A fogged mirror after a hot shower is a ventilation problem, not a lighting problem. You need enough airflow to clear moisture, a fixture that suits your ceiling, and a light you actually enjoy using at night. These black bathroom exhaust fan with light options cover compact rooms, larger spaces, flexible retrofits, and remote-mounted systems.
A Closer Look At The Lineup
Akicon 110 CFM Round Black Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, 1.5 Sones
SUPROCKY VF240 300 CFM Remote Mount In-Line Exhaust Fan, Black
Akicon 80 CFM Square Black Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, 2.0 Sones
Broan-NuTone 110 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.0 Sones
Broan-NuTone 80 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light, 1.5 Sones
Broan-NuTone Selectable 80/110 CFM Retrofit Exhaust Fan
FEITON 110 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light, 1.0 Sones
The Picks, Examined More Closely
The round black trim gives this ceiling fixture a more decorative finish than the squarer alternatives, while the textured acrylic ring creates a star-like pattern when illuminated. It suits someone who wants the fan to blend with a modern bathroom rather than disappear into the ceiling.
Its 110 CFM airflow moves more air than the 80 CFM Akicon model, and 1.5 sones indicates a moderate sound level. The four selectable light colors and dimming make this a strong fit for shared bathrooms where morning and nighttime lighting needs differ.
What Works In Its Favor
- Four light colors let you shift between warm, neutral, blue, and purple tones.
- Dimming helps create softer illumination for evening use.
- A 2700K night-light ring offers a practical low-glare option.
- Memory restores the previous lighting mode after seven seconds.
- Roomside installation avoids attic access for many bathroom layouts.
Points To Note
- The 13-3/8-inch panel requires more ceiling space than the compact Akicon model.
- Extra lighting modes add complexity compared with a fixed white LED.
Key Specs
Made For
This model fits homeowners who prioritize decorative lighting and want 110 CFM airflow without attic access.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Broan-NuTone Selectable 80/110 CFM Retrofit Exhaust Fan better serves renovation projects that need two airflow settings.
The SUPROCKY VF240 belongs in a different installation category because the fan sits in an attic, roof space, or other remote location. Moving the noisy equipment away from the bathroom can make the occupied room feel quieter, even though the fan still has plenty of moving power.
Its centrifugal blower, galvanized-steel housing, and 300 CFM rating suit a larger ventilation network or several connected rooms. You will need to plan the duct route carefully, since this is not a roomside fixture with an integrated ceiling light.
Reasons It Performs
- Remote mounting keeps the operating noise farther from occupied rooms.
- A centrifugal blower supports substantial airflow for a multi-room system.
- Galvanized steel adds corrosion resistance around the core housing.
- Included mounting and duct adapters simplify the connection.
Practical Considerations
- The unit requires access to an attic, roof void, or similar remote space.
- You must provide a suitable duct route to the bathroom.
- The 24-count configuration is aimed more toward multi-unit projects than a single-room replacement.
Technical Reference
Right Fit For
This option suits property managers and renovation projects with accessible attic space and a planned central duct network.
Another Choice May Suit
Akicon 110 CFM Round Black Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, 1.5 Sones fits households that need a complete roomside fixture instead.
This square Akicon uses a smaller housing than the round 110 CFM version, which can matter in a compact bathroom with a shallow ceiling cavity. The 7-1/2-inch housing footprint and 12-inch light cover give you a useful pair of measurements before you cut or open the ceiling.
The 80 CFM airflow is intended for rooms up to 80 square feet, making it a practical match for a modest powder room or small bathroom. You give up the higher airflow of the round model, but you still get three selectable color temperatures and a dedicated 2700K night-light setting.
What It Does Well
- Warm, neutral, and daylight color choices suit different times of day.
- The night-light setting helps with low nighttime visibility.
- A compact housing can simplify replacement in a shallow ceiling.
- Roomside installation works in spaces without attic access.
Where It May Fall Short
- Its 2.0-sone rating is higher than the 1.0- and 1.5-sone alternatives here.
- 80 CFM is more modest than the 110 CFM fixtures for larger bathrooms.
Who It Suits Best
This model works well for small-bathroom households needing useful lighting in a compact ceiling opening.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
FEITON 110 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light, 1.0 Sones suits you better when stronger airflow and a quieter operating level matter more.
Ventilation alone is the focus here, and the 1.0-sone operating level makes this Broan-NuTone model attractive beside a nearby bedroom or shared wall. Its 110 CFM airflow still provides meaningful moisture removal for a bathroom up to 105 square feet.
The compact housing mounts directly to inboard joists, while the TrueSeal damper technology is designed to limit reverse airflow and associated air leakage. You will need to plan lighting separately, since the fixture’s role is ventilation rather than an integrated room light.
The Helpful Details
- 110 CFM offers useful capacity for a medium-size bathroom.
- The 1.0-sone rating is the lowest among the ceiling-mounted options here.
- Direct joist mounting supports retrofit and new installations.
Worth Bearing In Mind
- You need a separate ceiling light for the room.
- The housing must clear the joists and existing duct layout.
At A Glance
Built With In Mind
This fan suits households that value low operating noise and already have a separate bathroom lighting plan.
Consider Something Else When
Broan-NuTone 80 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light, 1.5 Sones better serves you when one fixture must handle both ventilation and lighting.
This fixture simplifies a common bathroom upgrade because it supports roomside installation without attic access. The SlideClip grille uses spring-loaded connections, which also makes the cover easier to remove for cleaning compared with a grille secured by multiple screws.
Its LED light and 80 CFM ventilation cover the two daily needs in one unit, while 1.5 sones places it between the quietest and louder ceiling options here. The roomside design may reduce ceiling work, but you still need to confirm that the existing opening and wiring can accommodate the fixture.
What Makes Sense
- LED lighting and ventilation come together in one ceiling fixture.
- The spring-loaded grille simplifies routine access for cleaning.
- Roomside installation avoids the need to reach into an attic.
- The design supports retrofit work without cutting drywall.
Details To Watch
- The 80 CFM airflow is intended for smaller spaces than the 110 CFM models.
- You need to verify compatibility with the existing ceiling opening and electrical connection.
Best Suited To
This model suits homeowners replacing an older roomside fan who want integrated LED lighting and easier grille access.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Akicon 110 CFM Round Black Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, 1.5 Sones fits a larger bathroom and provides more elaborate lighting controls.
The ability to switch between 80 and 110 CFM gives this model unusual flexibility during a renovation. A smaller room may operate comfortably at the lower setting, while a larger or more moisture-prone space can use the higher airflow when needed.
Its roomside installation avoids attic access, and the airflow setting changes through a switch on the housing. That arrangement is useful for replacing an existing fan, though a separate light fixture completes the room because this option concentrates on ventilation.
What Stands Out
- Two airflow settings accommodate different bathroom sizes.
- The switch is conveniently located on the housing.
- Roomside placement simplifies access during replacement work.
- You can select 110 CFM as the room’s ventilation demands increase.
Trade-Offs To Consider
- Integrated room lighting is not part of the stated design.
- The housing control requires access to the installed unit.
Feature Breakdown
The Right Fit
This retrofit fan suits homeowners who want one housing to serve a small powder room or a larger family bathroom.
Swap It Out When
FEITON 110 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light, 1.0 Sones better suits you when integrated lighting and a quieter operating level are priorities.
FEITON combines 110 CFM airflow, a 1.0-sone operating level, and LED lighting in a straightforward square fixture. That balance makes it easier to compare with the Akicon options because the FEITON moves more air while remaining at the quietest listed sones rating.
The installation dimensions deserve an early check: the panel measures 10 by 10 inches, the mounting opening is 8 by 8 inches, and the duct connection uses a 4-inch diameter. Its 15-watt, 6500K LED offers a fixed bright-white appearance rather than the multiple color temperatures found on the round Akicon.
Notable Upsides
- 110 CFM provides solid moisture-removal capacity.
- The 1.0-sone rating supports quiet operation.
- LED lighting adds convenience without a separate fixture.
- A junction box simplifies the electrical connection arrangement.
Small Caveats
- You need an 8-by-8-inch mounting opening and a 4-inch duct connection.
- The 6500K LED offers a fixed daylight color without dimming controls.
Core Details
Who Will Love This
This fixture suits you when quiet operation, solid airflow, and straightforward LED lighting are your main priorities.
Not Your Match When
Akicon 80 CFM Square Black Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Light, 2.0 Sones better serves a smaller room with a tighter ceiling opening.
What to Check Before Installation
Match Airflow to Room Size
CFM means cubic feet per minute, so a higher figure represents more moving air. An 80 CFM fixture can suit a smaller bathroom, while 110 CFM gives you more capacity for a larger or more moisture-prone room. Measure the space and avoid choosing solely by fan size.
Check the Existing Opening
Ceiling dimensions matter more than the visible panel. Compare the housing width, mounting hole, and duct diameter with the space above your ceiling, keeping in mind that joists and existing ducts can restrict a seemingly adequate opening.
Separate Ventilation from Lighting
Four options in this lineup include LED lighting, while three focus on ventilation alone. Integrated lighting reduces the number of fixtures, but adjustable color temperatures, dimming, and night-light functions vary considerably. Choose the lighting controls you will actually use.
Plan the Duct Route
Roomside models are easier to reach during maintenance, while remote in-line fans can move noise away from the bathroom. The SUPROCKY VF240 requires an attic or roof-space installation, so its duct route and structural access deserve careful planning before installation.
Lessons That Matter Before You Install
Mistakes Worth Dodging
Focus first on the ceiling opening, duct diameter, and electrical connection rather than the grille design. A fixture that looks right can still be difficult to fit around joists, and roomside models vary considerably in housing dimensions. Measure the complete installation area before cutting anything.
What Separates Premium From Basic
Higher-end fixtures commonly add adjustable lighting, night-light settings, dimming, or selectable airflow. Those extras help only when they match your bathroom and routine, so the practical value lies in solving a specific need rather than simply offering more controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all seven bathroom exhaust fans include lighting?
No. The Akicon 110 CFM, Akicon 80 CFM, Broan-NuTone 80 CFM, and FEITON 110 CFM models include integrated lighting, while the other three focus on ventilation.
Is an 80 CFM exhaust fan enough for a bathroom?
An 80 CFM model can suit a smaller bathroom, but room size and moisture levels determine the practical fit. The Akicon 80 CFM model is stated for rooms up to 80 square feet.
Do you need attic access for these fans?
Several roomside options work without attic access, including the Akicon models, the Broan-NuTone BEL8, and the selectable Broan-NuTone model. The SUPROCKY VF240 specifically requires a remote attic or roof-space installation.
What does 1.0 sones mean?
One sone is a standardized measure of sound level, so 1.0 sones provides a useful comparison point between fixtures. Lower listed values generally indicate quieter operation.
Can a bathroom exhaust fan replace the ceiling light?
Only the models with integrated LED lighting can handle both functions. Ventilation-only options require a separate light fixture for normal room illumination.
Final Verdict
Your strongest airflow and lowest listed sound level come from different products, so the right choice depends on room size and operating priorities. For integrated lighting, the Akicon round model offers the most adjustable controls, while FEITON provides a straightforward balance of 110 CFM airflow, 1.0 sones, and an LED fixture. Measure first, then choose the installation style that suits your ceiling.