QuietScore › Bathroom & Utility Fans › Broan 688ESL
Broan 688ESL noise level
The Broan 688ESL is louder than the category median of 0.7 sones, and its 50 CFM rating makes it suitable for bathrooms up to roughly 50 sq ft.
Full specifications
| Brand | Broan |
|---|---|
| Model number | 688ESL |
| Model name | ECONOMY |
| Category | Bathroom & Utility Fans |
| Sound level | 2 sones (≈50 dBA, approximate) |
| Airflow | 50 CFM |
| Efficiency | 3 CFM/W |
| Duct size | 3.00 inch diameter |
| Speeds | 1 |
| Integrated lighting | Yes |
| ENERGY STAR certified | Yes |
| On market since | 2026-01-01 |
| Markets | United States, Canada |
Quieter alternatives with similar airflow
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenheck SP-A70 | 0.1 | 7 | 70 CFM | 5.1 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan XB80=XB00HwithXB80F | 0.1 | 7 | 80 CFM | 13.8 CFM/W | specs |
| Greenheck SP-A90L | 0.1 | 7 | 99 CFM | 6.1 CFM/W | specs |
| AUPU BF4-S10CL | 0.1 | 7 | 100 CFM | 9.5 CFM/W | specs |
| Greenheck SP-LP0810W | 0.1 | 7 | 100 CFM | 10 CFM/W | specs |
Similar bathroom & utility fans
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broan-Nutone 6884E = 6884EH with 1688EF | 2 | 50 | 50 CFM | 2.9 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan-Nutone 6884E = 6884H with 1688EF | 2 | 50 | 50 CFM | 2.9 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan-Nutone 6884ES | 2 | 50 | 50 CFM | 2.9 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan-Nutone 6884ES = 6884EH with 1688ESF | 2 | 50 | 50 CFM | 2.9 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan-Nutone 6884ES = 6884H with 1688ESF | 2 | 50 | 50 CFM | 2.9 CFM/W | specs |
Frequently asked questions
How many sones is the Broan 688ESL?
The Broan 688ESL is certified at 2 sones in ENERGY STAR lab testing, which is approximately 50 dBA. That is about the background level of a quiet office.
Is the Broan 688ESL quiet?
At 2 sones, the Broan 688ESL is quieter than 1% of the 811 certified bathroom & utility fans we track, and louder than the category median of 0.7 sones.
How powerful is the Broan 688ESL?
It moves 50 CFM, which is adequate for a bathroom of roughly 50 sq ft under the standard 1-CFM-per-square-foot guideline, at an efficiency of 3 CFM per watt.
Data provenance: Sound levels are certified lab measurements (sones) reported in the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR certified products dataset — not manufacturer marketing claims. Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Ventilating Fans (US EPA), last fetched 2026-06-13. The dBA figure is an approximate conversion from sones — see our methodology.