The Best Oscillating Fans to Beat the Summer Heat in 2024
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Oscillating Fans to Beat the Summer Heat in 2024 and hope the blog can help you.
Circulate air throughout spaces large and small with these moving fans.
Unlike stationary fans that blow air in one direction, oscillating fans sweep back and forth, distributing air over a broader area. This design is ideal for providing a cooling breeze in larger living areas of a home, such as a living room, rec room, or even a garage.
Oscillating fans come in a variety of types, including large pedestal fans, sleek tower models, desk fans, and even wall-mount units. They also vary in blade size from as little as 5 inches up to large 18-inch fan blades. Some also have useful additional features, including remote controls, auto shut-off timers, and sleep modes.
The fan we chose as the best overall is the Hurricane Pro High-Velocity. We appreciate its 4,500 cubic feet per minute (CFM) maximum airflow, large 20-inch fan head, durable powder-coated steel and aluminum construction, height-adjustable stand, and three integrated speed settings.
Ahead, learn more about the features to look for in an oscillating fan and some of the best oscillating fans on the market by category. Plus, some of these selected top picks have been hands-on tested by Bob Vila staff to ensure they perform as promised.
- BEST OVERALL: Hurricane Pro High-Velocity Oscillating Stand Fan
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Rowenta Turbo Silence Table Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Dr. Prepare Dual Oscillating Tower Fan
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Dyson AM07 Cool Tower Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PEDESTAL: Amazon Basics Oscillating Pedestal Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TOWER: Lasko Wind Curve Oscillating Tower Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WALL-MOUNTED: Comfort Zone Oscillating Wall-Mount Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESKTOP: Iris USA Woozoo HE10 Oscillating Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DECORATIVE: Good Housekeeping Retro All-Metal Table Fan
↓ Jump to Review - BEST OUTDOOR: NewAir Outdoor Patio Misting Fan
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Oscillating Fans
Choosing the best fan is key to getting the most relief from summer heat. We scoured customer reviews of more than two dozen oscillating fans to make our selections, and conducted our hands-on testing on select models. We considered several criteria when evaluating each fan.
Airflow is key, so we chose models that produce adequate airflow for their size. Since people have different needs depending on the size of space they are attempting to cool, we included a wide range of fan sizes, from small desktop models up to large pedestal fans. Budget is also a factor for many buyers, so we included everything from inexpensive oscillating fans to high-end fans with state-of-the-art technology.
Our Top Picks
The list below includes various types and sizes of oscillating fans, a few of which we tested ourselves. These rotating fans produce strong airflow (as measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM) and come with useful additional features, such as automatic shut-off timers and remote controls.
Best Overall
Hurricane Pro High-Velocity Oscillating Stand Fan
Photo: amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: 20 inches
- Max airflow: 4,500 CFM
- Speeds: 3
What We Like
- Large 20-inch oscillating fan head with 3 speed settings; effective airflow
- Made with durable steel and aluminum; features a powder-coated base
- Comes with a replaceable fuse in case of an overload or misuse
- Features the most powerful CFM output included on this list of top picks
What We Don’t Like
- Operates at 68 decibels when used at high speeds, which is a bit too loud to be considered white noise
- No remote control included with the purchase; adjustments must be made manually
Effective air circulation can help you beat the summer heat, and this model from Hurricane does not disappoint. It features a large 20-inch oscillating fan head that emits a powerful 4,500 CFM airflow at top speed, which can be felt at a 20-foot distance. The fan itself is constructed with steel and aluminum and features a powder-coated base, ensuring it will last for years with frequent use.
This oscillating pedestal fan also has three speed settings that can be accessed on the back of the fan head. A replaceable fuse protects the fan from overloading. The downsides to this model are that it’s not easy to move from location to location and it can be loud when on the highest speed setting.
What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in The Best Pedestal Fans that “the Hurricane was one of the most powerful indoor pedestal fans we tested. If you need strong air circulation in a large space, the Hurricane won’t disappoint. During testing, we felt its strong breezes from almost 20 feet away. Plus, the fan has an oscillating function and three speed settings. Even on its lowest setting, we felt a noticeable draft.”
Get the Hurricane oscillating fan at Amazon or Hurricane.
Runner-Up
Rowenta Turbo Silence Table Fan
Photo: amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: 12 inches
- Max airflow: 1,695 CFM
- Speeds: 5
What We Like
- Produces exceptional airflow while operating at a low noise level
- You can turn the fan on or off and control speed via a remote control
- Easy to carry thanks to a lightweight design and convenient handle
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers complain about the quality of the remote and that it comes with no battery
This oscillating fan from Rowenta manages to remain quiet despite producing an exceptional airflow for its size, ranking it among the best all-around oscillating fans. Thanks to its five fan blades, the fan can create a breeze of up to 1,695 CFM. Yet it produces 38 decibels of noise (depending on the speed setting), making it one of the quieter 12-inch fans out there.
A remote control and touch controls on the base allow you to change between five fan speeds or turn the fan on and off. The oscillation controls are on the back of the fan head. With a compact size and carrying handle on the top of the fan head, this Rowenta oscillating table fan is easy to move from room to room.
What our tester says: Stacey Nash, Bob Vila writer and product tester, notes in The Best Floor Fans that “this Rowenta tower fan lives up to its name. Among the five speed settings, there’s a ‘silent night’ mode that only creates 35 decibels. There’s also an extremely quiet energy-saver mode that reduces airflow until the fan reaches optimal energy efficiency. This model also includes both onboard or remote controls, where users can set a timer to run the fan for 1, 2, 4, or 8 hours. The remote is a nice touch, and the fan has a holder for the device. This tower fan is a solid choice for a bedroom, especially for sleepers sensitive to noise.”
Get the Rowenta oscillating fan at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang For The Buck
Dr. Prepare Dual Oscillating Tower Fan
Photo: amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: Not available
- Max airflow: Not available
- Speeds: 3
What We Like
- 2-fan design provides more even airflow than fans with a single blade
- Compact size, tower shape, and handle combine for easy transport from room to room
- Can shut itself off in 2, 4, or 8 hours with shut-off timer feature
- Illuminated LED display control panel shows current settings
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers report that the fan is only strong enough for smaller spaces
Dr. Prepare packs great value into this affordable and novel design for a tower fan. This fan consists of two separate fans stacked on top of each other to create its tower setup. The entire unit oscillates 110 degrees to create an even breeze throughout the room. It comes equipped with three speed options and can be set to shut off at 2, 4, or 8 hours.
Push-button controls with LED lights are illuminated and easy to use to control the fan’s settings. The unit measures just 6 inches in diameter and about 1 foot tall, so the Dr. Prepare tower fan is compact enough to sit on a desktop. It also comes equipped with a built-in handle for easily carrying the fan from room to room.
Get the Dr. Prepare oscillating fan at Amazon or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Dyson AM07 Cool Tower Fan
Photo: amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: Bladeless 7.5 inches wide
- Max airflow: Not available
- Speeds: 10
What We Like
- Bladeless design is safer and quieter than a standard fan; suitable for homes with children and pets
- Creates a continuous even flow of air as opposed to buffets of air
- Has 10 speed settings, all of which can be controlled via the remote
What We Don’t Like
- Far more expensive than traditional bladed and tower-style oscillating fans
This high-tech version of classic fan oscillating uses bladeless technology to create a lot of airflow and very little noise. The Dyson tower fan uses a brushless motor in the base that circulates air into the circular tube and out a slit in the device to create a powerful breeze than the buffets of air other oscillating fans deliver.
The bladeless design not only makes the fan safer but also about 60 percent quieter than bladed fans, so it ranks up there as the best fan for sleeping on this list. With its 10 speed settings and sleep setting, the Dyson fan also offers considerably more speed options than other oscillating fans. Just keep in mind that this cutting-edge fan technology comes at a premium price. Dyson’s fan is one of the most expensive oscillating fans on the market.
Get the Dyson oscillating fan at Amazon or Best Buy.
Best Pedestal
Amazon Basics Oscillating Pedestal Fan
Photo: amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: 16 inches
- Max airflow: Not available
- Speeds: 3
What We Like
- Effective oscillating fan with remote; features touch controls
- Comes with an on/off timer that can be set in 30-minute increments for up to 7.5 hours
- Users can adjust fan height and the angle of the fan head
- More affordable than other pedestal-style oscillating fans on the market
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers complain the fan doesn’t produce enough airflow
This Amazon Basics model includes many of the same features found on other oscillating pedestal fans but at a lower price. The telescoping pole allows you to adjust the height of the oscillating fan on a stand, and the fan head tilts up and down, providing additional controls for directing the flow of air.
There are three speed settings: a breeze mode that simulates natural wind, a quiet setting for sleep, and a normal fan setting. There’s also an on/off timer, which you can set in 30-minute increments up to 7.5 hours. The oscillating pedestal fan can be controlled via buttons at the base of the fan head or via the included remote control.
Get the Amazon Basics oscillating fan at Amazon.
Best Tower
Lasko Wind Curve Oscillating Tower Fan
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Fan diameter: N/A, tower
- Max airflow: 262 CFM
- Speeds: 3
What We Like
- Curved tower design allows the fan to distribute air more evenly throughout the room
- Remote control turns fan on or off, adjusts fan speed, and sets modes
- Features automatic timer and a quiet nighttime mode
What We Don’t Like
- Customers report that the Lasko isn’t as powerful as other traditional oscillating fans
This sleek tower fan produces a powerful flow of air across much of its 42-inch height, and looks good doing it. The fan puts out 262 CFM of air and has three adjustable speeds. With its tower design, it produces a more even flow of air than traditional oscillating fans with a round head.
There is also an automatic shut-off timer and a quiet nighttime mode that slows fan speed. You can operate all speeds and modes via the compact remote control that comes with the fan.
Read our full review: Lasko Wind Curve Oscillating Tower Fan
Testing Results: Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in our full review that “the Lasko Wind Curve is well suited for anyone who wants a sleek, space-saving fan that circulates air effectively. It’s an excellent choice for refreshing small- to medium-size rooms. The Wind Curve’s ionizing feature may help remove some airborne particulates, making the air in a room smell and feel fresher, and the sound it makes is quiet yet soothing and could double as white noise.”
Get the Lasko oscillating fan at Amazon, The Home Depot or Walmart.
Best Wall-Mounted
Comfort Zone Oscillating Wall-Mount Fan
