The Best Ceiling Fan Light Kits to Update Your Space

Our best overall pick is the Hunter Fan 99143 Four Light Fitter

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Ceiling fan over white living room
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Ceiling fan light fixtures instantly update spaces with little effort. We conducted hours of research on the best ceiling fan light kits, evaluating each on design aesthetic, ease of installation, and compatibility with different types of fans, indoor and outdoor. We also considered how much light each kit illuminated for energy efficiency and design aesthetic.

Here are the best ceiling fan light kits to add to your fan for additional light.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Hunter Fan Company 99143 Four Light Fitter

4.5
Hunter Fan Company 99143 Four Light Fitter

Amazon

What We Like
  • Good value

  • 4 CFL bulbs included

  • Works for indoor or outdoor spaces

What We Don't Like
  • May not work with all brands

  • Shades must be purchased separately

Our top pick, The Hunter Fan Company's Four Light Fitter, includes four energy-efficient CFL bulbs you can customize with shades for your desired design aesthetic. With a stylish bronze finish, this model complements a variety of fan styles, and the pre-installed wire fittings make for an easy installation. It also emits enough light to brighten larger spaces.

We love that this light kit can work in damp spaces, such as bathrooms or covered porches, so you can install it on an indoor or outdoor light. Keep in mind that it is designed to work specifically with Hunter fans, so you need to make sure it fits with your fan's brand and model. You also need to purchase your own shades, as they are sold separately.

Price at time of publish: $74

Type: Shade︱Material: Metal︱Lighting: CFL bulbs included

Best Budget

Westinghouse Lighting 7784900 Three LED Cluster Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Westinghouse Lighting 7784900 Three LED Cluster Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • LED bulbs included

  • Energy efficient

What We Don't Like
  • Not dimmable

The Westinghouse Lighting model is an affordable three-light ceiling fan light kit with a traditional design. Ribbed, frosted glass shades on the three downward-facing lights allow enough light to illuminate larger spaces. You can purchase this kit in multiple finishes and colors to fit your decor, including antique brass, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed brass, polished brass, and white.

The kit includes three LED bulbs, although they are not dimmable. This light kit works with a variety of fans of different sizes, ranging from 42 to 52 inches.

Price at time of publish: $71

Type: Shades︱Material: Metal/glass︱Lighting: LED bulbs included

Best Outdoor

Westinghouse Lighting Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Ceiling Fan Light Kit
What We Like
  • Includes three different finish options

  • Works with a variety of ceiling fans

  • LED bulb included

  • Works in damp spaces

What We Don't Like
  • Needs a lot of space

The classic style of the Westinghouse Lighting Schoolhouse ceiling fan light kit complements indoor or outdoor ceiling fans. Choose from three different metal finish options on the opal-white globe to match your existing fixtures. The kit includes an LED lightbulb, to make the fixture energy efficient, as well as stylish. It works with a variety of ceiling fans from 42 to 52 inches in diameter and can function in damp outdoor environments.

Keep in mind that this light fixture extends down more than many other options. You need an additional 9 inches or more of clearance to make sure no one hits their head on this larger fixture.

Price at time of publish: $36

Type: Globe︱Material: Metal/glass︱Lighting: LED bulb included

Best Exposed-Bulb

Breakwater Bay Traditional 1-Light Fitter Ceiling Fan Globe Light Kit

Breakwater Bay Traditional 1-Light Fitter Ceiling Fan Globe Light Kit

Wayfair

What We Like
  • Good value

  • Five different finishes

  • LED bulb included

What We Don't Like
  • Not great for low ceilings

The Breakwater Bay Traditional ceiling fan globe light kit is a high-style option at a value price. It comes in five different finishes, all of which work well with a nautical or coastal decor style. The seeded glass globe is a nice detail. Just keep in mind that the lightbulb is visible, so consider an attractive bulb, even if it isn’t as energy-efficient. The kit works with LED and CFL bulbs; one LED bulb is included.

The light kit works for indoor or outdoor ceiling fans, although it may be less ideal for small rooms or those with low ceilings.

Price at time of publish: $260

Type: Globe︱Material: Metal/glass︱Lighting: LED bulb included

Best with Shades

Winston Porter 3-Light Branched Light Kit

Winston Porter 3-Light Branched Light Kit

Wayfair

What We Like
  • No need to change bulbs

  • Universal kit

  • Neutral style shades

What We Don't Like
  • Installation may be tricky

  • Only three lights

The shades on the Winston Porter universal ceiling fan light kit are marbled and frosted. They work with a variety of styles and provide just enough detail to remain interesting and on trend. The light kit also works with any ceiling fan. Its three fixture lights make it great for bedrooms and living spaces but not ideal for rooms needing a lot of light.

The integrated LEDs have been built into the fixture; this means you don’t need to worry about replacing them while they save you money on your energy bill each month. One thing to note is that installing the kit requires a quick-connect, and may be a bit tricky.

Price at time of publish: $115

Type: Shades︱Material: Metal/glass︱Lighting: Integrated LED light

Best with Bowl

Hampton Bay Raleigh LED Natural Iron Universal Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Hampton Bay Raleigh LED Natural Iron Universal Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Home Depot

What We Like
  • Indoor and outdoor compatible

  • Compatible with most ceiling fans

  • Integrated LED bulb

  • Bowl is shatter resistant

What We Don't Like
  • Included bulb is not dimmable

  • Other bulbs need separate purchase

The stylish Raleigh universal ceiling fan light kit from Hampton Bay works in indoor or outdoor fans. Its included LED light makes use simple and effective for up to 50,000 hours (more than 5.5 years!). The plastic bowl is shatter resistant, and the integrated LED light saves energy.

You can’t dim that included LED light, however, so if you want to use that feature (if your ceiling fan has it), you need to purchase and install a separate bulb. You can also opt for a smart-home-compatible bulb, but this also must be purchased separately.

Price at time of publish: $52

Type: Bowl︱Material: Metal/plastic︱Lighting: Integrated LED light

Best for Kitchen

Harbor Breeze 4-Light Brushed Nickel LED Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Harbor Breeze 4-Light Brushed Nickel LED Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Lowe's

What We Like
  • 4 lights on fixture

  • LED bulbs included

  • Available in multiple finishes

What We Don't Like
  • Not dimmable

The four-light brushed-nickel ceiling fan light kit from Harbor Breeze emits generous light, even in large spaces such as kitchens. This option includes frosted shades, a brushed-nickel base, and four included LED bulbs. You can switch these out for energy-efficient CFLs, which cost more.

Some may find that the four bulbs on this fixture are too bright, even for a kitchen. And since this kit is not dimmable, if you find the lighting too bright, you would need to purchase separate dimmable bulbs (if your ceiling fan itself is dimmable). This may add to the overall cost, especially if you have to upgrade your fan.

Price at time of publish: $38

Type: Shades︱Material: Metal/glass︱Lighting: LED bulbs included

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Hunter 4-Light Fitter New Bronze Ceiling Fan Light Kit, an attractive model that works with a variety of indoor or outdoor fans. It includes four energy-efficient LED lights, and wire fittings designed for an easy installation. For a more affordable option, consider the Westinghouse Lighting Three LED Cluster Ceiling Fan Light Kit, which features a basic ribbed glass design and has three downward-facing LED lights that work with a variety of fans of different sizes.

What to Look For in a Ceiling Fan Light Kit

Style

Ceiling fan light kits come in a variety of different styles, including stemmed or branched, uplight, and bowl or shade light kits. The best type of ceiling fan light kit depends on your fan's current position, as well as your personal preference.

Stemmed or branched ceiling fan light kits have multiple stems or branches that extend from the central fixture. Each branch or stem has a globe, shade, or exposed lightbulb that can point up or down. These light kits are one of the most popular options available, and they typically work with most ceiling fans, though you should always verify that a light kit is compatible with your fan.

Uplight ceiling fan light kits require a certain amount of space above the ceiling fan, as these kits are designed to sit on top of the fan, with the light bulbs pointing up. Before investing in an upright ceiling fan light kit, make sure to measure the distance from the ceiling to the fan, and check the manufacturer's direction to determine whether the uplight kit is compatible with the ceiling fan.

Bowl or shade ceiling fan light kits are some of the most common options. These kits connect to the bottom of the fan housing and may have one or two bulbs, made to sit inside an enclosed bowl. (Some light kits may use light shades instead of a bowl.) Bowl or shade light kits are good options for traditional or minimalist aesthetics because they do not draw a lot of attention.

Aesthetic

“I can’t emphasize too much how important light fixtures are to the overall look of your room,” says interior designer Rachel Miller. “You want the fixture to match your style and the lighting that it provides to give off the right ambiance.” She recommends seeking light kits that come in an attractive finish such as brass, chrome, or bronze colors. Consider the size, shape, and number of lights when choosing a design aesthetic.

Ceiling fan light kits come in several styles, so the number of lights on a single light kit can commonly range from one to five. Additionally, these lights may be exposed, or hidden under a bowl or shade. Choose the ceiling fan light kit that adequately lights the room and is most appealing to your personal tastes. Note that the light kit finish should match the finish on the ceiling fan, unless you want this color contrast to stand out.

Efficiency

While most ceiling fan light kits are designed for use with incandescent bulbs, these are the least efficient option. To improve the efficiency of your new lighting fixture, consider using CFL lightbulbs or even halogen lightbulbs. Alternatively, you can greatly improve the fixture's efficiency if you look for an LED ceiling fan light kit. Since these products are not as popular as standard ceiling fan light kits, they may be difficult to find and could cost more.

Pairing a high-efficiency ceiling fan with a high-efficiency light kit is the best way to enjoy your new lighting fixture without worrying about the impact on your energy usage. Keep an eye out for Energy Star certified products; you can rely on these ceiling fan light kits to operate at up to 60 percent greater efficiency than standard light kits.

FAQ
  • What is a ceiling fan light kit?

    Essentially, a ceiling fan light kit is a light or a set of lights you can install on a ceiling fan to improve the lighting in the room without having to install an entirely new fixture.

  • How do you install a ceiling fan with a light kit?

    You need to install a ceiling fan in an area with enough space for it to operate properly and an available power source. So, in most cases it makes sense to remove a central ceiling light and install the ceiling fan in its place. The basic steps include removing the old light, installing a fan brace, installing a mounting bracket, attaching the fan canopy, wiring the fan, attaching the fan blades, putting the lightbulbs in, and testing the fan.

  • How do you replace a ceiling fan light kit?

    To replace a ceiling fan light kit, start by turning off the power to the ceiling fan and the current light kit. Unscrew the mounting screws to access the wiring, then disconnect the wires that run from the light kit to the ceiling fan. Connect the wires from the new light kit to the ceiling fan and position the new light kit so you can fasten the mounting screws. Once you've wired and secured the new light kit, turn the power back on and test the ceiling fan and the light.

  • Can you replace a ceiling fan light kit?

    If you don't like the look of your existing ceiling fan light kit or if it's faulty, you can remove the old light kit and install a new one without having to replace the ceiling fan. This way you can keep the feature you want and update the one you don't.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products, who has written for The Spruce since 2019. For this roundup, she considered dozens of ceiling fan light kits, evaluating each on design aesthetic, ease of installation, and compatibility with different types of indoor and outdoor fans. She sourced dozens of third-party reviews and customer reports. Additional input was provided by interior designer Rachel Miller.

Updated by
Timothy Dale

Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.

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