Firstly, we consider its power, looking at the strength of each setting and the difference between them. To do this, we use an anemometer to understand how much air it blows, measured in feet per minute. The greater the range of speeds and the wider the difference between them, the more you can adjust the fan to suit you. Even the least energy-efficient – the Princess Smart Air Cooler – wasn't much more expensive, averaging about 2p an hour.

You can change the direction of this airflow up and down by sliding the dome part up and down, and the fan can also be set to oscillate automatically using the small remote control that attaches magnetically to the front panel. Floor fans are larger, more powerful and are designed to fill a bigger space. As they’re designed to be used at a distance, they might offer more angles, a wider oscillation range and a remote control. This is handy if you want to turn the fan up or down from the bed or even just pause it while you take a phone call. Otherwise, they’re very similar to desk fans and have the same kind of features – in fact, there’s plenty of overlap between the two. Not all fans do this, but some, including every Dyson and the SmartAir, also help to clean the air they're distributing. Some have filters that trap pollutants, while the Dimplex Ion Fresh Cooling Tower Fan freshens air around it by emitting neutralising ions. Do fans use a lot of electricity? You can also change fan speed with the remote and these range from one (which is virtually silent) to ten and are indicated on the circular OLED status panel set into the base. Introducing the Keplin 29-Inch Oscillating Tower Fan, a compact and powerful cooling solution that will keep you comfortable during hot summer days. With its sleek design and advanced features, this tower fan is the perfect addition to any home or office.If you need more cooling power, you’ve still got it. At the top speed we measured airflow at 2.7m/sec, with a noise level of just 42dB. You’ve got a choice of touch-sensitive controls on the fan itself and a slightly cheap-feeling remote, while the efficient DC motor keeps power consumption to between 2W and 8.1W. While not as powerful as the Dimplex Xpelair 360 or the MeacoFan 360, this is the fan to go for if you prize your peace and quiet above all else.

Key specs – Dimensions: 38 x 28 x 28cm; Weight: 3.4kg; Oscillation angle: 90 degrees vertical/ 90 degrees horizontal; Cord length: 2m; Warranty: 2 years; Power: 14W Want a fan that ties in with the rest of your smart tech? Look for a WiFi- and voice control-enabled model that can be operated remotely or from another room in the house. Our tester found app control particularly helpful – no more struggling to get the remote to connect if you're not sitting right next to the fan. Air purification

PORTABLE: Keplin tower fans are lightweight, slim and compact, perfect for all spaces inside home including bedrooms, bedside, kitchen countertops, office desks and workstations. Designed with an ergonomic handle grip for moving when needed Assembly is easy, and connecting it to your smartphone and Wi-Fi network using the GeoSmartPro app is a simple enough process. From there, you can create daily schedules, preset modes and even auto-modes that will switch the fan on to a custom setting when specific weather conditions are met. It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Home devices, although you can’t alter as many settings using your voice as you can when using the app or physical controls. Feel The Coolness】Features dual fans to maximize air movement and deliver strong airflow throughout the stuffy space in high summer. 3 speed options (high-medium-low) provide tailored cooling-off experience to beat the heat. Fans aren’t generally that expensive to run – even the most powerful models we’ve tested use around 40W when running at maximum speed. However, the most energy-efficient models we’ve tested consume under 20W at full blast and less than 5W at their lowest speed, which could make a difference to your bills if you’re running the fan all summer long. You can also keep your costs low by using any timer features, which can be set to shut the fan off after a set period. We’ve even seen some fans that can regulate their speed according to the ambient temperature, or that have a sleep setting where the fan slows down gradually over the course of the night.

Choose from 3 different modes: Normal, Sleep, and Nature. The Normal mode provides constant airflow, while the Sleep mode gradually decreases the fan speed for a quieter operation. The Nature mode simulates a natural breeze, creating a relaxing and calming environment. Key specs – Dimensions: 77.3 x 28.8 x 29.3cm; Weight: 5.1kg; Oscillation angle: 90 degrees (horizontal), 60 degrees (vertical) Cord length: 1.6m; Warranty: 2yrs; Power: 20W Whisper-Quiet Cooling】Produces a right amount of white noises (less than 60db) even if the tower fan projects high-velocity airflow, bringing maximum comfort to you for a sound sleep. Note that fans don’t generate cool air (apart from this Princess model, which houses a water tank), so limit their usage to when you’re in the room and can feel the benefits. To get the most comfort from your fan, these GHI-approved tips will help boost its ability to circulate cooler air. How we test fansMonitor the room temperature with the convenient temperature display on the tower fan. Stay informed and adjust the fan settings accordingly for maximum comfort. The included remote control allows you to conveniently operate the fan from across the room, so you can relax without having to get up. The more settings, the greater control you’ll have over the fan’s air flow. Look for a minimum of three – any more and our tester found the differences between them negligible. Modes While it’s one of the taller tower fans we’ve tested, it’s worth making room for Levoit’s 36-inch Tower Fan. Look beyond the two-part plastic base and it’s a well-built unit with no hint of wobble, with stylish and straightforward touch controls on the top panel. It also has some useful advanced features, including an Auto mode that adjusts the speed according to the room temperature, and a Sleep mode that will do its best to keep you cool while staying quiet. There’s also a Turbo mode for some extra speed, plus a simple one to 12-hour off timer.However, what we like most about this tower fan is that it offers an efficient and economical way to cool a larger area. It pushes through air at speeds of up to 3.2m/sec at the highest of its five speed settings, or 3.3m/sec in Turbo mode. True, it’s a little loud when maxed out, at 44.4 to 45.2dB, but on its next to lowest setting you can still hit speeds of 2.1m/sec, with the noise reduced to around 32dB. On its lower settings it uses only around 20W as well. Throw in the competitive price, and you have a great tower fan for bigger rooms.