Between making our homes more energy efficient, and providing us with a cool breeze, ceiling fans are all the rage here at Lifehacker. We've sung the praises of newer bladeless varieties, and why you should reverse their direction during the colder months. Now, we'd like to suggest a relatively inexpensive but game-changing upgrade for your current ceiling fans: installing a remote control.
Some homes have several ceiling fans, so we'll narrow down our recommendation to ceiling fans in bedrooms, living rooms, and anywhere else you lounge. Who wants the hassle of having to stand up and reach for—then pull down—a chain dangling from above every time they want to adjust the fan or its lights? That's right: no one.
This is especially true if you wake up in the middle of the night either freezing cold—and need to turn the fan off—or roasting hot, and need to turn it on. All that moving around and stretching to reach the chain will disturb your slumber far more than pressing a few buttons on a remote from the comfort of your bed. If you're unfamiliar with remote controls for ceiling fans, here's what to expect in terms of prices, features, and the installation process.
What to consider when buying a ceiling fan remote control
To give you an idea of what's out there, here are a few examples of highly rated ceiling fan remote controls, and their standout features:
YukiHalu Universal Ceiling Fan Remote ($15.08): A solid basic option. The receiver is smaller (2x3x1”) than some that come with other remotes, which makes the installation process a bit easier. It also comes with a wall mount for the remote, so you have the option of using it like a switch, and removing it when that’s more convenient. In addition to turning the lights off and on, and controlling the speed of the fan, the remote also has a shut-off timer. A family member has used this remote for four years without problems.
Humpptom Universal Wifi Ceiling Fan Remote ($30.59): A wifi-enabled remote that can be controlled with your phone, Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Smart Life app. While it doesn’t have a shut-off timer, it does come with a dimming option for compatible light bulbs.
Nexete Universal Remote and Wall Switch ($39.97): Comes with both a remote and a wired wall switch, so you can control the fan without having to find the remote. The downside is that the installation process is more complicated.
Installing a ceiling fan remote control involves basic electrical work, like connecting wires. The overall process is largely the same for most remotes, with slight variations, as noted in the descriptions of the products above.