As a resident New York City girl, I've become accustomed to living in very small spaces over the last 10 years. The downside? During the hot summer months, my tiny 400-square-foot apartment traps the heat like an infrared sauna.
Enter fresh air.
Cooling fans are a great solution to help keep you comfortable (and free from overheating) all season long. For four weeks, I tested nine different cooling fans of all shapes and sizes for our Shop TODAY Ranked series. From classic round fans to more modern tower fans, I tried them all.
To expand my knowledge on this topic, I consulted a board-certified dermatologist as well as a sleep expert to answer all my burning questions on if these fans could improve quality of sleep and overall skin health.
Keep reading to find my top picks from popular brands like Shark, Dreo, Amazon Basics and more — starting at $17. There's even a kid-friendly option that lights up in rainbow colors at night!
Best overall cooling fan
Portability: 4.5/5 | Cooling Power: 5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Noise Level: 4.5/5 | Airflow quality: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.8/5
When it comes to the "holy grail" of cooling fans, this one deserves the crown. Featuring four unique speeds and modes, this 36-inch bladeless tower fan is head and shoulders above the rest (literally). Its touchscreen surface made me feel like a character on the Jetson's when I turned it on — so futuristic. Not only is it super powerful and soothing, but it is also incredibly quiet, so it's perfect for sleepy time to help wind down. Also, its sleek design makes it a great accent to any living room or bedroom.
You can even store this cooling fan's remote control in the built-in compartment, so no excuses for losing it! It also oscillates, providing great airflow quality throughout any room.
There is a bit of assembly required for this fan, which involves putting the base together, but it's a very simple process. And if I could do it, I have faith that anyone can. I'm not the handiest woman on the planet...
My fellow editors will have to fight me for this fan, as I never want to give it up.
More cooling fans, as tested by the author
Best budget fan:
Portability: 4.5/5 | Cooling Power: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Noise Level: 3.5/5 | Airflow quality: 4.5/5 | Overall score: 4.4/5
If you're looking for a cooling fan that does the job without breaking the bank, this is the one for you. Though it may not possess the bells and whistles that some of the other fans do, it is extremely powerful and features an-easy-to-use rotary switch. With its compact size, it also fits nicely on any table or desk so it's the perfect choice to bring to the office.
During testing, I was blown away (pun intended) by the exceptional quality of this fan for its inexpensive price tag of under $20. The only caveat is that it can be a bit noisy on the highest setting, so you may want to keep it on one of the lower ones in public.
Most kid-friendly:
Portability: 5/5 | Cooling Power: 4.5/5 | Ease of use: 4.7/5 | Noise Level: 3.5/5 | Airflow quality: 4.5/5 | Overall score: 4.4/5
I may be in my 30's, but I was instantly transported back to childhood with this colorful fan. Why? It features an ambient light function, so it glows in the dark and doubles as a rainbow nightlight for the little ones (and me). Its portable handle is also super powerful for its modest size and includes a carrying handle, so you can bring it anywhere that has a USB or electric outlet. It also includes a 1,000 milliliter water tank which is super easy to fill and clean.
Like the Amazon Basics fan, just note that this one can also get a bit loud with the higher power settings.
Most powerful fan:
Portability: 4/5 | Cooling Power: 5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Noise Level: 4/5 | Airflow quality: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.6/5
Call me shallow, but I was super excited to test this fan solely for its good looks. However, this fan is more than just a pretty face as it also wins the superlative for most powerful. I plugged this fan into the outlet and was instantly impressed by its potency. It's very strong, even on its lowest setting. It also features an adjustable tilt head that lets users "direct cool air precisely where you need it, ensuring optimal airflow and comfort," says the brand.
This stylish fan comes in vintage white or green and features an easy-to-use dial to control its settings. The only note I have is that this fan is pretty heavy, so make sure your biceps are ready if you decide to move it!
Best misting fan:
Portability: 4/5 | Cooling Power: 4/5 | Ease of use: 4/5 | Noise Level: 4/5 | Airflow quality: 4/5 | Overall score: 4/5
Remember summers growing up spent playing with water balloons in the backyard? Channel your inner child with this indoor/outdoor fan that provides a relaxing mist that cools you down instantly. Simply fill up the water tank, open the cap in the center of the fan and be transported to a rainforest waterfall. I promise you, it feels amazing!
This Amazon's Choice fan comes in seven fun hues, is extremely durable and is very quiet.
Most easy to use:
Portability: 4.5/5 | Cooling Power: 4/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Noise Level: 4/5 | Airflow quality: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.3/5
Of all the fans I tested, this bladeless cooling tower was, by far, the easiest to use. It would be an understatement to say I was a bit overwhelmed with nine fans staring back at me inside my apartment. Given it's simplistic, clean design, I opted to test this one first. I removed from the box, plugged it in and turned it on with the tap of a finger. This fantastic fan is super chic and nicely compliments my white-and-gold-themed décor.
I also love the remote control that makes it easy to change settings without having to leave the comfort of my couch. This trendy fan also circulates quite quickly and cooled down my apartment in no time at all.
How to find the best cooling fans
When it comes to finding the perfect cooling fan, it’s essential to consider its airflow quality.
“Look for a fan that oscillates so that the stream of air is constantly flowing and not directly focused at one spot, as this can be drying!” explains Dr. Noah Gratch, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. “A fan with a built-in humidifier is great because that will help with any moisture loss.”
Gratch also recommends purchasing a fan that is easy to clean — as otherwise, it can spread dirt, dust and bacteria into the air.
The benefits of cooling fans
Believe it or not, the use of a cooling fan can actually be good for your skin. Gratch says, “When the temperatures are hotter, a cooling fan can help reduce overall temperature of the body. This can reduce sweat buildup in the skin, which can lead to breakouts.”
“[Cooling fans] can also help with preventing heat rash. Cooling the skin can help reduce inflammation,” he adds.
Gratch also says it’s important to mention that the stream of air from a fan can be drying to the skin for some, so it’s essential to moisturize thoroughly.
In addition to skin health, a cooling fan can also lead to better quality sleep. “Temperature is a key consideration for sleep,” says Rebecca Robbins, a sleep researcher and co-author of “Sleep for Success!”
“Although a fan cannot lower the temperature of a room, it can create a sensation of the room being cooler by creating a wind chill effect that can promote evaporation of sweat, which is beneficial in the summer months for those without central air,” she shares.
“Using a fan may also be a good idea for anyone who lives in a noisy environment that may have intermittent sounds, such as ambulance sounds,” Robbins suggests. “A fan can reduce the impact of those intermittent noises on sleep, reducing the likelihood of awakenings.”
Frequently asked questions
"Moderately," says Gratch.
"In some cases, the cool air can help minimize flare ups by keeping the skin cool. Excessive heat can trigger eczema. However, use sparingly as fans can dry out the skin and make eczema more uncomfortable," he advises.
"It won’t necessarily cause issues for everyone, but it can strip moisture from the skin and cause dryness," suggests Gratch.
How we tested the cooling fans
I, Allie Wise, tested nine different cooling fans in my Manhattan studio apartment over the course of a month. I tested each fan individually, which started by assembling each fan (if required) and then plugging it into an outlet or USB port. While the air was blowing in my face, I rated each fan on the following criterium: portability, cooling power, ease of use, noise level and airflow quality. The overall score determined the best of the best.
Why trust Shop TODAY
Allie Wise is a Shop TODAY associate editor who has been reviewing and testing products since 2022. She focuses primarily on SEO in the beauty, style and home spaces, but she also works on trending and broadcast articles when needed. Wise has a natural eye for design and appreciates bold fashion statements.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, New York.
- Rebecca Robbins is a sleep researcher and co-author of “Sleep for Success!"
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