Best Ceiling Fans

Are ceiling fans a good idea?

While they will incur an initial installation cost, ceiling fans are cheaper to run than an air conditioner and are also more environmentally friendly. If you prefer your cooling a bit more powerful, a ceiling fan can complement a split system, ducted or portable air conditioner.

Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a ceiling fan is right for a room:

Ceiling height: For an indoor ceiling fan to be suitable, it needs to satisfy safety standards. This means a prospective room you want to cool should be at least 2.1-2.4 metres in height from floor to ceiling. If your room falls within this range, a low-profile ceiling fan will be better as it will sit flush to the ceiling. If your ceiling is much higher than 2.4m from the floor, you’ll probably need an extension rod to lower the blades.

Your ceiling doesn’t have to be flat - it can be sloping or vaulted as there is a special fitting method that caters to different ceiling types.

Room size: Choose a ceiling fan that’s the right size for your room. A larger room needs a ceiling fan with longer blades. This is more important than the number of blades a ceiling fan has. A too-small ceiling fan will be ineffective, and conversely, one that’s too large for the room might blast you so thoroughly it feels like you’re standing in front of an airplane propeller.

Reversible rotation: These work like reverse cycle air conditioners in that they help circulate warm air in winter as well as cool air in summer

Noise level: Also consider how quiet you want your new ceiling fan to be. The amount of noise made will be partially determined by the blade material. Plastic and timber fans are quieter than metal fans, so are suited to bedrooms. However, metal fans are more powerful and offer better airflow.

Indoor use: While you can also buy ceiling fans for outdoor use, ensure that if you do so, you buy a model specially purposed for using outside. Indoor fans are not designed to weather the elements, and aren't protected against moisture. This can cause an electrical fire if they touch water; obviously dangerous.

Appearances: Since a ceiling fan will be a long-term investment, it makes sense for it to model an aesthetic you like. You might want to go classic and timeless with a black ceiling fan. Alternatively, you can coordinate with a an existing design scheme, for example by choosing a chic timber fan for a Scandi-inspired living room.

Mod cons: You can opt for a ceiling fan with a light and remote, which means you can operate it from the comfort of your bed. The light is integrated into the centre of the fan and can also be remote-control operated. The alternative to a ceiling fan with a remote is a pull-cord or a wall switch.

Ceiling fans offer plenty of versatility for a variety of rooms and cooling preferences. You can scroll down to experiment with the filters on the left hand side and select which features you prefer. This will bring up ceiling fan reviews on the right side, for models that tick your boxes.