Credit: architecturaldigest.com
Install a fan or AC unit before you start sweating in your house. This way, you don’t have to panic buy or miss out on the best cooling fan sales—which are happening right now.
When it’s time to find your cooling device, there are a few things to consider, such as the BTU (British Thermal Units), which show how much heat is taken out of a space in an hour. The higher the number, the more powerful the AC system. But you’ll need to make sure it’s appropriate for your space. You don’t want to have an air conditioner so powerful that it turns your apartment into a tundra, or a tower fan so weak that the airflow won’t reach your bed.
Here, we found the best desk fans, air conditioners, tower fans, and even a dehumidifier to ease you into a cool summer.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cooling Fan Sales:
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker keeps the Windmill fan at her desk in the office to cool herself down after a sweaty New York commute. “The Windmill fan has been a huge relief to start the workday with a gentle breeze,” says Baker, who loves the butter yellow colorway. (It also comes in white, black, pink, and navy.) The fan is small, but mighty. It’s marketed as being 29% more powerful than other fans of its size by cooling 380 cubic feet per minute (CFM)—and Baker does not disagree. Plus, its quietest setting Whisper didn’t disturb her workday in any way. (The middle speed setting is more like white noise and the high speed is similar to slight buzzing and does vibrate a bit.)
Yes, the Dyson Purifier Humidity+Cool Formaldehyde PH04 is pricey, even on sale, but it’s a worthy investment. “It might actually save you money in the long run if you don’t want to buy a purifier, a fan, and a humidifier individually and you want a powerful device for each activity,” says AD commerce director Rachel Fletcher in her review. “I’d recommend it if you have deep pockets and not a ton of challenging air pollution situations to combat on the regular.” The three-in-one machine will tackle the usual suspects, dust and particles, but also remove formaldehyde with a carbon filter (which can be found in some carpets and furniture and cause eyes and throat irritation). Fletcher noticed that when the air quality dipped in her home, say after lighting candles or cooking on the stovetop, the auto setting kicks in. To control the fan speed, oscillation range, and timers, she uses the Dyson Link app. Bonus: This model keeps the humidity levels at a reasonable level and can go up to 60%.
This is not your grandmother’s air conditioner—for one, you can install it yourself. The sleek design of July models come in more than white (there is light blue, rose, and also a premium plywood finish). “The decorative front panel is magnetic and easily snaps on,” says contributor Sydney Wasserman in her review. “While it’s impossible to completely disguise any AC, July seemed to blend in more than other units because of its solid front panel and the barely-there buttons on top of the device.” Wasserman tested the plywood and fabric panel and noticed some condensation on the plywood after having the unit on for a few hours (which is normal). “It didn’t drip down to the floor at all, and was easily cleaned with a swipe of a dry cloth,” she says. “When I tried out the fabric panel, there was no condensation.” For an extra $30, you can add a three-month air filter supply.
Consider the Windmill AC if you appreciate the minimalist aesthetic. And let’s be real, we all want to be minimalists when it comes to camouflaging an air conditioner. The curved edges and perforated design grate is barely there, yet you still feel the cooling effect. “I was impressed that the unit could easily cool not only my 187-square-foot living room but also reach far back down the connected L-shaped hallway,” says Wasserman in her review. Plus, she noticed that, unlike the direct hit of the airflow at the waist, this one is at a 45-degree angle, which is similar to the cooling effect of central air. Another perk? The low setting is “ surprisingly quiet” at around 50 dB, which is similar to a household refrigerator according to one decibel comparison chart). “Don’t get me wrong, this AC still makes a noise,” she explains. “It’s just closer to a strong purr than the typically harsh AC sounds.” You will also appreciate that each unit has an antimicrobial filter that can be cleaned after simple removal from the magnetic front cover.
The Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 is a breeze to install and will keep you cool, even if you have a spacious living room that goes up to 1,000 square feet. The air purifier function comes with a Nanoseal HEPA filter with Microban, which traps 99.98% of large, small, and micro-sized particles. “It’s so quiet you might even forget it’s in your space—a huge benefit for a room that has to serve multiple functions, from at-home office to entertaining hub,” says tester Mel Studach, AD PRO senior editor. “I also like that the system comes with a remote control, so I can adjust the settings or swap functions from anywhere in the room.” The unit is also equipped with a Clean Sense IQ monitor, which will keep track of any extra particles. It can work especially well in bedrooms, where linen fluffing can release a lot of dust.
If you live in an apartment, a dehumidifier may not be on your radar, but anyone with a basement knows that you’re in trouble without this appliance as humidity equals moisture and mold. Historical homes in particular are prone to dampness and Aeocky Compressor Dehumidifier is high on energy efficiency—it can harbor up to 80 pints a day when the summer temperatures rise to 95 degrees. It does come with a hose for easy draining, but if you prefer to use it in the bathroom the 1.45 gallon tank will hold the excess moisture. With the fan speed at 44dB, it sounds most like white noise, so your space will never sound like a factory.
The Sweetful desk model may be the best fan on a budget. Not only is it under $20, but its petite size (at just 7 inches high and 10 ounces) makes it extremely portable. It rotates vertically with a 360-degree adjustment at three fan speeds. Since it is powered by a USB, you can plug it into your laptop, AC adapter, power banks, and even car chargers. And when it needs a dust refresh, the detachable front cover allows for easy cleaning.
Tangled cords are never the problem with the KASYDoff rechargeable desk fan—which is, you guessed it, cordless. This portable fan uses an industry-grade battery that will keep it running for up to 24 hours in eco mode and five hours at the max speed (there are four speeds total). The adjustable height allows it to stand tall, angled, and sit flat on a surface. Think of it as a personal fan that you can keep on your nightstand or on-the-go.
As far as bladeless fans go, the Dreo tower fan is a best seller, with more than 500 reviews on Amazon. Since it stands at 36 inches, the design is compact, but still mighty, as it has powerful airflow which can awaken a stuffy space with a high speed of 25 feet per second. And as the cool air blows in your bedroom, you’ll rest easy knowing it’s a quiet fan that won’t disturb your z’s. When it’s time to clean, open up the rear grille and tackle all those trapped dust bunnies.
Sometimes you don’t need to cool the whole room, just your body and the Jiage neck fan is what you need. Just like any accessory, it comes in 10 colors that range from standard black and white, to sky blue, lilac, and mint green. The hand-free design of this personal fan has three speed settings that dictate the wind varieties, such as natural wind, comfortable, and strong wind—so you can choose your weather. Thanks to the upgraded 5200mAh battery, you can wear it all day long before recharging.
This Whynter power player has almost 11,500 reviews and for good reason—most air conditioners are not portable, but this one is and can cool a living room as large as 500 square feet. Not only will it keep you from sweating at home, but the built-in dehumidifier has an auto drain function and has a 71 pints per day dehumidifying capacity. Should your needs change, it has wheels so you can move it room to room without straining your back.
