Bathroom Extractor Fan Buying Guide

Not all fans are the same. Choosing the right type depends on how you want it to operate and the size of your bathroom.

1. Fan Types & How They Work

Pull Cord / Basic Fans

  • Manual on/off with a pull cord or wall switch
  • Pros: Cheap, simple, easy to install
  • Cons: Must remember to turn it off; no automatic features
  • Best for: Small bathrooms with occasional use

Timer Fans

  • Turns off automatically after a set period (e.g., 5–30 minutes)
  • Pros: Saves energy; no need to remember to switch off
  • Cons: Does not react to humidity; runs for the set time even if not needed
  • Best for: Shared bathrooms or high-traffic areas

Humidity / Humidistat Fans

  • Turns on automatically when humidity rises; may include a timer for after the humidity drops
  • Pros: Prevents mold and damp; convenient; energy efficient
  • Cons: Higher cost than basic or timer fans
  • Best for: Bathrooms with showers or high moisture

CFM / Cubic Metre Fans (Airflow Rating)

  • Measured in m³/h or CFM, indicates how much air the fan moves
  • Choosing airflow based on bathroom size:
    • Small bathroom → 60–80 m³/h
    • Medium bathroom → 90–120 m³/h
    • Large bathroom → 120–250 m³/h
  • Always match the fan’s rating to your bathroom size

2. Quick Comparison Table

Fan Type

How it Works

Pros

Cons

Best For

Pull Cord / Basic

Manual on/off

Cheap, simple

Must remember to turn off

Small bathrooms

Timer

Turns off after set time

Saves energy, no forgetting

Doesn’t respond to humidity

Shared bathrooms

Humidistat

Auto on/off based on humidity

Prevents mold, automatic

Higher cost

Bathrooms with showers

CFM / m³/h Rating

Measures airflow

Ensures proper ventilation

Must choose correct rating

Any bathroom

3. Choosing the Right Fan

  1. Bathroom size → pick fan airflow rating (CFM / m³/h)
  2. Automation vs manual → timer or humidistat is better for convenience
  3. Energy efficiency → modern fans with automatic features save energy
  4. Noise level → check dB rating; lower is quieter

 Rule of thumb:

  • Small, simple bathroom → Pull cord or basic timer fan
  • Medium/large bathroom or frequent showers → Humidistat fan with correct CFM

4. Visual Diagram

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  • Pull Cord / Basic → Simple manual control
  • Timer → Automatic off after set time
  • Humidistat → Auto on/off with humidity
  • CFM → Choose airflow rating for bathroom size