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Ranked: The best cooling fans to beat the heat, tested by an editor
May 21, 2025
As a resident New York City girl, I've become accustomed to living in very small spaces over the last 10 years. The downside? During the hot summer months, my tiny 400-square-foot apartment traps the heat like an infrared sauna.
Enter fresh air.
Cooling fans are a great solution to help keep you comfortable (and free from overheating) all season long. For four weeks, I tested nine different cooling fans of all shapes and sizes for our Shop TODAY Ranked series. From classic round fans to more modern tower fans, I tried them all.
To expand my knowledge on this topic, I consulted a board-certified dermatologist as well as a sleep expert to answer all my burning questions on if these fans could improve quality of sleep and overall skin health.
Keep reading to find my top picks from popular brands like Shark, Dreo, Amazon Basics and more — starting at $17. There's even a kid-friendly option that lights up in rainbow colors at night!
Our top picks
The best cooling fans
Best overall cooling fan
What we like
Very modern
Doesn't take up much space
Sleek design
Portability: 4.5/5 | Cooling Power: 5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | NoiseLevel: 4.5/5 | Airflow quality: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.8/5
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