Are you looking for the best garage fan? Then this post is designed primarily for you. Working in the garage in the winter or fall is a nice, cool experience. But when the hot months arrive, it can become very hot – too hot to work even. That is why you need the best garage fan to keep the garage cool as you work. Choosing the best garage fan can be a challenge because there are so many models on the market right now. How can you choose the right one?
Well, in this post, we will discuss some of the best options and see what to consider when making a buying choice. After the in-depth reviews, we will also consider important factors like type, power, CFM, RPM, speeds, noise level, cord, warranty, and dimensions. We will also discuss why these factors are essential. Read on to find out the top picks and more!
Other features: QuickMount, pivots, Blue Plug Patented, carry handle, E.T.L. listed, metal blades, available in different colors
We begin this review by considering one of the highly rated models on the market right now – The Lasko 2264QM. This model is an excellent model that fits your garage. It is great for small to medium sized garages. The Lasko fan comes with a wall-mounting bracket that allows you to place it high in the garage and prevents any entanglements because of dangling wires.
Aside from the wall-installation, this model is also loved because of the build. It comes with a trio of high-quality metal blades that slice through the air at astonishing speeds. They can be adjusted up to three speed settings. With the one-piece bracket, you can easily set this fan up on the wall. If you have enough floor space, you can also place it on the floor.
Despite the quality build, this model is still lightweight. Hence, you can move it around as you please. When placed on the floor, it doesn’t skid off. Why? This is because it has rubber pads installed at the base.
Carrying the fan is also easy due to the convenient handle at the top. Some have had issues with the loud sound it makes during operation, but from our testing, it is much lower than the noise you get from a blower fan.
The stainless steel construction on every part of the fan results in a machine that is very durable and will serve you for years to come.
Due to the pivoting head, no corner of the garage is left untouched by the air flow. Unlike some others on this roundup, though, the machine doesn’t have an oscillator. Thus, it is tuck with up and down movement.
During testing, we experienced impressive cooling of the air around the garage. While it would not cool the garage like an Air-conditioner, it is still good enough with the nice cooling action that it gives.
Other features: pivoting head, carry handle, moving air up to 100 feet, 293’s ball-bearing motor, made in the USA, available in 2 colors
Up next is the Vornado 293. This model comes with the ability to move up to 100 feet air and is fitted with multi-directional airflow technology. It comes with a relatively powerful motor but consumes a low amount of power in use. The ability to move so much air in a sweep of the garage ensures that all parts of the room are reached.
The garage fan comes with high-quality parts that ensure several things. First, the construction means that you have a fan that would last for a long time. The high quality materials also means that the fan is easy to clean.
There are several modes with this machine. In the highest mode, it can deliver CFM of up to 700. In this setting as well, it can consume up to 450 W of power. This is impressive energy efficiency.
The fan is easy to set up. If placed on surfaces in the garage, you’ll love that you can carry it around with ease. First, it weighs just 11.84 pounds, and it also comes with a handle that is easy to grip.
Although this model is one of the most expensive options on this roundup, all the features that it comes with makes it certainly worth the cost.
Like other fans from the brand, it is made with patented Vortex technology that vastly improves its blowing power. Maintenance is easy and straightforward with this model. In fact, due to the ball-bearing motor, you will never need to oil the fan. Furthermore, these high-quality materials are dust resistant, so you have one less thing to worry about.
If you do not want to place it on the floor, the Vornado comes with a wall bracket for easy installation on the wall. With a warranty period of five years, you have a product that will last for a long time and can be replaced if technical issues arise.
A heavy-duty fan, it is great for use in the garage, basement, worksite, and other places.
Other features: portable handle, heavy-duty, 360 degree rotation
The next option, the Firtana from B-Air, comes with plenty of nice features that we like. Chief of these is the incredible CFM of 4650. This is more than what you’d typically get from a fan. Therefore, you can expect plenty of air power. You will feel cool wherever you might be in your garage. This wall-mounted unit comes with impressive CFM and other features. It is an absolute beast that cools down the garage quickly and effectively. It also comes with a tilting design that allows the fan to rotate up to 360 degrees.
The fan is advertised as a multi-purpose high velocity fan that produces plenty of air, and that is the general consensus. From our testing, it does circulate air remarkably well. It is a versatile unit that can cover a wide variety of settings.
As a multi-purpose fan, it works in different places, including the garage. Some have opted to use it in the rooms – because of the white noise produced. We majorly recommend it for the garage, for not only does it cool the garage, but it has also been observed that it reduces humidity.
Despite the plenty of power and CFM, we are pleased that this isn’t a very noisy fan. While it produces some white noise, the level is not loud enough to affect your work or overwhelm your voice. In other words, while it is loud, it isn’t obnoxiously so.
Since this model is an industrial-grade fab, it comes with some really great construction. It is made for garages and places that are exposed to dirt and other stuff. Thankfully, it is well-constructed out of high quality materials.
Cleaning and maintenance will require some work for you, though, as you’d have to loosen up the screws before you can clean the blades. If that is too much work, you can always use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust.
While maintenance can be somewhat tricky, installation is far easier. The fan comes assembled right out of the box. Thus you don’t need a manual to teach you which parts go with other parts.
Overall, this metal garage fan is durable, powerful, and one of the best options available on the market right now.
Other features: portable handle, versatile, ETL listed
The next option is a box fan from Hurricane. It comes at a great price and has nice features like an oscillator that makes air circulate even more efficiently in the garage. If you have a small garage, this is a good choice. Hurricane is a famous name in the box fan industry and has made some really impressive fans in recent years. This model is one of the best available – especially if you want something you can put in your garage.
While this model is an entry-level option from the company, you wouldn’t know it from the impressive performance that rivals even more expensive fans from rival manufacturers.
The Hurricane 736501 is more than capable of keeping you cool in hot weather and circulating the air in a dusty garage or workshop.
One of the biggest advantages of this fan is the economic viability. We have mentioned how affordable it is. Something most people do not realize about this fan is the low amount of power that it uses. The 55V motor is powerful enough to give plenty of blowing power but still economical enough to use little power during operation. You get up to three speed settings, and the good thing is that even at the highest speed setting you still use very little power.
The design is simple and practical. You get a 5 feet power cord from the corner of the fan. This length is enough to plug the fan and move it around without plenty of hassle. With CFM of 2,400, it gives enough air power for a small or medium sized garage.
Other features: 180 degree tilt head, OSHA compliant rust resistant grilles
MaxxAir is renowned for the high quality of its fans, especially their durability. This fan is no exception. It has a simple, straightforward design. The small size makes it easy to carry around with you in your car or mobile trailer.
With its diameter of around 18”, this industrial grade fan comes with nice features to ensure that air reaches most parts of your garage and keep everything feeling cool. This industrial grade model has a powerful motor that delivers impressive CFM of air. The motor is designed to last for a long time since it is resistant to rust. You also get up to three speed modes that can be changed to suit your needs.
It is a great choice for your garage and other places. With a powerful motor, it can reach up to 1150 CFP of air. This is rather impressive when you consider the motor.
The fan has three speed modes – low, medium, and fast. Hence, you can adjust it to get what type of temperature you want in the garage. Changing the speeds is pretty easy as the fan comes with a pull-chain for that.
It is a wall-mounted model. Therefore, you do not have to deal with any pesky wires that can constitute a hazard in the workplace or garage. The fan has a mounting bracket included in the box. This allows the fan to move up and down easily. You also have a 10 feet power cord that allows you to plug the fan far away from the head’s location.
If you want something that is easy to build or small enough to carry about with you, then this model might be just the right choice for you.
Overall, it is an impressive model with nice features. It does come with its share of flaws. For instance, just like some of the models we have reviewed so far, there is no oscillation. Therefore, it only moves up and down.
Other features: ETL and OSHA compliant
With its design and useful technology, you’ll be hard pressed to find a garage fan that can provide as much value for money as this model from Air King. This unit is a fairly powerful option that is capable of delivering up to 3190 CFM of air. That makes it one of the most powerful fans on this roundup. The motor responsible for this power is carefully encased in steel housing. Therefore, it will last for a long time. It is also resistant to rust.
As for the blades, they are made of metal and coated to resist any rust or other elements that can cause damage. You can thus rest assured that it would last for long.
This fan is a wall-mounted unit. Therefore, it comes with a wall bracket that makes installation easy. You also get a pull-chain switch to operate the fan.
With a 9 feet power cord, you can plug it into outlets that are some distance away from the fan. The motor is power efficient. It uses 1.5 A at the highest setting. Due to this, you do not need to install a dedicated outlet to use the fan.
Just as the other models on this round up, it comes with a pivoting head. You can adjust this to wherever you want air to flow. Whether hung from the ceiling or wall, you would likely have a good time with this fan installed in your garage.
With heavy duty construction and a quiet motor, we really love this model and believe that it will serve you well for several years.
Other features: LCD display, temperature and humidity controller, automated programming, corded precision sensor probe, timer, alarm, backup memory, ECO mode
This ventilation fan from AC Infinity has several unique features that make it an awesome buy. It is designed for spaces like the garage, basement, attics, and similar spaces.
Unlike the others reviewed so far, it sports an LCD display that shows you information about the operation of the fan. This makes it easy for you to customize the fan’s performance to whatever you want. Additionally, the fan comes with a thermostat for automatically controlling the fan. This is a feature that you do not find on other fans on this list.
This fan has a timer, alarms, and backup memory. Therefore, it is superior to your typical garage fan in these aspects. Installation is simple. All you have to do is to plug in and use.
Made with galvanized steel, the frame is very durable and will last for long. Additionally, it is water and rust resistant.
The model is a fan system that efficiently regulates the temperature and humidity of your garage. It has a sturdy, durable build that will last for a long time. It also has a powerful yet quiet motor capable of delivering plenty of CFM.
Other features: 2 pack, oscillating, remote control, timer, 3 modes
The last, but certainly not the least on this roundup is this excellent digital fan from Tornado. It is made from high quality parts that ensure durability. Due to the nature of the materials, you also have a fan with precise movement. Thus, it is useful in a wide variety of situations.
This unit is a high-quality wall mounted fan for the garage with impeccable fan movement patterns. It is easy to install, delivers plenty of fan power, and it is quiet. You also get a durable fan that will last for several years.
As a digital fan, you get more features than what you’d find in your typical garage fan. You get a remote control to control the fan. Thus, it is very comfortable to use as you can adjust it from wherever you are in the garage.
The 16” diameter blades are made from ABS plastic, which is lightweight and durable. The 3-speed motor gives enough CFM for a small or medium sized room.
This model is also one of the safest garage fans you can buy. It comes with such features as a thermal overload protection system.
Whether you are working in the garage all the time or have it as a workspace for weekend shenanigans, you need it to feel comfortable. In the review above, we have considered eight of the best options on the market right now. These fans are specially designed to help cool your garage. While the models are great, you might want other options. Before you head out to find a garage fan, there are several factors that you should consider. In this section, we will discuss some of these important factors.
As you hit the market looking for the best garage fan, it is important to consider some questions. For example, how will you use the fan? How big is your garage? What is the required CFM for best enjoyment? What type of fan would you need? We have put together this section to answer these questions to help you.
First, let us discuss the types of fans that are available today.
These fans come in wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted options. The air-circulating fan uses metal blades to disperse air around the garage and thus creates a circulating effect.
These cool fans are excellent when used in large rooms and deliver low pressure. The problem with them, though, is that they do not give you the CFM you need in a big garage. If you have this type of fan, you might have to invest in multiple units for best effect.
These are excellent companions to air-circulating fans, especially if the later has low CFM. They come with more powerful motors and higher CFM. With the blower fan, you will have the air moving at faster speeds.
If mosquitoes and other insects often visit your garage, the motion of the air here will disperse these from your garage.
In addition to all these advantages, blower fans are easy to carry and portable. The downside of these fans is the amount of noise that they produce during operation.
Ceiling fans are cheap and oddly effective. They circulate air around the garage and even reduce the temperature. They come in different forms, with some sporting lights. They have long, naked blades that spin quickly in the air. Unless in the highest speed setting, these fans are mostly quiet.
They come with downsides. For one, they are not easy to install since you’d have to connect them to your electrical system. They are also not very powerful, especially in large garages.
Many of the models reviewed above are wall-mount fans. These fans, as the name implies, are set on the wall. There are advantages to this. First, since they are off the ground, chances of accidents and tripping are reduced. They also are easier to install than ceiling fans. They might offer oscillation features that helps to circulate more air around the garage. An example is the Lasko 2264QM.
When choosing a garage fan, you should never forget to check the specific features it might offer, and to make it easier for you, we have made a list:
This factor is quite important. The location refers to where you want to put the fan in your garage. Most of the garage fans on the market come with a design that lets you install them on the floor, wall, or ceiling.
You should decide where you would install the fan. Some of them already come with installation kits that allow you mount them easily. If you buy a large fan that is primarily designed for floor mounting and decide to mount it on the wall, it would be more expensive than a fan made for wall installation.
Therefore, before you buy a garage fan, plan out the layout of the garage. You should also keep other factors in mind. For instance, you should consider the existing fixtures like lights, hooks, vacuums, and other things that might get in the way of the fan.
The motor found in the fan will determine how powerful it is. Garage fans come with two main types of motors.
First, there is the sleeve bearing motor. This motor is the most popular type in fans. It uses an oil system to work. The oil lubricates the parts and ensures the smooth running of the motor. Because of its simple design and parts, it is common in cheap garage fans. The downside is that it isn’t a very durable motor.
The other motor is the dual ball-bearing motor like that in the Vornado 293. Several of the models we reviewed above come with this type of motor. This motor ensures that all parts of the fan work smoothly. While a garage fan with this motor is more expensive than your typical product, the advantages outweigh the cost. For one, it is very durable. It is also more efficient. It quickly and easily cools the air in the space faster than the sleeve bearing motor.
When choosing a garage fan, another important consideration is the power output. You must know the amount of airflow each blade of the fan would deliver per minute. This value is measured in CFM. The higher the CFM, the more the power output. The result is more airflow in the garage and quicker cooling.
If you have a small sized garage, you can use a garage fan that delivers around 1500 CFM. If your workshop is large, you should look at fans with 3000 CFM and more. For example, the B-Air FIRTANA-20X comes with CFM of more than 4000. Anything below that would prove ineffective for large parts of your garage. It would merely create hot pockets of air in the garage.
When choosing based on the CFM, you should consider what you have in the garage. A fan with a large CFM value blows everything in its path and can affect the circulation of air by disturbing the airflow.
The models we reviewed above come with three fan speed settings. This is how it should be in the best garage fans. Why? Because during the hot weather, days vary in heat levels. Some days are just full of light but not heat. Thus, you would not need to turn the fan to the highest speed settings.
Multiple fan speed settings afford you the opportunity to customize the temperature of the garage. You would also save energy as you’d not be expending more energy than you need.
In choosing the size of the fan, it is vital that you realize the amount of space you want the fan to cover. If you have a small garage, your goal should be a small fan with small blades. A larger garage would require larger fans with bigger blades.
Nevertheless, what really matters isn’t the size of the fan’s blades but the CFM produced – which we have discussed earlier.
Garage fans come with different movements. Some only move up and down. The best fans have total movement. Regardless of the movement you choose, the important thing is that you do not pick a fan with a fixed head. They are simply annoying as you have to always adjust them. The Hurricane HGC736501 and Tornado Digital Wall Mount Fan come with oscillators.
The most powerful fans provide so much movement. They can move so quickly and with so much power that the fan can move around. Thus, it is important that you choose a unit that is sturdy and relatively heavy – especially if it would be mounted on the floor.
While lightweight fans are easy to carry around, if the fan is too light, you might end up chasing your fan across the floor. Thus, choose a unit that won’t be jerked around by the movement of the fan.
The design also affects the durability of the unit. The best garage fan should have a housing that protects the motor and even the blades from damage. The motor should be enclosed in a dust and water-resistant casing.
Similar to the factor above is the nature of the fan stand. Whether the fan is wall mounted or planted in the floor, the stand should comprise of high quality materials. Plastic fans might look fancy, but they do not have the durability of steel parts. Hence, look for durable parts. The Vornado 293 has very durable parts.
If the garage doubles as a workshop, it is important to check out the noise level before making a purchase. Blower fans are quite noisy. That is why if noise is a concern, you should choose quieter fans like the wall-mounted options.
Unless you would be hiring the services of an electrician, you should look at how easy the fan is to install. Wall-mounted fans might need you to drill holes in the wall while ceiling fans will need to be wired into your homes’ electrical system.
Garage fans come in different forms, and as such, they have different features. Some are digital options that come with features like alarm, timer, and so on. An example of such a fan is the AC Infinity AIRTITAN T3. It sports a timer, alarm, and LCD.
You might not have many outlets in your garage, so you must choose a garage fan with a long cord to reach the outlet from wherever you choose to install it. Another advantage of a long cord is that your fan becomes more portable. The Maxx Air Wall Mount Fan comes with a 10 feet cord that makes it easier to use.
Since it is possible for your fan to develop a fault over the course of its lifespan, it is important that you buy a unit with a good warranty offer.
These fans are safe to use. They come with some safety features like thermal overload protection.
Yes, you can. For such situations, you should choose a fan with high CFM rating.
If you have the necessary tools and skills, then you can install the garage fan yourself. If you are installing a fan that will be integrated with your electrical system, we recommend hiring an electrician.
Wall-mounted units come with several advantages over ceiling fans. They are easy to clean and deliver air to all parts of the garage. They are also usually more energy efficient.
Choosing a garage fan can be easier if you follow the tips found in this post. We recommend the Lasko 2264QM as the overall best unit because it comes with features that make it highly versatile. It is easy to move around and has a powerful motor coupled with different speed setting. You also get it at an affordable price despite all the impressive features that it has. For value for money, the Vornado 293 is our choice. It can move up to 100 feet air and is fitted with multi-directional airflow technology. It comes with a relatively powerful motor but consumes a low amount of power in use. For folks on a budget, the B-Air FIRTANA-20X is pretty handy. This wall-mounted unit comes with impressive CFM and other features. It is an absolute beast that cools down the garage quickly and effectively.
We hope that the review and guide will help you to choose the best garage fan for your use.
