Should I buy a desk fan, pedestal fan or tower fan?
As the name suggests, desk fans usually sit on a table or desk. They are not as powerful as pedestal or tower fans, and may not be sufficient enough to cool an entire room. However, their small size and portability make them ideal for a work from home or office setup, allowing you to have a cooling breeze while you work. They also take up less space and, depending on the model and features you want, tend to be cheaper than floor fans.
On the other hand, pedestal fans are larger and more powerful than desk fans, and can be placed on the floor or a desk if the size is adjustable. They often have an customisable tilt and oscillate horizontally to cover a wider area of the room.
Tower fans are similar to pedestal fans and are designed to cool an entire room. They are tall and slim, taking up less space than a pedestal fan, but are usually more expensive. Additionally, tower fans have a modern and minimalist appearance compared to pedestal and desk fans.
How to choose the best desk fan for you
Want to keep your cool while working from home? A desk fan will do just that. Whether you’re at your desk, working in the kitchen or relaxing on the sofa, they're ideal for a chilling blast during hot weather. And they're small enough to be picked up and taken from room to room.
Here are a few things to think about before buying a desk fan:
Size. How big is your desk or table?
Do you need a long cable to reach a socket or will you charge using a USB port?
Do you want a basic model or a stylish design?
Do you need a model with a remote control?
Do you need a timer?
How much airflow do you require? Do you need it to tilt or oscillate?
How much are desk fans?
If you're watching the pennies, you can pick up a basic desk fan from around £10. These affordable options may not have all the bells and whistles, but they'll still do a decent job of providing a refreshing breeze. On the flip side, a high-tech, powerful fan like the Dyson can set you back nearly £500.
You'll find most quality desk fans usually retail between £25 and £90 depending on the settings and features you require.
Are desk fans effective?
The motor technology in desk fans has really moved on over the years and you can get a decent cooling airflow with fairly low noise levels from the smaller desk fans (as opposed to larger pedestal or tower fans). That said, the slightly larger models are a little more efficient at blasting out air.
Will a desk fan cool a room?
Desk fans are capable of cooling smaller rooms. Those with higher speed settings will have more punch. But for larger rooms, you need a pedestal fan or even a portable air conditioner to beat the heat.
How long can you leave a desk fan on?
You can typically leave your fan running for as long as you need it without any issues. However, it's always a good idea to give your fan a break every now and then, especially if it's been running continuously for several hours to allow the motor to cool down and prolong the life of your fan.
Which is the best desk fan?
The fan that swings it for us is the MeacoFan 650 Desk Fan which comes with great features and design for an affordable price. It’s hard to beat that winning combination.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which desk fans discerning Mumsnet users had bought for cooling small spaces. We compiled a list of the desk fans they recommended for being powerful and offering value for money.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which desk fans had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customer reviews said about them.
Having collated all that information, we picked the best desk fans we thought would make the best buys.
About the author
Natasha is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing lifestyle and home articles with a focus on product round-ups and reviews. She has also written for The i Paper, Stylist Magazine, Gransnet and Exposed Magazine.
With several years of experience under her belt, she has written on many topics, including everything from beauty to baby essentials, fashion to food, but her true expertise is seeking out the best home and kitchen advice and products to make daily life that little bit easier.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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