8 best cooling fans to help you survive summer
Keep yourself cool and collected with our round-up of the best cooling fans - including a popular unit that shoppers "can't recommend enough".
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Australian summers can sometimes feel like being slapped in the face with a fresh heat pack.
That is, unless you’ve prepared your home in advance.
RELATED: Portable fans to stay cool on-the-go
Whether you’re working from home this summer — and require something small yet effective to place on your desk — or are looking to cool an entire room with something that won’t take over your living space, there are plenty of options to choose from.
We're absolutely loving Shark's FlexBreeze Fan, a convertible cordless unit which has quickly become our summer staple and probably the most used appliance aside from the fridge. Without sounding too cliche, we're totally obsessed. It works so well as a pedestal fan in the bedroom, a desk fan in the home office and a portable floor fan for the outdoors.
Prefer something you can take anywhere? Handheld options like the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan are a "great budget friendly" fix to handling the heat while you're out. This gadget has more than 34,000 five-star reviews on Amazon Australia, with many loving how it helps them avoid turning into a "sweaty mess".
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICK
Shark FlexBreeze Fan, $249.99 at Shark
Shark FlexBreeze Fan
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, Senior Shopping Writer Tech, Homes & Appliances
Shark's latest release is arguably the best floor fan — and probably the best air conditioner (or evaporative cooler) substitute on the market right now. I've actually switched the aircon for the fan at night and don't feel I've sacrificed any bit of comfort.
The efficient model easily converts from a full-size pedestal fan to a smaller floor or desk fan within seconds, both of which can be used cordfree for up to 24 hours. It provides a wonderfully powerful breeze and decent reach, and stays relatively quiet across all settings. Plus, the Shark fan doesn't take up much floor space and is definitely easier on the eye than some of its competitors. I also want to give a special shoutout to the easy to use remote and wide-ranging oscillating function, because this convenient duo is absolute chef's kiss.
And for those who live in an area where there's dry heat, you can opt for the model with the InstaCool Mister for an extra $50. The brand claims the cool addition can help you feel up to 5C cooler, which is an especially big win if you're a fan of those handheld fans or air purifier fans with a misting attachment.
The main downside is its weight. While it's still perfectly portable, it's noticeably heavier than other floor fans. The model might also be a bit bulky for small desks. But given how impressive the actual fan is, I'll take these cons over uselessly weak and loud fan anyday.
BEST FLOOR FAN
Philips Oscillating Tower Fan 5000 Series, $129 (down from $179) at Amazon Australia
Philips Oscillating Tower Fan 5000 Series
What You Need To Know
This tall Philips unit stands out with its built-in aroma diffuser, a feature not often seen with most fans, allowing you to add your favourite essentials to enjoy with the refreshing breeze. The slim design also makes it a good space-saving option, and a decent quite performer with a maximum noise level of just 46dB.
"This fan has three setting so (it) covers what I need. (The) height is now much lower than a pedestal (fan) but takes up less space," a praised a reviewer, giving it five stars.
"Despite the Australian heat, this did really well and helped cool me during a hot summer's day. Highly recommended," agreed another.
De'Longhi 360° Pedestal Cooling Fan, $167 (down from $209) at Amazon Australia
De'Longhi 360° Pedestal Cooling Fan
What You Need To Know
While pedestal fans may remind you of your childhood summers, with everyone gathering around the TV to watch the Boxing Day cricket test, this fan has come a long way since then. Featuring vertical and horizontal oscillation as well as three fan speeds, you won’t stay hot for long once this has been switched on.
“Bought it to keep me cool when running on the treadmill. Fan is super powerful, and quiet for how strong it is – I never need to use it on the fastest speed,” says one five-star reviewer.
Others rave about the 360-degree oscillation feature with one reviewer saying: “Great product, was quite easy to assemble and the 360 oscillation is so cool to improve the air flow of the room.”
Vornado Air Circulator 660, $179.99 (down from $259) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
A popular yet underrated household name, Vornado is a powerful air circulator that shoppers say they were left "blown away" and they "can't recommend it enough". It features an easy push button operation and can be moved easily due to it's portable design. The size is substantial for a bedroom and will help make your summer more bearable.
"I bought this fan for our bedroom which retains the warmth of the sun at night. Even though we have air conditioning throughout the entire apartment because of the rising cost of energy, we decided to minimize the use of the expensive air conditioning by investing in a fan. The Vornado provides very good air circulation and is inexpensive to run all night, if required...," one five-star reviewer wrote.
"Really cools down the room and saves me money," another wrote.
BEST DESK FANS
Breville The PopFan Foldable Rechargeable Fan, $72 at The Good Guys
Breville The PopFan Foldable Rechargeable Fan
What You Need To Know
Built with up to 15 hours of rechargeable runtime, this portable desk fan is great anywhere thanks to its compact and foldable design. It offers four different fan speeds — low speed for a quiet and personal breeze, and the three higher speeds for when you want something stronger. The fan also has a flexible design with a 180-degree manual vertical tilt, so you can direct the air at any angle. Not to mention, it’s completely transportable and can be hung with a carry strap.
Boasting a 4.6-star rating on Myer, shoppers have praised the fan for being “very powerful”.
“Awesome portable fan. Provides good airflow. Not too loud even on top setting. Love the flexibility, lots of different positions to get the right angle. Great as a desk fan or when travelling. Very happy,” one wrote.
“Great little fan. The pop feature is very useful making it great for storage or travel. It’s one of the quietest fans I’ve come across (basically just a small high pitched whirr). The battery has lasted well between recharges and makes it convenient to move around the house without the restriction of finding power points,” another wrote.
Kambrook Arctic Antique Metal Desk Fan, $89 at The Good Guys
Kambrook Arctic Antique Metal Desk Fan
What You Need To Know
If I’m going to have something sit in a place of prominence in my home, I would prefer it to fit with my home aesthetic. If you too are so inclined, take a look at this antique finished desk fan that will seamlessly fit in with an industrial aesthetic-loving decorator’s home. The fan has three speed settings and an adjustable, tilting head with a generous foot-long blade diameter, meaning you can direct cool air to wherever you desire in the room.
Most shoppers on The Good Guys website recommend this fan. One customer heartily recommended the fan, saying, “Works very well and provides cooling in a hot spot in the kitchen. Easy to move around where required.”
BEST QUIET FAN
Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan, $699 (down from $799) at The Good Guys
Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan
What You Need To Know
Portable and quiet – in fact, up to 60 per cent less noisier than its previous model – Dyson's Pure Cool Tower Fan is a great option for for families with small children due to the lack of any rotating blades. The machine also automatically switches off if tipped over and comes with a remote control so you can adjust settings from afar, along with a sleep timer and adjustable rotation settings.
It has a 4.5 out of five star rating from reviewers, with one commenting: “Wanted an upgrade from the cheap blade fan I had to something that could actually battle the summer heat. This works a treat while covering a large area. The 10 settings are also super helpful.”
BEST BUDGET PORTABLE FANS
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, $41.99 (down from $44.79) at Amazon Australia
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan
What You Need To Know
Get instant cooling relief with this affordable neck fan. Designed to sit on your neck, like a pair of headphones when not in use, this fan has 78 air outlets and can last up to 16 hours depending on the chosen speeds.
Plus, it is super lightweight and made with specific quiet technology so as not to interfere with your day to day life.
It currently has over 34,000 five-star ratings on Amazon with shoppers calling them a “lifesaver” in the warmer weather.
Others are super impressed with how quiet it is. “I was sceptical when buying the unit, but I am very impressed with its performance. The build quality is impressive. it really is astonishingly quiet on its lowest setting but still effective,” wrote one five-star review.
Another said, “I love this product as it’s a real game changer for me. It’s lightweight and comfortable and when I’m out cleaning houses in hot weather, it makes me feel so much better.”
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A FAN
Buying a cooling fan is an economical option for your home, here's what to consider before hitting purchase on one.
Type: Are you after an easy, portable desk fan? Floor fan? Pedestal fan? Tower fan? or maybe an Air Circulator?
Size: To ensure you get effective use out of your fan, you should choose one that is a suitable size for whichever room or space you plan on using it - it's recommended that you get a small fan for a small room and a big powerful fan for larger spaces, rather than vice versa.
Fan speed: To get more control over the temperature of your room or space, you should look for a fan that is versatile in terms of fan speed settings - one that has more than three speeds would be incredibly helpful as you can easily adjust the power to your liking.
Features: Some great and helpful features that you may want to consider include oscillation, multiple fan speeds, protective cage/mesh for safety, remote control, head tilt, automatic switch-off, bladeless and a timer.
Noise: Check product descriptions for the decibel (dB) level so that you get an idea of how loud the fan will be when running.
Budget: If you're not looking to spend a lot on a fan, portable fans and floor fans are generally more affordable than a tower fan or pedestal fan.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the perfect cooling fan for the summer, our team of experienced writers spent hours researching products to include in this article. We found out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FANS AND PORTABLE AIR-CONDITIONERS?
Fans are designed to circulate air – usually with blades – thereby artificially creating cooling winds. Portable air conditioners ingest warm air, replacing it with cool air at the end of a refrigeration cycle.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FANS OVER PORTABLE AIR-CONDITIONERS?
Considering the soaring temperatures that summer can usher in, it’s no wonder that many an Australian household has invested in air conditioning. However, there are several benefits to the electric fan over the portable air conditioner: electric fans are generally more energy efficient, thereby having a smaller environmental imprint and being better for your wallet; fans are more compact, saving you precious floor real estate and are more easily stored; and lastly, in some cases, fans have the ability to add to home decor, while air conditioners are often bulkier.
*Products have been provided by Shark for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
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