A bedroom fan is a must-have for hot sleepers and anyone living in a warm climate. Fans recirculate air and help regulate the temperature in the room, encouraging a relaxing and sound night’s sleep. They’re also helpful for some light sleepers because, depending on the model, they can provide just the right level of white noise to block out disruptive sounds and lull you to sleep. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best bedroom fan for your home.
- BEST OVERALL: Vornado 630 Mid-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Honeywell HT-908 TurboForce Room Air Circulator Fan
- UPGRADE PICK: Dyson Air Multiplier AM06 Table Fan
- BEST QUIET: Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan
- BEST PURIFYING: Blueair Pure Purifying Fan
- BEST TOWER: Lasko 2511 36″ Tower Fan with Remote Control
- BEST WINDOW: Genesis Twin Window Fan with 9 Inch Blades
- BEST CEILING: Westinghouse Lighting Comet Indoor Ceiling Fan
- BEST FLOOR: Lasko 20″ High Velocity Quick Mount
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Bedroom Fan
While it’s easy to assume that all fans perform similarly, a number of factors affect their functionality. A bedroom fan should easily fit in the available space and match the room’s aesthetic. It should be able to operate at low volumes while being powerful enough to provide a noticeable cooling effect. Keep reading to learn about some of the most important qualities to consider when shopping for the best bedroom fan.
Type
When shopping for a bedroom fan, there are several styles to consider.
- Ceiling fans are powerful and work well for cooling large bedrooms. They do require installation, which varies in difficulty depending on the model, and must be placed a minimum of 8 feet from the floor, so they won’t work in rooms with low ceilings.
Tabletop bedroom fans are compact and sit on a nightstand or dresser. - Tower fans take up minimal floor space because of their tall, narrow design. They are generally designed to oscillate and use thin blades for quiet operation.
- Standing fans have large blades and are elevated using a pedestal-style stand. They typically oscillate and their air velocity capabilities depend largely on the model.
- Floor fans typically sit on the ground and have a square or round shape. The square versions are also known as box fans. They are powerful because of their large blades and can cool an entire bedroom.
- Window fans mount to a window frame and use air from outside to refresh the air in the bedroom. They can also typically be set to expel hot air from inside.
Noise
While some people appreciate the white noise of a fan to drown out outside noise and promote a more peaceful sleep, others want their fan to operate as silently as possible. If noise is a concern, look for models that list a decibel (dB) level in their product description. Fans with decibel levels lower than 45dB are unlikely to be disruptive for those who want their bedrooms to be quiet. As a point of comparison, a standard refrigerator operates at 40dB while conversation level is generally around 60dB.
Power
A fan’s power is measured by how much air it moves in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. CFM is affected by blade size, rotations per minute (RPM), and blade pitch. The higher the CFM, the more powerful a fan is. A standard bedroom with an area of between 200 and 300 square feet and 8-foot ceilings requires a fan with at least 400 CFM but ideally 670 CFM or higher in order to cool the entire room. Keep in mind, however, that it’s not necessary to have air circulate in the areas of the room that aren’t in use, so a fan with a CFM rating of between 200 and 300 is sufficient for most people to be comfortable.
Oscillation
While some types of fans only blow air in one direction, others—like tower fans and stand fans—are typically designed to oscillate. This means they rotate back and forth to increase the space that they’re able to cool. Most oscillating fans have a range of between 90 and 180 degrees, while others are able to rotate a full 360 degrees. No matter the style, the oscillating feature is usually optional, allowing the fan to simply be set to operate in a fixed position. Oscillating fans may be bothersome to some sleepers because of the inconsistent airflow they produce.
Remote Control
Most fans have at least three speed settings, and are generally designed with a simple user interface. A remote control is a handy feature in a bedroom fan because it allows the user to control the settings in the middle of the night without getting out of bed. While the most affordable fans don’t typically come with remote controls, some higher-end models do. Because these remotes are often on the small side, it’s ideal if they attach to the fan in some way so that they’re not easily lost.
Design & Style
Fans come in a wide variety of different materials and finishes depending on the style. Most people choose fans for their functionality rather than their aesthetic, but considering it’ll be on display in your bedroom, choosing a model that’s visually appealing is still important. While the most basic and affordable models certainly prioritize performance over appearance, there are many products out there that will stand out.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about fans, it’s time to start shopping. Our recommendations for the best bedroom fans consider style, power, aesthetic, noise levels, and additional features—and of course, manufacturer reputation and overall product quality.
Photo: amazon.com
Rather than operating like a standard fan, the Vornado circulates the air in a room while remaining in a fixed position. In fact, it’s able to move air up to 70 feet using the company’s unique vortex circulation style. That makes it perfect for anyone who is irritated by the inconsistency of oscillating fans. The settings are simple with just three speeds, and while it operates quietly at the lowest and middle setting, it does produce some white noise when operating at full power.
The head tilts so that the fan can be directed where needed. The brand makes a number of different tabletop fans, but this is the model they recommend for mid-sized spaces like bedrooms.
Photo: amazon.com
With a reasonable price, a rating of 230 CFM, and air flow that can be felt up to 32 feet away, this fan is both affordable and powerful. The head of the fan rotates up to 90 degrees, providing either direct personal cooling or broader air circulation. When the fan is pivoted to point towards the ceiling, it maximizes air circulation for the entire room. It has three speed settings and can be placed on a tabletop, on the floor, or can be mounted to save space. The convenient carrying handle makes it easy to move the fan around the room as needed.
Photo: amazon.com
Dyson is known for making some of the most coveted fans on the market due to their powerful performance and sleek, bladeless design. One of the reasons this particular model works well in bedrooms is its programmable sleep timer. It can be set to turn off after specific intervals, from 15 minutes up to nine hours. The 10 airflow settings can also be easily controlled from bed with the magnetized remote control.
Despite its strong airflow, it manages to operate quietly, producing 75 percent less noise than the brand’s older model, the AM01. The fan both pivots and oscillates, allowing airflow to be redirected as needed. Because there are no blades, the Dyson fan is easy to clean and is safe for young children and pets.
Photo: amazon.com
While the sound of a whirring fan may be comforting to some, others want temperature regulation and air circulation without the added noise. The Rowenta Turbo Silence Fan operates at just 35 decibels, while managing a CFM rating of up to 2,436, making it ultra powerful and ideal for large bedrooms. It’s a pedestal-style fan that has an adjustable height ranging from 42 to 54 inches. The height, along with the other settings, can be changed using the remote control, which has a built-in storage spot in the fan itself.
Photo: amazon.com
Indoor air quality is a concern for many, and this fan helps to improve the air quality in the bedroom by eliminating more than 99 percent of airborne dust and pollen particles. It’s a great choice for allergy sufferers and anyone with environmental sensitivities. The air flow it provides is gentle, so it may not be the ideal pick for anyone looking for a powerful breeze while they sleep.
Machine-washable filters come included and are available in a range of colors. The design of the device has a retro, mid-century feel and allows for a 90-degree coverage range without oscillation.
Photo: amazon.com
Despite a maximum CFM of 239, the Lasko Tower Fan operates quietly at different speeds, making it a smart pick for light sleepers or even for use in children’s rooms. It works well in small spaces because it takes up very little floor space, and oscillates smoothly to maximize coverage.
The built-in timer can be set to shut off the fan in one-hour increments for up to seven hours, making it a good choice for those who don’t want it to run throughout the night. The settings, including the timer, can be controlled using the included remote. It’s available in both black and white to best suit the aesthetic of the bedroom.
Photo: amazon.com
While bedroom fans generally use the available indoor air, window fans operate by pulling in air from outdoors in order to cool the space and provide proper circulation. Many models, like this one by Genesis, also offer reversible airflow so hot indoor air can be redirected outside. The two functions can even be used simultaneously. There are three fan speed settings and a built-in thermostat so the exact temperature is easy to track.
It uses dual fan heads, each with their own copper motor which is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. The expandable side panels ensure that the fan will fit into a variety of window sizes.
Photo: amazon.com
While in some places ceiling fans may be considered somewhat dated in terms of home decor, they’re one of the best tools for keeping a bedroom cool in a hot climate. At the highest speed, this Westinghouse model is rated at an impressive 3,589 CFM, making it suitable for large bedrooms of up to 400 square feet. It’s also equipped with a reverse function, which creates a gentle updraft in cooler temperatures to keep the room warm.
A 16-watt dimmable LED light kit is integrated into the design and doesn’t require a lightbulb. The aesthetic is simple and modern and it’s available in four colors: brushed pewter, matte black, white, and espresso.
Photo: amazon.com
Floor fans are often used in industrial spaces like workshops and garages because of their high air velocity. This model is a great choice for anyone who wants their fan to produce white noise while they sleep, because at the highest setting it can be a little bit noisy. Because the fan rotates vertically, it can be used to circulate air efficiently and ventilate a space.
If floor space is limited, the fan can also be mounted to the wall using the included mounting hardware. It has simple, manual controls and three speed settings, making for an easy user experience.
FAQs About Your New Bedroom Fan
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bedroom fans.
Q. What is the quietest fan for a bedroom?
The Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan is one of the quietest powerful fans on the market, operating at just 35 decibels.
Q. What is the best fan to keep your bedroom cool?
To keep your bedroom as cool as possible, look for a powerful fan with an air velocity rating of 670 CFM or higher. Typically, ceiling fans are more powerful than standing or table fans.
Q. Do I need to clean/maintain my bedroom fan?
Fans are notoriously tricky to clean, but because they accumulate lots of dust it’s important to clean them regularly. The cleaning method will depend on the type of fan you choose.
