Box fans

Almost every home has those areas — the ones that get extra cool in winter and extra hot in summer. However, installing, reconfiguring or replacing a furnace and air conditioning system may not be in your budget.

That’s when the humble box fan becomes an attractive choice. It can help make that unbearably hot attic room livable. It can blow away the heat from cooking so everyone can stand to be in the kitchen, at least long enough to fill their plates at dinnertime. Here’s everything you need to know about selecting the right box fan for your space.

How to choose a box fan

Power

Barring a manufacturing error, all box fans are able to move air around a room right after you plug them in, but there are still important differences to consider. Look for the cubic-feet-per-minute number. The higher it is, the better because that means it’s able to move air faster. If you just need a fan for a smaller room, it may be worth going for one with a lower CFM, because it will be quieter and cost less.

Noise level

Noise is one of the biggest complaints with box fans, so it’s worth noting the decibel rating. Look for a front grill that’s easy to remove if you’re grossed out by dirty fan blades. You may want to look for a unit with a remote, especially if you’re going to put it in a bedroom. As things cool down overnight, you may want to turn down the speed without getting out of bed.

Where to put a box fan

Box fans are a less flashy option in comparison to ceiling fans, but they can truly be a worthwhile investment in summertime comfort. Strategically placed, they can help cut down your energy bill. In areas where blackouts and brownouts are common, they might even allow you to turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees. The fan uses energy, but not like your air conditioner. Fans can make a room seem cooler than it is, which can lead to less energy use overall.

Experts recommend using at least two fans to improve airflow in your home. Start by choosing two windows that can be open, putting the fan in or near the windowsills. Place at least one fan to draw air into the home and another to blow air out of the home. It’s preferable to have the fan drawing air inward in a window that gets a lot of shade. If you can possibly block the open area on the sides of the fan with pillows or something similar, that also helps. The idea is to stop air from stagnating, especially on the upper floors of the home.

You can capitalize on nature even more if you have two stories in your home. As night falls, cooler air will start to come in on the first floor while hot air is still trapped inside. Arrange your fans so that in the evening, the fans downstairs draw cool air in, and the fans upstairs are pointed to blow hot air out the windows. This will make sleeping in an upstairs bedroom much more pleasant.

Best box fans

Some of your decision will be based on the size of the room in question and other individualized needs, but here are a handful of fans that will do well in any setting.

Best all-around box fans

Hurricane Floor Fan: available at Amazon
A 20-inch Hurricane from the company’s Classic series is a great fit for a lot of rooms. It might seem a little loud, even on the lower speeds, but it can move a lot of air. The adjustable feet are designed to keep it upright on different types of flooring, and it’s somewhere near the middle of the pack in terms of price.

Air King 3-Speed Box Fan: available on Amazon
This fan is pretty powerful even on the lower settings, so it may not be the right choice if you need just a gentle breeze. This fan has a heavy-duty feel that’s reminiscent of fans from the past.

Best Comfort 20-Inch Box Fan: available on Amazon
This fan is a relatively inexpensive option, but it still manages to work on three power settings to adjust for your needs. The carry handle is in the corner rather than on top which may take some getting used to, but at least it has a handle.

Best weather-safe box fan

One of the main reasons people look for a box fan is so they can place it in a window, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate.

Lasko Weather Shield Performance Box Fan: available on Amazon
This fan has a feature called Weather Shield that means the motor is specifically protected and won’t be ruined in a light rain, and you won’t have to pluck it out of the window with every slight change in the weather.

Best small box fans

The most familiar box fans sit on the floor or in a window and cool a whole room, but smaller desktop models can be great for the office or a nightstand.

Comfort Zone 10.5-Inch Box Fan: available at Wayfair
This one doesn’t have a lot of extras, but it also costs very little. It’s specifically designed to be quiet and features two speed settings.

Opolar 4-Inch USB Desk Fan: available at Amazon
A smaller desk calls for a smaller fan, and Opolar can help with its 4-inch model. Users have positive things to say about this fan, and it comes in an array of colors to match your décor.

Honeywell TurboForce Room Air Circulator Fan: available at Amazon
This is a bit larger, more expensive and more sophisticated than other small box fans, but it’s quite powerful. It can be aimed at the ceiling to circulate the cooler air trapped near the floor.

Best round box fans

Your typical box fan search might not turn up rounded models at first, but they’re out there. They are stationary on the ground and don’t oscillate like tower fans.

Vornado 573 Flat Panel Air Circulator Fan: available at Amazon
Vornado fans are designed to use a vortex pattern for moving air around a whole room instead of in a straight line. This fan is smaller and more expensive than some, but users give it high praise.

Lasko Cyclone Pivoting Floor Fan: available at Amazon
This isn’t the kind of fan you perch in a windowsill, but it’s great on the ground. We like how the bottom is thick, so it isn’t prone to tipping.

Best window box fans

A lot of box fans end up in a windowsill, so it makes a lot of sense to buy one designed for just that.

Comfort Zone Reversible Twin Window Fan: available at Amazon
This can be set to bring in fresh air or to expel stale air. The accordion expanders keep bugs from getting in the sides while you’re trying to cool down.

Air King 9155 Window Fan: available at Amazon
This model is comparatively simple, but it has excellent cooling capabilities. It’s also easy to install.

Best attractive box fans

Box fans and tower fans have one important thing in common: they’re not the most attractive appliances. Here are a few fans that are at least more stylish than average.

Comfort Zone 20-inch Box Fan: available on Amazon
This 20-inch box comes in black, which might be a nice break from all the white options out there, especially if you need something for the office.

Stanley High-Velocity Floor Fan: available on Wayfair and Amazon
This option from Stanley isn’t meant for a windowsill, but it works great on the floor and looks better than most box fans while cooling things down.

Angie Parkinson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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