Best Overall
Hunter Fan Company Kennicott Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
AMAZON
- This fan operated with a motor that remained quiet even at the highest speed.
This fan operated with a motor that remained quiet even at the highest speed.
- This fan does not have a remote control option.
This fan does not have a remote control option.
The Hunter Kennicott Outdoor 44-Inch Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan exceeded all of our expectations during testing. This contemporary style ceiling fan comes with six sleek white blades, and we liked that it blended in with our covered porch instead of standing out.
Each blade measures approximately 44 inches, making it perfect for small or large outdoor spaces. We loved how quickly this fan cooled down our porch, and we also appreciated that it created a breeze strong enough to keep most insects away.
There is no remote control option, but the fan is operated by a wall control that provides complete control over the various speeds. It also includes a motor that runs quietly but efficiently.
The fan was quick to cool the surrounding area during testing. It moved the air efficiently and even got rid of some pesky bugs around the room. At its various speeds, it remained quiet with no rattling or distracting sounds while still maintaining enough power to create a sufficient breeze. Even at the highest speed, the outdoor fan remained sturdy, and the base of the fan didn’t move.
We also loved the simple design of the fan. It’s a classic, no frills design that blended in with its surroundings so it didn’t pull attention away from the rest of the porch. The blades are long enough that they effectively move air around the room but don’t distract from the outdoor surroundings, which is great during a get together or just a quiet night on the porch.
This fan is durably made from a combination of alloy steel, aluminum, resin, and plastic. The fan is damp rated for a covered outdoor area, and it operates with a power of 4,467 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Overall, we rated this as a fantastic fan that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Product Details: Dimensions: 44 x 44 x 12.76 inches | Number of Blades: Six | Material: Alloy steel, aluminum, resin, plastic | Damp/Wet Rating: Damp rated
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEREDITH BUTCHER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEREDITH BUTCHER
Key Terms to Know
- CFM: CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and refers to the amount of airflow a fan is capable of producing per minute. The higher the CFM, the more powerful the airflow.
- ABS: This stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is a material used to make fan blades. ABS allows manufacturers to manipulate the shape of the blade a certain way to provide maximum airflow.
Best Budget
Harbor Breeze Valdosta Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
LOWE'S
- Despite its affordable price, the 3,030-CFM fan still created a powerful breeze that cooled us down.
Despite its affordable price, the 3,030-CFM fan still created a powerful breeze that cooled us down.
- You can’t change the direction of the fan.
You can’t change the direction of the fan.
If you’re looking for a quality ceiling fan that doesn’t break the bank, the Harbor Breeze Valdosta 20-in Black Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan was one of our favorites during testing.
This outdoor ceiling fan has a different design than the other fans on our list—the blades are covered by a matte metal cage, making it look similar to a standing fan. While we were concerned the cage would interfere with the fan’s ability to thoroughly cool, we were quickly proven wrong and were impressed with how effectively it cooled our porch area.
This fan is also wet rated, meaning it blocks moisture from getting inside the motor so moisture doesn’t interfere with its performance.The three blades have a 24-degree blade pitch that provides 3,030 CFM, and there are three different speeds.
This fan was installed on an open porch in Los Angeles where it endured high heat and some heavy rain. Despite the range in weather, the fan performed very well. During testing, we liked that it was easy to install and effective at all speeds. Like the Hunter Kennicott Outdoor 44-Inch Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan, this fan’s design blends in with its surroundings so it can cool the space without drawing attention to itself.
We found this fan’s lowest setting provided a strong enough breeze to make a considerable difference in the surrounding temperature. The breeze was noticeable, but not overwhelming, and provided a refreshing release from the heat. It also did a great job at keeping bugs at bay.
The maximum setting was powerful and created a prominent wind flow, but even on the maximum setting the motor remained quiet, which was very impressive given its power. While we did note there was some swaying on a windy day, it didn’t interfere with the fan’s ability to cool and didn’t take away from the outdoor experience.
The fan is available in four different colors including black, oil rubbed bronze, white, and brushed nickel. The only negative we found with the fan is that you can’t change the direction of the fan, and it doesn’t come with a remote.
Product Details: Dimensions: 44 x 4 x 15.6 inches | Number of Blades: Three | Material: Matte finished metal | Damp/Wet Rating: Wet rated
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JASON HORN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JASON HORN
Best Splurge
Rejuvenation Peregrine Industrial Ceiling Fan
REJUVENATION
- This fan is built with six speeds that can all be controlled with a remote control.
This fan is built with six speeds that can all be controlled with a remote control.
- In areas with significant rainfall, we found the fan took a while to effectively dry the area.
In areas with significant rainfall, we found the fan took a while to effectively dry the area.
The Peregrine Industrial Ceiling Fan is an industrial style fan that has four blades that create an impressive air flow—even in larger spaces.
The fan is designed with a 60-inch blade sweep with a 15-degree blade pitch, with a CFM ranging from 2,184 to 6,491. It comes in a variety of different color variations including brushed nickel with walnut brown blades and a matte black finish with matching blades.
During testing, this fan provided significant air movement throughout the porch. The fan features six different speeds that can all be controlled by a remote control. During testing, the second and third speed setting was most efficient at circulating air throughout the porch during a 55°F day.
Even at its highest speed, the fan remained silent and created little vibration. We also loved the remote control that was included with this fan, which made changing the settings easy and convenient.
A major plus of this fan is that it’s designed with a direct current motor (also known as a DC motor) that uses 70% less energy. A DC motor converts the AC power from the home and regulates the electrical power by controlling the surrounding air current. Its premium ABS blades provide efficient airflow that effectively cools whatever area it is installed in.
It’s damp rated, so it’s built to be ideal in areas with a lot of moisture though we found with extreme rainfall it took a while for the damp area to dry.
Even though the fan endured some heavy rain, it never wavered in its ability to cool effectively and never stalled in damp surroundings. While its price point is on the higher side, this fan is well worth the price and will be a great asset for many years in the future.
Product Details: Dimensions: 44 x 4 x 15.6 inches | Number of Blades: Four | Material: Matte finished metal | Damp/Wet Rating: Damp rated
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EHRICH
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EHRICH
Best Modern
AllModern Ceiling Fan
ALLMODERN
- This fan provides an impressive airflow while providing a modern and sleek aesthetic.
This fan provides an impressive airflow while providing a modern and sleek aesthetic.
- This fan does not have a light fixture which is something we wished it had during testing.
This fan does not have a light fixture which is something we wished it had during testing.
The AllModern 56-Inch Ceiling Fan isn’t just functional—it makes a modern statement in any outdoor area.
During testing, this fan impressed us with how quickly it was able to cool down its surrounding area. With its six speeds, we appreciated the range of options to choose from based on our needs.
The lowest setting created a gentle but noticeable breeze while the highest setting was so powerful it moved leaves around on the floor. Overall, each setting was successful at cooling the whole outdoor area.
The fan comes with a remote control that controls the different speeds and the direction of the blades, which made using the fan convenient. It also came with a wall control that has the same functions, so even if the remote gets lost you can still control the speeds and blade direction hassle free. We wished that the fan came with a light since that would add to the outdoor experience.
The fan was designed with efficiency and stability on the forefront. It includes a DC motor that is energy efficient and a reversible motor with an RPM of 172. The airflow efficiency varies from the lowest at 1,633 CFM to the highest at 5,439 CFM.
This fan would work with most outdoor areas and would work great in most climates. It’s wet rated, so it can be used in climates that receive significant rainfall.
Product Details: Dimensions: 56 x 6 x 10 inches | Number of Blades: Three | Material: Metal | Damp/Wet Rating: Wet rated
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EDELBAUM
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHELLE EDELBAUM
Best With Lights
Home Decorators Collection Kensgrove LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
AMAZON
- Compared to other fans we’ve tested, we noticed that the balance of this fan was impressive.
Compared to other fans we’ve tested, we noticed that the balance of this fan was impressive.
- This fan needed to be on the highest speed in order to feel a significant breeze.
This fan needed to be on the highest speed in order to feel a significant breeze.
The Home Decorators Collection Kensgrove 72 in. LED Indoor Outdoor Fan provides quality airflow while also offering soft but effective lighting. This fan is the best outdoor ceiling fan with lights as it provides energy efficient speeds with an impressive breeze while also being stylish.
This fan was built with weather-resistant maple blades and an energy efficient DC motor designed to provide maximum power without excess vibrations or sound. Even at the highest speed, the fan was quiet and didn’t disturb us at all.
We noted during testing that the balance of the fan was exceptionally better than others we tested, even with the lights. Its classic design blends in with most home aesthetics, and its quality blades are ideal for any size room or porch.
At 72 inches in length, we loved how well balanced the fan is because it allowed for equal distribution of airflow throughout the room which made a huge difference in drying areas that were wet from rain.
During testing, we found that this fan effectively cooled our porch area. The fan circulated the air so that the outdoor area stayed at a comfortable temperature.
We did notice that the fan had to be at the highest speed in order to feel a breeze, but once it got going it made a prominent difference. We loved the remote control feature on this fan as it made the whole experience much easier and convenient.
Product Details: Dimensions: 72 x 14 x 4 inches | Number of Blades: Eight | Material: Glass, plastic, metal | Damp/Wet Rating: Wet rated
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS/NICK MEDHURST
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS/NICK MEDHURST