If you don’t have an air conditioner or want to reduce your time using the one you have, a fan is a great alternative. And its benefits extend beyond helping you regulate a room’s temperature, says Carl Prouty, tech expert at Abt Electronics.
“[Fans are] much quieter than window or wall air conditioners and they use far less energy, so their operating costs are much lower,” he says. They’re also often more portable than air conditioners, so you can easily move them between rooms and bring them on the go.
If you are in the market for one, you should know that there are a number of different types of fans — and which one you choose depends on your space, style and needs. Below, I gathered recommendations from NBC Select editors, as well as highly-rated fans that have a four-star average rating or higher from at least one thousand shoppers.
Best fans to keep you cool
Best tower fans
Built with an eight-hour timer, this fan has a hidden handle you can grip to easily move it around your home. The fan also has a touchscreen display, which allows you to switch between modes easily. To help you eliminate dust accumulating over time, the fan comes apart, so you can reach all its corners when cleaning it.
This tower fan has a twisted vent, which allows air to circulate in your room without constant oscillation. Plus, you can choose from four strengths and eight timing options. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez has used a Vornado tower fan for years and loves how strong it is. “It’s actually surprisingly powerful for a tower fan,” he says. “It keeps me cool on super hot and humid summer days.”
With nearly 45,000 five-star ratings, this tower fan oscillates to cool the entire room and has three speeds. Reviewers like how quiet it is, even at full speed, and appreciate the sleek design. The fan also comes with a remote, so you can control it from across the room.
Best personal fans
This portable fan has three flexible legs that you can bend and wrap around beach umbrellas, shelves, strollers and more. You can also stand it up and place it on a flat surface. The fan has a rechargeable battery and you can choose from three fan speeds.
“I originally bought this fan for my son’s stroller — it does a great job at keeping him cool on walks in the park,” says NBC Select commerce editor Bethany Heitman. “I liked it so much, I bought a second one to keep in the car so I can cool down after hitting the gym or after a long walk with a friend.”
This fan may be small, but it’s powerful. Even on the lowest setting, it blows a steady stream of cool air toward my face and neck. The Comlife neck fan has three airflow speeds, and you can also adjust the airflow angle by twisting the silicone piece at the back of your neck. Depending on which speed you choose, a full battery gives you between three and a half to nine hours of use, according to the brand.
Fernandez says this handheld fan has saved him from coming home dripping in sweat many times. When folded, the fan fits in the palm of your hand. Unfold it and you’ll see it has two blades that can be run at three different speeds. There are USB and USB-C ports on the fan that you can use to recharge it and it also has a flashlight on one end.
Best desk fans
My office tends to get hot in the morning, so I keep this on my desk to cool me down. It takes up minimal space, but it’s very powerful. I like the adjustable tilt head and manual swivel base, which allow me to angle the fan perfectly in my direction. I bought this fan years ago and it works like it’s brand new.
Vornado also offers a retro, vintage-looking fan with an adjustable tilted head so you can easily change the airflow direction.
This small fan is great for keeping on your desk at work during the summer or on any chair outside. The fan can fold flat when it’s not in use and it has a built-in handle. You can also manually adjust the fan’s angle.
Best window fan
You can install this two-fan system in your window, just like an air conditioner, except it’s much lighter and easier to secure. The fan has three speeds and comes with adjustable panels on the side, so you can ensure it fits in your window properly. The blades are reversible, so you can either draw cool air in or push hot air out. There is also a bug screen included so insects can’t fly into your room.
Best pedestal fans
This is built with an auto timer that shuts the fan off after 7.5 hours. You can also adjust its height and tilt angle. There are three speed settings and an LED display to help you keep track of your preferred fan speed and rotation settings.
While this fan is a pared-down, low-tech option, NBC Select tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz says it works well, and he’s used it for years. The fan is designed with a tilt-back head, allowing you to direct airflow upward or downward. It also has a wide base for stability.
Best ceiling fan
This ceiling fan, designed with five blades, also has a built-in dimmable light. If you get too cold, the brand says you can reverse the fan’s blades to push warm air (which tends to rise to the top of rooms) downward. You can mount the fan in either a straight or angled position.
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How I picked the best fans
I talked to Prouty (from Abt Electronics) about how to decide between various fan types and highlighted features to consider while shopping. I also rounded up a handful of fans across styles and price points according to his expert guidance.
- Fan type and size: Deciding which type of fan to purchase largely depends on location. Size also matters — bigger fans will circulate air throughout rooms, while smaller fans might just cool you down (more on that below).
- Fan speeds: If you want to adjust the intensity of airflow coming from your fan, purchase one with multiple speeds.
- Oscillation: This refers to the fan’s movement, which can directly correlate to its ability to circulate air across a room. If you’re trying to cool down a larger space, oscillation can help.
- Price: More expensive fans tend to have more bells and whistles, while lower-priced options are usually more basic in design (though that doesn’t mean it works better or is better for you).
Types of fans to consider
When shopping for the right fan, decide whether to cool off yourself or a whole room. Household fans are usually needed when a space doesn’t have air conditioning or a central air system. On the other hand, handheld fans are ideal for personal use, especially for travelers, those who work outside or want a burst of cool air while on the move.
Here are the fan types you should know about, as well as the purpose of each:
- Ceiling fans are permanently installed on a room’s ceiling. They move air around to keep rooms cool — during colder months, you can often reverse the airflow to circulate warm air. In addition to indoor ceiling fans, you can purchase models specifically designed for outdoor use on porches or under pergolas. Some also incorporate lights.
- Tower fans — sometimes called floor fans — are portable units designed to move from room to room. They’re tall and narrow, so you can usually fit them in small spaces. In some homes they’ve all but replaced box fans, which tend to be louder, don’t oscillate and therefore often work best placed in the window when it gets really hot.
- Window fans sit in window frames, similar to air conditioning units. However, experts told us they use less energy and are easier to set up than window AC units. They bring in cold air from outside and are often more effective than traditional fans at cooling larger spaces. Remember that window fans must be removed when it gets cold out and can cause leaks when it rains.
- Desk fans are personal fans that attach to or stand upright on tables. Since you can also place them on top of a counter, bedside table or end table, you might also see them referred to as table fans. You can put these next to you while working, sleeping or watching TV on the couch.
- Pedestal fans are designed similarly to desk fans, but their base is at ground level. Stand-up fans are typically larger and taller than desk fans and create a stronger breeze, though they’re still portable.
- Handheld fans are another type of personal fan. Due to their small size, they won’t cool you off as well as other options, but they’re convenient since they’re cordless and portable.
How to shop for fans
Once you decide what type of fan you’re interested in, consider whether the following features are important. Identify your must-haves in a fan and look for models that include those features.
- Remote controls: You can adjust the settings wherever you are in a room.
- Smart features: Some models have Wi-Fi compatibility, while others pair with a companion app, which allows you to control the fan (a big plus if you want to cool a room before you get home), review air quality and usage reports and more from your phone. Fans may also connect to voice-activated smart devices for hands-free use.
- Filters: Similar to air purifiers, some fans come with filters that can remove allergens like dust or pet hair. For example, you may see fans built with HEPA filters, which pull out tiny particles from the air, or charcoal filters, which can eliminate odors. Before purchasing a fan, consider how often you’ll need to replace the filter and how much the replacement filters cost.
- Oscillation: This refers to a fan’s ability to move from side to side or up and down, thus moving air in multiple directions across a room. This helps the fan circulate cool air throughout a space instead of directing it into one spot.
- Modes: While some fans only allow you to manually program their settings, others have a variety of modes designed for different circumstances. Some have an auto mode, for example, which can adjust to a room’s air quality or light, and others have a sleep mode that can dim an LED display.
Meet our expert
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Carl Prouty is a tech expert at Abt Electronics.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a reporter at NBC Select, where I have been covering home appliances like fans, air purifiers and more for years. For this article, I interviewed an expert in the space and researched dozens of fans on the market.
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