The 11 Best Ceiling Fans of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Author: Steve

Jul. 15, 2024

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The 11 Best Ceiling Fans of , Tested and Reviewed

With that in mind, we installed and tested 17 ceiling fans in our own homes and evaluated their ease of installation, design, effectiveness, quality, and value. In our testing, we discovered that the most practical feature was a remote control; in fact, we hoped even models without one had one.

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&#;The higher the CFM rating, the more airflow, but higher isn't always better,&#; says Lindsay Tan , a design ecologist and design director at West Second Street LLC. For optimum airflow and comfort, she recommends choosing a fan with a CFM rating suitable for the room's size.

Ceiling fans come in a wide range of sizes , types, and styles to fit the needs of your space. To help you decide on the best ceiling fan, we recommend prioritizing airflow performance. Ceiling fan airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

If you're trying to stay cool this summer without central air or a portable AC unit, a ceiling fan is a great alternative. In addition to creating a nice breeze and helping cool your space, some models include built-in lighting that brightens up your room.

Best Overall

Honeywell Carmel Indoor Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$124 at Amazon

$130 at Wayfair

$122 at Walmart

What We Like

Includes wall-mount remote control
Reversible blades
Quiet operation
Auto shutoff for LED light

What We Don't Like

Limited color options
Better suited to small spaces

The Honeywell Carmel 48-inch Ceiling Fan is a top option if you want an effective and affordable ceiling fan for your home. After testing this indoor fan in our home for six months, we were impressed with its quiet operation, substantial airflow, and user-friendly features. The five-blade model comes with a wall-mounted remote control and an automatic shutoff for the integrated LED light.

We installed this indoor ceiling fan in an open-concept space that measures 13 x 13 feet (within the recommended room size of 12 x 12 feet to 18 x 18 feet), and the fan&#;s ability to circulate the air in the space is a testament to its effectiveness. With three speeds to choose from, this fan kept the area feeling well-ventilated and cool, clearing smells from the dining room or giving us a quick chill after a workout. Best of all, the ceiling fan didn&#;t produce any disruptive noise or vibrations that were a distraction during work-related video calls.

It&#;s worth noting that there is no pull chain to control the fan&#;s operation. Instead, you control functions like the fan speed and light with the included remote control. Our favorite feature of the remote was the delayed shutoff for the light. When leaving the house very early in the morning, this feature made it possible to have sufficient light for slipping on our shoes and grabbing the keys, but the light turns off 1-minute later, so there&#;s no chance of leaving the light on.

Unfortunately, we've found that occasionally turning off the unit requires two presses of the remote. Beyond that, we are completely content with the fan. All in all, the Honeywell Carmel Ceiling Fan exceeded our expectations in terms of performance and price. It earned perfect ratings for set-up, design, effectiveness, quality, and value. We&#;d recommend it for any small living space or as a quiet, efficient option for a bedroom or home office.

The Spruce / Michael Navarro
The Spruce / Michael Navarro
The Spruce / Michael Navarro
The Spruce / Michael Navarro

Best Budget

Portage Bay Hugger 52" West Hill Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$65 at Amazon

$60 at Home Depot

$74 at Newegg.com

What We Like

Low-profile design
Suitable for use in medium to large rooms
Bowl light kit

What We Don't Like

Not compatible with remote control

Even on a small budget, you can outfit any room in your home with a quality ceiling fan. For proof, consider the performance and value of this model from Portage Bay. During testing, we were wowed by this ceiling fan&#;s easy installation, quiet operation, and substantial air movement. With an integrated LED light, it&#;s an even better value for homeowners who want a ceiling fan with a light.

The Portage Bay West Hill Ceiling Fan has a 52-inch diameter and is recommended for rooms up to 18 x 18 feet. We used this fan in a home office that measure 11 x 11 feet for about 8 hours a day. Thanks to the five-blade design and three-speed motor that delivers up to 3,256 cubic feet per minute, we noticed an immediate difference in airflow and perceived temperature.

Contributing to the fan&#;s low-profile design is a hugger style mount that keeps the fan close to the ceiling, rather than using a 4- or 8-inch downrod. In our testing space with 8-foot ceilings, the hugger ceiling fan was a great choice because it doesn&#;t encroach on the clearance needed to move about the room. Keep in mind that a pull chain dangles from the bowl of the ceiling fan. It&#;s used to control the fan&#;s functions and glides smoothly, unlike some ceiling fan chains that offer a lot of resistance.

In exchange for a super affordable price, you&#;ll have to make a few concessions. For one thing, this fan doesn't come with a remote control. The only way to turn the fan on or off is by using a wall switch or pull chain or purchasing a separate universal remote control.

Another tradeoff is the quality of materials. While the components were installed easily and fit together well, the materials felt lightweight and less substantial when compared to other ceiling fans. With a hugger fan type, this is less of an issue since there is very little vibration, causing components to shake loose or wear quickly. But for a budget ceiling fan, these are small compromises for a fan that gets the job done and does so with minimal noise on all three fan speeds.

We've tested this fan in our home for six months and are still quite pleased with the fan's performance; we have been using it for some time now in our bedroom, which doubles as our office. Its ability to function as a light source apart from the fan is one of its most appealing features, as we need lighting to work. However, we do wish that the light could be a little brighter, which we believe is because the cover is opaque rather than transparent. On the other hand, the fan is quiet and does not cause disruptions, which is ideal for our office atmosphere.

The Spruce / Michele Hanson
The Spruce / Michele Hanson
The Spruce / Michele Hanson

Best for Small Rooms

Home Decorators Collection Natural Iron Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Walmart

$189 at Home Depot

$130 at Walmart

What We Like

Integrated lights
Quiet operation
Compact size

What We Don't Like

Limited airflow

If you need a fan for a small indoor or outdoor area, we recommend the Home Decorators Collection Natural Iron Ceiling Fan. We installed this fan in a three-season porch with a peaked ceiling that measures roughly 12 x 12 feet. Even though our room was a little bigger than the recommended space for installing this fan (10 x 10 feet), the fan still managed to provide a strong wind that reached every part of the room.

Because of its small size, we discovered that the highest setting was the most effective. Even when standing or sitting within a six-foot radius of the fan's center, we were able to feel the airflow. Keep in mind the blades on this fan are only 25 inches (almost half the size of our best overall pick), so the ventilation isn't as strong. If your room is bigger than the suggested room space, you might want to consider purchasing two of these fans to be able to enjoy the breeze.

The fan comes with a remote control you can use to control your fan. It features a power-off button, three fan speeds, an on/off switch, a light-dimming function, and an option for a gentle breeze. You can also use the remote to set the timer, which allows you to automatically shut off the fan in increments of 2, 4, or 8 hours.

While we installed the fan on a flat ceiling, it comes with an angle mount for sloped ceilings. We also like that the fan has an integrated LED light. It can't be swapped, but the soft white light provides the perfect illumination for most spaces.

The Spruce / Patrick McGowan
The Spruce / Patrick McGowan
The Spruce / Patrick McGowan
The Spruce / Patrick McGowan

Best Splurge

Minka-Aire Light Wave Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$360 at Amazon

$360 at Wayfair

$360 at Home Depot

What We Like

Aesthetically-pleasing design
Great air movement on medium and high speeds
Lightweight but feels well-made

What We Don't Like

No option to reverse fan blades using remote
LED light is very bright

A favorite option that we've also tested in the past, the Minka-Aire Light Wave Ceiling Fan is well worth its higher-than-average price tag. After installing and testing this three-blade ceiling fan, we would describe it as art for your ceiling and recommend it for mid-size rooms, like a primary bedroom or bonus room.

There&#;s more to appreciate than the sleek, modern style of this ceiling fan&#;it&#;s also well-built, quiet, and effective. On medium and high, the Light Wave ceiling fan produced noticeable airflow in a bedroom measuring 12.5 x 17 feet. We are happy to report that there was only audible wind noise on high, with the medium and low-speed settings producing practically no noise. Although the fan produces a whirling sound when operating at high speed, we found that it doubles as white noise and drowns out noises that would normally wake us up.

We credit the quiet, smooth operation of this fan to its high-quality construction and components. Although the fan blades are plastic, their fit and finish are impeccable, making the fan lightweight (a major benefit when self-installing this ceiling fan).

One of the most helpful features is the ability to control the fan from the comfort of your bed. The remote proved helpful when we were unwell and didn't feel like getting out of bed to operate the fan. We did find that when the light is set to its highest setting, it can be a little too bright for our taste, but since it is dimmable, it's not really an issue and could even be beneficial depending on where the fan is utilized.

The only other point of improvement for the Minka-Aire Light Wave Ceiling Wave would be a button to reverse the fan blades on the included remote control. If you want to change the direction of the fan blades, a switch on the motor housing is the only option. Since we installed the fan in a room with 10-foot ceilings, we need a ladder to make the switch (and we suspect this will be the case for many other homeowners). Other fans offer this functionality on the remote control, and we wish Minka-Aire included this option for this otherwise well-designed and highly functional ceiling fan.

The Spruce / Laura Miller
The Spruce / Laura Miller
The Spruce / Laura Miller

Best with Integrated Light

Hampton Bay Mena Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Walmart

$231 at Amazon

$159 at Home Depot

What We Like

Quick-connect LED light
Damp-rated
Very stable fan housing
Remote control included

What We Don't Like

Limited dimmer options

Not every ceiling fan is outfitted with a light, but picking a model that has this feature can greatly improve the functionality of your fan. You have many options for this type of ceiling fan, but we recommend the Hampton Bay Mena 54-inch Ceiling Fan with Light Kit. This ceiling fan with a light is great for rooms that you frequently spend a lot of time in, like a living room or dining room.

You might think that the assembly and installation of a ceiling fan with a light would be complicated or advanced, but we had this fan ready to go in less than an hour. Clever design features, like a magnetic LED light kit and snap-in blades, were a big help in quickly and easily completing the installation.

The integrated LED light gives you three color temperatures to pick from: K warm white, K soft white, or K daylight. Keep in mind that you can&#;t use this ceiling fan with a separate dimmer switch, so those are your only dimming options. We wish that we had a little more control over the light levels, but it&#;s not a dealbreaker. There is plenty of light in the brightest setting, but it projects more or less straight down because of the design of the globe. That works well if your ceiling fan is over a dining table or in a small living room.

The fan moves air exceptionally well, and best of all, there is barely any movement from the fan housing, even at top speed&#;which produces airflow movement of 5,246 CFM. It&#;s very quiet, with the highest speed setting sounding like a small desk fan. Because of the durable ABS plastic blades and the sturdy housing, you can install this fan inside or in a covered outdoor location. It&#;s damp-rated, so it&#;s a good pick if you need a ceiling fan with a light for your porch or other outdoor living area.

The Spruce / Art Silverio
The Spruce / Art Silverio
The Spruce / Art Silverio

Best Pull Chain

Hunter Fan Company Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$128 at Amazon

$147 at Home Depot

$135 at Walmart

What We Like

Simple installation
Dual pull chains for fan and light
Can be wired to two wall switches

What We Don't Like

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Windmax Power.

Reversible blades don&#;t offer much variation in design
Pull chains may need extenders in some cases

If you&#;re not interested in downloading an app or chasing around a remote to control your ceiling fan, pick a basic version with a pull chain to control the fan&#;s speed and light function. That&#;s what you&#;ll get with the Hunter Builder Deluxe 52-inch Ceiling Fan. It features two pull chains (one for the light and another for the fan) hanging from the center of the frosted light globe.

When testing this fan, we found the pull chains to be within reach, even when mounted from a 9-foot-tall ceiling. That being said, if your ceilings are taller or you don&#;t have height on your side, then you might want to consider adding pull chain extenders. The fan is also equipped with dual wiring if you want to control the light function and fan function from two different wall switches.

When considering other aspects of this Hunter ceiling fan, we would describe it as having high-quality construction with a classy look and a design that minimizes vibration. In fact, we were thrilled that the installation only took 1.5 hours and required no adjustments afterward. Because we installed this fan in a large 17 x 14-foot room, we frequently operate this fan on high to meet our preference for strong airflow.

At top speed, the fan does sway slightly, but the mount's design isolates it from vibrating anything else by suspending the fan in a cradle of sorts. The only perceptible noise is from wind speed, not from the fan vibrating.

For the price, we feel that this pick is a good value for shoppers who want a well-built ceiling fan with pull chains. The only drawbacks to consider relate to the fan blades. Although they&#;re reversible, the finish is very similar in color on both sides, with a variation in wood grain being the only differentiator. A greater variety in the color of the finishes would make the fan more versatile.

We also wish that the blades were slightly longer to move air in a larger room at slower speeds more effectively. But we can&#;t fault this fan too much for these features since the overall design and quality of the ceiling make it a good choice for most people.

The Spruce / Lucas Peters
The Spruce / Lucas Peters
The Spruce / Lucas Peters

Best for Large Rooms

Honeywell Xerxes Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$239 at Amazon

View on Wayfair

$239 at Lowe's

What We Like

Long fan blades
Multi-function remote control
Smart home compatible
LED light fixture

What We Don't Like

Limited light distribution
Angled downrod sold separately

To effectively circulate the air in a large space, you&#;ll need a ceiling fan designed for the job. Skip over smaller 44- and 55-inch versions and pick a large fan, like the Honeywell Xerxes 62-inch Ceiling Fan. We installed and tested it in a 700-square-foot space and were pleased with its size, design, and effectiveness.

The most impressive part of this fan is its 8-blade design. The number of blades and their length mean that this fan is designed to maximize airflow in spaces larger than 400 square feet, like an open-concept living area or a large primary suite. A 4-inch downrod is included for flat ceiling installation, but if you need to install it on an angled ceiling, the required mounting hardware is sold separately. The fan is available in multiple finishes, with reversible blades to give you more design choices.

The Honeywell Xerxes ceiling fan includes an LED light that has a downward focus that results in more of a spotlight effect rather than a wider distribution of illumination. We wish it did a better job of lighting up the room as a whole, but we do like the fact that the light and fan functions are controlled by an included remote control with self-explanatory buttons for the many functions.

You can turn the fan speed up or down, choose to have the light turn off 60 seconds after you push the button, or activate a schedule for the light. In addition, the fan is smart home compatible and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, although you&#;ll have to purchase a separate hub to take advantage of that functionality.

The Spruce / Jennifer May
The Spruce / Jennifer May
The Spruce / Jennifer May

Best Basic

Honeywell Belmar Outdoor LED Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$116 at Amazon

View on Wayfair

$119 at Walmart

What We Like

Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
Reversible motor
Weather-resistant ABS plastic blades

What We Don't Like

Noisy on high
Bulbs are dimmer than expected

If you are searching for a basic ceiling fan, put this Honeywell model at the top of your list. When testing the Belmar Ceiling Fan, we found it to be a capable and affordable choice for medium-to-large rooms. It has a simple appearance and no smart features, but it moved plenty of air in the 18 x 18-foot room we installed it in.

Some of the things that you should know about this indoor-outdoor ceiling fan include the fact that it features ABS plastic fan blades that won&#;t warp in the face of moisture or high humidity. The fan itself is damp-rated, meaning that it can be installed in covered outdoor locations, like a porch or patio.

It can be installed with a 4-inch downrod or as a flush-mount fan, which we preferred for our 8-foot ceilings. Pull chains control the fan and light functions, and we didn&#;t have any trouble using them, but shoppers searching for a ceiling fan with a remote control will want to consider buying a universal remote kit, which is easily installed and relatively inexpensive.

In general, this basic ceiling fan lived up to our expectations and earned satisfactory ratings across all categories. Our biggest quibbles with the functionality are that the fan is very noisy on high, and the included LED bulbs don&#;t put off as much illumination as expected&#;although that could be remedied by purchasing higher-wattage replacement bulbs.

For a basic model, we still recommend the Belmar Ceiling Fan. We've been using the ceiling fan in our guest bedroom for the past two months, and it's been working as great as when we first installed it. It does a great job of circulating the air around the room, which we find very beneficial when we use the walking pad.

The Spruce / Danielle Yersin
The Spruce / Danielle Yersin
The Spruce / Danielle Yersin

Best with Remote

Honeywell Carnegie Indoor Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$170 at Amazon

$149 at Wayfair

$149 at Walmart

What We Like

Easy-to-use remote controller
Multiple modes and fan features
Efficient, quiet air movement

What We Don't Like

No listed CFM
Remote control can be hard to detach from wall mount

It&#;s hard to outshine the function and style of the Honeywell Carnegie Ceiling Fan, but our favorite feature while using this fan was the remote control. We&#;d describe it as intuitive and easy to operate, and it&#;s loaded with features that control nearly every aspect of the fan&#;s operation&#;except for the ability to reverse the fan&#;s rotation. With that in mind, we wouldn&#;t hesitate to recommend this as the best ceiling fan with a remote control.

The directions to assemble and install the fan were clear and concise; we were able to self-install the ceiling fan in just over two hours. With a 52-inch blade span, the size of this ceiling fan makes it suitable for spaces up to 400 square feet, so we picked a 12 x 12-foot bedroom for testing purposes. We&#;d describe it as quiet on all three speeds, and it&#;s powerful&#;it gets up to the speed you set it at quickly, and you can feel the cooling effect right away. Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn&#;t list the CFM rating for this fan. Although we were satisfied during testing with the fans' air movement, it&#;s helpful to know the CFM when comparing two different fans.

This ceiling fan with remote has functions far superior to other fan remotes we&#;ve used in the past. A push of the button turns the light on or off, and you have individual buttons for the low, medium, and high fan speeds. This contributes to the impression that the fan quickly and efficiently reaches your desired fan speed since there&#;s no need to toggle through multiple options. There&#;s also a Variable Breeze mode that is meant to simulate the random breeze in nature.

Other features that really wowed us were the Light Delay Off mode (which gives you 60 seconds of illumination before the light shuts off) and the Home Shield mode. When you press and hold this button, it activates a mode that randomly turns the light on and off between five and 20 times per day. We see it as being useful while you&#;re away from home for days at a time, but we want to give the impression that someone is home.

After six months of testing, we're still quite pleased with this fan. It offers a refreshing and cozy space for our guests to sleep, and we've also discovered an unanticipated perk for our small ones. The whirring motion of the fan blades captivates little babies' attention and provides them with hours of enjoyment. One feature we really liked is that when you turn off the light switch, this fan remembers your light and fan speed settings. This saves us the trouble of constantly adjusting the fan's settings.

The Spruce / Pat McGowan
The Spruce / Pat McGowan
The Spruce / Pat McGowan

Best Outdoor

Hinkley Lighting Tropic Air 52-Inch Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$499 at Amazon

$400 at Home Depot

$425 at Walmart

What We Like

Tropical design
Stands up well to the elements
Motor has lifetime warranty

What We Don't Like

Wall control not included

Setting up an outdoor ceiling fan is a great way to enjoy the fresh air while remaining comfortable. With its five composite palm leaf blades, this fan not only provided a welcome breeze on hot and humid days but also gave our outdoor space a lovely tropical vibe. This fan kept us cool, even when the weather was quite humid. On the lowest setting, we were still able to feel the airflow on each corner of our patio.

We put the fan through its paces in our screened-in patio, where it was exposed to high humidity and scorching heat. The fan has shown remarkable durability despite being subjected to continuous 80-degree temperatures, rain, and even snow. Because of its wet-rated construction, this fan can endure rain and elements with no issues.

In the cooler months, you can reverse the fan's direction to circulate warmer air. We found that changing the direction of the fan blades was simple. There is a slide switch on one side of the fan body, and all you have to do is slide it to the left or right to choose which way you want the fan to spin.

Aside from how effective it was at cooling us in our outdoor space, we also enjoyed how quiet it was. The DC motor makes this fan incredibly silent; even at maximum speed, we could barely hear it. Even though it doesn't include wiring instructions or wall control (sold separately), we managed to connect it to a wall fan switch so that it could be turned on and off in addition to the accompanying remote.

The included pull cord also lets you choose between four different speeds or turn the fan off. We put the fan on an 8-foot ceiling, with the lowest point of the fan blades 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, and we had no trouble reaching the cords.

The Spruce / Patrick McGowan
The Spruce / Patrick McGowan

Best Quiet

Hunter Key Biscayne Ceiling Fan

PHOTO: Amazon

$169 at Amazon

$330 at Wayfair

$169 at Home Depot

What We Like

Damp-rated
Includes LED light kit
Stylish design
Standard or low-profile mounting

What We Don't Like

No remote control included

After installing and using the Key Biscayne ceiling fan, we have plenty of praise for the fan&#;s smooth, quiet operation, LED light function, and stylish design. In short, it does everything that you would need an indoor (or outdoor) fan to do.

We have no complaints about the performance of this ceiling fan. Hunter promises whisper-quiet operation with its motor technology, and we weren&#;t disappointed. One distinctive feature of this fan is the low-volume "whoosh" sound it makes, which can be described as white noise. Compared to other noisy ceiling fans, this one has helped us relax and get a good night's sleep. The fan is very well balanced, so even at higher speeds, it doesn't vibrate or make noises.

This ceiling fan is damp-rated, so it can be installed in a covered outdoor location. It resists humidity and corrosion but shouldn&#;t be installed in a spot that receives rain or snow. Wherever you choose to install it, you can expect a simple, fast process. We installed this fan in less than one hour.

The style is rather specific but attractive. It has a farmhouse chic look, with a lantern-look for the frosted light kit. The five blades are reversible, with two different weathered finish options. Our only real gripe about this model is the fact that it doesn&#;t include a remote control, despite the rather steep price tag.

You&#;ll have to control the fan and light with a pull chain or wire it to a wall switch. However, we don&#;t find this to be a downside that should keep you from installing this durable, attractive, and quiet option.

The Spruce / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger
The Spruce / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger
The Spruce / Mary Honeyman-Speichinger

High CFM Ceiling Fans | High Airflow Fans

For only the Extreme Airflow fans see:

This is a good place to start your search since powerful fans not only move high quantities of air at high speeds, but also move significant air at medium speeds, meaning they can last longer and run more quietly than less powerful fans.

Fans on this page can move air at over 7,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and are considered high airflow or powerful fans.For only the Extreme Airflow fans see: fans at CFM and above This is a good place to start your search since powerful fans not only move high quantities of air at high speeds, but also move significant air at medium speeds, meaning they can last longer and run more quietly than less powerful fans.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Agricultural Ceiling Fans. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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