If you are looking for the top ventless bathroom exhaust fan, this guide has you covered!
In this review, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for duct-free bathroom fans
- How activated charcoal filters work
- Why 'through-the-wall' bathroom fans may be a suitable option
As a licensed home inspector, I know how important bathroom fans can be to keep your home healthy and safe.
However, sometimes installing a duct to the outside just isn't practical such as in a restricted condominium or if there is a complicated (and expensive) installation.
Even though venting to the outside is always recommended, ductless bathroom fans can at least remove foul odors with charcoal filters and help circulate the air inside the bathroom.
And there are also 'through-the-wall' bath fans that only need a few inches of ducting — so virtually duct-free!
Check out my table below of our picks for the best ventless bath fans!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Ductless Bathroom Fan  | Best Overall Ductless Bathroom Fan | Broan 682
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| View on Amazon |
 | Broan 682NT
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| View on Amazon | |
Best Ventless Exhaust Fan For Interior Wall  | Best Ventless Exhaust Fan For Interior Wall | Broan 512
|
| View on Amazon |
Best Duct-Free Bath Fan For Exterior Wall  | Best Duct-Free Bath Fan For Exterior Wall | Panasonic WhisperWall
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Our overall top pick for the best ventless bathroom exhaust fan goes to the Broan-Nutone 682 because it operates completely ventless so you don't need an exterior wall or duct hassles.
The 682 comes with 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 and includes a simple white plastic grille.
What Are The Best Ductless Bathroom Fans?
Our Reviews of Highly Rated Ductless Bathroom Exhaust Fans
Here are my full reviews of the best ventless exhaust fans together with their pros and cons. Check it out below...
Pick #1. Broan-Nutone 682
Best Overall Ductless Bathroom Fan
Our overall best choice for duct-free bath fans goes to the 682 by Broan-Nutone.
This simple bathroom fan can be installed without ductwork and 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
Cons
The 682NT by Broan-Nutone is bascially the same bathroom fan as the 682 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 682NT 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 duct-free 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
Cons
Pick #3. Broan-Nutone 512M
Best Ventless Exhaust Fan For Interior Wall
The 512M 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 512M is a great option. It is rated at 70-cfm which means it can move 70 cubic feet of air per minute.
It is also rated at 6-sones which gives some sound cover in a bathroom. The 512M can be installed on any interior wall with at least a 5-1/4" thickness, and it includes an adjustable housing for easy installation.
Pros
Cons
Pick #4. Panasonic WhisperWall
Best Duct-Free Bath Fan For Exterior Wall
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
Cons
Our Buyer's Guide on Duct-Free Bath Fans
Jump to a section in our buyer's guide by clicking the links below...
- Duct-Free Bath Fans Will Remove Smells & Improve Air Circulation Only
- Ductless Exhaust Fans Use Charcoal/Carbon Filters
- Duct-Free Bathroom Exhaust Fans Will Never Be As Good As Regular Bath Fans
- 'Through-The-Wall' Bathroom Vent Fans May Work If It's On An Exterior Wall
- My #1 Top Pick: Broan-Nutone 682
Duct-Free Bath Fans Will Remove Smells & Improve Air Circulation Only
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 To Install A Bathroom Exhaust Fan On The First Floor?
Ductless Exhaust Fans Use Charcoal/Carbon 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 >> How To Replace A Bathroom Vent Fan Without Attic Access?
Duct-Free Bathroom Exhaust Fans Will Never Be As Good As Regular Bath 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 >> What Are Bath Fan Sone Ratings?
'Through-The-Wall' Bathroom Vent Fans May Work If It's On An Exterior Wall
In my product reviews, I have also included a few 'through-the-wall' exhaust fans.
These fans aren't strictly ductless 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 bath fans that use charcoal filters.
Read Also >> How To Stop Condensation In A Exhaust Fan?
My #1 Top Pick: Broan-Nutone 682
My overall top rated pick for recirculating bathroom fans goes to the Broan-Nutone 682. Here's why...
#1. Ductless 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 682 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.
