Are you looking for a top-box fan? Here, we will help you choose a great fan model. Have you seen your friends using this type of fan and wonder if they can help keep your home cool and odor-free while being affordable and efficient?
In spite of their simple design, box fans can be effective and offer good value for money. In this guide, we’ve explored their benefits and also rounded up the best box fan reviews, to save you time and money.
Here’s a List of the Best Box Fans This Year!
What is a Box Fan?
As you might have guessed, box fans are fans in an enclosure (hence the name). Their typical design includes a fan within a plastic casing and a lattice plastic cover to protect the fan blades.
Box fans are often square in shape, and a 20-inch width is pretty common, but they can be in other shapes and sizes.
These types of fans are simple and portable.
Who Are Box Fans Best For?
Box fans are great, but they are not always the optimal choice for fans—it really depends on your needs. These fans are very good for those with relatively simple requirements. If you want a fan with many extra features, such as rotation and remote control, a box fan may not be the solution for you.
Box fans can be very good for people on a budget. They’re not the most expensive type of fan, but they are relatively affordable. If your needs for a fan are pretty basic, box fans can fit the bill without breaking the bank.
Box fans also tend to be very small, so they’re good for people lacking in space. For instance, if you need a fan for a small kitchen and don’t have the space for a tower fan or bigger AC, box fans could be the answer.
This type of fan also tends to be very small and portable, meaning you can easily move it from room to room, or even to a different area of the room you’re in.
Use a Box Fan in a Window
Box fans and window fans are separate things. I’ve previously reviewed window fans on the site, but these types of fans are specifically designed to fit into a window frame. They can take some installation and don’t have the benefit of portability, as they are attached to the frame. Some also see window fans as a security risk.
A box fan, such as the top options in our box fan reviews below, allows you to use it in the window if you so wish. This can be really effective and can maximize airflow and, therefore, cooling, as well as draw out odors from your home if this is what you need your fan to do.
The video guide below shows a DIY fix for installing a box fan in a window. But you don’t have to do it in such a permanent way; even just placing your fan by an open window will make it more effective.
Due to the way box fans work and the impact they have on airflow, they can work in a couple of different ways in windows. Depending on which way they face, they can either draw cold air in from outdoors or pull hot air from indoors outside.
If you’re installing a box fan in your window, you should consider a few other things:
- Where the buttons and controls are located on the unit.
- Where the power supply connects to the fan.
- Whether it is designed to be weatherproof and stand up to the rigors of being in the window all the time.
Because it is very popular to use these types of fans in a window, many manufacturers have focused on making them stand up to the challenges of extreme weather. You should look to buy a weatherproof fan if you plan to use it in this way.
Are Box Fans Cheap and Flimsy?
If you see an affordable product, it can be easy to assume it’s cheaply made.
Box fans aren’t expensive, and the truth is that many of them are manufactured in China and are made very cheaply. This is fine, as long as you are careful about which one you buy. There are some dud products on the market that are prone to breaking and not well made.
This is why box fan reviews are so useful. By following our recommendations, you can ensure that you will end up with a high-quality product that won’t break after a couple of months.
You should also check the warranty information, as this is your protection as a consumer.
Important Features and Buying Considerations
So, when buying a box fan, what features should you be on the lookout for?
These key features below should all be considered before purchasing:
- Speed settings. The speed of a fan correlates to how much air it is shifting and, therefore, how much cooling impact it will have. If you just need to drop the temperature a small amount to make it comfortable, a lower speed is fine, but having a few speeds to choose from increases the chance of getting the temperature perfect.
- Energy consumption. You don’t want a model that uses a huge amount of energy. This is bad for the planet and bad for your bank balance. Many box fans run economically, and a lot of our reviews discuss how much they cost to run (on average).
- Assembly. You may have to put your fan together. If you’re not the best at DIY, then going for an option that doesn’t need assembly will help you a lot.
- What is the quietest box fan? Most box fans are not loud; most fans produce some sort of white noise. This isn’t a criticism! Some people love white noise, and it can be beneficial to your sleep.
- Portability. Is the fan you’re looking at easily portable? Box fans are usually portable, but extra features, such as carry handles and longer power cords, can make them especially easy to move.
- Warranty and reliability. You should look for a good level of reliability when buying products for your home. Be careful to read the warranty info and ensure this level of reliability is on offer. A one or even two-year warranty may be available to help protect your buy.
- Weather resistance. This is especially important to look for if you will be using your fan in the window, as many people tend to do. Make sure a bit of rain or wind won’t break the unit.
Price
As already briefly mentioned, box fans are pretty affordable. Many other types of fans, especially bladeless fans, can set you back a large amount of money, but box fans provide a more affordable alternative.
Cheaper fans can be appealing if you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a Dyson bladeless fan or even a tower or pedestal fan. Also, if your fan doesn’t get used that often, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on buying it.
Filtration
Some box fans come with built-in filters, but this is not that common. There are DIY ways to create a filter, or you can attach filters separately. The fact that you can use them to draw air out of your room means they can be very effective at filtration.
Creating Natural Air Flow
This is one of the big benefits of box fans and is also a plus point for window fans. A box fan can be set up to draw air in or out of a room. This means that you create natural airflow without the use of refrigerants or chemicals. The ability to control airflow like this can also mean it is easy to get rid of nasty smells if you are looking to do so.
Box fans can also be used to create cross-ventilation, as shown in this guide. This is a great way to enhance the cooling abilities of your fan and make it very effective. It is hard to create cross-ventilation in a one-window room. With these fans, it can be done.
Efficiency
Fans have a lot of variation in terms of how much energy they use per hour and some box fans are more efficient than others.
Generally speaking, box fans are some of the most efficient types of fans you can buy. Their blades aren’t huge, and they don’t need massive amounts of power to run. Of course, the speed setting impacts power consumption.
Some box fans, such as the Lasko 20″ Weather-Shield Performance Box Fan reviewed below, can be even more cost-effective than this, as Lasko claims they can run at under 2 cents per hour.
Not only is this vastly cheaper than some of the other fans on the market, but it can also be much cheaper than the cost of running an air conditioner.
Product Reviews
Lasko 20″ Weather-Shield Performance Box Fan
Lasko is one of the biggest manufacturers of affordable fans, including box fans. The Weather-Shield is a great option for those looking a reliable box fan. It is efficient and does a good job of creating extra airflow while still being cost-effective.
Pros
- The weather-shield design means the motor can withstand rain. Though heavy rain may be an issue, you can keep this by the window through showers without worry.
- The added Wind Ring System increases airflow, making it up to 30% more effective without increasing energy consumption.
- Requires some assembly, but it is simple, straightforward, and doesn’t need any tools. Everything needed comes in the box.
- Three different speeds allow you to choose the power level you are looking for. These are advertised as quiet speeds, and this is a low-noise product, often featured in quiet box fan reviews.
- Save-Smart technology means that this fan costs less than two cents per hour to run, making it hugely efficient.
Cons
- Not as easy as some of the other fans on this list when it comes to mounting permanently, say in a window.
Hurricane Box Fan – 20 Inch Classic Series
Hurricane is another prolific manufacturer of affordable home products, including fans. Their 20-inch box fan is another good example of a light and portable option suitable for homes, workshops, and greenhouses. This box fan is also a popular choice among people looking to mount their fan in a window.
Pros
- Three different speed settings allow you to set the cooling level.
- A five-foot power cord allows you to move the fan around the room with some level of flexibility.
- Great for airflow. On its highest setting, this box fan can remove up to 2,400 cubic feet of air per minute.
- A possible box fan choice for mounting in a window, as it is quite easy to fit and you can even attach it permanently, if you wish.
Cons
- This fan creates a fair amount of noise. This is neither a pro nor a con, really, as some people enjoy the white noise generated by a box fan. If you don’t like this noise or are a light sleeper, this might not be the fan for you.
- The three-speed settings feel a little too similar in speed and the lowest setting could be a little lower, ideally.
Lasko B20401 Decor Box Fan
This is the second model from Lasko to make our list. This fan has a nice, minimal design and offers some of the same features the Weather-Shield Performance Box Fan, but has a couple of extra cons and is not as durable.
Pros
- Like the other top box fans in the Lasko range, this has Save-Smart technology and can run for less than two cents per hour.
- This is a very slim and compact product, so it doesn’t take up much space. It’s good for windows and spaces with limited space.
- Comes fully assembled, so no awkward assembly required on your part when it is received.
- Three different speed settings, which are easily controlled on the top of the unit.
Cons
- Isn’t weatherproof, so it can’t be used in bad conditions or permanently mounted in a window.
- More flimsy than the other Lasko fan. It isn’t rugged and will likely not last quite as long.
Conclusion
The Lasko 20″ Weather-Shield Performance Box Fan is definitely the winner if you are looking for the best box fan on the market. It is highly efficient, as it can run for less than two cents an hour.
As well as this, it has three different speed settings to choose from, so you can alter it based on the temperature of your room or the airflow you are looking to create.
Another huge benefit of the Lasko 20″ Fan is the fact that it is weatherproof, allowing you to use it even in rain. This makes it suitable for window use and it is an all-around reliable fan, which isn’t likely to be damaged early into its life.