When looking for the best quiet bathroom exhaust fan, we hold quietness and other factors as priorities. After testing and comparing the top 15 models for this update, our team finally has got these six options. Scroll down to read more!
Here are the best quiet bathroom exhaust fans you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Continuous Operation: Broan-NuTone QTXE080
- Best For Small Bathrooms: Homewerks 7140-50
- Best For Large Bathrooms: Panasonic FV-1115VK2
- Easy To Install: KAZE APPLIANCE QTX110HL
- Multi-Functional: Broan-Nutone QTX110HL
- Energy-Efficient: Tech Drive Bathroom Fan
| 6 Best Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fans | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Continuous Operation | Broan-NuTone QTXE080 | |
Best For Small Bathrooms | Homewerks 7140-50 | |
Best For Large Bathrooms | Panasonic FV-1115VK2 | |
Easy To Install | KAZE APPLIANCE QTX110HL | |
Multi-Functional | Broan-Nutone QTX110HL | |
Energy-Efficient | Tech Drive Bathroom Fan | |
Best For Continuous Operation: Broan-NuTone QTXE080
- The motor designed for continuous working with safety
- Energy-efficient – Energy Star certified construction
- The duct is made of cheap plastic
The powerful Broan-NuTone QTXE080 has routinely clobbered every other exhaust fan that we have tested, and many members of our team have been reassured to keep this model turning on 24/7 with no fear about the increase in their energy bills.
Here are the two reasons why: Energy Star qualified construction and the motor – which is specifically designed for constant operation with safety.
With 80 CFM capacity, it is capable of circulating humid air in a bathroom sizing under or equal to 75 square feet.
| Broan-NuTone QTXE080 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 11.38 x 7.63 x 10.5 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 80 CFM |
Sones Rating | 0.3 |
Recommended Room Size | up to 75 sq. ft. |
Highlight Features | The motor designed for constant working with safety Energy Star certified construction |
If you are looking for an exhaust fan engineered for continuous operation, there’s no reason to not pick the Broan-NuTone QTXE080
Best For Small Bathrooms: Homewerks 7140-50
- Suitable for small bathrooms – 50 CFM capacity
- Corrosion-resistant & easy to clean - a strong galvanized housing
- Prevention of heat or cool air losses – a damper
- The instructions could be better
- A bit tricky to install - The discharge is on the left side of the fan
For bathrooms smaller than or equal to 50 square feet of size, the Homewerks 7140-50 is the quietest model at the most affordable price in the market. It is capable of removing unpleasant odors, excess humidity, and moisture while running whisper-quiet at 28 decibels.
This exhaust fan has a strong galvanized housing that can resist corrosion and is easy to clean.
But our most favorite feature is the damper that closes when the fan turns off and opens when it’s on, preventing cooling/heating losses in the room.
| Homewerks 7140-50 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 12.6 x 10.43 x 7.48 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 50 CFM |
Sones Rating | 1.0 |
Recommended Room Size | up to 50 square feet |
Highlight Features | 50 CFM capacity a strong galvanized housing |
Providing 50 CFM of maximum airflow at an insanely affordable price, the Homewerks 7140-50 is the best budget option for small bathrooms.
Best For Large Bathrooms: Panasonic FV-1115VK2
- Ideal for large rooms – the ECM-motored design
- Allowing you to choose the desired airflow - The Built-in Pick-A-Flow Airflow Selector
- Expensive
The Panasonic FV-1115VK2 is the sole model that has the perfect balance of power and quietness that we’ve found.
After reinvented by the manufacturer, the ventilation power of this fan is up to 150 CFM, meaning that it is strong enough to remove unhealthy air and moisture in a large bathroom up to 150 square feet.
But at a time, its Sones rating is under 0.3 – a lot less than traditional exhaust fans. That’s a big thank you to the exclusive ECM motor!
Another interesting feature of this fan is the capability of choosing your desired airflow (among three available options: 110 CFM, 130 CFM, and 150 CFM) through just a switch of a button.
| Panasonic FV-1115VK2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 13 x 13 x 7.38 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 150 CFM |
Sones Rating | <0.3 |
Recommended Room Size | 150 square feet |
Highlight Features | the ECM-motored design The Built-in Pick-A-Flow Airflow Selector |
For large bathrooms, you will find no other exhaust fans that are as powerful as the Panasonic FV-1115VK2 in the market.
Easy To Install: KAZE APPLIANCE QTX110HL
- Able to fit accurately all framing types - The extendable sliding hanger bars
- Adding extra illumination to the room - the 3000K LED light panel
- Dependable - the manufacturer’s three-year warranty
- The night light is too bright
We like this exhaust fan because it’s backed by the manufacturer’s three-year warranty, so you know that you won’t get wrong with the purchase. In the market, you hardly find anywhere that provides such a good after-sale policy.
The extendable sliding hanger bars included in the package also make the fan standout. They are versatile enough to fit accurately all framing types.
Besides, we appreciate the 3000K LED light panel to save up your bathroom ceiling area as well as making the whole space more aesthetic.
| KAZE APPLIANCE QTX110HL Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 11.38 x 10.5 x 7.63 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 120 CFM |
Sones Rating | 0.3 |
Recommended Room Size | 120 square feet |
Highlight Features | The extendable sliding hanger bars the 3000K LED light panel the manufacturer’s three-year warranty |
Check out the KAZE APPLIANCE QTX110HL if you are in need of a quiet and easy-to-install exhaust fan for bathrooms up to 120 square feet
Multi-Functional: Broan-Nutone QTX110HL
- Providing task lighting and night lighting – two 60W incandescent bulbs and a 7W bulb
- Able to heat up the room – a 1500W heater with the exclusive Power Heat technology
- Bulbs aren’t included
This exhaust fan from Broan-Nutone is not only able to do well at its primary function – humidity removal – but also can heat up your bathroom, provide task lighting, and work as a night light.
The heater runs quietly and is made with the exclusive Power Heat technology for the highest heating capacity. It’s also built to last.
The two 60W incandescent bulbs are very bright while the 7W night light gives off a very gentle glow. We just wish that they were LED bulbs for energy efficiency but for the price, this multifunctional exhaust fan is too-good-to-be-true.
| Broan-Nutone QTX110HL Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 11.38 x 7.63 x 17.63 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 110 CFM |
Sones Rating | 0.9 |
Recommended Room Size | 100 square feet |
Highlight Features | two 60W incandescent bulbs and a 7W bulb a 1500W heater with the exclusive Power Heat technology |
If you want to make the most of your exhaust fan, then we highly recommend the multifunctional Broan-Nutone QTX110HL
Energy-Efficient: Tech Drive Bathroom Fan
- Energy-efficient - Energy Star qualified construction & a DC motor
- Safety – the 7-second delay protection function
- Aesthetic - low-profile white cover
- No complaint
This exhaust fan from Tech Drive is as powerful as the Homewerks 7140-50 above, but more protective and energy-efficient. The unit emphasizes a DC motor and the whole construction is Energy Star qualified, so its total electricity consumption is only 7W.
When the fan starts to run, it will automatically delay 7 seconds for safety
Many testers of our team also love its low-profile white cover, which looks so beautiful and versatile enough to match any bathroom décor.
Lastly, the no-cut housing design makes installation simpler and easier.
| Tech Drive Bathroom Fan Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 8.7 x 8.7 x 4.5 inches |
Air Flow Capacity | 50 CFM |
Sones Rating | 1.0 |
Recommended Room Size | up to 50 Sq. Ft. |
Highlight Features | Energy Star qualified construction a DC motor the 7-second delay protection function |
If energy efficiency is important to you and you’re looking for an exhaust fan for small bathrooms, then we find the Tech Drive Bathroom Fan is your best bet.
How To Choose The Best Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Noise Level
The noise level of a bathroom exhaust fan is measured in sones, not decibels:
- 0.5 sones equal to the sound of rustling leaves
- sones equal to a refrigerator noise
- sones equal to the typical office noise
- sones equal to the typical TV operation noise
Air Flow Capacity
The airflow capacity of the exhaust fan shows you the total air quantity that the device can move every minute of working and is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Exhaust fans that produce lower CFMs are suitable for smaller bathrooms, and vice versa. To size a bathroom fan, follow this guideline recommended by HVI (stands for The Home Ventilating Institute):
Length x Width x Height x 0.13 = Suggest CFM
Efficiency Per Sone Rating
Just looking at the airflow capacity or noise level can’t give you the best view of a bathroom exhaust fan’s value. Instead, dividing sones by CFMs is a better way to evaluate the data.
A basic rule of thumb is the lower the number, the better.
Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is another important element when you purchase any powered home appliance.
The more energy efficient the bathroom exhaust fan, the more economical. One of the easiest ways to choose a reliable energy-efficient bathroom exhaust fan is to look at the Energy Star label. They are proven to operate 70% less energy than conventional models.
Still, many non-Energy Star models are very efficient but you’ll have to spend more time and effort to inspect whether they meet qualifications for power, wattage consumption, and noise level.
Which Brands Make The Best Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Broan-NuTone
Broan-NuTone is the world's leading brand in indoor air quality solutions and ventilation products, all of which are supported by award winning client service. Moreover, they meet the requirements of three big green building programs: NAHB, USGBC, and ENERGY STAR®
Homewerks
One of the pioneers in creating meaningful advancements in HVAC, Plumbing, and so on to provide the best home improvement products certified to all industry standards to worldwide customers.
All of Homewerks products are tested rigorously for quality, so you are reassured of your purchase.
Panasonic
One of the world's biggest Japanese multinational conglomerate companies in the late 20th century. Founded in 1918, Panasonic Corporation has provided vase products and professional services regarding home renovation, rechargeable batteries, etc.
FAQs
Can you use a regular fan as an exhaust fan?
Yes, you can. You can use a regular fan as an exhaust fan – especially if you’re dealing with cigar smoke or a small kitchen mishap - as long as it is pointed in the right direction.
Can an exhaust fan cool a room?
Yes, it can. Exhaust fans can quickly remove excess moisture, steam, and hot air caused by showering or cooking activities from a room, making it cooler.
Do exhaust fans help with ventilation?
Yes, they do. When installed high up, exhaust fans can help ventilate the air in a room.
Does an exhaust fan have to vent outside?
Yes, it does. The way exhaust fans work is to transmit hot air from a certain room to outside. From that point, they need venting outside.
Is it bad to leave the exhaust fan on?
Yes, it is. Leaving an exhaust on for a long time can make its motor wear out faster, aside from the steep energy bills and the risk of fire hazards.
Conclusion
To easily find out the best quiet bathroom exhaust fan, you need to consider your comfort noise range and your other priorities, then follow our buying guides.
We also hope the review list above comes in handy for you to make a great selection to keep your bathroom always fresh and welcoming, especially when you have guests.
