The 8 Best Bathroom Exhaust Fans of 2022

Best Overall: Broan-NuTone AE110 Single-Speed Ventilation Fan

4.8

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This bathroom exhaust fan is affordable and reliable. It only has one speed but works for most bathrooms. The cover creates a seal that allows the air to flow exactly where you need it. It is also super quiet—one of the best aspects of this fan, even among a great lineup of products from Broan.

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. It 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 works 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.

Best Budget: Broan-NuTone 671 Ventilation Fan

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For one of the most affordable bathroom exhaust fans, look at the Broan NuTone 671. It lacks the cooling power of some more expensive options but works in small bathrooms or powder rooms up to 65 square feet. It is also a bit louder at 6.0 sones. For its budget-friendly price, however, it’s hard to beat.

This fan comes with the features and customer service that people love about Broan. Installation doesn’t require tools, thanks to the torsion-spring grill mounting. The grill is a fresh bright white, but you can paint it to match your ceiling color. The purchase comes with a 1-year warranty in case you have any problems, which Broan is quick to correct.

Best Splurge: Panasonic WhisperCeiling DC Fan

4.5

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If you want an ultra-quiet bathroom exhaust fan and don’t mind paying for the luxury item, the Panasonic FV-0511VQ1 WhisperCeiling DC Ventilation Fan is a good, although expensive, option. It does a great job of removing humid air and impurities from your bathroom and circulating fresh air. Its Flex-Z Fast bracket, as well as a 4- or 6-inch adapter, makes installation easy, whether you are adding it to new construction or replacing another exhaust fan.

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.)

Best with Humidity Sensor: Delta BreezSlim SLM70H Exhaust Bath Fan with Humidity Sensor

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This compact bathroom exhaust fan is also great at keeping humidity monitored and out of the bathroom. It is relatively quiet at only 2.0 sones and puts out 70 CFM. It is perfect for most small or medium bathrooms, especially those that lack windows or other places to potentially release humidity.

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.

Best with Heater: Delta Breez Radiance Series 80 CFM Ceiling Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater

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If you want a combo heater/fan unit, the Delta Breez Radiance Series is a great choice. This unit provides 80 CFM of fan power while also having a built-in heater and thermostat to keep the temperature where you set it. (You can run the heater and fan separately, but each requires its own switch when being installed.) It works for bathrooms up to 80 square feet and mounts flush into the ceiling. The cover is bright white, which matches most bathroom ceilings. It is relatively quiet, at 1.5 sones, and comes with a 3-year warranty and great customer service.

The Delta Breez is compatible with existing 4-inch ducts. If you have another size, you need to consult with a pro to see if you can find an adaptor (purchased separately). You also need a dedicated amp to install this exhaust fan. We recommend that this be installed by a pro, unless you have some serious DIY skill.

Best with Light: Broan-NuTone AER110RGBL ChromaComfort Ventilation Fan

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Including a light with your bathroom exhaust fan can streamline your bathroom decor and fixtures. The Broan NuTone AER110RGBL ChromaComfort fan comes with 24 color options in its built-in LED light and wall fixture. If you set up the smartphone app, you have even more options. The grate also has an intricate design that provides just a bit of style to a normally utilitarian fixture.

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 multi-colored light. It operates at 110 CFM and works for rooms up to 105 square feet. It is reasonably quiet at 1.5 sones.

Best Duct-Free: Broan-NuTone Nutone 682NT Duct-Free Bathroom Ventilation Fan

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Running new ductwork or replacing old ducts may be a bigger job than you want to take on. The Broan NuTone 682NT Duct-Free fan is the perfect answer, combining many of the popular features of Broan’s other fans, such as efficiency and easy snap-in installation, with duct-free design. It is good for a half bath or powder room that can’t fit traditional ductwork in the ceiling.

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 need to plug in the motor and supply power access at the installation site. But even if you need to add an outlet—or have a pro do it—it is likely easier than running ductwork.