9 Best Outdoor Patio Fans
Updated: Aug. 19, 2020An outdoor patio fan will help cool down your space, making it more comfortable for lounging on hot summer days.
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Choosing an Outdoor Patio Fan
There are several styles of outdoor patio fans, and the best one for you will depend on the layout of your space and how much breeze you want to create. Some options, such as ceiling fans, need to be hardwired into your home’s electrical service, requiring more complicated installation. Others are plug-and-play models that are ready to go right out of the box.
You also should consider whether you want additional features such as misting, remote control or oscillation. And, of course, there’s always the matter of finding a model that matches the style of your home outdoor decor.
Best Ceiling Fan: Hampton Bay 52-in. Gazebo Fan
If your outdoor living space has some type of solid roof, a ceiling fan such as the Hampton Bay Gazebo Fan ($110) will provide a strong downward breeze. Ceiling fans do need to be mounted and hardwired into your home’s electrical service, but this model is wet-rated for use on porches, patios and decks. It features an LED light to brighten up your space, and three blade speeds to optimize air movement.
Best Wall-Mounted: iLIVING Wall-Mount Outdoor Waterproof Fan
The iLIVING Wall-Mount Outdoor Fan (14-in. is $106) is a powerful unit that’s easier to install than a ceiling fan. It comes in 14- and 18-inch sizes, and includes an adjustable wall-mount bracket that lets you place it on your patio, deck, barn or other outdoor space. This waterproof fan has three speeds, and reviewers say it provides a much-needed blast of air on hot days.
Best Misting Fan: Lasko Misto Outdoor Fan
For even more cooling power, the Lasko Misto Outdoor Fan ($140) connects to your garden hose to provide a refreshing mist, which can reduce the air temperature up to 25 degrees F! The outdoor fan also offers three speeds and pivots 90 degrees to direct the air and mist flow.
“This has transformed our hot and muggy summer patio into a paradise!” says an Amazon reviewer. “There is actually a lot of air flow, like a very stiff breeze. And, almost as amazing is how quiet this is, even on high.”
Best Tower Fan: Lasko Outdoor Living Tower Fan
Tower fans are popular for indoor use because they don’t take up much space. The Lasko Outdoor Living Tower Fan ($158) allows you to reap these same benefits on your patio or deck. The 42-inch fan has a weather-resistant design — and it’s rain-safe! It has four speed settings, and you can control it from your smartphone with the Lasko Connect app.
Best Oscillating: Marina Cove Indoor/Outdoor Wall-Mounted Fan
The Allen + Roth Marina Cove Wall-Mounted Fan ($170) is ideal for larger outdoor areas because it oscillates back and forth, providing a powerful breeze across your patio or deck. The fan is damp-rated so it’s best mounted in covered areas. It can be plugged in or hardwired, making it versatile and easy to install.
“The fan moves a lot of air: we were happily surprised at how comfortable it made a super hot evening,” says one reviewer.
Best Floor Fan: High Velocity Industrial Metal Floor Fan
Don’t want a permanent fixture on your patio? This High Velocity Metal Floor Fan ($56) is extremely portable, allowing you to move it around as needed. Tilt the head of this 20-in. three-speed fan to direct the air flow in various directions. Reviewers say it’s a well-built, powerful product.
Most Versatile: Lasko High Velocity Fan with QuickMount
The Lasko High Velocity Fan with QuickMount ($65) in a top-rated outdoor fan that’s unbeatable in versatility. It’s designed to be used on the floor or as a wall-mounted fixture, and you can go back and forth between the set-ups in seconds.
“Extremely happy with this fan,” writes one reviewer. “It came with a bracket to hang it on the wall, so I mounted it in the garage, but you can easily lift it off that bracket and move the fan anywhere you need it to go.”
Most Stylish: Lasko Elegant 50-in. Outdoor Fan
Many outdoor fans have a utilitarian appearance, but the Lasko Elegant Outdoor Fan ($324) is designed to be functional and stylish. This 50-in. three-speed tower fan has the look of a decorative post while providing powerful air flow cool down your outdoor space. According to the manufacturer, it even helps keep bugs away. It comes with a remote control for easy operation, along with accent lights on top for brightness at night.
Most Modern: Valdosta 20-in. Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan
To add a modern accent to your patio or other covered outdoor space, the Allen + Roth Valdosta Ceiling Fan ($120) offers a eye-catching appearance. The 20-in. fan features an oil-rubbed bronze finish, and its caged design gives it a distinctly modern, industrial feel.
“I hung two of these in the corners of my covered porch for air circulation in Florida,” says one happy reviewer. “I love them, they are not only very functional to keep the porch cooler but very stylish.”