If you don’t have an air conditioning unit at home or want to reduce the amount of time you spend using the one you do have, investing in a fan is a great option. The device circulates air to create a breeze and cool down a room. And the benefits of a fan extend beyond helping you regulate a room’s temperature, said Carl Prouty, tech expert at Abt Electronics.
“[Fans are] much quieter than window or wall air conditioners and they use far less energy, so their operating costs are much lower,” he said. They’re also often more portable than air conditioners, so you can easily move them between rooms and bring them with you on the go.
SKIP AHEAD Top-rated fans to keep you cool | Best tower fans | Best handheld fans | Best desk fans | Best window fans | Best pedestal fans | Best ceiling fans | Best purifying fans | Types of fans to consider | How to shop for fans
How we picked the best fans
Because fans come in various styles to accommodate different situations, we talked to an expert about deciding which type is best for you and highlighted features you may want to keep in mind while shopping. We also rounded up a handful of fans across styles and price points according to expert guidance.
- Fan type and size: Deciding which type of fan to purchase largely depends on where you’re using it and how large a space you’re aiming to keep cool. Size also matters—bigger fans will circulate air throughout rooms, while smaller fans might just cool you down.
- Fan speeds: If you like to adjust the intensity of airflow coming from your fan, consider purchasing one with multiple speeds so you have options.
- Oscillation: This refers to the fan’s ability to circulate air across a room. If you’re trying to cool down a larger space, oscillation can help.
- Price: More expensive fans tend to have more bells and whistles, while lower-priced options are usually more basic in design.
Top-rated fans to keep you cool
To help guide your shopping, we highlighted a handful of highly-rated fans across various styles. We included larger fans designed to cool entire rooms, tabletop and handheld options for personal use. For each model, we pointed out specs that might aid in narrowing down the best options, including oscillation, smart features, types of filters, modes and more.
Best tower fans
Dreo Nomad One S Tower Fan
- App and voice control
- Tall
- Remote controlled
- Nothing to note at this time
4.6-star average rating from over 1,800 reviews on Amazon
Built with an 8-hour timer, this fan has a hidden handle you can grip when moving it around your home. The fan’s touchscreen display also allows you to switch between modes easily. To help you eliminate dust accumulating over time, the fan comes apart so you can reach all its nooks and crannies.
Fan type: Tower fan | Size: 36 in. tall | Fan speeds: 4 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Smart features: Yes, companion app and voice control | Filters: None | Modes: Normal, natural, sleep and auto
Vornado Air Circulator Tower Fan
- Multiple speeds
- Timer
- No smart features
- No remote
4-star average rating from over 966 reviews on Amazon
This tower fan has a slightly twisted vent, which allows air to circulate in your room without constant oscillation. Plus, you can choose from three strengths and four timing options. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez has used this tower fan from Vornado for years and loves how strong it is. “It’s actually surprisingly powerful for a tower fan,” he says. It kept me cool on super hot and humid summer days.”
Fan type: Tower fan | Size: 29 in. tall | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: no | Remote control: No | Smart features: no | Filters: none | Modes: hourly timer
Best handheld fan
Snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Portable Fan
- Multiple speeds
- Lightweight
- No smart features
4.6-star average rating from over 14,500 reviews on Amazon
This personal, portable fan has three flexible legs that you can bend and wrap around beach umbrellas, shelves, strollers and more. You can also stand it up on its own and place it on a flat surface. The fan has a rechargeable battery, and you can choose from three fan speeds.
Fan type: Handheld fan | Size: 7.83 in. tall | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Best desk fans
Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator Fan
- Good for office
- Multiple speeds
- No oscillation
4.4-star average rating from over 18,900 reviews on Amazon
My office tends to get hot in the morning, so I keep this on my desk to cool me down. It takes up minimal space, but it’s very powerful. I particularly like the adjustable tilt head and manual swivel base, which allow me to angle the fan perfectly in my direction. I bought this fan three years ago and it’s still as good as new.
Fan type: Desk fan | Size: 6.2 in. tall | Fan speeds: 2 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Vornado VFAN Mini Classic Vintage Air Circulator
- Good for office
- No oscillation
4.6-star average rating from over 10,400 reviews on Amazon
Vornado also offers a retro, vintage-looking fan that has an adjustable tilted head so you can easily change the direction of airflow.
Fan type: Desk fan | Size: 8.3 in. tall | Fan speeds: 2 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Treva Portable Desktop Battery Powered Fan
- Good for office
- No oscillation
- No smart features
4.4-star average rating from over 20,800 reviews on Amazon
This small fan is great for keeping on your desk at work during the summer or on any chair that’s outside. The fan folds flat when it’s not in use and it has a built-in handle. You can also adjust the fan’s angle.
Fan type: Desk fan | Size: 6 in. tall | Fan speeds: 2 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Best window fan
Holmes Bionaire Twin Window Fan
- Multiple speed
- Lightweight
- Remote controlled
- No oscillation
4.4-star average rating from 19,006 reviews on Amazon
You can install this two-fan system in your window, just like an air conditioner, except it’s much lighter and easier to secure. The fan comes with a remote to control the temperature and speed setting. The fan also comes with adjustable panels on the side, so you can ensure it fits in your window properly.
Fan type: Window fan | Size: Adjustable from 24 to 34 in. | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: Yes | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Best pedestal fans
Black & Decker Stand Fan with Remote
- Tall
- Multiple speeds
- Oscillation
- No smart features
4.1-star average rating from over 20,400 reviews on Amazon
This is built with an auto timer that shuts the fan off after 7.5 hours. You can also adjust its height and tilt angle.
Fan type: Pedestal fan | Size: 49 in. tall, 52 in. tall | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Lasko 1820 Pedestal Fan
- Tall
- Oscillation
- No remote
4.4-star average rating from over 21,300 reviews on Amazon
While this fan is a more basic, low-tech option, reporter Harry Rabinowitz said it works well and he’s used it for years. The fan is designed with a tilt-back head, allowing you to direct airflow upward or downward if you’d like to. It also has a wide base for stability.
Fan type: Pedestal fan | Size: Adjustable up to 54.5 in. tall | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Best ceiling fan
Honeywell Carnegie Ceiling Fan
- Tall
- Multiple speeds
- Remote-controlled
- No smart features
4.6-star average rating from over 200 reviews on Amazon
This ceiling fan, designed with five blades, also has a built-in dimmable light. If you get too cold, the brand says you can reverse the fan’s blades to push warm air (which tends to rise to the top of rooms) downward. You can mount the fan in either a straight or angled position.
Fan type: Ceiling fan | Size: 52 in. wide | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Smart features: No | Filters: No | Modes: Manual
Best purifying fan
Blueair Blue Pure Purifying Fan
- Modern looking
- Multiple speeds
- No oscillation
4.4-star average rating from over 440 reviews on Amazon
Though this fan doesn’t oscillate, it lets out a stream of air across a 90-degree range, according to the brand. The device is designed with Blueair’s proprietary HEPASilent technology, which the brand says uses electrostatic and mechanical filtration to remove allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander and more. The purifying fan is built with an air quality indicator and you can purchase machine-washable pre-filters in five colors. It also has a top handle to move the fan around your home.
Fan type: Table fan | Size: 15.5 in. tall | Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: No | Smart features: No | Filters: Pre-filter, HEPASilent filtration technology | Modes: Auto
Types of fans to consider
When shopping for the right fan, decide whether you want to cool off yourself or a whole room. Household fans are usually needed when a space doesn’t have air conditioning or a central air system. On the other hand, handheld fans are ideal for personal use, especially for travelers, those who work outside or want a burst of cool air while on the move.
Here are the fan types you should know about, as well as the purpose of each:
- Ceiling fans are permanently installed on a room’s ceiling. They move air around to keep rooms cool — during colder months, you can often reverse the airflow to circulate warm air. In addition to indoor ceiling fans, you can purchase models specifically designed for outdoor use on porches or under pergolas. Some also incorporate lights.
- Tower fans — also sometimes called floor fans — are portable units designed to move from room to room. They’re tall and narrow, so you can usually fit them in small spaces.
- Window fans sit in window frames, similar to air conditioning units. However, experts told us they use less energy and are easier to set up than window AC units. They bring in cold air from outside and are often more effective than traditional fans at cooling larger spaces. Remember that window fans must be removed when it gets cold out and can cause leaks when it rains.
- Desk fans are personal fans that attach to or stand upright on tables. Since you can also place them on top of a counter, bedside table or end table, you might also see them referred to as table fans. You can put these next to you while working, sleeping or watching TV on the couch.
- Pedestal fans are designed similarly to desk fans, but their base is at ground level. Stand-up fans are typically larger and taller than desk fans and create a stronger breeze, though they’re still portable.
- Handheld fans are another type of personal fan. Due to their small size, they won’t cool you off as well as other options, but they’re convenient since they’re cordless and portable.
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How to shop for fans
Once you decide what type of fan you’re interested in, consider whether the following features are important to you. Identify your must-haves in a fan and look for models that include those features.
- Remote controls: You can adjust the settings wherever you are in a room.
- Smart features: Some models have Wi-Fi compatibility, while others pair with a companion app, which allows you to control the fan, review air quality and usage reports and more from your phone. Fans may also connect to voice-activated smart devices for hands-free use.
- Filters: Similar to air purifiers, some fans come with filters that can remove allergens like dust or pet hair. For example, you may see fans built with HEPA filters, which pull out tiny particles from the air, or charcoal filters, which can eliminate odors. Before purchasing a fan, consider how often you’ll need to replace the filter and how much the replacement filters cost.
- Oscillation: This refers to a fan’s ability to move from side to side or up and down, thus moving air in multiple directions across a room. This helps the fan circulate cool air throughout a space instead of directing it into one spot.
- Modes: While some fans only allow you to manually program their settings, others have a variety of modes designed for different circumstances. Some have an auto mode, for example, which can adjust to a room’s air quality or light, and others have a sleep mode that can dim an LED display.
Meet our expert
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carl Prouty is a tech expert at Abt Electronics.
Why trust Select?
Zoe Malin has been covering home appliances like fans, air purifiers and more for over a year at Select. For this piece, Zoe interviewed an expert in the space and researched dozens of fans on the market. We recommended fans that are highly rated and meet expert shopping guidance.
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