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Installing a ceiling fan is one of the easiest ways to add some airflow and breeze to your living room, bedroom or outdoor spaces. Not only have ceiling fans become quieter and more efficient over the years, but they’ve improved in design so they’ll look great in your home. Many of today’s top ceiling fans also come with extra features like built-in lights as well as a remote control so you’ll be able to adjust your room’s environment without having to get out of bed or off the couch. To help you find the best ceiling fan for your home, our home experts have narrowed down some of our favorite picks below.
Our top picks:
The test engineers and home experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything you need to keep your home cool and comfortable during warmer months, from portable air conditioners to window air conditioners. While we haven’t tested each ceiling fan featured below, our pros have been hands-on with ceiling fans for more than a decade and reviewed each of our selections for specs like speeds, airflow, number of blades and extra features. These are the best ceiling fans of 2024, according to our experts and positive consumer reviews.
Once you’ve checked out our top picks, continue scrolling to find out what to look for when shopping for a ceiling fan, plus answers to other FAQs.
Pros
- Attractive, modern design
- Wi-Fi compatible for smart home integration
- Available in 5 finishes
- Quiet operation, according to online reviewers
Cons
- Must purchase separate hub for smart home integration
You’ll have no trouble coordinating this ceiling fan with your space. Not only do we love its modern design, but it’s available in five finishes from coal (black) to white. It features a remote control for easy speed adjustments as well as a built-in light. “The smart home integration is a nice feature, allowing you to operate the fan by voice control or through an app on your phone,” said Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab Director Dan DiClerico. Keep in mind you’ll have to purchase the Bond BD-1000 hub separately for the integration to work. Other online reviewers love how it's so efficient, attractive and quiet, applauding its fantastic air circulation even on low settings.
Number of blades | 3 |
---|---|
Airflow | 4542 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | Yes |
Control type | Remote |
Diameter | 52" |
Pros
- Affordable price
- More than 4,000 5-star reviews on Amazon
Cons
- Cooling power isn't as effective
It’s hard to find a ceiling fan under $100, but this model from Portage Bay is a standout. With more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and an average 4.6-star rating, it’s a top choice for keeping your space nice and breezy. We like that there's a built-in light, though you’ll miss out on some extra features like a remote control or adjustable light settings. It’s only available in two finishes, matte black or a silver-and-brown combination, and airflow isn't as strong as other models, but our pros think it's an excellent pick for its value — especially if you need multiple ceiling fans throughout your home.
Number of blades | 5 |
---|---|
Airflow | 2600 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | Yes |
Control type | Pull chain |
Diameter | 52" |
Pros
- Compatible with vaulted ceilings
- Ideal for smaller rooms
- Powerful airflow
Cons
- Design feels less modern
This five-blade ceiling fan from Honeywell sports a more traditional look and comes in three finishes to match your room's décor and furniture, including brown and light gray. At 48 inches, it’s not as large as some others on the list, making it an ideal size for smaller rooms up to 100 square feet. Our pros love that it features multiple hanging options so it's compatible with vaulted, angled ceilings if needed. We also like that the built-in light is dimmable from 20% to 100% through the fan’s remote.
Number of blades | 5 |
---|---|
Airflow | 5202 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | Yes |
Control type | Remote |
Diameter | 48" |
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Pros
- Compact design
- Great value
- Offered in four finishes
Cons
- Not ideal for larger rooms
Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Our pros love this compact ceiling fan for smaller rooms up to 100 square feet that don’t require quite as much airflow. “With its 44-inch span, this fan is perfect for smaller spaces, such as a bedroom or home office,” said DiClerico. For a great price, it also comes with extra features like a remote control and three fan speeds. Plus, four pretty finishes are available, including nickel, matte black, white and bronze.
Number of blades | 3 |
---|---|
Airflow | 2057 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting: | Yes |
Control type | Remote |
Diameter | 44" |
Pros
- Damp rated and ideal for outdoor use
- Minimalist, modern design
Cons
- Must purchase remote separately
Ceiling fans aren't only meant for indoors. Our pros love the look and feel of a fan providing a cool breeze as you lounge on your porch or veranda, especially on warmer evenings. “It’s damp-rated, so we recommend it for outdoor spaces with some protection, like a covered porch or patio,” said DiClerico. Not only do we find this three-blade pick from Hunter stylish, minimalist and modern, but it comes in four finishes that should match your space, including white, black, bronze and silver. The only setback is that there's no remote is included, so you'll have to use the pull chain to adjust airflow strength or purchase a remote separately for $80 directly from Hunter. Also note that a built-in light isn't included.
Number of blades | 3 |
---|---|
Airflow | 4031 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | No |
Control type | Pull chain |
Diameter | 52" |
Pros
- Sleek, modern design
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Only available in 2 finishes
We might be a little biased, but we love the look of this GH ceiling fan with an integrated LED light with five white temperatures, including warm white and daylight. As a Good Housekeeping Seal holder, it went through rigorous testing with our engineers so you can count on its performance. Available in brushed nickel or matte black, its sleek five-blade design is bound to add much-needed airflow to your space while looking great no matter where it’s installed. We also appreciate that a remote control is included so you can adjust fan speeds with the quick press of a button.
Number of blades | 5 |
---|---|
Airflow | 4325 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | Yes |
Control type | Remote |
Diameter | 52" |
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Pros
- Industrial style
- Ideal for medium to larger rooms
- Compatible with vaulted ceilings
Cons
- Only available in 1 finish
Featuring dimmable, Edison-style light bulbs, this ceiling fan stands out for its unique, industrial style. While it's only available in one finish, we love the blend of chestnut and bronze that will add a touch of rustic style to any room. Both a remote and dock come included for easy control, and it's compatible with both standard and vaulted ceilings. Our pros point out that it's ideal for medium- to larger-sized rooms up to 400 square feet, though do warn that its airflow isn't quite as powerful as other fans featured on this list.
Number of blades | 5 |
---|---|
Airflow | 3376 CFM |
Number of speeds | 3 |
Lighting | Yes |
Control type | Remote |
Diameter | 52" |
How we test ceilings fans
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything from fans to air purifiers. Though we haven't yet been hands-on with all of the ceilings fans featured above in our Lab, we relied on our categorial expertise and positive consumer reviews when selecting our top picks. We also reviewed each fan for specs such as speeds, airflow, number of blades and extra features like remotes, built-in lights and more.
What to look for when shopping for a ceiling fan
✔️ Blade size: Before purchasing a fan, first decide which room you want to install it in so you select the right size. "The most common size is a 52-inch fan, which is good for medium- to large-size rooms around 200 to 400 square feet," DiClerico said. For smaller spaces, a 42-inch fan should suffice.
✔️ Noise: You should expect some noise from all ceiling fans, given the airflow that they generate. But while certain ceiling fans manage to be super silent, others are noisier due to wobble. Our pros advise looking for a fan with a balancing kit, usually small weights that attach to the blades, to help eliminate wobbling.
✔️Airflow: Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. The higher the CFM, the more air the fan will move and the breezier your space will feel. "Ceiling fans with CFMs upward of 4,000 should offer solid cooling power," DiClerico said.
✔️ Mounting: According to our home experts, the blades of the ceiling fan should be 8 feet from the floor. "This will deliver maximum cooling without the risk of human interference with the blades," DiClerico said. It’s also best to mount the ceiling fan as close to the middle of the room as possible — and at least 18 inches from the nearest wall.
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How much should you expect to pay for a ceiling fan?
According to DiClerico, you can spend as little as $100 on a ceiling fan and still get decent performance, though the styling will be no-frills. "The sweet spot for performance, style and value is in the $200 to $300 range," he says. If you're looking for luxury finishes and all the bells and whistles, you'll even find high-end ceiling fans upward of $500.
Are three- or five-blade ceiling fans best?
The number of blades is more about looks than performance, explained DiClerico. "A three-bladed fan with a superior motor and blade design will deliver better cooling than a poorly designed five-blade fan," he said, noting that modern fans tend to use three blades, while traditional fans skew more towards the five-bladed look.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including cooling equipment, appliances and more. GH Institute writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to home, fitness, travel and more and frequently collaborates with the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab to cover products like humidifiers, under-sink water filters, smart toilets and much more. She's been using a ceiling fan her entire life and loves falling asleep with one on.
To write this story, she worked with the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico, who brings more than 20 years of experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports.
Olivia Lipski
Media & Tech Reviews Analyst
Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.