You can consider the automobile, airplane or Internet the most life-altering invention for most of the planet, but in warmer climates our vote is for the simple electric fan. When temperatures soar into the high 80s and above, we unplug the laptop and use that outlet for our favorite fan instead.
Here’s what we look for in a good electric fan: Is it easy to set up? Can it deliver a consistently strong blast of air? And is it quiet enough so that we can still form a thought without sounding like we’re in a wind tunnel? We think these models of electric fans are your best bets.
Super quiet
No exaggeration, I own nearly a dozen of these table-top fans, including several that permanently reside at friends’ and family’s homes for when I visit. Identical models sit on my work and home office desks, next to my TV downstairs at home and on my bedside table. They’re super quiet but pack quite a punch when it comes to air movement.
Long lifespan
Pedestal fans are as necessary in Florida as ice tea, insect repellent and sunblock. But they don’t need to be super fancy to get the job done. Spare me the remote controls – just give me a quiet fan with three speeds, an easy set-up and a long lifespan. I have this very model in the master bedroom to keep things cool at night – and to provide that wonderfully small dose of white noise to help me stay asleep.
Great versatility
As cool as the other fan models in our list are, there are some cooling jobs where something with extra oomph is required. This Stanley blower fan is perfect for keeping the garage cool while tinkering in the workshop or for pool decks when the cool outdoor breeze suddenly disappears. Beyond cooling, use this Stanley for ventilation or even drying up wet areas.
For tighter spaces
Tower fans, like this number from Lasko, are a great option for those who want a more sleek solution too cooling a room. It’s more aesthetically pleasing than a regular stand fan, but still powerful enough to reach all the corners of a room. This fan also includes a nighttime setting that dims the display screen and sets the fan for the amount of time you want it to run.
Easy to carry
Sometimes a table fan won’t do the trick – you need some industrial-sized relief. This high-velocity fan from B-Air was made to cool things down fast. It has three speed settings, portable handle and be used on the floor or mounted on a wall.
Steve Spears is editor of Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. He is based in Orlando and counts St. Augustine, Key West and the Gulf Beaches among his favorite destinations in the state.
