Should You Get a Ceiling or Standing Fan?

A modern day dilemma.

(This article was last updated on 9 December 2021.)

Living in a humid climate where one can sweat buckets without having moved an inch, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn’t have a fan in your home! The question is, which type should you get?

Ceiling and standing fans are two of the most common types that you can find in any household, but if you’re unsure which one would fit your needs, don’t sweat it! We’ll break down the pros and cons of both for you.

1. Energy Consumption

Going green is a big concept these days, but saving on energy is also an immense act of kindness to your wallet. Standing fans generally consume less electricity than a ceiling fan, but thanks to technological advances, there are ceiling fans in the market now with energy saving features too.

Since the differences in energy consumption between both fans is rather negligible in this aspect, there are other features worth looking at to help you decide which fan to get.

2. Maintenance

This boils down to personal preference – would you rather be looking up when you clean, or fiddling with the grill of a pedestal fan to wipe those pesky dust bunnies away? Some people find it easier to clean a ceiling fan, by using a vacuum cleaner or a magnetic duster specially designed for cleaning ceiling fan blades.

Cleaning a standing fan does not require intense neck work, but you’d have to open the grill to wipe the blades down, which can be a chore. All in all, we’d say that this depends on how enthusiastic you are about cleaning the fan religiously.

Our recommendation: Dyson Pure Cool™ air purifier TP00 ($699)

If you really, really hate cleaning, perhaps this Dyson bladeless pedestal fan can be your new BFF. There is nothing to hate if there are no blades!

3. Style

In the past, standing fan varieties far outnumbered that of ceiling fans. But the latter now come in a wide variety of designs (beyond just nondescript ones in grey/white/black) and can even include light fixtures as well! Plus, they have a slight edge over standing fans, too, as there are no pesky wires to trip you up.

So, if you’re looking for a fan that will add to the mood of your home, no worries – there are a ton of options to choose from.

Our recommendation: SPIN’s Savannah and Quincy ceiling fans (from $808)

4. Wind Circulation

The ceiling fan circulates air in a wider spread, and is considerably more effective than a standing fan in cooling a house down. However, if your room is tiny or if you’d like just a little bit more ventilation in a tight spot, such as a cramped dressing area, a standing fan will do the trick.

Our recommendations: the F3FC Black Bamboo Grain Decor Fan (from $483) for average-sized rooms, and the FIN6 Silver Light Oak Decor Fan (from $713) for tight corners or smaller spaces.

5. Size

Ceiling fans are mounted on the ceiling, so they don’t occupy precious floor space – which is great if your apartment’s on the smaller side. But consider this as well – there are standing fans (like tower fans) with slim designs too, and the best part is that they can be moved from room to room.

Our recommendation: the ETF 1129 Tower Fan With Remote ($89.90)

Ultimately, it boils down to what you foresee yourself doing with the floor space. If you think that you do not have that much space to spare for a standing fan, the ceiling fan will be your best bet.

6. Costs

Standing fans are generally more affordable than ceiling fans, and come in a range of prices that make purchasing on a strict budget much easier. They are also a breeze to purchase as they are commonly sold in electronic and furniture stores, and you can even purchase them online.

There is also almost no installation work needed to get it moving – just plug it in and voila, instant wind!

Our recommendations: The ESP 3000-R ($89)

So, should I get a standing or ceiling fan?

Now that we have compared the features of both ceiling and standing fans, which type is the best for you? It all depends on your priorities! Check out the best type for your needs below.

If your priority is:

• The design of your home: both are great! With models ranging in all types of styles, it doesn’t really matter what type of fan you get – as long as it suits the design of your home.
• Maximum circulation: a ceiling fan might be your best bet, as it covers a wider radius, provides stronger wind circulation and keeps your house cool and breezy throughout.
• Cost: a standing fan is your best friend. It is cheap, portable, and keeps your house cool – awesome features at a wallet-friendly price. Plus, no need for electrical wiring or installation costs.
• Ease of cleaning: a bladeless pedestal fan is a great option.

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