An oscillating tower fan can cool effectively and quietly, but it does not consume much space when the weather is hot.
The most effective tower fans are those that move air well throughout the room and have a low noise level, which is ideal in bedrooms, living rooms and offices where silence is appreciated.
Here we have the best-rated oscillating tower fans that provide powerful airflow and operate at a whisper level. These models will be valued by American users due to their stable performance, high functionality, and value.
Below you can find a navigation list of our favorite models
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Oscillating Tower Fans
#1 Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan (DR-HTF007)
The Dreo Nomad One is a small 36-inch tower fan that produces impressively strong airflow and remains whisper-quiet.
It blows air up to 25 ft/s but can operate as low as 28 dB when on its quiet mode, which is ideal in cooling a bedroom at night without waking you up.
This fan has 4 modes and 4 speed settings (Normal, Natural, Sleep, Auto) to customize the breeze to as gentle or as strong as a storm. It swings 90 o to spread air throughout the room and has an 8-hour auto-off feature as well as a convenient remote control. It is safer to kids and pets because of the bladeless design (internal hidden fan blades) and has a sleek modern appearance.
Pros: Very quiet; very powerful cooling capacity relative to size; various modes to suit various requirements; remote and timer are convenient; low profile and space saving.
Cons: Oscillation angle is normal (90) – sufficient in most rooms but not as broad as some of the high-end models; no smart app connectivity.
All in all, the Dreo Nomad One is a superb all-round tower fan suitable to bedrooms or medium-sized rooms, with a good compromise of power and quiet comfort at a very affordable price.
#2 Lasko Wind Curve Tower Fan (Model T42951)
An old time favorite, the 42-inch Lasko Wind Curve offers reliable whole-room cooling with the quality of Lasko. Its profile is tall and slender and swings to disperse a cool breeze in bigger rooms.
This fan has 3 low-noise settings (low, medium, high) and has a sleep-friendly timer (up to 7.5 hours) and a multifunction remote control to make adjustments easily and conveniently across the room. The in-built ionizer feature that may be used to freshen the air during its running is also liked by many users. The Wind Curve has only three set speeds, but it moves a lot of air on high and a nice white noise on low that can also be used as a sleep aid.
Pros: Trustworthy brand with thousands of positive feedbacks; durable 42″ tower construction that directs airflow to the height of the bed or sofa; easy electronic controls with auto shut-off timer; remote control is included to make it easy to operate; oscillation feature covers a wide area
Cons: No fancy modes of newer models (no special breeze or nature setting, just constant speeds); slightly louder on high speed than DC-motor fans; no smart features.
To the person who wants a proven oscillating fan to cool a bedroom or living room, the Lasko Wind Curve is a popular value product that does the job.
#3 Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan (HYF290B)
The Honeywell QuietSet, as the name implies, is designed to provide very quiet cooling in bedrooms and other sound-sensitive areas. This tower fan has 8 speeds, so you can adjust the amount of air and the volume of the fan, whether you want it to be a whisper-quiet sleep mode or a strong gust of air at full blast.
It is also made to be quite quiet even when running at faster speeds as compared to the normal fans. It swings to reach the entire room and it has a remote control and variable thermostat settings. The brightness of the control panel is adjustable and this is excellent when using the control panel at night. Its airflow may not be as powerful as other bigger fans, but the QuietSet offers a soft, relaxing flow of air that is perfect in making you comfortable throughout the night.
Pros: Very quiet at lower speeds – ideal to use with light sleepers; there are several fan speed settings to achieve the right noise to cooling ratio; it oscillates well to cover the room; it comes with a remote and a timer; it has a sleek black finish and a sturdy base
Cons: Peak airflow is middling, it was not designed to blow a high-powered wind, no smart technology, no Wi-Fi connectivity.
#4 Dyson Cool AM07 Bladeless Tower Fan
The AM07 by Dyson is the high-end option that is ideal to have in case you desire the most advanced design and airflow that is as smooth as possible. This unique tower fan is based on the Dyson patented Air Multiplier technology which multiplies air and throws a steady, smooth flow of air with very little noise.
There are 10 exact speed settings, so you can adjust everything between a soft breeze of air and a stronger cooling flow. The AM07 swings to reach approximately 90 degrees of the room and it has a sleep timer that you can set between 15 minutes and 9 hours. It is also very quiet compared to the air it can move, due to its brushless motor and simple airflow path, much quieter than older Dyson models and most conventional fans. The remote control that is included magnetically docks on top of the unit when not in use. The Dyson is very efficient and fashionable but it is also very expensive.
Pros: Beautiful bladeless design is safe around children and simple to clean (no grille to collect dust); very quiet in most applications; extremely smooth, non-buffeting airflow; a wide variety of speed settings and a long timer to customize; high-quality construction and design add beauty to a room.
Cons: Much more costly than regular tower fans; no smart home compatibility with this model
When money is not an issue, the Dyson AM07 is luxuriously quiet and stylishly modern, and there is little that can compete with it.
#5 Levoit 36-inch Bladeless Tower Fan
The Levoit tower fan is a mid-range priced tower fan with powerful cooling capability and high-end features, which is produced by a brand that is famous because of its air purifiers. This 36 inch oscillating fan has 5 speeds with a Turbo mode to get an additional boost of airflow on hot days, and an Advanced Sleep mode that reduces the noise level (to 28dB) to a minimum at night.
It also features an Auto mode which can regulate the speed of the fan depending on the temperature of the room so that you can have customized coolness without having to fiddle with it all the time. The bladeless design of the Levoit blows a smooth breeze around the room as it oscillates 90. The top has a clear digital display of the speed/mode that is appreciated by users and it has a remote that can be used to control it easily when in bed or on the couch. There is also a 12-hour programmable timer and a carry handle.
Pros: Silent but powerful cooling, a special sleep mode at night and a turbo mode to help in a hurry; it has multiple speeds and modes to adapt to different situations; it is white and modern-looking, and it is well-built; it is a well-known brand of home comfort equipment; it is cheap considering the functionality.
Cons: The oscillation is only up to the standard 90 (which is enough, but does not cover as wide an area as some of the bigger fans); no Wi-Fi or voice control
The Levoit tower fan is a balanced choice in most households: it can cool a living room during the day and be used in a bedroom at night because it is not too loud.
#6 Amazon Basics Oscillating Tower Fan (28″)
The Amazon Basics tower fan is a good option in case you want a cheap and easy-to-use cooling device. It is a small 28-inch fan that fits in a small room, personal office, or any other place where you require a quiet breeze without sophisticated features.
It has 3 speeds which are adjusted using an easy to use mechanical knob on the top (no remote, which makes the design simple). The fan swings around 60 o to cover an airflow comfort zone. It is surprisingly quiet and effective in its size, which is praised even though its price is budget. It is lightweight and has a carry handle that can easily be moved around the house.
Pros: Extremely cheap; good enough cooling capacity at a personal level or small rooms; low sound at low fan speeds; easy to use with minimal controls; small and can fit in a corner.
Cons: Few features (no timer, no remote control, fewer oscillation range)
All in all, Amazon Basics tower fan is the best budget option to stay cool on a budget, it is reliable and quiet, but it will be best to use it in case of small cooling needs.
#7 Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan (Cruiser Pro T1)
To complete our list we have a high-tech alternative to those who desire power and intelligent convenience.
The Dreo Pilot Max is a 42-inch tower fan that has a brushless DC motor that enables it to operate ultra-quiet (down to 25 dB) and provides an amazing 12 different fan speeds . This implies that you will be able to enjoy a gentle quiet breeze to a powerful airflow to cool the entire room.
It also swings 120 o to a wider range than most fans. The Pilot Max has the advantage of being smartly connected: it can be connected to Wi-Fi and can be controlled by voice using Alexa and Google Assistant, and the settings can be changed or schedules set using a smartphone app. Naturally, there is also a conventional remote control. Other functions are 4 preset modes (e.g. Normal, Natural, Sleep, Auto), a 12-hour timer and a clear LED display (which can be dimmed or switched off at night).
Pros: Outstanding airflow and coverage and very quiet operation due to the DC motor; a broad selection of speed settings to achieve a customized comfort level; voice control and app control make it convenient and fun to use; high-quality construction with a stylish modern appearance; oscillates further to cover more of the room.
Cons: More expensive than simple fans (but still cheaper than Dyson)
The Dreo Pilot Max is a powerful, silent, and smart tower fan that can provide all these features in a single sleek package, especially to tech-savvy users or anyone who desires the best tower fan experience.
Buying Guide:
Airflow Power and Fan Speeds
The initial factor to consider is the amount of cooling power that you require. Tower fans employ thin vertical fan blades or blower wheels to circulate air; the airflow of tower fans is commonly defined in velocity (e.g. feet per second) or volume (CFM).
A stronger fan can move air over a greater area of room or give a greater breeze, but can be noisier at high speed. Check the number of speed settings too, basic models have 3 (low/med/high) and advanced models with DC motors may have 6, 10 or even 12. The additional speed settings will provide you with more precision to set the exact amount of airflow (and noise) that you want to be comfortable with. In case you have a big living space or low air circulation, you should consider a taller and high-velocity tower fan (like 40-42 inches) that can blow air to a greater distance.
In small bedrooms or personal use, a smaller fan with a medium airflow ought to be enough, with the main requirement being a quiet fan rather than a powerful one.
Noise Level (Quiet Operation)
The first significant benefit of quality tower fans is that they offer cooling without much noise. Oscillating tower fans are designed to be quiet in operation unlike the older box fans or window units. When you go shopping, make sure the noise level of the fan in decibels (dB) is indicated.
Some of the most excellent models operate at about 25-35 dB on the lowest level, which is literally whisper quiet. As a point of reference, 30 dB is something like a quiet library. In case you intend to use the fan when going to sleep or watching TV, you should find such features as sleep mode or Quiet mark in the description. DC fan motors are usually quieter and sound smoother compared to the conventional AC fan motors. Remember that any fan will become louder as you turn the fan speed up, the trick is to find a fan that balances between airflow and noise at the speeds you will use most. Each of the above-reviewed fans is quiet and works on low/medium speeds, and some of them (Dreo, Levoit, Honeywell) are specifically made to be as quiet as possible to be used at night.
Oscillation Range and Coverage
The oscillation property assists a fan to spread cool air to a greater distance. The majority of tower fans rotate at about 90 o (sweeping back and forth to cover about a half-circle in front of them). This will be enough to cover one room provided that you position the fan well.
Design and Size
One of the reasons why tower fans are popular is that they are slim and space saving. Nevertheless, height, diameter, and beauty vary. Higher fans (40-48 inches) increase the flow of air, which may be more efficient to cool a whole room and to go over furniture (e.g. a bed or a sofa arm). The shorter fans (approximately 30 inches) are more portable and can be used on the desk or personally but might not distribute air as much in a big room.
Fans of the bladeless type (such as Dyson or certain models of Dreo/Levoit) conceal the blades inside the device, which gives them a more modern appearance and makes them safer (no fast-rotating components that can be touched). The conventional designs are visible with the front grille; they are fully functional and in most cases cheaper.
Energy Efficiency
It is much cheaper to run a fan compared to an air conditioner, although it is prudent to take into consideration the amount of energy it will consume in case you will be using it during many hours of the day.
Tower fans using DC motors (brushless direct current) tend to be more energy efficient than tower fans using AC motors, and may use less wattage at similar speeds.
They also permit a greater variety of speed settings and are more likely to be cooler (regarding the heat of the motor) and quieter. Look at the wattage of a fan, the average tower fans consume 30 to 60 watts.
In a single summer, 10-20 watts can accumulate in your electricity bill. Such functions as timers and auto-off may help you not to forget to turn off the fan all day.
Moreover, a fan can be used in addition to or in place of air conditioning to save a lot of energy: the most powerful tower fan will cost only a few pennies an hour to operate. All the models we have discussed are rather effective and economical to operate, in comparison with AC. When energy consumption is a major priority, consider newer DC motor fans or models that are promoted as energy-saving.
With Cost & Value
Tower fans are available at various prices with the cheapest being below 50 dollars and the most expensive being 150 dollars and above. The price is usually associated with features, quality of build and brand name.
Basic fans (such as the Amazon Basics model) are all about the basics, they will oscillate and cool just as well, but do not expect any extras. The middle-range fans (60-100 dollars) are more likely to provide the optimal combination of price and performance: typically, you will have a remote, timer, good quietness, and good airflow (such as Lasko, Honeywell, Levoit in our list). Premium fans (Dyson or high-end Dreo) have luxurious features such as super-silent, excellent design, intelligent connectivity, or air purifying, and they cost more.
