The best outdoor ceiling fans are the ones that not only look stylish but can also move air around efficiently. Many people use these types of fans for open porches or other areas without walls make impossible for using a conventional fan or air conditioner unit. Since we’re aware of the importance of these fans, we wanted to see if we could find out the best ones. And the fruits of our labor can be found in the following extremely informative guide. We hope all of our readers enjoy reading it and can use it effectively to purchase the outdoor ceiling fan of their dreams.

Quick Summary of the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Best Overall: Honeywell Belmar Outdoor LED Ceiling Fan

Anyone searching for a high-quality outdoor ceiling fan is going to want to at least consider this one. That’s because this fan not only has a classic look that fits in with any outdoor decor, but it also has the features that people need out of these types of fans. This fan is available in either dark bronze or white and it has a frosted closed bowl fixture that holds two LED light bulbs. This model also features weather-resistant ABS plastic blades that have a texture that makes them look like wood. And because they’re made of high-impact plastic, these blades won’t bend—even if the fan is on its highest setting. All for a price that’s well within the budgets of most people.

Another thing that we liked about this ceiling fan is that it’s completely rock-solid and stable. A lot of other fans will wobble slightly when they’re on their highest setting, but not this fan. Once it’s installed, the only movement the consumer has to look forward to is the spinning of its blades. Because of this feature, this fan is also extremely quiet. And since this fan’s motor is reversible and has three speeds, the consumer can use this ceiling fan to rotate warm air downwards during the winter months to cut down on energy costs. This fan is also backed by a limited manufacturer’s warranty, so the consumer can rest assured that it’s going to last them quite a while.

What we liked about it
It doesn’t wobble, even at high speeds.
It’s easy to install.
It produces quite a breeze.

Best Stylish Fan: Honeywell Sabal Palm 52-Inch Ceiling Fan

This outdoor ceiling fan is designed to make an impression when it’s mounted. It has a tropical look to it thanks to its Sabal Palm blades and its wonderful bronze color. The moment it’s installed into an outdoor space it creates an aura that just about anyone can appreciate. Its hand-carved wooden leaf-blades look nice and they’re crafted from basswood with a 12-degree blade pitch. This fan is compatible with a tri-mount system, so the consumer can install it angled, down-rod, or close mount. Although we do wish that this ceiling fan had a long pull chain—the one that came with it was only four inches—it doesn’t matter too much since it comes with a remote control that can be used to control it.

It also should be said that this fan has a 3-speed reversible motor that makes it useful for both summer and winter use. And because the motor provides a good amount of power, this fan is capable of providing ventilation for a room up to 450 square feet in size. That makes it a good outdoor fan for use on porches or balconies, or for use in living rooms, bedrooms or family rooms. Although it doesn’t have a light equipped in it, that’s not a big deal in our opinion. Besides, we think that light would only distract people from the looks of the fan and no one wants to do that. The consumer is definitely going to want everyone to see this fan.

What we liked about it
This fan is stylish and beautiful.
This fan works well and comes with a remote.

Best Classic Fan: Monte Carlo Maverick 70-Inch Outdoor Ceiling Fan

The first thing that we would like to state about this ceiling fan is that it shouldn’t be used just about anywhere. This is a quality, high-end outdoor ceiling fan that immediately raises the glamour level of a space by a factor of ten when it’s installed. That’s because it has a style that’s stylish and fabulous and it has hand-carved blades that are made out of balsa wood. This 70-inch fan’s blade has a dark walnut stain that further adds to its classic look. This is a fan that would equally be in place in a fancy hotel as it would on a grand balcony or patio area.

The next thing that we’d like to talk about is this fan’s energy-efficient DC motor. Its motor is capable of using 70% less energy than conventional outdoor fans. This is particularly important considering that this fan is more expensive than just about any other fan that we’ve reviewed. It’s also worth mentioning that this fan has six different speeds and comes with a hand-held remote that makes it quite easy to sit from the comfort of a deck chair or a living room couch. Other things worth mentioning about this fan is that it comes with all hardware needed for installation, its blades have a 13-degree pitch, and this fan is quiet and doesn’t wobble.

What we liked about it
This model has 6-different speeds.
It has a classic look that fits in with any decor.

Best Affordable: Honeywell Palm Island 52-Inch Tropical Ceiling Fan

This outdoor ceiling fan might not be the most powerful model that we’ve reviewed, but we did like the look of it. This fan is available in one of three different colors: white, sandstone or bronze, and it has a tropical palm fan design that’s just about irresistible. This fan can be used for both indoor or outdoor use and it’s quite stable when it’s properly mounted. It’s damp-rated, doesn’t produce a lot of noise, and produces a nice, if somewhat underwhelming, breeze when it’s run. It’s rated for a space of about 340 to 450 square feet in size, but the consumer shouldn’t expect it to produce a strong amount of air.

This 52-inch fan has a 12-degree pitch, and it can be mounted angled, down-rod or close-mounted, so the consumer has options available to them when they mount it. It’s also a fan that’s easy to mount, and a person familiar with installing ceiling fans should be able to mount it within an hour. We’d also like to say that this model is quite inexpensive, as compared to some of the other fans we’ve reviewed, so it should be well within the budget of just about anyone. All of which makes this fan a good one for show and one that provides a decent low-powered breeze.

What we liked about it
This is an inexpensive outdoor ceiling fan.
It looks nice when installed.

The Ultimate Outdoor Ceiling Fan Guide

Outdoor ceiling fans do not only add a touch of class to an outdoor area but they also add much-needed airflow as well. And anyone who has ever sat through a hot, humid summer knows how important is to increase airflow—even if it’s only a little bit. That’s the reason that we’ve listed the best outdoor ceiling fans available so that all of our readers can benefit from purchasing and using one of these fans. 

Since we realize that we’ve listed four different fans, and some of our readers may be torn between two or more of them, we decided to add a little bit of value to this discussion by writing up a quick guide to purchasing an outdoor ceiling fan. The following tips will help our readers find out which fans are right for them and which fans should be left alone. Useful information for anyone who simply wants to know which fan they should purchase for their outdoor area. 

Step One: Make Sure It’s Damp-Rated

One of the first considerations the consumer should think about when choosing a ceiling fan for outdoor areas is whether or not the fan is damp-rated. The damp-rating of a fan lets the consumer know that it’s capable of being installed outdoors. As a side note, the consumer should also make sure an indoor ceiling fan is damp-rated if they plan on using it in a damp area such as a bathroom or kitchen. The fans that conform to the damp-rating are equipped with all-weather blades, have rust-resistant housing and stainless steel hardware. The fans also meet the UL’s recommendation for fans in damp areas. Remember, all outdoor fans can be used both indoors and outdoors, but indoor fans can not be used outdoors. 

Step Two: Choose The Appropriate Size

The next thing that the consumer should think about is the size of the ceiling fan. Although these fans come in several different sizes, all the consumer needs to think about is whether they need it for a space that’s 300-feet or larger. For spaces that large, the consumer should choose an outdoor ceiling fan that’s at least 52-inches. Of course, the larger the fan the more air it will move, so consumers should purchase the largest fan possible for their space. Consumers should try to avoid outdoor ceiling fans under 52-inches in size unless the area it’s being used in is closed in and/or small. 

Step Three: Think About Control Options

The consumer is also going to want to think about some of the ways that the ceiling fan can be controlled. Most ceiling fans are equipped with a pull chain that can be used to set the fan’s speeds or turn it off, but these aren’t practical on fans that are installed above 8-feet. Some fans also have either a wall-mounted control switch or remote control, and that can make fans that are mounted high a lot easier to use and control. 

Step Four: Think About Lighting Options

It’s also a good idea for the consumer to think about whether they need a ceiling fan with a light kit or not. If the consumer doesn’t need lighting in the area they plan on installing the ceiling fan, then they can just skip this section of this guide. However, if the consumer does need a light kit for their ceiling fan, then they may want to think about what type of light they want on it. Below are some of the things to think about when choosing lighting options for an outdoor ceiling fan. 

Halogen: These bulbs use less power than an incandescent, but more than just about any other lightbulb. They have a lifespan of 1,200 to 1,500 hours. 

Fluorescent Lighting: These bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 10,000+ hours and they use less energy than standard incandescent lightbulbs.

LED Bulbs: These bulbs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours and use the least amount of energy of any bulb. They’re the preferred choice of most people. 

Step Five: Consider The Fan’s Motor

The fan’s motor is its heart. Without a motor, an outdoor ceiling fan would be nothing more than just a glorified light or decoration. That’s why the consumer should give serious consideration to this part of the fan. All of the outdoor ceiling fans available are either equipped with an AC or a DC motor. AC motors are heavier, but they tend to produce a lot of heat and consume a lot of energy. DC fans use less power and don’t consume as much heat, so they’re quickly becoming the new standard. However, ceiling fans with DC motors tend to cost more than the ones with AC motors, so the consumer should factor that into their decision as well.

When selecting a fan motor, the consumer should decide on whether they need a high-powered fan or an energy-efficient fan. High-powered fans will produce better airflow, but few of them are energy-efficient. When choosing an energy-efficient fan, the consumer should make sure that they choose one that’s Energy-Star rated. Fans that carry this rating use up to 20% less energy than the fans that don’t use them. That allows them to produce a good amount of airflow and do it without driving up the consumer’s energy bill. 

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