Warm days can sneak up on you when you least expect it, and when it’s not quite hot enough to power up your window AC, a tower fan will be your best friend. The best tower fans have a narrow, tall design (hence, the name) that is more compact than pedestal or box fans, and they can be tucked into a corner of any room without taking up too much space. Plus, most tower fans also offer several speeds, as well as oscillation, allowing you to tailor the breeze to your liking.
In addition to different speeds and oscillation options, you may want to look for a tower fan that offers features such as a built-in timer, remote control, or even air purification. Similarly, these fans come in a variety of different sizes, ranging from height-adjustable options that stand close to 5 feet tall to compact models that sit on your counter. Just keep in mind that the fancier the fan, the higher the price.
With all that in mind, these are the best tower fans you can buy—any of which will be a welcome addition to your home when the temperature soars.
- Best Tower Fan Overall: Lasko Portable Oscillating Tower Fan
- Best Affordable Tower Fan: Holmes Oscillating Tower Fan
- Best Tower Fan With Air Purifier: Dyson Purifier Cool Purifying Fan
- Best High Power Tower Fan: Lasko Oscillating High Velocity Fan
- Quietest Tower Fan: Honeywell Home QuietSet Tower Fan
- Best Tower Fan For Sleeping: Dreo Tower Fan With Remote
- Best Tower Fan With Remote: Vornado Tower Fan
- Best Tower Fan With Dust Filter: Honeywell HYF048 Fresh Breeze Tower Fan
- Best Mini Tower Fan: Honeywell Quiet Set Personal Table Fan
- Best Tower Fan With Adjustable Height: Lasko Oscillating Adjustable Height Pedestal Tower Fan
Best Tower Fan Overall
A Remote-Controlled Fan With A Wide Range of Settings
The top-rated Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan strikes a perfect balance between function and value. Its three power settings, optional oscillation and programmable shut-off timer get the job done, and it’s affordable enough to buy a few for different rooms. It also features a handy nighttime mode, which automatically dims the control display so the light won’t disturb you while you sleep, and it has an easy-to-use remote that lets you adjust its settings from across the room.
Pros:
- Wide oscillation
- Nighttime mode
- Remote control
Cons:
- Top-heavy design tips over easily
Best Affordable Tower Fan
A No-Frills Model That’s Easy To Operate
For an inexpensive tower fan, one of the best full-size options is the 31-inch Holmes Oscillating Tower Fan. You won’t find many bells and whistles here—it’s a straightforward model with three speed settings and optional wide-angle oscillation. The unit has a top-mounted control panel with large buttons, and while it’s certainly not fancy, it will still help cool down your home on hot days.
Pros:
- Good value
- Simple controls
- Energy-saving design
Cons:
- Bulky design
- No remote
Best Tower Fan With Air Purifier
A Splurge-Worthy Modern Fan With A HEPA Filter
Not only does this tower fan have a sleek, modern appearance, but it also serves as both a fan and an air purifier. It’s equipped with a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size, as well as an activated carbon filter that removes gases and odors. Its powerful airflow is ideal for cooling the whole room, and it oscillates up to 350 degrees. The fan has a night mode that uses its quietest setting and dims the display, and you can control it via your smartphone or the included remote.
Pros:
- 350-degree oscillation
- Built-in HEPA and carbon filters
- Night mode
- Smart functionality
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
Best High Power Tower Fan
A Compact Fan With A High-Powered Motor
If you want to feel like you’re being blasted by gale-force breezes, the Lasko High Velocity Fan is tops in terms of sheer power. This 20-inch tower fan offers three speeds and oscillation, and it comes with a multi-function remote and auto shut-off timer. Don’t be fooled by its compact size, though: Many reviewers say this little fan is the most powerful they’ve ever used. Its refreshing breeze will be a lifesaver during the summer, especially if you don’t have air conditioning.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful
- Multi-function remote
- Handle for portability
Cons:
- Smaller than other models
Quietest Tower Fan
A Five-Speed Model With A Whisper-Quiet Low Setting
There’s no such thing as a completely silent tower fan—after all, they have motors—but one of the quietest options you’ll find today is the Honeywell Home QuietSet Tower Fan. It has five speeds and optional oscillation, and it comes with a convenient remote control that can be stored on the back on the unit. This is the tower fan I use at night, and I can confirm that on its lowest setting, it’s barely audible and won’t disturb your sleep—it’s truly an unbeatable option if you’re looking for a quiet tower fan for your bedroom.
Pros:
- Five fan speeds
- Easy to operate
- Two finishes available
Cons:
- Base is somewhat flimsy
Best Tower Fan For Sleeping
A Bladeless Tower Fan That Can Be Muted
One common complaint about tower fans is they often beep when you change their settings, which can be distruptive if your partner is trying to sleep. The Dreo Tower Fan solves this problem thanks to its mute setting, which turns off any beeping. It has a bladeless design that’s safer around kids and pets, and it offers six speeds, as well as normal, natural, and sleep modes. Its display screen automatically dims after you change the settings, and the fan oscillates up to 90 degrees.
Pros:
- Mute option
- Self-dimming display
- Six speeds
Cons:
- Limited oscillation
Best Tower Fan With Remote
A Compact, Powerful Fan You Can Control From Across The Room
Vornado sells a wide range of popular air circulators, and the brand also offers this top-rated model for the larger areas of your home. The 36-inch Vornado Tower Fan has four powerful speeds, as well as 80-degree oscillation to cool down a larger area. It comes with a remote control so you can adjust its settings from the couch, bed or next room—a handy feature when it’s too hot to move. Plus, there’s a 12-hour timer to help conserve energy, and it has a sleeker design than many of its competitors.
Pros:
- Attractive design
- High-velocity airflow
- Includes remote control
Cons:
- More expensive than similar models
Best Tower Fan With Dust Filter
A Height-Adjustable Unit With A Washable Filter
For those with allergies, the Honeywell Fresh Breeze Tower Fan has a built-in washable filter that helps remove dust and other allergens from the air. When you assemble the fan, you can choose from two configurations for a height of 32 or 40 inches, and it offers three fan speeds, as well as two breeze modes. The fan comes with a remote control with a built-in flashlight for nighttime use, and it even has a programmable thermostat that helps it maintain your preferred room temperature.
Pros:
- Washable dust filter
- Two height options
- Remote control with light
Cons:
- Somewhat noisy
Best Mini Tower Fan
A Compact Tabletop Model With Four Speeds
Full-size tower fans are typically at least 30 inches tall and stand on the floor, but you can also find “mini” tower fans that are designed to sit on tables (or counters and other raised surfaces). At a mere 13 inches tall, the Honeywell Quiet Set Personal Table Fan is ideal for use on a desk or other work spaces. It also has four speed settings, oscillation and an automatic shut-off timer, allowing you to adjust its performance to suit your needs. Whether you put it on your bedside table or in your office cubicle, it’s a wonderful space-saving solution for humid summer days.
Pros:
- Compact
- Four speeds
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not the most powerful
Best Tower Fan With Adjustable Height
A Highly Adjustable Model That Can Be Tilted
For large rooms, an adjustable tower fan like this model from Lasko is often the way to go. Not only is this fan larger than average, but it offers a variety of adjustment options that will help circulate air around big spaces more efficiently. The fan’s height can be adjusted anywhere from 41 to 52 inches, and it also has a tilt feature that lets you angle the airflow toward the ceiling. Like many others in the category, this tall tower fan offers three speeds, oscillation and an electronic timer, and it comes with a remote control for convenience.
Pros:
- Adjustable height
- Tilt feature
- Remote control
Cons:
- Top-heavy design can be wobbly
Frequently Asked Questions About Tower Fans
What Are The Different Kinds Of Fans?
There are several different styles of freestanding fans that you will likely encounter as you shop, and there are pros and cons to each style.
- Tower fans: Tower fans are tall and skinny, and they’re popular thanks to their small footprint, which doesn’t take up much space in a room. Most tower fans are also lightweight and easy to move, allowing you to transport them from room to room.
- Box fans: As their name implies, box fans are typically square in form, and their large blades move a lot of air throughout the room. However, they take up more space than tower or pedestal fans.
- Pedestal fans: Pedestal fans typically feature a circular fan mounted on a central pole. These fans are ideal if you want airflow directed higher within a room, and many offer adjustable height settings.
Are Tower Fans Better Than Box Or Pedestal Fans?
The best style of fan for your needs depends on where and how you want to use it. Of the three types, tower fans are generally the most compact and have the most features—including timers and remote controls.
Do Tower Fans Cool A Room?
Large tower fans are effective at cooling down a room, especially on higher settings. Most tower fans offer oscillation, as well, helping them to direct airflow to all corners of the space. However, they are only able to move air through your home—not lower the temperature—so they aren’t as effective as air conditioners.
Are Tower Fans Worth It?
Tower fans are a popular choice for staying cool on warm days. Their compact design and wide range of features make them convenient to use in any space, and most are relatively affordable (generally under $100), making them a worthwhile investment for your home.
