Steam on the mirror, lingering humidity, and a dark ceiling fixture can make one bathroom feel uncomfortable in several ways at once. You need enough airflow to clear moisture, a light that works with your ceiling plan, and hardware that fits the available space. CFM, a measure of cubic feet of air moved per minute, and sones, a sound-level scale, help narrow the field.
The strongest matches here combine ventilation with lighting, although several are specialized ventilation alternatives. Your decision starts with whether the light, heater, humidity control, or retrofit installation matters most.
The Picks In Brief
Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan
JULLISON 100 CFM Humidity Sensor Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.2 Sones
Broan-NuTone 110 CFM Exhaust Fan
Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit
VTNPQ 505 8-Inch 200 CFM Fan
Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Retrofit Fan
Meet The Standout Selections
The Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan turns one ceiling opening into three functions: ventilation, lighting, and heat. Its white grille and low-profile housing work especially well in a compact bathroom where a bulky decorative fixture would crowd the ceiling. For most mid-size bathrooms, the airflow gives you a practical way to clear mirror fog and moisture.
Unlike a standard vent-only replacement, the light and 1300W heater can operate separately or alongside the fan. That makes the unit appealing in a cold, windowless bathroom, though the extra wiring and ceiling clearance deserve attention before installation. The honest read is that this is a convenience-focused fixture rather than a purely decorative one.
What It Does Well
- The 110 CFM airflow helps clear steam, trapped humidity, and common bathroom odors.
- A 1.5-sone rating supports quieter operation than many louder household fans.
- Separate light, heat, and ventilation controls let you tailor the fixture to the moment.
- The 5-1/2-inch housing depth fits between 2-by-6 ceiling joists or larger.
- A built-in backdraft damper helps prevent air from returning through the duct.
Practical Considerations
- The installation requires low-profile attic access, so a tight ceiling cavity may prevent a direct fit.
- Heating and lighting add more components than a basic exhaust-only fan requires.
Key Specs
Who It Suits Best
You benefit most from this option in a cold bathroom that needs ventilation, a ceiling light, and added warmth from one compact fixture.
Another Choice May Suit
The JULLISON 100 CFM Humidity Sensor Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.2 Sones better suits you when automatic moisture control matters more than a built-in heater.
Humidity can build quickly after a hot shower, and the JULLISON 100 CFM Humidity Sensor Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.2 Sones responds without requiring you to remember a switch. Depending on your bathroom, that automatic operation may be more useful than adding heat or chasing several separate controls.
The low-profile white grille keeps the fixture visually restrained, while the dimmable light makes it more than a hidden vent. Compared with the Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan, this model trades the heater for moisture sensing and a slightly lower sound rating. It also fits rooms up to 105 square feet, according to its listed capacity.
A Favorable Mix
- The humidity sensor starts the fan as moisture rises, reducing manual intervention.
- A 1.2-sone rating suits bathrooms where sound from a shower is already noticeable.
- The dimmable light provides adjustable illumination beneath the low-profile white grille.
Trade Offs
- The sensor adds electronics, so you gain automation at the cost of a more specialized installation.
- Its 100 CFM capacity is intended for rooms up to 105 square feet rather than larger spaces.
- A 9-1/4-inch square cutout and 4-inch duct are required, so existing openings need to match.
Feature Snapshot
Made For
You get the most from this fan in a medium bathroom where automatic moisture control and adjustable lighting are daily priorities.
Where Another Pick Shines
The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit suits you better when an attic-free installation matters more than humidity sensing.
A 110 CFM fan with a 1.0-sone rating gives you a straightforward way to clear steam without adding lighting or heating to the ceiling opening. The practical read is that this model belongs in the roundup as a ventilation-first alternative, not as a direct light-and-fan match. It works best where your bathroom already has separate lighting.
Its compact housing mounts directly to inboard joists, which supports retrofit work and some new installations. Broan-NuTone’s TrueSeal damper design is also intended to limit backdraft through the housing. Compared with the JULLISON model, you lose humidity sensing and dimmable illumination, but you also avoid those added controls.
Useful Touches
- The 1.0-sone operating level keeps ventilation comparatively subdued.
- At 110 CFM, the fan covers a bathroom up to 105 square feet.
- Direct inboard-joist mounting simplifies suitable retrofit arrangements.
- TrueSeal damper technology helps reduce airflow leaking back through the housing.
Points To Note
- No built-in light is listed, so separate bathroom lighting remains necessary.
- The compact housing still needs to clear the existing joists, wiring, and duct connection.
Best Suited To
You will appreciate this option in a small-to-medium bathroom that prioritizes quiet, straightforward ventilation over decorative lighting.
Consider Something Else When
The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit is a better match for you when a combined LED light and simplified retrofit are necessary.
Replacing a bathroom light and vent often means working around framing above the ceiling. The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit removes much of that difficulty with a roomside installation that requires no attic access or drywall cutting.
Its SlideClip grille and cover also support routine cleaning, while the LED adds practical illumination beneath the fixture. For many retrofit projects, this design is more useful than chasing decorative flourishes. Compared with the Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan, however, it offers ventilation and lighting without a built-in heater.
Advantages To Know
- Roomside installation reduces attic access and drywall work during a replacement.
- The integrated LED combines moisture control with everyday bathroom lighting.
- At 80 CFM and 1.5 sones, it serves smaller bathrooms without excessive sound.
Details To Watch
- Its 80 CFM airflow is intended for smaller spaces than the higher-capacity models in this list.
Core Details
Who Will Love This
You benefit most when replacing a ceiling vent and light without opening the attic or cutting into the ceiling.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The VTNPQ 505 8-Inch 200 CFM Fan suits you better when a large room needs substantially more airflow than an 80 CFM bathroom fixture provides.
The VTNPQ 505 8-Inch 200 CFM Fan is built for places where ordinary bathroom airflow may feel restrained. Its 200 CFM capacity can move more air than the compact residential models here, making it relevant to larger bathrooms, kitchens, attics, or other utility spaces with persistent moisture and heat.
The copper-wound motor and electrophoretic anti-rust coating are sensible details in damp surroundings, and the fan can serve several ventilation roles. That flexibility is the appeal, but it also makes this a less decorative choice. Unlike the three combined light-and-fan models, it provides ventilation only and leaves illumination as a separate decision.
A Few Highlights
- The 200 CFM rating provides high-volume ventilation for larger wet or utility areas.
- One 8-inch fan can serve bathroom, kitchen, attic, or roof-ventilation roles.
Where It May Fall Short
- No integrated light is included, so it cannot satisfy a combined lighting requirement by itself.
- The 200 CFM output may be more than a small bathroom needs for routine use.
- The 8-inch format calls for a larger ceiling opening and a compatible ventilation plan.
The Right Fit
You should consider this fan for a large bathroom or utility area where high airflow matters more than decorative lighting.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit suits you better for a smaller bathroom with a combined light and vent.
Airflow needs can change with room size, moisture levels, and how often a bathroom is used. The Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Retrofit Fan gives you two choices from one housing, allowing 80 or 110 CFM to be selected through the housing switch. For a retrofit project, that flexibility reduces the need to choose a fixed capacity too early.
Its roomside design eliminates the need for attic access, which distinguishes it from the compact Keoslpy installation. You still need a separate light, however, and the two-speed arrangement adds a control decision rather than serving a combined lighting requirement. It is a sensible ventilation-focused choice when the ceiling opening is the harder constraint.
Real-World Strengths
- Selectable 80 or 110 CFM airflow lets you match the fan more closely to the room.
- Roomside retrofit installation reduces attic-access requirements.
- Two operating levels provide useful flexibility for changing moisture conditions.
Possible Compromises
- No built-in light is listed, so separate illumination is still needed.
- You must confirm the existing ceiling opening and wiring before selecting it for a direct replacement.
Quick Facts
Built With In Mind
You benefit most from this fan when replacing an attic-mounted unit and want selectable airflow in a straightforward retrofit housing.
Swap It Out When
The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit is the better option for you when one fixture must provide both light and ventilation.
Plan the Fit Before the Fixture
Start With Room Size
Airflow should match the space rather than simply sound like the biggest available number. The Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan and Broan-NuTone 110 CFM Exhaust Fan cover bathrooms up to about 105 to 110 square feet, while the JULLISON 100 CFM Humidity Sensor Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.2 Sones is listed for rooms up to 105 square feet. The VTNPQ 505 8-Inch 200 CFM Fan makes more sense for larger rooms or broader utility ventilation.
Match Features to Daily Use
A built-in light matters for anyone replacing a ceiling fixture with a combined unit. Automatic humidity control offers a different benefit: the fan responds as moisture builds, reducing the need to adjust it manually. The Keoslpy adds heat, making it more relevant in cold weather, but it also adds another powered function and a more involved installation.
Check the Ceiling Opening
Measure before you remove the old grille. A 4-inch duct connection and roughly 9-1/4-inch square opening are specified for the JULLISON, while the Keoslpy uses a 4-inch connector and fits within a 5-1/2-inch-deep housing. Roomside retrofits reduce attic access, yet the existing opening still has to suit the new housing.
Consider Sound and Appearance
Sones describe sound level, but room acoustics and your own sensitivity still matter. The Broan-NuTone 110 CFM Exhaust Fan has the lowest listed rating here at 1.0 sone, followed by the JULLISON at 1.2. For appearance, a low-profile white grille offers a restrained look, while decorative character may require a different style of fixture altogether.
Where Ventilation Meets Lighting
Mistakes Worth Dodging
The most common mistake is treating every bathroom fan as a light-and-vent combination. Several options here provide ventilation only, so checking the included light prevents a costly mismatch. Another error is overlooking the ceiling cavity; a suitable CFM rating cannot compensate for insufficient depth, duct clearance, or required attic access.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Additional spending often buys more controls, specialized sensing, a heater, or easier installation rather than better airflow alone. Those additions suit bathrooms with specific needs, such as automatic humidity control or an attic-free retrofit. For a straightforward replacement in a small room, a quieter basic vent may cover your situation more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Six Bathroom Exhaust Fans Include a Light?
No. The Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan, JULLISON 100 CFM Humidity Sensor Bathroom Exhaust Fan, 1.2 Sones, and Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit include lighting. The remaining three models are ventilation-focused options.
Which Model Adds Bathroom Heat?
The Keoslpy 110 CFM Light & Heater Fan includes a 1300W heating function. Its ventilation, LED light, and heater can operate independently or together, making it the clearest match for a cold bathroom.
Which Option Avoids Attic Access?
The Broan-NuTone 80 CFM LED Bathroom Exhaust Fan, Roomside Retrofit and Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Retrofit Fan use roomside installation without attic access. The LED model also avoids drywall cutting during suitable replacement projects.
What Size Bathroom Does the JULLISON Fan Cover?
The listed room capacity is up to 105 square feet with 100 CFM of airflow. Its installation requires a 4-inch duct and a 9-1/4-inch square cutout, so you should verify those dimensions against your ceiling.
Can a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Replace a Ceiling Light?
A combined model can, but only when lighting is included. The Keoslpy, JULLISON, and 80 CFM Broan-NuTone LED models provide light, while the other choices need separate fixtures.
Wrap Up
A decorative bathroom exhaust fan with light should earn its place through a combination of useful airflow, a suitable ceiling fit, and lighting that matches your renovation. The Keoslpy leads on combined functions, the JULLISON offers automatic moisture control, and the 80 CFM Broan-NuTone simplifies a light-and-fan retrofit. Measure first, then choose the fixture that solves the most problems in your actual bathroom.