The best cooling fans for a variety of budgets

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If you don’t have an air conditioner or want to reduce your time using the one you have to save money on your electric bill, a fan is a great alternative. And its benefits extend beyond helping you regulate a room’s temperature, says Carl Prouty, tech expert at Abt Electronics .

“[Fans are] much quieter than window or wall air conditioners and they use far less energy, so their operating costs are much lower,” he says. They’re also often more portable than air conditioners, so you can easily move them between rooms and bring them on the go.

If you are in the market for one, you should know that there are a number of different types of fans — and which one you choose depends on your space, style and needs. Below, I gathered recommendations from NBC Select editors, as well as highly-rated fans that have a four-star average rating or higher from at least one thousand shoppers.

Selected. Our top picks

Best fans to keep you cool

Best tower fans

Dreo Nomad One S Tower Fan

Built with an eight-hour timer, this fan has a hidden handle you can grip to easily move it around your home. The fan also has a touchscreen display, which allows you to switch between modes easily. To help you eliminate dust accumulating over time, the fan comes apart, so you can reach all its corners when cleaning it.

Vornado OSC84 Whole Room Tower Fan

This tower fan has a twisted vent, which allows air to circulate in your room without constant oscillation. Plus, you can choose from four strengths and eight timing options. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez has used a Vornado tower fan for years and loves how strong it is. “It’s actually surprisingly powerful for a tower fan,” he says. “It keeps me cool on super hot and humid summer days.”

Lasko T42951 Oscillating Tower Fan

With more than 45,000 five-star ratings, this tower fan oscillates to cool the entire room and has three speeds. Reviewers like how quiet it is, even at full speed, and appreciate the sleek design. The fan also comes with a remote, so you can control it from across the room.

Best personal fans

Snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Fan

This portable fan has three flexible legs that you can bend and wrap around beach umbrellas, shelves, strollers and more. You can also stand it up and place it on a flat surface. The fan has a rechargeable battery and you can choose from three fan speeds.

“I originally bought this fan for my son’s stroller — it does a great job at keeping him cool on walks in the park,” says NBC Select commerce editor Bethany Heitman . “I liked it so much, I bought a second one to keep in the car so I can cool down after hitting the gym or after a long walk with a friend.”

Comlife Bladeless Neck Fan

This fan may be small, but it’s powerful. Even on the lowest setting, it blows a steady stream of cool air toward my face and neck. The Comlife neck fan has three airflow speeds, and you can also adjust the airflow angle by twisting the silicone piece at the back of your neck. Depending on which speed you choose, a full battery gives you between three and a half to nine hours of use, according to the brand.

Jisulife 3-in-1 Mini Handheld Fan

Fernandez says this handheld fan has saved him from coming home dripping in sweat many times. When folded, the fan fits in the palm of your hand. Unfold it and you’ll see it has two blades that can be run at three different speeds. There are USB and USB-C ports on the fan that you can use to recharge it and it also has a flashlight on one end.

Best desk fans

Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator Fan

My office tends to get hot in the morning, so I keep this on my desk to cool me down. It takes up minimal space, but it’s very powerful. I like the adjustable tilt head and manual swivel base, which allow me to angle the fan perfectly in my direction. I bought this fan years ago and it works like it’s brand new.

Vornado VFan Mini Retro Fan

Vornado also offers a retro, vintage-looking fan with an adjustable tilted head so you can easily change the airflow direction.

Treva Portable Desktop Fan

This small fan is great for keeping on your desk at work during the summer or on any chair outside. The fan can fold flat when it’s not in use and it has a built-in handle. You can also manually adjust the fan’s angle.

Best window fan

Comfort Zone Window Fan

You can install this two-fan system in your window, just like an air conditioner, except it’s much lighter and easier to secure. The fan has three speeds and comes with adjustable panels on the side, so you can ensure it fits in your window properly. The blades are reversible, so you can either draw cool air in or push hot air out. There is also a bug screen included so insects can’t fly into your room.

Best pedestal fans

Black & Decker Stand Fan with Remote

This is built with an auto timer that shuts the fan off after 7.5 hours. You can also adjust its height and tilt angle. There are three speed settings and an LED display to help you keep track of your preferred fan speed and rotation settings.

Lasko Oscillating Pedestal Fan

While this fan is a pared-down, low-tech option, NBC Select tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz says it works well, and he’s used it for years. The fan is designed with a tilt-back head, allowing you to direct airflow upward or downward. It also has a wide base for stability.

Best ceiling fan

Honeywell Carnegie Ceiling Fan

This ceiling fan, designed with five blades, also has a built-in dimmable light. If you get too cold, the brand says you can reverse the fan’s blades to push warm air (which tends to rise to the top of rooms) downward. You can mount the fan in either a straight or angled position.

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How I picked the best fans

I talked to Prouty (from Abt Electronics) about how to decide between various fan types and highlighted features to consider while shopping. I also rounded up fans across styles and price points according to his expert guidance.

Types of fans to consider

When shopping for the right fan, decide whether to cool off yourself or a whole room. Household fans are usually needed when a space doesn’t have air conditioning or a central air system. On the other hand, handheld fans are ideal for personal use, especially for travelers , those who work outside or want a burst of cool air while on the move.

Here are the fan types you should know about, as well as the purpose of each:

How to shop for fans

Once you decide what type of fan you’re interested in, consider whether the following features are important. Identify your must-haves in a fan and look for models that include those features.

Meet our expert

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.