Vornado VFAN Mini Vintage Desk Fan
Holmes 8-Inch Lil'Blizzard Oscillating Desk Fan
Dyson Cool AM06 10 Inch Air Multiplier Desk Fan
One thing we all love to complain about is the weather. We’re either too hot or too cold! Whether we’re at home, in the car, commuting to work, in the gym or sat at our desk, we’re either cranking up the thermostat to feel warmer or bagging the closest spot to the air conditioning to get a blast of refreshing cool air. Man has been re-creating the action of wind for centuries now, and the first ever electric powered cooling fan was designed back in 1882. These days, fans of all descriptions have very much become a part of our everyday lives, enabling us to comfortably control our own environment. So today we’re taking a look at that popular modern invention, the desk fan, a useful gadget that can deliver a refreshing stream of air to your personal interior space, helping to keep you cool, calm and collected under pressure! We’re about to give you the low down on the best desk fans that will ensure you’re the envy of your work colleagues this summer!
The Best Desk Fan
1Vornado VFAN Mini Vintage Desk Fan
A sensational looking and extremely quiet personal air circulator, the Vornado VFAN Mini Classic is our Best Choice today. Weighing just 3 pounds, it has a compact and small footprint and features an impressive oscillating function which also the fan to move 90-degrees improving your personal office space air circulation. It features two fan speed settings and a multi-directional pivoting head action. Those retro good looks and compact design are certainly pleasing on the eye, and this is one simple, effective and classic portable desk fan solution. Make sure you also check our guide to the best high velocity fans for more great products like this.
Attractive retro design with metal construction
Authentic VFAN styling
Utilizes Vornado’s signature powerful Vortex air circulation system
2-speed settings with multi-directional air flow
5-year manufacturers warranty
- BrandVornado
- ModelCR1-0282-17
- Weight3.5 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Powerful
Portable
Stylish
Difficult to clean
2Honeywell HT-904 Tabletop Air Circulator Desk Fan
For intense cooling power of your personal space, this Honeywell HT-904 Air Circulator Fan might look a bit on the basic side, but it most certainly delivers. It’s a quiet and energy efficient option and is relatively noiseless which is excellent if you are using this in a busy office environment. Utilizing Aerodynamic Turbo Design, it delivers maximum air distributions and has three selectable speeds putting you in total control of the desired level of airflow. It’s a great option for personal and powerful directional cooling and further features a pivoting 90-degree adjustable fan head.
TurboForce power for intense cooling and air circulation
Aerodynamic Design for maximum air movement
25% quieter than comparable fans
90-degree variable tilt fan head
Removable grille for easy cleaning
- BrandKaz
- ModelHT-904
- Weight3.7 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Powerful
Portable
Easy to clean
Speed setting knob badly positioned
3Holmes 8-Inch Lil’Blizzard Oscillating Desk Fan
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t beat the heat, especially not if you have this Lil’Blizzard small oscillating fan by your side. This eight-inch automatic fan uses oscillations to distribute air conveniently around your personal space and has a tilt adjustable head along with two-speed settings positioned towards the rear. It’s the ultimate in portability weighing just one pound and has a decent footprint. It’s not the prettiest of fans we’re reviewing, but it will certainly keep you cool under pressure! Customers rated it a little too loud to be used as an effective bedside fan option. Our handy guide to the best cooling tower fans features more great products like this.
Two powerful adjustable speed settings
Oscillating head covers a wide personal area
Portable and lightweight design
Easy to clean with removable grille feature
Tiling adjustable head for directional airflow
- BrandHolmes
- ModelHAOF87BLZ-NUC
- Weight3 pounds
Compact
Lightweight
Powerful
Portable
Easy to clean
Loud
4Dyson Cool AM06 10 Inch Air Multiplier Desk Fan
If you can just see beyond the hefty price tag and are happy to justify the budget, then they definitely don’t get much sleeker or more sophisticated looking than this Dyson Cool Multiplier Desk Fan. This wouldn’t look out of place on any top flight CEO’s executive style desk, and if you love minimal, modern design as well as staying cool, then you are definitely going to be impressed with Dyson’s quiet and powerful airflow technology. Unlike any of the other fans you are likely to see, this quiet fan delivers uninterrupted airflow without the use of fast-spinning blades. That means it’s safe for curious little fingers or if you have pets around too, as well as being a breeze to clean. With a remote control that features 10 precise airflow settings and a sleep timer which can be programmed from 15 minutes up to nine hours, it’s a smart and stylish choice.
Utilizes Dyson air multiplier technology
Streamlined air channel for reduced airflow turbulence and noise reduction
Programmable sleep timer
Safe to operate with non-spinning fast blades
Oscillation as well as tilt control and remote control with 10 precise airflow settings
- BrandDyson
- Model49095-01
- Weight7.39 pounds
Sleek
Modern
Stylish
Quiet
Powerful
Remote Control operated
Expensive
5EasyAcc Battery Handheld Portable Fan
Perfect for your desk but also neat and discreet enough to pack into your backpack for the hot and sticky summer commute to work, this EasyAcc handheld mini personal fan can literally go anywhere with you. Featuring a rechargeable high capacity 2600 man battery, it can deliver up to 10 hours wireless working time and when it does need a top up, can conveniently be charged at your desk using a USB charger. It features three adjustable airflow settings and is surprisingly powerful given its small stature, but the most significant advantage is that portability. With a foldable design and convenient palm-sized footprint, it really can go anywhere with you. Find more great products for your home by checking out our guide to the best humidifiers.
Rechargeable battery as well as USB powered
Fully compatible with all USB output devices
Three adjustable and strong airflow settings
Easy to operate with simple power button setting
Multifunctional and suitable for use both indoors and out
- BrandEasyAcc
- ModelFNHD
- Weight8.5 ounces
Inexpensive
Compact
Portable
Handheld
Battery & USB operated
Basic design
6Ozeri Brezza III Dual Oscillating 10” High Velocity Desk Fan
An elegant looking high-velocity desk fan, the Ozeri Brezza III features two ultra-quiet motors and can deliver a targeted and refreshed blast of cooling air with four different speed settings. It’s a good looking unit in black and brushed steel which will take pride of place on your office desk. It even comes with a remote control and features a timer which can be set for up to four hours of constant soothing breeze. Write, compact and elegant looking, with this small oscillating fan on your desktop, no matter how stressful the day, you’ll stay calm and collected!
Powered by 4 ultra-quiet dual oscillating automatic motors
Extended range remote control
4-hour timer as well as airspeed settings
Aerodynamically designed to deliver lower dB noise rating
Sophisticated and stylish space saving design
- BrandOzeri
- ModelOZF6
- Weight6.5 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Powerful
Portable
Stylish
LED lights are a bit bright for a bedroom setting
7Seville Classics UltraSlimline 17-inch Oscillating Personal Tower Fan
If desktop space is a priority and you are looking for something more streamlined and slimline in design that won’t take up too much valuable space, then the Seville Classics UltraSlimline is worth closer inspection. The footprint takes up less than 6 inches, and while the design is thin, the power is mighty. It features three separate speed settings along with three timer settings too so you can choose from increments of one, two or four hours. There’s also an automatic shut-down function for those of you who are so busy, you forget things! The fan oscillates 80-degrees so creates a good amount of air flow, and with an LED lit control panel, it’s super easy to operate and adjust. Be sure to also check out our list of the best essential oil diffusers for more great items like this.
3 ultra-quiet speed settings for personalized airflow
Powerful air movement thanks to 80-degree oscillating head
Automatic shutdown as well as 3 timing selections
One push operation with LED light indicators
Small footprint perfect for workstations and countertops
- BrandSeville Classics
- ModelEHF10121
- Weight4.5 pounds
Small footprint
LED light
Easy operation
Portable
Slimline
Longevity issues
8Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan
If you’re looking for a reliable personal air circulator fan, this Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce is well worth further consideration. Combing three-speed settings with quiet, efficient delivery, it’s a relatively noiseless option so perfect for your home or work desktop set-up. It features an adjustable fan head which pivots at a 90-degree angle so that the airflow can be directed where it’s needed the most. It also comes with Honeywell’s Aerodynamic design for maximum air distribution. While this fan may well be small and compact, it’s a great option and highly efficient.
TurboForce power for intense cooling and air circulation
Aerodynamic Design for maximum air movement
25% quieter than comparable fans
90-degree variable tilt fan head
Three powerful speed settings with top mounted control operation
- BrandHoneywell
- ModelHT-900
- Weight2.6 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Powerful
Portable
Adjustable
Unstable
9Fancii Personal USB Desk Fan
A super smart and compact personal desk fan which can be charged via USB, the Fancii Small Personal Desk fan is available in your choice of black or white. It features a whisper quiet fan that has twin turbo cyclone blades and can deliver up to 40% more power than other similar sized small oscillating fans. It’s also quiet too so perfect for an office environment. Overall it’s compact and powerful, quiet and conveniently plugs into a USB port making it a sensational little USB desk fan.
Twin turbo cyclone blade technology for maximum airflow
25% quieter and 40% are powerful than similar models
Small, compact, portable and lightweight choice perfect for an office setup
180-degree tilt for cooling air circulation in any direction
Conveniently USB powered
- BrandFancii
- Model2.88 ounces
- Weight2.88 ounces
Compact
Portable
Lightweight
Twin turbo cyclone blades
USB powered
Longevity and build quality issues
10Lasko 4000 Air Stik Ultra-Slim Oscillating Fan
If your desktop space is at a premium and you require something that is more slimline in design with a smaller footprint, then the Lasko 4000 Air Stick Ultra-Slim Oscillating Fan might just be the best desk fan for you this summer. With two quiet speed settings, fully oscillating function and an LED illuminated control panel, the Lasko arrives fully assembled and is ready to use straight out of the box. It’s 14-inches high and stylishly sleek and slimline to look at. Don’t let the size put you off as it moves ample air around and is whisper quiet too.
2 quiet speed settings
LED-illuminated electronic controls with fully oscillating function
Takes up very little surface space so is great for on a desk setup
Patented fused safety plug for your safety
Fully assembled for your convenience
- BrandLasko
- Model4000
- Weight2.5 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Powerful
Slimline
Adjustable
Maybe too tall for some office cubicle setups
11Vornado Flippi V6 Personal Air Circulator Fan
We love the look of this innovative little Vornado Lippi V6 personal air circulator which is small and compact and perfect for your desktop or for a students dorm. It delivers the ideal cooling breeze and utilizing Vornado’s signature Vortex technology to quietly and efficiently circulate air around your personal space. It features 2-speed settings and comes in a nice range of contemporary colors with a modern high-gloss finish. It’s sleek and discreet, and it certainly works like a total treat!
Pivoting head for adjustable airflow direction
High gloss modern and sleek looking design
Utilizes Vornado’s signature powerful Vortex air circulation system
2-speed settings with multi-directional airflow and manual swivel base
3-year manufacturers warranty
- BrandVornado
- ModelCR1-0094-06
- Weight1 pounds
Compact
Quiet
Pivoting head
Portable
Stylish
Not the most powerful
Desk Fan Buying Guide And FAQ
How Do We Choose Our Selection Of Desk Fans
We love doing our research so that you don’t have to! When making our product selections we evaluate a couple of simple but highly critical factors, namely peer reviews which also provide a key insight into expected user experience as well as ensuring we recommend only quality merchandise that we trust has been designed to last. Besides those two important factors, we also like to ensure that our comprehensive guides have a range of products at affordable and attractive prince points so that there is something that will suit everyone’s budget, from cost effective options through to higher end and more established brand offerings. Talking of which, we like to share the love too amongst all the fantastic brands out there. We don’t go down the boring old route of focusing on just one brand but instead like to bring diversity to our guides, introducing some more exclusive and lesser established brands along the way which might otherwise get overlooked.
Features To Look For In Desk Fans
This category is one that has certainly seen a lot of engineering breakthroughs over the years, and you can now invest in a personal desk fan that is powerful, discreet and pretty much silent too. Besides ensuring that the desk you’re purchasing physically fits into the desk space you have allocated for it, there are a couple of other key features that are worth considering.
Power Source-Mostly desk fans will be electrically powered and therefore feature a cord which will need to be plugged into a nearby socket in order to function. There are rechargeable battery powered desk fans as well as USB port fans that you could also go for. A great option if you are working at a desk
Fan Power-Generally speaking, the faster the fan oscillates and the bigger the blades, the more power it will deliver. However, consider just how much power you really need when you are at your desk, versus potentially having the paper contents of your desk flying all over the office! The best bet is to get one that has adjustable settings as well as directional airflow that you can control.
Design-Perhaps the most common and popular style of fan is an Axial one which features those classic rotating spokes and blades that rotate to drive air flow. Besides this design option, there are also plenty of Tower style fans available today too which are taller and slimmer in design than the Axial fan and so take up a smaller desktop footprint. The air is pushed up and down as opposed to horizontally and output via a series of outlets rather than through grilles. One other design that is garnering more popularity is the Bladeless fan which does in fact still have blades, albeit not visible ones! Airflow is pushed through an exposed ring in a focused breeze effect.
Noise Level-If you are specifically looking to use your fan in an office environment, then probably you should be looking for one that features quiet operation, both for your own benefit and that of your colleagues! If you do have your fan on for a prolonged period of time, any noise will become irritating, and you don’t want to be shouting over the sound of your fan to make yourself heard!
Oscillation-Simply put as this isn’t a physics paper, oscillation is the side to side “swing” action of the air flow. The higher the oscillation, the higher the volume of air circulation from your fan will be.
Timers & Programming-Not strictly a must have function but certainly a nice to have one. The ability to be able to program your personal fan for selected periods of time might be useful, especially if you’re the kind of person who forgets to switch things off after a long and stressful day at your desk! It could be a handy safety feature that you personally find useful.
Desk Fan FAQ
Q: What is the Desk Fan?
A: A desk fan is a machine designed to circulate air using some form of rotating assembly, typically blades which are housed within a durable casing to prevent injury and will be powered by an electric motor or sometimes a rechargeable battery. The desk fan, in particular, is designed to be small and compact enough to fit in a workspace environment but should still be powerful enough to deliver targeted air cooling and refreshing comfort. Usually, the desk fan will be characterized by also featuring a swiveling or tilting head that allows it to oscillate across a wide space to assist with keeping the owner cool.
Q: Are Desk Fans expensive to run?
A: Not at all. They’re very inexpensive in fact. Depending upon whether you opt for a battery-powered or a mains powered device, the costs of running are minimal. That’s why desk fans are a popular choice for use in offices, schools and plenty of other settings where a compact and cost-effective means of providing airflow might be temporarily required.
Q: How do you clean a Desk Fan?
A: Cleaning your desk fan should be a relatively quick, easy and safe job and will definitely help to ensure the longevity and good working order of your investment. The specifics details of how to clean your desk fan will depend upon the make and model of course, but basically, there are just three steps to remember.
Firstly switch your fan off, unplug it from any power source to which it’s been connected and refer to your owner’s manual for the correct procedure before removing the front grill which normally will just need to be unclipped.
To clean your fan, you just need a washcloth and a solution of warm water mixed with some dishwashing liquid or mild detergent. Gently wipe down all the blades and grills. You can clean the motor with something like the head of a dry toothbrush to remove any dust that’s settled or use a can of compressed air.
Allow all the parts to thoroughly dry before reassembling your fan.