All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Picking the right fan isn’t just about keeping cool — it’s about comfort, air quality, and even safety. Whether you’re clearing steam from a shower, circulating air in a living room, or running a workshop on a hot afternoon, the right fan makes everything feel easier. Think of a fan as the unsung hero of a room: small, quiet when needed, and powerful when called on.
If you’re shopping for fans in the UK, a few specialist retailers stand out in the product listings and marketplace. Expert Electrical is a go-to for many trade and DIY buyers looking for extractor fans, inline units, and specialist ventilation kits. There are also mainstream options — like Screwfix, B&Q, Wickes, AO and Currys — that stock floor fans, tower fans and popular extractors. Specialist lighting and electrical outlets that carry Downlights and controls often list compatible extractor models too, so don’t overlook them when searching for a neat, coordinated solution.
Expert Electrical tends to stock a wide range of ventilation products from established brands such as Manrose and Airflow. If you need in-line shower fans, humidity extractors, or window vent kits, this is one of the places that usually has a broad selection and clear technical specs. They’re a solid stop if you’re looking for trade-grade parts like duct fittings, backdraught shutters, and timer-controlled extractors.
Stores that focus on Downlights and lighting systems often carry complementary ventilation items and smart controls. You’ll see items like Wi‑Fi inline dimmer modules and smart relay modules alongside extractor fans that integrate with motion sensors and humidistats. If you’re planning a bathroom upgrade and want the lighting and ventilation to play nicely together, these outlets can be surprisingly useful.
Fans come in a handful of common flavours — and knowing which one matches your space saves time and money. Extractor fans are built to remove moist or stale air, inline fans sit out of sight in a loft or duct run, floor or stand fans blast air across a room, and ceiling fans circulate air gently to reduce perceived temperature. Then there are hybrid options with timers, motion sensors, and humidistats for automatic control.
Extractor fans are the classic choice for bathrooms and kitchens where humidity and odors need to be removed quickly. Brands like Manrose and Airflow make compact extractors roughly 4 inches and 6 inches in diameter that mount directly to a wall or ceiling or live inline in a duct run. Look for features such as timers, pull-cord switches, and humidistat controls if you want the fan to run only when needed.
Inline fans are installed in the ductwork, often in a loft space, which keeps noise out of living areas. They’re perfect where you need to move air over a distance — say, from a kitchen to an external wall vent — without the fan being heard in the room. Inline options can be compact yet powerful, and many incorporate backdraught shutters to stop cold air sneaking back in when the fan is off.
Sometimes you need raw airflow rather than extraction. A 16-inch power floor stand fan, for example, will move a lot of air and cool people quickly. These fans are portable, simple to position, and often have multiple speed settings. They’re ideal for open-plan rooms, garages, or as a temporary cooling solution on hot days.
Seeing exact model names helps you compare apples with apples. The product lines you’ll frequently encounter include compact Manrose extractor units, Airflow motion-sensor extractors, and robust Status floor fans. These models show the range from targeted moisture control to whole-room air movement.
Manrose builds several compact fan units: a 4‑inch inline shower fan and a 6‑inch window vent kit with external backdraught shutters are typical examples. These are designed to be efficient, fairly quiet, and easy to fit into existing ductwork. Look for models with integrated timers or pull-cord controls if you want hands-off operation.
Airflow offers extractor fans with smart features like motion sensors, timers, and humidistats. A motion-sensor timer unit will trigger only when someone enters the room, while humidistat versions kick in automatically when moisture levels rise. These are ideal in busy homes where manual operation gets forgotten.
For raw air movement, the Status 16‑inch power floor fan is a classic. It’s loud when cranked up, but that’s the point — it moves a large volume of air fast, making it helpful in workshops, conservatories, or for creating cross-ventilation on a hot day.
Choosing the right capacity is crucial. For extractors, the goal is to change the air in a room several times per hour; for floor fans, it’s about the volume of air sent across a space. In practical terms, bathrooms and small kitchens typically need extractors that deliver a decent cubic feet per minute (CFM) rating suited to the room’s size.
A simple rule of thumb: bathrooms often need around 15 to 50 CFM depending on size and whether there’s a shower. Larger kitchens or rooms with heavy cooking can need 100 CFM or more. For living rooms or open-plan spaces, look for floor fans rated for high airflow to create perceptible movement. Always check manufacturer guidance and aim a bit higher if you have longer duct runs or multiple bends.
No one likes a noisy fan. Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and can vary widely: a quiet extractor might sit around the low 30s dB, while powerful inline units or floor fans can be much louder. If noise matters, choose models that list dB levels and look for options with speed controls so you can dial down at night.
Many modern extractors and ventilation systems pair with timers, humidistats, and motion sensors. There are also smart modules that integrate blinds, dimmers, and relays — handy if you’re doing a full bathroom or kitchen refit and want the fan to be part of a wider smart setup. The result: less wasted energy and more automatic comfort.
Installation varies from plug-and-play floor fans to fixed extractors that require wiring and ducting. If you’re confident with basic electrical work, small ceiling or wall extractors can be straightforward. For inline units or jobs involving structural changes, you might prefer to call a professional.
For extractors, position the fan close to the moisture source — over the shower or stove is best. Inline units should be installed with straight duct runs where possible to keep airflow efficient. For floor fans, a diagonal placement that promotes cross-ventilation tends to work best: think of the fan as nudging the room’s air along a path.
Fans are low-maintenance, but a little care goes a long way. Dust and lint can reduce efficiency, so clean grilles and blades periodically. For extractors, check that external shutters move freely and that ducting is clear. Most quality extractor fans last several years; motors and bearings determine longevity, so choose reputable brands and replace worn parts when necessary.
Compare specialist electrical suppliers, lighting stores, and mainstream DIY outlets to find the best price for a specific model. Trade suppliers sometimes have better stock of inline and specialist extractors, while national chains often run seasonal deals on floor and tower fans. If you prefer online shopping, check product reviews and seller ratings before you click buy.
Expect to pay more for quiet operation, better materials, and smart features. A basic extractor is usually cheaper than an inline or smart-controlled fan. For floor and stand fans, price ranges reflect build quality and motor power, so decide if portability or raw airflow is your priority.
If you’re handy, many straightforward extractor fans and floor units are DIY-friendly. However, when the job involves hardwiring, ductwork through roofs, or ensuring compliance with building regs, professional installation is worth the peace of mind. It’s a bit like choosing between cooking a simple meal yourself and hiring a chef for a complicated dinner party — both can work, but the complexity determines the best approach.
Before making a purchase, double-check the fan’s CFM, noise level (dB), control options (timer, humidistat, motion sensor), and mounting type. Confirm the unit size — a 4‑inch or 6‑inch extractor will have different duct requirements — and ensure any inline unit suits your available loft or wall space. When in doubt, compare similar models across a couple of retailers to spot the best combination of features and price.
Buying a fan in the UK doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Focus on what you need the fan to do: remove moisture, move fresh air, or cool people directly. Specialist retailers like Expert Electrical and lighting/electrical outlets that stock Downlights and controls are great places to start, while wider retailers cover the portable fan market. Match capacity to room size, look for the features that reduce noise and waste, and choose a trusted brand for longevity. With a little planning, the right fan will keep your home comfortable and your air fresh for years.
