Best Bathroom Fans Reviews Consumer Ratings & Reports 2024

A lot of action takes place in the bathroom (you know what I mean), therefore it is necessary that all the moisture and odor should go out before the next person enters the bathroom. This can be done with the help of a bathroom fan. If you want to know as to how important a bathroom fan is, then compare it with a chimney in the kitchen. If you think that it is not possible to work in a kitchen without a chimney, then a bathroom without a bathroom fan becomes a place where people could suffocate, especially when there is no window. You can spend thousands of dollars on constructing a ravishing bathroom and install the best toilet, but if you have not installed a bathroom fan, then it won’t give you the experience for which you have spent so much.

If you have understood the importance of a bathroom fan, then how about you move ahead and buy one. Wait, do you know which bathroom fan to buy? If not, then don’t worry - just check the list of six best bathroom fans consumer reports along with their reviews. By the time you read the reviews of all six products, you will be able to decide as to which bathroom fan you need to buy.

Reviews Of 6 Best Bathroom Fans

1. RadonAway 23030-1 RP145 Radon Mitigation Fan

Panasonic is one of the top companies that manufacture world-class electrical and electronic products. The one I’m reviewing comes with a built-in speed selector, using which, you can easily choose between 80 or 110 CFM, depending on your airflow related needs. When it comes to installation, this fan will not take much of your precious time, as the fan comes with a detachable installation adapter and bracket.

You can also install this fan over a shower or tub, but make sure it is GFCI protected. The fan doesn’t produce much noise, plus is very energy-efficient. As far as the usage of the fan is concerned, then you can use it for both, residential as well as business purposes.

3. Broan-NuTone 678 Ventilation Fan and Light Combination

Broan is a renowned brand when it comes to bathroom fans, and this one here is a highly versatile unit, which can be used for new home builds as well as bathroom renovations. It is efficient in removing humidity from bathrooms or laundry rooms (wherever you install it). Moreover, the super-quiet operation (2.5 sones) won’t let you feel if there is a fan running in the room.

Many people have even installed the fan in the kitchen of their homes or workshops (for business use) to eliminate scents and fumes. One outstanding point of this fan is the built-inn light-diffusing lens, which is compatible with up to 100-watt incandescent bulbs. The beautiful white grill of the fan can blend with any bathroom décor. If you want to install the fan on the ceiling, then that is also possible.

4. Broan-NuTone 690 Broan Bathroom Exhaust Fan Upgrade Kit

Get this modern kit to get rid of your old, outdated bathroom fan with a superior unit. The kit has the ability to enhance the performance of your old exhaust fan and to make them look like brand new. The fan runs quieter than the majority of older models and reduces the noise level up to half. With an installation time of less than 10 minutes, this kit can be installed with the majority of exhaust fans. The air movement can be improved by up to 20 percent compared to many older fans. Overall, a very unique and effective kit, which can change the way the air flows out of your bathroom.

5. Delta Electronics SLM70 Breez Slim Ventilation Fans

This is another efficient unit, which comes with a 3-inch standard duct and has a low noise level of around 2 sones. The fan incorporates an indicator light that notifies you about the status of the fan when you are unable to hear the noise. The fan is ideal when some is doing new installations or renovating the bathroom. The unit has been given energy star ratings, which makes it an energy-efficient product as well. The galvanized steel body of the unit prevents it from rust and corrosion. The inclusion of a DC brushless motor adds to the durability and longevity of the product.

6. Broan-NuTone 688 Ceiling and Wall Ventilation Fan

We have a wall-mounted fan on our list of best bathroom fans, and mind you, this fan can be a solution to many of your problems. The fan is versatile, removes moisture from the bathroom in a comprehensive manner and on top of that, reduces unpleasant odors as well. For the price that this fan is available for, I would rate its efficiency high, very high.

Yes, there are certain issues with the fan such as small airflow due to the small size of the fan, but even then, it perfectly deals with the requirements of most bathrooms. Installation is another point on which the fan scores very high and not to forget the noise, which this fan tries hard to produce as low as possible, but you will hear it, but it won’t bother you. The only drawback of the unit is that it isn’t suitable for large spaces, which I guess you saw it coming.

Choosing The Right Bathroom Fan

It may seem simple to choose a bathroom fan, but there are a few things to consider, which you are going to find out below:

Noise

The sound of a bathroom fan is calculated as sones. In general, less than 1.5 sones is considered very quiet and the maximum is about 6 sones.

Power

Power is calculated in PCM (cubic feet per minute). If your bathroom is rather small, you can opt for a fan between 50 and 60 CFM. For an average room, between 70 and 90 and for a large room, 100 and more. You want a precise measurement, then use this formula: Width x Length x Height x 0.13. We advise you to take a more powerful fan than is necessary to evacuate all the humidity.

Features

You can have a real little all-in-one gadget with what's on the market:

1. Light
2. Heating lamp
3. Timer
4. Moisture sensor for automatic start

If you choose a multifunction fan, consider giving it more than one switch to avoid switching everything on or off at the same time.

Looks

You have several options, but be aware that many fan models look like simple fixtures for a practical and subtle system.

Choosing The Right Vent

Use a short, straight exhaust duct as it has a direct impact on fan performance. A flexible duct attached to a short rigid duct is ideal. If you plan to install your duct in an uninsulated space (for example, the void under the roof), choose an insulated duct to prevent the evacuated moisture from turning to ice.

Location of the device

1. If your fan has a moisture sensor, avoid placing it too close to a window that could trigger the device.
2. It is forbidden to install the unit above the shower or bath unless specifically permitted in the installation manual.
3. Press the housing of your new fan (not the lid) flat on the ceiling and trace the outline.
4. Make sure there are no wires, which come in contact with the fan and be damaged. Moreover, you need to cut the area with drywall.

Installation Of Bathroom Fan

1. Remove the motor from the new fan. It is heavy and could harm you at the time of installation.
2. Double-check that the electricity is off. You can get a circuit checker at a low cost at hardware stores.
3. Make a hole of the desired size.
4. For this step, you can either go to the attic or install it from the bathroom.
5. If you are in the attic, first place the duct on the fan and then position the appliance in the hole.
6. If you are installing from the bathroom, insert the firm duct into the hole and press it on the edge of the ceiling. Next, slide the fan into the hole, aligning the duct with the space provided on the appliance. If you are installing from the attic, you can install the rigid duct before positioning the fan.
7. Screw the outline of the appliance to the ceiling of the bathroom to hold it in place.
8. Return to the attic and unfold the suspension bars (arms) of the fan.
9. Make sure your fan is properly positioned and screw the end of the bars to the parallel joists.
10. Connect the vent to the fitting and seal the junction with construction tape.
11. Remove the junction box cover and connect the fan wires to a household power wire that has been routed to the fan. To connect them, remove about 3 cm of rubber from the end of the wires and connect them with a wire connector.

Exit For The Evacuation Of Moisture

1. Choose where you want moisture to drain: use a built-in vent with vent for a duct leading to the ceiling and a wall vent with built-in flapper for wall venting. It is not recommended to install the outlet into the soffit because of the risk of re-infiltration of moisture into the roof.
2. From the inside, first, make a reference hole in the roof or on the wall where you want to evacuate moisture.
3. From the outside, drill a slightly larger hole than the vent using the duct collar as a marker. If you choose the wall outlet and your cladding is brick or concrete, use a rotary hammer.
4. Bind the hose to the vent with a collar and construction tape.
5. Insert the flexible duct into the outlet.
6. Add expansive foam between the walls of the vent and the pipe to insulate properly.
7. Seal the base of the vent to the wall with caulking or roof with roofing cement.
8. Replace the shingles or liner that has been removed around the vent.

Your fan is now installed. If you hear a loud or abnormal noise at first use, just turn off the power and make sure everything is plugged in and secured.

Conclusion

Now that you are fully aware of the benefits of having a bathroom fan, you should definitely install one in all your bathrooms. There are some products that I’ve reviewed in six best bathroom fans consumer reports, which are not just used in bathrooms, but in kitchens and workshops as well. Therefore, it is up to you to decide as to which bathroom fan you need to buy, as all six products are incredibly awesome.