Summer is in full swing and, with another heatwave due to happen any day now, it's a great time to buy one of the best tower fans on the market in preparation for summer.
Tower fans are an economical choice to keep your home or office cool - plus, they don't take up too much space in your home.
Bigger pedestal fans might offer a bit more power, but they also bring with them noise and unwieldy movement, which can become annoying if you're using them on a regular basis.
The best tower fans, on the other hand, tend to take up less space and make less noise, which is perfect if you're using them in the background when watching TV or trying to doze off. They can look very stylish, too!
We've rounded up some of the best tower fans you can buy in 2023 with different features and price points.
Best tower fans at a glance:
We tested: Levoit Tower Fan
- Levoit Tower Fan, £89.99 from Amazon - buy here
The Levoit Tower Fan quite simply got us through this summer's first heatwave. It is super powerful with four modes and five fan speeds (it can reach up to 25 feet per seconds), and we found that it actually did make the room overall feel much cooler rather than just blowing lukewarm air around. This was especially true when we had the fan on the 90 degree oscillation mode, since it provided a wider coverage and circulated fresh air to every corner in the room.
The fan is really quiet, too. It has noise levels as low as 28 dB which the brand describes as 'whisper quiet', and we'd agree. If you struggle to sleep with noise or light distractions, stick it in Advanced Sleep Mode. On this setting, the display lights are turned off and the fan speed is adjusted based on your stages of sleep. Genius, right? Oh, and the fan can be controlled by a remote control so you don't have to move from your bed, desk or sofa of you really don't want to.
We tested: Dimplex DXMBCF Black Tower Fan
- Dimplex DXMBCF Black Tower Fan, £85.00 from Argos - buy here
This Dimplex Black Tower Fan is a bargain cooling companion that has three speed settings and a remote control.
This tower fan's on the cheaper end of the cooling-tech spectrum, but it boasts amazing reviews, so we were excited to try it out.
When it first arrived, we found it a bit fiddly having to screw the base onto the fan, but our criticism stopped there.
It's so quiet in comparison to other tower fans we've used, ideal for using as you sleep on ridiculously hot days (we're British so anything above 20 is boiling).
You can set it to moving or stationary mode and there are different power settings too, all of which can be altered via the remote control or directly on the fan.
Although it's plastic, the black design looks quite modern and stylish, so we definitely recommend this for our bargain-hunters out there.
Key specs - Weight: 3.14kg, Dimensions: 31.3 x 31.3 x 120.9cm, Power: 40 watts, Speeds: 3, Guarantee: One year.
Best Dyson tower fan: Dyson AM07 Cooling Tower Fan
- Dyson AM07, £349 from John Lewis - buy here
For maximum style points, it's hard to look past the Dyson AM07. Its unique design is pleasing to the eye, but it's not all style over substance: it's safe and easy to clean since there are no moving parts for hands to get caught in.
Its powerful Air Multiplier technology (which only Dyson fans have) "amplifies" surrounding air, meaning that airflow is uninterrupted and smooth, rather than choppy, as it might be from other fans. And as a bonus, the fan uses 10% less energy than the AM02, the model it replaces and is 60% quieter.
A really neat feature is that the remote control has a magnetic element to it which means it attaches to the top of the purifier — handy if you are always losing remotes.
Key specs - Weight: 2.9kg, Dimensions: H100.7 x W19 x D11cm, Power: 56 watts, Speeds: 10, Cord length: 2m, Guarantee: two years.
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Best tower fan with remote control: Ansio Tower Fan
- Ansio Tower fan, £64.97 from Amazon - buy here
This 30-inch tower fan by Ansio is perfect for those that may have a larger room.
It has three speed settings as well as three wind mode settings: normal, nature, and taper.
It comes with a remote control that makes it super easy to change the setting at the click of a button.
There is also a timer function, meaning the tower fan can be set to turn off after some time while the integrated handle makes it effortless to transport from place to place.
Plus, it's tall and sleek-looking, so it'll fit seamlessly into most rooms with ease and you won't have to worry about it ruining your carefully planned aesthetic.
Key stats - Weight: 3.86kg, Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 76.5cm, Power: 45 watts, Speeds: 3, Cord length: 2m.
Best tower fan for the bedroom: Silentnight Oscillating Bladeless Tower Fan
- Silentnight Oscillating Bladeless Tower Fan, £86.99 from Robert Dyas - buy here
Get the perfect night's sleep with this futuristic-looking tower fan by Silentnight.
It is bladeless and oscillates at 60°, plus its three fan modes and three speeds mean it can keep even bigger bedrooms at the optimum temperature for a happy slumber.
It has an attractive slimlin design too, so it won't take up too much time or throw off a modern or minimalistic looking home.
Silentnight is known for its good quality products and this item has some easy-to-use functions including a built-in standby timer mode, remote control, and three different fan modes.
The timer on this one can be set from half an hour to 7 and a half hours, so you won't have to worry about wasting energy overnight as you sleep.
Key stats - Weight: 3.9kg, Dimensions: 28.5 x 27.8 x 110.8cm, Power: 40 watts, Speeds: 3, Cord length: 1.5m.
Best bladeless tower fan: ElectriQ Bladeless Quiet Tower Fan with Mood Light
- ElectriQ Bladeless Quiet Tower Fan with Mood Light eiQ-AM07, £179.98 from Appliances Direct - buy here
If you like the idea of a bladeless tower fan but you don't want to splash out on a Dyson, take a look at this electriQ tower fan.
It's got a similar sleek design at a slightly lower price and it's loved by customers. Because it's bladeless, it's much safer for home use around small children and pets.
On top of its fan functions, it's also got an ambient light feature to add some colour to a corner of your room.
You can choose the light to be white, green, purple or blue. Powerful and stylish - what's not to like?
Key stats - Weight: 2.9kg, Dimensions: 58 x 30 x 18cm, Power: 45 watts, Speeds: 3, Cord length: 1.7m.
Best portable tower fan: Arlec Digital Tower Fan
- Arlec Digital Tower Fan, £60 from Homebase - buy here
The Aqualix tower has all the technology you could want, at a low price point. Most importantly, it has an easy touchscreen with three-speed settings for ultimate cooling.
It is recommended for a medium to a large room and comes with remote control also with 90 degrees of oscillation to deliver optimal coverage.
Although this is a large fan able to cool big spaces, it has a carry handle that makes it easy to transport it from room to room as needed.
You can also pre-set the fan to shut off between 1 to 15 hours, keeping your room cooler for longer.
Key stats - Dimensions: H91.5 x W17 x D17cm, Speeds: 3, Guarantee: One year.
Best cheap tower fan: Daewoo COL1117GE 15" Mini Tower Fan
- Daewoo Mini Tower Fan, £17.95 from Sonic Direct - buy here
It may be tall and slim but don't doubt this fan's power. Its main selling point is the natural breeze setting, which aims to make using a fan feel like laying on a beach with the wind softly running over your body.
This gentler setting, and the washable air filter to protect against dust and other particles, means the fan is probably better for your nose and throat.
This tower fan also promises to evenly distribute air throughout a room — something which many other elegantly structured fans can't offer.
It also has a remote control, so you can easily change the settings from your bed, your desk, or the sofa.
Key stats - Weight: 1.31kg, Dimensions: 42 x 11 x 13cm, Power: 30 watts, Speeds: 2.
Amazon Basics 3 Speed Oscillating Tower Fan
If you're on a budget, this Amazon Basics fan will do the job. You can use it in the bedroom, living room, office, or pretty much anywhere you want. It's a pretty powerful fan too, operating at 45 Watts and having 3 speed settings.
Plus, it has a clever three-hour timer function to make sure you don't leave the fan on all night once you've cooled down and fallen asleep.
Worried about it not cooling your entire room? It has a 60-degree oscillation angle, so it'll be pretty effective at reaching most of a large room.
Key stats - Weight: 3.2kg, Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 76.5 cm, Power: 45 watts, Speeds: Low, Medium and High
Stadler Form Peter The Swinging Tower Fan
- Stadler Form Peter The Swinging Tower Fan, £179 from Breathing Space - buy here
It may be tall and slim, but don't doubt this fan's power. Its main selling point is the natural breeze setting, which aims to make using a fan feel like laying on a beach with wind softly running over your body.
This gentler setting, and the washable air filter to protect against dust and other particles, means the fan is probably better for your nose and throat.
This tower fan also promises to evenly distribute air throughout a room — something which many other elegantly structured fans can't offer.
It also has a remote control, so you can easily change the settings from bed, your desk, or the sofa.
Key stats - Weight: 3.2kg, Dimensions: 113.5 x 200 x 113.5 cm, Power: 36-60 watts, Speeds: Low, Medium and High
Black & Decker 3in1 Bladeless Fan
- Black & Decker 3in1, Bladeless Air Purifier, Fan and Heater, £249.99 from Boots - buy here
If you're looking for a fan that, like the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool, is also an air purifier and heater, this one from Black & Decker is a good alternative. It may be a little pricey, but you'll be able to use it all year round to keep your home free from allergens and viruses and regulate the temperature. How does it do this, you ask? It has a UV light that eliminates bacteria, fungi and other harmful pollutants.
The fan element is very impressive, too. It has nine different speed settings (including a boost mode) and has an 8-hour timer to allow you to shut off the fan at your time of choice.
Key stats - Weight: 4kg, Dimensions: 19.5 x 22 x 96.6cm, Power: Unknown, Speeds: 9 levels
If you like to switch up your speeds throughout the day, you'll love LOGIK's portable tower fan for its 12 speed setting.
With a clear LED display and remote control, it's easy to quickly change the speed settings of your fan. Plus, the fan is height-adjustable, so no more awkward balancing on wobbly surfaces to get the perfect angle.
It's less than £100 too, which is rare for such a powerful fan.
The fan also has a DC motor, which means it's more efficient to run than an AC fan and you'll save money on electricity.
- Key stats - Weight: 4kg, Dimensions: 128 x 33 x 33cm, Power: 25W, Speeds: 12 levels
Best quiet tower fan: Honeywell HY254E QuietSet Tower Fan
- Honeywell HY254E QuietSet Tower Fan, £60.80 from Frugo - buy here
The clue's in the name with the Honeywell QuietSet Tower Fan: it aims to be as quiet as possible as it cools.
Its lowest setting gives off just 42 decibels, which apparently is the same level of noise as a quiet library. That means the Honeywell is ideal if you need something to cool down your bedroom while you sleep.
It comes with 5 quiet control speeds, an auto shut-off timer (that you can set for 1, 2, 4 or 8 hours) and remote control.
According to the product description, it can provide comfort for medium to large-sized rooms. So, you don't need to worry about placing multiple fans across the room.
Key specs - Weight: 4.5kg, Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 100cm, Speeds: 5.
How to choose the best tower fan for you
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when choosing the best tower fan for you: its size, price, features, noise level, and design. You want to think about what you use the fan for (to cool the whole room or to cool your face while you work at your desk) and how much you can afford.
When you set a budget, you can look at the tower fans below that price and get the one that ticks your most important requirements without too much compromising.
For example, if you want a quiet tower fan for sleeping at night at an affordable price that you can easily buy online, the John Lewis tower fan is a great option.
Where to buy a tower fan in the UK?
You can buy a tower fan from most home and garden retailers, supermarkets and DIY stores. But, you better get in early. These handy pieces of tech are hard to come by when the heatwave hits, so it's good to buy yours ahead of time. Try the following retailers:
- Currys
- Boots
- Amazon
- Homebase
- Sonic Direct
- Breathing Space
- Argos
- Dyson
- Dunelm
- Robert Dyas
- B&Q
- Wilko
- Aldi
- ASDA
- John Lewis
How much do tower fans cost?
Like anything, the cost of tower fans varies from brand to brand. If you want to go top of the range and buy a Dyson, you're looking at spending around £350. However, you could find an effective tower fan for around £30 if you're on a budget.
How much electricity does a tower fan use?
How much electricity a fan uses depends on its wattage, how long you use it for, and the cost of electricity. On average though, a tower fan uses very little energy to run and will cost around 40p a day if it's on for 20 hours. That's around £12 a month.
Are tower fans easy to use?
Yes, they are! They usually require minimal assembly. They often have speed settings that can be adjusted to suit your needs depending on the temperature of the day and your room. Many designs come with a remote control that makes it even easier to operate.
Are tower fans better than regular fans?
A tower fan can be more useful than a pedestal fan if you're planning on using it regularly as it will fit into a corner of a room without taking up much space and with a small footprint.
The bladeless designs also tend to be quieter than pedestal fans which makes them useful if you're planning on having them turned on while you sleep.
Tower fans will likely provide more powerful cooling than your average desk fan. Plus, their tall, sleek design makes them a great accessory for any room, especially in a modern home.
Do tower fans cool a room?
Most tower fans will circulate air in a room which will have a cooling effect without actually lowering the air temperature.
Some fans, such as the Dyson Pure, will also remove allergens from the air. They're different from air conditioners — you don't have to close the door when the tower fan is on.
How to clean a tower fan
It's best to refer to the individual fan's user instructions but in general, you can remove dust and debris from a tower fan's blades using a can of compressed air.
You can also use the brush attachment from a vacuum cleaner and wipe down the exterior of your tower fan with a damp cloth.
Do tower fans have blades?
Tower fans do have blades but they're concealed within the fan's outer casing and aren't visible.
Even the 'blade-less' Dyson fan has blades hidden in the stand as this is how the rapid airflow is created.
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