Many homeowners experience poor indoor air quality at some point, especially during the cold winter months when all windows are closed all the time. In fact, the quality of indoor air is often worse in bathrooms where you’re likely to have foul odors from mold and mildew. Fortunately, this problem can be mitigated by simply installing the best bathroom exhaust fan with humidity sensor and LED light.
Since the bathroom is an important space in any home, every homeowner should consider investing in a functional bathroom exhaust fan to make this space comfortable and improve air quality. Without the right bathroom exhaust fan, your home is predisposed to moisture and mold damage.
High moisture levels can buoy up the spread of bacteria, which, in turn, increases asthma and allergy incidences in the entire household. That is why it’s very important to regulate humidity levels in your bathroom by investing in decent ventilation systems. The best bathroom exhaust fan is capable of regulating humidity levels and distributing air evenly throughout your bathroom. Here is a comprehensive review of our top 10 bathroom exhaust fans with humidity sensor plus a detailed buying guide to make your buying journey hassle-free.
Top 10 Best Bathroom Exhaust Fans with humidity sensor
There are several models of bathroom exhaust fans on the market. This makes the process of choosing the best bathroom exhaust fan for your bathroom a challenging undertaking. When selecting the right bathroom fan, you should focus on the features and your specific needs rather than the price tag. This way, you’ll get the best value for your money. Here is a list of our top ten bathroom exhaust fans to consider:
#1: Best Overall: Delta Breez GBR80 Green-Builder Bathroom Exhaust Fan (80 CFM)
If you’re looking for a bathroom exhaust fan that will make your home greener, then consider this Delta exhaust fan. The fan consumes up to 86% less energy compared to other exhaust fans in its size range.
Aside from making your home greener, the fan will transform your bathroom relaxing experience. Its noise level is very low at 0.3 sones. In fact, this is the lowest noise rating on the market when it comes to bathroom exhaust fans of its size.
You can hook it up to a GFI circuit and use the fan on a tub enclosure. It also comes with an in-built humidity sensor, which detects when the humidity levels have gone up beyond acceptable levels and automatically turns on the fan.
Delta backs this product with a decent warranty of three years. Its duct diameters measure four inches and 8.5 sq inches of mounting opening.
#2: Best Runner-Up: Panasonic FV-30VQ3 Whisper Ceiling Bathroom Fan (290 CFM)
This is considered the most popular bathroom exhaust fan out there. If you simply don’t like bathroom fans due to the noise that they generate, choosing this Panasonic model may be your best choice. Even though the fan is extremely quiet in operation, it’s very powerful. Its CFM airflow rate is 290 and it comes with a wider blower that is capable of moving air at lower rotations per minute (RPM) compared to most of the fans on the market. Buying this device will give you the least amount of noise levels without sacrificing the ability to move air.
The fan can be mounted inside any type of shower enclosure. It’s designed with a GFCI branch circuit to help with the wiring. And although it’s a solidly built fan, it doesn’t come with a lighting system. However, the fan can handle tough bathroom environments that may cause corroding – it’s made of zinc-coated steel.
The fan comes with a 3-year warranty and a 6-year warranty for the motor. The sone rating for this Panasonic device is 2.0 sones and its duct diameter measures six inches and 12 sq inches mounting opening.
#3: Best for Ultra Quiet Operation: Akicon Ultra Quiet Ventilation Fan (90 CFM)
If you’re looking for the right exhaust bathroom fan that won’t bother you with noise issues, then this Akicon device is another great choice. The bathroom fan is designed to ensure moisture and steam doesn’t build up in your bathroom. Its CFM airflow rate is 90. Although the fan is big in size, it has a low RPM, which makes your bathing or showering more comfortable.
As long as you hook it up to an electrical circuit that is GFI protected, the bathroom fan can be comfortably installed above a tub area or shower stall. The wire harnesses necessary for connecting the fan to a GFI are built into its motor.
The entire unit comes with a 3-year warranty. Although its body is coated with galvanized steel, the fan features a plastic grille assembly. Its duct diameter measures four inches with a 12 square-inches mounting opening. The sone rating for this Akicon fan is 0.8 sones.
#4: Best for Energy Efficiency: Broan 655 Heater Bath Fan with Light Combination
This is another efficient Broan bathroom fan that comes with a heater. If your bathroom is 65 sq ft. or less, you should consider purchasing this exhaust fan. Its heating element is 1300-watts, so if you need to increase the heat levels in your bathroom, especially during the cold months, this Broan exhaust fan is a perfect choice. It’s capable of removing air at a CFM rate of 70. Your bathroom won’t experience a moisture build-up even when you’re taking a hot shower.
The fact that the fan is designed with dual blower wheel technology, it is highly energy efficient. The lubrication of its blower wheels extends its lifespan. It features a 100-watt light setup and installing this bathroom exhaust fan is very easy since it has adjustable mounting brackets.
The fan is constructed with 23-gauge steel that doesn’t corrode. The fan’s duct diameter is four inches and its mounting opening that measures 14 ¼ x 8 ¼ inches. Its noise level rating is 4.0 sones.
#5: Best Budget Pick: Delta Breez SLM70 Slim Exhaust Bathroom Fan (70 CFM)
This is an efficient bathroom exhaust fan for homeowners with smaller bathroom spaces. Even though its CFM is 70, you can rest assured that this Delta fan will exhaust a lot of air out of your bathroom. Furthermore, it’s a great option for people who want to do a DIY installation.
In regards to noise levels, the fan has a rating of 2.0 sones. Due to these low noise levels, Delta designed the fan with an indicator to help users know when the fan is on and running. It also comes with an Energy Certified DC motor. You can mount the fan on the ceiling or on the wall. Its frame is constructed with galvanized steel that doesn’t corrode. In addition, you get a 3-year warranty for buying this inexpensive bathroom fan. Its duct diameter measures three inches and 7.5 sq inches mounting opening.
#6: Best for Small Bathrooms: Panasonic FV-08VQ5 Whisper Ceiling Bathroom Fan (80 CFM)
This is another great bathroom fan from Panasonic. Clearly, this is an indicator that Panasonic is a leader in this industry. Panasonic fans tend to be more efficient and durable compared to other brands.
This particular bathroom exhaust fan is designed to reduce moisture buildup in smaller bathrooms. Any bathroom that measures 800 cubic feet or less is a perfect space for this bathroom fan.
Just like the aforementioned Panasonic bathroom fan, this is another quiet ‘WhisperCeiling’ product. Its sound measures 0.3 sones. It’s an Energy Star compliant fan, which means that it’s very efficient. It’s also a UL-listed product verified by HVI.
You can hook this bathroom fan to a 3-inch duct using its adapter because it comes with a Flex-Z fast installation system. Due to its lubricated motor and lower operating temperature capability, the bathroom fan lasts for many years.
The fan comes with a 3-year warranty and its duct diameter measures four inches and 10.5 sq inches mounting opening.
#7: Best for Entertainment: Broan SPK110 Sensonic Speaker Fan with Wireless Technology (110 CFM)
This particular fan is designed to help you relax and feel comfortable while taking a bath. The Broan model comes with in-built Bluetooth speakers for streaming your favorite music playlist while taking a long shower. Imagine washing up and getting ready for work while listening to your favorite songs in the bathroom!
The fan is designed for a bathroom of around 105 sq ft. or less. Furthermore, with a low noise level of 1.0 sones, you won’t experience any background noise that can interfere with your music. The fan is capable of removing air from your bathroom at a CFM of 110 with its powerful blower wheel.
In addition, it’s an energy-efficient exhaust fan with a lubricated motor. This also means that the fan will last longer compared to some of the bathroom exhaust fans in this size range. Its duct diameter measures four inches and 11 ½ x 10 ¼ inches of mounting opening. The product comes with a 3-year warranty.
#8: Best for Dimmable Lights: Delta Breez Green-Builder GBR80LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan/Dimmable LED Light (80 CFM)
This is another luxurious bathroom element from Delta that is designed to make your home greener. Its 850-lumens LED light fixture is fully dimmable. So, if you’re looking for a bathroom fan that you can use over your tub stall or shower, this is the perfect product. It’ll also complement the existing lighting fixtures in your bathroom, especially if your lighting is not sufficient.
This is an energy-efficient bathroom fan that’ll help you save up to 80% on electricity. Aside from being an Energy compliant product, it’s reasonably quiet at 0.4 sones. Since it’s constructed from galvanized steel that doesn’t corrode, the bathroom fan is capable of holding up and performing optimally for several years. Furthermore, its DC brushless motor makes it a very efficient product. The fan has a humidity sensor that detects when the humidity levels exceed acceptable ranges and automatically turns it on.
The manufacturer backs this model with a 3-year warranty. This is one of the few bathroom fans on the market with a lighting system, and its duct diameter measures four inches and an 8.5 sq inches mounting opening.
#9: Best for Durability: Panasonic FV-11VQ5 Whisper Ceiling Bathroom Fan (110 CFM)
Panasonic has designed different types of ‘Whisper Ceiling’ bathroom exhaust fans that are very efficient. The quietest Panasonic bathroom exhaust fan comes with a noise level rating of 0.3 sones. Although this fan is extremely quiet, Panasonic has not sacrificed anything in terms of performance.
It has a whopping 110 CFM rate for moving air and its motor is Energy Star certified. This means that the fan is powerful enough to sufficiently remove moisture and steam in a medium-sized bathroom.
You can hook it up to a 4 or 6-inch exhaust duct with ease using its unique duct adapter. Cleaning the fan is also very easy because it comes with a torsion spring grille and CFCI branch circuit. Installing the fan and lining it up perfectly with its double hanger positioning assembly is very easy.
Since its operating temperatures are very low, the fan has a potential of lasting for several years. Furthermore, Panasonic offers you a 3-year warranty. Its duct diameter is either four or six inches while the mounting opening is 10.5 sq inches.
#10: Best for Bathroom Heating: Delta Breez Radiance RAD80L Bathroom Exhaust Fan/CFL Light and Heater (80 CFM)
Heating your bathroom or simply making it warm during winter can be challenging. It becomes even tougher when your bathroom has tiled walls and floors. But, with this particular Delta bathroom exhaust fan that comes with a heater and light setup, you can solve this problem. With an in-built heating element of 1300-watts, your bathroom will stay warm during colder months.
In addition, the fan has a thermostat for regulating temperatures in your bathroom to ensure the levels are even. Its low noise emission level of 1.5 sones makes it a perfect product for people who hate the noise that some older bathroom fan models emit.
It also comes with a durable DC brushless motor. The fan is more efficient than most of the AC motors on the market. It’s constructed with galvanized steel that doesn’t corrode. Delta offers you a 3-year warranty on this product. The fan’s duct diameter is four inches and the mounting opening measures 14 3/8 x 8 ¼ inches.
Our Top 3 Picks of The Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan with humidity sensor
Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ceiling Mounted Fan (290 CFM)
This is our bathroom exhaust fan top pick. The Panasonic fan is so quiet to an extent that you might not even know whether it’s on and working. It features an enclosed condenser motor and a sizeable blower for removing air quietly. Its ability to exhaust a large amount of air at very low RPMs is what makes the fan more popular than the other brands on this list.
Akicon Ultra Quiet Ventilation Fan (90 CFM)
This is a standard-sized bathroom exhaust fan that works best in small bathrooms. With a noise level of 0.8 sones, this is an extremely quiet fan. So, if you simply don’t like bathroom fans because of the noise they emit, then you should consider trying the Akicon Ultra Quiet 90CFM Ventilation Fan. It comes with a LED bulb that will complement the existing lighting fixtures of your bathroom.
Panasonic FV-08VQ5 WhisperCeiling Bathroom Fan (80 CFM)
This is an ideal bathroom exhaust fan for both new and remodeling projects. Although it’s reasonably quiet, it is very powerful. It lasts long because it has very low operating temperatures and a lubricated motor. Additionally, it has a great potential of reducing moisture and humidity buildup in small and medium-sized bathrooms.
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Typically, there are three styles of bathroom exhaust fans, namely remote, wall-mounted, and ceiling-mounted. Remote or inline bathroom exhaust fans come with a fan unit that is often located in the attic. The fan is connected to an opening in the bathroom’s ceiling through ductwork that you can cover with a grill. Remote fans are best suited for large bathrooms or when a homeowner is venting multiple bathrooms.
Wall-mounted bathroom exhaust fans are best for first-floor bathrooms where there is no space for venting through the roof. Ceiling-mounted exhaust fans, on the other hand, vent into the attic when installed in the attic. Overall, here are the features to pay attention to when shopping for the best bathroom exhaust fan:
CFM
A bathroom exhaust prevents paint damage and the growth of mildew and mold by reducing moisture or humidity buildup. According to the Home Ventilating Institute, a bathroom should have a ventilation system that is capable of changing indoor air at least eight times an hour. The HVI institute suggests that for every square foot of space in your bathroom, you should provide at least one cubic foot per minute (CFM) of ventilation.
For instance, if your bathroom measures 10 ft. by 6 ft., you have 60 sq ft. and your bathroom exhaust fan should, therefore, have a rating of around 60 CFM. However, if you have a larger bathroom that is more than 100 sq ft., you should consider 50 CFM for each shower, bathtub, and toilet.
Noise Level
Bathroom exhaust fans sound like engines when working properly. Definitely, no one wants to have a noisy bathroom! When shopping for the right bathrooms exhaust fan, you need to consider choosing a quitter bathroom exhaust fan model. Fans are rated in terms of sones. A sone, is basically how sound is measured in regards to how an average listener responds to the sound.
For instance, one sone is roughly equal to how an average listener hears the sound of a quiet refrigerator model in a very quiet environment. Therefore, two sones may double that level of sound, and so on. The best bathroom fans have a sone rating of less than two. Steer clear of exhaust fans with sone ratings of more than three.
In other words, the sound level of your fan should be at a level that you can tolerate for around 15 minutes, which is approximately the duration it takes to remove steam and moisture.
Louder fans are suitable for powder rooms where you need to dampen noises from the sink or macerating toilet. Otherwise, don’t fear paying a premium price for a reasonably quiet bathroom exhaust fan.
Features
It’s easy and more convenient to operate bathroom fans with the right features. Some of the most crucial features to look out for include:
- Controls: The best bathroom fan has multiple functions that are designed with separate controls for each of its functions. However, some bathroom exhaust fans give you the option of using all the controls. For more convenience, you should choose a bathroom fan that comes with a separate wall switch.
- Integrated Lighting: The best bathroom fans come with integrated lights that’ll help supplement the lighting fixtures in your bathroom or even replace them. Some models feature night lights that can illuminate your bathroom with soft lighting at night.
- Heaters: Homeowners in cold climates should consider buying bathroom fans with in-built heaters to add warmth to their bathrooms and make them more comfortable.
- Motion and Humidity Sensors: In order to conserve energy and improve the efficiency of your bathroom, you need to consider a bathroom fan model with motion sensors and humidity sensors. A bathroom fan with a motion sensor is capable of detecting when someone enters the bathroom and turning on the light or the fan itself. With a humidity sensor, your bathroom exhaust fan will turn on and off depending on the humidity levels of your bathroom.
Efficiency
It’s very important to evaluate the efficiency of any home appliance, including a bathroom exhaust fan before you purchase it. Thankfully, today’s bathroom fans are designed to perform efficiently. A bathroom fan with an Energy Star of around 70% is more efficient than traditional Energy Star fans.
Buying an efficient bathroom fan will help you save some money on your overall energy costs. Ensure that the bathroom fan meets low wattage consumption and sound emission when performing under static pressure. Investing in a fan with motion and humidity sensors is one way of ensuring that your bathroom fan only runs when needed. Fans that are designed with a humidistat are often more efficient.
Size
In order to ensure that you get the perfect ventilation for your bathroom, you need to invest in the right bathroom fan size. Bathroom fans are rated and sized in terms of CFMs. Smaller bathrooms require fans that generate lower CFMs while more powerful bathroom fans are ideal for larger bathrooms because they generate higher CFMs. This is the guideline or formula that HVI recommends for sizing bathroom exhaust fans.
Here is a video guide to help you understand how the CFM measurements by HIV recommendations work. From the video, you’ll get a clearer understanding of how to know the right type of bathroom exhaust fan to purchase for your bathroom. The video will also give you an idea of how to differentiate bathroom fan noise levels measured in sones.
Installation
While most bathroom exhaust fans are installed in ceilings, there are several other models that can be installed in walls. There are certain models that you can connect to your ductwork using an integrated duct adapter. The bathroom fan should be installed in such a manner that it vents air outside the home through the soffit and ductwork, not the attic.
Venting air into the attic doesn’t solve the humidity and moisture problems in your home because the warm air is transferred to other areas. Therefore, when choosing the best bathroom exhaust fans for your bathroom, you need to decide where it’ll be installed (wall or ceiling).
The duct adapter size is another major factor to consider. The available space in your bathroom and the distance to the duct system also matter a lot when choosing a bathroom exhaust fan.
Other Tips
- Professional Installation: Although installing a new bathroom fan or replacing a damaged one can be a DIY project, it’s advisable to hire a qualified electrician or HVAC technician to install it for you. This improves safety and helps you make the most out of your fan.
- Existing Wiring: For more convenience and easier wiring, install your bathroom fan with integrated light over another light fixture.
- Safety Ratings: Make sure the bathroom fan is safety certified for a particular location, especially if you want to install it over a tub stall. In order to save some quick bucks out of your bathroom exhaust fan, you need to select an Energy Star fan with a motion and humidity sensor.
Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan FAQs
How do identify the best bathroom fan CFM?
A majority of bathroom fans have a CFM rating of between 50 and 110. Therefore, if your bathroom is about 50 sq ft. or less, you should consider investing in a bathroom exhaust fan that is designed for small bathrooms, which has a CFM rating of around 50 to 79. But, if your bathroom is large, consider a bathroom exhaust fan that is capable of moving 1 CFM per sq ft. of room.
What is the difference between a bathroom exhaust fan and a fresh air or ventilation fan?
The difference between these two fans lies in their applications. While the bathroom exhaust fan is designed to remove air from your bathroom, the ventilation fan brings in fresh air into your rooms.
Which is the most quiet bathroom fan?
Broan’s QTX, which has a noise level of 0.3 sones, is considered to be the quietest bathroom fan on the market.
What is the right CFM for a 12×12 bathroom?
Under normal operating conditions, you should multiply 10 tons by 400/ton to get the exact system airflow requirement of 4,000 CFM. You need 1 CFM/ sq ft. of space.
Which is the most popular bathroom exhaust fan brand?
There are several top brands of bathroom exhaust fans on the market. The top brands you should consider include Delta and Panasonic.
Final Verdict
A comfortable bathroom that promotes long luxurious showers can make your bathing experience feel like a spa retreat. But, without the right bathroom fans, the humidity and steam that comes with these warm shower heads can wreak havoc on the quality of air in your bathroom. In other words, a bathroom exhaust fan reduces the steam, improves airflow, and exhausts excess moisture outdoors. In the long run, the fans help prevent the growth of mold and mildew and maintain perfect air quality, making your bathroom more comfortable.