Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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The Vornado 660 is the best fan we tested by a significant margin. It’s able to output an impressive volume and airspeed, even at a distance. Read More
The Lasko 3300 measured a respectable 12.6 mph wind at point-blank range. It also moved the highest volume of air, with over 1,700 CFM. Read More
The XPower FC-200 has a rugged plastic construction and a no-nonsense design that features only one dial for speed and another that’s a timer. Read More
One of the smallest fans we've tested, the GreenTech Pureflow provides 12.4 mph winds at close range and comes with 12 speeds. Read More
Even though it has quiet in the name, the Honeywell QuietSet fan wasn't the quietest fan we've tested. Read More
As summers grow longer and temperatures creep higher, a lot of us scramble for the best ways to keep cool—preferably without doubling our energy bills. While air conditioners are the best option once things get really hot, fans are a perfect cooling solution for temperatures under 90 degrees.
If you’re looking to limit your air conditioner use to when it’s really necessary, it makes sense to invest in a really great performing fan. We've tested popular fans to see which delivers the best performance, user experience, and value.
Our results show the Vornado 660 (available at Amazon for $92.00) is the best fan you can buy, capable of some impressive wind speeds even 6 feet away from the fan. While the 660 is our top pick, many of the fans we tested are worth considering or offered something unique that might make it a better option for you.
The Vornado 660 was the most powerful fan we tested, capable of producing high speed wind, even at a distance.
The Lasko 3300 Wind Machine offers a lot of power for a low price.
Very high wind speeds
Maintains air flow at a distance
Very loud
Safe for kids and pets
Lots of speeds
Remote
Wind falls off over distance
Cumbersome to scroll through speeds
Decent wind speeds up close
Lots of speed settings
Felt somewhat cheap
Wind speed falls off over distance
Quiet operation
Remote
Expensive
Requires assembly
HEPA filter
Automatic air filtration mode
Remote
Expensive
Low air throughput
Hello! I'm Mark Brezinski, and I've been testing and reviewing consumer tech for over a decade. At Reviewed, I’ve spent several years reviewing and developing tests for dozens of different categories, from cell phones to headphones to vacation cruises. And now fans!
Point A was directly in front of the fan, point B was 3 ft. away, and point C was 6 ft. away. We also took measurements 4 ft. away from points B and C (points D, E, F, and G).
To test the fans, we set up a closed-off testing area to isolate our measurements from any external airflow. Once the fan was up to speed, we took measurements at seven different points in the room: three directly in front of the fan, and four to the sides.
We measured average wind speed at each of these points during a 30-second window and calculated the volume of air being moved (cubic feet per minute, or CFM). We performed the same tests again with oscillation on (if applicable), and recorded the average air movement at each measurement point over five full oscillation cycles.
While a fan’s ability to move air is its primary function, we also tested other aspects of the fans’ performances as well. We measured how much energy the fan required to run at full capacity, both with and without oscillation. We utilized our headphone testing lab to isolate exactly how much noise each fan makes at each of its speeds. We also tested how easy and intuitive the fan’s interface felt to use.
Fans have come a long way since the days of loud box fans sitting in doorways. Now, there are a number of fan varieties available that can be both stylish and quiet.
Desk fans. are smaller and As the name suggests, these fans are small enough that they can sit atop a desk while you’re working. Also called table fans, they are a good option for people who like a fan in their bedroom while sleeping. These fans give a user personalized cooling, but often are not as powerful as larger fans.
Tower fans. Often more aesthetically pleasing, tower fans are tall and narrow. They also take up less space, which makes them a great option for smaller rooms. That said, they can be powerful enough to help cool large rooms.
Floor fans. These are easily portable and can be moved from room to room, wherever they’re needed. More powerful than desk fans, they can help cool large rooms, as they are able to move more air.
Another option would be to invest in a ceiling fan. While they are often more expensive than other types of fans and can be difficult to install, these fans can be used throughout the year—efficiently cooling a room in the summer and making a room warmer in the winter.
Oscillation is where the fan rotates on its base to help spread its breeze around a room. While many of the fans in our test featured oscillation, we found it often had a very minimal impact on overall air movement. While oscillation did allow some fans to distribute airflow across a wider area, the amount of cooling breeze was greatly reduced.
Some of the fans we tested had only three speeds while others had many more than that. The more fan speeds on a fan, the more customization you have with airflow.
Fan features can range from simple, like oscillation, to very advanced, like the Dyson Pure Cool’s automatic cleaning mode. Other special features you might find include whisper mode, sleep mode, energy-saving mode, timer or auto-off, and remote control.
What’s a better cooling option: a fan or an air conditioner? As a general rule, it's best to use a fan for cooling unless temperatures are above 90°F. At that point, the only real option for beating the heat is an air conditioner. At temperatures hotter than 90°F, the fan is basically just buffeting you with hot air, which can actually exacerbate the effects of heat stress on your body. Using an air conditioner for temperatures under 90°F is likely overkill, since a fan will offer decent cooling at 1% of the energy cost.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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