GoKawiilAs heat waves hit, you might find yourself in need of a new cooling fan. As you're browsing online or walking store aisles, one spec likely stands out: airflow. Manufacturers try to convince you that you need a certain amount of airflow to achieve cooling comfort. Naturally, your brain says, "Bigger numbers are good. Let's buy the fan with the biggest airflow number."
My lab data tests say otherwise. You'll want to consider the motor type, fan design (standard or bladeless) and how much energy it uses to gauge how much value you're getting for your money. Buying a cheap, inefficient fan may seem like a frugal decision -- but its design may end up costing you more on your electric bill. We found that the more efficient -- and sometimes more responsive -- a fan is will actually cost you less.
Key takeaways Prioritize FPM over volume: When evaluating cooling comfort, focus on feet per minute and oscillation features rather than raw volume metrics such as cubic feet per minute, which don't accurately reflect how cooling feels on your skin.
When evaluating cooling comfort, focus on feet per minute and oscillation features rather than raw volume metrics such as cubic feet per minute, which don't accurately reflect how cooling feels on your skin. Total cost of ownership: Don't let a low sticker price fool you. Cheap AC-motor fans can be significantly more expensive to run annually than midrange DC-motor fans. A higher upfront investment often pays for itself through energy savings within a single summer.
Don't let a low sticker price fool you. Cheap AC-motor fans can be significantly more expensive to run annually than midrange DC-motor fans. A higher upfront investment often pays for itself through energy savings within a single summer. The bladeless penalty: Bladeless fans offer premium aesthetics and air texture, but are often pricier and operate less efficiently at high speeds because they must work harder to force air through narrow outlets.
Bladeless fans offer premium aesthetics and air texture, but are often pricier and operate less efficiently at high speeds because they must work harder to force air through narrow outlets. Match the fan to your needs: Comfort fans are low-wattage and efficient, delivering a consistent breeze. Performance fans are high-wattage powerhouses. Only shoose a performance model if you need rapid air cycling in large, hot rooms -- otherwise, you may be paying for power you don't need.
Comfort fans are low-wattage and efficient, delivering a consistent breeze. Performance fans are high-wattage powerhouses. Only shoose a performance model if you need rapid air cycling in large, hot rooms -- otherwise, you may be paying for power you don't need. The Dreo TurboCool 765S is our CNET Lab Award winner for highest airflow, recording the highest median airflow of all fans tested on high speed setting (984 FPM).
is our CNET Lab Award winner for highest airflow, recording the highest median airflow of all fans tested on high speed setting (984 FPM). The Vornado Strata 8 Omni is our CNET Lab Award winner for themost energy efficient and quietest fan tested. It measured the lowest power draw at high speed (13 watts) and the lowest decibels on high setting at 51 dBA.
What the testing data shows: How a fan's design affects its performance
The difference in fan performance largely comes down to the motor and physical design of a given model. John Carlsen/CNET
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