Floor Fans

Floor fans have the best coverage

Floor fans tend to be more utilitarian than table fans. They are also loud, which can be great if you like to sleep against a background of white noise, or annoying if you're trying to watch TV or have a conversation. In addition, they're also a bit more dangerous than other types if you have small children, as their location makes them more accessible and their grilles usually have larger gaps than other fans.

We found the most favorable reviews for the modestly priced Lasko 3300 20-Inch Wind Machine (*Est. $40). It has a 5-star average rating from nearly 300 users at Walmart.com, and an astonishing 98 percent of users say they would recommend it. It does nearly as well at Viewpoints.com, with an average rating of 4.68 stars out of 5 from roughly 75 users. Reviewers say the Lasko 3300 produces good airflow and is easy to use. Reviewers also tend to agree that it is loud, but many consider this an asset, since the fan can be used to drown out ambient noise. We did see a couple of complaints about durability, with one user noting that the plastic housing cracks easily if the fan is dropped. Several users also noted that the fan is difficult to clean because the grille cannot be removed. However, owners overwhelmingly rate this fan a good value. The Lasko 3300 measures roughly 26 by 7.5 by 23 inches and weighs about 10 pounds. It has a one-year limited warranty.

Another Lasko fan, the Lasko 3440 20\" Wind Tunnel with Remote (*Est. $40), also does very well in reviews at Walmart.com. Roughly 125 users contribute to its overall rating of 4.5 stars, and nine out of 10 say they would recommend it. Users like the Lasko 3440's strong airflow and its assortment of features, including an adjustable-tilt head, three speed settings, a timer and a remote control. However, owners are divided over this fan's noise level. Many reviewers find it too loud, yet many others praise its quietness, with one calling it "a soothing purr rather than a rattling." Many users also complained that the fan's tilt mechanism did not work properly, causing the head to drop all the way back (pointing toward the ceiling) when switched on. The Lasko 3440 is slightly smaller than the 3300, measuring roughly 23 by 7 by 24 inches; it weighs 10 pounds. This fan is backed by a one-year warranty.

The editors of Real Simple magazine recommend the Vornado 660 Circulator (*Est. $90) as the best fan for large rooms. They explain that when the fan's adjustable head is pointed upright, "it bounces air off the ceiling to provide exceptional circulation." The dozen or so reviewers at Amazon.com generally agree, praising the fan's circulation and adjustability. As one puts it, "you feel a cool breeze from no matter where you are in the room, and without it throwing papers around and blowing hair in one's face." However, a few users feel that the fan's performance is not enough to justify its high price tag. Like most floor fans, this Vornado model is generally described as quiet on its lower speed settings and very noisy on high; the editors of Real Simple say it is "not silent, but worth the whir." The Vornado 660 has four speed settings, ranging from 600 to 1375 rpm. It measures roughly 12 by 13 by 15 inches and weighs about 7 pounds. It is backed by a five-year warranty, but one reviewer at Amazon.com cautions that warranty service is "infuriatingly slow."

Another fan that earns a recommendation from the editors of Real Simple is the Stadler Form Otto (*Est. $200). They praise this Swiss-made fan as the "most chic" product in their tests, and the editors of ApartmentTherapy.com also include it in their roundup of stylish fans (though they provide no discussion of its performance). Unlike most fans, the Stadler Form Otto is constructed of metal with a hoop-shaped casing made from a wide, thin plank of oiled African sapele wood, which is similar to mahogany. The few reviews we found from users suggest that this fan's performance doesn't measure up to its good looks. Two of the five reviewers at Amazon.com report that the fan's wood frame was warped in transit, causing it to be egg-shaped rather than round. Reviewers agree that the fan is quiet, but some are unimpressed by its airflow. The Stadler Form Otto has three speeds and adjustable legs, but it doesn't oscillate. It measures roughly 14 by 15 by 7 inches, weighs about 9 pounds and has a two-year limited warranty.