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Best fans: Tried and tested models for keeping cool at home or in the office

Be prepared when temperatures rise, with these summertime heroes

Siobhan Grogan,Zoe Griffin
Friday 28 April 2023 12:22 BST
<p>We considered speed settings, extra features, timers and how quiet these were to run </p>

We considered speed settings, extra features, timers and how quiet these were to run

Our Top Picks

When the government issued its first-ever national emergency red alert for heat last summer, an electric fan became the ultimate must-have item. At Aldi alone, online sales of the gadget rocketed more than 5,000 per cent as we all struggled to sleep on sweltering nights. This year, be prepared and buy one before they sell out.

How much you spend depends on the fan’s power and any extra features. Normally, fans cost from as little as £15 (less for hand-helds) up to several hundred pounds, which would be for top-of-the-range models that double up as air purifiers or are wifi enabled. Remember, if you want to ensure your fan will last beyond summer, it’s not necessarily worth buying the cheapest one.

A small desktop model is ideal if you want a breeze while working, but a larger tower fan would be better if you need to cool the kitchen or a bedroom shared by two people. A slimline model that stands on the floor will work well if you’re short on space and empty surfaces, and portable or handheld models if you’re desperate for cooling on the go, while those with young children may prefer bladeless fans to keep curious little fingers safe.

Other features to look for include an adjustable tilt or oscillating mode, to help direct the cool air where you need it most, and a timer or remote control to operate the machine from a distance. Some devices can even be controlled with a smartphone or using Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices.

It’s particularly worth checking the noise level if you plan to use the fan while sleeping. Not all state this specifically but those that do should ideally be no louder than between 50dB to 60dB, a little louder than a refrigerator. Fans with a DC (direct current) motor will also be quieter than ones with an AC (alternating current) motor and use less electricity, too. So, you’ll be able to snooze on smugly whatever the summer brings.

How we tested

We used all these fans in our own home, testing the speed settings, extra features and timers to see if we could rely on them in even the hottest weather. We tried them in various-sized rooms, including an open-plan kitchen, and overnight in a bedroom, to see if they worked their cooling magic and if they were quiet enough during operation to still watch TV and sleep. We also considered whether we felt each fan was good value and how it looked on display – just in case a miracle occurs and any hot weather this year sticks around for weeks on end.

The best fans for 2024 are:

  • Best fan overall – Vonhaus portable 31in tower fan: £54.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best desk fan – MeacoFan 1056 air circulator: £82.50, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for speedy cooling – Levoit tower fan: £83.89, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best handheld fan – Beldray handheld mini portable fan: £4.99, Beldray.com
  • Best budget fan – Draper 08710 clip-on desk fan: £16.12, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best tower fan – Princess smart wifi connected tower fan: £100, Argos.co.uk

Vonhaus portable 31in tower fan

best-fan-indybest-review-cooling.png
  • Best: Fan overall
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Powerful
    • Can add a scent for a fragrant breeze
  • Take note
    • No app connectivity

While tower fans are best at cooling large spaces, their looming height means they can stand out like a sore thumb in most homes. This miniature tower fan is the ideal solution. It’s powerful enough to really make a difference when temperatures soar, and it oscillates up to 70 degrees, yet it’s only 31in high, so won’t dominate a room. It’s also only 3kg and has a carry handle, so can easily be moved anywhere in the house.

Although the exterior is a little plastic-looking, it’s one of the least-obtrusive fans we tested, and we barely noticed it once it was installed in the corner of our living room.

There’s no app connectivity or voice control, but the fan does have a timer, so it can be set to turn off at 30-minute intervals up to 120 minutes. The ability to add a scent in a small tray on the fan for a fragrant breeze was a nice touch, too. A fantastic buy all-round. 

  1. £54 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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MeacoFan 1056 air circulator

best-fan-review-indybest
  • Best: Desk fan
  • Type: Desk
  • Noise: 20dB – 60dB
  • Speed settings: 12
  • Why we love it
    • Very effective
    • Quiet
  • Take note
    • Slightly chunky shape

When we’re dreaming of air conditioning, a fan can sometimes feel like a sorry second best, simply able to circulate already-warm air. This air circulator is a much better compromise, as it moves in a circular motion and bounces air off the walls and ceilings to keep the entire room (and everyone in it) cool.

Not only is this strangely compelling to watch, but it’s staggeringly effective, transforming even the stuffiest room in our house in a matter of minutes. Miraculously, it even stayed cool once we’d turned the fan down.

And that’s not all. Although the maximum noise level is stated as 60dB, we thought it seemed a lot quieter, thanks to the brushless DC motor, and it’s cheap to run, too. Meaco says it costs less than 1p per hour (based on current energy prices) on the highest fan speed.

The fan also has an eco mode to adjust the fan speed as the temperature changes, a sleep timer and even a nightlight, which would be handy if used in a child’s room. Our only grumble is that it is on the chunky side, taking up more space than most desk fans. But when it works so well, we’re definitely not complaining.

  1. £82 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Levoit tower fan

best-tower-fan-indybest (1).png
  • Best: For speedy cooling
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: 28dB
  • Speed settings: Five
  • Why we love it
    • Extremely quiet
    • Senses the temperature in a room
  • Take note
    • Can be tricky to adjust from manual to auto mode

This attractive black and white fan cools a room rapidly. If you’ve been out of the house all day and are returning to a sauna, this will only take a few minutes to give you instant relief. This is due to an impressive maximum fan speed of 25 feet per second, making the entire room feel more refreshing and less stuffy fast.

Despite being one of the most powerful fans we tested, it was also one of the quietest at 28dB. We had to concentrate to hear it. However, the most impressive thing about this Levoit tower fan is that it has an intelligent temperature sensor. It tracks the room temperature in your home and responds accordingly by changing the fan speed. Perfect for busy people who don’t want to add “change the fan speed” to their to-do list. Should you want to take back control though, it’s relatively easy to switch to manual mode by pressing a button on the main unit, but we enjoyed letting it do its thing in the corner.

  1. £83 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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COZII portable neck fan

zoe-neckfan (1).jpg
  • Best: Wearable fan
  • Type: Wearable
  • Noise: 31dB
  • Speed Settings: Four
  • Why we love it
    • Very quiet
    • Sleek, streamline design
  • Take note
    • Only available in whit

If you need to be outside on a hot day for an occasion like a wedding or a BBQ, this neck fan is an affordable way to make life more comfortable. A full charge will give you up to nine hours of battery life so you’re covered for the daylight hours. With four settings, you can ramp up the freshness when the midday sun’s at it’s most powerful and then put it on a low speed for a gentle breeze.

The streamline, minimal design means that you don’t look like you’re wearing a fan. And only those close to you will hear it as it’s less than 31dB on the lowest setting. We like that it cools the neck and face constantly and find that it’s more effective than a handheld fan. The other advantage to wearing a fan as opposed to holding one is that you’re free to take photos, eat and drink and enjoy summer socialising.

  1. £10 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Dyson purifier hot+cool formaldehyde

best fan
  • Best: Do-everything model
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: 62dB
  • Speed settings: 10
  • Why we love it
    • Works as a heater and air purifier too
    • Fan oscillates 350 degrees
    • Connects to easy-to-use app
  • Take note
    • Pricey

If only a fan with all the bells and whistles will do, look no further. The latest Dyson model doesn’t just cool but will also heat a room and eliminate pollutants, including pollen, dust and now also formaldehyde. The latter is a colourless gas used in building materials and household products, such as paint and furniture, and the Dyson purifier detects molecules 500 times smaller than 0.1 microns. Although this is a nice-to-have bonus, it’s likely not what will convince you to part with a considerable chunk of cash to have this in your home.

Luckily, it’s a sleek dream machine all round, too, with a super-effective heater and excellent air purifier, which ramped up whenever it detected pollutants in our home. We especially loved the fact that we could see how clean the air was on the LED screen on the front.

Cooling is also excellent, especially as the fan oscillates 350 degrees, so works wherever you are in the room. It also works with voice services and an easy-to-use app, and has a night mode, so we had no trouble sleeping when it was on.

No other fan in this round-up has quite the year-round bang for its buck, but you’ll need to be sure you’ll use all its features before blowing the budget on it.

  1. £599 from Dyson.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Beldray handheld mini portable fan

best fan
  • Best: Handheld fan
  • Type: Handheld
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speed settings: One
  • Why we love it
    • Keeping you cool on the move
    • Affordable

It’s all very well decking out your house with the latest high-tech fans, but that won’t help much when you’re out and about. Stash a teeny handheld model in your bag and you can still keep your cool when you’re commuting, or even on the beach.

Obviously, a dinky fan won’t bring your overall body temperature down, but it really does help just to feel the breeze on your face when it’s sweltering.

This Beldray model does all you’ll need for a great price. It has two blades, is suitably lightweight to carry all day and is only 10cm long. Plus, it’s operated with two AA batteries – which we were impressed to see were included – so it won’t need a daily charge. Our junior testers were big fans (sorry) of it, too.

  1. £4 from Beldray.com
Prices may vary
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Duux whisper flex ultimate fan and battery pack

best fan
  • Best: Quiet fan
  • Type: Pedestal and desk
  • Noise: 13dB – 50dB
  • Speed settings: 30
  • Why we love it
    • Can be used as both a desk fan and pedestal
    • Covers a whole room
    • Has remote, app and voice-assistant control
    • Quiet
  • Take note
    • Pricey

Want a fan that will work anywhere in your house? This Duux model is a multi-tasking miracle that can be used as both a desk fan and pedestal, so you’ll be able to keep your cool in every room. Better still, it comes with a rechargeable battery pack, meaning you won’t need to leave cables trailing over the floor or worry about where the nearest plug is. You could even use it in the garden if you really wanted to.

We were also really impressed by its cooling capabilities. It has dual fan blades, a whopping 30 speeds and an automatic mode that adjusts the wind speed to mimic a natural breeze. This felt much more pleasant than a constant blast of cold air, especially when we used it while working at our desk. It also rotates in both a horizontal and vertical direction, so really covers the whole room.

Plus, the remote, app and voice-assistant control mean you won’t have to get out of bed to turn it off. Although it’s on the pricey side, this fan’s use-everywhere versatility and excellent, quiet cooling means you won’t regret the splurge come summer.

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Draper 08710 clip-on desk fan

best fans
  • Best: Budget fan
  • Type: Desk
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speedy settings: Two
  • Why we love it
    • Affordable
    • Compact size
  • Take note
    • Not hugely powerful

Working from home has its benefits but leaving the office air conditioning behind on a hot day is not one of them. If you just can’t avoid spending hours stuck at a computer, a desk fan is a no-brainer buy for the summer months to make life a little more bearable. As you’ll be sitting close to the fan itself, there’s no need to spend extra on fancy features, smart controls or even a huge amount of power.

This model has everything required to keep you cool for a brilliant price. It’s easy to use and assemble with just two speeds, and it won’t even take up much room, as it’s much smaller than a traditional desk fan.

While it can stand on a solid base, we especially loved the fact it can clip on to the side of a desk to use even less space, making it a summer office essential in our book.

  1. £16 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Tower cavaletto 12in metal desk fan

best fan
  • Best: Desk fan
  • Type: Desk
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Nice design
    • Decent cooling abilities
  • Take note
    • No remote contro
    • Need to sit close to it to reap benefits

There’s no avoiding the fact electric fans aren’t the most attractive household gadgets, yet they’re impossible to hide when the weather’s hot. Also available in black and grey, this rose gold metal version is easily the most glamorous version we tested, and was even admired by visitors in our home – surely a first for a bog-standard fan.

It’s not just stylish either. With 35W of power, an adjustable head and 80-degree oscillation, it did a decent job of cooling us down, too. While it won’t work too well if you’re sitting on the other side of the room – plus there’s no remote – it’s perfect for using at a desk, dinner or bedside table. There’s even a carry handle to take it between rooms, as needed, too.

  1. £29 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Princess smart wifi-connected tower fan

best fan
  • Best: Tower fan
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: 55dB
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Range of handy features
    • Stylish design
  • Take note
    • Fairly noisy when on highest setting

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get some of the gizmos and good looks the priciest models are known for. This Princess model is one of the most stylish fans we tested, with its triangular shape and smart black-and-silver design. It can also be controlled with a remote, the accompanying app or voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Although the smart controls are fairly basic compared with the priciest fans, they still worked well and made it easy to operate the fan without actually getting off the sofa (result).

Other handy functions include a timer, personalised programs and three wind speeds, including normal, natural or sleep. The highest setting seemed a little noisy when we used it while watching TV, but lower settings – and the night mode – were barely noticeable, so we had no trouble sleeping with this fan purring away in the corner.

  1. £100 from Argos.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Black + Decker digital tower fan

Blank 2040 x 1536 (1).png
  • Best: Remote control fan
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Eight-hour timer option
    • Oscillates 90 degrees
    • Magnetic remote control for safe storage
  • Take note
    • Black design would stand out in light coloured room

With an eight hour timer that can be adjusted by one hour increments, this clever fan is perfect for summer nights. Set it to operate for a couple of hours, which is long enough to help you reach a deep level of sleep, and then it will automatically turn off so you don’t over cool the room. It also helps keep electricity bills low as you’re not using the fan the entire night.

There’s a remote control, which you can keep next to the bed, so you can adjust the settings whilst lying down and conserving energy. Even on the highest setting, it emits barely a murmur so we had no trouble drifting off with this fan in the bedroom.

Able to oscillate 90-degrees, this fan is brilliant at moving cold air around a room. This makes a room feel less stuffy and humid. Even better – you can easily move it between rooms thanks to an integrated carry handle. When you’re done sleeping, carry it into the kitchen for breakfast and then leave on in your home office to create a productive working environment. At 4kg, you can lift it with one hand and it doesn’t feel too bulky in a room.

  1. £54 from Very.co.uk
Prices may vary
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JML my foldaway fan

Blank 2040 x 1536 (2).png
  • Best: For small spaces
  • Type: Pedestal and desk
  • Noise: Unspecified
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Quiet
    • Collapsible for use when travelling
  • Take note
    • Slightly flimsy bas

Weighing just 900g, this unique fan can be collapsed so that you can take it on the move. At it’s full size, it’s over a metre in height and at it’s smallest it’s no bigger than a compact portable speaker. Charge it via the included USB cable and you’ll get up to 10 hours of power. You can use it outside at a picnic or party as well as inside in your home, office or at a relative’s house. It would also fare up well on camping trips, cooling down a tent or caravan fast with no need to be placed near a plug socket. The only place we might not put it would be a child’s bedroom as the base seems less sturdy than some of the other fans we tested.

Despite its diminutive size, this foldaway fan is surprisingly powerful. Position it a few metres from the bed or sofa and you’ll still feel a breeze. For this reason, we suggest operating it on the lowest of the three settings if you’re planning to use it as a desk fan. Thankfully the motor is whisper quiet so it won’t distract you from your work or intefere with sleep.

  1. £19 from Very.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Honeywell HYF290E quiet tower fan

honeywell.jpg
  • Best: For ease of use
  • Type: Tower
  • Noise: 48dB
  • Speed setting: Eight
  • Why we love it
    • Eight speed settings
    • Timer functionality

If you’re constantly changing your mind about how cool you want a room to be, this is the fan to invest in. Eight different speed settings offers a lot of opportunity to tinker with the controls to create the perfect conditions, every time. But there’s no need to get up from what you’re doing and manually touch the fan. A handy remote control allows you to adjust the blast of air in milliseconds. When you leave the room, store the remote control in the special pocket at the back of the fan and it will always be ready to use when you need it.

We like that there’s an LED display on the top of the unit so you know what setting it’s on which gave use peace of mind that it was operating as it should. The display can be dimmed at night if you need the room to be dark before you drift off to sleep though. Other handy functions include a timer and 80-degrees of osciallation to help the cooled air flow around the room. We also approved of the sturdy base, which would be useful in a home with pets or young children.

  1. £69 from Wilko.com
Prices may vary
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COMLIFE clip-on stroller fan

IMG_8584 (1).jpg
  • Best: Children
  • Type: Clip-on
  • Noise: 57dB
  • Speed settings: Three
  • Why we love it
    • Easy to attach to a stroller or car seat
    • Sturdy
  • Take note
    • Not very eco-friendl

Babies, toddlers and a heatwave are a terrible combination. But there are occasions when you need to get out of the house for everyone’s sanity and this genius portable fan could help prevent some major meltdowns. Simply wrap the stretchy legs around the safety bar on a buggy, pram or car seat and your little one will be relieved by a fresh breeze near to their face. An added bonus is that parents can lean over and benefit from the cooling sensation whenever they need it.

For less than £20, there are a huge amount of useful features. One is that it rotates 360-degrees to provide airflow from different directions. Another is that the flexible octopus legs can be wound round a bar multiple times so your baby can’t pick it up mid-ride. Don’t worry, there’s a lot of thick plastic on the outside so your baby will never be able to touch the blades and incur an injury. And as we all know how important nap time is, it operates at under 57dB so it won’t disturb them when they drift off.

  1. £11 from Amazon.co.uk
Prices may vary
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Fan FAQs

Do I need a desk fan or a tower fan?

Before buying your fan, we’d recommend thinking about where you’d like it to go and its purpose in your home. Desk fans are much more compact than tower fans and are designed to sit on your work table. This also means they tend to blow air only in a small space, which can be perfect for cooling you down while you work.

Meanwhile, tower fans are better equipped to cool down a whole room, but they take up more space and need to be kept on the floor.

Electric fans vs air conditioners

Put simply, both will keep you cool, but they work quite differently. While electric fans tend to be much more budget-friendly than air conditioners, they aren’t always as powerful.

Electric fans work by moving air around the room, making you feel cooler. Air conditioners, on the other hand, actually cool the temperature of the room, making them a more powerful alternative to the humble electric fan.

Of course, that means the price of an air conditioner will likely be higher than that of a fan. On average, you can expect to pay between £250 and £500 for a portable air conditioner, while a fan could set you back much less – often around £100. You’ll also need to regularly clean dust filters if you opt for aircon.

There is the environmental aspect to consider, too. Air conditioners can be hefty machines that often take up more space and energy in your home. With energy consumption contributing towards climate change, it can be viewed as counterproductive to use more energy to try and keep us cooler.

Is there a fan that blows cold air?

Most fans don’t blow cold air. They simply move air particles around your room faster, making you feel cooler without actually pumping out a cool breeze. If cooler air is what you’re after, a portable air conditioner may be your best option.

Where’s the best place to position a fan in a room?

The million-dollar question. Finding the perfect position for your fan should make at least some difference. But, we put the question to Duux’s brand manager, Chloe King. She recommends that “when the outside temperature is cooler than the inside temperature, try putting the fan in front of an open window to blow cool air from outside into the room”.

Similarly, when choosing a particular model, King noted that “air circulation is key, so consider a fan that oscillates both horizontally and vertically”. Finally, she recommends opting for one that is adaptable and portable, so it “can be effortlessly changed from full to table height, allowing for greater flexibility between rooms and positions”.

Does putting ice in front of a fan work?

It may not do the job as well as an air conditioner, but putting ice in front of a fan can really blow cooler air around your room. It works by chilling the air that your fan blows out, which will circulate a cooler breeze.

What are the most common types of fan?

  • Tower fans: These tall, thin fans have an oscillating cooling device stretching vertically. They are good for cooling down a whole room while taking up very little floor space.
  • Stand or pedestal fan: These floor fans feature a traditional cooling unit that sits on an adjustable stand. Many allow you to direct the airflow to where it’s needed.
  • Desk fan: These compact styles are designed to sit straight on your tabletop and offer short-range, directional airflow for personal cooling. They are both space and cost-efficient.
  • Handheld fan: Great for travelling, you can slip these battery-operated fans into your pocket or handbag and bring them out as required.
  • Ceiling fan: These fans, consisting of a rotating blade that hangs from the ceiling, circulate air at different speeds whenever required. Great for those who want a more permanent option.
  • Bladeless fan: Available as freestanding or desk varieties, these new-age fans work with an electric motor that pulls air in through small vents in the base, then forces it upwards and out at high speeds through the circular ring above. Good for efficiency, modern looks and safety.

What features should I look out for?

  • Oscillating: Instead of focusing the air in a single direction, oscillating fans sweep the airflow across the room. Some fans give you the option of different oscillation patterns and speeds.
  • Speed settings: Most fans have at least three settings, so you can adjust the amount of cool air you get, with some offering significantly more.
  • Adjustable height and angle: This is particularly useful if the fan doesn’t have oscillating capabilities.
  • Timer: A programmable timer enables you to set your fan to start and stop running at certain times – great if you want to come back to a cool house after work.
  • Auto shut-off: A useful safety feature, particularly if you’re likely to fall asleep with the fan running.
  • Remote control: A great solution if you don’t want to get up to change the speed or set the timer.
  • Noise output: While some people can easily ignore the white noise of a fan, others find it highly irritating, especially in bedrooms, so you might want to look for a model designed to be quiet.
  • Size and weight: This is important to consider if you want a fan that is easily transportable and can be stored away in the winter months.
  • Built-in heater: Some fans combine heating and cooling capabilities in a single model. You’ll pay more for it, but it will save you the trouble of buying a separate heater in wintertime.
  • Built-in air purifier: This can be a saviour for people with pollen or dust allergies – but it will increase the price tag.
  • Safety: If you have young children or pets, it’s worth bearing in mind the hazards of getting fingers or paws caught in the blades of a full-speed traditional-style fan.

How much does it cost to run a fan?

According to research by the price comparison website Uswitch, “a 120W electric fan costs approximately 2p an hour to run”, so keeping it on for 12 hours a day will cost you 24p, which works out at £1.68 per week.

At 44p per hour, portable air conditioning units are more expensive. Uswitch found that, on average, people have their units on for four hours 18 minutes during the day, and four hours 48 minutes at night. This means it could “drive up electricity bills by £28 per week” during the warmer months. As such, a fan is a far cheaper option.

How much electricity does a fan use?

Finding out how much electricity a fan uses depends on the model you have, but you can actually calculate it by the wattage by 1,000 to give the amount of energy it uses per hour. For a 120W fan, for example, divide by 1,000 and get 0.129. If you’ll be using it for 12 hours of the day, multiply 0.129 by 12 and you’ll get 1.548kW, which is how much electricity the fan uses.

The verdict: Fans

The Vonhaus portable 31in tower fan is a great buy for any room but won’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you can spend a little more, we loved the circular motion of the MeacoFan 1056 air circulator which makes a noticeable difference in a hot room compared to a traditional model that only cools the person the fan is facing. The Levoit 36In bladeless tower fan is the best mid-range fan with it’s intelligent temperature sensor and ability to cool a room fast.

Keep extra cool this summer with our guide to the best portable air conditioners for your home

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