Do you want to find the best bathroom fan timer switch?
Timer switches allow you to control a fan (or other appliance) by pushing a button for a preset time, and automatically turn off the fan when the timer ends.
In this product review, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for the best timer switch
- Pros and cons of top rated timer switches
- Tips on buying timer switches
Let's get started with this guide!
Image | Product | |||
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Top Pick | Top Pick | Lutron
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| View on Amazon |
Enerlites
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| View on Amazon | ||
BN-LINK
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| View on Amazon | ||
Best Budget | Best Budget | Leviton Decora
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| View on Amazon |
Woods
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| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
- 5min to 60min timer
- Shows the time remaining by LED
- Easy installation
- Includes rocker button
- World-renowned company
My overall top pick for the best bathroom exhaust fan timer switch goes to Lutron. This wall timer switch ranges from 5min and all the way up to 60min, which is more than enough time for a bathroom fan. The nice thing about this Lutron timer is that the LED light will show you the time remaining unlike most other timer switches. To operate, you simply press the start button, and then use the rocker to choose your timer setting.
Top 5 Best Bathroom Fan Timer Switches
Short on time? Check out our top 5 bathroom fan timer switches! Keep reading for more details on each pick and to see our buyer's guide.
Introduction
One thing that home inspectors frequently recommend to their clients is to install timer switches for their bathroom exhaust fans. A timer switch allows the user to choose a preset time, and when that time elapses, the bathroom fan will automatically turn off.
These switches are great to use for bathroom fans because you want to operate the bath fan for at least 15min to 30min after you take a shower to remove all of the moisture. And unless you have a perfect memory, you will likely forget to turn off the bathroom fan.
There are two primary types of delay-off timers, the push button and the rotary knob. With the push button, it is usually as simple as choosing your desired time, such as between 5min or 60min, and push the button. A rotary knob doesn't have any buttons, but you literally turn a knob to your desired time, similar to a timer knob on a toaster oven.
Read Also >> What Are The Best Bathroom Fan Switches?
LED Indicator Lights
Most timer switches have LED indicator lights, and this is a useful feature which allows you to confirm you chose the correct time. And on top of that, the LED indicator light is sometimes bright enough that you can pick the correct setting even in the dark.
However, this is one reason that timer switches aren't always the best thing to install in a bedroom, because the LED light can get annoying.
There is also at least one brand of timer switch that has a countdown timer. With the Lutron timer switch, the LED light will actually change as your time remaining lowers, so you can visually see how much time is left on your timer switch.
Read Also >> How To Wire A Bathroom Fan And Light On Separate Switches?
Neutral Wire
One problem with the installation of timer switches is that some of them require a neutral wire.
If your bathroom fan wall switch doesn't have a neutral wire, you will have to install one to get these timer switches to work. If you have an older home, there is a decent chance that you don't have neutral conductors, and I would verify this by removing the wall switch after you shutoff the power.
Read Also >> What Are The Top Bathroom Exhaust Fans?
What Is The Best Bathroom Fan Timer Switch?
Here are my full reviews of the best bathroom fan timer switches with their pros and cons. Check it out below...
My #1 top pick is the Maestro by Lutron. It is a high quality timer switch made by a world-renowned brand for intelligent switches.
This timer has six pre-set timers up to 60 minutes. All you have to do is hit the start button, then use the rocker button to select your preferred timer up to 60min.
The LED indicator light will show you the time remaining. Lutron switches are easy to install and Lutron has DIY install videos available.
This Enerlites timer is a great addition to any bathroom to automatically turn off the bathroom fan.
With this bathroom fan timer, you can choose between 5min, 10min, 30min, 60min, 2hr, or 4hr. Simply push the desired time, and it will shutoff the vent fan to save energy.
It also features a blue LED light so you know the timer is set, and it also helps you choose the correct timer in the dark. These timer switches are easy to install, and are made of heat and impact resistant thermoplastic.
The BN-Link countdown timer is a premium wall switch that will automatically shut off your bathroom fan at your desired time.
With a convenient knob, this heavy duty timer can easily adjust up to 60-minutes and turn off your bathroom fan. Created with simplicity in mind, this knob timer can easily be controlled in the dark or with wet hands.
It even comes with two switch plates to match your toggle switch or decorator plate. This timer switch will easily work with any bathroom fan, but you can also use it to shutoff lights, heat lamps, appliances, and more.
The Decora by Leviton is a premium timer light switch that you can use for a bathroom exhaust fan. It has four pre-set timers ranging from 5-min and all the way up to 30-min.
I always recommend leaving the bath fan on at least 20-30min after you take a shower to remove all moisture.
This timer switch also has a off button and a hold and override timer button. The Decora timer switch has indicator lights so you know its set correctly.
This Woods wall timer switch is a budget friendly unit to automatically turn off your bathroom fan.
It has 4 preset timers ranging from 10-min and all the way up to 60-min. It includes LED indicator lights to show which timer you picked.
The LED light is also bright enough so you can locate the switch in the dark and choose your desired setting.
The Woods timer switch includes a wall plate, and a wiring diagram is printed right on the timer switch itself for easy reference.
My #1 Top Pick: Lutron Maestro
My overall top pick for the best bathroom fan timer switch goes to the Maestro by Lutron. Here's why...
#1. Six Timer Settings
This timer switch has 6 timer settings ranging from 5min and all the way up to 60min. To operate, you simply press the start button, and then use the rocker switch to choose your desired time.
#2. LED Shows Time Remaining
Unlike most other timer switches, the Lutron will actually show you the time remaining with its LED light. So as the time goes down, the LED will move down.
#3. World-Renowned Company
I think pretty much everyone has heard of Lutron, and they are world-renowed for their light switches. Some of the most expensive homes I have ever inspected were filled with Lutron wall switches.
2 thoughts on “Top 5 Best Bathroom Fan Timer Switches (2024 Review)”
Arie, I am remodeling my small bathroom which is the main bathroom in the house. It is approximately 5 feet by 7 feet. There is no window in the bathroom. My house was built in 1959 so it likely does not have a neutral wire. I would like to get an exhaust fan that has a heater and a timer. I haven’t been able to find a fan that includes both. I noticed the BN-Link timer and it seems to indicate that it can be used with a fan that includes a heater. Is that true? I would use the fan and the heater together in the winter but not in the summer, so I would want to operate the fan and heater separately. Is that possible or am I asking too much? I primarily want to control the fan because it inevitably gets turned on and forgotten and sometimes runs for hours. Also, I am a senior and would enjoy a nice, warm bathroom in the winter. I am just beginning this project so I am shopping around. Right now the exhaust fan is controlled by one switch on the wall right next to the switch that controls the light over the medicine cabinet and one outlet for two appliances to be plugged in all within the same faceplate. Thank you for your help!
Hey Marie… not sure about that specific wall switch but if you want the fan and heater to operate as a timer, you may need to install two separate wall switch timers, one for just the fan, and the other for the heater. The bigger issue is that new wiring will need to be routed from bath fan to wall switch for the heater. Your home definitely has a neutral wire, it may not have a ground wire however.