Tower Fans

Tower fans are unobtrusive and stylish

The thin, vertical design of a tower fan allows it to fit into small spaces. A tower fan is less likely to tip over than a top-heavy pedestal fan, and the smaller grates make it safer for use around children. However, tower fans tend to be more expensive than desk or pedestal fans. Some tower fans come with features such as oscillation, timers or remote controls.

We found the most recommendations for the Honeywell HY-048BP Fresh Breeze Tower Fan, but this model has been discontinued. The Lasko 2517 Wind Tower Fan (*Est. $45) gets an average rating of 4.19 out of 5 stars from more than 50 reviewers at Viewpoints.com, who praise this fan's good airflow and slim, space-saving design. The remote control and 7-hour timer are also popular features. Most reviewers consider the Lasko 2517 a good value, but a few feel that the fan's performance is not good enough to justify its price. One critical review says that while this fan produces a strong flow of air, it does not provide better cooling power than much less expensive fans. The Lasko 2517 has three speeds and an oscillation feature. It measures 7 by 9 by 36 inches, weighs about 11.5 pounds, and is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

Lasko also makes a smaller and cheaper tower fan, the Lasko 4910 Platinum Desktop Wind Tower (*Est. $20), which combines the narrow shape of a tower with the small size of a table fan. A mere 14 inches high and 6 inches in diameter, the Lasko 4910 has a pivoting top that can be adjusted to point in a different direction from the base. Reviewers say that this feature, in combination with the fan's regular oscillation, provides superior air circulation. The Lasko 4910 gets high overall ratings from nearly 200 users at Walmart.com, who like its good airflow and stylish design. However, the 50-plus reviews at Amazon.com are considerably more mixed, with many complaints that the fan doesn't oscillate properly. We also saw many reports on both sites of noise problems, especially when the fan is oscillating. The noises described include clicking, grinding, groaning and even loud shrieking. In addition, there are several reports of product failure within the first year. The Lasko 4910 has three speeds, weighs roughly 4.4 pounds and carries a one-year limited warranty.

At Bestcovery.com, appliance reviewer L.D. Ray recommends the NewAir AF-310 Evaporative Tower Cooling Fan (*Est. $100) as the best tower fan, citing its features and versatility. This fan doubles as an evaporative cooler (or swamp cooler); the user adds ice or cold water to the fan to chill the air it circulates. However, this also adds moisture to the air -- not a desirable feature in humid climates. The NewAir AF-310 also includes an air purifier and a host of other features: timer, remote control, LCD display, oscillation and three fan speeds. There are about a dozen user reviews for this model at Amazon.com, and they range across the board. Although some owners say the NewAir AF-310 does cool more effectively than a fan, others find it no better and considerably more expensive. Note also that the NewAir's air purification feature uses ionization, a process that produces harmful ozone gas. Although some experts consider the small amount of ozone an air cleaner produces to be safe, both the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association recommend avoiding devices that produce any ozone. See our report on air purifiers for more information.