We all love taking long, luxurious hot showers that transform our standard bath time into a spa retreat. However, the humidity and steam enveloping us during those stress-relieving retreats also influence a detrimental quality to the air we breathe in – unless, of course, we use the best exhaust fans for bathrooms.
In a Hurry? Here are the Best Exhaust Fans for Bathrooms
Bathroom exhaust fans are in-ceiling or in-wall humidity controllers designed to improve airflow, add ventilation, and reduce the air’s excess moisture, carrying it outside the bathroom through the ductwork. Moreover, these fans are the ideal all-in-solution to prevent mold and mildew production that leads to rotten and peeling paint in the bathrooms. In short, exhaust fans effectively promote a healthier and safe environment as they draw out the moist, humid air and odors from the confined spaces.
However, before we check out the top choices for bathroom exhaust fans on Amazon, based on fantastic customer reviews and ratings, it’s best to consider the different factors that help us choose the right exhaust system for our bathing space.
How to Choose the Right Exhaust Fan for Your Bathroom
Here are five things to know about for selecting the ideal exhaust fans for the bathrooms:
1. Determining the CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) Rating
Making sure the exhaust fan you purchase is powerful enough to ventilate the required space is crucial. The fan’s CFM rating determines the volume of air that the fan moves. The higher the CFM, the better the air ventilation.
A 50-square foot or smaller-size bathroom usually requires a 50 CFM exhaust fan. Similarly, bathrooms between 50 to 100 square feet need exhaust fans with 100 CFM.
2. Installation Requirements
Many of the bathroom exhaust fans are installed within the ceiling. However, a few models can also be installed on the walls. You should make sure which one you require to fit your bathroom’s needs.
Moreover, suppose you are integrating an exhaust fan right over a shower or bathtub. In that case, you must ensure that the product is safety-certified to install at this location.
3. Special Features
Nowadays, you can find a handful of features in the best exhaust fans for bathrooms, including integrated lighting, motion sensors, separate control switch, and built-in heaters. Before you make your final purchase, make sure it has everything you may need for your bathroom.
4. Noise Factor
Some bathroom exhausts may sound like jet engines, disturbing your peaceful bath time. That’s why it is best to ensure the fan you’re choosing is a quieter model. An exhaust fan with 2 sones (or less) is ideal for smaller bathroom spaces. Moreover, you can get away with exhaust fans that rate up to 4sones if the bathroom space is of average size.
5. Energy-Efficient
Energy-starred bathroom exhaust fans can save you up to 70 percent of energy than conventional exhausts. Furthermore, they meet the mandatory qualifications for lower voltage consumption, lower sound emission, and greater CFM.
The 5 Best Exhaust Fans for Bathrooms
Now that we’re familiar with the primary considerations of buying a top-of-the-line exhaust fan for the bathroom, let’s review the top-rated Amazon products you can find under an adequate budget.
1. Broan-NuTone 9093WH Exhaust Fan, Heater, and Light Combo
The Broan-NuTone 9093WH is an ideal exhaust fan that comes equipped with an in-ceiling heater and integrated light. This 1500-watt power-consuming product best performs in average to large-sized bathrooms, incorporated with a 70 CFM ventilation fan. Moreover, its machine operates at a 3.5 sound sone level, hence functioning without making any prominent noise. Plus, it is one of the easiest exhaust fans to install in the bathroom, contrasting nicely with all interior styles.
2. Hunter 83002 Ventilation Sona Bathroom Exhaust
If you’re looking for a bathroom exhaust that looks more like a decor ceiling light rather than a fan, you must take a look at Hunter 83002. This bronze-finished round exhaust fan is a sophisticated fixture exhibiting white light, and it works splendidly to remove excess moisture from the bathroom under a 110 cubic feet area. Moreover, it fights odors, works quietly due to the 3 sones sound level production, and can be installed safely over showers and bathtubs.
3. Hon&Guan HGA-150B Bathroom Ventilation Fan
A good-quality in-wall mounting exhaust fan is hard to come by. However, Hon&Guan HGA-150B is one of the few bathroom wall exhausts that offer energy-efficient productivity and a sleek design simultaneously. It is perfect for a large-sized bathing space as it provides 116 CFM while producing only 0.8 sones noise factor. Moreover, the device is installed with a light that enhances the overall bathroom’s appearance besides improving the ventilation.
4. Panasonic FV-0511VK2 WhisperGreen Ventilation Fan
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The Panasonic FV-0511VK2 is an energy-starred ventilation system equipped with a whisper-quiet motor functioning at less than 0.3 sones. The best thing about these exhaust fans is that they come with a pick-a-flow speed selector that allows you to customize the desired airflow between 50, 80, and 110 CFM. Furthermore, with a built-in SmartFlow technology, it automatically adjusts its operating speed when the fan detects static pressure.
5. Homewerks 7141-50 Bathroom Fan
These Homewerks 7141-50 exhaust fans are the perfect addition to your bathroom space if you’re looking for something simple that comfortably adjusts with the rest of the bathroom. It is installed with a light and a fan that operates at 0.7 sones, functioning best for spaces that require 50 CFM exhaust fans. Plus, these exhausts do a perfect job of extracting the harsh chemicals from the air, venting them out of the confined spaces through the ductwork.
Our Final Thoughts
After investing in the best exhaust fans for bathrooms, you should also make sure to do proper after-maintenance from time to time for long-term results. You can remove the screws holding the fan assembly and clean the covers and blades with a soap and damp cloth. When the motor is cleaned periodically, it operates the best for adding ventilation and improving the airflow in the bathroom.
