Tower Fans that Rise Above the Competition: We Look at 4 of the Best
Tower fans are the ideal choice if you live in a home or an apartment where space is limited. They are sleek, stylish, and functional without the cumbersome size associated with regular fans.
After comparing four different types of tower fans based on their unique qualities, their value for money, and the technology they employ to make your experience better, we found the Lasko T42951 Wind Curve came top of the class. That’s not to say, though, that there aren’t alternative options to suit your needs. Read on to enjoy our in-depth review, which profiles several models that come with their own strengths.
- 3 speed settings
- Automatic shut-off timer
- Remote controlled
- Nighttime settings
- 1-year warranty
- Bluetooth technology + App control
- 3 independently controlled fans
- 9 levels of airflow
- 3 pre-programmed airflow patterns
- 1-year warranty
- Contains a HEPA filter
- Wifi connected for complete control
- Senses the air quality
- Alexa enabled
- 2-year warranty
- Remote controlled
- QuietSet technology to reduce sound
- 5 power settings + oscillation
- Automatic shut-off timer
- 1-year warranty
As the price point falls, so too does the list of features diminish. The price of this Lasko model is aimed at those who simply want their tower fan to do what it was designed to do: circulate more cooling air. This fan is hugely popular, selling close to 5,000 units on Amazon alone. For that reason, we have made this our overall HowToHome Pick.
This fan is operated via a remote control or from buttons located on the top of the unit. It has a timer that enables you to set it for up to seven and a half hours, and it shuts off when it’s done. It also has a nighttime setting that allows you to dim the lights on the control panel, then sets to work giving you one hour on the high setting, one hour on the medium setting, and then it runs all night on the low setting until you interact with the control panel again.
At 43 inches it is a little tall, but with a footprint of just 13 x 13 inches, it makes this tower fan an ideal candidate for smaller rooms and RVs. This fan also has a unique Blue Plug safety feature, which means it automatically cuts the power to the unit if a fuse were to blow or if the plug detects any hazardous electrical faults.
On the downside, many report that the airflow is weaker than other fans in its class, and after a short while the tower develops a clicking noise that makes it unsuitable for nighttime use.
Pros
- Popular on Amazon
- Blue Plug safety feature
- Small footprint
- Runs all night on nighttime setting
Cons
- Weak airflow
- Makes a clicking noise
This Ozeri model is also app controlled, like the Dyson Pure Cool TP04, but where it differs is the price: it retails at four times less than their expensive rival. Rather than employing Air Multiplier technology, this tower fan relies on three independently operated fans mounted in the tower to enable the user to have complete control. The company also claims that you can customize the airflow with the nine airflow options and the fact that each fan operates independently. It even comes with three pre-programmed settings.
Unlike the Dyson, this Ozeri tower fan only oscillates to 90 degrees, but given that it weighs just 13 lbs, it should be easy to maneuver if you want to change the direction of the airflow. It is controlled via a remote handset but can also be operated via buttons located at the top of the tower, Moreover, the curved fan blades mean that each fan generates opposing sound waves to reduce the noise, making this fan ideal to keep in the bedroom.
On the downside, many buyers report that the fan makes a rattling noise when it oscillates and that the overall product feels cheaply made.
Pros
- Smart technology works with iOS and Android devices
- Customized airflow
- Lightweight
- Unique noise reducing blade design
Cons
- Noisier than advertised
- Rattles in oscillating mode
- Feels cheaply made
Dyson has been at the forefront of tower fan technology for years, so it comes as no surprise that they have revolutionized the way these devices look and perform. This Pure Cool model has a HEPA filter that captures 99.97 percent of particulates up to a size of 0.3 microns. So, it not only cools you down, but it also treats the air it circulates to ensure it is free from pollutants that might cause you harm. It uses unique Air Multiplier technology to deliver 77 gallons of airflow per second, and because this model oscillates to 350 degrees, that powerful stream of air can be delivered wherever you want it.
Dyson has developed an app that links to your smart device so that you can control the fan from afar and also receive real-time reports about the air quality and the temperature. You can even set schedules that meet your daily requirements. You don’t even have to push any buttons if you are feeling lazy, because it also has Alexa enabled technology for voice activation.
Dyson has thought of everything with this fan; it has a nighttime mode, super-quiet operation, and 10 speed settings. It is even Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America certified.
On the downside, this thing isn’t cheap. All that technology comes at a cost: it retails at over five times the price of other fans in the review. Moreover, this fan often struggles to connect as it is app-controlled, and some reviews complain that, despite Dyson’s claims that this fan is silent, their experience is that it makes loud noises and whining sounds in the middle of the night.
Pros
- Cleans the air as it cools
- Oscillates 350 degrees
- 10 speed settings
- Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Cons
- Expensive
- App struggles to connect
- Not as silent as Dyson claim
This Honeywell option is the least expensive on our list, making it the HowToHome Budget Pick. When you compare it to the most costly model featured, the Dyson Pure Cool TP04, you see what great value this tower fan is. It has an oscillating feature, five power settings to control the airflow, and a timer that works in increments of one, two, four, and eight hours along with an automatic shut-off setting when the timer runs out.
This Honeywell product also benefits from QuietSet technology that allows you to personalize the sound and cooling power of your fan, and when you don’t feel like getting up, the remote control gives you complete control. It even has a nighttime setting for darker rooms, allowing you to dim the control panel lights by 50 percent to reduce the light pollution disturbing your sleep.
The build quality of the base is suspect, however, with many complaining that it is flimsy and difficult to attach to the foot of the tower fan. In addition, the airflow is criticized by many as not being adequately powerful.
Pros
- Inexpensive to buy
- Setting to dim the control panel lights
- 8-hour timer
- Personalize the sound and cooling power
Cons
- Flimsy base
- Weaker airflow than advertised
Comparison Chart
| Lasko T42951 Wind Curve | Ozeri Noise Reduction Tower Fan | Dyson Pure Cool TP04 | Honeywell Whole Room Fan | |
| Remote controlled | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| wifi/app controlled | X | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Speed settings | 3 | 9 | 10 | 5 |
| Oscillating | ✓ | ✓ | 350-degree | ✓ |
| Nighttime setting | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Portable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price | $ | $$ | $$$ | $ |
| Dimensions | 13 x 13 x 42 | 8 x 3 x 44 | 8.8 x 8.8 x 41.5 | 10 x 10 x 32.8 |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs | 13.01 lbs | 18.89 lbs | 8 lbs |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year | 2-year | 1-year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Tower Fans
Final Thoughts
Tower fans are great if you want to enhance the performance of your air conditioning unit by increasing the airflow in the room, and it could save you money in the process. They are unobtrusive in smaller spaces and pose less of a risk in environments where small children run around.
If you want the best tower fan with a nighttime setting that enables you to dim the control panel lights and run all night on the lowest setting, then the HowToHome Pick had to be the Lasko T42951 Wind Curve.
If you simply want a tower fan that does what it says on the box and you aren’t too bothered about the technology, then this Honeywell Whole Room Fan should be the one to buy. It is significantly cheaper than other tower fans in the same class, and it delivers five power levels, oscillation, and QuietSet technology.
If you are a slave to technology, then you should consider the Ozeri Noise Reduction Tower Fan. It has all the bells and whistles, including app controls on your smart device and independent fans that use sound wave technology to reduce noise.
If you really want to splurge, the Dyson Pure Cool TP04 is truly the king of space-age design. This model will purify your air, send you real-time reports, and communicate with Alexa for voice control.
Overall, tower fans are better looking, better designed, and smarter on the whole, than their conventional counterparts, and they are great if you want the fan to stand in the corner of the room without dominating the space.
