I'm a home tech editor and this is the 1 vital appliance I urge households to get for surviving summer heatwaves – my home stays cool and my allergies are gone

Bright, open living room area with brick walls and pillars, wooden floor, wooden ceiling beams and windows revealing bright outdoors. Pictured inside are a cream sofa, brown side table, plants and misc ornaments.

As temperatures soar across the US this summer, staying cool has never felt more urgent. And while air conditioning is effective, it isn't the most cost-effective solution, especially during a long heatwave.

That's where an air purifying tower fan comes in. Combining one of the best fans with one of the best air purifiers results in an appliance that can rapidly cool you down while cleansing the air of pollution and allergens, while using up much less energy than your AC.