A Guide to Understanding Portable Fans
Easy to use and helpful for those stuffier
rooms, portable fans add that bit of breeze you need inside. With
several different designs, sizes, colors and shapes, there's no end to
how creative you can be with your portable fans. The best part? You'll
have a way to cool off once you've done all the hard work of finding it.
Types of Portable Fans
- Box fans are, as the name suggests, fan blades encased in a box covering. The box has several open slots on the front and back to allow air flow through. While originally meant to rest on the floor, box fans are more efficient when placed on a higher surface, such as a window sill or a table. They are typically much larger than other portable fans.
- Desktop fans work well for small rooms or temporary relief. While the fan blades rest in a variation of shapes, usually cylindrical, the fan itself sits atop a stable foundation or mount that rests well on a tabletop or desk. These are extremely common in homes.
- Pedestal fans rest on the floor, and stand tall, usually four to five feet high. The cylindrical fan blade case sits atop a tall pedestal, which allows for easy height adjusting and fan oscillation.
- Tower fans look a lot like standard space heaters. The tall, often cylindrical fan case rests on the floor and stands several feet high. Their controls usually rest on top, with options for oscillation and fan strength. Because they are heavier than pedestal fans, they are often cheaper than them as well.
Important Portable Fan Features
- Speed settings are more and more common in portable fans. Even the most basic tabletop fans, for example, come with two settings: low and high speed. This varies depending on quality and price of models, so shop around to find what works best for you. Many stores will let you test the fans before you buy them, so keep that in mind as you're browsing.
- Oscillation, the rotation of a fan to provide extended airflow, is more common in portable fans than ever before. If you do not like oscillation, you have two options: First, you can get a fan that has an oscillation button, which can switch the oscillation setting to off. Second, you can find a fan that does not have oscillation. This may limit you to a box fan or tabletop model. Oscillation is most effective when the rotation range is not too wide, however, so don't let the "bigger range" sticker trick you into paying more.
- Controls used to be limited to buttons and switches, but technology has been on the user's side this last half-century. Many portable fans come with remote control options and/or extremely easy to use button panels. In the end, choose a control system that will work best for you. Are you notorious for losing the TV remote? Then maybe you should stick to on-device controls. And always be sure to get a fan with controls you can easily understand. This is a safety factor as much as a convenience one.
Portable Fan Cost
Basic desktop fans can cost as little as $5 to $10, but for higher-quality desktop fans, $20 to $40 is more common. Box fans, too, vary in price based on quality, usually the material used to make the box itself. Low-end models will hover near $15 to $20, while advanced models will range anywhere from $50 to $100. Some box fans that are built specifically for window placement can cost as high as $200.Pedestal fans have the greatest range in price. Cheaper models can cost as little as $20, while better models will cost upwards of $200. However, decent pedestal fans are available for under $100. Newer pedestal fans, called air multipliers, have no blades and use suction to create airflow. These can cost as much as $500. Tower fans have the most consistent pricing, usually ranging from $50 to $150 depending on quality, settings and airflow.
Portable Fan To-Do List
- Decide where you need a fan. Where you plan to place your fan should determine more about your shopping experience than anything else. If you have limited space or only need a compact device, then desktop fans will probably be best for you. For living rooms that need more airflow, pedestal fans and tower fans are very popular, while box fans work well in garages or kitchens.
- Examine the features closely. Don't pay extra for an extra "medium" fan setting. There's little chance you'll need it. Instead, pick out the features you will find most useful and practical for your needs, and go from there. And again, don't pay more for a fan that oscillates at a wider range.
- Shop around, and be creative. Fans can be overpriced in store. To avoid this, you can shop at large warehouse stores if you have memberships there. If not, you can negotiate. Find a great deal on a fan when one store is having a big sale, and take that price to a competitor. Nine times out of 10, the salesperson will get their manager's approval, and you'll have saved yourself a lot of money.