This fan has three-speed settings, an oscillation feature and a carrying handle so you can transport or store it with ease. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin says Lakso fans cool down a room fairly quickly and that the added remote control can help you operate the fan straight from your couch. There’s a built-in ionizer that can help reduce the dust and dirt in your room, according to the brand. The fan earned an average 4.5-star rating from 30,905 Amazon reviews.
Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: 7.5 hours
This oscillating fan from Honeywell has eight-speed settings, which range from Sleep (the lowest) to Power Cool (the highest), all of which can be controlled either through the dimmable front display or remote control. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars from more than 29,000 reviews on Amazon.
Fan speeds: 8 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: 12 hours
Prouty recommends this fan from Dyson as an air-purifying option — it removes bacteria and allergens from the air using a HEPA filter — which can clear 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns in diameter.
It can also be controlled via the MyDyson app, which also offers real-time reports on pollutants in the air, according to the brand. The fan also has a Night mode, which purifies on the quietest setting and dimms the LCD display.
Fan speeds: 10 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: 8 hours
The Ozeri 44-inch Fan combines three fans in one: You can control each fan independently and there are three speeds to choose from for each. It also has quiet oscillation according to the brand, and several airflow pattern options, including one designed for sleeping. It has an average 4.1-star rating from 2,132 reviews on Amazon.
Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: 7.5 hours
While Vornado’s tower fan is not oscillating, the brand says that its V-Flow technology can continuously circulate air throughout the whole room. You can control how long this four-speed fan functions for, with options for one, two, four and eight-hour timers. It has an average rating of 4.3 stars from 4,918 reviews on Amazon.
Fan speeds: 4 | Oscillation: No | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: up to 8 hours
This oscillating fan from Lasko has three-speed settings and is only 35 inches tall, making this one of the most compact options on our list. You can use the remote control to adjust the speed and oscillation or set a timer. It has an average rating of 4.7 stars from 3,655 shoppers on Amazon.
Fan speeds: 3 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: up to 7 hours
Dhawan owns this Dreo fan and likes its quiet speed setting, which she says “is barely audible” when she uses it through the night. She says that it’s excellent at circulating air too: “I place mine about eight feet away from my bed and don’t break a sweat through the night, in fact sometimes I’m a little cold.” No assembly is required, and you can use this fan straight out of the box.
The fan is also compatible with the Dreo Home app and can be operated via voice assistant, including both Alexa and Google for hands-free control.
Fan speeds: 12 | Oscillation: Yes | Remote control: Yes | Auto-shut off timer: 12 hours
NBC Select production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks says that this tower fan from Dreo is the best she’s ever used — in fact, her and her roommates like it so much that they have one in their living area as well. “It’s perfect for those who don’t like noise since it’s sincerely quiet,” she says. “I hardly hear it and would forget it’s on if it weren’t for the fan motion.” She also says that the fan is not very heavy and easy to assemble.
When shopping for tower fans, our experts suggest we keep the following in mind:
Noise levels: Both our experts agree that you should consider noise while making your purchase. Some fans on our list, like the Dreo models, can operate at 25dB, which is akin to the sound of a normal conversation. “But because everyone’s tolerance can be different it’s a good idea to listen to each fan in person,” says Carl Prouty, a tech expert at ABT.
Air purification: Some tower fans come with air purification built in, like the TP01 which has a HEPA air filter — useful when the air quality is low, according to our experts. “[Tower fans] can provide clean air in the room where they’re located, and are less expensive than adding a purifier to your HVAC system,” says Prouty. There are other precautions you can take as well to improve the air quality: “To ensure a healthy indoor environment, it is important to open the windows regularly when using either an AC with internal circulation or a tower fan, in case of oxygen deficiency,” says Herman He, Vice President of Research and Development at Dreo.
Smart features: “Smart devices make life easier, freeing people from the physical distance of controlling appliances,” says He. “For instance, you can turn on a tower fan for your furkids with your cell phone to create a pleasant breeze in your house, avoiding the risk of them getting too hot.” Many tower fans now function with compatible apps to make this possible, and you can even turn your fan on before you get home to cool down your space.
Cleaning: “After summer, the fan usually accumulates a lot of dust and hair around its air outlets,” says He. “Therefore, the ability to easily take apart and wash the fan is an important factor to consider.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Nishka Dhawan was formerly a commerce editor forNBC Select.
Justin Redman was formerly a reporter for NBC Select.
Ambar Pardilla was formerly a reporter for NBC Select.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select, covering wellness, home and kitchen and lifestyle.
For this article, Justin, Ambar and Nishka recommended top-rated tower fans and also considered NBC Select staff favorites. They also interviewed product experts and tech experts on how to shop for tower fans.
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