The Best Window Fans of 2024, According to Testing - Bob Vila

By Manasa Reddigari, Stacey L. Nash, Tony Carrick

Updated on Jul 26, 2024

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When it comes to keeping your home cool and your utility bills low, you can’t beat a window fan. These devices mount to the bottom of a typical window frame and circulate air to bring in a breeze, consuming much less energy than an air conditioner.

We tested the fans that made our list, going through the installation and hearing the whir of cool air through the blades for ourselves. Many pull air in from outside and let you reverse the action to push hot indoor air and odors out—one reason window fans can be a major asset in the kitchen.

While hardly high-tech tools, the best cooling fans have a few features that suit them to specific functions, so it pays to be a discerning shopper. Read on to learn what you should look for in a window fan, and how these criteria and our hands-on testing informed our top picks.

We tested and scored each fan and air conditioner according to an established rubric. We considered the quality of the materials, noise, airflow/cooling ability, and extra features. We also had to consider installation ease, since most of these fans had to be installed in a window frame. Each fan was run for at least 2 hours, though usually longer, and all settings were tested.

The list of top window fans below, which we researched and tested, includes floor and desk fans as well as standard frame window fans. These fans are powerful enough to create air circulation that can cool a room and feature controls that make them easy to operate.

This fan’s ability to function as both an intake and exhaust fan coupled with its multiple cool air speed settings and powerful output makes it one of the best all-around window fans on the market. Although the Lasko works with a single 16-inch fan versus two smaller fans, it’s capable of moving a lot of air. The ability to push 2,210 cfm of cool air puts it squarely among the most powerful window fans.

We set this fan up in an office on one side of a 2,318-square-foot house. It did an amazing job of moving air. It’s noisy, but the noise is worth it when those temperatures rise. We also liked that we didn’t have to take the screen off the window, so there were no bugs either.

One of the Lasko window fan’s most attractive features is its Storm Guard, an installation design that allows the user to close the window during a storm without having to remove the fan. The Lasko window fan also has three separate speed settings as well as intake and exhaust functions, adding to its versatility.

Get the Lasko window fan on at The Home Depot or Best Buy.

Though this desk fan may not be a traditional window fan, its slim design and square shape make it a great option for those looking for relief from the summer heat on a budget. Its 10-inch blade isn’t quite as powerful as higher-priced window fans. However, during testing, we found that it could move enough air to provide cooling relief on a hot day in a small room or within 10 feet when outside. It also offers the advantage of versatile power options, operating off AC power or six D batteries.

However, batteries aren’t exactly cheap these days, and relying on the battery too much could get pricey. We ran this fan for 4 days straight on the six D batteries, which is a pretty good life. Batteries also make it super quiet.

Since it isn’t tethered to a power cord, the O2Cool is suitable for camping as well as home use. This narrow window fan measures 12 inches wide, 13 inches high, 4 inches deep and weighs just over 2 pounds and is ideal for moving from room to room or even taking on the road. We moved it around the house from an office to the bathroom to outside and back to the office, which became its home. It also has a convenient port for charging a smartphone. We tested the charger, and it wasn’t fast, but it’s handy in a pinch.

Get the O2Cool window fan on Amazon.

When your entire home feels like a sauna, flood it with cool air from floor to ceiling with this powerful fan. The Air King fits windows between 27 and 38 inches wide and at low-, medium-, or high-speed settings, it delivers an airflow of 2,510, 3,120 or 3,560 cfm. On its highest setting, the Air King can cool up to 1,310 square feet.

We can attest to the power of this Air King fan. During testing, there was an unfortunate accident on the stove that left behind some seriously unpleasant odors. We turned this fan on exhaust, and the house was cleared of odors within 10 minutes. It’s heavy and loud but powerful. It was tested in a 2,318-square-foot home, and we could feel cool air moving in almost every room, going beyond the advertised 1,310 square feet.

There’s no remote control with this model, but it’s reversible. We didn’t love the installation process. It comes with a guide and sliding panels to fit it to the window, and it must be screwed into place. Two people are needed to install this behemoth.

Get the Air King window fan on Amazon.

Loaded with features that make it easier to control coupled with a design that allows one to either install it into a window or use it as a freestanding fan, this double window fan is one of the more versatile options on the market. Accordion panels on the sides help create a good fit. However, users should expect some wrestling as they try to expand the stiff panels while locking them in place from the top and bottom.

It also comes with feet, which can be attached to turn the fan into a freestanding model. The feet were easy to put on and take off during testing. There are three speed settings, and users can toggle the direction of each fan independently to intake or exhaust. This was the only fan we tested that allowed us to change the direction of each fan independently. It was a nice feature, though it probably would’ve worked better if we could have gotten a better seal with the window.

Users can choose to set each fan to a specific speed or automate the fans by using the thermostat temperature settings on the Genesis. We liked leaving it on the automatic setting so we could set it and forget it. It provided good airflow and wasn’t too noisy unless it was on the highest setting. One thing we didn’t like was how cheap the materials felt. It seemed like if we dropped this fan, it would most definitely break.

Get the Genesis window fan at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Genesisco.com.

While other fans include thermostats with preset temperatures, Bionaire is one of the few that allows the user to set specific temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit on the digital display. We set low and higher temperatures to test the accuracy, and the Bionaire performed well. Adjustments are made using the unit’s control panel or the convenient remote control.

We liked that we could control everything from the temperature to the fan speed when on manual mode with the remote. We used it from 15 feet away, and it adjusted beautifully.

The unit includes two fans, each of which can be set independently to function as an exhaust or intake fan. The package includes extender panels for both sides of the fan, allowing it to fit spaces between 24 inches and 37 inches wide. Our testing window didn’t need the extenders, though we used the extension panels built into the sides of the unit. This wasn’t the easiest fan to install; it was a bit of a struggle to get a good fit. We finally got it, but there was a small 0.5-inch gap on one side.

We also had to take the window screen out to test this model. A deeper window might be required to keep the screen in and bugs out.

Get the Bionaire window fan on Amazon.

With its compact size, this powerful Vornado window fan is a nice alternative to a traditional window fan. It measures just 11 inches high and just under 10 inches wide but packs a punch thanks to its design. Its spiral-shaped grate and powerful brushless motor allow it to move air up to 75 feet.

This little fan became a favorite during testing. It has a variable speed dial that adjusts the airflow. It can go from whisper quiet to a wind-blowing tornado and everything in between. A powerful motor creates far more airflow than one might expect from the size. The Vornado can also tilt upward or downward, making it easy to direct airflow. Plus, it’s small and lightweight (only 3.5 pounds), so it can be carried from room to room.

Get the Vornado window fan on Amazon, Acme Tools, or Vornado.

With its simple controls, this twin window fan from Comfort Zone is one of the easiest to operate. The fan’s control panel, which sits conveniently between the two fans at the top and bottom of the unit, consists of an off button and on button that also sets the fan to one of three speed settings.

We appreciated that this fan came with bug screens. None of the other window fans with a similar design did. Some were narrow enough to fit between a screen and the frame, but others weren’t. We didn’t have to worry about bugs, which was a load off when the mosquitoes came out.

Controls at the bottom of the fan make it easy to set the fans to exhaust, intake, or circulate, which runs the two fans in opposite directions. With detachable feet and lockable accordion panels that extend from the side, this fan can be set up as either a stand-alone fan that rests on a windowsill or a fan that fits tightly between the sash and jamb of windows between 23.5 inches and 37 inches wide. We installed the Comfort Zone in under 5 minutes. We found the accordion panels were easier to adjust than on some of the other models we tried.

However, while the manufacturer reports this fan at 431 cfm, it didn’t feel nearly as powerful as most of the other fans we tested. And it came with a remote, but it didn’t work. Honestly, it doesn’t really need a remote. It would be nice, but the controls are so simple to operate that no remote is necessary.

Get the Comfort Zone window fan on Amazon, The Home Depot, or at Lowe’s.

Consider these features when navigating the wide and varied array of window-fan options available today. Certain fan features will be more suitable for your space and are important to know about when shopping to get the best cooling performance.

When shopping for the best cooling fan, it’s important to consider which of the three types are best suited for the job. Window fans come in three different types: standard frame, desk, and floor.

Since a window fan is intended to fit inside a window, it should not be larger than the window’s dimensions. For this reason, most standard window fans can fit windows about 26 inches to 38 inches wide.

When shopping for a window fan, make sure to choose a model that is just small enough to fit the dimensions of the window when open, which ensures that there aren’t large gaps around it that can allow warm air to enter the room or grant access to bugs should the window not have a screen. Many window fans have sliding guards on the sides that cover these gaps to prevent drafts from around the fan while also keeping bugs and rain out.

Window fans consist of a housing that holds one or two blades, which are protected by a grate. These parts typically consist of either high-quality plastic or metal.

The airflow of a fan, an indicator of its cooling power, measures the velocity at which air enters or escapes a space. Airflow will be indicated on the fan manufacturer’s website and on the fan packaging in cfm.

While it may seem advantageous to buy a fan with the highest cfm available, a unit with a stronger airflow than the room warrants can just waste energy. It’s more prudent to buy a fan with an airflow sufficient to cool the space where it will be installed. In general, figure about 1 cfm per square foot of space, plus an extra 50 cfm.

Most window fans have both an intake function (to draw in and circulate air from the outdoors) and an exhaust function (to force out indoor air or odors). Reversibility refers to the mechanism that changes airflow direction. There are manually reversible and electrically reversible fans.

Manually reversible fans require the user to physically remove the unit from the window, flip it, and reinstall it to reverse airflow. Electrically reversible fans allow the user to change airflow direction with the push of a button or the flip of a switch, a major convenience with intake and exhaust functions at various times on any given day. For example, the intake function is useful while sleeping to draw in cool nighttime air while using the exhaust function by day expels hotter air.

Most window fans generate between 40 and 80 decibels (dB), depending on how close one is to the fan. Standard window fans produce similar noise levels to floor fans, while desk fans with smaller blades are quieter, operating at less than 40 dB. If a fan is too noisy, the user can make it quieter simply by running the fan on a medium- or low-speed setting. Keep in mind that many manufacturers won’t list the fan’s decibels, so read reviews to get a better idea of noise levels.

Many window fans come with some convenient extras, and certain models tend to look better in specific spaces.

Most window fans are easy to install and maintain. Desk fans and floor fans can stand on their own, eliminating the need for an installation that requires drilling holes and driving in screws.

Most window fans fit between the sash and sill of the window and must be fastened to the window frame with screws to hold it firmly in place while it operates. Models that come with guides can help make sure that the screws are installed correctly. Other fans are designed so that the window sits on top of the unit, holding it in place. Most window fans have panels that extend from the sides to close off the gaps in the window opening on either side of the fan.

Attic fans, per their name, are installed in the attic through the ceiling or an exterior wall of the home. The fans work by removing hot air from the attic while sucking in cooler air through the home’s soffits. A window fan fits into the window of a home, removing hot air or circulating cooler air to reduce the room temperature.

Window fans can help reduce the temperature in a room by removing hot air from a room or circulating in cooler air.

Since a window fan’s job is to suck air into a room, it can bring bugs with it. With that in mind, make sure the window fan either has a built-in bug screen or will fit into the window while allowing the window screen to remain in place.

While a fan with more cubic feet per minute is desirable, for a window fan to be effective, it should move one cfm for every square foot of space plus an extra 50 cfm. So, for a window fan to effectively cool a 200-square-foot room, it should have at least 250 cfm.

If possible, use two fans, one set to exhaust to push warm air out of the room and one set on intake to pull cool air into the room. You can also place a powerful fan on one end of the house set to exhaust and open one window at the opposite end of the house. The fan will pull hot air out and cool air in.

To clean a window fan, start by unplugging the fan and removing the protective grate if possible. (Check the manufacturer’s instructions because not all grates are removable.) Use a vacuum hose with a dusting brush to clean off the fan blades, then wipe them down with a damp cloth and reattach the grate.

Today’s energy-efficient space heaters warm individual rooms, so users needn’t heat unoccupied areas of the house. We tested the most popular space heaters on the market to find out which ones performed the best.

Contributing Writer

Manasa Reddigari has tackled topics ranging from computer software to home remodeling in her more-than-a-decade-long career as a writer and editor.

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