you may need access from above to set it up properly.
Product Details: CFM: 80 | Features: Heater | Mounting Type: Ceiling
Best Bluetooth
OREiN OL005 Bathroom Fan with Bluetooth Speaker
- Ideal for shower singers, this contender has a color-changing LED light to set the mood.
Ideal for shower singers, this contender has a color-changing LED light to set the mood.
- Fancy features make it more expensive than the average bathroom exhaust fan.
Fancy features make it more expensive than the average bathroom exhaust fan.
We love the Orein OL005 Bathroom Fan with Bluetooth Speaker, but it’s definitely designed for a very specific bathroom vision. This option goes above and beyond when it comes to bells and whistles.
Built-in Bluetooth connectivity allows you to pair the fan with your iPhone or Android. This gives you the option to play music through the fan’s speaker or adjust the lighting from your smartphone.
It includes a fun color-changing LED light with seven different color options to choose from, all while ensuring that you don’t have odor or humidity buildup in your bathroom. Fast brackets make it easy to install—mount the fan between ceiling brackets and you’re good to go.
The fan boasts a powerful 110-160 CFM and runs at just 1 sones (the lower the sone, the quieter the fan), so you won’t have to worry about having your fan interrupt your playlist while in the bath or shower.
CFM: 110-160 | Features: Bluetooth, light | Mounting Type: Ceiling
Best Quiet
Panasonic WhisperValue Ventilation Fan
- This is the quietest bathroom exhaust fan on our list.
This is the quietest bathroom exhaust fan on our list.
- It’s more difficult to install if it’s a replacement for an existing fan.
It’s more difficult to install if it’s a replacement for an existing fan.
Noisy bathroom exhaust fans can ruin the atmosphere of a bath or steamy shower. That’s why seeking out an extra-quiet bathroom exhaust fan might make the most sense for those who like to enjoy a lingering bathtime or who live in a smaller house or apartment with roommates or family members.
We particularly like the Panasonic FV-0510VS1 WhisperValue DC Bathroom Ventilation Fan because not only is it super quiet (it sits at just 0.3 scones on the lowest level), but it also can also be adjusted to run between 50 to 100 CFM, depending on how much power you need at a given time.
The flexibility means you can keep the fan running slowly and quietly for longer or you can up the power with the flip of a switch.
Keep in mind that even on the highest level, this bathroom exhaust fan caps out at 0.9 scones, which is still much quieter than the other fans on the list. Installation can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to using this fan as a replacement for an existing model, since you need attic access.
Product Details: CFM: 50-100 | Features: Speed selector | Mounting Type: Ceiling