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The 9 Best Cooling Fans to Help You Survive the Summer Heat Wave
By Amanda Le,
4 hours ago
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here .
Warmer weather demands more than just swimsuits and sunscreen ––it calls for the ultimate summer essential : air conditioning. And let's face it, there's nothing like returning home to the blissful comfort of cool, refreshing air after a scorching day. Yet, keeping your AC running all day also isn’t a great approach. (Hello, astronomical bills, not to mention strains on the electrical grid). Instead, consider investing in the best cooling fan for those times you don’t necessarily need to jump straight to the AC. It’s not just an alternative; it’s a game-changer, working seamlessly to keep air circulating and your comfort levels right where you want them.
The Best Cooling Fans at a Glance
How I Chose the Best Cooling Fans
After vetting top-reviewed tower, pedestal and desk fans—and taking in editors’ recommendations, based on ones they’ve tested firsthand—I curated a selection of the nine best cooling fans, renowned for their performance, speed, sound, timer settings and additional features (including how helpful said features actually are).
Whether you’re a hot sleeper or need that extra boost during this heat wave, your search ends here.
Drawing air from both the back and sides, the Dreo tower fan's built-in motor delivers a refreshing breeze up to 29.5 feet away, making sweltering summer days a thing of the past. Moreover, its bladeless design ensures excellent airflow with whisper-quiet operation. Don’t believe me? I’ll let the 26,000+ glowing Amazon reviews do the talking. Some users find it so effective that they find no need to touch the AC. “All I can say is this tower fan by Dreo is super quiet, and I am extremely pleased with air flow,” one reviewer writes. “The Dreo has 6 levels of airspeed and I have never had to go above level 3. I have a one-bedroom apt, and the air conditioner works fine, but the point I am trying to make is I use my Dreo more than the AC.”
Whether you desire powerful air circulation in a living room or a gentle breeze at your desk, this fan's versatile settings ensure it meets your needs effortlessly. Take it from Candace Davison , PureWow’s VP of Editorial Content. She says, “When my A/C broke earlier this summer, this was the only thing keeping me cool at my desk. The fan is remarkably powerful, with five speeds, and even better, it's quiet. There's a gentle white noise to it, but nothing close to my robot vac or any other oscillating fan I've owned. So I could have it in level four and look like I've got my own personal wind machine without having trouble hearing anyone.”
If you’re on the hunt for a quieter option that won’t break the bank, then look no further. I currently own this fan and it has no problem cooling down my entire living room, even on the hottest of days. I bought it in a pinch to beat the NYC heat, and I’m so glad I did. With five different speeds, you can easily adjust to your personal preferences tailored to your desired sound and cooling intensity. As a white noise advocate, I will also say that it also provides just the right amount of natural noise for me.
You may need a little more than just a cooling fan if you’re dealing with dander and pollution, or own any pets . It’s no secret that the PureWow editors can’t get enough of their Dyson products , but Abby Hepworth , PureWow’s fashion editor, believes this particular product stands out as exceptional. She says, “I know it’s expensive, but I love my Dyson air purifier. It’s almost entirely silent, and it can also act as a heater and a fan. But really, the most fascinating thing is that you can track the quality of your air on the app (as well as the little screen on the purifier itself) so you can see exactly what it’s pulling from the air. Mine was a gift, but if you have the money to spend, this guy is really worth it.”
Appliances can be costly, but this versatile 3-in-1 fan goes above and beyond, offering everything you could ever need: purified air, heating functionality and powerful fan circulation. Featuring advanced Pure Air Microforce technology, its high-speed fan operates at four purification levels, capturing an impressive 99.98% of particles as small as 0.1 microns—surpassing HEPA standards. It ensures freshness in spaces up to 1,000 square feet, making it perfect for large rooms like living areas, dining rooms, basements and gyms. “We bought 2 of these to try and keep allergens down in our pet-friendly house,” one reviewer writes. “It works great and is SO quiet! I had to ask my husband if they were actually on. We have found it really cuts down on odors too (cooking, litter box, etc). Are they expensive? Yes. But very high quality that I anticipate being able to use for years.”
Lasko consistently stands out as a top-tier brand I proudly recommend for those seeking quality fans. Ideal for small-to-medium-sized rooms, this 42-inch tower fan offers three speeds capable of generating up to 262 CFM, ensuring effective cooling. Beyond its sleek design, you'll be impressed by its remarkable practicality. "What really sets this fan apart is its functionality, asserts one reviewer. “The remote control makes it so easy to adjust the settings from across the room, and the timer feature is a game-changer. I no longer have to worry about falling asleep with the fan on all night and waking up freezing. I can set it for 2, 4 or 8 hours and know that it will automatically turn off when I want it to.
And the best part? This fan is quiet—really quiet. Even on the highest setting, it produces a gentle hum that's actually soothing to fall asleep to. I no longer have to choose between sweating in my sleep or being kept awake by a noisy fan."
This fan from LEVOIT is better than your average, and may or may not be next on my wishlist. Its CircuAir Tech offers powerful cooling with a Tri-Cyclonic Design delivering 908 CFM airflow, surpassing standard pedestal fans. But in case that wasn't enough, it features a Dynamic 120°+90° Angle Control for comprehensive air circulation, reaching up to 82ft with a 22ft/s wind speed. Not only is it the ideal height to reach your bed , but you’ll seriously keep checking to see if it’s on because it’s really that quiet. “Unlike similar pedestal fans, this model is designed with an appropriately weighted base that keeps the fan securely in place,” a reviewer stated. “There's no need to worry about it tipping around kids or pets. Concurrently it is so silent during operation that it must heard in person to actually believe it.”
Vornado is a brand that has consistently delivered reliable products at affordable prices, and this one is no different. Whether in vibrant green or vintage white, this sleek retro model could be the ideal enhancement for your desk, especially if aesthetics matter to you. Our Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu owns it and thinks so too. “I had this for a few years! It’s a cutie. Vintage design-fans are kind of ugly, but this one actually added room ambiance. It works great on your desk!”
Now that New York has hit the high 90s (send help), you'll always catch me with this fan in hand, keeping cool no matter where I am. Whether waiting for the subway, taking a stroll in the park, or battling indoor heat, this portable turbo fan will quickly become your new best friend. “What sets this portable fan apart is its remarkable power,” a reviewer claims. “Despite its compact size, it delivers a surprisingly strong and powerful airflow that quickly cools me down. Whether I'm at home, in the office or on the go, the fan's adjustable settings allow me to customize the airflow to suit my needs perfectly. The sensation of cool air is not only refreshing but also provides immediate comfort even during the most intense hot flashes.”
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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