12 Best Oscillating Fans (Review) In 2021
- The Best Oscillating Fan
- 1. Lasko Portable Electric Oscillating Fan
- 2. Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan
- 3. Lasko Oscillating Industrial Fan
- 4. Lasko Cyclone Oscillating Pedestal Fan
- 5. Pelonis 3-Speed Oscillating Fan
- 6. Lasko Space-Saving Pedestal Tower Fan
- 7. Hurricane High Velocity Oscillating Fan
- 8. Lasko Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan
- 9. BLACK & DECKER Oscillating Stand Fan
- 10. Dyson Air Multiplier Oscillating Table Fan
- 11. Comfort Zone Folding Base Oscillating Fan
- 12. Honeywell Double Blade Pedestal Fan
Oscillating fans come in all shapes and sizes, and a fan connoisseur will be excited by the range of products that are currently on the market. The most expensive or nice looking tower fan is not necessarily right for your personal space; equally, any given pedestal fan might suit your office space, but might not be the best buy in terms of being able to use it at home, too.
The power that a fan may generate needs to be weighed up against its energy-efficiency, and its adjustability. Ergonomic design and futuristic appearance might be important for you; or not. Some cooling devices, like box fans, are deliberately designed to be slim-line and save you space; others, such as ceiling fans, are full-orbed and would be perfect for a large office or even warehouse floor. Units like outdoor ceiling fans are made to be used outside your house.
Other functions might be of interest, too; there are always pros and cons. You might want a model that offers you up to 9 hours of timing capability, so you can leave it on all day, but not all night. Buying a fan that has a handy remote might be ideal if you plan to keep the fan at a distance and operate it from an armchair. The beauty of your fan might be as important as its functionality, and there are some fans that look like they are objects in a museum of contemporary art!
The Best Oscillating Fan
1. Lasko Portable Electric Oscillating Fan




Key Features
Excellent airflow
Optional oscillation
Handy remote
Energy-efficient timer
Built-in Ionizer
Sleek, vertical design
The sleek, professional looking Lasko Portable Electric Oscillating Fan has a grey and silver theme and comes with an easy to assemble, solid base. Its vertical design saves you space in your office or home, without you having to give up any power in terms of air circulation. It boasts three quiet speed settings and is quiet enough to keep on whilst watching the TV or listening to the radio, even on its ‘HIGH’ setting. Its white noise perfectly complements sleep, so on those clammy, sticky summer nights will cool the room without waking you up. It is tall enough to project over and across a high bed, and its contribution to airflow will make your other appliances, such as window units, that much more effective. It is fully portable and has a remote control, programmable timer with in-built ionizer (to purify and freshen your home’s air), and optional oscillation. The ionizer, via its negative ions, neutralizes things such as smoke, bacteria, pollen, and dust. With Lasko’s hundred-plus years’ experience in producing fine quality household products, you can trust in the product. It even has a patented Blue Plug safety fuse, for peace of mind.
2. Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan




Key Features
Ultra-quiet performance
Exceptionally strong airflow
5-speed settings
8-hour timer and energy-saving mode
Sleek remote control
Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan has both intensive power and super-quiet performativity; ideal for an office or home. Its oscillating fan purrs around at 35db(A), delivering consistent airflow. It has a whopping 5-speed setting; that includes Turbo Boost as well as Silent Night Mode. There is a handy 8-hour timer and an energy-saving mode; this automatically reduces airflow to the point at which the fan is at its optimum energy-efficient setting. The sixteen-inch stand incorporates a stylish remote that fits snugly in your hand. You will never be left scrabbling around for it because it has its own storage slot in the carrying handle. When using it you can operate from the other side of the room. Purrr-fect!
3. Lasko Oscillating Industrial Fan

Key Features
30″ Industrial grade pedestal fan
Optional oscillation
Fully enclosed motor for added safety
Lasko’s patented, fused safety plug
3 speeds
Adjustable vertical tilt
Lasko Oscillating Industrial Fan is one of the best oscillating fans and boasts a 30″ span, which could be ideal for larger venues such as health clubs or even warehouses. It has a useful, adjustable capacity of 64″ to 92″, and is made from durable, rust-resistant steel. It also has power coated grills and metallic blades, to give you optimal air movement. Its cord is an impressive 120″ long, while its three powerhouse speeds are easy to use with a pull cord. It has an adjustable vertical tilt and its fully enclosed blades and Blue Plug provides extra safety. This plug automatically stops the electrical current if the fan notices a possibly hazardous fault in the motor or the power supply.
4. Lasko Cyclone Oscillating Pedestal Fan

Key Features
Fully-adjustable height, tilt fan head
3 speeds for complete airflow customization
Simple no-tool assembly
Easily portable, plus built-in safety features
Widespread oscillation
The eighteen-inch Lasko Cyclone Oscillating Pedestal Fan is perfect for your home, office, or other location. It has 90° oscillation and a tilt-adjustable fan head, so you can pinpoint exactly where you want it to be directed, and may alter the airflow level according to your needs. Its three different speeds are energy-efficient; its highest setting has a far reach, so it is comfortable in a small, medium, or large room. The wireless remote is especially handy, for operating at a distance, while its built-in timer is useful for when you want to drift off into a pleasant sleep; it can be set for anywhere between one and four hours.
5. Pelonis 3-Speed Oscillating Fan




Key Features
3-Speed quiet fan
The user-friendly front operation panel
Wide-Angle – 80° wide oscillation angle
Built-in overheat protection
1-year manufacturer warranty
Pelonis 3-Speed Oscillating Fan is ideal for home or work; its sixteen-inch stand and adjustable feature (3.5 to 4 ft) allow s a range of heights to be targeted. It can be put into a static or oscillating mode, to sweep a larger radius with coolness; it may also be set for a four-hour window of time, at which time it will automatically stop. Its operating panel is user-friendly, and a battery-powered remote allows you to control the speed fifteen feet away or shut it on or off, as desired. Its motor even has an in-built overheat safeguard. Both the rear and front guards also make it family and pet friendly, although they are easily removable to facilitate cleaning.
6. Lasko Space-Saving Pedestal Tower Fan

Key Features
3 quiet, energy-efficient speeds
Directional louvers & widespread oscillation
Built-in 6 hour timer
Wireless remote control
Adjustable height
Built-in timer
One-touch sleep mode
Lasko Space-Saving Pedestal Tower Fan is great for saving space; its sleek design is helped by its directional louvers and a timer with plenty of programs and state-of-the-art remote control. It is compact enough to fit in a variety of awkward spaces, and it has three energy-efficient speeds that allow you to optimize its use during those sultry summer months. The directional louvers allow you to direct the air wherever you want, while the remote’s LED display make it user-friendly and easy to see in the evening. Oscillation, sleep mode, fan speed, and timer are all operable via this remote control.
7. Hurricane High Velocity Oscillating Fan




Key Features
Heavy-duty portable stand fan
Adjustable height – 39 to 54 inches tall
Powder-coated finish
Aluminum fan blades
Hurricane High Velocity Oscillating Fan is great for swishing the air around your garage, greenhouse, workshop, or any other comparable area. It is a very sturdy portable stand fan, with an adjustable height of 39 to 54 inches. It is constructed from metal, but it is finished with a powder-coat, while its blades are made from resilient aluminum. There is a useful adjustable tilt that allows you to direct the airflow to its best position. The fan also has three speeds is connected via a 6ft 120v power cord. It may not look particularly futuristic but it gets the job done, powerfully, and effectively.
8. Lasko Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan

Key Features
Fully-adjustable height, tilt fan head
3 speeds for complete airflow customization
Built-in safety features
3 quiet, energy-efficient Speeds
Adjustable height & tilt-back Head
Widespread oscillation
Lasko Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan can cool down a health studio, classroom, office, and all manner of other areas. It has an eighteen-inch diameter blade that offers three energy-efficient speeds. It also offers 90° oscillation, so that a wide area of hot air can be cooled with its cooling action. In terms of safety, it has its Blue Plug Patented Safety Fuse Technology, which shuts down the whole device if a hazardous electrical fault is detected. No tools are necessary to set it up; simple instructions help you to assemble base mount to extension pipe; then fan blades and grill. Voila. A cool fan for a reasonable price.
9. BLACK & DECKER Oscillating Stand Fan




Key Features
Pedestal fan with remote control
Quiet, standing oscillating fan
Adjustable height & tilt
Automatic modes & easy-access controls
One-year warranty for parts and labor
BLACK & DECKER Oscillating Stand Fan can produce quite an impact seeing as it weighs less than 10 pounds, thus allowing you to drift off to sleep, or continue to be as productive as possible in uncomfortably hot conditions. Its tilt and height are adjustable; at three separate speeds, it works perfectly well either oscillating or staying still, thus giving you complete control. The remote control frees you up so you can operate it at a distance; meanwhile, a user-friendly LED display shows you a variety of auto modes and even a shutdown timer, useful for saving energy and of course your electricity bill.
10. Dyson Air Multiplier Oscillating Table Fan



Key Features
Easy tilt
Bladeless
Sleep timer: 15 min to 9 hrs.
Easy to clean
Warranty: 2-year parts & labor
Patented Air Multiplier technology
This unconventional fan uses Air Multiplier technology to draw air in, then amplify x 15, thus producing a high-velocity airflow that doesn’t require a single blade! Rather than an oscillating tower fan, Dyson Air Multiplier Oscillating Table Fan looks like an object from the future. It boasts 10 precise airflow settings, a timer, on/off function, and oscillation control, accessible from a remote which is conveniently magnetized on to the machine. Cleaning is a breeze; without any blades, it is significantly quicker. The benefits to pets and children are obvious. It is also a staggering 75% quieter than the original model; the AM01. Its programmable sleep timer can be set from anywhere to between 15 minutes and 9 hours, and it comes with two-year parts and labor warranty.
11. Comfort Zone Folding Base Oscillating Fan




Key Features
3 airspeed options
Push button speed control
90-degree oscillating head
Adjustable height and tilt
Attractive glossy black body
16” ABS blades
Built to meet strict global quality standards including UL, ETL, SAA, CE, CSA, and NOM
Quiet and powerful motor
1-year Warranty
Comfort Zone Folding Base Oscillating Fan offers three-speed settings of cool air, which has convenient push buttons to make it as user-friendly as possible. It also has an oscillating function which allows the fan to reach a wide radius of space, as it pivots smoothly and efficiently from side to side, heightening air circulation as it goes. The powerful cooling and sleek design make it blend into any area, eg. restaurant, bar, office, or living room. Its patented Quad-Pod folding base is already assembled when it arrives; it facilitates hassle-free transportation and is very compact and convenient when not being used. The height can be adjusted from 41″ to 47-3/8″, so it can reach over any table, desk, or bed, cooling at a higher altitude, as desired.
12. Honeywell Double Blade Pedestal Fan





Key Features
Powerful whole room cooling
DualAirfx double blade
Three-speed settings
Three airflow type settings
Adjustable height, up to 48″
Adjustable tilt fan head
Electronic LED Controls
Remote control
1-8 hour auto off timer
Honeywell Double Blade Pedestal Fan boasts a 16″ double blade for powerful cooling; this is done in order to get maximum efficiency and airflow. Its LED control panel allows you to select one of three different airflow settings, among the following: normal – a regular flow of air; natural – intermittent air; quiet – a soothing breeze, ideal for night. Its adjustable height goes all the way up 48 inches, and its electronic controls have an auto shut-off timer and remote control for ease of use. Improving the air circulation in your home not only keeps you comfortable but in the long-run reduces energy costs.
Features To Consider With Oscillating Fans
Adjustability
A fan's adjustability is one of a number of important things you need to weigh up when you search through the various features and reviews out there. The ability to tilt the head of the fan up or down means you will have close control over airflow, allowing you to target a specific corner of a room, or concentrate the cooling power towards a sunnier area in a large office. The ability to shift the fan vertically up or down is also useful because you might not want the sensation of wind blowing right into through the night, so it can raise the height of the fan to alleviate this. The greater the adjustability the freer you are to decide exactly where and how you want it to work for you.
CFM
CFM, or Cubic Feet per Minute, essentially means airflow. CFM is measured when a fan is at its highest speed, and that number is subsequently divided by the Watts being used. In a nutshell, the greater the CFM, the more efficient the fan is, because it is moving a greater quantity of air using the same amount of electricity. This may or may not be important for you, and can depend upon whether you want it to be on its highest setting, reaching a whole room, or whether you are content to use it sporadically to cool a more localized area. The best oscillating fans will allow you to meet several needs, so unless a low price of purchase is at the top of your list you may want to compare CFM between a range of different models, some which don't even use oscillating blades.
Controls
Some models come with just three buttons; low speed, medium speed, high speed. The more sophisticated models will have a touch-screen display panel that will allow you to set a range of 'shut-off' timing programs, offer a range of different speeds, and may even enable you to vary the degree of oscillation. You will find this particularly useful if you don't want to be fiddling around with the settings all day. Such sleek and user-friendly control panels may even turn you into a fan of fans!
Design
Oscillating fans are not what they once used to be, ie. great big clunky things that looked like a flying saucer turned on its side. No, these days the trend is for the best, new creators of cool air to like as cool as they are. The product with a sleek, stylish, and futuristic look is likely to turn heads and function as a design feature, no longer an eyesore on your wall. Such products as 'Vornado' have now become household names on the market. Dyson also seems to specialize in bladeless fans that look like they're been sent back to us in a time machine from the future! The classic, 'retro' style oscillating fan might suit the particular rooms in your home or office space, though, so as long as it complements and cools your space, tower fans cannot really be called 'best' or 'worst'; it all depends upon what ambience you're trying to generate.
Noise Level
The noise level of your fan comes primarily from the blades which literally chop the air within the fan's cage. Counterintuitively, some sleepers actually prefer a bit of 'white noise' so-called, which can help them get to sleep; a bit similar to the principle of leaving a sidelight on rather than going to sleep in the pitch-black. Your average oscillating tower fan new to market these days will have an extremely solid base, and aluminum blades that will slice through the air with less noise than older materials were wont to do. Some of the new models, these days, will use bladeless technology, so blade material or condition will become irrelevant.
Oscillation Range
It's not rocket science, it's fan science! The wider the radius of the fan's head, the wider the radius of space that can be cooled. The average oscillating fan offers a range of up to 90°, but models that offer up to 180° exist but are less common. The structure of the mechanism would mean, too, that the oscillation range, if 180° would be twice as likely to burn out over time. In most cases, 90° of oscillating if sufficient; by the time it gets back to 0° that area is again in need of cooling.
Remote Control
Your remote control can be a lifesaver, especially if you're wanting to enjoy a movie night, or work in a spacious office environment. We are not talking about a relatively small table fan, after all, but a more powerful model that is slicing the air around with considerable power and velocity. The cool air which emanates might be too cool or not cool enough, and with a handy remote that lives neatly in your palm or slots into a magnetized section on your pedestal fan, you can enjoy ultimate convenience by making your tower fan go to work for you, from a distance.
Safety
Certain models have a fuse control device that shuts down the whole machine if it detects an electrical fault in the system. Tower fans can be quite tall, so the sturdier and stronger the base the safer your children will be. All fans ensure that the rapidly spinning blades are stowed safely in a grill so that no tiny fingers are able to poke their way into danger. What makes some models a bit special is that there simply are no blades at all; alternative state-of-the-art technology is used to generate a cooling breeze without the need for the slicing of air. If you are very worried about having small pets and children being potentially harmed by an oscillating tower, then a wall fan might be a better option. It will have to be affixed to the wall, but you will then not have to worry about anyone of the problems just mentioned.
Size
It's not the size but power that counts, but it's unlikely you can control a whole room with a tiny unit. The sheer amount of CFM (see above) that must be generated necessitates a larger girth of the head in order to effect. There is a reason why desk fans or table fans tend to be significantly smaller in size. Another point to remember is that oscillating fans do not actually lower the room temperature; no, instead they enable the air to make sweat evaporate more rapidly from your skin. The more your skin is doing this, the cooler you will feel, even though the room temperature might not adjust even one degree. If you're wanting a change in room temperature then an air conditioning unit is what you need.
Timers
The ability to set a timer on your oscillating tower fan is a huge advantage. It enables you to get to sleep and beat the worst of the heat, which tapers off incrementally throughout the night. It also helps you to cool down your house or apartment while you're at work, and come back to enjoy the benefits of increased airflow having passed through your living space throughout the day. It benefits the environment; offices can set their times to 9 hours, from 9 am - 6 am, and no one needs to remember to switch it off. Then there's the cost; even the biggest and most costly of fans will suck up less electricity and thus less money than a modestly sized air conditioning unit.
Velocity
The chopping motion of the blades creates increased airflow; this, in turn, helps your sweat to evaporate more rapidly than it could do with a regular airflow, and voila - cooling occurs. Tower fans, placed in strategic positions around an office, can make a massive difference to the ambience and atmosphere of a working environment. One of the best things about the best tower, that is, the best oscillating tower of modern times is how quietly the blades rotate. This due mainly to the thinness and material of the blades, which are powered by increasingly sophisticated; the kind of electromagnetic actuator used is smaller, quicker and contains superior parts than in yesteryear.
Warranty
The longer the better; the longest warranty tending to be about three years. Many companies will simply receive your faulty fan and replace it within a short turnaround. Others will take slightly longer but will fix it up so it's like new again. Simply insert the power cord and off you whir!
Sources
How Oscillating Fans Work - Hunker
3 Brilliant Fan Tricks To Help Cool Your Room During A Heatwave - House Beautiful
How to cool down a room with fans if you don't have AC - Insider