Best Overall
Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan
AMAZON
- With several speeds and modes along with a handy remote, this fan is high-quality, sleek, and user-friendly.
With several speeds and modes along with a handy remote, this fan is high-quality, sleek, and user-friendly.
- We were able to fit a pencil into the slits.
We were able to fit a pencil into the slits.
The Dreo Tower Fan passed our air speed, design, and portability tests with flying colors. There are multiple convenient settings, plus a remote control that we found operated well even from a distance of 20 feet.
The fan displayed a 50.1 decibel reading at its lowest speed, which was high enough to offer a pleasing white noise (great for those who prefer it for sleep), but low enough where we could easily hold a conversation or watch television while the fan was running.
In addition to its four speed options, the fan has four useful modes to choose from including normal, natural, sleep, and auto. It has a timer setting that goes up to eight hours as well as an eco mode that fluctuates between high and low speeds to save energy while cooling the room.
Another detail that impressed us about the design is the option to turn off the beeping noise as the buttons are being clicked—great for those who are sensitive to sounds or for those who plan on using it overnight.
We were impressed by the fan's power when it came to airflow. On the highest setting, it blew almost all of the papers away during testing. Even from six feet away, we saw a few of the papers flutter into the air.
Overall, while the fan doesn't come with adjustable height or tilt, we like how powerful it is, the various settings it comes with, and how easy it is to navigate. One thing to note—we were able to fit a pencil between the slits during the safety test.
Fan Speeds: 4 | Modes: Normal, Natural, Sleep, Auto | Timer: Up to 8 hours | Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 36.22 inches
Key Terms to Know
- Oscillation: A fan’s back-and-forth or side-to-side motion. Fans that oscillate offer more even air distribution thanks to a moving fan head.
- Tilt angle: The adjustable range in which the fan can be positioned. This offers versatility when it comes to air flow positioning (upward, downward, head-on).
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Quiet
Dreo Pedestal Fan
AMAZON
- The fan features eight fan speeds and tilt adjustments both vertically and horizontally—all while operating quietly.
The fan features eight fan speeds and tilt adjustments both vertically and horizontally—all while operating quietly.
- The remote control requires precise pointing at the sensor on the fan for it to function correctly.
The remote control requires precise pointing at the sensor on the fan for it to function correctly.
If you're looking for a non-distracting oscillating fan with a barely-there sound, the Dreo Pedestal Fan with Remote is a solid choice. Even at its highest setting, it had a 60 decibel reading—significantly lower than the other fans we tested.
There are eight fan speeds (plus a turbo speed) that blew all of the paper at the 10-foot marking (causing them to move at the 20-foot marking) during testing. We found the fan to be shockingly quiet, with very minimal noise change between the various speeds (even on turbo).
The fan also comes with six modes, including 105-degree vertical and 120-degree horizontal oscillation. The height can easily be adjusted from 37.1 inches to 43 inches—simply locate the knob on the shaft of the fan, turn, and pull the shaft up or down before re-tightening the knob.
This is convenient if you plan on using the fan in different settings like while you're sitting down, laying down, or at a desk. Other things we love about this fan are its lightweight feel and its carrying handle, both of which made it easy to lift and transport from room to room.
The remote was also easy to use: It operated at both the 10- and 20-foot mark (though it must be pointed at the control sensor on the fan in order for it to work). If you prefer to operate the fan from your phone, you can download the Dreo app and take advantage of the functions there.
Fan Speeds: 8 | Modes: Normal, Natural, Sleep, Auto, Custom, Eco | Timer: Up to 12 hours | Dimensions: 12.76 x 14.13 x 37.6 inches
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Small
GreenTech PureFlow Oscillating Table Fan
AMAZON
- The bladeless design and narrow vents make this fan very safe, especially because it's impossible for objects like pencils to reach the inside components.
The bladeless design and narrow vents make this fan very safe, especially because it's impossible for objects like pencils to reach the inside components.
- While it circulates air effectively, it may not provide a strong wind or air blast, which could deter shoppers looking for more powerful fans.
While it circulates air effectively, it may not provide a strong wind or air blast, which could deter shoppers looking for more powerful fans.
A small fan like the GreenTech Environmental pureFlow QT7 Bladeless Fan is easily transportable for use on a desk, nightstand, or kitchen counter. There are 12 speed settings that increase gradually, though we noticed a significant difference between the first and last levels.
The fan offers 90-degree tilt and oscillation plus a timer—a nice feature if you want the option of falling asleep with a fan but not having it run all night. Noise-wise, we found it quiet, even on the highest setting. The remote worked well and responded immediately at 10 feet and 20 feet.
This is a bladeless fan and the inside components aren't accessible (or even viewable). The vents on the front and the back are nowhere near wide enough for a pencil, making it safe for use around little fingers (or paws!).
At $90, the fan is slightly pricey for its size and power, but it's quiet, unobtrusive in design, and great if you're looking for a basic fan to circulate air (versus provide a strong blast of cool air, which it may not be powerful enough to do).
Fan Speeds: 12 | Modes: Not Listed | Timer: Up to 9 hours | Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.63 x 12.75 inches
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Standing
Pelonis Pedestal Fan
AMAZON
- The fan's sturdy design, digital features, and strong breeze makes it well worth the price.
The fan's sturdy design, digital features, and strong breeze makes it well worth the price.
- Because the handle is situated close to the blades, it's hard to use this feature to carry the fan around.
Because the handle is situated close to the blades, it's hard to use this feature to carry the fan around.
With two height options (3.5-feet and 4-feet), the Pelonis Standing Fan keeps you breezy whether you're on the couch or laying in bed. It has a total of 12 air speed settings, and changing speeds is easy and fairly quick.
At its highest speed, the fan was quiet enough to watch television or have a conversation. Most impressive was how effective this fan was at cooling the room. On its highest setting, the breeze was very strong at 6 feet and beyond. Even at 20 feet we felt a faint yet still detectable breeze.
It looks like a basic floor fan upon first glance, but we found the metal build to be of high-quality. The clear blades make it appear sleeker than fans of a similar type, plus it came with a digital display that showed the fan speeds from one to 12.
The fan has a wide 85-degree oscillation angle and 24-degree tilt angle to keep the room cool from all directions. And, with an auto-shut off feature, a heavy-duty base, and protective grid, this model is definitely designed with safety in mind.
One thing to note: While there's a handle on this fan, it's close to the blades, which doesn't make it the easiest to use. We also found the fan to be a bit heavier than expected, but we were still able to move it with one hand without any issues.
All in all, we recommend this fan to those looking for a quiet option with a large number of air speed settings. It did a great job cooling an entire room due to the multiple air speeds, and the remote makes it easy to switch between settings and oscillation angles from a distance.
How It Performed After Six Months
The fan worked perfectly after six months of use—all buttons on the fan's base continued to operate, and the remote didn't lose connectivity despite nightly use. Since we primarily used it while we slept, we loved that the remote allowed us to control the settings without getting out of bed.
There was virtually no noise coming from it, which means it never negatively impacted our ability to fall (or stay) asleep. We tested the fan in a house with a dog, and the sturdy, heavy base gave peace of mind knowing that it would be hard to tip over.
Fan Speeds: 12 | Modes: N/A | Timer: up to 12 hours | Dimensions: 15.75 x 15.75 x 51.18 inches
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best Desk
Crane Circulating Desk Fan
AMAZON
- This fan is easy to operate, performs well, and has a compact design that folds down when not in use.
This fan is easy to operate, performs well, and has a compact design that folds down when not in use.
- While this fan is marketed as a desk fan, it's on the bulkier side and may take up excess room on a small desk.
While this fan is marketed as a desk fan, it's on the bulkier side and may take up excess room on a small desk.
Keep your workspace comfortable with the Crane Oscillating Desk Fan, a nifty, portable option that comes with three simple, no-fuss fan speeds (high, medium, and low) and two programmable timer options, including one and seven hours (just enough for a night's sleep).
The fan has several useful design features. Outside of oscillation and multiple speed settings, it folds up into itself, making it easy to store when not in use. The fan is also fairly lightweight and easy to grip, making it seamless to transport from room to room.
Operating the fan is as simple as touching the digital display or using the remote, which controls everything except the degree at which the breeze flows (this feature needs to be set manually). There are three options when it comes to breeze direction: straight up, at a 45-degree angle, or at a 90-degree angle. all while oscillating.
We were able to feel the fan while it was on the highest setting at both 6 feet and 20 feet (though it was slightly weaker at the furthest point). Still, this is reassuring considering the fan is meant to be used on a desk while in close proximity.
During testing we thought the fan may be too big for smaller desks, however, we still see this as a useful model for use at home, in a camper, or in an office due to its straight-forward features.
How It Performed After Six Months
After consistently using this oscillating fan by our bed, we experienced no issues with its operation or performance. It remained easy to use and was compact enough for our small apartment.
Fan Speeds: 3 | Modes: N/A | Timer: up to 7 hours | Dimensions: 7.75 x 9.75 x 9.75 inches
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
Best for Bedrooms
Better Homes and Gardens Tower Fan
WALMART
- It comes with a magnetic remote that sticks to the top of the fan, making it great for forgetful types.
It comes with a magnetic remote that sticks to the top of the fan, making it great for forgetful types.
- Because of the slim vertical vents, it can be difficult to clean.
Because of the slim vertical vents, it can be difficult to clean.
For a bedroom fan that gives you complete customization (and looks good while doing it), we recommend the BHG 40” 5-Speed Tower, which has a tall, slender design that won't obstruct your space, no matter how small it is.
Design-wise, the fan didn't disappoint. The buttons are located on the top (versus the front), so it won't be an eyesore, it’s fairly lightweight (we were able to move it around one-handed), and there's a handle in the back that makes it easy to transport to other rooms in your home.
Plus, it comes with a magnetic remote that attaches to the top of the fan—perfect for those who are prone to losing track of items. The fan features three speed settings, oscillation, four timer options, and three wind modes, which are natural wind, sleep wind, and regular wind.
We were also impressed with how the fan performed. It produced a strong, wide range of air flow, keeping rooms cool enough to skip the air conditioner. We particularly found it helpful to keep in the living room during home workouts and in the kitchen to increase airflow while cooking.
In any case, the fan managed to stay quiet during use in all settings, so much so that we barely noticed it was on. The only con we've run into so far is the best way to clean it. Using it daily, we noticed some dust buildup that's difficult to clean due to the vertical vents in the tower.
How It Performed After Six Months
The BHG fan essentially replaced our air conditioner with its strong airflow. It worked just as effectively after six months as it did when we first began using it, and we didn't notice any decline in quality, even with near daily use. We especially enjoyed having it around while cooking and sleeping.
Fan Speeds: 3 | Modes: Natural wind, Sleep wind, Regular Wind | Timer: Up to 7.5 hours | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 41.5 inches
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK