When the temperature rises, having the best desktop fans by your side can make all the difference in keeping you comfortable during those warmer days and nights. Whether you're looking to beat the heat while working during the day or need help to cool down before you head off to the land of nod, a good quality fan can provide some much-needed relief.
There's nothing more uncomfortable than feeling hot and sticky because of the heat, which is why having a desktop fan is essential for helping you battle the heat and humidity during the summer months. Of course, we don't have to be having a heatwave for you to feel the benefits. There are many of us who feel the heat all throughout the year and could do with a cooling blast during the cool months of the year, too.
Best desktop fans at a glance:
• Best overall: Honeywell TurboForce Power Fan – view on Amazon UK
• Best USB desktop fan: John Lewis ANYDAY Spectrum USB Desk Fan – view on John Lewis
• Best rechargeable desktop fan: White Rechargeable USB Desk Fan – view on Dunelm
If you don't have the budget for a fully-fledged air conditioning unit and you need something that will offer some relief from the heat, a desktop fan can really help. The best desktop fans, as the name suggests, are designed to easily sit on your desk, as well as on bedside tables, sideboards and anywhere else they can stand unsupported. They're typically smaller than most fan types but bigger than a handheld fan so they should provide ample airflow in your personal space.
We've searched the web to bring you a selection of the best desktop fans that come highly rated and recommended by real-life customers online. Some desktop fans may be restricted to being near a power socket but many of the options we've bought together are USB powered. This is because USB desk fans are fantastically convenient as they don't take up any of your valuable mains outlets as they can be plugged into other devices, such as your laptop, and they're ultra-portable. Discover the best desktop fan for your needs from our top picks below.
Best desktop fans
Best overall
Highly rated on Amazon with over 21,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.5, the Honeywell TurboForce Power Fan is a popular choice. It has three powerful speed settings with a 90-degree oscillating head and it is powerful enough that you can feel the cooling effects from up to seven metres away.
Customer review: "I’m going through the menopause right now and with all the sudden hot flushing, it’s no joke! So, when my much-trusted, much-used fan went on the blink, I was thrown into a state of panic. A good fan is a menopausal woman’s best friend! How was I even going to sleep at night when flushes are at their worst? So, I got right on to Amazon. I needed a fan and I needed it quick. And just by pure luck, I spotted this little beauty and best of all I’d have it next day. It was a done deal! Don’t let the size put you off, it’s a powerful little beast! And does the job perfectly, keeping you as cool as a cucumber in the fridge! Doesn’t take up much room and kind of blends into the room. Its job is to take the heat off you and, boy, it works! Doesn’t sound like a plane taking off from Heathrow either. I do wear earplugs at night but even without them I can still sleep because it just makes a little hum. An absolute bargain. My friend says it’s just as good as her Dyson fan and just does the same thing. Need a fan? You’ve just found it. Hit that Buy Now Button. This one’s a winner. Hot flushes be gone!? Stay cool always! X"
Pros
- Small but powerful
- Three speed settings
Cons
- Some reviewers have said it difficult to clean
Best USB desktop fan
www.johnlewis.com
With three variable speeds and the option to oscillate cool air around your room, the John Lewis ANYDAY Spectrum USB Desk Fan will keep your working area, bedside or your spot by the sofa at the right cooling temperature for you. Weighing 600 grams and having a noise level of 40dB, it's lightweight and it's not very noisy either.
Customer review: "Excellent fan very powerful for the size, but quiet enough to have on all the time whilst working."
Pros
- Oscillating
- Three speeds and five blades
Cons
- Some reviewers were disappointed it isn't a rechargeable USB fan
Best rechargeable desktop fan
www.dunelm.com
Keep yourself cool without the restrictions of cords and cables with this White Rechargeable USB Desk Fan from Dunelm. With four speed settings, an adjustable angle and a quiet operation, it's ideal for keeping you cool at home or at work. When it comes to charging it, you just need to plug in the USB wire and you're good to go again.
Customer review: "These fans are absolutely brilliant I bought one last and added another one this year. Charge quickly, hardly any noise, lightweight so easy to carry from room to room. Definitely would recommend"
Pros
- Can be used without being plugged in
- Four speed settings
Cons
- Recharge time not clear
Most quiet desktop fan
Small and ultra-portable, this Invero Mini USB 4-Inch Tilting Desktop Cooling Fan can easily be moved around and placed in any room or office. We love that it looks stylish with its antique bronze colouring, and its operation is ultra-quiet, so you don't need to worry about having a noisy fan whirring away in the background as you work or try to get to sleep.
Customer review: "Great product used when studying at my desk. Doesn’t blow paper everywhere yet creates a good breeze. Worth its weight in gold"
Pros
- Looks great
- Ultra-quiet operation mode
Cons
- Only has one speed setting
Best small desktop fan
If you need a compact and lightweight fan, then this one from Fancii might just be ideal for you. You can take it with you to your office, when travelling in the UK or abroad, or you can simply use it at home. The dual-fanned tubular design delivers a steady and powerful cooling airflow.
Customer review: "I wanted a portable fan to use in the very hot weather. I was pleasantly suprised at the power, being usb I was expecting a weak flow. I had to take someone to the hospital and wait for more than an hour parked elsewhere. I plugged the fan into a usb port in my car and sat in comfort, not even a sign of perspiration. I am very happy with my fan, just wish I had bought it sooner."
Pros
- Adjustable 180-degree tilt
- Two touch controlled speed settings
Cons
- Some reviewers have said it is slightly noisy
Best mains-powered desktop fan
A traditional, three-bladed 12-inch desk fan featuring three-speed settings and an oscillating head that moves from left to right with a full tilt option. The Oypla Electrical Desk Fan has a near-silent operation feature, as well as a long cable length so it can easily reach wherever you need cooling relief.
Customer review: "Really impressed with this fan. For what it costs its great. Easy to put together. Efficient. Best of all its really quiet and I can use it in the bedroom whilst sleeping. Would recommend."
Pros
- Three speeds
- Oscillating head
Cons
- Some reviewers found it fiddly to assemble
Best bladeless desktop fan
www.argos.co.uk
If you're after a fan that doesn't have that traditional fan look and will blend in with your room décor, we'd recommend this Habitat Grey Bladeless Desk Fan. It has three speed settings that can be controlled from afar with a remote as well as a one to 10-hour auto-shut off timer. It can also be used as a night light.
Customer review: "Elegant grey and wood colour finish fan. Feels like similar noise level and airflow to a normal bladed desk fan but larger in size. Is expensive vs bladed fan but comparable vs bladeless tech. Has a night light and timer and remote control. Easier to keep clean. Look and appearance makes this unique and hoping it lasts longer. A good bedroo/, living room fan."
Pros
- Stylish looking
- Remote control included
Cons
- Might be slightly big for what some people are looking for
What to consider when buying a desktop fan:
When you’re searching for the best desktop fan for your needs and preferences, there are a couple of key points to keep in mind to help you make your decision:
Fan size
Consider the available space on your desk, bedside tables or wherever else you plan to place your fan. Desktop fans come in various sizes, so you’ll want to choose one that fits well in your chosen space.
Power and airflow
You’ll want to look for fans with sufficient power and airflow to effectively cool your room or workspace. Remember, the higher the fan’s wattage, the more airflow it can generate.
Speed settings
By picking a fan with adjustable speed settings, you’ll be able to customise the airflow according to your own personal comfort levels.
Noise levels
Next up, you’ll want to consider the noise level of your chosen model. If you’re after a desktop fan that will keep you cool while working or sleeping, you’ll want to choose a quiet one, so the noise doesn’t distract you from tasks at hand or stop you from peacefully drifting off.
Additional features
Lastly, consider any extra features that your chosen model might come with. Some may have built-in timers so they’ll automatically switch off after a set amount of time, whereas others may have a remote so you can control the speed settings from afar. A handful may also offer adjustable tilting for more targeted airflow.
FAQs
Do desktop fans use a lot of electricity?
The best desktop fans are considered to be a fairly power-friendly appliance as they don't typically use a lot of electricity to run.
The power consumption of a desktop fan will all depend on the size, speed settings and motor power of your chosen model. However, on average, a basic desktop fan of around 50 watts will consume 0.05 kilowatts per hour of electricity. This means that you'd roughly use 1.2kWh of electricity if you were to use your desktop fan continuously for 24 hours.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.
