We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Whether you want to circulate fresh, cool air throughout your home or complement existing room décor, a ceiling fan can be an excellent purchase. But with so many different models, sizes, and features to consider, finding the right ceiling fan for your bedroom or den can be a challenge.
To help you narrow down your choices, we looked at over 50 of the top ceiling fans on the market and read over 300 customer reviews. Our research showed that ceiling fans can vary greatly in price, with most models costing around $100-$250 depending on the airflow and size, but some more premium, larger models costing significantly more, sometimes upwards of $600 or $700. Overall, our choice for the best overall ceiling fan is the Hunter Key Biscayne Weathered Zinc, which has a traditional, classic design that fits with any decor type and delivers excellent airflow for small or medium-sized rooms. Read our guide below for more of our top picks.
Best Overall
Good For: Customers looking for a high-quality, affordable fan with excellent airflow for bedrooms or living rooms.
What Are People Saying About the Hunter Key Biscayne Weathered Zinc?
We found that customers who were impressed with this fan liked that it had an excellent airflow and was easy to install. Others were pleased with its stylish, modern design. However, there were several complaints that this fan was overly noisy, while others were let down by the lack of remote control.
“We got two of these fans, and we absolutely love them! They look great, installation wasn’t bad, and the light produced is plenty….The best part is that it really pushes the air and with these installed on our patio in Phoenix… well, air movement is very important. Very happy with these fans!” — Heidi McBreen via Amazon
“…Once installed, it made a horrid rubbing noise. We were able to lower the shroud using washers to eliminate the rubbing. The speeds are not typical for ceiling fan speeds. The slow and medium speeds are pretty much pointless to use. The high speed is high.” — J. Weinzerl via Amazon
Best Value
Good For: Homeowners seeking a traditionally-designed fan that is well-constructed and has a reversible fan motor.
What Are People Saying About the Hunter Builder Deluxe 5-Blade?
Customers who left positive feedback for this fan liked that it was quiet and moved air well. Others were pleased with its excellent value. On the other hand, some who gave this product negative reviews said that it broke easily, while others found the lighting unit to be inadequate.
“I’m so pleased with this fan I’m purchasing number five of the same item right now. Excellent build quality. Excellent finish. Very heavy and very solid construction. … Perfect balance at every speed right out of the box. It’s nice they included a mini blade balancing kit and even nicer that I have not had to use a single one of them! … Absolutely dead quiet! Not a trace of electrical/motor hum or AC buzzing,” — John PT via Amazon
“The fan itself is great. The light is awful, and I wish I did not have the fan, but too late. If you have a room where you need a lot of light, then do not get this fan. If you only need moderate to low light, then you will be very happy with this fan. The problem is that it uses two candelabra 60-watt light bulbs. … I did not realize this had candelabra bulbs, and there is no room to add an adapter and then larger bulbs..” —TJ via Amazon
Best for Small Spaces
Good For: Homeowners in the market for a sleek, attractive fan that wits well with modern decor.
What Are People Saying About the Westinghouse Gun Metal Fan?
Our team found that customers who were satisfied with this fan generally liked its high airflow output, straightforward design, and high-quality light. However, there were some who found this fan to be challenging to install, and others said it often made loud noises.
“This fan is amazing! The price is unbelievable. It has a gorgeous compact appearance and an elegant black metallic finish. My husband actually had an enthusiastic ‘Wow!’ reaction to the appearance and then an emphatic ‘WOW’ at the price. It is small but produces perfect airflow. Even the “low” setting was moving air well” — Nebula via Amazon
“If you are looking for a silent or quiet fan, look elsewhere. If you are fine with the noise from it, then this is a good cheap fan to buy. We installed it in our bedroom, and luckily for us, it’s like a sound machine, and we sleep through the noise. It is a smaller sized fan, great for small rooms. We could have gone bigger for the size of our bedroom, but there is no need – this does the job of cooling off the room and creating great airflow.” — Walter Ostile via Amazon
Best Smart Fan
Good For: Customers seeking a high-end end with smart control and enough airflow to cool a large room.
What Are People Saying About the Big Ass Fans Haiku Smart Ceiling Fan?
Those who were pleased with this ceiling fan were wowed by its plethora of unique features and speed settings, with many customers raving about the airflow and smartphone compatibility. Others liked the design and high-quality build. However, those who had more mixed opinions felt this fan was difficult to install, and others noted it frequently squeaked or made other noises.
“I’ve always wanted a Big Ass fan and am not disappointed. The installation was very easy. Blades come color-matched and balanced, so there is literally no wobble. The fan is 100% silent. … The light is bright, and the breeze is awesome. I really like the app, and it works flawlessly with my iPhone. … There’s even an option for a natural breeze at night so that the air speed increases and decreases to be more natural (it’s slight, so low speed is still low speed). You can even set a timer. — Tattooos via Amazon
“While the installation appears to be simple, putting the wires into the necessary places and then adding two covers (one facing downwards and the other facing upwards) is a real pain. You have to really navigate the cables almost perfectly in order to have a snug fit. The top cover (one facing upwards) requires pulling up with a lot of force and rotating to lock it in place. Pulling up is one nightmare, but the rotation is the most difficult experience. I can’t understand why don’t the manufacturer leave some additional room for the cables or put threads to rotate it easily.” — S Vani via Amazon
Best Rustic Design
Good For: Homeowners with rustic decor looking for a well-built fan that can cool smaller bedrooms or dining rooms.
What Are People Saying About the Honeywell Carnegie Ceiling Fan?
Reviewers who liked this ceiling fan were impressed with its high-quality construction and durable materials. Others commented on its stylish design. However, others said it was loud, and some customers claimed that getting the remote control receiver was a headache.
“So glad I decided on this fan for our living room. It was easy to install (took about 30-45 min, including taking down the old fan) and is super quiet. We didn’t even need to use the balancing weights. I really think you will be happy with the quality of this fan.— Dale G. via Amazon
“The fan it’s self is very nice and fairly easy to put up in comparison to other ceiling fans. The problem comes with the remote. It has a transponder box that is to be wired with the fan motor, and there simply is not room for it to go in with the other wires. I would suggest a fan with the remote transponder was built into the housing of the fan itself. The fan does not have pull switches, so if you decide that there is no room for the transponder, you won’t be able to control the light or fan. However, it is nice looking” —Tasha via Amazon
Different Types of Ceiling Fans
When we searched through available ceiling fans, we looked into a few different fan designs, including traditional fans, modern fans, and “smart” fans.
Traditional Fans
When you think of a ceiling fan, your mind probably goes to a five-blade fan with a light globe in the middle and hanging chains to control the light and fan speed. These fans have been around for decades and for good reason, they’re tried and true ceiling fans that offer great design and quality performance.
Take a look at the pros and cons of traditional ceiling fans:
- Pros: Traditional models are simple, yet effective. These fans are durable and are easy to install compared to more advanced models.
- Cons: Traditional ceiling fans can appear a bit outdated. Their design doesn’t quite fit the trending modern aesthetic we see in homes today. If you’re looking for a sleek, minimalist look, then a traditional fan might not be for you.
Our best traditional fan is the Hunter Key Biscayne 54″ Weathered Zinc fan, which is an affordable fan offering quality and long-lasting performance.
Modern Fans
Modern fans have an appealing design that balances style and efficiency to complement your home’s décor.
Here are the pros and cons of modern fans:
- Pros: Modern fans offer a great look at a reasonable price. They’re available in a variety of models and styles to help you match the look of any room.
- Cons: Modern fans can be more complex than their traditional predecessors. This leads to a more difficult installation process that could require a professional.
Our best modern fan is the Honeywell Carnegie LED 52″ Ceiling Fan because of its sleek design and beautiful, rustic look.
“Smart” Fans
Smart fans incorporate modern technology to give you hands-free control over the airflow in your home.
Take a look at the pros and cons of smart fans:
- Pros: Typically, smart fans work with other smart technology, like voice control, remote applications, or Wi-Fi. This makes controlling fan speed and the light simple and convenient.
- Cons: Advanced technology can mean more malfunctions and greater room for error. Additionally, smart fans come with an increased price tag that makes its purchase a little more difficult.
Our best smart fan is the Haiku Home L 52″ Smart Ceiling Fan because of its variable light settings and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Buying Guide
Everyone has experienced the discomfort of sitting in a room full of stagnant air. Ceiling fans help prevent this issue by circulating cool air and reducing room temperatures. Some fans’ motors can even be reversed during the winter to push warm air towards your living space, helping you reduce the cost of heating your home.
However, in addition to selecting the best fan for your needs, there are several other important factors you should consider before making a purchase, including the fan’s size, airflow, mounting capability, adjustability, and blade design. Read our guide below for more information selecting the best ceiling fan for you.
How big is the standard ceiling fan?
Ceiling fans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the best sized-fan for your home will depend on several factors including how much airflow you’re looking for and the size of the room.
Typically, if the room you’re buying a fan for is 50 square feet or less, you should aim for a fan size that’s around 30 inches or less. If your room is medium-sized, up to 150 square feet, a fan that is in the 42-48-inch range should be efficient. Large rooms that exceed 150 square feet should look for high-powered, large fans to ensure the room is getting enough air circulation, with anything of at least 50 inches being the starting point.
What is the typical airflow for a ceiling fan?
The airflow of a ceiling fan is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute). The higher CFM a fan has, the more airflow it will distribute to the room.
Much like the size of the fan, how much airflow you need will depend on the room size of where you’re installing the fan in. Smaller rooms may be alright with a fan that’s 1,000 to 3,000 CFM, while medium-sized rooms should look for fans with at least 4,000 CFM, and large rooms should ideally have 4,000 to 6,000. For very large rooms such as event spaces, a ceiling should likely exceed 6,000 CFM.
How are ceiling fans mounted?
When it comes to mounting, ceiling fans can either be downrod, angled, or flush.
Downrod fans are the most common, and they include a piece of metal that connects your fan to the ceiling mount. Most downrod fans come with one or two downrods between three and five inches.
Angeled mounting units come with a special adapter to accommodate the slope of an angeled ceiling and ensure the fan hangs straight.
Flush mounts are designed for lower ceilings and are mounted directly to the ceiling without a downrod.
Are ceiling fans adjustable?
Ceiling fans typically have some sort of adjustability features, such as the ability to change the speed, turn the light switch and off, and change the direction of the blades. The most common way to adjust a ceiling fan is with an attached pull chain, however, some fans also come with remote controls that allow you to change the settings from a distance.
What types of blades do ceiling fans typically have?
There are several types of blade designs you can find in a new ceiling fan. Some have traditional straight-edged blades made of wood, while others feature sleeker, more modern designs made of plastic or metal.
Other popular blade designs include leaf-shaped blades, wood grain blades, translucent blades, or rustic, distressed blades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceiling Fans
Which way should a ceiling fan turn?
In the summer, a ceiling fan should rotate counterclockwise so that the blades push cool air down and into the room. During the winter, fans that have the capability should be set to turn clockwise and at the lowest speed. This pulls cool air towards the ceiling, replacing it with warmer air.
What’s the difference between a flush-mounted ceiling fan and a downrod-mount ceiling fan?
Flush-mount ceiling fans are installed flat against the ceiling. These fans are typically installed in smaller rooms or rooms with low ceilings. Downrod-mounting a fan involves using a rod to lower it away from the ceiling. Downrod-mount fans are usually found in rooms with high ceilings.
How do you know if a ceiling fan is suitable for an outdoor area?
Fans use an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating when deciding which settings are suitable. There are three UL ratings: dry rated, damp rated, and wet rated. If you’re seeking an outdoor ceiling fan for your outdoor space, ensure that it has a damp or wet UL rating.
Are three-blade ceiling fans a good choice?
Three-blade fans can be a good choice for homeowners. The fans usually require less energy to operate and come in modern designs. A drawback to three-blade fans is that they can be noisier than their five-blade counterparts.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.