Best cooling fans – from electric, standing, tower

The heat is here! Keep cool, calm and collected with one of these excellent fans

As a nation that broadly eschews air conditioning as unnecessary, using an electric cooling fan can be a cost effective, efficient, and, these days, whisper-quiet way of keeping you cool.

They’re ideal for circulating air and providing a cooling breeze to help you sleep at night and think straight during the day.

You don’t have to break the bank if you’re after a standard oscillating fan: one that blows air and helps the room feeling fresh can be nabbed for under £35 and do the job well.

If you’re after higher levels of functionality - something that circulates air, mimics a natural breeze, purifies or has various speed settings and an impressively strong motor, you’ll be looking at something more spendy, up to around £350 - entirely worth it if you can

Swan Retro 16 Inch £59.95 Bit.ly/3opFYV7

stretch to it and want to beat the heat.

You may think that it’s worth investing in an air conditioner for summer after all, air conditioning units are able to reduce the temperature of the room, while an electric fan works by pushing the air around.

Consider the size of the room you are looking to cool before buying a fan. Desk fans are sufficient for small spaces, but for larger rooms, you’ll need a standing fan.

Cooling fans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall pedestals, to floor, tower fans and desktop models.

All of the models reviewed here are equipped with a number of fan speeds and most oscillate for wider room coverage.

They will all do a grand job of keeping you more comfortable in warm weather.

Visit nationalworld. com/recommended for more in-depth reviews.

The popular Swan’s main USP is its classic retro design which looks perfect in homes already equipped with period-style Smeg, Dualit and KitchenAid appliances.

At full bore, this oscillating three-speed pedestal fan whips up a veritable gale that you can feel from many metres away.

Pretty loud on its highest speed setting.

Dyson Purifier Tower £435 Bit.ly/3ID11u7

Dyson produces a fan-only version called the Cool but we are featuring this more expensive model because it cleans the air at the same time (you can read about this facet in our guide to Air Purifiers) and is more readily available to buy. With air cleaning tech, the Purifier Cool also happens to be one of the most stylish and efficient fans in the industry.

B&Q Chrome-effect 12" £13 Bit.ly/3OFThes

Although it looks like it’s made from polished steel, this 12-inch desktop fan’s plinth is actually chromium plated plastic. But that shouldn’t put you off because it still looks authentically retro-esque and, more importantly, it blows a decently stiff breeze. Like similarly-styled Swan reviewed, this model comes with a 90˚ oscillating function.

MeacoCool 1056 £104.99 Bit.ly/3MBoxZJ

The 1056 Air Circulator is available in two variants – a tall pedestal version and this slightly less obtrusive floor or desktop-mounted model.

For a shade under £100, it is one of the most effective and feature-filled fans on the market. It’s also exceptionally quiet, even when used at full speed.

MeacoFan 260c Cordless £34.99 Bit.ly/43nwNDT

Personal battery and USB-powered portable fan has many uses, whether it’s cooling while working at a desktop, placing on bedside table, cooling a computer during a heatwave or taking it away with you on a camping trip. The 260c has four fan speeds and it runs for up to 14 hours on a full USB charge. That’s an impressive stat to appreciate.