The 9 Best Cooling Fans to Help You Survive the Summer Heat Wave

If air flow is an issue in your home, look no further. The Shark TurboBlade fan blew away the competition in fan testing earlier this year, thanks to its 10 speed settings and bevy of customization options. It's remarkably quiet for such a large tower fan, and its bladeless fan can pivot 180 degrees to turn into a horizontal bar. The height is also adjustable, so you can raise it just a few inches above your bed's height and create a blanket of air that breezes over you as you sleep. (There are also a few preset settings, like Natural Breeze mode, which adjusts the fan power to create more of a feeling like you're outdoors, lounging in a hammock.)

"This fan is a dream come true for hot sleepers," says Candace Davison, PureWow’s VP of editorial content, who conducted our recent fan tests. "There's even a Sleep mode that dims the lights and mutes any chimes on the fan, and you can set a timer to have it automatically turn off, if you don't want it running all night."

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 10
• Dimensions: 11.77"D x 31.57"W x 44.84"H
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

Drawing air from both the back and sides, the Dreo tower fan's built-in motor delivers a refreshing breeze up to 29.5 feet away, making sweltering summer days a thing of the past. Moreover, its bladeless design ensures excellent airflow with whisper-quiet operation. Don’t believe me? I’ll let the 26,000+ glowing Amazon reviews do the talking. Some users find it so effective that they find no need to touch the AC. “All I can say is this tower fan by Dreo is super quiet, and I am extremely pleased with air flow,” one reviewer writes. “The Dreo has 6 levels of airspeed and I have never had to go above level 3. I have a one-bedroom apt, and the air conditioner works fine, but the point I am trying to make is I use my Dreo more than the AC.”

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 6
• Dimensions: 13"D x 13"W x 41.73"H
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

Whether you desire powerful air circulation in a living room or a gentle breeze at your desk, this fan's versatile settings ensure it meets your needs effortlessly. It has been a tableside MVP for Davison: "When my A/C broke last summer, this was the only thing keeping me cool at my desk," she says. "The fan is remarkably powerful, with five speeds, and even better, it's quiet. There's a gentle white noise to it, but nothing close to my robot vac or any other oscillating fan I've owned. So I could have it in level four and look like I've got my own personal wind machine without having trouble hearing anyone."

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 5
• Dimensions: 11.2"H x 9.6"W x 8.1"D
• Oscillation: No
• Remote: Yes

If you’re on the hunt for a quieter option that won’t break the bank, then look no further. I currently own this fan and it has no problem cooling down my entire living room, even on the hottest of days. I bought it in a pinch to beat the NYC heat, and I’m so glad I did. With five different speeds, you can easily adjust to your personal preferences tailored to your desired sound and cooling intensity. As a white noise advocate, I will also say that it also provides just the right amount of natural noise for me.

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 5
• Dimensions: 9.75"(D) x 10.5"(W) x 40"(H)
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

You may need a little more than just a cooling fan if you’re dealing with dander and pollution, or own any pets. It’s no secret that the PureWow editors are big fans of Dyson products, but Abby Hepworth, PureWow’s fashion editor, believes this particular item is exceptional. "I know it’s expensive, but I love my Dyson air purifier," she says. "It’s almost entirely silent, and it can also act as a heater and a fan. But really, the most fascinating thing is that you can track the quality of your air on the app (as well as the little screen on the purifier itself) so you can see exactly what it’s pulling from the air. Mine was a gift, but if you have the money to spend, this guy is really worth it."

You can find her full review—and why she feels it's worth the splurge—here.

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 1-10
• Dimensions: 30.1”(H) x 9.76”(W) x 9.76”(D)
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

Lasko consistently stands out as a top-tier brand I proudly recommend for those seeking quality fans. Ideal for small-to-medium-sized rooms, this 42-inch tower fan offers three speeds capable of generating up to 262 CFM, ensuring effective cooling. Beyond its sleek design, you'll be impressed by its remarkable practicality. "What really sets this fan apart is its functionality, asserts one reviewer. “The remote control makes it so easy to adjust the settings from across the room, and the timer feature is a game-changer. I no longer have to worry about falling asleep with the fan on all night and waking up freezing. I can set it for 2, 4 or 8 hours and know that it will automatically turn off when I want it to.

And the best part? This fan is quiet—really quiet. Even on the highest setting, it produces a gentle hum that's actually soothing to fall asleep to. I no longer have to choose between sweating in my sleep or being kept awake by a noisy fan."

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 3
• Dimensions: 13"D x 13"W x 42.5"H
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

This fan from LEVOIT is better than your average, and may or may not be next on my wishlist. Its CircuAir Tech offers powerful cooling with a Tri-Cyclonic Design delivering 908 CFM airflow, surpassing standard pedestal fans. But in case that wasn't enough, it features a Dynamic 120°+90° Angle Control for comprehensive air circulation, reaching up to 82ft with a 22ft/s wind speed. Not only is it the ideal height to reach your bed, but you’ll seriously keep checking to see if it’s on because it’s really that quiet. “Unlike similar pedestal fans, this model is designed with an appropriately weighted base that keeps the fan securely in place,” a reviewer stated. “There's no need to worry about it tipping around kids or pets. Concurrently it is so silent during operation that it must heard in person to actually believe it.”

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 9
• Dimensions: 12.5"D x 14.5"W x 43.7"H
• Oscillation: Yes
• Remote: Yes

Vornado is a brand that has consistently delivered reliable products at affordable prices, and this one is no different. Whether in vibrant green or vintage white, this sleek retro model could be the ideal enhancement for your desk, especially if aesthetics matter to you. Our Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu owns it and thinks so too. “I had this for a few years! It’s a cutie. Vintage design-fans are kind of ugly, but this one actually added room ambiance. It works great on your desk!”

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 2
• Dimensions:
• Oscillation: No
• Remote: No

Now that New York has hit the high 90s (send help), you'll always catch me with this fan in hand, keeping cool no matter where I am. Whether waiting for the subway, taking a stroll in the park, or battling indoor heat, this portable turbo fan will quickly become your new best friend. “What sets this portable fan apart is its remarkable power,” a reviewer claims. “Despite its compact size, it delivers a surprisingly strong and powerful airflow that quickly cools me down. Whether I'm at home, in the office or on the go, the fan's adjustable settings allow me to customize the airflow to suit my needs perfectly. The sensation of cool air is not only refreshing but also provides immediate comfort even during the most intense hot flashes.”

Fast Facts

• Speed Settings: 5
• Dimensions: 1.7"D x 3.2"W x 6.2"H
• Oscillation: No
• Remote: No