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The best desk fans to keep you chilled while you work
We put a range of compact desk fans to the test – and these ones blew us away
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Working from home has a lot of perks. But when a heatwave hits, the lack of air conditioning in most UK houses is not one of them. That’s when a good desk fan can be a lifesaver.
Desk fans may be small, but today’s models are not to be underestimated. They can kick up a serious breeze, helping you chill out when you’re trying to work – or sleep – in the heat. Many of the best desk fans even have mist functions, night modes and rechargeable batteries for extra ease.
To find the ones guaranteed to keep you cool, we put them to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute – these are our top picks at a glance with our full reviews below.
Best desk fans 2025
To test desk fans, we measure air strength at their highest and lowest speeds, as well as checking noise levels. We also track their energy consumption and evaluate overall design and ease of use. Finally, we ask a panel to sit in a hot, stuffy room and rate how comfortable and cool they feel with each model. You’ll find a full breakdown of how we test along with our shopping guide below our reviews. If you're after something for your commute, we've also tested the best portable fans.
Ready to beat the heat at home? These are our experts’ top desk fans.
Meaco Sefte 8” Portable Battery Air Circulator Fan
Pros
- Effective cooling
- Quiet
- Wireless, with a rechargeable battery
Cons
- Grille needs to be unscrewed for cleaning
Score: 91/100
Powerful, portable and quiet, this compact desk fan was a big hit with our testing panel, who all gave it five stars for its ability to cool them down in a 30°C room. It’s also super easy to move around, thanks to the wireless design and hidden carry handle. It’s highly efficient too, consuming the least amount of energy of any desk fan we tested.
The night mode automatically turns the display off and silences any beeps, which, when combined with the super-quiet breeze, is great for a restful sleep. It even comes with a three-year warranty for extra peace of mind – and the replaceable battery will help the fan last for many years. Our only gripe is that you need a screwdriver to detach the grille for cleaning, but many fans we tested can’t even be disassembled at all.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 12 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes – darkened display and muted beeps |
| Dimensions | W26 x D21 x H38 cm |
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
| Remote control | Yes |
Pros
- Excellent wind strength
- Quiet
- 180° tiltable head
Cons
- Doesn’t oscillate as advertised
- Can’t be disassembled for cleaning
Score: 89/100
This desk fan impressed our testers with its powerful wind speed and quiet operation. It’s a great pick for keeping you cool at night, thanks to the 12-hour timer and extra-hushed sleep mode. Plus, it’s easy to carry and adjust, and the touch controls are responsive.
We were disappointed that the fan doesn’t oscillate, despite the product listing and manual saying it does (although it can tilt). It also can’t be disassembled for cleaning, and dusting all those nooks and crannies will be tricky. Still, it’s a reliable fan that will keep you cool – and for a reasonable price, too.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 3 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes – quieter running |
| Dimensions | W26 x D26 x H38 cm |
| Weight | 2.26 kg |
| Remote control | No |
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan FA050UK
Pros
- Cooling mist spray
- Wireless, with a rechargeable battery
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- High maintenance – water tank needs frequent vinegar soaks
- No timer
- No oscillation
Score: 88/100
This wireless desk fan can spray you with a light mist that cools you as it evaporates off your skin, as an extra treat on hot days. We love how lightweight and portable this one is, making it perfect for moving around the house or even taking on trips away. It’s very powerful (the highest setting was the strongest we tested), but quiet, too.
The majority of our testers found the misting function cooling and comfortable – one even described it as ‘relaxing’. On the downside, there’s no timer or oscillation, although it can tilt 45 degrees. The water tank also requires frequent cleaning with vinegar, which is quite fiddly. But if you find regular fans struggle to cool you down, this one could be a refreshing alternative.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 5 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | No |
| Dimensions | W21 x D22 x H29 cm |
| Weight | 1.77 kg |
| Remote control | No |
Pros
- Powerful for its size
- Quiet
- Portable design – wireless and lightweight
Cons
- No timer
- No oscillation
- Can’t be disassembled for cleaning
Score: 88/100
This little fan punches well above its weight, creating a decently strong wind that cooled down most of our testers effectively. It’s wireless and rechargeable, and you can plug it into your laptop via USB – so it’s great for keeping you cool while you work. As well as being the cheapest fan to pass our tests, it’s also very energy efficient, costing just 0.1p per hour to run at max speed.
If you're after fancy features, look elsewhere – the simple design has just one button to turn it on and cycle through four air speeds. It doesn’t oscillate or have a timer either, and you can’t take it apart for cleaning. But if you’re after something straightforward, compact and quiet, this is a great value buy.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 4 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | No |
| Dimensions | W17 x D15 x H30 cm |
| Weight | 400 g |
| Remote control | No |
Pros
- Very quiet
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Large and pricey
- Need to use app for some of the extra modes
Score: 81/100
This fan has been designed to be quiet in use, which came through in our results – we recorded very low noise levels, even at its highest speed, making it great for focus or sleep. Despite the fan having 10 air speeds, we didn’t notice much variation in the first seven. But although the air flow wasn’t the strongest, our test panel unanimously agreed this fan was effective at cooling them down.
For a desk fan, it’s very large at 55cm tall – so it’s not the best for small spaces. The blade-less design looks great, however, and makes the fan exceedingly easy to clean. No blades is also a plus if you’re worried about children’s fingers. It’s a big investment but could be worth it if you’re sensitive to background noise.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 10 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes – quieter function and dimmed display |
| Dimensions | W36 x D15 x H55 cm |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Remote control | Yes, and app functionality |
Boneco F100 6 Inch Compact Desk Fan
Pros
- Small and compact
- Very long power cord
Cons
- Doesn’t tilt or oscillate
- No timer
Score: 76/100
If you’re short on space, this little desk fan could give your stuffy WFH zone a much-needed breeze. Despite its small size, it's capable of powerful air flow, and our testers found it cooled them down well. It’s quiet too, and we liked the generous power cord length (2.2 metres), which makes it easy to move around the room.
This fan is very simple, with just one button and three air speeds to cycle through. It also lacks a timer, there are no extra modes, and it doesn’t oscillate or tilt either. But pop this on your desk or coffee table, and it should be perfectly angled to provide a refreshing breeze without taking up lots of space.
Key specifications
| Air speeds | 3 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | No |
| Dimensions | W21 x D20 x H24 cm |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Remote control | No |
How we test desk fans
To assess the effectiveness of these desk fans, the Good Housekeeping Institute experts put them through several rigorous tests. First, we measure the air strength and sound levels of each fan at both their lowest and highest speeds, from two different distances.
At both speeds, we also note their energy consumption. Next, we ask our in-house panel to sit in a hot (30°C) room for 30 minutes and tell us how cool and comfortable each fan made them feel. Finally, we rate the design, ease of use and clarity of instructions before awarding an overall score.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve been testing products for over 100 years. Our in-house experts are very experienced when it comes to designing tests that effectively replicate real world use and rigorously assess each product against its claims.
Our homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, has reviewed countless fans in our lab. She analyses all the data to ensure we only recommend the ones that will keep you cool and comfy when the temperatures soar.
Our homes writer, Jasmine Vorley, comes from a background in product testing and design. She knows just how to extract the most vital information from our test results to help shoppers make the best choices.
What to consider when shopping for a desk fan
To find the desk fan that’s right for your needs, there are a few things you should think about.
Budget is, of course, a key consideration – a good desk fan can cost anywhere from £25 to 10 times that. More expensive models come with added extras such as timers, oscillation, night modes and remote controls, so consider whether you need them.
If your home gets very hot or you have a larger area to cool, you’ll want to prioritise wind strength. You might even want to opt for a misting fan, for extra comfort. If you want to use your fan while you sleep, or don’t want distractions while you work, make sure to choose a quiet model.
What’s the difference between a desk fan, pedestal fan and tower fan?
Desk fans, pedestal fans and tower fans can vary considerably in power, energy consumption and noise levels. So, before you buy, think about how you’re going to use your fan, as well as the amount of space you have.
Desk fans are smaller and designed to sit on a table. They’re best for creating a focused breeze while you’re working, relaxing or sleeping. Desk fans tend to be quieter and require less energy to run but can be less powerful.
Pedestal fans are much larger, taller and louder, and are better suited to circulating a strong breeze around a larger area. Tower fans are somewhere in between – they typically create a more gentle, widespread breeze than pedestal fans, while being quieter and more energy-efficient.
Is it okay to sleep with a desk fan on?
Yes, it’s generally fine to sleep with a desk fan if you want to stay cool at night. Just bear in mind that as you fall asleep, your body will cool down, so you may not need that breeze for the whole night. If you’re using a desk fan to sleep, look out for models that have a timer, or even a ‘sleep mode’ where the wind speed gradually decreases.
Can a desk fan cool a room?
Desk fans are designed for personal cooling. Although many of these desk fans are fairly powerful and have oscillation capabilities, we recommend our best pedestal fans or best tower fans if you want to create a breeze in a large to medium-sized room.
Also, bear in mind that fans can’t actually cool down a room – just the people in it. Instead of lowering the temperature, they help you feel cooler by enhancing sweat evaporation and circulating air. If a breeze alone won’t cut it, consider a fan with a misting function – or browse our best air coolers.
The verdict: Which desk fan is the best?
Best overall: Our winning desk fan is the Meaco Sefte 8” Portable Battery Air Circulator, which impressed us with its quiet, powerful breeze and energy efficiency.
Best misting fan: If you want a misting fan for that extra level of cooling, you won’t do better than the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan FA050UK.
Best budget option: If you’re looking for a more affordable model, the Dunelm 6” White Rechargeable USB Desk Fan is a simple yet effective fan that costs just £25.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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