How to choose the best fan for you?

When selecting the best fan for you the first thought should be its main purpose, and we don’t just mean for a cool blast of air, but if you need a fan for the entire home or a specific room, whether it’s the living room, bedroom, home office, a portable device to take on the go, or a 3-in-1 fan, heater and purifier to use all year round.

From here decide on the size and style; if you are tight for space it may be worth investing in an adjustable pedestal fan, a compact desk fan, or a streamline tower fan, while those looking to cool large spaces may prefer a floor or tower fan with a wide oscillating range.

Some may prefer fans that circulate the air flow, purify the air to remove allergens or are a combination of numerous home appliances in one, while others desire energy efficient fans for their smart home.

It is also vital to think about when you intend to use the fan, and how you manage surround sounds. If you plan to have a fan in the bedroom running through the night then quiet operation fans are essential, whether they boast a low noise level, feature sleep mode options, muted buttons, or provide white noise to soothe you into a deep slumber.

Considering the British summer is, sadly, a slim window over the months of June to August, a fan that doubles as a heater, air purifier or humidifier makes it a well worthy investment for the home you will use beyond the three-month period, in our opinion.

What are the different types of fans?

When it comes to fans there are numerous styles, including desk fans or table fans, floor fans, handheld fans, tower fans, pedestal fans – also known as stand fans – and handheld fans.

Desk fans

Desk fans, otherwise known as table fans, are exactly that, fans that are compact enough to prop on your desk, whether it is in the office or for your WFH set-up. Typically desk fans are one of the cheaper fans to buy, following handheld fans, but are effective for those wanting a direct and concentrated waft of cool air.

Tower fans

Tower fans are preferable when it comes to regulating the temperature in larger spaces, whether it is the workplace or the home, as they have a powerful airflow, various speed settings, and the airflow can reach a larger area. Tower fans are more compact and streamline in comparison to pedestal fans, which means they are also perfectly suited for smaller areas, and take up little space when stored away until next summer.

Pedestal fans

Pedestal fans, otherwise known as standing fans, are a conventional design, synonymous for the circular blade encased in a mesh cover fitted on an adjustable stand, which circulates air around the room, rather than generating blasts of cool air. A benefit of pedestal fans is they are multifunctional; some can be converted from a standing fan to a desk fan, or floor fan, simply by adjusting the height of the stand.

Handheld fans

Handheld fans are portable designs perfect to take on the go when commuting on public transport in the heat, for pool days or trips to the beach. Handheld fans rely on little energy consumption in comparison to tower fans or multipurpose fans, while some handheld fans require batteries, others may be rechargeable using a USB port.

Floor fans

Floor fans are similar to pedestal fans, as they are bladed designs, but do not feature a stand as they are designed to sit on the floor. Having said that, some pedestal fans can be adjusted to transform into desk or floor fans. Floor fans are ideal to ventilate a large space, particularly a gym or office, and are a great option for those who want a design that is out of sight, yet powerful.