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Best Ceiling Fans
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
Your home is your castle, and it is where you spend all of your downtime between kayaking adventures and camping- so you want it to be comfortable and reflect your personal style. That’s why we really paid attention to how these units were styled. One thing that we were really drawn to do is units that sported a more neutral design.
Blades that were simple and didn’t have any intricate designs were a big plus. Remember the ceiling fan from your grandma’s house with the wicker lined blades? That was the type of fleeting design choice that we tried to avoid. If you purchase something that is simple and basic, odds are good that it will never look dated or out of style. Plus, many of the styles that we selected had blades that were reversible, so that you can freshen up your space with something new frequently.
Ease of Use
We have come a long way from the original design that was made in 1882 by Phillip Diehl. The original design was a simple motor with a series of blades on the end that was controlled by a pull string. Over 125 years later, you want something that is an improvement upon the original design. One thing that we noticed missing on some of the higher end designs was the pull string. Just as we no longer use pull strings to turn on the lights to our home, we shouldn’t have to use them to fire up these products. Companies have replaced these pull strings with one of two things: a remote, or a wall mount.
The wall mount has the same footprint as a basic light switch, but it has multiple buttons to adjust the speed of the blades and to turn it on. The downside of the wall mount is that some users have had trouble installing it- so you might need to make a call to customer service or your local handyman for some additional help. The remote requires no setup, but just like any remote- it can become lost, or damaged and you will have to replace it in order to operate your unit. Some people prefer the good of fashioned tried and true pull strings, and luckily there are companies that still offer them- and they usually come at a significantly lower price point.
Use
Weight, blade length and count, light voltage were all things that we also made sure to take a look at. We wanted to make sure that the voltage of each unit was at least set at 120, which is the standard voltage of basic overhead light in your home. We also made sure to take a look at the number of blades each unit had and how they were positioned. Most standard models have 5 blades, and they are set at an angle to reduce wind resistance. While there are products that offer more than 5 blades on the market, we made sure to steer clear of those designs.
Anything more than 5 blades, and you just aren’t going to have the same wind generated- even on a high setting with a powerful motor- than you would with products that have 5 or fewer blades. A lighter unit is important for two reasons. The first reason is simple- the lighter the unit, the easier it will be on your arms to mount. Remember how terrible it was painting your ceiling? Now imagine painting it with a 35-pound paint brush. We tried to stick to units that were under 20 pounds for the sake of your arms.
Plus, lighter units mean that there will be less of a chance for the well recognized ‘wobble’ that can happen when setting on a high setting. There is a certain unease that fills a room when the fan looks like it will wobble right off of its mount- and we tried to avoid that.
Value
When it comes to purchasing products to update your home, prices can sometimes be all over the map. How do you know that the cheaper option will last as long as the options that cost almost triple? Often, it comes down to a matter or materials and style. For instance, the Emerson design is set at a much higher price point because it is made from solely stainless steel, and it has a sought after design that stands out from the crowd.
Whenever a product swings one way or another- either traditional or contemporary- the price tag typically swings upwards right along with it. In an effort to keep your costs down, the neutral designs are typically a whole lot more affordable than their trendy counterparts. And if you are feeling discouraged because your neutral design won’t generate as many compliments as some of the others- just keep in mind that your grandmother’s dated wicker ceiling fan was once considered to be the height of fashion and style.
Top Ten Ceiling Fans
1. Westinghouse Brentford
Westinghouse is a company we are sure that you have heard of before. They have been making quality electric equipment since they were founded in 1886- so we assume that they know a thing or two about these types of products. What is great about this unit is that it has a really unique and antiquated style that you don’t see on a lot of other designs out there on the market. It looks like something you would find in a 1920’s apothecary.
Read moreDesign:
Like we said before, this unit has a really unique design that looks very old-world. It might not be perfect for those that have a more contemporary theme to their space, however. It has a clear glass lantern light fixture that is mounted on a brass base. The blades have an aged finished- it has a cherry center with weathered walnut edges.
Features:
The most important feature to note about this unit is that it is made specifically for indoor and outdoor use. This means that if you have a covered porch that you would like to jazz up and generate airflow- this is the perfect solution. It has waterproof blades and can withstand some pretty wet locations. It has a reversible motor and can be set to three speeds- low, medium, and high.
Value:
You might want to be sitting down when we tell you how much that it costs. The price of this unit is one of the most expensive models found out there on the market and more than doubles the cost of the Hunter designs. However, if you wanted something that will last you a long time, comes from a trusted company, and can even work in outdoor spaces- this will be well worth the padded price tag.
Specifics:
This unit has 5 waterproof blades that are able to be reversed, and measure to be 52 inches. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor, and a 2-year warranty on components. The light fixture is 120 volts.
Summary:
If you have the extra cash to spend- the compliments will likely come rolling in with this design. Plus, with the name of Westinghouse behind it, it is likely to last you for a very long time before needing to be replaced.
2. Hunter Builder Deluxe
Get familiar with the brand name of Hunter, because they make our list quite a few times. What makes this company great is that they offer a myriad of different designs that are perfect for most style homes, and they come in at a price point that is incredibly affordable. The Builder Delux model is great because it is pretty neutral in its design, making it perfect for most spaces. Plus, it comes in at an affordable price point.
Read moreDesign:
As we stated earlier, the design of the Builder Deluxe is pretty neutral. It has a toffee glass bowl to serve as the light source and simple Brazilian cherry blades. There aren’t any intricate patterns or details that wouldn’t work with some styles of rooms. The tint of the bowl makes the light a little more yellowed than some of the other models, so if you do not like that shade of light, you might consider changing the light bulb.
Features:
This unit has all of the standard features that you won’t want, and none of the bells and whistles that you might not need. It has a switch along the side that will allow users to toggle between running the blades clockwise and counterclockwise. What makes this unit just a little bit different than some of the other options is that users have the options to remove the lighting component altogether. If you prefer ground lighting for a more intimate room feel and don’t like the extra bulk of a light dome, removing the light fixture is incredibly easy.
Value:
If you wanted something that runs in the middle of the road in terms of price- that is, purchase a unit that isn’t the most expensive but isn’t the cheapest on the market- this is going to be an excellent decision. Plus, it comes from the Hunter brand- which means it will last you a very long time.
Specifics:
This unit has 5 blades that are pitched at 12 degrees to provide maximum airflow. The blades measure to be 52 inches- making it a perfect design for larger rooms such as a living room or dining room, and the light source is a 120 volt.
Summary:
If you want something that has a neutral design, an optional light source, and is really easy to install (it only weighs about 20 pounds which is easy on the back come installation time), this is our favorite choice that comes in at a reasonable price point.
3. Prominence Home Brealey
The Prominence Home Brealey is a lot like the Hampton Bay Hugger in its design. It uses a mix of traditional and contemporary materials that make it perfect for almost any space, and it comes in at an affordable price point. Plus, it as an additional feature that is perfect for those constantly changing up the look of their interior.
Read moreDesign:
The base of this model and all of the hardware is made from a bronze that gives it a rich, dark finished. The blades are made to look to have a rich walnut finished. The light fixture is house behind a bright white frosted glass bowl. It is designed to hug the ceiling so that is has a low profile.
Features:
The unique feature of this model is that the blades are able to be reversed. If you want something that is a little lighter and brighter, you can opt for the traditional walnut finish. If you want to change things up after a while, you can flip the blades over to reveal a darker warm chocolate maple color. It also is able to reverse the blades from clockwise to counterclockwise and has three speeds.
Value:
The cost of this unit is more affordable than some of the other options out there on the market. If you were looking to purchase something that was on the lower end of the price scale, this is an excellent choice.
Specifics:
This unit has 5 blades that can be easily removed to be cleaned or flipped over, and they measure to be 52 inches long- perfect for larger or medium-sized rooms. It has a 120 volt light fixture and weighs in at just 13 pounds.
Summary:
For those that want something simple, and want something that won’t break the bank- this is an excellent option. Plus, the reservable blades are perfect if you ever want to change up the look of your room.
4. Hampton Bay Hugger
For many, Hampton Bay is known for making really affordable options for homeowners that don’t skirt on using quality materials and components. Much like the Hunter Builder Deluxe model, the Hampton Bay Hugger offers a neutral design that will look great in most style rooms, and the best part about it is that it is one of the more affordable options on the market.
Read moreDesign:
The Hampton Bay Hugger mixes contemporary and traditional materials to makes something that is truly unique. The base of this unit is made from brushed nickel- which is something that is incredibly in style right now, and it is accented with traditional walnut finished blades. The mix of materials is what will make this design a perfect accent to almost any room.
Features:
While it has all of the basic functions users need with their models- adjustable blade speed, ability to adjust the motion of the blades from clockwise to counterclockwise, and a frosted glass light bowl- it also has something that many other options do not have, and that is wall control. What this means is that you will have the option of operating this unit by a wall switch instead of using the cords to adjust the light and speed.
Value:
The cost of this product is one of it’s most handsome features. It cost almost half of what some on the more expensive units out there on the market cost. If you are looking to get something that is affordable and easy to use- this is going to be your best bet.
Specifics:
It has 5 blades that measure to be 52 inches- making it ideal for larger rooms such as living rooms and dining rooms. The light fixture supports 120 volts, and the entire unit only weighs 10 pounds- making installation a snap.
Summary:
For those that want to generate a little bit of airflow, but don’t want to pay the higher cost of some of the other options out there on the market- the Hampton Bay Hugger will look great in just about any space.
5. Hunter Dempsey
Hunter makes our list yet again with their Dempsey design. This bright white model is great for contemporary spaces, and it comes at a price point that is more affordable than some of the other options that sport a similar design. It has all of the features that users come to expect with a Hunter product, and it runs incredibly quietly.
Read moreDesign:
The bright white base with white hardware and white matching fans is made to brighten up any contemporary space. The light fixtures are housed in a neutral frosted glass bowl to offer up users soft lighting for smaller spaces.
Features:
This unit offers clean lines in any space with the absence of pull cords hanging down. The user can operate the entire unit with the use of a remote. It has three various speeds- low, medium, and high. It also has a button on the side of the base that will allow you to change the motor rotation from clockwise to counterclockwise to accommodate the different seasons.
Value:
The cost of this unit is just a little bit more expensive than Hunter’s Builder Deluxes design. It does, however, come with a lot more features and has a more sleek design that makes it worth the slightly higher price point.
Specifics:
The Dempsey has 4 blades that run on a Hunter’s WhisperWind motor, and they measure to be 44 inches- great for smaller spaces like bedrooms. It weighs in at about 21 pounds, which is about normal for styles such as this.
Summary:
Adding one of these products into your bedroom can help keep the air circulating, and can actually help you sleep better. It runs quietly enough that it won’t affect your sleep, and it comes in at a price tag that won’t affect your wallet too much.
6. Merrimack
Merrimack is another indoor/outdoor option, but it is offered at a price point that is slightly more affordable than the Westinghouse option. It sports a similar lantern style design that is just slightly more modern and can work in more spaces. You probably have never heard of the company Merrimack, but based upon what past users have had to say about their products, we think they are worth checking out.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this model is a great blend of the old world with a contemporary design- making it a perfect fit in most spaces. It has a larger lantern light fixtures on a muted brass base. The beveled blades are finished with a dark java color that almost matches the color of the base.
Features:
The thing that makes this unit stand out from the rest is that it is able to be used indoors as well as outdoors. The components are able to withstand some pretty wet conditions, and the blades are waterproof. It has three speeds- low, medium, and high- and the motor is able to be revered to allow for clockwise and counterclockwise motions.
Value:
While the cost of this unit is almost double that of some of the more reasonably priced options, it is still significantly less expensive than the Westinghouse option, If you were looking for something that you could hook up to the ceiling of your porch and wanted to save a little bit of money- this is an excellent choice.
Specifics:
This unit has 5 blades that measure to be 52 inches- perfect for medium to larger spaces as well as porches. It weighs in at about 25 pounds- which is quite heavier than many of the other options making out this list.
Summary:
If you are on the lookout for something that can work indoors as well as outdoors and has a design that it both traditional and contemporary, the Merrimack will be a great addition to any space.
7. Hunter Sentinel
While Hunter brings homeowners products that are affordable and accessible, they also make high-end units that are really able to move some air while also looking fantastic. The Sentinel looks exactly like its title- a robotic guard that keeps watch over your living room.
Read moreDesign:
There is nothing rustic or traditional about the Sentinel. This unit has a brass base with brass hardware, and rich oak and walnut reversible blades. It sports a simple and sharp frosted bowl for the light fixture. Unlike many of the other options on this list, the Sentinel only has three blades instead of the standard five.
Features:
There is not pull strings that will hang down with this design. It has three speeds that are able to be controlled with a remote. Some users prefer the look of products that don’t have strings hanging down and looking sloppy, while others wish they had the option in case the remote becomes lost. Due to the fact that it only has 3 blades, this unit is able to move a lot more air than many of the others options that have 5 blades.
Value:
The cost of this unit is one of the more expensive models out there on the market, however, it still isn’t as expensive as the Westinghouse design. If you are in the market for something that is able to move a lot of air, you won’t be disappointed with this design.
Specifics:
This unit has 3 blades that measures to be 52 inches- a great fit for medium to large size rooms. The blades are also pitched at a 12 degree able to promote effortless movement even on high speeds. The 120 volt light fixture is designed for an LED bulb that is not included with purchase.
Summary:
If you are in the market for something that has a very minimal footprint on your ceiling, is designed to really move a lot of air without making much of a racket, and you have just a little bit more spending money, the Hunter Sentinel will make a great addition to any room- traditional or contemporary.
8. FJ World
If you were looking for something that had a sharp and contemporary design like that of an Emerson, but didn’t knock you over with a high price tag, the FJ WORLD will prove to be a great addition to your indoor living space.
Read moreDesign:
This unit looks like it was lifted right off of the front of an airplane. It has tapered reversible blades that affix to a silver metal base. It has a frosted rounded glass bowl to product soft lighting. If you are looking for something that has a traditional or neutral design, you might not find what you are looking for in this model.
Features:
Users have the best of both worlds with this design. They can opt to use a pull chain to turn it off and on and adjust the three speeds, or they can also chose to have the remote that is included with purchase operate this design. The remote is small, and will allow you to turn it off and on, adjust the light, and switch between three different speeds without even standing up.
Value:
This unit runs about in the middle of the road in terms of price. It is slightly more expensive than some of the Hunter base models, but it is nowhere near as expensive as some of the other higher end designs out there on the market.
Specifics:
It has 5 blades that measure to be 44 inches- which is perfect for spaces such as bedrooms and offices. The light fixture provides about 110 volts, and the entire unit weighs about 16 pounds/
Summary:
If you were looking for a design that had a more contemporary style but still offered a lot of power and features without the hefty price tag, this unit will be a great addition to a bedroom.
9. Hunter Contemporary
Making our list for the final appearance is the Hunter Contemporary model. It might have the word contemporary in the title, but its design is made to be more neutral than anything and can fit seamlessly into any room. Plus, it comes in at a pretty affordable price point, making it a great option.
Read moreDesign:
The shape of this unit is incredibly simplistic and you would be hard-pressed to find a space where this model didn’t fit right in. It sports a stainless steel base with silver hardware, and the blades are finished with a dark burnt walnut.
Features:
While this unit offers all of the features that users want from these products- such as 3 separate speeds, the motor that can run in reverse for the winter and blades that can be easily turned over to reveal a lighter color, it also provides something that many of the others don’t offer. The LED light fixture is able to be dimmed and adjusted to create more ambient lighting if you don’t want to room to be too bright.
Value:
As far as Hunter products go, this is one of the more reasonable price options. It is far from being the least expensive unit out there on the market, but it also isn’t the most expensive by a long shot. If you were looking for something that runs in the middle of the road- this is going to be your best bet.
Specifics:
The 5 blades of this unit measure to be 54 inches- which is slightly longer than some of the others out there on the market. The light fixture is 110 volts and takes LED bulbs.
Summary:
If you wanted something that was affordable, and could help your produce perfect ambient lighting- this is a great selection. Plus, it is one of the more affordable options that measure to be 54 inches out there on the market- so you are going to get a lot more bang for your buck with the Hunter Contemporary.
10. Emerson Curva Sky
Emerson might be a name that you are already familiar with- they have been making electric products for the home since they were founded in 1890. The Curva Sky design is sleek and sharp and looks like a propeller that came right off of the front of an airplane. It can move air like nobody’s business, but it also can move a lot of money right out of your wallet- so don’t get too attached unless you are willing to pay it’s really high price tag.
Read moreDesign:
Like we mentioned earlier, this unit looks just like an airplane propeller. It has three blades that are constructed from stainless steel, and the base of the entire unit is made from stainless steel as well. If you were looking for something that was traditional and not very contemporary, you might want to move on from this design. The light fixture is housed inside a simple frosted glass bowl.
Features:
Most of the units on the market only offer three speeds, but the Emerson design offers users an impressive six speeds to choose from. Also, if you decide that you don’t like the function or the look of the light fixture, you have the option to remove it and place a simple plate in its place. It is controlled with a remote that is included with purchase, meaning that there aren’t any cords hanging down from the base that make it look a tad sloppy.
Value:
We hope you are sitting down- because this is the most expensive unit to make our list, and it likely the most expensive design out there on the market. However, if you want something that is made from sharp, modern materials to match the decor of your indoor space, this is well worth the padded price tag.
Specifics:
This unit has three 52 inch stainless steel blades that run on an Emerson motor that comes with a lifetime guarantee. It weighs about 20 pounds- which is considered normal for similar designs.
Summary:
For those that are looking for something that is just a little bit different- this is an excellent choice. It comes from a company that has been making quality products for over 100 years. If you have the extra money, this will be an excellent investment for your home.
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