We tested the best cooling fans to beat the heatwave – and they're selling out fast

If there's one thing every household needs in the cupboard, it's one of the best cooling fans. We may not need to use them all year round in the UK, but they're an absolute must-have when a hot and sticky heatwave strikes, helping to keep your home comfortable.

While cooling fans won't exactly lower the room temperature like the best portable air conditioners, they do have the advantage of being quieter and cheaper to run, without the need to vent a hose through a window.

To help you find the best cooling fan, the Homebuilding team has been busy testing some of the top-rated models on the market. Keep reading to find out why the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan was our top choice, along with the four other options we recommend.

The Quick List

Short on time? Here's a speedy overview of the best cooling fans we've tested, along with quick links to more details.

Best cooling fan overall

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As a light sleeper, Homebuilding's editor Beth Murton thought she could never have a cooling fan in her bedroom, but Duux's Whisper Flex 2 Fan changed her mind. With noise levels as low as 13 decibels and a Quiet Mark accreditation, Beth said, "I had no issues falling asleep" and "the fan was so quiet that I barely noticed it."

Not only did this cooling fan score top points for noise (or, rather, its lack of it!), but it also features a night mode that dims the LED display and prevents any beeps from sounding when you change the settings.

Another advantage of this device is that it can be converted from a 54cm desk fan to a 92cm standing fan in just a few seconds, making it the perfect choice whether you're working, watching TV, or going to sleep.

If electricity costs are always in the back of your mind when you run a fan, you'll be happy to know that the Whisper Flex 2 costs just 1p per hour to run on the lowest setting, according to Duux.

While the fan can be controlled using either a remote control or an app, Beth wasn't able to connect it to her Wi-Fi, so she couldn't set it up. For that reason, it lost half a star. However, according to online reviews, the app is very easy to use, so the issue may simply have been with the internet connection itself.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, we'd also recommend the MeacoFan Sefte 6" Air Circulator.

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Best tabletop cooling fan

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I've been using corded cooling fans for years, but after testing this portable model from Meaco, I'm never going back. Weighing just 3.2kg and featuring a built-in handle, the Sefte Pro 10" is a breeze to carry from room to room, and you won't have to worry about pesky cables getting tangled or in the way. This thing follows me everywhere during the summer.

When it comes to battery life, this fan lasts up to 40 hours on a full charge and takes just 3.5 hours to recharge. I also like that the battery is replaceable, meaning you don't need to chuck the whole thing out when it eventually dies. You can simply replace the battery instead, which is a more sustainable option.

Offering 12 speeds along with horizontal and vertical oscillation, this fan did a fantastic job of keeping my bedroom cool. Even when placed on the other side of the room, I could still feel the airflow (it can reach up to 32 metres).

Like Beth, I was sceptical about using a fan in my bedroom because I hate any kind of noise while I sleep, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was on the lower settings. I also appreciated the night mode, which dimmed the LED display and stopped the beeps when changing settings.

If you like the sound of this fan but were hoping to spend a little less, I would recommend the MeacoFan Sefte 6" instead, which is essentially a smaller, more affordable version.

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Best pedestal cooling fan

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This cooling fan comes highly recommended by our assistant editor, Sarah Harley, who was seriously impressed by its modern design and low noise levels. She awarded it a strong 4.5-star rating and says, "If I urge you to do one thing this summer, it's to invest in this."

Operating at just 25 decibels on its lowest setting, this fan is another great choice for light sleepers, with Sarah saying, "I slept soundly and woke fresh as a daisy." Like the previous two options in this guide, this model also features a night mode that dims the LED display and mutes beeping sounds when you change the settings.

The fan can be controlled via either an app or a remote control, which glows in the dark for easy use at night. It also offers 12 speed settings, along with both vertical and horizontal oscillation.

The height can be adjusted to three different levels, making it versatile whether you're working at a desk, lying in bed, or moving around the house. However, Sarah notes that it isn't the quickest fan to adjust.

As for running costs, this fan will set you back just 1p per hour, which we think is a total bargain considering how well it cools you down.

While Sarah believes this fan is well worth the investment, if you're hoping to spend less than £199 on a cooling fan, you may want to consider the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator instead.

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Best air circulator

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After testing the LUME Quiet Air Circulator Fan during a heatwave, our former News Editor, Joseph Mullane, was impressed by how effectively it cooled both his bedroom and home office.

Unlike other cooling fans he'd tested, which often left hot and cold spots, he found that this model kept the room consistently cool and comfortable. That's thanks to its 3D circulation system, which directs airflow in multiple directions simultaneously.

Like the DUUX Whisper Flex 2, which we also tested, this fan can be used as either a pedestal or tabletop fan and is easy to switch between the two modes, making it a versatile option for any room in the house.

The device offers 12 speed settings, along with horizontal and vertical oscillation. It operates at noise levels as low as 36 decibels, which Joseph said "blends into the background while I work" and "doesn't distract" him while he tries to sleep.

This fan also features a dimmable ambient light that gives it a warm, inviting glow, making it ideal for bedside use. It also includes a timer and sleep mode.

While Joseph was more than happy with the noise levels, this isn't the quietest option in this guide. If ultra-quiet operation is your top priority, you may want to consider the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan instead.

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Best portable cooling fan

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If you're looking for a fan you can carry from room to room (or even pack in the car for UK staycations), this is the model I'd recommend. It's so lightweight (weighing just 1.7 kg) that I can carry it using one finger via the built-in handle – and it scores bonus points for being both cordless and portable.

Having tested Meaco's Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator (which is essentially a larger version of this fan), I was doubtful that I'd want or need another one. However, despite its compact size, which measures just six inches, I was surprised at just how powerful the cooling was.

While the battery isn't as long-lasting as the Sefte Pro 10", it still delivers an impressive 26 hours of life after three hours of charging, and you can run it while it charges, so you never get caught out. The battery is also replaceable, which gives me reassurance that it will last a long time.

There are 12 speed settings and three modes (normal, eco, and night), with the latter dimming the LED display and muting control sounds. Vertical oscillation is adjusted manually, while horizontal oscillation can be activated at the touch of a button – though I have noticed that it rattles and squeaks quite a lot, so I rarely use it.

If the rattling oscillation is a deal-breaker, I would opt for the Meaco Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator, which I have never had this problem with.

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How we tested the best cooling fans

To help you find the best cooling fan, we tested each device in this guide and considered the following:

Airflow: How powerful is the fan? How far does the breeze reach? How many speed settings and modes does it offer?

Noise level: How loud or quiet is the fan during operation? Is it distracting while you sleep or work?

Price: Is the fan good value for money, or is there a cheaper alternative that performs just as well?

Ease of use: How easy is it to set up and operate? How is it controlled? Is it easy to transport and adjust?

Wondering who's behind these reviews? Meet the team below:

Curated by

Curated by

Megan Milstead

This buying guide was curated by Homebuilding’s content editor, Megan Milstead, who tested the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator and MeacoFan Sefte 6" Air Circulator.

Tested by

Tested by

Beth Murton

For the past 20+ years, Beth has worked for and contributed to a number of leading magazines and websites in the UK, including Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Ideal Home, Period Living and Grand Designs. She reviewed the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan.

Tested by

Tested by

Sarah Harley

Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. She reviewed the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator.

Tested by

Tested by

Joseph Mullane

News editor, Joseph, previously contributed to publications like Today's Media and Chambers & Partners, where he specialised in covering news relevant to conveyancers and industry professionals. He reviewed the LUME Quiet Air Circulator Fan.

For more information on our procedure, read our dedicated page on how we test products.

How to choose the best

With thousands of models on the market, choosing the best cooling fan can feel a little overwhelming. Here’s what to consider:

Type of fan: First things first, think about how and where you intend to use it. If it’s primarily for work, a tabletop model (like MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10" Table Air Circulator) is your best bet. If it’s for sleep, a pedestal option (like the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan) may be a stronger choice.

Airflow: It’s also worth considering how many speed settings the device has, as well as how far the breeze will reach. For larger spaces, you’ll want something with a wider reach, such as the MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator, which can circulate air across spaces of up to 32 metres.

Noise level: This is a big one – especially if you’re a light sleeper or need near silence while you work. We’ve never tested a fan as quiet as the Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan, which operates at just 13 decibels on its lowest setting.

Weight and size: If you plan on moving your fan from room to room, weight and size are important factors. You may even want to consider a cordless option, like the MeacoFan Sefte 6" Air Circulator.

Feeling undecided? Here’s a quick overview of all the specs you need to know from this buying guide:

For more advice on staying cool this summer, read our comparison of air conditioning vs fans or find out whether air conditioning is worth it in the UK.

Edited by Beth Murton.