When temperatures start to rise, a great fan is essential to help you feel cooler. Where I live in the UK, we're now on our 45th heatwave of the year (an exaggeration, but it doesn't feel like it), and I'm basically never without a fan these days. I carry one about the house with me wherever I go, and I have one on throughout the night too. I've even bought one for the dog, although he's still quite suspicious of it. At TechRadar, we've tested dozens of different models over the years. We have a best fan guide that includes just a select group of our favorites, but there are plenty more excellent fans we've tried out and which are still worthy of your consideration. Below, I've rounded up our best-rated models. These are all the fans that scored four or more stars in our review (and are still in production). For easy browsing, I've split the guide into three broad categories — desktop and handheld fans, pedestal fans, and tower fans — and included a quick overview of each kind to help you decide if it's what you're looking for. Hit the 'More details' button to find out more about what we thought of each individual fan, and a link to read the full review. Stay cool out there. Desktop & handheld fansWant to blast air at one specific target? You need a desktop or handheld fan. The latter is designed for personal use, on the go. There are plenty of cheap options cluttering up the market (and landfill sites), but this year we've also been treated to a couple of high-quality, long-lasting options from two of the biggest brands in the cooling business — Shark and Dyson. We loved both of them on test. A desktop fan is essentially a pedestal fan without its pedestal. It's designed to sit on a surface — like a desk — and offer localized cooling. I also use one of these to cool my dog by popping it on the floor and facing it at his bed. Some can oscillate widely for more general cooling, but if you're looking to tackle a whole room, you might be better off with a pedestal or tower fan. Shark ChillPill Read our full review Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan Read our full review Meaco MeacoFan Sefte 8" Portable Battery Air Circulator Read our full review ProsPerfectly portableOperates quietlyStrong airflowRechargeableAutomatic fan speed adjustmentConsOscillation limited to 70 degreesBattery unlikely to last all nightSystem beeps may be loud and high-pitched for some Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S Read our full review ProsExcellent misting effectWide variety of control optionsGenerally quiet in use…Cons…although turbo mode is a little loudTouch controls could be more responsiveCoverage is limited, albeit understandably Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan Read our full review Dyson Cool CF1 Read our full review Meaco Sefte Pro Desktop Fan Read our full review Vornado VFAN Sr. Vintage Read our full review ProsBeautiful design, robust buildSmall in size, big on performanceStays cool under pressureConsNo height adjustmentsNo oscillationOn the pricey side Pedestal fansA pedestal fan consists of a fan head on a tall, skinny pole. They sit on the floor and can generally be fixed at a specific target or set to oscillate to cool a wider area. They're more portable than a tower fan, and some have telescopic poles or swappable bases to enable them to be set at different heights. Levoit Pedestal Air Circulator Fan Read our full review ProsEasy to use, responsive controlsSuper strong airflowSatisfyingly quiet operation2 height optionsConsCan't specify oscillation rangeA bit tall in tabletop mode Dreo PolyFan 704S smart fan Read our full review ProsWhisper-quiet operationPowerful but not overbearingSmart features are game-changingConsPlastic stand lets down look and feelCan't vary oscillation speed Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan Read our full review ProsSupremely quietImpressively versatileSolid battery lifeClever mister attachmentConsHefty fan headRelatively few fan speedsNo smart controlsMist requires water source Dreo Polyfan 508S Read our full review ProsOutstanding at circulating airLots of control optionsUseful custom modesCool, colored ambient lightingGood airflowAdjusts in heightGreat value for moneyConsOther options have wider oscillationThere are more powerful standalone fansVoice assistant support patchy Meaco MeacoFan 1056P Pedestal Air Circulator Read our full review ProsSolid designVery good performanceQuiet in useRemote control includedConsPriceyNot ideal for homes with small children Dreo Smart TurboPoly Fan 765S Read our full review ProsTons of precise controlUltra-powerful top settingsEven flow of airApp, remote, or touchscreen controlsLots of speeds and special modesCan be a tabletop or pedestal fanConsA bit noisy at higher settingsPotentially too many customization optionsSettings can feel confusingNo misting capabilitiesCan't be used cordless Tower fansTower fans can differ in appearance, but the term can generally be applied to a fan where the head makes up most of the bulk of the build (as opposed to the lollipop shape of a pedestal fan). They're generally not that easy to move about, and are designed for cooling a whole room at once. They're also more likely to have advanced smart features, or added functions like purification. GoveeLife Smart Tower Fan Read our full review ProsSubtle and attractive designWide range of customization optionsEasy-to-use appConsUnstable - falls over easilyNoisy on higher fan speedsVoice controls can be temperamental Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S Read our full review Dreo Air Purifier Tower Fan MC710S Read our full review ProsPowerful airflow and coolingSmart controls very convenientQuiet Sleep modeShows air quality at a glanceIntuitive appConsVaried purification performanceBulky, unattractive designCan't use purifier without fanSlow oscillating speedToo heavy to move easily Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 Read our full review Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 heater and cooling fan Read our full review ProsSatisfying airflowSmart controlsPre-heat functionalityLightweightSleep mode, oscillation, and timer featuresConsMetallic edging gets very hotHot mode can prove noisy overnightChild lock only applies to onboard controls Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool Read our full review ProsPremium performance and feature-packedImpressive 350 degree oscillationQuiet operation and smooth air flowControl it with the remote, app, or your voiceConsThere are cheaper alternativesNo vertical oscillation adjustmentOnly one colorway: white & gold Shark TurboBlade Read our full review ProsPowerful airflow, fast coolingInnovative design with angled blades of airNatural Breeze mode is greatOscillation and timer capabilitiesVents highly adjustableConsNo app controlBlade angle / vents have to be adjusted by handA little largeCord a bit shortInvestment pricing Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 Read our full review ProsReal-time PM2.5 and PM10 readingsPrompt particle detection and reactionTilts forward and backAll three functions work wellConsAwkward size and heavyCould get better, smarter alternatives separatelyNo app control Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan Read our full review