The Best Ceiling Fans to Keep Your Home Breezy Without Cranking the AC, Tested
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A good ceiling fan can help cool a home while lowering energy costs. We tested today’s top-selling models to find out which ones blew the competition away.
Ceiling fans provide a cost-effective and elegant way to make living spaces more comfortable. They don’t lower the room temperature, per se; instead, they circulate air throughout a space, making those in the room feel cooler by helping warm air evaporate from the skin.
Today’s ceiling fans come in various sizes and styles; some even offer smart connectivity. We wanted to develop a roundup of top-performing ceiling fans in several categories, so we tested a bunch of them ourselves. We started by researching more than 40 different models before narrowing our list to 10, which we then installed and tested extensively.
If you’re in the market for a ceiling fan, keep reading. We’ll tell you which features to look for, and you’ll find out how the following models earned a spot in our lineup of the best ceiling fans.
- BEST OVERALL: Minka-Aire Barn 65″ LED Smart Ceiling Fan
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Hunter Builder 52″ Ceiling Fan With Light
- BEST FLUSH-MOUNT: Sofucor 52″ Flush Mount Steel Wood Ceiling Fan
- BEST RUSTIC: River of Goods Farmhouse 52″ Ceiling Fan
- BEST FAN-ONLY: Hunter Malden 52″ Ceiling Fan
- BEST FOR MEDIUM ROOMS: River of Goods Yvette 42″ 2-Light Ceiling Fan
- BEST CAGE-STYLE: Parrot Uncle 20″ Industrial Downrod Mount Fandelier
- BEST FOR LARGE ROOMS: Hunter Hartland 52″ LED Ceiling Fan
- BEST DOUBLE FAN: Harbor Breeze Twin Breeze 74″ Ceiling Fan
- BEST SMART OUTDOOR: Wind River Willow 60″ Ceiling Fan
How We Tested the Best Ceiling Fans
Selecting ceiling fans for testing involved carefully researching the best-selling models to determine which ones offered features that consumers were most likely to want. We considered brand name to an extent—after all, manufacturers like Hunter and Harbor Breeze consistently earn top honors for their high-quality fans. Still, we didn’t discriminate against smaller or niche brands—if their ceiling fans were well made and had high customer satisfaction, we took them into consideration.
We also considered each fan’s control type, design style, airflow rating as measured by its cubic feet per minute (CFM), and other special features.
In actual testing, we installed the fans in our own homes—wiring them according to the manufacturers’ specs—and noted how difficult the installation was. Then, we turned them on using a wall switch, remote control, or smart features and observed their stability to see if they wobbled or if they were well-balanced fans right out of the box. We tested every feature each fan offered (although the majority of testing time was taken up by installing each fan) and awarded points based on a rubric. The better a ceiling fan performed on a test, the more points it earned.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Hours spent testing | 18 hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Average price | $248.96 |
Our Top Picks
Aesthetics play a significant role in choosing a ceiling fan, and the following models encompass a range of classic and trending interior design styles. Whether you’re looking for a fan for strictly practical purposes or you want a sleek, stylish fan to complement your home’s decor, you’ll find one here that is tested and approved. Installing a ceiling fan requires wiring the fan to the home’s electrical system, so if you’re not comfortable working with wiring, have an electrician install it.
Best Overall
Minka-Aire Barn 65" LED Smart Ceiling Fan
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Stability 5/5; Airflow 5/5; Control 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade span: 65 inches
- CFM: 3,712 to 9,155
- Built-in light: Yes
- Dry/wet rating: Dry (indoor)
- Controls: Remote control, app
What We Like
- Fan contains a built-in remote receiver, making it easier to install and configure
- 10-inch downrod drops the level of the fan for sloped ceiling clearance
- Very smooth operation; no wobbling on startup or at any fan speed
- Whisper-quiet fan; didn’t even register on our decibel tester
- Can be controlled via wall switch, remote control, or Bond Home app on smart devices
What We Don’t Like
- On the pricey side compared to the other fans we tested
The 65-inch Minka-Aire ceiling fan stands out for its ever-popular farmhouse style, but it’s also a top-notch performer in its own right. When we unboxed this barn-style fan and found ten blades and many nuts, bolts, and connectors, we had a sinking feeling it would take well over an hour to assemble. Not so—it took less than 45 minutes to put it together.
We installed the Minka-Aire on a sloped ceiling with a 4:12 pitch. A 10-inch drop bar made it possible to hang it on the slope without the wide blades hitting the lower ceiling edge.
This fan really moves some air. It was easy to turn it on and off and adjust the blade speed using the remote control. Dimming the light was a little more challenging. The remote has a dual-light switch, and by reading the instructions, we learned that we had to depress one button while simultaneously pressing the other to increase the intensity or dim the light. A simple up/down dimmer switch would have been more user-friendly, but that’s only a slight downside.
Overall, the Minka-Aire is a standout pick. It features reversible blades for both winter and summer use. It comes with smart connectivity. We downloaded the Bond Home app, which quickly synced to our wireless network, allowing us to operate the fan via smartphone.
If you’re looking for a sizable ceiling fan that runs every bit as good as it looks, you won’t be disappointed with the Minka-Aire.
What Our Expert Says: “This fan is exceptionally quiet—it didn’t even register on our decibel tester while it was running. I love that I can be in my home and not even hear the fan running.” — Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila Staff Writer and Product Tester
Read our full review: Minka-Aire Barn 65″ LED Smart Ceiling Fan
Get the Minka-Aire ceiling fan at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Hunter Builder 52" Ceiling Fan With Light
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Stability 4/5; Airflow 4/5; Control 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade span: 52 inches
- CFM: Maximum 4,339
- Built-in light: Yes
- Dry/wet rating: Dry
- Controls: Pull chain
What We Like
- A sturdy, well-made fan at an affordable price point
- Traditional ceiling fan suitable for most interior decor styles
- Quiet while running at high speeds and virtually silent on low
- Reversible blades for use in both summer and winter seasons
What We Don’t Like
- Remote not included (though it can be purchased separately), so versatility is limited
This reasonably priced ceiling fan from Hunter is ideal for small to medium-size rooms, and it boasts many of the same features as higher-priced models. It comes with reversible blades and three flared glass globes compatible with standard light bulbs. Those looking for good air circulation in a classic style that doesn’t create a lot of noise or cost a fortune might want to consider the Hunter Builder.
During testing, we found installation to be standard and straightforward. The instructions came with clear illustrations that were simple to understand and follow. Like the other ceiling fans we installed and tested, the Hunter Builder attaches to a standard ceiling light box, so it’s just a matter of removing the existing light and installing the fan in its place.
This is not a flush-mount fan, but with its short 3-inch downrod, it’s still a good option for standard 8-foot ceilings and gently sloping ceilings. Users can run its reversible motor in the colder months to push warmer air downward and reduce heating costs. In our tests, the fan ran smoothly in both directions without wobbling. And, because it has a DC motor, it’s very quiet.
Our only complaint—and it might not matter to others—is that the fan doesn’t come with a remote control, so we had to use pull chains to turn the blades and the lights on and off. For anyone who doesn’t mind walking to the center of the room to pull on a chain, the Hunter Builder fan is a great pick at an affordable price point.
Get the Hunter Builder ceiling fan at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Flush-Mount
Sofucor 52" Flush Mount Steel Wood Ceiling Fan
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Stability 4/5; Airflow 5/5; Control 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Blade span: 52 inches
- CFM: 2,850 to 5,128
- Built-in light: Yes
- Dry/wet rating: Dry/damp (indoor or protected outdoor)
- Controls: Remote control
What We Like
- Sleek, modern design serves as a stylish complement to contemporary decor
- Real wood blades, which resemble an airplane propeller, are a nice upgrade
- LED light comes with temperature control—select from cool white, warm, or natural
- Reversible blades make this fan an energy-efficient choice for summer and winter
- User-friendly remote control allows users to adjust blade speed and light intensity remotely
What We Don’t Like
- Although this is a flush-mount ceiling fan, it will require an 8-foot ceiling
- LED light is not super bright, but suitable for most bedroom and living room uses
With its rich-tone wood blades and flush-mount base, the Sofucor ceiling fan boasts a sleek look suitable for homes with modern or contemporary decor. Installing it requires a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet because the fan extends downward just over 11 inches. While some flush-mount fans are designed for lower ceilings, the Sofucor isn’t.
We liked the fan’s genuine wood blades, which look like an airplane propeller. The fan also comes with its own LED light. It isn’t as bright as we would like, but we did appreciate being able to select the light color (warm, natural, or cool white), as this allowed us to change the light quality in the room to suit our mood.
Installation was straightforward. The fan came with a small instruction booklet, and more complete instructions are available by scanning the UR code in the booklet. The only thing we would have changed about the installation was the need to install the blades before connecting the housing to the mounting plate. While this is doable, with most ceiling fans, the housing installs before the blades, because the blades tend to get in the way if they’re installed first. Still, we had no problems, and the wiring setup was standard.
A user-friendly remote controls the fan. Adjusting the blade speed, direction, and the lights from the remote was easy. This is a very quiet fan—we barely heard it on low, and on high, it was just a whisper. Those who want modern appeal in a ceiling fan won’t go wrong with the Sofucor.
Get the Sofucor ceiling fan at Amazon or Sofucor.
Also sold under the name Nicola by George Oliver at Wayfair.
Best Rustic
River of Goods Farmhouse 52" Ceiling Fan
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 3/5; Stability 4/5; Airflow 5/5; Control 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade span: 52 inches
- CFM: Maximum 4,278
- Built-in light: Light kit
- Dry/wet rating: Dry (indoor)
- Controls: Pull chains
What We Like
- Attractive rustic style with barnwood- and driftwood-finish blades available
- Provides ample air circulation for medium-size rooms, such as dens or dining rooms
- Reversible blades make this fan suitable for warm and cool seasons
What We Don’t Like
- No remote control, so users must operate the fan via pull chains
This rustic ceiling fan from River of Goods exudes farmhouse charm. Featuring reversible 52-inch blades (users can choose from a barnwood or driftwood finish), it’s ideal for medium-size rooms, such as a bedroom, dining room, or den.
We really liked this fan’s unique style and countryside feel. While the ceiling fan installation was similar to most models, we had a bit of trouble attaching the cage-type light kit beneath the fan blades. A bit of metal that probably should have been removed from the bracket was still there, which made it impossible to attach the light kit until we filed off the errant piece. After that, the rest of the installation went smoothly.
This ceiling fan makes a little noise, but not so much that we found it distracting. It has an AC motor, which is known to be louder than DC motors, but even at the highest speed, the sound wasn’t distracting. In fact, as is the case with many fans, the sound faded into the background after a while, and we stopped noticing it.
The fan comes with reversible blades, which make it well suited for both warm- and cool-weather use, but it doesn’t come with a remote, so we had to flip a switch on the housing when we wanted to change blade direction. Pull chains operate the lights and blades, and the light kit accepts two standard light bulbs (included).
This River of Goods fan doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, but it’s a great pick if you’re looking for a fan that circulates air well and captures that iconic farmhouse style.
Get the River of Goods Farmhouse ceiling fan at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Fan-Only
Hunter Malden 52" Ceiling Fan
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Stability 5/5; Airflow 5/5; Control 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Blade span: 52 inches
- CFM: Maximum 4,791
- Built-in light: No
- Dry/wet rating: Dry
- Controls: Remote control
What We Like
- Part of the sleek and stylish Jasmine Roth collection by Hunter
- Straightforward installation makes it quick and simple to install
- Smooth and wobble-free blade operation on all 3 speeds
What We Don’t Like
- No remote option for reversing blade direction switch on fan housing
- No light kit—best suited for rooms that already receive plenty of light
Chic and understated, our next pick is part of the Jasmine Roth collection. Roth, an interior designer, host, and star of HGTV’s Hidden Potential and Help! I Wrecked My House, offers the Malden indoor ceiling fan in conjunction with the Hunte