“Bathroom exhaust fans should be replaced when they start to drop in performance to prevent mold and mildew from growing,” general contractor Alan Rickmint says. “It’s an expense up front, but better than having to deal with mold remediation.” Our top pick, the Broan NuTone AE110 Single-Speed Ventilation Fan, is affordable and creates a comfortable environment in even larger bathrooms. Here are the best bathroom exhaust fans. Installation is also easy, especially if you are replacing an existing unit. The fan comes with retrofit hardware you can use to install the new ventilation fan without having to crawl into your attic. It is also a standard size and shape, meaning fewer touch-ups are necessary for your drywall. This is a simple yet effective bathroom exhaust fan that works for most bathroom sizes and is still affordable enough to stay within your budget. It works with GFCI outlets and can be placed right over a bathtub. It’s compatible with 4-inch ducts and might need an adapter if you have larger- or smaller-sized ductwork. Either way, professional installation is a good idea because it is hardwired and requires that you connect it to your home’s electrical system. Price at time of publish: $114 This fan comes with the features and customer service that people love about Broan. The grill is a fresh bright white, but you can paint it to match your ceiling color. The purchase comes with a one-year warranty in case you have any problems, which Broan is quick to correct. Price at time of publish: $35 There are three airflow settings: 50 CFM, 80 CFM, and 110 CFM. All you have to do is flip a switch on the unit. It doesn’t include a light, which would be a nice addition for the price. (Panasonic has a similar model that includes an LED light, at a higher cost.) Price at time of publish: $150 The best part of this fan is that you don’t have to actively monitor your bathroom’s humidity, because the exhaust fan does it for you. A sensor indicator light changes based on the humidity readings. And more impressively, when humidity levels rise above 60 percent—during someone’s shower, for example—the fan automatically kicks on. Once the humidity falls below 60 percent, the fan turns off. Not only does this not needlessly run the fan but it also ensures that mold and mildew don’t start growing in a humid bathroom. Price at time of publish: $89 The Delta Breez is compatible with existing 4-inch ducts. If you have another size, you need to consult with a pro to see whether you can find an adapter (purchased separately). You also need a dedicated 15 amp circuit to install this exhaust fan. We recommend that this be installed by a pro, unless you have some serious DIY skills. Price at time of publish: $100 This exhaust fan is a bit pricier than more basic options, without much difference in actual performance. The higher cost is for aesthetics and extra features, such as the multicolored light. It operates at 110 CFM and works for rooms up to 105 square feet. It is reasonably quiet at 1.5 sones. Price at time of publish: $213 This is a smaller fan, which helps it fit in the wall without worrying about space. It includes a charcoal filter to take care of some bathroom smells, but it isn’t great for removing major odors. You have a plug-in motor assembly for easy removal to change filters. To hardwire the housing, you have to supply power to the installation site as with any exhaust fan. But even if you need to add an outlet—or have a pro do it—it is likely easier than running ductwork. Price at time of publish: $75 The Bluetooth speaker is the big draw for this exhaust fan, pairing the fan with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. They are wired directly into the fan, which is hardwired to your home’s electrical system; this means no recharging the speakers or replacing batteries. Although this is a round exhaust fan, the housing is square and wouldn’t require touching up your drywall if you already had a square fan of the same size. Price at time of publish: $159 “Getting professional installation often includes necessary permits,” says general contractor Alan Rickmint. “You will also know that it’s done safely, especially where electrical is concerned.” While it does add to the cost, it’s important to know that hardwired bathroom exhaust fans are installed correctly.
Bathroom Size
Pick an exhaust fan that correlates to the size of your bathroom. A fan that’s too small isn’t effective, but a fan that’s too powerful might create unpleasant drafts. In some cases, a second fan might be recommended.
Sound Ratings
The lower the sound rating (expressed in sones), the quieter the fan. If you only plan to switch on the fan after taking a quick shower, the noise level might not be important. However, if you want to run your exhaust fan while taking a relaxing bath, look for a fan with a rating of 1.0 sones or less.
Style
Most exhaust fans have simple and discreet grates, but others have more elaborate or noticeable designs. You might want to find one that fits with the style of your bathroom.
Features
In addition to venting, some bathroom exhaust fans offer a number of additional functions, if you’re willing to spend more. You can find fans that also function as lights or heaters. Some even have built-in Bluetooth speakers or automatic humidity sensors.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To help compile this list, she talked with general contractor Alan Rickmint about the benefits of replacing your bathroom exhaust fan. Then, she considered the output, noise level, and extra features of each exhaust fan.
