If you dread your electric bills in the summer after running your air conditioner non-stop and you’re looking for a different way to beat the heat, the best cooling fan might be just what you need.
We looked at countless options and settled on seven great products, each a little different from the next. Our Editor’s Choice is the Vornado 783, a simple, modern design capable of circulating air up to 100 feet. With three speeds, adjustable height, and a unique design, this fan keeps you cool no matter where you are in the room. Not what you’re looking for? We included six other great options for you as well.
To choose the items for our review, we considered some important features. First, we looked at blade size because it directly determines how much air the fan is able to move. We also considered airflow in general because the better the airflow, the cooler the air. The number of speed settings is important, too, so you can customize the airflow. While a timer isn’t necessary, it is a nice option to have so we considered that as well as dimensions and height so you can be sure it fits into your space. Finally, we included warranty coverage because it’s always important to know you’re covered if something happens. The first thing you’ll see is a table where you can compare all of our products in the same place. After that are detailed product reviews followed by an in-depth buying guide to help you choose the best cooling fan for your home.
More features: PowerCord Plug Type – 2-Pin Polarized; whisper-quiet operation
Our Editor’s choice is the Vornado 783, stylish, modern-looking fan that was designed for performance. It features deep-pitched blades that can move air up to 100 feet, powerful enough to completely circulate throughout the room and provide ultimate cooling.
This fan adjusts in height from 28 to 40 inches and features a tilted head so you have control over the direction of the airflow. There are three different speeds, too. A lot of fans are only effective when you sit directly in their path, this one moves so much air that you’ll be comfortable no matter where you sit. The blades are contained in a cylindrical enclosure that creates a high-speed column of air and an inlet air accelerator makes sure the air reaches to most effective parts of the blade for maximum airflow.
The front grill is also key to the performance of this fan. It’s designed with a twist that helps spread the air around and it’s removable for easy cleaning. Keeping dust off of the blades and out of the motor is important for optimal performance. This fan is covered by a five-year limited warranty.
A lot of people were pleased with the quiet operation of this fan, somewhat surprising because it is so powerful. Users commented that the footprint of the fan was a bit large and, while the head does tilt, the fan itself does not oscillate.
More features: Elegantly designed
The DecoBREEZE is our best buy cooling fan. It’s a perfect combination of design and function and adds both cool air and style to any room. The weathered design and brown copper finish give it an antique feel that would look great in an office, den, bedroom, or living room. Plus, it operates quietly so as not to disturb you while you work or watch television.
This table fan circulates air completely throughout the room using a 10-inch oscillating fan head that tilts so you can control the airflow. A three-speed motor allows you to adjust for the temperature of the room and the fan itself is portable so that you can place it wherever you need to get the best results.
In addition to looking great, the materials are also exceptionally durable. The high-quality cast metal body features polyresin accents and is made to last. You can easily remove the front cover for cleaning and maintenance plus it’s covered by a three-year limited warranty.
Most people were very happy with this product and there weren’t a lot of complaints. That said, a few people mentioned that the fan stopped working after a short time but the three-year warranty should cover any defects.
More features: lightbulb; reverse function
Our pick for best ceiling cooling fan is the Westinghouse Lighting Comet. It’s a great choice not only for how well it cools the room but also for its innovative, modern design.
This 52-inch ceiling fan is meant for rooms larger than 225 square feet. It features five reversible fan blades, matte black for a uniform look and black marble when you want something more attention-getting. The frosted glass center light gives off a soft glow that looks great against the black housing.
The powerful motor operates quietly and even has a reverse function so you can use it to maintain a comfortable temperature all year long. In the summer, set the fan to counterclockwise to keep air circulating. In the winter, switch to clockwise to spread around the hot air that rises to the ceiling.
This fan uses a dual-mount system so you can install it with or without the extension rod, making it ideal for any ceiling height. The motor is covered by a lifetime warranty; everything else is covered for two years.
There weren’t a lot of complaints about this fan but some users commented that the airflow wasn’t quite as powerful as they expected. Assembly and installation can also be difficult.
More features: downloadable iOS or Android app; 90-degree oscillation
Not only is the Ozeri Ultra 42” our pick for best tower cooling fan but it’s also a perfect choice if you’re looking for something high-tech. This fan was designed to generate more air velocity with less noise using a stylish design that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
There are several options to choose from with this fan so you can customize it to suit your room. A dimmable LCD screen is located at the top front of the tower that displays the mode, current room temperature, and other settings. This fan features three preset air patterns to support sleep, comfort, and relaxation as well as three-speed settings. There’s also optional 90-degree oscillation and a 12-hour timer that can be programmed in one-hour increments.
One of the coolest things about this fan is that it’s equipped with Bluetooth technology so you can use your smartphone as a remote control. Plus, it’s compatible with Android and iOS devices. You can also use the included remote control or built-in control panel.
Users commented that this fan is effective and not too loud but they did have some complaints. Some felt that the app was a little out of date and had a hard time using the Bluetooth connectivity.
More features: OSHA and ETL approved; powder-coated steel front grill and blade
The best cooling window fan we found in our research is the Air King 9166F. This fan adjusts to fit windows between 27 and 38 inches wide and can be used either vertically or horizontally. It’s a great choice for home and work environments and is even OSHA compliant.
This fan features three speeds, easily adjustable using the front-mounted switch to change between 1100, 1450, and 1600 RPMs. Intake and exhaust settings add even more versatility. What’s really cool about it is that you can open and close the window without having to physically remove the fan. So, if it starts raining or if you’re going out for the day, you can just pull the window closed behind the fan.
A great thing about this fan is its durability. The housing is made of impact-resistant plastic and the front grill and blades are constructed from powder-coated steel. Plus, the seven-foot power cord and included mounting hardware make installation quick and easy. This fan is covered by a one-year limited warranty against defects.
People didn’t have a lot of negative things to say about this fan, though some mentioned that installation was a little tricky. It’s also pretty loud, especially when using the higher speed settings.
More features: 360º multidirectional airflow
If you’re looking for the best outdoor cooling fan, take a look at the XPOWER FC-300. You can’t just use any fan outdoors, it’s important to choose one like the XPOWER FC-300 that was specifically designed for safe outdoor use. This one is ideal for warehouses, workshops, and other commercial applications like ventilation, rapid paint or carpet drying, or moisture removal.
This fan features a powerful high-torque motor that circulates focused air throughout the whole room. It has a rugged stand that allows the fan to rotate a full 360 degrees so you can control the direction and angle of the airflow. The uniquely designed grill can even circulate air upwards as high as 170 feet.
There are four operating speeds to choose from as well as a timer that automatically turns the fan off after three continuous hours of operation. The housing and stand are exceptionally durable. There’s even built-in storage for the 10-foot heavy-duty power cord. Plus, you can stack this fan as many as five high for easy transport and storage.
This fan is pretty loud and some people mentioned that it has a tendency to hum on the lower settings. A few people felt it wasn’t as powerful as it should have been and there are also some comments about the timer being unreliable.
More features: VarioFresh 3D; powerful DC motor
Our budget pick is the KLARSTEIN Neo Stream and it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. This free-standing fan is adjustable from 1.8 to 2.2 feet and can be placed just about anywhere. You can adjust the vertical incline up to 90 degrees and it oscillates 60 degrees horizontally, providing an excellent amount of coverage for your space.
That’s not all, you can also choose from three different wind levels and eight different speeds which lets you customize the airflow precisely to the needs of your room. Even when set on the highest, fastest levels, this fan still operates pretty quietly.
The control panel is located in the base of the fan or you can use the handy remote control to make adjustments. There’s also a timer function so you can program settings for up to seven hours.
Most people loved the way this fan works but some felt it was too small. That said, a lot of people also commented that it was surprisingly powerful for its small size. Some users felt it was difficult to clean and few people mentioned that the height adjustment mechanism is unreliable.
Buying the right cooling fan can keep you cool in the summer while keeping your electric bill under control. But, to get the most effective results, you have to choose the right fan. Here are some of the main things to look for while you shop.
Before you choose the fan that’s right for your home, take some time to carefully consider the following features and decide what would work best for you.
The larger the blade, the more air the fan moves. We included a lot of different options here. The Westinghouse Lighting Comet ceiling fan has blades about 23 inches long while the KLARSTEIN Neo Stream has blades about 10 inches long. Obviously, a ceiling fan moves more air than a table fan which demonstrates why the length of the blade is so important.
Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. The higher the number, the more air the fan moves. Again, there are a lot of options here because these fans are all so different. The Ozeri Ultra 42” tower cooling fan has a 5000 CFM while the Vornado 783 is 583 CFM.
Generally, the larger the room, the higher the airflow should be.
This refers to the number of speed settings on the fan. Most of our picks have three different settings: low, medium, and high. The XPOWER FC-300 has four settings and our budget pick actually had eight settings. Three settings are usually enough. You have the option to turn it up to high during the day and turn it to low in the evening when it starts to cool off a bit.
Some of our picks have timers that automatically turn the fan off after a set amount of time, though this varies from one model to another. You can find options that turn off after a certain amount of time or others that allow you to choose how long you want the fan to keep running.
While a timer isn’t necessary, it’s a nice thing to have if you tend to get cold overnight but need the fan to fall asleep or if you use your fan at the office and don’t want to worry about it running all night while you’re at home
A few of the table or desktop fans we chose have a height adjustment feature that comes in really useful.
Adjusting the height is an easy way to control the path of the airflow.
The dimensions of the fan are important, particularly if you don’t have a lot of space or if you’re looking for something that fits into a specific area. For example, the DecoBREEZE is a stylish tabletop fan that would look great in an office or living room but you need to know that there’s enough free space on your desk or bookshelf to put it.
It’s always important to consider the warranty when making any purchase, particularly something like a fan that has an electrical component and moving parts. Most of these fans have warranty coverage between one and five years and the ceiling fan we included, the Westinghouse Lighting Comet, even has a lifetime warranty on the motor.
Extra features are things that might not make the fan any more effective but do add another level of convenience. Some of these fans include a remote control so you can easily change the speed and turn the oscillation off and on from across the room. This is really convenient because you can make adjustments to get the most airflow right where you’re sitting.
One of our picks, the Ozeri Ultra 42”, is actually pretty high tech. It has a builtin LCD that shows the room temperature and other settings and even has Bluetooth connectivity so you can control the fan right from your smartphone.
These fans range in price from about $60 to $170 although it’s difficult to compare them all to one another because they’re so different. When it comes to tabletop fans, the pricier options are higher in quality than the less expensive ones but they’re all generally pretty good. That said, the more expensive fans have better warranties and tend to last longer than their cheaper counterparts.
Any fan works better when it’s properly maintained. Regular cleaning is essential because fans tend to collect a lot of dust. Before cleaning, make sure that the fan is off and always be very careful that no water comes in contact with the motor or any electrical components.
Tower fans are the easiest to clean. All you have to do is use a can of compressed air or a vacuum cleaner to get the dust out of the slats. Tower fans are not meant to be opened up so you just need to worry about cleaning the inside at all.
For table or pedestal fans, you should remove the front of the grill for easy access to the fan blades. Follow the directions in the owner’s manual to determine whether or not you should remove the blades. If the blades come off, you can wash them in the sink with soapy water. If not, wipe them clean as best you can with a soft, damp cloth.
Our Editor’s Choice for the best cooling fan is the Vornado 783, a simple, modern design with deep-pitched blades that can move air as far as 100 feet. It features an adjustable height, three speed settings, and a front grill with a twist design that helps circulate air throughout the entire room.
If you’re looking for a good buy, check out the DecoBREEZE. This fan features a 10-inch oscillating fan head that effectively circulates air throughout the entire room as well as three speeds. The brown copper finish gives the fan an antique feel that looks great in any room.
The Westinghouse Lighting Comet is our pick for best cooling ceiling fan. You can change the settings so the fan can turn clockwise or counterclockwise and the dual-mount system works with any ceiling height. The five fan blades are also reversible to fit the decor of your room.
