When browsing for the best tower fans to cool a room there are an overwhelming amount of models to choose from. The good news is a few stand out and offer a bit more for the money. You’ll love using them, too!
Don’t waste time searching! Below you’ll find 5 of the best tower fans you can buy plus a helpful buying guide section.
Contents
Tower fan basics to know
How do tower fans work?
In contrast to a traditional box and other blade fan design, tower fans have a unique and tall vertical shape. A cylindrical fan assembly rotates and blows air horizontally. While traditional fans work well in most cases, tower fans can distribute air more evenly and in some cases with less noise, too.
Tower fans are a unique design in that they’re cylindrical. That is, they have a tall and essentially round design much like a cylinder you may recall from your old geometry classes.
They’re while traditional fans like ceiling fans, box fans, and tabletop fans are very popular, tower fans offer some benefits that others cannot.
Tower fans work by using a tall vertical fan assembly driven by a motor to blow air horizontally. Unlike traditional designs, they don’t use standard fan blades to cut through the air and create air pressure to cool your room.
Their blades are more of a curved design which looks like a circular pattern when viewed from a top-down perspective.
Tower fans vs box fans and ceiling fans
While both can keep you cool, tower fans are actually easier to use than traditional products and offer several benefits over them:
- A smaller base means they’re easier to find room for
- Many models have a more quiet operation than traditional designs
- Easily portable
- Can be placed near you for better cooling
- Many offer features like timers or remote control operation
Think of tower fans as more advanced fans that allow more benefits and features than the average fan does. Ultimately the biggest advantage of buying a tower fan is that they can cool a room better than other fans due to their better air coverage.
How do tower fans cool a room?
Tower fans use forced convection to remove heat from objects in a room, including you. Convection the scientific term for the movement of fluids (including gases like air) that transfer heat…including removing it, thereby cooling you.
As I mentioned earlier, tower fans work using a cylindrical and vertical blower design. The result is a vertical stream of air blowing throughout a room that passes by objects including you.
Basically, a fan moves air rapidly across your body and removes heat, causing you to feel cooler. They don’t actually cool the air within a room itself so that’s a bit of an inaccurate expression although it’s the common way of describing the cooling effect you sense.
Fans cool you off using the principle of forced convection. That is, fans force air across people or objects and transfer heat away from them using the principle of convection. Convection is simply using liquids (including gases like air) to transfer heat.
For example, your computer’s CPU relies on a cooling fan that removes heat by drawing cooler air over it. This process draws cooler air over it and pushes out heat it drew away from the processor.
With enough fan speed and when using a well-designed product, tower fans circulate air in the room and help keep air moving for more comfort.
How tower fans help save money
Using a tower fan has another great benefit – they’re much more energy-efficient than using an air conditioner unit.
Most air conditioners use quite a bit of energy as they must power not only an electric fan but also an energy-hogging compressor used to circulate refrigerant and cool the air. Tower fans, however, can operate up to a whopping 60% more efficiently!
You can also combine the two for energy and money savings: by using a tower fan in a room where an air conditioner is already in use, you can turn up the air conditioner, reducing it usage. The fan will help distribute cool air in the room and will also aid in cooling by itself.
In other words, adding a tower fan can boost an air conditioner’s effectiveness while reducing power costs.
Features to look for when shopping
Many models offer some excellent features like a handy remote control. You won’t even have to get out of bed or leave your chair to change settings! For the money, tower fans offer some of the best features of any air product if you shop wisely.
Many products are available, but it’s wise to know a bit more about what to expect before shopping (and definitely check out my recommended product list!).
Some of the top features I’ve found are:
- Remote control operation
- Different colors & styling to better suit your room or home
- Carrying handle
- Auto-off timer
- Electronic controls
- Low-noise operation
- Oscillation for enhanced room cooling
- Air cleaning features
Additionally, you’ll want to be sure to buy those with good buyer feedback, as in my experience poorly designed air products are noisier and won’t come close to better-designed products. It’s simply not worth it to save just a few dollars, in my opinion.
Some of the best brands offer very quiet operation and are great for those who want to use the fan when sleeping.
Air cleaning features are generally those like an ionizer that uses electrical components to charge and trap some airborne particles in the air passing through it. Note, however, that they’re not a substitute for a good air purifier.
An auto-off timer is a feature that allows the device to turn itself after a pre-determined amount of time you choose. An oscillation feature means the fan will turn side to side slowly, blowing air through a very wide area in the room.
★ 5 of the best tower fans to cool a room ★
Our top picks at a glance
Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
★ OUR #1 PICK! ★Lasko Wind Curve |
| Check on Amazon | |
Honeywell Quietset 8 Speed |
| Check on Amazon | |
Compact sizeLasko Air Stick Tabletop |
| Check on Amazon | |
Holmes 32" Tower Fan |
| Check on Amazon | |
Pelonis 36" 3 Speed |
| Check on Amazon |
Product reviews and details
1. Lasko Wind Curve – Affordable and stylish cooling performance. A winner!
I’m not at all surprised it’s one of the top-selling tower fans of all time. The Lasko Wind Curve with fresh air ionizer has nearly anything you could ask for in a fan and looks great, too!
The company produces a range of some of the best-selling air products on the market.
Measuring a tall 42.5″ (108 cm) it’s available in three beautiful color & style options:
- Black with wood grain inset
- Matte silver and gray
- Gray with wood grain inset
It features great airflow performance when placed about 4 feet (1.2 m) from nearby walls and furniture. Use the optional oscillation feature to get great cooling coverage as it widely moves to fill the room with comforting air.
The Wind Curve features an easy-to-use control panel and LED indicator lights for operational modes and timer status. Controls are both simple and reliable. Just touch the fan button to change speeds or use the timer to set it and walk away. Don’t forget the oscillation button for great room cooling!
You’ll also get a quiet operation that’s suitable for sleep time if used in your bedroom or nursery. 3 speeds are selectable using the simple electronic push button controls.
Want to set it and forget it? No problem! It even includes an auto-off timer you can use to select 1/2, 1, 2, or 4 hours of operation.
The optional ionizer feature helps reduce airborne contaminants in the room within circulating air.
The included remote control makes operation super easy and it stores conveniently on the back of the fan. Very nice!
- Great color and style options
- Good performance and airflow
- Quiet 3-speed operation
- Remote control (includes batteries)
- Remote stores on rear of unit
- Oscillation feature
- Good cooling performance
- Reliable
- Extremely popular and great buyer reviews
- 1 year warranty
- Could use more fan speed options
- Air ionizer feature can’t replace an air purifier
- May be a bit too tall for some buyers (need 42″ inches)
- Needs about 4 feet of space from walls/furniture for optimal use
While I wish a few features were better (more selectable fan speeds and more timer settings would be nice) overall it’s a fantastic choice. I recommend it to anyone wanting a reliable and affordable tower fan that can cool a room well.
It gets our Editor’s Choice award is one of the best all-around values. Having the convenience of a wonderful remote control is icing on the cake on an otherwise already excellent fan.
Take my advice and find out why it's a super popular choice with thousands of buyers at Amazon.
2. Honeywell QuietSet whole room tower fan – Advanced features and quiet cooling power you can afford
I’m no stranger to Honeywell’s wonderful line of air cleaning products as I’ve reviewed many of their products. In testing, I found them to be some of the best. Likewise, the No products found. doesn’t disappoint, either!
In it I’ve found many of the same great features that stand out from competitors and that you’ll absolutely love. The fan stands a tall 40″ (101.6 cm) in height and looks great in any room or office.
A simple-to-use remote control is included for amazing convenience. You no longer have to walk across the room to touch the fan! Just click and you’re done. It stores conveniently in the rear when not in use.
A handy remote control is included as well. Although it doesn’t allow more advanced operation like a Lasko Wind Curve model, it’s a great way to use the fan hassle-free. No need to get up!
You can turn it on, off, switch oscillation on/off, or change fan speeds from across the room.
Controls are some of the best I’ve seen any product – especially a fan. Check out the image below. A sharp-looking and advanced display shows the selected fan speed/sound level. A dimming feature provides not one but 5 night-time lighting selections.
Additionally, the 1-8 hour selectable automatic shut-off timer option lets the fan run unattended and then turn off later when you’re asleep or at work.
Easy-touch controls add a real touch of class to a surprisingly affordable fan – well below the cost of many competing products.
Need to move it around the room for better cooling? It’s a snap as there’s a built-in carrying handle on the rear, too.
The QuietSet tower fan works great at night when you’re resting comfortably. Thanks to the multi-level dimmer option and extremely low operational noise, you will be assured of cool and peaceful sleep at night. It’s time to consider getting a fan that will really help you sleep better!
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value anywhere that works so well to cool a room with minimal noise levels.
While it could use more controls on the included remote, it’s one of the best tower fans I’ve come across anywhere and I’m sure you’ll love it. If you’re concerned about assembly, don’t be.
There are only a few pieces to assemble and directions are clear and easy to follow.
- Available in black and white colors
- Touch button controls
- Sound/speed level display
- Dimmer control with 5 levels (inc. off)
- Very quiet operation
- Oscillation feature
- 1-8 hour auto-off timer
- Remote control w/ storage on rear
- Good cooling ability and airflow
- Great for bedrooms and night time
- 8 fan speed levels
- Simple assembly
- Great buyer reviews
- Remote control is limited to 3 functions
- No half-hour choice on timer (1, 2, 4, 8 only)
- No wood grain trim like Lasko Wind Curve offers
All in all, the Honeywell QuietSet is one of the best tower fans you’ll find anywhere for below $75. I’m impressed with how well it works and how quiet it sounds.
Don’t put up with an uncomfortable room any longer! Head over to No products found.
3. Lasko Air Stik Ultra Slim Tabletop – A lower-priced tabletop tower fan that’s simple and works well.
On a tighter budget and limited on space but still want to feel cooler and more comfortable? The great news is that I’ve got the perfect fan just for you. The Lasko Air Stik Ultra Slim may be exactly what you need.
As the Lasko brand name is responsible for many of today’s best-selling fan products, you’ll find it just as well-made and reliable. Measuring 14″ (35.6 cm) in height, it’s a great choice for places where space is limited.
Being priced well below $50, you might think it’s short on quality…but it isn’t at all.
The Air Stick Ultra Slim tabletop fan is available in 3 great colors:
- Black
- Silver
- White
It’s a great match for any home or office.
The Air Stick features backlit electronic controls which means it’s easy to use during the day or night. Select from 2 quiet and refreshing fan speeds perfect for any cubicle, office, or small room. Keep it right on your desk if you like!
Use it nearly anywhere! It’s right at home in your bedroom, dorm room, cubicle, or even right on your desk! Simplicity and compact size make it a great buy.
The sleek and compact design makes it blend in well in nearly any environment.
And guess what…there’s an oscillation feature built-in as well, just like larger and more expensive models. Providing a nice 60 degrees or so of fan coverage, it efficiently distributes the cooling airflow much more effectively than fixed fans can.
A patented “blue safety plug” includes internal fusing in case of an electrical overload and will shut off electricity to prevent unsafe conditions.
It’s not perfect (there’s no auto-off timer or remote control available for example) but one of the best buys in its class.
- Low price
- Easy to use – simple controls
- Backlit buttons
- Electronic controls
- 2 fan speeds
- Quiet operation
- Well-made and good quality
- 3 colors available
- Compact size (14″ tall)
- Oscillation feature
- Fused safety plug
- Good buyer reviews
- No remote available
- No auto-off timer
- Not as quiet as more expensive models
- No ionizer/air cleaning feature
When it comes to small fans you can use nearly anywhere, there are lots of choices. However, the Lasko Air Stik is simply a better performer and better built than many out there.
I recommend you check it out. Find out today why it has thousands of happy owners and see the current low price at Amazon.
4. Holmes 32″ oscillating tower fan – Great quality, simple operation, and remote control operation for a good price.
Are you familiar with Holmes home air products? If not, you’re definitely missing out. I’ve tested several Holmes products and so far I’ve been happy with them. They’re well-known for producing a number of great air quality products that help keep your costs down.
This great-looking, affordable HT38R-U tower fan is no different and is definitely one of the best choices you’ll find under $65 or so.It’s a great compromise between price, features, and performance. Not only that, but it’s one of the easiest-to-use tower fans I’ve seen anywhere. Standing at about 32″ (82.3 cm) it’s honestly one of the best-looking fans I’ve tested yet.
The base measures 11″ (23 cm) wide and adds a stable, supportive way to keep it upright when in use.
The Holmes HT38R-U features a simple control panel with clearly marked buttons. Simply push a button to rotate through the 3 available fan speeds, the oscillation feature, auto-off timer, and power. Illuminated indicators show the current mode at a glance, too. It’s a great-looking design I’m very fond of. Very sharp-looking!
Even better, you’ll get some of the same great features found on more expensive models from some competitors. The auto-off timer allows you to simply push the timer setting button and start an hourly countdown for auto shutoff while you’re sleeping or away.
Choose from 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours of delay time before the fan turns off by itself.
The oscillation feature provides nearly 180 degrees of wide room cooling. Turn it on and the unit will slowly (and quietly) move side to side, providing quiet and gentle air that cools your room immediately.
While it’s a very affordable model, the Holmes HT38R-U also includes an extremely convenient remote control. With it you can use nearly all the major functions including fan speed, oscillation, and power controls.
You’ll also get a great little remote control to operate your fan from the comfort of your favorite chair or while in bed – no need to have to get up at night to change settings!
A nice little carry handle is built into the body as well for making placement a breeze.
- 3-speed fan operation
- Black and white colors available
- Electronic button controls
- Mode indicator lights
- Oscillation feature
- Remote control included
- Remote operates most functions
- Quiet operation
- Reliable
- Good price
- Carry handle
- Simple operation
- Good buyer reviews
- 8 hour (max) auto shutoff timer
- Limited to 1, 2, 4, and 8 hour shutoff settings
- More fan speeds would be better (like the Lasko Wind Curve)
- No ionizer/air cleaning feature
- No dimmer functionality
You don’t have to break your budget to get good air cooling and features. The Holmes HT38R-U is a wonderful choice for cooling a room on a budget while still getting some of the best features.
Buyer reviews back up my own opinions – it’s one of the best sellers out there and with thousands of happy owners, you can’t go wrong.
Don’t sit in a hot room any longer! Head over to Amazon to find out why it's one of the best on the market today.
5. Pelonis 36″ FZ10-17JR – An elegant and easy to use way to cool your room for below $75.
As many may not have heard of the company, No products found. is a hidden gem among tower fans. It’s also backed by many great buyer reviews and has received a best-seller status, too.
The Pelonis has a very sleek and classy-looking satin black design. It’s really a very attractive looking unit. Front-facing indicators show the current operation and dim automatically after 30 seconds to avoid distracting you at night.
3 speeds/modes of operation are available to meet your needs:
- Normal
- Natural
- Sleep (minimal noise mode)
The Pelonis tower fan includes a simple – but handy – remote that allows you to control most functions from across the room.
The included remote control (sorry – battery not included!) is a basic but easy-to-use way to run most functions at your leisure without having to walk across the room. Perfect for nighttime or when you’re relaxing!
The electronic push button controls are very user-friendly and some of the best I’ve seen. They also have a very pleasant “feel” to them – they don’t feel cheap or poorly made like others I’ve tried.
The fan also has an optional oscillation function for 60 degrees of cooling coverage. Combined with the 36″ (91 cm) of height, you’ll get great room cooling that won’t disturb you.
The fan operation is very quiet (one of the more pleasant ones I’ve tested) and works well.
Additionally, a 7 hour programmable timer allows you to set the fan and have it turn off automatically when you like. A great feature to have at bedtime or when you’ll be busy doing other tasks.
Assembly is one of the easiest I’ve found – no screws needed! You’ll be up and running, enjoying a cooler room in only minutes.
- User-friendly controls
- 3-speed fan settings / modes
- Auto-dimming indicator lights
- Sleep (quiet) mode
- Low-noise operation
- Good cooling ability
- Remote control included
- Auto-off timer
- Oscillation feature
- Carrying handle
- Good buyer reviews
- Great looking appearance
- Easy assembly (no screws)
- Remote works well but not as nice as others
- Auto timer is limited to 7 hours max
- Remote battery not included
- Documentation could be better
- Lacks other fan speeds
- No digital level like Honeywell QuietSet fan
While I have a few minor complaints (no battery for the remote, limited fan speeds, and no digital level readout) it’s still a great one, and I really like it. For the money, it’s a good value.
For an affordable, easy-to-use tower fan that looks great and cools a room very well, the Pelonis FZ10-17JR really is a nice buy.
Have a look at No products found.
Summary – The best tower fan to cool a room
The Lasko Wind Curve is one of the best tower fans you can buy. It’s so good I awarded it the Editor’s Choice Smart Buy label.
Hands down, I’d recommend the Lasko Wind Curve for nearly any room-cooling needs in which you want a quality, value-priced, and feature-filled tower fan. It’s also a great-looking unit and I love the 3 color choices available. At well below $100, I think it’s within the budget of most buyers.
The Lasko name is one I see nearly everywhere I go, and it’s no coincidence that this one is one of the best-selling tower fans of all time and one of the best I’ve ever tested.
After comparing and testing many models, I’m confident in saying you’ll love it. It’s also great for light sleepers like me thanks to its quiet operation.
Feel free to head over pick one up for yourself today at Amazon today. You’ll be glad you did!
Dear Editor,
Thanks for the reviews.
You missed several “No products found” phrases in your article in place of the brand name.
Makes it hard to take you seriously.
Cheers