Are you searching for a top-notch ceiling fan that is perfect for a garage? In this guide, we'll cover...
- Our #1 pick for the best ceiling fan for a garage
- Why damp-rated ceiling fans are essential
- How to install the ceiling fan
- And more...
When I inspect homes, safety is always my #1 concern, and garages present a problem for the typical ceiling fan.
If the garage is used at all, it means the garage door is sometimes left open which exposes the inside to moist air. Moisture and salt will corrode metal and most ceiling fans aren't up to snuff.
That's why all of the ceiling fans in my shortlist are rated against moisture and can handle the garage environment. Check out the best garage ceiling fans below!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall With Light  | Best Overall With Light | Hunter Dempsey 44″ LED Lighting
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| View on Amazon |
Best For Large Garage  | Best For Large Garage | Casa Vieja Turbina 3-Blade 60″
|
| View on Amazon |
Best With Low Profile  | Best With Low Profile | Honeywell Duval With Palm Leaf Blades
|
| View on Amazon |
Best For Small Garage  | Best For Small Garage | Casa Vieja Big Sky 18″ With Cage Head
|
| View on Amazon |
Best With Light And Remote  | Best With Light And Remote | Reiga 65″ Smart Ceiling Fan Dimmable LED
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| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
- Damp-rated for garages
- Dimmable LED light bulb
- Remote control for light/fan
- Low profile housing to maximize garage space
Our top pick for the best ceiling fan for garages with light goes to the Dempsey by Hunter because it includes a dimmable LED light bulb. It also comes with a universal remote that controls the light and 3 fan speeds. This ceiling fan is also perfect for garages since it can be installed low profile to maximize ceiling height.
Top 5 Best Garage Ceiling Fans
Short on time? Check out our shortlist of the top ceiling fans for garages or keep on reading for our buyer's guide.
- Hunter Dempsey 44" LED Lighting (Best Overall Garage Ceiling Fan With Light)
- Casa Vieja Turbina 3-Blade 60" (Best Ceiling Fan For Large Garage)
- Honeywell Duval With Palm Leaf Blades (Best Low Profile Ceiling Fan For Garage)
- Casa Vieja Big Sky 18" With Cage Head (Best Small Garage Ceiling Fan)
- Reiga 65" Smart Ceiling Fan Dimmable LED (Best Ceiling Fan With Light And Remote)
What Is A Ceiling Fan For Garages?
A ceiling fan for a garage is one that can handle the moisture and temperature fluctuations from the exterior.
Since garage doors are opened or closed at will, the ceiling fan needs to at least be damp-rated in order to avoid damage or breakdowns. Damp-rated ceiling fans can handle indirect moisture from the exterior but cannot handle direct rain or snow.
The highest ceiling fan rating is wet-rated which means the ceiling fan can be rained on without damage.
Read Also >> What Are The Best Low Profile Ceiling Fans With Lights?
How To Pick The Best Ceiling Fan For A Garage?
1. Verify It's Damp Rated
If the ceiling fan is installed in a garage, most likely it will be exposed to moisture at some point.
Garage ceiling fans should be at minimum damp-rated which means it can handle moisture in the air. The highest rating for a ceiling fan is wet-rated which is for outdoor ceiling fans. These ceiling fans can handle direct rain or moisture.
2. Low Profile
It's essential to measure the ceiling height of the garage and compare it to the ceiling fan depth.
It can be a safety hazard to install a ceiling fan that is hanging too low from the garage ceiling. Some fans can be installed hugger or closemount style which means there isn't a downrod (or it's just a few inches) so it provides a lot more headroom than typical ceiling fans.
3. CFM
Ceiling fan strength is based on CFM or cubic feet per minute of air movement. This basically means the amount of air the ceiling fan can move in 1 minute. The greater the CFM, the more powerful the ceiling fan.
It is essential to not just look at span or diameter but also the CFM in order to compare apples to apples.
Read Also >> How To Balance A Ceiling Fan?
How To Install A Ceiling Fan In The Garage?
Here are some of the basic steps of installing a garage ceiling fan. Please read the manufacturer manual prior installation.
- Check Dimensions And Pick Location: It's important to verify that there is enough side clearance from the ceiling fan blades to the wall and other objects. The ceiling fan also needs enough room from the floor for safety.
- Turn Off Power: Before installing anything, make sure the power is disconnected at the panel box. Verify power is off with a non-contact voltage tester.
- Install Ceiling Fan Rated Box: The ceiling fan needs a properly rated electrical box that can handle the weight and vibrations of the ceiling fan model.
- Install Ceiling Fan Bracket: The bracket is the circular hub that is attached to the electrical box with screws. The ceiling fan motor and blades will attach to the bracket.
- Connect Motor Housing To Top Housing & Trim: The ceiling fan canopy may need to be fastened to a top housing or trim depending on the model. The wiring will need to be pulled through the top housing.
- Install The Canopy: Line up the canopy with the slots on the ceiling fan bracket.
- Wire The Fan: Using wire nuts or preferably quick connects, connect black to black, white to white, and green to green (grounding). Don't forget to connect the receiver wire which is typically blue to blue.
- Install The Fan Blades: Align each fan blade up with the canopy and use the provided screws and washers to fasten them.
Read Also >> What Are The Best Industrial Ceiling Fans?
Our Reviews of the Best Garage Ceiling Fans
Pick #1: Hunter Dempsey 44" LED Lighting
Best Overall Garage Ceiling Fan With Light
Our top overall pick for the best garage ceiling fan with light goes to the Dempsey by Hunter.
This damp-rated ceiling fan with light is great for the average house garage since it is resistant to exterior moisture. It comes with a dimmable LED light bulb to help illuminate the dark corners of your garage.
The width of the ceiling fan is 44-inches and it sits only 12-inches from the ceiling to maximize the space in the garage considered low profile.
This Hunter ceiling fan comes with 3 fan speeds and a remote for effective fan control.
CFM: 2,567 | Room Size: Up to 100-sf | Diameter: 44-inches | Remote: Included
Pick #2: Casa Vieja Turbina 3-Blade 60"
Best Ceiling Fan For Large Garage
Our favorite pick for a ceiling fan installed in a large garage goes to the Turbina by Casa Vieja.
This 60-inch ceiling fan is perfect for large garages and it is damp-rated so it can handle indirect moisture from the outside.
This 3-blade ceiling fan has 6 speed settings and a remote control for a high level of fan control.
This 3-blade has an industrial vibe which is perfect for garages. The blades are metal and painted matte black.
The manufacturer requires this ceiling fan be installed at least 10-feet off the floor due to the metal blades.
CFM: 5,627 | Room Size: Up to 400-sf | Diameter: 60-inches | Remote: Included
Pick #3: Honeywell Duval With Palm Leaf Blades
Best Low Profile Ceiling Fan For Garage
Our top selection for a low profile ceiling fan perfect for garages goes to the Duval by Honeywell.
This 52-inch Honeywell ceiling fan has the option to install it closemount so that there isn't a downrod (and it sits very close to the ceiling) making it very low profile.
We think the Duval is quite stylish with it's tropical palm style ceiling fan blades.
It is damp-rated which makes it wonderful for garages that get exposed to moist air. The blades themselves are even wet-rated. This ceiling fan is controlled with a pull chain and a remote isn't included. Homeowners can buy a universal remote control if they wish.
CFM: 5,022 | Room Size: Up to 324-sf | Diameter: 52-inches | Remote: Not Included
Pick #4: Casa Vieja Big Sky 18" With Cage Head
Best Small Garage Ceiling Fan
Our top choice for small garages goes to the Big Sky by Casa Vieja.
This damp-rated ceiling fan has an adjustable head that is manually moved up or down making it great for small spaces.
The ceiling fan diameter is only 18-inches and the cage is adjustable up or down for ideal placement.
The Big Sky comes with a bronze finish giving it a really nice look. This ceiling fan comes with a wall switch (no remote) but a universal remote can be purchased separately.
CFM: 1,409 | Room Size: Up to 75-sf | Diameter: 18" | Remote: Not Included
Pick #5: Reiga 65" Smart Ceiling Fan Dimmable LED
Best Ceiling Fan With Light And Remote
The Reiga smart ceiling fan is our top pick for the best ceiling fan that comes with a remote and LED light.
The LED is dimmable and the temperature or color can be easily changed with the handheld remote.
This ceiling fan can be controlled with the remote, phone app, or using voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The diameter is 65-inches and it comes with a 6" and 10" sized downrod so you can install it closer to the garage ceiling if you wish. There are 6 fan speeds with the Reiga ceiling fan and the motor is very quiet with a DC motor.
CFM: 4,857 | Room Size: Up to 400-sf | Diameter: 65" | Remote: Included
Our Top Pick: Hunter Dempsey 44" LED Lighting
Our overall top pick for the overall best garage ceiling fan goes to the Hunter Dempsey. Here's why...
1. Damp-Rated
The Dempsey is damp-rated against moisture which is a certainty when dealing with a garage. Homeowners can't install an average indoor fan and not expect corrosion when placed in a garage.
2. Low Profile
The ceiling fan has a 44" diameter and it sits only 12-inches from the ceiling. This low profile ceiling fan is great for garages so you can maximize space for cars and other equipment.
3. Dimmable LED Light
This Hunter ceiling fan comes with a dimmable LED light bulb that can be dimmed or turned on/off with the included remote control.
Read Also >> Why Does My Ceiling Fan Hum?