Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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The Vornado 660 is the best fan we tested by a significant margin. It’s able to output an impressive volume and airspeed, even at a distance. Read More
The Lasko 3300 measured a respectable 12.6 mph wind at point-blank range. It also moved the highest volume of air, with over 1,700 CFM. Read More
The XPower FC-200 has a rugged plastic construction and a no-nonsense design that features only one dial for speed and another that’s a timer. Read More
One of the smallest fans we've tested, the GreenTech Pureflow provides 12.4 mph winds at close range and comes with 12 speeds. Read More
Even though it has quiet in the name, the Honeywell QuietSet fan wasn't the quietest fan we've tested. Read More
As summers grow longer and temperatures creep higher, a lot of us scramble to find the best ways to keep cool—preferably without doubling our energy bills. While air conditioners are the best option once things get extremely hot, fans are a perfect cooling solution for temperatures under 90 degrees.
If you want to limit your air conditioner use to when it’s really necessary, invest in a high-performing fan. We've tested popular fans to see which delivers the best performance, user experience, and value.
Our results show the Vornado 660 (available at Amazon for $95.95) is the best fan you can buy, capable of some impressive wind speeds even six feet away from the fan. While the 660 is our top pick, many of the fans we tested are worth considering or offered something unique that might make it a better option for you.
The Vornado 660 was the most powerful fan we tested, capable of producing high speed wind, even at a distance.
The Lasko 3300 Wind Machine offers a lot of power for a low price.
This floor fan truly creates a gust.
Small yet powerful, this miniature fan fits into any home.
Honeywell delivers decent fan power for a decent price.
This fan is quiet, but its performance elsewhere could be better.
The Vornado Transom AE is our pick for the best window fan because it has high wind speeds, a simple user interface, and a rock-solid window seal.
The LG PuriCare AeroTower is the best air purifier fan.
The Lasko Misto is the best misting fan.
Point A was directly in front of the fan, point B was 3 ft. away, and point C was 6 ft. away. We also took measurements 4 ft. away from points B and C (points D, E, F, and G).
We set up a closed-off testing area to test the fans, isolating our measurements from any external airflow. Once the fan was up to speed, we took measurements at seven different points in the room: three directly in front of the fan and four to the sides.
We measured the average wind speed at each point during a 30-second window and calculated the volume of air being moved (cubic feet per minute, or CFM). We repeated the same tests with oscillation on (if applicable) and recorded the average air movement at each measurement point over five oscillation cycles.
While a fan’s ability to move air is its primary function, we also tested other aspects of its performance. We measured how much energy the fan required to run at total capacity, both with and without oscillation.
We utilized our headphone testing lab to isolate how much noise each fan makes at each speed. We also tested how easy and intuitive the fan’s interface felt.
Fans have come a long way since the days of loud box fans sitting in doorways. A more extensive selection of multi-purpose fans offers more sophisticated functionality and stylish aesthetics. You’ll even find some models that can be whisper-quiet.
Desk fans. As the name suggests, these fans are small enough to sit atop a desk while you’re working. Also called table fans are a good option for people who like a fan in their bedroom while sleeping. These fans provide a user personalized cooling but are usually not as powerful as larger fans.
Tower fans. Often more aesthetically pleasing, tower fans are tall and narrow. They also take up less space, which makes them a great option for smaller rooms. That said, they can be powerful enough to help cool large rooms.
Floor fans. These are easily portable and can be moved from room to room, wherever needed. More potent than desk fans, they can help cool large rooms by moving more air.
Misting fans Used to cool off outdoor spaces, a misting fan can cover large areas. A water source is required; usually, a standard garden hose hookup is all that’s needed. A misting fan creates a super-fine spray of water that’s then pushed across an area by the fan’s breeze, resulting in cooler air temperatures.
Another option would be to invest in a ceiling fan. While they are often more expensive than other fans and can be challenging to install, they can be used throughout the year—efficiently cooling a room in the summer and making a room warmer in the winter.
Oscillation is where the fan rotates on its base to help spread its breeze around a room. While many of the fans in our test featured oscillation, it often had a very minimal impact on overall air movement. Oscillation allowed some fans to distribute airflow across a wider area, but the cool air was less.
Some of the fans we tested had only three speeds, while others had many more than that. The more fan speeds on a fan, the more customization you have with airflow.
Fan features can range from simple, like oscillation, to very advanced like whisper mode, sleep mode, energy-saving mode, timer or auto-off, and remote control.
What’s a better cooling option: a fan or an air conditioner? As a general rule, it's best to use a fan for cooling unless temperatures are above 90°F. At that point, an air conditioner is the only real option for beating the heat.
At temperatures hotter than 90°F, the fan is buffeting you with hot air, which can exacerbate the effects of heat stress on your body. Using an air conditioner for temperatures under 90°F is likely overkill since a fan will offer decent cooling at 1% of the energy cost.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Emily Midgley
Contributor
Emily Midgley is a former marketing executive turned editorial project manager. She's also a home-organization enthusiast and avid scrapbooker.
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