10 Functional and Stylish Outdoor Ceiling Fans to Keep You Cool All Summer Long (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

After installing and testing the Cassius Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan in one of our own homes, we think it's an excellent choice for outdoor covered areas. Although it is damp-rated for outdoor use, the sleek, modern design also makes it a great option for indoors. We tested it in a large primary bedroom with an 8-foot ceiling, replacing a fan that we found to be too noisy. It took us about 10 minutes to remove our old fan, and just about an hour to install the new one thanks to very detailed instructions. All of the hardware was included and clearly labeled, and although we did think the wiring would take longer, the color-coded wires helped speed up the process.

What impressed us most about this fan was how quiet it was at all speeds—we described it as quieter than a whisper. While that makes it an excellent option for a bedroom, we think it's also great for outdoor spaces where you don't want to be distracted by a loud fan. We also appreciated how easy it was to operate. The pull chain is long enough to reach, but not so long that it gets in the way when you walk under it. Just keep in mind that there is no remote control for this fan and you do need to change the direction of the blades on the motor itself.

We found this fan to circulate air well in our bedroom and since it's quiet even on the highest speed, we never hesitated to use it when needed. Since this fan is damp-rated, you can place it indoors, and in outdoor covered porches, sunrooms, lanais, and other spaces that are exposed to a little moisture, but do offer some protection. It also has stainless steel hardware to help resist rust, and durable, plastic ABS blades that won't warp in humidity. While we do wish this ceiling fan came with a light kit, we love its affordable price, stylish look, and quiet operation, making it our best overall choice for most indoor and outdoor covered spaces.

_{Blade span: 52 inches | Number of blades: 3 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Pull chain}

If you are looking for an outdoor ceiling fan that offers the convenience of a remote control and doubles as outdoor lighting, we love the Hampton Bay Mena 54-Inch Ceiling Fan. Similar to our Best Overall pick, the Cassius Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan, we tested this fan and found it to be simple to install. Since we had an angled ceiling, we did need to use an extension bar, but thanks to the simple instructions and a helpful video, this was a relatively easy process. In fact, after we removed our old fan, the Mena took us less than an hour (including the light kit!), with one helper needed to assist with lifting the relatively heavy motor. However, the blades were lightweight and snapped right in. We found that the combination of a heavy motor and lightweight blades kept the ceiling fan more stable at the highest speed, as we noticed no wobbling at all of the motor.

The remote control is easy to use and offers three settings for the LED light: 2700K warm white, 3000K soft white, or 5000K daylight. While we appreciated being about to change the color temperature, we wish there was a dimmer switch to help set the ambiance a bit further, especially since the lighting angle can't be adjusted and it is very bright. Like our Best Overall pick, this unit is very quiet, circulates the air well, and also has the option to change the blade direction on the fan. It's also damp-rated and a great choice for covered porches and other protected outdoor spaces.

_{Blade span: 54 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Remote control}

The Hunter Key Biscayne Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan is a great way to bring lighting and a farmhouse-decor element to your outdoor or indoor living space. While we found this to be very simple to install (around 45 minutes from unpacking to turning it on), we were most impressed by its stylish look that matched our primary bedroom’s aesthetic perfectly. Plus, since this fan is damp-rated, we think the lantern-style lighting makes it a great choice for a covered patio, porch, or other protected outdoor space.Just keep in mind that while it can handle humidity, it's not designed for rain or snow.

While we wish it came with a remote, we like that you can either wire it to an on/off switch or turn it off using the pull chain. Just keep in mind that you may need a pull chain extender if you have high ceilings, and wiring to a switch will increase your installation time. We also found this fan to be extremely quiet—we wouldn’t recommend it if you wanted a ceiling fan to provide white noise, even on the highest setting. We especially enjoyed using it at the lowest speed, as it provided great air circulation and a cool, gentle breeze at night.

_{Blade span: 54 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Pull chain}

Available in white or bronze, the Honeywell Belmar Outdoor LED Ceiling Fan has a simple design that can blend in with any decor style, whether inside or out. Although it doesn’t include a remote control, it does have an LED light and a pull cord that isn’t too long or too short. We also found it to be a nicer quality cord than others we’ve had in the past. It is damp-rated with ABS blades that shouldn't warp or blend, so it’s a great choice for outdoor spaces as well, as long as they are protected from rain and snow.

We removed an old fan and installed this fan into a 16 x 16-foot guest room in about an hour and a half. While we didn’t find it to be a complicated process, if you haven’t installed a fan or light before, you may want to consider having someone install it for you. We also want to note that this fan is noisy compared to other fans on this list. On the medium setting, we found it to be similar to white noise, and we thought the airflow was at its best. However, we found the highest setting to be very noisy and intense all around, although we didn't notice any wobbling or vibrations on any setting. An LED lightbulb is included, but we found it to be a bit dim. You can easily replace it though if you need something brighter.

_{Blade span: 52 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Pull chain}

For outdoor areas with limited space, a ceiling fan enclosed in a protective cage like this one from Home Decorators Collection may be the best option. This design reduces the fan's overall size and eliminates the risk of any accidents with a blade. The Home Decorators Collection Heritage Point fan still includes all the features you may want, such as an LED light, three fan speeds, and a remote control.

This fan is only damp-rated, so it is not great for very wet environments. It is also quite expensive for its size. If you need to cool a larger room, buying two of these fans may be more expensive than buying a larger one.

_{Blade span: 25 inches | Number of blades: 3 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Remote}

This budget-friendly fan is proof that you don’t have to spend a lot to create a tropical oasis in your outdoor space. The Honeywell Duval ceiling fan comes in two finishes, white and black, that complement a range of styles. The fan blades mimic the look of tropical leaves but are made with wicker that is wet-rated, which means this ceiling fan can be used even in truly tropical climates with high rainfall.

This fan has rounded blades, giving it a more casual appearance. It has four speeds but no remote control, so you have to use a pull chain to change them. Be sure to measure the ceiling, as the fan works best in medium to large outdoor gathering spaces.

_{Blade span: 52 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Wet-rated | Control type: Pull chain}

For extra-large spaces, you need an extra-large fan like the Minka-Aire 65-inch outdoor ceiling fan. It has eight fan blades and a blade span of 65 inches. Each fan blade is supported by a blade arm that blends into the finish. The blades are weather-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about discoloration or warping, even in damp environments.

This fan is quite expensive and requires a lot of clearance. It isn’t a good option for those in small or medium spaces. The included downrod is 6 inches, which means that your ceilings should also be tall, to avoid hitting your head on the fan or housing. The fan kit comes with a remote that controls the fan speed and reverses the direction. This is a great feature, especially if your fan hangs high in a large room and is hard to reach.

_{Blade span: 65 inches | Number of blades: 8 | Damp/Wet rating: Wet-rated | Control type: Remote}

Areas with more rain and moisture need an outdoor ceiling fan to withstand the elements. The Hampton Bay Gazebo III model is wet-rated for use outdoors, even when there is plenty of rain, snow, or sea spray. The blades are weather-resistant, and the housing is wet-rated to prevent moisture from getting inside. The optional ceiling fan light kit has a frosted glass dome, which helps hide dirt, salt, or other buildups that are common in these climates.

This fan doesn’t have a remote control, although you can purchase one separately and add it to the kit. Otherwise, you can use the pull chain to adjust the fan speed and turn the light on and off. Depending on the season, you can also reverse the fan blades to get the best results.

_{Blade span: 52 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Wet-rated | Control type: Pull chain}

If you want an outdoor ceiling fan with a handy remote that is also smartphone-compatible, the Vox Smart ceiling fan is your answer. The remote allows you to adjust the fan's speed and light, and even reverse the fan blades. You can also choose to install a wall switch, but doing so will require wiring and a nearby electrical outlet. One of the benefits of the Vox Smart fan is that it can be controlled from an app or other smart home device.

This smaller profile ceiling fan is perfect for small to medium spaces. The fan blade span is only 38 inches, which takes up considerably less space than most ceiling fans. However, this also means it cannot adequately generate enough air to cool a larger space. The smart integration makes this fan more expensive than the average one, which may be too much for some people to justify for their modest outdoor patio.

_{Blade span: 38 inches | Number of blades: 5 | Damp/Wet rating: Wet-rated | Control type: Remote, wall switch, app}

While expensive, this ceiling fan is made to last and withstand just about anything. It is crafted from hand-carved balsa wood with a walnut finish, a matte black motor, and a 6-inch downrod. The included remote control allows you to select from six different fan speeds. You can also opt for a wall control if you prefer.

This fan is large, with an 88-inch blade span. The company recommends only using it in rooms with at least 9-foot-tall ceilings. There are even longer downrods available, from 12 to 72 inches. If you want to go with the longest option (72 inches), you'll need a room with a minimum ceiling height of 16 feet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a light included. In addition to the high cost, there is the need for a dedicated lighting solution in the room.

_{Blade span: 88 inches | Number of blades: 3 | Damp/Wet rating: Damp-rated | Control type: Remote}

Final Verdict

After testing 11 ceiling fans of all kinds, our Best Overall outdoor ceiling fan is the Hunter Cassius Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan. After installing and using it in our own home for several weeks, we were impressed by its very quiet operation, strong airflow, and stylish design. If you want an option with a light and a remote control, we recommend the Hampton Bay Mena 54-Inch Ceiling Fan. We also tested this fan and found it to be very quiet and easy to use and install, including the light kit.

FAQ

• What is the best type of ceiling fan for outdoors?

  Outdoor ceiling fans should be damp-rated or wet-rated, meaning that the parts are protected from the elements. This is especially important if you live in a rainy climate. The best outdoor ceiling fans also have weather-resistant fan blades and finishes. It makes them more durable and prevents them from fading or warping over time.

  John Barnes, a design expert at Lamps Plus, says that when choosing a fan for your space, you should pay close attention to details. “Warm metal tones, such as brushed metals, weathered surfaces, and golds, are popular now for their luxe appeal,” says Barnes. “There's also a trend for natural materials like woods, alabaster, and rattan. These add an organic feel to a room and look warm and glow beautifully when illuminated.”

• Are outdoor ceiling fans hard to install?

  Some outdoor ceiling fans are easy to set up, because all you have to do is plug them in, while others have to be hard-wired. Dimmer lights, wall switches, and integration with smart home technology will be some of the most challenging features to install. If you already have a junction box in your ceiling or are replacing an existing ceiling fan, installation can be done without a lot of tools.

• Where can you place an outdoor ceiling fan?

  When purchasing an outdoor ceiling fan, one of the first things you should consider is placement. “Check the location of your ceiling junction box,” says Barnes. “Is it in the right location? Do you even have one? If not, you may have to contact an electrician.”

  If you already have a junction box in your ceiling, make sure that it meets local building codes. These can vary by area but frequently include clearance requirements for height and width. You should also follow the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure that there is enough vertical clearance. Some have multiple downrod lengths for different ceiling heights.

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