The bathroom exhaust fan is a must for the ones that don’t have a window for ventilation. Ultimately, the choice of the exhaust fan is based on the specific bathroom, but it’s easy to understand that the larger the room, the more power is required.
So, today, we are here to show you how to find the most powerful bathroom exhaust fan.
Here are the most powerful bathroom exhaust fans you can buy in 2023:
- Easy To Install: Broan-NuTone 508
- Energy-Efficient: Homewerks 7107-03HW
- Ultra-Quiet: BV Ultra-Quiet 2.0 Sones Exhaust Fan
- Most Durable: Broan-NuTone L300
- Best For Basement Bathroom: KAZE APPLIANCE Ultra Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- Best For Large Rooms: Broan-Nutone L400
| 6 Most Powerful Bathroom Exhaust Fans | ||
|---|---|---|
Easy To Install | Broan-NuTone 508 | |
Energy-Efficient | Homewerks 7107-03HW | |
Ultra-Quiet | BV Ultra-Quiet 2.0 Sones Exhaust Fan | |
Most Durable | Broan-NuTone L300 | |
Best For Basement Bathroom | KAZE APPLIANCE Ultra Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan | |
Best For Large Rooms | Broan-Nutone L400 | |
Easy To Install: Broan-NuTone 508
- Super-easy to install/replace existing one - the adjustable housings
- Powerful & offer optimal performance – offer 270CFM air flow capacity & specially designed polymeric fan blades
- Run quietly - a 7.0 Sone rating
- If there is a leak, the water can get inside easily as there’s no drip edges
We used to keep thinking that installing a bathroom exhaust fan was something belonging to handymen’s specialization because it seemed to be a complicated task. But the Broan-NuTone 508 came and proved us wrong.
Not only is it super-easy to install, this bathroom exhaust fan can replace existing products like a breeze thanks to the adjustable housings. We would say it fits nicely walls from 5.25" - 10" thick and 4.5" to 9.5" thick.
It works powerfully, offering 270CFM air flow capacity that is suitable for a 240-square-foot bathroom. The best thing is there hardly is a sound made while it’s operating.
| Broan-NuTone 508 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 10 pounds |
Dimension | 14.25 x 4.5 x 14.25 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 270 CFM |
Sones Rating | 6 Sones |
Highlight Features | the adjustable housings offer 270CFM air flow capacity & specially designed polymeric fan blades a 7.0 Sone rating |
Designed with adjustable housings to flexibly fit various wall thickness ranges, the Broan-NuTone 508 becomes the easiest-to-install option in our list
Energy-Efficient: Homewerks 7107-03HW
- Superior energy efficiency – Energy Star symbol
- High-quality, dependable, and safe to use - HVI certified & UL listed
- Super-quiet – the 1.0 Sone rating
- The instructions need improvement
If you are a person with an economical lifestyle and always love to find the most cost-effective way, then this bathroom exhaust fan might make you extremely excited.
It is HVI certified, UL listed, and the best thing is Energy Star – a well-known, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. This is the sole version out of the three sizes of Homewerks 7107-03HW that receives the Energy Star symbol. Also, it’s the most powerful.
This exhaust fan is a perfect choice for bathrooms up to 110 square feet of area.
A big bonus is, regardless of its powerful performance, the fan is 1.0 Sone rated, which is equivalent to the noise level of only 28 decibels.
| Homewerks 7107-03HW Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 13 pounds |
Dimension | 15 x 16.2 x 12.5 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 110 CFM |
Sones Rating | 1.0 Sones |
Highlight Features | Energy Star symbol HVI certified & UL listed the 1.0 Sone rating |
To optimize energy cost as well as to save your monthly electricity bills, the Homewerks 7107-03HW with an emphasis on energy-efficient design is our top suggestion
Ultra-Quiet: BV Ultra-Quiet 2.0 Sones Exhaust Fan
- Strong suction power – 200 CFM airflow capacity
- Quiet operation – the 2.0-sone rating & the Silent-Clever Technology
- Performance and quality assurance - UL approved, HVI 2100-certified, and the one-year limited product warranty
- Too basic instructions
- The motor would fit better in the housing
In the segment of exhaust fans for a 200-square-foot bathroom, this model dominates the field of contenders. While offering strong suction power, it runs very quietly, all thanks to Silent-Clever Technology.
The exhaust fan, on the other hand, is UL approved and HVI 2100-certified for performance and quality assurance.
If the brand is new to you, don’t worry because your purchase will be under their one-year limited product warranty.
| BV Ultra-Quiet 2.0 Sones Exhaust Fan Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 13 Pounds |
Dimension | 10.5" x 10.5" |
Air Flow Capacity | 200 CFM |
Sones Rating | 2.0 Sones |
Highlight Features | 200 CFM airflow capacity the 2.0-sone rating & the Silent-Clever Technology UL approved, HVI 2100-certified, and the one-year limited product warranty |
The BV Ultra-Quiet 2.0 Sones Exhaust Fan gives you the best of both worlds – quiet operation and powerful performance
Most Durable: Broan-NuTone L300
- Ideal for large bathrooms – the 308CFM airflow capacity
- Durable and heavy-duty – feature an eight-inch round duct connector and the material is 20-gauge galvanized steel
- Effective, quiet, and smooth performance - permanently lubricated motors and single, impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheel
- Extra convenience - fan ducts in-line, vertically, or horizontally with an independent adapter
- No complaint
If you’re ready to spend a few extra bucks in exchange for a more durable and powerful bathroom exhaust fan, then we highly recommend the Broan-NuTone L300.
While offering 308CFM airflow capacity, its housing has been upgraded to be stronger and longer-lasting. It features an eight-inch round duct connector and the material is 20-gauge galvanized steel – a heavy-duty kind of metal.
Another notable thing is its quiet, smooth operation thanks to the permanently lubricated motors and single, impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheel.
To even provide their customers with optimal convenience, Broan-Nutone designed the fan ducts in-line, vertically, or horizontally with an independent adapter.
| Broan-NuTone L300 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 19.46 pounds |
Dimension | 12.25 x 11.75 x 12.25 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 308 CFM |
Sones Rating | 2.9 Sones |
Highlight Features | the 308CFM airflow capacity feature an eight-inch round duct connector and the material is 20-gauge galvanized steel permanently lubricated motors and single, impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheel fan ducts in-line, vertically, or horizontally with an independent adapter |
Looking for a powerful bathroom exhaust fan that can last long? The Broan-NuTone L300 is a durable choice for you
Best For Basement Bathroom: KAZE APPLIANCE Ultra Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan
- Reliable - backed by the manufacturer three-year warranty
- Ideal for medium bathrooms – the 290CFM airflow capacity
- Multifunctional - integrated a 2W LED night light and an 11W LED light featuring 2700K color temperature
- Expensive
This exhaust fan isn’t a cheap one for people on a tight budget, but we assure you it’s worth investing in, especially for the basement bathroom where the humidity is hugely higher than usual.
It offers 290CFM airflow capacity and is backed by the manufacturer’s three-year warranty.
A cool thing is that it’s integrated with a 2W LED night light and an 11W LED light featuring 2700K color temperature. They can be controlled independently or combined due to your preference.
| KAZE APPLIANCE Ultra Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 12.57 pounds |
Dimension | 15.8 x 13.5 x 12 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 290 CFM |
Sones Rating | 4 Sones |
Highlight Features | backed by the manufacturer three-year warranty the 290CFM airflow capacity integrated a 2W LED night light and an 11W LED light featuring 2700K color temperature |
Try the KAZE APPLIANCE Ultra Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan if you’re in need of a powerful exhaust fan for your basement bathroom
Best For Large Rooms: Broan-Nutone L400
- Ideal for over 400-square-foot bathrooms – the 434CFM airflow capacity
- Flexible and easy to mount – can be installed on the wall or in ceiling
- Run quietly and effectively - two impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheels
- A bit pricey
Offering 434CFM airflow, the Broan-Nutone L400 is our top pick for large bathrooms.
In general, it and other siblings share some common features, such as fan duct customization, permanently lubricated motors, and automatic backdraft dampers. It also features two impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheels for optimal performance.
But what sets it apart from others is the quiet operation, and it can be installed either on the wall or in-ceiling due to your needs.
| Broan-Nutone L400 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 23 pounds |
Dimension | 12.25 x 11.75 x 21.5 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 434 CFM |
Sones Rating | 2.3 Sones |
Highlight Features | the 434CFM airflow capacity can be installed on the wall or in ceiling two impact-resistant centrifugal blower wheels |
The Broan-Nutone L400 stands out from the competition for its astonishingly strong suction power, which suits large bathrooms over 400 square feet in area.
How To Choose The Most Powerful Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
CFM Size
When we talk about exhaust fan, we have to talk about ventilation, which involves the CFM value. So, the question here is, how many CFM does your bathroom need? The general rule is 1 CFM per square foot.
First of all, a standard fan is suitable for bathrooms with a maximum size of 100 square feet.
To find the exact fan CFM value you need, just calculate the area of the bathroom by multiplying the length by the width. Keep in mind that the CFM value should be larger than the actual size of the bathroom.
For instance, if your bathroom measures 54 square feet, opt for a 60CFM fan.
For a bathroom exceeding 100 square feet, you need to take the number of fixtures into account. For each toilet, add 50 CFM, for each bathtub, add 50 CFM, for each shower, add 50 CFM, and for each jetted tub, add 100 CFM.
It’s worth noting that if your bathroom consists of smaller, separate spaces, they should have their own exhaust fans.
Noise Level
An exhaust fan can be loud, which is measured in sones. If you want a really quiet fan, look for 0.5-1.2 sones. A fan with 1.5-2 sones is good. And remember to avoid fans that are louder than 4 sones.
Smart Options
Once you have considered the key factors, having smart options is a big plus.
- Motion sensor activation: this means the fan turns on automatically when a person enters the bathroom. The fan speed can also be pre-set corresponding to different tasks like showering and shaving.
- Night light: many models are equipped with low-wattage light that helps you see.
- Overhead lighting: this can be turned on by either a motion sensor or a switch.
- Inbuilt heaters: you can buy a model with infrared heat lamps to make the bathroom warmer.
- Humidity sensing: some fans turn on automatically when sensing a higher level of humidity.
Energy Efficiency
In short, an energy-efficient fan uses 60% less power than a standard one. You can tell how efficient a fan is by looking at its EnergyStar rating.
Mounting Options
When it comes to mounting, there are three options: ceiling, wall, and inline.
A fan mounted on the ceiling vents to the outside through ducts or the roof. This is perfect for getting rid of damp, hot air from the bathroom while the exhaust is barely detectable from the outside.
On the other hand, a wall-mounted fan pulls the air from the bathroom to the outside directly through the wall. It doesn’t require ductwork but is often more visible.
As for inline fans, they are installed either on the wall or the ceiling, but their motors sit between ducts, which remotely pull the air outside. They are extremely quiet.
Which Brands Make The Most Powerful Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Broan-NuTone
This brand specializes in residential ventilation products and has built a good reputation for delivering quality and performance.
Homewerks
If you are a dedicated home builder, this is the go-to brand for you. It’s committed to only making the best products for homes.
BV
For those in the search for a quiet bathroom fan, you must look at this brand. It aims at 100% customer satisfaction through continuous evolution and improvements.
FAQs
Can you oversize a bathroom exhaust fan?
Yes, it’s okay to oversize an exhaust fan for your bathroom.
How many CFM do I need for my bathroom fan?
This relies on the total area of your bathroom, but the general rule is 1 CFM per square foot.
What does 1 sone sound like?
The 1-sone noise level is considered exceptionally quiet for a bathroom fan.
How loud should a bathroom fan be?
A bathroom fan should not be louder than 4 sones, the ideal noise level is between 0.5 and 1.2 sones.
How long should you run the bathroom fan after a shower?
On average, you should let it run for 20 minutes.
Conclusion
We hope that you have read this post thoroughly to have a proper understanding of bathroom exhaust fans. To be able to find the most powerful bathroom exhaust fan, you should take into account all the factors we explained here.
