When it comes to summer, (or the British weather in general) it's pretty unpredictable, one minute it's pouring rain, the next we're facing a 32°C heatwave.
But, what we know for a fact is that the heat we experience in the U.K just doesn't feel the same as the one we get abroad. Whether it's because the houses are built to keep the heat in, or because that shining sun isn't (usually) accompanied by a beach or a pool, it's just not what we want.
An excellent way to keep the scorching temperatures at bay is with an air conditioner or a fan. With many of us still working from home, the only issue is that we can't exactly have a rattling fan swinging and creaking every two minutes as we conduct work calls and video meetings.
The loud noises that fans can make are also not very conducive for a peaceful night's sleep and let's face it when it gets too hot, we do need them on during the night. That's why we've rounded up the best quiet fans, so you enjoy a peaceful slumber and no more background noise in your work calls.
We've searched high and low, including desk fans and tower fans, our guide has got the cream of the crop.
The best quiet fans:
Editor's pick
What distinguishes the Vornado Fan from its competitors is that it utilises a unique vortex technology with deep-set blades. This allows the fan to provide a quiet and constant stream of cold air, that can cool most rooms (up to 26 metres). It additionally has a timer function, so you can program the fan to run for specific periods of time (this is ideal throughout the night!) and it also comes with a remote control.
Dimensions: L x H x W = 21.4 x 36.6 x 30.7cm
Noise Decibels: 52
Review: "This model is exceptional in its performance, discreet in its appearance, the quietest on the market and therefore excellent value for money."
Best quiet fan
Dyson has earned itself a pretty strong reputation in the world of air coolers and fans, and this reputation is reinforced with this fan. The sleek design allows it to fit in with any aesthetic, while its streamed air channels ensure you get a steady, and very quiet airflow stream. The fact that it has no blades ensures you won't get any loud, choppy air, plus it's easy and safe to clean. However, this will set you back by quite a lot, so if you have a tighter budget this won't be for you.
Dimensions: L x H x W = 11.2 x 100.6 x 19.1cm
Noise Decibels: 61
Review: "So glad that we bought this, it is amazing. It brought the room temperature down considerably. We didn't even need to have it on the highest setting and after a while had to actually turn it down, it is that good. Very quiet also which is an added benefit."
Best quiet tower fan
This sleek tower fan can easily blend in with any aesthetic, it's also quite small in size so it will take up very little space. It boasts a quiet operation system, so it's ideal for your office during the day or your bedroom at night. An added bonus is that it comes with a 12-hour countdown timer, so you don't need to worry about turning it off.
Dimensions: L x H x W= 24.7 x 94.2 x 23.5cm
Noise Decibels: N/A
Review: "I absolutely love this fan! It's powerful but compact and slim making it easy to fit just about anywhere. I was a bit sceptical about the whole "ion" thing but honestly it makes a real difference! The controls are easy to use and the remote really comes in handy. I will be buying a second one soon! Would absolutely recommend this to anyone needing a powerful fan with a small footprint!"
Best quiet desk fan
This offering by Rowenta is pretty impressive. With an extremely low noise decibel rating, it manages to emit a constant stream of cold air, enough to cool most rooms. We especially love how small and easily transportable it is, so even if you have to change your work settings, you can still keep cool.
Dimensions: L x H x W = 35.6 x 45.7 x 25.4
Noise Decibels: 38-55
Review: "I am one of those people that needs a fan to sleep and I have been consistently disappointed by the new fans that are all 'silent'. I need both the breeze and the white noise and so I have been through a handful over the past summer trying to find the right fit. This is as close as it comes to me to perfect. I do like that the lowest setting is almost silent for if I need a breeze in the daytime without the noise."
Best budget quiet fan
Don't be deceived by its size, this fan may be small but it's definitely mighty. It has a quiet operation so you won't need to worry about any rattling or annoying background noise while it's on. It has three different speed settings, a wall-mounted feature, and an adjustable tilt.
Dimensions: L x H x W= 28 x 29 x 16.5cm
Noise Decibels: N/A
Review: "All in all I love this fan... well worth the money and arrived on time. Comes in a neat little box and it's already made which some fans are not, it's strong and does the job it's meant to do. Has three settings and you can also hang it on the wall if you so choose."
FAQs
What is the best quiet fan?
If you're not on a budget, we would definitely have to recommend the Dyson AMO7 Tower Fan. However, this is quite expensive at £400+, and if you're looking for something a little cheaper, the Vornado 6306DC Air Circulator does an excellent job of providing a constant, cool stream of air at a more reasonable price of £149.
How do desk fans work?
Desk fans work the same way that all fans do, by moving the air that is in the area of the fan. However, the power source may be different, as you can often pick up desk fans that charge via the USB port on your computer or electricity.
How do tower fans work?
Similarly to desk fans, tower fans work by moving the air that is in the fan's area, however unlike standard fans, tower fans do not slice up the air horizontally, they instead cause the air to move vertically.
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Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.
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