Ductless Bathroom Exhaust Fan With Light
Do you want to find the best ventless bathroom exhaust fan?
Ventless bath fans use activated charcoal filters to remove foul odors and they recirculate the air in the room.
In this product review, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for the best ventless bathroom fan
- How activated charcoal filters work
- Why 'through-the-wall' bathroom fans may be a suitable option
Let's get started with this guide!
Broan-Nutone 682NT
- Ventless bathroom fan (duct free operation)
- Activated charcoal filter included
- Easy install with snap-in metal housing
- White plastic grille
My overall top pick for the best ventless bathroom fan goes to the Broan-Nutone 682NT. This exhaust fan operates completely ventless so you don't need an exterior wall or duct hassles. The 682NT uses an activated charcoal filter to remove odors from the air as well as circulate the bathroom air. The installation is pretty easy with a snap-in metal housing.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Pick  | Top Pick | Broan 682NT
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| View on Amazon |
 | Broan 682
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Broan 512
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Panasonic WhisperWall
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| View on Amazon |
Top 4 Best Ventless Bathroom Fans
My top picks for the best ventless bathroom fans include activated charcoal filters that remove odors while being duct-free. I have also included two exhaust fans that get vented directly to the outside (though they are not totally ventless). Check them out below...
- Broan-Nutone 682NT (Top Pick)
- Broan-Nutone 682
- Broan-Nutone 512
- Panasonic WhisperWall
Why Install A Ventless Bathroom Fan?
Sometimes homeowners just need a ventless bathroom fan instead of a regular vented fan. Exterior vented exhausts primary purpose is to remove excess moisture from the air.
But if you have a powder room or half bath, a vented exhaust fan may not be required since there isn't a lot of moisture in the air. For half bathrooms, removing smells and odors may be a bigger concern.
And if it isn't possible to install a long vent to the outside, or maybe you just need minimal air circulation in a closet, then a duct-free bathroom fan is the way to go.
Read Also: How Much Electricity Does A Bathroom Fan Use?
Why Do Ventless Bathroom Fans Use Charcoal Filters?
Ventless bathroom fans use activated charcoal filters to cleanse the air of odors.
Activated charcoal is an extremely porous substance with millions of microscopic holes. The high surface area of activated charcoal binds to the odor molecules wafting in the air of your bathroom.
Activated carbon filters are also known to remove things like benzene, and other volatile organic compounds.
Kitchen range hoods that are recirculating also use activated carbon filters just like these duct-free bathroom fans.
Read Also: What Are The Best Round Bathroom Exhaust Fans?
How Effective Are Duct-Free Bathroom Fans?
These recirculating bathroom fans don't work as well as exterior vented bathroom fans, but they get the job done. In addition to removing smells, there is some value in just moving air in the small bathroom or closet.
Stale air can create off smells and may even cause damage to your belongings.
Even though the air isn't going to the outside, there is some value in just moving the recirculating existing air.
Read Also: How To Fix A Noisy Bathroom Fan?
What Are Through-The-Wall Bathroom Fans?
In my product reviews, I have also included a few 'through-the-wall' exhaust fans.
These fans aren't strictly ventless fans, but they are pretty close. Through-the-wall bathroom fans vent directly through an exterior wall to the outside or even to an adjacent interior room.
Since it is directly vented, the 'vent hose' is literally only a few inches long. Vent elbows or long vent runs aren't needed which can make the installation significantly easier.
And since these exhaust fans are removing air from the room (not just recirculating), the air quality and odor removal is much higher than ventless bathroom fans that use charcoal filters.
Read Also: What Are The Best Bathroom Fan Switches?
What Is The Best Duct-Free Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Here are my full reviews of the best ventless bathroom fans together with their pros and cons. Check it out below...
Pick #1. Broan-Nutone 682NT
The 682NT by Broan-Nutone is a basic bathroom fan that can be installed without ductwork. It filters the air using an activated charcoal filter which will need to be periodically replaced.
This is a nice bathroom fan for small rooms, closets, or half baths. It will not remove moisture from a room, but it will help remove smells and give the room some air circulation.
The 682NT includes a snap-in metal housing for a fast installation in a ceiling or wall. It includes a white plastic grille that will fit in with most home decor.
Pros
- Ventless operation with charcoal filter
- White plastic grille
- Easy installation with snap-in metal housing
Cons
- Relatively loud
- Will not remove moisture
- May have to use wood shims for install
Pick #2. Broan-Nutone 682
The 682 by Broan-Nutone is bascially the same bathroom fan as the 682NT except for the fact that the housing dimensions are different. The 682 is 7.5" x 7.13" x 3.75" (while the 682NT is 7.13" x 3.75" x 7.13").
The 682 includes an activated charcoal filter to remove odors which needs to be regularly replaced. This ventless bathroom fan is great for small rooms, closets, or half baths.
For installation, this ventless exhaust fan required at minimum 2" x 4" open space and can be installed in the wall or ceiling. It features a permanently lubricated motor so that it will last a long time.
Pros
- Duct-free with charcoal filter
- Snap-in metal housing
- Permanently lubricated motor
Cons
- Relatively loud
- Will not remove moisture
Pick #3. Broan-Nutone 512
The 512 by Broan-Nutone is a premium exhaust fan that can be used for small rooms, closets, or powder rooms. This fan is designed to be installed on an interior wall, and will vent one room into another.
If you need to go duct-free for your small bathroom or half bath, then the 512 is a great option. It is rated at 90-cfm which means it can move 90 cubic feet of air per minute.
It is also rated at 3.5-sones which gives some sound cover in a bathroom. The 512 can be installed on any interior wall with at least a 5-1/8" thickness, and it includes an adjustable housing for easy installation.
Pros
- Installed on interior wall
- Adjustable housing
- 90-cfm
Cons
- Noisy
- Will not remove moisture
Pick #4. Panasonic WhisperWall
The WhisperWall by Panasonic is a high quality through-the-wall exhaust fan that can be installed in bathrooms, closets, bedrooms, or garages. It is rated at 70-cfm and is great for bathrooms where a ceiling mounted fan is not possible.
A traditional multi-foot vent is not required with this unit, but it needs to be installed on an exterior wall. It features a quality capacitor motor that is permanently lubricated for many years of smooth operation.
The WhisperWall comes with an exterior hood as well as a backdraft damper.
Pros
- Installed on exterior wall
- Permanently lubricated motor
- 70-cfm
Cons
- More expensive
- Requires cutting into exterior wall
My #1 Top Pick: Broan-Nutone 682NT
My overall top rated pick for the best ventless bathroom fan goes to the Broan-Nutone 682NT. Here's why...
#1. Ventless Operation
This bathroom fan doesn't require a vent and can be used totally duct-free. It uses an activated charcoal filter to remove odors and to freshen the air.
#2. Easy Install
The 682NT features a snap-in metal housing to make the installation much easier. A 2" x 4" space is required for the installation of this fan.
Ductless Bathroom Exhaust Fan With Light
Source: https://homeinspectorsecrets.com/bathroom-exhaust-fans/best-ventless-bathroom-fan/
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