Finding quiet ceiling fans can be a challenge.
Most ceiling fans come with a powerful motor to create a strong breeze but that same motor can create too much noise.
So is there a way you can get a powerful breeze and no noise?
Of course, you can, all you need is a quiet ceiling fan.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at some of the quietest ceiling fans you can find on the market.
These units are based on real customer reviews, specs and technology.
However, keep in mind that these fans are an investment so take your time and choose a suitable option.
Quiet ceiling fans for bedroom and other rooms in your home
- Max CFM: 5,723
- Diameter: 52”
- Power Source: AC
The Sofucor Wood Ceiling Fan not only looks great but also functions very well.
This silent ceiling fan comes with 3 aerodynamic wooden blades which allow it to be almost silent even though it has an AC motor.
According to the manufacturer, the fan has a noise emission of 35dB which is as quiet as you can expect a ceiling fan to work.
Other factors that lend to the almost noiseless operation include the motor design and rubber mounting.
The fan is also equipped with an LED light with a frosted cover to soften the harsh lighting.
This makes it a great option for the bedroom since bright light can disrupt your sleep cycle.
You can choose to work the fan with or without the light.
The remote controller allows you to choose between the 3-speed options, reverse air direction and air volume to circulate as much air as you want.
This whisper-quiet ceiling fan for the bedroom is suitable for mid to large rooms and features an excellent build quality and quiet noise levels.
- Max CFM: 4,850
- Diameter: 52”
- Power Source: DC
If you’re looking for a premium ceiling fan, the SMAAIR ceiling fan is your best option.
Higher prices don’t always mean better quality but in this instance, it’s the truth.
This fan comes with a 10-speed DC motor for quiet operations.
These speed-setting options give you great control over the amount of air you want to circulate in the room.
The motor is also energy efficient and uses 75% less energy than a fan that uses an AC motor.
As far as controlling the unit goes, you can use the remote or your voice.
Yes, this fan is voice-activated so you don’t need to get up from your resting place if you want to turn the fan on, off or change settings.
Unfortunately, there is no dB rating for this unit but the flush mounting and large motor housing help to insulate noise well.
This fan also comes with an LED light that is dimmable so you can choose the lighting level that suits you best.
- Max CFM: 2,897
- Diameter: 42”
- Power Source: AC
The Westinghouse Ceiling fan is a great budget pick if you’re looking to save some money.
Despite being cheaper than most of the fans on this list, it is still quieter than a conventional fan.
This fan features a high-quality motor that delivers powerful air movement and quiet performance.
It is suitable for small rooms up to 100 square feet(10ft x 10ft).
With a diameter of 42”, it can circulate up to 290 cubic feet of air per minute which is more than enough for a small 10 ft x 10ft room.
Other features include an LED light with frosted opal glass for softening the light and a reverse function for summer or winter operation.
At high speed, the airflow is about 2,897 CFM with an energy usage of 53W without the lights.
Unfortunately, this unit does not come with a remote but you can purchase a controller separately from the manufacturer.
- Max CFM: 5,520
- Diameter: 52”
- Power Source: AC
This Honeywell ceiling fan is one of the best-looking fans on this list and includes both wood and metal.
It sits about 14 inches from the ceiling and has a diameter of 52 inches.
You can use it in mid to large rooms up to 18 ft x 18 ft since it comes with 3-speed settings for control over air circulation.
The max CFM is 5,520 and while it’s on the lower side, it circulates enough air to keep you cool.
The idea was to reduce airflow for a quieter operation.
That being said, the fan has a reversible motor which means you can circulate warm air in the winter.
This fan also comes with Edison bulb lights that you can control using the remote controller.
The bulbs that come with the unit aren’t dimmable so you’ll need to replace them if you want dimmable lights.
For control, the unit comes with a remote controller that controls both the fan and light.
- Max CFM: 5,614
- Diameter: 52”
- Power Source: DC
The reiga 52-inch ceiling fan comes with a DC motor that is capable of delivering powerful air movement.
It works great in any room from 100 square feet to 250 square feet.
This unit is energy efficient and comes with 2-way rotation.
This allows you to change the direction from downward airflow in the summer to upward airflow in the winter.
Operation is silent and with mute rotations, there are no vibrations even when circulating air at high speeds.
Other features include an LED light that can be dimmed.
The remote controller controls all operations.
You can use it to adjust the lighting, wind speed and timer.
The lighting selections provide 3 color settings; warm white, cool light and full light.
There are 6 wind speeds so you can choose how much air to circulate in the room.
You can set the timer to 1,3 or 6 hours and the fan automatically shuts down after the time has elapsed
What to look for in a quiet ceiling fan
Choosing a quiet ceiling fan can be a challenge.
Many manufacturers state that their units are the quietest and the strongest.
However, they may not be telling the whole truth.
So to ensure that you are getting a quiet and strong ceiling fan, here are a few things you should know and look for to get the best quiet ceiling fan.
Motor Type
Ceiling fans with strong air circulations have powerful motors.
Unfortunately, powerful motors are the noisiest.
When looking for a quiet ceiling fan that provides strong air circulation, you’ll need to take a look at the type of motors.
Oil Bath Motor
Oil Bath Motors is the first type of motor you may find in ceiling fans.
This is because it is a heavy-duty motor that uses less advanced technology than the rest.
For best performance, you need to do regular maintenance.
This includes performing an oil check every 1 to 5 years.
This type of motor is great if you want a quiet ceiling fan since the motor reduces swaying and vibrations.
Flywheel Motor
The Flywheel motor is commonly known as the AC motor.
AC stands for Alternating current in this instance.
This type of motor is one of the earliest high-performance motors used in ceiling fans.
AS the name suggests, the motor comes with flywheel discs that absorb shocks when the fan is in operation.
The internal setup makes for a quiet operation.
DC Motor
Direct Current motor or DC motor is a type of lightweight motor equipped with high torque power.
The higher the torque, the quieter the DC motor.
Higher torque power also allows the DC motor to create greater initial power with less energy consumption.
DC motors are far more advanced than the other types.
This is because they are able to control sounds better so the noise level of ceiling fans with DC motors is the quietest.
If quiet operation is your number one priority, choose a ceiling fan with a DC motor.
Motor size and quality
Motors come in different sizes so you need to pay attention to the size and quality of the motor in the ceiling fan.
If you’re worried that a motor is too heavy then you can opt for a lightweight option that works quieter.
However, a large and high-quality motor can be a good option if you’re looking for a fan that will not rattle or make clicking sounds.
Number of fan blades
It is said that the more blades a fan has, the less noise it produces.
This is because there’s better weight distribution and balance when the fan is spinning.
Generally, a fan with 5 blades is ideal.
However, this isn’t always the case because a fan with 3 solid blades will have better weight distribution than a cheap fan with 5 aluminum blades.
So while more blades are better, build quality also plays an important role.
Be sure to look for both.
Mounting options
Ceiling height is an important factor when looking for a ceiling fan.
You’ll find various ceiling fans on the market that suit different types of floor-to-ceiling heights.
Mounting the wrong type of ceiling fan can lead to more noise and poor air movement in the room.
Be sure to get the correct measurement of the ceiling height before looking for a ceiling fan.
Once you have the measurement, it should be easy to determine the type of ceiling fan mounting option that works best for the room.
If you have low ceiling heights, a low-profile ceiling fan is best.
Moreover, flush mounting fans reduce swaying and rattling.
Room Size
While room size isn’t exactly something you need to consider for a quiet fan, it is important.
A quiet fan that will not cool down your room makes no sense so this is why room size is important.
Also, a small quiet fan will almost always have to be at high speeds which is usually louder so that defeats the purpose of a quiet fan.
A 52” ceiling fan can work in a room that is 18ft x 18ft.
Make sure you know the size of your room and read the manufacturer’s specifications to see if the fan can work in a room of that size.
Speed Settings
If you want flexibility over air circulation, then you need a ceiling fan with different speed settings.
The faster the fan spins, the more air it circulates.
The number and size of the fan blades also determine the amount of air the fan circulates but the speed is the most important factor.
Air circulation is measured in cubic feet per minute(CFM).
High-performance ceiling fans will have a CFM range of around 5000 and over.
Meanwhile, budget options come with 2500-3000 CFM.
Large rooms up to 450 square feet will require a fan with 4000-6000 CFM.
Light
If you want a light on your ceiling fan, you have some options.
LEDs are the most common now because they are long-lasting and energy-efficient.
They even offer flexibility over brightness meaning you can dim them if they are too bright.
If you want soft lighting, there are a few options with frosted glass shades.
Control Options
To control your ceiling fan, you may have to use the remote controller, wall switch or pull cord.
Most budget options will have the pull cord function and while it gets the job done, it may not be ideal in tall rooms.
A wall switch is a better option than a pull cord.
However, this requires some wiring so you’ll have to hire an electrician.
Other features
Remote control
Having a remote controller to control the fan is one of the best things ever.
You can control the fan speed and light without moving from your comfy spot on the sofa or your bed.
Energy efficiency
If your ceiling fan is going to be running for most of the day, you should choose an energy-efficient unit.
Units that help you save energy can reduce up to 20% or more power usage when compared to the cost of running standard ceiling fans.
Smart features
Higher-end ceiling fans have smart features like voice control, timers and schedules.
These units can be connected to your home assistants like Google Home or Alexa and you can use your voice to control them.
These features aren’t necessary for quiet operation but they sure are convenient.
How to quiet a noisy ceiling fan?
If you already have a ceiling installed and looking for ways to reduce its noise level during operation, perform these checks below:
- Inspect the blades and make sure they are tightened and balanced.
Loose and warped blades can ruin the mechanism so perform this inspection before using your fan again.
- Check to see that the light bulbs are installed properly.
If your ceiling fan has lights and you hear squeaking or clicking sounds, it could be because of a loose installment.
If so, just tighten the light bulbs and the noise should stop.
- Check the screws on the mount and make adjustments if needed.
Loose mounting screws can cause your ceiling fan to be extra noisy.
Tighten mounting screws to the base so there is no room for rattling.
- Lubricate and tighten the motor cover
Ceiling fans have various moving parts and because of this, there is constant friction between the parts.
Lubricating your motor will cause less friction resulting in less noise.
If your ceiling fan is making any clicking, ticking, grinding or rattling noise, then check out this ceiling fan making noise post for solutions.