Last Updated on May 15, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Growing cannabis in an indoor setting can be quite tricky. It takes a lot of work to curate a space that is full of light, humidity, and ambient air. But when you’re planting in an enclosed space, these elements can easily accumulate. And that, my friend, spells disaster! So, to avoid doom, you need to provide proper air ventilation. The inline fans are the best fans for grow tent. It works by releasing the hot and humid air out of the room. At the same time, it allows the uptake of cool fresh air inside.
To help you achieve that balance, we have gathered some of the best inline fans in the market today. We will give you a preview of what each of the products can offer. Moreover, we also included a few good important tips when buying for inline fans.
Let’s get started!
Top Picks for The Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
If you do not have the time to read through the entire article, feel free to click straight to our top picks!
Best Overall Pick:
AC Infinity Cloudline Inline Duct Fan w/ Speed Controller
First Runner-up:
Hydrofarm Active Air Inline Fan
Second Runner-up:
Hurricane Centrifugal Inline Fan
Preview | CFL Grow Light | Best For | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
AC Infinity Cloudline Inline Duct Fan w/ Speed Controller | Powerful but quiet | Check Price | |
Hydrofarm Active Air Inline Fan | Classic and straightforward function | Check Price | |
Hurricane Centrifugal Inline Fan | Durability | Check Price | |
TerraBloom ECMF-100 Inline Duct Fan w/ Speed Controller | Small applications | Check Price | |
Can Fan Max Fan Mixed Flow Inline Fan | Large applications | Check Price |
Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
1. AC Infinity Cloudline Inline Duct Fan w/ Speed Controller
AC Infinity is one of today’s leading brands of different fan systems. The Cloudline inline duct fan is among its best selling products in the market. Various sizes are available to cater to small up to large grow rooms or tents.
The main feature of this Cloudline model is its precise speed controller. It comes with an 8-speed manual controller. So, you have the advantage of manipulating the airflow levels as you deemed necessary.
Moreover, its EC motor utilizes a pulse width modulation or PWM. The PWM works like a switch that intermittently cycles on and off to regulate the motor power. As a result, it offers you more energy efficiency than other non-PWM or AC-duct inline fans. In the end, it can help save you up to 40% of your energy cost.
Cloudline inline duct fans also have a mixed flow design. The stator blade and dual hydrodynamic wind circles make it work like a charm. This design feature maintains high-performance even in environments with high static pressure.
Furthermore, the engineered curves and angle blades allow it to create minimal noise. In fact, it only produces about 32 decibels of sound output. Thus, you don’t have to worry about creating too much buzz and bothering your neighbors. With this inline fan, you can ensure that you get maximal power but with much less noise.
This inline duct fan comes with dual ball bearings that have 67,000 rated hours. Not only is it durable, but it also allows you to mount the device in any direction you like.
Lastly, Cloudline inline fans have an IP44 rating. This certifies that the product is splash-proof. It also offers protection against objects that are more than 1 millimeter in size. This includes dust, debris, and other foreign particles.
Things to concern:
Cloudline features an 8-speed controller but then it still requires manual adjustments. If you wish to have smart programming, you can attach it to the smart controller of a Cloudline T series model.
Magic Line:
Powerful yet energy-efficient and less noisy.
Features:
- 402 CFM for a 6-inch inline fan
- 8-speed manual controller
- Uses Pulse Width Modulation
- Mixed flow design
- EC-powered motor
- Low-noise output
- Dual ball bearing
- With power switch
- With back-up memory
- Plug and play
- IP44 rating
- Kit includes mounting brackets
- Corded AC power adapter included
- Available in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-inches
- 2-year warranty
2. Hydrofarm Active Air Inline Fan | Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
Hydrofarm is one of the most trusted brands in the cannabis growing industry. The active air inline fans are among its in-demand products. This fan comes in different sizes from 4-inch up to 12-inches. So, you are sure to find one that would best fit your grow room space.
Active Air inline fans are well-loved by many because of its proven durability. It is being designed with a ceramic-coated metal housing. This coating increases the lifespan of the components by reducing heat and friction. It also helps to prevent corrosion caused by thermal and acidity. Furthermore, the ceramic layer also gives your device a nice sleek-look.
This inline fan is being equipped with a premium molded impeller. Its high-quality construction makes it possible to deliver excellent performance. Moreover, this fan also produces low-noise output. It is a big advantage especially for those who wish to keep their grow spaces discreet and low-key.
Active Air also comes with an AC motor with thermal protection for added safety. This feature shuts the motor off when it detects excessive heat from the circuitry. Thus, halting the occurrence of overheating even before it reaches a dangerous level.
To further add, the AC motor bearings are already sealed for good. Thus, you no longer need to lubricate it time and again. That is one less tick off in your maintenance.
Another important thing, the company guarantees UL-certification on its components. So, you can rest assured of the inline fan’s quality and safety.
Things to concern:
Hydrofarm Active Air is only a single-speed inline fan. It does not come with a speed controller. So, there is no way for you to regulate the fan speed you wish to deliver to your grow tent or room.
Magic Line:
Classic and reliable.
Features:
- 165 CFM for a 4-inch inline fan
- Ceramic-coated metal housing
- Brushless thermally-protected AC motor
- High-quality molded impeller
- Low-noise output
- UL-certified parts
- Kit includes mounting brackets
- 8-foot pre-wired 120V cord included
- Available in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-inches
- 5-year warranty
3. Hurricane Centrifugal Inline Fan | The Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
Hurricane Centrifugal is a commercial-grade inline fan. Thus, you can ensure a high-quality performance that suits any type of indoor grow space. It comes in a variety of sizes from a small 4-inch fan up to an industrial 12-inch size.
The inline fan is being made from alloy steel. This material is stronger than typical stainless steel metal. It is also more resistant to corrosion and environmental degradation. That said, you can expect equipment made of alloy steel to last longer.
To further add, the body of this device is also powder coated. This coating gives the fan a durable colored finish. Powder-coated surfaces are more resistant to fade, scratches, and paint chip-offs. And so, your unit is likely to remain pristine-looking even over the course of time.
Hurricane fans come with metal fins. So, they are more sturdy and less likely to break than plastic ones. Moreover, metal fins are capable of moving greater amounts of air. Thus, making the ventilation more efficient.
Despite having metal fins, the device claims to produce a fair amount of noise. The inline fan gives off a sound output that is less than or equal to 71 decibels. Although, this may tend to increase as the size of the fan increases too.
Hurricane inline fans are very easy to install. The kit already comes with mounting brackets for your convenience. The installation can either be horizontal or vertical. So, this gives you the option to choose what fits best for your space.
Things to concern:
Hurricane inline fans are unidirectional. No buttons provided to switch the course of airflow. Rather, you have to physically rotate the fan towards your preferred direction.
Magic Line:
Simple and durable.
Features:
- 171 CFM for a 4-inch inline fan
- Powder-coated
- Alloy steel housing
- Low-noise output
- UL-certified parts
- ETL certified
- Kit includes mounting brackets
- 8-foot pre-wired 120V cord included
- Available in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-inches
- 1-year warranty
4. TerraBloom ECMF-100 Inline Duct Fan w/ Speed Controller
TerraBloom is another popular brand for grow room equipment. And, its inline duct fans are no exemption. Its ECMF-100 fans are perfect for heating /cooling transfers, drying, and air filtrations.
This particular TerraBloom inline fan model comes with a variable speed controller. This feature enables you to adjust the fan speed from 0% up to 100%. It gives you flexibility without creating humming noises or background sounds.
Furthermore, you can also choose to upgrade if you wish to have a remote controller to come along with your fan. The wireless remote allows you to choose among the 6 different preset speeds. It can operate within a 50-feet range from the fan.
TerraBloom inline duct fan comes with a brushless EC motor and dual type jet blades. Thus, enabling the device to deliver an airflow rate of up to 160 CFM at only 18 watts. That gives you a good amount of air at minimal power consumption.
Moreover, this model comes with a dual ball bearing with up to 70,000 hours of rated operation. It reduces friction and allows the mounting of the fan in any direction. Know that this will not affect the device’s longevity unlike the sleeve bearing fans.
The ECMF-100 has an IPX4 ingress rating. So, you can assure that its coated aluminum housing can provide protection to your motor and blades. It prevents the occurrence of rusts and other damages attributed to harsh environmental factors.
TerraBloom ECMF-100 has a diameter of only 4 inches or 98 millimeters. That’s super compact! This size is perfect for grow rooms or tents that have limited spaces.
Things to concern:
TerraBloom ECMF-100 is not as quiet as other consumers hope it would be. The fan produces noise levels between 28-56 decibels. That is quite higher than other inline fans we featured here.
Magic Line:
Small but powerful.
Features:
- Up to 160 CFM for a 4-inch inline fan
- Max wattage: 18 watts
- Coated aluminum casing
- Dual ball bearing with 70,000 hours
- ETL listed listed
- UL standard compliant
- Upgrades available
- Available in 4, 6, 8, and 10-inches
- 2-year warranty
5. Can Fan Max Fan Mixed Flow Inline Fan | The Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
Can Fan Max Fan is a mixed flow type of inline fan. The company takes pride in developing products with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This is the same program used in designing aircraft propulsion engines.
That said, Max Fans comes with a well-engineered 3D impeller and stator blades. This innovative design makes this inline fan much more powerful. Thus, delivering smoother, quieter, and more effective air ventilation.
The ingenious blade design also makes it possible for Max Fans to be energy-efficient. In fact, it is 50% to even up to as much 100% more efficient than conventional inline fans. Because of that, you can save hundreds of dollars from your electricity bills. More so, lower the lifetime cost of the product itself.
Another advantage of the Max Fan series is its compactness. This inline fan is being designed to be small and lightweight. Thus, it is a perfect choice for grow rooms and tents with limited space availability.
Because of its size and weight, this makes the fan easier to install, reposition, and store. Furthermore, it also saves you money from its shipping cost. Now, that’s another great way to lower your expenses!
Things to concern:
Can Fan Max Fan is on the pricier end. It is quite expected so because of the innovative engineering that is behind the product. Furthermore, its proven effectiveness makes it worth spending for.
Magic Line:
Strong airflow is perfect even for large spaces.
Features:
- Up to 667 CFM for an 8-inch inline fan
- Up to 3,250 RPM
- Mixed flow design
- Max wattage: 179 watts
- Low-noise output
- High aerodynamic efficiency
- Lower operational cost
- Easy to install
- QAI listed
- Available in 8, 10, 12, and 14-inches
- 5-year warranty
Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent Buying Tips
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Grow Room Size
The primary factor you should consider when buying inline fans is the actual size of your grow room or tent. This will determine how much air circulation your space will be needing.
Good thing, though, there’s a cheat sheet for this!
Height x Length x Width (in feet) x 1.25
As a rule of thumb, it is best to follow this simple formula to get the approximate capacity that your space requires.
If you are wondering why is it necessary to multiply the volume with 1.25? The 1.25 gives you an extra 25% space allowance. This will be helpful in the event that resistance might develop in the ducting or filter.
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Cubic Feet Per Minute or CFM
To put it in simple words, CFM refers to the airflow.
As you can notice, inline fans come in different sizes from 4-in up to 18-inches. What you should know here is that the bigger the diameter, the higher the CFM will be. Meaning, the bigger the fan size, the more air it can circulate.
Needless to say, a small room needs smaller fan sizes and vise versa for large rooms. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that bigger fan sizes are always better. That unnecessary extra power will only end up as waste. A waste both in energy and your money!
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Heat
One purpose of using inline fans is to help dissipate the heat radiated by the lights. But light bulbs are not created equal. Some bulbs tend to be more intense than the others. So, the capacity of your fan depends on the type of lighting system you used as well.
Lights such as HID give off a lot of heat. Thus, you would need to have a fan with a higher CFM rating. Meanwhile, there are also lights like LEDs, that are much cooler. In this case, you can get away with lower CFM inline fans.
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Inclusions
Depending on the manufacturer, some inline fan kits include extras. For example, pre-wired cord, speed adjuster, mounting brackets, and instructional manual. So, know what is being included in your package. That way, you don’t have to pay more money for such add ons.
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Cost
Inline fans for indoor grow rooms come in a wide range of price points. With ample products to choose from nowadays, it is easy to find cheap and affordable fans. And, there are also these premium items that are worth investing for.
Determine what price range works best for your budget. From there, try to research which products give you the most value for that amount you’re willing to spend.
Wrapping Up for The Best Inline Fans for Cannabis Grow Tent
Inline fans are an absolute must-have when growing cannabis in grow rooms. By giving proper air ventilation, you are promoting a conducive environment for your plants. Thus, making them as comfortable and healthy as they can be.
The top 5 picks we included herein are some of today’s best inline fans. They are already tested and proven by both novice and seasoned growers. Thus, you can be sure of its quality and reliability. We’ve also thoroughly discussed tips you can use when searching for the perfect inline fans for your grow room needs. We’re sure one of the fans we’ve mentioned will fit in perfectly with your growing needs, which only leaves us to say: watch those babies grow!