I Tested And Reviewed 9 Best Bathroom Exhaust Fan With Light (2023)

I recently purchased this exhaust fan for my closet-turned-bathroom addition, and I must say, I am quite impressed. Despite my initial skepticism, installation was a breeze. Although the fan was slightly smaller than I expected, it fit perfectly and caused no installation headaches. However, it is worth noting that this fan cannot be installed from the room side, requiring access from above.

Once installed, I was pleased to find that the fan operated quietly, especially compared to the previous unit I had. While it is not completely silent, the noise level is reasonable and does not cause any disturbances. Considering its performance, I believe this fan offers good value for the money.

What pleasantly surprised me was that the motor assembly of this fan was the same as my old one. To avoid the hassle of rewiring a new fan, I simply replaced the old motor with the new one in less than five minutes. This quick and easy solution saved me time and effort.

Speaking of the old fan, it lasted an impressive 20 years. Over time, it started to act up, and I found myself disassembling it, cleaning out the dust and dirt, and lubricating it with a silicone spray. This temporary fix extended its lifespan by four months. However, as the wear and tear became more evident, with rust forming on the fan and shaft, I realized the motor would only last another year at most. That's when I started searching for a replacement motor and came across aftermarket options at a lower price. However, I ultimately decided to purchase the entire fan unit, as it was only slightly more expensive than the OEM motor and fan assembly. Plus, it allowed me to change the yellowed cover of the old unit to a fresh white one, giving my bathroom a much-needed update.

In terms of noise level, this fan is consistent with others of its type. It produces a typical fan sound, which is not bothersome. Additionally, the light it provides is good, and I had no trouble with the installation process.

The installation process for this product is reasonably easy, and it sits flush against the ceiling, providing a seamless appearance. It is also worth noting that the fan operates quietly and efficiently, ensuring a comfortable environment. One of the standout features of this product is the ability to change the light colors using the wall switch, which adds versatility and customization options. Contrary to some previous reviews, I did not encounter any issues with the metal spring clips during installation. They were easy to use and performed excellently. This suggests that the manufacturer may have made adjustments based on past feedback. Overall, I highly recommend this fan for its ease of installation, seamless integration into the ceiling, quiet operation, and convenient light color options. It is important to mention that the fan cover comes in white, but it can be painted to match the ceiling, which is a great option for blending it with a wood ceiling. It is also worth mentioning that the installation process can be more time-consuming if the ceiling hole is too large or if the previous fan was not vented to the outside. However, even with these challenges, the fan still works well and provides a quiet operation. One customer mentioned that their 90-year-old husband was able to install it, indicating that it is manageable for individuals of varying ages and skill levels. It is important to note that in some cases, attic installation may be required. One customer mentioned having to create a custom mounting frame to ensure proper installation, which took them over four hours. This suggests that the instructions provided could be improved to make the installation process more straightforward.

I recently installed the Delta Breeze ITG80LED in my water closet, replacing an old Broan unit that was extremely loud. The installation process was straightforward, especially since I had attic access. Wiring and air outlet installation were both easy, and I used Aluminum tape to ensure a good seal at the joints of the air vent.

One of the standout features of this fan is its quiet operation. While it's not completely silent, I can still hear the TV in the next room, which is a significant improvement compared to my previous fan. In fact, it was so quiet that I had to check with a piece of toilet paper to make sure it was working properly. I also appreciated the bright and instantly-on LED light, which provides ample lighting for the water closet.

The quality of construction is excellent. Even the cover is better than the original, as the springs are held in place in a way that is less prone to breaking. The installation video provided by Delta Breeze was helpful, although my installation experience wasn't as smooth as shown.

Some pros of this fan include its quiet operation, the bright and dimmable LED light, and the high-quality components. Considering all these features, it offers great value for the price. So far, I haven't encountered any cons with this product.

A helpful tip for those who may experience slow operation is to clean the blower. In my case, cleaning the blades with a toothbrush and compressed air outside the bathroom helped restore normal functioning.

The previous fan/light in my bathroom was causing me a lot of discomfort due to its yellow light and constant ticking, which aggravated my migraines and ADHD. After about 7 months of use, it even started making knocking noises, which made me reluctant to use it. I purchased this product on July 2nd, and although I'm not an electrician, I had it professionally installed.

I specifically searched for a quiet flush mount ceiling fan with an exhaust, and this one seemed to fit the bill. However, I must say that the fan is no longer as quiet as it used to be. In the future, I will look for a fan/light with separate switches for each function. The knocking noise has made me dislike this light immensely.

On the other hand, we bought this unit to replace our old and noisy NuTone 696N units in one of our bathrooms. We wanted a low-noise, efficient extractor fan with built-in lights, and after researching and reading reviews, we settled on this one. It required a similar cut area on the roof, making it the perfect replacement.

Additionally, the previous extractor had a poorly installed duct port that hindered performance and increased noise. The installation of this new unit was a breeze, and the wiring was clearly labeled, making it easy for us to use 3-way wire connectors.

We noticed a significant reduction in noise with this unit compared to the old one. The original NuTone had a listed noise level of 4 sones, while this one is listed at 1.1 sones for 80CFM. It effectively removes humidity after a hot bath, with our mirrors defogging in just 3 minutes (compared to 10-15 minutes with the old unit). It's worth noting that opening the bathroom door helps to reduce defogging time.

The light emitted by this unit is not as yellowish as the ones installed over the vanity mirror, which is a plus for us. Contrary to other reviews, we didn't find the light to be too strong or too yellow, and we didn't encounter any complications with the wiring. The modern and streamlined design of this unit also complements the bathroom where it was installed.

I recently purchased this bathroom exhaust fan as a replacement for a louder fan that was causing a disturbance in my master bathroom. One of the main factors that attracted me to this particular model was its "SurfaceShield" feature, which helps to kill germs, especially during the ongoing Covid pandemic. After using it for some time, here is my objective review:

Pros:

1. The light on this fan is impressive. It provides just the right amount of illumination during the night, allowing you to navigate the bathroom without the need for bright lights. However, in extremely dark conditions, the light can be a bit intense.

2. The fan operates quietly yet effectively. With three different settings, I found the middle setting to be perfect for my needs. The sound level is around 1 sone, which is not jarring or disruptive.

3. This fan does an excellent job of removing moisture while showering. It performs its primary function efficiently and effectively.

Cons:

1. The price of this fan may be a bit steep, especially if you do not require the SurfaceShield feature. There are other comparable options available at a lower price point.

2. The installation process was challenging for me, mainly due to the existing mounting brackets and previous installation. I would advise considering the installation requirements before purchasing any fan, particularly if it's a replacement for an older unit.

TLDR: Panasonic bathroom ceiling ventilators are highly recommended for their quiet operation, energy efficiency, strong airflow, easy installation, and durability. However, if you need to run the duct for more than 10 feet, it is advisable to consider a slightly more powerful fan that uses a 6" pipe to comply with IRC codes. Panasonic should provide more information about duct length compatibility for their fans, and other companies should follow suit.

Panasonic bathroom ceiling ventilators are the top choice for anyone in need of a reliable and efficient ventilator. With their impressive performance, these fans have gained a solid reputation. I have personally installed four of these fans, and they have consistently delivered excellent results.

One standout feature of Panasonic ventilators is their exceptionally quiet operation. Even when installed without a ceiling or insulation, the fan hardly makes any noise, even at full speed. By adding insulation and sealing the flange, the noise level can be further reduced. With a 5/8" Type C drywall ceiling, it is almost impossible to detect if the fan is running, except by looking at the light.

Speaking of the light, it emits a cool spectrum of pale yellow hue, which cannot be adjusted for color temperature. However, this light is perfectly adequate for most users' needs. It is worth noting that the light can be wired to be dimmable, although I personally did not find it necessary.

One important aspect to consider when choosing a Panasonic ventilator is the duct size. The model under review uses a 4" duct, which limits the maximum duct length to 10 feet according to IRC table M1504.2. Each elbow in the duct counts as 5 feet in equivalent length. If your bathroom is not located near an outside wall, this limitation can be problematic. However, the IRC allows using the equivalent duct length specified by the manufacturer, which unfortunately is not provided in the fan's instructions or manual.

To overcome this limitation, one option is to use a larger diameter duct. While finding 5" vent caps can be challenging, 6" ones are readily available. By switching to a 6" duct and a fan with 110CFM flow, the IRC imposes no limits on the duct length. This provides more flexibility in installation, as you can extend the duct to any desired length. To facilitate this, a 4"-6" adapter can be used.

Alternatively, it may be more practical to opt for a slightly more powerful fan that already requires a 6" duct. According to IRC, even with a 200CFM flow, you can run up to 53 equivalent feet of 6" duct. This approach eliminates the need for additional adapters and offers more freedom in duct length.

While Panasonic is a leading brand in the bathroom ventilator industry, it would be beneficial for them to conduct tests and provide specific information about duct length compatibility for each model. This would allow customers to make informed decisions based on their specific installation requirements. Other companies, including Broan, should also follow suit by providing similar data for their bathroom vent fans and kitchen range hood fans.

I recently redid my bathroom and was worried that the light/fan I purchased would be too big, but it turned out to be the perfect size. Not only does it look amazing, but it is also very quiet, which is a major plus. I found it to be great value for the price.

The unit itself is very nice-looking and the fan does an excellent job of reducing steam in the washroom. Installation was relatively easy, although our builder did not make it easy for us. They failed to install an exhaust fan in any of our washrooms, except for the ones with bathtubs/showers. We wanted to put the fan/light where the single light fixture was, but there was only one lead wire in that location. Additionally, there was a vent pipe right over the rough fixture, which forced us to reroute it in order to fit the box of the ventilation fan. It would be nice if there was an option to install a double switch that could control the fan and light separately, using just one wire. I did find a switch unit that does this, but it doesn't fit the standard wall mount and looks a bit odd. However, it does work efficiently.

One downside is that there is no switching unit sold separately that allows you to control both functions with two switches in the switch box using just one wire. This may not be an issue for everyone, as not all builders make it difficult to fish a second wire without ripping out the drywall. Additionally, one of the glass domes has a defect on it, but I was able to turn it to the backside where it's not easily visible. The other two glass shades are perfect. I also found that 3x 60W lights are too bright for a medium-sized washroom. 3x 40W is more than enough. However, if you find that 1x 60W is not bright enough, you may want to consider buying 3x 20W lights for this unit.

I recently purchased this fan as a replacement for my bathroom fan that stopped working unexpectedly. Overall, I am satisfied with the performance and appearance of the fan. However, there are a few things that potential buyers should be aware of before making a purchase.

Firstly, it is important to note that this fan is larger than most standard bathroom fans. This means that you may need to make adjustments to accommodate its size, such as cutting out a larger hole in the ceiling. In my case, I had to cut the Sheetrock out to fit the fan, which required extra work and time.

Additionally, the duct for this fan is 6" in diameter, which is larger than the typical 4" duct used in most homes. This means you will need to purchase and install a 6" duct to properly connect the fan. I used duct tape to secure the new duct to the exhaust duct outlet and the cutout in the Sheetrock.

In terms of noise, this fan is incredibly quiet. In fact, it is so quiet that I sometimes have trouble telling if it's on or off. This can be a positive feature for those who prefer a quiet bathroom environment.

One issue I encountered during installation was the wiring. The fan did not include a sheathed cable connector for the 1/2" knockout, which is required for code compliance. I had to purchase this separately, which added an additional cost of around $4. Additionally, the wiring already had cable connectors installed, but they were only suitable for separate switches for the light and fan. I had to cut off these connectors in order to wire the fan and light to a single switch.

Installation itself was straightforward and took me about an hour and a half to complete. The fan offers two exhaust fan modes – humidity detection and always on. I have been using the humidity detection mode, and it seems to stay on constantly due to the high humidity in my area (Georgia).

Despite the extra work and adjustments required, I am happy with the appearance and performance of this fan. It looks great once installed, and the operation is efficient. However, if I had known about its larger size beforehand, I may have opted for a standard size fan to avoid the additional work.

Update: I would like to commend the excellent customer service provided by Orien. They fully refunded the fan and took responsibility for the inaccurate dimensions listed. They even allowed me to donate the unit, which was in perfect working condition, to a local shelter. Although the fan did not fit my needs due to inaccurate depth description, I appreciate Orien's prompt resolution and assistance. If the fan's size is not a concern for you, it appears to be a solid unit worth considering. Just ensure that you have ample room for installation to avoid any inconvenience.

The Super powerful fan is highly effective in eliminating unpleasant odors in the bathroom. It has outperformed the previous fan and has successfully resolved the issue of lingering smells caused by frequent toilet use. Although the previous fan may have been a good one initially, it was no match for the powerful performance of this new fan. The reviewer jokingly mentions the possibility of abusing the fan, but acknowledges that it may not last forever. They also express their hope of improving their eating habits to reduce the need for such a powerful fan.

In another review, the reviewer needed a powerful fan to quickly remove steam from their small studio bathroom. They opted for a 200CFM 2.0 sones fan, which they found to be reasonably noisy but not bothersome. It effectively does the job of removing steam, even though it may be overkill for the size of their bathroom. They also paired it with a quieter fan for the kitchenette area. The installation was easy, and they suggest opting for a quieter fan if ultra-quiet operation is desired.

The next reviewer is impressed with the easy installation process of the fan. They mention that the fan has a higher CFM than their previous one, which is beneficial in pulling steam from the shower area. They are pleasantly surprised by the sound level of the fan, stating that it is not bad at all. Overall, they are happy with their purchase.

Another satisfied customer loves this exhaust fan for its quiet operation. They often forget to turn it off because it is so quiet. Despite its quietness, it effectively moves a lot of air and quickly clears their studio space. The reviewer highly recommends this fan due to its solid metal housing and durability.

Lastly, the reviewer replaced their old noisy bath fans with these BV fans. They find the BV fans to be quieter and much more effective in exhausting the bathrooms. This upgrade has greatly improved the ventilation in their bathrooms.