Posted on 29 June 2022
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Pro Breeze PB-F16
This model offers the best performance-price compromise in our opinion. Indeed, without being too expensive, it is still efficient and has a 70° oscillation as well as a timer going up to 12 hours.
Following our tests, we can confirm that, although it is not the quietest of our selection, this model has a very good price-quality ratio thanks to its performance. With its 3 speeds, we found that it manages to pleasantly ventilate a seated person working, for example (useful in an office), or a small living room (interesting while watching TV). It also has 3 modes in addition to the classic ventilation and temperature display. However, despite its Night and Child modes that gradually decrease the speed until it cuts out completely, we find it too noisy to be used at night, even at minimum speed. This is rather unfortunate, especially because of its screen which switches off in less than 30 seconds with these modes.
The tower fan is distinguished from the others by its compact shape, which is taller than it is wide. The power is related to the area that the fan can cover. The length of the power cord is a detail you should pay attention to. The remote control is a useful tool to control the device, but it is not always provided. While some models only have three speeds, others offer an interesting Night or Silent mode. Obviously, the higher the power of the device, the louder it will be.
In addition to its excellent price-quietness ratio, this model offers several ventilation modes. It also offers a remote control that can be operated up to 12 m away, as well as good ergonomics.
Taurus Babel RC II
The second version of the Taurus Alpatec Babel RC, but this time its screen displays the ambient temperature of the room in which it is located. Both versions have three ventilation modes, namely a classic mode, a night mode and a natural breeze mode. The design is 78 cm high with a 42.5 cm high ventilation window. During our tests, we found it difficult to differentiate between the last two modes. In fact, both modes constantly switch from off to speed 1. We therefore recommend this model to people looking for a quiet (as long as it remains stationary) tower fan to use while sitting, but less so to those looking for power to ventilate a whole room.
Simple but effective, we like this model for its practical details such as the room temperature display, the automatic cable winder and the large 180° oscillation angle.
Rowenta VU6670F0 Eole Infinite
This model offers a nice real ventilation space (about 53 cm). During our tests, it appeared that it has a first speed that is quiet enough to be used in a bedroom if the occupant has no particular difficulties to fall asleep. However, the other 2 speeds are noisier, the last one being a bit disturbing, even if you are just watching TV. On top of that, you have a remote control, but it is limited to 3m which is a shame at this price level. Nevertheless, we liked its simplicity and design despite its weight of almost 4 kg. Therefore, we recommend it to ventilate the same room at low speed day and night, which is interesting in apartments/studios.
This fan has 8 speeds to adapt to your needs. It is able to be discreet at night, thanks to a lowering of the sound volume and the intensity of the light display.
Honeywell QuietSet
During our tests, we realised that the 8 speeds of this model could have been reduced to 5, as 3 of them were quite similar to others. After this detail, we noticed that the last 2 speeds were very noisy, but that it was compensated by a more pleasant sound level on the first 4 speeds. One of the speeds is also a Night mode, which allows you to use it in a bedroom if you do not have any trouble falling asleep. On the practical side, note that it has the longest power cord of the fans we tested (1.90 m). Lastly, it is instinctive to use and performs well, but is bulky and heavy (4kg).
Our selection
| Our choice, Best mid-range | Best budget | Best high-end | Budget alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
| Pro Breeze PB-F16 | Taurus Babel RC II | Rowenta Eole Infinite | Honeywell QuietSet |
| This model offers the best performance-price compromise in our opinion. Indeed, without being too expensive, it is still efficient and has a 70° oscillation as well as a timer going up to 12 hours. | In addition to its excellent price-quietness ratio, this model offers several ventilation modes. It also offers a remote control that can be operated up to 12 m away, as well as good ergonomics. | This bladeless model creates a more even airflow and uses less energy than traditional fans. With a choice of 10 modes, it adapts to your needs and desires and offers practical everyday features. | The Honeywell QuietSet has 8 speeds to adapt to your needs. It is able to be discreet at night, thanks to a lowering of the sound volume and the intensity of the light display. |
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Honorable mentions
Dyson AM07 (£299,00 upon publication): an original high-end model. Equipped with Air Multiplier technology, this fan has the particularity of not using a propeller, unlike traditional models. This creates a homogeneous air flow that consumes less energy. With a choice of 10 modes, it adapts to your needs and desires and offers practical features for an everyday use. In addition to the 90° oscillation and its compactness, the precision of its adjustments is widely appreciated, but its price seems to us to be way too high.
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How to choose your tower fan?
As soon as the temperature rises, a fan becomes an indispensable ally in the fight against the heat. Of course, an air conditioner is much more effective, but the fan is a much more affordable investment and creates a pleasant cooling sensation by stirring the air around.
The tower fan differs from other types of fans with it taller than wider compact size. This means that the air flow is vertical and is not intended to ventilate large rooms. It takes up less space and is also more discreet, both visually and acoustically, than conventional fans.
There are many models available on the market. However, the expected performance is not always there, regardless of the price range. To help you make your choice, here are some important criteria to consider when looking for a tower fan:
- Airflow rate: a fan is not a quiet appliance from a basic point of view, and this level is inevitably linked to the chosen speed. A fan set to 3 is louder than one, but it is best to avoid appliances with a volume of more than 65 dB, which is difficult to bear. Also note that plastic is more sensitive to vibrations, which are responsible for the noise.
- Ventilation speeds and modes: this criterion is almost more important than the previous one, since it is this capacity to adapt the air flow to your desires and needs that will influence your satisfaction. Where basic models offer a choice of three speeds, others can offer several modes, among which the ‘Night‘ setting is interesting. The volume will normally be lower and the operation lighter, to cool you down without disturbing you.
- Noise level: a fan is not a quiet appliance from a basic point of view, and this level is inevitably linked to the speed chosen. A fan set to 3 is louder than one, but it is better to avoid appliances with a volume of over 65 dB, which is difficult to bear. Also note that plastic is more sensitive to vibrations, which are responsible for the noise.
- Timer: it allows to plan the ventilation on a time slot or to program an automatic stop (ideal at night, in particular).
- Remote control: recently, fans are increasingly equipped with a remote control, allowing the fan to be controlled from a distance. It is not an essential accessory, but it makes life so much easier! However, many models still use infrared technology to transmit information, which requires the user to be in line with the fan.
PS: For cool, moist air in hot weather, air coolers can be an excellent alternative to fans, but are not well known yet.
How did we test?
To test the tower fans, we first evaluated the general design and ease of assembly of the different models. We checked the ergonomics of the models (dimensions, weight, cord length…) as well as their ease of use (readable and responsive buttons, good functioning of the remote control…).
To evaluate the performance in the best possible way, we used the fans in various rooms (living room, bedroom, office) when it was warm. This allowed us to judge their ventilation performance and the noise they emitted at different speeds. The latter criterion was evaluated with a sound level meter at a distance of 1 metre from the fans.
Other Tower Fans Tested
Tristar VE-5806 (£48.82 upon publication): simple and inexpensive. With its 80° oscillation, this model is more suitable for a targeted use, on a seated person for example, than for ventilating a large room. The noise emitted is unfortunately too uncomfortable to use in a bedroom. The somewhat cheap appearance and the very small font did not win any points for the design either. However, during our test, we appreciated its lightness which allowed us to move it easily around the house.
Bionaire BT19 (£54.63 upon publication): the most compact for a real ventilation space. More compact than most other models of this type, Bionaire gets a point for this aspect in particular. However, its power cable seemed a bit too fragile to validate the solidity. As for practicality, while it is true that moving it around is a child’s play, we feel that its ergonomics could have been better. It is therefore a satisfactory fan on the whole, but it lacks some small things to be really good.
Rowenta Urban Cool (£126.29 upon publication): disappointing for its price. Unfortunately, we find it too expensive for what it offers. Ultra simple, it only has 3 speeds (2 of which are very noisy), no other additional options (no mode, no timer) and an oscillation of 65° only. If during the tests, it did have a concentrated airflow, it did not convince us more than that.
Translated by Aylin Akturk
