When you’re planning a bathroom makeover and picking out your must-have items, chances are that a rolltop bath, rainfall shower or Insta-worthy tiles are the items you’ve been eyeing up.
It’s important to remember the functional items, though, as well as the glamorous ones, or else your bathroom will be style over substance (and have an unhealthy dose of dampness or mould). Choosing the right extractor fan might not be the sexiest shopping you ever do, but it’ll save you a lot of work in the long run when it comes to repairing any damage caused by steam. There are plenty to choose from with options for every budget.
There are different fans for all budgets and even top-of-the-range app-controlled ones. Whether you want stylish and modern or are happy with sturdy and traditional, there’s a fan out there for you.
How we tested
I live in a small London flat with poor airflow and a wet room bathroom, so finding a decent extractor fan is important. Without constant maintenance, mould quickly appears, and I’m stuck scrubbing it away with sprays. This is a task that gets even harder in winter when opening windows to ventilate makes the flat uncomfortably cold.
Add in the fact that I often forget to air it out, and it’s no surprise the place steams up a lot after every shower. This setup made it the perfect testing ground to put these extractor fans through their paces and find out which ones truly help keep condensation and mould under control.
Best bathroom extractor fans at a glance
Keep scrolling for some of the best.
Vent-Axia Pure Air Sense Smart Bathroom Extractor Fan
For anyone experiencing the challenges of small-space living, Vent-Axia Pure Air Sense Smart Bathroom Extractor Fan stands out as it combines smart functionality with silent efficiency. Its odour, humidity, and light sensors work together to keep my bathroom fresh and dry, making it perfect for wet rooms where condensation is a constant issue.
The app control is convenient too, allowing me to adjust settings remotely, while the low power consumption ensures it’s eco-friendly and cost-effective. Ideal for improving air quality in compact living spaces.
Buy now £155.24, Plumbworld
Vent-Axia 100mm Silent Extractor Fan Timer
One of the biggest names in the industry, Vent-Axia has an array of extractor fans from budget to big bucks. The VIMP100T comes in a sleek all-white colourway but won’t break the bank at around £66.99.
It features an adjustable 30-minute timer, to ensure the air is circulating but also won’t waste energy – crucial when it comes to keeping bills down. With styling to match any modern, contemporary bathroom, it looks unobtrusive thanks to the simple square tile aesthetic.
It is designed to go the distance too, with a long-life motor. It’s also easy to install, quiet and efficient.
Buy now £77.99, Tool Station
Manrose VXF100P
Even though it is one of the more budget options, the Manrose VFX100P boasts seemingly endless rave reviews. Simple but effective, it comes in white thermoplastic and previous customers praised how quick and easy it was to install.
You don’t need to break the bank to have a good quality item, and the traditional styling will blend in with most neutral bathrooms. If you’re not after the bells and whistles but something that does the job, this extractor fan could be just the ticket.
It’s a little bulkier than some of the others but still well-built.
Buy now £24.00, B&Q
Manrose MG100T
This fan probably looks very familiar as it is one of the most popular models in new build houses. With a single-speed fan and a study, long-lasting motor, this design may not win any style awards however it is functional and practical.
It can be ceiling or wall-mounted, with a 20-minute timer to conserve energy, and had hundreds of four or five-star reviews from happy customers. Many say they managed to fit this model in less than 10 minutes and praise how quiet it is.
Buy now £38.00, B&Q
Vent-Axia App Control
This is the all-singing, all-dancing extractor fan on the list. If you love gadgets and want an app for everything in your house then you’ll love this. It’s definitely not cheap, at £100+, but for fans of gizmos and technical wizardry, it’ll be a worthwhile investment.
Bluetooth-controlled, it has varying speeds for the fan and has a silent mode too. It can run continuously or intermittently with timer and humidity functions too. It’s also easy to clean, thanks to the design of the rotor blade meaning it can be removed easily. The sensors mean it can detect humidity levels and boost the fan volume if needed. An impressive bit of kit.
Buy now £120.00, Wickes
Xpelair DX100TS
One of the easiest models to fit and install, this mid-range design also performs well when it comes to noise. You don’t need to worry about waking up loved ones with a middle-of-the-night toilet trip or late-running bath as this whirrs quietly.
It features long-life silent running motors with ‘ghost air movement technology’ and has a 30-minute timer. It boasts five-star reviews from satisfied customers, and it has a traditional look to it with many praising the shape and style of the rotor blades.
Buy now £33.50, Amazon
STERR - Black Bathroom Extractor Fan
Dark and moody bathrooms are big in the world of interior design, so if a sleek silver or bright white fan would ruin your aesthetic, you’ll love this STERR fan. It also works for a monochrome look and has a modern edge. With a glass front panel, it has a unique edge and can be installed horizontally and vertically. At first glance it isn’t clear it’s an extractor fan, so is a good choice for the design-conscious. There are upgraded models on offer with LED lights around the edge too.
Buy now £44.90, Amazon
Knightsbridge Backlit Extractor Fan
With a sleek stainless-steel finish and an LED backdrop, this is the extractor fan to choose if you want to make a statement and don’t want to blend in. It comes with an adjustable timer of two to 30 minutes, and it is easy to wipe clean.
It’s one of the noisier models on the list, but the styling and lighting are so attractive that it is easy to overlook its faults. For those late-night bathroom stops, you’ll appreciate the glow of the LEDs, which will illuminate the situation without needing to switch on the overhead light.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Vent-Axia SIL100
Another from Vent-Axia, this one has five-star reviews aplenty from happy customers praising the efficiency of this more traditionally designed extractor fan.
This white fan is made from thermoplastic and has a slim profile of just 17mm. It has been designed to be unobtrusive and to blend in with your décor rather than making a statement. It’s flexible too, as the SIL100 has been crafted for both vertical and horizontal applications. This gives you multiple options for where to install it, as the different angles mean it is suitable for wall, ceiling, panel and window mounting. It also comes with built-in back-draft shutters.
You will appreciate the ease and speed with which it can be fitted so you can get your bathroom up and running in no time.
Buy now £47.00, B&Q
Manrose 12473 Lo Profile
The Manrose 12473 is made from ABS thermoplastic and PVC and comes with a 20-minute timer. The Lo Profile fan is aptly named thanks to the unique design which makes it a sleek and versatile addition to any bathroom. It can be used for wall and ceiling mounting. It can extract 23 litres per second, however, some customers have found this more fiddly to fit because of how flush it lies.
Buy now £38.00, B&Q
Envirovent SIL100T Axial Silent Extractor Fan
The five-star reviews poured in for this extractor fan. It boasts an impressive extract rate of 26 litres per second, meaning you can step out of the steamiest shower with peace of mind knowing no mould will crop up as a result after a leisurely soak.
Buyers adored the low noise levels, which is one of the quietest on the market. This makes it an ideal pick for flat shares and housemates who like to wash at unorthodox hours. It might come at a slightly higher cost than other models, but a quick glance at the Amazon reviews and you’ll understand why.
Buy now £45.25, Amazon
Xpelair Simply Silent 100mm Contour Extractor Fan Humidistat
Powered by a humidistat which switches on the extractor fan when high condensation levels are detected, the Xpelair Simply Silent is a high-tech, near-silent option for those who are tired of noisy bathroom fans.
Suitable for wall, window or ceiling mounting, you'll be able to choose between a square or round silhouette, as well as an increased airflow (29dB) or near-silent operation (15dB).
Buy now £97.24, Toolstation
Verdict
Living in a small London flat with a wet room bathroom, I’ve come to appreciate how important a good extractor fan is - especially when battling constant condensation and damp in a compact space. The Vent-Axia Pure Air Sense Smart Bathroom Extractor Fan that I ordered from Plumbworld stands out for its smart features and practicality.
The odour sensor helps freshen the air by ramping up airflow when needed, while the humidity sensor automatically kicks in to tackle excess moisture, keeping condensation and mould at bay without me having to think about it. What’s even better is that it operates silently, so I’m not put off by constant noise.
It’s also incredibly efficient, with low power consumption that won’t drive up my energy bills, and the magnetic front cover blends into my bathroom decor.
