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13 best affordable desk fans to keep you cool

From bladeless to retro, these fans will chill you out this summer.
Illustration of three types of desk fans and a desk fan sitting in someones living room
TODAY Illustration / Dyson / Amazon / Wayfair

The summer months may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean it's time to retire your fan just yet. Whether you're working from home and like a cool breeze to focus better, or just need some air circulation, a desk fan can be a very important accessory. Though small, the humble tool is a powerful and portable way to keep you comfortable, even if your current situation has you working at your kitchen table.

But you don't want to sacrifice aesthetics for comfort. Below, the Shop TODAY team has scoured the internet to come up with a list of the best desk fans that are both fashionable and affordable to keep you cool no matter the season.

Best desk fans

USB Portable Mini Personal Desk Fan

This adorable miniature fan is ideal for a small desk or workplace. The fan is about five inches across and has three speeds. It can adjust to multiple angles and is pretty quiet for such an inexpensive fan. The fan can be plugged into any USB port to use and comes in three colors to match your personal style.

Aluan Rotatable Mini Desk Fan

The Aluan desk fan is pretty powerful for how small it actually is. However, the 5.1-inch fan only has two speeds, which may not deliver as much cooling air as needed in the humid months. Overall, at the price point, it is worth buying if your home or office is usually on the cooler side, but you’re craving a good breeze.

Vornado VFAN Mini Classic Vintage Air Circulator Fan

The vintage-style Vornado personal fan is perfect for someone who loves a touch of old-school charm on their desk. The fan comes in seven different colors and base styles. There are two speeds, with many reviewers saying low is sufficient to keep cool.

SmartDevil Small Personal USB Desk Fan

This small and lightweight fan is powered through any USB port or a portable battery. It is easy to move at just six ounces, and has three speeds so you can keep cool no matter how warm your work space is. You can pick from three fan colors, pink, white or navy, to match your office decor too.

Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan

The Honeywell HT-900 fan has more than 68,000 reviews on Amazon and is one of the highest rated desk fans on the shopping site. The fan is just under $15 and has a 90 degree pivoting head so you can get the airflow right where you want it. Many reviews say you can place the fan a few feet away from you and still feel the powerful washes of cool air around you.

Mini USB Fan

This adorable pink fan is a perfect addition to your work from home space. It’s powered by USB, rechargeable and can retain 8 hours of battery life per charge. It also has four speeds and oscillates to the left and right.

Vornado Pivot Personal Air Circulator Fan

The Vornado personal fan has a super sleek and modern design that would look great on a desk. The fan has three speeds, is about six inches wide, and has a three-year guarantee from the manufacturer. You can choose from four different colors including copper and champagne, both of which are very trendy right now.

Gaiatop USB Desk Fan

This popular USB desk fan is rated number one on Amazon and priced at only $10. If you're looking for a strong fan without any distracting background noise, this one is for you! The compact design also comes in three colors and can be charged via a laptop, power bank, or car charger - making it perfect for travel.

Vornado 133 Compact Air Circulator Fan

This desk fan from Vornado may take up a little more room, but that should be the least of your worries if you're cool and comfortable. The fan has two speed settings and a pivoting head so you can direct the air as needed. It also comes with a five-year guarantee, so there won’t be a need to buy another desk fan anytime soon.

Poocci Wood Grain Bladeless Desk Fan

This desk fan has a distinct classic retro feel, without being too old-fashioned. The fan is bladeless, so it doesn’t make a bunch of noise while you’re working, but does have a higher wind output. There are three speed settings, all of which push out a lot of air to keep you cool.

CONBOLA Desk Fan

The CONBOLA bladeless fan is a much cheaper alternative to other bladeless fans. The fan has four power modes, all of which are operated with a touch sensor. There is a light which stays on while the fan is operating and can double as a nightlight for late-night brainstorms. The base of the fan has silicone pads so it doesn’t slide around your desk while it’s being used, and the battery can last up to 6 hours per charge.

Ozeri Brezza III Dual Oscillating Desk Fan

This desk fan runs through an app on your phone, using bluetooth to turn the fan on and off and control the speed. There are four different speed settings, and the fan can have be fixed or oscillate, where it will move up and down and side to side. The fan has a 4-hour timer, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.

Dyson Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan

Though definitely a splurge, Dyson is known for their bladeless fans. And this chic silver and white option has 10 different speed settings, can be on a 9-hour timer, and has a two-year warranty. The fan comes with a remote so you can control it from a distance, and is curved and magnetized to integrate into the fan when not in use.

Standing fans

Lasko Portable Electric 42" Oscillating Tower Fan

If your desk is small or filled with paperwork, you might want to consider a tower fan for your office. The Lasko portable tower fan has a sleek design that can seamlessly fit into any corner or cranny in your office. The fan has three speed settings and is so quiet, people on your Zoom call won’t even know you have it on.

Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan

This Honeywell tower fan has amassed over 17,000 positive reviews on Amazon. The fan comes in black or white and has eight power settings. The slim fan can easily be carried around your house or office depending on where you work. Because the fan is so quiet you’ll want to be sure to set the timer, which can go up to 8 hours.

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