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On a quest for the one tower fan to rule them all? We have been testing tower fans side-by-side since 2020, getting our hands on 17 of the top models over the years. We have done our best to blow your socks off, putting these air movers through their paces in the heat of a desert summer. We took empirical measurements of airflow and made observations on the circulation abilities of each model. We rotated through different modes, speeds, and settings in the lab and used them at home to get an idea of day-to-day functionality.
Of the 9 options included in this year's update, the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 is a quietly powerful option that should suit most homes or offices. If you're looking for more power and less quiet, the Vornado 184 was able to move the most amount of air per minute in our tests.
Tower fans are usually best for use in smaller spaces where you want a bit of unobtrusive airflow to freshen up the atmosphere. If you have a different type of space that needs cooling, you can check out the best fans of different styles, from top-rated window fans to pedestal fans. If you need even more of a kick to combat rising temperatures, a window AC might be the way to go.
Editor's Note: We updated our tower fan review on March 18, 2024, to provide more insights from our testing team and also added some advice on how to select the right fan.
The Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 towers above its competition with above-average scores across the board and shows particularly great performance in the most important metric of power and circulation. We were impressed by the amount of air this machine could move, and during our distance test, lead review Austin Palmer said, “I could feel a breeze at over 60 feet away, and it felt pretty strong still.” But the Cruiser Pro T1 doesn't just direct a focused stream of air; it also creates great circulation. In our circulation test, we set up party fringes at different distances from the fan in order to visualize air currents through the room, and the Dreo Cruiser created movement from top to bottom, showing it is an effective way to freshen up a stale room. However, knowing you won't always need to use it at max capacity, it features six different speed levels with four different modes to span a wide range of needs, whether it's a gently warm day or a scorcher. The interface has some often overlooked pros, like automatic display-off and the ability to silence those pesky beep noises. While the Cruiser Pro faired relatively well overall, our runner-up Levoit Classic 36" performed slightly better when it came to cleaning the fan and tracking energy usage.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average CFM
508.8 CFM
Measured Average Thrust
1.02 N
Measured Average Sound Pressure Level
53.0 dBA
Measured Average Energy Usage
0.047 kWh
Estimated Cost on High; 12 hours a day for 90 days
$8.13
As part of our testing, we compared the sound levels of all the fans we reviewed. While the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 was on par with other fans when running on a similar power output, noise levels increase as you increase the power. Since this unit has stronger output than most, our tester acknowledged that “the noise at higher levels was noticeable and loud enough that I had to turn up the volume on my TV to be able to hear clearly.” We measured the average at 53.0 dBA which is a bit louder than other fans, so if quiet comfort is what you are after, then we recommend the Dreo Touch Control 40 Inch Standard. Though not as powerful, the Drea Touch is better able to recede into the background when it comes to sound level and pitch. Energy consumption is another area where this fan could improve, although this also has to do with the higher output levels. In the end, we calculated about $8 for a summer's worth of use, which is just above average for the group. It may be worth the extra cost to those who need the wind power. Overall, we recommend this versatile fan for anyone looking to cool a variety of spaces in their home.
Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 excelled in all our test metrics.
Levoit Classic 36" stands at the sweet spot of great performance and low price. During use, it performed well in our circulation test; we noticed movement substantial movement on all of the fringe decorations we hung throughout the testing room, with air moving forward at some levels and in reverse at other levels. This alternating flow of air shows a circular movement, which can help cool down the room more effectively. Along with the Lasko Wind Curve, this fan clocked one of the lowest sound volume readings at just 47.5 decibels, offering comfortable temperatures without making a loud racket. Fans inevitably collect dust and small debris after running for a long period, so you'll be happy to know that cleaning the Levoit was effortless. Our tester mentioned, “I was able to disassemble the grille quickly, and quick access to the propellor made it much easier to wipe down all the components.” The easier it is, the more likely we all are to clean our fans. A diligent cleaning can help reduce the amount of dust and pollen you circulate through the room along with the air, which is good news for those who are sensitive to allergens. The Levoit Classic also had better-than-average energy usage, and we calculated the cost of running for a full summer to be just under $6.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average CFM
268.3 CFM
Measured Average Thrust
0.66 N
Measured Average Sound Pressure Level
47.5 dBA
Measured Average Energy Usage
0.033 kWh
Estimated Cost on High; 12 hours a day for 90 days
$5.81
Although the Levoit Classic 36" managed to score above average in our power and circulation metric, it's not one we would recommend if you like strong airflow or have a large room to cool. It underperformed in our air volume movement test, recording an average of 268.3 cubic meters per minute in our testing. For reference, this is about on par with the Dreo Nomad One Standard. Drawing more air in is important in cooling air at a faster rate, and is better for use in long halls. However, as we mentioned above, the Levoit did well when it came to circulation, so the two components of the test balanced out to an average score. If you require a fan that will help move more air per second, then we suggest the Pelonis 40". Just know that a more powerful fan will be louder and use more energy, so choose your battle. Overall, the Levoit Classic 36" is a good choice for those who never turn their fan to the highest setting anyway, and it comes at a price that is more accessible than similar performing options.
We were able to critically analyze our favorites, like the Levoit Classic 36", through multiple testing metrics.
The Pelonis 40" PSF40T2ABB is a notable option for providing decent power and circulation while also not taking a chunk out of your wallet. Scoring slightly higher in the power and circulation metric than the Levoit Classic 36", this fan showed a better ability to push air around the room during our testing. In our crisscross fringe setup used to visualize airflow, we saw air moving through almost every corner of the room. meaning that it is well-equipped to clear up a congested space. What's better about this fan is that it has both great airflow and a big thrust. Think of it as the amount of air moved vs. the force of the moving air. The right combination of the two is better equipped to make a substantial shift in the temperature of your home. It pushes out 0.81 newtons of force, a measurement that's well above average in this lineup. While it's not as easy to access the interior of the fan as with the Levoit Classic, the Pelonis still scored above average because, according to our tester, “once you're in, you can clean basically everything.” Again, this is ideal for those who are more sensitive to small particulates floating around in the air.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average CFM
425.5 CFM
Measured Average Thrust
0.81 N
Measured Average Sound Pressure Level
50.5 dBA
Measured Average Energy Usage
0.047 kWh
Estimated Cost on High; 12 hours a day for 90 days
$8.13
The Pelonis 40" covers the basics of what a fan needs to do, but we found the interface design to be a bit lacking in some areas. For instance, it is not possible to mute the buttons on the screen, so you'll be forced to listen to the jarring beep every time you press a button. We like that the unit comes with a remote, but feel it is an odd oversight that there is nowhere to store it. If you're like us, the odds are you'll lose the remote without a proper storage location, especially if you are often moving the fan from room to room in your home. These are minor critiques and don't affect the basic performance of the fan. However, if you want a tower fan with a more thoughtful design, we recommend the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1. It has a more thoughtful interface, is more customizable, and includes a night-time mode that silences those annoying beeps. But if you're willing to get over interface annoyances, the Pelonis arguably provides the best power output you can get for the price.
The Pelonis 40" has great circulation patterns that can reach most areas of our testing room.
Do you usually find yourself in the dead of summer in need of a fan that truly blows away the competition? The Vornado 184 set itself apart from other models in our power and circulation testing, earning a near-perfect score. The brand name Vornado is derived from the Vornado Plane, a combination of vortex and tornado. A fitting name for this beast of a machine. We were quite impressed with the sheer amount of air that we could feel at distances of over 60 feet away, and in our fringe circulation test, our reviewer said, “I can easily feel the air moving around me, even standing way back here behind the fan.” To put a number to the amount of air this unit is able to move, we measured an average of 786.3 cubic feet per minute, which is an impressive flow. That recording is about double what the average of other fans in this lineup were producing. This combination of excellence solves any potential cooling hurdles you might have and makes this fan a perfect option for long corridors or very large rooms.
SPECIFICATIONS
Measured Average CFM
786.3 CFM
Measured Average Thrust
1.14 N
Measured Average Sound Pressure Level
57.2 dBA
Measured Average Energy Usage
0.083 kWh
Estimated Cost on High; 12 hours a day for 90 days
$14.53
The downside of this breezy machine is that it prioritizes power over all other features. Since the Vornado can really crank, it makes sense that it uses more energy. Based on its watt usage, we were able to estimate the cost of running the fan 12 hours a day for 90 days straight, coming up with a total of $14.53. This isn't a huge amount when compared to what you might spend on a meal out these days, but it does add to your energy bill with consistent use. Unfortunately, another side effect of increased power is an increase in sound levels. The fan was substantially louder than others when we compared decibel readings. Standing 3 feet away, we recorded the fan at 57.2 decibels at the highest speed level. For reference, our tester noted that “this is the loudest of all the fans by a good margin.” There was an additional buzz it produced when we turned it on that had us overwhelmed at times. If you're not able to tune out background noise very well (and this is a pretty big background noise), you might find the high volume of the Vornado 184 a turn-off. The Levoit Classic 36" offers reduced sound levels and is a more affordable option in terms of up-front price and ongoing energy costs. However, you won't have that powerful output, and if that's what you need above all else, the Vornado provides.
The Vornado is mighty powerful with its ability to circulate air through large rooms in our testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Our in-house testing team worked together to bring you the most comprehensive review for tower fans.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
We took a deep dive into assessing what it takes to be the coolest fan. We critically analyzed each fan output so we can provide you with a comprehensive review. With our in-house testing team, we constructed demanding tests that pushed each fan to its limits. We first looked at the sheer power of each fan by using an anemometer to measure the amount of air a fan could move per second. We added visual circulation assessment to our testing to get a better understanding of how these machines work throughout an entire room. We know these things can be loud, so we used a decibel meter to take sound measurements at each setting, adding our own color commentary on the pitch and characteristics of their distinct hums. Following manual instructions, we took apart these machines to clean the grille and other components at the tail end of our test period. This gave us insight into how difficult or time-consuming a cleaning session may be. Lastly, we took a look at how much energy these things can suck up. We know these machines are a lifeline, running daily for hours on end during hot, sweltering summers. So, we broke out the spreadsheet and crunched the numbers to estimate the costs of running the fan 12 hours a day for 90 days, replicating a summer's worth of full-time use.
Our tests are broken down into these four metrics:
Power and Circulation (45% of overall score weighting)
Noise (30% weighting)
Cleaning (15% weighting)
Energy Use (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our expert test team is led by our Senior Analyst, Austin Palmer. Austin grew up in a muggy town in Texas, so he fully understands what it is like to be uncomfortably hot. He relied on fans throughout his childhood and into his higher education, studying at Sam Houston State University. Austin not only tests this category of fans but has tested the full range of fan categories at our testing facility, dubbing him the lord of the fans. He notes that he is ready to “blow the competition away.” His extensive testing doesn't just stop at fans. He has tested other cool categories like portable and window air conditioners, gaining insight into the requirements it takes for us to stay fresh. Prior to living in the Tahoe basin, Jessica Riconscente lived down under in Australia and New Zealand for multiple years. She lived amongst the rainforest where humidity often brimmed to full saturation in heat that broke triple digits at times. It was hot, and Jessica has been appreciative of fans ever since. Her technical background helped to systematically test each product, thoroughly assessing each output a tower fan produces so that our review constructs the most comprehensive review out there.
We broke out all our tools to take accurate readings during our testing.
Analysis and Test Results
We know that fans may seem remedial in their construction, but what we've learned through testing is that they are not all created equal. It's important to find the fan that works best for your situation. That is why we've broken down our testing into key aspects of a fan. We're here to guide you to building your own oasis in your home or office.
What's the Best Value?
Tower fans are considered at the luxury end of the spectrum compared to other fans and often hold a higher cost with this association. With this consideration, we selected a wide range of cost values to see if the higher prices are really worth your investment. Our testing was standardized across the board, not changing any aspect based on the price of the product. What we found was that the performance didn't necessarily correlate to the dollar amount.
We love the Levoit Classic 36 for its high scores and low price tag.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Through our trials of testing, we found that the Levoit Classic 36" rested in the sweet spot for great performance at a reasonable cost. To further help your wallet, this fan uses less energy than most of its competitors and is efficient in the process. Along a similar price tier is the Pelonis 40" PSF40T2ABB. The Pelonis touts a slightly higher power and circulation score than the Levoit but falls behind in every other consideration we tested. Still, we found it to be beneficial for certain applications where you may want a fan that is great for larger rooms with a nice price tag.
It's worth noting the Vornado 184 breaks above the $100 dollar tier that most other high performers don't touch in our selection. Although there is a hike in price, it may be warranted due to its revered power and circulation. If you have large, open areas in your home that have historically posed problems to cool, the Vornado may be worth the investment.
We could feel the Vornado's power over 60 feet away.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Power and Circulation
Picture yourself in your home on a hot, humid day where your air conditioning just can't cut it. You're overheated, irritable, and, honestly, sticky. It's uncomfortable to live in those conditions. Heck, you might be in that nightmare now, and that's why you're at our site desperately reading through this review. As a means to relieve your situation, the best way to combat those congested conditions is to move new air into your room from a cooler location and circulate that air to help push out the warmer air. That means your fan not only needs to have great power but also be effective at creating a current in the room. That is why we didn't just look at the sheer power of the fan but took into consideration the ability it had to circulate.
It's difficult to see air moving. We can feel it on our faces often in a windy storm, but to accurately see circulation patterns can be puzzling to obtain for testing. Our solution is to construct a maze of fringe celebration decorations to visualize airflow throughout our testing room. We broke down our testing room into a grid by setting up those streams of decorations in a three-by-three set of rows. We hung the fringe at low, medium, and high heights. This helps us cover the full volume of the space so we can factor in every part of the room. This test accounted for the majority of the score in this metric, but not all of it. The full breakdown can bee seen in the chart below.
Tower Fan Power and Circulation Submetric Scores
Product
Room Circulation
Distance Felt
Thrust
CFM Box
Vornado 184
10
9.5
8.0
9.5
Dreo Cruiser Pro T1
8
9.5
7.6
6.6
Pelonis 40\"
7.5
6.1
6.8
5.8
Dreo Touch Control
6
7.0
6.6
5.1
Levoit Classic 36\"
7
7.0
6.3
4.2
Lasko Wind Curve
6
5.7
6.1
4.3
Dreo Nomad One
5
5.3
6.0
4.5
Lasko FH500 Fan
3
5.5
5.4
3.4
Honeywell QuietSet
2
4.0
5.0
3.0
Turning on the Vornado 184, you could easily see the flow of air throughout the room, making us instantly cool. The Vornado stood out in this circulation test along with all others in this metric. The Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 was a slight step down in performance, but it still got the job done. We felt cooler overall but couldn't necessarily feel the current on them where they were stationed in the corner of the room. The Pelonis 40" did an impressive job of moving air throughout the room, getting the majority of the fringe to move one way or the other.
The ability to both power and circulate air throughout a room is integral to alleviating those muggy rooms.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
To partner with circulation, we tested the power of these machines to help get an idea of what their capabilities can achieve. We know that some folks may be in a strenuous desert climate or have sizable territory to cover in their home that requires more force to get things done. We took three additional measurements: the longest distance at which we could feel the fan pump air out, max thrust, and how many cubic feet per minute of air the fan can move. Long halls, large rooms, and wide open areas pose a hurdle for tower fans. Other types of fans have no problem with these requirements, but because of the thin design of tower fans, they often struggle. We were impressed by both the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 and Vornado184 for their ability to propel air over sixty feet.
We introduce the thrust machine, a device that measures the power of the fan to physically push out air.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Thanks to Matthias Wandel, we were able to construct a method to measure the thrust of a fan. The thrust is a measurement that basically tells us how much air the fan pushes out. The thrust machine is designed to translate that pushing force into a weight on the scale. To simplify the numbers, we converted the end result into a familiar force, newtons. The Vornado 184 again had the highest reading at 1.14 newtons, but the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 wasn't far behind in testing, registering a commendable 1.02 newtons.
Lastly, we took a look at the amount of air the fan moves in an instant. This deals with the intake of the system and gives us the potential capacity these fans can produce. We set up our anemometer in a standardized sealed testing box. Measuring the input gave us consistent readings and was the reasoning as to why we included it in our results. Not surprisingly, the Vornado 184 stood at the top, moving an impressive average of 786.3 CFM in our testing. Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 followed this at 508.8 CFM, but we are pleasantly amazed the Pelonis 40" did great to pull in the air as well, recording an average of 425.5 CFM. View the graph above to see how others stack up against these three highlighted here.
Power and circulation is our highest weighted metric to focus on the big concern of reducing temperatures during those hot, humid days.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Noise
You can get excited by selecting a powerful fan, bringing it home, and turning it on, only to find out the thing roars like a jet engine. Noise can be a critical factor in your enjoyment, and a fan that's too loud can be a dealbreaker for some. You want to create an oasis in your home or office, so a fan that operates like it is shooting off rounds will most likely not construct that sanctuary. Since this is an important factor, we evaluated the noise level at multiple settings for each fan and also compared the noise level of each fan running at the same power output (as measured by our thrust test). Decibel readings alone don't fully characterize the noise these fans produce, so we also noted any unusual pitch, rattling, clicking, or vibration sounds that came sputtering out.
Tower Fan Noise Submetric Scores
Product
Perceived Noise (highest output setting)
Percieved Noise (comparable output setting)
Dreo Cruiser Pro T1
6
9.5
Dreo Touch Control
8
7
Levoit Classic 36\"
7
7
Lasko FH500 Fan
7
6
Honeywell QuietSet
7
5
Pelonis 40\"
6
6
Dreo Nomad One
6
5
Vornado 184
3
7
Lasko Wind Curve
5
3
Although the decibel reading is about average, we found the Dreo Touch Control to be one of the most pleasing to our ears overall. We didn't notice any annoying sounds that could distract you, allowing the natural fan noise to fade into the background, granting you peace in just a small space. The Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 did remarkably well when testing along a similar power output. However, when you crank up the levels on the fan, you can notice a bump up in volume as well.
It's no surprise that our top performer for power and circulation is our lowest performer in this metric. The Vornado 184 hits 57.2 dBa from 3 feet away. It's pretty dang loud. Sometimes, it even makes you unable to hear your own thoughts. Although the Lasko Wind Curve is much lower on the decibel scale, we found it aching to listen to the device. The thing whined like a child while also hearing a bird flapping from the blades. An overwhelming combination of noises pushes the Lasko Wind Curve down the list.
We took sound level measurements at every speed for every fan to understand the full range of what these machines can blast out.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Cleaning
Realistically, if you are in need of a fan, we know that it is going to be cranking out for multiple days on end, running constantly for long, extended times. This fan will inevitably suck in lint and other small particles that will build up in the grille and on the blade. So, we broke out the manuals for this metric. We went step-by-step through what the manufacturer states for cleaning each fan. We took them apart, whipped them down, and put them back together. We recorded the ease of access along with how much you can effectively clean. We want to let you know which fans made it easy for us while others made it more of an ongoing saga to complete.
Cleaning was a breeze with the Dreo Nomad One Stand and Levoit Classic 36". Removing the cover is simplistic and gives you easy access to the grille and blade. You have the ability to clean everywhere dust collects with ample room to put a sponge or end of a vacuum hose. The Dreo Tough Control performed great in our cleaning tests as well. The only notable inconvenience was the difficulty in popping off the tabs to access the internal compartments, but we found it got easier to work with each session.
We broke down each fan to properly clean and took notes about the process.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The Honeywell QuietSet, Lasko FH550, and Lasko Wind Curve were like prison bars, difficult to open up unless you have the keys. Unfortunately, those keys are a security torx, and seeing as most households don't have that specific tool, it begs the question of whether the manufacturer actually wants us to disassemble them to clean. Some manuals told us to never take the fan apart, while others neglected to even write cleaning instructions. These bottom three fans stood out as an ache on our side with such a simple task.
After hours and hours of use in an office or home, the fan is bound to accumulate dust, so we've broken down each machine to accurately get an account of how difficult it may be to thoroughly clean.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Energy Use
To help understand the full cost of these machines, we took into account the amount of watts they used and how efficiently they were able to utilize that consumption. We measured the watt usage at high, then extrapolated that measurement as if it were running for 12 hours a day for 90 days straight. The range wasn't wide when compared to other products, but the Honeywell QuietSet did edge out the competition. More likely due to the fact it doesn't pump out a ton of power.
We took the ratio of thrust to watt usage to figure out which fan was most efficient. If we're able to select a fan that is not only powerful but also doesn't take a ton of energy to use, it would be quite a beneficial appliance to have for our home. The Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 has the highest ratio, marking it the best for energy usage.
This graph breaks down the power output per watt used for each speed level a fan has. This shows you the operating level at which your fan is most efficient, and which fans are the most efficient overall. Here, the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 comes out on top, producing the most air movement per watt of all the fans tested.
Credit: Austin Palmer
How to Choose a Tower Fan
Depending on the size of your space, the climate you live in, and your temperature preferences, your cooling needs will be different, and certain fan types will be better suited to your circumstances than others. Tower fans excel in situations where you don't have a lot of extra floor space, whether you are living in a studio apartment or are trying to cool a small office full of desks. They are not as powerful or as stable as floor fans, so these are better for light cooling. If this sounds like you, you're in the right place. If not, check out some of our other favorite fans.
As we mentioned before, tower fans are great for small spaces. However, blowing power varies among the fans we tested, so further evaluating the size of the room you want to cool is a good place to start when choosing a tower fan. If you're looking for something to leave in the bedroom, you will want a very subtle that can go unnoticed on a day-to-day basis, then a less powerful but whisper-quiet fan may be a good option. Sound level is also important to consider if you plan to run the fan through the night and don't want to disturb your sleep. You can also look for features like auto-dimming displays that reduce light, silent mode that turns off those annoying beeps, and an included remote, so you can make adjustments without getting out of bed. If you plan to use it in more of a hub space like the kitchen or living room, noise won't be as much of an issue, and you may opt for something that is a bit louder but creates a stronger breeze.
We measured the fans' midpoint to better assess where their center of gravity stood.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Tower fans have the great ability to transform your room into a refreshing escape from the humid reality that's looming outside. They can make you feel like you're in a cool shadow versus a direct desert sun beating on you. They have substantial effects. We want to make sure that you have the insight into which fan performs best. We tested each of these products, pushing them to their maximum readings to let you know where they fall on the spectrum.
After record-breaking high temperatures this past summer, it is even more precedent now to have a system that helps cool down your house. You may be interested in our other fan categories like floor fans and table fan. If you don't think these machines can cut it, you may try reading our air conditioners review.
