The Best Fan

A good fan should make you feel more comfortable while also being energy-efficient, gentle on the ears, and easy to control. For almost a decade, we’ve tested dozens of fans, and we consistently land on the Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator as our first recommendation.

This inexpensive fan is quiet and effective, without ever feeling cheap.

This smart, energy-efficient fan is 44 inches tall and oscillates side to side as well as up and down.

This fan’s high price is offset by its infinitely adjustable fan speed, energy efficiency, and a 10-year warranty.

This fan performs and sounds practically the same as our top pick. But it adds oscillation, a sturdy metal construction, and an attractive retro design.

This impressively powerful room circulator comes with built-in Alexa capabilities, so you can voice-control the breeze.

This compact fan can send breezes to the far corners of a large room. It’s also relatively easy to control and clean, and it has a long-established record of reliability.

The Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator is a simple, powerful, and reliable fan that can move huge amounts of air without making too much noise.

The vortex created by this fan circulates all of the air in a room better than an oscillating fan, without the distraction of intermittent gusts. This fan is compact, without any embellishments like a remote or a timer. But the minimalist design touches—including a readily accessible speed-control dial on the side—make the Vornado 630 easy to use, clean, and maintain.

Vornado puts out plenty of fantastic fans, and they’re backed by a five-year warranty. We have found that the 630 in particular offers the best balance of power and energy savings.

The Vornado 660 AE Large Air Circulator comes with built-in Alexa compatibility, but the real appeal lies in the fact that it’s one of the most powerful room circulators we’ve ever tested.

Quieter and less energy-intensive than our top pick, the 660 still produces a substantial breeze you can feel from over 20 feet away—and that’s without using the almost-too-powerful turbo mode.

The onboard controls can be a little tricky to use, but we more often found ourselves relying on the built-in voice commands anyway. We would suggest this model as an excellent option for anyone who may prefer voice or phone control for mobility reasons.

The all-metal Vornado Silver Swan Alchemy is a stylish improvement over the black plastic design of many other air circulators. Its Art Deco aesthetic hearkens back to the earliest Vornado fans, from the 1940s, which were based on an experimental airplane propeller.

This model performs even better than our top pick, thanks to its oscillation ability and rigid metal fan blades, which create a pleasant but powerful breeze throughout the room, without being too loud or grating.

It’s also one of the easiest fans to clean, so you’re more likely to take care of it—which is good, since it’s a genuinely nice home-decor piece.

The Vornado 610DC Energy Smart Medium Air Circulator is a great choice for people who want less noise, more energy savings, and more adjustability overall.

Its infinitely variable speed-control dial allows you to dial in the perfect power setting to match your needs, and to balance that wind with your ideal volume and energy use. It also comes with an exceedingly generous 10-year warranty.

The 610DC isn’t necessarily better at moving air than our top pick—but these features do make for a nicer experience overall, even if this fan is more expensive. Fortunately, you’ll be able to offset the price difference with the money you save in energy costs in just a few years.

The Dreo PolyFan 513S smart fan offers a lot in addition to its height advantages. Its DC-powered motor means it’s quieter and more energy-efficient than most other fans, and its oscillation abilities include three different horizontal arcs options, plus a vertical setting. The result is a fan that seems to paint the room in a multidirectional blanket of breeze.

Although we didn’t love the onboard controls, the PolyFan 513S offers plenty of other options for dialing in your perfect wind, including a remote control, smartphone app, and voice commands. It’s also incredibly easy to clean.

However, its one-year warranty is significantly shorter than those of our other picks, even with the optional 18-month extension.

With a lot of inexpensive fans, you get what you pay for. But that’s not the case with the Dreo Fox One, which performed comparably to our top pick.

The draft it produced didn’t fill up the room with the same robust breeze you get from an air circulator like our top pick—but it came close, while costing about half the price. This fan is easier to clean than the Vornado 630, with a single screw to keep the grille in place and an easily removable blade.

The simple, effective Fox One seems better designed and more durable than other similarly priced models. And that’s a good thing, since it’s covered by only a 30-month warranty.

We tested 31 fans in our Lab, eight of which were tower fans, and evaluated them based on airspeed, design, portability, effectiveness, and overall value. We then brought the top performers home for long-term testing and updated this piece with fresh insights based on our experience.

“Tower fans get their name for their slim, tower-like design,” says Matt Brown , former merchant of ACs and fans, air quality, and floorcare, and current senior merchant of vinyl flooring, at Home Depot. “They fit well in corners and tighter spaces and operate quietly, making them a great option for bedrooms and kitchens.”

A tower fan is an excellent choice any time you have limited space, as its tall, slim build means it will fit easily into tight spaces. Tower fans also tend to be quieter than other fans , helping you get a cool and comfortable night’s sleep without any disturbance. Plus, they are designed for use over long periods, often with customizable features such as programmable timers, multiple speed settings, and auto shut-off functions.

This would not make a great fan for moving from room to room, as it’s quite tall and doesn’t have a handle for transport. Due to its large design, this model may also be too powerful for smaller spaces. Still, we consider this fan a great value because it serves as two appliances in one, more suitable for year-round use compared to competing fans of the same price that lack heating capabilities.

The fan comes with a remote with onboard storage, as well as digital controls, a programmable timer, and an adjustable thermostat. In terms of safety, it comes with automatic overheating protection as well as a tip-over safety switch (although you likely won’t need it, as this fan managed to stay standing even after one of our dogs ran into it at full speed). It also has a removable filter that should be vacuumed periodically to keep it running efficiently.

This hybrid model put off a natural breeze when running the fan (and really helped to circulate air throughout our homes) and warmed our living room nicely when running the heat. We were able to feel its airflow from 6 inches, 6 feet, and 20 feet away. The noise level was subtle, but still noticeable in a silent environment. The four fan speeds and three heat speeds (high heat with high fan speed, high heat with low fan speed, and low heat with low fan speed) mean you can get year-round use out of this multi-functional tower fan. We found it to oscillate about 6 inches from the center in each direction, ensuring widespread airflow.

The five different speed/sound settings include Sleep, Calm, White Noise, Refresh, and Power Cool. Additional features include oscillation, a programmable timer with automatic shut-off, and a remote control that clips onto the back of the fan. Although this fan does feature a carrying handle, it’s not the easiest to transport because it dislodges from the base when you pick it up. We recommend keeping it in one room where you want to keep noise to a minimum, such as a bedroom or home office.

This tower fan is whisper quiet on the lowest setting and only produces a low hum on the highest setting, making it ideal for light sleepers who are sensitive to sound. It comes with five speed settings, all of which are quiet enough for undisturbed sleep. We were able to feel a noticeable breeze from 6 feet away, although we couldn’t detect any airflow when standing directly in front of the fan from 20 feet away. This fan has held up well after six months of use, performing so effectively that some of us now use it more often than air conditioning.

With this fan, you get many of the features common in more expensive models. Plus, its tall, narrow design tucks nicely into compact spaces. After six months of daily use, the fan maintained its high-quality performance. The fan did accumulate dust, though, which we found difficult to clean through the vertical vents.

In terms of portability, the fan comes with a carrying handle and has a lightweight build, although the base is a little wobbly and will require some repositioning when going from room to room. Additional features include an LED display that turns off after one minute so the light doesn’t disturb you at night, a remote control with a magnetic docking station, and a programmable timer for up to 7.5 hours of use. We also appreciate the convenient remote control, which allows you to adjust the settings without leaving the couch.

We found that the fan produced a wide range of airflow thanks to its internal oscillation, meaning it oscillates from inside the tower housing. Although the airflow didn’t reach as far in our Lab tests, it still kept our rooms cool enough to eliminate the need for AC in the summer. And even at its highest setting, we found this fan to be impressively quiet—aside from feeling cooler, we could hardly tell it was on.

Equipped with three speed settings and three wind settings (natural wind, sleep wind, and oscillating), this tower fan comes with many of the same advanced features as competitor models, but at a much lower price (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith).

The airflow doesn’t have super far reach, so it may be less suitable for larger spaces.

We found that our pencil fits through the vent slits, so you should be mindful if you have children at home. Still, the fingertip pinch-proof grills and built-in circuit protection should give you peace of mind. The rear grill and impeller wheels are also easy to remove, simplifying the cleaning process on this fan. Plus, its lean and vertical build makes it ideal for small spaces, such as a dorm room, small bedroom, home office, or studio apartment.

During testing, we felt the breeze 6 feet away on the highest setting and 2 feet on the lowest setting. The 90-degree oscillation proved effective, dispersing cool air evenly throughout our space. Despite its power, we found this fan impressively quiet, emitting a white noise that was soothing and muted enough to hold a conversation over. We also appreciate the “no sound” option, which prevents beeping when clicking buttons and controls.

We gave this Dreo tower fan high marks across the board—and not just because its sleek design goes well with most decor. The fan has four speeds, ranging from relaxed breeze to strong airflow, and an 8-hour timer. It also has four modes: normal, natural mode (which fluctuates between high and low settings to save energy), sleep mode, and auto mode. We particularly loved the remote, which allowed us to control the fan from 20 feet away.

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Dreo Tower Fan because it performed well in terms of both airflow and noise. It also comes with a number of advanced features and several settings to choose from. For a less-expensive option that we love, go for the Better Homes & Gardens 40-Inch Tower Fan.

Our Testing Process

We tested 33 fans in our Lab, eight of which were tower fans, evaluating them based on five key factors: airspeed, design, portability, effectiveness, and overall value. Once our Lab tests were complete, we brought home the top-performing tower fans and tested them over six months. 

In the Lab, we first shuffled through each fan speed and used an anemometer to measure the air speed at each setting, noting how noisy it was at its highest and lowest settings. We also assessed the design of each fan, considering materials as well as color options, adjustability, safety features, cord length, display, and any additional features. 

In general, tower fans are not designed with portability in mind, due to their tall slim build that can be awkward to reposition. However, we did assess how much each fan weighs, how much space it takes up, and how easy it is to move, considering features such as a built-in handle or a reinforced base. 

The true test of each fan was its effectiveness at cooling a given space—we stood in front of each fan from 6 inches, 6 feet, and 20 feet away and assessed how much the airflow could be felt on the highest setting. We also evaluated the oscillation abilities of each fan. 

Finally, we received the price of each tower fan and scored its overall value based on its price relative to the factors above. Afterward, we tested the top-performing tower fans in our own homes over the course of six months (beginning in the summer) to provide feedback on how well they hold up with extended use.

How to Shop for Tower Fans Like a Pro

Airflow

The measure of how much air a fan can move each minute is known as cubic feet per minute (CFM). Fans with a higher CFM will have more cooling power and vice versa. Because they are designed with space-saving in mind, tower fans are generally less powerful than pedestal or floor fans. Most tower fans feature several different speed settings, ranging from a gentle breeze to a powerful cool.

Noise

Because they tend to be designed for use in smaller spaces and are less powerful, tower fans are generally quieter than other types of fans. If you’re sensitive to sound, purchasing a tower fan is a great choice. However, if you prefer the white noise that comes with more traditional fans, a tower fan might not be for you. (Then again, you could also use a dedicated white noise machine.)

Controls and Features

One of the major advantages of tower fans is that they offer a lot of customizable settings. For maximum control over the air circulation in your space, look for tower fans with multiple speed settings, a programmable timer, an oscillating fan for a wider range of motion, and a remote control.

More Tower Fans to Consider

Vornado 154 Whole Room Tower Air Circulator: This tower fan has a unique design: Instead of using oscillation, it features contoured outlets that wrap around the unit to help circulate air around the room. However, it doesn't provide an immediate cooling effect like that of other models, especially from a distance.

Rowenta Urban Cool Silent Tower Fan: Despite its large size, we found this fan surprisingly lightweight and portable. We also appreciate its 45-degree oscillation and handy remote, which allowed us to control it from up to 20 feet away. Still, the airflow wasn’t as powerful as other models we tested, even on the highest setting.

Questions You Might Ask

How do tower fans work?

Tower fans usually have vents on the back or side of the fan that suck up air from the room—since hot air rises, the fan will pull from the cool air by the floor. From here, the air moves up through the vertical column and pushes out through a vertical shaft. Although most tower fans oscillate, they are also able to cool in a wider span than traditional fans thanks to the vent that runs the full length of the unit. According to Brown, tower fans “use minimal wattage for maximum cooling airflow and feature an auto-off timer mode and remote control.”

Are tower fans better than other fans?

It depends on your needs. Tower fans have a smaller footprint thanks to their tall, slender build, and they can be neatly tucked into the corner of a studio apartment or small bedroom. They also tend to be more aesthetically pleasing than large pedestal or box fans and have more advanced features. 

“Most cooling tower fans are quiet because they use small blades that produce a quiet hum as compared to traditional cooling tower fans with larger blades,” Brown says. And because their blades are tucked behind a grill, they’re safe for even the smallest fingers or paws.

However, tower fans generally aren’t as powerful as other types of full-sized fans and are stuck at a fixed height and tilt, so you cannot aim them in your preferred direction.

How do you clean a tower fan?

To keep your tower fan working efficiently, it’s important to keep it clear of dust and other debris. About once a week, wipe down the exterior and use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean the vents. Use compressed air to remove any remaining dust. Some tower fans have filters that need regular cleaning or replacing, too. 

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Melanie Fincher, associate commerce editor for Real Simple with three years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile this list, we tested 31 fans in our Lab, eight of which were tower fans, and evaluated them based on their airspeed, design, portability, effectiveness, and value. We then took the top-performing fans home with us to test how well they held up over time. For expert tips on buying tower fans, we spoke to Matt Brown, former merchant of ACs and fans, air quality, and floorcare, and current senior merchant of vinyl flooring, at Home Depot.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.