If the fan is going to be the main light in the room, choose a DC ceiling fan with an integrated tri-colour (CCT) LED light and a handheld remote. If you already have good lighting, a fan-only model usually moves air better and looks cleaner. Either way, check three things before you buy: how the light is built in, what colour temperatures it offers, and what the remote can actually control.
Not sure where to start? Our Fan Selector asks a few quick questions about your room, motor type, size and light, then takes you straight to the matching range. Or browse all ceiling fans with light and remote control ceiling fans now.
Integrated light, light kit or no light
Ceiling fans come with their light in one of three ways, and the way it is built in changes what you can do later.
Integrated LED. The light is part of the fan and powered and controlled by it. This is the neatest option and the one most modern DC fans use. You get a single remote for fan and light, and nothing to match or buy separately.
Optional light kit. The fan is sold in a plain version and a light version. Many ranges list both as variants of the same product. The Hunter Pacific Polar V2, for example, is available in 48 and 56 inch spans, with or without an 18 watt LED light, and the Ventair Glacier DC comes with or without a light as well. If you are adding a light to a fan you already own, check the fan accessories range for a kit that matches your model.
No light. A fan-only model. Browse ceiling fans without light if the room already has good lighting or you want the cleanest look.
What to look for in the light
Colour temperature (CCT). A tri-colour light lets you switch between warm white (around 3000K), natural white (around 4000K) and cool white (5000K to 6000K) from the remote. Warm suits bedrooms and living rooms in the evening, natural suits kitchens and studies, and cool is crisp for task lighting. The Eglo Kurrawa lists 3000K, 4000K and 5000K options, and the Polar V2's optional light offers warm, cool and daylight settings.
Dimming. If the fan is a bedroom or living-room light, dimming matters. The Polar V2's optional 18 watt LED lists nine-stage step dimming.
Brightness. Compare lumens, not watts. A fan light is rarely as bright as a dedicated ceiling light, so if the fan is your only light source in a large room, check the lumen figure on the product page and consider adding a lamp or two.
The light can use more power than the fan. A DC motor on a low speed can draw only a few watts, for instance the Polar V2 lists as little as 3 watts, while an 18 to 20 watt LED draws several times that when it is on. Fan and light are controlled separately, so you pay for the light only while it is switched on.
Remote, wall control and smart options
Handheld remote. Most fans with a light include a remote that controls speed, direction (summer and winter mode), light on and off, dimming and colour, and on many models a timer. The Ventair Glacier's remote lists 1, 2 and 4 hour timers. Remotes are easy to misplace, so keep a spot for it.
Wall control. A wall plate is permanent and cannot be lost. It suits households where several people use the fan, and it is a good backup even when a remote is included.
Smart and app control. Some fans can be paired with WiFi to set schedules and run from a phone or voice assistant. If you are building a connected home, our guide to the best ceiling fans in Australia covers what to look for.
Replacing a lost remote? Fan remotes are specific to the brand and receiver in your fan, so a generic remote often will not pair. Browse our ceiling fan remotes and match it to your model before you order.
Match the fan size to the room
A light does not change the sizing rule: the blade span has to suit the room. As a quick guide, around 48 inches suits a smaller bedroom, 52 inches suits a standard bedroom or living area, and 56 inches or more suits large open-plan rooms. Our ceiling fan size guide has the full chart, including downrod lengths for higher ceilings.
Fans with lights worth a look from our range
Hunter Pacific Polar V2 DC. The Polar V2 is a quiet DC fan with nine speeds and a remote, available in 48 and 56 inch spans with an optional 18 watt dimmable CCT LED.
Hunter Pacific Evolve EC/DC. The Evolve with light and remote uses an EC/DC motor. Read our AC, DC and EC motor guide to see how it differs.
Eglo Surf DC, 52 inch. The Surf with LED light and remote comes in white, black or oak finishes and is suited to indoor and covered outdoor spaces.
Eglo Kurrawa DC, 60 inch. The Kurrawa pairs a 20 watt tri-colour LED and a remote with an IP55 rating, so it also suits outdoor and wet areas.
Ventair Glacier DC. The Glacier DC 1300 mm is a five-speed DC fan with a remote, available with a light for indoor and covered outdoor use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a light to a ceiling fan that does not have one?
Only if the fan is designed to accept a light kit. Many ranges sell a matching kit, and some sell the fan only. Check the model's page or the manual for light-kit compatibility before you buy one.
What colour temperature is best for a bedroom ceiling fan?
Warm white, around 3000K, is the usual choice for bedrooms because it is easy on the eyes in the evening. A tri-colour fan lets you switch to a cooler white when you need brighter task light.
Do ceiling fans with lights cost more to run?
Only while the light is on. A DC motor on a low speed draws very little, and the LED adds its own wattage when switched on, so use the light when you need it and the fan separately.
Can I use a ceiling fan with a light outside?
Only if it is listed for covered outdoor use, or has an IP rating for exposed positions. See our guide to outdoor ceiling fans for the differences.
Do I need an electrician to install a ceiling fan with a light?
Yes. Ceiling fans are fixed wiring, so installation must be done by a licensed electrician.
Find your fan
Start with the Fan Selector, or browse the full range of ceiling fans. Lights For You delivers Australia-wide, and our Ashfield showroom in Sydney is open if you would like to see the fans and lights in person.
