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Whether you're a hot sleeper, living in a warm climate, or just like a light background noise, it can be tough to get a good night's sleep without one of the best quiet fans that won't keep you up at night. And while some find white noise to be optimal for sleeping, others prefer as little noise as possible. Either way, a great fan is one that unites power and peace, and to find one, you’ll want to consider the fan’s technology as well as the reviewer feedback.
What To Look For In A Quiet Fan
Thankfully, technology is always evolving, even in the world of fans. We've now got brushless motors, vortex technology, bladeless designs, and streamlined air channels to get the most airflow with the least amount of noise. These fans also come in different styles, from towers to desktops and bladeless to clip-ons, so finding the right size and shape for your bedroom should be a breeze.
Unfortunately, most brands don’t list their decibel ratings, so when you’re shopping on the internet, you’ll have to rely on the people who have used (and slept next to) these fans first-hand. For some models, the words “silent,” “quiet,” and “sleep” are scattered all throughout the comments section. I’ve scoured Amazon’s reviewer feedback to find you the absolute quiet options on the market, and you can find them below.
Shop The Best Fans For Sleeping
In a hurry? Here are the top picks for bedroom fans.
- The Overall Best: Honeywell HYF290B Tower Fan
- The Best USB Fan: xasla USB Desk Fan
- The Best Table Fan: Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating Table Fan
- The Best Personal Fan: Vornado Zippi Personal Fan
- The Best Air-Purifying Fan: ULTTY Bladeless Tower Fan and Air Purifier
- The Best Clip-On Fan: Genesis Clip-On Fan
- A High-Tech Tower Option: Lasko T42950 Wind Curve Tower Fan Ionizer
- The Most Powerful Standing Fan: Vornado Full Size Standing FanAmazon
- The Best Range: Dreo Bladeless Tower Fan
- The Best Bed Fan: BedJet 3 Climate Comfort
1. The Overall Best: Honeywell Tower Fan
- Also available on Best Buy, $75
Why it’s great: While the Honeywell HYF290B tower fan doesn't advertise the actual decibel output, it has more than 26,000 reviews, and hundreds of them confirm that this is one of the quietest options on the market. It also has eight settings that help you choose the fan speed and the noise level, and it’s designed to tackle a whole room with impressive air circulation.
The specs: This one has eight speeds, oscillation to circulate all the air in the room, and built-in sleep timers, all in a 32-inch tall tower design. It even has dimmable lights if you need absolute dark when you sleep.
What fans write: “I love this so much I bought another for my classroom. On low levels, the fan is whisper quiet, but cools nicely. Higher levels provide a louder noise that is great to sleep with to block out other noise. It is narrow and fits nicely into a corner.”
2. The Best USB Fan: xasla Desk Fan
Why it’s great: Because it's powered by USB (meaning that you can plug it into your computer or phone charger), this desk fan is great for those on the move (office, anyone?). It’s also small and compact to fit on your bedside table. You can get it in black, bronze, or blue.
The specs: This 6-inch fan uses an upgraded motor and all-metal construction for durability. While it only has one speed, it tilts 360 degrees so you can get the optimal angle. The fan base can also be used as a hook on your headboard.
What fans write: "Love this little power-house… it’s my second, I bought this one to take with me on my travels. It’s just the right size to have next to my bed… my spouse doesn’t like the ceiling fan while sleeping, this allows us to both have what we want. I highly recommend!”
3. The Best Table Fan: Rowenta Turbo Silence Oscillating Table Fan
- Also available on Bed Bath & Beyond, $110
Why it’s great: The Rowenta Turbo Silence is especially great for bedside tables or desks, given its size, and it’s specifically designed for silent operation. It can also be controlled with a remote and has a built-in handle so you can carry it from room to room.
The specs: With five speeds, a 12-inch oscillating head, and a noise level that ranks 35 decibels (the same noise levels recorded in a library), it’s earned a 4.6-star rating from over 3,300 reviews. There’s even a "Silent Night" mode that's extra quiet. (For $20 less, you can opt for the four-speed version.)
What fans write: "Astonishingly quiet! [...] For those looking for a silent yet effective fan, THIS IS IT! It has 4 speeds. On the lowest speed, there is NO SOUND at all, yet there is a nice, noticeable breeze.”
4. The Best Personal Fan: Vornado Zippi Personal Fan
- Also available on Home Depot, $20
Why it’s great: With over 4,000 reviews, the Vornado Zippi is widely considered one of the best personal fans because it pushes a ton of air for its size. It also sits comfortably in a small space and is “a perfect marriage of quiet and powerful,” according to one reviewer.
The specs: It comes in seven awesome colors, has soft nylon blades that are safe to touch while they're in motion, and folds up for easy travel. Plus, it boasts two fan speeds and measures just 6.3 inches tall. It runs with a 6-foot power cord.
What fans write: "I took it on a small trip where we stayed at an awful AirB&B that had the nosiest fan that I could not sleep with. I was amazed at how much air this tiny fan put out and packed so neatly in my suitcase. I slept just fine with this fan and actually needed an extra blanket because I was so cool.”
5. The Best Air-Purifying Fan: ULTTY Bladeless Tower Fan and Air Purifier
- Also available on Walmart, $148
Why it’s great: The ULTTY fan keeps you cool and purifies the air in your bedroom all at the same time. It also oscillates and can be controlled with a remote, so you don’t have to get up to feel its effects or change the settings.
The specs: It’s made with a true HEPA filter, which can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as .3 microns (so it can tackle dander, pollen, and dust). It works in spaces up to 320 square feet, and the bladeless-fan technology is very quiet.
What fans write: “The fan/air purifier is awesome. The air is strong on level 9. I use it every night to sleep and love the fresh air and the quiet bladeless fan. Love it really. You can touch screen or use the remote.”
6. The Best Clip-On Fan: Genesis Clip-On Fan
- Also available on Home Depot, $15
Why it’s great: If you're lacking in flat surfaces, the Genesis clip-on fan is an awesome way to ensure that you get cool airflow wherever you need it. The sturdy grip clamp keeps this fan firmly in place on your headboard or on the back of a chair, and you can swivel the head to direct air anywhere.
The specs: The fan itself runs on two speeds, and its 6-inch head can be adjusted to direct your airflow. It also comes with a flat base that you can easily attach if you'd rather not clip it onto anything.
What fans write: “I love this fan it’s quiet and smooth and it clips perfectly onto my headboard and keeps me cool all through the hot summer nights. It also has two speeds and a long cord so if [your] outlet is far away it can still reach.”
7. A High-Tech Tower Option: Lasko Wind Curve Tower
- Also available on Walmart, $70
Why it’s great: In addition to the built-in ionizer, the Lasko Wind Curve has a high-tech tower design that optimizes air flow. You can use a remote to control various settings, including the power, speed, oscillation, timer, and night mode. Finally, it’s more elevated-looking than other options, thanks to its sleek design with a woodgrain finish.
The specs: It has three quiet settings and an oscillation setting to cool a whole room. The coolest part, however, is that it has a built-in ionizer that helps purify and freshen the air.
What fans write: "This fan is one-word: AMAAAAAZING. Living in Florida where it's easily 80 degrees in February, not to mention the summers, this is the ONLY fan I've found that actually blows COLD air and not just circulate the hot air in the room. I love that it's also quiet unlike most fans.”
8. A Powerful Standing Fan: Vornado Full Size Standing Fan
- Also available on Kohl’s, $150
Why it’s great: The Vornado full-size standing fan uses its signature vortex technology and tall base to provide total circulation for all the air in a room.
The specs: The deep-pitched blades move air up to 100 feet, and it has three speed settings to choose from. Plus, the rotatable neck lets you point the airflow in whichever direction you want. Finally, the oscillation feature helps you cool down the room without a problem, and the height is adjustable to get the best flow.
What fans write: “This is the 3rd Vornado fan I have owned. While older designs used a variable speed control, this fan has three speeds, which are well chosen. I find the middle speed gives a good breeze without excessive noise - perfect for sleeping to. The stand itself is utilitarian, complimenting the look of the fan.”
9. A Bladeless Fan With Range: Dreo Tower Fan
- Also available on Walmart, $90
Why it’s great: Using bladeless technology and a unique air-duct design, the Dreo tower fan pushes air from all the way across the room. That way, you can tuck it away in a corner and still feel its effects — without hearing it.
The specs: This option has six speeds, three modes, a 12-hour timer, and a remote that lets you control all of them from afar. It also oscillates up to 90 degrees and has a clear LED screen, which turns off after 20 seconds on sleep mode.
What fans write: “I am so impressed with how quiet it is and how much power it puts out. Having a remote is a major selling point with being in our bedroom. It’s slim and able to be tucked away into the corner.”
10. The Best In-Bed Fan: BedJet 3 Climate Comfort
- Also available on BedJet, $389
Why it’s great: If you overheat at night, the BedJet 3 Climate Comfort is specifically designed to keep you cool while you sleep. How? By directing air over your mattress and underneath your sheets.
The specs: It uses powerful ventilation and biorhythm temperature technology to direct cool air right under your blankets. It's also extremely quiet, pairs using Bluetooth to your phone, and even has a gentle temperature wake-up setting to replace your alarm. One of these machines should cover your entire mattress and keep your body temperature balanced during any season (because, yes, it also has a heating function).
What fans write: “Worth every penny! [...] When I purchased the Bed Jet, I was absolutely amazed at how quiet it is and ingenious! The vent goes UNDER the covers and blows room temperature air onto my feet legs and the rest of my body. I keep it on a very low setting with the air blowing on me all night and I have been getting a GREAT night's sleep.”
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