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The best pedestal fans for serious cooling power, tested in the lab
These are the ones our testers were big fans of...
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
When the heatwave hits, nothing moves air quite like a pedestal fan. Tall, powerful and built to cover a wide area, the best pedestal fans can fill a whole room with a lovely fresh breeze. Today’s models have some great features too, such as sleep timers and natural breeze modes.
To find the best pedestal fans on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute put a wide range of models to the test in our (hot) lab. These are the ones we know will deliver outstanding performance, summer after summer (with our full reviews below).
The best pedestal fans
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To put these pedestal fans to the test, our in-house experts first assessed the comfort level provided by each model. Essentially, they sat in a hot sealed room with the fan for 30 minutes to see if it cooled them down. Read on for the verdict on the best ones, and scroll down for further detail on the testing process, plus how to choose the best fan for you.
If you're not sure you want a pedestal model, head to our best fans buying guide to learn about the pros and cons of the different types available, from tower fans to desk fans.
Note that we have tested more fans than the ones currently shown in this article but due to a very warm summer and unprecedented levels of demand, these are the only models currently in stock.
Cooler times ahead...
Pros
- Worked fast to make the room feel comfortable
- 3-year warranty included
- Customisable air flow
- Responsive remote control
Cons
- Fan blades are slightly fiddly to clean
Score: 89/100
Our winning pedestal fan features an adjustable pole, so it can be set at three different heights to suit varying spaces. It’s also engineered with Air Beam Precision tech, which means you can choose from a narrow, medium or wide airflow range to direct it exactly where you need it.
It has a night mode, which is extremely quiet, so it should keep you cool as you sleep without waking you up. Our experts also appreciated how quickly it made them feel more comfortable in a hot room, with help from the extremely responsive remote control, which can be used to adjust all 12 settings.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | H 109.8cm x W 34cm x D 34cm |
|---|---|
| Energy omissions | Lowest 0.008kwh Highest 0.064kwh |
| Number of speeds | 12 |
| Timer function range | 1-12H |
Pros
- Doesn’t dry out airways
- Easy to clean with a wipe
Cons
- Some testers found the boost mode slightly noisy
Score: 84/100
Whether it’s hair tools or vacuums, Shark products tend to deliver in our tests and this fan was no different. It looks completely different to your average pedestal fan – it’s sleek and bladeless. Instead, it the airflow comes from vents in the horizontal single blade.
It has 10 airflow speeds, a 180º oscillation and a 12-hour timer, which can be controlled via the included remote. If you’re a hot sleeper, our experts recommend adjusting it to the height of your bed to enjoy a cooling air blanket effect.
This all-rounder went down well with our panel members, with the ‘gentle breeze’ setting a particular highlight – gentle and reminiscent of, well, an open window.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | H 78cm x W 80.2cm x D 78cm |
|---|---|
| Energy omissions | Lowest: 0.016kwh - highest 0.026kwh |
| Number of speeds | 4 |
| Timer function range | 1-12 hours |
Pros
- Clear control panel
- Stable and smooth during oscillation
Cons
- Screwdriver and remote batteries required for set up, not included
Score: 84/100
If the heat is affecting your sleep, you may not want the noise of a fan on top. Though some may like the white noise effect of an oscillating fan, this ultra-quiet one from Igenix picked up points for how silent it was. Even at the top speed, it was able to cool people down without drawing too much attention to itself.
The useful LED display shows which one of the 12-speed settings and three airflow modes you’re using, and it also dims automatically at night.
Plus, this fan scored nearly full marks in our energy consumption test, with output levels very low on both the lowest and highest speed settings. So you can sleep easy knowing your bill won’t be rocketing.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | H 136cm x W 40cm x D 45cm |
|---|---|
| Energy omissions | Lowest 0.003kWh - highest 0.075kWh |
| Number of speeds | 12 |
| Timer function range | 1-12 hours |
How we test pedestal fans
In the lab, our experts assessed the power of each pedestal fan by tracking the air strength with an anemometer at every speed and from a distance of 75cm. They also measured each model's energy consumption at both the lowest and highest fan speeds. Additionally, the fans’ sound levels were recorded in decibels (dB) at the same distances and speeds to make sure they won't keep you awake at night.
We also asked our in-house panel to sit in a 30ºC room for 30 minutes at a time with the fan running, before feeding back on how well it managed to keep them cool.
Finally, our experts assessed the ease of use, app functionality (where relevant), set up process, and overall design before awarding a final score.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing products against their claims for over 100 years at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so we know what separates a great buy from a disappointing one.
Our pedestal fans test was overseen by Homes Testing Manager, Blossom Boothroyd, who created the detailed testing protocols to review each model against, using them exactly as you would at home. Having overseen all our fan testing to date (we've also reviewed desk fans, handheld fans, air coolers and more), she's an expert on assessing cooling claims.
Madeleine Evans, our lifestyle writer, then analysed all the test results and quizzed our experts to create the most accurate and helpful product reviews possible.
What to consider when shopping for a pedestal fan
When choosing a pedestal fan, start by thinking about your budget – our lab-approved models range from about £80 to several hundred pounds. More expensive options come with extra features like remote controls, multiple speed settings, wider oscillation and even smart connectivity, so decide which of these would actually be useful for you.
If you need to cool a large room or want strong, fast airflow, look for a fan with high wind power and a wide oscillation range. And if you plan to use it in the bedroom or while working, make sure you choose a quieter model, so you can stay cool without the background noise.
What’s the difference between a pedestal fan, tower fan and desk fan?
Fan types can differ significantly in power, energy consumption and noise levels.
Pedestal fans are the big players – tall, powerful and great for moving air around a whole room. You can usually adjust the height and tilt, so they’re perfect if you want a strong breeze that hits exactly where you need it. They can be louder and use more energy than smaller fans, but can’t be beaten if you have the space and want maximum cooling power.
Desk fans are the more compact option, designed to sit neatly on a table or work surface. They’re ideal for keeping you cool while you work, relax or sleep. Because they’re smaller, they tend to be quieter and cheaper to run, too. The trade-off is that they won’t circulate air as widely as a pedestal fan.
Tower fans are slim and quiet, and are able to spread a gentle breeze around a room more evenly than a desk fan. They’re also a good pick if you’re short on space, but still want something that feels more powerful than a desktop model.
The verdict on pedestal fans
For an effortless cool breeze that can be controlled with a remote, look to our winner, the Maeco Sefte Pedestal Fan.
Alternatively, our runner-up, the Shark TurboBlade has a unique design and recreates a lovely breeze through the window that will keep you cool while you sleep. It’s an investment that will keep you cool for many summers to come.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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