Installing a conventional ceiling fan on a vaulted or a sloped ceiling isn’t always possible, even if you get a fan with a matching mount. This problem can be solved easily with some of the best-enclosed ceiling fans that fit on even and angled surfaces.
Enclosed ceiling fans usually have short downrods as they don’t require significant separation between the fan and the ceiling to maintain a steady airflow. This feature makes them one of the most versatile types of ceiling fans that can be a great addition to every room in your home.
In this article, we’re going to take you through some of the most important characteristics of enclosed ceiling fans and assist you in finding the right model. You should check out our guide to the best ceiling fan mounting brackets if you need to install a new ceiling fan.
At a Glance – The 5 Best Enclosed Ceiling Fans
| Model | Fan diameter | Weight | Price range |
| Hunter Tunley | 12-inches | 26.4lbs | $$$ |
| Fanimation Henry Series FP8519L | 20-inches | 15.88lbs | $$ – $$$ |
| Minka-Aire F802-ORB | 17-inches | 34.8lbs | $$$$ |
| IYUNXI Enclosed Ceiling Fan | 23-inches | 9.43lbs | $$ |
| Matthews DG-TB-MTL | 13-inches | 22lbs | $$$$ |
Hunter Tunley drum transitional ceiling fan features a caged design complemented by an integrated LED light that wraps around the fan, making for a unique light fixture in modern industrial and farmhouse style living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms.
Types of enclosed ceiling fans
The enclosure of a ceiling fan creates a barrier between the blades and the open space around it. This feature reduces the chances of accidents as it prevents different types of objects from contacting the blades that are rotating at high speeds.
Most models have a closed enclosure, and you cannot see their blades as the fan is embedded within the enclosure. The so-called caged ceiling fans feature an enclosure that resembles a cage or a metal grid that allows you to see the blades.
Besides the different enclosure types, these types of ceilings can have a different number of fans.
- Single head enclosed ceiling fans – As indicated by its name, this type of enclosed or caged ceiling fan has just one fan. Their enclosure can be made of metal, plastic, or a combination of several materials.
- Dual-head enclosed ceiling fans – Equipped with two equally powerful and fully adjustable fans, the dual-head enclosed ceiling fans allow you to choose the airflow direction. Their coverage area is usually larger than the coverage area of single head models.
Check out our guide to the best 72-inch ceiling fans if you need a ceiling fan with a large coverage area.
Hardware lamp body, wrought iron forging, solid and not easily deformed, delicate texture, durable. The lighting uses high-quality LED chips, high brightness, no video flash.
The fan diameter and coverage range
Diameters of conventional ceiling fans span from 36 inches to more than a hundred inches, and their coverage range depends on the model’s fan diameter. The same is true for enclosed ceiling fans, but their fan diameter is considerably smaller.
Consequently, their coverage range is limited, and you can’t use them to circulate air in large spaces. For instance, a 30-inch model isn’t powerful enough to be the only cooling source in rooms larger than 300 sq/ft.
A 30-inch enclosed fan is considered large, as most models have fans with diameters that span between 12 and 25 inches. This means that the average coverage area of an enclosed ceiling fan is around 150sq/ft to 200sq/ft, which makes them a great solution for small spaces.
Optionally, you can utilize these fans as spot coolers that provide instant cooling in a specific area rather than an entire room. Go through our guide to the best window fans if you need an alternative cooling source.
Installation methods and downrod length
Mounting a ceiling fan presents a number of challenges, as you need to figure out a way to position the fan at a suitable distance from the ceiling and ensure that it isn’t too close to the floor. In case the ceiling in a room is lower than 7-feet, performing this task is impossible.
Let’s take a look at some of the most installation methods for enclosed ceiling fans.
- Flush mount – Minimizes the space between the ceiling and the blades by allowing you to mount the fan directly onto the ceiling. This installation method is suitable for vaulted and sloped ceilings.
- Downrod mount – Unlike conventional ceiling fans that often have downrods longer than 12 inches, enclosed ceiling fans have downrods up to 10-inches long. The fan’s airflow capacity isn’t affected by its proximity to the ceiling.
Go through our fan electricity usage guide to find out how much power a ceiling fan needs to circulate the air in your home.
Made of acrylic and metal materials, this ceiling fan has a sturdy structure and good light transmission and is not easy to shake. The ceiling fan combines the fan and the LED ceiling light. Compared with conventional pendant lamps, fans and lamps have further enhanced functions.
Where to install an enclosed ceiling fan
Due to their limited coverage range, installing an enclosed ceiling fan requires a little bit of planning as you need to find the right spot to maximize their efficiency. These ceiling fans match a variety of home décor styles, so you won’t have too much trouble combining them with the rest of the furniture in a room.
Let’s take a look at some of the best locations for enclosed ceiling fans.
- Low ceiling bedrooms – These ceiling fans can provide sufficient cooling in small bedrooms with high ceilings. Opting for a flush mount model will enable you to save space, avoid potential injury and stay cool during warm summer nights.
- Living rooms – Enclosed ceiling fans are not powerful enough to circulate the air through an entire living room, but they can provide a smooth breeze over a specific part of the room.
- Kitchen – Besides lowering the temperature in a room where you eat most of your meals, these fans can help you get rid of cooking smells.
- Kid’s room – Blades rotating at high speeds in an open space can be dangerous for your children, especially if they’re too close to the floor. An enclosed ceiling fan ensures that your child can’t get in contact with the blades.
- Patio – A damp-rated enclosed ceiling fan can be an extra cooling source on your patio. However, you must make sure that the model you want to get is approved for outdoor use.
Check out our guide to cooling systems if you need a cooling system that can regulate the temperature in multiple rooms.
Lighting options
Besides being a primary or secondary cooling option, many enclosed ceiling fan models can serve as a main or additional light source. This isn’t a standard feature, so you need to search for a model capable of illuminating and cooling a specific area.
Models equipped with a lighting bulb are a great fit for kitchens and dining areas as they serve as a complementary source of light while you’re preparing a meal. Some models even feature a dimmer that allows you to choose how bright the light will be.
However, these fans usually have LED lightbulbs capable of illuminating relatively small areas, and they’re usually not meant to be a primary light source in a room. Check our guide to the best 18.000 BTU conditioners to find an AC that can keep a large space cool.
The most important factors to consider while choosing an enclosed ceiling fan
The model you choose has to be adjusted to the space you intend to use it, both in terms of its performance capabilities and visual appearance.
Arguably, the most important factor you need to pay attention to is the diameter of the fan’s blades, but features such as the motor’s power or the maximum airflow capacity can also give you an accurate picture of the model’s performance capabilities.
Let’s take a look at some of the factors that can help you find an enclosed ceiling fan that meets all your cooling needs.
Indoor or outdoor usage
One of the first things you need to consider is where the enclosed ceiling fan will be installed and how humid that space is. If you want to install this type of fan on a patio or a similar outdoor space, you must choose a damp-rated model.
Enclosed ceiling fans designed for indoor use can be damaged by exposure to high amounts of humidity. You should get a model rated for outdoor and indoor use if you need a fan, you can use it in dry and humid conditions.
Remote control options
The days when most ceiling fans were controlled with pull chains seem to be behind us since most contemporary models are either controlled via a wall switch or remote control. Models that come with a remote control feature are easier to install since you don’t have to set up a wall switch.
In addition, an increasing number of enclosed ceiling fan models have WiFi and Bluetooth functionalities that enable you to control them through home management apps.
Keep in mind that models that feature remote control or WiFi and Bluetooth options might cost more than other types of enclosed ceiling fans.
Maximum airflow capacity
The airflow capacity is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM, and it shows you the maximum amount of air a unit can move in a minute while operating at the highest speed.
The average CFM rating of an enclosed ceiling fan is between 2000CFM and 3000CFM, while some dual-head models can supply you with 5.000CFM of airflow. Hence, the maximum room size you can cool with a single enclosed ceiling fan is approximately 300sq/ft.
Read also: How to Find the Highest CFM Ceiling Fans.
Noise level
The amount of noise a fan is going to make depends on the motor that powers it. Most enclosed ceiling fans are powered by single-phase induction motors that aren’t as powerful as those featured on conventional ceiling fans.
How much noise a unit makes isn’t so important if you need a fan for a kitchen or a home office, but failing to check the noise level of an enclosed ceiling fan you want to install in your bedroom can prevent you from resting properly.
Price and warranty
The blade diameter, number of fan heads, or the control options are some of the features that can affect the price of an enclosed ceiling fan. So, depending on the model you choose, this type of ceiling fan can cost you anywhere between a hundred and a thousand dollars.
The duration and coverage of the warranty vary from one manufacturer to another, and you can choose from models that have limited lifetime warranties and fans that come with a one-year warranty. That’s why you need to check what the warranty of the model you want get covers and how long it lasts.
The advantages of enclosed ceiling fans
Excellent safety features
The enclosure around the blades enables you to install these fans on low ceilings without any risk of injury. In addition, you can add an enclosed ceiling fan to a kid’s room without having to worry about their safety.
Suitable for outdoor and indoor use
A broad range of models is rated for indoor and outdoor use, enabling you to choose where you want to install them. Unlike the enclosed ceiling fans designed specifically for indoor use, wet rated models perform equally well in dry and humid conditions.
Low noise levels
Most enclosed ceiling fans aren’t noisy because they’re equipped with motors that have limited output capabilities. As a result, these fans rarely generate more than 60dB of noise, and they don’t disrupt your daily activities.
The disadvantages of enclosed ceiling fans
Limited coverage range
With the maximum airflow capacity of 4,000CFM and a blade diameter that ranges between 10 and 30 inches, these fans are only suitable for small spaces. Even if you opt for the most powerful model on the market, you still won’t be able to cool a room larger than 300sq/ft.
Top 5 enclosed ceiling fan picks
We chose the ceiling fans we recommended to you based on affordability, availability, and positive customer reviews.
Hunter Tunley – The best small enclosed ceiling fan
The 12-inch blade diameter makes the Hunter Tunley an economic cooling solution for small spaces. Its multi-speed motor produces low amounts of noise, so it won’t disturb your sleep if you install it in a bedroom, even if you use its SureSpeed feature that generates high airflow.
The fan’s casing is wet-rated, and you can use it in outdoor and indoor conditions. The Hunter Tunley offers downrod and wall mount options, and you can choose how far from the ceiling you want the fan to be.
This Hunter’s model features an LED light fixture you can use as a complementary source of light.
Pros
- Operates at three speeds
- Reversible blade rotation
- Dimmable LED light
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Narrow cooling range
- No remote control
Hunter Tunley drum transitional ceiling fan features a caged design complemented by an integrated LED light that wraps around the fan, making for a unique light fixture in modern industrial and farmhouse style living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms.
Fanimation Henry Series FP8519L – The best WiFi enabled enclosed ceiling fan
Besides a handheld remote control, you can also use your phone to control the Fanimation Henry Series FP8519L enclosed ceiling fan, but you must purchase the necessary technology separately. The fan is equipped with three blades that have a 20-inch diameter.
This industrial-style enclosed ceiling fan is damp-rated, and you can install it in spaces that have high air humidity. Besides cooling, you can use this fan as a light source because it comes with an 18V LED light bulb. The fan features an adjustable downrod, but it is a poor fit for sloped ceilings.
Pros
- Low power consumption
- Durable and lightweight design
- Adjustable blade speed
- Excellent wireless control options
Cons
- Can’t generate more than 1282CFM or airflow
- The airflow direction isn’t adjustable
Show off your style with Henry by Fanimation. This twenty inch black cage style fan includes an 18 watt LED light kit and cover.
Minka-Aire F802-ORB – The best dual-head enclosed ceiling fan
The six-inch downrod enables you to position the Minka-Aire F802-ORB dual-head enclosed ceiling fan far from the floor, even if the ceiling in the room is low. Both fans rotate and allow you to choose the airflow direction.
You can switch between three speeds, while the reversible motor allows you to change the rotation direction of the blades. This enclosed ceiling fan can provide you with up to 5050CFM of airflow, and you can use it in medium-sized spaces.
The Minka-Aire F802-ORB isn’t damp-rated and is designed for indoor use.
Pros
- Powerful airflow output
- Great for rooms with low ceilings
- Vintage art deco design
- Variable blade speed
Cons
- The fan weighs more than 30lbs
- Expensive
Within these pages you will find an unparalleled combination of form, function, and design. From classic to contemporary styling, all our fans have been engineered for superior performance and to provide maximum comfort in even the largest rooms. 
IYUNXI Enclosed Ceiling Fan – The best budget enclosed ceiling fan pick
In addition to being affordable, the IYUNXI enclosed ceiling fan is also versatile, as you can install it in a kid’s room or a living room. Once it is installed, the fan’s blades are less than 8 inches away from the ceiling, but despite this, the fan can still provide enough airflow to cool a 160sq/ft room.
The fan has seven blades made of ABS plastic located behind an enclosed fence made from the same material. You can choose if you want to control the fan with a wall switch or remote control, and both options grant you complete control over the fan’s light brightness.
Pros
- 3 light warmth options
- Energy-saving features
- The timer function starts the fan automatically
- Excellent safety features
Cons
- Short warranty period
- Blade rotation direction isn’t reversible
Smart ceiling fans meet the diverse needs of family members. Enjoy a comfortable and smart life. 
Matthews DG-TB-MTL – The best-enclosed ceiling fan for outdoor and indoor use
The decorative metal blade guards make Matthews DG-TB-MTL one of the safest and most stylish double-head enclosed ceiling fans on the market. This model can generate a maximum of 3169CFM of airflow, and you can rotate each of its fan heads and choose the direction of the airflow.
The fan is equally effective in outdoor and indoor settings since exposure to humidity cannot damage it. The Mathews DG-TB-MTL ships with a 10-inch downrod, but you can shorten its length to 5 inches or purchase a longer downrod.
Pros
- Elegant and sturdy design
- Wide coverage area
- Handheld and wall mount control options
- Easy installation
Cons
- This dual-head enclosed ceiling fan is heavy
- It doesn’t have a light fixture
The double-headed rotational fan, Dagny, with cylindrical central housing and straight, parallel arms, is designed in the retrospective aesthetic. 
Frequently asked questions about enclosed ceiling fans
Question: Are enclosed ceiling fans difficult to clean?
Answer: Dirt accumulates inside the fan’s enclosure, and you need to open the enclosure frequently to clean it.
Question: Can I install an enclosed ceiling fan by myself?
Answer: Even though this process isn’t overly complicated, you shouldn’t go through it alone if you’re not familiar with it.
Question: How much do enclosed ceiling fans weigh?
Answer: The weight of these fans varies from model to model, and it ranges from 8lbs to over 40lbs.
Question: How many blades do enclosed ceiling fans have?
Answer: Depending on the model, an enclosed ceiling fan can have between three and seven blades.
Our Verdict: Deciding which enclosed ceiling fan to choose
Finding a good cooling option for a small room can be difficult because most cooling systems are too powerful for spaces smaller than 300sq/ft. An enclosed ceiling fan provides a simple cooling solution for rooms that have ceilings lower than 8 feet or spaces with sloped or vaulted ceilings.
Positioning these fans several inches away won’t affect their airflow capacity, but it will help prevent potential accidents that might happen with conventional ceiling fans. We recommend the Hunter Tunley enclosed ceiling fan if you need a cooling solution for a small room.
Hunter Tunley drum transitional ceiling fan features a caged design complemented by an integrated LED light that wraps around the fan, making for a unique light fixture in modern industrial and farmhouse style living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms.
A more expensive, dual-head option like the Matthews DG-TB-MTL is a better choice for homeowners who want more control over the airflow. So which of the best-enclosed ceiling fan are you going to choose?
Let us know in the comments, or continue reading our guide to the best windmill ceiling fans, Retractable Ceiling Fans or Humidity Control Systems if you’re struggling to keep the air in your home dry.
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