9 Best Fans, Tested and Reviewed
Nothing like a strong breeze to help you get through the summer.
Tested by Olivia LipskiSenior Reviews Writer & Analyst
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Even with the AC on full blast in the thick of summer, sometimes you need a steady breeze to help you cool down. A fan is a quick and easy way to add airflow to a stuffy room, and fortunately comes in a variety of configurations so you can find the right fit for your home—whether you want a sturdy table fan for your dresser or nightstand to help you fall asleep or a large yet slim tower fan that oscillates and keeps your office or living room comfortable.
The product analysts and test engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab test all types of HVAC equipment to help you stay cool, including ceiling fans and portable air conditioners. To find the best fans, we’ve been hands-on with more than 20 popular models in the past two years alone and have evaluated everything from airflow, energy efficiency, ease of use, safety features and more.
Vornado 630 Mid-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
Pros
- Suitable for floor or nightstand use
- 70-foot airflow reach, according to Vornado
- Generous warranty
Cons
- No remote control
Type: Table fan | Size: 8.25" x 12" x 13.6" | Oscillation: No
Why we love it: Perfect for midsized rooms, the compact Vornado 630 does a superb job circulating air, and its three-speed settings adjust airflow to your needs.
Standout features: Our engineers appreciate its pivoting head, which makes it easy to direct cool air where you need it most, even though there's no remote control. The fan's squat design and sturdy base allow you to set it up on the floor or on your dresser to cool your bedroom while you sleep.
How it performed in our tests: During our tests in the Lab, we were impressed by the Vornado's range, with a claimed airflow of 70 feet. We also loved how easy it was to remove the grill for cleaning. To cool a larger room, this model's brand mate, the Vornado 660, is another good option that performed well in our tests. Plus, both models come with a five-year warranty should you run into any issues.
Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan
Pros
- Compact design
- Variable fan speed
- Top performer in Lab tests
Cons
- No remote control
Type: Table or floor fan | Size: 6.54" x 11" x 11.3" | Oscillation: No
Why we love it: Affordable, compact and efficient, the Honeywell HT-900 is an Amazon fan favorite, with over 16,000 reviewers giving it a five-star rating.
Standout features: Whether the fan is on a table or the floor, the head can pivot to angle the airflow wherever you want it. And according to Honeywell, you should be able to feel the air 25 feet away. For optimum air circulation throughout a small- or medium-sized room, our experts recommend angling the head at 90º.
How it performed in our tests: A top performer in our Lab tests, this fan is exceptionally easy to use, not to mention lightweight and budget-friendly. While there's no remote control, three speed settings let you choose gentle air circulation or more powerful cooling. In terms of maintenance, the grill is removable, making it easy to clean.
Pros
- 12 fan speeds
- Can automatically adjust fan speeds
- Adjustable wind angle
- Easy to read display
Cons
- Doesn't include smart features
Type: Tower Fan | Size: 6.73 x 6.7 x 42.4 inches | Oscillation: Yes
Why we love it: Featuring 12 fan speeds and a slim design, our pros recommend this tower fan for larger spaces. We love that it cools up to 25 feet and that it oscillates both vertically and horizontally so you can find the perfect angle, whether you want to cool your pets on the floor or a raised surface like the couch or bed.
Standout features: This fan features temperature-sensing technology, meaning that it can adjust airflow in real time based on your room's temperature, so conditions are always optimal. Bonus: A remote is included, though this fan lacks smart features.
How it performed in our tests: A top performer in Lab tests, this Levoit tower fan impressed our pros with its efficient airflow and adjustable features. We love how easy it is to direct air where you need it, or leave it up to the fan to regulate.
Honeywell QuietSet 5 Tower Fan, HYF260
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to use features
- Lightweight
- Five fan speeds
Cons
- Design isn't as sleek as other tower fans
Type: Tower fan | Size: 27.31 x 20.9 x 83.39 inches | Oscillation: Yes
Why we love it: Another favorite among Amazon customers with more than 2,800 five-star reviews, this whole-room tower fan from Honeywell has a small footprint and a lot of power to cool a medium to large room like a bedroom or office. Our experts like the optional oscillation and five speeds, which let you select from intense cooling (with slightly more noise) to a gentle, almost-silent breeze ideal for sleeping.
Standout features: Supported by a sturdy base and space-efficient design, this fan includes a handy remote control so you don't have to get up to adjust the settings, and the timer allows you to set the fan to power off automatically at the end of the cooling period.
How it performed in our tests: One of our best tower fans according to our Lab experts, this Honeywell earned high scores in performance tests. Though not the sleekest of the bunch, our pros appreciate its user-friendly features, including intuitive buttons and simple assembly. If you need to relocate the fan, a built-in carrying handle makes carrying it easy, and a holder for the remote helps prevent it from getting lost.
Lasko T42950 Portable Electric 42" Oscillating Tower Fan
Pros
- Space-efficient design
- Timer with automatic shut-off
- Easy-to-use controls
Cons
- Grill and blades are not washable
Type: Tower fan | Size: 13" x 13" x 42.5" | Oscillation: Yes
Why we love it: Perfect for cooling your space, this Lasko fan features 60-degree oscillation so you can feel its breeze more frequently, like when you're trying to drift off to sleep. We love how easy it is to operate, as well as its slim yet sturdy design. Just note that the manufacturer says the built-in ionizer makes the air feel fresher, though our safety experts don't recommend this feature on any fan since it can produce ozone, a lung irritant.
Standout features: The fan has a timer, so you can set it to run for up to seven and a half hours. A handy nighttime feature dims the lights on the fan and gradually decreases the fan's speed (and in turn, the volume). A built-in carry handle, plus onboard storage for the remote, makes it easy to move the fan from room to room as needed. Note that the grill and blades are not washable and a filter isn't included.
How it performed in our tests: When our experts put this Lasko to the test, they were impressed by its easy operation, including three speed settings (controlled via remote) and the option to choose between oscillating or stationary.
Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Pedestal Fan
Pros
- Versatile design
- Remote control
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Takes up more space
Type: Floor fan | Size: 7.2" x 24" x 20" | Oscillation: Yes
Why we love it: Quiet, powerful and versatile, this fan is slightly pricier than table fans but well worth it if you don't have room on your nightstand or desk. You can adjust the height of the pedestal stand from 42 to 54 inches, and the angle of the 16-inch head is adjustable too, so you can direct the airflow where you want it.
Standout features: Let the fan oscillate or leave it stationary. Even though it takes up more room than other options on our list, the fan has a handy remote control that lets you stay seated while you switch among the five speed settings. For a desktop or table option, we also recommend the Rowenta Turbo Silence Table Fan.
How it performed in our tests: Our engineers give this Rowenta pedestal fan props for its effective design, which combines power with quiet operation at 35 decibels.
Vornado 783 Full-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
Pros
- Can cool large rooms
- Pivoting head and adjustable height
Cons
- No remote control
Type: Floor fan | Size: 17.8" x 16.8" x 41.1" | Oscillation: No
Why we love it: If you need to cool a big room — or even an entire apartment — our experts recommend this Vornado, which they say is excellent at circulating air throughout large areas.
Standout features: The fan doesn't oscillate, but the pivoting head lets you direct the airflow where you'd like; Vornado says it reaches up to 100 feet. The stand's height can also be adjusted from 28 to 40 inches for added versatility.
How it performed in our tests: Our pros were impressed with how powerful this Vornado felt.While there's no remote, manually switching among the three speed settings is easy. Plus, the grill is removable, making it easier to clean the blades.
Lasko 2264QM 20" High Velocity Floor or Wall Fan
Pros
- Impressive cooling capabilities
- Three speed settings
- Optional wall mount
Cons
- Noisy
Type: Floor fan | Size: 22" x 22" x 7" | Oscillation: No
Why we love it: The powerful motor on this Lasko fan has three speed settings to help you get just the right amount of cool air flowing through your space. Plus, more than 4,000 Amazon customers have given it a five-star rating. The pivoting head can direct the breeze exactly where you want it, and the optional wall mount helps free up floor space.
Standout features: Our experts note that the grill can't be removed for cleaning — you’ll need to rely on your vacuum's soft brush attachment for that. It’s also not the quietest fan at 62.5 decibels, but it's a strong and effective cooling machine.
How it performed in our tests: The Lasko performed well in Lab tests. It kept us cool at our desks and impressed us with its strong airflow. It's an especially suitable choice for larger outdoor spaces like patios as well as garages, though keep in mind that it doesn't oscillate.
Dreo PolyFan 704S
Pros
- Feature-rich
- Top performing brand in Lab tests
- Features horizontal and vertical osciallation
- Sleek design
Cons
- Wi-Fi connection required for some features
Type: Pedestal fan | Size: 13.7" x 8.7" x 43" | Oscillation: Yes
Why we love it: Offering nine adjustable speeds, this Good Housekeeping Home Renovation Award-winning brand, Dreo, can be counted on during a heat wave. It oscillates both horizontally and vertically to cool the entire room, and does a great job at doing so while looking great.
Standout features: We love that a remote is included, but you can also operate the fan via voice commands or your phone if you're connected to Wi-Fi. According to the brand, the fan has a 110-foot range as well as a quiet motor at 25 decibels so it won't disturb anyone who might not like white noise. The pedestal is also adjustable from 37.5 to 43 inches so you can find the best height for your room.
How it performed in our tests: Our pros were obsessed with this fan's sleek design that's available in silver or gold. In Lab tests, Dreo fans have consistently performed well for their excellent value and efficiency, while Amazon reviewers appreciate the fan's quiet operation, great air circulation and easy-to-use design.
Other fans we tested
- Dreo Smart Tower Fan Cruiser Pro T2S: One of our favorite tower fans, this Dreo is a great choice for anyone who wants a sleek design, powerful performance and smart connectivity. Like other Dreo fans, it offers great value and features an easy-to-use LED display.
- Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP07: We loved this fan's super sleek design (pictured) that's just small enough to be placed comfortably on a dresser or on the floor, but it's a bit of a splurge and recommended only for consumers who want a built-in air purifier. The fan also comes with a heater so it can be used year-round.
How we test fans
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including cooling equipment, appliances, air purifiers, humidifiers and more.
In the past two years alone, we've been hands-on with more than 20 popular fans available on the market right now, evaluating each for safety, performance, ease of use and extra features.
✔️ Performance: When evaluating performance, we use an anemometer in a windowless room to measure the speed of the airflow produced by the fan at a set distance at both its maximum and minimum settings. This gives us an idea of the utility of the fan and, when compared with the manufacturer's claimed energy use, can shed light on the design's efficiency. Next, we measure the ambient sound produced by the fan with a decibel meter in a quiet room and compare loudness levels across fans.
✔️ Safety: We assess safety by examining whether a finger or ring can pass through the grate to any rotating parts or pinch points.
✔️ Ease of use: To evaluate how easy it is to use the fan, we start by documenting the fan's dimensions and weight, giving us a comparative metric for understanding how easy it might be to transport between locations. We disassemble the fans for cleaning and review how easy they are to take apart and put together. We also complete a tip-over test, in which we use a force gauge to determine the minimum force to knock the fan over.
✔️ Extra features: Finally, we consider the number of settings on the fan, as well as any additional or unique features, such as oscillation, remote operation, smart technology integration and automatic shut-off.
What to look for when shopping
✔️ Airflow reach: Ideally, the range or distance of the airflow should be as expansive as possible. You don't want the fan to cool only what's right in front of it. The manufacturer will usually describe the reach of the airflow, but it may give an approximate room size that the fan can cool.
✔️ Size: Bigger isn’t always better; the trade-off for a larger, more powerful fan (for example, one that's good for cooling an apartment) is usually more noise than, say, one that’s smaller but powerful enough to cool a bedroom while you sleep. However, if you're trying to cool a large room, you'll want a fan that can cope with that demand and has a higher airflow reach.
✔️ Speed settings: Many fans offer two to four settings for ease; others have more variable controls so you can hone in on how much power you want. Bear in mind that noise levels increase with the faster speed settings. At the very least, the fan should have high and low speed settings.
✔️ Adjustability: An effective fan should be able to fill a large space without needing to be moved around, but you still want to be able to angle the airflow where you want. Features like oscillation, multiple speed settings to control the overall power and the ability to adjust the angle of airflow provide greater versatility.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: Look for a fan that's easy to disassemble so you can regularly clean the blades and grill of dust and dirt that accumulates over time (especially if someone in your home has allergies). A bladeless fan like a tower fan eliminates the need to clean a grill and blades, but some models can come with a filter that needs to be cleaned and/or replaced occasionally.
✔️ Timer: If you like the fan to be on for a certain duration or automatically turn off after you fall asleep, look for a model with a timer, so you can set a run time. Some fans are equipped with a sleep option, which automatically steps down the airflow and noise level over a few hours before turning off.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This story was originally written by Lynn Redmile, a contributing product reviews analyst, working across our Good Housekeeping Institute Labs to bring her 30 years of data analysis experience to everything from cleaning products to home devices.
Olivia Lipski, a GH Institute senior reviews writer and analyst, most recently updated this story with data from the GH Institute's latest round of fan testing. She rigorously examined 18 of the top fans on the market to find standout picks and uses her broad product review experience to continuously analyze the latest trends and find recommendations. She also sleeps with a fan on every night and has tested multiple models in her home and at her desk.
Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating nutrition, fitness, travel services, beauty, textiles, home, pet, and cleaning products since 2012. She is passionate about figuring out how things work and experiencing their full potential, and brings over three decades of data analysis and project management experience to the role.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, overseeing product testing and covering tech, travel, home, fitness, parenting, health and more. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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