Pedestal Fans vs Tower Fans – Which Is Better, And Why?

Are you having a hard time comparing tower fans vs pedestal fans?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Understanding the differences between these fans can be a bit challenging.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for answers.

Pedestal fans are ideal for larger areas, as they provide a more powerful airflow. On the other hand, tower fans offer a more targeted cooling. This article will explore other differences between them, including height, price, noise, features, and more.

Read on to choose the best tower fan or pedestal fan!

Tower Fan vs Pedestal Fan: 8 Key Differences

To help you choose the right fan, I’ve prepared a quick comparison guide that highlights the main differences between a pedestal fan vs tower fan.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

#1 Height

I find that tower and pedestal fans are two of the tallest types of fans out there.

While a pedestal fan stands high and mighty, blowing air from a height, tower fans blow air up their entire height.

Since pedestal fans blow all their air from a height, they can be placed behind objects like a couch. Couple this with a remote and a subtle but powerful air source.

Tower fans, on the other hand, are made to sit in front of you.

Because their airflow reaches from the floor upwards, tower fans can’t be placed behind anything, making them much more suited to being placed a few feet away from where you’re sitting.

#2 Power

Now, let’s compare tower fans and pedestal fans regarding power, as they deliver entirely different types of airflow.

Pedestal fans can be real powerhouses. They work the same way old propeller planes used to be powered – so you can see how powerful they can get!

Modern pedestal fans can pack an amazing amount of force behind them. They come with sturdy bases and powerfully optimized fan blades – giving you as much airflow as you’ll ever need.

On the other hand, tower fans are more like turbines or old windmills. They use a spinning set of blades to spin up and shoot air out of their opening. A tower fan is nowhere near as powerful or direct as a pedestal fan.

Are you shopping for a workshop? Blower fans give much more direct and accurate airflow.

#3 Noise

I always recommend considering the noise level when comparing tower and pedestal fans.

Any high-quality, modern fan will be mostly silent. But, unfortunately for tower fans, the way they push air out is simply a noisier mechanism than a pedestal fan.

Instead of 3-5 simple blades spinning on a quiet axis, tower fans have entire towers of turbine-shaped blades spun around inside a cylinder, making them louder than a pedestal fan (despite giving less airflow).

In contrast, check out this high-end pedestal fan.

Even on the highest setting, you can barely hear the blades spinning. The only noise is the strong airflow coming from the fan blades.

If you’d like the fan from the video above, you can get one on Amazon.

#4 Mobility

Now, let’s compare pedestal fans vs tower fans regarding mobility.

I like that both are easy to place – though pedestals have the slight advantage of being able to sit behind something. Great for use as an office fan.

However, moving requires the same amount of weight and hassle with the plugs. Mobility is a draw.

#5 Space

In my opinion, pedestal and tower fans are great space savers – but for different reasons.

Tower fans are often slim, easy to place, and barely occupy any floor space, making them fantastic for sitting next to your couch or bed. They’re ideal for when you have limited floor space.

On the other hand, pedestal fans tend to have a big, sturdy base, which is needed to help balance them and their extra power.

While pedestal fans can take up more space, they make up for it by sending the airflow over a longer distance. Meaning you have more options to place them.

#6 Features

Both pedestal and tower fans have plenty of features available.

Remote controls, oscillation, different modes, timer settings, and even child locks can be found on most modern fan models.

Features are roughly a draw between both models.

Note: When purchasing a new fan, keep in mind that the higher the price, the more features it is likely to have.

#7 Looks

When choosing between a tower fan vs pedestal fan, it’s important to consider their looks.

Modern tower fans are starting to look incredibly good, almost like an ornamental part of the room. Tall, sleek, slender designs make them blend in with most modern living spaces.

On the other hand, pedestal fans aren’t quite as glamorous. 

There’s not much you can do to improve the looks of fan blades on a stick. However, some modern models look very respectable.

#8 Price

My usual advice when buying a new fan is to consider your budget.

The price ranges for tower fans and pedestal fans are around the same. Starting at anywhere from $20 all the way up to $80 for decent models.

However, pedestal fans have a ‘super high-end category’.

Pedestal fans can cost over $100. Why? Because they’re super silent, super powerful, and super reliable. Sure, it’s a hell of a lot of money for a fan. But they’ll last and never fail to have your friends commenting about how silent but strong they are.

Pros & Cons of Tower & Pedestal Fans

If you’re still unsure whether to get a tower fan or a pedestal fan, I’ve got you! In this section, I’ve summarized each fan’s pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

Final Verdict: Tower Fan or Pedestal Fan?

Hopefully, you now know all the differences between tower and pedestal fans.

The ultimate decision comes down to your needs and preferences. For example, if you want a quiet option and are looking to place the fan behind furniture (like a couch), consider a pedestal fan.

On the other hand, if you’d rather have a gentler and less expensive fan that has a more modern design, consider a tower fan.

I hope this quick guide has helped you decide which of the two fans will be better for your living space. Please consider checking out some of our related articles below.

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

– Craig