For more information on how we tested fans in our lab, check out our testing process below.
“Different types of fans serve different functions, but they all can help reduce your heating and cooling bills and keep the air in your home feeling fresh and comfortable,” he says. “Where it’s not possible or practical to put fans in windows, portable fans can be placed on the floor near windows or doorways and can help circulate air within a room or between rooms.”
Lowe’s store manager Brian Shaunfield says investing in a solid portable fan can save money on energy bills and make a huge difference in the comfort of your home.
There are few things more uncomfortable than living in a home that's stuffy, hot, and lacking airflow. Even if you have an air conditioner unit installed, it may not be powerful enough to contend with summer's stickiest weather. Instead of tossing and turning at night or spending your day sweaty and miserable, consider buying a high-powered fan to improve airflow and keep you cool .
Best Overall
Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan
Amazon
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$70
View On Dreo.com
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This oscillating fan provides a powerful breeze that fits four versatile modes and speeds.
Keep in Mind
The height and tilt cannot be adjusted.
The Dreo Tower Fan impressed us the most out of all the fans we tested. With four different speeds and modes, this fan is able to cool an entire room efficiently while being quiet enough to not interrupt television or conversation.
During testing, we found that there was a significant difference in the four speeds. The lowest setting still had significant power to cause a decent breeze, and the highest setting was able to fully cool the room and the breeze was felt from 6 feet away.
The oscillation setting had an excellent range of motion and cooled the room down equally and thoroughly with its 90-degree turn. The eco mode, which is designed to save energy, fluctuated between the low and high setting, and the night mode turned the screen lights off so it doesn’t interfere with sleep.
This fan has a timer setting for up to eight hours which we found convenient for nighttime use. It also has a remote control that was easy to use and worked up to 20 feet away. The design is sleek and modern enough it would fit into any room without standing out. It’s bladeless but that doesn’t interfere with its execution.
The only downside we found with this fan was that we could not adjust the height or the tilt, but the fan still effectively cooled down the room without these features.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Four | Modes: Four | Timer: Eight hour timer | Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 36.22 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Best Budget
Hampton Bay Personal High Velocity Table Fan
Home Depot
View On Home Depot
$17
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This fan is very small and easy to maneuver while also providing a consistently powerful breeze.
Keep in Mind
This fan has no oscillating feature.
The Hampton Bay 9 in 3 Speed Personal High Velocity Table Fan is our pick for those looking for an affordable fan.
We loved how portable this fan was—it was easy to move around and wasn’t heavy or cumbersome. The fan has three speed settings with one mode. During testing, it was relatively quiet on the first two settings; however, the highest setting does have a slight whirring noise.
When the fan was directly on us, the breeze was powerful but comfortable, even at varying distances. This fan does not come with an oscillation option, so in order to effectively direct the breeze we had to position the fan directly toward where we wanted the breeze to go.
It doesn’t come with a remote control or adjustable height, but it is easy to position the fan up and down. While it doesn’t have as many features as some of the other fans we tested, it cooled us down and didn’t break the bank.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Three | Modes: One | Timer: No timer | Dimensions: 5.83 x 11.43 x 10.75 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Best Tower
Lasko Wind Curve Oscillating Tower Fan
Amazon
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$80
View On Wayfair
$71
View On Walmart
$80
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The sleek design and powerful fan speeds make this tower fan great for cooling small rooms.
Keep in Mind
We weren't able to feel a breeze when standing further than 10 feet from the fan.
Tower fans are the best fans for cooling an entire room without sacrificing a ton of space or making lots of noise. The Lasko Wind Curve Oscillating Tower Fan is a great example—it offers three fan speeds, quiet operation, and a space-saving design that makes it easy to tuck into a corner.
During testing, our home experts were shocked by how easily the different fan speeds circulated cool air throughout the room, giving the fan a perfect score in this category. We liked the variance between each fan speed, allowing you to choose between a soft breeze and a powerful, cooling blast, depending on how warm the room is.
When in nighttime mode, the Lasko portable fan slowly decreases the fan speed over time, allowing you to drift off comfortably without racking up your energy bill all night long. There's also a timer setting, which allows you to designate how long you'd like it to run before shutting off.
"This fan is honestly saving my life right now in the New York City heat. I use it on the highest setting every single day while I work...It is a really powerful fan, easy to switch between modes, and it's very quiet. In fact, sometimes I forget to turn it off because it's not loud at all." -Better Homes & Gardens Tester
Each mode provides a comfortable breeze with minimal noise, and the fan has an oscillating setting to help circulate the cool air. We also loved the modern yet unobtrusive design of the Lasko portable fan, which has a matte gray finish, a user-friendly control panel, and a slim frame that won't take up too much space.
We recommend using this fan in small-to medium-size rooms, as we couldn't feel the breeze when standing more than 10 feet away from the fan. Our long-term tester also noted that the fan's base was very bulky, making it difficult to move from room to room.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Three | Modes: Default and Sleep | Timer: Up to 7.5 hours | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 42.5 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
The 6 Best Window Air Conditioners of 2024 for Cooling Every Room in Your House
Best Box Fan
Pelonis Box Fan
Amazon
View On Amazon
$45
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This fan works to cool the entire room, not just the space directly in front of it.
Keep in Mind
It's a bit louder than other fans on this list.
If you're trying to circulate cool air in a large or particularly stuffy room, the gentle breeze from even the best portable fan isn't going to be enough. Instead, you'll need a high-powered box fan—like the Pelonis Three-Speed Box Fan—to move stagnant air out of the room and keep the space cool.
During testing, we found the Pelonis box fan to be one of the most powerful models in terms of airflow. The fan itself is nothing fancy; there's no LED display, special settings to try, or auto-shutoff features—you simply change fan speeds by turning a knob. But it's incredibly effective at circulating air throughout the entire room, and you'll be able to feel a cool breeze from even 20 feet away.
We also found this fan to be surprisingly portable and lightweight, making it super easy to move from room to room as needed. There are convenient carrying handles in two corners of the fan, and we were able to transport it one-handed without issue.
Because of its powerful airflow, this fan does make a bit of noise, which could be bothersome to light sleepers who want to run the fan overnight. If you're intending to use this fan while sleeping, plan on placing it on the opposite side of the room so the fan doesn't disturb you.
"I like using this fan when I want to cool down a specific area of my apartment, like my kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc. rather than turning on the AC, which makes my entire place cold and is expensive," our long-term tester said.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Three | Modes: None | Timer: None | Dimensions: 20 x 6 x 21 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Best Quiet
Dyson Purifying Fan
Amazon
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$560
View On Walmart
$430
View On Dyson.com
$430
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This fan has a built-in HEPA filter, allowing it to filter and circulate cool, clean air throughout the room.
Keep in Mind
The lowest air flow settings on this fan didn't seem very noticeable or useful to us.
Finding the best fan that effectively cools you down without making a racket can be a difficult task, but the Dyson Purifying Fan manages both effortlessly. While it's the most expensive fan we tested, our home experts found it to be well-worth the money, given its wide range of settings, quiet operation, and air purification capabilities.
When testing the Dyson Pure Cool, we were particularly impressed with how quiet it was compared to other models. Even on the highest setting, we noted that its gentle whirring wouldn't be a disturbance as they were sleeping.
It also has 10 different fan speeds, allowing you to adjust the breeze based on how close to it you'll be (testers reported that they could feel the breeze as far as 20 feet away). We found that the lowest two fan settings were too slow to actually be useful, but they appreciated the wide range of speeds that the higher settings offered.
"If you're in a small space, this is a fantastic option, not only because it blends in easily but also because it also works as an air purifier, so you get two products in one. The sound is really only noticeable on the highest settings, but even then, it's nowhere near as loud as my AC unit or a larger box fan. It provides good white noise while I sleep." -Better Homes & Gardens Tester
Unlike other fans we tested, this quiet fan features a bladeless design, meaning you don't have to worry about someone getting injured by the fast-spinning blades. This also means the fan is super easy to wipe down, as there's no grille or hard-to-access blades collecting dust.
To top it all off, the Dyson Pure Cool fan has a built-in HEPA filter, which allows it to draw in and capture pollutants in the air, then re-circulate fresh, clean air back into your room. This cooling fan has been certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: 10 | Modes: None | Timer: Up to nine hours | Dimensions: 4.3 x 7.7 x 40 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
The 9 Best Fans for Bedrooms of 2024 for a Cool and Comfortable Sleep
Best Table
SNOOZ Breez 2-in-1 Smart Bedroom Table Fan
Amazon
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$200
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This smart fan has 10 different fan settings and doubles as a white noise machine.
Keep in Mind
It doesn’t have a timer.
The Snooz Breez 2-in-1 Smart Bedroom Table Fan showed impressive range in power settings and versatility during our testing.
Not only is this a tabletop fan, but it’s also a white noise machine, making it a perfect addition to your bedroom nightstand. With 10 adjustable airflow settings, it offers several different breeze options so you can pick the perfect level of comfort for your needs.
When testing the different settings, we found the lowest setting gave off a very soft breeze—so soft it didn’t blow any papers and could not be felt from far away. The highest setting, however, was very powerful and blew away all the papers on the table.
We found the noise levels for both the fan and white noise machine to be loud, though the noise is soothing, not disruptive. This table fan would work great for someone who tends to get hot at night or needs a relaxing noise to fall asleep.
We loved the chic and contemporary design of this fan, and it was easy to tilt, revolving almost 360 degrees around. However, it doesn’t have a timer like other fans on our list have, like the Dreo Tower Fan.
We should note there is an optional app you can download to set a schedule, use a remote, and more, but we did not download it to test it.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: 10 | Modes: Four | Timer: No timer | Dimensions: 7 x 11.25 x 11.75 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Best Industrial
XPOWER FC-200 Industrial High Velocity Whole Room Air Mover
Amazon
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$145
View On Home Depot
$144
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Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
We appreciated the wide range of breezes this fan produced, and it was easy to move around.
Keep in Mind
It’s one of the loudest fans we tested.
For those looking for an industrial fan, the Xpower FC-200 Heavy Duty Industrial High Velocity Whole Room Air Mover impressed us during our testing.
There are four separate settings offered on the fan, and it also has a timer that goes up to three hours. We noted the lowest setting provided a powerful yet soothing breeze without being too loud. The highest setting, however, was very loud, and the papers used during testing blew away immediately on the highest setting making it all the way to the 20-foot marker.
The wide range of power was definitely a plus for us. While the fan does not have an oscillating option or the ability to alter its height, this fan offered a lot of power. It was also lightweight, which made moving it around easy.
While it was one of the loudest fans we tested, we liked how powerful it was, making it perfect for industrial settings.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Four | Modes: One | Timer: Three hour timer | Dimensions: 15.4 x 17.3 x 8.9 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Better Homes & Gardens / Eric Brockob
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Best Desk Fan
Vornado Large Air Circulator
Amazon
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$90
View On Target
$100
View On Wayfair
$100
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
We could feel the breeze from this fan as far as 20 feet away, making it great for keeping you cool at your desk and throughout the room.
Keep in Mind
It's quite large for a desk fan, so it may take up too much space on small desks.
Productive work days don't have to be ruined by hot weather. If your home office tends to get stuffy and warm during the summertime, we recommend the Vornado 660 Whole Room Air Circulator, which sits conveniently on your desk but can keep the whole room cool.
This portable fan offers four different speeds to choose from, so you can keep the breeze low if you have a lot of papers on your desk or blast the cold air when you're moving around the room. It doesn't oscillate, but you can tilt the fan up and down to control where the breeze is concentrated.
According to the manufacturer, this fan circulates air throughout the entire room by creating airflow in multiple directions at once—and we certainly found in our tests that this fan is extremely powerful. We were still able to feel a light breeze from this fan at 20 feet away on its highest setting, so you'll be able to stay cool at your office desk and as you move about the room.
Keep in mind that this fan is a little bulky, measuring 13 inches wide by 15 inches tall. If you have a small desk or limited space, this fan may take up too much room.
"This fan is small but mighty, and the design is minimal enough to not feel like it's changing the style of your room or creating an eyesore," one tester said after using it on her desk for a month. "It circulates air around the room, which is fairly large and lofty, making the room seem cooler."
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Four | Modes: None | Timer: None | Dimensions: 11.8 x 13.5 x 15 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
The 13 Best Office Chairs of 2024, According to Lab Testing
Best Standing
Pelonis Pedestal Fan
Amazon
View On Amazon
$80
View On Walmart
$37
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The sturdy, high-quality design and digital features made this standing fan worth the money.
Keep in Mind
The carrying handle is quite close to the fan blades, so it's difficult to move from room to room.
The Pelonis Pedestal Fan is a quiet yet powerful fan is a versatile and modern option to help you cool even large rooms in your home. We were quite impressed by its sleek design, which includes a metal build and thoughtful features like its LED display, adjustable height, and wide range of airspeed settings.
In the testing lab, we found that the Pelonis standing fan created breezes strong enough to be felt from distances up to 20 feet on its highest setting (though it was most effective between 6 and 15 feet). With 12 speeds to choose from, you'll be able to adjust the airflow and tilt the fan head up and down to provide the perfect amount of cooling to a room.
"This is a heavy fan that feels very sturdy and high-end. The fan also comes with a remote control. Since I use it while I sleep, I love that I can control the speed, timer, side-to-side movement, and on/off buttons, without getting out of bed. Even on its higher speed settings the fan is very quiet, which I love." -Better Homes & Gardens Tester
It's super easy to change settings on this standing fan right from the LED display, including changing the fan speed, setting a timer, and turning on the oscillation feature. You can also adjust the height of this fan so the airflow doesn't get blocked by furniture or other large obstructions. There's even a remote control that allows you to change settings from across the room.
We recommend using this fan in a room where you won't have to move it around often, as it's quite bulky and difficult to carry. While it does have a carrying handle, it's right next to the fan blades, making it awkward to lift and move from one place to another.
Product Details: Fan Speeds: 12 | Modes: None | Timer: Up to 12 hours | Dimensions: 15.75 x 15.75 x 51.18 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Best for Sleeping
Rowenta Turbo Silence Extreme+ Stand Fan
Amazon
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$138
View On Wayfair
$180
View On Walmart
$127
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
This fan has an adjustable stand, so you can raise and lower its height to match the height of your bed.
Keep in Mind
It's quite heavy, making it less portable than other options on this list.
If your typical sleep routine involves tossing and turning at night in a room that's too warm, the Rowenta Turbo Silence Extreme+ Stand Fan could be just the solution you need. At just 35 decibels (barely louder than a whisper) on its lowest setting and 60 decibels at its highest, even light sleepers should have no trouble dozing off when it's running.
During testing, this standing fan received perfect scores for effectiveness at circulating air. We were still able to feel a faint breeze while standing 20 feet away from it, meaning it's powerful enough to provide cool air to all corners of the room. The Rowenta Turbo Silence fan also oscillates 120 degrees, helping to cool the entire room as you sleep.
We liked the easy-to-use LED display and the detachable remote, which allows you to change fan settings without having to crawl out of bed. You can choose between five different fan speeds and set it to natural mode or decrescendo mode, which is an energy-saving setting that rotates between high and low fan speeds.
The Rowenta Turbo Silence fan is also the best fan for sleeping because of its adjustable stand, which allows you to change its height to match the height of your bed. This lets you get the perfect amount of airflow as you snooze without having to prop your fan up on something to make it taller.
Our only complaint with the Rowenta fan is its weight distribution—even though it's only 10.18 pounds, we found it to be rather cumbersome to move around, and its large base makes it difficult to store when not in use.
"This fan has "Silence Extreme" in its title, and it definitely lives up to that name," our long-term tester said. "You really cannot hear it when it's on. I put this fan in the living room of my apartment where I don't have an air conditioner, and it cools it down enough to actually be in there during the day, even when it's hot out."
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Five | Modes: Three | Timer: Up to eight hours | Dimensions: 18 x 17 x 53 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Best Portable
Crane Circulating Desk Fan
Amazon
View On Amazon
$68
View On Wayfair
$72
View On Walmart
$50
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The head of this fan folds back for easy storage.
Keep in Mind
While it's great for direct cooling, it isn't as effective as other models at improving airflow throughout the whole room.
Having a lightweight and portable fan allows you to keep cool anywhere that has a power source without lugging a large, heavy device with you along the way. Whether you're working in an office, packing for an RV trip, or simply adding a portable fan to your nightstand, the Crane Circulating Desk Fan is a simple solution to keep you cool.
With low, medium, and high fan speed settings to choose from and the ability to tilt the fan up to 90 degrees, the fan is adaptable enough to get the right amount of air circulation pointed in the direction you want. It also has an oscillating feature to help circulate cool air throughout the room.
When not in use, you can fold the head of this fan completely flat against the base, creating a more compact cylinder shape that's easy to store in a desk drawer. We found the fan to be powerful enough to faintly feel a breeze as far as 20 feet away, but it works best at close range, around 6 to 10 feet away.
If you're in a tight space, such as a camper or an office cubicle, this fan will be powerful enough to provide airflow across the room, but we found it to be less effective than others at circulating air in an entire room.
Our tester used this fan next to her bed for an entire month, and she reported that, while it was a little too bulky to be used on her desk, it was very effective and easy to control. "This fan performs well and has a unique design that's sleek yet functional," our tester said. "Plus, the top part of the fan folds down when not in use, so it'd be easy to stack in storage."
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Three | Modes: None | Timer: Up to seven hours | Dimensions: 9.75 x 7.75 x 14 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Best Window
Genesis A1 Window Fan
Amazon
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$49
View On Home Depot
$49
View On QVC
$75
Our Ratings
Why You Should Get It
The dual-fan design draws in fresh air from outdoors while simultaneously pushing stale air out.
Keep in Mind
Our long-term tester found that the feet on this device aren't the easiest to put on or take off, making it tricky to switch it from a window fan to a standalone fan.
One of the most effective and cost-effective ways to cool your home without an air conditioner is to install a window fan. The Genesis Window Fan performed exceptionally well in our tests, receiving near-perfect scores for its air speed, design, and effectiveness.
The dual-fan design allows the machine to draw fresh air from outside into your home while venting stuffy, warm air back out. You can change the speed and direction of each fan individually, giving you more flexibility with how much air you want to draw in from outside. Our tester appreciated that she could adjust the direction of each fan, and she felt like it helped increase airflow.
We liked that this window fan has three fan speeds and a built-in thermostat to help you more accurately decide what fan speed you'll need for a comfortable room. We found that its airflow isn't particularly strong compared to the portable fans we tested, but it was still effective at removing stale air and keeping the overall room cool.
The Genesis Twin window fan comes with expandable side panels and removable legs so you can fit it snugly into your window without leaving large gaps open for bugs to get through. During our testing, we found that the removable legs were a bit tricky to take off or put on, making it an ordeal to switch this fan from a window model to a stand-alone fan. However, aside from this drawback, we found it to be just as effective at home as it was in the lab.
"I placed this fan on the window beside where I work out in the mornings, and it's strong enough to keep the entire room from feeling stuffy, even on hot days," our tester said. "Even the lowest setting is still really powerful, especially given the size of the fan, and it's small enough to tuck away when I'm not using it."
Product Details: Fan Speeds: Three | Modes: None | Timer: None | Dimensions: 24 to 37 x 4 x 12 inches
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Height isn’t the only important factor to consider when choosing your next fan. To help you find the best fans on the market, we researched and tested a number of fans, evaluating them on their design, effectiveness, safety features, and overall value. Keep reading for our top fan recommendations, plus expert tips on what to keep in mind before you make your purchase.
“The primary mistake [buyers make] is neglecting to measure the room's ceiling height and size where the fan will be placed,” says Brian Shaunfield , a Store Manager at Lowe's. “The ideal fan height from floor to fan blades is approximately 8 feet. To maximize airflow, ensure the proper distance between the ceiling and the fan blades by using a downrod extension.”
A good indoor fan can make an enormous difference for your comfort level in your home . The best fans offer a combination of cooling power, air circulation , and customization options to get the settings just right for the unique needs of your home or office. With so many options on the market, though, it’s easy to overlook key details or just feel overwhelmed.
The fan isn’t the most exciting or visually appealing, with a basic white plastic design, but it gets the job done. It can get noisy at times, especially on the higher settings, and it can take some effort to convert it between its window use and floor use. However, its relatively low price point compared to other fans makes it another budget-friendly choice for keeping rooms comfortable.
With two individual fans in a single unit and multiple settings, the Genesis Twin Window Fan offers plenty of options for increasing airflow in your space. It’s surprisingly lightweight for a window fan, and it also comes with detachable “feet” that can be used to convert it from a window unit to a classic floor fan if desired. Users can choose from three fan speeds and five “temperature” settings, although the latter feature seemed a bit inconsistent and confusing to use during testing — the fan’s strength is more in creating air flow than actual, direct cooling.
Along with the four speed settings, the fan can tilt almost all the way around and can be set on a timer — although it lacks an oscillation option or height adjustments. It’s sturdy enough for more “industrial” use, but still compact and light enough to move or carry without too much effort. Although this fan is clearly designed for use in work spaces, rather than family spaces, it’s still worth noting that there are fairly wide gaps between the wires, which could allow stray objects to easily reach the moving blades.
When you’re looking for serious power in your fan, the XPOWER FC-200 Heavy Duty Industrial High Velocity Air Mover is an excellent pick. It provides four different settings, all the way up to some of the most powerful air movement among all the fans tested. This remarkable strength makes it ideally suited to a workshop or similar location where its strength will be truly useful, and the accompanying loudness won’t be as much of an issue as an indoor living space.
There is very little in the way of adjustability, and the noise level is quite high, especially on higher speeds.
While the wide range of speeds is a useful feature, we had to cycle through all preceding speeds to get to our desired one, rather than being able to switch directly to it. The handle for moving the fan is a little too close to the blades to be comfortable. And speaking of those blades, the wire cage surrounding them has ample space for objects or fingers to slide through. It’s not as big of a hazard as fans that are placed directly on the floor or a tabletop surface, but it’s certainly not ideal, either.
The Pelonis Oscillating Pedestal Fan is an ideal choice for anyone who prefers a straightforward, no-frills floor fan in a classic style. It allows you to switch between twelve different speeds, plus a wide oscillation arc. You can also adjust the tilt of the fan and its height for even more customization. Although it’s a pretty standard, utilitarian style of fan, it’s still pretty sturdy and was able to get the job done during testing.
Changing the speeds requires cycling through all the settings, and the handle is a little too close to the blades.
Although the overall quality of the fan’s construction is pretty good, the base feels flimsier and less stable than the rest of the fan. It comes with a carrying handle, but it’s still on the heavy side and tough to carry one-handed. Moving the fan also tends to dislodge the power cord from its secured slot in the base, so you’ll need to check and reposition it every time. It’s not ideal for situations where you need more of a portable fan, but it’s a great choice for pairing power with noise reduction.
Excessive noise can be a downside to even the most efficient fans, which is why the Honeywell Quiet Set Tower Fan stands out from the crowd. Even on its highest speed level, it remains relatively quiet while still providing plenty of airflow, oscillation, and cooling. The control panel on top of the fan is straightforward to use and simple to read, with clearly visible symbols. We also appreciated the small but helpful detail of a clip on the back of the fan to safely store the remote control when not in use.
It’s unwieldy to move around, and the base feels lower-quality and unstable in comparison with the rest of the fan.
Even at the highest speed, it produced the least amount of noise compared to other fans.
Both of the fan’s settings provide decent airflow without excessive noise. Unfortunately, it only has two settings, and it lacks the ability to oscillate or change the height. The wide gaps in the front may also pose concerns, as the spacing is wide enough that narrow objects or fingers could slip through and come into contact with the blades. Overall though, as an easy-to-move fan with a few extra convenience factors, it provides solid relief for its price.
Whether you need a fan that can be carried with you on the go, or you prefer a lighter fan that's easy to shift around, the Treva 10-Inch Portable Desktop Air Circulation Battery Fan is a top portable pick. The fan can either be plugged into the wall or operated via battery, and its lightweight and collapsible design makes it easy to maneuver (although it doesn’t have a handle for carrying). It also has LED lights on the frame, which could especially come in handy for outdoor excursions.
There are minimal options for adjustments of any kind, and the gaps in the front are wide enough to pose a safety concern.
That remarkable level of power does come with some downsides. It’s definitely a bulkier fan, (which gives it a very utilitarian appearance), making it a little too large to truly be a table or desk fan as advertised. Moreover, it lacks a handle for easy portability. While it might not be the prettiest fan, it’s a solid choice for when you need serious functionality.
The Vornado 660 Large Air Circulator can move an impressive amount of air, and reach even the furthest corners of large spaces. Although it does not have an oscillation feature, our testing found its tilt has a wide range, allowing for more adjustments to customize the airflow. It features four different speeds, plus a glide bar that allows you to direct the airflow coming out of the fan. The fan also not only circulates air through large rooms with ease, it also cools the air down for quick relief.
In addition to being a reliable fan, it serves a dual purpose as a white noise machine. While this can be especially helpful for bedroom snoozing, higher speeds — even when the white noise feature is turned off — produce sound that is loud enough to drown out conversation. Despite this, the device has gaps that are far too narrow to fit anything in between, making it safe for children. Just prepare to spend quite a bit for this 2-in-1 fan, as it is one of the most expensive options on this list.
The SNOOZ Breez 2-in-1 Smart Bedroom Table Fan is designed to ensure you stay cool and comfortable through the night thanks to its variety of customizable features. The fan itself offers 10 different airflow settings and nearly a 360-degree tilt, allowing you to fine-tune it to match your preferences. For further convenience, you can download a coordinated app for smart features, such as setting an operating schedule or controlling it remotely.
Because of its small size, however, the use of this fan is more limited than other designs. It provides a significantly less powerful breeze and a shorter range than many of the other fans we tested, so while it’s great for desk use (where you don’t want papers to go flying), it’s not ideal for roomier spaces. Given those limitations, it can be a little pricey, but for a specialized desk fan, it’s still a great choice.
If you’re looking for a small fan to stay comfortable at your desk, the GreenTech Environmental pureFlow Bladeless Desk Fan will provide exactly what you need. Compact, lightweight, and sleek, it offers super-quiet air circulation with 90-degree tilt alongside oscillation and 12 speed settings. Its low energy requirements also make it an efficient option, and its bladeless design is exceptionally safe. It’s even aesthetically pleasing, featuring a glossy, modern globe design that looks stylish in an office.
It operates very quietly, even on the highest settings, plus it’s lightweight, portable, and has a wide range of adjustability.
For additional convenience, the fan can be operated using a remote control, which remained effective even up to 20 feet during testing. While it does have an option for oscillation, it cannot be tweaked for height or tilt in any direction. However, the bladeless design is a definite safety plus, too. The slats at the front are close enough together that very few objects would be able to get past them to reach the moving center of the fan, making it a great option for anyone in search of a child-safe appliance.
A bladeless design and powerful airflow elevate the Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan above other tower fans we tested. You can choose from four basic speeds, plus eco/energy-saver mode, automatic mode, and night mode with dimmed light, all of which provide efficient airflow in a variety of spaces. While the fan isn’t silent, its noise level provides enough sound to produce white noise if needed, but not so loud that it distracts from conversations, watching TV, or other everyday activities.
Because it’s a smaller and more budget-friendly fan, it doesn’t come with as many options or features. There’s no oscillation or remote control, the noise is noticeable (though not overly loud), and the only position adjustment possible is vertical tilt. The cage around the fan is just barely large enough that we were able to fit a pencil through, so while it’s not a glaring hazard, it’s worth keeping an eye on, especially if you have young children.
With a low price point and a compact design, the Hampton Bay 3 Speed Personal High Velocity Table Fan is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a bit of airflow on a budget. Instead of trying to circulate air in a larger space, this fan is designed for personal use such as on a desk , while working out, or while relaxing in a chair. We found that it provides a surprisingly far-reaching breeze for its small size (though that might be frustrating if working with papers), although it just features three speed settings.
A slight but distinctly noticeable buzzing sound persists during use, and the cage is spaced far enough that small objects could get through.
During testing, we encountered a potential concern in the design of the wire cage around the fan’s core. Towards the outer edge, the gap between wires widens enough that small objects—or even fingers—could easily collide with the moving blades. Most of the features of this fan provide excellent results, but customers with small children may want to beware of the safety flaw.
Even on the turbo setting, the fan produces minimal noise and very little noise change between speeds. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, especially with the use of a convenient handle. While the remote makes it more convenient to operate this fan, it does have to be pointed directly at the motion sensor, or the remote might not work.
With tons of options to customize its use, the Dreo Pedestal Fan with Remote earns our top spot among all fans we tested. Its design allows for smooth adjustments to the direction and tilt — both horizontally and vertically — so you can easily get the fan in the perfect position for your use. Not only can the physical position be easily maneuvered, but the fan’s programming is highly effective: it features varied speeds, on a scale of 1 to 8, with a turbo high and 6 modes (these features can be combined to get your most customized setting).
It offers several different settings and modes to suit various needs, plus an impressive range of motion for vertical tilt.
Final Verdict
Our top overall pick is the Dreo Pedestal Fan with Remote due to its broad range of settings and adjustments that make it easy to tailor the fan’s movements to your needs. Plus, it manages to do all that without making excessive noise. For those on a budget, the Hampton Bay 3 Speed Personal High Velocity Table Fan is also a great choice, but does lack a lot of bells and whistles that other fans may have.
Our Testing Process
We tested a variety of fans — including different types — to assess how well they performed on key functions that are most important to users. First, we evaluated the overall design of each fan. This included considering its weight and bulk, its portability, its noise level, and features such as oscillation, tilt, and remote control. Then, we tested the effectiveness of the fan, focusing on how well it produced air flow at different speeds and distances. We noted how many different speeds and settings each fan had available, and we set down papers to observe how much they moved on both the highest and lowest available settings.
We also tested each fan for safety. With the fan turned off and fully unplugged, we inserted unsharpened pencils into any open areas, such as the cage or slats at the front, to see if it was possible to reach the blades. Finally, with all of these factors taken into consideration (along with readings of technical specifications such as wattage, kilowatt hours, and decibels), we determined the value of the fan relative to its retail price.
Real Simple / Eric Brockob
How to Shop for Fans Like a Pro
Type
“When selecting a fan, consider the size and location first,” Shaunfield recommends. For small areas, table fans are a great fit. These fans tend to be easily portable, and they usually have oscillation features to provide more coverage despite their size. Desk or personal fans are an even smaller type of fan that otherwise shares features with a table fan, but can be used on a flat surface without causing too much chaos if you have papers and light objects around.
For more coverage or cooling larger spaces, Shaunfield says that taller and larger fans are popular options. A pedestal fan usually is shaped much like a table fan, but is elevated on a longer stem for additional height. Tower fans are also vertical fans, but they use a different type of fan mechanism for a tall, slim-line design. The blades on these units are also less visible than traditional, centrifugal fans, making them a little more safer for those with little ones. You also might choose a window fan, which is designed to sit in a partially-open window, and draw in the fresh air from outside to circulate inside.
Real Simple / Rachel Marek
Airflow
Airflow for most fans is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. This unit of measurement denotes the volume of air (in cubic feet) that can be displaced or exchanged in one minute. Higher CFM means higher airflow, which Shaunfield explains typically corresponds with a stronger breeze and “creates a refreshing draft.” A larger CFM number isn’t always better, however, as a smaller office space doesn’t need as much airflow as a large workshop. Using a fan with a too-high CFM number in a small space may actually create an uncomfortable environment if the unit is too loud or is making the area too cold.
Additional Features
When selecting a fan, you may also want to consider features like oscillation, height adjustment, the number of settings or modes, and how easy it is to move around. “Choose a fan that complements your style and includes essential features like a remote or an energy-efficient DC motor,” Shaunfield recommends. Just note that fans that have multiple features may end up costing more than those that have less settings or lack a remote.
More Fans to Consider
Print Works Portable Fan: This small, portable fan offers impressively quiet operation, 360-degree tilt, and three stylish color options. However, the price point is higher than we’d like for a small desk fan without any additional features.
Rowenta Urban Cool Silent Tower Fan: Although this fan is surprisingly lightweight and features adjustable speed settings and oscillation, it doesn’t provide much air movement, even on the higher settings. It might work well for a small space, but for a medium or large area, it didn’t quite pack a punch for its price.
Real Simple / Eric Brockob
Questions You Might Ask
What is the difference between a fan and an air circulator?
Air circulators are another option that many people may consider for cooling down a room. Essentially, an air circulator is an appliance designed to move air consistently and evenly throughout a room. A traditional fan, in contrast, typically focuses its air movement in one direction (wherever it is pointed), although oscillation features can provide more true circulation. If you’re looking for direct cooling in one area, a fan pointed that direction should do just fine, but an air circulator is likely to work better for creating steady, fresh airflow throughout an entire room.
Are more expensive fans worth it?
“Fan prices vary based on brand, size, and additional features desired by buyers,” Shaunfield says, noting that this wide variety of preferences is why many retailers offer a range of fans with different features and price points. A more expensive fan is only “worth it” if that extra cost is due to a particular feature that you feel strongly about. However, if you have a large space, you may need to opt for a fan that has a little more power — which may be a little pricier than smaller devices — in order to effectively circulate air around the room.
What types of fans are the most cooling?
“Ceiling fans are considered the most efficient for cooling as they circulate air throughout a room,” says Shaunfield. “Floor fans are known for immediate cooling in specific areas, and have gained popularity due to their affordability and portability.” When trying to predict how well a certain fan will cool your room, consider the size of the area, as well as the CFM and directional movements,
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Amanda Prahl, a contributing writer for Real Simple with over five years of writing lifestyle content. To compile these recommendations, we tested several indoor fans and assessed them based on their design, effectiveness, safety, and overall value. Amanda also spoke with Brian Shaunfield, a Store Manager at Lowe's, for expert tips on how to shop for a fan.
What Is Real Simple Selects?
Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.
Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.