When temperatures start to rise, a great fan is essential to help you feel cooler. Where I live in the UK, we're now on our 45th heatwave of the year (an exaggeration, but it doesn't feel like it), and I'm basically never without a fan these days. I carry one about the house with me wherever I go, and I have one on throughout the night too. I've even bought one for the dog, although he's still quite suspicious of it.
At TechRadar, we've tested dozens of different models over the years. We have a best fan guide that includes just a select group of our favorites, but there are plenty more excellent fans we've tried out and which are still worthy of your consideration. Below, I've rounded up our best-rated models. These are all the fans that scored four or more stars in our review (and are still in production).
For easy browsing, I've split the guide into three broad categories — desktop and handheld fans, pedestal fans, and tower fans — and included a quick overview of each kind to help you decide if it's what you're looking for. Hit the 'More details' button to find out more about what we thought of each individual fan, and a link to read the full review. Stay cool out there.
Desktop & handheld fans
Want to blast air at one specific target? You need a desktop or handheld fan. The latter is designed for personal use, on the go. There are plenty of cheap options cluttering up the market (and landfill sites), but this year we've also been treated to a couple of high-quality, long-lasting options from two of the biggest brands in the cooling business — Shark and Dyson. We loved both of them on test.
A desktop fan is essentially a pedestal fan without its pedestal. It's designed to sit on a surface — like a desk — and offer localized cooling. I also use one of these to cool my dog by popping it on the floor and facing it at his bed. Some can oscillate widely for more general cooling, but if you're looking to tackle a whole room, you might be better off with a pedestal or tower fan.
Shark ChillPill
Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan
Meaco MeacoFan Sefte 8" Portable Battery Air Circulator
Pros
- Perfectly portable
- Operates quietly
- Strong airflow
- Rechargeable
- Automatic fan speed adjustment
Cons
- Oscillation limited to 70 degrees
- Battery unlikely to last all night
- System beeps may be loud and high-pitched for some
Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S
Pros
- Excellent misting effect
- Wide variety of control options
- Generally quiet in use…
Cons
- …although turbo mode is a little loud
- Touch controls could be more responsive
- Coverage is limited, albeit understandably
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan
Dyson Cool CF1
Meaco Sefte Pro Desktop Fan
Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage
Pros
- Beautiful design, robust build
- Small in size, big on performance
- Stays cool under pressure
Cons
- No height adjustments
- No oscillation
- On the pricey side
Pedestal fans
A pedestal fan consists of a fan head on a tall, skinny pole. They sit on the floor and can generally be fixed at a specific target or set to oscillate to cool a wider area. They're more portable than a tower fan, and some have telescopic poles or swappable bases to enable them to be set at different heights.
Levoit Pedestal Air Circulator Fan
Pros
- Easy to use, responsive controls
- Super strong airflow
- Satisfyingly quiet operation
- 2 height options
Cons
- Can't specify oscillation range
- A bit tall in tabletop mode
Dreo PolyFan 704S smart fan
Pros
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Powerful but not overbearing
- Smart features are game-changing
Cons
- Plastic stand lets down look and feel
- Can't vary oscillation speed
Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan
Pros
- Supremely quiet
- Impressively versatile
- Solid battery life
- Clever mister attachment
Cons
- Hefty fan head
- Relatively few fan speeds
- No smart controls
- Mist requires water source
Dreo Polyfan 508S
Pros
- Outstanding at circulating air
- Lots of control options
- Useful custom modes
- Cool, colored ambient lighting
- Good airflow
- Adjusts in height
- Great value for money
Cons
- Other options have wider oscillation
- There are more powerful standalone fans
- Voice assistant support patchy
Meaco MeacoFan 1056P Pedestal Air Circulator
Pros
- Solid design
- Very good performance
- Quiet in use
- Remote control included
Cons
- Pricey
- Not ideal for homes with small children
Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S
Pros
- Tons of precise control
- Ultra-powerful top settings
- Even flow of air
- App, remote, or touchscreen controls
- Lots of speeds and special modes
- Can be a tabletop or pedestal fan
Cons
- A bit noisy at higher settings
- Potentially too many customization options
- Settings can feel confusing
- No misting capabilities
- Can't be used cordless
Tower fans
Tower fans can differ in appearance, but the term can generally be applied to a fan where the head makes up most of the bulk of the build (as opposed to the lollipop shape of a pedestal fan). They're generally not that easy to move about, and are designed for cooling a whole room at once. They're also more likely to have advanced smart features, or added functions like purification.
GoveeLife Smart Tower Fan
Pros
- Subtle and attractive design
- Wide range of customization options
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Unstable - falls over easily
- Noisy on higher fan speeds
- Voice controls can be temperamental
Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S
Dreo Air Purifier Tower Fan MC710S
Pros
- Powerful airflow and cooling
- Smart controls very convenient
- Quiet Sleep mode
- Shows air quality at a glance
- Intuitive app
Cons
- Varied purification performance
- Bulky, unattractive design
- Can't use purifier without fan
- Slow oscillating speed
- Too heavy to move easily
Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 heater and cooling fan
Pros
- Satisfying airflow
- Smart controls
- Pre-heat functionality
- Lightweight
- Sleep mode, oscillation, and timer features
Cons
- Metallic edging gets very hot
- Hot mode can prove noisy overnight
- Child lock only applies to onboard controls
Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool
Pros
- Premium performance and feature-packed
- Impressive 350 degree oscillation
- Quiet operation and smooth air flow
- Control it with the remote, app, or your voice
Cons
- There are cheaper alternatives
- No vertical oscillation adjustment
- Only one colorway: white & gold
Shark TurboBlade
Pros
- Powerful airflow, fast cooling
- Innovative design with angled blades of air
- Natural Breeze mode is great
- Oscillation and timer capabilities
- Vents highly adjustable
Cons
- No app control
- Blade angle / vents have to be adjusted by hand
- A little large
- Cord a bit short
- Investment pricing
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10
Pros
- Real-time PM2.5 and PM10 readings
- Prompt particle detection and reaction
- Tilts forward and back
- All three functions work well
Cons
- Awkward size and heavy
- Could get better, smarter alternatives separately
- No app control
Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan
