The Top Fans We’ve Tested So Far

Best Overall

The Dreo Smart Air Circulator PolyFan 513S stayed remarkably quiet during our tests, even while cycling through its eight speeds and six modes, including the powerful Turbo Mode. It offers impressive airflow with 105-degree vertical and 120-degree horizontal oscillation that can work simultaneously to circulate even more air.

The fan’s design may present a safety hazard for children, as the protective cage becomes wider as it moves toward the edges. Anyone concerned about small objects or tiny fingers getting caught in this fan should explore other options. The included remote only works when pointed directly at the sensor on the fan, though it was functional up to 20 feet away during our tests, albeit with some effort.

This fan is lightweight and easy to move, with a built-in knob for adjusting its height by about 5.5 inches. We also appreciate that the LED display turns off automatically, ensuring no disruptive light when you're trying to sleep. Besides controlling the fan directly or with the remote, this model is also compatible with the Dreo app and works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for smart home integration.

Dimensions: 12.76 x 14.13 x 37.6 inches | Weight: 16.02 pounds | Airflow: 882 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 8 | Oscillation: Yes

Best Tower Fan

The Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan comes with four speed settings, four modes, an eight-hour timer, and horizontal oscillation, offering a variety of options at a competitive price. While not completely silent, its white noise was not disruptive during conversations or TV watching—and we even found it soothing while sleeping.

This fan includes a remote control, allowing you to manage it from up to 20 feet away. We particularly appreciated the Sleep Mode, which dims all lights during operation. You can also mute the buttons to stop them from beeping when you adjust settings. However, on lower speeds, we found the breeze less noticeable when sitting close to the fan.

As a tower fan, this model doesn’t offer vertical tilt or height adjustment. This could be inconvenient if you have a high bed frame, as the breeze might not reach you. However, it uses an impeller design instead of traditional fan blades, reducing the risk of injury if small children try to touch it (though we found it a bit difficult to do so).

Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 36.22 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Airflow: 1,408 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 4 | Oscillation: Yes

Best for Large Rooms

This fan boasts an impressive 1,638 cubic feet per minute of airflow, the highest among all our choices, allowing it to circulate air effectively across an entire room. The breeze can be felt from nearly 20 feet away. While it lacks height adjustment and oscillation, it offers a broad manual tilt range, letting you adjust it to your ideal angle.

This fan lacks a built-in handle, making it difficult to carry, and its large, heavy design isn’t ideal for a desk unit. Since it's intended to cool larger spaces, a remote or app would be beneficial for adjusting settings from afar. In conclusion, it excels at circulating air but is limited in terms of additional features, accessories, and special functions.

Dimensions: 11.75 x 1 x 15 inches | Weight: 7.22 pounds | Airflow: 1,638 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 4 | Oscillation: No

Best Portable

Unlike other fans on this list that require a plug for continuous power, the Treva Fin Fan stands out with its portability. It includes an AC adapter for wall outlet use but can also run on six D batteries (not included). The handle makes it easy to carry around, whether moving it between rooms or taking it outside. We appreciate its sleek design and the effective airflow it provides for small to mid-sized spaces.

This fan is impressively lightweight, adding to its portability, but also making it prone to tipping over. It features two speed settings, both producing noticeable noise, with the high setting being particularly loud—making it hard to converse or watch TV. As for safety, while a child's fingers could reach the fan cage, the blades are positioned far enough that it's unlikely they could come into contact with them.

Dimensions: 3.8 x 12 x 12.9 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Airflow: N/A | Number of Speeds: 2 | Oscillation: No

Top Pick for Quiet Operation

This fan runs very quietly on most settings, making it an ideal option for those who want multiple speed levels without overwhelming noise. At the highest speeds, it does produce some sound, but it’s more of a soothing ‘white noise’ than a distraction. Its nine wind speeds effectively kept the room cool during our tests, and we appreciated its stable base and bladeless design, making it a safer option around young children.

Due to its robust construction, this fan isn’t the easiest to move, even with its built-in handle. A wider range of color choices would be great for those whose decor doesn’t align with the standard black. However, this oscillating fan includes a remote, giving you the convenience of adjusting settings from across the room.

Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 42 inches | Weight: 9.66 pounds | Airflow: 1,076 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 9 | Oscillation: Yes

Best Budget

While this basic desk fan doesn’t feature oscillation, it consistently directs airflow to the area it’s aimed at, even from a distance. Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport, which is especially useful since you may need to reposition it frequently due to the lack of oscillation. It also offers a 90-degree manual vertical tilt for flexible air distribution.

This model was a bit louder than we'd prefer, with a noticeable buzzing sound while operating. However, it wasn’t intrusive at its low setting during conversations or on high when watching TV. We even managed to pass a pencil through the fan cage when it was unplugged—our test for child safety. If you have young children who may be overly curious, you might want to choose a fan with more secure construction to keep little fingers away.

Dimensions: 5.83 x 11.43 x 10.75 inches | Weight: 3.01 pounds | Airflow: 512.56 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 3 | Oscillation: No

Best for Desk

We appreciate how silent this fan is at its lower speeds. Its quiet operation makes it perfect for use in the office, as it won’t disrupt your focus. Additionally, the fan’s design is sleek and modern, available in a variety of colors including white, navy, yellow, pink, and black, allowing it to fit seamlessly into any space. However, the design does come with a higher price tag.

Though it features a manual tilt, this fan lacks height adjustment, oscillation, and any specialized modes beyond its five-speed settings. It’s not safe for small children as fingers can reach inside the fan. Nevertheless, the sturdy base makes it difficult to tip over, ensuring durability and preventing damage.

The Windmill Air Circulator comes with a remote control and can be accessed via the Windmill Air app. However, we found these features somewhat unnecessary for a fan that’s typically used on a desk, close at hand. If you prefer remote control, the app also allows for access via Amazon Alexa and Google Home smart home platforms.

Dimensions: 8.03 x 6.81 x 10.71 inches | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Airflow: 388 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 5 | Oscillation: No

Best Smart

This smart fan offers powerful airflow with five adjustable speed settings, 90-degree horizontal oscillation, and four distinct modes: normal, sleep, breeze, and power breeze. Through the Holmes SmartConnect app, we were able to control settings and create schedules directly from our phones. For added convenience, the fan is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling voice control via a compatible smart device.

We were impressed by the fan's durability, as it withstood bumps without issue. The cooling effect it provides was comparable to that of an air conditioner, making it an excellent choice for those in need of room cooling but without access to an AC unit.

Although we appreciated the range of features this fan offers, we did feel that its design could be more visually appealing. As it stands, it's large and functional, but lacks any flair. The fan includes a small digital display that shows the current settings, and we liked that it automatically turns off to avoid disrupting our sleep. Additionally, we were pleased with how quiet the fan was, even on its highest setting.

Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.8 x 42 inches | Weight: 8.82 pounds | Airflow: 1,075 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 5 | Oscillation: Yes

Best Utility

This compact utility fan delivers an impressively strong airflow, particularly on its highest of four speed settings. However, the trade-off is that the fan becomes quite noisy, especially at the two higher speeds. It’s difficult to hold a conversation with the fan running at full power, but the built-in handle was a nice touch, making it easy to move if the noise became too much.

Although this fan doesn’t offer height adjustment or oscillation, you can manually adjust the angle up and down. It also includes a convenient three-hour timer. The fan’s bright lime green color is eye-catching, making it easy to spot in a busy work environment. However, be cautious, as the fan’s cage design isn’t child-friendly—small fingers could easily reach inside.

Dimensions: 17.3 x 15.4 x 8.9 inches | Weight: 10.1 pounds | Air Flow: 1,300 cubic feet per minute | Number of Speeds: 4 | Oscillation: No

Final Recommendation

While there are numerous excellent fans featured in our list, the Dreo Smart Air Circulator PolyFan 513S stands out. Its quiet operation, diverse range of wind speeds and modes, along with its ability to oscillate both vertically and horizontally, make this fan a top choice. Although the included remote can be a bit tricky to use, the Dreo app allows you to control the fan directly from your smartphone.

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Hampton Bay Personal Table Fan is an excellent alternative. It provides three adjustable speeds, delivers a surprisingly strong breeze for its compact size, and offers a tilt function for flexible vertical positioning.

Our Evaluation Methodology

We followed a detailed evaluation process to review each fan considered for this list, with a primary focus on design, performance, safety, and overall value. To measure each fan’s sound levels, we used a decibel meter positioned 2 feet away, testing at both the highest and lowest speeds. We also assessed how easy it was to lift and move each fan. Additionally, we tested the adjustability of height, tilt, and oscillation (where available) to determine how easy it was to change the fan's settings. If a fan included a remote, we evaluated its responsiveness from distances of 10 and 20 feet.

To assess the relative performance of each fan, we set up cut strips of printer paper and construction paper on a table at a fixed distance. For desk fans, the papers were placed at 2 feet and 6 feet, and we observed how the breeze, at both the highest and lowest settings, moved the papers. For floor fans, the papers were positioned 10 feet and 20 feet away.

To evaluate the safety of each fan around small children, we unplugged each model and checked if an unsharpened pencil could fit between any gaps in the fan’s cage. We also looked at the design style of the fan, noting whether it had traditional blades or a bladeless construction. These safety and design factors helped us determine the overall value of each fan and decide whether we would personally buy it or recommend it to others.

How to Shop for Fans Like a Pro

Type 

Fans come in many different designs, each serving a unique purpose. 'Depending on what the customer needs from the fan, or where they plan to place it, they can choose the style that best suits their requirements,' says Shaunfield. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the most common fan types to help you make an informed decision.

Table fans: As the name implies, table fans (also known as desk fans) are made to sit on tables. These are generally compact, straightforward models that lack height adjustment or oscillation. Some may feature manual tilt functions, allowing you to adjust the angle in addition to switching between different fan speeds. These fans are ideal for desks, nightstands, and other spots where you’ll be close to it while it’s running.

Pedestal fans: Pedestal fans are a type of floor fan with a broad base and a slender pedestal, typically designed with an adjustable height mechanism. Shaunfield explains that pedestal fans are a portable option when a window fan isn’t feasible for your space. They offer 'powerful airflow' and come with 'a variety of power and oscillation settings.'

Tower fans: Like pedestal fans, tower fans are also made to stand on the floor and oscillate. However, tower fans generally don’t allow for height adjustment. Some models feature bladeless motors instead of traditional fan blades. Their compact design is perfect for smaller rooms, providing 'just as much cooling and airflow as other fans,' notes Shaunfield.

Window fans: Depending on their installation, window fans can either pull cool air into your home or expel hot indoor air, according to Shaunfield. 'They can help with cross ventilation if you place fans on opposite sides of the room, one drawing air in and the other pushing air out,' he explains.

Airflow

When shopping for fans, airflow will likely be one of the most important factors to consider. 'Airflow in fans shows how much air they can move and how effectively they can cool a room,' says Shaunfield. Most fan manufacturers indicate their airflow capacity in cubic feet per minute (CFM), with higher numbers meaning a more powerful fan.

Our top choice for large rooms—the Vornado 660 Large Air Circulator—boasts the highest advertised airflow of all our selections at 1,638 cubic feet per minute. This means it has the potential to cool spaces more effectively than other models that may not match its power.

However, the available speed settings on a fan also play a key role in determining its airflow, meaning smaller or less powerful models can still offer a respectable amount of airflow. Some fans come with just high and low settings, while others offer multiple speed options, sometimes as many as nine.

Features

While most fans come with at least two-speed settings, many models are packed with additional features to enhance their appeal. For instance, some fans include remote controls, Wi-Fi capabilities through a dedicated app, or integration with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

Fan features can vary greatly depending on the type. Table fans often have a manual tilt function for better control over airflow, while tower fans tend to have bladeless designs that use impellers instead of traditional blades, making them safer for households with young children. Consider which features matter most to you—whether it's smart compatibility or a quiet fan that still offers strong airflow—before making your decision.

Additional Fans Worth Considering

Lasko Aria Smart Tower Fan: We were impressed by this fan’s strong airflow and sleek design. However, it became quite noisy at the highest two speed settings, and some users may prefer the convenience of a physical remote, which it lacks.

Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan: This model offers a solid range of features for its price, including five fan speeds, a timer, a remote control, and oscillation. However, the assembly process was a challenge, and the base did not fit securely, which made it feel unstable.

Common Questions You May Have

What’s the Difference Between a Fan and an Air Circulator?

"A fan produces a cooling sensation by blowing a single stream of air, which most people can feel directly if they're within the airflow," explains Shaunfield. "On the other hand, an air circulator generates a jet stream effect, pulling air from behind and pushing it forward to distribute an even cooling effect throughout the room, instead of just one concentrated air flow like a fan." Among the models on our list, the Dreo Smart Air Circulator PolyFan 513S, the Xpower FC-200 Pro Air Circulator Utility Fan, and the Vornado 660 Large Air Circulator are air circulators.

Are Higher-Priced Fans Worth the Investment?

If you’re after a fan with features like height adjustment, oscillation, remote control, multiple speeds, and Wi-Fi connectivity, it could be worthwhile to invest in a pricier model. Less expensive options typically won’t offer all these functionalities.

According to Shaunfield, a more expensive fan may include added energy-efficient features, such as Energy Star certification, which can save money in the long run. However, if all you need is a basic fan with a few speed settings to circulate air in a small room, spending more may not necessarily deliver better value.

Which Fans Offer the Best Cooling?

The fans that offer the best cooling performance typically boast high airflow, which is measured in cubic feet per minute. Generally, a higher number indicates stronger airflow, resulting in more effective cooling.

If you're looking to elevate your cooling game, Shaunfield recommends considering a whole-house fan, which he explains can help reduce your energy bills. "It operates similarly to an attic fan but is much more powerful, drawing in cool air from open windows and pushing hot air out through vents in the attic and roof," he says.

Trust Our Experience

This article was authored by Megan Wollerton, a Mytour contributor with 11 years of experience in testing and writing about various appliances. For this guide, we tested numerous fans, evaluating key factors like design, cost, airflow, and more. We also checked back with our testers two months later to see how each fan performed over time and whether any initial thoughts had changed. In addition, Wollerton gathered expert insights on fan operation and performance from Lowe's store manager Brian Shaunfield.