The 10 Best Ceiling Fans of 2024

WDC NEWS 6 STAFF

2 days ago

When it comes to beating the heat, there’s nothing like a trusty ceiling fan to keep your home cool. Ceiling fans are available in lots of different styles and sizes, including small-space-friendly options and models equipped with smart features.

To find the best ones for your bedroom, living room, or outdoor space, we spent hours researching all the different ceiling fans on the market and picked our favorites based on their size, speed, blades, mounting, placement, performance, and value for the money. We also chatted with Noz Nozawa, principal designer of Noz Design, for expert guidance on what to look for when shopping for a ceiling fan.

PHOTO: Amazon

With its frosted ceiling light and remote control operation, this ceiling fan both cools and illuminates your space without the fuss. Both the speed and direction of the fan can be controlled without getting up, as can the lights, but you can also just use the included pull chain if you prefer. A wall mount for the remote is included to prevent misplacing it, and the LED bulbs are dimmable from 20% to 100%.

This ceiling fan comes with a dual-mount hanging option, so it can be installed on both traditional and vaulted ceilings. The bronze accents and five wood blades give it a classic look that complements most decor. The blades are reversible, offering two different shades, and since wood is a durable material, they won’t bend or break over time. At a width of 48 inches, they provide a quiet cooling for bedrooms, offices, breakfast nooks, and other areas up to 100 square feet, though if you have a larger space to work with, you may want a three-blade fan in a larger size.

PHOTO: Lowes

What Stands Out

It has a reversible motor, three fan speeds, and a dimmable lightbulb at a wallet-friendly price.

This no-frills ceiling fan is a great way to cool down your home while sticking to your budget. Its five-blade design helps circulate airflow effectively without much noise, and it’s available in two different sizes (42 and 52 inches) to accommodate both smaller and larger spaces.

This ceiling fan doesn’t come with a remote, but it does have a pull chain you can use to set its speed (there are three). It also includes a dimmable lightbulb with a frosted glass globe. It has a flush mount, so it’s not ideal for rooms with vaulted ceilings, but it is a good fit for spaces up to 400 square feet that have lower ceilings.

The motor on this fan can be reversed, helping you cool your home during summer and keep it warm during winter, and the blades are reversible, so you can choose which finish you prefer while installing it. While it lacks some amenities like remote control and smart home integration, at the end of the day, this is a solid, sturdy ceiling fan that does its job well—what more could you ask for?

PHOTO: Amazon

What Stands Out

It has a showstopping, three-blade design that quickly cools larger spaces, and it’s Wi-Fi compatible if you want to take advantage of its smart features.

The ultra-chic contemporary design of this ceiling fan alone makes it worth the splurge, but it also comes with some nifty features that add to its value. For instance, the remote lets you adjust the fan speed and lighting, and it includes an integrated LED light to illuminate your space. The three-blade arrangement is also more adept at cooling your space, though it is a little noisier than a four- or five-blade design.

This ceiling fan includes a downrod and an adjustable mount, so it can be installed on both level and sloped ceilings. It’s also available in four finishes to best match your decor, adding to its versatility. The 52-inch width is better for larger spaces, like a living room or dining room, and the blades are made from plastic, which is actually a good material for ceiling fans because it’s lightweight and durable.

The direction of the fan is reversible, but you have to adjust it using a switch located on the fan itself, not with the remote, which may be a little bit of a hassle if you’re shorter and don’t want to pull out the ladder. That said, it’s a switch you only need to make twice a year, and the speed and efficiency of this ceiling fan make up for it. It also doesn’t have a light. It is a supremely gorgeous and high-performing fan, though, and you can purchase a Bond hub separately to operate it via voice command with your Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

PHOTO: Wayfair

For farmhouse enthusiasts looking to make their home more comfortable without sacrificing aesthetics, this is the ceiling fan for you. With rustic wooden blades and an oil-rubbed bronze finish, this fan is as chic as can be, and the branched lighting adds extra flair. This fan doesn’t sacrifice form for function, either: it has a reversible motor, dimmable Edison-style LED lights, and three fan speeds that can be adjusted with the pull chain or with a remote if you want to add that on for an additional fee.

With a width of 52 inches, this fan is best suited for larger rooms in your home—it can even be used on sloped ceilings. While the solid wood, dual-finish blades are durable, it’s recommended that you install this fan indoors and not in a porch setting, for example, where it might catch a bit of rain. But for a space like your den or master bedroom, it will make a statement in your home while increasing airflow year round.

PHOTO: Amazon

What Stands Out

The remote has three speed settings, a “natural breeze” option, and two safety-oriented safety features.

It’s hard to beat the convenience that a remote-operated ceiling fan offers. With this one, you can flip between three different speed settings or a “nature breeze” option. In addition to the on/off button and dimming feature for the light, you can also hit the “walk away” setting, which delays shutting the light off so you can exit the room without having to feel your way through the darkness. Best yet, there’s a “safe home” setting, which periodically turns your lights on and off while you’re away so that it looks like you’re home.

Like other ceiling fans, this industrial-style model can be reversed to either cool or warm or home depending on the weather, and its five-blade design provides near-silent air circulation. It also comes with a 4.5-inch downrod that works with most spaces—vaulted or not—but if you have taller ceilings, you can purchase a longer one to ensure maximum air circulation. It also comes with an LED light bulb. Just note that the fan is only available in a 52-inch width, so it’s not the best choice for smaller rooms.

PHOTO: Home Depot

In addition to a sleek design and remote control, this ceiling fan integrates with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant so you can control it with your voice or smartphone app—even when you’re away from home. There are 10 speeds total, a nature setting, a reverse button for the changing seasons, and dimmable brightness settings, plus an option to toggle between warm and cool light temperatures.

As far as customization options go, this elegant fan comes in 48- and 52-inch blade spans to best suit the size of your room (up to 300 square feet), and you can get it in black gold, white, or bamboo. One thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t have a downrod, so it can only be installed flush to flat ceilings. If that’s not an issue for you, it will make daily living a little easier thanks to its convenience and climate control.

PHOTO: Amazon

At 42 inches wide, this low-profile ceiling fan fits right into your home office or kid’s room—pretty much any room in your house that’s less than 100 square feet. Designed with cramped quarters in mind, it doesn’t have a downrod and instead uses a flush mount to attach to your ceiling so you don’t have to worry about bonking your head on it.

Although it’s small in size, it’s big on style. Its modern yet classic look works well in a variety of homes, and it comes in a few different finish options to complement your current color scheme. It also has a branched light kit and uses dimmable LED bulbs to create less heat than traditional ones.

While this fan doesn’t have a remote control, it does have a pull chain you can use to adjust its speed, but you can’t adjust the brightness (you have to buy a dimmer separately). Even though it’s not as high tech as other options, its solid build and compact design make it a good choice for your small space needs.

PHOTO: Amazon

Available in a blade span of either 62 or 70 inches, this stylish ceiling fan can effectively cool large indoor rooms (over 400 square feet) and open-floor homes without much noise or fuss. Its fan includes eight blades for maximum air circulation and creates a symmetrical look that’s easy on the eyes. Because it comes with an adjustable mount, it can be installed on flat and vaulted ceilings, and the 4-inch downrod ensures it hovers close enough to circulate the air without hanging too low.

This fan also comes with an integrated LED light kit, which has a more subtle look compared to a bowl or branched light kit. You can adjust the lighting brightness as well as the speed of the fan with the included remote, so there’s no need to stretch for a pull chain. The remote also lets you put a timer on your lights, so you can have them turn off and on to simulate your presence while away.

Since this fan has eight blades, it’s pretty much silent, and it doesn’t create as strong of a breeze as a three- or four-blade fan. Plus, the stained wood blades add a rustic touch to your living space.

PHOTO: Amazon

What Could Be Improved

Upgrades like longer downrods, sloped ceiling adapters, and Wi-Fi control must be purchased separately.

In addition to cooling off your space, a ceiling fan can also bring style to your home’s furnishings. Take the Minka Aire Orb Ceiling Fan for example: Its sophisticated design, streamlined silhouette, and metal accents are luxe. It’s also available in several finish options to match your decor. You can use the remote control to dim and brighten the lighting and set it to one of the three fan speeds. If you want smart capabilities, you can add on the Wi-Fi control kit, which would allow you to connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

This fan has four blades made from manufactured wood, which ensures good airflow and durability. For spaces with taller and vaulted ceilings, you can upgrade it to a longer downrod or a sloped ceiling adapter. However, it’s only available in a 54-inch blade span, which may be disappointing if you have a smaller space.

PHOTO: Amazon

If you’re looking to cool off your sunroom or patio, this ceiling fan’s 52-inch width and three-blade design creates a nice, noticeable breeze in larger rooms and covered outdoor areas. The fan direction is reversible, so you can also use it to warm up your home come winter to save energy on heating.

The one downside is that this ceiling fan doesn’t include a remote or light kit, which may make it a little inconvenient to use (especially at night). But you can use a pull chain to adjust the fan speed or connect it to a wall switch. We also like that it comes with multiple downrod lengths so you can select one that best works with your ceiling height.

This ceiling fan is made from metal, which is one of the most durable materials for ceiling fans, and we like that it has a clean, simple look that avoids clashing with decor. It also comes in four finish options, including matte black, matte silver, bronze, and matte white.

Final Verdict

We chose the Honeywell Carmel Ceiling Fan as our top pick because of its classic design and remote control that lets you conveniently turn on and adjust the speed of your fan with the press of a button. For a budget-friendly pick, we like the Harbor Breeze Armitage Ceiling Fan because it comes in two different sizes and also offers a remote control at an inexpensive price.

How to Shop for Ceiling Fans Like a Pro

Size

There is an incredible variety of ceiling fan sizes. They typically range between 29 to 60 inches in width, though the best size depends on the area of your space and aesthetic preferences.

“I like ceiling fans with spans around 20% to 25% the width of your room, so if your room is 20 feet wide, you’d have a fan that’s about 4 to 5 feet in diameter,” Nozawa says. For small rooms less than 75 square feet, 29 to 36 inches wide will do the trick. Rooms that are less than 175 square feet will work with ceiling fans between 42 to 48 inches wide, and rooms less than 350 square feet require a fan between 50 to 56 inches in width. For spaces larger than 350 square feet, a ceiling fan wider than 60 inches is recommended.

To find the right rod height for your ceiling fan, you want to find a length that hovers about 8 or 9 feet off your floor. For most rooms, the included ceiling rod will do the trick, but for spaces with taller ceilings, you may need to purchase an extension rod to lower the fan and ensure it properly circulates air.

Blades

Ceiling fans usually have three to five blades, and the number can impact its performance. The more blades, the quieter the fan but the less adept it is at cooling a space. So, if you’re shopping for larger spaces, it’s recommended to stick to three-blade ceiling fans. For smaller rooms (or rooms that have air conditioning), go for a higher number of blades.

Also, consider the material the blades are made from. Plastic, metal, and wood offer the most durability, but metal moves the most amount of air, so it’s a bit noisier.

The number of blades also impacts the look of your ceiling fan. “I love an odd number, so I’ll generally recommend a three- or five-blade fan. The fewer-blade fans tend to feel more modern and minimalist,” Nozawa says. “If a fan is more aesthetically driven like with rattan or wood blades, I think a fuller number of blades is lovely to look at.”

Speeds

Most ceiling fans come with at least three speed settings to control how fast your ceiling fan operates, either through a remote or with a pull chain. Nozawa prefers fans with at least three or four speed options as well as a designated control for them: “I have so many frustrating memories of pulling on cords on ceiling fans, with no idea whether I’d successfully turned the fan off or changed speeds to the one I wanted. So having an app to select the speed I want, or a remote control, is a must.”

Nozawa also says to consider what’s going on under the fan to determine what speed you need: “Is this going in a home office where you keep a lot of magazines, books, and loose papers around? Realistically, a super-high fan speed will make a sitcom calamity of your papers. Or are you placing this fan in an outdoor covered patio? If so, you’ll want the fan to be able to hit high speeds to actually feel the breeze.”

Mounting and Placement

When it comes to mounting your ceiling fan, you can either use a downrod, a flush mount, or an angled mount. A downrod is a 3- to 5-inch metal pole that attaches your fan to its mount like it’s hanging from your ceiling. With a flush mount, your ceiling fan is connected right to its mount with no distance between them. An angled mount is similar to a flush mount, but it just has a slope that can attach to vaulted ceilings. You want it to hover about 9 feet above your floor for maximum air circulation, so if you have taller ceilings, a fan with a downrod will be a better choice since it sits closer to your floor. For more cramped spaces, aim for a flush mount that takes up less vertical space.

Is there a correct spot to place your ceiling fan? Nozawa says yes, and it’s in the center of a room. For longer multipurpose spaces or open-air floor plans that need multiple fans, she suggests centering a fan over each functional zone.

Also, take note of where your ceiling fan has been tested. Dry-rated ceiling fans are approved to work indoors only, so they aren’t a fit for your backyard or porch. If you want a fan that survives the elements, look for ones that are wet rated for spaces like a patio or damp rated for covered outdoor spaces like a porch.

Questions You Might Ask

Which direction should a ceiling fan spin?

During summer, a ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise to distribute cool air throughout a room. In the winter, your fan should turn clockwise to create an updraft that pushes hot air down to create a warming effect.

How long should a ceiling fan last?

A well-made ceiling fan can last over a decade, but its lifespan also depends on the materials it’s made from, how often it’s used, and how well it’s cleaned. You’ll know it’s time to replace your ceiling fan when the motor starts making unusual noises or if it starts shaking when you turn it on.

How much should a ceiling fan cost?

“Because ceiling fans are a performance item where the engineering and mechanics of these units does make a difference, I recommend investing toward the higher end of your budget for a fan,” Nozawa says. A ceiling fan can cost anywhere from $50 to $300+ dollars depending on its size, quality, and craftsmanship.

“Fan diameter does impact whether the centrifugal force of the fan will start swinging it around—there does seem to be an exponential increase in cost as fans get closer to 5 inches in diameter,” Nozawa says. If you’re sticking to a budget, a ceiling fan like the Harbor Breeze Armitage Ceiling Fan is less than $100 and works well in small- and medium-sized rooms. On the higher end, the Minka Aire Wave Ceiling Fan offers more bells and whistles.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Jen Woo, a freelance design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over 10 years of experience. To write this article, she thoroughly researched ceiling fans and considered factors like aesthetics, design, blade material, control type, lights, smart features, and fan speeds to make her final picks. For expert advice on how to shop for ceiling fans, Jen spoke to Noz Nozawa, principal designer of Noz Design.

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