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The best cooling fans of 2024, tested and reviewed
A cool room can lead to better sleep, and we swear by these cooling fans from brands like Dreo and Vornado.
The past few summers have been pretty miserable, as heat waves have morphed from the rare occurrence into what feels like the status quo. As someone who is currently existing in a small, fourth floor walkup studio apartment with no air conditioning in the height of summer, the heat and humidity has often been oppressive, making high-quality sleep a pipe dream. But even if you're not sweating it out quite like me, research supports the importance of maintaining a room temperature between 60°F and 68°F if you want to maximize a good night's rest.
Dreo Tower Fan for Bedroom
Best overall
Vornado ARA Oscillating Tower Fan With Ambient Light
Best tower
PELONIS 40''Oscillating Tower Fan
Best budget
Dreo Air Purifier Tower Fan
Best 2-in-1
Rowenta Extreme Outdoor Fan
Best outdoor fan
Even if the ambient temperature in your room creeps up over that 68-degree threshold, cooling fans are an excellent way to help you feel comfortable as you try to sleep. "A fan can help circulate the air in the room and help you feel cooler, which might make sleep more comfortably. A fan might also provide a consistent sound similar to white noise that has been shown to help sleep," says Natalie Barnett, VP of clinical research at Nanit Lab.
That said, choosing a fan can be an overwhelming process. Not only are there a wide range of types of fans (desk, window, tower and oscillating, to name a few), but then you have to choose between extra features, like those that have apps or integrated air purifiers. And of course there's your budget to consider — cooling fans come in a surprisingly wide range of price points.
To better understand the uses of cooling fans and how to choose the best model, we spoke with a variety of experts in sleep science and HVAC technology. We then personally tested nine of the top-rated models and assessed each cooling fan based on ease of assembly, noise level, energy efficiency, cooling capability and any special features, ultimately considering their function and price to determine overall value.
Here we've compiled the best cooling fans for a variety of individuals and needs.
Table of contents
Best overall cooling fan
Cost: $130 | Type: Smart Tower Fan | Oscillating: Yes | Speed settings: 12 | Noise level: 25 decibels | Dimensions: 2.76"D x 12.76"W x 42.52"H
This bladeless tower fan keeps the room cool in a quiet and effective way, but also has a streamlined style that effortlessly fits into the room's decor.
This fan immediately impressed me because it felt like there were several fans in one. The 12 speed settings are common to a lot of fans, but with four different modes and customizable oscillation angles (30/60/90/120 degrees), it really was able to circulate the air in the room where it was most needed. It was also nice to see how the fan could adjust speeds based on what was happening with the temperature — several times I went to bed with it on the highest speed because it was still warm and humid out, but as the temperature decreased overnight and the room naturally cooled, the fan automatically decreased its speed as well.
It's that inherent intelligence that I found most appealing, particularly since I don't consider myself a tech-savvy person. I ended up enjoying the ability to use the Dreo app to control the fan remotely — I would log on during my commute home to make sure the fan was already running and the air was circulating before I walked in the door. It's also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and has a remote …providing lots of opportunities to control the fan without ever having to touch it.
"What sets this fan apart is its integration with smart home systems," says Amy Wampler, CEO of Spartan Mechanical, an HVAC contractor in Bedford, Ind. You can control it through Wi-Fi, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands too. Most important, it does its job: "It has quite a strong airflow, which makes it suitable for large rooms as well. On top of that, its sleek design fits perfectly into modern aesthetics," Wampler added.
- Surprisingly quiet
- Nice range of modes, oscillation and speed settings
- Simple to assemble
- Sometimes wobbles when touching it to modify settings
- A little pricey
Other top cooling fans we liked
Cost: $250 | Type: Smart Tower Floor Fan | Oscillating: Yes | Speed settings: 5 | Noise level: 26-59 decibels | Dimensions: 3.3"D x 11.81"W x 39.55"H
The Vornado ARA Oscillating Tower Fan is the top pick for the tower fan category because it does what it promises to do. It keeps the room cool without a whole lot of fuss. Plus, the low-key ambient light it emits provides an unexpected feature that makes late-night trips to the bathroom easier to navigate.
Speaking of coolness, this fan has five speed settings and an energy-efficient DC motor, which should help with summer energy costs. There are also two oscillation options. While the lowest fan speed is as quiet as a mouse, the top speed does get a bit noisy — not necessarily ideal, but the high-quality and consistent airflow is what we cared about the most. The provided remote was also intuitive, making it possible to manage the oscillation and speed settings without having to get up off the couch — especially nice on hot summer nights!
Vornado is known for delivering powerful airflow and this model doesn't disappoint. "What really changes the game here is the ambient light feature — it creates a soothing atmosphere, especially in evenings! The oscillation covers a wide area while the remote control adds convenience making this fan great both functionally and aesthetically," says Wampler.
- Ambient light
- Easy to set up, not heavy or bulky
- A little noisy on higher fan speeds
- Spendy
- Large, may not fit in more compact, limited spaces
Cost: $51 | Type: Oscillating tower fan | Oscillating: Yes | Speed settings: 3 | Noise level: decibels not provided | Dimensions: 11.8"D x 11.8"W x 39.88"H
This tower fan from Pelonis gets the job done at a fraction of the price of the other tower fans we tested, while still offering many of the same features. These include a decent range of speed and mode settings, oscillation and even a programmable automatic timer so you don't have to worry about rushing back to the house to turn it off if you accidentally leave it running.
The really great news with this cooling fan is that even though it comes at a budget-friendly price, you don't have to sacrifice functionality. It keeps the room cool while running quietly with a slim design that's unobtrusive even in a tiny studio apartment with no extra room to speak of.
If there's one word to describe this PELONIS model, it would be reliable — it runs consistently and efficiently at a palatable price point. "It doesn't have any fancy features but offers robust oscillation along with multiple speed settings and a programmable timer, which should satisfy most needs without unnecessary bells and whistles," says Wampler.
- Great value
- Lightweight and compact
- Compact
- No integrated light to facilitate nighttime setting adjustments
- Not efficient for larger spaces
Cost: $300 | Type: Oscillating Smart Air Purifier Tower Fan | Oscillating: Yes | Speed settings: 12 | Noise level: 25 decibels | Dimensions: 11.02"D x 11.02"W x 46.46"H
If not for the high price tag and its potentially limiting larger size (to be honest, it looks like a rocket ship more than a tower fan), this was a serious contender for best overall cooling fan. As it is, that award went to another Dreo model, and for similar reasons. This is the fan, of all on the list, that I've been using in my own small space — next to the area where I sleep — for several months, so it's the one I feel most familiar with.
There's so much to love about it. Previously, I had both an air purifier and a tower fan in my small studio apartment — that's a lot to fit into a cramped, cluttered space. However, this 2-in-1 option allowed me to streamline and have both features in a single piece of equipment.
Given that I do a lot of cooking at home, and I also live in a high-traffic urban environment with lots of dust and allergens, it's particularly important to me to have an air purifier in my apartment. Wampler attests to its overall value: "Its HEPA filter captures allergens and pollutants making it perfect for allergy sufferers," she says.
It's also a great fan, which operates quietly and makes my non-air-conditioned apartment feel like it has a breeze as I work or sleep — even on those particularly hot and humid summer days. It has all sorts of smart functions via the app, and the air purifier and fan can be operated independently.
There's also an easy-to-use timer and sleep mode, which have both been useful for me. But for anyone in a small space, it's impossible to ignore how large the unit is — to the point where it can seem intrusive. Not to mention its $300 price tag. While it's a great fan, and perhaps even a great value considering all it's capable of, these two factors prevented it from taking the top spot.
- Built in air purifier with replaceable filters
- App control
- Quiet
- Easy to assemble
- Expensive
- Too big for the space it covers
Cost: $200 | Type: Outdoor pedestal fan | Oscillating: Yes | Speed settings: 3 | Noise level: 35 dB on low, varies depending on speed | Dimensions: 8.46"D x 25.59"W x 26.18"H
The Rowenta Extreme Outdoor Fan is different from all the other fans on the list because it's designed for outdoor use, making it not only a powerful oscillating fan, but also great for setting up next to a hammock on days when a late afternoon siesta sounds enticing. It's weather resistant, so even if you leave it outside by mistake, you don't have to worry about a little dust or rain ruining your investment.
We tested this fan while organizing our garage in the middle of the summer and also while doing some grilling outside on a hot, humid day. Other outdoor fans seem to just blow hot air around, but this one cooled down the area and made the heat a lot more bearable. And even after getting rained on a few times, it seemed as efficient and powerful as ever.
With three fan speeds and three modes for cooling as well as four different timer settings, an LED digital display and auto on-off functions, this feels like several fans in one, making it a great value. It's also easy to move between spaces, with the integrated cord holder helpful for portability.
Are there still some doubters? Wampler assures us that the Rowenta fan is a beast: "Its weather-resistant build ensures durability while powerful airflow can cut through even the hottest days. It's best suited for patios or decks where other fans might not hold up as well," she says.
- Portable; integrated cord holder makes moving it around easier and safer
- Outdoor-friendly; weather resistant
- Integrated timer
- Remote isn't as sensitive as others we tested
- A bit noisy at higher speeds
Types of cooling fans
Desk fans (or bedside fans): These are smaller, portable fans that sit on a desk or on a bedside table. These don't provide as much cooling as a tower fan or ceiling fan, but they can offer a sort of "spot cooling" effect that's concentrated to a specific area.
Pedestal fans: These are the most classic and familiar-looking fans. They're good at circulating air at a specific height level within a room — they can help create a breeze in a warm or stuffy space. One drawback of pedestal fans is that they're less stable than tower fans, and can be a safety concern, particularly with young children or pets.
Tower fans: Perhaps the most visible item on this list are the tower fans — they're tall and narrow and are relatively unobtrusive, so they're more likely to blend in with a space's aesthetics. While not always as powerful as some of the pedestal fans, they're a good choice for cooling spaces at a range of height levels, thanks to their longer shape.
Box fans: These fans have a sort of retro feel. They're square and intended to be set on the floor. They're larger than a desk or bedside fan but typically smaller than a tower or pedestal fan. They can be powerful, but they tend to be noisy.
Ceiling fans: While most fans are portable and can be moved from location to location with minimal difficulty, ceiling fans are meant to be fixed in place, attached to the ceiling. These fans are larger with longer blades, making them an effective option for circulating air in a bigger space.
Floor fans: These tend to be smaller versions of the pedestal fan, but look similar to a desk fan. They're typically round and use blades to circulate air within a room or a pinpointed space. Like box fans, they can be quite powerful, but also quite noisy.
Factors to consider when making a purchase of a cooling fan
There's a lot to consider when making a purchase of a cooling fan. When comparing fan models, you may want to pay attention to:
Cooling power: When choosing a cooling fan, you should look at the CFM rating. "This is an indicator of how strong the airflow is. The higher the CFM, the better it will cool larger areas," says Wampler.
Coverage area: Coverage area is important, too. For instance: "Tower fans have a wider oscillation, which works well in living rooms," says Wampler.
Noise level: Noise level matters as well. "Anything under 50 decibels should be quiet enough for bedrooms or offices," Wampler explains. If it's over 50 decibles? It's probably better for your garage or an outdoor space.
Energy efficiency: Check the energy efficiency rating of the fan; you want a fan that is efficient and won't use too much electricity. "Energy efficiency tends to be overlooked but can save a lot on electricity bills — so look out for energy-saving modes or Energy Star certification on fans," advises Wampler.
Features: Is it smart or does it have additional capabilities such as an air filter? Can you control it via an app or voice control? Does it have a remote control? How easy is it to access the buttons, and are they easy to see and learn intuitively? You'll probably be using your fan daily, so you want to make sure it has all the features and accessibility you require.
Safety: Are there exposed blades? Is it easy to trip over the cord? Does it feel sturdy when set up in place? These questions are important for everyone, but may be even more important if you live in a home with young children or pets.
Price: Is the fan a good value relative to its price and features? Do you feel like what it offers provides a good value?
How we chose the best cooling fans
To compile this list, we tested nine fans over several hot weeks in New York and New Jersey, where temperatures regularly hit over 90°F with high humidity. Most of these fans were tested in homes without air conditioning units, making the fans the only source of cooling. We tested tower fans, desk fans, pedestal fans, oscillating fans, bladeless fans and smart fans with additional features, such as air purifiers.
To test all of these models, we set them up and used them during the hottest part of day and also overnight, when cooling fans for sleep become more necessary. All the fans tested were evaluated on how easy they were to assemble and set up, as well as specs, features, noise level, energy efficiency and cooling coverage.
The writer, Aly Walansky, is a lifestyle journalist with decades of experience writing about food, home and travel. She lives in a small studio apartment in New York City that has no air conditioning, giving her the perfect setting in which to test these fans (and cool things down in the process).
FAQs
Do fans actually cool the air?
In fact, fans don’t cool the air, they circulate it. "This makes you feel a bit cooler because it speeds up moisture evaporating from your skin," said Barnett.
What is the best type of fan for sleeping?
The answer comes down to personal preference. "Some folks swear by oscillating towers but others prefer a fan that faces in one direction and blows gently onto the face," said Barnett. You may have to test a few fans to determine which type you like best.
How can I maximize the effectiveness of my fan?
To feel its full effect, have the fan directly facing you, but if that feels too cold you can have it oscillating and circulating the air around. You can also put the fan close to an open window to help pull in cooler air from outside.
Other cooling fans we tested
Windmill Air Circulator and Fan: This table fan is whisper quiet and easy to stash on a desk or bedside table. If we had included a desk fan category, this would have been the winner — it's the perfect size for that function and surprisingly powerful to boot.
Lasko Xtra Air 48” Extended Airflow Oscillating Tower Fan: Lightweight and affordable, this tower fan offers oscillation, three fan speeds, a timer and remote control, delivering all the bells and whistles of more expensive options at a budget price. While it didn't make the top of our list due to the fan's noise level and fewer speed settings, it's still a solid option and a good value that keeps rooms cool.
Cuckoo Cordless Foldable Air Circulator: With 12 speed modes and adjustable height, this floor-mounted cordless and foldable fan can fit just about anywhere it's needed, from a smaller apartment to a laundry area or kitchen. This could be a fun item to bring along on a picnic or camping trip as well. While it wasn't as powerful as some of the larger tower or pedestal fans we tested, it does a good job of cooling smaller spaces.
Lasko Cyclone Max 18" High-Velocity Pedestal Fan: Great fan speed, cooling level and a strong value — this was a more powerful fan than we expected for its price point. It's a little loud, even at the lowest speed, so this one may be good to keep in an area other than where you are trying to work or sleep.
Meet our experts
Natalie Barnett, PhD, VP of clinical research at the Nanit Lab
Amy Wampler, CEO of Spartan Mechanical, an HVAC contractor
