I tested tower fans from high street shops – a £30 winner cooled down my living room and beat much more expensive ones
BRITAIN is set to bask in soaring temperatures this week.
When it's that hot, a good fan will be vital to keep you cool.
Prices can vary massively and you don't want to end up with a fan that is inefficient and noisy.
Tower fans are a good choice as they are usually sleek and fit into small spaces.
But which will keep you cool? Here are my favourites.
Vonhaus 31inch Tower Fan
£29.99, Vonhaus
Incredible value for money. For less than £30, this fan offers features you'd only find in some fans more than six times the price.
It oscillates to 70 degrees and my favourite feature was the aroma tray, which really enhanced the cooling experience.
If the air was hot and stuffy, adding some eucalyptus oil to the tray made for a really relaxing vibe and I loved the fresh scent around the room.
At 31inches in height, it's not so tall that it overwhelms a room and yet is still powerful with a 60-watt motor.
It's got a long cord and was light and easy to carry around.
It also has a timer so it can be set to turn off at 30-minute intervals for up to 120 minutes.
The look is a little plasticky but I was blown away by the price. This is an absolute steal.
Performance: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Total score: 10/10
Russell Hobbs Tower Fan
£59, AO
Quite sleek looking, this fan has three speed settings and a turbo option if you need to give it a quick boost to drop the temperature fast.
It oscillates to 85 degrees so no one needs to hog the cool air and it comes with a remote control so you don't need to get up to turn it on or adapt the settings.
The touch control and LED display were easy to use and it has a seven-hour programmable timer.
It has two modes, sleep air and gentle air.
The sleep air mode automatically reduces the speed of the fan after 30 minutes and turns off the indicator lights, leaving you to get a good night's sleep, whilst the gentle air mode varies the airflow, imitating the natural outdoors.
It was quiet enough to have on at night and didn't disturb my sleep.
Performance: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Total score: 9/10
Levoit Classic Tower Fan
£89.99, Levoit
A basic looking black and white fan that is one of the most powerful.
If you've been out all day and return to a stifling hot house, this will provide rapid relief.
This is due to an impressive maximum fan speed of 25ft per second.
Despite being one of the most powerful fans we tested, at 28dB, it was also one of the quietest.
We had to concentrate to hear it. Its most striking feature, however, is the intelligent temperature sensor.
It can track the room temperature in your home and adjust the fan speed accordingly.
You can switch to manual mode if you prefer, but I loved leaving it in the corner to do its thing.
Performance: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Total score: 8/10
Daewoo 30inch Slimline Oscillating Tower Fan
£19.99, Daewoo Electricals
Not only does this look quite plasticky, it was quite weak and didn't blow much air around - even on the third and most powerful setting.
The slimline, space-saving design is good and it's lightweight and easy to carry around.
The timer can only be set for up to two hours and whilst the manual dials were easy to use, I found it noisy.
You certainly wouldn't want this on in your bedroom all night.
If you are really tight on budget, it's ok, but really you'd be better off spending a tenner more on the Vonhaus fan.
Performance: 2/5
Value: 3/5
Total score: 5/10
Bush Digital Grey Tower Fan
£65, Argos
This was certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing in our test and it did a good job of keeping us cool, too.
It wasn't the most powerful at 45 watts but it could oscillate and tilt, which allowed you to direct the cool air wherever you needed it.
You can choose from three different modes to get the right strength.
The digital display was easy to use and it comes with a remote control.
It was easy to assemble too and not too noisy. It was quite pricey but it did the job.
Performance: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Total score: 7/10
Bush 36 inch Tower fan
£49.99, The Range
This fan looks a little cheapy and plasticky and I would have expected better for nearly £50 - and that's if you get it on offer.
It has three speed settings and it can oscillate to 85 degrees, which certainly allowed cool air to circulate effectively around the room.
It also has an LED display which was easy to set, as well as a 12-hour timer.
At 50 watts, it wasn't as powerful as the Vonhaus fan but it has a decent length cable if you want to move it away from a plug socket.
It is also light and easy to manoeuvre.
This fan was okay - but I felt it was overpriced.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
I found the perfect M&S skirt – it has a stretch waist & made from material that keeps you cool – but it's selling fast
THE hot weather means jeans and trousers are an absolute no-go at the moment. However, if you're bored with the dresses in your wardrobe and want to find a new summer buy, M&S has just the thing. 3 BUY NOW Shoppers are going crazy for the M&S midi skirt that is priced at £35. The linen-rich material makes the long skirt comfortable to wear even in the heat. Called the Linen Rich Maxi A-Line Skirt, it comes in two colours: black for a more understated look and tomato for those who like a pop of colour. The skirt has a lovely A-line shape and comes with a stretch waistband making it super comfortable to wear no matter what you're doing. It's the perfect wardrobe staple that can be dressed down with a white T-shirt and sandals or dressed up with a crop top and heels. And if that wasn't enough, the skirt even comes with pockets. weather wardrobe. "It's cut in a flattering A-line shape, with a flowing maxi-length hem. "Shirring on the waistband adds pretty detail and ensures a comfortable wear." And it seems plenty of customers agree that the skirt is perfect for summer as it's selling out quickly. Shoppers race to Primark for 'dressy top' that's perfect for a pair of jeans - it's sexy & flattering & in two colours It comes in three lengths and sizes 6 to 24, but many have sold out online so be quick if you want to grab it. Reviewers all said the skirt was versatile, comfy and perfect for summer. One person wrote: "Love this skirt, perfect fit, very comfortable, fabric nice quality. Perfect to be dressed up or down." Another commented: 'Lovely white skirt, great length with side pockets and a lovely smocked waist. Can't wait to take it in holiday." Why Everyone Is Loving M&S Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale revealed to Fabulous why M&S is the shop of the moment. She explained: 'M&S has really pulled it out of the bag this season, there is so much good product to be excited about. 'A brand once known for its 'frumpy fashion' that notion is long gone with it now being one of the leading high street stores for womenswear. 'Its handbag range in particular is super strong with them selling 170% vs plan, with lots more designer dupes for just a fraction of the price. 'The brand is now also the #1 for style perceptions, compared to the #3 spot it had last year, this comes from a really strong design team focused on modernising the brand, not only taking into consideration how the pieces look, but how easy they are to wear also. 'Price is also a big factor with you being able to get many good quality pieces all for under £30. 'After having a sneak peak of the upcoming collection there are so many more amazing pieces that are dropping over the next few months to keep your eyes on. 'Think leopard print dresses, colourful co-ords, embroidered boho jackets, plus lots of swimwear and amazing accessories, as well as great wardrobe staples that will last year on year.' "Lovely lightweight skirt. Feels very comfortable on. Love the waist with elastic to fit any shape. Can wear high up on waist or on hips. Lightly see through but not too much. Lovely quality material," penned a third. Meanwhile, a fourth said: "Love it super comfortable, smart enough so can dress it up or down. Love the pockets. Had lots of compliments and queries as to where they could get it." "Perfect for summer and so versatile. Feels like good quality material for the price,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'I bought a similar skirt from a high street retailer and it doesn't touch the quality of this one, plus this had pockets! I've bought all the colours in this shirred waist style as they're coords and I love easy to wear styles, being a busy mum of 3."
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Royal Ascot revellers go all out in eye-catching millinery and glamorous attire for day two of the racing festival
Stylish racegoers put their best fashion foot forward as they arrived for the second day of Royal Ascot today. Glamorous women put on chic displays in bright summer dresses while men looked dapper in top hats and tails as they arrived at the Berkshire racecourse for a day of fun in the sun. As ever, extravagant millinery stole the show, with many revellers commanding attention in vibrant creations adorned with feathers, flowers and lace. Radiant guests also oozed glamour in flowing maxi dresses, floral prints and figure-hugging numbers as they stepped out for the second day of action at the prestigious festival. Ascot, known as the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet. Many are likely hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family as they turn out in force for the annual occasion. Yesterday, the King and Queen enjoyed a day at the races as they welcomed the girlfriend of the Princess Royal's son to the royal fold. Charles and Camilla hosted guests in the royal box on the first day of Royal Ascot including the monarch's nephew Peter Phillips and his partner, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. She made an appearance for the first time in the carriage procession the royal family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. The King and Queen rode in the first carriage with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen's official companions. Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington and they were followed by a coach carrying Anne's son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend. Other royals spotted among the crowds included Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah, Duchess of York and Zara and Mike Tindall. The King and his wife have continued Queen Elizabeth II's close association with the Berkshire race meet but they had no luck with the sport of Kings when their horse Reaching High was well beaten in the Ascot Stakes. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes. Today's racing, meanwhile, will feature the The Prince of Wales's Stakes as one of its highlights. First run at Royal Ascot in 1862, the race, named after the son of Queen Victoria (later to become King Edward VII), is now worth £1million in prize money and is one of the features of the week. Auguste Rodin produced a career best performance to win last year's Prince of Wales's Stakes, highlighting the perfect blend of speed and stamina needed to win a race of this magnitude. Three horses have won this race on two occasions, Connaught, (1969, 1970) Mtoto (1987, 1988) and Muhtarram (1994, 1995). Older horses tend to struggle in this race, with only two six-year-old horses winning since 1995: Muhtarram (1995) and So You Think (2012). Elsewhere, The Queen Mary Stakes, The Queen's Vase and The Duke of Cambridge Stakes provide a trio of Group 2 races to savour before the Royal Hunt Cup, The Windsor Castle Stakes and the Kensington Palace Stakes conclude the second day of racing. Over £10 million in prize money is awarded to the winners and placed horses across the week. The minimum value for each race is £110,000 and every Group 1 contest will be rewarded with at least £650,000.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Top athleisure picks from Gym+Coffee – the brand tipped to be the next Gymshark
Gym+Coffee is one of the fastest-growing athleisure brands in the UK and Ireland and is tipped to be the next Gymshark. The community-first brand, founded by three friends, is already carving out a loyal following with its performance-ready ranges. Shop Gym+Coffee men's bestsellers Gym+Coffee's bestsellers nail the balance between comfort, function and fashion, perfectly designed for dads who like to keep active but appreciate off-duty athleisure styles. From lightweight, breathable shorts for sweaty gym sessions to sweat-wicking T-shirts that transition seamlessly from workout to weekend. The sportswear brand features clothing ranges tailored for golf, tennis, running, and even the latest fitness craze, Hyrox. Shoppers can buy the range directly from the Gym+Coffee website and from major UK high street retailers including Next, Very, and Debenhams. Our Sun Shopping Reviews Manager, Kieran Ahuja, tried the range out for himself and said: "Every item is really well-made and thoughtfully designed, and the sizing is spot-on." So whether your dad's a weekend fitness warrior or a golf course regular, Gym+Coffee has plenty of pieces to keep him happy. Top menswear picks from Gym+Coffee Clubhouse Half Zip in Twilight Navy, £60 Why we love it: An easy win for any guy's wardrobe, this relaxed-fit half-zip sweatshirt delivers laid-back style with a premium feel. It's crafted in a cool and classic navy tone, featuring a super-soft finish and subtle Gym+Coffee sleeve branding. It's perfect for: Ideal for that relaxed feel, the sweatshirt comes in an oversized cut for extra comfort. The versatile design makes it an ideal throw-on for everything from gym sessions to casual weekends or chilly strolls in the evenings. Coffee Polo Tee in Ultra White, £35 Why we love it: It's simple to stay cool, comfortable, and effortlessly sharp with the new Coffee Polo Tee. These polos are the ultimate blend of performance and everyday style and are made from lightweight, breathable fabric. It's perfect for: The shirts are designed to help you stay fresh and focused, whether you're teeing off under the midday sun, tackling a busy workday, or grabbing drinks after work. Its super-soft feel and classic design make it a versatile go-to for both sporty and social settings, and it comes in several easy-to-wear colourways for every occasion. Game Changer Pant in Orbit, £70 SHOP HERE Why we love it: The Game Changer Pant is a go-to for effortless style and a great addition to your wardrobe. With a modern, slim-fit silhouette, tapered legs and elasticated ankle cuffs, these pants have you covered for comfort and style. It's perfect for: Designed to move seamlessly from office hours to golf rounds and even casual weekend settings, these versatile trousers strike the perfect balance between smart and laid-back. Chill Zip Hoodie in Summer Green, £65 SHOP HERE Why we love it: The Chill Zip Hoodie is a great option for cooler days and boasts the ultimate blend of comfort, style, and everyday practicality. This hoodie is made from Gym+Coffee's signature super-soft chill fabric, designed to keep you feeling cosy and looking sharp. It's perfect for: With a full-zip front, relaxed unisex fit, and breathable finish, it's the ideal layering piece for those pre- or post-workout fits, as well as your casual off-duty look. Essential 8" Shorts in Moss Green, £40 Why we love it: If you're a die-hard shorts fan, whatever the weather, these Essential Shorts are ideal. The lightweight and breathable shorts are designed to handle all activities with ease. A soft, comfortable jersey waistband offers a secure and flexible fit, while zippered pockets keep your essentials safe. It's perfect for: Built for movement and made for everyday wear, the Essential Shorts are your go-to for everything from gym sessions to walking the dog. A must-have wardrobe staple for active, on-the-go days.
