6 Best Window Fans To Cost-Effectively Cool And Freshen Your Space

Dimensions: 26 x 7.2 x 5.8 inches | Weight: 8.8 pounds | Speeds: Four | Noise level: 32 to 45 dBA | Special features: Remote control, reversible, built-in thermostat

Pros:

• Quiet operation
• Sleek and weather-resistant design
• 4 speed settings
• Remote included

Cons:

• Thermostat isn’t always accurate

For its sleek look and savvy features, the Vornado Transom stands out from the competition. Designed to fit horizontal windows between 26 and 40 inches wide, the 7-inch tall device is relatively petite for a window fan—its slender design won’t be a total eyesore in your room. Weighing in just under 9 pounds, it’s also relatively lightweight, making it a breeze to lift and move. To ensure the best possible fit, the fan relies on weather-resistant foam blocks that add to its overall ease of installation. But the best part? You can easily switch the fan’s airflow from intake to exhaust with the press of a button.

To operate the device, use the LCD control panel or the included remote control to adjust the speed, temperature and airflow direction. Reviewers swear by the fan’s quiet operation—which makes it a solid option for bedrooms—while its 8-foot power cord provides additional convenience.

What the reviews say: One reviewer says the Vornado Transom is “much quieter than any other window fan I’ve tried.” They add, “The temperature selection works well. I set it up for 70 degrees, and it effectively turned on and off as necessary to bring in the cooler outside air. … This fan also gives you great privacy because you can’t see through it whether it’s on or off.”

Dimensions: 24 x 12.8 x 4 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | Speeds: 3 | Noise level: Approx. 60 dBA | Special features: Remote control, reversible, built-in programmable thermostat

Pros:

• Incrementally programmable thermostat
• Easy-to-read LED screen
• Good value for its usability and effectiveness
• Two fans can function independently

Cons:

• Construction makes it difficult to clean

For its cost, the Jardin Bionaire Window Fan’s adjustability makes it a great value. For starters, its two distinct fans can be set to function independently as either an exhaust or a fan; this is especially helpful, users say, to clear smoke and heat from your space if you’re cooking without an exhaust hood. But the Bionaire’s biggest standout feature is the built-in digital thermostat, which you can adjust—using a convenient remote control—by degree between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The device then cools your space to the exact desired temperature by cruising between three fan speeds (or even shutting itself off) as needed.

The design of the Bionaire itself is versatile, too: It’s designed to fit windows between 24 and 37 inches wide and can be installed vertically, as well as horizontally. The one recurring quibble to keep in mind is cleaning this fan—it can be difficult to do so because the back panel can’t be removed (and doesn’t come with a washable filter). Using a vacuum with an attachment should help.

What the reviews say: One reviewer says this fan keeps their room dry and fresh on hot days. They report, “I was very surprised by how much this fan reduces humidity. On humid summer mornings, I wake up fresh and comfortable in my room, but the moment I step out into the hallway, I can feel the difference in the air.”

Dimensions: 26.5 x 22 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 13.9 pounds | Speeds: 3 | Noise level: Not listed | Special features: Storm guard feature, reversible

Pros:

• Easy-to-use control knob
• Powerful cooling for large spaces
• Excels at clearing rooms of smoke
• Storm guard feature prevents rain from getting in

Cons:

• Can get quite loud on the highest setting

For those who need something that can tackle spacious rooms, your best bet is this 16-inch reversible fan from Lasko. Featuring large blades, a reversible motor, and three speeds each for both its intake and exhaust settings, this mighty model is powerful enough to cool the largest of spaces. Unlike two-fan models, users say that the Lasko works best when placed at one end of a large room on the exhaust setting to pull out the warm air; meanwhile, leave a window open at the opposite end so the fan can draw a fresh breeze into the same space.

This model is also great for those who face a lot of inclement weather in the summer; it’s outfitted with rust-resistant grills and a storm guard feature, allowing you to close the window behind the fan during rainy days or storms. Thanks to expandable side panels, the fan can also fit windows between 26.5 and 34.5 inches wide.

What the reviews say: A reviewer who uses the Lasko 16-Inch fan in their 3,000-square-foot house in Arizona says it is powerful enough to cool the space. They share, “We use this window fan … before we reach the season where we need to run the whole-house AC. We place this in an upstairs window and have it run in reverse, where it pulls air from the house. Then we open other windows and it pulls all the cooler outside air into the house.”

Dimensions: 26 x 7.2 x 5.7 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Speeds: 4 | Noise level: 32 to 42 dBA | Special features: Reversible, Alexa integration, programmable built-in thermostat

Pros:

• Quiet and user friendly
• Attractive, minimal design
• 4 speed settings
• Alexa-enabled features such as voice control

Cons:

• No physical remote control
• Not as powerful as box fans

In the market for something high-tech? Luckily, our top choice overall, the Vornado Transom, also comes in an upgraded version with smart features. With the Transom AE, you can adjust speed or airflow using either the touch control panel, your smartphone, or voice control via Amazon Echo or Alexa. Like the Transom, Vornado’s SE model offers four speeds and is electronically reversible, so you can easily switch from fan to exhaust. 

This fan also comes with foam blocks instead of the typical plastic wings; they’re designed to offer a better seal for windows between 26 and 40 inches wide. (Note: Some reviewers say installing the foam blocks can be tricky due to the lack of designated attachment points on the device.) 

What the reviews say: According to one user, the Vornado Transom AE delivers on multiple fronts. They add, “I have standard-sized windows and the large foam spacers filled in the gaps to a tee. Considering the amount of air it moves, it is very quiet. [The] Alexa app setup was super easy and works like a charm.”

Dimensions: 23.4 x 12.6 x 5.4 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Speeds: 3 | Noise level: About 50 to 60 dBA | Special features: Independently reversible blades, molded carrying handle, removable feet, dial thermostat

Pros:

• Easy to install and operate
• A solid budget choice
• Freestanding (removable feet)
• Convenient carrying handle

Cons:

• Expandable side panels can be difficult to adjust

If you’d prefer a no-frills option with a lower price tag, look no further than this under-$50 but solid performer from Amazon Basics. The retailer’s window fan features reversible twin blades with a set of manual controls for each, so they can operate independently. It has three speed settings. which have enough power to move air through small and medium-sized rooms. 

Ar 6 pounds, it’s easy to transport and install, and it features both a carrying handle and removable feet in the event you decide to use the device as a standalone fan. Note that there is another manual Amazon Basics window fan that, for $3, features even fewer frills than this model (for instance, it only has two speeds and doesn’t have a thermostat).

What the reviews say: Amazon Basics’ manually controlled window fan is the “best buy” one user says they’d made in a long time. “With this fan, the temperature in my living room [has] decreased greatly. I can feel the air [from] 15 feet away moving. Very quiet and still moves a good amount of air.”

Dimensions: 23.8 x 12.6 x 4 inches | Weight: 4.5 pounds | Speeds: 2 | Noise level: 36 dBA | Special features: Built-in carry handle, manually reversible, removable legs, rust-resistant materials

Pros:

• Expander panels ensure a custom fit
• No tools needed for installation
• Very lightweight for portability
• Removable feet and built-in carrying handle

Cons:

• Fan has to be flipped to switch between exhaust and intake
• Each fan can’t operate independently

Featuring twin fans with 9-inch blades, this window fan from Black+Decker can generate plenty of breeze to cool smaller rooms, like bedrooms and home offices. The fan fits windows from 22.5 to 33 inches and, better yet, it comes fully assembled. Adding to its versatility, this model’s snap-on feet allow you to prop this fan on your floor if you so choose. It’s also rust-resistant in the event of inclement weather or if you decide to use the device in a moist environment, such as a bathroom.

While the fan doesn’t have a switch to easily toggle between exhaust and intake, physically flipping the fan is simple, thanks to its lightweight build (it weighs just over 4 pounds). Because there are two fans, you’ll get double the airflow and circulation in your bedroom or home office; you won’t, however, be able to assign each fan either an exhaust or an intake function independently.

What the reviews say: “I love the size and weight and performance. No complaints,” says one reviewer of the no-frills manual fan. Another user shares, “Easy to install. Very simple to operate. Looks nice.”