Who hasn’t had to make a late-night trip to the bathroom only to discover it was freezing in there? Most of us have also had to take an early shower on a cold morning. During such situations, a little bit of extra heat in the bathroom goes a long way. There are a ton of bathroom-ceiling heaters on the market. Some have fans, others have lights, and still others offer all three. How does one know which model to choose? We will give a brief review of seven of the best bathroom heaters on the market today, to help you decide.
Heater Buying Guide
Before jumping into our seven reviews, here are some guidelines to choosing the best bathroom-ceiling heater for your needs. First off, there are three terms you should get familiar with. The first is CFM. This stands for cubic feet per minute. This number will help you to gauge how effective the fan is on each unit. The next term is sones. This is a measurement of sound. If you value a fan that is nice and quiet, then you will need to look for the sones rating on each model. A 4.0 rating is a fairly quiet operation. You should look for models with this number or a lower number rating.
Last of all is the term, UL Listed. UL is short for Underwriters Laboratories. That is an independent testing and certification group that is nationally recognized. Being UL Listed ensures that your electric and heating products are safe for use. It is important to check that such fixtures are tested for safety in damp environments, so they are appropriate for use in your bathroom where it will most certainly get damp.
Before selecting a heater, you will want to measure the entire bathroom area and get an idea of the square feet of space you need to heat. Heaters are made with different area sizes in mind. Match the heater to the space size for the most efficient and fast heating of your bathroom. Prices vary widely, but the old saying is usually true: “you get what you pay for.” Make sure that any models you look at are quality, but fall within your budget.
Make note of the size of the heater and the size of the opening in the ceiling where it will be installed, if one already exists. Be sure there is a hookup available with the correct amps. If you are replacing a unit that also provided a light source, then you will likely need to purchase another heater that also doubles as a lighting fixture.
The Product Reviews
1. Panasonic Whisper Warm
One of the great things about a Panasonic heater is that they simply last longer than the competition. They consume less energy and still move more air and produce more heat. Their units run cooler than others too, which also leads to a longer life for the heater. They are known for their record of seldom overheating. In the odd event that they should, the motor has a cutoff fuse, making the heater safe for your home or place of business.
Panasonic’s WhisperWarm can be used as a heater, as a fan only, or as a combination of the two, to quickly get the bathroom warm and comfortable. The unit heats up in about a minute. This is perfect for those cold mornings when you need the bathroom to get toasty warm in a hurry before you jump into that shower. The heater is small and operates quietly in the background. It was also designed to be easy to install. The components of this device are made of the highest quality materials. The electrical parts are well insulated from the heat, for safety and a long life. The heating element is made of 1400W stainless steel for durability.
VIEW ON AMAZON →2. Nutone QT9093WH
This bathroom ceiling heater and fan from NuTone has one really great feature that sets it apart from the competition. It also gives you an added light. A soft glow from the 7-watt nightlight provides just enough light to see in the middle of the night. The grill is a white enamel that should look good with any bathroom decor. This heater was made for simple installation. It is meant for a 4-inch duct and requires a 2 by 8-inch space for proper installation. Mounting brackets and other necessary hardware are included.
The NuTone heater has a heating element rated at 1500 watts. The fan can push around 110 cubic feet of air per minute. This makes the unit ideal for bathroom areas of around 105 square feet in size. The fan is both quiet and powerful. It helps the heater to heat the entire room up quickly. You will never have to wait or freeze in the middle of a chilly night or on a cold morning when you need to hit the shower. The motor is permanently lubed to reduce noise and to nearly eliminate frequent maintenance.
VIEW ON AMAZON →3. Broan 665
Broan is a company name that you here again and again on our list. They are one of the best in the business when it comes to manufacturing top quality, bathroom-ceiling heaters. The 655 model provides a heater and a fan that can be used separately or together. This model also provides a light, but this time it’s a full 100 watt light to illuminate the whole room. This is perfect if your bathroom’s main light fixture is already in the ceiling. You can combine fan, heater and light into one fixture to save space and give the bathroom a more clean, neat look.
This heater is a 1300 watt unit for even, quick heating. The fan motor is powerful but quiet. It pushes 70 CFM and is rated at 4.0 sones. This model was designed for optimum efficiency in a bathroom of around 65 square feet. The elegant, designer grill is a white polymeric material that is durable and attractive. The unit looks great in bathrooms with any design motif you can image. A 20 amp circuit is required for installation of this heater.
VIEW ON AMAZON →4. Broan Model 157
The next model from Broan is a 1250 watt 120 volt ceiling heater.It features an enclosed metal sheath that radiates heat. It can quickly and easily be mounted to any 3 /12 inch or 4 inch ceiling electrical box. It will work whether the box is round or octagonal. A 15 amp circuit minimum is required for installation. This is a low profile ceiling heater for a slick, simple look. The grill is made of attractive, sturdy aluminum. It only protrudes 2 3/4 of an inch from the ceiling when installed. This is ideal for anyone looking for a modern, minimalist style to their bathroom.
This heater from Broan is one of the best budget buys on our list. It features an automatic shutoff for safety. It won’t overheat without automatically turning off. A permanently lubricated motor makes for smooth, quiet and consistent operation. Like most of the models on our list, this heater warms up the room very quickly. A number of different types of Broan wall controls are also available should you wish to customize the look and feel of your switches.
VIEW ON AMAZON →5. Broan 163
Now we move on to yet another Broan model. This time we’ll take a look at the very affordable Broan 163 heater. This model gives you some flexibility on how and where you install it. It can easily be mounted to the ceiling or to a wall in your bathroom. This is the least expensive model in our reviews. If you need supplemental heat or are simply remodeling the bathroom on a budget, then this may be the best pick for you. The white polymeric grill looks right at home with any bathroom color scheme or decor.
This unit provides some extra heat and is not intended to be the only source of heat for the room. Heat is dispensed via two 240 watt, infrared bulbs. A choice of wall switches are available in many styles and looks. The unit is solidly built for a budget-friendly heater. It is surrounded in a robust, steel housing. The bracket mounts are adjustable for easy installation. This unit from Boran provides heat and ventilation functions separately or in tandem.
VIEW ON AMAZON →6. Progress Lighting P6952-16TG
The Progress Lighting P6952-16TG is yet another great budget purchase. The Progress Lighting company has been in the business for over a century, so you know they do good quality work. This is a sturdy, heater light built tough with a steel housing. It is UL listed for safety in damp areas. It uses Therma-Gard thermal protection to guard the electrical components from its own heat. The device cannot overheat and will automatically shut down at the first sign of trouble. The unit also has a strong, plaster wrap around frame.
This heater was built for a 7 3/4 inch ceiling opening. The finish is a classy looking satin aluminum that goes well with any bathroom decor. The overall size of this unit it 13 inches by 8.375 inches. The heater has trim that fits tight to the ceiling via coil springs, for a clean and neat look. The junction box is universal and features snap out sides. The Progress Lighting company stands by their products with a nice, 1-year comprehensive warranty. You can’t go wrong by purchasing one of their heaters.
VIEW ON AMAZON →7. Broan Heat-A-Ventlite
Last, but not least, is yet one more offering from Broan. The Broan Heat-A-Ventlite provides you with an exhaust fan, a heater and a 100-Watt incandescent light. This all in one unit has a 1300-watt heating element and a 70 CFM fan. Each of these three functions can be used together or operated independently of one another. A number of different control configurations and styles are available for the fixture. This unit has a neutral look to go along with any bathroom style and has the familiar white polymeric grill used by many other Broan models.
This heater is powerful and will add some extra, needed heat in a hurry. The housing size for this model is 7.87 x 14.62 x 5.62 Inches, while the duct direction for installation is horizontal. This ceiling heater and light fixture was made for bathrooms of around 65 square feet in size. The Heat-A-Ventlite has a sound rating of 4.0 sone and is HVI Certified. Operation is nice and quiet and the quality is good enough for a lifetime of use.
VIEW ON AMAZON →The Top Pick
You won’t be sorry for selecting any of these 7 bathroom-ceiling heaters. Each represents a great value with good quality, features and safety. Many offer unique perks that other models do not. Obviously, some will be better for your particular bathroom and specific needs than others. Following our buyer’s guide is a good way to get a handle on which models might be best for you. If we had to pick just one, the Panasonic Whisper Warm wins out here. The safety features, quality and price put it just a bit above the rest. These models are meant to last and have an excellent reputation for longevity and problem-free operation. This model also comes at a very reasonable price for the quality.
VIEW ON AMAZON →Looking for Anything Else?
Here at Best Electric Fireplace Review, we know our readers might have interested beyond their bathroom heating. We dive into all sorts of household heat-related products, from outdoor cooking and heating solutions, to wood stoves and garage heaters. Stop by our homepage and see what else we have to offer! Thanks for reading!