Novelty Fans

A few novelty fans

Fans with soft blades are safe to touch even when the fan is in motion, which is a huge safety benefit if the fan is to be used around children or pets. The Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan (*Est. $20) is a plastic model with three fabric blades that is available in four colors: black, orange, green and yellow. It measures 9" when in use and can be folded down to 4" for travel. The adjustable fan head allows you to direct air flow. This model receives an average of four stars from more than 70 reviewers on Amazon.com. The fan is not powerful enough for many owners, but for most it is more than adequate as a desk fan. It comes with a three-year limited warranty.

Dwell magazine highlights the Propello Desk/Table Fan (*Est. $145), stating that "the sleek desk fan is both safe and quiet (though expensive), featuring a ball-bearing motor that runs virtually silent." The body of this fan is made of aluminum (in your choice of blue or grey), and the blades are made of soft natural rubber. It measures 7.1" x 10.2" x 10.7".

The Mini LED Techno-Fan (*est. $5), a personal handheld fan with soft, vinyl blades that create patterns of colors when spinning, is a novelty item from a retail website called Technomoves. It has rotating/swiveling capability and soft flexible blades. This fan uses batteries, so you can take it with you. It measures 1.5" x 3/4" x 5", with a blade diameter of 3.5".

The battery-operated 02 Cool 10" Battery In/Outdoor Fan (*est. $20) can be of use if you are not near an electrical outlet, such as while camping -- it needs eight "D" batteries however. This small fan has a thin profile and weighs about 2 pounds. It also comes with an AC adapter. Among four reviewers at Amazon.com, two give it 5 stars and two give it 1 star. For one unhappy owner, the fan stopped working after a few hours of use, and for the other, the fan creates electrical interference with a television set.

Lasko has two outdoor fans. The Outdoor Living Fan 4305 (*Est. $250) and 4890 (*Est. $300) are intended for use on patios, decks, porches and balconies. These 50", column-like fans are made to look like furniture. Both fans have three speeds and enclosed oscillation. They can be kept outside and will turn off automatically after 14 hours of use. They come with a limited one-year warranty.