Buying guide for Best ceiling fans with lights
Ceiling fans are very popular, whether you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency, create a sense of style, or just feel cooler when you sleep by moving the air around your bedroom. A ceiling fan with lights does double duty as a fan and a lamp.
Ceiling fans come with many different kinds of lights, some of which are very bright some of which are more for decoration than illumination. The fans themselves come in many styles and sizes, too. It’s important to match the size of the blades to the size of your room. And you might also want to choose a ceiling fan that matches the room’s décor.
Selecting just the right ceiling fan with lights requires some information, and we’re ready to help. Our buying guide outlines the various types and features available. We’ve also included a few of our favorites to make your selection easier.
Key considerations
There are a few key factors to think about when it comes to ceiling fans: size, airflow, mount, and smart features.
Size
The size of the fan is important, and the size you buy will depend on the size of the room where you want to install the ceiling fan. Manufacturers measure ceiling fan size as the diameter of the circle made by the blades. Here are some examples of fan sizes and appropriate room sizes:
- Room size up to 100 square feet: Choose a fan diameter up to 42 inches.
- Room size 100 to 200 square feet: Choose a fan diameter of 40 to 48 inches.
- Room size 200 to 300 square feet: Choose a fan diameter of 46 to 54 inches.
- Room size 300 or more square feet: Choose a fan diameter of 50 inches or more.
Airflow
Manufacturers measure a ceiling fan’s airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM). An average ceiling fan has an air movement rating of about 4,000 to 5,000 cubic feet per minute.
Mount
You can mount a ceiling fan in a variety of ways depending on the ceiling height. Options include flush mount (the fan sits close to the ceiling), downrod mount (the fan hangs a few inches to a few feet from the ceiling), and angled mount (the fan hangs from a slanted ceiling).
Smart fans
Some ceiling fans are equipped with Bluetooth technology, which means you can connect them to a smart home network and change the settings with a smartphone app or a voice-controlled smart assistant.
Expert tip
Remember to operate your fan clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in the summer to properly direct the airflow.
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Features
Lights
Ceiling fans with lights use a few different types of bulbs.
Standard: A fan with standard light sockets takes E26 bulbs, whether LED or fluorescent.
Candelabra: Some ceiling fans have small sockets that hold candelabra bulbs, also called E12 bulbs. These typically don’t emit as much light as standard bulbs, but their shapes give them a bit more style.
Integrated: Some ceiling fans have a built-in light, called an integrated light. This is a panel of LED lights rather than a replaceable bulb.
Sockets
Most ceiling fans with lights have three, four, or five sockets. On some fans, all the sockets fit underneath one large glass globe, while on others the sockets are exposed or under individual globes. An integrated LED ceiling fan has a single LED light panel inside a globe.
Style
Ceiling fans with lights come in many different styles from rustic to contemporary, and many different materials from wood to plastic to stainless steel to bronze. You’ll find ceiling fans that have three blades and as many as twelve, though most have four or five. You can find lights with brightly patterned blades, though most are neutral colors. The lights may be hanging down from the fan or pointing upward for softer ambient light. The housing for the motor may be simple and sleek or elaborately embossed. The ceiling fan you choose will depend on the style of your room and your personal preference.
Expert tip
Consider buying a universal remote with your fan (if not included) and install the receiver as you install it to save labor time later.
BestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert
Ceiling fans with lights prices
Ceiling fans with lights vary quite a bit in price depending on the style, the size of the blades, and the type of lighting.
Inexpensive
Ceiling fans with lights that have 35-inch or smaller blades cost about $50 to $250.
Mid-range
Ceiling fans with lights that have 35- to 50-inch blades cost about $50 to $400.
Expensive
Ceiling fans with lights that have 50-inch or larger blades cost about $150 to $900.
Expert tip
Do not assume that an existing flush mount ceiling light can support a ceiling fan.
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Tips
Installing a ceiling fan can take one to a few hours. Here are some tips for doing it safely.
- Turn off the power to the room. You must be able to cut the electrical power to the wiring in the room. Do not just turn off the switch on the wall. Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
- Install a ceiling box if necessary. Because of the weight of the ceiling fan, you must attach it to a secure ceiling box. Newer homes should already have one in place. In an older home, you’ll need to attach a ceiling box to a ceiling joist before installing the fan.
- Follow the instructions. Although the installation process for most ceiling fans is similar, don’t assume that every fan is exactly the same. Even if you’ve installed a ceiling fan before, read the instructions before you begin.
- Attach the light kit securely. Attaching the light kit is one of the easiest parts of installing the ceiling fan. The wiring for the light kit should be inside a socket that connects to a matching socket for the fan’s wiring.
FAQ
Q. Is it hard to install a ceiling fan with lights?
A. Installing a ceiling fan isn’t the most difficult DIY job, but it isn’t for the complete novice either. If you’re going to install a ceiling fan, you need to know how to turn off the power to the room, and you need to be comfortable lifting 20 to 50 pounds over your head. This is a project that calls for a buddy as you cannot easily hook up the wiring and hold the fan motor at the same time.
Expert tip
ONLY use dimmable bulbs in light with dimmer features. Not all bulbs can be dimmed and they will malfunction if not compatible.
BestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert
Q. Should I pick an integrated LED light ceiling fan?
A. LED technology provides significant energy savings over other types of bulbs. With an integrated LED ceiling fan, the LEDs are a permanent part of the fan light kit, so you don’t need to replace any bulbs. The built-in LEDs will give you 50,000 to 100,000 hours of operation. The downside is that once the LEDs fail, you’ll have to replace the entire fan.
Q. Couldn’t I just add a light kit to my existing ceiling fan?
A. Possibly, but many older ceiling fans don’t have the capability to receive a generic light kit. Your existing ceiling fan may not have the mounting bracket or the extra wiring required to support a light. Additionally, some people don’t like the look of generic light kits, preferring a ceiling fan with lights that match the design.
Q. Can I hang my ceiling fan on an exterior porch that’s open to the elements?
A. You need to make sure the fan has a rating that allows for use in wet or damp locations. All ceiling fans are safe to use indoors, but only certain units are safe for outdoor use where exposure to the elements is possible.
