We are experts and have reviewed dozens of products to find you the best ceiling fans. In addition, we compiled our extensive research and wrote a buyer’s guide which goes into everything you need to know when buying a ceiling fan. This includes but is not limited to: downrods, lights, blade pitches, and more!. We hope you enjoy!
Emerson Aira ECO Ceiling fans come with a powerful DC EcoMotor to maximize its energy efficiency. It saves you 300% more energy than any average ceiling fan. The airflow (8133 CFM) is fantastic for large spaces both indoors and outdoors. Its overall streamlined design will give your interior a modern and attractive aesthetics.
Its body comes integrated with a LED light fixture. You can control light illuminance from the wall control. You can use the LED lights at their full brightness or dim them down to create a soothing ambiance. You can also add a hand held remote transmitter for your convenience which is optional when you order.
Emerson Fans are a pioneer in advanced ceiling fan technology. Their fans always offer extra than their contemporaries in the same price range. To know more about LED fans, you can refer to this guide for complete information.
The Minka Aire 60” Shyhawk LED has it all. With its dependable wooden blades, excellent design, and a super-efficient DC motor, this fan ranks conveniently higher against its peers in the same price range. With remote control integration, you don’t have to walk across the room to control your fan. You now have complete control in your hands.
Enjoy an integrated LED light with the capacity to provide over 1649 lumens and with a Color Rendering Index of 92. Not only is it physically impressive to look at, the Skyhawk is also a powerful fan with LED rated to last 30 times longer than a typical incandescent bulb. The Minka Aire is a beauty to behold and to own.
If you want to make a statement with quality, the Minka Aire 60” Skyhawk LED is top tier, with a quality rating of 5 (above the average 3). It’s windspeed is 3.28 MPH. This fan comes with an efficiency rating of 164 CFM/Watt, while consuming only 44 Watts of electricity per hour.
The manufacturer, Minka Aire, is considered one of the finest manufacturing companies when it comes to ceiling fans. They offer the best ceiling fans in the market, focusing on efficiency, durability, and quality. This is a fan brand that absolutely considers style as you can see from their fan designs.
The Mathews America USA ceiling fan is a great selection, especially if you love buying American-made products only. The fan runs smooth and quiet at medium and low speeds but it may require some balancing during installation. The low wind speed factor (2.69 MPH) implies low breeze condition, not enough to blow your socks off. It has a speed motor and tops out at 162 revolutions per minute. Worth noting, it doesn’t come with a light, nor can one be added to it.
With a decent efficiency rating at 79 CFM/Watt, it is designed to offer better service to smaller rooms of your home. You can install it in your study room, attic, library and even kids playrooms. The optional light fixtures give you freedom to choose the style according to your existing room décor.
This fan qualifies for the Buy American Act (BAA). It is one of the very few fans that is made in America.
The Ion Eco Fan uses 75% less energy than other ceiling fan motors. The Emerson DC EcoMotor provides efficient power savings as well as a smooth operation. It is ideal for professional spaces and rooms where noise needs to be at a minimum. The seamless design gives it a sleek and powerful look that instantly uplifts the room décor.
The fan comes with optional Mahagony solid wood blade designs. You can customize your fan as per your interiors and aesthetic preferences. The EcoMotor consumes a maximum 33 watt of energy and runs cooler than conventional AC motors. The integrated LED light fixture and streamlined design make it a smart choice for your home or office.
Emerson’s EcoMotor uses permanent magnets instead of copper windings to save your energy costs up to $100 over 18 months. However, at 2.69 mph windspeed, this fan won’t cool you down as much as more powerful options.
The Sweep Eco fan with Graphite blades has an ultra modern architectural form. The geometric pendant in the middle carries an integrated LED to brighten your space evenly. The fan runs on a 6 speed hand held remote control. The remote has options for reverse speed and light dimming as well.
The motor produces a massive airflow of 6683 CFM. It rotates between 50 to 204 RPM, yet consumes only 20 watt, which is fantastic. The fan is designed to give an instant cooling breeze irrespective of the ceiling height. You can install this fan in professional spaces or homes as the exterior is very universally flattering.
Emerson Ecomotor fans are designed to run on low energy demands to save you up to $100 over 18 months of use. This model is energy efficient and runs quieter than traditional AC motors. In this regard, here are some of the top ceiling fan designs that may impress you.
Here is a lovely ceiling fan design brought to you by Matthews Fan Company. It comes in three blades well-structured, and crafted in 316 marine grade bronze stainless steel. It features a sleek, simple, and elegant design rated for indoor and outdoor use.
The Matthews Atlas Donaire 316 Marine Grade Ceiling fan consists of an integrated dimmable LED light feature with blades made of ABS Plastic. Its blades can thrive in any type of weather condition- winter or summer. It features a 14-degree blade pitch and a 52” blade span with a bronze glossy white finish.
The Matthews Atlas Donaire 316 Marine Grade Ceiling fan is made of stainless steel, which is one of the strongest materials in the world. It can be controlled using a 3-speed handheld remote control. It is a highly rated ceiling with incredible breeze rating, quality rating, airflow, and efficiency.
It was designed by Matthews Fan Company, made in South America, and assembled in the USA. They provide top-rated ceiling fans with varying designs.
The Minka Aire Artemis has high density molded plastic plates to flaunt a contemporary style. The blades and body together impart an illusion of a single piece device. The aerodynamically curved blades with 24 degree Max Pitch produce the best airflow. The fan can give any ordinary room a futuristic makeover. It is meant for indoor use only.
The DC motor is energy efficient. It consumes only 39 watts per hour, even at its highest 100 RPM speed. It runs on 6 speed settings which is pretty standard across other fan models. The downlight light fixture comes with a built-in 17W LED array. The overall effect is seamless and modern looking. With a massive airflow capacity of 9160 CFM, it scores 5.5 over an avg 3 in quality rating.
Minka Aire is popular for dramatic designs that grab attention. This fan is no exception.
The Emerson Carrera comes with a DC EcoMotor that reduces operational energy costs and consumes only 33 watts per hour. That is three times less than your average ceiling fan. The 16 degree blade pitch produces high quality airflow of 7929 CFM (5,000 is average across other ceiling fans).
The fan comes with a 6 speed wall control. You can opt for additional controls when purchasing. The blades come in three different sizes- 54”, 60” and 72”. You also get to choose the right size of your light fixture to complement your room size. The fan is UL rated for dry and damp locations but not for wet environments.
Emerson always wins hearts with its highly energy-efficient EcoMotor. It’s engineered to save you around $100 in energy costs over a period of 18 months. The Carrera Grande ECO goes a step further with an impressive efficiency rating of 273 CFM/watt where an avg is about 86 CFM/watt only. For more, you can read our buyer’s guide below to know why ceiling fans are always economical and beautiful at the same time.
The Emerson Laclede ECO fan features its signature DC motor (EcoMotor ) to save up to 75% more energy than typical AC motors. The functional built-in uplight casts a mood setting reflection on the ceiling. The 14 degree blade pitch produces the best airflow (7359 CFM) you can have. In short, this model is designed with performance and aesthetics in mind. The fan has a 62″ blade span which is suitable for medium to large rooms. It is operated by a 3 speed remote control.
There are nine 13 watt CFL bulbs combined in the light fixtures. They produce luminosity equivalent to 540 watts of incandescent light. The light fixture comes with a single glass shade bringing together the overall design. Moreover, these low wattage CFL bulbs along with the EcoMotor consume only 29 watts per hour.
Emerson fans are crafted to make an impression. This model from Emerson features fluorescent bulbs inside a single glass shade to amp up your existing room decor.
The Emerson Penbrooke fan produces 7,400 CFM of airflow with just 32 watts of energy usage. It comes in three different blade sizes of 72”, 60” and 54” to complement rooms of any dimension. The blade colors and shades are also customizable.
The 12 degree blade pitch produces air at a wind speed factor of 3.01 MPH which is about average compared to other fans. This fan comes with both a downlight and an uplight. You can dim the downlight and uplight independently. This fan is energy star qualified and boasts a strong and quiet DC motor. It will keep you energy bills low. For more information on why we like DC motors better, check out our buyer’s guide below.
The Emerson fans have some of the most energy saving mechanical aspects. They need low maintenance and have easy installation. However,professional installation or balancing will lead to better usage and less chances of repair.
As an affiliate partner, we may earn from qualifying purchases made on these products.
A Ceiling Fan Buyer’s Guide: Everything To Know When Buying the Best Ceiling Fans.
We have a deep love for ceiling fans and live to help others understand these products as well as we do. That is why we took the time to write a ceiling fan buyers’ guide.
Buying a ceiling fan for the first time can be overwhelming. There are many options for fans and each fan has different styles, sizes, functionality, blades, and installation steps.
Fortunately for you, we have distilled all of the key variables down into an accessible and digestible guide. You can read this guide if you want an in-depth understanding of ceiling fans or you can skim it if you only want to better understand certain aspects of the fan itself.
This includes how to select a fan to buy, the types and angles of a fan’s blades, the pros and cons of the AC and DC motors that power fans, and how to install the fan on your ceiling. If you follow this guide you can be confident that you are making a well informed buying decision.
We know all things ceiling fans and want to pass on our learnings and insights to help you.
Most importantly, we know that once you evaluate, select, and install a ceiling fan it will likely remain in place for many years to come. That is because ceiling fans can be heavy, expensive, and labor intensive to install.
A central air conditioning system consumes 3 kiloWatts, which is about 36 cents per hour. Running a fan only runs at 30 Watts, equivalent to only a cent per hour.
This makes fans affordable and energy efficient alternatives that many people love as they are good for you, your wallet, and the environment.
Running a fan that turns off when a certain temperature range is reached is even more affordable.
Take the time to do research now before buying because the switching costs of changing your mind can be high.
Go through this evaluation check-list so that you better understand the types of motors, blades, installation units, and fans that exist. We encourage you to optimize for:
- Overall quality: in particular the speed of the motor to optimize for cooling efficacy and quietness.
- Aesthetics: in particular ensure that you are happy with how the fan looks, its color, shape, design, and blade count.
- Size: select the right size fan for the room you will be placing it in. Larger rooms require larger fans to create strong air flow.
Selecting the location of a ceiling fan: Inside or Outside
Most ceiling fans are used within the home. Others are for outdoor structures. Before deciding which type of fan to buy, determine where you will place it. Understanding the placement of a ceiling fan will help you select other attributes – like size, speed, and sound – that will enhance your experience with the fan.
Outdoor fans require different electrical strategies and water-proof finishes. Please keep this mind throughout the guide as we largely focus our attention and advice to those people who want to install indoor fans.
If placing the ceiling fan in an indoor room, measure the size of the room.
Bathrooms tend to be smaller than bedrooms which tend to be smaller than living rooms or kitchens.
Knowing the approximate size of the room in which the fan will be placed is important.
Larger fans are best suited to larger rooms as their blades and motors move greater volumes of air.
Ceiling Fan Size Chart
| Room (in feet) | Cubic Feet/Minute | Fan Size |
| 6′ x 6′ | 3,000 – 4,500 | Shop: 24″ to 36″ |
| 10′ x 10′ | 4,000 – 5,500 | Shop: 37″ to 48″ |
| 12′ x 12′ | 6,200 – 7,500 | Shop: 49″ to 56″ |
| 15′ x 15′ | 7,000 – 9,000 | Shop: 60″ to 72″ |
| Larger | 9,000 – 11,000 | Shop: 80″ to 99″ |
The length of the blade of the fan and the size of the room go hand in hand.
In short, if you have a large room, buy a larger fan. The bigger the fan the better.
The common sizes for ceiling fans are 36, 44 and 52 inches, with the large fans having a blade wingspan of 60 inches.
Of course you can technically go even larger, with the largest recreational home fans having up to 99 inches of wingspan.
99 inches is 8.25 feet. That is a large fan indeed.
Measure the height of the ceiling and allow at least 7 feet and 6 inches of space.
It is wise and safe to place your fan at least 7 feet above your flooring.
Placing a ceiling fan high up protects tall individuals from hitting their head or having their hair caught while the fan is in motion. Fans need to be installed on ceilings and these installation bases take space as well.
An installation base is adjoined to a downrod, which is a simple piece of metal that the fan is connected to and hangs from.
The average American ceiling height today is 9 feet (2.7432 meters). This means that the average room can support a fan but with a shorter downrod.
If you have average sized ceilings you can afford to install no more than 1 foot and 6 inch downrods.
How to measure downrods and base mounts
A ceiling fan is composed of fan blades, a downrod, and an installation base.
The installation base attaches to the ceiling. The downrod connects to the base. And the fan itself hangs from the downrod.
Per the measurements mentioned above, the fan must be at least 7 feet and 6 inches above the ground if you have a standard 9 foot ceiling.
There is one exception: fans placed above beds, where you will not walk, require less height.
Many people enjoy selecting the fit and finish of the downrod as these pieces of metal or plastic come in different colors, shapes, and sizes and compliment the overall fan’s aesthetic.
As a general rule, more expensive ceiling fans enable you to have longer and more customizable downrods. The downdrods tend to be longer – between 6 and 18 inches.
This is for functionality and aesthetics. Cheaper ceiling fans sometimes have very short – or almost nonexistent downrods – because the base and the fan are fused together.
Design and Look: What to Think About the fan’s general aesthetics
A hugely important aspect of a ceiling fan is what it looks like. If you see the fan while lying in bed or while in your living room you will want it to look great.
The base and downrod are not nearly as important as the blades for how a fan looks in a room.
Blades come in different cuts, lengths, seizes, finishes, colors and of course quantities.
How many blades do the best fans have?
At a minimum, a ceiling fan will have two blades though four or five are certainly more common.
A two blade fan can be made of one long piece of metal connected at the mid-point or two distinct blades.
One type of ceiling fan, called a windmill fan, can have upwards of 20 blades packed tightly together.
Blades add functionality and impact the air flow.
When you look at a fan that is turned on, the blades are hard to see. When the fan is stationary, however, the design and color of the blades will need to align with your preferences for style and decor.
Fans with four to six blades produce a lower pitch, softer volume noise output. Three blade fans use the air surrounding the fan most efficiently and require the least effort to clean as you have fewer blades and surface area to collect dust.
Windmill fans, always popular in kid’s rooms, have the most surface area of blades. This increases the effort to clean and dust these fans.
The color, material, and quantity of the blades impact how the fan looks and performs.
Another subtle variable is at play too: the angles of those blades. If the blades are too flat, they won’t whisk through the air and create air flows. We highly advise blades with angles between 12 and 14 degrees.
Nearly all of the fans we provide you here have angles in that range for optimal air circulation and air flow efficacy.
How the best ceiling fans provide lighting, symmetry, and aesthetic benefits.
Some people buy ceiling fans simply to cool or heat a room. Others buy ceiling fans because they can be elegant and add character to a home. Some fans have lights and others do not.
If you are going to place your fan in the center of a room – for example, your living room – you might do so at the expense of a central lighting system.
For this reason, adding lights to fans is popular. If you add lights you will want to also consider how easy it is to change the bulbs, especially if the fan is very high above your floor.
LED, Halogen, and Fluorescent lighting options are available on all fans that have integrated lighting.
Control Your Environment: Noise and Air Flow from the best ceiling fans
Fans without lights produce two types of energy outputs when they are on: noise and air-flow. Both will impact your experience with the fan. Fans with lights also produce illumination as an energy output.
Firstly, noise is a byproduct of any fan. The rotation of the blades and the motor can cause distinct sounds. Larger motors produce more power and, as a result, can generate more noise.
The good news is that noise can be mitigated.
Motors that are built from higher quality and durable screws, armature, bearings, windings, and rotors are more expensive.
Cheaper fans have motors that usually produce more noise as a byproduct.
If you want a quieter fan, buy a more expensive one. You won’t regret it.
Please pay particular attention to this when considering which type of fan you will place in different rooms in your home. If you are considering a bedroom ceiling fan, it is prudent to optimize for minimal sound.
People tend to care less about noise when a fan is in a garage or bathroom.
The second type of energy output is air-flow.
Fans can not only cool rooms, they can also heat rooms and reduce air moisture.
They substitute central cooling or work in conjunction with air conditioning.
Fans do not lower air temperatures. They produce air flows and circulation which can in turn create the effect of a windchill.
The wind chill temperature is how cold people feel. The air flow, which leads to evaporative cooling (deratification), is generated by the ceiling fan.
If you are using a fan for general room cooling, you will want a fan that accelerates the heat loss from exposed skin.
Put simply, you will want a fan that generates significant air-flows point downwards and towards the center of the room.
Air Flow Deep Dive: Cubic Feet per Minute
Air flow is the volume of air that is produced by the fan.
The most common way to measure air flow is Cubic Feet per Minute (or CFM).
All of the fans we review have a CFM rating so that you can easily compare how much air that each fan produces.
The average CFM is around 5,000.
For nearly all non-industrial use-cases, like your home bedroom, kitchen, living room, or garage, a CFM of 6,000-7,000 is optimal.
At this rate you will be left feeling cooler without greatly enhancing your energy bill or having papers strewn all over the place from the powerful wind currents that larger fans produce.
You might also see a measurement similar to CFM which is air (or wind) Miles Per Hour.
Much like measuring the speed at which one drives, a fan can have its air speed measured too.
Nearly all fans produce between 3 and 5 Mile Per Hour air flows. Naturally, the higher the MPH, the stronger the air flows.
How the best ceiling fans help control your energy output and efficiency
Mobile apps and the internet have changed how we communicate, manage, and control various technologies.
Ceiling fans are no exception.
Ceiling fans are well suited for management by a digital switch, remote, or mobile app because you can power the fans on or off (or even alter the speed) from afar.
A connected fan is controlled via a remote control or smartphone. In contrast, less expensive and simpler fans are controlled via a manual switch.
Lastly, some ceiling fans are controlled by pull chains.
While chains are usually made long enough for all users to reach them, please keep in mind that this can cause discomfort or annoyance on high ceilings or fans that need to be frequently turned on or off.
If you plan on installing your fan over 9 feet above the ground, you should buy a fan that can be controlled digitally.
All ceiling fans can create air-flows bi-direactionally.
Usually a simple switch exists on the fan’s motor or external base that enables you to change the direction in which the blades rotate.
Changing the directional air propulsion is critical during the winter months.
Rather than have air convected from the center of the room for cooling, you will want air to move from the blades horizontally down through the walls.
Lateral air-flow is used for heating rooms and maintaining central warmth while reducing your energy bill.
Choosing the right ceiling fan direction
How you control your fan is correlated with how much energy your fan uses. Will you leave it running all the time? Or will you use smart logic to power it down after a certain amount of time?
We have gone above and beyond to think about fans not just as cooling mechanisms but as a tool that can help you save money while lowering your ecological footprint. These efforts will, most importantly, save you money.
Let me explain further.
When you use central cooling or air conditioners, you are physically reducing the temperature in a room.
An air conditioner sucks air into its ducts through a vent. This air cools the gas in the evaporator and as the heat is removed from the air, it is cooled. Cool air then flows into your room.
This process is energy intensive and expensive.
In contrast, a ceiling fan does not cool the room or remove heat. Rather, it moves air around which creates the feeling of cooling. Actual cooling is not occurring. Less energy out means less energy in. And in total this means a lower energy bill.
What the best ceiling fans Look Like To You and Others
This guide provides ample information pertaining to how a ceiling fan works and things you should be aware of before buying one or many fans for your home.
What we have not discussed in great depth is how a fan looks and the importance of design aesthetics.
A fan will need to fit aesthetically into your room and, as a result, you should think about material (wood, metal, plastic), color, and design patterns. Some questions to reflect on:
- Is the room light or dark? Is it naturally well lit or does it require lots of electrical light?
If your ceiling fan is going in the center of your living room, for example, you will likely want a fan with built-in lighting. This is because many living rooms have existing fixture hardware and wiring.
- Do you want a smart fan that connects with your digital applications and services (Google Home, Nest Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa)?
If you control other aspects of your home – like the temperature and humidity – via smart apps, you might want to add a ceiling fan as another connected Internet of Things device. Likewise if you have high ceilings and plan to install a fan that you can’t easily reach by hand.
Smart fans can be controlled via your phone, tablet, or voice, and these controls will make turning them on or off easier.
- Do you want a windmill fan?
Windmill fans are harder to clean (more blades means more surface area for dust to land and accumulate). On the other hand, windmill fans are quiet and elegant.
This type of fan is also hugely popular in kids rooms and living rooms.
The windmill fans pay homage to an older design aesthetic.
While this fan is not modern chic it goes very well in rooms with wooden floors or darker walls because it is made of simple plastic or wood finishes, glass fiber reinforced polyester, and thin pulp-plastic infused blades.
- What color do you want the fan? What style finish do you want?
Sleek and minimalist fans have fewer blades. These fans, made of lightweight metal, have universal white, grey, or black finishes.
Where to buy the best ceiling fans?
Ceiling fans are heavy and can be difficult to fit in a car or to transport yourself unless you have a large vehicle or flat-bed truck. Given this, it makes a lot of sense to have your fan shipped to you so that it arrives ready for home assembly.
You can self-install a ceiling fan. This work requires moderate technical skills and physical strength. This is because you will need to install not only the fan (the blades) but you will need to connect the fan’s base to the ceiling and its electrical fixture hardware and wiring.
How much do the best ceiling fans cost? What impacts the price of a fan?
Ceiling fans range in price from $75 on the cheap-end to over $2,000 on the high-end. There are several reasons why the range in price is so large.
A ceiling fan, made of plastic instead of more durable wood or metal, is cheaper.
These don’t qualify as the best overall. They might qualify for best on a budget.
Additionally, less expensive fans have weaker motors. This means that they are capable of producing less air flow or have smaller Cubic Feet per Minute scores.
More expensive fans – which are considered the best ones – are akin to those you would experience at a resort or high end hotel. A ceiling fan over $1,200 will come packed with high tech solutions built-in.
These fans will enable you to:
- Program the fan based on motion, temperature, or humidity.
- Turn the fan on or off based on preset logic or rules for maximum physical comfort.
- Enjoy very efficient and quiet DC motors that have multi-decade support and lifetime expectations.
Moreover, these pricer fans come with app based (smart phone, iPad) mobile management and remote controls.
It is common for the best and most expensive ceiling fans to come with mount options so that you can install a panel adjacent to your light switch. These wall mounts enable you to control not only the fan (on/off) but also the fan speed and direction.
AC vs DC fans: Understanding a fan’s power source
Most inexpensive fans leverage AC motors.
Although AC motors are more powerful than DC motors, they typically are less efficient and are not as good at using their energy output.
This can cause additional noise (thereby making it harder to sleep if that fan is in your bedroom).
When buying a fan, please take a moment to see the Power Source listed in the fan’s essential product information that all suppliers provide. If you buy a fan with an AC motor, it will be louder.
As a result, we highly advise buying a DC powered fan if you will be sleeping near it.
The best ceiling fans have DC motors.
AC motors are durable and longer lasting. While this might seem positive, DC motors are better (and therefore more costly).
DC motors are simpler to install into the fan’s base, have high startup power, and have a faster response time.
This means that time will be shortened from when you switch the “on” button to when the fan is accelerating to cool your room.
Although more expensive, ceiling fans with DC motors consume 70% less power which will enable you to save money over time as you pay less to power them.
Where to place the best ceiling fans: voltage and flush mounting
Many people place their ceiling fans in the center of a room or above a bed. This is to maximize comfort and the impact of the fan’s air flows.
A centrally placed ceiling fan also creates room symmetry.
Voltage is the pressure from an electrical circuit’s power, and the most common electrical outlet in any home is a 110 volt. If you live in the United States, you will need to select a fan that complies with this voltage limit.
Luckily for you, nearly all off-the-shelf ceiling fans support this standard.
When installing a ceiling fan you will need to get a few things absolutely right. We have done this many times for ourselves, our family, friends, and of course our clients.
Firstly, some ceiling fans support flush mount integrations. Flush mount fans sit directly against the ceiling and point downwards. These fans are typically useful for cooling a small room.
Not all ceiling fans are flush mountable.
This means that they will hang lower from the ceiling. If you buy a fan that cannot be flush mounted, please ensure that the lower point of the fan is at least 7 feet and six inches from the ground.
Additionally, ensure that the weight bearing load of the ceiling can support the fan.
Similar to voltage, this should be routine in many homes.
But it is worth investigating because you don’t want to buy a fan just to see it unable to stay upright.
For most fans that we review and see our clients deploy, a ceiling must be able to support approximately 35 pounds of downward pressure.
Buyer’s Guide Summary: Bringing It All Together
Buying and finding the best ceiling fans for the first time does not need to be overwhelming.
Simply follow this guide to evaluate and buy the fan that fits best in your room and adds the most value in your life.
Don’t get bogged down in the details. If nothing else, pick a fan that looks great, fits well within your room, and that is priced according to your budget.
As the price goes up, so does the quality. Afterall, that is what makes a fan the best in its class.
