If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to make a room feel cooler, a fan is your best bet.
The problem is most fans are poorly designed and loud.
If you’re a light sleeper or someone that doesn’t like dealing with a lot of background noise, this guide is for you.
After a TON of research and testing, we have put together a list of quietest fans on the market.
Something to keep in mind
Technically, fans don’t actually cool a room. Instead, they increase air flow across your skin, which results in heat transfer between the air and your body through a process called convection.
Basically, as a fan blows air across your skin, sweat or moisture on the skin evaporates and carries heat away with it.
You probably really don’t care how fans work, but what you do need to keep in mind is that you’ll need more than just a quiet fan. You need a fan that is both quiet and powerful enough to adequately ventilate the room you are planning on placing it in.
Here is a List of the Quietest Fans
1. Rowenta VU2531 Turbo Silence (Best Value)
Price: Around $65
My Review: The Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating fan is perfect for a moderate room or home office.
It is designed with five engineered blades that give it an “extra-powerful” advantage when it comes to cooling down your room
When it comes to the specs, the Rowenta VU2531 has some seriously impressive things to boast about. It has a four-speed manual control dial so that you can adjust just how much airflow you need at any given time.
At its maximum setting, it produces up to 1,695 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) to give you immediate relief from the heat.The oscillating head is twelve inches wide, making it ideal for a average sized rooms where you want high air flow. This fan head can move 90 degrees to the left, right, up, and down. However, you can also turn this feature off for a more focused airflow.
It comes with a handy remote to allow you to control the settings from a distance. This feature, along with it’s super quiet motor, is why this is in my opinion the best quiet fan for sleeping. You can control it right from your bed and it won’t keep you up at night.
The only real downside I see about this fan is that the remote controller does not come with a battery. Other than that, for most people this fan is just about perfect.
The noise range varies from 38 to 55 decibels, falling perfectly into the ideal range that most consumers are searching for. The noise range is comparable to that you might find in a library on an average day.
Key Features:
- 38 to 55 dB rating
- Built-in handle for easy portability
- Extra stable base
- Four-speed or five-speed option
- 1,695 CFM
- Four settings
- Twelve inches wide
2. Vornado 133
Price: Around $30
My Review: Small but mighty is the name of the game with the Lasko 3300. This little monster can move air up to 100 feet, making it great for even the large rooms. The deep-pitched blades are responsible for the extreme power that this fan promotes.
If you aren’t sure exactly how cool you want your room to be, the Vornado 660 allows you to experiment. It comes with four built-in settings to give you the perfect breeze each and every time you use the machine. The push button controls are conveniently located on the top of the fan. Unfortunately, this machine does not operate with a remote control.
The Vornado 660 has a great set of specifications when it comes to the airflow and noise of the fan itself. You can expect a maximum airflow of 584 CFM without sacrificing the sound. At the highest setting, this fan has a noise rating of just 54 decibels. On the lowest setting, you can expect a much lower noise rating at just 35 decibels.
It also comes with a chrome glide bar that allows you to tilt the head of the fan up and down. You can actually move this fan a full ninety degrees up and down. Point it toward the ceiling to get more air circulating or fixate the breeze solely on yourself while you work. The choice is yours, but it’s certain to bring a refreshing breeze no matter how you position this fan.
The grill on this fan is detachable, which makes it easy for you to reach inside and clean those deep-pitched blades. Make this fan last for the long haul by taking proper care of it from the very beginning. The style and design of the Vornado 660 makes it simple to effectively clean your fan on a regular basis.
Key Features:
- 44 dB rating
- 121 CFM
- Removable grill for easy cleaning
- 5-year limited warranty
- Multi-directional airflow
- 8.7 x 5.9 x 7.4 inches
3. Lasko 3300
Price: Around $30
My Review: For consumers who want a portable table fan with excellent power, the Lasko 3300 is a solid choice.
This fan is ideal for small to mid-sized rooms and closed spaces that can hold the cooling breeze it puts off. This fan is slightly larger than the Rowenta VU2531, coming in at twenty inches wide instead of twelve. While this fan is pretty small, it’s a good idea you double check it will fit comfortably wherever you are thinking of placing it.
The fan speed is easy to adjust and you can quickly switch between its 3 different speed settings. It boasts an energy efficient motor that can help you to cool down your home without drastically increasing your electric bill at the end of the month.
While the head does not oscillate, it does pivot to allow you to direct the airflow to where you need it the most. The Lasko 3300 rotates a full 180 degrees up or down so that you can always set it to the most comfortable position for you.
The maximum air flow ranges from 1,304 CFM on the low setting to 1,985 on the high setting. This is quite an impressive range, especially compared to some of the other quiet fans on our ranking. Of course, you must balance this out with the decibel range of the fan. Users comment that this fan is extremely quiet, but Lasko has not released their decibel ratings.
The price of this fan can usually be found for under 50 dollars, making it an affordable option for consumers. Keep in mind that this is a very basic fan, even though it is one of the best quietest fans available. It does not come with a remote control or any of the more advanced features that you might be expecting.
Key Features:
- Available in both black and white
- Carrying handle for easy portability
- Comes fully assembled and ready to use
- Up to 1,985 CFM
- Three settings
- Twenty inches wide
4. Honeywell HY-280 Quiet Set Whole Room Tower Fan
Price: Around $75
My Review: If you’re looking for a quiet tower fan, look no further than the Honeywell Hy-280.
This fan is super energy efficient, so you can say goodbye to the days of sweating over high power bills and the summer heat!
Take advantage of the oscillating feature to combine two of the most powerful types of fans into one compact machine with quiet controls.
One of the best features available on this Honeywell model is the variable speed and sound settings. You can choose from eight different levels which gives you quite a range to find the right setting for your room. It also includes an adjustable thermostat on the digital display board.
This fan comes with an auto shut-off timer ranging from one to eight hours so that you are only paying for the electricity that you need. This is great for setting the fan up to run while you fall asleep but setting it to shut off once you’re safely slumbering.
Is this truly the quietest tower fan? This Honeywell model certainly gives us a lot to consider when it comes to the specs. At the highest setting, it puts off just 55 decibels of noise with an impressive 350 CFM.
The major downside to this tower fan is that it won’t be as easy to clean as some of the table fans that are included on our ranking. You will want to use the attachments on your vacuum or compressed air in order to get into the grooves of this fan and clean out the unwanted dust and other accumulated particles.
Key Features:
- Remote control settings
- Carry handle
- Cord management
- Comes in white or black
- 55 dB
- 350 CFM
5. Lasko 2554 Wind Curve Tower Fan
Price: Around $75
My Review: Consumers who want a tall tower fan that can really cool down a room may want to investigate the one-of-a-kind look and feel of the Lasko 2554. The woodgrain color found on this fan is definitely unique compared to many of the more modern styles that feature gleaming metals or sleek black frames. However, the style isn’t the only thing to consider on this powerful tower fan.
This fan comes equipped with three different settings to give you the optimal airflow for your room. It also oscillates to combine the efficiency of both a tower fan and an oscillating fan all in one incredible package. Take advantage of the nighttime setting in order to decrease the fan speed, dim the control panel, and set an auto shut-off for 7.5 hours to make your sleep even sweeter.
As far as the maximum airflow rating is concerned, this tower fan can definitely compete with the best of the best. It has an impressive 262 CFM, but the decibel rating is not listed for this Lasko model. Consumer reviews indicate that it definitely qualifies as one of the quietest tower fans available though.
Keep your rooms from feeling stuffy and stale with the ionizing feature found on the Lasko 2554. The most unique feature about this tower fan is the built-in fresh air ionizer. This tool supplies millions of negative ions into your room to create a much fresher feeling that is reminiscent of the fresh air you might find outdoors.
Key Features:
- Carry handle
- Built-in ionizer
- Black or woodgrain color
- 262 CFM
6. Vornado 660
Price: Around $90
My Review: Need to cool down an entire room with a fan with a small footprint? The Vornado 660 is the perfect choice for you. Its signature technology can move air up to 100 feet, making it great for even the largest rooms. The deep-pitched blades are responsible for the extreme power that this fan promotes.
If you aren’t sure exactly how cool you want your room to be, the Vornado 660 allows you to experiment. It comes with four built-in settings to give you the perfect breeze each and every time you use the machine. The push button controls are conveniently located on the top of the fan. Unfortunately, this machine does not operate with a remote control.The Vornado 660 has a great set of specifications when it comes to the airflow and noise of the fan itself. You can expect a maximum airflow of 584 CFM without sacrificing the sound. At the highest setting, this fan has a noise rating of just 54 decibels. On the lowest setting, you can expect a much lower noise rating at just 35 decibels.
It also comes with a chrome glide bar that allows you to tilt the head of the fan up and down. You can actually move this fan a full ninety degrees up and down. Point it toward the ceiling to get more air circulating or fixate the breeze solely on yourself while you work. The choice is yours, but it’s certain to bring a refreshing breeze no matter how you position this fan.
The grill on this fan is detachable, which makes it easy for you to reach inside and clean those deep-pitched blades. Make this fan last for the long haul by taking proper care of it from the very
Key Features:
- Four speed settings
- Tilt positions to direct airflow
- Comes in black and white
7. PureFlow QT7 Oscillation Fan
Price: Around $100
My Review: Step into the future with a bladeless contender for one of the quietest fans on the market. The pureFlow QT7 Oscillation fan offers you flexibility and convenience in one handy unit. Its energy-efficient design uses as little as two watts of energy despite the powerful airflow that you will find from its numerous settings and gadgets. Not to mention, this bladeless fan will be super simple to keep clean.
The strong airflow for this pureFlow model isn’t necessarily rated, but it does come with twelve built-in speeds. This allows you to adjust according to what your room needs at any given moment. On the lowest setting, the noise ratings clock in at a mere thirteen decibels. That makes this one of the quietest fans on our ranking overall.
One of the most unique features of this fan is its ability to adjust and oscillate. From side to side, this fan can move ninety degrees to cool down your entire room. Perhaps even better, it can also tilt ninety degrees vertically to help air flow in every direction of your room. This provides consistent temperatures in every corner of your room. It claims to create seven times more air volume to make for more comfortable rooms.
Want to fall asleep to your fan running but save electricity throughout the night? You can set the nine-hour auto shut-off feature. This allows you to decide how long the fan should run until you finally fall asleep, and then allows it to turn off to save you on electricity throughout the night.
Key Features:
- 13 decibels on the lowest setting
- 12 different fan speeds
- Remote control access
- 9 hour shut-off timer
- 90-degree horizontal oscillation and vertical tilt
8. Dyson Cool AM06
Price: Around $240
My Review: Do you want a unique table fan that packs a serious punch? Consider the futuristic look of the Dyson Cool AM06 to help you cool down your room with ease. This quietest fan for sleeping is great for a nightstand with a base that comes in at just 5.5 inches wide.
Of course, the real selling feature is the bladeless air multiplier technology that is exclusive to the Dyson family. With no fan blades to speak of, this model is super easy to clean and can prevent injuries to pets and children who are often curious enough to insert their fingers into the blades. All you need to do is take a dusting rag to wipe down the hoop of this Dyson AM06.
It may not be quite as powerful as the Dyson Cool AM07, but it is still quite effective for such a small device. It can produce an incredible 419 CFM airflow while still keeping the volume relatively low. Experts have given this fan a noise rating of just 58 decibels, giving you the maximum airflow at the lowest possible sound rating.
Unlike many stationary table fans, the Dyson model AM06 does oscillate to give you more airflow around the room. You can also direct whether the airflow goes up or down with an easy tilt feature based off of the fan’s center of gravity. Choose from ten different speed settings to give you the maximum control over the coolness of your room.
Key Features:
- 58 dB
- 419 CFM
- Auto shut-off timer
- Curved and magnetized remote control
- Easy tilt feature
9. Dyson Cool AM07
Price: Around $200
My Review: Take a few steps into the future with this bladeless tower fan from Dyson. When money is no object for you, this top of the line model could be your best bet for cooling down an entire room quickly and efficiently. The Dyson Cool AM07 might be a great choice if you are worried about children or pets inserting their fingers into the blades of a fast-moving fan. This also makes it one of the easiest fans on our ranking to keep clean.
This tower fan has ten different settings to give you more flexibility in how cool your room becomes. With this Dyson model, you get far more control over the airflow settings than you do with many of the other models that only have a handful of different airflow settings. You can also modify the auto shut-off to give you anywhere from fifteen minutes to nine hours of cooling power without having to lift a finger to turn off the machine.
The Dyson Cool AM07 is considered to be “whisper-quiet” with a surprisingly powerful maximum airflow rating. On the highest setting, you can expect a noise level of just 61 decibels with a 1,059 CFM airflow. You can set the oscillation feature to help circulate air further around the room.
Key Features:
- 61 dB
- 1,059 CFM
- Energy effecient
10. Lasko 1843 Floor Fan
Price: Around $45
My Review: Are you looking for a floor fan that has the capacity to cool down your entire room in just one sweep? The Lasko 1843 Is a great choice for someone who doesn’t mind the height of the room fan or the placement in the room. With this model, you can adjust the height and tilt the head of the fan so that you can direct the airflow wherever it is most convenient for you. This can be a great feature to help you seriously cut back on your air conditioning bills.
The Lasko 1843 also comes with three energy-efficient settings to give you more freedom to choose how chilly to make your room. Its built-in timer will allow you to auto shut-off the fan in one to four hours so that you aren’t wasting money or air. Of course, it also runs on a wireless remote control that lets you handle the different speeds and oscillating features.
Worried you won’t get enough airflow out of this model? Think again! It has a rather impressive maximum airflow rating at a whopping 1,940 CFM. On the other hand, the sound rating is unavailable but many consumers review this model as being extremely quiet and unobtrusive in their home setting.
Key Features:
- 1,940 CFM
- 54 inches high and 18 inches wide
- Wireless remote control
- Adjustable height and tilting head
Silent Fan Buying Guide
What to Look for in a Quiet Fan
Before you start shopping for a new fan, you need to know a few basic principles that should guide your decision-making process. These features and specs can tell you a lot of about how quiet the fan will be and what sort of quality you will receive. Never buy a fan straight from the internet without doing your homework first! You might just end up with a noisy fan that keeps you up all night long.
Noise Range
Common sense should tell you that the first thing you need to look for when buying a quiet fan is the noise range, typically measured in decibels (dB). Most manufacturers will give you a noise range in decibels because their products have multiple speed settings. You may find a low range decibel for a slower spin and a higher decibel for the max speed. Other manufacturers may only give you the maximum noise range that you can expect on the highest setting.
Noise is a very relative thing, as some individuals will be more sensitive to it than others. It does help to know exactly what the decibel ratings truly mean though. The average window air conditioning unit usually clocks in around fifty decibels, so your fan should have a decibel level lower than this. People are often most satisfied with a noise range between 30 and 50 decibels.
Maximum Air Flow
How much air is your fan going to move per minute? This tells you exactly how strong of a breeze you can expect from the fan. Manufacturers usually provide the maximum air flow in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM) or liters per second. The amount of maximum air flow you need is typically determined by the size of the room that you are looking to cool. For example, a 10 x 10 room with standard ceilings may need 1,000 CFM to properly cool the space.
The higher your maximum air flow is, the more likely your fan will be to make excessive noise and have a higher decibel rating. When you are searching for the perfect quietest fan, you must remember to balance these two important categories. Look for an option that has a great CFM and a low decibel rating.
Base Size
Where you do plan to put your fan? Know in advance whether your fan is going to sit on the floor, on your nightstand, or directly next to a window. Measure exactly how much space you have available to ensure that you are purchasing a fan of the appropriate size. Keep in mind that fans are not a one-size-fits-all product, so there are multiple different sizes available on the market.
Speed Selections
Many people like to have some control over how much air their fan produces at any given time. Look for speed selections that offer several different options for how quickly your fan will blow. You may want a lower setting for when you’re doing office work and a higher setting as you try to fall asleep at night. Speed selections are essential to look for when making your purchase if you don’t want to run the fan at full-blast all of the time.
Cleanliness
Have you ever seen a fan that has been consistently used for months but hasn’t been cleaned? All of the dust and particles in your air can easily accumulate on the fan blades. You may want to consider how easy it will be to clean your new fan before you make a purchase. This ensures that you are always pushing around fresh air into your rooms. Some types of fans are easier to clean than others, such as ceiling fans or tower fans. This is something that you should be aware of before you make a purchase.
Bonus Features
Did you ever consider that you might get some handy bonus features with your fan? Gone are the days when fans only had a simple on and off switch with a few speed selections. Now, you can choose from fans with remote control access, Bluetooth, and more. A remote control or Bluetooth option allows you to control the fan from your comfortable position without the need to walk across the room. This is especially useful for adjusting the speed while you attempt to fall asleep. Consider whether this is a feature that you would want included in your fan before you make a purchase.
You may also find fans that feature built-in ionizers designed to purify the air around you. They can cleanse the air in the room by electrically charging the molecules and removing small air contaminants from the air. One of the other benefits of a built-in ionizer is its ability to help remove odors from the room.
Some people have very specific preferences when it comes to how their fan will operate. You may want to search for a quiet fan that also sweeps the air throughout the room instead of fixing it on one central location. This makes it slightly easier to cool down an entire room, but it may not be the best option for someone who wants to cool down only themselves. Consider why you want a fan before you decide if this feature is right for you.
Types of Quiet Fans
Did you know that there is more than one type of quiet fan available on today’s market? Shopping for the perfect option can feel overwhelming when you have to consider the noise range, bonus features, and even the different styles of fans. Understanding what each style is designed to do can help you to make a wise decision before your next purchase.
Ceiling Fans
You are likely already familiar with the fans that hang from your ceiling and provide airflow to your entire room. They work well to cover large areas at a time and can help to reduce your cooling bill for the month by circulating the fresh air pumped into the home by the air conditioning unit. Some ceiling fans do have multiple speed selections, but they are almost always very quiet.
Room Fans
Room fans fall into a pretty generic category, making them a great option for all sorts of spaces including bedrooms, offices, and even small living rooms. They are portable fans that often require electricity to run. The size and shape of a room fan can vary wildly, so be sure to take measurements before you make a purchase. A room fan may also be categorized as one of the following types of fans as well.
Oscillating Fans
Are you searching for the best air flow from any of the quietest fans? An oscillating fan might be your best option because it sweeps the air from side to side. The rotation is still very quiet so it does not disturb your other activities. This motion works best to cool down a closed space, making it perfect for a bedroom at nighttime.
Table Fans
Table fans are another type of room fan that is designed to sit stationary on your shelf, table, or other hard surface. They tend to have small fan blades due to their smaller stature, but they are ideal for tight spaces where you might not have a lot of room for a massive room fan. Keep in mind that a table fan usually lacks the same maximum air flow of a regular room fan.
Tower Fans
Tower fans are extremely convenient because they have a very small footprint in your home. They often oscillate to give you maximum airflow for a small, closed space. This quiet option is perfect for someone who wants to best of both room fans and oscillating fans.
The Verdict: Best Quietest Fans
The market is completely saturated with fans that claim to be some of the quietest versions on today’s market. Each one has a unique set of specifications that can make it tempting to purchase, especially if you’re desperate for a little cool air in your home. Deciding on the right model for your home can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, you can spot the real winners when you keep an eye on some of the key features found here. From noise ratings to maximum airflow to cleanability, you should be more than prepared to choose the best fan that meets your needs. Head out to the local home improvement store or shop from the comfort of your own home. Either way, you will know that you got a great deal on a fan that is really going to work for your home. No matter what your budget is, there is definitely a fan available to help you cool down your home.
Hello, my name is Chris and I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. I’m an engineer with experience in medical technology, steel and materials, and nuclear power industries. I have been with my current employer for more than 5 years developing digital control systems for nuclear power plants.
I’m also a homeowner with a growing range of home renovation experience. My goal is to take all my technical knowledge and first-hand experience and translate it into high-quality content to support all of your home guide needs. Whether it be step-by-step guides, technical consultation, or product reviews, my aim is to make all your home projects a great success!