The best desk fans for a heatwave, tested by a work-from-home product reviewer
A truly good desk fan is an investment in summer comfort – especially if you spend a lot of time working, doing chores or enjoying the shade at home during the warmer months. A fan will help to take the edge off and help you feel cooler.
While British summers are still a mixed bag, this year has been more consistently hot than we often see, and they are getting warmer. Property experts are already recommending measures such as improving insulation for homes and even demand for air conditioners has rocketed.
But opting for a desk fan is cheaper and less disruptive, and in most cases should suit the current climate well. The market has come on leaps and bounds in recent years – so we've put some of the best models from Meaco to Philips and Duux through their paces.
From affordable fans around the £20 mark to premium models costing over £100, there's something here for every budget. There's also answers to your frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
The best desk fans: At a glance
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How to choose a desk fan
We use desk fans (also known as table fans) differently to other devices like air coolers and handheld fans, meaning certain factors are more important than usual.
'If you're planning on using your desk fan while you work, then try to find a model that creates little noise,' says Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com.
'Make sure it hums quietly, and equally look for a good oscillating fan that swivels to spread the breeze around your room.
'Choosing a fan with at least two or three speed settings is ideal, as this will give you greater versatility depending on how stuffy your room is getting. It's also important to remember that each desk fan will need cleaning, so try to pick one with a removable grill, which can make a big difference for keeping things fresh and hygienic.'
A note on availability: During warm weather, many of the fans we recommend sell out. Where possible, we will recommend alternative retailers or similar models.
How we test desk fans
I tested nine desk fans for this article, with seven featuring below. I used each one at home while I worked, both on my desk and in other locations to assess their versatility.
Key criteria included power and cooling performance, build quality, value, design and ease of use. For each fan, I used all available features and functions, including employing a sound meter app on my smartphone to measure the operating noise levels at a distance of one metre, from the lowest speed setting to the highest.
Warm weather performance is clearly crucial here, so I waited for hot June and July days to test these desk fans.
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The best desk fans for 2025
1. Best Buy Desk Fan: Meaco Sefte 8-Inch Desk Fan
This cooling fan is the opposite of noisy; even on the highest of 11 speed settings it's manageable while working and the ultra-quiet lower speeds produce little more than a low, mechanical whirr.
There's no compromise on its power either. I felt instantly more comfortable after activating the fan, with it ranging from gently cooling to downright chilly. As well as performing brilliantly on my desk while I worked, it helped me sleep through a heatwave without leaving the windows ajar.
You can check the current air temperature on its integrated display, and I saw the number starting to fall after just a few minutes of operation.
It takes up more room than you might expect based on its eight-inch width. While I think it's well worth the winter storage space, you might be bound by the size of your desk. This is one of its only downsides, along with the price, which is fair but won't suit every budget.
It's effective as a cordless fan too, with a battery life of up to 17 hours on a single charge. It lasted me through the working day, even on a fairly high speed setting. This will be handier for some than others. For instance, if you have a standing desk, it removes the risk of pulling or breaking the cable as you adjust the desk.
The Sefte 8-Inch is an excellent product; it looks smart, sports a premium-looking digital display, is highly intuitive and feels robust.
Key specifications
2. Best Value Desk Fan: Philips 2000 Series Desk Fan
It's not a budget model, but this Philips fan is leagues apart from others in its mid-market price range. I think it's the best value for money you can get.
The main reason for this is its cooling capabilities. There's a slight irregularity to the airflow, which gives the sensation of a pleasant waft, and the room temperature feels noticeably cooler, even when the lowest speed setting is used. Dial it up to settings two or three, and you're in heatwave-busting territory.
Philips touts this fan as a quiet choice, thanks to its clever blade design. It's certainly kind on the ear when the lower two speed settings are used, although I found the highest setting quite noisy.
Another factor that sets the 2000 Series apart is its design. I loved the easily tiltable fan head, which can rotate through over 180 degrees vertically within its frame, providing good control over the airflow direction. The top of the frame serves as a useful handle for repositioning the fan.
One popular capability that's absent here is oscillation, but the full-room cooling potential of the fan arguably makes this unnecessary. You still get some other useful features, including a night mode and timer. Innovatively designed but gimmick free, this is how a modern desk fan should be.
Key specifications
3. Best Premium Desk Fan: Duux Whisper Flex 2
High-spec, high-tech and featuring a removable section that changes its height from a desk to a pedestal fan, the Whisper Flex 2 is my recommendation for buyers with a premium budget.
This fan is so thoughtfully designed and finished, I'd almost be reluctant to put it away over winter. From the pleasingly patterned front grille to the bright LCD display, it's clear that a lot of care and attention has gone into making this model extra-special. Even the remote control is impressively well finished (and it's also more responsive than the on-unit touch controls).
There are 30 speed settings to choose from, ranging from quiet and gentle to powerful yet pleasant. The fan oscillates both vertically and horizontally, and can do both at the same time through your choice of angles. Not only is this pleasant to watch, it also ensures thorough circulation of air throughout the room.
The only real problem here is the width of the base. While this component clearly needs to be wide, given the weight and size of the fan, it means that you'll need a large desk to accommodate it. Perhaps you'll decide to use the extra stand section and set up the Whisper Flex 2 as a pedestal fan instead.
Smartphone operation is available via the Duux app, so you can start circulating air in your home before you get back from your travels.
Key specifications
4. Best USB Desk Fan: VonHaus 6-Inch Desk Fan
Compact to the point of cuteness, this USB mini fan from VonHaus gives out an impressive, refreshing breeze relative to its size.
Unusually, it features an impressive LED light with two brightness settings, so the fan doesn't need to compete for precious desk space with a lamp. It could hardly be better suited to a small or busy home office.
Another benefit is its portability. It's light and could fit inside a good-sized backpack, should you need to take it to work. Two rechargeable (and replaceable) lithium-ion batteries are included for cordless operation, and I found that the fan could run for a whole afternoon and longer without me needing to plug it back into my laptop for a top-up.
The fan is effective enough for close-range cooling, although you'd need a more powerful model to affect an entire large room. You can choose between static airflow or 'sway' – a side-to-side oscillation activated via a control at the back of the housing. You can pivot the fan head in static mode, to help you direct airflow as desired.
Well suited for use during work or study, this fan is fairly quiet, with a gentle mechanical whirr that never made me lose my train of thought.
Currently, this model has sold out. But you can sign up for stock alerts with VonHaus and we will keep this article updated.
Key specifications
5. Best Easy-Clean Desk Fan: Bush White 12-Inch Desk Fan
Before using the fan, you'll need to assemble the parts. It only takes a few minutes to follow the manual's simple instructions, and learning how the fan goes together and comes apart makes it easier to clean its parts in future (after safely disconnecting it). You undo a small clip to pop off the front grille, and this gives you access to the blades and rid them of dust.
The control switch at the back of the fan is strangely designed. It has eight positions to control only four modes: one, two, three and off. On the plus side, the three speed settings give you great options for cooling. The lower two are gentle but effective, while the highest of the three is powerful enough to make a difference to the feel of a small room.
Oscillation is activated via a simple pin at the rear of the motor housing, which will be a familiar mechanism to many users. This maximises the strong air circulation from the fan's 12-inch blades.
While it's not uproariously loud, this isn't one of the quieter desk fans I've tested. If you need absolute peace and quiet, I'd choose a different model. It might also be too large for some desks, but you're getting excellent power for the price you pay.
Key specifications
6. Best Circulating Mini Desk Fan: Morphy Richards Air Flex 6-Inch Recirculating Desk Fan
This mini desk fan has lots of useful features to adjust its cooling to your needs, either via the buttons on the base or remote control. If you want the desk fan to double up as a cooling fan for your bedroom, take advantage of the timer feature which stops operation after one to four hours (also a great option if you need your fan to be highly energy efficient).
The nature and sleep modes both vary the fan speed over time to mimic a natural breeze. For me, the changes in intensity (and noise) were more distracting than calming.
But, even on its lowest speed setting, this fan produced a refreshing breeze. The higher settings are powerful, but a little noisy for my taste. Whatever the setting, this model does a good job of circulating air throughout a room, and you can enhance the effect by activating the side-to-side oscillation.
Better still, the position-adjustable head of the fan can remain angled while it oscillates, so multiple users seated at the same desk can be cooled conveniently.
The remote control has its own storage area on the fan base, which is a nice touch that reduces clutter and ensures you can find the accessory when it's needed.
Key specifications
7. Best Simple Desk Fan: Beldray 9-Inch Desk Fan
For a no frills, classic fan design, look no further than this decently priced Beldray model. It's straightforward to use, with just three buttons, two speeds and peg-operated side-to-side oscillation. Households who like to keep things simple will find it a far better fit than some of the more elaborate models now available.
The slower speed setting produces a fairly quiet hum and a gentle draught, while the second setting ramps up the cooling power at the cost of a mid-pitched whirring. There's a limited range of vertical tilt, to help you hit the spot with the fan's cool airflow.
This fan requires assembly before use, which is mostly a quick and simple process. I was surprised that the user must attach the branded front plate to the grille, as this felt like something the manufacturer might have wanted to do neatly on your behalf.
While I don't believe this fan is the best of the bunch, it could certainly have its uses. For users who don't consider themselves tech-savvy, or for places such as holiday lets where intuitive appliances are a must, there's value in simplicity.
Key specifications
Type: Desk fan
Height: 15.35cm
Air flow rate: Not specified
Speed settings: Two
Weight: 1.05kg
Decibel recordings on test: 43 to 49dB
Desk fan FAQs
What is the quietest type of desk fan?
'The quietest types of desk fan can be split between two choices – bladeless desk fans and brushless DC motor fans,' says AO.com 's Katie Lilywhite.
'Bladeless desk fans are small, ultra-quiet and sleek but you can expect to spend a little bit more on these models. Brushless DC fans hum with very little vibration or whirring and should cost you a little less than their bladeless counterparts. Both types are ideal for running quietly, often with noise levels under 40dB – the same noise as a library.'
Are USB desk fans powerful enough?
'USB desk fans are good if you're after a gentle breeze while you're working or for a stuffy car,' says Lilywhite.
'However, if you're wanting more power for a larger space or you're working in hot or heatwave conditions, a USB model will not be ideal.'
How much electricity does a desk fan use?
According to Lilywhite, the genius of desk fans lies in how energy efficient they are.
'Most models only use 10 to 45 watts, a drop in the ocean relative to your household energy costs,' she says.
'This works out to less than 1p per hour, meaning you can keep cool without your electricity bill going through the roof.'
Is it okay to leave a desk fan on all night?
'You'll be quite fine to leave your desk fan on all night, but it might not make the most sense,' says Lilywhite.
'Should you be a light sleeper then the low hum could cause a bit of bother. If you're looking to cool an entire room while you sleep then it might be more prudent to look at a larger pedestal or tower fan, or even an air conditioner as these are designed for this purpose.'
Can a desk fan cool an entire room?
Lilywhite advises against using a desk fan if your intention is to cool an entire room. 'It's like trying to clean a flooded kitchen with a leaky bucket,' she says.
'Desk fans are great little appliances for cooling you, the person, but not the area in your home. It'd be a far better idea to look at a pedestal or tower fan if you're looking to cool down your home.'
We agree for the most part, although our testing did show that the most powerful desk fans have room-cooling capability.
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