These Top-Rated Cooling Fans Will Keep You Sane During the Hottest Months
- 1/13
These Top-Rated Cooling Fans Will Keep You Sane During the Hottest Months
We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.
In the middle of a heat wave, the inside of your home can feel impossible to cool down. Sure, you could crank up the AC (if you have it), but doing so will also likely spike your energy bill (no thanks!). To the rescue? Cooling fans, which consume a lot less energy than air conditioners but can keep you just as comfortable. Plus, they won’t put as big of a dent in your wallet.
If you’re used to old-fashioned box fans, then you’re in for a treat. Modern cooling fans are sleek and thoughtfully-designed while still having enough power to cool down your space quickly (and quietly).
The bottom line: Cooling fans are a cost-effective way to lower the temperature in your home with zero effort and a smaller investment than an AC unit. Basically, they make high temperatures much more bearable.
We’ve rounded up a number of affordable, high-quality fans on the market to keep your room (and mood) cool. With various speed and height settings, quiet features, and add-ons like remote controls, these affordable fans will help you find instant relief during the hottest days and nights.
How we chose the best cooling fans
We conducted our own research on the best cooling fans and sifted through hundreds of online reviews to find the best cooling fans available.
Our top picks
Alisa Hrustic - 2/13
1) Portable Electric Oscillating Fan
Lasko
amazon.com
$74.99
This powerful (yet quiet) tower fan is strong enough to cool an entire apartment with no air conditioning, even when the air gets humid. It stands tall at 43 inches, so you can enjoy circulation as you lay in bed. With three settings, a multi-function remote, and simple assembly, it’s a no-brainer. “This is the fan I’ve been dreaming of for years,” one reviewer says. “It is whisper-quiet and unobtrusive, while pushing out a lot of airflow.”
Amazon - 3/13
2) TurboForce Fan
Honeywell
amazon.com
$19.99
With tens of thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, you can be sure this tiny but mighty fan will keep you cool. Available in black or white, it’s compact, lightweight, and mountable, so you can position it however you please. Reviewers also love how quiet this cooling fan is, even when powering at full speed.
Amazon - 4/13
3) TP01 Pure Cool Purifier Fan
Dyson
wayfair.com
$299.99
If you prefer a sleek design and incredible power, look no further. This tower fan from Dyson has it all: strong airflow, a family-safe design, a sleep timer, and minimal sound. This fan lowers the temp in rooms up to 800 square feet and even comes with a built-in HEPA air purifier.
Best Buy - 5/13
4) Dual Twin Window Fan
Holmes
amazon.com
$59.99
This window fan installs just like an air conditioner and uses two blades to keep you cool. It even works when it’s raining. “I run this little monster almost 24/7 and all of its features work like brand new,” says one Amazon reviewer, who bought the fan two years ago. “I would buy again in a heartbeat if it ever stopped working.”
Amazon - 6/13
5) Pedestal Fan
Amazon Basics
amazon.com
$66.15
If you’re looking for a standard floor fan at a reasonable price, this option should check all of your boxes. With three power settings and three breeze modes, plus a remote and an adjustable base, it’s a great option for home cooling on a budget.
Amazon - 7/13
6) Floor Fan
Lasko
amazon.com
$59.98
Trying to cool down a large space? Go with this powerful option from Lasko, which isn’t quiet, but does the job exceptionally well and boasts thousands of rave reviews on Amazon. “This is the workhorse you want on a miserable hot day,” one says. “I have never paid quite this much for a fan, but I would make this purchase again in a heartbeat.”
Amazon - 8/13
7) VFAN Vintage Air Circulator
Vornado
amazon.com
$59.99
Most electric fans aren’t winners in the looks department, but this stunner from Vornado is practically designed to be Instagrammed. Reviewers report that beyond its aesthetic appeal, this fan is also powerful for its size and surprisingly quiet.
Amazon - 9/13
8) Bladeless Desk Fan
Misby
amazon.com
$42.69
This bladeless tabletop fan is great for hot sleepers who want a quieter option. It provides constant cooling without any noise, making this popular fan worth the investment. The 11.8-inch design takes up little space, is easy to clean, and has an easy-to-use remote control. And to charge it, you can plug it right into your computer with the USB port.
Amazon - 10/13
9) 20-in. Box Fan
Hurricane Store
amazon.com
$33.99
At 20 inches wide and three different speeds, this box fan is as powerful as it gets. The simple, sturdy design can cool an entire room, whether you put it in the window sill or on the floor. It’s louder than its smaller counterparts, but if you’re someone who needs a bit of white noise to drown out your environment while sleeping, this is the fan for you.
Amazon - 11/13
10) Mini Handheld Fan
VersionTECH
amazon.com
$15.99
This handheld fan is perfect for days when you’re on-the-go. It’s small enough to fit in your purse, had three blade speeds, and charges with batteries or a USB port. “Powerful, rechargeable, compact. What’s not to love?” one Amazon reviewer raves.
Amazon - 12/13
11) Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan
Rowenta
amazon.com
$135.99
If you like a subtle pop of color, then you’ll appreciate this standing floor fan. Its vibrant cobalt blades can be set to blast cool air at three different speeds and oscillation settings. You can control the fan and adjust its tilt and height with a portable remote control. Bonus: It’s pleasantly quiet, easy to clean, and painless to put together.
Amazon - 13/13
12) Personal USB Desk Fan
SmartDevil
amazon.com
$15.99
If you’re looking for a powerful fan for your WFH setup, this two-speed model is the perfect option. It’s not too big, provides a gentle breeze, and won’t shake your table or desk. Plus, it's run by USB, so you can plug it directly into your computer.
Amazon