7 Best Wall Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Wall-mounted fans are a lifesaver for anyone who doesn’t have access to their roof or attic or who just prefers ventilation without any ducting. In this article, you’ll find a list of some of the very best wall insert exhaust fans on the market. So, let’s dive right in!

1. Overall Best: Panasonic FV-08WQ1 WhisperWall

Panasonic FV-08WQ1 WhisperWall is our overall winner, thanks to the high-quality materials, super-quiet operation, and impressive motor, which is designed to last for years. It is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a reliable through-the-wall exhaust fan.

Pros

• The fan is made from durable, high-quality materials and treated with rust-proof paint to allow for energy efficiency (the WhisperWall is Energy Star Qualified) and a long lifespan.

• The motor of this Panasonic fan is fully enclosed and permanently lubricated to ensure continuous run. It is also designed to allow for operation at lower temperatures.

• As one of Panasonic’s Whisper Models, and with a noise level of only 0.8 sones, it is no surprise that people are delighted with how quiet it is.

If you are interested in understanding just how quiet 0.8 sones is, you can read my post on How Many Sones is a Quiet Bathroom Fan? Or you can convert it into the more familiar decibel unit using my Sone to Decibel Calculator.

The fan has a double suction blower, pulling air into itself from both sides and creating a larger area through which air can reach the fan blades.

• It is UL Listed for Tub/Shower Enclosure when used with a GFCI branch circuit wire.

• Like any other good wall exhaust fan, WhisperWall has a built-in damper to prevent backdraft.

Cons

• The fan could be stronger. It is rated 70 CFM, which means it can move 70 cubic feet of air per one minute. And so, it is suitable only for standard-sized bathrooms with an area up to approximately 70 square feet.

• Some people noticed that a strong wind tends to open and close the flapper door.

2. Best Small Bathroom Wall Fan: Broan NuTone 512M

Broan NuTone 512M operates at 70 CFM, making it more than effective enough to protect any small bathroom from humidity and odors. This fan is designed to be efficient and simple.

Pros

• The 512M has galvanized steel housing that allows for durability and protection against the elements. It was also tested for extreme temperatures.

• The fan is made with a backdraft damper and polymeric fan blade and provides good performance and value for an affordable price.

• It features a “twist-lock” mechanism designed to make the installation simple.

Cons

• With a 6.0 sones rating, it is a noisy fan. You can get idea about just how loud it is from the below video.

3. Best Large Bathroom Wall Fan: Broan NuTone 509S

Broan NuTone 509S is a versatile fan with an impressively powerful operation of 200 CFM. Because of that, it is an optimal solution for areas larger than 150 square feet.

Pros

• It is protected against natural wear and tear as well as the elements by galvanized steel housing.

• The fan has a backdraft damper and a specially designed polymeric blade to optimize its performance and efficiency.

• The grilles of the fan are paintable and can easily blend in with the already existing décor.

• Finding the perfect location for the wall/vertically installed fan becomes even more important if the ventilation is meant for larger spaces. Once you have the ideal spot, Broan 509S is intended to be easy to assemble.

Cons

• It is no surprise that this robust fan is quite noisy as well. A larger bathroom, for which the fan is designed, should counter the noise level to an extent.

• The knobs on the fan are made from plastic and are not as durable as the rest of the fan.

4. Best Ceiling Insert Used on Walls: Delta Breez GreenBuilder with Humidity Sensor

There are some significant differences between wall and ceiling exhaust fans. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. With the Delta Breez GreenBuilder with Humidity Sensor, you can get the best of both worlds. It is an exceptional fan that is powerful, quiet, efficient, and it has a humidity sensor.

Pros

• The fan has a manual switch. So, you can switch between speed mode or humidity mode. When in humidity mode, the sensor will monitor air humidity levels, and if they reach more than 60%, the fan will automatically start.

• You can choose between a model that moves 80 cubic feet of air each minute and a model with an impressive operation of 100 CFM.

• GreenBuilder runs quietly at less than 1.4 sones and even exceeds the ENERGY STAR^® requirements, thanks to its innovative brushless DC motor technology.

• It can be installed directly in the tub or shower enclosure when used with GFCI-protected branch circuit wiring.

Cons

• You need at least 2″ x 6” construction for the fan to fit.

• Installing the manual switch and making it work properly can be challenging.

5. Best Looking: Aero Pure Slim Fit 120 CFM

Aero Pure Slim Fit 120 CFM is perfect when you want to avoid the typical exhaust fan grill and desire a more subtle design. This fan is powerful, quiet, and its contemporary low profile makes it look modern and sleek. Plus, you can choose between three colors.

Pros

• Aero Pure’s Slim Fit operates at an impressive 120 CFM and has a very low noise level rating of only 0.9 sones.

• It comes with rust-proof housing, a backdraft dampener, and a thermal shut-off.

• This fan is ETL Listed for wet application, meaning it can be used directly in the shower enclosure, but only when used with GFCI circuit wiring.

• It is energy-efficient (ENERGY STAR® and Title 24 compliant) and designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2 air quality standards.

Cons

• Slim Fit only fits 2″ x 6” or 2″ x 8” construction.

• It can only be installed by a licensed professional (electrician, general contractor, handyman, etc.).

• Another thing to keep in mind is that the plate is not metal. It is colored plastic.

6. Best Non-Through-Wall: Delta Breez Slim 70

If you are looking for a wall insert fan that vents like a ceiling fan, then the Delta Breez Slim 70 is a good choice. The fan is designed for optimum quality, reliability, and durability.

Pros

• Breez Slim’s brushless DC motor technology is ideal for energy-saving (ENERGY STAR^®qualified) and longevity.

• Even though operating at 2.0 sones doesn’t earn it a whisper rating, many users are still happy with how quiet the machine is.

• The housing is constructed from galvanized steel to resist corrosion, and it is compact to allow for retrofit and replacement of older bath fans.

Cons

• The installation may be challenging to some people, especially those with little DIY experience.

• Unfortunately, the fan is not powerful enough for large areas (70 CFM).

7. Best With Extra Features: Delta Breez Integrity With Bluetooth Speaker

If you can’t be satisfied until your bathroom fan serves multiple purposes, we’re finishing this list with something precisely for you! Delta Breez Integrity 70 CFM Fan with Bluetooth Speaker is ideal for anyone who likes to listen to music or news while being in their bathroom. So, instead of an ordinary speaker and a bathroom fan, you can get this cost-saving, quiet exhaust fan.

Pros

• The Breez Integrity offers low energy operation costs and is ENERGY STAR^® qualified.

• Its brushless DC motor is engineered to be long-lasting and run for over 70,000 hours.

• The fan is powerful enough for a standard-sized bathroom, and it operates quietly at only 1.0 sone so that the speaker shouldn’t be drowned out by it.

• The Bluetooth 3.0 speaker is well concealed for optimal water resistance.

Cons

• The two wall switches, which are needed to turn on the speaker and the fan, are not included.

• The fan can be connected to only one device at a time.

• Depending on your preferences, the speaker may not be loud enough for you. There are also reports that the audio quality is not as good as on other, more expensive Bluetooth bathroom fans (but this does also make sense).

We wrote an article purely about bathroom fans with Bluetooth speakers in case you are curious about others with higher quality sound and even more features.

If you are still hesitant about whether wall mounted fans are the best kind for you, I recommend reading our post about the three different types of bathroom fans to help you decide. Alternatively, you can investigate window fans, which are far less invasive and still do not require room for ductwork.