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The Best Desk Fan

Last updated on August 26, 2022

We looked at the top 14 Desk Fans and dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Desk Fans.

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Our Picks For The Top Desk Fans

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  Top Pick

Gaiatop Rotatable Space Saving Desk Fan

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Gaiatop

Rotatable Space Saving Desk Fan

Overall Take

Most AffordableWhen shopping on a budget, this economical desk fan is the way to go.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  Runner Up

BESKAR Low Noise Hanging Desk Fan

BESKAR

Low Noise Hanging Desk Fan

Overall Take

Sets Up Virtually AnywhereYou may be surprised to learn that this little desk fan can produce wind to a distance of up to 2 meters.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  We Also Like

SkyGenius Compact Office Clip-On Desk Fan

SkyGenius

Compact Office Clip-On Desk Fan

Overall Take

Lightweight and PortableThis battery-operated mini desk fan has 360-degree vertical and horizontal rotation.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus CA Best Reviews Guide, Top Review Pro, Top Products. Along with user reviews from Amazon and Walmart.
Pros
" Its lightweight and small size make it possible to move with it to different destinations. Other than carrying it the fan can be adjusted 360 degrees either vertically or horizontally to focus the wind on the most important area. This..."
Cons
"The fan works on batteries for only six hours. One customer wished it worked overnight so his room could be cool all night long."
  Runner Up

CONBOLA Lightweight Bladeless Desk Fan, 11.8-Inch

CONBOLA

Lightweight Bladeless Desk Fan, 11.8-Inch

Overall Take

Handy PickYou'll find this bladeless fan comes in a choice of white, rose pink and green.

Experts Included
DWYM Kitchen Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the desk fans available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

28

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: The Beast Reviews, Allprorev, Best Buying Guide, Power House Fan, Put Product Reviews.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Desk Fans and also dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Desk Fans.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Gaiatop Rotatable Space Saving Desk Fan

User Summarized Score

8.8
11,300 user reviews

Our Take

As soon as temperatures start to rise, grab this desk fan and stay cool. It's quite versatile and can be used in a car, on an office desk or outside on a lounge chair. You can get the fan in blue, white or black. Each features three fan speeds, a 30-degree rotation and a USB port.


Overall Product Rankings

1. Gaiatop Rotatable Space Saving Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 1

2. BESKAR Low Noise Hanging Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 1

3. SkyGenius Compact Office Clip-On Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 5

4. CONBOLA Lightweight Bladeless Desk Fan, 11.8-Inch

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

5. COMLIFE 4-Settings Flex Tripod Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 1

6. SmartDevil Mini 360 Degree Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 5

7. HOLMES Heritage Tilting Retro Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 4

8. Treva Built-In Handle Dual Power Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 5

9. Aluan USB Powered Non-Slip Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 4

10. Honeywell Kaz HT-904 Customizable Tabletop Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 4

11. Vornado Flippi V10 Vortex Oscillating Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 5

12. OPOLAR Energy-Saving Ultra Quiet Desk Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 2

13. Dr. Prepare Widespread Tower Oscillating Desk Fan

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 5

14. Aikoper Personal USB Desk Fan

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 5

Our Desk Fan Findings


Gaiatop Rotatable Space Saving Desk Fan

What We Liked: As soon as temperatures start to rise, grab this desk fan and stay cool. It’s quite versatile and can be used in a car, on an office desk or outside on a lounge chair. You can get the fan in blue, white or black. Each features three fan speeds, a 30-degree rotation and a USB port.


BESKAR Low Noise Hanging Desk Fan

What We Liked: Thanks to the clamp on this desk fan, you’ll be able to set it up just about anywhere. Clip it to a lap desk, book or baby stroller. The fan runs quietly, offers three different speeds and has both vertical and horizontal adjustments.


SkyGenius Compact Office Clip-On Desk Fan

What We Liked: Need to move from the kitchen table to your office desk? This lightweight desk fan moves with you. Its base is a clip that can be attached to any surface. The fan offers a little personal relief from the heat on a warm summer day.


CONBOLA Lightweight Bladeless Desk Fan, 11.8-Inch

What We Liked: Skip clumsy wires and go with this rechargeable bladeless desk fan instead. It’s small in size and perfect for a desk or side table. Users can choose between three different wind speeds and five fun LED light colors.

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Our Desk Fan Buying Guide

Whether your office space is without air conditioning or you just need a boost of air once in a while, a desk fan can be a lifesaver. Most desk fans are designed to save energy, so they don’t cost that much to run. Additionally, work productivity has been known to increase when a person is nice and cool versus when they are hot and bothered.

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As you shop for the best desk fan, determine which size would work best for your space. For example, the SkyGenius Battery Operated Clip Mini Desk Fan is on the smaller side at less than 6 inches in height. It’s meant for personal use at a close distance. Consumers can use the built-in clip to attach the fan to a baby stroller, lawnmower handle or the edge of a desk or shelf. Other models are larger and can be placed on the floor, on top of a desk or mounted to a wall.

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Check the power of the desk fan’s motor and the number of speeds the model is able to offer. Smaller models may only have one speed, while larger desk fans typically have three speed settings. Some tabletop desk fans are equipped with a motor that is so powerful that it has a reach of 27 feet.

Look for a desk fan that is adjustable. A fan that swivels a full 360 degrees is an excellent choice. That means you’ll be able to position the fan at the angle the provides you with the best breeze. Other models have a limited tilt; however, this isn’t a bad thing so long as you can tilt it far enough to get the cooling effect you need.

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Consider any special features that make the desk fan a prime choice. For example, some fans run at 50 decibels or less, so you won’t have to worry about the fan being so noisy it distracts you or keeps you awake if you run it at night. Other desk fans are sold in a choice of colors, like pink, sky blue or white. 

DWYM Fun Fact

It may surprise you to learn that desk fans have been around since 1822. Dr. Schuyler Wheeler created the fan, and his first model wasn’t equipped with any safety features. Early desk fan models had blades that resembled those of a windmill. They were so expensive that for the most part, they were only used by businesses and wealthy homeowners.

Desk fans have come a long way in the last 100 years. They are now equipped with safety features, such as cages around the blades and casings around the wires. The fans are more lightweight and easy to move around the house. Today’s fans are also adjustable, so you can position them exactly where you need the air to go.

The Desk Fan Tips and Advice

  • If you find that your desk fan vibrates and moves across desk when you have it on a higher speed, you can place a non-slip mat underneath it to prevent this. The non-slip liners made for kitchen cabinets are an excellent choice as they don’t cost that much.
  • Check the length of the desk fan’s battery charge. Some run for just 6 hours after a charge, which is great if you’re working, but not long enough if you’re using it to stay cool while you sleep.
  • Positioning your desk fan on the floor is a good move. Since hot air rises, the coolest air in the room is near the floor. After setting your fan on the floor, you simply need to tilt the fan’s head upward in the direction where you’re sitting.
  • Your desk fan will build up with dust over time, so you’ll need to clean it once a month. Make sure you always turn the fan off and unplug it from its power source before you attempt to clean it. Afterward, remove the fan’s grill and wipe down the grill and blades with a soapy dish rag. Go back over the grill and blades with a clean wet rag to rinse them off. Use a soft bristle brush to clean out the motor. Once the fan has fully dried, you can reassemble it.
  • Fortunately, desk fans are extremely affordable. You’ll find some desk fans are as cheap as buying a couple of coffees at Starbucks. You’ll pay a bit more for the tabletop fans that have a few unique features. The SkyGenius Battery Operated Clip Mini Desk Fan has the highest price tag, although it is still affordable.

About The Author

Alicia Bodine 

Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer that is always on the hunt for kitchen gadgets that can help save time and money, especially with two food-loving daughters at home. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared in sites like on leading food and drink publications. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help simplify her life.