Best bathroom extractor fans to deal with humidity and condensation

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, else your bathroom would be style over substance (and an unhealthy dose of damp 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.

David Phillips is a building expert at Rezigo, and he explains: “Bathroom extractor fans used to be considered an optional luxury. But today, they are a home essential. In fact, in the UK, all bathrooms must be ventilated with either a window or an extractor fan.”

He added: “Not only do they help to improve the air quality in your home, but also work to reduce the potential for mould to develop around bathroom fixtures, and on walls and ceilings throughout your home. Aside from the fact that mould can be unsightly, it’s also bad for your health, often causing or exacerbating allergies and lung conditions.”

There are different fans for all budgets, and even top-of-the-range app-controlled ones. Whether you want sleek and modern, or are happy with sturdy and traditional, there’s a fan out there for you.

Here are some of the best.

Vent-Axia VIMP100T

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 silver colourway but won’t break the bank at around £38.

It features a 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 £38.00, B&Q

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 application. 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 £37.00, B&Q

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 netural 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 £21.00, 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 ten minutes, and praise how quiet it is.

Buy now £30.00, B&Q

Vent-Axia 446659b

If you’re working with a tiny bathroom, this fan is the one for you. Designed for small spaces, it is unobtrusive by being extremely quiet and you have the option of two speeds. One happy customer revealed that they were confused by how quiet it is that they had to remove the cover to check that it was working.

With tile styling, it will blend in with your choice of décor in even the most compact shower room. It’s on the more expensive side compared to some on the list, but the quality means you get bang for your buck.

Buy now £61.80, Amazon

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 £110.99, Screwfix

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 £30.94, 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 £43.00, 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 is 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 £33.77, Amazon

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 £36.00, B&Q