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Best fans to buy in 2026: which type is best for your home?
A good quality fan will keep you cool through many summers to come. Whether you're working from home, travelling or simply trying to get a comfortable night's sleep, here are the best fans to help you keep cool, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Aug 19, 2025
While it’s certainly long overdue, we’re finally starting to see signs of summer arriving, with sunny days and water temperatures at last. Keeping cool on hot, humid days however can often be challenging, so it’s no surprise we see an increased demand for portable air conditioners and fans when the seasons change.
From portable handheld fans and neck fans to larger pedestal and tower fans that can cool the person or an entire room, we’ve tried and tested a wide range of fans that offer significant cooling power - with a range of features to keep you cool, calm and comfortable this summer.
Best fans, at a glance:
Best fan overall: Meacofan 1056P Cooling Pedestal Fan, £150
Best budget fan: Bush Black Desk Fan, £20
Best pedestal fan: Duux Whisper Flex Smart Pedestal Fan, £169
Best tower fan: Levoit Classic LTF-F362-WUK Tower Fan, £90
Best desk fan: MeacoFan Sefte® Table Fan, £151
Best Dyson fan: Dyson Cool Tower Fan, £400
Best neck fan: Amacool Neck Fan, £23
Best pram fan: Munchkin Pram Fan, £20
Best handheld fan: EasyAcc Handheld Portable Fan, £21
To help you choose the right fan for your lifestyle, we first trawled the Mumsnet forums to learn more about the products Mumsnet users rate and would happily recommend to others. After researching wider consumer reviews and the verdicts of industry experts, we, where possible, put each fan through vigorous user testing, rating each fan on features such as ease of use, range of speed settings and overall running volumes.
Still not sure which fan is right for you? Check out our deep-dive guides to the best tower fan, handheld fan, neck fan and pedestal fan so you can buy the best type for your home.
Here’s our pick of the best desk fans in 2026.
Best fan overall
Quiet mark certified with low running volume
Impressive power
12-speed settings
Remote control included
Oscillating design with adjustable tilt
Power cable is relatively short
Does beep if you use the buttons to change settings
Key specs
Price on writing: £150 | Type: Pedestal | Speed settings: 12 | Dimensions: H86 x W38 x D39cm | Weight: 4.7kg | Power: 24 watts
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in depth Meaco 1056P Pedestal Air Circulator review
When asked for fan recommendations in the Mumsnet forums, Meaco is a brand that is mentioned time and time again, praised for their quiet running volumes and impressive cooling performance.
With a stylish and futuristic design, the sturdy and height-adjustable 1056P is no exception, well suited to large spaces such as bedrooms and home offices. It comes with four unique cooling modes - normal, natural, sleep and an intelligent eco mode, which switches settings automatically depending on the temperature of the room. Thanks to the magnetic remote control, you can even turn it on without moving from your necessary starfish position on the bed.
We love the ultra-quiet 20dB running volume of this QuietMark Certified fan, so it won’t disturb your slumber if you prefer to keep it running overnight. Costing less than 1p per hour on the highest fan speed, you won’t be kept awake worrying about your energy consumption either.
The downside? The power cable on this fan is a little on the short side, so you may need to consider your positioning wisely.
Read next: The best quiet fans for bedrooms
Best budget fan
Affordable price point
Effective air cirulation
Fixed or oscillating movement
Easy to keep clean
Could be quieter
No remote control
Key specs
Price on writing: £20 | Type: Desk fan | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: 42 x 30 x 27cm | Weight: Not stated | Power: 35 watts
Priced at a very affordable £22, this desk fan from Bush is a heatwave hero. Opting for a desk fan over a more expensive pedestal fan is a good way to save pennies, as this fan's oscillation means it can reach every part of the room when placed on a desk or shelf, just like a taller fan.
You do generally sacrifice noise levels when you go for a cheaper fan, as well as extras like a remote control, but if you're looking for an effective, no-frills fan on a budget, this is a perfect option.
Best pedestal fan
Quiet Mark certified with extremely quiet operation
Can be operated via remote control, app or smart assistants
Effective cooling
Timer function
Night mode
Eco mode turns off at target temperature
Requires significant assembly
Pricey
Key specs
Price on writing: £169 | Type: Pedestal | Speed settings: 26 | Dimensions: H88 x W34 x D34cm | Weight: 5kg | Power: 290 watts
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in depth Duux Whisper Flex Smart Fan Review
While it may not come cheap and requires some initial assembly, the versatile Duux Whisper Flex Smart makes a great option for most households, with a height-adjustable design that can easily be switched between a pedestal and desk fan as required.
With Quiet Mark accreditation, a whisper-quiet volume and a night mode that runs at just 13dB, you won’t need to turn off the fan when it's time to go to sleep. Thanks to the handy remote control and smart app capabilities, you can also switch settings from the comfort of your bed - perfect for those sweltering hot evenings when you don’t want to move a muscle.
With an impressive 26 breeze and speed settings to choose from, we love the innovative oscillating head, which also moves up and down as well as side to side - literally covering all angles when it comes to keeping cool.
Read next: The best pedestal fans to cool the whole room
Best tower fan
Quiet Mark certified
Remote control
Oscillating design
Lightweight and portable
Intelligent auto mode that adjusts to room temperature
Sleep mode
Reviews found beeps annoying (but they can be turned off)
Key specs
Price on writing: £90 | Type: Tower | Speed settings: 12 | Dimensions: 92 x 16.5 x 16.5cm | Weight: 5.5 kg | Power: 26 watts
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Levoit Classic LTF-F362-WUK Tower Fan review
Another Quiet Mark certified fan that won’t disturb the peace, the Levoit Classic Tower fan is compact, lightweight and discreet, with barely audible volumes of just 20dB. You can quickly switch between 12-speed settings using the handy remote control and while some reviewers found the audible beeps a little grating, you can easily turn the sounds off in the settings.
Like most tower fans, the Levoit has a small footprint, so it can conveniently stashed in the corner of your bedroom without taking up valuable space. Thanks to its powerful VortexAir duct system, it also instantly sets to work, oscillating from side to side to cool living spaces up to 7m2.
Related: The best tower fans for space-saving cooling
Best desk fan
Clear display
Low running volume
Night mode
Glow in the dark remote control
Intelligent auto mode
Low energy consumption
Costly
The chunky design may be too big for some desk spaces
Not height adjustable
Key specs
Price on writing: £151 | Type: Desk | Speed settings: 12 | Dimensions: H43.2 x 30.5 x 22.7cm | Weight: 3kg | Power: 8 watts
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our in-depth Meaco Sefte Table Air Circulator review
If you’re working from home and having regular calls and online meetings, the last thing you need is your conversations disturbed by the audible hum of your desk fan. Our tester loved this powerful yet subtle table fan, which runs at just 25dB on its lowest setting. With 12 fan speeds and three oscillation modes to choose from, it can be used to cool the person or the entire room.
Just like the highly rated Meaco Sefte Pedestal Air Circulator, the sleep mode is handy for use in your bedroom on those hot and humid summer nights, helping you drift off by gradually reducing the fan speed every 30 minutes from a powerful breeze to more subtle airflow.
It’s worth noting however that this is a fairly chunky desk fan, so check the dimensions carefully if your workspace is on the small side.
Related: The best desk fans for bedside tables and WFH
Best Dyson fan
Stylish bladeless design
Quiet Mark accredited
Powerful airflow can cool larger spaces
Sleep timer
Magnetised remote control
Smooth oscillation
Costly
Noisy on the highest settings
Key specs
Price on writing: £349 | Type: Tower | Speed settings: 10 | Dimensions: H100.7 x W19 x D11cm | Weight: 2.9kg | Power: 56 watts
What Mumsnet users say
While they’re certainly quite an investment, Dyson Cool Tower Fans are renowned for their super stylish, bladeless designs that are not only safe and easy to clean, but are also more attractive out on display than a traditional pedestal fan.
Operating via a magnetic remote control or buttons on the main unit, you can choose from one of 10 different speed settings, the highest of which provides powerful airflow and smooth oscillation capable of cooling even larger-sized rooms.
Whilst it's Quiet Mark accredited, it's worth noting that the highest settings can still feel fairly loud, so you may need to ramp down the breeze when it's time to make an important call.
Related: The best air coolers for summer
Best neck fan
Comfortable fit
Flexible arms
Two strong fans
Lightweight
Less sleek than bladeless designs
Key specs
Price on writing: £22 | Type: Neck fan | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: 20 x 28 x 6 cm | Weight: 185g | Power: Rechargeable battery
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet writer Gemma Wilcock: Read our full Amacool Neck Fan review
Keep cool while out and about while keeping your hands free. Mumsnetters love neck fans for their targeted cooling and portability.
This one from Amacool has flexible arms, which made it stand out from the crowd. These arms mean you can direct the flow of air where you need it most - or even prop it up on a table. That's why it's our best neck fan for keeping cool on the go.
Best pram fan
Flexible design for use on prams, car seats and playpens
Rechargeable battery with a life of up to eight hours
Four fan speeds
Protective safety grill
Positioning takes some practice
Key specs
Price on writing: £20 | Type: Pram fan | Speed settings: Four | Dimensions: 23.1 x 23 x 9.3 cm | Weight: 380g | Power: USB rechargeable battery
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Munchkin Pram Fan review
Thanks to their rechargeable designs, convenient clips and powerful cooling performance, Mumsnetters rave about pram fans as a quick and easy way to keep your baby or toddler cool outside the home.
The Munchkin pram fan is our top pick pram fan, offering a choice of four fan speeds and 360-degree coverage to keep your baby cool, calm and comfortable during your travels. Rechargeable via USB, you can expect around eight hours of cooling performance depending on your settings - ample for a fun-filled day out in the sunshine.
While it can initially take a bit of practice to fix, the flexible arms wrap around your pram bumper bar and hold it securely in place, while the protective grill provides peace of mind for parents of even the most curious toddlers.
Related: The best pram fans for staying cool out and about
Best handheld fan
Can be handheld or folded and used as a mini desk fan
Lightweight
Powerful
Long charging cable
Costly for the size
Key specs
Price on writing: £22 | Type: Handheld | Speed settings: 4 | Dimensions: H23.4 x W11.4 x D4.7cm | Weight: 210 grams | Power: Unspecified
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full EasyAcc Portable Handheld Fan review
When heat becomes overwhelming, a small handheld fan can feel like an absolute lifesaver, providing an instant cooling and calming effect to prevent overheating.
With hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon and positively received by our Mumsnet tester, the EasyAcc Handheld USB Fan is a great example - with a compact and lightweight design that’s small enough to stash inside your handbag.
With four speeds to choose from, the latter of which provides a fairly significant breeze, you can expect between three and 17 hours from this USB rechargeable design. While it's not the cheapest handheld fan you can get, we love its convertible design, with the option to convert it to a desk fan as and when required.
Related: The best handheld fans for labour, hot flushes and commuting
How to choose the right type of fan for you
Fans can vary quite significantly in price, so here are some things to consider when choosing the right fan for your needs:
Type of fan: The type of fan you need will depend on where you intend to use it. While small USB desk fans, neck fans and handheld fans can be sufficient for cooling the person, larger pedestal and tower fans may be needed if you’re attempting to cool an entire room. Tower fans have a small footprint, making them a compact and convenient choice, whereas pedestal fans tend to be more height adjustable and suited to larger room sizes.
Running volume - How loud is the fan? If you; 're planning to use it while you sleep or when working from home, you should look out for fans with Quiet Mark accreditation, which generally have volumes of less than 25dB - at least on the lower speed settings. Other fans have specific Sleep modes, which reduce volumes to their lowest possible levels for a peaceful bedroom environment.
Number of speed settings - How many speed settings does the fan offer? More basic models generally have around three, while more feature-rich models can have 12+ - ranging from a gentle soft airflow to a powerful breeze.
Ease of use - Does the fan come with a remote control? How easy is it to switch between the settings? Can modes be switched easily even in the dark? Some fans have magnetic remotes which can attach to the main unit to prevent them from getting lost.
Design - How does the fan look? Does it offer more than one colour choice? How much space does it take up in your surroundings? You should consider the overall dimensions and cable length - as this may determine where you can position it inside your home.
Heavy - How portable is the fan? Can it be easily moved easily by one person?
Adjustable - Is the height of the fan adjustable and does it oscillate? Can the fan head be tilted? How easy is it to position the fan to meet your needs?
What’s the quietest fan for sleeping?
Mumsnet users agree that you can’t go wrong with a Meaco if you’re looking for a quiet fan to cool the room while you’re sleeping. Whether you opt for their pedestal or desktop design, both of these QuietMark accredited fans have super low running volumes, meaning you can easily leave them running all night long without disturbing the peace.
What’s the most energy-efficient type of fan?
According to consumer champion Which?, desk fans generally use less energy due to their smaller size, whereas larger tower and pedestal fans consume more energy and are more expensive to run. The Meaco 1056P Pedestal fan however makes a great energy-efficient choice, costing less than 1p per hour on the highest fan speed.
How we chose the best fans
Because we know that there’s nothing like a genuine recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which fans Mumsnet users had bought, rated and would happily recommend to others. We sought suggestions for every type of fan from pedestals to towers and desk fans, weighing up the features that Mumsnetters were most grateful for when the temperatures rise.
Next, we then researched the wider web, looking at which fans had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media and scrutinised customers’ reviews to learn more about their overall performance.
Having collated all that information, we picked the fans across all categories, with options to suit every lifestyle and budget.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.
As someone who struggles with the heat in summer, Lucy has also written a number of product roundups to help us keep cool this summer, including the best air conditioners to the best paddling pools. She also owns her own Dyson AM09 Hot and Cool Fan, keeping her cool when working from home in Summer.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.