Buying guide for best tower fans
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Cooling season comes every year, and with it, the need to keep your home comfortable. Tower fans have always been a popular choice: They’re tall and narrow and can fit in tight spaces while still keeping air constantly moving. The best tower fans help keep you cool and comfortable in a variety of modes and settings, while helping you save on your air conditioning bills.
Tower fans are popular for being slimmer and quieter than regular fans. With a vertical rotor or impeller blowing along an upright elongated body, they’re quieter and less obtrusive than a pedestal or box fan. At the same time, they’re not quite as strong and are better for keeping air circulating around a room than blowing directly at a person.
We researched widely for the best tower fans we could find, and tried out several models in the BestReviews Testing Lab. Our top pick is the Dreo Tower Fan 307, also known as the Dreo Nomad One tower fan, which earned a perfect 5 out of 5 score in our testing.
Editors' picks
Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan
Editors' Favorite
Speed settings: 4 | Height: 36.22” | Airflow: 25 ft/s | Weight: 9.9 lb | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Offering efficient cooling, a compact build and convenient features all at a decent price, the Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan is tough to beat. This bestselling model combines four speed settings and four modes with powerful airflow and an easy-to-maintain design.
It took about five minutes for our testing room to feel noticeably colder, and even at max speed it only generated 50 decibels (which is about as loud as quiet rainfall), making it ideal for bedrooms.
In addition to an eight-hour timer, its offers a Sleep mode, which dims the display and slowly lowers the fan speed, and an Auto mode, which adjusts the fan speed based on nearby temperature and humidity; both performed perfectly during our tests. However, its Natural mode, which intermittently changes the fan speed to mimic gusts of wind, wasn’t our favorite because of the changes it made in noise generation; still, it’s a fine option if you want to mix things up.
Lastly, we loved the responsiveness and range of its included remote control, making it a cinch to adjust from across the room. We gave it a score of 5 out of 5 for its terrific performance at a reasonable price.
Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan
Great Value
Speed settings: 5 | Height: 36" | Airflow: 1062 CFM | Weight: 8.5 lb | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Levoit is a brand known for its air purifiers and humidifiers, so you should expect an expansive feature set from its tower fan. The Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan has the speed, power and quiet that puts it in the top rank among the competition.
Coming in sleek white or black, the 36-inch Levoit has a tower that’s just over 6 inches square. Despite its slimness, it boasts a maximum 1,062 CFM airflow capability, which Levoit says can create a breeze in a large room. It has four operation modes and five speed settings and can oscillate 90 degrees from side to side.
The Levoit Classic uses a sensor to automatically adjust airflow and fan speed to suit the ambient temperature in a room. Its five modes include a sleep mode that turns off its display. At its quietest, the Levoit runs at 28 decibels, which is softer than a whisper.
Amazon Basics 28-inch Oscillating Tower Fan
Best Under $40
Speed settings: 3 | Height: 28” | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 5.4 lb | Oscillation: 60 degrees
Tower fans can cost more than box fans or rotary fans, even if the latter move more air. The Amazon Basics Tower Fan, on the other hand, is priced to be easy on the wallet. It’s not the most feature-packed tower fan by any means, but it’s low-cost, reliable and simple to operate.
The Amazon Basics Tower Fan costs half as much or less than competing models, making it pocket-friendly, especially for students, seniors and apartment dwellers. It measures 28 inches tall, just over 2 feet, so it won’t dominate a room or corner. At just 5.4 pounds, it’s easy to transfer from room to room as needed. It’s simple to put together, clipping on easily to its base.
Simple mechanical controls offer higher reliability compared to confusing and expensive digital or virtual ones. There are three fan speeds, plus oscillation, which can also be easily activated with a simple button. The Amazon tower fan’s oscillation angle of 60 degrees isn’t particularly wide, but it gets the job done. It lacks any timers or thermostat controls, however, and customer opinions are split about its noise level.
Honeywell QuietSet 13-inch Personal Table Fan
Best Small Tower Fan
Speed settings: 4 | Height: 13" | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 1.98 lb | Oscillation: Not available
The Honeywell QuietSet 13-inch Personal Table Fan is a little different from the other tower fans we’ve highlighted. At just over a foot tall, it’s not meant to stand on the floor but is sized to sit on a desk, dresser or sidetable and deliver a light, compact stream of air to one person.
The QuietSet Personal Table Fan is only 5 inches deep and wide, so it won’t take over a bedtable or shelf.
At only 2 pounds, it’s a cinch to take wherever it’s needed. Its single interior fan has four separate speed settings and can be operated from a simple control panel on its base.
While it’s not intended to cool a whole room, the QuietSet Personal fan offers oscillation and quiet operation for anyone who wants the comfort of personalized airflow while they’re working or sleeping.
Dreo Tower Fan 307S
Best Smart Fan
Speed settings: 4 | Height: 36.22” | Airflow: 25 ft/s | Weight: 8.4 lb | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Smartphone control from anywhere in your home is the key feature for the Dreo Tower Fan 307S. A close sibling to our top tested model, it provides the same level of cooling performance and versatility, with the addition of smart home compatibility.
The Dreo 307S is, in many ways, identical to our top pick. It measures just over 36 inches tall, with 90-degree oscillation and four operating modes. Its high-torque motor can generate airflow up to a maximum of 25 ft/s to easily reach across a room. Its modes include Auto, Natural and Sleep, and each setting offers four fan speeds for a total of 16 different options. It’s designed for quiet performance, getting as low as 28 decibels in Sleep mode.
The Dreo 307S differs in being an Internet-connected smart fan. It can connect to a home network over WI-Fi, allowing control via the Dreo smartphone app. You can monitor ambient room temperature, air speed and operating mode, set timers and more. You can also control the 307S with Alexa or Google Home. The Dreo 307S doesn’t currently support Matter or Apple HomeKit.
Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
Easiest to Use
Speed settings: 8 | Height: 32" | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 9.2 lb | Oscillation: 80 degrees
The Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan has a refined and attractive look that helps it blend in with most home decor. With a built-in handle and weighing in at only 9 pounds, it’s light and easy to move from room to room.
It has eight speed settings, including Sleep, Calm, White Noise, Refresh and Power Cool. Many customer reviews note that the QuietSet’s name is well-earned, with the possible exception of the highest Power Cool setting. Honeywell doesn’t release CFA measurements of its fans, but there were few complaints about airflow from buyers.
The QuietSet’s remote control slots into a rear compartment on the main unit for storage. It’s also big enough not to easily get lost in couch cushions, unlike some other furniture remotes. It oscillates at 80 degrees and is just about 40 inches tall.
Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07
Best Premium Bladeless
Speed settings: 10 | Height: 40" | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 6.25 lb | Oscillation: 70 degrees
Dyson products are unmistakable. If you want cutting-edge tech and futuristic designs and don’t mind the steep price tag, a bladeless Dyson fan like the Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07 is the tower fan for you.
Dyson’s powerful bladeless fans use a hidden rotor inside their bases to generate a column of air that’s then distributed from the curved arms of the fan to amplify additional air around it. Customer reviews generally agree that it provides a good, powerful stream of air at low noise levels, with the top speed being noticeably powerful and loud.
Being bladeless, there’s less chance of a child or pet getting injured — plus, it looks almost magical. The Dyson AM07 also oscillates at 70 degrees to further distribute air around the room. It has 10 discrete settings for airflow and a handsome magnetized remote.
Lasko Oscillating High Velocity Tower Fan
Best High-Velocity Tower Fan
Speed settings: 3 | Height: 35" | Airflow: 509 CFM | Weight: 15.5 lb | Oscillation: 60 degrees
For settings where you want a more powerful fan that still fits into tight spots and corners, the Lasko Oscillating High Velocity Tower Fan may be for you.
It delivers 509 CFM with three fan speeds from a powerful high-velocity air blower motor. And it oscillates at 60 degrees to reach most parts of a room. Its 12-inch base provides added stability to its 15-pound weight, making it look and feel more heavy-duty than other tower fans.
With its silvery plastic and design, the Lasko High Velocity is well-equipped for settings where a powerful motor is needed but there’s no space for a box or pedestal fan. Garages, gyms and sheds are some of the places where this tower fan would shine.
Shark TurboBlade
Best for Large Room
Speed settings: 10 | Height: 45” | Airflow: 85 cfm | Weight: 14.3 lb | Oscillation: 180 degrees
Less a tower fan than a high-concept appliance, the Shark TurboBlade is another salvo in Shark’s rivalry with Dyson. Like a futuristic windmill you move at your pleasure, the Shark TurboBlade offers unlimited flexibility in positioning and airflow.
The Shark TurboBlade boasts an innovative, visually striking design. An arm with a pair of vents pivots from a vertical tower mode to a horizontal position, Shark calls “air blanket” mode, plus various tilts in between. Each vent can twist individually, allowing you to direct airflow in two separate directions at once, such as two different walls, along both floor and ceiling, or even into two different rooms. The TurboBlade also oscillates 180 degrees on its base.
The innovative TurboBlade is also a powerful performer. It can move up to 85 cubic feet of air per minute, with 10 speed settings, including a natural-breeze simulator and a soft Sleep mode to go with its Air Blanket positioning. Its loudest setting is a comfortable 53 decibels.
Pelonis Oscillating Tower Fan
Best Mid-Range Bladeless Fan
Speed settings: 3 | Height: 40" | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 8.2 lb | Oscillation: 90 degrees
The 40-inch Pelonis Oscillating Tower Fan is another straightforward option for a bedroom or living room. At its maximum setting, its breeze can reach from 16 to 26 feet away, and it can oscillate at up to 90 degrees side to side.
Tall and gray, it looks modern in any spot you choose to place it. It’s 11 inches deep and wide, with a widened face for emitting air.
Its three speeds includes a Natural setting that changes and shifts to approximate the experience of a real breeze. At its loudest, it reaches 65 decibels, which is about as noisy as normal conversation.
The Pelonis comes with a remote control so you can change your settings from up to 18 feet away. It has a 15-hour timer as well, so you can set it to run all night and switch itself off after you’ve left for the day.
Other tower fans we considered
Dreo Pilot Max S
Most Versatile
Speed settings: 12 | Height: 42.52” | Airflow: 26 ft/s | Weight: 10.12 lb | Oscillation: 120 degrees
If you’re searching for a premium fan and don’t mind paying extra for all the bells and whistles that come with it, the Dreo Pilot Max S is just plain excellent.
The main draw is its broad compatibility with smart-home systems. We tested it using a Google-based system, and it worked flawlessly, though the commands did take a little time to trigger. Its app is also straightforward, making it very easy to use.
It comes with an impressive 12 speed settings (the most of any fan we tested), with even setting 9 making our testing room feel instantly cooler while only generating 45.8 decibels — we almost forgot it was there it was so quiet.
Unlike most fans that offer 90 degrees of oscillation, this one can do 120 degrees, allowing you to cool down a wider area faster. And its silver exterior and base make it one of the sleekest-looking fans out there.
Vornado OSC84
Best for Whole-Room Circulation
Speed settings: 4 | Height: 41.3” | Airflow: Not available | Weight: 9.7 lb | Oscillation: 130 degrees
From a trusted name in fans, the Vornado OSC84 is unique among the tower fans we tested due to its design.
It features a diagonal airflow pattern that efficiently circulates the air to cool a broader area of the room faster than the average fan — even when the oscillation is turned off. In our testing, it decreased the temperature of the room a full degree after about 30 minutes on the second highest speeding setting.
However, if you like tower fans to come with more bells and whistles, this one may seem too basic. While it does have four speed settings, it lacks additional modes outside of an eight-hour timer feature. It was also on the noisy side compared to other fans we tested, with a peak of 56.5 decibels.
But if you have large rooms, these are minor issues that shouldn’t dissuade you. Overall, we think it’s a sleek, powerful fan that will keep you cool and comfortable.
Dreo Cruiser Pro T1
More Speeds for Your Needs
Speed settings: 6 | Height: 41.73” | Airflow: 24 ft/s | Weight: 9.8 lb | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Of the fans we tested, the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 has the second-highest number of speed settings with six total — each one delivering a good degree of comfort. For instance, we tested its airflow range and speed at speed setting four, and we measured cool 3.8 mile-per-hour winds at 6 feet from the fan and 1.8 miles per hour at 15 feet away.
It also offers more extra modes than most other fans (Sleep, Auto, Natural and Normal), and it was easy to switch between them with the responsive remote control.
It is a little loud on the highest speeds, giving us 52 and 53.1 decibels on the fan’s fifth and sixth speed settings, respectively, which is a few points noisier than most others.
However, it was whisper quiet on low speeds, with a reading of 41.1 decibels on the second speed setting. We also thought that its base was a bit unstable.
But its cooling performance is so top-notch that these minor issues shouldn’t stop you from seriously considering it.
How we tested
First impressions
- Ease of setup: We set up the fan and took note of any assembly required and if any tools were needed.
- Appearance: We evaluated the fan based on its looks, noting its dimensions, weight and design.
- Construction: We judged the fan on its product build, its materials, its sturdiness and stability, and on how easy or difficult it was to disassemble for cleaning.
Usage
- Controls: In putting the fan through its paces, we noted what sort of controls it has, how easy they were to use and if it had any displays or other visual indicators.
- Speed settings: We checked the number of speed settings and how high or low they each were.
- Special features: If a fan promised features like air purification, outdoor use, whole room circulation, etc., we noted the feature and evaluated its performance.
Performance
- Cooling: We used the fan in a real-world setting to see how quickly, effectively and thoroughly it cooled our testers in small and large rooms.
- Noise: At each speed setting and with various features activated, we noted how loud or quiet the fan was and whether it disturbed rest or conversation.
- Oscillation: For oscillating tower fans, we tested the oscillation angle, noise and how it affected the fan’s stability.
What to know before you buy a tower fan
Airflow and cooling efficiency
A tower fan’s cooling capabilities come down to two important considerations: speed and angle.
- Speed: The higher you set the speed, the farther the airflow can reach and the more powerful the cooling effect. Most tower fans have at least three speed settings to choose from, while high-end tower fans can have 10 or more. Sometimes you can find a maximum speed listed in either cubic feet of air moved per minute or in feet per second.
- Angle: Most tower fans blow at a vertical angle. This concentrates the cooling effect on one spot, which is best for an individual. A few tower fans blow at a diagonal angle. This spreads the airflow over a wider space, which is best for groups. Oscillating your tower fan, a standard feature, doesn’t change these effects much. Vertical patterns still just target one spot while diagonals reach a broader area; only the center of the airflow changes.
Our top picks: Airflow and cooling efficiency
- Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan: At the highest of four speed settings, the testing room was noticeably cooler after only five minutes.
- Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan: Moves air at 25 ft/s and offers five speed settings.
- Amazon Basics 28-inch Oscillating Tower Fan: This fan offers three speed settings but doesn’t specify airflow rate.
- Honeywell QuietSet 4 Oscillating Personal Fan: Doesn’t specify an airflow rate, but comes with four power levels.
- Dreo Tower Fan 307S: Four modes multiplied by four speeds each equals 16 individual airflow settings, with a top airflow of 28 ft/s.
Noise level
Tower fans generate some noise, measured in decibels, with the best fans generating the least. There are some reasons why you may want more noise at the lowest speeds. For example, you could want to hear the whirring of the blades as a sleep aid without cooling your room as much.
All of the fans we tested had rough decibel ranges of 40 to 55, which is about as loud as a light rain. For more perspective, a whisper is around 30 decibels while a loud restaurant is around 80.
Our top picks: Noise level
- Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan: A fairly quiet fan overall, its range was 39.8 to 50 decibels between four speed settings.
- Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan: At its quietest setting, it’s as low as 28 decibels.
- Amazon Basics 28-inch Oscillating Tower Fan: No specified decibel level.
- Honeywell QuietSet 4 Oscillating Personal Fan: Offers a specific white-noise speed setting.
- Dreo Tower Fan 307S: As quiet as 28 decibels at its lowest speed.
Size and portability
For size, most tower fans share a similar enough width (somewhere between 11 and 13 inches) that height becomes the defining dimension. If you plan on keeping it in one spot, consider the size of the room it will be in. Try to get shorter fans for smaller rooms. Tall fans in small rooms can create an illusion of less space or make the fan seem imposing.
If you plan on moving a tower fan around as needed, check a tower fan’s listed weight and whether it has a carrying handle or not. Often, the handle on a tower fan is a cutout at the top of the fan in back that you can hook your hand on, so you don’t need to worry about a handle sticking out awkwardly.
Our top picks: Size and portability
- Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan: This fan measures 11.81 inches in diameter and 36.22 inches high and weighs 9.9 pounds. Its height of 36 inches was the best fit for our 11-by-12-foot testing area. Like all of the picks on this list, it has a notch in the back to make it easy to carry.
- Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan: At 8 and a half pounds, it’s convenient enough to move from room to room when needed.
- Amazon Basics 28-inch Oscillating Tower Fan: Weighs just over 5 pounds, making it relatively easy to pick up and move around.
- Honeywell QuietSet 4 Oscillating Personal Fan: Its size and 2-pound weight make it highly portable.
- Dreo Tower Fan 307S: Weighs just over 8 pounds, a moderately light weight.
Durability and maintenance
The exterior of most tower fans is made mainly of plastic — and usually, the more you pay, the more sturdy the plastic is. For durability, this means the exterior of any given tower fan is almost guaranteed to outlast the interior components, minus taking the occasional scratch or two. In a nice symmetry though, maintaining the exterior and keeping it free from dust also lengthens the lifespan of the interior parts.
Maintenance on a tower fan typically means dusting it about once a week. Then, every one to three months, you need to dust the interior. Some tower fans make this easy by using detachable grates, but others may not. For these fans, take them outside and use compressed air to blow the interior dust out. This helps the key components of your tower fan last longer. Even then, most fans’ important components only last three to five years with regular use.
Our top picks: Durability and maintenance
- The Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan: This is made of quality plastic and features exterior grates that are either designed to pop on and off or are held in place by easily accessible screws, so they’re easy to clean.
- Levoit Classic 36-inch Tower Fan: Both the grille and the interior impeller are detachable and can be cleaned with a vacuum.
- Amazon Basics 28-inch Oscillating Tower Fan: Built to be low-cost and basic, its grille needs to be opened with a screwdriver.
- Honeywell QuietSet 4 Oscillating Personal Fan: It isn’t easy to disassemble, but it can be cleaned with pipe cleaners or a vacuum.
- Dreo Tower Fan 307S: Not only does the grille and impeller assembly remove easily, but you can even run the impeller under the faucet.
Additional functionalities and features
Some tower fans up the game and the price by including useful extra features. Many have timers so you can have the fan shut off after a certain time (all of our top picks include this). You can also find tower fans that have humidifiers or air purifiers that do more to your air than move it around, while others have thermostats and temperature displays so you can have tighter control on their effects. The most advanced tower fans can connect to your Wi-Fi to be part of your smart-home setup.
FAQ
Q. How much does a tower fan cost?
A. Tower fans range in price from as low as $20 to as high as $400. At the low end of this price range, you can buy desktop-sized tower fans that are often glorified rotary fans placed in a tower configuration. Floor-standing tower fans range in price from $30 to $100, depending on features and construction. Having smart controls or smart-home connectivity usually adds a premium to this segment. There’s a huge leap to the high end, occupied mostly by Dyson, at the $300 to $400 level, but Shark now operates in this space at the $100 to 200 range. Fans at the high end boast cutting-edge aerodynamics and striking decorative designs.
Q. Do tower fans consume a lot of electricity?
A. No, tower fans don’t consume a lot of electricity. Overall, they consume less power than comparable pedestal fans or box fans and much, much less power than air conditioners. Their smaller motors and rotors use less power than the bigger motors and blades of regular fans.
Q. Is it safe to leave a tower fan on all the time?
A. It is never recommended to leave any electric appliance on all the time, but a good, high-quality tower fan can run for extended periods without problems as long as it is kept clean and its airflow isn’t blocked. Constant usage does potentially shorten the life of the motor and, occasionally, may lead to the motor burning out. Old, broken or blocked fans can sometimes be the cause of a fire.
Our expertise
Jordan C. Woika has tested countless products for BestReviews, from pressure washers to drills, to help consumers make informed decisions. For this article, he enjoyed putting a range of tower fans to the test to find the most powerful and quietest models for beating the heat.
