Best desk fans 2022

Desk Fan
Desk Fan (Image credit: Adobe Stock)

When the temperature climbs, your office can quickly turn into a mini furnace, causing your overall productivity to take a nosedive as you plug away on your Macbook. If this is you, you'll want to invest in some gadgetry to keep you cool, and a decent desk fan is a must. Although small in size, desk fans are conveniently portable and push out sufficient cold air to stop you from sweltering. Topping our selection is the Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan. This desk fan features a stylish design and Vorando's "Vortex" air circulation tech for even and continuous cold air distribution.

Best overall: Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan

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Vornado Pivot Desk Fan Lifestyle

Vornado Pivot Desk Fan Lifestyle (Image credit: Amazon)

The Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan has a stunning, eye-catching design inspired by Vornado's history in the aviation industry. It looks like a miniature jet engine. This stands at six inches tall and is mains-powered. This fan has an attractive glossy white case and striking copper-colored blades.

This fan can operate at three different speeds and works well as a personal fan option as it has a pivoting axis to direct the air exactly where you need it. This desk fan utilizes Vornado's signature "Vortex" air circulation tech to move all the air around you more effectively and operate quietly with a maximum sound level of just 41 decibels.

The Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan

Stylish and sturdy

Reasons to buy

+
Unique and stylish design
+
Very quiet and stable
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Three different speeds
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Flexible positioning

Reasons to avoid

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Has to be mains-powered

The Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan can be directed anywhere and has three operating speeds.

Best quiet fan: Honeywell quietset table fan

Honeywell QuietSet Table Fan

Honeywell QuietSet Table Fan (Image credit: Amazon)

The secret of this fan is in the name — Honeywell QuietSet Table Fan. The fan features a stylish tall construction, and it's built to push cold air in silence, making it such an excellent choice for people who prefer quiet personal spaces. Plus, the fan's slim profile means that it takes up minimal space on your desk or nightstand.

Enhanced with four levels of Advanced QuietSet Control, the Honeywell fan gives you the freedom to control the speed and noise level. Unlike fans powered by an AC motor, the Honeywell is powered by a direct current (DC) motor that reduces energy consumption by about 50%. On occasion, you can crank up the settings to produces some white noise, which helps in canceling other sound distractions in the office or bedroom.

The Honeywell quietset table fan

Mini quiet tower

Reasons to buy

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Auto-off timer
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Relatively quiet
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Comes with an easy to use display
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Comes with additional settings to create white noise

Reasons to avoid

-
No USB cable

A relatively quiet roommate, only noticeable from the cool breeze. If need be, you can change the speed for some white noise.

Best portable: OPOLAR F401 mini USB desk fan

Opolar F401 Usb Desk Fan Lifestyle

Opolar F401 Usb Desk Fan Lifestyle (Image credit: Opolar)

The OPOLAR F401 Mini USB Desk Fan is a portable fan perfect for your office, study, or even bedroom. Fitted with four-inch blades and a six-inch frame, this fan takes up minimal space on your office or study desk. Besides, the metallic frame gives it a sturdy feel while creating a steady stream of cold air.

In its most authentic form as a portable fan, it does come with a 3.9-foot USB cable that can draw power from a laptop, power bank, AC adapter, or any USB power outlet. At the bottom of the fan are rubber pads, which give the OPOLAR F401 incredible stability. Also, the price is just right!

The OPOLAR F401 mini USB desk fan

A good price

Reasons to buy

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Strong metallic frame
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Rotates 360 degrees
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Takes up minimal desk space

Reasons to avoid

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It's not dead silent

Improve the air quality around you with the portable and affordable OPOLAR F401 Mini USB Desk Fan.

Best rechargable fan: Trekoo USB rechargeable table fan

Trekoo USB Table Fan-Rechargeable

Trekoo USB Table Fan-Rechargeable (Image credit: Amazon)

The convenience of owning a fan with a rechargeable battery and an option to power via a USB cable is undeniable. This Trekoo USB Table Fan comes with an inbuilt rechargeable 2000mAh battery that can last you anywhere between 1.5 to 5 hours on a single charge. Also, you can opt to run it via a USB cable connected to a laptop, power bank, or any other USB power output.

It has three wind speeds and pivots to 360 degrees. As such, you get to enjoy a controlled and comfortable cooling experience. To prevent wobbling, especially when fanning at high speed, the fan has anti-slip rubber feet. It's a great fan to use both at home and for outdoor activities during the summer.

The Trekoo USB rechargeable table fan

Rechargeable fan

Reasons to buy

+
It has a protective frame
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Rechargeable battery that can last up to five hours
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Quiet enough to allow you to sleep or work
+
It's USB powered

Reasons to avoid

-
The battery capacity could have been bigger

Enjoy a cold breeze anywhere with the Trekoo USB Table Fan. It also works as a whole room air circulator.

Best innovative: Dyson air multiplier AM06 table fan

Dyson Air Ultiplier Am06 Table Fan Lifestyle

Dyson Air Ultiplier Am06 Table Fan Lifestyle (Image credit: Dyson)

If safety is your biggest concern, the Dyson AMO6 fan is here to fix that. These future-forward fans come in two sizes and four different colors. This Dyson fan design is nothing like your regular fan. It features a clean, sleek, and stylish loop with zero fast-spinning blades, making it a perfect option for spaces frequented by kids and pets.

The fan operates on Air Multiplier technology, which amplifies surrounding air to generate powerful yet smooth streams of cold air from the loop. Under the loop is a detachable base with all the control functions. For added convenience, the fan comes with a remote to help you control the oscillation, speed, and tilt direction of airflow. The price tag may sound outrageous, but it is all worth it.

Cleaning this fan is super easy. All you need is a damp piece of cloth to wipe the loop clean. Also, it has a sleep timer allowing you to set the desired cooling time.

The Dyson air multiplier AM06 table fan

Bladeless magic

Reasons to buy

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Stunning design
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Bladeless loop
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Can be remote controlled
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The loop and remote can be replaced in case of loss or damage

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive
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If you lose the remote, you lose 50% of all control functions

The Dyson fan is safe, stylish, and powerful. It is the perfect choice for desks frequented by babies and pets.

We're fans...

Desk fans are an excellent way to manage the summer and tropical heatwaves while giving your wallet a break. Before you settle for a fan, ensure it checks the right boxes for you. The checkboxes include power supply options, wind speed, size, and noise level. Get yourself one of these fans and stay productive always.

All these fans work great, but the Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan remains our favorite. The fan pushes air in three speeds and can be pivoted in any direction, giving you decent freedom to direct the cold air. With an aviation-inspired design and a stylish, glossy case, the fan is a blend of functionality and style.

Grace Monene

Grace is an avid Home and Office Improvement Writer. If she is not reading, she is reviewing or testing new technology. She also probably tweets way too much.