Working in a stuffy office can be unbearable. Say goodbye to your concentration, and hello to the pain of sweaty business clothes!
But don’t worry.
You can tackle the heat by picking up one of these fantastic personal fans to use in the workplace.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The 7 best fans to keep your office area cool
- Which type of fans are best for the office
- What to look for in a good office fan
- And other FAQ’s.
Ready? Then let’s dive in.
Best Office Fans – Overview
Need a Quick Recommendation?
If you’re in a rush, then I recommend taking a look at the Honeywell Quiet Set Office Fan.
Multi-use quiet cooling – the Honeywell Quiet Set fan is perfect for the office and home
If I can only recommend one fan, then it would be this one.
At 13 inches tall, it large enough to really make a difference. The slim design means it can comfortably sit on your desk without taking up a ton of space. Just like in the image above.
With modern features (automatic shut-off, quiet operations) and 4 levels of power (including a sleep mode), it’s got all the functionality you need.
I love the layout of the modern controls.
Personally I find it looks great enough to always get a few comments around the office. On hot days, you’ll find that everyone will be wanting to know where you got it from!
Despite all this, it’s not a ‘luxury’ fan. Generally you can find it picked up for under $50. An absolute steal for a quality, all-rounder model like this one.
Best Office Fan - Our Top Picks
Having owned one of these Fancii fans for several years, it was my first go-to for this list.
Using a Fancii small personal desk USB fan is great for the office. It’s whisper quiet, 40% more powerful than similar models, lightweight and portable.
It’s got twin turbo cyclone-blade technology that provides you with maximum airflow, keeping you cool in the workplace.
The thing to understand is that the air flow is quite directed. This is great if you want a cool breeze targeted straight at your head/shoulders.
It also doubles to keep an overheating laptop cool.
Being USB powered it’s very convenient for office use as you don’t need a spare outlet and it uses just 5V of power.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Portable and lightweight | Flimsy power cord |
| Quiet | |
| 2 speed settings | |
| Ultra low energy consumption |
Our Verdict
Being affordable with great features for a USB powered fan makes this a top recommendation.
It adds a nice touch of style to any office, just keep the power cord away from any obstacles that might pull it out of place.
The one drawback is the lack of horizontal oscillation – this fan is suited to (surprisingly) strong air flow to one area.
For those needing a slimline solution, this is the Lasko 4000 Ultra-Slim Office Fan.
At it’s base it’s only 3.5 x 4 inches – practically the same width as two books stood side by side.
This means the fan can snugly slow into just about any space.
At 14 inches high it’s got plenty of fan height to provide a powerful airflow. Although it’s only got 2 speed options, this can still provide plenty of control.
It’s ideal for anyone with a tight desk area that can’t afford a circular-shaped fan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super-slim | Limited oscillation |
| Sleek modern design | |
| 14" Tall |
Our Verdict
This ultra-thin fan by Lasko is perfect for the right situation.
If you have a 4″ width somewhere on your desk, you can probably slot it in without issue.
It’s well suited to a desk – not offering much in the way of oscillation but fantastic for constant cooling comfort in one direction.
The Bengoo table portable fan is a great choice for the office.
It comes with a rechargeable battery and can run on max speed for 2 hours or up to 6 hours on a lower speed.
It offers you complete freedom.
No matter the size of your desk space this fan can find a place easily thanks to its smaller size and a fully flexible, 360-degree rotation for every cooling angle possible.
It comes with a strong clip so you can use it on different surfaces. Even attach it straight to your screen!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long battery life | No warranty |
| Flexible and can be rotated | |
| USB charging cable included | |
| Power indicator light |
Our Verdict
This Bengoo fan is fantastic because of the freedom it offers.
Battery-powered with a clip to attach just about anywhere, it can get airflow wherever you need it.
The one downside is a lack of power, since it runs on batteries and is lightweight.
That said, if you just need a little cooling and have limited space, this is an ideal option.
It’s listed as Amazon’s best-seller for office fans for good reason.
If you’re looking for an affordable but ultra quiet office fan with a great performance we recommend the Keystone USB Desktop Table Fan.
It’s got angle adjustment so you can point it in any direction needed, with a soft quiet breeze it’s perfect for those warmer days.
I personally love the full 360 degree dual-axis rotation. It’s amazing that this fan can rotate every which way!
Including a copper core brushless motor it’s got a stable performance which gives it longer lifetime that exceeds 10,000 hours.
Being USB powered it can be made fully portable with a power bank, and the box includes the fan, user manual, package box. The USB line length is a meter long.
Keystone also tout ‘lifetime’ customer service, but I’m not sure how strongly they’d stick to that for such a small fan!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight | One speed |
| Quiet | |
| Affordable | |
| Modern design |
Our Verdict
The rotation and angles this fan offers are nothing short of amazing.
You’ll never be able to get over rotating it in every direction!
The small size and USB power mean it’s super easy to put this fan exactly where you need it.
It’s stylish design will make a great modern addition to your desk while being great to look at.
Coming straight from our ‘quick recommendation’ section is the Honeywell Quiet Set office fan.
Having the Honeywell Quiet Set personal office fan is a great choice, coming with features you don’t usually see in most other fans.
It’s 4-speed settings are all quiet enough for subtle office use, and the auto shut-off timer is perfect for whenever you’re away from your desk for a long time.
You can set the timer to 8 hours and never worry about remembering to turn it off at the end of the day.
It’s DC motor uses 50% less energy than standard AC motors: saving both energy and cost.
At a height of 13 inches it’s got a wider surface area to allow even more airflow than other models on this list.
It’s got indicator lights to show you what setting the fan is currently on with a glance, without having to check manually behind the fan which can be distracting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Oscillation | Larger than most desk fans |
| Auto-Off Timer | |
| 4 speeds | |
| Light indicator |
Our Verdict
Although it’s relatively small compared to normal fans, this Honeywell is a powerful office fan.
The 13 inch height and sturdy base make use of all four power options.
Thankfully, the high build quality means it can do all this without making much noise at all.
This is one of the more higher-end fans on this list, and would be well-suited to a larger, more open area desk setup.
For anyone that knows me, I’m a big fan of Vornado fans.
Check out our guide to their whole catalogue!
Vornado have created this fantastic little desk fan, and it’s so futuristic.
The base pivots in a full 360, while the ‘head’ rotates on a 180 axis.
This gives you airflow in any direction you need it.
However, for me, a real selling point is the design.
Available in SEVEN different colors (yes, including black for you professionals), it’s a fantastic option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fun design | Only 2 speeds |
| Full airflow rotation | |
| 3 year warranty |
Our Verdict
Now, Vornado are a real brand name.
Brand names mean things like quality parts, and long warranties. Like the 3 year warranty on this fan.
So this is going to cost a lot, right?
Thankfully – you’re wrong.
This designer looking fan can normally be found for $25 or less.
In my book, that’s an absolute bargain.
The Holmes Lil’Blizzard office fan is a perfect choice, as it’s got more powerful speeds than any USB fan. It covers a wider area with its oscillation mode and has 2 speed settings.
The fan head is adjustable which allows you to direct airflow in the direction you need it. Being very lightweight it’s portable but is limited to where you can use it as it’s not USB powered.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2 powerful speed settings | Not USB powered |
| Adjustable tilt | |
| Oscillation |
Our Verdict
If you’ve a spare outlet at work, the Holmes Lil’Blizzard office fan will keep you cool throughout the day or night. The only drawback is the extra noise it makes compared to other models on this list.
It will take up more room on your desk but the more powerful airflow should certainly make up for it!
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to choosing a fan for the office, there’s a few frequently asked questions.
(Finding the best model is a different story – we’ve covered that in the buyer’s guide below.)
What's The Best Type of Fan For The Office?
For an independent fan, the best type is one that can easily fit on your desk. For an open area this may be a small countertop fan, or a small USB fan for a smaller space. If you’re looking to cool an area down (i.e. multiple people), look for a pedestal fan which can generate airflow at shoulder/chest height (when sitting).
Are USB Fans Any Good?
Despite their small size and power, USB fans can make a big difference when working at a desk. The constant airflow helps most when placed around a foot away. Their main drawback is often a lack of oscillation. Always having the air at one area of your body can dry out skin and only cool that area.
How Much Is A Desk Fan?
Desk fans range anywhere from $15 to $150. This is because of the large range of fans which are suited to office work. Smaller USB fans are $15-$35, while larger pedestal or modern countertop fans can cost upwards of $100 for a good model.
Office Fan Buyer's Guide - Key Points
Knowing what to look for in a an office fan can help you make the right choice and save time.
In this section we’ll help you understand what the best features and key points to look out for when purchasing your own fan.
Most office desk fans are USB powered but to get the most out of them you could use a powerbank. This lets you use it anywhere on the go. We recommend the RAVPower 22000mah power bank you can find it on Amazon here.
Noise
If you’re working an office with a lot of colleagues finding an office fan that has a quiet setting would be the best choice. You don’t want to have a fan constantly making noise which is probably going to annoy your colleagues and also stop their concentration as well as yours.
Portability
Having a personal office fan on your desk is great but if you don’t have a large desk or work space it can be a problem. You don’t need a large fan to cool you down, a smaller one in close proximity to you can create a cool enough airflow.
It’s also handy that a smaller fan can easily be moved around or taken to another room easily, if you’ve a USB fan you could use it in your car and easily.
Speed Settings
A fan that has multiple speed settings is going to be more useful as you could possibly use it all year round. Even on the lowest setting it can be useful even on cold days! You or your friends who are running late or have to climb a lot of stairs to their office can get quite warm. So a cool breeze as your desk is always appreciated.
Warranty
As an office fan can be used at anytime of the year and most likely when it is switch on it will be running all day, this can have an effect on the lifetime of the product. Most smaller personal fans are on the more affordable side but if you manage to find one with a warranty it’s a nice added bonus.
Conclusion
Having an office fan to keep the temperature down allows you to work more comfortably and lets you focus on the task at hand. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our guide and that you’ve been able to find a perfect office fan to keep you cool while working. Our top picks covered a range of different products giving you more variety.
We’ve also great other fan guides, including:
Check them out for some inspiration!
However if you’d like a larger range or didn’t quite find what you were looking for here, we recommend you to take a look at Amazon.com best sellers here.
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