RadonAway XP201 vs GX3 vs GX5: Which Fan Do You Need?

Why Fan Selection Matters

Installing the wrong fan is one of the most common DIY mistakes. An underpowered fan won't bring radon below 4 pCi/L. An overpowered fan wastes electricity and can depressurize your living space enough to cause backdrafting from combustion appliances (furnaces, water heaters).

The right fan is sized to your specific sub-slab conditions — primarily suction pressure and air flow rate. Here's how to choose.

The Three RadonAway Fans

RadonAway is the industry standard. Their fans are in more homes than any other brand and are the first choice for certified mitigators across the country.

RadonAway XP201 — $134

The most widely installed radon fan in America. If you're doing a standard slab-on-grade installation with typical sub-slab material (gravel, coarse sand), this is almost certainly the right fan.

Specs:

• Max suction: 1.7" water column (WC)
• Flow rate: 30–70 CFM
• Motor: Standard polycarbonate housing
• Warranty: 5 years
• Compatible: 3" and 4" PVC pipe

Right for:

• Standard slab-on-grade homes
• Radon below 8 pCi/L
• Good sub-slab communication (gravel or loose fill)
• Single-story or two-story homes up to ~2,500 sq ft

Not right for:

• Clay or packed sand sub-slab (poor communication)
• Radon above 10 pCi/L
• Crawl spaces

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RadonAway GX3 Pro Series — $218

The step up from the XP201. The GX3 adds Vapor Tite™ motor protection — a sealed motor housing that resists moisture and humidity. This matters in crawl spaces, near sump pits, and in humid climates.

The GX3 also generates significantly higher suction (3.0" WC vs 1.7") which is the key spec for difficult sub-slab conditions. If your sub-slab is packed clay or fine sand, suction needs to "punch through" the material to create the pressure field across your entire foundation. The XP201 often can't.

Specs:

• Max suction: 3.0" water column (WC)
• Flow rate: 20–60 CFM
• Motor: Vapor Tite™ sealed motor
• Warranty: 5 years
• Compatible: 3" and 4" PVC pipe

Right for:

• Clay or packed sand sub-slab
• Radon between 8–15 pCi/L
• Humid environments, near sumps, crawl spaces
• Homes where XP201 didn't achieve target levels

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RadonAway GX5 Pro Series — $269

The most powerful residential fan RadonAway makes. Nearly three times the suction of the XP201. Used for the toughest conditions — extremely high radon, very poor sub-slab communication, or large footprints where a single fan needs to cover a lot of ground.

Most homeowners don't need a GX5. If a certified mitigator recommends one, ask them why — they should be able to explain the sub-slab conditions that require it.

Specs:

• Max suction: 5.2" water column (WC)
• Flow rate: 15–50 CFM
• Motor: Vapor Tite™ sealed motor
• Warranty: 5 years
• Compatible: 3" and 4" PVC pipe

Right for:

• Radon above 15–20 pCi/L
• Extremely poor sub-slab communication
• Large footprints (3,000+ sq ft) requiring a single powerful fan
• Second fan installations where XP201 or GX3 didn't reach target

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Side-by-Side Comparison

The Quick Decision Guide

Just pick based on your situation:

• Standard slab, radon 4–8 pCi/L, gravel sub-slab → XP201. Done.
• Slab with radon 8–15 pCi/L, or you've seen clay/packed sand → GX3
• Crawl space, any fan → GX3 minimum (Vapor Tite™ matters in crawl spaces)
• Radon above 15 pCi/L, or GX3 didn't work → GX5
• Not sure → Start with a vacuum test (stick a manometer at the suction point) or hire a certified mitigator to assess

One More Thing: Pipe Size

All three fans work with both 3" and 4" PVC pipe. Most residential installs use 3" — it's cheaper and easier to route. Use 4" if you need maximum flow (long pipe runs, multiple bends, or a powerful fan like the GX5 where restriction would reduce effectiveness).

Shop all three fans plus complete DIY kits → RadonBase Equipment Store

Or if you'd rather have a certified mitigator handle it: find one in your state →