Keep in Mind: The base felt a little wobbly to our tester. Price at time of publish: $54 Product Details:
Speeds: 3 | Wind Modes: 3 | Timer: Yes; 7.5-hour programmable timer and an auto-off | Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 41.50 inches Keep in Mind: It is more expensive than other similar styles. Price at time of publish: $180 Product Details: Speeds: 3 | Wind Modes: 2 | Timer: None | Dimensions: 12.9 x 11.2 x 15.5 inches Keep in Mind: Ceiling fans may require professional installation. Price at time of publish: $278 Product Details: Speeds: 4 | Wind Modes: 2 | Timer: None | Dimensions: 9.84 x 9.84 x 6.07 inches; 52-inch blade span Price at time of publish: $61 Product Details: Speeds: 3 | Wind Modes: 2 | Timer: Yes; programmable 7-hour timer | Dimensions: 9.75 x 9.75 x 7.75 inches Price at time of publish: $300 Product Details: Speeds: 10 | Wind Modes: 2 | Timer: Yes; sleep timer | Dimensions: 4.4 x 7.5 x 40 inches Price at time of publish: $152 Product Details: Speeds: 5 | Wind Modes: 2 | Timer: Yes | Dimensions: 18 x 17 x 53 inches  Price at time of publish: $47 Product Details: Speeds: 3 | Wind Modes: 3 | Timer: No | Dimensions: 4 x 24 x 12 inches Price at time of publish: $944 Product Details: Speeds: 7 | Wind Modes: 3 | Timer: Yes | Dimensions: 15 x 15 inches; 52-inch blade span Price at time of publish: $29 Product Details: Speeds: 3 | Wind Modes: 1 | Timer: No | Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.9 x 9.9 inches

Our Testing Process

To find the best fans for bedrooms, we put 31 fans to the test at our lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Over the course of two days, seven testers evaluated the fans using a pre-determined methodology and scored them across five categories: airspeed, design, portability, effectiveness, and overall value. Testers also tried a few of the fans at home and provided their insights after one month of using them.  To make this list, we combined insights from several of the tested fans with our own research—though some fans were tested in our lab, not all of them were.

What to Know About Fans for Bedrooms Before Shopping

Fan Types

There are two types of bedroom fans: ceiling fans and portable fans. Ceiling fans are typically more expensive and require professional installation. Though they’re more of an investment, they’re a space-saving option that’ll make a more subtle statement in a space. Plus, some even include lighting kits, making them versatile options.Within portable fans, there are several sub-groups: box fans, tower fans, standing fans, and personal fans. Box fans generally have a large square box that sits on the ground and large blades push air around the room. They can be powerful, but they can also be loud and dusty. They tend to sit directly on the ground and don’t oscillate, so you’ll want to consider your preferences.Tower fans are tall slim fans that blow a column of air around the room. They typically oscillate and sometimes come equipped with a filter. There are many styles and they tend to be more inexpensive than other options.  Standing fans can be a bit bulky but they offer great airflow for cooling off a large bedroom without a big price tag. Standing fans can be loud, so look for options with a quieter operation (under 50dB). Because standing fans typically oscillate and they are taller, they’re ideal if you have a larger bedroom.Personal fans are small fans that sit on your nightstand or clip to the bed. They may not be powerful enough to cool an entire room, but they can make it more comfortable to sleep.

Fan Speeds and Settings

Fans often have numerous wind and sleep settings which are helpful in setting up a fan for your comfort level. When shopping for a fan for bedrooms, consider options that have at least three settings as they’ll typically be low, medium, and high.

Noise Levels

Fans that are under 50 decibels (dB) are considered quiet. At 50dB you can definitely hear them working, but the sound is white noise. Depending on your preferences, anything higher than that may be too loud for both sleeping and working.

Sizes

If you want a bedroom fan to cool the entire room, look for fans that boast coverage of up to 300 square feet. Ceiling fans, standing fans, and some tower fans can cool a bedroom. For an average size bedroom, shop for ceiling fans that are 44-55 inches wide.  If you prefer a tower fan, consider options that are at least 40-inches tall. Standing fans should reach 50 to 60 inches tall. Small box fans, window fans, and personal fans may not be big enough to cool a whole room, but they can keep one sleeper comfortable.

Additional Features

The best fans for bedrooms had special features like remotes and sleep timers. A remote makes it easy to keep your airflow at the optimum level all night long without getting out of bed. Similarly, sleep timers help you cool down as you drift off to sleep, but then they will automatically turn off after a set number of hours so you don’t waste electricity. A few fans on our list are compatible with smart home devices and work with voice-recognition technology as well, which can be ideal depending on your preferences.

Your Questions, Answered

Which type of fan moves the most air?

Generally, ceiling fans move the most air. The air that fans move in one minute is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher the CFM, the more air it moves. For a portable fan, box fans typically move the most air. They don’t have a lot of options, but they are powerful with 1,000-2,000 CFM. Oscillating fans are also a great option but typically have a lower CFM. 

What kind of fan is the quietest?

Any fan that operates under 50 dB is considered quiet. Typically, a ceiling fan or small, portable option will be fairly quiet but be sure to check each fan’s specifications.

How do you clean dust out of a fan?

To clean a ceiling fan we recommend using a pillowcase to wipe away and catch dust simultaneously. To clean a tower fan or other portable fan, we recommend using a vacuum (with the attachment brush) to remove as much dust as you can. If the grill is removable, wipe down the blades with a microfiber cloth.

Who We Are

Megan Boettcher is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens, writing about a variety of topics including home design, holiday crafts, and more. To make this list, she consulted insights from our lab testers, as well as research on the best fans for bedrooms. She also considered each pick’s speeds, wind modes, dimensions, and whether or not it had a timer, as well as insights from David Hill, senior design manager for Dyson.

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.