Hot and Bothered? Not With These Summer-Ready Cooling Fans

There’s nothing worse than coming home from oppressive heat outside to an equally warm and sticky indoor environment. Sure, cranking up the air conditioner may be an option, but it can take a longer time for relief to kick in, and not to mention it sends your electricity bill through the roof. Cooling fans provide a faster and more energy-efficient route to a colder space — and your wallet will thank you, too.

Fans also come in many shapes and sizes. There are blade-free options that may be best for families and pet owners, tower fans for cooling down cavernous spaces, and cute, compact picks that work well in small rooms for immediate relief.

The Best Cooling Fans

What to Consider

Fans can make or break your quality of life during peak heat season. Keep the following in mind and you’ll be sure to keep your cool:

• Placement: Depending on where your hot spot is, a window, desk, box, or oscillating tower fan may be your best bet. Smaller portable fans are great for offices and kitchens, but if you need to cool a bed or living room down, you’re going to need something with more juice.

• Number of Speeds + Oscillation: If you want to dial your coolness up and down or move the air around an entire room, you’re going to want a fan with multiple speeds and/or oscillating power.

• Size: A micro handheld is going to work well standing in line at a concert (when you hold it 6 inches from your face), but if you want to avoid sleeping hot during the evenings, you’re going to want a big window unit that can tackle your entire room.

It’s hard to know where to begin, so we did the research for you: We combed through hundreds of options, consulted professional reviews, considered how consumers rated them once they got them home, and picked the best of the best, in a range of styles, setups, and price points. Get ready for a better, cooler, well-ventilated summer season!