Are cheap fans any good?
While you may get a more powerful and efficient blast of air from a pricier fan, if you're looking for something to take the edge off on the hottest days and nights of the year, a cheaper fan will still make a noticeable difference.
Fans get air moving, reducing stuffiness in the room and cooling your skin. At Mumsnet HQ we've tested a lot of fans, and while spending more will get you a quieter fan with more choice in terms of speed settings, a timer and a remote control, when it comes to blasting air, a good budget fan can hold its own.
Lots of Mumsnetters opt for a smaller personal fan, like the Amacool Neck Fan or the EasyAcc Mini Handheld Fan, preferring targeted cooling they can use anywhere over expensive models that can cool a whole room.
It's always important to choose the best products to suit your budget and needs, which is why we've also written in-depth guides to the best budget washing machines, the best budget tumble dryers and the best budget dehumidifiers, all based on recommendations from real families.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing the products Mumsnetters swear by for 3 years, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.