The importance of bathrooms in every house cannot be overemphasised and as essential as it is for a house to have a bathroom it is also essential for the bathroom to be well ventilated to remove moisture from the air as well as prevent moulds from growing in the bathroom. I once rented an apartment with a windowless bathroom when I was in the university and after a few weeks noticed that the paint was peeling off with moulds coming out in other parts of the bathroom, I was close to going to fight my landlord till I researched and discovered that the reason for these was because the bathroom was not well ventilated.
I contemplated getting a standing fan to put in the bathroom till I went online and discovered the existence of extractor fans for bathrooms without windows, this discovery led to more research about extractor fans and ultimately led to the writing of this product review.
This product review will introduce you to the best brands of extractor fans in the Uk market, highlighting their pros and cons as well as my personal recommendation of the most suitable extractor fan to use for your bathroom. At the end of this review, you will be an expert on extractor fan brands in the UK market.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Extractor Fans for Bathroom without Windows
1. Xpelair C4TS 4″/100mm Simply Silent Contour Extractor Fan Timer Delay
This extractor fan has a sleek design that makes it an accessory for any bathroom it is put in, it is a two-speed, silent, intermittent fan with a timer that makes it easy to control. The extractor fan incorporates ghost flow technology which helps reduce the turbulence of airflow ensuring that the fan operates quietly. The fan is simple to install and is suitable for a wall, ceiling or panel fitting.
Features
- Two speed – 15 litres per second and 21 litres per second selectable at instalment that helps remove moisture from the air faster
- Sleek design
- Ghost airflow technology that makes it operate quietly
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2. Envirovent UK SIL100T Silent-100T Axial Silent Extractor Fan
This extractor fan is great at properly ventilating a windowless bathroom, it clears moisture from the air at 26 litres per second and 96 cubic metres per hour which helps keep your bathroom dry in minutes, making it one of the fastest extractor fans out there. It also has a sound output of 26.5 dB (A) at 3 metres which ensures that it operates silently in the home without causing any distraction.
It also has an adjustable run-on timer with an over-run timer that calculates the amount of time the fan operates which is automatically determined by how long the fan has been running. The fan can also start automatically once it detects a movement within 4 metres thanks to its PIR (passive infrared sensor). This extractor fan can be installed on the wall or ceiling.
Features
- Adjustable timer
- A backdraught shutter that helps limit heat leakages when it is not operating
- Multi-functional as it comes with an adjustable humidity sensor
3. Manrose UK 4-inch Standard Bathroom Extractor Fan
This extraction fan is affordable and effectively removes moisture from bathrooms without windows, ensuring that they are well-ventilated. It is quiet with an extract rate of 85m3/hr, 23 litres per second ensuring that moisture. It is very easy to power as it only requires a single-phase induction motor with pre-oiled bearings while the units are made of high gloss ABS thermoplastics which makes it durable and easy to clean. It can be mounted on the wall, ceiling or window depending on the style of the bathroom.
Features
- Made with high gloss ABS thermoplastics
- Double insulated fans
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4. Vent-Axia 446658B UK Silent Axial Bathroom/Toilet Fan, 230 V, White
This extractor fan by Vent axial is part of their Silent fan range and is stylish, silent and effective. One of my favourite models of bathroom extractor fans, and by far the quietest, it works at an impressive 14dB(A) ensuring that there is little to no noise to irritate the people in the house. It is also suitable to be mounted in various ways according to your preference as it can go on the ceiling, panel, wall or window.
Features
- Unique and stylish design
- IP44 rated (meaning that it is protected against submersion in water)
5. Airflow UK iCON 30 Windows Extractor Fan 240V 100mm Outlet, 14 W
This circular extractor fan is simple to install and can fit in easily into any space. Its iris shutter design makes switching on and off silent, reducing external noise ingress. It can be installed on uneven surfaces due to its cantilever fixing lugs and can be recessed in the wall or surface mounted into the wall or ceiling. It operates on an air extraction level of 32 litres per second and 118m3 per hour with a noise level of 34.5dB(A).
One unique feature of this product is that you can purchase a plug-in module for it to perform additional functions some of which are pulling the cord, run-on timer, humidity with a run-on timer as well a motion sensor with run-on timer. Its cover can also be changed easily for it to blend in with the bathroom it is placed in with colours in Anthracite, Sandstone and Silver.
Features
- Iris shutter design
- Operates with a remote switch
6. Knightsbridge UK 100mm/4 Led Extractor Fan with Overrun Timer and Light -Black and Stainless Steel, EX004T
This extractor fan has a unique design that separates it from other brands in the market. It is made with stainless steel and has a built-in led lighting that comes on when the fan is working adding to the aesthetic of your bathroom. It has an extraction rate of 90m3 per hour and a noise level of 35dB at 3 metres. It is easy to install and has a built-in timer that can be adjusted from 2 to 30 minutes. It can be fitted into walls and ceilings.
Features
- Stainless steel design with Led lights
- Double insulated
7. Manrose 100mm Low Profile Extractor Fan/Timer – Chrome
Another extractor fan from the Manrose brand. This fan is quite affordable and efficiently extracts moisture from windowless bathrooms. It has an extraction rate of 85m3 per hour and 23 litres per second, it is easy to install with a design that will fit in perfectly in any bathroom. It can be mounted easily on the bathroom walls or ceilings.
Features
- Comes in white or chrome design with circular or square covers
- Long-life motor
- 37 db sound level
8. AirTech UK Bathroom Extractor Fan 100mm / 4″ with Timer Humidity Sensor Humidistat ES-100H by Awenta
This extractor fan is great as it not only extracts moisture, it also has a humidity sensor (hydrostat) with timer. The humidity sensor of this fan helps it measure when the bathroom is humid and automatically switch on when it is. The design is sleek and fits well into any bathroom, giving it a pleasing look. It has a flow rate of 94m3 per hour with a maximum noise level of 44Db.
Features
- Has a humidity sensor and timer
- Switches on when a certain humidity level is detected
- Sleek design
9. Xpelair DX100BTS 4 inch (100mm) Simply Silent DX100B Bathroom Fan-Timer Square, Cool White
This model of extractor fan by Xpelair is designed to run silently with its Ghost Air Movement technology. It has a twin speed extractor fan that has an extraction rate of 54 or 76 meters per hour and 15 or 21 litres per minute. It is specially designed to be used in bathrooms or toilets and makes sure to keep them dry and without moisture. The extractor fan is also very easy to install.
Features
- Twin speed extractor fans
- Noise level of 22 or 34 dBA at 3 metres
- Ghost Air movement technology
10. Vent-Axia UK Solo Plus Centrifugal Extractor Fan With Timer IPX4
This product by the trusted Vent-Axia brand does not disappoint as it is designed for use in bathrooms. It has an inbuilt adjustable overrun timer and has an adjustable rear or side exit spigot which is designed like that so as to accommodate recessed ceiling installations. It operates quietly and is IPX4 rated. It can be mounted on the wall, ceiling or panel.
Features
- Adjustable spigot
- Flush or surface mountable
- Back draught shutter
Buying Guide for Extractor Fans for Windowless Bathrooms
This review was written to introduce you to different brands of extraction fans for the bathroom without windows. Now that you have been introduced to them, it is essential that I provide you with a buying guide as this will help you know what brand of extractor fan will work best for you.
Ensure that the brand bought suits your bathroom size
This is vital as some extractor fans work effectively for a certain bathroom size and will not properly ventilate your bathroom if it is too large. So you must make sure that the brand you buy is one that will properly ventilate your bathroom. Do not get a brand that works for small bathrooms while you have a large bathroom.
Carefully check the specifications of the product
Make sure you check the specifications of the product you want to buy so that you will understand how it operates and see if the functions are sufficient for your needs.
Make sure that the product suits your home wiring
This is very key as some products require certain wiring levels for them to work to full capacity so get one that will work well with your home wiring to ensure that you do not pay for functions you won’t enjoy.
Choose a product that will fit your bathroom
Choose a product that will work well with the design of your bathroom. The design of the product must blend well with your bathroom.
Functionality is key
While aesthetics is important, make sure that you find a brand that will function very well and meet your bathroom needs.
Buy a brand you can afford
Do not buy a product you cannot afford, you have to check carefully for a product within a price range you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are extractor fans necessary?
If your bathroom has little to no ventilation, yes they are. They help clear off moisture and prevent your bathroom from quickly falling into disrepair
Can I install my extractor fans by myself?
This depends on the kind of extractor fan you purchase, some can be installed easily while some require special installation that will make it necessary for an expert to be called. Also while most of these extraction fans come with instructional manuals to aid installations, it is advisable to employ the services of an electrician to install them
Can I use a Kitchen extractor fan for my bathroom?
No, this is because a kitchen extractor fan has higher extraction rates than what is required of bathroom extractor fan. Also building regulation requires that a bathroom extraction fan have a rate of 15 litres per second while kitchen extractor fans are to have 60 litres per second.
Conclusion
This product review aims reiterate to you the importance of extraction fans for windowless bathrooms as well as to introduce you to some of the brands of bathroom extractor fans in the UK market so as to help you know the best product that will meet your needs. While all the products reviewed above have their own qualities.
I will recommend the Envirovent SIL100T Silent-100T Axial Silent Extractor Fan as it is quiet, has an adjustable humidity sensor as well as a passive infrared sensor that detects movement and starts working immediately after detection. It is also economical and extracts a high amount of water effectively. While it has its shortcomings, the pros make up for it adequately. It is also a good fit for any kind of bathroom.
