Essentially, everyone has owned a ceiling fan in their home at some point before switching to air conditioners (or other forms of cooling gadgets), but not everybody had experience with outdoor once, nor finding the best outdoor ceiling fans. Even though an AC could get you through a harsh summer, there’s only so much you can do to cool yourself outdoors.
Ever since I started using these, I’ve come to understand the true pleasures of relaxation, even if it’s smoking hot outside. First of all, let us discuss why you would even need an outdoor ceiling fan in the first place. Some people like to freshen up in the pool; others are content with simply chilling in the shade, but what’s fully optimal and could be considered as a compromise between these two scenarios is having a proper outdoor fan.
Now, what does a ‘proper’ outdoor ceiling fan mean? Today we are going to talk about everything you need to know about outdoor fans, as well as some of the finest models you could find for your money. Without any further ado, let’s get straight to the reviews.
Comparison of 15 Best Outdoor Ceiling Fans in 2020
| Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Emerson CF135DBZ Outdoor Ceiling Fans |
| Check Price |
 | Casablanca 59524 Wailea Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Hunter Fan Company Hunter 54098 Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Big Ass Fans Haiku L Smart Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Casa Delta-Wing Modern Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Home Decorators Collection Palm Cove Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Home Decorators Outdoor Tahiti Breeze Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Casa Largo Modern Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Merrimack Antique Bronze Downrod Mount Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Westinghouse Lighting Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Hunter Fan Company Hunter 59135 Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Honeywell Belmar Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Home Decorators Collection YG493OD-EB Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Prominence Home 50345-01 Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
 | Home Decorators Collection YG493OD-BN Outdoor Ceiling Fan |
| Check Price |
Top 15 Best Outdoor Ceiling Fans Review in 2020
1. Emerson CF135DBZ Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Primarily, this is a fan that is pretty versatile in terms of aesthetics. The bronze finish is amazing, characterized by very warm, natural colors. On top of that, the ‘leaf’ like blades are made to pump up the atmosphere with a hint of exotic. The Emerson Callito ceiling fan looks equally beautiful during every season.
Its warmth shines the brightest during the summer, obviously, but the design of the blades and their exquisite color are superb for rainy, colder days as well. This is a Wet-rated fan, which translates to “perfect for all weather conditions.”
It rocks a robust construction and a beautiful Opal-matte glass light which complements its already exceptional aesthetic element. In terms of size, it’s quite average in size and weight. You will be able to control the blades’ rotation path both clockwise and anti-clockwise, but more importantly, a remote controller is also included in the package.
- Beautiful-looking, perfect for almost any setting and ambient
- Exquisite blade design
- Weather-resistant blades which can spin in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions
- Equipped with a remote controller
- Highly durable construction complemented with the bronze casing finish
- No switchable light functions
- You can’t dim the lights, they’ll always shine at full force, making them quite an attraction for mosquitoes
2. Casablanca 59524 Wailea Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fan
Let’s begin by delving into the Wailea’s versatility. This fan comes supplied with a reversible motor, which makes it suitable for hot, humid, damp, and cold environments. It has two main modes of operation – the ‘downdraft’ which is best suited for summer and the ‘updraft’ for winter.
The motor is also quite powerful and could easily outmatch some of the latest air conditioning units. In terms of design, there are 31-inch blades with a 25-degree angle pitch that further complement the motor’s performance. The blades are made from highly durable materials and feature a natural Walnut finish.
The Wailea outdoor ceiling fan is damp-rated, though, which means that you’ll need to keep it covered while you’re using it. On the brighter side, the down-rods it comes supplied with are relatively short, ensuring that the fan can be placed in the most ‘secure’ location as possible.
- Superb motor strength, two main modes of operation
- Equally suited for summer and winter use
- Low-hanging down-rods for optimal positioning
- Beautifully designed blades with a Natural Walnut finish
- High-quality plastic material
- Damp-rated; requires protection from rain and snow
- Can only be manually operated, the switch hangs quite close to the fans, so it’s not quite perfect if hung on high ceilings
3. Hunter Fan Company Hunter 54098 Ceiling fan
Speaking of which, the HFC engineers have gone the extra mile by designing this model in such a way that allows you to choose different mounting options, which is important when looking for best outdoor ceiling fans.
You will be able to position it in a standard way, low, and angled mounted position, all of which bring different benefits to the table. This outdoor ceiling fan comes supplied with a special Whisper Wind motor, promising nothing short of perfection when it comes to cooling power. To top it all, the motor is reversible just like the one supplied to Wailiea which means that it’s perfect for all-weather use.
As far as its outward appearance goes, the Hunter 54098 certainly looks classy. It sports five 54-inch palm-leaf plastic blades and an antique-looking base, so it’s quite easy to say that it’s as much as a decorative piece as it is a cooling gadget. The blades are angled to 13-degrees, ensuring optimal air movement.
- Exquisite WhisperWind motor
- Five beautiful palm-leaf plastic blades
- Unique mounting options
- Very versatile, well-suited for all weather conditions
- Robust construction
- Can’t be used without some sort of cover because it’s a damp-rated ceiling fan
- No built-in lights or any subsidiary features of the kind
4. Big Ass Fans Haiku L Smart Ceiling Fan
In a nutshell, this is currently the most stylish silent smart fan you could get for the buck.It offers a vast array of advantages to those who want to modernize their home exterior.
The first notable feature of the Big Ass Fans’ Haiku L3127 X5 is that it rocks only three 52-inch blades. This, however, doesn’t mean that it’s less efficient than a, say six-blade fan. It’s quite the contrary. The motor this ceiling fan comes supplied with is almost unequaled in terms of power, and on top of that, it has plenty of versatility to go about.
There are ten fan settings onboard, including seven selectable speeds, the ‘sleep’ mode, a timer, and the ‘whoosh’ mode, which simulates the sound of natural breezes. It’s most likely that it got the name Haiku after the latter.
Last, but certainly not least, BAA’s Haiku ceiling fan is compatible with the Alexa, allowing you to control it with your voice. However, this feature is relatively useless if you don’t own an Alexa device, as it is sold separately. One of the best outdoor ceiling fans out there? Yup.
- Virtually soundless method of operation
- Superior versatility provided with numerous onboard fan settings
- Equipped with dimmable lights
- Exceptionally powerful motor
- Covers a huge area
- Alexa compliant, though the device is sold separately
- Its unique outlook might not sit well with traditional-looking patios or other home exterior areas
5. Casa Delta-Wing Modern Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Now, the Delta-wing features three 52-inch blades colored in a natural finish and wonderfully crafted oil rubbed bronze motor, so it’s pretty safe to say that it suits old-fashioned settings the best as far as aesthetics go. It’s pretty versatile overall as it rocks selectable fan speeds and multiple mounting options. Moreover, it’s available in several color styles and finishes.
Since it’s a damp-rated ceiling fan, the Casa Vieja’s Delta Wing fan isn’t exactly perfect for use during the winter and in heavy rain conditions. The good thing is that it also comes outfitted with a neat little remote controller. You will be able to access virtually all of the features from a click of a button.
- Looks great, available in several color options
- Powerful oil rubbed motor
- Remote controller included in the package
- Selectable speeds
- Quiet mode of operation
- No onboard lights or any notable subsidiary features
- Only suitable for summer seasons
6. Home Decorators Collection 51544 Outdoor Ceiling Fan
It’s incredibly easy to install it, and you have several options at your disposal provided by the exquisite Tri mount setup system – you can set it up in a standard way, put it close to the ceiling up high, or configure it in an angled position.
However, the downside is that the extended down-rod is required for non-standard setup options, and it is, sadly, sold separately. It does feature two selectable speeds which are accessible via two pull chains. It’s a schoolbook example of a traditional ceiling fan sprinkled with just a hint of a modern touch.
There are five beautiful leaf-shaped blades powered by a very strong iron motor. Due to its brownish color, it’s practically ideal for almost any kind of home exterior. Simply put, if you’re looking not just for best outdoor ceiling fans, but for small outdoor ceiling fans, I highly suggest checking this model out, as it holds huge value for the money, and then some.
- Two selectable fan speeds
- Powerful motor; covers a wide area
- Looks quite great and melds into most environments
- Incredibly easy to setup, several installation options
- Great value for the buck if you’re low on cash
- The down-rod required for some of the mounting options is sold separately
- The fan speed settings are accessible via pull chains which might be hard to reach if you mount the fan on a hard-to-reach spot
7. Home Decorators Indoor/Outdoor Tahiti Breeze Ceiling Fan
It’s different from the previous pick in a lot of ways in terms of the design of the fans and its overall design, but it’s also quite similar to it – the Tri mount system and the selectable speeds utilize the same technologies.
Since we’ve already talked about the installation and (the drawbacks of the) fan speed features, let’s focus on the differences between the previous pick and Tahiti Breeze. First and foremost, this model comes with the down-rod, so even initially you will have all of the mounting options at your disposal.
Secondly, the blades of the Tahiti Breeze are designed in a more flamboyant way. Although they’re not as transparent and as adaptable as the ones outfitted to the Palm Cove ceiling fan, they look pretty great and are ideal if you have a vibrantly designed home exterior.
To top it all, the brand also included a couple of very helpful ceiling fan accessories as complementary features, including the replacement bulbs, a cap, a plug, a light kit, and the aforementioned down-rod.
- Five 52-inch Mahogany-Bamboo fan blades
- A dozen of mounting options
- Various ceiling fan accessories included
- Highly robust construction
- Superb outward appearance
- Slightly less versatile in terms of aesthetic adaptability
- The speed settings can be accessed only via the pull chains
8. Casa Largo Modern Outdoor Ceiling Fan Best for Summer
Though plain in terms of design, the Casa Vieja’s Largo comes laden with top quality features, such as oil-brushed bronze base, frosted glass built-in light, and many more. It rocks a very plain traditional pull-chain method of operation, meaning that you will have to access the selectable speed settings manually.
Arguably, remotely controlled are a bit more valuable as they offer more convenience, but some people actually like old-school memorabilia. One of the primary things that set Casa Vieja’s Largo outdoor ceiling fan apart from most similarly priced models is that it comes supplied with huge 60-inch blades. It’s definitely among the biggest outdoor fans in this review. It has a very durable construction and is suitable for most home exterior areas.
- Looks quite great, high aesthetic versatility
- Very easy to setup and use
- Robust motor
- Very durable construction
- Plain, simple design
- The light is quite dim
- You’ll have to buy the down-rod on your own
9. Merrimack Antique Bronze Downrod Mount Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Among its most notable features, we can include the exquisite antique bronze base, dimmable lights, and five angled 52-inch blades. It’s slightly heavier than some of the models further up in the review with approximately 24.2 pounds, but that also speaks volumes about its durability.
The Merrimack features an ultra-robust metal base and very sturdy blades, so it’s quite safe to say that you will be using it for years to come. There are three selectable fan speed options at your disposal, all of which are accessible via a remote controller. The light is also dimmable, and you will receive a light kit as a complementary feature which will allow you to further lighten up the atmosphere.
- Exceptional level of durability
- Dimmable lights which cover a wide area
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
- Equipped with a remote controller
- Complimentary light kit feature
- Quite heavy, though pretty easy to setup and install
- Looks a bit plain
10. Westinghouse Lighting 7204300 Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
This fan comes supplied with an oil-rubbed bronze base and a set of four 52-inch blades that can cover up to 360 SF. In terms of efficiency, the Westinghouse Lightning 7204300 is one of the finest high CFM outdoor ceiling fan models you can get for your money.
Even though it does not feature built-in lights for, this ceiling fan shines pretty bright and was built to withstand decades and decades of use. On top of that, you will be able to choose between three selectable speeds, and it packs a reversible switch that regulates the direction of the air circulation, optimizing its performance for both hot and cold days.
- Equally suited for summer and winter
- Highly efficient battery-powered motor
- Shines pretty brightly, the light is dimmable
- Traditional outlook; can fit into most home exterior areas aesthetically
- Three selectable speeds plus the reversible air circulation switch
- No built-in light options
- Quite difficult to setup on vaulted ceilings
11. Hunter Fan Company Hunter 59135 Ceiling Fan
The reason why this fan bears the name ‘Nautical’ is probably due to how it looks. Thecolor is weathered zinc, and it’s quite safe to say that it’s phenomenal for almost every tropical house, both for indoor and outdoor use.
The device’s blades are 54-inches big and rock a 13-angle pitch for superior air ventilation power, and they’re also fairly durable. The Nautical ceiling fan comes outfitted with a light kit, a cased glass, and you will also receive two complimentary light bulb replacements.
- Comes supplied with a couple of gratis accessories
- Highly durable construction
- Premium quality Whisper-Wind reversible motor
- Multiple mounting options
- Looks exquisite
- Damp-rated; needs to be covered before use
- Selectable speeds can be toggled with the pull chain only, no remote control of any kind
12. Honeywell Belmar Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Since that the fan is finished in such a unique way it can be placed virtually anywhere and still look great. You’ll be able to set the fan’s speed at one of the three available settings (from low, over normal, to high) by using the traditional pull-chain features. Sadly, no remote control is available.
The Belmar is perfect for medium and larger rooms as it comes supplied with a very strong motor which can cover quite a bit of space. It’s practically soundless and reversible, so you can also use it to refresh the air up during the colder seasons.
- Reversible, powerful, and quiet motor
- Five big 52-inch blades can cover quite a lot of space
- One-color design, suitable for almost any room
- Very easy to setup and operate
- High value for the cash
- Manual fan speed setting controls
- Big, bulky, and a bit heavier than average
13. Home Decorators Collection YG493OD-EB Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
This is – without any shadow of a doubt – one of the biggest ceiling fans in the price range as it packs eight 72-inch weather-resistant blades made of ultra-robust maple material. The motor inside of this device is state-of-the-art and packs nine selectable speeds in total.
Apart from looking great and being a powerhouse, the Kensgrove ceiling fan also features dimmable lights and a remote control method of operation. It might be slightly more expensive than average, but it’s surely more than worth the buck.
- Eight weather-resistant blades of 72 inches
- Remote control available
- Dimmable lights and fan speed control settings
- The thoroughly ravishing aesthetic element, one of the best outdoor ceiling fans in this aspect
- Simple installment process
- Huge, might not be able to fit on certain ceilings
- A bit more expensive than average
14. Prominence Home 50345-01 Auletta Outdoor Ceiling Fan
First, and most notably, there are only four blades on the matte black base which are 52 inches in length. They are manufactured from very sturdy materials and are completely “outside fans waterproof”, which means that you can use the Auletta even during the heaviest of rains.
Secondly, this ceiling fan features dimmable lights and built-in LED lights; you will receive two additional bulbs (E26 and A15) with your purchase. Last, but certainly not least, the Auletta ceiling fan features a three-speed reversible motor.
- A simple, yet beautiful outward appearance
- Weather-proof 52-inch blades
- Quiet, reversible three-speed motor
- Frosted dimmable lights
- Built-in LED lights, you will get two extra bulbs in the package
- The cover is a bit dangly, make sure to screw it in extra tight
- Somewhat confusing installation instructions
15. Home Decorators Collection YG493OD-BN Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
These differences are, however, quite important and visible, even to people who don’t know the second thing about outdoor fans. The first version of the Kensgrove had a natural timber-like finish while this one was painted completely white.
This means that you won’t have any trouble fitting it any kind of ambient, both indoors and outdoors. Secondly, this particular ceiling fan isn’t as heavy – it weighs only 26.5 pounds. Now, the word ‘only’ might not be too appropriate to use as that’s just a bit above the average, but it’s still several pounds lighter than the previous one.
The rest of the features are completely the same – it packs eight weather-resistant blades, a superior DC motor packed with nine selectable speeds, a remote control method of operation, and a convenient canopy ring which doubles as a cover for the screws.
- The motor is reversible, strong, and whisper-quiet
- Decorative ring to hide the screws and improve the overall aesthetics
- Wet-rated, meaning it can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Superb value for the money
- Colored in bright white
- Huge and unwieldy, not suitable for smaller home exterior areas
The Research System We Used
Apart from looking to include a versatile batch of outdoor ceiling fans, I’ve also tested them out quite meticulously. The tests I’ve performed on these models can be categorized in the following way:
1. Consistency & Technical Accuracy Test
The consistency test shows if the ceiling fan comes supplied with everything it is reported to have. If all the hardware was included, all of the pieces and individual parts came in the box and if the features were indeed as big and heavy as stated, the model would pass the test.
The importance of consistency and technical accuracy is quite big, mainly because there are a lot of brands that for whatever reason fail to deliver the appropriate hardware (often indicated with ‘sold separately’ sometimes) and because certain people are just too lazy to check for any hidden faults in the design.
2. Performance Test
The performance test consists of several quite basic phases and is tightly correlated to several other test types. During the first phase, I have made sure if the fans work at all. You shouldn’t be surprised if you come across certain models that look great and come at a very attractive price but won’t even start to begin with.
The second phase is where I have checked all of the models on different power plugs and sockets. Again, it’s not so uncommon to see a ceiling fan outfitted with such a motor (mainly AC ones) that it works perfectly fine when plugged into one socket and then all of a sudden it burns out and becomes useless when plugged into another.
The third and the last phase of the performance test includes checking out every individual (subsidiary) feature, such as the speed modes, integrated lights (and switching between the light color functions if applicable), and so on.
3. Durability Test
A ceiling fan is durable only if it’s capable of enduring regular use and weather conditions they are intended for. The first part is quite tricky due to obvious reasons, but as far as weather conditions are concerned, the test is quite simple.
Namely, there are wet outdoor ceiling fans and damp rated ones. Wet-rated fans should be able to resist heavy rain and snow alike while damp-rated ones need some kind of cover and are not intended for ‘wet’ weather conditions, so the testing process is substantially different for each type, all influencing their best outdoor ceiling fans rating.
The damp-rated ceiling fans are tested for durability under typical ‘dry’ conditions while wet-rated models are tested with the additional ‘sprinkling’ effects. We should also note that a flimsy wet-rated outdoor ceiling fan can also be quite dangerous to use, which is all the more reason why thorough tests are not just required, but mandatory.
For example, if such a fan would not be supplied with adequate motor protection (casing) or proper sealing and enclosure, the water might induce bursts of electricity and severely harm you and anyone the water splashes.
4. Aesthetic Versatility Test
The aesthetic versatility is basically ‘adaptability’ to different home exterior designs. For instance, colored fans aren’t particularly great in terms of aesthetics if the surrounding area isn’t in ‘matching’ color while black, white and brown models are generally perfect in almost any setting.
Furthermore, there are also plenty of models that were either built from great-looking metals (bronze, for example) or were ‘finished’ in such a way that makes them look like that. From an objective point of view, these ceiling fans tend to accommodate home interiors more than they do home exterior areas.
5. Overall Value Test
The final, and arguably the most important test is the ‘value’ test. In this test, I have summed up all of the pros and cons of each model I though seemed okay at first and compared each of their price tags. And sure enough, only a dozen ceiling fans hold some actual value for the money due to several reasons.
First and foremost, most ‘decent’ models that were too expensive were scratched off. Other models lacked a feature or two that similarly priced ceiling fans had while some didn’t excel in some of the other performance tests.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fan for You
Most outdoor ceiling fans indeed look relatively alike, but there are so many little details and nuances that set them apart. The build materials determine the durability and efficiency, but there are also so many technical details that deserve attention that you can’t simply go on a whim and buy whatever looks best. In this section, we’ll talk about all of the things that we have considered during the performance evaluation of each separate ceiling fan in this review.
First and foremost, I’ve made sure to include everything for everyone – there are AC and DC powered fans in this review, both Wet and Damp rated ones, there are models with and without built-in lights, selectable speeds, but most importantly, I’ve made sure to pick out those that excelled in both performance and aesthetics. The perfect fan for you is the one that accommodates your personal needs.
Some people have larger homes and need those 72-inch blades while others want to cool smaller areas. Some people already have great outdoor lights set up, others might want to consider a ceiling fan supplied with built-in LED lights. At the end of the day, your circumstances and your personal preferences are the main criteria you should use to determine which models are the best outdoor ceiling fans for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Difference Between Outdoor and Indoor Fans?
There are a couple of factors that determine whether a fan is meant to be used indoors or outdoors.However, do note that most of them concern your circumstances. For instance, if a fan is too big for your home interior, it might not be for your home exterior. On another hand, certain models come supplied with motors that are simply too powerful for interior use.
2. Are Outdoor Fans Harder to Install?
As far as best outdoor ceiling fans go, the installation process of a fan depends on the model itself, not on its ‘type’. Sometimes the brands provide useful and easy-to-follow instructions, sometimes not. As far as design is concerned, indoor and outdoor fans are equally easy to install.
3. Do I Need Any Special Tools to Install an Outdoor Ceiling Fan?
In some cases, you will need a down-rod if a fan features several mounting options. Most brands provide one, but it’s also fairly common that manufacturers of ceiling fans note that it is sold separately.
4. What Are Some of the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fan Brands?
There are dozens of outdoor fan brands, and some of the most popular ones are Hunter, Home Decorators Collection, Harbor Breeze, and Westinghouse Lighting.
5. What Are ‘Reversible Motor’ Fans?
It’s a switch that is triggering the ‘reversible’ function of the motor, and what it does is that it shifts the air circulation movement upwards (instead of the default downward path), allowing you to use a fan in colder climates to filter the air rather than to cool it down.
Final Verdict
Each of the models we’ve covered above comes with their ups and downs, but one thing is certain – they’re all more than valuable for the buck. So, if you are looking for a quality outdoor fan, any of the fifteen models in the review above will do the trick.
We hope that you have learned something new from our guide and now feel more confident about making the big purchase. We wish you all the luck in finding the best outdoor fans for you. Stay safe, folks!
