A bathroom ceiling fan earns its place by moving warm, moisture-heavy air out efficiently and quietly. CFM measures cubic feet of air moved per minute, while sones indicate perceived sound. These six options cover everything from compact retrofits to larger rooms, with two models combining ventilation and lighting.
The Essentials At A Glance
Delta GBR80LED 80 CFM Exhaust Fan
Broan-NuTone InVent 110 CFM Exhaust Fan
Broan-NuTone BEL8 80 CFM Bathroom Exhaust Fan with LED Light
Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Fan
Akicon 110 CFM Exhaust Fan with Light, Brushed Nickel
breez GBR100 Exhaust Fan
A Deeper Look At The Lineup
The Delta GBR80LED combines ventilation and lighting without adding a separate ceiling fixture. Its 0.8-sone rating is the quietest in this group, making it a sensible fit for a bathroom used at night or near a bedroom.
You get 80 CFM, which fits moderate spaces better than the 100 and 110 CFM choices. The warm 2,700K main light adds useful illumination, while a separate grille indicator confirms when the fan is running.
A Favorable Mix
- The 0.8-sone operation keeps ventilation subtle during late-night use.
- The 850-lumen main light provides warm, color-accurate room illumination.
- A DC brushless motor avoids the carbon brushes found in conventional motor designs.
- Galvanized steel construction provides corrosion resistance in a humid setting.
Trade Offs
- At 80 CFM, it offers less moving air than the 100 and 110 CFM models, so larger bathrooms may need more capacity.
Key Specs
Made For
You benefit most with a small or medium bathroom where quiet ventilation and a combined light matter most.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Broan-NuTone InVent 110 CFM Exhaust Fan suits you better when a larger bathroom needs more airflow.
Air movement takes priority in the Broan-NuTone InVent, which moves 110 CFM while producing 1.0 sones of sound. That balance makes it a practical fit for a larger bathroom where a modest fan should not feel underpowered.
Unlike the Delta GBR80LED, this model does not combine the ventilation housing with a ceiling light. Its compact housing mounts directly to inboard joists, giving you a straightforward option for a new installation or a suitable retrofit.
What Makes Sense
- The 110 CFM airflow gives larger bathrooms more ventilation capacity.
- At 1.0 sones, operation remains quieter than several higher-capacity choices here.
- Direct joist mounting supports straightforward new and retrofit installations.
- The housing includes backdraft-damper technology designed to limit reversed airflow.
Points To Note
- There is no integrated light, so you need separate bathroom illumination.
- The single-speed motor offers less adjustment than the Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Fan.
- Your ceiling framing must provide suitable inboard joist mounting.
Right Fit For
You benefit most in a larger bathroom that prioritizes stronger airflow over a built-in light.
Another Choice May Suit
The Delta GBR80LED 80 CFM Exhaust Fan suits you better when quiet operation and integrated lighting outweigh maximum airflow.
The BEL8 shifts the emphasis from raw airflow to installation convenience. Its roomside design works without attic access, and the grille uses a slide-clip mounting approach, reducing the need to cut drywall during a retrofit.
You also receive 80 CFM, a 1.5-sone rating, and an LED ceiling light. Compared with the quieter Delta GBR80LED, this model prioritizes a simpler roomside installation over low sound or a warm 850-lumen output.
Positive Takeaways
- Roomside installation reduces attic-access requirements during a retrofit.
- The slide-clip grille makes routine grille removal more approachable.
- One housing provides both 80 CFM ventilation and LED lighting.
- The installation avoids a drywall-cutting step, depending on your existing opening.
Small Caveats
- The 1.5-sone rating is higher than the 0.8 and 1.0-sone alternatives.
- Its 80 CFM capacity is less suitable than 100 or 110 CFM for a large bathroom.
The Details
Who It Suits Best
You benefit most when replacing a bathroom ceiling fixture without convenient attic access.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The Broan-NuTone 80/110 CFM Fan suits you better when you want selectable airflow in the same roomside format.
Two airflow settings give you room to adjust ventilation as conditions change. The 80 CFM setting handles a smaller space with less moving air, while 110 CFM offers more capacity for a larger or more humid bathroom.
Like the BEL8, this model uses a roomside design that avoids attic access during installation. You control the setting through a household switch, making it easier to adapt than a single-speed fan without adding a separate control panel.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Selectable airflow lets you match ventilation more closely to room conditions.
- The roomside housing reduces attic-access requirements for retrofits.
- A standard switch keeps everyday airflow control familiar and uncomplicated.
- Both settings come from one housing, avoiding separate fan options.
Practical Considerations
- There is no integrated ceiling light, so lighting requires a separate fixture.
- You need to check the existing opening and wiring before treating it as a direct replacement.
Feature Snapshot
The Right Fit
You benefit most in a bathroom that may serve as a compact powder room and a busier shower space.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The Akicon 110 CFM Exhaust Fan with Light suits you better when ventilation and a ceiling light must come together.
The Akicon adds more than a basic ceiling light. Its 110 CFM ventilation is paired with a main light and a separate nightlight, giving you brighter illumination when needed and softer guidance during a late-night visit.
That combination sets it apart from the Broan-NuTone InVent, which offers more airflow but no integrated light. The brushed nickel finish adds a subtle decorative touch, while the larger housing makes this more suitable for rooms with attic access or new construction.
The Good Stuff
- The 110 CFM setting supports ventilation in rooms up to 100 square feet.
- The main light handles routine grooming and general bathroom illumination.
- A dedicated nightlight provides lower-level guidance after dark.
- Brushed nickel coordinates easily with many neutral bathroom fittings.
- The combined housing reduces the need for a separate ceiling-light fixture.
Where It Is Less Suited
- Its 1.5-sone operation is louder than the Delta GBR80LED and Broan-NuTone InVent.
- The housing is large, making ceiling space and framing important to check.
- Its recommended attic or new-house setting is less convenient for many roomside retrofits.
Built With In Mind
You benefit most in a larger bathroom that needs strong airflow, bright lighting, and a nightlight.
Consider Something Else When
The Delta GBR80LED 80 CFM Exhaust Fan suits you better when a compact retrofit and quieter operation take priority.
The GBR100 sits between the quieter Delta GBR80LED and the higher-output Broan-NuTone InVent. Its 100 CFM airflow gives you more capacity than the Delta model, although the 1.4-sone rating is less suitable for a bathroom adjacent to a bedroom.
You still receive a grille indicator, a DC brushless motor, and galvanized steel construction. Unlike the GBR80LED, however, this version focuses on ventilation and leaves room lighting to a separate ceiling fixture.
Strengths Worth Knowing
- The 100 CFM capacity bridges the lower and higher airflow choices.
- The grille indicator confirms that the fan is operating.
- A DC brushless motor avoids carbon brush components.
- Galvanized steel adds corrosion resistance in a humid bathroom.
Factors To Consider
- The 1.4-sone rating is louder than the 0.8 and 1.0-sone options.
- There is no integrated light, so you need separate ceiling illumination.
Quick Facts
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
You benefit most when you want more airflow than an 80 CFM fan without moving to 110 CFM.
Swap It Out When
The Delta GBR80LED 80 CFM Exhaust Fan suits you better when quiet operation and integrated lighting are the main requirements.
What To Check Before You Replace An Exhaust Fan
Begin with airflow rather than appearance alone. A fan rated around 80 CFM fits moderate bathrooms, while 100 or 110 CFM models provide more capacity for larger or more humid rooms. The room size and existing duct arrangement help determine which rating is practical.
Next, read the sound rating with the room location in mind. A lower sone value generally means less perceived sound, which matters near a bedroom. The Delta GBR80LED leads this group at 0.8 sones, while the 1.5-sone options make more noise.
Installation access can narrow the field quickly. Roomside designs can simplify retrofits without attic access, while a larger housing may need more ceiling space. Confirm that the housing, joist location, wiring, and duct connection suit your existing layout before ordering.
Finally, confirm the lighting arrangement. The Delta GBR80LED and Akicon combine ventilation with a light, while the other models require separate illumination. Compare the light output, color temperature, nightlight features, and your bathroom’s existing electrical setup.
Two Details That Change The Fit
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
A common mistake is focusing only on CFM while overlooking ceiling access and housing size. Another is assuming every fan-and-light model has the same electrical requirements or grille dimensions. Check your existing opening, framing, wiring, and duct position before treating a new unit as a direct replacement.
What Separates Premium From Basic
A higher-output fan earns its place in a larger bathroom, not merely because its specification is larger. Added lighting, brushless motors, corrosion-resistant construction, and roomside installation can also justify a step up, depending on your setup and the features you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much airflow does a bathroom exhaust fan need?
You need enough rated airflow for the room size and typical moisture level. Models here range from 80 to 110 CFM, with the higher figures giving larger bathrooms more moving air.
What does a lower sone rating mean?
A lower sone rating generally indicates quieter perceived sound. The Delta GBR80LED’s 0.8-sone rating makes it a sensible choice near sleeping areas, while 1.5-sone units may be more noticeable.
Can I retrofit a bathroom fan without attic access?
Yes, a roomside model can simplify installation because you access most components from below the ceiling. The Broan-NuTone BEL8 and 80/110 CFM Fan are designed around that installation approach.
Which models include a ceiling light?
The Delta GBR80LED and Akicon 110 CFM Exhaust Fan with Light, Brushed Nickel combine ventilation and lighting. The Akicon also includes a separate nightlight for lower-level illumination.
What should I check before buying?
You need to verify the ceiling opening, framing, duct position, wiring, and lighting setup. Roomside designs may reduce attic work, but your physical dimensions and electrical connections still need to match the installation plan.
Final Verdict
Your best choice depends on the room and installation. The Delta GBR80LED leads for quiet combined ventilation and lighting, the Broan-NuTone models suit ventilation-focused projects, and the Akicon offers the most layered lighting arrangement. Match the airflow, housing access, and lighting needs before making the final call.