Investing in one of the best fans is an excellent way to sure you don't end up a sweaty, flustered mess when the warm weather arrives. At TechRadar we've been busy testing fans of all shapes and sizes, to help you find the top options for a range of different needs.
Right now, we think the best fan for most people's needs will be the Dreo 519S (#1). On test, this smart tower fan delivered excellent cooling and a range of useful smart features, including scheduling and an intelligent Auto mode. If you'd prefer a pedestal, the Shark FlexBreeze (#2) is hard to beat – we loved the built-in misting feature. Our roundup also includes excellent desktop options and even a three-in-one fan (#3) that also manages to be one of the best air purifiers around.
To earn a spot in this guide, we've put all these fans though a rigorous testing process, rating them on everything from how powerful the airflow is to how easy they are to use, and taking into account any special features they might offer. Read on for our pick of the best fans on the market right now.
And if you want to get more control of your heating system in the colder months, check out our guide to the best smart thermostat options too.
The best fans 2025: tried and tested
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Quick list
Best overall
This powerful tower fan comes with a range of useful smart features via its companion app. An excellent all-rounder that'll satisfy most people's cooling needs.
Best pedestal
This versatile pedestal fan works indoors and out, can be used corded or cordless, and converts into a desktop fan too. Plus it comes with an excellent misting function.
Best premium fan
This isn't just an excellent fan, it's also an advanced air purifier and heater. It could be a game-changer for those suffering seasonal allergies, but it'll cost you.
Best coverage
This unusual looking fan has arms with vents that can be adjusted in height, direction and angle to blast blades of air out in all directions for complete cooling coverage.
Another top tower
It's a little cheaper than our #1 pick, and this tower fan offers various smart options and convenient app control. It can be noisy at top speeds, though.
Powerful pedestal
This pedestal fan oscillates both horizontally and vertically, comes with a massive range of speed settings and is quiet, too. It can't be used cordless like #2 though.
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Best desk fan
This inexpensive desktop fan runs for up to 14 hours on a single charge and it's lightweight enough to take absolutely everywhere.
Best portable fan
This compact but pricey fan is designed to be taken out and about with you, and comes with a misting function for a cooling boost.
Best smart pedestal
This smart pedestal fan comes with nine speeds and full angle control, and you can run it with an app or voice commands.
Best retro fan
We love this stylish desk fan's retro looks and it performs well too, with three speed settings and a reassuringly solid build quality. It's pricey, though.
The best fan for most people
The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S is an excellent all-rounder, and the best fan for most people. It delivers powerful cooling and a wide range of useful features, for a great-value and relatively affordable price.
There are nine standard airflow speeds, the upper levels of which could easily cool a couple of connected rooms in one go. However, it was the speciality modes that our reviewer was most enamored with. In Auto mode, the fan intelligently adjusts to maintain a constant ambient temperature, while in Sleep mode, the fan will slowly decrease fan speed as you doze off. There's also a Natural breeze mode, which mimics the great outdoors. It's just a shame the oscillation field is relatively narrow, at just 90 degrees (our premium pick from Dyson at #3 rotates a full 360 degrees).
Because it's a smart fan, it comes with a companion app that unlocks a range of useful extra features, including the ability to turn on the fan while you're out – so you can return to a cool house – and to schedule the hours it comes on.
Price-wise it's not the cheapest but it's also far from the most expensive option on the market, and we think it delivers excellent value for money. If you're seeking a more affordable option, head to #5 to check out the Govee, which is similar and slightly cheaper. Or, if a tower fan isn't for you, you'll find our favorite pedestal fan at #2.
Read our full Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review
The best pedestal fan
The best pedestal fan we've tested is the Shark FlexBreeze. It's ultra-versatile – it can be used corded or cordless, indoors or outside, and converts from pedestal to desktop as needed. But probably our favorite thing about it is its ingenious mister attachment, which envelopes you in a cooling haze when hooked up to an outdoor water source. Because it's rain- and UV-resistant, there's no need to worry about it getting ruined under a hot sun or a sudden downpour.
If you're using it cordlessly, the battery life is solid – Shark promises 24 hours on the lowest mode, although more powerful airflow will naturally drain it more quickly. It'll oscillate to 180 degrees and can also be tilted up to 55 degrees (you'll need to do that bit manually, though.) On its lowest setting our reviewer found it to be virtually silent.
Compared to other options in this list, it's a little lacking in advanced features. There's no app control or timer option, and no special modes other than 'Boost', which is essentially just an extra speed. However, if you're happy to keep things (relatively) simple, this is still a seriously cool customer. In fact, our tester was impressed enough to buy not one, but two Shark FlexBreeze fans for his home.
If you're only going to use it out and about, it also has a portable sibling, which you'll find in our list at #8. Or if you are seeking something more affordable for indoor, corded use only, check out the excellent MeacoFan 1056P at #6.
Read our full Shark FlexBreeze fan review
The best premium fan
If it's the best-of-the-best you’re after, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 is it. This is a three-in-one fan, air purifier and heater, and it does all three to the highest standard. Switch on Auto mode and it'll cool or heat your space to your preferred temperature, as well as taking care of any allergens or pollutants in the air.
Because this is a fan guide, let's start with the cooling. Dyson is very, very good at making air move quickly, and this appliance uses the brand's 'Air Multiplier' technology to deliver powerful cooling airflow. There's 10 speed options plus Auto and Night modes alongside an Auto mode, it's surprisingly quiet in use, and it can oscillate a full 360 degrees.
It's also one of the best air purifiers we've tested, an is able to tackle a wide range of pollutants including the carcinogenic formaldehyde. Air purifiers are useful for many people, but here it's a particularly logical addition for anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies. The heating is also excellent, and it comes with a built-in thermostat to save on running costs by ensuring it doesn't keep running when it's not needed.
The sticking point for many will be the price: it's extremely expensive. We don't think it's wildly overpriced given the wide range of features, but it'll only really be worth it if you need all three capabilities. The good news is that Dyson has a lot of equally effective fans, if you're happy to sacrifice some of the extra functionality – our Dyson fan guide runs through your options.
Read our full Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 review
The best fan for cooling big spaces
The Shark TurboBlade doesn't look like any other fan we've tested at TechRadar. Rather than a tall oval, it has windmill-like arms that can be rotated to horizontal, vertical or anything in-between, with blades of air blasting out from vents in the arms that can also be angled – perhaps into two different rooms at once. The whole setup is mounted on a telescopic tube, which means it can be adjusted in height, too. In short, you can set this fan up to push air in any directions for complete cooling coverage.
On test, our reviewer found the TurboBlade could cool a room in ultra-quick time, and the 10 fan speeds plus a timer option, remote control and 180-degree oscillation airflow deliver a decent amount of control. We were most impressed by the speciality modes though, and in particular the Natural Breeze Mode that delivers gently fluctuating airflow that feels like you're outside in the fresh air.
You're paying a bit of a premium for the unique form factor – at this price we'd expect smart controls via a companion app (as per various other options in this guide, including our #1 and #3 picks). However, Shark is no stranger to sales and we expect to see some decent discounts appearing before too long.
Read our full Shark TurboBlade review
Another excellent smart tower fan
The Govee Smart Tower Fan is a similar proposition to the Dreo model at #1, but can sometimes be found for slightly cheaper. Like that model, it can be controlled in various ways – via a touchscreen panel on the front of the machine itself, using a remote control, or on the companion app. You can also connect it to your Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control, although our reviewer found this method could be frustratingly temperamental.
Feature-wise, the Govee Smart Tower Fan is a winner for its price. It has eight speed settings as well as customizable options to suit your own temperature needs, including a Nature mode that constantly adjusts the rhythm of the airflow so that it feels more like a breeze than the blast of air from a fan.
Its unobtrusive design means that you can stick it in a corner and forget about it, and it'll easily cover medium-sized rooms thanks to its 26-foot air range and 75-degree oscillation. It's not too noisy, either, with an average 38dB noise level that comes down to 34dB in Sleep mode. There's even the option to hook it up to a Govee thermo-hygrometer (sold separately) so that it'll automatically adjust its fan speed based on your room's temperature and humidity.
When we tested this fan, our reviewer found it the base wasn't very stable and it could easily be knocked over by children or pets. However, since then it's had an update which Govee says includes a more stable base.
Read our full Govee Smart Tower Fan review
Another powerful pedestal fan
If you're seeking a powerful pedestal fan for use indoors, the MeacoFan 1056P would make an excellent choice. This floor-standing fan sits on a sturdy base, blasts out a powerful flow of air and – in a step up from most fans – can oscillate both horizontally and vertically. Combine this with 12 speed settings and it's no surprise our tester enjoyed the cool air this fan pushed out during a heatwave.
Happily, through testing, our reviewer was able to sleep with the fan on, thanks to its quiet operation. There's no companion app, but the remote control makes it simple to adjust settings without having to get up. Cleverly, this attaches to the front of the fan magnetically, making it harder to lose.
It's less versatile than the Shark FlexBreeze at #2 – there's no cordless option, it can't be used outside and you won't get a mister – but it's also cheaper. For indoor use, it might actually be superior in terms of cooling powers, too.
In terms of styling it's not the most modern looking in our roundup, and the fact it has blades might put some people off. While the front grille provides protection, the gaps are large enough for little fingers to poke through – something to consider if you have small children. Otherwise, this is an impressive fan that you’ll be pleased to have around, especially during the summer.
Read our full Meaco MeacoFan 1056P review
The best desk fan
The MeacoFan 260c Cordless Air Circulator is a simple but effective desktop fan that could be a game-changer in stuffy offices. This fan can be used cordless, is lightweight so can be moved about easily and offers up to a full day (14 hours) of use on its lowest speed. Conveniently, it charges via USB, and you can use it while it's charging too.
It's simpler than most of the fans in this ranking. There are only four speeds to choose from, it doesn't oscillate at all and it's operated via button only with no remote options. However, the latter two functions there are arguably unnecessary anyway, given that it's designed to be moved around and positioned close by. But it's also much lower priced, and offers excellent value for what you're getting. (If you'd like a portable fan with more advanced features, check out the Shark HydroGo at #8.)
On test, our reviewer used it in the kitchen while cooking on a hot day, while on our Peloton bike, and even had it running sat on the table while eating dinner in the garden. And in every scenario, it made the hot weather more bearable. It's convenient not to have to move a big, heavy fan around, or think about the nearest available power outlet. It won't replace a bigger fan, but the 260c makes a great addition to your home.
Currently, the 260C is not available in the US, but the Dreo TurboPoly 312 is a good alternative – you can purchase is direct from Dreo or at Amazon. It's not cordless but it's small and light with adjustable tilt and three speed settings.
Read our full MeacoFan 260c Cordless Air Circulator review
The best portable fan
The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is the little sister of the full-sized FlexBreeze (#2), and just like that model comes with an excellent misting function to up the ante when it comes to keeping you cool when a blast of air just isn't cutting it. This lightweight, desktop-style fan is designed to be carried around, and to that end comes outfitted with a rechargeable battery.
There's no oscillation, although it can be tilted up and down to direct the cooling. Our tester was impressed with how powerful the airflow was, and while there are fewer speed options than larger models in this list (6, plus a 'BreezeBoost' setting) it's still versatile enough for most people's needs. Shoppers in the US also get the choice of a range of summery, candy color options, although in the UK it's currently boring gray or nothing.
If it's a tabletop fan you're after, there are far cheaper options around – including the extremely affordable Meaco option at #6 (UK-only). But the HydroGo is the only one we've spotted with a built-in mister, and the build quality and power go some way to helping justify the price. After reviewing, it immediately became our tester's summer essential.
Read our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review
The best smart pedestal fan
The Dreo PolyFan 704S is the best smart pedestal fan we've tested. It features nine speed settings, and even at maximum power it's surprisingly quiet. While it only has a small (9" / 22.7cm) fan head, it delivers a powerful a 110ft / 33.5m wind distance and like the Meaco option at #6 offers vertical as well as horizontal oscillation.
Unlike the other pedestal fans in this list, this option comes with a companion app and support for voice commands via a smart speaker. In the app you can change the fan mode, set schedules and timers as well as programming it to maintain the right ambient temperature for you. Our reviewer particularly loved the voice controls and the 3D Angle Control in the app that enabled her to set the angle of the fan simply by running her finger across the screen.
It's not perfect. While the fan head itself looks elegant, the stand and base look disappointingly plastic and chunky. That said, this use of plastic reduces the fan's weight, and at 17.82lb / 8.1kg it's easy to pick up and move around. But if you're after a powerful and quiet fan with smart features at a price that won't bankrupt you, this is a great choice.
The Dreo PolyFan 704S isn't available in the UK. Check out the Shark FlexBreeze (#2) or Meaco 1056P (#6) for alternative pedestal options, or if you want a smart fan there's the Dreo 519S (#1) or Govee (#5).
Read our full Dreo PolyFan 704S smart fan review
The best retro fan
In search of a desk or countertop fan that isn’t an ugly, generic white fan? This is the model for you. The Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage is a cool, retro-looking fan that you won’t want to hide in the corner. As well as looking great, it feels high quality and delivers powerful airflow.
The sturdy metal construction bucks the trend of flimsy plastic fans, and with a simple mechanical dial to switch between the three speed settings on offer, this fan is about a simple as they come. In use, our reviewer found the Vornado VFAN to be relatively quiet and, despite its size, it did a surprisingly good job of delivering a breeze and keeping a medium-sized room feeling cool on a stifling hot day. While it doesn’t oscillate, it's designed to move air in what Vornado calls a 'vortex action', which we found effective. Plus, the 360-degree pivot allows you to angle it in any direction.
Unlike the other two desktop fans in our list (#7 and #8) it can't be used cordless, and it comes with the fewest speed settings of any fan here. The main reason to buy this fan is the retro-cool design, and on that front we haven't seen anything like it on the market.
Read our full Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage review
Specs comparison table
Model | Type | Speeds | Oscillation | Dimensions | Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S | Tower | 9 | 90 degrees | 42 x 13 x 13" | Buttons, remote, app, voice |
2. Shark FlexBreeze | Cordless pedestal / desktop | 5 | 180 degrees | 37 x 13.8 x 13.8" | Buttons, remote |
3. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 | Tower fan / air purifier / heater | 10 | 350 degrees | 41 x 7.8 x 8.6" | Buttons, remote, app |
4. Shark TurboBlade | Pivotable tower | 10 | 180 degrees | 11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8" | Buttons, remote |
5. Govee Smart Tower Fan | Tower | 8 | 75 degrees | 36 x 10.6 x 10.6" | Buttons, remote, app, voice |
6. MeacoFan 1056P | Pedestal | 12 | 60 degrees horizontal, 80 vertical | 32.3-37.6 x 12.6 x 13.4" | Buttons, remote |
7. MeacoFan 260c Cordless | Cordless desktop | 4 | None | 10.6 x 6.5 x 5.5" | Buttons |
8. Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo | Cordless desktop | 6 | None | 8.7 x 8.4 x 11.5" | Buttons |
9. Dreo Polyfan 704S | Pedestal | 9 | 150 degrees horizontal, 120 vertical | 13.7 x 8.7 x 37.5-42.5" | Buttons, remote control, app |
10. Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage | Desktop | 3 | None | 17.4 x 15.3 x 10.5" | Buttons |
How to choose the best fan
What are the best fans to cool a room?
We think the best fan right now is the Dreo Polyfan 704S – it's an excellent all-rounder that'll help you keep your chill even when temperatures are uncomfortably balmy.
However, strictly speaking, the answer to the question 'Can fans cool a room?' is 'no'. The vast majority of fans don't actively lower the temperature of the air, they just move it around. This helps you feel cooler, because it causes sweat on the surface of your skin to evaporate more quickly. The fan will need to be directed towards you to have an effect, and won't work as well in humid conditions.
There are fans, such as the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact, that will actively reduce air temperature. However, for active cooling, you'll probably need to opt for air conditioning – our fans vs air conditioners article runs through all the differences.
What kind of fan should I buy?
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of fan: pedestal fan and tower fan. The former is probably what most people picture when they think of a fan; a circular fan head with visible propellor blades. The later is a newer style – tall and slim, with internal blades. Either can be effective at keeping you cool, and both have their pros and cons. Tower fans tend to use space more efficiently, be quieter in operation and some may prefer the more modern styling. Pedestal fans might offer more powerful airflow, and be more adjustable in terms of directing the airflow.
Which is the quietest fan?
While your main priority when shopping for the best fan are likely to be how effective it's going to be at moving air around and keeping temperatures comfortable, you're likely to lose your cool if it makes too much noise when it's doing so.
As a rule, the more powerful a fan is, the more noise it's going to make when it's doing its thing. So while a quiet fan may be less of a disturbance, it's also likely to be less effective at keeping you cool. The good news, though, is that none of these fans are unbearably loud; the loudest on our list is the Shark FlexBreeze that'll kick out 62db on its highest setting, and that's roughly equivalent to a normal conversation.
Five of our listed fans have a quietest volume of 35dB or less, and they're unlikely to cause you any disturbance at all. Of these we rate the Dyson Pure Cool Me as the best fan to have on when you're sleeping, because it's quite as well as incredibly effective.
Here are all the fans in our list, arranged in order of how quiet they are:
Name | Min. noise | Max. noise |
|---|---|---|
MeacoFan 260c Cordless | 20dB | 60dB |
Dreo Polyfan 704S | 25dB | 51dB |
Dreo Pilot Max | 25dB | 48dB |
Meaco MeacoFan 1056P | 29dB | 60dB |
Dyson Pure Cool Me | 35dB | 61dB |
Shark FlexBreeze | 37.5dB | 62dB |
Govee Smart Tower Fan | 38dB | 60dB |
Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage | 41dB | 53dB |
Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact | 46dB | 61.5dB |
Is it safe to use a fan overnight?
In short, yes. There's no real danger of one of the best fans overheating and setting on fire in the night, as the movement of air keeps the motor cool; in fact the only real danger could be if you have a floor-standing fan that's powered by a cable that you could trip over if you get up in the night.
That said, there can be downsides to sleeping with a fan on. According to sleep experts at Amerisleep, these include triggering allergies by circulating dust, pollen and other allergens, causing congestion by drying out your nose and throat, drying out your eyes and skin and even aggravating muscle aches.
However even if any of these negative effects are the case for you, you can minimize them and still enjoy the benefits of sleeping with a fan on, by investing in an oscillating fan that doesn't blast you with a constant stream of air in one direction, setting a timer so that your fan turns off after an hour or two, and by keeping your fan set up at a distance with you so that you can enjoy the movement of air without being in the path of a concentrated airflow.
How we test fans
We've kept our cool when reviewing the fans for this guide. Each one has been used in our reviewers' homes during some hot spells throughout the year(s), proving their worth.
The fans we've reviewed include floor fans, desk fans, cordless fans, pedestal fans and a cooler / air purifier option. Each one has been called in to cater for the different cooling requirements in our homes. For example: those who work from home frequently will be looking for a desk fan, while those who want the power but have limited floor space may prefer a pedestal fan or a tower fan.
When we're testing we take into account the price and availability, design and performance. We measure the noise levels and the effectiveness of each of a fan's settings (if there is more than one setting). We like to test each product for a minimum of two weeks before either returning the model, or hanging on to it to test over a longer period. In those instances we do continue using the appliance, we'll update our reviews and this guide with any new findings.
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