Cool the Porch with the Best Outdoor Ceiling Fan

An outdoor ceiling fan can complete the look of a porch or outdoor space and can radically-improve air flow in the outdoor space. However, you can’t just put in any old fan in there, as most are not outdoor-rated! We’ve looked at several of outdoor ceiling fans, and after a thorough review, we’ve found that the GE Morgan 54“ Bronze LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan is the best outdoor ceiling fan.

We made it our top pick due to its quality workmanship, dependability, ease of install, and overall value. It is also the only ceiling fan reviewed that comes with a built-in light. For a full review of the Morgan, see our Product Reviews below.

The Hunter Fan Company 59264 Contemporary Cassius Matte Black Ceiling Fan, 52“ was our best budget choice due to its quality, beauty and great price point. This fan is easy to install, very functional and makes a great addition to any outdoor space.

For more information on the Hunter Cassius ceiling fan, see our Product Reviews section below.

Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Most of us enjoy spending time outside during the long days of summer, enjoying all the beauty and bounty that the warm weather brings. It’s a time for backyard barbeques and summer parties, for making memories with family and friends. But it can get hot in the summer and that’s not always comfortable even if you have a covered area that provides shade. A great way to combat the summer heat is to add an outdoor fan to your gazebo or covered porch or patio. It not only provides a nice breeze when it’s hot, but it also adds a decorative touch to your outdoor space.

Damp-Rated Fans

The main difference between an indoor fan and an outdoor fan is the robustness of the fan, the temperature rating, and the water rating. If you simply put an indoor fan in your screened in porch, or on your balcony, you may find that after a bout of cold weather hits, the fan will stop working. Typical fans found in big box stores are not capable of handling the outdoors, and you’ll need to purchase a fan specifically designed to be used outside. The selection is smaller than for indoor fans, but there are plenty of great options available. It should be noted that the fans we’re looking at today are damp rated, but may not be appropriate for heavy salt-water environments, such as directly on an ocean front. If you need something that can handle salt as well, your selection will be further reduced.

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Porch Ceiling Fan Reviews

In this article we are going to be reviewing four popular indoor/outdoor ceiling fans, comparing their various features, functionality, quality, aesthetics and overall value. Out of the four reviewed we’ll give you our top pick and our budget choice. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to choose an outdoor fan that fits best with your décor and lifestyle! If you decide you’re not sure about a ceiling mounted outdoor fan, be sure to consider an outdoor pedestal fan or an outdoor misting fan!

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1. GE Morgan 54“ Bronze LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan

The GE Morgan ceiling fan comes in either brushed nickel or bronze finish and includes an integrated LED light as well as a mountable remote control. Its contemporary design will complement most any outdoor décor.

Key Points at a Glance

• Features Sky Plug Technology for fast, easy installation
• Comes in two finishes—bronze or brushed nickel
• Has integrated LED dimmable light
• Includes three-speed mountable remote control
• Attractive modern design to accommodate any style
• Lifetime limited warranty on motor

Dimensions

Product dimensions27.5” x 11” x 10”

Weight22.1 Lbs.

Size54”

This very attractive ceiling fan is a great overall value, which made it our top pick. TheMorgan is well made and has an integrated LED light, providing many hours of illumination while at the same time keeping you cool on those hot summer days and nights. This outdoor ceiling fan includes a three-speed mountable remote control that allows you to dim the light to your liking, which is always a big help. This unit requires three AAA batteries that are included. Just don’t lose the remote! We should also note that the fan and light are run from the same circuit, and there’s no need for a separate fan and light switch. However, if the light fails, the fan will fail with it as they are tied together. The GE Morgan 54“ Bronze LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan is easy to install (by most accounts) using their special “Sky Plug Technology”. Once the base (or is it the top?) of this ceiling fan is installed in the ceiling, the fan itself can be easily swapped out with other ceiling fans, offering greater variety. There is an installation video available online to take the guesswork out of installing your new fan, which is always a plus. As a huge extra, the Morgan comes backed by a limited lifetime warranty on the motor! You can get the GE Morgan 54” Ceiling Fan in either bronze or brushed nickel finish, and the 54” blades have a black matte finish made out of hard plastic. This fan was is very highly regarded, with only a few customers complaining about having difficulty with installation or missing or defective parts.

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2. Casa Vieja Turbina 60“ Oil-Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan

If your style is the industrial look, you’ll love the Casa Vieja Turbina! It has a lovely oil-bronzed finish, a 60” inch blade span and both the fan body and blades are made out of metal. This fan has a 6” down rod and is perfect for high ceilings.

Key Points at a Glance

• Features a 22-degree blade pitch for maximum air movement
• Attractive industrial look with oil-rubbed bronze finish
• Requires 10’ ceilings
• UL listed for outdoor use
• Has several different lighting attachment options
• Includes remote control
• 60” blade span and 6” down rod

Dimensions

Product dimensions28” x 10.4” x 8.9”

Weight23.4 Lbs.

Size60”

The 60“ Casa Vieja Turbina Oil-Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan features an attractive industrial design that will nicely compliment your outdoor décor. If you want to move air, this fan will do the job with three speeds (high is reportedly quite loud) and a full 60” blade span. This is one big fan! The oil-rubbed bronze finish is closer to brown than black, and it would look great in an industrial setting. The downside to this fan is that you must have high ceilings (at least 10 feet) for safe operation. If the ceiling height isn’t an issue, the Viejais a great value, well made and very functional.

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3. Honeywell Palm Island 52-Inch Tropical Ceiling Fan

This is a great design if you’re going for that tropical beach feel. It features a bronze finish and palm-shaped blades that would be an attractive addition to your outdoor space (assuming you’re not in a warehouse in Brooklyn). This fan features three mounting options and four speeds.

Key Points at a Glance

• Features a ETL dampness rating of five
• Attractive design with bronze finish and five palm shaped blades
• 52” blade span and thee mounting options
• Reversible motor is whisper quiet has four speeds
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Easy installation

Dimensions

Product Dimensions12.3” x 13.3” x 23.7”

Weight19 Lbs.

Size52”

The Honeywell Palm Island 52-Inch Tropical Ceiling Fan takes you away to that tropical island in your own backyard! This fan features five palm-leaf shaped, oil-rubbed bronze shaded blades that are so quiet you hardly know it’s on. The base is made of metal and the blades are a hard plastic, which is a good choice for an outdoor fan. This fan does not come with a remote control, but a universal remote can be purchased separately that will work with this fan. It has three mounting options: standard, angled and close and features four speeds.

If you don’t want to purchase a remote control or want to wait to purchase, the Palm Island has a pull chain to control the speeds and to turn it on and off. It does not come with a light, nor does it seem to be an option to add a light kit. Many have found that despite the large size of this van, it doesn’t adequately move the air.

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4. Hunter 59264 Contemporary Cassius Ceiling Fan, 52“

This 52” ceiling fan is sure to complement your décor with its black matte finish and modern design (we love it with the porch swing shown below!). This fan would make an attractive addition to any outdoor room, keeping you cool during those long summer days for a price that will make you smile!

Key Points at a Glance

• Features Whisper Wind motor for super quiet operation
• Includes both 5” and 3” down rods to adapt to your particular ceiling height
• Has three different mounting angles to accommodate any ceiling structure
• Features an ETL dampness rating for outdoor use
• Three 52” blades are reversable—either black matte finish or light grey
• Blades have a 13-degree pitch for better air movement
• Easy installation
• Limited lifetime warranty on motor

Dimensions

Dimensions52" x 52" x 15"

Down Rod Lengths5" and 3" included

Size52"

The Hunter Fan Company 59264 Contemporary Cassius Matte Black Ceiling Fan is sure to be a hit with its modern design, durability, and functionality. It also has a great price, making it our budget pick out of the fans reviewed here. Hunter has been making quality products for over 100 years so it’s a name you can trust. This fan features a reversible motor as well as reversible blades (one side is a black matte finish and the other light grey) to complement your individual taste. It is lightweight and whisper-quiet, keeping you cool without an annoying rattle. It also features three different mounting angles—standard, low or angled to accommodate different ceiling heights and pitches. The Hunter Cassius fan is very highly regarded among owners, with the biggest issues reported being missing parts in the box. If you find that you’re missing anything, reach out to Hunter immediately, and they’ll send you the parts you need to complete your installation Once done, the Cassius will cool you down for a long time! For added peace of mind, there is a lifetime warranty on the motor.

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Conclusion: Outdoor Ceiling-Mounted Fan

All of the fans reviewed here would be fine options, but there were two that we felt stood out from the crowd. The first was our top pick, the GE Morgan 54“ Bronze LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan featuring an integrated LED light and mountable remote control. Following that was our best budget pick, the Hunter Fan Company 59264 Contemporary Cassius Matte Black Ceiling Fan, and attractive and functional ceiling fan at an affordable price. With your beautiful new outdoor ceiling fan, you can stay cool and be the talk of the neighborhood this summer!

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