Ceiling Fan Brand Recommendations:
There are many manufactures offering ceiling fans today, in many different styles and sizes. The vast majority of fans sold today are made in the same factories overseas, so the differences in brands are not vast. However there are some that are clearly better quality than others, and more importantly, a better value for your money.
These recommendations are my opinion. They are not the views of Ask Me Help Desk or Ceiling Fans -n- More.
Under $150: Hunter Fan Company. Honestly, in this price bracket I wouldn't consider any other company. If you're looking to spend as little as possible, go with the cheapest model Hunter sells. They have better products, better quality control, and better customer service. They have been around for over 100 years, and it shows. Don't even think about other brands that start with H.
Showroom/Designer fans on a budget: Hunter Fan Company. Hunter is great for getting the most out of your money. If you want a designer fan but cannot afford showroom prices, Hunter will deliver. Their fans may or may not be as fancy or trendy as competitors, however you can be assured you are getting a quality product even at a lower price. I believe even the most lucrative of fans is still in the $300 range.
$150-200 range: Marley/Qmark Gillespie. Here I get to introduce you to a little-known gem I am very excited about. This model, not just brand, but model ceiling fan is the very last fan to be produced in the USA. All other companies, and even other models by this same company, have moved production overseas. This fan has an American made motor that is a similar design and quality to imported motors in $400 ceiling fans. Essentially, you get a $400 fan made in America for around $150. I think it's the steal of the century. It is a very basic design (see Tips for Buying) and only available in brass, bronze, or white with white or wood blades. It is available for sale on southerfans.com as well as through other distributors.
Over $200: Emerson Fan Co. and Casablanca Fan Co. Both of these are very high end manufacturers that have been around for years. Emerson has been making fans since the 1800s, Casablanca single-handedly made the ceiling fan regain popularity in the 1970s. In both cases you will want to look at models that have the American-style motor, in Emerson's case it is called the K55 or K55XL, Casablanca's is called the XLP or XLP2000. When buying a showroom grade fan with a good motor, the price may give you pause, but you are getting an elegant showpiece of superior quality and functionality. Well worth it if it's in your budget.
Hugger/Low Ceiling Fans: Hunter Fan Co, Marley/Qmart Gillespie, Casablanca, Emerson. If you require an actual hugger fan, Hunter offers several excellent models at favorable prices. If you are looking for a higher end fan, the Marley/Qmark model and Casablanca and Emerson all offer low ceiling kits to mount the fan without a downrod.
Higher Ceilings: Envirofan "Gold Line", Marley/Qmark Gillespie, Emerson, Casablanca. Wherever possible and practical, I recommend using industrial fans on higher ceilings. They are designed to move air more effectively over larger areas and when mounted up to 40' heights. Much, much, much better air movement, for cooling or heat recirculation. If you require a decorative fan or a light, simply make sure you use a quality fan with significant air movement, such as the Casablanca Panama, Emerson Premium, or Marley Gillespie. Remote control fans, however tempting, are a bad idea, as when they have problems they are harder to repair on higher ceilings. Refer to Tips for Buying, $150-200, Over $200, and Industrial Fans.
Porch Fans: Marley/Qmark. They offer a version of the American made Gillespie rated for covered outdoor use. It is simply called the Porch Fan and sells for around $200. Do not be confused, as they also offer a lesser quality outdoor/porch fan not made in America. I also very much recommend industrial fans for use in place of "porch fans" where applicable, see Tips for Buying.
Industrial Ceiling Fans: Envirofan "Gold Line". I very definitively recommend this brand and line. They have been made since the 1970s and still use the same design and factory. Many of the 1970s models are still in operation today. They also cost less than industrial fans of similar quality and performance. A cheap industrial fan runs $50-80, some higher performance models are over $200, the Envirofans are $120-150 range. I honestly would not consider any other make and model of industrial fan, be it for a residential or commercial application.
Please contact me
[email protected] or post if you have any questions about my recommendations. I want consumers to have the very best experiences buying and using ceiling fans, and I want to support these companies that I feel serve us far better than their competitors. Also feel free to ask if you have questions about any other brand or model ceiling fans.