Pedestal Fans

Pedestal fans save space and money

With pedestal fans, the fan head is mounted on a stand so the unit can be placed behind couches or other furniture. Most pedestal fans can be adjusted to alter the height of the fan head -- some by only a few inches, some by as much as a few feet. Oscillation, which improves coverage in larger rooms, is a standard feature on pedestal fans, and most are inexpensive. The downside of this type of fan is that they are top-heavy and can easily tip over. Overall, we found fewer recommendations for pedestal fans than for other types.

L.D. Ray at Bestcovery.com recommends the Lasko 1825 18-Inch Adjustable Cyclone (*Est. $30) as the best pedestal fan. It adjusts further than most -- from 22 inches to 54.5 inches high -- and has a tilting head, three speeds and oscillation. More than 400 users at Walmart.com give this fan a high average rating, saying it blows powerfully and is easy to assemble. However, we saw several reports of problems with the fan's pole assembly, which some users report will not stay extended without some external support (such as duct tape). We also saw a few complaints about fans that either did not work right out of the box or quit within hours, even minutes, of their first use. Most users do not object to the fan's noise level, with some saying it is good for producing white noise. More than 90 percent of owners say they would recommend this fan, which comes with a one-year limited warranty.

The only other pedestal fan to earn a recommendation from our sources is the Hunter 90391 Oscillating Pedestal Fan (*Est. $80). The editors of Real Simple magazine say this fan produces the "most natural-feeling breeze" of the 45 fans they tested, thanks to its unique figure-eight oscillation pattern. Like most pedestal fans, it has three speeds and a height-adjustable base. It also comes with a remote control and a 7.5-hour timer, and the manufacturer touts its special blade coating that is designed to prevent dust buildup. However, we could not find any user reviews to assess this fan's actual performance in the home.