Our Favorites: Top 7 Outdoor Ceiling Fans

The month of June is a great time to be thinking about how to keep your outdoor living area cool for the summer. What better way to do this than with a beautiful outdoor ceiling fan?

Picking outdoor ceiling fans should not only be about the way it looks, but rather mostly about the way it performs. After all, what good is a fan on the patio it doesn't help keep you cool?

In this article we will share with you our seven favorite exterior ceiling fans based both on styling and performance. Although we have hundreds to choose from, and our opinion may differ from yours, we hope this article puts you on the right track for easily deciding which one is best for you.

#7: Modern Forms Windflower

The Windflower ceiling fan by Modern Forms it Is available in three finishes, as well as two blade spans; 80 inches and 60 inches.

Its 12 blade design is inspired by the Holland windmill and goes well in spaces from rustic to modern.

The Windflower comes approved rated for outdoor wet locations, so it can be used in any area you would like. The fan moves 8,840 CFM of airflow in the 60 inch version and 10,233 CFM of airflow in the 80 inch version; making this fan not only beautiful to look at, but also very functional for serving its purpose.

The Windflower ceiling fan comes included with an LED light fixture, and an optional cover plate if you prefer your ceiling fan not to have a light.

With all of that, still one of the best features of the Windflower is it included WiFi smart control system. You can use the included wall control for basic operation, or download the Modern Forms app to your smart phone for more features; including but not limited to a self learning schedule so this fan only operates when you need it most. This allows for extreme energy savings.

#6: TroposAir St. Augustine

The St. Augustine is a 59 inch damp rated outdoor ceiling fan by TroposAir. This fan is available in 3 finishes, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Galvanized, and Driftwood.

It utilizes 5 uniquely contoured blades that give this fan a slight feel of nature, why keeping a clean and classy look.

The St. Augustine is one of the best bangs for the buck of any outdoor ceiling fan. TroposAir has packed in a high quality build with a good performing energy efficient DC motor, full-function remote control, and even included a seeded glass light fixture; all at a very attainable price point.

We love everything about the TroposAir St. Augustine ceiling fan and we think you will too.

#5: Gulf Coast Coastal Air

When Gulf Coast fan company decided to name this 52” outdoor ceiling fan Coastal Air, they weren’t kidding about the “Air” part! Until this air moving monster was designed, a 52 inch fan that packs nearly a 9,000 cubic feet per minute airflow punch was unheard of. To the best of our knowledge it still is.

There are several versions of the Coastal Air available. This is possible because Gulf Coast packages the motor and the blades separately to allow the purchaser to mix-and-match motor finishes with different blade finishes, and even different blade designs. We show the fan online with subtle oar shaped blades, carved bamboo wood blades, and even leaf designed blades that are hand crafted of treated solid furniture grade wood. There are many more, so just call us and we can tell you about them all.

Besides the various blade options and the super high performing DC motor that provides incredible airflow, one thing about the Coastal Air goes undetected. The motor housing is made of a completely corrosion proof material, making it one of the best choices for salt water environments.

If you are looking for a 52” ceiling fan to keep your exterior living area as cool as possible, you need look no further than the Coastal Air by Gulf Coast.

#4: Modern Forms Zephyr

Modern Forms designed the Zephyr to be very effective for air movement. Instead of the traditional ceiling fan airflow pattern of moving air only directly below the fan and waiting for that movement to hit other objects to speed, the Zephyr was designed to move airflow starting at the blades in a cone pattern into the below living area. This allows this ceiling fan to be able to cool an entire living area more effectively. The blade design also reduces wind noise to virtually zero, making this probably the quietest running fan you could ever buy.

Not only is the blade design very functional, but the blades are extraordinarily stylish too. They are the focal point of this gorgeous modern fan design.

Available in 3 finish choices, all available in 52 inch or 62 inch blade spans, the Zephyr is a wet rated outdoor ceiling fan that will bring any living space of your home up-to-date in both style and function.

Like all Modern Forms ceiling fans, the Zephyr is WiFi enabled to connect with virtually any of the smart devices you may already have at your home. Tell Alexa to turn the fan on and she gladly does it as asked.

#3: Gulf Coast Nautical Raindance

The Gulf Coast Nautical Raindance is the perfect choice for beach and lake homes alike, and really any home where a unique ceiling fan design is desired.

The wide canvas sail blades are available in 5 different color choices. They are much wider than most fan blades and pitched on a very steep angle. This helps to slow the RPMs down from standard flat blades found on other series of the Raindance models. The wide blade surface also helps to reduce the sound of wind created by the air movement.

One warning; because the blades swoop upward, becoming much closer to the ceiling than standard fan blades, the nautical version performs much better on a 9’ or above ceiling, where there is room in install it on at least a 12” downrod extension.

This is one awesome fan that works well indoor or out, and it will get lots of attention from its stunning good looks. Because it has 20 available blade/motor finish choices, you are sure to find a combination to match your décor.

#2: TroposAir Vogue and Vogue Plus

The Vogue is a 60 inch 3-blade outdoor ceiling fan by TroposAir. The special contoured blade design, along with a high-performance DC motor allow this model to move a massive amount of airflow. 9845 ft.³ per minute to be exact, with an impressive 252 CFM per watt airflow efficiency rating.

The Vogue ceiling fan is available in three finishes, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, and pure white.

The Vogue Plus model is the same ceiling fan as the Vogue, but with the addition of an integrated LED light source. The same finish options are also available on the Vogue Plus.

Both versions are Energy Star Rated and come with a full function 6-speed remote control.

This is the perfect outdoor ceiling fan for anyone looking for a contemporary 3-blade design, with the most airflow possible from a 60 inch ceiling fan. Either Vogue ceiling fan is magnificent choice to keep an outdoor living space comfortable on hot days.

#1: TroposAir Liberator

It is a no-brainer to rate the Liberator ceiling fan by TroposAir as the best outdoor ceiling fan for anyone's needs; especially if looking to keep outdoor living spaces at the most comfortable living conditions possible when summer heat arrives. There is no other residential or commercial ceiling fan in the available sizes that moves this much airflow.

The TroposAir Liberator is available in a 72 inch, an 82 inch, and a 96 inch blade span. All using the same powerful DC ceiling fan motor; the most powerful of its type in the industry.

The 72” model moves 14,300 CFM or airflow; the 82” model moves 15,754 CFM of airflow; and the 96” version moves an incredible 16,900 CFM of airflow. Unlike most large ceiling fans, the Liberator also maintains a good amount of windspeed with its high cubic feet per minute ratings. This taps into the best of both worlds for cooling capabilities.

All three sizes of this perfect outdoor ceiling fan are available in 3 finish choices. They are Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and a popular but allusive finish not usually available on oversized fans of this type, Pure White.

The Liberator is sold in the category of “ceiling fans without lights”, but there is an optional and integrated LED light fixture available for this model.

Whichever finish you purchase your Liberator ceiling fan in; whether you purchase it with or without the LED light; you will not be disappointed in your decision. If seeking a clean industrial styled ceiling fan, that will be the most functional for keeping an exterior living space more comfortable, on the hottest of summer days, this is the go to choice.

In Conclusion

At Modern Fan Outlet we have over 650 outdoor ceiling fans to choose from. This list only highlights seven ceiling fans that we like best for exterior use. We understand that these seven options may not be the right choice for everyone’s taste or budget.

There are many other great options available such as the TroposAir Tornado, the Modern Forms Roboto, the Minka Aire Windmolen and their Simple ceiling fan models, along with many great fans from Casablanca, Hunter, and Craftmade fan companies.

We invite you to take time to shop our website and find the perfect ceiling fan for outdoor use that is personalized for your need. If you want to fast track your search, please give us a call for assistance finding the perfect one. Our customer service reps will be glad to assist you, and they will never pressure you to purchase something that is not right for you. Our motto is if you don’t love it, we don’t want you to buy it… period.