We all love summer and spring seasons for the warmth they bring. However, they make our houses too hot and uncomfortable. Even though Air Conditioners can help cool the rooms, they are expensive to run. Box fans, on the other hand, consume less energy as they move the air around the house. Besides providing a cooling effect, you can strategically place the box fan to warm the room when it’s too cold.
Better yet, you don’t have to ditch the AC. You can use them together to lower energy consumption and cool the rooms more efficiently. Box fans come in different sizes. So if you’re buying one for the first time or you’d like to switch to a better model, this article is for you. We have reviewed some of the best box fans based on their size, areas of application, noise, and the amount of air they move.
If you’re in a hurry, you can check below our short review of the best box fans from the list. Or, you can dive into more specs in our detailed review.
Best Small Box Fan – Polar-Aire S-9BP Mini Box Fan, 9 Inch
We believe this is the best fan for smaller rooms thanks to the three speeds, the convenient settings knob, and the lightweight. It also has the best white noise that makes it easier to sleep.
Best Window Box Fan – Lasko B20401 Décor Box Fan, 20 Inch
This fan is excellent for windows since it’s a 20-inch fan. It can easily fit in your window and keep insects out. It also has a metal exterior, which makes it durable and easy to clean. It also features three speeds.
Best Metal Box Fan – Hurricane 20 Inch Box Fan, Classic Series
We believe this is the best metal box fan for it’s designed to be weather resistant. Rain may not easily damage it. It also has an extra weight at the motor for stability, but it’s still light enough to carry around.
Best Industrial Box Fan – MaxxAir size-24 Inches, High-Velocity Fan
This is the best fan for large areas like warehouses, barns, garages, and patios, thanks to the 18-inch fan, 180 degrees tilting capability, and the wheels for portability. It also features a sturdy powder-coated steel body for durability.
Best Large Box Fan – Lasko 3300 20 Inch Wind Machine Fan
If you’re looking for a portable large box fan, Lasko 3300 is our winner. It is big enough for larger living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Since it’s plastic, it’s not the best for outdoors. It’s an 18-inch fan that’s also ETL listed.
Best Outdoor Box fan – Comfort Zone CZ200A, 20 Inch Portable Box Fan
This is the best fan for outdoor usage since it’s portable and made of durable rust-resistant metal. It also has excellent white noise, which eliminates any distracting noises both indoors and outdoors
12 Best Box Fans Reviews
-
Best Small Box Fan – Polar-Aire S-9BP Mini Box Fan, 9 Inch
This is an excellent table-top fan featuring three blades and a traditional white/gray look. It is the perfect size for anyone looking for a small fan to place next to the window or to regulate temperatures in smaller rooms. One of the reasons this fan made it to the top is the white noise, which makes it perfect for bedrooms that are too quiet, or if you live in a noisy neighborhood.
It has three adjustable fan speeds based on the amount of air circulation in your room. Lastly, this item weighs 2.5 pounds and is 11.8 inches tall, making it possible to carry around and place it conveniently in your rooms. The 6-feet power cord is long enough, but you can always use a longer one when necessary.
User Critique
Several users loved the white noise from this box fan. It helped them sleep and relax. Most of them also agree that it moves enough air for a smaller room. However, some complained that it was cheaply made.
Pros
- It is one of the best fans for white noise.
- The three fan speeds are convenient, and it moves a lot of air for its size.
- It’s also very affordable.
Cons
- It is cheaply made and can easily break.
Final Verdict
-
HowPlumb 9 Inch Compact Tabletop Box Fan
This is another great table-top box fan that comes with two fan speeds and a gorgeous white color. Unlike the ceiling fans or box fans from other manufacturers, this model doesn’t require any assembly. You just get to use it right out of the box.
It has a 9-inch span and a compact size that allows you to place in the bedroom or workplace. Better yet, it’s relatively quiet; you won’t have to worry about being distracted or causing a disturbance at work.
User Critique
According to customer reviews, this fan is very quiet. However, some complained that it doesn’t move a lot of air, and they didn’t have much control over the speeds since it has two speeds. Its cheap build was also an issue to some, but it seems to work just fine for most people.
Pros
- It’s relatively quiet.
- It comes with a compact size that’s easy to mount and move around.
- The white color also blends in perfectly with your home and office decor.
Cons
- It doesn’t move as much air.
- It only has two speeds, limiting the areas where it’s applicable.
Final Verdict
-
Comfort Zone 9 Inch Portable Box Fan
Just like the name suggests, this fan is designed to make your rooms more comfortable. It’s actually certified as frustration-free. It comes with a 9-inch span, and two speed settings based on the amount of air you need to move.
To quickly switch the speeds, the manufacturer provides a convenient rotary control knob. Another reason why we love this fan is portability and versatility. It weighs a meager 3 pounds, making it easy to place it in your office, living room, or even bedroom.
User Critique
Some users complained that it is cheaply made, but that is expected since it’s relatively cheap. However, they still agree that it is quiet, and it moves enough air for a bedroom, office, or even a bathroom.
Pros
- It has a quiet operation.
- It is very affordable.
- It moves enough air for cooling the rooms during spring.
Cons
- It may be loud when on the high-speed setting
- It is cheaply made and may break easily
Final Verdict
-
Best Window Box Fan – Lasko B20401 Décor Box Fan, 20 Inch
Not all great fans are white, Lasko makes sure that you can have a black fan with the same functionalities as the white models. But looks aren’t the only reason this fan made it to our list. It’s also one of the best box fans for windows. It has a 20-inch span and three-speed settings that enable it to move as much air as possible. We love this fan for it’s very energy efficient.
Thanks to the Save-Smart feature, it only consumes 2 cents of energy per hour. It also features curved edges for safety. Even though its span is considerably larger, it weighs about 7 pounds, and you can easily place it at your window, bathroom, or bedroom. Another reason why we love it is the sturdy metal build that makes it more durable than the cheaper plastic models. The manufacturer also offers a 1-year limited warranty.
User Critique
Several users claimed that it moved a lot of air, and it didn’t cost that much. The three-speed settings also allowed them to choose between a quiet operation, or slightly louder when moving a lot of air. Even though they said it’s loud on maximum speed, they agreed that it eliminated other unwanted noises.
Pros
- It moves a lot of air.
- It’s relatively quiet when on slow and medium speeds.
- The curved edges prevent injuries.
- It’s also energy efficient.
Cons
- The metal construction may be prone to dents, and the inner plastic parts aren’t very durable.
- It may be noisy when at maximum speed.
Final Verdict
-
Mainstays Box Fan, size 20 Inches
This is another great box window fan. It comes with five blades, a 20-inch span, and three speeds. If you’re looking for a fan that’s not white or black, this one comes in vibrant purple shade. We also love this fan since it has a more sturdy construction than the Lasko B20401.
It’s also very quiet, especially on medium and low operations. The maximum speed lets out a white noise that’s bearable when compared to noisy neighborhoods. This fan weighs 8 pounds, and it arrives when assembled, making it easy to mount at your preferred location.
User Critique
For starters, users love the purple color. Secondly, they loved the overall functionality since it moves enough air, and it has a low hum that’s expected in all of the hums. Even on maximum speed, they agreed that it never gets too loud.
Pros
- It’s gorgeous.
- It’s lightweight and very portable.
- The dial for controlling the speeds is conveniently placed at the top.
Cons
- It has a design flaw that makes it hard to clean.
- There also seemed to be a large difference in prices between different online stores.
Final Verdict
Best Metal Box Fan – Hurricane 20 Inch Box Fan, Classic Series
If you’re looking for a sturdy metal box fan, this Hurricane model will not disappoint you. It’s designed for placing on the floor in the bathroom, bedrooms, or any other room that may need a floor fan. The stands provide enough stability, and they can also be adjusted or removed if you would love to place it on its side.
It comes with a 5-foot power cord that will allow you to place it at any place you see fit within the room. It features sturdy metal construction and high-quality polymer blades. While other manufacturers place the dial on the top, this fan has the dial at the front, which is still okay. You can switch between the three speeds based on the amount of air you need to move.
User Critique
According to most users, the manufacturer seems to have compromised the noise to move a lot of air. They claim that it moves a lot of air even at a low speed, but tends to be louder than the other models.
Pros
- It’s weather-resistant.
- It’s slightly heavier for stability, but not too heavy that you would have a problem moving it around.
- It moves a lot of air while being energy efficient.
- It’s well built for durability.
Cons
- It is louder than most models.
- There are cases where you may receive a defective fan.
Final Verdict
Lasko Cool Colors 20 Inch Durable Metal Frame Box Fan 
This is another excellent Lasko product. You can select the purple shade to decorate your room in the process or go for the traditional white color. It has the same 20-inch span, but what we love most about it is the steel frame. This metal structure makes it very durable and easy to clean.
The handle at the top and the 7 pounds weight make it easier to carry around. Another reason why we prefer this fan is the controls placed at the top. This position seems to work better than when the controls are placed at the front. It also comes with three-speed settings.
User Critique
The 20-inch span and sturdy motor are some of the reasons a lot of people loved this motor. The purple color also attracted many. Even though some claimed that it’s loud, it’s the noise that eliminates other noises and allows them to sleep peacefully.
Pros
- The steel body is very durable.
- The 20-inch span also moves enough air for cooling during summer and spring.
- It requires no assembly, and the knob at the top makes it easy to change the speeds.
- It produces white noise, making it ideal for bedrooms.
- The grills are also removable and easy to clean.
Cons
- Some still found it to be too loud
Final Verdict
-
Best Industrial Box Fan – MaxxAir size-24 Inches, High-Velocity Fan
Enough with the simple fans for smaller rooms. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty fan for larger rooms, this Maxxair model suits you. It is an Industrial Grade Fan that spans 18 inches to move as much air as possible. It moves fast, and you can switch to one of the three speeds using the pull chain. One of the reasons we love this fan is the ability to mount it on the wall or place it on the floor. It has a 180-degree tilt angle, in case you would love to move air in a particular direction.
It works great for industries, garages, basements, covered patios, workshops, or even warehouses. The powder-coated steel and OSHA compliant grills make this one of the most rugged fans in the market. In terms of performance, it features a powerful but energy-efficient motor to deliver a cooling effect even in the most complex buildings. The 10-foot power cord makes it convenient to work around it. Since it may be quite heavy, you will love the wheels that enable you to move it from point to another.
User Critique
Based on the user reviews, this fan seems to work as advertised. They agreed that it moved enough air for large areas such as barns and garages. They also confirmed that it offers the best value for money. Some users had an issue with receiving damaged fans, but the manufacturer always resolved that.
Pros
- It’s solidly built. Therefore, it can move a lot of air without falling off or wearing out.
- It also moves a lot of air.
- It comes at a relatively lower price for an industrial fan.
Cons
- It may be too loud.
- It may roll, especially when working at higher speeds.
Final Verdict
-
B-Air FIRTANA-20X, 20 Inch Multi-Purpose High-Velocity Fan
This is another great industrial box fan. We love it for its versatility. You can either use it in the kitchen, on your partial, or even in your barn. This can be attributed to the three-speed settings that range from 1507 to 1253. It also features a tiltable feature, and the ability to hang it on the wall or place it on the floor.
With a 4650 CFM, you can rest assured that this fan moves tons of air to provide an optimum cooling effect. Better yet, it is made of high-quality, rust-resistant metal. It weighs about 12 pounds, which isn’t too heavy if you need to mount it on the wall. Wall hangers are sold separately, though. The manufacturer also offers a 1-year warranty and excellent customer support. Considering that it has a 20-inch span, and costs way less than the Maxxair mentioned above, this is the best value for money you will get.
User Critique
One fact stood out from customer reviews. This fan is a winner in moving air. Users also loved how affordable it is. However, to a few of them, the noise was unbearable.
Pros
- It moves a lot of air.
- It’s versatile – it’s applicable both indoors and outdoors.
- It offers great value for money.
- The metal build is very durable and easy to clean.
- It doesn’t require any assembly.
- The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty.
Cons
- There were claims that it died a few months after purchase.
- It can also be quite loud.
Final Verdict
-
Lakewood 36-inch Industrial Grade Drum Fan
This is another great industrial fan that also works best as an outdoor box fan. Imagine all the air you could move with a 36-inch span and a 13000 CFM. And that’s not all; it has a ½ horsepower and a 120 V motor for efficiency. It’s a rugged fan thanks to the metal construction and rust-resistant coating.
This box fan weighs 65 pounds, but it has caster wheels that make it easy to transport. You can use it on your patio, barn, garage, warehouse, or any other large room. Since it has a high CFM, you can move a lot of air on the lower speed settings to avoid consuming a lot of power when in a smaller area.
User Critique
Considering the high CFM, most users agree that it moves a lot of air. Most of them used it on patios, garages, and shops. They also agreed that it’s affordable and easy to move thanks to the caster wheels. However, there are complaints about fans being shipped with loose screws, missing parts, or with a loosely attached motor.
Pros
- It has one of the largest CFM.
- It offers great value considering the fan span and the amount of air it moves.
- It also features a rust-resistant coating making it very durable even when used outdoors.
- The caster wheels also make it easy to transport.
Cons
- There are several shipping issues where you may receive loosely attached parts or missing parts.
- It also vibrates as a result of the poor motor connection.
Final Verdict
-
Best Large Box Fan – Lasko 3300 20 Inch Wind Machine Fan
If you would love to cool your room without breaking the bank, this Lasko’s WindMachine has got you covered. You indeed get what you pay for, but Lasko’s models go beyond expectations. It comes with a plastic body that is relatively durable if you only use this fan indoors. If you’re looking for an outdoor box fan, keep reading for we will list one of the best.
This model comes with five blades, three-speed settings, and a six-foot cord. It comes with a fuse that prevents any damages. It’s also ETL listed, and you can rest assured that it’s approved for home use. An 18-inch fan, regardless of how hot your room is, can provide enough cooling.
User Critique
This appears to be the most popular large box fan thanks to its efficiency in cooling large rooms, and its affordability. Most users agree that you don’t need an AC when you have this fan. They also found it to be safer than most models.
Pros
- It’s the perfect replacement for an AC since it’s capable of cooling even during the hottest days.
- It has a white noise that makes it easier to sleep.
- It’s lightweight and portable.
- It can easily be tilted based on the direction you need to move air.
Cons
- The cleaning process is very hectic since you have to disassemble the whole appliance.
- The manufacturer also seems to have poor customer service.
Final Verdict
-
Best Outdoor Box fan – Comfort Zone CZ200A, 20 Inch Portable Box Fan
Are you tired of being stuck indoors but don’t want to face the scorching sun? This fan will make it more comfortable staying outside without getting easily damaged by the sun or rain. It’s a 20-inch fan, making it large enough to cool the air outdoors.
It also has a sturdy metal construction and a removable grill that’s easy to clean. It’s also a 3-speed fan with the control knob placed at the top for convenience. It’s light and has a useful handle at the top to make it easy to carry around.
User Critique
Most users agree that this fan works as it’s supposed to. One user claimed to live close to an auto garage, washer, and dryer, which are all noisy operations. She claimed that besides having this fan to cool her room, it also provides a white noise that masks the machines’ noise and makes it easier for her to sleep. However, there were some issues about the fan being of poor quality.
Pros
- It’s one of the best fans for white noise.
- It has a sturdy construction that makes it suitable for outdoor usage.
- It is light and portable.
Cons
- It’s still too loud for most users.
- There are cases where you may receive broken parts. Some users also claimed it didn’t last long.
Final Verdict
Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Box Fan
Box fans are simple, portable fans that you can place at the windows, on the table, or anywhere you see fit. They provide cool and warm air circulation, as well as ventilation to your rooms. Like mentioned earlier, they are meant to replace ACs, but you can also use them together. So before you make that investment, below are some of the factors you need to consider.
-
Noise
Based on the reviews, you’ll realize that most customers were worried about the noisy fans. There’s that usual hum as the blades cut through the air, but it shouldn’t prevent you from sleeping or watching TV. There’s also the “white noise,” which is the best if you live in a noisy neighborhood. So before purchasing a fan, check what other people are saying about the noise levels.
-
Size
Fans come in different sizes, so you need to get one that suits your room’s size and needs. If you get one that’s too small, it will not be sufficient. If you go for a huge one, you’ll end up wasting a lot of energy.
-
Durability
The material of construction often determines durability. If you need a simple fan to use around the house, a plastic outer body will do. But if you need one that you will move around a lot, always go for a metal box fan. You also need to practice cleaning regularly and replacing damaged parts.
-
Portability
If the fan is small and light, a simple handle at the top is fine. If it’s heavy, caster wheels or any other type of wheel can help transport it.
-
Design
This may not be much of a concern, but if you’re looking for one that matches your home decor, you can go for specific colors and designs. As long as the fan works as it’s supposed to, you can pick any design.
-
Number Of Speeds
The more number of speeds a fan has, the more control you will have over the airflow. Most of the fans we have reviewed have three speeds, which are ideal for most home applications. But you’ll find some with as low as two speeds, or as high as four speeds.
-
Energy Efficiency
Fans are energy efficient when compared to an AC. But some fans are more energy-efficient than others. Check its power consumption on all speeds, and check customer reviews based on this aspect.
-
CFM
CFM refers to cubic feet per minute, and it’s the air that a fan can move at a time. The higher the CFM, the more air the fan will move. Some manufacturers always indicate their CFM. If the manufacturer doesn’t indicate, consult customers who are already using the fan.
Extra tips
- To get better air circulation, use two fans within your house.
- Do not place the fan close to the bin to prevent bad odors from being pushed to your house.
- Do not place a window box fan close to the window when it’s raining. You may expose the motor to moisture, causing severe damages.
