LAST UPDATED: October 10, 2019
Best RV Vent Fans: Top Picks for Ventilating Your Motorhome
Make sure you’re comfortable no matter where you are with these top RV vent fans
Entering our 7th season of /DRIVE on NBC Sports, and with millions of YouTube and Facebook followers, The Drive is a leading authority of all things automotive.
The Review Team
-
19 Products
-
8 Hours
-
7 Reviews
How We Decided
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
PUBLISHED ON October 10, 2019
A good vent fan is a necessary addition to any RV if you want to be free of smells and be comfortable whatever the climate. If you want fresh air in your current motorhome, retrofitting a new vent fan is a good idea. While vent fans mostly come in a standard size, there are all kinds of features to think about, from rain sensors and thermostats to low-profile rain shields. Our top picks will help you find the right one.
Vent lid opens manually and has double struts for added durability.
Remote-control models also include a backup keypad.
It includes a removable screen for easy cleaning.
The company also offers replacements for all outdated or older parts.
A good vent fan is a necessary addition to any RV if you want to be free of smells and be comfortable whatever the climate. If you want fresh air in your current motorhome, retrofitting a new vent fan is a good idea. While vent fans mostly come in a standard size, there are all kinds of features to think about, from rain sensors and thermostats to low-profile rain shields. Our top picks will help you find the right one.
The Maxxair 12V fan features reversible blades, a built-in thermostat, and a ceiling fan mode to circulate air, allowing you to make adjustments as you see fit. It has 10 different fan speeds, so you can control the airflow and noise levels. The fan fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch RV roof openings. It has a white lid and is flush mounted with an air intake and exhaust.
One of the best things about this fan is that the blades are virtually silent on lower settings without sacrificing airflow. The vent lid also opens manually and has double struts for durability. In addition, the remote-control models include backup controls on the ceiling for added convenience.
One problem with this product is that the instruction manual covers a range of fan models, which can be a hassle during installation. Also, the fan does not include an integrated rain cover, and only one made by Maxxair will fit so your options are limited.
This universal roof vent and 12V fan has a universal design, so it fits most RVs and campers. Wiring and overall installation is easy and straightforward. The fan comes with a vent cover and interior ceiling hardware, so no extras except for screws and caulk are required. It fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch roof openings, and the fan is made of galvanized steel with a mill finish.
Even though it's not a premium fan, its low price means you can circulate fresh air and remove stale air without spending a lot of money. The fan also includes a removable screen, which makes it easier to clean. Overall, it looks just as good and works nearly as well as higher-end, more expensive units.
However, the fan does not come with screws, putty, etc., which means you need to buy these items separately. Also, the fan is either on or off, and you can't adjust the speed of the fan blades.
The Fan-Tastic 12V three-speed fan has a low amp draw, so you can use it without accessing a main power supply. It’s made from ABS plastic and fits a standard 14-inch by 14-inch roof opening. This universally designed fan accommodates most vans, travel trailers, and small motorhomes, and it has an integrated lid. The unit is made of UV-resistant ABS plastic.
The fan is durable and quiet. It's a great fan to use off the grid and in situations in which air conditioners are not permitted. It has a locking lid and will not operate if the roof is closed. The screen is removable for easy cleaning, and the manufacturer provides a one-year warranty.
Unfortunately, the knob that opens and closes the lid can wear down after sustained but not excessive use, so over time it can be hard to grip and operate the vent cover. Also, the fan blades are not reversible and only pull air in.
The Fan-Tastic Vent RV Roof Vent is a three-speed fan with 10 blades. This compact, durable, and lightweight vent is designed to quickly move air in and out of an RV. This vent fan fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch openings and is white with a high-profile base and a smoke-tinted dome. You can choose between low, medium, and high speeds, and overall it's quite easy to use.
Users like this fan because it quickly sucks out stale air and circulates fresh air. It also moves a lot of air in an efficient manner. Some RVers only use the lowest speed because it does such a good job. Overall, this vent is high quality, simple to install, and makes sleeping in an RV comfortable and cool.
One downside is that the controls can be tricky to reach for some users. Also, it's a little loud at full speed, and some consumers have complained that they didn't receive installation instructions in the packaging.
The Livpow RV Roof Vent features a three-speed, reversible, 12-volt fan with 10 clear fan blades that removes stale air and introduces fresh air into the cabin of your RV or camper. It has a manual speed knob to better control the airflow and a hand-operated knob to open and close the dome. There's also a bug screen to keep insects at bay. The vent fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch openings.
One of the neatest features of this fan is the clear fan blades, which filter out UV rays but let light inside your RV. In addition, the two-wire design makes installation easy. The interior trim piece and screws are included. Overall, it uses very little power, is fairly quiet, and moves air very well.
One downside is that noise levels increase significantly when the setting on the low speed is reversed. Another problem is that the hinge and opening mechanism on the cover are a little flimsy.
Why Trust Us
All of our reviews are based on market research, expert input, or practical experience with most products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
The Maxxair 12V fan features reversible blades, a built-in thermostat, and a ceiling fan mode to circulate air, allowing you to make adjustments as you see fit. It has 10 different fan speeds, so you can control the airflow and noise levels. The fan fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch RV roof openings. It has a white lid and is flush mounted with an air intake and exhaust.
One of the best things about this fan is that the blades are virtually silent on lower settings without sacrificing airflow. The vent lid also opens manually and has double struts for durability. In addition, the remote-control models include backup controls on the ceiling for added convenience.
One problem with this product is that the instruction manual covers a range of fan models, which can be a hassle during installation. Also, the fan does not include an integrated rain cover, and only one made by Maxxair will fit so your options are limited.
This universal roof vent and 12V fan has a universal design, so it fits most RVs and campers. Wiring and overall installation is easy and straightforward. The fan comes with a vent cover and interior ceiling hardware, so no extras except for screws and caulk are required. It fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch roof openings, and the fan is made of galvanized steel with a mill finish.
Even though it's not a premium fan, its low price means you can circulate fresh air and remove stale air without spending a lot of money. The fan also includes a removable screen, which makes it easier to clean. Overall, it looks just as good and works nearly as well as higher-end, more expensive units.
However, the fan does not come with screws, putty, etc., which means you need to buy these items separately. Also, the fan is either on or off, and you can't adjust the speed of the fan blades.
The Fan-Tastic 12V three-speed fan has a low amp draw, so you can use it without accessing a main power supply. It’s made from ABS plastic and fits a standard 14-inch by 14-inch roof opening. This universally designed fan accommodates most vans, travel trailers, and small motorhomes, and it has an integrated lid. The unit is made of UV-resistant ABS plastic.
The fan is durable and quiet. It's a great fan to use off the grid and in situations in which air conditioners are not permitted. It has a locking lid and will not operate if the roof is closed. The screen is removable for easy cleaning, and the manufacturer provides a one-year warranty.
Unfortunately, the knob that opens and closes the lid can wear down after sustained but not excessive use, so over time it can be hard to grip and operate the vent cover. Also, the fan blades are not reversible and only pull air in.
The Fan-Tastic Vent RV Roof Vent is a three-speed fan with 10 blades. This compact, durable, and lightweight vent is designed to quickly move air in and out of an RV. This vent fan fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch openings and is white with a high-profile base and a smoke-tinted dome. You can choose between low, medium, and high speeds, and overall it's quite easy to use.
Users like this fan because it quickly sucks out stale air and circulates fresh air. It also moves a lot of air in an efficient manner. Some RVers only use the lowest speed because it does such a good job. Overall, this vent is high quality, simple to install, and makes sleeping in an RV comfortable and cool.
One downside is that the controls can be tricky to reach for some users. Also, it's a little loud at full speed, and some consumers have complained that they didn't receive installation instructions in the packaging.
The Livpow RV Roof Vent features a three-speed, reversible, 12-volt fan with 10 clear fan blades that removes stale air and introduces fresh air into the cabin of your RV or camper. It has a manual speed knob to better control the airflow and a hand-operated knob to open and close the dome. There's also a bug screen to keep insects at bay. The vent fits standard 14-inch by 14-inch openings.
One of the neatest features of this fan is the clear fan blades, which filter out UV rays but let light inside your RV. In addition, the two-wire design makes installation easy. The interior trim piece and screws are included. Overall, it uses very little power, is fairly quiet, and moves air very well.
One downside is that noise levels increase significantly when the setting on the low speed is reversed. Another problem is that the hinge and opening mechanism on the cover are a little flimsy.
Tips
- Do you have high ceilings or short legs? Select a vent fan with remote control and/or electric lid opening to make your vent fan easier to use.
- If you’ve got a big rig, it might be worth installing two vent fans to increase air circulation, especially if you're going to be in situations where you can't use your air conditioners.
- Remember that a rain sensor will close your RV roof vent cover automatically, but it won’t re-open it if the sun comes back.
FAQs
Q: Can I buy any standard vent fan to fit my motorhome?
A: Most RV vent fans are a standard 14 by 14 inches, but if you’re replacing an existing vent fan make sure to double-check the size of the vent opening against the specifications of the new vent fan.
Q: Do I have to buy a separate RV vent cover?
A: Some vent fans come with an integrated rain shield, so it depends on which fan model you’ve got your eye on. Always read the product specifications before finalizing your decision.
Q: Why does my vent fan spin in different directions?
A: The direction the fan blades spin dictates the direction of the airflow. Pulling in the fresh air will keep your camper cool in warm climates while pushing out stale air allows you to get rid of cooking smells. It’s especially important in cooler climates to get rid of hot air and moisture from condensation inside the vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Largely due to a host of in-built features, including a thermostat and 10 speeds, we’ve ranked the Maxxair 14 inch Maxx Fan Plus the best RV roof vent fan overall. For a budget-friendly, no-frills option, our best value RV vent fan is the Heng’s 14 inch Universal White Roof Vent Fan.