Cooling fan picks span tower, handheld and desk models
NBC Select’s latest fan guide highlights lower-energy cooling options across several budgets and room sizes.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
NBC Select has named a range of cooling fans for shoppers trying to stay comfortable without relying entirely on air conditioning. The guide matters for households watching energy use, since Abt Electronics tech expert Carl Prouty told NBC Select that fans are quieter than many window or wall air conditioners and cost less to run.
Prouty said fans also tend to be easier to move than air conditioners, making them useful across rooms or outside the home. NBC Select said its picks combine editor recommendations with highly rated models that have at least a four-star average rating from 1,000 or more shoppers.
Top picks in the guide
Vornado OSC84 Whole Room Tower Fan: NBC Select named this its overall pick. The tower fan is 29 inches tall, has four speeds, oscillation, a remote control and an hourly timer, according to NBC Select. It was listed at $99.99 on Amazon, down from $109.99.
Snawowo Mini Handheld Personal Fan: NBC Select chose this as its personal fan pick. The 7.83-inch fan has three speeds, a rechargeable battery and flexible legs that can wrap around items such as stroller handles, umbrellas and shelves, according to NBC Select. It was listed at $19.99 on Amazon.
Black & Decker Stand Fan with Remote: NBC Select named this its oscillating fan pick. The product card identified it as a standing fan with a remote and touch controls.
Tower fans for rooms
The Dreo Nomad One S Tower Fan was listed by NBC Select at $89.99 on Amazon and Dreo, and $69.95 at Walmart. NBC Select said the 36-inch fan has four speeds, oscillation, a remote, Wi-Fi and voice controls, plus normal, natural, sleep and auto modes.
The Vornado OSC84 uses a twisted vent design that NBC Select said helps move air around a room without requiring constant oscillation. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez told the outlet he has used a Vornado tower fan for years and said it performs strongly on hot, humid days.
NBC Select also included the Lasko T42951 Oscillating Tower Fan, listed at $89.99 at Amazon and Walmart. The 42-inch model has three speeds, oscillation, a remote and an hourly timer, and NBC Select cited more than 45,000 five-star ratings.
Personal and desk options
For portable use, NBC Select included the Comlife Bladeless Neck Fan, listed at $23.99 on Amazon after a 33% discount. NBC Select said the fan has three speeds and adjustable airflow; the brand says battery life ranges from three and a half to nine hours, depending on speed.
The Jisulife 3-in-1 Mini Handheld Fan was listed at $12.32 on Amazon and $21.99 at Target. NBC Select said it folds small enough to fit in a hand, has three speeds, USB and USB-C ports and a flashlight.
Desk picks included the Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator Fan, listed at $17.99 on Amazon, and the Vornado VFan Mini Retro Fan, listed at $39.99. NBC Select said both are compact two-speed desk fans, while the retro model adds an adjustable tilted head.
NBC Select also highlighted the Treva Portable Desktop Fan, listed at $13.99 at Walmart and $14.99 from Treva. The outlet said it folds flat, has a handle, two speeds and an adjustable angle.
Window cooling
The Comfort Zone Window Fan was listed by NBC Select at $34.80 on Amazon after an 11% discount. NBC Select said the two-fan window unit has three speeds, adjustable side panels, reversible blades for intake or exhaust and a bug screen.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.