The best tower fans in 2025, tried and tested

CNN

3 days ago

The best tower fans we tested
Best tower fan: Shark TurboBlade Tower Fan
Best budget tower fan: Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan HYF290
I live and work in New York, where it's been brutally hot this summer. Although I have a window air conditioner in my upstairs living room at home, I don't have any such cooling products in my basement home office.
This isn't a problem on days when I commute to the office, since I tote my trusty portable fan on the subway. But when I work from home, I need a quality cooling fan to make the workday bearable when the forecast is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
This is why I jumped at the chance to do some product testing on six of the best tower fans available. Not only do they promise to provide cooling relief but these types of fans are slim and fit easily near my desk, where they can oscillate from side to side, cooling me off as I work. Now that my testing is done, I found two tower fans with consistent and reliable cooling power that almost makes me forget just how hot it is outside.
Shark TurboBlade Tower Fan
This fan from Shark is truly one of a kind, providing not only oscillation and a variety of speed settings but also a timer for up to 12 hours and a remote that magnetically attaches to the back. It's a tower fan, but I love how its arm pivots left or right and features vent nozzles that can tilt at different angles, directing airflow the way I want.
Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan HYF290
I've recommended Honeywell's fan for a few years now, and I still use it in my home daily. It has a small footprint, is sleek and sturdy, and is remarkably quiet, even at the highest of its speed settings. For those who want an affordable fan, you can't go wrong with the Honeywell QuietSet. This fan from Shark is a nearly 4-foot-tall tower fan with a footprint that doesn't take up a lot of real estate on my floor. In that regard, it's like a typical tower fan in that its slim form factor can fit easily in almost any space, between furniture or in a corner of a room. It also features a telescoping neck that adjusts up or down, which is nice for when I want it sitting lower to blow directly on me at close range. I can also place it farther away, raise the neck and have it cool the entire room.
But what I find extra cool (pun intended) about this fan is its unique arm that can pivot and tilt in any combination of directions I want. I can manually pivot the arm left or right to adjust the horizontal airflow. So, it can look like a typical tower fan when I'm done adjusting it or it can look like the capital letter T. I can even pivot either arm to make it rest diagonally, which comes in handy if I want to direct the airflow to both the upper and lower parts of my room, in a way that is somewhat similar to the telescoping neck but allows for it to sit at a different angle.
The fans' two vents are located on either side of the arm, and they're also customizable. I can tilt the vent nozzle up or down to direct the airflow, can make them face up toward the ceiling or down toward the floor, or even have them both face in opposite directions.
Beyond the customizable arm, another reason I love this fan is that I can use the remote to choose between 10 different speed settings. The slower settings are great for sleeping, working from home or watching TV nearby, as the fan noise is low. Even the higher speeds, including the Boost setting, are not too loud.
There are also three specialty modes, the first of which is called Sleep mode. This mutes the fan's chimes, dims its control panel lights and sets the speed setting to low so you can sleep nearby. BreezeBoost gives an extra burst of airflow for those days that are just so unbearably hot. And finally, the Natural Breeze mode gently randomizes airflow to simulate natural winds, meaning it sometimes blows harder and then softens its output to a general breeze.
The TurboBlade also comes with a built-in timer that can be set for one, two, four, eight or 12 hours. And finally, while every tower fan I tested features areas to store their remotes, the TurboBlade goes one step further: Its remote stores magnetically on the back of the fan. This is a thoughtful touch, especially since I tend to lose remotes over time.
This fan from Honeywell impressed me enough when I first tested it a few years ago that it's been named our top cooling fan for those on a budget ever since. After testing it against a slew of new tower fan competitors for this review, the Honeywell is still my recommendation for anyone looking for a slim, powerful tower fan that's going to fit within their financial means.
I've used this fan in my home almost daily since my initial round of testing (mostly at night since I like to sleep with a fan on), and I leave it on every day during the summer when the temperatures rise and I'm working from home. It still works as well as the day I first unboxed it.
It's lightweight, so I can move it easily from my bedroom to my living room to place it between my two recliners as I watch TV. Wherever it stands, it takes up mere square inches of floor space, thanks to its sleek body design. Its base is made up of two sides that cleanly snap together, with a slight flare at the bottom that makes the base just a bit wider than its body. That helps stabilize it, whether the fan is set to oscillate or not.
After years of use and testing other tower fans, I still think this fan's console is the simplest and most intuitive to use. The console's line of blue labels neatly displays the eight speed settings you can choose from in an easy-to-read format. Its three quietest settings are Sleep, Whisper and Calm. Then the speed levels increase from White Noise, Relax, Refresh, Cool and Power Cool.
The QuietSet is aptly named because it really is a quiet fan. I can watch TV while it's set to any speed level, leaving my TV sound on at a normal level. Or I can sleep near the fan while using its whisper-quiet Sleep setting. Even when I choose to run it on Power Cool, the highest of its speed settings, I can still hold a conversation near it and hardly notice it's on.
Like most fans these days, this one offers a built-in timer that can be set for one, two, four or eight hours. I usually set the timer to go for eight hours overnight, which keeps me cool and comfortable until morning. The fan comes with a remote control, which stores easily on the back of the fan. Remote controls on fans are fairly standard these days, but this fan was one of the first I tested years ago that both offered a fan and had a secure place on its body to store it.
I searched the web for the most popular and highly rated tower fans, ultimately choosing six to include in my testing pool. I placed each tower fan in both my basement home office and in an enclosed sunroom. To test them, I unboxed, assembled and ran the fans for hours while I was sleeping, reading and writing in either room.
I then evaluated them according to the following criteria.
Ease of setup
Unboxing: I considered how well the fans were packaged and how easy they were to unbox and assemble. I noted if any tools were required and if they were included in the original box.
Clarity of instructions: I noted whether the instruction manual was clear in how to assemble each fan and whether the process was intuitive or not (and if I could assemble them without referencing the instructions).
Design and features
Weight and height: I noted how heavy the tower fan was to lift out of the box and carry around to my testing area. I also looked at how much space each took up on my floor and how tall it was.
Build quality: I observed the materials each tower fan is made of and whether it feels flimsy or sturdy. Since I was unable to perform any long-term testing, this helped me get an idea of their durability.
Customization
Oscillation: I noted if each tower fan oscillates and to what degree.
Speed settings: I observed how many speed settings the fan offers and tested out the strength of the airflow on each setting.
Performance
Ease of use: I judged each tower fan on how easy it was to operate and use over several hours.
Timer: I looked at if each tower fan offered a timer and how many different settings it had. I also timed and tested each timer setting.
Overall value
Price: The prices of the fans in my testing pool varied, so price was a major consideration. I looked at how well each fan functioned compared to its price and determined if it was a smart investment.
All tower fans move air around a given space to help that area feel cooler. But to choose the right tower fan for you, you'll want to consider four factors: the size of your room, the reason you want to use the fan, the size and weight of the fan, and your budget.
Room size
If you don't want a fan to take up much space where you plan to use it, then a tower fan can be a great option. Tower fans are perfect for a bedroom or living room since they sort of blend into the background of those rooms as they keep air moving around.
But if you're looking to cool a larger room, a tower fan may not be the best choice. Instead, consider a pedestal or floor fan, both of which can be positioned in a large room to cool it faster. They're also still capable of doing this while not getting in the way of anything in the room.
Reason for use
How you plan to use the tower fan can also help you decide which to buy. If you want a fan to be on while you're awake, for example, you might not need one with a timer or a timer that offers many settings. However, if you want to sleep with a fan on, you'll want to choose one that offers a variety of sleep settings. One that operates quietly would work for this use case too.
If you plan on using the fan in conjunction with a window air conditioner, you may not need one that has any special speed settings because the air in the room would, in theory, stay relatively cool thanks to the AC. But if the tower fan is your only choice for heat relief, look for a unit that offers plenty of high-speed settings (sometimes called Boost), which can help cool the room faster.
Fan footprint
Most of the tower fans I tested are slim, lightweight, highly maneuverable and don't take up much space on the floor. All you'll need is about a free square foot where you can place the fan. Just make sure you leave enough space — at least 10 inches — from the closest wall or piece of furniture so that the airflow isn't blocked, especially if the fan is set to oscillate.
Budget
If you are on a budget, you can find a tower fan for less than $80 (like the Lasko WhisperForce fan or my budget pick, the Honeywell QuietSet). There are also models that cost near $300 (like my overall pick, the Shark TurboBlade fan). You can get a lot of the same features in a budget option that you can in a higher-priced model, but be prepared to get fewer bells and whistles. All you really need if you are on a budget is a tower fan that oscillates and offers various speed settings.
Dreo 42-Inch Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S
This Dreo fan is lightweight yet sturdy. I appreciated its 12 fan speeds and four modes that run at various speeds automatically. This smart fan can also be controlled via mobile app or Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. When I lifted the Dreo fan out of its box, it was lightweight but still felt sturdy and solid. I found it intuitive to set up as well. I clicked together the two sides of the base without much fuss and noticed the body of the fan secured easily to the base using the included screw nut.
Its LED control panel is easy to read and navigate as well. Using the display's Mode button, I could switch between Normal, Natural, Sleep and Auto. Normal just means the fan runs at a constant speed, while Natural has it run at alternating speeds to mimic natural wind.
The fan oscillates and offers 12 fan speeds, a variety I appreciated. Plus, it's handy timer can be set to up to 12 hours, so I could have it on all day while I worked at home or overnight next to my bed while I slept. This smart Dreo fan can also be controlled via a mobile app for iOS or Android, or via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Its remote also stores easily on the unit.
Despite its positives, the Dreo, ultimately, didn't make it as a top pick because at $150, it costs twice as much as my budget pick and isn't as effective as the Shark. Plus, on its three highest speed settings, it's noticeably louder than the Honeywell QuietSet.
Lasko 40-Inch WhisperForce Tower Fan TDC401
This fan from Lasko is, as its name suggests, whisper quiet. It oscillates up to 90 degrees, offers 12 speed settings and four different fan modes. Its timer can be set up to 12 hours too. This Lasko fan was one of the easiest to set up in my testing pool; I just snapped together the two sides of its base and inserted the body of the fan. That's it.
Performance-wise, I really appreciated the timer settings on this fan, which let me choose either 30 minutes, one hour, 90 minutes or any number of hours up to 12. Having that kind of versatility for a fan is a nice touch.
Like the Dreo fan, the Lasko offers 12 speed settings. I also found the control panel easy to use and navigate, and everything is clearly laid out, including its power button and others for oscillation, timer, fan speed and Sleep mode.
I especially liked the Lasko's Sleep mode since it automatically shuts off the LED display so it doesn't shine bright in the dark. The fan's speed also gradually decreases to low, which allowed me to sleep undisturbed. Like the Shark and Dreo fans, the Lasko provided something called Nature mode as well, which adjusts its speed randomly to mimic natural wind patterns. It also has an area where I could store its remote.
Though comparable in price to the Honeywell fan, this Lasko fan fell in my rankings because I found it awkward to move around my space. It's also quite a bit heavier than the Honeywell and its base is wider, taking up more floor space.
Levoit 42-Inch Classic Smart Tower Fan
This smart fan from Levoit offers a mobile app on both iOS and Android as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The fan offers a Turbo mode that gives off powerful airflow, an Advanced Sleep mode that comes in handy when you want to sleep cooler, plus a timer you can set up to 24 hours. This fan from Levoit was one of my favorites from the testing pool, but it does need more space than others to ensure there's no airflow blockage. The brand recommends keeping the first 15 inches in front of the fan free of anything that could block airflow (like curtains or furniture). I didn't find this to be an issue, but it's something to consider if you're putting it in a cluttered room.
This fan offers 12 speed settings plus a Normal, Turbo and Auto mode. I liked the Turbo mode, which made the fan automatically oscillate and set itself to fan speed 12 without me having to select the setting.
I also appreciated its Advanced Sleep mode that automatically adjusts the fan's speed depending on the surrounding room temperature. If the temperature increases two degrees, the fan increases its speed level by one. It goes the other way too, adjusting itself as the temperature in the room decreases. It makes the Levoit a handy fan to have if you want a tower fan on while you sleep. Unlike any of the other tower fans I tested, the Levoit's timer can be set for up to 24 hours.
While I did like this Levoit fan, it still paled in comparison to the performance (and value) of the Honeywell. It doesn't do anything that warrants spending an extra $55 for.
Rowenta Fresh 180 Tower Fan
This Rowenta fan was a bit more complicated to assemble than the other fans, but it offers a timer that can be set for eight hours and a useful Auto mode that detects the surrounding room temperature and adjusts airflow accordingly. Although this Rowenta fan had clear assembly directions, it was a tad more complicated than the other fans to assemble. Out of the box, it was easy to snap the two sides of the base together and insert the body of the fan into it. But there was an extra step involved: securing the base using four included screws. While certainly not difficult, it is an added step that the other fans don't require, so it's something to keep in mind.
This fan can oscillate 180 degrees, and it offers an Auto mode that automatically detects the surrounding room temperature and adjusts its speed. Its timer can be set for up to eight hours, and it also has a useful automatic shut-off function. Its remote control, like the other fans tested, can also be kept on its body in a built-in storage area.
I may sound like a broken record at this point, but the Honeywell tower fan being as good as it is, is again the reason why this Rowenta model didn't earn a spot in my rankings, and it just doesn't hold a candle to the Shark performance-wise at all.
How do tower fans work?
How do tower fans work?
Tower fans are shaped like a cylinder and are vertically aligned, featuring vents that run the entire length of their body. The fans draw air from the room through their vents and distribute it back into the room. They don't lower the overall temperature of a room like an air conditioner does, but since most tower fans rotate from side to side, this oscillation helps spread cooler air more evenly and quickly throughout the room.
What is the difference between a tower fan and a pedestal fan?
What is the difference between a tower fan and a pedestal fan?
A tower fan differs from a pedestal fan in form factor and footprint. A tower fan has a cylindrical body that oscillates from side to side in its entirety; the entire fan is one piece, and often no blades are visible since they are encased in the body. A pedestal fan, on the other hand, has an upper fan element that is connected to a stick and base, neither of which move. The upper section that houses the fan itself has visible blades that you can watch as they operate, and it can typically oscillate from side to side.
How do I clean my tower fan?
How do I clean my tower fan?
To clean a tower fan, first unplug it. Then clean the exterior body by wiping it down with a soft, clean cloth to remove any dust or grime. You can use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to get rid of visible dust and dirt from the tower fan's air vents, grilles or any other part that looks dirty. To deep-clean your tower fan, first read the manufacturer's directions to see if your particular tower fan can safely be disassembled for cleaning. Then follow the directions on how to remove the grille or other parts before cleaning.
CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products in our testing guides and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
Testing editor Suzanne Kattau has decades of experience testing home, kitchen and hardware items for CNN Underscored and other outlets. Kattau has also tested some of the best cordless stick vacuums as well as the best dehumidifiers, the best leaf blowers, the best mattresses for side sleepers and the best nonstick pans. For this guide, Kattau tested six tower fans to find the best one to keep you cool.