Best Ceiling Fans For High Ceilings – 2022 Guide

| Last Updated: December 22, 2021

Buildings with tall walls and high roofs draw the attention of many, delivering an air of elegance and space. The challenge is finding the best ceiling fans for high ceilings to warm and cool the air during the summer and winter seasons.

We’re going to give you a detailed analysis of our top picks, show you how to choose the right one for you, and answer a few vital questions.

Comparison of the Best Ceiling Fans For High Ceilings

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Attractive and downward facing ceiling (prevents bugs)
  • Offers a standard, sloped, and downrod ceiling position
  • Highlighted by an energy-efficient noiseless performance
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  • You can choose between five different speeds
  • Comes in form of a 56 inch ceiling for large rooms
  • Featuring brushed nickel steel blades
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  • Best for the Money
  • Featuring a reversible motor for enhanced air circulation
  • Highlighted by an oil rubbed bronze contemporary finish
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  • Best Large Ceiling Fan For High Ceilings
  • Smart sync supporting Google Home and Alexa
  • LED lighting with a beam angle of 120 degrees
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  • Best Ceiling Fan With Lights For High Ceilings
  • Installed at a downrod or angled position
  • Coming with heavy-duty ABS blades
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What Makes a Ceiling Fan Great for High Ceilings?

If you’re wondering why a ceiling fan is an excellent choice for high ceilings, here are a few factors for you to consider. 

Efficiency

Air-conditioning units consume loads of energy in massive buildings. Furthermore, they don’t usually assist with the air hovering above in high ceilings. Ceiling fans use less wattage while delivering a powerful airflow, giving you the best efficiency when it comes to cubic feet per minute per watt (CFM/W).

Area Coverage

The higher the CFM, the greater the area that the ceiling fan covers. This aspect is especially significant if you have tall walls with a massive space between them. Instead of installing numerous aircons to cool the room down, you may be better off with one or two well-placed ceiling fans.

Photo credit:  edge.curalate.com

Building Regulations

If you want to ensure that you abide by the construction regulations, your ceiling fan must be at least 7 feet from the floor. However, you don’t want it so high that you can’t feel the airflow. Fortunately, most units have a downrod for you to set it at the correct level.

Aesthetics

Besides providing warm and cold air, there are beautiful ceiling fans that give your inner roof area a great appearance. With the right accessories, it can also light up your life.

Review of the Best Ceiling Fans For High Ceilings

Now that you understand a few concepts of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings, let’s look at our top selections.

Best Overall

Honeywell Ceiling Fans 50614-01

Honeywell Ceiling Fans Carnegie, 52 Inch Industrial Style Indoor LED Ceiling Fan with Light, Remote Control, Dual Mounting Options, 5 Dual Finish Blades, Reversible Airflow - 50614-01 (Matte Black)

Specifications

Dimensions: 23.07 x 14.8 x 9.29 inches

Special Features: With Remote and Reversible

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What Recent Buyers Report

Customers didn’t only buy this product for high ceilings, but for standard ones, too. There was some confusion regarding where to place the remote receiver, and a few clients sent the item back due to the challenging blade installation. In most cases, buyers were pleased with the appearance, performance, and lighting.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Several features make this unit stand out as one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings. It has a rustic look with dual-finish pine and chestnut blades. The black alloy-steel cage complements the LED bulbs, fashioned in the style of classic Edison lights.

You’ll receive a 4” downrod with a 54” lead wire if you decide to buy a more extended bar. You can also mount the unit flush with the ceiling or at an angle. There are three reversible speeds, keeping you warm and cool throughout the year.

Bottom Line

This Honeywell product is one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings on the market. Despite the potentially problematic installation, it delivers excellent performance with a fantastic appearance. We also enjoyed the various mounting methods that make this unit versatile.

Pros

Edison- style LED bulbs

Three-speed reversible motor

Includes 4” downrod and remote control

Options for dropped, flush, or angled mounting

Alloy-steel housing and motor with dual-finish wood blades

Cons

Challenging to install

No light dimmer function

Runner-up

Westinghouse Lighting 7861400

Westinghouse Lighting Westinghouse 7861400 Industrial 56-Inch Three Indoor Ceiling Fan, Brushed Nickel Steel Blades

Specifications

Dimensions: 25.35 x 8.5 x 8.7 inches

Special Features: N/A

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What Recent Buyers Report

Reviews indicate that customers loved the airflow produced and the length motor warranty. The instructions mention that a minimum ceiling height of 10 feet is required, but a few buyers cut the downrod down to size to make allowances for lower ceilings. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We love this item’s industrial look and feel it will work well in factories, warehouses, and even restaurants with a similar theme. Since it has a warning label of a minimum height of 10 feet, it suitably fits in our selection as one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings. While this version offers a brush-nickel finish, you can also order the Westinghouse Lighting 7812700 for the same performance in white.

Another feature enjoyed is that you can order a pack of two ceiling fans. There’s a lengthy 12” downrod with a 78” lead wire if you need to extend it for a higher structure. While the remote box is bulky, it has ten slots for the five reversible speeds.

Bottom Line

If you own an establishment where the industrial look is king, this is the perfect option for you. There are few accessories, and you’ll hear a helicopter hum in the air, but there’s undeniably powerful airflow generation.

Pros

12” downrod with 78” lead wire

Brushed-nickel finish with a white alternative

5,370 CFM airflow with 78 CFM/W efficiency

Five reversible speeds with 10-switch control box

15-year motor warranty with two years on other parts

Cons

Bulky remote box

Motor hums at high speed

Best for the Money

Prominence Home 80093-01

Prominence Home 80093-01 Ashby Ceiling Fan with Remote Control and Dimmable Integrated LED Light Frosted Fixture, 52' Contemporary Indoor, 5 Blades, Espresso Bronze

Specifications

Dimensions: 24.5 x 11.8 x 10.3 inches

Special Features: With Remote, Reversible and Programmable

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What Recent Buyers Report

Most customers expressed satisfaction with the installation, performance, and dimmer setting. The downrod makes it suitable for high ceilings, but there were one or two complaints about a minor hum from the motor.  One user even successfully installed it in a large motorhome, which was incredibly amusing.

Why it Stands Out to Us

If you have a lodge or cabin in the woods that needs one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings, this unit’s bronze and timber finishes are an excellent match. You’ll enjoy the bright light that you can dim down to any required level. There are also three reversible speeds to play with during the summer and winter months.

Fortunately, there’s remote control functionality so that you don’t have to reach the ceiling fan every time. The downrod isn’t as long as the Westinghouse Lighting 7861400, but the length will work for any high ceilings. You can also mount it flush or at an angle.

Bottom Line

The wood blades and steel housing invites you to install this ceiling fan in buildings with timber floors, furnishings, or other structural components. You’ll need to keep it in a location with low humidity, as it doesn’t cope well with moisture in the air for extended periods.

Pros

Includes 4” downrod

Remote control functionality

Five blades with three reversible speeds

Dimmable LED lights delivering 800 lumens

Oil-rubbed bronze housing finish with wood blades

Cons

Slight hum from the motor

Only for dry-rated areas with low to no humidity

Best Large Ceiling Fan for High Ceilings

Honeywell 51036 Kaliza

Honeywell Ceiling Fans Kaliza, 56 Inch Indoor Modern LED Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote Control, Dual Mounting Options, 6 Blades with Dual Finish, Reversible Motor - 51036-01 - (Bronze)

Specifications

Dimensions: 12.89 x 52 x 12.89 inches

Special Features: With Remote, Reversible and Programmable

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What Recent Buyers Report

Many customers bought this ceiling fan for its housing finish and large size. The performance was excellent, as well as the design. However, there was some frustration that the seller indicates a size of 56” when it’s actually 52”. Installing the unit on a sloped ceiling appears to be difficult to manage.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Several features are worth praising this item as one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings. For instance, we’re in love with the expresso housing finish and light oak blades. There’s also a bright light that emits 1,400 lumens, giving you the freedom to dim it down if needed.

While we prefer ceiling fans with four to five blades for optimal efficiency and balance, this six-blade design suits the overall appearance. If you have Alexa for Bond Home or Google Home, you can activate the settings with voice commands. Failing that, you can use the standard remote control.

Bottom Line

Besides the large fan size, there are so many features to enjoy with this product. Tell it to increase or decrease speed or lower the brightness, all with your voice. Of course, it has excellent airflow performance for any ceiling height.

Pros

52” size fan

Voice-activated remote control

Expresso and gunmetal housing finishes

Six timber blades with three reversible speeds

Dimmable light with 1,400 lumens and 3,000 K color temperature

Cons

Incorrect labels

Mounting on a sloped ceiling is challenging

Best Ceiling Fan With Lights for High Ceilings

Honeywell 50611 Phelix

Honeywell Ceiling Fans Phelix, 56 Inch Contemporary Indoor LED Ceiling Fan with Light, Pull Chain, Dual Mounting Options, Modern High Performance Blades, Reversible Motor - 50611-01 (Brushed Nickel)

Specifications

Dimensions: 28.66 x 8.82 x 10.47 inches

Special Features: Reversible

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What Recent Buyers Report

Reviewers indicated how well the three spotlights work, even with high ceilings. There was disappointment at the product doesn’t include a remote control and that you need to buy one separately. On the plus side, the fan delivers powerful airflow.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This ceiling fan has a sleek design that promises to cut through the air for efficient airflow silently. The black ABS blades beautifully contrast with the brushed-nickel housing, giving you the perfect opportunity to match it with most indoor themes. While the lumens are lower than some of the other products we listed, the spotlights do a fantastic job of lighting up any area.

The pull-chain functionality may not be ideal for high ceilings, but Honeywell does offer a remote control you can purchase. There’s symmetry with the three blades and three reversible speeds, almost placing the idea in your mind that you should buy three of these units for your abode. Perhaps that’s why so many reviews mentioned that a few buyers did indeed do so.

Bottom Line

There’s no doubt that we favor this Honeywell model for its lighting options. The design is attractive, and you’ll love how the sleek blade mixes with the contrasting colors. Of course, it helps that the ceiling fan produces sufficient airflow from most heights.

Pros

Three LED spotlights

Three reversible speeds

4” downrod or sloped-ceiling mounting

Brushed-nickel housing with black ABS blades

Lights produce 350 lumens with 2,700 K color temperature

Cons

Pull-chain control

Remote sold separately

What is a Downrod and Why is it Important?

A downrod is a long bar that helps you extend the fan from the ceiling at a specific length. You can set the level by extracting or shortening the length. In some cases, you may need an extension kit if the provided downrod isn’t long enough.

Photo credit: delmarfans.com

The reason you need one is to find the balance between complying with building regulations and achieving optimal airflow. If you have an exceptionally high ceiling, using a low-profile or hugger unit won’t produce any welcoming results. You can also set it at the correct height for the best warming, cooling, or all-year use.

Can You Really Find a Quality High Ceiling Fan That’s Affordable?

If you’re worried that ‘cheap’ means low quality, we’d like you to consider changing your mindset. You can find an affordable product that’s still one of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings. As long as you receive sufficient power and efficiency, and the parts aren’t defective, you’re good to go.

You need to keep in mind that there could be a good reason for the low price. The manufacturer might be holding a seasonal sale, or there’s new stock introduced on the market. Furthermore, the seller may drop the amount due to low sales based on the average market rate.

What to Look For When Buying a High Ceiling Fan

When you’re looking for the best ceiling fans for high ceilings that money can buy, there are a few aspects you need to look at first.

Downrod and Lead Wire

There are two lengths that are significant for high ceiling fans. The first is the downrod that will determine how far from the ceiling you can drop the product. Secondly, check to see how long the lead wire is in case you need to buy a longer rod. 

Airflow

The CFM measurement indicates how much airflow the product can produce. For massive space volumes, you’ll want greater values. You should also assess how much wattage it consumes and calculate the airflow efficiency.

Photo credit: agoodlyhome.com

Enhanced Motor

When a small motor attempts to push through high airflow, it will generally make a loud noise or require frequent maintenance. An enhanced engine is more capable of handling performance from high ceilings, with silent running prolonged lifespan being the main benefits.

Fan Size

In the same fashion, a larger fan can comfortably cool or warm large spaces. It refers to bigger blade spans and numbers, housing units, and the overall fan size. 

Pros and Cons of Ceiling Fans for High Ceilings

Are you still struggling to decide if you need a ceiling fan for high ceilings? Maybe this list of pros and cons will assist you.

Pros

Here are some things you will enjoy:

Comfort

The number one benefit is that the unit circulates air and controls the room temperature, no matter how high the roof structure is. It has specific features and parts to help manage how warm or cold the space is that sets it apart from other ceiling fan types. It’s also more cost-effective than an air-conditioner.

Photo credit:  blog.polarshade.com

Beauty

If you select the best ceiling fan for your high ceiling, it can accentuate colors, trims, lighting, and shadows with its play on contrasts and textures. Slot in an alloy-metal housing and timber blades for that cabin look or install an industrial fan for your factory space. It’s all about elegance and beauty.

Ambient Light

Most high ceiling fans come with light kits or accessories. Some of them are the standard central light fixture, while others have unique LED spotlights. You can set the right mood with the correct choice. 

Con

With this type of fan comes one significant con:

Hard to Reach

Of course, the most evident disadvantage is that these units are hard to reach. Besides having the right downrod length, you’ll want a fan with remote control options rather than a pull-chain. The only times you should worry about reaching the item is for maintenance or cleaning.

Photo credit:  edge.curalate.com

High Ceiling Fan Installation

Installing any of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings isn’t an easy task. It’s more than a one-person job, especially if the ceiling is tough to reach. You should also consider hiring an electrician unless you have some rudimentary electrical skills already. 

Here are the basics for high ceiling fan installation so that you can gain an understanding of the concept:

  1. Switch off the power to any electrical wires or plugs in the room;

  2. Remove any existing light or fan fixtures, or make measurements for the location of the new ceiling unit;

  3. Install the mounting bracket or heavy-duty brace, depending on how much your ceiling fan weighs;

  4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the motor’s housing, unless it’s pre-built and ready or action;

  5. Connect downrod to the ceiling bracket and any remote receiver into the mounting bracket;

  6. Feed the electrical wires through the bracket and connect it to the motor. Remember to pay attention if additional connections are needed for lights or other accessories;

  7. Enclose the ceiling wiring with the canopy or cover;

  8. Assemble the fan blades and complete the housing installation;

  9. Install any light-kit or pull-chain accessories;

  10. Put the power back on and ensure that the fan runs smoothly.

How to Clean High Ceiling Fans

If you face the daunting task of cleaning any of the best ceiling fans for high ceilings we’ve mentioned, we’re here to guide you on the basics. The last thing you want to do is remove the unit every time you want to do a simple clean.

You can watch the overview in the video below or read through our brief steps.

  1. Make use of a nearby balcony or a ladder to reach the top of the blades with a high dust reacher on an extension pole;

  2. Ensure that you’re secure and can’t fall off your support;

  3. With soft sweeps, brush any dust or dirt off the top of the blades;

  4. You can gently turn the blades with the cleaning object to make it easier to clean the next one.

Conclusion

If you own a home or building with a high ceiling, a standard ceiling fan or air-conditioner won’t suffice. There are several factors and precautions to consider before buying and installing one. We hope that our article has guided you towards making the right decision.

Honeywell 51036 Kaliza

People Also Ask

Before you leave, you might want to read through some of the FAQs we receive from our readers regarding the best ceiling fans for high ceilings. If you have any other burning questions, please let us know, and we’ll answer as soon as possible.

How High Should a Ceiling Fan Be?

You don’t want it so high that you can’t feel the airflow effect. You’ll also need to find a balance between different levels for summer and winter. Most buyers set it at a specific height throughout the year, while others adjust it per season. It also depends on how large the room size is.

What is the Lowest Ceiling Height for a Ceiling Fan?

According to the current building regulations, ceiling fans should be at least seven feet from the floor. While we’ve seen some courageous buyers install ceilings fans in motorhomes, it’s not recommended for safety reasons.

When Should You Use a Ceiling Fan Downrod?

A downrod is best for high ceilings where you need to drop the fan to feel the unit’s airflow. You can also use it to showcase the product’s beauty or as a centerpiece in a massive overhead space.

How to Change a Light Bulb in a High Ceiling Fan

You have two options for reaching the light bulbs and exchanging them. You can use a tall step ladder or get one of those light bulb grabbers on an extension pole. Whichever method you use, remember to use rubber gloves and eye cover.

How to Fix a Ceiling Fan That Rattles When on High

First, you need to identify the source of the problem. A few things you can try include cleaning the blades, tightening screws, adjust the mounting bracket, check for warped blades, or ensure that your blades are evenly balanced. You should also lubricate the motor if you haven’t done so in a while. 



My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. I am currently retired and no longer do much with HVAC, however, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the subject and I wanted to create a website where I could talk about what I've learned and help upcoming HVAC techs. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101.