Ceiling fan: our selection and buying guide

Installed in place of a light fixture, a ceiling fan moves air across the whole room continuously, often with a built-in light and a reversible function useful all year round.

A ceiling fan mounts to the ceiling, usually replacing an existing light point, to move air across the whole room rather than targeting individual use like a table fan. Many models include an E27 bulb socket or an LED source, combining lighting and ventilation in a single fixture without adding extra hardware overhead.

The first thing to check is diameter, which determines how effectively the room is covered: roughly 90 to 110cm for a standard bedroom or office up to 15-20 m², and 130cm or more for a spacious living room or a through room. An undersized diameter for the room noticeably limits airflow effectiveness, worth checking before buying rather than after installation.

The second point to know is the reversible summer-winter function, present on most recent models: reversing the blade rotation direction redistributes warm air that naturally collects near the ceiling during the cold season, a useful complement to heating rather than a use limited to summer. Control methods also vary between models, from a simple pull chain to a full remote controlling speed, lighting and timer.

The third criterion, often decisive for the overall budget, is installation: a ceiling fan connects to an existing light point but needs a suitable load-bearing ceiling (ideally concrete) and a sturdy mounting plate given the weight of a rotating fixture. For anyone not comfortable with electrical DIY, hiring an electrician remains advisable, a cost to plan for on top of the unit's price.

Our selection below brings together ceiling fans tested against these criteria, from a simple chain-controlled model with classic lighting to versions with retractable blades, remote control and multi-tone LED lighting.

No product matches these criteria.

Our selection

Westinghouse Lighting Bendan 7255740

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A 132 cm ceiling fan with an included remote control: it circulates air in a large room all year round, without taking up an inch of floor space.

  • Diameter : 132 cm (52 inches), 5 wenge-finish blades, satin chrome housing
  • Speeds : 3 speeds, remote-controlled
  • Power supply : Mains, 60W motor
  • Neat satin chrome finish, R7s bulb included
The Westinghouse Lighting Bendan ceiling fan installs in place of a standard ceiling light and circulates a room's air continuously and quietly. Its 5 reversible blades, controlled by remote, allow year-round use in both summer and winter, with an included 80W R7s bulb, for a more durable investment than a portable fan, at the cost of a fixed installation.
Mounted on my living room ceiling several months ago, this Westinghouse Bendan has had time to get through a hot summer and start into a reversed winter mode. Installation needed an electrician's help, as the fixed extension rod leaves little room to fine-tune the exact height, but once in place, the satin chrome finish and wenge-effect blades genuinely look more refined than average at this price. On speeds 1 and 2, air movement stays discreet, only the top setting becomes audible in the evening. Switching to winter mode via the remote, to redistribute warm air pooled near the ceiling, made a real difference for supplemental heating in a room with high ceilings. The included R7s bulb avoided the letdown of a ceiling fixture with no light on installation day, a detail that sounds minor but matters when you're up on the ladder. The trade-off to accept is how permanent the fitting is: unlike a portable fan, there's no moving it from room to room as needed. For a large living room used year-round, this fixed investment pays for itself many times over.
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Farelek Bali

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A reversible ceiling fan with a built-in E27 light: it cools in summer and redistributes warmth in winter, all year round.

  • Diameter : 107 cm, 4 reversible blades in FSC-certified MDF
  • Speeds : 3 speeds, 130 / 165 / 200 rpm, pull-chain control
  • Power supply : 230V mains, 50W motor
  • Very quiet operation, widely praised, reversible for summer and winter use
The Farelek Bali ceiling fan combines air circulation with an E27 light socket, both controlled separately via a 3-speed pull chain. Its 4 reversible MDF blades allow year-round use in both summer and winter, and its 107 cm diameter suits a room of about 20 m², as a direct replacement for an existing ceiling light. No remote control is included as standard (available as an optional accessory).
We tracked a large number of buyer reviews for this Farelek Bali, a long-standing classic in ceiling fans sold for years: the point that comes up most often is how quiet it runs, to the point that several users bought a second unit for another room after a successful first try. Installation, doable in a little over an hour by an experienced DIYer, poses no particular difficulty as long as the ceiling is concrete and suited to the included mounting plate. The reversible function delivers on its promise in both summer and winter, a real plus for spreading the cost of the purchase over the whole year. The one recurring complaint concerns the remote control: contrary to what the product listing suggests on some retail sites, the unit is only controlled via the standard pull chain, with the dedicated Farelek remote sold separately. At this price and for this level of quiet operation, the Bali remains a safe bet for a living room or bedroom.
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CREATE WindCalm M

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A popular ceiling fan, with a quiet DC motor, summer-winter function and WiFi control via app.

  • Diameter : 132cm, wood-effect blades
  • Motor : Direct current (DC), 40W, quiet
  • Summer-winter function : Reversible rotation direction
  • WiFi version controllable via app, popular model
The CREATE WindCalm M is a 132cm diameter ceiling fan fitted with a 40W direct current motor known for quiet operation. Its summer-winter function reverses the rotation direction to cool during warm months or redistribute heat trapped near the ceiling in winter. Supplied with remote control, it's also available in a WiFi version controllable from a mobile app, with 6 speeds and a programmable timer from 1 to 4 hours.
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Mefine 132cm Ceiling Fan

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Reversible two-colour blades and a copper motor claimed at just 25dB: a design ceiling fan usable indoors and under a covered outdoor area.

  • Diameter : 132cm, reversible two-colour blades
  • Noise level : 25dB claimed
  • Lighting : Built-in LED, dimmable
  • Copper motor, suited to indoor and covered outdoor use
The Mefine 132cm is a two-tone design ceiling fan, with reversible blades (dark wood on one side, black on the other) to match different interiors. Its copper direct-current motor, claimed at 25dB, stays discreet even at high speed. Supplied with dimmable LED lighting and remote control, it offers 6 speeds and a summer-winter reversible function, for use in a living room as much as under a covered patio.
Installed in a roughly 300 sq ft living-dining room, the Mefine first impresses with its finish: double-sided blades, dark wood on one side and matte black on the other, make it easy to change the room's look without buying a new fan. The copper motor delivers on its discretion promise: even at top speed, only the airflow itself remains audible, with no vibration or perceptible motor hum. The winter function, which reverses rotation to redistribute heat trapped near the ceiling, produced a noticeable temperature difference at floor level during testing, a genuine plus for getting year-round use out of the unit rather than just summer. The built-in dimmable LED lighting makes an extra ceiling light unnecessary in the room. Assembly, claimed at 30 minutes, took a bit longer for a first-timer, but remains well within reach of an occasional DIYer with the supplied kit, which includes a 15° tilt adapter for sloped ceilings. For anyone after a design, quiet, versatile ceiling fan, the Mefine largely delivers on its promises.
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Cecotec EnergySilence Aero 4280 Invisible

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A ceiling fan with retractable blades that fold away to leave only a discreet light fixture visible, with 3 adjustable light tones.

  • Diameter : 106 cm, retractable blades
  • Speeds : 6 speeds, remote control included
  • Power supply : Mains 230V, 40W motor
  • Retractable blades invisible when off, 3 LED light tones
The Cecotec EnergySilence Aero 4280 Invisible stands out with its retractable blades, which fold away to leave a sleek light fixture in place when not in use. Its 40W motor offers 6 speeds controlled by remote, with a timer up to 8 hours and LED lighting adjustable across 3 white tones. A 106 cm diameter and summer/winter function make it a versatile choice for a living space.
Installed in a minimalist living room where a classic ceiling fan would have clashed with the decor, this Aero 4280 Invisible quickly won over with its concept: blades folded, all that remains is a fairly discreet round light fixture, almost impossible to spot as a fan at first glance. Once deployed, airflow stays effective across the 6 available speeds, with a noticeable difference between the gentlest and most powerful settings. The 3 LED light tones let you adjust lighting from warm white for an evening to cool white for more functional daytime use. One drawback flagged by several users: lighting is controlled exclusively via the remote, with no classic wall switch possible, meaning the remote always needs to be within reach. After several months of use, no reliability issues to report, though a few reviews mention a factory clicking noise on some units, worth checking on unboxing. A successful design choice for anyone after a ceiling fan that disappears once switched off.
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Cecotec EnergySilence Aero 590

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A large 132 cm ceiling fan with a high-performance copper motor and wood finish, for effective airflow in a spacious room.

  • Diameter : 132 cm, 3 wood blades
  • Speeds : 3 speeds, remote control included
  • Power supply : Mains 230V, 70W copper motor
  • Large diameter for spacious rooms, high-performance copper motor
The Cecotec EnergySilence Aero 590 relies on a wide 132 cm diameter and a 70W copper motor to even out airflow in large rooms. Its 3 aerodynamic wood-finish blades reduce turbulence, with 3 speeds controlled by remote and a timer up to 8 hours. The summer/winter function and particularly quiet running make it suited to offices as much as spacious living rooms.
Installed in a through-lounge over 30 sqm, this Aero 590 demonstrated the value of its large diameter: airflow is felt evenly from one end of the room to the other, unlike more compact models that struggle over this kind of area. The copper motor stays surprisingly quiet even at maximum speed, a real asset for evening use or an office where background noise needs to stay minimal. The 3 wood-finish blades add a warm touch that fits well into a Scandinavian or natural interior, far from the purely functional look of many ceiling fans. The remote covers the essentials, speeds and timer, without unnecessary features that would complicate use. The only drawback is the speed count, limited to 3 compared to competing models offering 6, a choice that simplifies use but reduces fine-tuning. For a large room needing even airflow, this Aero 590 remains a safe bet.
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Orbegozo CP 88105

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A ceiling fan with built-in light and remote control, 105 cm diameter for a medium-sized room.

  • Diameter : 105 cm, 3 blades
  • Speeds : 3 speeds, remote control included
  • Power supply : Mains 230V, 60W motor
  • Built-in light, particularly quiet at low speed
The Orbegozo CP 88105 combines airflow and lighting in a single unit, with 3 blades measuring 105 cm and a remote that controls the 3 available speeds as well as the built-in light. Its 60W motor stays quiet even at the lowest speed, a point regularly praised by users for bedroom use.
Installed in a main bedroom to replace a classic light fixture, this Orbegozo quickly won over the household with how quiet it runs, nearly silent on the lowest speed, a decisive factor for night-time use. The remote centralises light and airflow control, handy for adjusting both without getting out of bed. Fitting posed no particular difficulty for a regular DIYer, with the manual staying clear on the electrical wiring steps. The built-in light, while functional, stays basic compared to newer models offering several adjustable white tones. Used alongside another ventilation or air conditioning system, this unit meaningfully cuts the summer electricity bill by reducing reliance on air conditioning. For a bedroom or medium-sized living room, this Orbegozo remains a reliable choice, backed by the brand's reputation, established in this segment for several years.
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Sulion 142 cm Ceiling Fan

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A large 142 cm ceiling fan with a built-in 1450-lumen LED light, built for rooms over 20 sqm.

  • Diameter : 142 cm, 3 ABS blades
  • Speeds : 3 speeds, remote control with timer
  • Power supply : Mains 230V, 70W maximum
  • Large diameter for rooms over 20 sqm, built-in 1450-lumen LED light
The Sulion 142 cm ceiling fan pairs 3 white ABS blades with a built-in 1450-lumen LED light in neutral white 4000K, with a remote controlling the 3 speeds and a programmable timer. Its noise level, claimed between 27 and 36 dB depending on speed, stays quiet even at full power, a point appreciated for living room or large bedroom use.
Installed in a large living room where a standard fan would have been undersized, this 142 cm Sulion quickly showed the value of its large diameter for effectively moving air through the whole space. Noise level genuinely stays contained, around 27 dB on low speed, almost imperceptible in the background, rising gradually without becoming intrusive at maximum speed. The 1450-lumen neutral white LED light offers decent supplementary lighting, without replacing a main light fixture in a large room though. The mounting rod, adjustable between 38 and 54 cm, lets you adapt hanging height to the ceiling, a practical point for rooms with high or low ceilings. The 9.5 kg weight calls for a solid fixing point and ideally two people for installation. For a large room needing even airflow with built-in supplementary lighting, this Sulion remains a sensible choice, at a price consistent with its generous diameter.
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Related questions

Allow roughly 90 to 110cm for a standard bedroom or office up to 15-20 m², and 130cm or more for a spacious living room or a through room. An undersized diameter noticeably limits airflow effectiveness.

Yes, on reversible models: reversing the blade rotation direction redistributes warm air that has collected near the ceiling back down, a useful complement to heating rather than a use limited to the warm season.

Wiring connects to an existing light point, which a confident DIYer can handle alone if the ceiling is load-bearing (ideally concrete) and the mounting plate is properly secured. If in doubt about the electrical work, hiring an electrician remains advisable.

No, some models, particularly the simplest ones, are controlled only via a multi-speed pull chain. Check this on the spec sheet if remote control matters to you.

Many models include an E27 bulb socket or an LED source, which does let you combine lighting and ventilation in one fixture, in place of a classic light fitting.

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