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You don’t have to rely exclusively on your window units or portable air conditioners for keeping cool—not when there’s a tower fan at home. These fans circulate air with less noise and energy consumption than most air conditioners, and their space-saving slim silhouette is ideal for tucking in a room corner and out of the way. Most are relatively affordable, too, and come with additional features including air filters, built-in thermostats, timers, and smart functionality.
Yet with so many options, finding the right tower fan for your home isn’t always a breeze (pardon the pun)–unless you have a handful of vetted choices. That’s why we tested and researched several tower fans before deciding which to recommend. This buying guide features expert advice on what to look for as you shop, along with reviews of the best tower fans worth considering.
For more great ways to beat the heat this summer, check out our reviews of the best neck fans, desk fans, and bladeless fans.
The Best Tower Fans
- Best Overall: Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
- Best Value: Lasko SlimForce 42-Inch High Velocity Oscillating Tower Fan
- Best Smart Features: Lasko 40-Inch Smart Oscillating Tower Fan Powered by Aria
- Quietest: Rowenta Urban Cool Silent Tower Fan
- Best Splurge: Dyson Pure Cool Purifier with HEPA Filter
What to Consider
Oscillation Range
Most tower fans have an oscillation mode that rotates the fan back and forth, a feature we recommend particularly for larger spaces. The majority of models we write about include it, though some offer a wider range than others. Most oscillate up to 90 degrees and are ideal for placing in a corner. But there are also models that oscillate 180 degrees or more, best for placing against the center of a wall for maximum room coverage. To gauge how much coverage you need, check the square footage or air flow capacity, which is measured in cubic feet per minute.
Timer Settings
The majority of tower fans also come with a timer. Set how long you want the fan to run, and once that’s up, it will shut off. This is great for using the fan in a bedroom before going to sleep or for cooling down a room when you aren’t home. Most have a timer settings of around 8 to 9 hours. If you plan on using your tower fan while you’re gone for a weekend or for rooms you rarely use, considering an option with a timer setting of 10 to 15 hours, or more.
Additional Features
Beyond basic controls, some tower fans also offer several special features built with integrated technology. This includes automatic temperature regulation, where the fan measures the temperature and switches on or off automatically to reach and maintain a preset level, and smart functionality to operate via remote access from smartphones or virtual assistants like Google Nest or Alexa.
There are also tower fans with built-in air filters, great for allergy sufferers who don’t want separate units. Most are better as fans than air filters. That said, those with quality filters—like HEPA—serve as extremely effective tools for improving air quality in small rooms.
How We Tested
In creating this list, we tested out three different tower fans: the Lasko SlimForce, Lasko Smart Tower Fan Powered by Aria, and the Rowenta Urban Cool Silent. We took note of the different power settings for all three fans and blasted them at each level, comparing the strengths of the max levels against one another. We also paid close attention to the sound levels for each fan at both the highest and lowest settings, placing them in small rooms where the sound would be more noticeable.
Our testing also focused on individual features. For the smart tower fan from Lasko, we tested the brand’s in-house app to check performance and usability. We judged the Rowenta fan more closely on its sound levels and its auto mode, which detected room temperature and adjusted its power level based on the heat in the room.
For all options we did not test personally, we relied on key specs and our familiarity with trusted brands to vet models. We then narrowed down our choices based on professional and customer reviews.
1
Best Overall
Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
Pros
Sleep power setting- Light display dims at night
Cons
- Not powerful enough for spacious rooms
This tower fan from Honeywell offers everything you need without any unnecessary bells or whistles. It’s sturdy—during testing it didn’t wobble on its base while oscillating—and for well under $100, you get eight speeds for customizability that rivals more expensive choices.
Each setting has a different title that provides context for the power level, including a quiet setting for overnight use while you sleep. It also gives you the option of dimming its LED light, which we really appreciated.
When you’re not around, the fan can be set on an auto-off timer that runs up to 12 hours. And, if you need to move it, there’s an easy-to-grab carrying handle. It comes with a standard one-year warranty.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 10 x 10 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 8 |
| Timer | Up to 12 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes |
Pros
- Remote control holder in the back
- Powerful breeze on max power setting
Cons
- Loud noise on medium and high settings
During our testing, this oscillating tower fan put out the strongest breeze on max power—and was the cheapest among options in our lineup. Plus, features are solid despite its low price point.
The Lasko model was also a standout for its slim silhouette, which comfortably fit in corners and tight spaces between furniture. We also liked how easily the remote control fits in the back of the fan near the carrying handle. So, when we carried it from room to room, we weren’t worries about leaving the remote behind (or losing it in couch cushions).
Other highlights include a 12-hour timer, a dimmer, and four speed settings.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 11 x 42 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 4 |
| Timer | Up to 12 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes, 90 degrees |
Pros
- Wooden exterior print
- Auto mode works based on room temperature
Cons
- Top speed not very powerful
When testing this tower fan out, we barely even noticed when it was on at the lowest power setting. Unlike other options we tested, the quietest setting was nearly silent. While the accompanying breeze certainly wasn’t as powerful as others, it was more than enough to keep the air circulating in a small room.
This tower fan from Rowenta combines that quiet operation with quality technology and a sleek design. The fan comes with an auto mode that sense the temperature of the room and adjusts the power of the fan between its three modes.
If it’s above 82 degrees, the fan blasts the highest level. It adjusts to the middle setting between 77 and 82 degrees, and its lowest setting for cooler ambient temperatures.
All of us also appreciated the wooden-style exterior design. For modern living spaces, the faux-wood look helps the fan blend in to a clean aesthetic even if its displayed prominently in the room.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 9.1 x 9.1 x 33.9 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 3 |
| Timer | Up to 8 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes |
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4
Best Splurge
Dyson Pure Cool Purifier with HEPA Filter Tower Fan
Pros
- Bladeless design
- HEPA filter
Cons
- Narrower range than other tower fans here
The ever-popular bladeless Dyson tower fan boasts a HEPA air filtration system that is designed for both cooling and cleaning air in spaces measuring up to 800 square feet.
There are 10 airflow speeds and optional oscillation, plus it has programmable timers ranging from 15 minutes to 9 hours.
The Dyson is tough to beat when it comes to aesthetics, with a sleek, modern silhouette and silver finish along with a slim remote control that sits on top of the tower. It’s also easy to move from room to room, as well, standing just over 3 feet high and weighing about 8 pounds.
While you’re certainly paying up for its chic look and integrated filtration, if you’re willing to spend for it, you won’t regret it.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 4.3 x 7.5 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 10 |
| Timer | 15 minutes to 9 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes, 70 degrees |
5
Best Smart Features
Lasko 40-Inch Smart Oscillating Tower Fan Powered by Aria
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Can be controlled from anywhere
- Connects to home assistants like Alexa
Cons
- No physical remote control
Add a bit of smart tech to your cooling device with this tower fan from Lasko. Unlike other tower fans on this list, it comes with more than just manual controls. The fan connects to your home Wi-Fi system through the Aria app, Lasko’s in-house app for all it’s smart-enabled devices.
What was most exciting about this for us was the range it gives. As long as your phone has an internet connection and the fan is linked to the Wi-Fi, you can turn it on or off from anywhere. You can also make power adjustments or build an entire weekly power schedule directly from the phone.
The actual connection process was also relatively easy, as the fan and app pairing quickly with one another and with Wi-Fi. The operating instructions are clear and it comes with two-year limited warranty.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11.2 x 11.2 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 5 |
| Timer | Up to 9 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes, 90 degrees |
Pros
- Compact design
- Adjustable tower head
- 6-foot power cord
Cons
- Not very powerful max speed
Don’t pay for a full tower when a small one will do. This compact mini tower from Lasko stands at just over a foot high—perfect for a nightstand or desk. The fan comes with two adjustable heads so you can angle a portion of it at yourself and a portion in a different direction.
The mini tower fan offers three speed and front-mounted electronic controls. There’s no remote, but the control panel at the base makes it easy to lean over in bed to change the settings. There’s also an integrated carrying handle, so you can move it from surface to surface without any hassle.
Don’t expects billowing gusts of wind with such a small device, but it’s the exact choice for a quick cool off as you work or near your bed.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 6 x 6 x 14 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 3 |
| Timer | No |
| Oscillating | No |
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Pros
- Multiple operating modes
Cons
- Power options are limited
Late sleepers will appreciate this tower fan, which has a 15-hour programmable timer—the most of any option we cover here. It’s great for anyone with pets at home who spend time indoors while you’re at work or won’t be back until late.
Other highlights among features include 90-degree oscillation, a remote control with a 20-foot range, three fan speeds, and three operating modes. These include normal, natural, and slumberous, which provides a low, quiet breeze.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 11.8 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 3 |
| Timer | Up to 15 hours |
| Oscillating | Yes, 90 degrees |
Tom Price
Associate Reviews Editor
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
