If you go to Lowes they have a display set up with different sones levels so you can hear how loud the fan is. If you do want noise then I would get at least a 3 or higher. The quiet ones you can't hear are about a 1.5. Hope that helps.

If the fan isn't going to be nearly silent, then just buy the least expensive fan that you like the look of. They'll all be noisy.

Thank you!

(I had no idea they had noise samples in the store!)

You can't always trust the "sones" ratings I've found. like I recently had installed two Broan or Nutone fan/lights of the same design and shape, only one is rated at 1 sone and the other, about $20 less, is 1-1/2 sones. The 1-sone model is quiet as can be, a faint hum and whirr, but the 1-1/2 sone version is as loud and raucous as the cheapo 3-1/2 sone fans I've used..

Thanks lee. Not surprising to hear, really! lol