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The best fans of 2019 Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Best Fans of 2023

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The best fans of 2019 Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
1
Editor's Choice Product image of Vornado 660
Best Overall

Vornado 660

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

Pros

  • Great air speed and volume
  • Maintains breeze over distance

Cons

  • A bit loud on higher settings
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Lasko 3300
Best Value

Lasko 3300

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

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Great wind speed and volume up close

Cons

  • Wind speed falls up sharply over distance
  • Loud
3
Product image of XPower FC-200

XPower FC-200

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

Pros

  • Very high wind speeds
  • Maintains air flow at a distance

Cons

  • Very loud
4
Product image of GreenTech Environmental pureFlow QT7

GreenTech Environmental pureFlow QT7

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

Pros

  • Safe for kids and pets
  • Lots of speeds
  • Remote

Cons

  • Wind falls off over distance
  • Cumbersome to scroll through speeds
5
Product image of Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B

Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B

Even though it has quiet in the name, the Honeywell QuietSet fan wasn't the quietest fan we've tested. Read More

Pros

  • Decent wind speeds up close
  • Lots of speed settings

Cons

  • Felt somewhat cheap
  • Wind speed falls off over distance

As summers grow longer and temperatures creep higher, a lot of us scramble for the best ways to keep cool—preferably without doubling our energy bills. While air conditioners are the best option once things get really hot, fans are a perfect cooling solution for temperatures under 90 degrees.

If you’re looking to limit your air conditioner use to when it’s really necessary, it makes sense to invest in a really great 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 $92.00) is the best fan you can buy, capable of some impressive wind speeds even 6 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, our pick for best fan.
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Vornado 660 was the most powerful fan we tested, capable of producing high speed wind, even at a distance.

Best Overall
Vornado 660
  • Type of fan: Floor fan
  • Dimensions: 15 x 13.5 x 11.8 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 7.3 pounds
  • Speed settings: 4

The Vornado 660 is the best fan we tested by a significant margin. First and foremost, it’s able to output an impressive volume and air speed, even at a distance. While the Vornado’s wind speeds might be slightly slower than some when measured directly in front of the fan, once you’re a few feet away, the 660 really starts to stand out from the crowd. At a distance of 3 feet, this cooling fan is still able to manage 11.8 mph winds—a faster airflow at a distance than some fans were able to output at all.

We also liked its relatively simple design. It features five buttons along its top, one for power and four for fan strength. These buttons are easy to reach and allow you to skip to your perfect speed without having to cycle through others. The fan head can be rotated vertically to point straight up or at a slight downward angle. It doesn’t have an oscillation feature, instead depending on its strength to create a room-sized air circulation system—something we saw perform well in testing.

At around $100, the 660 offers a lot of power for its price.While the 660 might be more of an investment than some others on our list, Vornado offers a five-year warranty on its products.

Pros

  • Great air speed and volume

  • Maintains breeze over distance

Cons

  • A bit loud on higher settings

The Lasko 3300 Wind Machine, our pick for the best value
Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Lasko 3300 Wind Machine offers a lot of power for a low price.

Best Value
Lasko 3300
  • Type of fan: Floor fan
  • Dimensions: 25.38 x 23.38 x 7.19 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 9.25 pounds
  • Speed settings: 3

The Lasko 3300 Wind Machine came in third place out of all the fans we tested, but merited special mention because of what a great value it is. Not only did it generate a respectable 12.6 mph wind at point-blank range, it was capable of moving the highest volume of air, with over 1,700 CFM (cubic feet per minute) by our measurements.

This being said, the Wind Machine doesn’t blow very far into the room compared to others we tested. Once you get even a few feet away, its wind speed falls by half. Still, if you are in the market for an inexpensive fan to keep nearby, the Lasko Wind Machine is one of the best budget-friendly options out there.

Pros

  • Inexpensive

  • Great wind speed and volume up close

Cons

  • Wind speed falls up sharply over distance

  • Loud


Other Fans We Tested

Product image of XPower FC-200
XPower FC-200
  • Type of fan: Floor fan
  • Dimensions: 17.3 x 15.4 x 8.9 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 10.1 pounds
  • Speed settings: 4

There’s a lot to like about the XPower FC-200, which came in second place overall in our testing. It has a rugged plastic construction and a no-nonsense design that features one dial for speed and another that’s a timer. Not only was it capable of the fastest wind speeds at a close distance, it was also one of only two fans to maintain speeds of 10 mph up to 3 feet away from the fan. It moved the second-highest volume of wind, falling right behind the Lasko Wind Machine.

The one downside? It is not a quiet fan. At over 80dB, it was the loudest fan we tested, about on par with a garbage disposal at its highest setting. Even at its lowest setting, the noise level is about the same as a traditional air conditioner.

If you want a solid fan that moves a lot of air and don’t mind making an investment (or a lot of noise), we’d recommend the XPower FC-200.

Pros

  • Very high wind speeds

  • Maintains air flow at a distance

Cons

  • Very loud

Product image of GreenTech Environmental pureFlow QT7
GreenTech Environmental pureFlow QT7
  • Type of fan: Desk fan
  • Dimensions: 12.75 x 10.5 x 10.63 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 6 pounds
  • Speed settings: 12

The GreenTech Environmental Pureflow Circulator is one of the smallest fans we tested, but it puts up some impressive numbers. While it doesn’t have the power of the larger models, it isn’t a slouch either, providing 12.4 mph winds at close range (though that does dissipate quickly with distance). Equipped with 12 speeds, the Pureflow allows for a high level of customization, even if cycling through all those speeds can be cumbersome. Its lower fan speeds are also among the quietest we tested—it’s a great option for an office desk fan.

The Pureflow also has some neat features. As a bladeless fan, it’s safe for kids and pets. It also has oscillation, an intuitive remote, and the ability to tilt 90 degrees vertically. If you don’t mind sacrificing some power for extras, the Pureflow isn’t a bad buy.

Pros

  • Safe for kids and pets

  • Lots of speeds

  • Remote

Cons

  • Wind falls off over distance

  • Cumbersome to scroll through speeds

Product image of Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B
Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B
  • Type of fan: Tower fan
  • Dimensions: 40 x 10 x 8 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 9.2 pounds
  • Speed settings: 8

The Honeywell HYF290B Quietset fell square in the middle of all the fans we tested. With a seemingly cheap build quality, we were initially skeptical, but the Honeywell put up average numbers across the board—nothing to disappoint or impress. We measured its wind speed at a decent 14 mph, but that power didn’t hold up well at a distance. Its lower speeds were fairly quiet, but not the quietest.

Normally when a product doesn’t stand out, we look to its price—anything can be a great value if it's priced low enough. Unfortunately we didn’t get much help here, either. It’s not a steal, but it’s also not overpriced. If you’re looking for a decent tower fan at a relatively reasonable price, the Quietset is fine.

Pros

  • Decent wind speeds up close

  • Lots of speed settings

Cons

  • Felt somewhat cheap

  • Wind speed falls off over distance

Product image of Rowenta VU5670U2 Turbo Silence Extreme
Rowenta VU5670U2 Turbo Silence Extreme
  • Type of fan: Pedestal fan
  • Dimensions: 55.12 x 19.69 x 23.62 inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 17.64 pounds
  • Speed settings: 5

We’ve seen the Rowenta VU5551 Turbo Silence standing fan rated highly on other “best fan” lists, but after testing it, we’re not entirely sure why. True to its name, it has a quiet-run mode named “Silent Night” that’s able to produce 3.4 mph winds without exceeding our testing chamber’s ambient noise.

Aside from this feature, however, the Turbo Silence left us feeling confused as to what was justifying its price point. It wasn’t very fast, even with its Power Boost mode enabled. It also required the most set-up by far.

If you absolutely need an inaudible fan, the Turbo Silence might be worth it. Otherwise, we’d recommend the Pureflow Circulator, which was capable of running almost as silently.

Pros

  • Quiet operation

  • Remote

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Requires assembly

Product image of Dyson Pure Cool TP04
Dyson Pure Cool TP04
  • Type of fan: Tower fan
  • Dimensions: 41.5 x 8.1 x 4.6 inches inches (height x width x depth)
  • Weight: 10.98 pounds
  • Speed settings: 10

While it's not the most powerful air circulator, the Dyson Pure Cool is the most feature-rich fan in this roundup. If you’re looking for a smart hybrid between a fan and an air purifier, the Dyson Pure Cool is a seriously tempting purchase—even at its high price point.

The main feature we loved about the Dyson Pure Cool was its automatic cleaning mode. When enabled, it sits in standby until its sensors determine air filtration is needed. At that point, the Pure Cool turns on, scrubs the air through its HEPA filter, and automatically turns off again.

It also has loads of other interesting features, like a bladeless design, an LCD display that can show infographics about the air quality of the room, a breezeless air filtration mode, and a remote control that magnetically sticks to the top of the device.

Pros

  • HEPA filter

  • Automatic air filtration mode

  • Remote

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Low air throughput

How We Test Fans

The Tester

Hello! I'm Mark Brezinski, and I've been testing and reviewing consumer tech for over a decade. At Reviewed, I’ve spent several years reviewing and developing tests for dozens of different categories, from cell phones to headphones to vacation cruises. And now fans!

The Tests

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).
Credit: Reviewed / Naidin Concul-Ticas

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).

To test the fans, we set up a closed-off testing area to isolate 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 average wind speed at each of these points during a 30-second window and calculated the volume of air being moved (cubic feet per minute, or CFM). We performed the same tests again with oscillation on (if applicable), and recorded the average air movement at each measurement point over five full oscillation cycles.

While a fan’s ability to move air is its primary function, we also tested other aspects of the fans’ performances as well. We measured how much energy the fan required to run at full capacity, both with and without oscillation. We utilized our headphone testing lab to isolate exactly how much noise each fan makes at each of its speeds. We also tested how easy and intuitive the fan’s interface felt to use.

What to Consider When Buying a Fan

Type of Fan

Fans have come a long way since the days of loud box fans sitting in doorways. Now, there are a number of fan varieties available that can be both stylish and quiet.

  • Desk fans. are smaller and As the name suggests, these fans are small enough that they can sit atop a desk while you’re working. Also called table fans, they are a good option for people who like a fan in their bedroom while sleeping. These fans give a user personalized cooling, but often are 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 they’re needed. More powerful than desk fans, they can help cool large rooms, as they are able to move more air.

Another option would be to invest in a ceiling fan. While they are often more expensive than other types of fans and can be difficult to install, these fans can be used throughout the year—efficiently cooling a room in the summer and making a room warmer in the winter.

Oscillation

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, we found it often had a very minimal impact on overall air movement. While oscillation did allow some fans to distribute airflow across a wider area, the amount of cooling breeze was greatly reduced.

Speed settings

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.

Features

Fan features can range from simple, like oscillation, to very advanced, like the Dyson Pure Cool’s automatic cleaning mode. Other special features you might find include whisper mode, sleep mode, energy-saving mode, timer or auto-off, and remote control.

Air conditioners vs. fans

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, the only real option for beating the heat is an air conditioner. At temperatures hotter than 90°F, the fan is basically just buffeting you with hot air, which can actually 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.

Meet the tester

Mark Brezinski

Mark Brezinski

Senior Writer

@markbrezinski

Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.

See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews

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