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We updated this article in July 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

Summertime means beach outings, pool days, and the cutest summer dresses—but it also means hot, sweltering heat that makes it near impossible to keep cool. And what if you don’t want to max out your energy bill by running your air conditioner all the time? That’s where the best cooling fans come in: These handy devices consume a lot less energy than air conditioners but can keep you just as cool and comfortable to help you beat the heat. Plus, they won’t put as big of a dent in your wallet, either.

Thankfully, modern cooling fans, unlike the old-fashioned box fans of the past, are sleek and thoughtfully-designed while still having enough power to cool down your space quickly, quietly, and efficiently. Not to mention, they will make high temperatures much more bearable, helping you avoid any adverse effects of heat exhaustion. When shopping for a cooling fan, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors to find the right one for your home—including the fan’s design, size, ease of use, noise level, and portability.

That’s why we’ve done the work for you and rounded up some of the best, most top-rated cooling fans that will help you keep cool this summer. With various speed and height settings, quiet features, and add-ons like remote controls, these affordable picks will help you find instant relief during the hottest days and nights. And if you’re really looking to beat the heat when you’re hitting the hay, be sure to check out our picks for the best cooling sheets, cooling pillows, and cooling mattress pads, too.

Ready to cool down fast? Keep scrolling to find our best cooling fan picks for any room.

Portable Electric Oscillating Fan

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.”

HT-908 TurboForce Room Air Circulator Fan

With thousands of positive reviews (over 12,000 five-star ratings, in fact) on Amazon, you can be sure this tiny but mighty fan will keep you cool. 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. Plus, it’s the perfect size to keep on your desk or bedside table if you prefer to save the floor space.

783 Full-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan

Looking for something more customizable and versatile? This powerful fan comes with a pivoting head and an adjustable height, so you can easily direct the cool air to precisely where you need it. With three different speed options, it can move air up to 100ft, according to the brand, to effectively cool any room. “This fan’s pedestal design make it incredibly easy to move between rooms, and the adjustment to have it blow either more toward the ceiling or floor is very smooth,” says one reviewer.

QuietSet Oscillating Electric Tower Stand Fan

If you’re looking for a quiet fan to use in your bedroom when you’re sleeping, this top-rated pick from Honeywell has you covered. It features five different speed settings, including “Sleep” and “White Noise” options that are ultra-quiet and won’t disrupt you while you sleep. Plus, it also offers an auto shut-off timer as well as an auto-light dimming feature on the control panel. “I mainly use this fan on the sleep and calm setting. It’s so quiet you can hardly notice that it’s on, but it still puts out a good amount of airflow,” writes one reviewer.

20" Box Fan

Box fans may look old-fashioned, but there’s no doubt that it gets the job done. This top-rated pick from Genesis comes in a compact, portable 20-inch size that’s easy to move around to any room in the house. Durable yet still lightweight, it offers three different speed options. Though it may not be as quiet as other fans, reviewers actually like the sound level it emits: “This is a dream for those that like to sleep with that wonderful soothing white noise,” says one shopper.

TP01 Pure Cool Purifier Fan

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. Bonus: it includes a remote control, so you can adjust the airflow from the comfort of your couch or bed.

Dual Twin Window Fan

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.”

Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan

The vibrant cobalt blades on this standing floor fan 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. It’s a little pricier than some of our other top choices, but thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon would suggest it’s worth the investment. One reviewer raves “My search for a quiet fan led me, finally, to this fan. It was the only one that really claimed to be very quiet. Mission accomplished.”

Floor Fan

Trying to cool down a large space? Go with this powerful option from Lasko, a great floor fan that also comes with an optional wall mount. This pick isn’t the quietest option on our list, 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.”

VFAN Vintage Air Circulator

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. One particularly pleased Amazon reviewer says “We wanted something that wouldn’t be an eyesore in the bedroom but would still keep us nice and cool. I can’t believe how quiet, but powerful this fan is! On the lowest setting you can barely hear it at all, and it still keeps us plenty cool at night. I’m sure we’ll up the speed in the summer, but even the higher setting is super quiet. No more loud ugly plastic fans!”

Bladeless Desk Fan

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. Plus, it’s easily portable, so you can bring it with you around the house throughout the day. And to charge it, you can plug it right into any USB port.

Pedestal Fan

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. One happy Amazon reviewer writes “I have to have a fan on...no matter what the season is. Love the remote control!! That’s the main reason I purchased this particular fan...I could control all features of the fan without leaving my bed in the middle of the night. It’s quiet. All in all...great fan. Worth the money.”

Handheld Mini Fan

Reviewers and editors alike swear by this handheld mini fan—in fact, it’s racked up over 30,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers. It comes in a perfectly portable size that’s small enough to fit in your purse, offers two different speed settings, and is USB rechargeable with a long battery life. Did we mention it also has a handy flashlight function and can be used as a phone charging bank? “Pretty powerful and extremely compact,” says one reviewer, who also adds: “I’m not exaggerating when I say I bring this thing with me everywhere, and it is a life-saver.

Personal USB Desk Fan

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. One satisfied Amazon shopper says “This fan is USB only, its plug and play, for a tiny fan it puts off some very nice air. In some offices people like to keep it too hot, this fan definitely helps.”

How to choose the best cooling fan

When it comes to choosing the best cooling fan for your home, consider these factors:

✔️ Safety: If you have young children or pets at home, you may want to opt for a blade-less design when looking for a cooling fan. The absence of blades makes the fan that much more safe for wandering fingers or paws.

✔️ Space: If you’re looking for a fan that will cool down a larger room, you may want to purchase an oscillating tower, which has far-reaching air flow capabilities. On the other hand, if you’re only looking for a small-space solution, there are plenty of cooling options that won’t take up too much real estate. And if you’re still living that WFH lifestyle, look for a compact fan that fits neatly on your desk.

✔️ Budget: While there are great cooling fan options for every budget, a larger investment upfront may provide you with better cooling for longer. Before you make your purchase, consider taking a look at warranties to see if your pick has any product assurance (most Dyson fans are insured up to two whole years!).

How we chose the best cooling fans

We conducted our own research on the best cooling fans on the market based on key factors such as design, size, ease of use, noise level, portability, and more. Some specific things we considered, for instance, was the fan’s airflow reach for the space it’s being used for, the range of speed settings available, and whether there are extra features such as a timer option with automatic shutoff. Additionally, we sifted through hundreds of online ratings and reviews from customers to find the most top-rated cooling fans available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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