There's nothing worse than coming home from scorching heat and finding yourself in an equally hot and sticky indoor environment. Sure, you can turn on the air conditioner, but it can take longer for the relief to kick in, not to mention that it sends your electric bill skyrocketing. Cooling fans offer a faster, more energy-efficient way to get a more relaxed space - and your wallet will thank you, too.
Fans also come in many shapes and sizes. Bladeless options are better suited for families and pet owners, tower fans for cooling hollow spaces, and cute, compact fans that work well in small rooms for immediate relief.
The Best Cooling Fans
What to consider
Fans can make or break your quality of life during the hot season. Keep the following points in mind, and you'll be sure to keep your cool:
Location: Depending on where your hot spot is, a window, desk, box, or swinging tower fan may be your best option. Small portable fans are great for offices and kitchens, but if you need to cool a bed or living room, you'll need a more powerful unit.
Several speeds + oscillation: If you want to raise or lower the temperature or circulate air throughout an entire room, you'll need a fan with multiple speeds and oscillation.
Size: A pocket-sized micro-fan will do the trick in line at a concert (if you hold it six inches from your face), but if you want to avoid sleeping in the heat at night, you'll need a large window fan that can cover the entire room.
It's hard to know where to start, so we did the research for you: We combed through hundreds of options, consulted professional reviews, took into account consumer ratings once they arrived home, and chose the best of the best in a range of styles, configurations, and price points. Get ready for a better, more relaxed, more ventilated summer!
1. Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan
This fan was designed to create powerful airflow using less energy than comparable machines. This 10-inch fan is small enough to fit on a desk but powerful enough to cool an entire space.
Its blade-free design makes it safe for children and pets and easy to clean. Plus, it's quiet, can be controlled by remote, and has a sleep timer so you can program it to turn off at intervals ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.
Customers were incredibly excited about the choice of 10 precise airflow settings and the sleek design, which includes space for the curved, magnetic remote to rest on the machine when not in use.
Buy: Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan
2. Two-blade pedestal fan
This fan is a quiet powerhouse. This Honeywell is for you if you're looking for a classic fan that can cool a room at maximum speed without burning a hole in your wallet.
It stands 48 inches tall, with a 16-inch dual blade safely tucked behind a grille (it's tall enough and has a sturdy enough base that the edges are out of the way of paws and fingers).
This powerful fan has three-speed settings and enough power and oscillation to cool a medium to a large room. Reviewers like how quickly the effects of this fan kick in and appreciate that it comes with remote control.
3. Builder Deluxe Indoor Ceiling Fan
This ceiling fan comes with a built-in light. This classically designed Hunter ceiling fan has received high praise for its quiet and efficient operation. Customers also say it was quick and easy to install, even for non-experts.
It measures 52x52x17.7 inches; the fan features clean, contemporary lines, fully dimmable, highly efficient LED bulbs, a 13-degree blade pitch optimized for maximum airflow, and a three-position mounting system.
Bonus: the reverse-rotating blades not only cool rooms in the summer but also warm them in the winter.
Buy: Builder Deluxe Indoor Ceiling Fan
4. Mini handheld fan
Being hot on the go is summer hell. Sometimes you need a little breeze on your face! Enter: this adorable handheld fan, which has a built-in motor powerful enough to support a blade running at full speed.
This mini portable fan has two speeds: a rechargeable battery, a charging cable, and an easy-to-hold non-slip handle. Its lollipop shape, small size, and convenience make it appealing to young users, but for safety, keep it away from pets and children under 10.
Buy: Mini handheld fan
5. VFAN Vintage Mini Personal Fan
Get ready for performance in a beautiful package. Design fans will want this astonishing number just for its modern 1950s-era design. Its compact size makes it ideal for desks, nightstands, and kitchen counters, but its power can cool a small to medium-sized room with two speeds for tailored comfort.
The adjustable head tilt is also a great option if the room needs cooling, but you don't want direct air. Vornado also offers seamless customer support and a 5-year warranty.
One thing to note: the fan emits a low, steady white noise, which some reviewers have appreciated as a way to drown out background noise, but which may not appeal to everyone. The fan is available in various colors, such as mint, white, steel, and more.
Buy: VFAN Vintage Mini Personal Fan
6. Tower fan with remote control
If you have a small budget and significant cooling needs, look at this Lasko. It doesn't get much better than this fan, designed to cool large rooms quickly for less money.
This black fan from Lasko features smooth, consistent airflow with extended oscillation. Its bladeless design makes it safe for small and furry pets, and the flexible timer (1-7 hours) allows it to be installed in bedrooms or during family gatherings and parties.
The fan can be controlled by a wireless remote, and assembly is a breeze. Users liked that it was quiet and took up less space than other powerful fans.
Buy: Tower fan with remote control
7. Hot + Cool Fan and Purifier
The only thing this fan doesn't do is your taxes. This Dyson acts as a HEPA air purifier, space heater, and lover. It's ideal for allergy sufferers because it explicitly targets ultra-fine particles and allergens and triggers purification when needed.
In addition to cooling rooms in the summer, It can also be used to keep them warm in the winter with its sleek design. The patented Air Multiplier technology blasts cool or warm air into the space quickly and evenly, then uses innovative technology to track the temperature and maintain the level you choose without wasting energy.
No exposed heating elements or blades make it safe for people with young children or pets. This smart Dyson is Wi-Fi enabled and generates real-time air quality reports.
Buy: Hot + Cool Fan and Purifier
8. 30-inch oscillating tower
This trusted fan offers excellent value! The slim, lightweight, top-mounted oscillating tower fan from Pelonis features three speeds and wide-angle oscillation and is small enough to be placed anywhere in the room.
The tower has a wide 60-degree oscillation angle that provides optimal airflow; you can also set it for up to 120 minutes in 20-minute increments.
Customers have raved about its efficient operation, making it the best choice for fast cooling. The tower was designed to be safe for children and pets.
Buy: 30-inch oscillating tower
9. Window fan with remote control
Looking for a fan but secretly want an air conditioner? Here's the holy grail: It works like a fan but feels and functions more like a window air conditioner.
It displays the current temperature as a digital LED and can be operated manually or by remote control. You can also program the fan to turn on and off, maintain temperature and ultimately save energy. The unit fits double-hung vertical sliding windows, and an extension cord allows for custom adjustment.
Many reviewers praised the fan's power but advised others to keep their screens indoors to avoid an onslaught of unwanted flying visitors.
Buy: Window fan with remote control
