Electric Fan Buying Guide: Stand, Tower and Wall

Electric fan buying guide: pick the fan type first, then check airflow, noise, the blade guard and the cord. A stand fan suits a bedroom or living room. A tower fan suits a narrow space. A wall fan suits a small room where floor space is tight. The rest of this page explains how to choose.

Know the three main types

A stand fan sits on the floor on a pole. You can usually adjust its height, and the head turns from side to side. It moves a lot of air and is easy to aim at a sofa or bed.

A tower fan is tall and slim. Many household tower fans use a cross-flow design, where air passes straight through a long, narrow impeller. This design is compact. It fits in a corner and takes little floor space.

A wall fan hangs on a bracket and keeps the floor clear. It is a good fit for a shop, a kitchen or a small bedroom. Mount it at a height where nobody can touch the guard by accident, and use a bracket rated for the fan's weight.

A table or desk fan also exists. It has a fixed height and is small. It works for one person at a desk but not for a whole room.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Mechanical fan"; Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Quạt điện".

Read airflow, not just size

A bigger blade does not always mean a better fan. Most stand, table and wall fans are axial fans. Their blades push air in a line along the shaft. A cross-flow tower fan moves air in a wide, flat stream instead. Centrifugal fans, also called squirrel-cage fans, push air out at a right angle and are usually noisier.

When you compare models, look at the airflow figure on the box or the spec sheet, and compare it at the same speed setting. Several speed settings are useful. You can run the fan on high when the room is hot and on low at night.

Also check the oscillation. A fan that turns slowly across the room covers more people. If you only need a steady stream on one spot, a fixed head is fine.

Source: Wikipedia, "Mechanical fan".

Test the noise and the shake

A good fan vibrates little, runs quietly and keeps its motor from getting very hot. You can test this in the shop. Ask to switch the fan on and listen at each speed. Put your hand on the base and feel for shaking. A fan that rattles in the shop will be worse after a year of use.

Noise matters most in a bedroom. If the fan will run all night, pick a quiet model and use a low speed.

Also check that the base is heavy and wide enough. A tall stand fan on a light base can tip over if a child or pet bumps it.

Sources: Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Quạt điện"; Wikipedia, "Mechanical fan".

Check the blade guard and the cord

The guard, or cage, has one job. It keeps fingers and objects away from the blades. Look for a guard with small gaps and a tight fit around the motor. Table fans carry a guard that attaches to the motor case. Box fans also have guards to keep children's hands away from the blades.

Ceiling fans usually have no guard because they are out of reach, but a stand, table or wall fan always needs one. Do not buy a fan with a bent, loose or missing guard. Do not run a fan with the guard off.

Check the cord too. It should be thick, undamaged and long enough to reach the socket without a loose extension lead. Keep the cord away from the walking path. Unplug the fan before you clean it. If you have toddlers, put the fan out of reach or choose a wall fan placed high.

Sources: Wikipedia, "Mechanical fan"; Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Quạt điện".

Use a fan the smart way

A fan helps you feel cooler because moving air helps sweat evaporate from your skin. It does not lower the real temperature of the room. That means a fan only helps when someone is in its path. Switch it off when you leave the room.

A simple habit saves power. Use the lowest speed that keeps you comfortable. A fan on low uses less electricity than one on high. Clean the guard and blades every few weeks, because dust slows the airflow and adds noise.

In a hot and humid climate, a fan works best with open windows or a vent that lets moist air out. In a closed room, it only moves the same warm air around.

Source: Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Quạt điện", for how moving air feels cooler. The other tips are common household practice.

A short checklist before you pay

Match the type to the room: stand for open space, tower for tight corners, wall for a clear floor. Compare airflow at the same speed. Switch the fan on in the shop and listen for noise and shake. Inspect the guard and the cord. Ask for a written warranty and keep the receipt. Choose a fan you can clean easily, because a clean fan lasts longer and moves more air.

This is general information for households, not an endorsement of any brand.

Sources

• Wikipedia, "Mechanical fan": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_fan
• Vietnamese Wikipedia, "Quạt điện": https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quạt_điện