The best cooling fans for a variety of budgets

NBC Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.HomeThe best fans for cooling a room (and body): tower, pedestal, desk, and moreAn expert explains what features to look for to narrow down your options.Updated July 11, 2026, 12:48 PM EDTZoe MalinReporterSkip to table of contentsFrom ceiling fans to handheld options, we talked with an expert about what features to look for when buying a new fan.AmazonIn this articleOur top picksBest fans to keep you coolBest tower fansBest personal fansBest desk fansBest window fanBest pedestal fansBest ceiling fanHow I picked the best fansTypes of fans to considerHow to shop for fansMeet our expertWhy trust NBC Select?See 10 MoreIf you don’t have an air conditioner or want to reduce your time using the one you have to save money on your electric bill, a fan is a great alternative. And its benefits extend beyond helping you regulate a room’s temperature, says Carl Prouty, tech expert at Abt Electronics.“[Fans are] much quieter than window or wall air conditioners and they use far less energy, so their operating costs are much lower,” he says. They’re also often more portable than air conditioners, so you can easily move them between rooms and bring them on the go. If you are in the market for one, you should know that there are a number of different types of fans — and which one you choose depends on your space, style and needs. Below, I gathered recommendations from NBC Select editors, as well as highly-rated fans that have a four-star average rating or higher from at least one thousand shoppers.Selected.Our top picksBest overallVornado OSC84 Whole Room Tower Fan$99.99$109.99AmazonLearn moreBest personal fanSnawowo Mini Handheld Personal Fan$undefined$19.99AmazonLearn moreBest oscillating fanBlack & Decker Stand Fan with Remote$44.99$32.99AmazonLearn moreBest fans to keep you coolBest tower fansDreo Nomad One S Tower Fan$89.99Amazon$89.9...