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In the iconic words of Demi Lovato, let’s be “cool for the summer!”
With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to start preparing. Our shopping lists will be stocked with sunscreen, bathing suits, outdoor furniture, and coolers filled with your favorite beach-friendly beverages.
Unfortunately, sweltering temperatures may also mean that our AC bills could see a jump. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Cooling fans are a great alternative method for cooling down the house without hiking up the AC.
In an effort to help you stay cool all spring and summer, the New York Post shopping team rounded up the best fans the Internet has to offer — ranging from tower fans, desk options, pedestal fans and personal fans (like this nifty neck fan) – many of which have earned thousands of raving reviews.
Some of the brands we tested firsthand include Lasko, Dyson, Honeywell and more. The best part? Many of these picks are available on Amazon, making your shopping experience even easier. Hello, two-day Prime shipping!
While preparing for a sweaty summer, consider checking out our other expert shopping guides to find the best air conditioning units, pool floats and beach umbrellas.
To shop this article by category, simply click on each link provided below:
Best overall: Honeywell HYF260 Quiet Set Whole Room Tower Fan
Pros:
- Automatically dimming lights
- Convenient, slim design to fit in tight corners
- Reviewers are generally very pleased with noise level and strength of airflow
- Remote-controlled
Cons:
- Can be a bit difficult to disassemble for cleaning (multiple parts)
Size: 10.4 x 9.8 x 40 inches, 10 pounds
Number of speeds: five
Honeywell has earned its reputation in the heating and cooling space for great reasons. The brand offers high quality products at a reasonable price. The Honeywell Quiet Set Tower Fan is no exception. The reason I went with it — It has more than 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Customers love the slim design and near noiselessness, and I can attest that both these qualities hold true. The fan is one of the quietest I have tested at this price-point. It may not have as many power levels as the more expensive options, but the highest setting did provide enough air to cool down my entire living room in five to ten minutes. I was very satisfied with this fan, and for anyone who wants something reliable and durable, I suggest starting with Honeywell.
Best budget-friendly: Commercial Electric High Velocity Floor Fan
Pros:
- Budget-friendly and high-powered
- 100% copper motor ensures lasting durability
- 360° adjustable tilt
- Easy-carry handle for portability
Cons:
- Does require some assembly
- Some customers may feel the design is less attractive than some of the more expensive, stylish fans
Size: 22.9 x 25 x 11.2 inches, 10.7 pounds
Number of speeds: three
It’s hard to find a better deal on an high-powered floor fan with a a 360° tilt range. The set-up was quite simple — but it is important to attach the legs properly so you can enjoy the adjustability feature. After that, you have a fully-functioning floor fan. The metal material is exceptionally durable, sturdy, and it’s powder-coated (which means rust-resistant!). I also appreciate that there is a handle on top of this fan for easy carrying. There are only three speed choices, but I was impressed with how each mode delivered a noticeably different amount of airflow. This fan is ideal for someone who wants a straightforward fan that lasts for years.
Best pedestal fan: Vornado VFAN Sr. Pedestal Vintage Air Circulator Fan
Pros:
- Movable tilt head and adjustable base so you can position airflow
- Cool, retro-inspired design
- Powerful blades create a spiral diffusion so air travels further across a room
Cons:
- Not remote-controlled, requires a button to change settings
- A bit on the heavier side for moving
Size: 15.5 x 18.1 x 55 inches, 24 pounds
Number of speeds: three
This was the only “cool” fan that didn’t break the strict aesthetic of my college apartment which was communally decorated by five 22-year-old girls. The retro-inspired pedestal fan not only looks fantastic but also has an impressive 8,300+ reviews and an impressive 4.6-star rating. Personally, my favorite part of this device is that it is adjustable. The movable tilt head allows you to direct the air where you need it, which is very refreshing when you need that extra hit of airflow in the middle of a hot summer. The base is also adjustable so you can customize the height. My only gripe with this timeless, Vornado fan is that it’s not remote-controlled (guess that is part of being vintage, though).
Best splurge: Dyson Pure Cool TP09 Purifying Fan
Pros:
- Exceptionally strong airflow (over 77 gallons of air a second)
- Voice, app, and remote-controlled
- Reviewers say the purifying technology has helped with allergies and asthma
- Very sleek, modern design
Size: 4.7 x 8.7 x 41 inches, 10.7 pounds
Number of speeds: 10
Cons:
- More expensive
- A bit large for tighter spaces
Behold the best air conditioning you’ve ever experienced. I had some reservations about spending so much money on a fan — until I tried the Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Fan. This fan is easily worth every penny. The machine projects over 77 gallons of air a second for cooling airflow while also purifying the air around you — standing in front of it truly feels like a spa-like experience. The tower comes in two different colors and is truly the prettiest piece of decor in my living room. According to the brand, the 360-degree HEPA filtration removes gases and 99.97% of allergens and pollutants. Reviewers have went as far to say that this fan helped reduce their asthma attacks during the night. I also love that this fan can be controlled by voice or app, for the ultimate hands-free experience. There is even a night mode, where the fan switches to the quietest settings and a dimmed display to accommodate light sleepers. For the smartest, splurge-worthy fan on the market, go with Dyson.
Best handheld: O2COOL Elite Battery Powered Handheld Water Misting Fan
Pros:
- Small and portable for travel
- Battery-operated (requires no plugs)
- Multiple color options
Cons:
- Not powerful enough to cool down a bigger space
Size: 3.8 x 3.8 x 11 inches, 200 grams
Number of speeds: one
While this isn’t the fan to cool down your entire room, it’s always a good idea to keep a portable, hand-held misting fan by your side. This one is battery operated, comes with two flexible blades and is available in a variety of cool shades like bright pink. I decided to give this tiny fan a shot, and now it’s hard to go anywhere without it. To be clear, it mostly travels around in my gym bag for a nice, refreshing post-workout breeze. The water mist is a great feature for helping cool down your body, and I absolutely love that the blades are soft. For someone as uncoordinated as me, it does provide a bit of relief that I won’t be chopping off my fingers trying to turn this on after a sweaty workout. I highly recommend this little fan for someone always on-the-go.
Best for outdoors: Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool Misting
Pros:
- 180 degrees of side-to-side oscillation
- 55-degree up-and-down tilt
- Plug-in for more power or go cordless for outside use
- UV resistance and a water-resistant design
Cons:
- Some shoppers may consider this fan slightly less attractive than some other stylish indoor fans
Size: 13.8 x 13.8 x 37 inches, 12.2 pounds
Number of speeds: five
There is nothing more disappointing that being forced to stay inside on a summer day when the heat is unbearable. With the FlexBreeze Fan, you can enjoy outdoor weather while staying refreshed. I was thrilled to put this fan together (in just a few easy steps) and test out both the cordless and plugged-in power mode. While plugged-in, the fan works in full blow — reducing temperatures to feel up to 10 degrees cooler. It may not be quite as powerful when switched to battery-power, but the 20-hour runtime makes up for that — you can enjoy a prolonged cool from the comfort of your patio. Plus, I learned that that the fan comes with a misting attachment so you can hook your fan up to a hose for an ultimate breeze boost. Sounds pretty luxurious to me.
Best desk fan: Hampton Bay Portable Desk Fan in Black
Pros:
- Vertical tilt up to 90° to direct the airflow
- Lightweight and compact design — very easy to move around
- No assembly required
Cons:
- Not quite as strong as some other tower and floor fans
Size: 14 x 15.3 x 7.7 inches, 5.3 pounds
Number of speeds: three
If you’re looking for the perfect compact fan for your desk space, I would opt for this Hampton Bay model. This budget-friendly find is a great size for just about any table setting and features sturdy, slip-resistant feet so it stays in place. My favorite part about this desk fan is that it requires no tools and comes right out of the box fully-assembled. For someone who hates reading directions, this is the certainly the fan to go with. While it only offers three speeds, the tilt-back head allows you to direct the airflow where you like, for an optimal breeze. It’s not the most quiet fan on the market, but the sound is rather smooth and disruptive. It’s easy to work alongside.
Best oscillating: Lasko 2535 52″ Oscillating Pedestal Fan
Pros:
- 60-degree oscillation
- Adjustable base
- Auto-off timer to save energy
- Remote-controlled
Cons:
- Some assembly required
- Some reviewers expressed that the motor slowed down after consecutive use
Size: 14 x 14 x 52 inches, 12 pounds
Number of speeds: three
With a baby in the house, you start thinking about all the ways to childproof your living space. A mom friend recommended the Lasko fan for a sturdy, blade-free option that is also a bit heavier (ie. more difficult to tip over). It’s nice hybrid between a tower and pedestal fan that offers oscillation, as well as a large adjustable base that keeps the important technology off the ground and away from curious, tiny hands. The fan took about 15 minutes to assemble, and you can feel the air movement from roughly 12 feet away. Being able adjust the speed, timer, oscillation, and sleep mode right from the remote is also a huge plus. The bottom line: it’s a convenient fan for a busy household.
How We Tested
For this cooling fan review, I was focused on evaluating a few main points: the strength of the airflow, style and design, as well as any additional technological features. I also took note of how long it took to assemble each of the fans, and whether there were any quality issues. It is worthwhile to note that the fans were tested in my apartment living room, which is not a very large space. Shoppers looking to cool down larger areas may need to test the fans in a space which requires more diffusion.
Airflow: While most shoppers are looking for fans with the strongest airflow, I also looked for the differences in the airflow settings — to determine whether each fan had distinct options for different cooling needs. I stood at various distances away from the fan to measure the strength and consistency of the airflow.
Design: When it comes to design and style, every shopper has their own preferences. Some prefer larger and heavier floor fans, while others look for lighter and taller tower fans. Some of the fans I have tested have a more sleek, modern design while others have a vintage, retro look to them. I took note of all of these differences, as well as the color options.
Technology: Each of the fans I tested featured very different technology. Some of the more advanced options, like the Dyson, feature voice-control. Many offered remote-control. Some had automatic settings to turn off, or flip to a quieter ‘night mode.’ I’ve made note of all the unique features in my review.
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