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Bladeless fans are becoming increasingly popular due to their streamlined design, powerful performance, and whisper-quiet operation. While all fans use blades and traditional fans usually have large visible blades, bladeless fans have small blades that are concealed inside their casing.
Some bladeless models have completely closed casings, making them easy to clean. Others like tower fans feature grills or screens that require cleaning with compressed air or a small cleaning brush.
Choosing a fan might seem like a simple decision, but there are actually a number of considerations to weigh. This guide shares some of the most important features to look for when shopping for a bladeless fan and offers a list of some of the top products on the market by category.
- BEST OVERALL: TaoTronics Tower Fan, Oscillating with Remote
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: ULTTY Bladeless and Air Purifier Tower Fan
- BEST TABLE FAN: CONBOLA Desk Fan, 11.8 Inch, Portable Rechargeable
- BEST UPGRADE TABLE FAN: Dyson Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan
- BEST WEARABLE FAN: JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, Hands Free Bladeless
- BEST WITH AIR PURIFIER: Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 Air Purifier
- BEST WITH HEATER: Dyson (61874-01) Hot + Cool Jet Focus AM09 Fan Heater
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Bladeless Fan
While it’s easy to assume that all fans perform similarly, a number of factors affect their functionality. Among the important considerations, there may be a desire for a fan that is powerful enough to significantly cool space while operating at a low volume. Keep reading to learn about some of the most important qualities to consider when shopping for the best bladeless fan.
Type
When shopping for a fan, there are several styles to consider. The fan style can help determine its size, power, and placement. Some of the most popular fan types include the following.
- Ceiling fans hang from the ceiling and provide powerful ventilation for large spaces. They must be installed a minimum of 7 feet from the floor, so they only work in rooms with high ceilings. The difficulty of installation varies depending on the model and whether it includes a light. There isn’t a large selection of bladeless ceiling fans on the market.
- Tabletop fans sit on a table, a desk, or a dresser and take up minimal space. They’re generally designed to be lightweight so they can be moved from room to room. They may or may not oscillate and can be bladed or bladeless.
- Tower fans sit on the floor and have a tall, slim design. Both traditional and bladeless tower fans typically oscillate and are designed to operate quietly.
- Pedestal fans, also known as standing fans, are elevated using a stand. Most pedestal fans are designed to oscillate and have visible blades.
- Handheld fans are small, portable, and inexpensive, so they are usually a good choice for travel. There aren’t many bladeless handheld fans available, and the options on the market tend to be pricier than their bladed counterparts.
- Wearable fans look like headphones and hang around the user’s neck. They provide hands-free cooling and can be either bladed or bladeless.
Size and Shape
Fan sizes vary largely depending on the type, with tower and pedestal floor fans ranging from approximately 25 to 40 inches in height. They generally have a tall, narrow design and don’t take up much floor space. Tabletop fans are shorter, with heights ranging from 10 to 25 inches.
Bladeless fans also vary in shape, with some having spherical designs and others shaped like elongated ovals. The shape doesn’t necessarily impact performance and is more of an aesthetic preference. Where the fan will be placed and how it will be used helps determine the best size fan.
Power and Speed
One of the most important considerations when shopping for a fan is its power capacity, which shows how much air it moves in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Most fans feature multiple speed settings and may only list the maximum CFM at the highest setting.
Larger fans tend to have higher CFMs and usually need to be connected to an electrical outlet for power. Smaller battery-powered fans that include portable tabletop, handheld, and wearable models are usually less powerful and tend to have lower CFMs.
Figuring out the needed CFMs involves knowing the size of the space and the desired number of air exchanges, which is the number of times the air is replaced in a room. For two air exchanges per hour in a 200- to 300-square-foot room with 8-foot ceilings, a fan that operates at 80 CFM or higher will usually be sufficient.
The ideal CFM for space is based on a formula: cubic volume of the room multiplied by the number of desired air exchanges per hour divided by 60. There are free online calculators that can help.
Controls and Timers
While the most basic fans have a variety of speed settings, others have more advanced controls that can make them easier to use. Some of the popular features include a timer, a remote control, and compatibility with smart technology.
- A timer allows users to set the fan to power off after a certain amount of time, which can help save energy.
- A remote control is handy for controlling the fan from a distance. Fan remotes are usually small, and some can be magnetized or stored in a compartment on the fan.
- Some high-end models utilize smart technology, allowing users to adjust settings and operate the fan using their smartphones or tablets. Some have voice control and can be connected to smart-home assistants.
Portability
While some fan designs prioritize powerful operation, others are designed to be easily moved from room to room. Many high-end bladeless fans are constructed with portability in mind and still retain their high-power capacities. They’re lightweight and may include handles that make them easier to carry.
Handheld and wearable fans are designed to be small, lightweight, and portable, so they’re a popular choice for traveling and using on the go. They’re useful for commuting, cycling, walking, hiking, gardening, and wearing indoors on hot days.
Additional Features
Some fans are equipped with additional features that are designed for aesthetics, while other fans may have features that help make them easier to use in different situations.
- Oscillating fans move from side to side in order to cool a larger area.
- An LED display makes it easier to see the user interface in low light conditions.
- Fans that offer height adjustments let users control exactly where the air is blowing.
- Grill-less fans are easier to clean and may have a sleek modern look.
- Auto modes detect the ambient temperature in the room and automatically power the fan on when the temperature reaches a set point.
Advanced Functions
A number of bladeless fans on the market today have advanced functionality, allowing them to double as air purifiers and heaters. While these models are generally more expensive, there are still some affordable options available.
When looking for a fan that also functions as an air purifier, consider one that’s certified by a reputable organization and includes a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These filters are guaranteed to filter out a specific amount of particles and need to be changed every 3 to 6 months.
There also are some fans that double as heaters. These can work year-round, providing a cooling effect in warm weather and acting as a space heater on cold days.
Noise Level
One of the major advantages of bladeless fans over fans with large blades is that they operate quietly. Even the highest quality fans emit some level of noise due to air velocity. Generally speaking, fans are quieter on their lowest settings than they are when operating at their maximum capacity.
Noise levels for fans are measured in decibels (dB). If quiet operation is a top priority, look for a model with a decibel level of 45 or lower, which is a similar amount of noise as an average fridge.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about bladeless fans, it’s time to start shopping. The recommendations for the best bladeless fans consider type, power, portability, noise level, and additional features. The following are top picks for some of the best bladeless fans in a range of different categories.
Best Overall
TaoTronics Tower Fan, Oscillating with Remote
TaoTronics’ bladeless tower fan oscillates 65 degrees, operates quietly at 44 decibels, and has three speeds as well as three wind modes: normal, natural, and sleep. The optional auto mode function is an eco-friendly choice that powers the fan on when the ambient temperature in the room reaches 79 degrees and shuts off when it has lowered to less than 75 degrees.
A 12-hour timer prompts the fan to turn off automatically after a set amount of time. The large LED display turns off automatically when not in use, and the fan can be controlled with a remote. The narrow fencing ensures that little ones can’t stick their fingers between the grills.
Clean the interior of the fan by removing the back cover. Clean the exterior with a dry or slightly damp cloth. A flexible cleaning wand or compressed air can be used to clean between the grills. The built-in handle lets users easily carry the fan from room to room. The fan is 35 inches tall by 12 inches wide and weighs 6.3 pounds.
Best Bang For The Buck
ULTTY Bladeless and Air Purifier Tower Fan
This affordable model from ULTTY acts as both a bladeless fan and an air purifier, changing air five times per hour in rooms with areas of 320 square feet or less. It’s certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and meets high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) H13 standard at speeds one through three.
The HEPA filter captures 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dander, pollen, dust mites, and other allergens. It should be replaced every 3 to 6 months for best results. The sleep mode ensures quiet operation at just 32 decibels. The fan oscillates 90 degrees and the mode and speed settings are controlled using the LED touch screen and remote.
With a size of 23.5 by 10 by 10 inches and weighing 8.5 pounds, this fan is small and portable. Choose from a black or white casing to best match the room’s decor style.
Best Table Fan
CONBOLA Desk Fan, 11.8 Inch, Portable Rechargeable
CONBOLA’s bladeless table fan is powered by a 2,500-milliamp-hour (mAh) battery that lasts for between 3 and 6 hours on a full charge. This makes it fully portable, and it can be used in areas without access to an electrical outlet. Use the touch controls to choose from three wind speeds: soft, medium, and strong. It operates at noise levels between 30 and 50 decibels, depending on the setting.
The colorful LED lights create a fun ambiance, and it works as a nightlight, too. It’s available in white and a retro mint-green design and has a nonslip silicone base to ensure it stays in place. It’s incredibly lightweight at just 1.26 pounds and is 11.8 by 4.8 by 3.8 inches.
Best Upgrade Table Fan
Dyson Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan
Dyson’s Air Multipliers have revolutionized the fan industry with their sleek modern designs and impressive performance. The AM06 is a 10-inch table fan that is completely grill-less, making it safe for kids and pets as well as being easy to clean. It’s 75 percent quieter than the original Dyson Air Multipliers while operating at 783 CFM.
The 10 airflow settings, the sleep timer, the on/off switch, and the oscillation are all controlled using a remote, so there is a minimalistic interface. The remote is curved and magnetized in order to store neatly on the machine. The total dimensions are 5.8 by 12 by 19.7 inches, and it weighs 3.9 pounds.
Best Wearable Fan
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan, Hands Free Bladeless
JISULIFE’s wearable bladeless neck fan provides even, consistent cooling while on the go with 78 ventilation holes and three-speed settings. It’s useful for walking, cycling, hiking, commuting, or even wearing around the house on hot days.
The fan uses a large-capacity 4,000 mAh battery, which provides between 4 and 16 hours of operating time depending on the speed used, and it reaches a full charge in 3 to 5 hours. Choose from four colors: dark blue, dark green, gray, and pink. The fan is lightweight at 9.1 ounces, is 8.39 by 8.35 by 2.56 inches in size, and at the lowest setting is ultraquiet at just 25 decibels.
Best With Air Purifier
Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link HP02 Air Purifier
The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool serves three major functions: fan, heater, and air purifier. It uses a HEPA filter that removes 99.97 percent of allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, eliminating mold, dust, and pet dander from the air. A secondary carbon filter captures household odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in paint fumes.
In both heating and cooling modes, jet focus control lets users select Personal Mode for a powerful stream of focused air or Diffused Mode for a wide projection. With the Dyson Link app, users can see real-time air quality reports, and the device can be remotely controlled from a smartphone. It weighs 8.62 pounds and is 8.7 by 6 by 24.88 inches.
Best With Heater
Dyson (61874-01) Hot + Cool Jet Focus AM09 Fan Heater
For year-round temperature control, consider Dyson’s AM09 model, which provides both heating and cooling depending on the season. When in cooling mode, it operates at 394 CFM. In heater mode, the smart thermostat monitors the room’s ambient temperature and maintains the target temperature.
Whether heating or cooling, choose from Personal Mode or Diffused Mode to control whether airflow is focused or widely dispersed. There are no exposed heating elements, so it’s safe to use, and the blades are completely contained for easy cleaning. Additional functions include a sleep timer and oscillation control. It is 8.03 by 6.02 by 23.4 inches and weighs 5.91 pounds.
FAQs About Your New Bladeless Fan
Now that you know more about bladeless fans, you might still have questions about how these fans work and how they are used. The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bladeless fans to help you get the most out of your purchase.
Q. How does a bladeless fan work?
The term “bladeless” is a slight misnomer because all fans have blades, but they may be small and concealed in the fan’s base or body. A compressor pulls air in and then pushes it out at high velocity through small holes or slits.
Q. Where should a bladeless fan be placed for best results?
Place a fan in a safe spot where it won’t be easily knocked over, and where there’s no risk of anyone tripping over the cord. Place it near an open window to bring in cool air from outside.
Q. Is it safe to sleep with a fan turned on all night?
While it is safe to sleep with a fan on all night, it can cause congestion, dryness, and exacerbate allergy symptoms. If this occurs, consider a combination fan and air purifier, which should help remedy the issue.