If you’ve been feeling the heat lately, you’re not alone — heat waves have been sweeping across the nation and Europe this year. With temperatures up, you will need a way to keep cool beyond ice cream and cold drinks, and an oscillating fan may be the perfect answer to your problem.
If you don’t have air conditioning, the right fan could help circulate otherwise stagnant air in your home and keep you cool. Oscillating fans, which move side to side, up and down or both, move air around a room, rather than in one direction.
SKIP AHEAD What is an oscillating fan? | The best oscillating fans in 2025 | How to shop for an oscillating fan
What is an oscillating fan?
According to Kevin Eddingfield, a Top Thumbtack Pro and founder of Mighty Plumbing and HVAC, an oscillating fan is a fan that moves air by spinning in a side-to-side motion, which distributes airflow across a wider space more effectively than other fans. “Oscillating fans are best for moving and cooling air in a particular area, making them ideal for use in rooms where multiple people need cooling,” he says. He also says that oscillating fans are “particularly effective in spaces where stagnant air is a concern.”
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The best oscillating fans in 2025
Below are a few expert-recommended oscillating fans, along with top-rated options to consider from reader-favorite brands like Black and Decker and Dyson.
Best overall oscillating fan: Lasko T42951 Portable Electric 42-Inch Oscillating Tower Fan
- Remote control included
- Nighttime setting
- Only spins 60 degrees
This tower fan has three quiet fan speeds, an automatic shut-off timer and a nighttime setting that automatically decreases the fan’s speed and dims its control lights. Its remote control lets you control your room’s temperature without leaving the couch. It has an average 4.5-star rating from 60,283 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Tower fan | Dimensions: 13”D x 13”W x 42.5”H | Oscillation: 60 degrees
Best pedestal oscillating fan: Black + Decker 16-Inch Stand Fan with Remote
- Remote control included
- Affordable price point
- Base takes up more space
This oscillating standing fan has an adjustable stand that you lift to your preferred height and a tilt to flow cool air upwards or downwards. It also includes an automatic timer to shut the fan off for up to 7.5 hours, an LED control display panel, a remote control and three speed settings, according to the brand. It has an average 4.1-star rating from 24,874 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Pedestal fan | Dimensions: 15.75”D x 17.72”W x 22.83”H | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Best air purifier oscillating fan: Dyson TP07 Purifier Cool Fan
- Advanced filtration
- 360-degree oscillation
- Heavy airflow
- Higher price than other brands
One of our favorite tower fans, this Dyson model has higher-end features, like air purification — and a higher price tag, too. Eddingfield recommends this fan because of its heavy airflow: “to me, this fan definitely moves the most air to maximize flow and is very quiet,” he says. The combo fan and air purifier uses a HEPA filter to capture pollen, bacteria and pet dander while circulating air and comes with a magnetized remote control that secures on the top of the machine.
Type: Tower fan | Dimensions: 6.26’’ H X 8.43’’ W X 9.21’’ D | Oscillation: 360 degrees
Best oscillating desk fan: Pelonis Table Fan
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Great for desks/small spaces
- Not best for larger spaces
This table fan is 17.9 inches tall, about one foot wide and can oscillate up to 90 degrees, according to the brand. It has high, medium and low speed settings, so you can vary the airflow. It has a 4.5-star average rating from 1,538 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Desk fan | Dimensions: 10.2”D x 12.1”W x 17.95”H | Oscillation: 90 degrees
Best high-velocity oscillating fan: Commercial Electric 20 in. Oscillating Pedestal Fan with Adjustable Height
- Very powerful airflow
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Very simple settings
This pedestal fan has easy assembly and three speed settings to customize your airflow, according to the brand. Austyn Hoelter, a merchant of AC, Fans, Air Quality and Floor Care at The Home Depot, suggests this fan as a high-velocity option, which she says can bring “powerful air circulation to large spaces that require heavy-duty ventilation, including warehouses, workshops and garages.” It has an adjustable height ranging from 41 to 55 inches, and is powder-coated to be rust-resistant.
Type: Pedestal fan | Dimensions: 55.5”H x 19.69”W x 21.85”D | Oscillation: 90 degrees
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How to shop for an oscillating fan
When shopping for an oscillating fan of your own, experts recommend keeping in mind the fan’s type and special features, including settings like eco or sleep mode. Below, we explain some of the most common types of oscillating fans, including tower fans, pedestal fans, desk fans and wall-mounted fans.
Types of oscillating fans
- Tower fans: Named for their streamlined and tower-like designs, tower fans are great for corners and tighter spaces, according to Hoelter. She also says that they’re an ideal option for spaces like bedrooms and kitchens, due to their quiet noise levels. According to Eddingfield, tower fans also often come with additional features, like air purification or eco mode settings, which Hoelter says balances cooling and efficiency to reduce energy consumption. If you decide to go with a tower fan, she recommends choosing one with a remote control for the convenience of adjusting settings from a distance.
- Pedestal fans: According to Hoelter, pedestal (or “standing”) fans can stand up to 5 feet tall and are supported by an adjustable pole or stand. “These fans generally require some assembly and oscillate at a wider angle,” she says. Eddingfield recommends them for those looking to cool larger areas.
- Desk fans: If you’re looking to cool down a smaller space, a desk fan may be the right choice. “Desk fans are small, portable and easy to maneuver,” says Hoelter. They’re often simpler models, but are ideal for cooling smaller offices or desk areas while you work. “Some models have an adjustable clip to customize the direction of the air to your liking,” she adds.
- Wall-Mounted Fans: Wall-mounted fans are fixed on walls, which Eddingfield says “helps free up floor space and provides targeted airflow in specific directions.” Hoelter recommends them for outdoor spaces, and says they’re “ideal for providing instant relief from heat while working in the garage or relaxing by the pool.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Kevin Eddingfield is a Top Thumbtack Pro & Founder of Mighty Plumbing and HVAC
- Austyn Hoelter is a merchant of AC, Fans, Air Quality and Floor Care at The Home Depot
Why trust NBC Select?
Amber Pardilla is a former reporter at NBC Select.
Ashley Morris is an associate reporter at NBC Select who regularly covers self care, home and lifestyle. For this article, they interviewed home and fan experts to find the best advice and recommendations on shopping for oscillating fans.
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