Best Standalone Fans

Should I get a standalone fan or a portable air conditioner?

Good question. These two categories of cooling systems have things in common – namely, that the units are both relatively small and portable. The difference is that while air conditioners (or air coolers) lower a room’s temperature by adding cool air, fans (or air circulators) simply move air around.

The circulating air helps evaporate perspiration, and also stops air from being stagnant while warm. Fans are good for short bursts of refreshment, whereas a portable AC is better if you’d prefer a more powerful cooling system that consistently maintains a set temperature.

Standalone fans are cheaper than their air conditioning counterparts, and provided you don’t leave your fan on 24/7, they are generally also cheaper to run than portable air conditioners and have a smaller environmental footprint.

Types of Standalone Fans

Pedestal fans and tower fans are the most popular fan types in Australia, and they're also the most commonly sold. Here's a quick comparison:

Pedestal Fans vs Tower Fans

Best for	Pedestal Fan	Tower fan
Cooling Power
Noise level
Coverage
Price
Extra Features
Appearance

Pedestal Fans · See All

These traditional portable fans are also called stand fans, as they’re supported by an adjustable vertical stand. The fan section uses spinning blades to cool down a room.

Tower Fans · See All

Also known as column fans, these fans have a long rectangular or cylindrical shape. They’re powered by impeller blades inside the unit, which push air through an air outlet that runs from close to the base to the top. Louvres often push air upwards, for more coverage.

Desk Fans · See All

Also called table fans, these personal fans live on your desk, and can be as small as 10-15cm in blade size. They’re great for the office or work-from-home spaces - or both, as they're portable mini fans. Consider the noise level, as the fan will be close to you at times when you're probably trying to concentrate.

Floor Fans · See All

Floor fans sit squat and close to the ground. The larger the head, the wider the coverage, so for medium to large rooms opt for a fan head 75cm or larger. A high velocity floor fan will also push air more powerfully at a longer distance across the room. Keep in mind that since these fans are so low, they pose an accident risk if you have curious kids and pets around.

Box Fans · See All

Also sitting low, these fans are boxed into an enclosure with a grill, housing the blades on the inside.

Wall Fans · See All

Wall-mounted and similar to the top section of pedestal fans, these use 3-5 blades to spin on an 180-degree axis.

Factors to consider when buying a standalone fan

Space

Think about the size of the room you want to cool, and buy a standalone fan that can reach the far corners. More spacious rooms are suited to a large pedestal fan. Look at the blade size of a prospective fan, as bigger blades will offer better coverage.

A tower fan may be suited to a living area where it can be placed in front of a lounge or sitting area with nothing obstructing it, to benefit from the base-to-top cooling. For a bedroom, a pedestal fan or a wall fan are preferable, as the airflow will circulate above your bed. Conversely, tower fans, box and floor fans are going to have part or all of the airflow directed underneath the bed.

Noise

Think about your usual activities during the day, and the noise level you can bear. It can be helpful to shop in-store, as you can ask the salesperson to switch it onto the highest speed, to test the airflow volume before committing. Generally, more premium (i.e. expensive) fans will be quieter.

Price

The purchase price of a fan varies depending on the type and extra features, however one factor remains constant - fans are generally cheaper than air conditioners. For example, the lowest you'd pay for a pedestal fan is around $20 (and it tops out at around $299), and a cheap tower fan also starts at about $20, whereas you'll pay $999 for the most premium Dyson tower fan (which is also an air purifier). Running costs are also much lower for portable fans, compared to portable air conditioners. If you use a fan, Sustainability Victoria estimates the annual energy costs to be: $5 for a small room, $10 for a medium room and $15 for a large room.

Extra Features

• Adjustable height and angle: Angling the fan up, down, facing you or away from you allows control over the airflow, so you can customise your cooling to a gentle breeze or a full-frontal blast of air.
• Child locks: Some fans are designed with child locks, which makes them safer for all family members. If they’re hard to find, a bladeless fan (also called an ‘air multiplier’) is a good choice, as there’s no sharp bits for little fingers or paws.
• Handle: This will help you carry your portable fan from room to room.
• LCD screen: This offers an electronic display that shows the fan settings, and should be bright and clear enough to read while the fan is on.
• Remote control: Will let you turn on the fan and adjust the settings from the comfort of your couch. It's great for those particularly hot and sticky summer days.
• Rotating head: Also called an oscillating function, this means the fan moves from side to side. This is an essential function if you’ll be using the fan for more than one person.
• Reverse cycle: Some more advanced models like the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link are reverse cycle, meaning they can blow warm air as well as cool air.
• Sleep mode: This is handy if you like going to sleep with the fan on a high setting. After around 30 minutes, the fan will automatically switch to a lower fan speed and reduce the noise, helping you sleep peacefully.
• Timers: Some fans have a setting where you can select a running time, e.g. 30 minutes or 1 hour, and the fan will switch off after the set time has elapsed. On other models you can set the fan to switch on at a specific time, for example, just after you arrive home from work.
• Variable speed settings: These give you more control over the airflow, to help you feel like the master weather mage of your domain. Again, shopping in store to see how strong the fan's performance is on its highest speed setting will give you a better indication of its quality.

Wrapping up

Overall, when it comes to ways to keep cool in summer, a standalone fan offers an affordable and effective option. While you won't get the same cooling power as you would from a portable air conditioner, a well-chosen fan that's right for your space can provide much-needed refreshment.

To choose the best fan for you consider placement in a room, coverage, noise level, aesthetics and extra features. You can click here to browse fan reviews to help make the fan buying process a breeze.