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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 Boothroyd and Marcus Strong
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.
We’ve tested and reviewed 66 fans in total but most of our Tried & Tested desk fans are now sold out. We’ll always recommend alternative retailers where possible, but we also suggest buying them while you still can!
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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.
Philips 2000 Series 8 Inch Desk Fan
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 |
| Noise level range (from 50cm away) | 42.1-58dB |
| Energy consumption range | 0.017kWh = less than 1p; 0.023kWh = less than 1p |
| Air strength range (from 50cm away) | 2.3 - 4.4m/s |
Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan FA050UK
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 |
| Noise level range (from 50cm away) | 42.1-62.5dB |
| Energy consumption range | 0.003kWh = less than 1p; 0.011kWh = less than 1p |
| Air strength range (from 50cm away) | 1.4 - 4.4m/s |
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.
How to choose a desk fan
To find a desk fan that’s right for your needs, these are some of the features to think about.
Air strength: If your home gets very hot or you have a larger area to cool, you’ll want to prioritise air strength. Our most powerful desk fan is the ProBreeze Foldable 8” Desk Fan with Touch Screen (currently out of stock), which reached up to 5.2m/s on its highest speed. However, if you want a gentler breeze, it’s best to toggle to a lower setting or opt for the Meaco Sefte 8” Portable Battery Air Circulator Fan, which kept our testers cool in a hot room without creating a draught.
Noise level: If you want to use your fan while you sleep, or don’t want distractions while you work, choose a quiet model. Anything under 60dB is similar to the noise level of a normal conversation or the hum of a fridge, so opt for one under 40dB if you need a super quiet environment to sleep in.
Budget: A good table fan can cost anywhere from £25 to £250. More expensive models come with added extras such as timers, oscillation, night modes and remote controls, so consider whether you need them.
Misting fans: Some desk fans now come with misting functions which spray you with a light mist to cool you down quicker. These are excellent for heatwaves.
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?
We loved the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan FA050UK for its misting functionality that delivers an extra level of cooling.
But if you’re shopping on a budget, the Philips 2000 Series 8 Inch Desk Fan is an effective fan that costs under £50.
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!
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
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.
Marcus Strong is the Homes Operations Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute, overseeing product testing programmes and helping ensure readers receive trusted, evidence-based buying advice. With experience at leading retailers including Marks & Spencer Home and IKEA, he brings extensive expertise in home products, quality assessment and consumer needs.
Marcus works closely with testing and editorial teams to deliver rigorous evaluations across a wide range of household categories, combining operational excellence with a passion for helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
