Best electric fans 2024: Which? Best Buy and expert buying advice

A good electric fan will create a pleasant breeze and make a stuffy room much more bearable, while the worst leave you sweaty and frustrated. Our expert advice guide reveals which features to look out for when buying a fan, plus we reveal some of our Best Buy recommendations.

To help you pick the perfect electric fan for you, we run through the various differences between desk fans, pedestal fans and tower fans. Our guide also explains how much you should expect to spend and offers details on how our rigorous lab tests uncover the best electric fans around.

Once you know what you're looking for, head over to our electric fan reviews to get your hands on a Best Buy.

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The best electric fans for 2024

All of the electric fans in the table below have been put through our rigorous lab tests, so you can be sure they'll keep you comfortable on a hot summer's day.

Every electric fan we review is scored on the features that matter the most – the full list includes air speed, noise levels, build quality and energy use.

Join Which? to get access to all our Best Buys and electric fan reviews. We’ve tested electric fans from brands including Dyson, Honeywell and Meaco, but only the very best get a Best Buy rating.

Or scroll down to see prices for the most popular electric fans on our website.

Table last checked January 2024.

Do I need a desk fan or a tower fan?

Electric fans fall into the following categories:

• Desk fans are compact and designed to sit on your desk. They are generally cheaper than tower fans (unless you're going for an expensive brand) and could be the best choice if you only need to cool a small area.
• Pedestal and tower fans are likely to be a better choice if you're looking to cover a whole room. These are more likely to come with a remote control, so you can change the settings from a distance. They're larger and bulkier than desk fans, so you'll need space to tuck it away when you don't need it. Pedestal fans look very similar to large desk fans, but with a taller base, while tower versions are shaped like a column.
• Ceiling fans are built-in and often found in offices or hotel rooms, but we don't test these as they're not commonly used in UK homes.

How much should I pay for an electric fan?

Prices for electric fans can vary dramatically. The cheapest models cost less than a tenner and usually offer just two or three speed settings and no extra features. Our cheapest electric fan on-test at the time of writing will set you back by around £25.

Meanwhile, the priciest options, such as the blade-free Dyson Cool AM07 Tower Fan, cost more than £300.

Best electric fans: features to look out for

Fan speeds

Having a choice of fan speeds is really useful; of all the features listed here, it's the one most worth paying more for. 

More control over the air movement means you're more likely to be comfortable, and not feel either irritated by an overly powerful blast (and the accompanying noise).

Light dimming mode

Some electric fans give you the option to dim lights at night, which is handy if you plan on running it while you sleep.

A couple of lights are less likely to keep you awake than one that's very noisy, though, which is why we check for quietness in our expert tests.

Fan oscillation

If the fan turns from side to side, it can distribute air across a wider area. This should be high up on your list of features to look out for, although it's unusual for a fan not to have this function. 

Some fans will oscillate up and down as well as side to side, giving an even bigger range.

Remote control 

This lets you adjust the settings without moving from your sofa or bed; it's arguably more important for pedestal or tower fans that are designed to cool a whole room. 

Some electric fans have a space to store the remote tidily away on the fan itself. We wouldn't say this is essential, but it's a nice extra if you're prone to losing things.

Timer

A timer allows you to set the electric fan to automatically switch on or off after a set period of time, which is handy if you want to save on energy by having the fan turn itself off once you've fallen asleep.

Electric fans vs air conditioners: which is best?

The best electric fans create a refreshing breeze that will make you feel cooler – however, they don't actually cool the air in your home. 

If a breeze alone just isn't enough on the hottest days of the year, you could consider investing in a portable air conditioner instead. These pump out cooled air that will actually reduce the temperature inside your home.

Some portable air conditioners also come with features such as dehumidification and smart control (from your smartphone app), both of which can be useful extra features.

Downsides of portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are usually more expensive than fans; the cheapest we've tested costs more than £200. 

Be aware, too, that portable air conditioners are hefty, bulky appliances that can take up a lot of space, which isn't ideal if your home is on the small side. They can be a faff to set up and the hot air needs to be vented out via a hose, so you'll need a suitable window for it to go through.   

They also use a lot of electricity, so leaving them on frequently will significantly contribute to your energy bills.

Realistically, with British weather being as unpredictable as it is, many people will be better off with an electric fan that can be more easily tucked into a cupboard when it's not needed. 

If you're undecided – or really can't bear the heat – read our portable air conditioner reviews or our breakdown of the most popular air conditioners and electric fans before you buy.

Should I buy a Dyson electric fan?

We've tested two Dyson fans in our lab to see if they're worthy of a Which? Best Buy title:

• Dyson AM07 tower fan
• Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 fan
  

These electric fans are blade-free, doing away with the risk of hair or fingers getting trapped in rotating blades. They feature what Dyson calls Air Multiplier technology, which is designed to direct an even airflow across the room, so one part of the room doesn't end up significantly breezier than another.

Many Dyson models come with Quiet Mark accreditation, meaning the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation has given its seal of approval. They also have plenty of features such as a sleep timer and remote control, and are designed to be easy to clean and to offer smoother oscillation.

However, they are an expensive choice compared to other options, so it's worth checking out our cheapest Best Buy electric fan reviews.

Where to buy an electric fan

You'll find electric fans in plenty of high street stores including Argos, Currys and Robert Dyas. Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop's returns policy.

Popular online retailers that stock electric fans include:

• Argos sells a selection of tower fans, pedestal fans and desk fans. If it's a desk fan you're after, expect to spend anywhere between £15 and £100.
• Amazon has electric fans from plenty of big-name brands including Honeywell, Swan and Zanussi.
• Dunelm stocks tower fans and desk fans. One of its more affordable options is a 16-inch pedestal fan at £20.
• Asda sells two variations of fan – a 16-inch pedestal fan at £24 and a 9-inch desk fan at £14.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our guide on the best and worst sports shops. 

Are electric fans eco-friendly?

An electric fan will rotate its lightweight blades to generate a breeze, making you feel cooler, whereas an air conditioner will actually lower the temperature of the room. This means that an electric fan will use a lot less energy than an air conditioner, making it a more sustainable option. 

As well as using fossil fuels to generate the electricity to power them, some portable air conditioners also use HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) to help cool your room. This can be a potent greenhouse gas if released, which can happen if the unit leaks or through incorrect disposal. Electric fans don't use any HFCs.

How to dispose of an electric fan

An electric fan is classed as WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). This means it can be recycled and shouldn’t be sent to landfill. A handy indicator to know if your electronics shouldn't be sent to landfill is to look for a crossed-out wheelie bin symbol, as shown below. 

Depending on where you live, your local council might be able to offer household collection for your unwanted electric fan. You can also see if your local recycling centre will accept it – before you visit, check if you need to book a time slot or take proof of address with you.

If you’re replacing your old electric fan with a new model, it’s also worth checking with the retailer if they can take your old one away for recycling. 

Find out more about how to correctly recycle your electrical items.

How we test electric fans

What electric fans claim they can do, and how effectively they deliver against these claims, can be different things. This is where our reviews come in – we've tested electric fans from popular brands, including Dyson, Meaco and Honeywell. 

We put all types through exactly the same tests. However, because they're designed to serve slightly different purposes, we evaluate the results slightly differently for desk fans versus tower/pedestal fans. Some electric fans are designed to either compress into a desk fan or extend into a pedestal fan, so we evaluate these as pedestal fans.

When reviewing electric fans, we answer important questions including:

• How well does the fan perform? We test each fan's full range of air speeds by using an anemometer. A fan might have lots of different speeds but they might all be at the gentle, medium or strong end of the spectrum.
• How much energy does the fan use? We measure power consumption at each fan's lowest and highest speeds and at the speed that's most comparable across all tested models.
• How sturdy is the fan? Our experts assess build quality and check whether the fan is made from sturdy stuff or cheap, fragile plastic.
• Is it safe to use? We note down risk of injury when assembling or using the fan, along with what happens when there is a blockage.

Find out more about how we test electric fans. Alternatively, browse through our full selection of electric fan reviews and pick a model that's right for you.

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