When it comes to growing cannabis inside a building or in a tent, having a good quality inline fan is one of the most important pieces of equipment you need to have. When plants are young, they are pretty easy to care for but once they mature things get a little bit harder.
You need to make sure you have enough CO2 available so your plants can get as much as they need. You also need to make sure that the air doesn’t go stale and is being moved around and replaced with fresh air frequently.
The way that you calculate the size fan you will need is by multiply the length x width x height x 1.33. The final number will be the minimum sized unit you will need and you can go a little bigger but never smaller.
Having your air well ventilated and replaced helps avoid problems like mold, too much humidity, and a build-up of heat inside your grow area. All of these things can really destroy your plants.
If you can prevent these problems from happening then your plants will be stronger, bigger, and healthier.
Here are the top 10 best inline fans for a cannabis grow room in 2019.
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1. Apollo Horticulture Inline Fan
Not only does this fan come in at a fantastic price but it also moves air at 440 CFM. This product is 6″ and has a built-in speed controller. The speed of the fan is 2,630 RPM and is 120 watts.
When you purchase this, the things that come in the box are: the fan, mounting brackets, and an instructional pamphlet. The fan itself is very lightweight at 9.8 pounds.
Another thing about this product is that it is made from steel and coated with a powdered paint that is also aerodynamic.
Pros
- It comes with an instructional pamphlet to make setup easier
- It only weighs 9.8 pounds
- It is made of high quality steel and covered in aerodynamic paint
Cons
- It’s a pretty small unit
- It isn’t completely silent and has a noise rating of 75, which is about as loud as a vacuum
2. Active Air Inline Fan
This 8 inch fan is double coated in ceramic and has a metal housing. This unit weighs in at 15.2 pounds and has brackets and a pre-wired 120V cord. It also has a molded impeller and thermally protected AC motor.
It’s quiet while it runs and also has UL-recognized components. This unit has a running amperage of 1.72 and its is 115W. It also uses the Active Air 6 inch carbon filter. It moves air at 400 CFM.
One thing to know about this is, while it can withstand some humidity, it isn’t recommended for outside use. While the fan doesn’t include a speed control, it can be equipped with one.
Pros
- It can be equipped with a speed control
- It is a decent size
- It uses a carbon filter
Cons
- Since it weighs 15.2 pounds it’s a little heavy
- It isn’t recommended for outdoor use
3. VenTech Inline Fan
This 6-inch fan moves air at 440 CFM. The speed is 2730 RPM and the power is w input AC 1.1 A. The package includes the fan itself, mounting brackets, and an instructional pamphlet.
Not only is the body made of aerodynamic steel but it is also powder-coated in baked paint. This unit has a 1-year limited warranty.
This doesn’t come with a speed controller but it can be used with one that is bought separately. One thing to note is that it is about 80 decibels, which is similar to a garbage disposal or dishwasher.
Pros
- Has an affordable price
- It has a 1-year limited warranty
- It can be used with a speed controller
Cons
- At around 80 decibels, it’s kinda loud
- The brackets are a little weak
4. Vortex Atmosphere
The Vortex Atmosphere comes with and without a controller. You can also choose to have it professionally installed for an additional fee. This unit is 6 inches and it moves air at 347 CFM.
It has an ac brushless motor and mixed-flow dual impellers. This unit has double insulated walls, which helps reduce noise. The Vortex is built with high-impact resistant polycarbonate casings and an integrated back drafter damper.
This item weighs 10.5 pounds and has a wattage of 66. One great thing about this fan is that it is energy efficient so you can save money on power.
Pros
- It can be bought with an included controller
- It has dual impellers
- It has insulated walls
Cons
- It’s more expensive than others that are the same size
- It only moves air at 347 CFM
5. iPower Inline Fan
This 6-inch inline fan is good to use with hydroponics and moves air at 442 CFM. This unit also has a 5-feet pre-wired UL listed power cord and the plug is a standard US 110/120 V plug.
The noise level is around 55 decibels which is similar to light traffic or a refrigerator. This unit is coated with ceramic and has composite blades and a center hub. The composite blades help reduce vibrations and noise.
The bearing that this uses is permanently lubricated and requires no maintenance at all. One thing to know is that the max ambient temperature that this unit can withstand is 176 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a 1-year warranty included. It weighs 10.6 pounds and has an RPM of 2380.
Pros
- Only has a decibel of 50
- Good for hydroponics
- The bearing is permanently lubricated
Cons
- Max temperature is only 176 degrees
- Ceramic could end up chipping
6. Hurricane Inline Fan
This 8-inch Hurricane moves air at a whopping 745 CFM. Not only is this fan high performance but it is also commercial grade. It is made of steel with a powder-coated finish that is extremely durable.
The fan comes with an 8 feet cord that is 120 volts. This unit uses carbon filters and can be used with a speed controller. It weighs 15 pounds and has a 5-year warranty. One thing to be aware of is that it can only withstand an ambient temperature of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Moves air at 745 CFM
- Comes with an 8 feet cord
- Can be used with a speed controller
Cons
- Weighs 15 pounds
- Can only withstand up to 104 degrees
7. Tjerlund M-6 Six Inch Fan
The Tjerlund is a 6-inch fan that is great for hydroponic growing. It pushes air at 460 CFM and includes the mounting brackets and hardware. This fan is great for areas that have a lot of moisture.
While there isn’t a speed controller included, it can be used with one. It has 1.1 Amps, 120 Volts, and 125 Watts. It has very low power usage and it puts out a low amount of sound.
This type of fan is great if you need to run it for long periods of time or have you have a high moisture area.
Pros
- Great price
- Great for hydroponics
- Doesn’t make a lot of noise
Cons
- No speed controller included
- Only 6 inches
8. Vivosun Inline Fan
This 8-inch fan is a great deal. It’s great for hydroponic growing and has a black matte and solid metal body. It pushes air at 720 CFM and has 2250 RPM. This unit is high performance and static pressure so it can overcome the resistance that is caused by having long ducts.
The motor has permanently lubricated bearings and it’s moisture resistant. It is 110-120 Volts, 1.83 Amps, can withstand -22 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a power cord length of 70 inches.
While the filters for this aren’t included in the box, there are many things that are. Those things are the fan, the manual, 1 bracket, and 2 screws.
Pros
- Great for hydroponic growing
- Pushes air at 720 CFM
- Can withstand up to 140 degrees
Cons
- It only comes with 1 bracket
- No filters are included
9. Can Fan Inline Fan
This 12-inch unit has a CFM of 1709. It has up to 3,374 RPM, up to 489 Watts, 4.1 Amps, and has a 5-year manufacturer warranty. It only weighs 4.4 pounds and is energy efficient.
The housing of this unit is galvanized metal and the blades make it have a mixed flow. It doesn’t come with a speed controller but can be used with one.
Pros
- It has a CFM of 1709
- 5-year warranty
- Only weighs 4.4 pounds
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a remote
- The price is a little high
10. Hydrofarm Eight Inch Booster Inline Fan
This 8-inch fan has an 8 feet, 120V power cord, and a 1-year warranty. It weighs 6 pounds and can be used with a speed controller. It has a CFM of 471.
One thing to know about this unit is that it is actually a booster that you can use with another fan. This unit produces a lot more air than other similar 8 inch units.
Pros
- Great price
- 1-year warranty
- 471 CFM
Cons
- Only a booster
- Doesn’t come with a speed controller
Which Inline Fan Should You Buy?
In conclusion, if you have a large area, I would go with the Can Fan Inline Fan. Even though it is a higher price, it has a much higher CFM than the others. It also has a 5-year warranty and is very light.
If you have a smaller area, the unit I would recommend is the Vortex Atmosphere. Not only can you get it with a controller but you can also have double insulated walls.
All of these units have pros and cons and you just need to research them to see which one is the best for your needs.