Those who work from home or behind a desk find it hard to be productive when it’s hot.
This not only happens in the summer but also in winter when the central heating makes your home feel like an oven.
Having a personal desk fan may be all you need to keep cool.
However, fans are known to make noise which may distract you.
Fortunately, there are some quiet desk fans available for purchase.
To help make it easier for you, we’ll be taking a look at the quietest desk fan and a few others you should consider.
Quietest desk fan to stay cool
- Speed Settings: 2
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 4.8 x 9 inches
- Weight: 1.75 pounds
If you’re looking for a portable, stylish yet functional quiet desktop fan, the Vornado Zippi should be on top of your list.
This cute little fan is available in nine different colors and will match the décor of any room.
It features a unique design and can be folded up so it’s easy to take to the office or anywhere you need a fan.
There’s also an adjustable head so you can tilt the fan to whatever angle suits you best.
Another unique feature of this fan is the blades.
Most times when purchasing a fan, people tend to worry about the blades since they can sometimes lead to injuries.
People might be a bit more alarmed with this unit since the blades aren’t enclosed in a grill.
This is because the blades on this fan are ultra-soft.
The soft cloth blades are safe to touch even when the fan is in use.
This makes it a great option if you work from home with kids or pets.
They won’t get hurt if they do touch the blades.
As for speed, the best desk fan comes with 2 settings.
Neither of them is loud enough to distract you or others around you.
The Vornado Zippi is so quiet that you can use it on your night table next to your bed to keep cool while you sleep.
- Speed Settings: 3
- Dimensions: 0.9 x 6.3 x 10.9 inches;
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
The Honeywell HT-900 is a desk fan that has some really cool features.
You’ll find that most desk fans come with only two-speed settings.
However, this unit comes with 3; low, medium and high.
These allow you to adjust the speed of the fan depending on the size of the room for maximum efficiency.
The fan comes with an adjustable tilt feature.
It can be tilted upwards up to 90 degrees to control the airflow in the room or direct it to where you need it most.
This also allows it to move any warm air that may have accumulated at the ceiling.
No matter the angle you will be able to feel the fan breeze from up to 25 feet away.
Despite the power of this fan, it is incredibly silent with Honeywell claiming that it is 25% quieter than comparable models.
The seven-inch blades are protected by a plastic grill to reduce the chances of injuries.
The grills are removable so it makes for easy cleaning of the blades.
There’s also an option to mount this fan on the wall.
If you want to save space on your work desk, you can place the fan on the wall adjacent to your desk.
- Speed Settings: 2
- Dimensions: 11.3 x 7 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
The LOHOME portable air conditioning fan lets you keep cool without the risk of injuries
This is because the blades of the fan are in the base of the unit and not visible.
If you have kids in your workspace, this guarantees their safety from fan blade-related injuries.
Aside from safety, there’s also the quiet factor to consider.
This desk fan produces far less noise than traditional fans.
The noise is rated somewhere between 60-30 decibels.
Keep in mind that the higher the wind, the greater the noise.
The fan uses an airfoil-shaped ramp that amplifies airflow so you get a consistent cool blast of air.
It consumes about half the energy of a conventional fan and can be powered by USB.
If your computer or other electronic device has a USB-powered port, you can simply plug in the fan using a USB cable and instant cool air.
The fan charges while you’re using it and can help to cool your electronics as well.
- Speed Settings: 4
- Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 14 inches
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
If power is what you’re after, the Ozeri Brezza III dual oscillating fan is definitely a powerful option.
This desk fan is powered by ultra-quiet speed dual oscillating motors.
It features a sophisticated and elegant space-saving design that complements and enhances the look of any room.
At 6 pounds, there’s a handle so you can move the fan from room to room if you need to.
The dual-oscillating motors allow for an automatic vertical and horizontal motion for maximum cooling effects.
This means that the desk fan can move either sideways, upward and downwards at the same time.
This is a very handy feature if you are going to use the fan from different places.
There’s also a 4-hour timer feature
Another reason why this fan is awesome is that it comes with a remote controller.
This makes it easy to adjust any speed settings or other functions without going through any hassle.
Apart from these, the Ozeri Brezza III is aerodynamically designed so it is far quieter than its predecessor and others in its class.
- Speed Settings: 2
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches
- Weight: 7.9 ounces
The Fancii Personal Desk fan is the smallest and lightest unit on our list.
It is perfect if you have very little room on your desk and since it is so lightweight, you can take the fan anywhere.
When it comes to noise level, this quiet office fan is as quiet as they come.
It is incredibly quiet while delivering an airflow capacity of 4.2m/s.
The twin-turbo cyclone blade technology combined with the 180-degree tilt rotation features deliver maximum airflow to a wider area.
Since it is USB powered, there’s no need to use batteries or plug it in so you never have to worry about replacing batteries or damaging the power cord.
This fan only uses 5V of power so it’s a great option if you’re looking to save energy.
You can use this fan as a handheld device to deliver a cool blast of air to your head or shoulders.
It can also double as a laptop fan to keep your laptop or any other electronic devices stay cool and prevent them from overheating.
Buying guide to a quiet desk fan
Fortunately, new developments in fan engineering have made it possible to buy a near-silent desk fan.
Aside from the overall noise level, you’ll need to consider a few other things like size, features, design, etc.
Here is a small list with a few things you need to keep in mind when searching for a quiet desk fan.
Noise level
Desk fans are among the quietest fans you can find.
The noise levels of fans are measured by the sound they make in their highest settings.
You can find these measurements given in decibels (DB).
The majority of desk fans produce less than 40dB with the quietest coming in at around 30 to 50 decibels.
Your average household noises are usually around 55 decibels so if the fan noise is less than that, you can expect quiet operation.
Oscillation
Oscillation refers to the direction of airflow as the fan spins when it is working
The volume of air circulation in a given space is determined by the oscillation capacity.
Oscillating fans tend to provide more efficient cooling as they rotate.
They allow for better airflow around the room.
The higher the oscillation, the more airflow the fan can deliver.
This allows it to cool a wider area as well.
You’ll find that the oscillation varies from fan to fan.
Some fans may not even have this feature at all while others may have 180 to 360-degree oscillation.
Air Flow Capacity
Airflow capacity is usually measured in cubic feet per meter (CFM).
This determines the amount of air a fan can move at maximum speed.
Look for a fan that has a rating of at least 1 CFM per square foot.
Most good-quality desk fans on the market come with a CFM of 150 to 200.
Design
While looks and design aren’t at the top of the list, you should pay attention to these as well.
This is because you will be using your fan most of the time so you will want it to match the rest of the decor in the room.
Look for a unit that functions well and also looks great.
Bladeless and tower fans tend to have a more aesthetically pleasing look that is modern and sleek.
Other designs like oscillating desk fans can have a more rustic or vintage look.
Some other design factors you need to look for are adjustable heads so you can point the fan to where you need it most, handle for portability, etc.
Functionality
The functionality of your desk fan is important.
Most desk fans work with:
- Horizontal axial flow technology
- Vertical airflow technology
- Bladeless technology
Pedestal fans make use of horizontal axial flow technology.
These types of fans usually have the impeller shaft at the center which rotates parallel to the spoke and dispels air through a safety grill.
Tower fans use vertical airflow technology.
The impeller shaft in these fans has a vertical orientation and can push air both up and down.
Bladeless fans, unlike their name, actually have blades.
The blades are hidden in their base to give out air and create a directed breeze.
They are generally safer to use if you have kids and pets around.
Durability
Desk fans are reasonably affordable so you can always pick up one.
However, you should still opt for a fan that is sturdy and durable.
You will most likely place your desk fan on an elevated surface so there’s always the risk of it falling.
Metal fans are far more durable than plastic fans.
Fans with metal and plastic combinations provide a suitable compromise.
A durable desk fan will save you money in the long term and last longer through the wear and tear of daily fan use.
Power Source
Desk fans like all others may use electricity provided by a power cord that connects to a socket.
However, you can find some units that use multiple power sources that add to their versatility.
Some portable desk fans use rechargeable batteries especially those that are light enough to travel with.
This is great if you plan to use a lamp when camping in remote areas or where no immediate power source is available.
Other desk fans can be powered by USB.
If you’re using your desk fan with your laptop or PC, simply plug the fan into a USB-powered port and your fan will start to work.
Size
Desk fans are generally small but you should still consider the size of the fan when making a purchase.
This is because you want to make sure that the fan can fit the space you have.
You do not want your fan to take up a lot of room especially if you’re using it on your desk.
The ideal desk fan needs to be compact, slim flat and lightweight so that it doesn’t take up unnecessary space or distract you while you work.
Budget
As mentioned before desk fans are reasonably affordable.
However, you should still create a budget.
Set a price you can afford and find a desk fan that best fits in this range.
Make a list with all the features you want and carefully look at all the fans in that category to make sure that all your demands are met.
You may have to make some compromises when working with a budget
If you have an unlimited budget then there’s no compromise and you can get the one you want.
Bonus features
Other features that can be beneficial are remote controllers, programmers and timers.
These bonus features offer convenience and make things a whole lot easier.
Remote controllers allow you to control the fan from anywhere in the room.
Programmers allow you to preselect your preferred power and cooling settings
Timers allow you to run the fan without worrying about what will happen if you accidentally leave it running.
Conclusion
Regardless of the weather outside, a small desk fan is a great addition to your workspace.
It can keep you cool so you can be productive.
It can even prevent your electronics from overheating.
However, you need to pay attention to the unit you buy.
Desk fans come in different shapes, sizes and with several different features.
Look for a durable and quiet unit that best suits your needs and your budget.
You should also go for a portable unit so you can move it from your workspace to your bedroom to keep cool while you sleep.For more fans, check out our quiet fan and best quiet window fan reviews.