Having your home clean and smelling fresh at all times is essential – which is why the Best Wall Mounted Exhaust Fans for Bathrooms are needed. If moisture keeps building up in your bathroom, you will eventually deal with mold. Moreover, the smells that occasionally appear when someone uses the bathroom need to go as well.
With that in mind, you need to pick a wall mounted exhaust fan that you know for certain will properly ventilate your bathroom. There are various models to go for, and your choice depends on the size of the bathroom and your personal preferences. This article should help you find a suitable product.
Bathroom Exhaust Fans Comparison Table
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
But first, let’s fin out at why you need a wall mounted exhaust fan for bathroom.
Benefits of Wall Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Exhaust fans are present in pretty much every bathroom, and wall-mounted options are certainly among the most popular ones. Here are some benefits of exhaust fans that you will certainly not want to brush over.
1. They take the moisture out from your bathroom
The bathroom is the room that gathers the most moisture – especially when you take a bath or shower. If that moisture is not eliminated, it can lead to the growth of mold and mildew – something which you need to avoid.
2. They are easier to install
When you install a ceiling exhaust fan or any other kind of ventilation unit, the chances are that you will have to create an opening through the roof or connect it to your HVAC system. However, with a wall-mounted exhaust fan, all you have to do is to create a hole in the wall and the rest will be easy.
3. They help maintain the temperature through every season
One would say that if you have a window in your bathroom, you can easily crack the window open and allow for the steam and the moisture to go out. Still, during winter, this can be quite uncomfortable, as the bathroom will surely freeze up.
That being said, if you only turn on your wall mounted exhaust fan, you won’t need to open your window as well during the winter. You can keep the warm air in and the cool air out – something that will make you feel more comfortable in your own bathroom during the cold season.
Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan for Bathroom – What to look for
When you buy a wall-mounted exhaust fan, there are several things that you might want to consider, among which are the following aspects:
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Airflow (CFM)
The bigger the airflow, the larger the surface it can ventilate – which is why you should calculate the CFM you need. For example, if you have a 70 CFM unit, it should be more than enough for a small to medium-sized bathroom. However, if your bathroom is bigger, then you might want to invest in a unit with a stronger airflow – for example, 150 CFM or so.
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Design
Design is also one more thing that you need to keep in mind. For example, if you have just renovated your bathroom and want things to look pretty, then you need to invest in a wall-mounted exhaust fan that is modern and attractive.
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Reversible Blades
Do you only want the humidity to go out, or do you also want to let some air in? If you have no windows in your bathroom, then you might want to consider installing an exhaust fan that has reversible blades. This way, when you set it in reverse, it will bring in fresh air from the outside.
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Ease of Installation
Some exhaust fans require you to work with electrical circuits – which can be slightly more complicated, at least compared to those units that you simply plug in. Plus, some exhaust fans might require some ductwork throughout the wall – which is why you should do a bit of research beforehand. If you are planning to install the unit yourself, don’t go for items that require too much work – otherwise, things might get dangerous.
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Noise Level
How would it feel to take a relaxing bath or shower, only to be deafened by the noise produced by the exhaust fan? Or to go to the bathroom at night, and simply wake up your entire house with the sound of the fan. This is why you need to take a look at the “sone” level. The lower the number, the quieter the fan will be.
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Size
If you have a small bathroom, the last thing you want is to get a huge exhaust fan. Not only will it look unaesthetic, but it can also produce too strong of a breeze, particularly if you go for one with a reversible blade option.
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Durability
How durable is the engine? In most cases, the manufacturer should tell you exactly how many hours it can run. The more hours it has on board, the better. The average unit can run for about 10,000 hours, but other more qualitative units can easily go way over that.
Best Wall Mounted Exhaust Fans for Bathrooms (Updated List)
Wall mounted exhaust fans are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes. Still, based on rating and customer reviews, here are a few models that are quite popular for their efficiency.
1. Hon&Guan 6 Inch Bathroom Wall Mount Exhaust Fan – Best Overall
- 【Modern design】Modern design and good looking, the unit provides continuous and quiet ventilation to allow speedy reduction of humidity levels. Paremeters: Air flow 160 CFM, Power:25w, Voltage: 110v
- 【Durable material】Fan frame and blade are made of high quality durable ABS plastic, makes it high efficiency working and long working life. Effective, extremely quiet ventilation clears humidity and odors quickly
- 【Energy saving】It has reliable low power consumption, power:25W, continuous operation, and the protection class is IP34.
- 【Easy installation】With plug.The fans can be directly mounted into the ventilation shaft also suitable for ceiling mounting, just fix the fan to wall by self-tapping screws. With plug.Front panel dimension:205*205*14mm; Back duct dimension 150*150*125mm
- 【Widely Application】Hon&Guan HGA ventilation Fan can be used for exhaust and supply ventilation systems that require high pressure, hige efficiency airflow and low noise levels such as bathroom, showers, kitchens and other spaces.
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are you looking to renovate your bathroom? In this case, this ventilation exhaust fan with a modern design can certainly kick your bathroom up a notch. With its compact yet efficient design, this unit efficiently reduces the humidity levels in your bathroom, preventing the formation of mold and mildew over time.
The air flow of this unit is a convenient 160 CFM, therefore ensuring that smells and moisture are efficiently taken out from your bathroom. Moreover, at 0.8 sone, the unit is considered to be whisper-quiet – which means that even if you turn it on at odd hours, it will not bother.
The unit is quite easy to install, even if you don’t have previous knowledge with installing this kind of item. All you have to do is follow the instructions. You may mount it on the ceiling or the wall, depending on where your point of ventilation is.
Pros
- Modern and attractive design
- Very quiet operation
- Durable construction
- Very easy to install
- It does not consume too much energy
Cons
- The back flow flaps tend to slap open and closed when it’s windy
2. Broan-NuTone 509 Through-the-Wall Ventilation Fan – Best Budget
- VERSITILE: Ventilation fan eliminates heat, humidity and unwanted smells inside the garage, kitchen, laundry room or rec room
- IN-WALL INSTALLATION: Requires cutting a hole in the wall and wiring to a switch; has a built-in exterior wall cap/vent, so no ducting needed for install; motor assembly offers a fast and easy twist-lock installation
- HIGH QUALITY, EFFICIENT OPERATION: Operates at 200 CFM to efficiently ventilate a one car garage or rooms up to 195 sq. ft.
- FEATURES: Galvanized steel housing for superior protection against the elements; built-in bird screen
- DIMENSIONS: 8" duct; fan housing measures 14.25" x 14.25" x 8" and adjusts to fit walls from 4.5" to 9.5" thick
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for a small wall-mounted ventilation fan that does not have too many bells and whistles and is also affordable, then you may want to try out this option. It’s the standard size for most ventilation openings, meaning that you can easily replace your old model with this one.
The fan may look small, but at 180 CFM, it can efficiently clear out even a large bathroom of moisture and any unwanted smells. Your bathroom will feel fresh, and there will be a lower risk of mold or mildew forming in there.
At 7.5 sones, this unit is not among the quietest bathroom exhaust fans, but since it can quickly clear out a 170 sq. ft. bathroom, the slightly louder noise makes up for it. However, even if you may hear the noise, those living in the same house with you will certainly not hear it. For the price that you pay, you are getting some great quality.
Pros
- Very affordable for those on a budget
- Small and compact
- It is very easy to install
- It can cover a very large bathroom
Cons
- It is quite loud
- It emits a plastic smell in the beginning
3. KAZE APPLIANCE SE90TL2 Bathroom Exhaust – Best for Quiet Operation
- HOUSING SIZE: Ceiling opening size is 11 3/8" x 10 1/2". Resizing your existing ceiling opening will be needed if your current fan housing is smaller.
- SUPER QUIET - Sound level of 0.4-Sones at 90-CFM. Suitable for bathroom size up to 90 square feet.
- LED LIGHT - 11 watt LED light panel. Color temperature: 3000K.
- INSTALLATION - Sliding hanger bars allow fan housing to be positioned accurately anywhere between the framing. The bars span up to 24 inch and can be used on all types of framing.
- DUCTING - Removable 6 inch duct with back draft prevention damper. Includes 4 inch duct adapter.
Last update on 2023-05-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are you looking for an efficient yet affordable option that you may install in your bathroom? In that case, this Kaze appliance is exactly what you need. This unit may be installed on either a wall or a ceiling, depending on where you have your ventilation point.
With its double hanger mounting bars and 4-inch or 6-inch adapter, this unit is quite easy to install. In most cases, as long as you already have the hole for the exhaust fan in place, installing it should be easily done without any help. However, since it is larger than your average exhaust fan, you may still need some help to put it up.
This ventilation fan also has a smooth night light. Therefore, if you want to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, the light should not bother your housemates in any way. Plus, the unit is very quiet – which means that if you turn it on, none of the people living with you will be able to hear it.
Pros
- Affordable for the features
- Very silent operation
- Great airflow for medium-sized bathrooms
Cons
- Rather bulky and difficult to install by yourself
4. Panasonic FV-08WQ1 WhisperWall Wall Mounted Fan – Best Installation
- UL listed for through-the-wall application
- Includes 10-inch galvanized sleeve and steel exterior hood
- UL listed for tub/shower enclosure when GFCI protected
- This Panasonic wall mounted ventilating fan uses a propeller fan driven by a capacitor motor. The motor is designed for extended service life with reduced energy consumption. It also incorporates a thermal-cutoff device for safety. The grille is easily detachable from the main unit .An exterior hood with a back-draft damper is included
- Can be used to comply with ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, IAP, California Title 24, and WA Ventilation Code
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sometimes, installing a ventilation fan in your bathroom can be rather difficult – particularly when you cannot go through the roof and your only option is ventilating through the wall. However, since this unit comes with adaptors for various thicknesses of walls, it should be quite straightforward to install.
Even though this exhaust fan may easily ventilate a medium to large-sized bathroom very quickly, it is still very quiet. You may also select various speeds, depending on the level of humidity or the smells occurring in your bathroom.
This exhaust fan with led light is perfect for the cold season as well. The exterior flap does not permit for the cold air to get into your bathroom – ensuring that no energy is lost while you are ventilating the humidity out. The design itself is quite attractive, which means it should fit in any modern bathroom.
Pros
- Very quiet operation
- It can quickly ventilate a bathroom
- The instructions are extremely clear
Cons
- Windy days cause the exterior flap to be very noisy
- You might need a professional to connect it to the energy source
5. SAILFLO Wall-Mounted Reversible Exhaust Fan – Best for Versatility
- ★Large Airflow -- Exhaust 300m³/h(176 CFM), air intake 180m³/h, fast speed and the thick vanes make it more stable.
- ★Can Exhaust In Reverse -- It is a 2-way linkage type ventilation fan.In addition to exhausting smoke, it can eliminate sweltering hot air masses, and inhale cool nature wind to achieve ventilation.
- ★Durable -- High-quality wear-resistant sleeve bearing motor, which can continually work for 9,000 hours, quiet and stable.
- ★Overheat Protection Easy Operation - with overheat protector, efficient temperature fuse, safer to useThe first pull, the fan runs and exhausts outward. The second pull, the fan reversely runs, and the air is inward. The third pull, the ventilation fan stops running and the louver will close.
- ★Easy To Install -- Applied to vents, kitchen, bathroom, shopping mall, bedroom, living room, it comes with 33 inch power cord with plug.The detachable panel make it easy to install and clean.
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In most cases, exhaust fans simply take the air inside the bathroom and shoot it outside from the fan. This will leave your bathroom odor-free and moist-free – making it perfect for moments when you just used the bathroom.
That being said, unlike other fans, the blades of this one are reversible. This means that instead of making the air go out, you allow it to come in. This makes it perfect for bathrooms that do not have a window, but still want to allow for fresh air from the outside come into the bathroom.
This exhaust fan is quite heavy-duty, and its high-quality wear-resistant motor can work for as long as 9,000 hours. Ass the same time, it is quiet and stable, making it the perfect choice for people that have a lot of midnight bathroom trips.
Pros
- Reversible blades that allow for full ventilation
- Very easy to install and maintain
- Quiet and efficient operation
Cons
- It is quite big and not suitable for small bathrooms
6. DELTA ELECTRONICS BreezSlim Exhaust Bath Fan – Best Energy Saver
- PERFORMANCE: DC motor fan is tested to run continuously for 70, 000 hours (8 years)
- LOW NOISE: Shower in peace with a noise level of 2. 0 sones
- EFFICIENT: Energy savings of up to 85% makes it easy on your wallet
- RETROFIT-READY: Slim profile is perfect for retrofit, ceiling or wall-mount installation
- POWERFUL: 70 CFM circulates fresh air up to 70 sq. ft.
Last update on 2023-05-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are you looking for an efficient exhaust fan that you can leave on for longer hours without it taking too much energy? In this case, you might want to give this unit a try. Since it has an Energy Star Certification by EPA, this item saves up to 85% of the energy that you would have otherwise used with a normal exhaust fan.
Featuring 70 CFM airflow, it may easily circulate and freshen up the air from a 70 sq. ft. room. It’s the perfect choice for the average-sized bathroom – but it might also work with a bigger bathroom, provided you leave the fan spinning for long enough. It also has a durable DC motor that can spin for as long as 70,000 hours.
At 2.0 sones, this fan is actually very quiet. You can shower in peace without being bothered by the noise, all while the fan takes away the humidity from the room. It also has a slim profile, working with any type of installation, no matter if you wish to prop it on the wall or the ceiling.
Pros
- Low-profile design
- Energy-saving properties
- Very durable motor
- It is very quiet
Cons
- It is not a great option for bigger bathrooms
Read also: best bathroom heater fan light combo
7. Broan-NuTone 512 Exhaust Fan – Best Design
- VERSATILE FAN: Ventilation fan helps eliminate humidity, tobacco smoke, and cooking odors to keep your house smelling fresh
- EFFICIENT: Operates at 90 CFM and has a 4 Sone rating for an efficient and effective operation in rooms up to 85 sq. ft. every use
- EASY INSTALLATION: Easy to install and/or replace existing product with adjustable housings to fit walls up to 5-1/8" thick
- DECORATIVE: Paintable white polymeric grilles allow you to ensure the fan is cohesive with your existing decor
- FEATURES: Permanently lubricated, thermally protected, plug-in motor and specially designed polymeric fan blade for optimal performance
Last update on 2023-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Do you want a cute exhaust fan that does not take too much space in your bathroom? Well, in that case, you might want to give this one a try. Featuring a simple yet circular design, this exhaust fan is slightly different as compared to other square and bulky units.
Operating at 90 CFM and with the ability to cover 85 sq. ft., this device is perfect for ventilating a small to medium-sized room. Plus, at 3.5 sones, it is quiet, allowing you to take your shower in peace, without being bothered by the noise.
The unit has been permanently lubricated and is thermally protected, ensuring its longevity. The polymeric fan blades were also designed for durability, allowing for optimal performance.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Perfect airflow for small to medium-sized bathrooms
- It is very easy to install
Cons
- It is very noisy when set on full speed
How to Install Wall-Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fans
A bathroom fan is quite easy to install. The first thing that you’ll want to do is create the hole through the wall if you do not have it already. Attach the fan to the wall, and then connect it to the main electricity source. Depending on the type of fan that you get, you might want to consider getting an electrician. If not, simply plug the unit in.
FAQs
1. Will my bathroom get cold during winter if I use a wall-mounted exhaust fan?
Most bathroom exhaust fans have a flap on the exterior wall that will prevent the cold air from getting into your bathroom. That being said, if you remove the fan, there is a high chance that your bathroom will get slightly colder.
2. How often should I clean and maintain my bathroom exhaust fan?
Cleaning your bathroom exhaust fan is something you need to do at least every year. Without this process, you risk mold forming and dirt entering the unit – something that is certainly not very good for your health.
Wrap Up
The best wall mounted exhaust fan is something that every bathroom needs. It should help you maintain proper humidity levels, preventing the mold from forming and allowing the air to remain fresh.
That being said, you need to keep in mind that every bathroom might require a different wall-mounted unit, so make sure that you choose accordingly. Ease of installation and CFM are two important factors, but you should also keep in mind the other aspects mentioned above. Hopefully, this article helped you find the perfect unit for your needs.
