Summer is the favorite season of a lot of people and for a good reason. The sun’s out, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blossoming, the grass is greener, and we get to spend more time with our loved ones. But the downside of the summer is that the heat can get too unbearable, especially when you’re indoors.
One solution to this problem is air conditioning, but it comes at a considerable cost. That’s why most people opt for floor fans. They’re just as effective but use a fraction of the energy and cost very little to maintain.
Floor fans are remarkably effective at circulating air and cooling down a space. If you’re thinking of buying a floor fan this summer, you’ve come to the right place. We know how hard it can be to buy products nowadays because there are a lot of options to choose from and a lot of conflicting information.
The following guide is aimed at making the buying process easier by letting you know what to look for in a floor fan. In the end, we will show you a list of what we consider to be the best floor fans on the market based on thorough research and experience.
Why You Need a Floor Fan?
With the right floor fan in your house, you’ll never have to deal with the scorching heat again. Luckily, there’s a wide variety of floor fans to choose from nowadays, and they come in different sizes, shapes, and styles. So there’s an option to suit every preference and needs.
Circular floor fans are known for being one of the quietest cooling mechanisms around, and they mostly move air through a unique oscillation method.
High-powered floor fans have the capacity to cool down an entire room in just minutes. They offer versatile placement and you can point them in your preferred direction to maximize air flow.
Tower fans also come with oscillation features and specialize in gradually cooling down the space by moving a lot of air around.
Box fans are suitable for larger spaces because they move air at slower speeds which makes them ideal for keeping the whole house cool. But you need to place them in an optimal position, like on a secure window frame.
As you can see, there are benefits that come with each type of fan and the trick is to choose an option that suits your needs and preferences. For instance, fans that run quietly are more suitable for the office or bedroom even though they may not offer the best air circulation.
But to keep the whole house cool, nothing works better than a high-powered floor fan. All of these are valid options that will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the summer without using up too much energy.
Still, the question remains, “How does one go about selecting the best floor fan?” We’re here to help you answer that question with our floor fan reviews below. Each review is going to take a comprehensive look at the features offered by the fans, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. We left no stone unturned while researching these fans and all to make your shopping experience easier and more convenient.
Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Floor Fan
The first thing you’ll notice when looking for a floor fan is the sheer variety of options available. Unfortunately, you can’t just look at a fan and know how it works or even if it will work for your needs. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about fans it’s that looks aren’t everything. A fan might look nice but could be outperformed by a plain looking model.
To make the process easier for you, we’ve put together a few important factors to consider before you buy a floor fan. At the end of the day, buying a floor fan is an investment and you want to buy a model that will last for more than just one year.
Vornado Zippi Personal Floor Fan
Innovative Design Features That Makes it the Best High Velocity Floor Fan for Travel
Lightweight & Sturdy Design. Most Affordable Energy Efficient Tilting Floor Fan
Metal Blades & The Most Powerful Floor Fan Motor For Maximum Cooling/Ventilation
B-Air FIRTANA-20X Floor Fan
Cheapest Home/Industrial Multi-Purpose Floor Fan
Honeywell HT-900 Floor Fan
Budget Friendly Compact Quiet Fan That Can Be Used on Table/Wall/Floor
So here are some of the most important features to look for when buying a floor fan:
Size
When it comes to floor fans, bigger isn’t always better because the size of a floor fan doesn’t tell you much about its performance. The best way to tell if you’ve got a good fan on your hands is to look at its motor.
For instance, if you buy a floor fan with huge blades and a powerful motor to run all day, you’ll soon grow tired of the noise it makes. It’ll end up being more trouble than it’s worth. Your best bet is to purchase a fan whose size and motor are suitable for the size of your room.
CFM
The phrase CFM means cubic feet of airflow per minute, and it refers to the amount of air circulation that a fan can achieve in the space of one minute. Typically, a floor fan with a bigger motor will have a higher CFM. That means if you’re trying to cool down a large room then you have to get a fan that has a high CFM.
Keep in mind that oftentimes, powerful floor fans have noisy motors and that can be annoying for some people. But this is a small price to pay for the type of performance they offer. Plus, there are plenty of quiet floor fans that also perform decently.
Blades
Floor fans typically come with three blades, but there are some models that come with five or more. Generally speaking, three-blade fans work better than fans with several blades in most cases. It’s also important to consider that floor fan blades must be at a 12-degree angle in order to circulate air more efficiently. That’s how you get that nice cooling effect.
Design
Although performance and build quality are the most important aspects of a floor fan, one cannot overlook the design. If you’re someone who cares about making sure that appliances match your decor, then you’ll want to purchase a floor fan that compliments the space you’re going to place it in.
Velocity
The speed of a floor fan is determined by multi-purpose high velocity, which is an indication of how much air is coming out of the fan. High-velocity fans come with a numeral rating that lets you know what the fan’s maximum airspeed is.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Floor Fan
The most convenient aspect of a floor fan is the fact that it’s super easy to use. Unlike a ceiling fan, you don’t need much to install or even maintain a floor fan. The average cost of a floor fan is $15 to $30, which is a fraction of what you’d pay for other types of fans, not to mention an AC unit! Of course, you might have to pay a little more for features like noise control, remote control, and timers.
However, a floor fan isn’t the safest cooling device for homes with small children because the grill gaps are large enough for small fingers and hands to fit through. So it could end up being a safety hazard. But if you’re an empty nester or someone with older kids then you can easily educate them about how to use the fan and keep them safe while keeping your house cool.
Besides, a floor fan runs on a small amount of energy and it’s portable enough to carry around from one part of the house to another if you want to. A floor fan may also be used in conjunction with an AC unit to help reduce cooling costs over the summer. However, to get the most out of your floor fan, you need to position it optimally so that the air moves throughout the room or to a particular spot that you prefer.
Quiet Floor Fans
A quiet floor fan is ideal for quiet settings like in an office environment, or for people with sensitive ears. Although loud, some fans have a “quiet mode” that you can switch on before you go to sleep so that it doesn’t disturb you during the night. Similarly, other floor fan models come with several speed levels, with the ones below 3 being the quietest.
With that said, you can never know if a fan is really quiet until you look at its reviews because a lot of brands advertise their fans as being quiet when in reality they’re quite loud. Actually, a quiet fan should be at 60 decibels or lower, so look out for its sound rating to make sure.
So far, we’ve given you pretty much all the information you’ll need to purchase a high-quality floor fan that offers superb performance. We have a list down below of the best floor fans on the market according to our research on the matter.
We’ve also included an Amazon link next to each floor fan review so that it’s easier for you to see what we’re talking about for yourself. Plus, you can view all the reviews available on the fan.
Nevertheless, the reviews are straightforward and transparent, focusing not just on the quality, performance and safety of the fan but on its pros and cons as well. In a nutshell, we’re going to bring you a list of the best high velocity floor fans.
Best Floor Fans Prices
A basic floor fan model without bells and whistles will set you back only $15 to $25. With that amount, you probably won’t get any oscillation or different speed options, but the fan will move air and keep the space cool for you.
The average cost of a floor fan with modern features and conveniences is around $50. For this price, you can expect your fan to have noise control, timers, remote control and different speed levels to choose from.
On the other hand, a high-powered floor fan that functions pretty much like an air conditioner will cost $120 or so. Not only is a fan of this caliber capable of keeping large spaces cool, but it’ll come with beneficial features too, such as a built-in thermostat, full remote control access etc.
Is It Cheaper to Use Fans or Air Conditioning
At this point, we’ve already established that it’s much cheaper to have a floor fan running during the summer than to operate an air conditioning unit. Both will cool down your space but at different degrees. In some spaces, a fan is enough to keep the whole house cool for the entire winter, while others need both.
Either way, running a fan is a cheaper and more convenient alternative. This is especially the case with DC floor fans that are known for offering better efficiency when compared to an AC unit that uses way more energy.
The only downside to using a DC fan is the fact that it comes at a higher upfront cost than an AC unit. But, it’s actually cheaper to own a DC fan in the long run due to its low energy use. In fact, it’s possible to operate a DC fan at maximum speed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and still use only $5 worth of energy.
Best Floor Fan in 2019
If there’s one thing you need to have during the summer, it’s an efficient and effective cooling solution that won’t break the bank. That’s what floor fans were made for and here’s a list of the top 10 best floor fans on the market right now.
1 – Vornado Zippi – Innovative Design Features That Makes it the Best High Velocity Floor Fan for Travel
This tiny fan from Vornado is as stylish as it’s effective. It’s one of those versatile fans that you can take with you anywhere. It’s suitable for use at home, at the office or during a hot day on your boat. This is an electrically powered fan which means you don’t have to worry about purchasing and replacing batteries. All you need to do is find the nearest socket and you’ll feel cool in minutes!
By the way, this model is aptly named the “Zippi Fan” and it comes with features like two different speed settings, soft cloth open blades that are safe to touch at any time, and manual-reverse fan air flow control.
Although small, this fan is actually perfect for large rooms because it has a powerful motor and it runs quietly. Weighing at 1.75 pounds, it has dimensions of 5.3 by 4.8 by 9 inches. Furthermore, this is a foldable fan that’s perfect to take with you when traveling to hot and humid areas, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most versatile floor fan models available.
PROS:
Compact and portable
Safe
Nice design
Versatile
Foldable and perfect for travel
No batteries required
CONS:
It’s only optimized for U.S. voltage requirements
Only optimized for 120 volts
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
2 – Genesis 16″ – Lightweight & Sturdy Design. Most Affordable Energy Efficient Floor Fan
The Genesis Adjustable Fan is an extremely versatile and flexible floor fan. This is a high-velocity model that comes with a stand which allows you to place it safely on any flat surface you like.
This means you can use this as a table fan and keep it off the floor if you have little kids that you want to keep it away from. The adjustable head can pivot at 360 degrees which means it can move air across every nook and cranny in the room.
This fan features a copper motor, 16-inch blades, three different speed settings and a sleek design that makes it perfect to place in any room around the house. The best part is that it’s lightweight and portable too.
It delivers powerful air circulation and the blades move air really fast. You can easily place this fan in a small or large space and it’ll offer the same model. You’ll be glad to know that this is a quiet fan that doesn’t make any annoying noises while it’s running.
PROS:
Cool air circulation
Adjustable head with 360-degree rotation
Offers versatile placement options
Lightweight and easy to carry
CONS:
It’s not as quiet as advertised
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
3 – Lasko 2265QM Fan – Metal Blades & The Most Powerful Motor For Maximum Cooling/Ventilation
The Lasko 2265QM Fan is yet another versatile and high-quality unit from the Lasko brand. It’s a well-made model with a metal frame, metal blades and a 3 prongs safety plug. Thanks to the rubber pads, this fan won’t leave any marks when you place it on your floor and it’s easy to carry around thanks to its lightweight construction.
In case you’re wondering, this fan weighs 14.5 pounds and has dimensions of 7.5 x 22.8 x 22.8 inches. You’ll be able to use this fan as soon as you buy it because it’s super easy to install and comes with a wall-mount bracket in the package. You can convert it to a table fan or wall-mount fan by following the provided instructions to do so.
There are three different speed settings on this fan and it pivots from side to side in a way that moves air equally across the room. Other notable features include directional airflow, front-mounted control, and high-velocity air circulation.
PROS:
Moves a lot of air
High-velocity performance
Made from sturdy metal
Built for safety
Portable
CONS:
Assembly required
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4 – B-Air FIRTANA-20X – Cheapest Home/Industrial Multi-Purpose Floor Fan
Thanks to its high-velocity performance and powerful motor, this fan delivers a decent amount of air throughout large and small spaces alike. It’s an adjustable unit that enables you to direct the airflow according to your unique preferences and 3 air-speeds for further customization.
The mounting system of this fan broadens your placement options from floor fan to wall-mount fan. This makes it perfect for homes with kids, because you can still benefit from the marvelous air circulation without putting your children at risk of touching the blades.
With that said, this fan comes with UL certified safety compliance and it’s made from metal housing to withstand placement in challenging conditions such as in busy workshops and garages.
It’s definitely built to last and offers a cooling breeze that will keep you and your family happy all summer long. Plus, it has a very relaxing effect that makes you feel comfortable enough to fall asleep even when it’s boiling outside. That’s part of what makes it the best floor fan for bedroom.
PROS:
High-velocity fan
Adjustable frame
Easy to use
Versatile placement
Well-made and designed
Best outdoor floor fan
CONS:
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a silver hook
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
5 – Honeywell HT-900 – Budget Friendly Compact Quiet Fan That Can Be Used on Table/Wall/Floor
Honeywell is a legendary fan manufacturer, and they’ve built a reputation for offering well-made fans that can last for decades. This floor fan is 30% quieter than their previous models and it’s portable enough to use at home or you can bring it with you when traveling and use it in your hotel room.
Its 10-inch blades coupled with the adjustable fan head make this fan a real joy to have around. Not only will you be able to direct the airflow according to your preferences, but you’ll benefit from the variable speed settings.
The Honeywell HT-900 Turbo Fan is one of the top rated floor fans thanks to its incredible features. It’s easy to clean thanks to the removable grille, and you can mount it on two pre-drilled holes as a wall-mount fan if you like. It’s 15 inches tall and weighs 5.64 pounds. You may also place it on a table and use it as a table fan instead.
Even at the lowest speed mode, this fan moves a lot of air that can cool you down from as far as three feet away.
PROS:
Made from heavy-duty materials
Energy efficient
Runs quietly
Portable
Offers ideal air circulation
CONS:
The adjustable head only rotates upward
Limited to 90-degree rotation
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
6 – Stanley 655704 – Best High Velocity Pivoting Blower Fan With Built-in Outlets
This high-velocity floor fan from Stanley weighs 8.7 pounds and has dimensions of 12.2 inches by 9.62 and 12.275 inches. It’s perfect for space-challenged consumers that want a fan that will work quietly while staying out of the way.
It comes with features like 3 high-velocity air rotation speeds, pivot action, and a circuit breaker with a reset button. Not only is this fan ETL listed but it also comes with a patented fused safety plug, so you can have a peace of mind knowing that it won’t be a hazard to your kids or your pets.
The package includes 2x 120 volt grounded outlets which make it easier to benefit from the versatile features of this fan in different settings. Although it has a very calming effect, this fan will quickly dry up any spillages that happen.
All in all, you can use this fan to cool down your workspace, garage, attic, basement or office, and that’s what makes it one of the best rated floor fans.
PROS:
Easy to use and assemble
Offers powerful performance
Multi-purpose use
Portable
Rotates
Run quietly
CONS:
The plastic base kind of smells toxic upon delivery
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7 – Lasko 3300 Fan – Good Energy-Efficient Speeds & Pivoting Head for Directional Air Flow
The Lasko Wind Machine weighs 9.25 pounds and has dimensions of 25.8 by 23.8 by 10.1 inches, with a 120-volt electrical outlet that allows you to place it anywhere. It offers directional air circulation and the adjustable head helps to move the air all across the room without any problem. With this fan, your house will cool down within minutes of switching it on.
It’s easy to move this fan around thanks to its lightweight construction and integrated easy-grip handle. If that weren’t enough, this fan comes with a specialized safety feature called Blue Plug which automatically cuts off the electricity to the fan when it detects a fuse or after a spontaneous power cut.
Other features on this fan include 3 high-performance speeds, a rugged design for long-lasting performance, and versatile placement.
The Lasko 3300 fan is proudly made in the USA by Lasko, a well-known fan manufacturer that has been around for almost a century! So they definitely know what they’re doing when it comes to putting out high-quality fans in the market.
PROS:
Comes fully assembled so no installation required.
Convenient safety features
Portable
Made in USA
Features 3 high-speed settings
Moves air really well
CONS:
It makes a bit of a vibration noise when switched on
It can get a bit wobbly due to a lack of rubber base
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
8 – Patton PUF1810C-BM – Another High Performance Floor Fan Designed to Move Lots of Air
If you’re looking for an effective, high-quality fan that moves air at incredible speeds, this is the one for you. The Patton PUF1810C-BM model has a powerful motor that’s supported by large 18-inch blades that circulate air without consuming a lot of energy. This is the type of fan that you can place at a workshop or garage without worrying about its delicate parts because it’s made from heavy-duty materials.
It’s so powerful that it goes beyond the line of duty to not only cool down the space but offer super ventilation and drying properties as well. So it’s perfect for humidity-prone areas and will help you optimize air intake at home.
Some of the features that this fan comes with include an adjustable head tilt, 3-speed settings, superb air circulation and an air exhaust that makes for powerful air movement.
PROS:
Moves a lot of air
Easy to carry
Made from durable powder coated metal
Good quality rear and front grills
CONS:
It doesn’t offer horizontal pivot
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
9 – Lasko 3520 – Great Pivoting Floor Fan From That Well Known Brand
For a company that’s been in this business for almost 100 years, Lasko is still giving the competition a run for their money by constantly improving on the design and technology of their floor fans. The 3520 model is lightweight, safe and the best quiet floor fan for home use.
It has powerful 20-inch blades that offer aerodynamic performance, 3-speed settings, swirling grill design and it’s made from heavy-duty materials. No assembly is needed with this fan and it’s fully portable thanks to the easy-grip handle and lightweight design. It weighs just 9.85 pounds and has dimensions of 6.8 inches by 23.2 and 23.5 inches.
This fan is ETL listed and comes with the patented Blue Plug feature. You can use it to keep large rooms cool because it can move air across very wide spaces and it’s suitable to use all year round.
PROS:
Super safe and easy to use
Portable
No assembly needed
Aerodynamic performance
CONS:
The fan releases a smell when you first use it
A bit wobbly
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
10 – MaxxAir HVFF14UPS – Top Rated Maximum Efficiency Fan Blades With A Long Power Cord
This lightweight fan from MaxxAir is a high-velocity model with all the features of a modern-day appliance. It features 14-inch aluminum blades, stable non-skid fee, an adjustable fan head and a 72-inch power cord that offers you a diverse range of placement options.
This is one of the best floor fans for home because it’s versatile, tough-wearing and lightweight at 8.5 pounds. This is a powerful unit that drops the temperature within minutes and it’s compact enough for you to move to any space that you like and it won’t look out of place.
It’s made to last with OSHA compliant grilles and a plug safety feature that protects it from the effects of possible fuses. The adjustable head will also help you direct airflow according to your preferences and it’s very convenient to use.
PROS:
Superb safety features
Easy to use
Works great
Moves air really well
Allows you to customize air distribution
CONS:
There’s a slight humming noise that it makes when in use
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON
Conclusion
Stanley 655704 Blower Fan
Best High Velocity Pivoting Blower Fan With Built-in Outlets
Good Energy Efficient Speeds & Pivoting Head for Better Air Flow
Well Designed Floor Fan Capable of Moving Lots of Air
Great Pivoting Floor Fan From That Well Known Brand
Top Rated Maximum Efficiency Fan Blades With A Long Power Cord
Summer’s coming and like most people, you’re probably looking for a fan that will keep you warm at home, at work or at your garage. Regardless of your situation, we hope our guide will make it easier for you to find a floor fan that suits your needs while saving you money.
Out of all the fans we reviewed in this article, our top recommendation is the Lasko 2265QM Fan. That’s because it offers a great combination of build quality, style, performance, and convenience.
It comes with durable and powerful metal blades, a stable rubber base, lightweight portability and a wall-mount bracket so you can mount it as a wall fan if you like. To top it off, this fan is available at an affordable price range, and it’s truly one of the best floor fans on the market.
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