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BlogOur content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.The Best Exhaust Fans To Bring Clean and Fresh Air Indoors
Last updated: 1 Mar 2024Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: iLIVING Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
- Industrial-Grade Design: Maxx Air Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
- Best Build Quality: iPower Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
- App Controlled: AC Infinity Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
- Most Durable: JPOWER Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
- Speed Controller: VENTISOL Exhaust Fan Shop Now ➔
View all Contents- Buying Guide: Exhaust Fans
- People Also Asked
- Do exhaust fans use extra electricity?
- Which material is best suited for exhaust fans?
- Why do exhaust fans sometimes not work properly?
- Can I leave an exhaust fan switched on the entire night?
- How long does an exhaust fan last?
- Do exhaust fans help fight fungal growth?
- Can I install an exhaust fan directly above the shower?
- Related Reviews
Reviewing the Top Exhaust Fan of 2024
Best Overall
The iLIVING Exhaust Fan is one of the most powerful and efficient temperature-controlled machines to install in your kitchen and bathroom for improved ventilation. It rotates at almost 1650 revolutions per minute, enough to eliminate moisture and musty air in a few seconds. The cubic feet per minute (CFM) of this fan is also extensive; you can install it in a room with an area as wide as 960 square feet and it’ll still be effective. And, thanks to its robust and functional ball-bearing motor, you can enjoy a healthy atmosphere indoors without worrying about costly electric bills.
This exhaust fan can be a long-term investment as it’s made of durable aluminum and steel alloy. The back is covered with a heavy-duty galvanized frame, which further contributes to its durability and longevity. Also, a strong shutter encloses the motor to keep it safe from dust and bugs, maintaining its functionality for extended periods. Besides kitchens and bathrooms, you can also install this fan conveniently in attics, workshops, garages, and more — it can even keep your plants healthy if you install it in your greenhouse. Best of all, it’s permanently lubricated to deliver top-notch performance for several years. Above all, the exceptional motor power and superb build quality of this exhaust fan are why it tops our list.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Functions without making noise
- Built-in thermostat to adjust the temperature
Cons
- A bit pricey
Industrial-Grade Design
If you’re searching for an industrial exhaust fan with robust functionality, the Maxx Air Exhaust Fan can help. Whether it’s a garage, workshop, or greenhouse, you can install it anywhere to keep the air free of contaminants. This fan’s motor is thermally-protected, reducing the overall risks of fire hazards in case of overheating, and it’s also enclosed in a safety grille to keep dust and dirt at bay. Its back side is made of galvanized steel, adding to its sturdiness while keeping the fan rust-free. This fan is also quite easy to install because of its pre-drilled holes, and its edges have rolled flanges for an ergonomic grip during installation.
Say goodbye to odors, contaminants, humidity, and more, thanks to this fan’s excellent ventilation and an automatic shutter that closes completely when you switch off the fan. Even better, its incredibly energy-efficient motor can reduce energy bills, making this exhaust fan an economical purchase. Although this fan is perfectly suitable for industrial use, you can install it in your kitchen or bathroom as well to get rid of moist and stale air in a few seconds.
Pros
- Super energy-efficient
- Economically priced
- Moves a lot of hot air at once
Cons
- Quite loud at full speed
Best Build Quality
The iPower Exhaust Fan is the perfect solution to poor indoor air quality. Its blades rotate at an average speed of 1,620 revolutions per minute, while the wind speed goes up to around 10.5 meters per second. Also, with this fan you don’t need to worry about higher energy bills — it only uses up about 60 watts, so it’s designed with energy efficiency in mind. It also features a 12-inch shutter to prevent mosquitoes from entering, and the outer cover tightly closes the fan so no external particles can go through it.
Meanwhile, the durable, corrosion-resistant aluminum construction offers excellent value for your money, ensuring that this fan will last you a long time. Besides being useful domestically, this fan is also great for cooling the air in garages, greenhouses, or chicken coops. You can use its thermostat to set a custom temperature according to your needs, and the large fan blades ensure quicker airflow, covering areas as wide as 940 CFM. Be it a window opening or a wall, you can install this fan after following an easy tutorial and enjoy better air quality in no time.
Pros
- Strong, functional motor
- Excellent build quality
- Easy-to-use wall mount switch
Cons
- Motor heats up quickly
App Controlled
Are you looking for a modern-day exhaust fan with the latest technology? Your search can end with the AC Infinity Exhaust Fan. You can connect this fan with a mobile app through Bluetooth and keep a close eye on weather-related details, including temperature and humidity levels, and you’re even able to set a consistent minimum speed for your fan. The build quality of this exhaust fan is also top-notch; its aluminum blades are highly durable and deliver high performance, making it suitable for ventilating both domestic and industrial spaces.
Even better, the PWM-controlled motor ensures maximum airflow output without producing extra noise. The sturdiness of this exhaust fan is proven by its ball-bearing motor that can run with adequate power for at least 67,000 hours. And, thanks to high-performance sensors, this fan can detect accurate values from surroundings and adjust its functionality accordingly. Simply put, it’s time to say goodbye to a moist, smelly, and dusty atmosphere and let fresh air enter your space by installing this exhaust fan.
Pros
- IP44-rated weatherproof construction
- Humidity and temperature control sensors
- Operates relatively quietly
Cons
- Doesn’t work below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Most Durable
The JPOWER Exhaust Fan managed to grab a spot in our top picks due to its high-speed functionality for indoor and outdoor use. If you’re looking for equipment to ventilate a large room, then this fan can help. This exhaust fan can cover an area of up to 1,800 CFM, making it a perfect choice for your shop, attic, or greenhouse. Meanwhile, its top-notch cooling and ventilating power turn this fan into the perfect alternative to your AC unit.
If you’re comfortable around technical products, installation shouldn’t be too difficult; with the help of a simple tutorial and a color-coded wiring system, the entire process is made much more manageable. Although this is a wall-mount fan, you can also place it in a window opening according to your convenience. Additionally, the aluminum blades and shutter speak volumes for this product’s durability; they keep surface-damaging rust at bay, ensuring your exhaust fan lasts longer.
Pros
- Features rustproof wire guards
- High-quality metal construction
- Produces little noise
- Excellent airflow rate
Cons
- Instruction manual could be better
- Vibrates a bit while running
Speed Controller
The VENTISOL Exhaust Fan is a variable-speed fan with an easy-to-use controller to adjust the fan’s speed according to your comfort. Rotating the knob on the remote can control the pace from high to low accordingly. This fan can benefit you equally well regardless of its installation area, whether it’s your kitchen, workshop, or other similar indoor and outdoor spaces. In fact, thanks to its excellent airflow, it’s even perfect to use in greenhouses. An already durable galvanized steel frame is black powder-coated for added sturdiness, meaning you’ll be able to use this fan for a long time.
This fan’s shutter can shut off automatically when the fan is not in action to prevent the assembly from snow, rain, and bugs. The motor is enclosed and protected from external particles, making sure it’ll last longer. Additionally, it’s highly efficient and easily ventilates an area of 1,450 square feet using 55 watts. At the same time, there are no compromises on its ventilation power, as it quickly pulls in cool air by pushing heat outside when the temperature is at its peak.
Pros
- Delivers powerful performance
- Good value for the price
- Quiet and sturdy construction
Cons
- Might not work in high humidity
Buying Guide: Exhaust Fans
What to Look For in Exhaust Fans
Cubic feet per minute
Considering a unit’s cubic feet per minute, which is the measure of airflow per minute, will help you buy the right exhaust fan size. One CFM is equal to one square foot of the room; so, if your bathroom or kitchen area is 150 square feet, you should buy an exhaust fan with 150 CFM.
Sones
A sone is the measure of the sound output of the fan. The lower the sones, the less noise your exhaust fan will make. In this scenario, buying fans rated with 1.0 or lesser sones is ideal as you don’t want to hear annoying machine sounds while using yours.
Duct size
While buying any type of exhaust fan, you need to look for one with an appropriate duct size. This is essential, as the fan won’t be able to perform effectively with poor ducting. Besides length, the diameter of the duct opening is also important to ensure that it fits correctly.
Additional features
You can buy exhausts that have different features to make spending your money more worth it. For example, you won’t get high energy bills with an energy-efficient motor. Similarly, a humidity sensor can switch on the fan automatically upon detecting moisture in the air. Meanwhile, a power bulb is perfect for ceiling fans, making it a more versatile, two-in-one product.
Types of Exhaust Fans
Wall-mounted exhaust fans
These exhaust fans are highly effective as they throw out stale, unpleasant air directly outdoors. You can install them on a wall with professional help since the wall needs to be cut for the fan to fit. Wall exhaust fans can also be installed on a window by fitting them within its frame.
Ceiling-mounted exhaust fans
If you don’t want the fan to block natural ventilation from the window and don’t want to damage your wall by cutting it out, buying a ceiling exhaust fan would help. This exhaust is integrated into a false ceiling that hides all your house’s pipes, ducts, and wires.
You can connect the fan to a duct to provide musty air with an easy way out. Almost all ceiling fans have LED bulbs that serve as a light source, and this two-in-one design offers excellent value for your money.
Why Should You Get an Exhaust Fan
An exhaust fan is a valuable machine for maintaining the air quality inside your house. The fan’s motor moves its blades with force to propel contaminated air outdoors through a vent. Installing an exhaust fan inside your kitchen also keeps musty food odors at bay.
At the same time, an exhaust fan’s functionality in bathrooms is also top-notch. This is because it can get rid of moisture from the area, stopping the growth of fungi like mold and mildew. An exhaust fan also regulates the indoor temperature, keeping it at a certain limit.
How To Clean an Exhaust Fan
If your exhaust fan is making noises or you notice that it’s less effective, it’s time to clean it thoroughly. By following the below steps, you can easily clean your exhaust fan to restore its initial functionality.
- If your exhaust fan has a mesh window, clean it before moving to any other part. You must remove it and use any commercial cleaner to wash it from both sides. A mild scrubbing can eliminate stubborn dust stains, but don’t be too harsh as you may damage its paint.
- The second step is cleaning the blades using any effective cleaner from the market. You can also prepare a homemade cleaner by mixing baking soda and vinegar into hot water, which can quickly remove all the oil and grime stains.
- You can also unscrew the exhaust fan once every six months for deep cleaning. Doing so will help you wash all blades effectively. Remember, this step is crucial in maintaining an exhaust fan, as accumulated dirt can negatively affect its overall performance.
People Also Asked
Do exhaust fans use extra electricity?
Exhaust fans need very little energy to function, which is generally between 5 to 35 watts, but might vary according to your fan’s brand and model. You can also find fans with energy-efficient motors to reduce electricity usage. To ensure you’re buying an energy-saving model, look for one with high CFM and low power use (watts). Many fans also have humidity sensors that can activate the fan when there’s moisture in the air and keep it off otherwise, further enhancing their energy efficiency.
Which material is best suited for exhaust fans?
Exhaust fans come in various materials, including stainless steel, plastic, aluminum, and more. Every material has unique features that make them superior to others. For example, aluminum is more robust than steel. Steel exhausts, on the other hand, can have mandrel bending for better airflow and are also highly cost-effective. But, if steel or aluminum don’t match your house’s interior, you can use ABS plastic. This material is solid and available in multiple colors and designs to suit your home decor. Plastic fans also get an edge over metal fans for being lightweight and having smoother trims.
Why do exhaust fans sometimes not work properly?
There are multiple reasons behind the poor performance of an exhaust fan. For example, dust accumulation on blades might be affecting their turning power. In that case, cleaning them thoroughly would solve the issue. You should also lubricate its motor with machine oil to resolve this problem. If this persists, the issue might be due to the poor installation of the fan. An improperly installed fan can propel air into other rooms of your house instead of throwing it outdoors. It can also lead to other problems like a noisy fan. The culprit could also be a burn-out motor, which you must replace immediately.
Can I leave an exhaust fan switched on the entire night?
Although there’s no harm in leaving an exhaust fan on for a few hours to eliminate musty and contaminated air from a room, letting it run overnight isn’t a good idea. You would be putting your and your family’s safety at risk because the motor can wear out, leading to fire hazards. This can lead to dangerous consequences, especially if you are sleeping. Also, it’s not healthy for the fan’s motor, as running it for several hours non-stop can reduce its overall life span.
How long does an exhaust fan last?
You can make a long-term investment by buying a high-quality exhaust fan, which could last for as long as a decade. You must clean it occasionally and also get it checked as soon as you spot a malfunction in its performance. If an issue is detected, it’d be easier to resolve early rather than spending more money on a new fan. You should also lubricate its motor with oil, as friction could lead to its wear and tear, lessening the unit’s overall effectiveness. So, if you properly maintain your exhaust fan, you can use it without replacement for up to 10 years.
Do exhaust fans help fight fungal growth?
The air inside bathrooms and kitchens is humid due to activities like showering and cooking. As a result, there are high chances of fungal growth, including mold and mildew. In that case, installing an exhaust fan is helpful as it removes moisture from the room before it condensates to serve a favorable atmosphere for such microbes to grow. So, it’s important to keep your exhaust fan on while cooking or taking a shower to keep mold and mildew away.
Can I install an exhaust fan directly above the shower?
You can place an exhaust fan directly over your bathtub if it’s shower-rated, which is necessary for both your and the fan’s safety. This is to ensure that the manufacturing brand has approved its use over a shower base by following a few specific standards. Additionally, it should also be connected with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter to keep you safe from electrocutions. You should avoid installing the fan in such a setting if one of the requirements is not met. Otherwise, placing it anywhere in your bathroom is perfectly okay unless the fan’s CFM is equal to the room’s square footage.
Article Contributors
Read More About Pop Wood Reviews Team HereThe Pop Wood Review Team’s product reviews and comprehensive guides are here to help you select the best gear and tools to efficiently complete top-quality woodworking projects. The content is created by The Pop Wood Review Team. Popular Woodworking’s editorial staff is not involved. Popular Woodworking is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Popular Woodworking Review Team is composed of authors, editors, and handymen. Artificial Intelligence (large language models) may have been used in the research and creation of the content.
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