Just about everyone is familiar with box fans. That’s because these fans have been around for a long time—and we do mean a long time. And although they’re based upon a design that’s decades old, they continue to be one of the more popular types of fans found in people’s homes. They also can be quite effective at moving air, as long as the consumer buys the best ones available. To help our readers find the models that suit them best, we’ve found and reviewed the models that we consider to be the ones that work the best. Below are some of the best box fans that can currently be purchased.

Quick Summary of the Best Box Fans

Best Overall: Hurricane Classic-Series 20-Inch Fan

Some of our readers might be wondering why we’ve decided to choose the Hurricane Classic-Series as our top pick for the best box fan and we feel that’s reasonable. After all, this fan is a basic model that has a 5-foot power cord and only has 3-speed settings. It’s also a fan that’s made out of plastic and looks like just about every other 20-inch fan that can be found online or on store shelves. However, in our defense, we would like to say that although this model looks like every other fan out there, it isn’t an ordinary fan. This model is inexpensive, and it does a good job of moving air around.

This model might only have a low, medium and high speed, but it does move an impressive amount of air. It’s a great fan that can be placed on the floor or placed into a window to bring in cool outside air or to exhaust cooking odors and smoke outdoors. All of which makes it quite suitable for just about any home. The one thing we didn’t like about this fan was that it was quite loud, especially when it was placed on higher settings. So with that in mind, most consumers are probably not going to want to place this in their bedroom while they’re trying to sleep. For everyone else, however, we think it’s a great fan that should be considered.

What we liked about it
It’s a simple but effective box fan.
It moves quite a lot of air.

Best Value: Comfort Zone 3-Speed 20-Inch Fan

When it comes to box fans, we don’t feel that we have to look for expensive models that are packed with features. No, we feel that the best fans are the inexpensive ones, but still do a great job of moving air around the home. If the consumer wanted something with a ton of unnecessary features, then they would likely choose a different type of fan. And that’s why this model has made it into our number two position. This is a basic three-speed fan with a rotary fan control that makes it easy for anyone to adjust the fan speed to customize it to their needs.

This fan has a low, medium and high speed, and it’s equipped with high-performance blades that are designed to last a long time. This fan is also equipped with a safety grill that helps to prevent children and pets from coming into direct contact with the blade. Although this fan is made out of plastic, it still feels quite durable and seems to us like it will hold up for a while. The one thing that we can complain about as far as this fan is concerned is that it’s a bit louder than it should be. It’s not loud enough for us to not use it in our living rooms, but we don’t think we’ll be using it in our bedrooms anytime soon. Other than that fact, we like this fan quite a bit.

What we liked about it
It’s an inexpensive fan.
It moves quite a bit of air.

Best Quiet Fan: Air King 20-Inch 3-Speed Box Fan

This box fan has all of the features that a person could want in a box fan. It has a long 8-foot power cord, a sturdy plastic construction, and a nice large 20-inch size. It’s also equipped with a powerful 1/4-HP motor that is capable of doing a good job of moving the fan’s blades. This fan is capable of moving up to 1,300 cubic-feet-per-minute of air on low, 1740 CFPM on medium, and 2140 CFPM of air on high. And it can do it without making a ton of noise and without the frame rattling like what happens with many other fans. This model is 20.5×6-3/8×23-5/8-inches in size and only weighs 12.8 pounds.

This model also has an impact-resistant grill and the fan complies with UL and OSHA regulations. Now, at this point in the review, some of our readers might be wondering if this fan is so good, why isn’t it higher on our list. Well, there’s a good reason for that fact. The reason is that this box fan is almost twice the price of comparable box fans that we’ve reviewed. And because of its increased cost, we feel many people are not going to want to spend extra cash on this model. However, we do feel that if the consumer does purchase this fan, it’s more than worth its cost. It’s effective at moving air, quiet and is durable.

What we liked about it
This fan works well.
This fan is nice and quiet.

Best Designer Fan: Lasko Cool Colors 20-Inch Box Fan

Okay, we have to admit that when we first reviewed this box fan it was because it looked cool. Most of the box fans available are either white or black, so it was nice to see a fan that was in a different color—in this case, a beautiful purple. However, once we got this fan home, we noticed that it wasn’t just a pretty face but that it was a well-made product that could move air quite well. It had a steel body, which is refreshing to see nowadays, and it had three different speeds: low, medium and high. The fan grill is plastic, but it feels like a durable plastic so that shouldn’t be an issue at all.

We also would like to mention that it also had top-mounted speed controls and a handle that made it easy to carry. The only thing we didn’t like about this fan was that it was a bit loud. Not in an annoying way, but more like the loud fan way. What we mean by that is that some people may want to use this fan as white noise for blocking out sounds so they can sleep in a noisy home. Other people, however, aren’t going to like its noise level, particularly people who like silence. Other than that slight flaw, we think this is a quality fan that many people are going to be proud to use in their homes.

What we liked about it
It comes in a cool purple color.
It moves air quite well.

The Ultimate Guide To Box Fans

Anyone who thinks that box fans are basic had better think again. We think that they’re some of the best fans around. Why do we think that? Well, let’s look at the fact that they’ve been around for a long, long time. After that, let’s consider that some of the most inexpensive fans available. And finally, let’s consider that they’re one of the simplest fans to use and operate. Set them up and they’re ready to work. Want to find out more about these great fans? Well, if you do, then this guide is ready to serve up some great box fan information.

The History Of The Box Fan

All fans can trace their origin back to the first fan powered by electricity. This fan was invented by Schuyler Wheeler during the 19th century. Although there had existed fans powered by steam before that, this model was the first one powered by electricity. This fan would be marketed by Crocker & Curtis. Other types of fans invented during this time included not only fans powered by electricity but also fans that were powered by oil, kerosene, and alcohol. During the 1920s steel prices became low enough that a variety of different fans were invented that used them. These included art deco swan fans, box fans and fans of a variety of other shapes.

Features To Consider When Buying A Box Fan

The next few things that we would like to talk about are the features that you’re going to want to consider when buying a new box fan. Although these fans do seem to be quite basic, there are a few things that you need to think about when buying one. Now, let’s take a look at these features a little bit more closely.

CFM

The first thing that the consumer is going to want to consider is the cubic feet per minute, or CFM, of the fan. The higher the CFM, the more air the fan can move, so make sure to get the box fan with the highest CFM possible. As a general rule, box fans usually have a maximum CFM of anywhere from 1,300 to 2,200 cubic-feet-per-minute.

Blade Size

The next thing that you’re going to want to think about is blade size. Box fans come with a variety of different blade sizes, but the most common ones are between 14-inches and 20-inches. The larger the blade size, the more air the fan can bring into the home or exhaust out of the home. So, it’s important to factor in the blade size when the CFM speed of the fan is being considered.

Noise Levels

Another thing that’s important to consider is the noise level of the fan. Unfortunately, determining how noisy a fan is going to be isn’t always easy since most fans don’t list their fan’s decibel levels on their fan’s packaging. Therefore, probably the best way to determine if a box fan is loud or not is to read other people’s reviews of the product and consider those.

How Easy Is It To Clean?

The next thing to think about when choosing a box fan is just how easy it is to clean. Some box fans make it quite easy for the consumer to remove the grill so that the blades and the motor can be cleaned. Other fans, however, don’t make it quite so easy. When choosing a new fan, be sure to choose one that uses screws instead of bolts for attaching the fan’s shroud to its frame.

Does It Have A Handle?

It’s probably a good idea to make sure that the fan has a handle. A handle makes it easy for you to move the fan from one place to another in your home. However, it should be noted, that having a handle might make it hard to place it in a window, so you should decide whether that’s an important consideration or not. We prefer the box fans that are equipped with handles that can be removed by the consumer. That way, the consumer can determine if they need to remove it to ensure that it fits better in a window.

Tips For Taking Care Of A Box Fan

Before we leave this guide, we would like to give the consumer some tips on taking care of their fan. Although most of the following tips can be filed under common sense, we thought that it would be a good idea to list some of the things the consumer should do to keep their fan in good condition.

  • Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Do not place fans outdoors or near moisture.
  • Regularly remove dust from the grill and the back of the motor.
  • Always plug the fan into a proper outlet or extension cord.