Best Fans 2026: Desk, Smart, Portable & Tower Fans

If you’re looking for a quiet fan, Meaco’s Sefte air circulators are the models to go for. Our top recommendation is the portable 8-in Sefte fan for its additional features, but we’ve also tested the 10-in Sefte table fan and rate it highly.

Meaco claims an operating volume of only 27dB on lower fan speeds – we can confirm it’s virtually silent at this level. This, plus its relatively compact size and light weight, makes it an ideal choice for a bedroom.

It doesn’t have smart features but it comes with a remote that’ll allow you to set a switch-off timer for up to 12 hours. The remote is nicely designed, with glow-in-the-dark keys, and it magnetically attaches to the centre of the fan so you won’t lose it. You’ll need the remote to access all functionality, as the on-device controls won’t let you set the timer, so if you damage or lose it, you’ll have to deal with reduced functionality.

The fan base features a round digital display that shows settings and the current temperature. It has three operating modes, including one that adjusts the fan speed depending on the temperature in the room, and a night mode that slows the fan hourly.

But what sets the 8-inch portable model apart from rivals is its removable, replaceable lithium-ion battery. Not only does it mean that you can use the fan without it being plugged in, but you can replace the battery at the end of its life and keep on using the fan, meaning less waste and a longer product life.

Who should buy the MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan?

Those who want the perfect blend of power and quiet in one package.

MeacoFan Sefte 8″ portable fan: Further considerations

You will need to hang on to that remote as the lack of smart features mean you can’t control it using your phone.

A fan will make you more comfortable but it can’t actually lower the temperature of the air. The Princess Smart Air Cooler can. It’s an evaporative cooler that uses water (and ice) to chill the air it blows out. It’s simple to use as well. You just fill up the water tank at the base and switch it on. Like most fans, it has several speeds, it can oscillate, there’s a night mode and timer.

There’s a full range of controls on the cooler itself and it comes with a remote – but as it’s a smart appliance, you can also control it via the accompanying app. This gives you the option to create scenes and use voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant.

We would caution that, as it’s an electrical appliance with a tank of water in the base, it needs to be kept well away from kids and pets. You’ll also need to clean the tank regularly, and getting the tank in and out of the appliance is a bit of a hassle.

But at just 3p an hour to run, this is the cheapest air conditioner alternative around.

Who should buy the Princess Smart Air Cooler?

Anyone who wants a cheap alternative to an air conditioner.

Princess Smart Air Cooler: Further considerations

It can get quite noisy, and you’ll need to remember to clean the tank regularly.

This fan has several things going for it: it’s hugely powerful, it can oscillate vertically, horizontally, and both at once, and it has handy smart controls that give you granular control over its direction and oscillation. It’s quiet as well.

You can stand it on the floor or on a table or counter and choose the direction of airflow, or give it a wider scope and use it to cool several people in a room. It can blow air to a maximum distance of 110ft and you can stand it in front of an air conditioner or a window and it’ll amplify the cooling airflow. It has several modes including, natural, sleep and turbo, and a number of fan speeds.

Controls come via a subtle LED panel on its base and via an included remote control. But to get the best from this fan, you’ll want to use the accompanying app to choose settings, set a timer and use voice control – the app makes it much simpler than on-device controls.

Altogether, it’s pretty impressive for its price point.

Who should buy the Dreo Air Circulating Fan (CF714S)?

Anyone who wants a really powerful fan.

Dreo Air Circulating Fan (CF714S): Further considerations

The on-device control panel could be more comprehensive.

The ChillPill has an unusual build and features we haven’t seen before in a portable fan. It’s genuinely pocket-sized (only 10×8.5×4.5cm) and weighs about the same as a mobile phone. But it crams a lot of features into its build.

First, there’s a 10-speed fan, which is really powerful on its top setting – although it’s also quite noisy, so you’ll probably find the lower settings more useful in a quieter environment. Then there’s a chilled plate: hold it against your wrist, temple or throat and it’ll cool you down significantly. Finally, there’s a mister. Before testing it, I thought this sounded pretty unappealing but it sprays an incredibly fine vapour that cools without soaking the skin.

It’s very nicely made, with excellent features: it can stand on a desk and its angle is adjustable, and it features a lock so you won’t accidentally switch it on in your bag or pocket. But it doesn’t come with any carrying accessories – those are sold separately. And you’ll likely need something: this fan is far too pricey to risk dropping.

Battery life varies hugely, depending on the settings and function – anywhere from 1 to 11 hours. It then takes up to 3.5 hours to recharge. This means that you’ll need to be careful to charge it regularly, but if you do, it’ll be perfect for a commute, going to a gig, or staying cool on a night out.

Who should buy the Shark ChillPill?

Anyone who takes their on-the-go comfort seriously – and is willing to pay for it.

Shark ChillPill: Further considerations

You can buy an effective handheld fan for much less.

If you want a fan that looks more than functional and will blend into your home, the Whisper Flex is one to consider. It comes in four colour options (black, white and two shades of grey) and the fan itself is matt and all one shade. But that’s not the best part of its design.

The Whisper Flex can transform from a pedestal to a tabletop fan in a few seconds. All you need to do is remove the central column. Another attractive element is the fan’s control centre, which is a digital display set into a dial that you turn to choose settings. But, although it looks good, it’s not that easy to read.

This isn’t a huge problem as the fan also comes with a colour-matching remote, which magnetically sticks to the back of the fan for storage. Plus, you can control the fan via your phone. Download the Duux app and you can access the smart features, including easy scheduling, or use voice commands via your home assistant.

The fan has 26 speed settings, vertical and horizontal oscillation and three modes: normal, natural and night. You can set a shutdown timer as well. As its name promises, it’s genuinely whisper-quiet: you won’t hear it at all.

Bear in mind that you’ll need to assemble it before use.

Who should buy the Duux Whisper Flex smart fan?

Consumers who want their appliance’s style to match the quality of its features.

Duux Whisper Flex smart fan: Further considerations

The lack of an on-device thermostat is an odd omission at this price point.

If you’d like a Dyson model, this is a great option for its price point – although it’s still expensive. It’s one of Dyson’s smaller fans and it’s a nice compact size and shape (595mm tall), small but powerful and lightweight enough at 2.6kg that you can easily move it around the house without any trouble. It has a range of different modes and settings and, as the name suggests, the device can heat and cool, so it’s useful year-round. It also allows you to set fan speed and temperature.

It can pan left and right (though it can’t be angled) and has two different modes to choose from: Diffuse and Jet Focus. The former is a wider current of air and the latter gives you a narrow blast.

You can also set a timer and it comes with a remote, which magnetically attaches to the top of the fan.

Bear in mind that this isn’t a purifying fan. If you’d like one of those, check out our review of the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact.

Who should buy the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09?

Anyone in need of an all-round appliance for both hot and cold seasons.

Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09: Further considerations

You have to fork out quite a bit for the privilege of owning one.

Jisulife’s Pro3 is expensive, especially for a desk fan that’ll really only keep your face cool, but it does have some features that could make it worth it for the right person. First off, it’s powerful. And cordless. It also has an air filter to ensure that it’s not blowing pet hair and dust all over you. It gives you granular control over the speed – with an almost ridiculous 100 settings. It also oscillates.

But on the minus side, this is a noisy fan that, on its highest setting, sounds like a plane taking off. But this won’t bother you if you’re gaming with headphones on.

In the end, the deciding factor is likely to be whether the ring light that you can change to any one of seven bright colours – or choose to cycle through them – strikes you as a cool or useless feature.

Who should buy the Jisulife Table Fan Pro3?

Gamers who want a slick desk fan to go with their set-up.

Jisulife Table Fan Pro3: Further considerations

It’s far from being the quietest desk fan available.

Although it comes in a few pieces, the Pilot Max tower fan is simple to put together. You’re really just attaching the base and plugging it in.

It’s a bladeless fan, standing 110cm/43in high, with a 30cm/12in base diameter. It comes with a remote control (and battery), so you can switch it off and on and change settings from the comfort of your sofa.

Its height is a huge advantage as the air outlet takes up a significant portion of its length (50cm), so it’s able to move a lot of air around.

The fan oscillates and you can change the angle from 30-120°, in 30° increments. It has 12 speeds, which go from a perfectly silent, light current of air to an audible (but still far from noisy) blast. At any setting, it’s impressively quiet. There’s a timer as well, which you can set for up to 12 hours.

It has four modes: normal, natural (changing airflow), sleep (it slows every 30 minutes) and auto, which adapts to the room’s ambient temperature.

The control panel is on the curved top of the fan and there’s an inset digital screen that displays settings and fan speed.

As it’s slim with a small footprint, when it’s not in use, you can push it into a corner and forget about it – the next best thing to having a combined heater/fan.

There are two models of Dreo’s tower fan: the smart version costs slightly more and it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can switch it on and off with voice commands.

Who should buy the Dreo Pilot Max Tower Fan?

Buyers who want a powerful tower fan that’s almost as quiet as a desk fan.

Dreo Pilot Max Tower Fan: Further considerations

It’s not quite as easy to move around as some rival models.

The Russell Hobbs 12-inch Scandi desk fan is a straightforward, easy-to-use device with a carry handle on top for portability. Best of all, it’s reasonably priced.

It’s a near full-size fan, minus the column and pedestal (it stands 46cm high and is 35cm wide) and it comes in black, white or grey, with wood-effect blades. Its retro design is more aesthetically pleasing than many of its more functional-looking competitors and it makes a useful and attractive addition to a shelf or desk.

It’s a pretty powerful fan. It has three speeds that range from light to strong airflow. The lowest setting won’t disturb your sleep so you can stand it on a night table and get a good night’s rest. You can have it fixed in one spot or oscillating. It also tilts, but only by a few degrees, so its vertical range is a bit limited.

You’ll need to assemble it but that’s easy to do – although you’ll need a small, Phillips-head screwdriver to fit a single screw, which in my case took a bit of patience. Once assembled, however, the fan is sturdy.

Who should buy the Russell Hobbs 12 inch Scandi fan?

Anyone who wants a fan with a classic look.

Russell Hobbs 12 inch Scandi fan: Further considerations

The frame may be a bit too large for smaller desks.

If you’re looking for an economical fan with a small footprint, the Levoit Classic is one to consider. It’s not the prettiest fan we’ve tested but it’s incredibly cheap to run and packs in a good number of features for its price point – it’s especially good value if you can get it for less than its listed price.

It has an easy-to-read LED display and you can change the settings via the touch controls or the included remote. There are five speed settings, an oscillation option, a timer and a number of modes to choose from: Normal, Auto, Advanced Sleep, and Turbo.

There are a couple of compromises to be made if you buy: we found the oscillation to be a bit unreliable and it’s not the quietest fan on the higher speed settings.

Who should buy the Levoit Classic tower fan?

Mid-range buyers in need of a solid tower fan that doesn’t break the bank.

Levoit Classic tower fan: Further considerations

The sound can be distracting on higher settings.

This is an alternative to the Shark ChillPill or the John Lewis Anyday hand fan. It’s much pricier and noisier than the John Lewis model but it’s more powerful and lasts longer between charging.

It has an aluminium alloy finish and it’s 15cm long, with a 5cm fan head diameter. At 182g (6.4oz) it’s light in the hand – about the same weight as a smartphone. One of its handiest features is a carabiner at the base, so you can clip it to your bag or belt.

Most importantly, it is a strong fan, with five speeds, the highest of which will surely cool you down whatever the situation. But the trade-off is that it’s very noisy – so much so that you may not be able to use it indoors in all situations.

It comes in three attractive matt colours: white, grey, and pink.

Who should buy the Torras Coolify Iva handheld fan?

Commuters who want a hugely powerful personal fan.

Torras Coolify Iva handheld fan: Further considerations

The stylish look does come with a high price.

This fan is a little different from any of the other products in this round-up. For a start, it’s portable. Even better, you wear it around your neck, so it’s completely hands-free. What’s more, you can use it both indoors and out – although when we tested it, we found that it was much more effective inside.

The Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner weighs just 17.5oz (495g) and is powered by four aerodynamic motors spinning at 7,200 rotations per minute to create airflow around your upper shoulders. Torras claims a maximum running time of 15 hours from its 6000mAh battery, but that’s on its lowest setting. Turn it up to its most powerful level and you’ll get around two hours of use from it.

It also operates as a personal heater and at maximum heat, it’ll keep going for around three hours. It has 20W fast charging and can go from flat to full in around two hours. It’s a smart device as well, and you can control it using its straightforward companion app.

But, although it’s lightweight and effective indoors, it’s far from whisper-quiet. If you have it on full blast, people around you will definitely notice it and you may find it hard to follow conversations. Still, if you need to cool down while commuting or before meetings, the Coolify is a portable and effective solution.

Who should buy the Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner?

Anyone in need of a solution for staying cool on the go.

Torras Coolify Cyber Neck Air Conditioner: Further considerations

While convenient, it’s expensive and noisy.

The Anyday fan is 25cm long, and the fan head has a 10cm diameter. It’s light too: only 184g, which is about the same weight as your average smartphone. It comes in a number of attractive summery colours.

It’s nicely made – much more robust than other hand fans you might have tried. And its design means you can fold it into standing mode and use it on a desk, table or shelf. You can even adjust its angle – although there are only two possible settings.

And it’s powerful: more than enough to stop you from breaking a sweat at your desk or on public transport. It’s quiet as well – especially on the first two of its three operating speeds. Plus, it’s long-lasting: you’ll get nine hours of use on low speed, six on medium and four on high, so it’ll see you through a working day or a night out.

Its charging speed is less impressive, at 5 hours, but it charges via USB and even has a comprehensive charging indicator light. It’ll go from red when charging, to green when fully charged. The indicator glows blue in normal use and blinks blue when its charge is low, so you always know where you are with it.

Highly recommended.

Who should buy the John Lewis Anyday hand fan?

Regular commuters who need a way of staying cool on public transport.

John Lewis Anyday hand fan: Further considerations

It can take quite a while to charge the battery back to 100%.