Best fan

(Image credit: Amazon)

published 10 May 2021

The best fan is an invaluable tool to beat the heat in warmer months. A reliable source of cold air can not just cool you down, but make a room's stuffy atmosphere more pleasant. Which type of fan you opt for obviously depends on your needs. We've pulled together a selection of all types of fans, from options that are perfect for desks and tabletop use to freestanding fans that offer more robust cooling options, and also including fans that are designed for personal and portable use.

Staff pick

EasyAcc handheld portable fan

With a handy built-in stand

This handy little fan is a popular, portable option. It only measures 23.5cm tall, but thanks to its USB rechargeable 2600mAh lithium battery, can work from three to 10 hours on a full charge. The battery life will depend on whether you use it in the low, medium, or high setting. This has a clever folding handle design which means you can use it as a handheld option or fold the handle down to turn it into a stand.

Best tabletop

Honeywell HT900EV1 turbo fan

With whisper-quiet operation

We've selected this Honeywell option as our best choice for a tabletop fan, but do note it can also be wall-mounted should that suit your needs. This compact fan boasts especially quiet operation. This has a variable tilt with a 90-degree pivot, so you can direct the airflow exactly where you need it. This has a three-speed motor, so you have a choice of airflow options. At 1.18 kilograms this is lightweight enough to move around the house to wherever you need it.

Best clip-on

Pro Breeze professional mini clip fan

With a fully adjustable stand

This dinky little device measures in at six inches in diameter so is a very portable option. It has a strong clip at the base which means it can be attached to tables, desks, bedside tables, headboards, and more. This fan's stand is fully adjustable, allowing you to rotate it a full 360-degrees to change the airflow in any direction. The fan head can pivot along a 100-degree vertical angle to give you complete control over the airflow direction and has two distinct speed settings.

Best tower

ANSIO tower fan

With a handy remote control

This high-end option has some great functionality, including a useful 7.5-hour timer. This comes complete with a handy remote control so you can change the settings from the settee. This has low, medium, and high options, as well as the ability to change the wind flow between "Normal," "Nature" and "Taper." This is made of durable ABS plastic and measures 30-inches, or 76cm, tall. This fan has an oscillation function to send air around a room, and a built-in carry handle for portability.

Best pedestal

Oypla pedestal cooling fan

With an oscillating head

Oypla's pedestal fan is a traditional design on a stand that has adjustable height functionality. The fan's oscillating head can also be tilted, so you can be sure to get the airflow exactly where you want it. This has three setting levels that are controlled with easy-to-access buttons on the fan's stand. This has a generous diameter of 16-inches and a power cable that measures 1.8-metres.

Easy breezey

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These fans are all suitable for different uses. Our overall staff pick, the EasyAcc handheld portable fan, gets the top spot as it's super-portable, can be used as a personal, handheld fan, or placed on a surface with its useful folding handle.

If you're looking for a more robust solution, then consider the ANSIO tower fan. This floor standing fan offers a room-cooling level of power and can be controlled with the handy bundled remote.

With over 10 years of experience writing for popular websites Amy-Mae is a freelance features writer with a focus on writing reviews, how-tos, and buyers guides. She lives near the sea in Devon with her family, two naughty cats, and two much-loved dogs. Her beloved daughter ensures she has very little spare time but if she manages to wrangle any you'll find her on the sofa watching box sets and drinking gin.