Search for Broan bathroom fan sones and you will find a single number on every box: 0.4, 1.0, 1.5. Each is a real HVI-certified rating, but it is the figure at the easiest test condition, 0.1 inch of static pressure, and Broan sells so many fans that the number alone says little about which one to buy. On October 4, 2026, Broan-NuTone's US site listed 89 current bathroom fans with published sones, across the EVOLVE, QTXE, Flex DC, Flex, FlexAir, Lo-Profile, Roomside, ChromaComfort, PowerHeat, recessed and economy lines.
This page lists all 89, with each figure quoted at the CFM, pressure and duct size Broan states, ranked quietest first within each series and airflow band. It explains how to read a Broan sheet, which fans also publish the tougher 0.25-inch figure, and where Broan's pages disagree with its own documents. We do not rank other brands here. For how Broan sits beside Panasonic and Delta Breez, see our quietest bathroom exhaust fans guide.
Our picks are listed above, with full specifications for each.
How to read a Broan sone rating
Almost every current Broan specification sheet carries the same paragraph: "HVI-2100 CERTIFIED RATINGS comply with new testing technologies and procedures prescribed by the Home Ventilating Institute, for off-the-shelf products, as they are available to consumers. Product performance is rated at 0.1 in. static pressure, based on tests conducted in a state-of-the-art test laboratory. Sones are a measure of humanly-perceived loudness, based on laboratory measurements." Below it is a table headed "HVI PERFORMANCE", with airflow, sones and watts at "0.1 Ps" and, in most cases, airflow alone at "0.25 Ps".
That second column is the one to watch. Static pressure is the resistance the fan pushes against, and a real attic run with elbows and a roof cap sits nearer 0.25 inch than 0.1. Most of Broan's AC-motor fans lose 15 to 30 percent of their airflow at 0.25 inch, and their sheets print no sone figure there. A smaller group, mostly the DC-motor fans, publish sones at both pressures, and HVI's directory adds 0.25-inch sones for some models whose sheets leave them out. We quote those as HVI's figures. We rank on the 0.1-inch figure because every Broan fan has one, and we use the 0.25-inch figure only to compare fans that both publish it.
Duct size matters as much as the fan. The EVOLVE sheet carries separate tables for 4-inch and 6-inch ducts, and the same fan at 110 CFM is 0.3 sone on one and 0.6 on the other. We never rank a 4-inch figure against a 6-inch one.
Sones are not decibels. Two sones sounds about twice as loud as one, and there is no reliable way to turn a sone rating into dB, so we do not try. Our explainer on sones vs decibels covers the units.
EVOLVE Premium, quietest first
The EVOLVE is Broan's top line: a DC/ECM motor, a telescoping roomside mounting frame, slots for humidity and motion modules, and what Broan calls TRUECFM: "Guaranteed Performance no matter how complicated the ductwork." Its sheet is the most complete Broan publishes, with airflow at 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 inch and sones at the first two.
- PTE511RK, PTEL511RK (with light) and PTE511RKY (factory-installed version), 50/80/110 CFM on a 6-inch duct: under 0.3 sone at 50 and 80 CFM and 0.3 at 110 CFM at 0.1 inch; 0.5 sone at 50 CFM, 0.6 at 80 and 0.9 at 110 at 0.25 inch. On a 4-inch duct: under 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 sone at 0.1 inch; 1.0, 1.4 and 1.5 sones at 0.25 inch.
- PTE1115RK, PTEL1115RK (with light) and PTE1115RKY, 110/130/150 CFM on a 6-inch duct: 0.6 sone at 110 CFM, 0.5 at 130 and 0.6 at 150 at 0.1 inch; 1.4, 1.3 and 1.4 sones at 0.25 inch.
The product pages quote the 4-inch row of the smaller model, "Near silent operation" at under 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 sones, which undersells it on a 6-inch duct. Every EVOLVE also has a low continuous setting, rated under 0.3 sone at 0.1 inch.
QTXE and QT series
These are Broan's AC-motor fans for a 6-inch duct, with 7-5/8-inch housings for 2x8 joists.
- QTXEG080X, 80 CFM: 0.4 sone at 80 CFM at 0.1 inch; still 80 CFM at 0.25 inch, with no sone figure there.
- QTXEG110, QTXEG110X and QTXEG110SX (humidity sensing), 110 CFM: 0.4 sone at 110 CFM at 0.1 inch; 85 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- QT130E and QT130LE (with light and night light), 130 CFM: 1.5 sones on the 6-inch connector and 2.0 sones on the supplied 4-inch reducer, both at 130 CFM at 0.1 inch; 100 CFM at 0.25 inch.
Flex DC
The Flex DC is the DC-motor version of Broan's roomside Flex housing: 4-inch duct, 5-3/4 inches deep, selectable 50, 80 or 110 CFM.
- AE50110DC: under 0.3 sone at 50 CFM, 0.4 at 80 and 1.0 at 110 at 0.1 inch; 0.7 sone at 36 CFM, 1.1 at 71 and 1.5 at 105 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- AE50110DCL (with LED light) and AE50110DCS (humidity sensing): under 0.3, 0.4 and 0.9 sone at 0.1 inch and 0.5, 0.9 and 1.4 sones at 0.25 inch on their sheets. HVI lists both with the AE50110DC's figures, 1.0 sone at 110 CFM and 0.7, 1.1 and 1.5 at 0.25 inch, so we treat the three as equal.
Lo-Profile and Lo-Profile DC
These are Broan's 3-3/8-inch-deep fans for 2x4 walls and ceilings, on a 4-inch oval duct.
- LP510R2, LP510RR, LP510RS2 (humidity) and LP510RSL2 (humidity and light), 50/80/100 CFM: under 0.3 sone at 50 CFM, 0.7 at 80 and 1.0 at 100 at 0.1 inch. HVI adds 0.7, 1.0 and 1.4 sones at 0.25 inch, and a 30 CFM setting at under 0.3 sone.
- LP510R, LP510RS and LP510RSL, the first generation: 0.4 sone at 50 CFM, 0.9 at 80 and 1.2 at 100 at 0.1 inch; HVI lists 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 sones at 0.25 inch.
- LP80, single speed: 1.0 sone at 80 CFM on a 4-inch duct and 1.3 sones at 70 CFM on a 3-inch duct, at 0.1 inch.
Broan says the second generation's "Enhanced motor and blower design delivers improved sone performance", and the tables agree: a tenth to two tenths of a sone lower at every setting.
Flex Series and FlexAir
The Flex housing is Broan's volume line: 4-inch duct, roomside "No Attic Access Required" installation, 2x6 depth, and an AC motor. Almost all of its sheets give sones at 0.1 inch only.
- AE50, 50 CFM: 0.5 sone at 50 CFM.
- AE80B, AE80BR, AE80BL (light), AE80K and AE80LK (CleanCover grilles), AE80S and AE80SL (humidity sensing), 80 CFM: 0.7 sone at 80 CFM; 60 to 62 CFM at 0.25 inch. HVI also lists the AE80K and AE80S at 0.6 sone on a 6-inch duct.
- PCPE811, PCPE811K and PCPER811 (FlexAir, 80/110 CFM): 0.6 sone at 80 CFM and 1.3 at 110; 1.2 sones at 60 CFM and 2.0 at 90 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- PEN811 (NuTone Flex, 80/110 CFM): 1.0 sone at 80 CFM and 1.5 at 110; 1.5 sones at 60 CFM and 2.0 at 90 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- AE110, AE110K, AE110L, AE110LK and AE110S, 110 CFM: 1.0 sone at 110 CFM; 91 to 92 CFM at 0.25 inch, where HVI lists 1.5 sones for all but the AE110K.
- A110L, 110 CFM with light: 1.3 sones at 110 CFM.
- 791LEDM, 110 CFM with a soft-surround LED: 1.5 sones at 110 CFM; HVI lists 2.0 sones at 93 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- A110, 110 CFM: 3.0 sones at 110 CFM, the loudest current Flex.
Roomside Series
The Roomside name covers several housings, all on 4-inch ducts and installed from below.
- BENL5, 50 CFM with LED: 0.7 sone at 50 CFM; 1.3 sones at 40 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- BE6 and BEL6, 60 CFM: 0.9 sone at 60 CFM; 1.4 sones at 52 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- AER80K, AER80LK and AER80CCTK, 80 CFM: 0.7 sone at 80 CFM; 60 CFM at 0.25 inch. HVI also lists the AER80K at 0.6 sone on a 6-inch duct.
- AER80LWH, 80 CFM decorative: 0.8 sone at 80 CFM.
- AR80MB, 80 CFM decorative: 1.0 sone at 80 CFM.
- BE8, BEL8, BES8 and BELS8, 80 CFM: 1.5 sones at 80 CFM and 1.5 sones at 66 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- BENL8 and AR80X, 80 CFM: 2.0 sones at 80 CFM; the BENL8 is also 2.0 sones at 66 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- AER110K, AER110L, AER110LK, AER110CCTK, AER110S, AEW110 and AR110LKVV (SurfaceShield), 110 CFM: 1.0 sone at 110 CFM; 92 CFM at 0.25 inch, where HVI lists 1.5 sones.
- AER110LTMB, AER110LTW, AERN110LTW and AER110SLW, 110 CFM decorative: 1.5 sones at 110 CFM; 89 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- AR110, 110 CFM: 3.0 sones at 110 CFM.
ChromaComfort and Sensonic speaker fans
- SPKN80RGBL, 80 CFM: 0.8 sone at 80 CFM; HVI lists 1.3 sones at 67 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- SPK811RGBL, 80/110 CFM: 1.0 sone at 80 CFM and 1.5 at 110; 1.5 sones at 60 CFM and 2.0 at 90 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- SPK110RGBL and SPKN110RGBL, 110 CFM: 1.5 sones at 110 CFM; HVI lists 2.5 sones at 95 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- BEL7A (Roomside, Bluetooth speaker), 70 CFM: 2.0 sones at 70 CFM and 2.0 sones at 57 CFM at 0.25 inch.
If you want the fan as the room's main light rather than for music, our guide to the quietest bathroom fans with a light covers lumens, night lights and where each fixture can be installed.
Heater fans
- BHF80 and BHFLED80 (PowerHeat, 1300 W), 80 CFM: 1.5 sones at 80 CFM; HVI lists 2.0 sones at 70 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- 765H80L (1300 W), 80 CFM: 2.0 sones at 80 CFM.
- BHF110 and BHFLED110 (PowerHeat, 1500 W), 110 CFM: 2.0 sones at 110 CFM; HVI lists 2.5 sones at 95 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- 765H110L (1500 W), 110 CFM: 2.0 sones at 110 CFM and 2.5 sones at 97 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- 162M (one 250 W infrared bulb), 70 CFM: 4.0 sones at 70 CFM.
- 164 (two 250 W infrared bulbs), 70 CFM: 5.0 sones at 70 CFM on Broan's sheet and page; HVI lists 4.0.
Every heater fan here is rated at least 1.5 sones, more than three times the QTXEG fans. None is UL listed for use over a tub or shower.
Recessed and economy fans
- 744L, recessed with light, 50/80 CFM: 0.3 sone at 50 CFM and 2.0 sones at 80 CFM.
- 744 and 744NT, recessed with light, 70 CFM: 1.5 sones at 70 CFM.
- 688ES, 688ESL and 696NE, 50 CFM on a 3-inch duct: 2.0 sones at 50 CFM; 36 CFM at 0.25 inch.
- 750, fan and light with a glass lens, 100 CFM: 5.0 sones at 100 CFM.
The 744L shows how much the setting matters: the same fixture is 0.3 sone on low and 2.0 on high.
High-capacity fans
Broan lists its light-commercial fans alongside its bath fans. The L100E to L300E ceiling fans are HVI certified as other-room exhaust fans on an 8-inch duct; horizontally ducted they are 0.3 sone at 130 CFM (L100E), 1.0 at 200 (L150E), 1.3 at 230 (L200E), 1.5 at 270 (L250E) and 2.5 at 310 CFM (L300E) at 0.1 inch. The Losone Select L400 to L700 publish AMCA "fan sones at 5' (1.5m) in a hemispherical free field", a different test from HVI's, so we do not rank them against any figure on this page.
Discontinued lines
Broan's site marks the following as "Product Discontinued", so none is in the ranking: the Ultra Green XB110H, the Ultra Pro RB80L1 and RB110L1, the QT DC QTXE110150DCL (Broan suggests the PTEL1115RK), the QTXE110S, the Sensonic Voice VC110CCT, the A80, ARW80L, EZ80C and the 658 heater. No InVent-branded fan appears in Broan's current US listings. If you see one of these model numbers in a store, it is old stock, and the replacement's figures above are the ones Broan currently supports.
Where Broan's pages disagree with its sheets
Broan's product pages are less careful than its sheets. The QTXEG110 page title says "0.7 Sone" and links the older QTXE110 sheet, while its own feature list, the QTXEG110 sheet and HVI all say 0.4. The AE80BL title says "1.2 Sones" where its features, sheet and HVI say 0.7. The BHFLED80's spec table shows 1 sone where its title, sheet and HVI say 1.5. The LP510R2 table prints "0.3-0.7-1.0" where the sheet says under 0.3 at 50 CFM. And the lighted and humidity Flex DC sheets show 0.9 sone at 110 CFM at 0.1 inch and lower 0.25-inch figures than HVI lists for them. We followed the sheet and HVI in every case and say so above where they differ.
HVI treats 1.0 sone or less as quiet. At 0.1 inch, 47 of these 89 Broan fans are at or under that on their top setting. At 0.25 inch, the only Broan fans with a published figure at or under 1.0 sone at 110 CFM are the 50/80/110 EVOLVE models on a 6-inch duct. Sones add up in a straight line, so a 110 CFM heater fan at 2.0 sones is about five times as loud as the 0.4-sone QTXEG110 at the same airflow and pressure. Where that line should fall for a bathroom next to a bedroom, as against a powder room, is the subject of our room-by-room guide to how quiet is quiet enough.
How we chose
We opened Broan-NuTone's US listings for fans, fans with lights, fans with heaters, humidity and motion sensing fans, Bluetooth fans, decorative and recessed fans and high-capacity fans, and read every product page they link, 117 in all. We set aside the 10 marked discontinued, the duct-free and in-line fans, which publish no sone figure, and the Losone Select fans, rated under a different standard. For the remaining 89 bathroom fans we downloaded each specification sheet and recorded the "HVI PERFORMANCE" table, with airflow, sones and static pressure per duct size and setting. We then checked every figure against the Home Ventilating Institute's certified products directory, downloaded October 4, 2026. We ranked only within the same airflow band, static pressure and duct size, and we did not convert any sone figure to decibels. Prices are Broan's own list prices, checked October 4, 2026.
We did not measure any of these fans ourselves. Every figure on this page is Broan-NuTone's own published, HVI-certified rating or HVI's listing of it, quoted with the airflow, static pressure and duct size it describes, and where Broan's product page and its specification sheet disagree, we say so and follow the sheet.
