It’s worth checking out the best fans on offer even before it hits peak heat. When fans aren’t in high demand, it’s easier to find a bargain, and you won’t be left to deal with higher prices and lower stock when the summer heatwaves do roll around. Plus, there are always times – after exercising, or when a room gets stuffy, or you’ve burned the toast – where a fan is handy to freshen up the air.
Whatever the reason, you can lean on the expertise of our tech experts who’ve put the latest fans through their paces with in-depth testing.
By using each fan for an extended period of time, our team have noted exactly how well it’s able to keep a person cool, whether or not any included smart features are actually worth having, what it costs to run and if it’s noisy in operation. We’ll give you all the information you need before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Only the models that have genuinely impressed the Tech Advisor team make it to this list, so read on to see which fans we currently recommend. Alternatively, if you’re struggling with cold weather, our round-up of the best electric heaters is what you need, or you could stay toasty with a hot drink from one of the best coffee machines we’ve tested.
Best fan reviews
MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan – Quietest fan

Pros
- Absolutely silent on lower levels
- Plug-in and cordless modes
- Replaceable battery
- Cheap to run
Cons
- No smart features
- Remote control needed to access all functions
If you’re looking for a quiet fan, Meaco’s Sefte air circulators are the models to go for. Our top recommendation is the portable 8-in Sefte fan for its additional features, but we’ve also tested, and rate highly, the 10-in Sefte table fan.
Meaco claims an operating volume of only 27dB on lower fan speeds – we can confirm it’s virtually silent at this level. This, plus its relatively compact size and light weight, makes it an ideal choice for a bedroom.
It doesn’t have smart features but it comes with a remote that’ll allow you to set a switch-off timer for up to 12 hours. The remote is nicely designed, with glow-in-the-dark keys, and it magnetically attaches to the centre of the fan so you won’t lose it. You’ll need the remote to access all functionality, as the on-device controls won’t let you set the timer. But the fan base features a round digital display that shows settings and the current temperature.
It has three operating modes, including one that adjusts the fan speed depending on the temperature in the room, and a night mode that slows the fan hourly.
But what sets the 8-inch portable model apart from rivals is its removable, replaceable lithium-ion battery. Not only does it mean that you can use the fan without it being plugged in, but you can replace the battery at the end of its life and keep on using the fan, meaning less waste and a longer product life.
Who should buy the MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan?
Those who want the perfect blend of power and quiet in one package.
MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan: Further considerations
The complete lack of smart features will put some people off.
Read our full MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan review
Princess Smart Air Cooler – Best air conditioner alternative

Pros
- Effective air cooler
- Easy to use
- Smart controls
- Low power usage
Cons
- Not child-friendly
- Noisy on high setting
- Needs regular cleaning
A fan will make you more comfortable but it can’t actually lower the temperature of the air. The Princess Smart Air Cooler can. It’s an evaporative cooler that uses water (and ice) to chill the air it blows out. It’s simple to use as well. You just fill up the water tank at the base and switch it on. Like any fan, it has several speeds, it can oscillate, there’s a night mode and timer.
There’s a full range of controls on the cooler itself and it comes with a remote – but as it’s a smart appliance, you can also control it via the accompanying app. This gives you the option to create scenes and use voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant.
We would caution that, as it’s an electrical appliance with a tank of water in the base, it needs to be kept well away from kids and pets. You’ll also need to clean the tank regularly, and getting the tank in and out of the appliance is a bit of a hassle.
But at just 3p an hour to run, this is the cheapest air conditioner alternative around.
Who should buy the Princess Smart Air Cooler?
Anyone on the hunt for a fan that’s as powerful as an air conditioner.
Princess Smart Air Cooler: Further considerations
It can get quite noisy, and regular cleaning is required to ensure efficiency.
Read our full Princess Smart Air Cooler review
Dreo Air Circulating Fan (CF714S) – Most powerful fan

Pros
- Powerful
- Quiet
- Vertical and horizontal oscillation
- Excellent smart controls
- Comes with remote
Cons
- Functional design
- On device controls are fairly basic
This fan has several things going for it: it’s hugely powerful, it can oscillate vertically, horizontally, and both at once, and it has handy smart controls that give you granular control over its direction and oscillation. It’s quiet as well.
You can stand it on the floor or on a table or counter and chose an exact airflow direction, or give it a wider scope and use it to cool several people in a room. It can blow air to a maximum distance of 110ft and you can stand it in front of an air conditioner or a window and it’ll amplify the cooling airflow. It has several modes, including, natural, sleep and turbo, and a number of fan speeds.
Controls come via a subtle LED panel on its base and via an included remote control. But to get the best from this fan, you’ll want to use the accompanying app to easily choose settings, set a timer and use voice control. Altogether, it’s pretty impressive for its price point.
Who should buy the Dreo Air Circulating Fan (CF714S)?
Anyone who wants a really powerful fan.
Dreo Air Circulating Fan (CF714S): Further considerations
The on-device control panel could be more comprehensive.
Read our full Dreo Air Circulating Fan review
Shark ChillPill – Best pocket fan

Pros
- Compact
- 3 effective cooling methods
- Range of colour options
- Powerful
Cons
- Expensive
- Noisy on higher settings
- Needs regular recharging
- Carrying accessories sold separately
The ChillPill has an unusual build and features we haven’t seen before in a portable fan. It’s genuinely pocket-sized (only 10×8.5×4.5cm) and weighs about the same as a mobile phone. But it crams a lot of features into its build.
First, there’s a 10-speed fan, which is really powerful on its top setting – although it’s also quite noisy, so you’ll probably find the lower settings more useful in a quieter environment. Then there’s a chilled plate: hold it against your wrist, temple or throat and it’ll cool you down significantly. Finally, there’s a mister. Before testing it, I thought this sounded pretty unappealing but it sprays an incredibly fine vapour that cools without soaking the skin.
It’s very nicely made, with excellent features: it can stand on a desk and its angle is adjustable, and it features a lock so you won’t accidentally switch it on in your bag or pocket. But it doesn’t come with any carrying accessories – those are sold separately. And you’ll likely need something: this fan is far too pricey to risk dropping.
Battery life varies hugely, depending on the settings and function – anywhere from 1 to 11 hours. It then takes up to 3.5 hours to recharge. This means that you’ll need to be careful to charge it regularly, but if you do, it’ll be perfect for a commute, going to a gig, or staying cool on a night out.
Who should buy the Shark ChillPill?
Anyone who takes their on-the-go comfort seriously – and is willing to pay for it.
Shark ChillPill: Further considerations
You can buy an effective handheld fan for much less.
Read our full Shark ChillPill review
Duux Whisper Flex smart fan – 2-in-1 transformer

Pros
- Transforms from pedestal to tabletop fan
- Almost completely silent
- App and remote control
Cons
- Assembly required
- On-device control panel hard to read
- No on-device thermostat
If you want a fan that looks more than functional and will blend into your home, the Whisper Flex is one to consider. It comes in four colour options (black, white and two shades of grey) and the fan itself is matt and all one shade. But that’s not the best part of its design.
The Whisper Flex can transform from a pedestal to a tabletop fan in a few seconds. All you need to do is remove the central column. Another attractive element is the fan’s control centre, which is a digital display set into a dial that you turn to choose settings. But, although it looks good, it’s not that easy to read.
This isn’t a huge problem as the fan also comes with a colour-matching remote, which magnetically sticks to the back of the fan for storage. Plus, you can control the fan via your phone. Download the Duux app and you can access the smart features, including easy scheduling, or using voice commands via your home assistant.
The fan has 26 speed settings, vertical and horizontal oscillation and three modes: normal, natural and night. You can set a shutdown timer as well. As its name promises, it’s genuinely whisper-quiet: you won’t hear it at all.
Bear in mind that you will need to assemble it before use.
Who should buy the Duux Whisper Flex smart fan?
Consumers who want their appliance’s style to match the quality of its features.
Duux Whisper Flex smart fan: Further considerations
The lack of an on-device thermostat is an odd omission at this price point.
Read our full Duux Whisper Flex smart fan review
Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 – Best budget Dyson fan

Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent performance
- Nice features
- Remote control
Cons
- Still expensive
If you’d like a Dyson model, this is a great option for its price point – although it’s still expensive. It’s one of Dyson’s smaller fans and it’s a nice compact size and shape (595mm tall), small but powerful and lightweight enough at 2.6kg that you can easily move it around the house without any trouble. It has a range of different modes and settings and, as the name suggests, the device can heat and cool, so it’s useful year-round. It also allows you to set fan speed and temperature.
It can pan left and right (though it can’t be angled) and has two different modes to choose from: Diffuse and Jet Focus. The former is a wider current of air and the latter gives you a narrow blast.
You can also set a timer and it comes with a remote, which magnetically attaches to the top of the fan.
Bear in mind that this isn’t a purifying fan. If you’d like one of those, check out our review of the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact.
Who should buy the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09?
Anyone in need of an all-round solution for both hot and cold climates.
Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09: Further considerations
You have to fork out quite a bit for the privilege of owning one.
Read our full Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 review
Jisulife Table Fan Pro3 – Best for computer desks

Pros
- Powerful
- Cordless
- Air filtration
Cons
- Noisy
- Divisive design
Jisulife’s Pro3 is expensive, especially for a desk fan that’ll really only keep your face cool, but it does have some features that could make it worth it for the right person. First off, it’s powerful. And cordless. It also has an air filter to ensure that it’s not blowing pet hair and dust all over you. It gives you granular control over the speed – with an almost ridiculous 100 settings. It also oscillates.
But on the minus side, this is a noisy fan that, on its highest setting, sounds like a plane taking off. But this won’t bother you if you’re gaming with headphones on.
In the end, the deciding factor is likely to be whether the ring light that you can change to any one of seven bright colours – or choose to cycle through them – strikes you as a cool or useless feature.
Who should buy the Jisulife Table Fan Pro3?
Gamers who want a slick desk fan to go with their set-up.
Jisulife Table Fan Pro3: Further considerations
It’s far from being the quietest desk fan available.
Read our full Jisulife Table Fan Pro3 review
Dreo Pilot Max Tower Fan – Best quiet bladeless fan

Pros
- Quiet
- Powerful
- Smart model available
Cons
- No heating or air purifying functions
Although it comes in a few pieces, the Pilot Max tower fan is simple to put together. You’re really just attaching the base and plugging it in.
It’s a bladeless fan, standing 110cm/43in high, with a 30cm/12in base diameter. It comes with a remote control (and battery), so you can switch it off and on and change settings from the comfort of your sofa.
Its height is a huge advantage as the air outlet takes up a significant portion of this length (50cm), so it’s able to move a lot of air around.
The fan oscillates and you can change the angle from 30-120°, in 30° increments. It has 12 speeds, which go from a perfectly silent, light current of air to an audible (but still far from noisy) blast. At any setting, it’s impressively quiet. There’s a timer as well, which you can set for up to 12 hours.
It has four modes: normal, natural (changing airflow), sleep (it slows every 30 minutes) and auto, which adapts to the room’s ambient temperature.
The control panel is on the curved top of the fan and there’s an inset digital screen that displays settings and fan speed.
As it’s slim with a small footprint, when it’s not in use, you can push it into a corner and forget about it – the next best thing to having a combined heater/fan.
There are two models of Dreo’s tower fan: the smart version costs slightly more and it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can switch it on and off with voice commands.
Who should buy the Dreo Pilot Max Tower Fan?
Buyers who want a powerful tower fan that’s almost as quiet as a desk fan.
Dreo Pilot Max Tower Fan: Further considerations
It’s not quite as easy to move around as some rival models.
Russell Hobbs 12 inch Scandi fan – Best classic fan

Pros
- Attractive
- Carry handle
- Quiet
Cons
- May be too large for a desk fan
The Russell Hobbs 12-inch Scandi desk fan is a straightforward, easy-to-use device with a carry handle on top for portability. Best of all, it’s reasonably priced.
It’s a near full-size fan, minus the column and pedestal (it stands 46cm high and is 35cm wide) and it comes in black, white or grey, with wood-effect blades. Its retro design is more aesthetically pleasing than many of its more functional-looking competitors and it makes a useful and attractive addition to a shelf or desk.
It’s a powerful fan that you could use to cool yourself. It has three speeds that range from light to strong airflow. The lowest setting won’t disturb your sleep so you can stand it on a night table and get a good night’s rest. You can have it fixed in one spot or oscillating. It also tilts, but only by a few degrees, so its vertical range is a bit limited.
You’ll need to assemble it but that’s easy to do – although you’ll need a small, Phillips-head screwdriver to fit a single screw, which in my case took a bit of patience. Once assembled, however, the fan is sturdy.
Who should buy the Russell Hobbs 12 inch Scandi fan?
Anyone who wants a fan with a classic look.
Russell Hobbs 12 inch Scandi fan: Further considerations
The frame can be a bit too large for smaller desks.
Levoit Classic tower fan – Best budget tower fan

Pros
- Excellent range of fan speeds
- Easy to use remote
- Temperature responsive mode
Cons
- Oscillates when told not to
- Gets loud on high settings
If you’re looking for an economical fan with a small footprint, the Levoit Classic is one to consider. It’s not the prettiest fan we’ve tested but it’s incredibly cheap to run and packs in a good number of features for its price point – it’s especially good value if you can get it for less than its listed price.
It has an easy-to-read LED display and you can change the settings via the touch controls or the included remote. There are five speed settings, an oscillation option, a timer and a number of modes to choose from: Normal, Auto, Advanced Sleep, and Turbo.
There are a couple of compromises to be made if you buy: we found the oscillation to be a bit unreliable and it’s not the quietest fan on the higher speed settings.
Who should buy the Levoit Classic tower fan?
Mid-range buyers in need of a solid tower fan that doesn’t break the bank.
Levoit Classic tower fan: Further considerations
The sound can be distracting on higher settings.
Read our full Levoit Classic tower fan review
Torras Coolify Iva handheld fan – Best mid-price portable fan

Pros
- Powerful
- Portable
- Up to 12 hours of use between charges
- Desk stand ring
Cons
- Very noisy at full blast
- Pretty expensive for a hand fan
This is an alternative to the John Lewis Anyday hand fan. It’s much pricier and noisier but it’s more powerful and lasts longer between charging.
It has an aluminium alloy finish and it’s 15cm long, with a 5cm fan head diameter. At 182g (6.4oz) it’s light in the hand – about the same weight as a smartphone. One of its handiest features is a carabiner at the base, so you can clip it to your bag or belt.
Most importantly, it is a strong fan, with five speeds, the highest of which will surely cool you down whatever the situation. But the trade-off is that it’s very noisy – so much so that you may not be able to use it indoors in all situations.
It comes in three attractive matt colours: white, grey, and pink.
Who should buy the Torras Coolify Iva handheld fan?
Commuters who want the most powerful personal fan on the market.
Torras Coolify Iva handheld fan: Further considerations
The stylish look does come with an inflated price tag.
Read our full Torras Coolify Iva Handheld Fan review
Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner – Best wearable fan

Pros
- Hands-free
- Cools neck fast
- Simple app controls
- Comfortable
Cons
- Noisy at full blast
- Less useful outside
- Pricey
This fan is a little different from any of the other products in this round-up. For a start, it’s portable. Even better, you wear it around your neck, so it’s completely hands-free. What’s more, you can use it both indoors and out – although when we tested it, we found that it was much more effective inside.
The Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner weighs just 17.5oz (495g) and is powered by four aerodynamic motors spinning at 7,200 rotations per minute to create airflow around your upper shoulders. Torras claims a maximum running time of 15 hours from its 6000mAh battery, but that’s on its lowest setting. Turn it up to its most powerful level and you’ll get around two hours of use from it.
It also operates as a personal heater and at maximum heat, it’ll keep going for around three hours. It has 20W fast charging and can go from flat to full in around two hours. It’s a smart device as well, and you can control it using its straightforward companion app.
But, although it’s lightweight and effective indoors, it’s far from whisper-quiet. If you have it on full blast, people around you will definitely notice it and you may find it hard to follow conversations. Still, if you need to cool down while commuting or before meetings, the Coolify is a portable and effective solution.
Who should buy the Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner?
Anyone in need of a solution for staying cool on the go.
Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner: Further considerations
While convenient, the device itself is quite expensive.
Read our full Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner review
John Lewis Anyday hand fan – Best budget hand fan

Pros
- Powerful
- Portable
- Up to 9 hours of use between charges
- Folds into standing mode
Cons
- 5-hour charging time
- No way to wear it or attach it to a bag
The Anyday fan is 25cm long, and the fan head has a 10cm diameter. It’s light too: only 184g, which is about the same weight as your average smartphone. It comes in four attractive matt colours: white, sage, lake blue and sunburst orange.
It’s nicely made – much more robust than other hand fans you might have tried. And its design means you can fold it into standing mode and use it on a desk, table or shelf. You can even adjust its angle – although there are only two possible settings.
And it’s powerful: more than enough to stop you from breaking a sweat at your desk or on public transport. It’s quiet as well – especially on the first two of its three operating speeds. Plus, it’s long-lasting: you’ll get nine hours of use on low speed, six on medium and four on high, so it’ll see you through a working day or a night out.
Its charging speed is less impressive, at 5 hours, but it charges via USB and even has a comprehensive charging indicator light. It’ll go from red when charging, to green when fully charged. The indicator glows blue in normal use and blinks blue when its charge is low.
Highly recommended.
Who should buy the John Lewis Anyday hand fan?
Regular commuters who need a way of staying cool on public transport.
John Lewis Anyday hand fan: Further considerations
It can take quite a while to charge the battery back to 100%.
Read our full John Lewis Anyday hand fan review
Other fans tested
Although there’s already a bit of Dyson representation on this list, it’s worth giving a shoutout to the Dyson Cool Desk. While the Cool Desk has been replaced by the more modern Dyson CF1, it’s still a great option if you can find it refurbished or second-hand, particularly as (like most Dyson products) its sense of style is timeless.
If you’re really struggling to stay cool during a heatwave and you need something that will actually bring down the temperature of a room, you may want to save some cash and opt for an air conditioner instead.
Options like the Russell Hobbs 9000BTU Portable Air Conditioner (RHPAC4002) and the Midea Comfee 9000 BTU air conditioner are fairly straightforward to set up and small enough to fit in the corner of a room, but they bring big power to the table. If you work from home and require something that can keep your abode cool throughout the day then these are the options to go for.

Emma Rowley / Foundry
Can I get a better deal?
If you shop around during the colder months at the start of the year, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a hidden gem of a deal given that fans aren’t exactly at their most popular when it’s threatening rain and snow outside. However, if you’d rather have a more concrete date to add to the diary then your best bets are Amazon Prime Day (which typically takes place in July) and the Black Friday sale which encompasses the entirety of November.
Amazon’s sale makes the most sense for anyone who’s already signed up to Prime, but when it comes to consumer choice, nothing can beat Black Friday for the number of retailers onboard.
How we test fans
To ensure that you get the best possible understanding of what it’s like to use a particular fan, one of our experts will take it home and rely on it as their main source of cooling for a period of time. This allows us to see how well the fan can perform during fluctuating temperatures, and how noisy they get on different modes.
Why you should trust Tech Advisor
Whether it’s in the realm of fans or smartphones, Tech Advisor’s mission has always been to provide you, the reader, with unbiased buying advice that’s based on rigorous testing so that your hard-earned cash is wisely spent. Never wavering from that core principle is why TA is one of the most trusted consumer tech websites in the world.
Who curated this article?
This article was put together by Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Emma Rowley. As the overseer for all things smart home on TA, no one is quite as familiar with what makes for a great fan, and that’s why she gets the final say on all of the products included on this list.
How to choose the best fan
Trying to decide on the best fan for your needs comes down to a handful of key questions, starting with the room in which you want to use the fan. A home office or a small bedroom will be made comfortable by a desk or standing fan. Anyone looking for a reprieve from the heat as they watch TV in a larger living room should be looking for one of the more powerful fans we’ve tested.
Bear in mind, however, that plug-in appliances can be pricey to run and you should focus on cooling the people in a room, rather than the room itself. Still our reviews will give you an idea of what each product will cost you to run.
Second, you’ll want to consider smart features. There’s no doubt that a sizeable chunk of our readership have no interest in integrating a fan into their smart home ecosystem, but if you like the idea of being able to control airflow just by using voice commands or an app on your phone, it’s worth double-checking what features are available. Smart fans also have the advantage that you don’t need to worry about hard-to-read onboard controls, or losing a remote. Plus, you can schedule a timer easily, and never worry about wandering off and leaving the fan running.
The final and arguably most important point is the noise emitted from a fan. This varies hugely from model to model and some will drown out the dialogue while you’re watching TV or make it hard to fall asleep, if you’re not a fan of white noise.

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FAQ
Which fan is the best for hay fever?
If you have hay fever, blowing a lot of air around you is going to worsen your symptoms. The best option is to buy an air purifying fan, ideally one with a HEPA filter. Unfortunately, this tends to be a pricey option.
Dyson appliances are some of the best, with its Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde an excellent, luxury option. The Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact is probably the best value option – although it’s still not cheap.
Which fan is safest for children?
If you have young children, a bladeless fan is the best option, as there’s nowhere for little fingers to get caught.
If you’re looking for a fan for a child’s room, bladeless fans also tend to be quiet and additionally have the benefit of a smaller footprint, which makes them easier to find a spot for and easier to store in the winter.
Smart features are useful as well, so you can turn the fan on and off remotely, without disturbing your child.
Is a smart fan worth it?
It may seem like more hassle than it’s worth, but getting a fan with smart features can actually make your life easier.
A smart fan will typically let you set up schedules for turning the fans on and off, remotely controlling intensity and oscillation, or even using your voice through Alexa or the Google Assistant to cool the room. They may also have a setting that switches the fan on when the room reaches a certain ambient temperature. Even though it doesn’t have smart features, the 10-in Meaco Sefte has a high quality inbuilt thermostat, which allows it to automatically switch on when the room gets warmer than you’d like.
Are bladeless fans quiet?
One key reason to choose a bladeless fan is that they are extremely quiet in use. For example, the Dreo air circulating fan operates as low as 28.5dB, which is just louder than a whisper, while the Dyson Purifier HP09 Hot+Cool Formaldehyde is just 46 dB(A) in quiet mode, which is considerably quieter than an average fridge.
Still, some of the conventional fans we’ve tested recently are just as quiet. Take a look at our reviews of the Duux Whisper Flex and the Meaco Sefte fans if silent performance is important to you.
