Buying the Best Pedestal Fan: Looking Past the Loop-Holes in 2018

In a city bustling with life or in a place scorched by the heat, what do you prefer the most?

I prefer a piece of nature. I want a nice, cool, and calm breeze that will settle me down. It should make me forget about work and the stress. I should be able to feel at peace when I’m sleeping.

You must be thinking, this guy needs an AC and he’s all set. I’d love to have an AC. But the thing is, these things are super costly. Also, an AC will cost us a fortune in terms of maintenance and electric bills.

I’m not ready to cut a hefty cheque each month just yet.

I might have a better Idea. Perhaps, a pedestal fan can solve the dilemma. These things cost a dime compared to the AC in terms of price. Also, I don’t need a fat cheque to compensate for the bills.

Here comes the hard part. Where would I find a stylish, functional, and decently priced device? These machines are so affordable that they virtually drop from the sky in heaps. Choosing the ideal one is difficult as hell.

This what I’d have said if I didn’t use one for two years and hadn’t researched for this article using different pedestal fans for additional six months or so.

Here you have it. I’ve sparkled the fruits of my research as part of this article on best pedestal fan choices. Feel free to follow my trail and read the buying guide. This will tell you my ways of the research.

What is a Pedestal Fan?

Pedestal fans are objects that move the air at an incredible speed. These things are not as efficient as an AC. But they do the job. AC lowers the temperature of the air using compressors. But the pedestal fans have fast-spinning blades that create gusts of cool air by moving them around from nearby cold source.

Depending on how much money you pour into your purchase, there are additional benefits up for grabs. Pedestal fans come with sturdy bases. These bases prevent a device from tipping over. These fans got their name following that trait. A fan like this is strong and energy efficient. Yes, more than the AC.

Best Pedestal Fans – Comparison Table

Best Pedestal Fan Recommendations from Me

Pedestal fans are available for purchase at a lower price than other varieties. Thanks to this, there are many brands and models to choose from. So much so, that choosing the ideal model becomes somewhat of a challenge. To relieve you from the predicament, here’s my list of 7 probable choices.

Rowenta VU551 Turbo Silence Oscillating 16-Inch Stand Fan

Pedestal fans have an “Evergreen” charm that never gets old. Years after they first appeared in our houses and rooms, they are still going strong. Of course, these products have had to adapt to the new day and age. Very few of the brands survived the turn of the century. Rowenta VU5551 is one of them.

The reason why Rowenta has made itself known is the design it features. It is modern and functional at the same time. The bronze finish gives it a stunning look. Pedestal fans have to have a stable base and it does too! The base is stable. You can adjust the height from a minimum 42 inches to a maximum of 54.

As many as five unique blades are more than helpful in supplying a medium room with air circulation. These blades are quiet and make up a propeller that goes well with the design of the fan. Make no mistake, the propeller does make a “Whisper-like” noise that ranges from 40 to 57 dB.

Remember I said it’s enough for a medium room? This is true! Specifically speaking, the blades are quite capable of drawing in 1695 cubic feet of air per minute and move it.

Yes, like most pedestal fans, Rwenta VU5551 oscillates too. It sweeps around a large quantity of air with the head size of 16 inches. Place it near a window and you’ll have cool air that’ll make its way into your room.

If you remember correctly, I mentioned a variable speed level with the fan. The difference in noise level happens because of the four different speed levels that one can choose from. Operating the fan isn’t much of a hassle. There’s even a remote control available to save you the trouble of pushing buttons on the fan.

Cleaning it is super easy. Just use a damp cloth for the job. Be sure to use a blower to clean the front grille the VU5551 Turbo.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

DesignerAire Oscillating Standing Floor Fan

When people are looking for the best pedestal fan for the bedroom, they want something that combines beauty with performance. With this one from Designer Aire, you can bring the two aspects together. This pedestal fan comes at us with six different designs and an array of functionalities.

This little product takes away your attention at the first glance. It features stainless steel construction and a nice polish that grants the fan its looks. Don’t worry, the material is top class. The fan won’t succumb to rust because of the black powder coating that envelopes it.

Considering the price, I’m giving it a pass as a cheap pedestal fan. Don’t get me wrong here, DesignerAire packed a punch when it came to giving it features. For example, folks can adjust the height from 40 to 51 inches. It’s a bit shorter than Rowenta VU5551 but compensates in oscillation.

Plus, the head is bigger by 2 inches. This DesignerAire product comes with an 18-inch wide head that moves from side to side. Normally, that would be enough to cool a room. To grant the users an extra privilege, the head tilts. This way, it can cool the whole room from a distant corner. Impressive!

Oscillation and height adjustment won’t do people much good if a product is not speedy enough. Fortunately, the fan grants users three levels of speed. I call these levels, “Low,” “Medium,” and “High.”

It is powered by a 45-watt motor. This motor can handle 900, 1100, and 1280 rpm at three different speed levels. An additional benefit of the motor is that it’s quiet. I mean, “Super Quiet.” I barely heard a thing or two when I first tinkered with this product inspecting features for review purposes.

Don’t worry, this is safe. You have the GFCI plug. This DesignerAire product is “Wet Listed” too. One can use this outdoors. Naturally, the paint will stay on as it is UV resistant.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

Lasko 1827 Elegance & Performance Pedestal Fan

People who don’t have a lot of money to spare and still want to get the best out of a pedestal fan deal should give Lasko 1827 a try. Lasko 1827 is the premiere product one could find at a price under 100 bucks. If you are feeling generous and want two fans for two of your rooms, get two at just over $100.

Why am I shoving it down your throat? Because it’s good. For starters, this one doesn’t require any tool for assembling. My cousin could do it without his toolbox and within minutes too. If you are worried about the height, it is adjustable. Lasko guys made sure one can adjust the neck from 38 inches to 54.

I thanked my lucky stars when I heard it has three levels of speed settings. No one would’ve blamed the guys if they made it a “Single-speed” fan. But they didn’t. Instead, we got “High,” “Medium,” and “Low” settings. People can control these speeds with buttons located at the back of this machine.

Lasko 1827 doesn’t shy away when it comes to oscillation either. I was amazed to see it dishing out 90 degrees of oscillation from side to side. Not only that, this Lasko device tilts back and forth to help people direct air to the spot it needs to go.

Despite all the shenanigans, this machine manages to remain noiseless. It won’t even bug babies while they are sleeping. The front grill is designed to keep the five blades at a safe distance from kids. Makers further enhanced the safety by introducing the “Blue Plug.” It’s the fancy name of the GFCI plug.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

Best Choice Products Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan

Staying in the realm of “Money Saving” products, an Adjustable fan from “Best Choice Products” is in order. At just under $50, I had the pleasure of testing a sleek fan with a design that blends into any aesthetic that you can think of. The product is sturdy with a steel frame enclosed in hard plastic.

Best Choice included “Dual Blade” design as a part of this fan. You’ll have a short pair of long blades and a short one to accompany them. Despite what you guys are thinking, the combination works well. The two types of blades work well to regulate wind to one’s liking. The blades are quiet too!

One can adjust the height of this fan for up to 10 inches. Furthermore, the users have the liberty to cycle through three distinct levels of speed. The speed levels help to regulate wind around the room. One can easily create a gust of wind. The “Best Choice” floor fan is equally good at creating a gentle breeze.

Do you think just the three-speed levels will be enough for the job? No, the makers are smart enough to grant this product as many as “Three” distinct modes. The first one I could catch a glimpse of is the normal, steady mode. As the name implies, it keeps the airflow constant.

The second mode is “Wind.” When you operate with “Wind,” you’ll feel a slow breeze gradually turning into a gust of wind. Feel like sleeping? Switch to the gentle breeze that’ll comfort you while you embrace your pillow and soft mattress beside you. One can set these things up in advance!

Yes, people can actually set everything up and make the fan remember all the settings and timers. For example, you can apply the settings and let them run for 7.5 hours at maximum. Yes, there’s a timer in place to relieve the stress from users. After that, the fan will automatically turn off.

The best thing is, you can control things with a sleek remote that tags along with the product. One can turn the fan on and off, set speed limits, modes, and set it to oscillate too. This “Best Choice” product tilts up and down at a 45-degree angle.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

Lasko 2535 Oscillating Pedestal Fan

I did put include one Lasko product on my list before. Here I am with another one. If that was a floor fan, this one, my friends, is a tower fan with the oscillating feature. Lasko #2535 is a huge fan with a maximum capacity of height being 52 inches. It can be lowered to a maximum of 41 inches.

This is a sleek tower fan that takes up little to no space at all. This can be your “Go to” pedestal fan for the living room or bedroom. What I like about the fan is the design. It’s no secret that tower fans have it tough when integrating Oscillation into their features. Lasko #2535 did it with perfection.

People can move the direction of airflow up and down with the push of a single button. Lasko calls it the “Louvre” button.

This is not the end of things. Even at such a low price, Lasko #2535 gives people 3-speed levels. Yes, they are “High,” “Medium,” and “Low” as usual. To switch through the cycle, people have different buttons in place. I understand people can forget stuff. For the forgetful chaps, there’s a “Sleep” button too.

It puts the machine in “Auto Pilot” for as many as six hours. After it reaches the time limit, it will shut off automatically as well. You don’t have to do a thing besides pushing the button. Don’t want to use the switch? No problems! Use the remote control instead! Yes, the #2535 has a remote included.

Did I mention all these speed levels make minimal noise? Yes, even when you’re running the fan in top gear. It’s quieter even when people compare it to a white noise generator.

Don’t worry, the fan won’t leave your side prematurely. It’s sturdy and safe to use. Lasko is one of the top pedestal fan brands. Even if #2535 belongs to the “Not so Pricey” league, it still is ETL certified. So, people have a GFCI plug to help the fan guard itself against electric failures.

Don’t even call it a heavy product! Because it isn’t. The lightweight, 13-pound fan even has its own carry handle that lets you do what it is meant for without straining your arms.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

Costway Adjustable Pedestal Fan

If any brand can rival Lasko in terms of dishing out quality products, it’s Costway. Surely, people different opinions. My reasoning is simple. Costway 16” fan belongs to the same price spectrum. You have an adjustable fan at hand with a heavy base that ensures stability.

I liked the fact that Costway took time to insert some metal rings on the front grill. These things act as shock absorbers. That’s not all, this fan comes with very little space between the longitude lines too. The space is so tiny that the fingers of our children and the elderly won’t get through at any chance.

I almost forgot to mention the “Self Locking” buckle. It helps people to quickly assemble and disassemble the front grill.

Costway 16-inch fan has 90-degree oscillation system. It moves right to left and vise-versa to move the air around from place to place. If you don’t know, the head of this fan is extendable. One can adjust the neck at a height between 44.8 to 54 feet. The “Minimum” height is better than some Lasko devices.

Before people ask me whether this machine tilts or not; yes, it does. The fan tilts back and forth to direct the air at the desired spot within your office, living room, and bedroom.

The makers implemented “Double Blade” system. This allows for stronger wind currents when you need them. The system includes large and small blades to create the variety you need. The beauty of these blades is that they gather wind to the closest points from the fan and diffuse the air far out in the room.

This act grants an even distribution of air for people. Furthermore, the height of this fan can be adjusted to provide a bit of customization that the users always want. You can switch between 44.8 inches to 53 inches as far as the height of the fan is concerned.

As far as the speeds are concerned, you get three varieties. There are three modes to go with them. I noticed normal, natural, and sleep modes. Normal keeps the air steady, nature mimics a natural breeze, and sleep circulates the air evenly while you and your family get drown into the dream worlds.

Honestly, pushing a myriad of buttons would be a pain in the butt for me. I’m lucky that the makers included digital LCD display to show us what’s happening as we set our preferences. Also, people will have the privilege of using a remote control device to operate the fan.

However, it won’t work from beyond 3.3 feet. That’s a bummer!

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

Lasko 1820 Performance Adjustable Oscillating Pedestal Fan

People might say, “A 16-inch head can only do so much!” That’s why I’m giving my readers Lasko 1820 as we reach the end of my pedestal fan reviews. Lasko is the Meryl Streep of pedestal fans. 1820 further proves my point with an 18-inch head and powerful oscillation capacity.

I have my way with Lasko fans. These things take surprisingly less time to be assembled. 1820 is no different. It took me a “Flat-head Screwdriver” and 10 minutes to piece everything together. It remained stable after assembly. The base is well-rounded and sturdy to boot.

As always, you have three different speed settings with this machine. The trademark speeds work well to circulate air into a medium-sized room. One can control the speeds by pushing different buttons that are in the neck and under the grill of this machine. Sorry, no remotes this time.

I meant what I said, you won’t find a remote with Lasko 1820. There’s no timer in place either. But one thing it does good is oscillating. The speed levels are quick and the device oscillates for up to 90 degrees. On top of that, the head of this fan tilts back and forth. This helps to wrap your room with air.

With as many as 5 blades, the speed levels can draw more air than the rivals. Each blade follows a unique pattern that allows for greater efficiency and less power consumption by the motor. If you are looking for a pedestal fan that saves you bills folks; buy this.

When it comes to height adjustment, this fan can get its neck up to 54.5 inches at its highest. This thing can get as low as 38 inches. The range is awesome when you compare it with its rival models up for sale.

Like every recommendation on my “Best Pedestal Fan” list, this one is safe to operate. The plastic grill keeps blades away from the reach of children. It is ETL listed. Then, you have the GFCI plug. At this point, we all know what this thing does.

What I Like about this Fan

What I Don’t Like about this Fan

What’s Important When You’re Out to Buy These Machines?

Lots of things. You’d probably need a checklist and tick one point after another when purchasing pedestal fans. Wondering what are these “Things” that I’m talking about? You’ll get to know soon enough. Keep reading.

How Big of a Room Are We Talking About?

Before going bonkers over any of the features of your fan/fans, try to get a fix on the size of your room. One should measure the size in square feet. 10 feet by 10 feet room accounts for 100 square feet.

Always check with the packaging of the model. It should give you an idea about the sq. ft. count the fan is good for. For a medium-sized room, 16 to 18-inch pedestal fans should suffice.

Please be “Exact” on the room size. Even $50 is a lot of money. You don’t want to spend that much and regret it later if the fan is too small or too large for the room.

Measuring Height and Tilt

I’d check how high and how low my fan goes. Once I figure out the fan’s range, it will be easier on my part to make sure whether this thing is the best pedestal fan for bedroom, kitchen or living room of mine. Height plays a part in deciding how far the fan throws the air.

Then, there’s the issue of tilting the head as well. Modern pedestal fan designs are clever so to speak. These things don’t blow air directly at you. Instead, you can tilt the fan’s head forward or back at an angle. The air gets deflected.

The tilting allows users further control on how and where they want the air to be. Some of the devices tilt forward and back for up to 45 degrees.

Consider an Oscillating Fan or Not?

I already know what the choice of the masses would be. But it’s useful to consider between the two. If you want to cool the entire room, It’s better to buy an oscillating fan. For smaller rooms, an oscillating fan is rarely necessary. For larger rooms, however, one could do with a product such as Best Choice Pedestal Fan.

Make sure your chosen model comes with a button that makes it switch between normal position and Oscillation. Most “Mid-ranged” fans come with a remote control in addition to a button for the job. Rowenta VU5551 is a good example of a wide oscillating fan with complementing features.

Choose Your Blades Wisely!

No, not for a fight but the air quality you want your fan to dish out. Some of the fans come with wooden blades. These blades can be thick or thin depending on your preference. These are quite safe and useful when it comes to driving air.

But the wooden parts fall at a disadvantage when it’s raining and the fan is near a window. A wide number of models use steel or iron blades. This can be dangerous if your machine isn’t well-protected and you have kids around. One can also go for models with plastic blades. These are cheaper than others.

Make sure to count the number of blades that a fan has. Three is the bare requirement. Some of the very best models like Lasko 2535 has as many as five. There are a few who have the dual blade technology. The technology incorporates two sets of blades that drive more air than normal.

Based on what you prefer for your room(s), the choices of blade types and numbers will vary as well.

How Much of a Speed Freak Are You?

The choice of speed levels depends solely on the user and his/her intent. By now, folks know that there are two to six (or more) speed levels present in top products. If people need a fan for a moderate-sized room, three-speed levels should suffice to carry the air circulation precisely.

Large rooms might need a higher number of speed levels. If you are replacing an AC with a pedestal fan, be sure to pour in some bucks and get one that has five or six levels. Having “Air Distribution Mechanism” besides a high range rpm count helps. Such mechanisms help air in getting to every corner of the room.

Is It Energy Efficient?

In this day and age, you should ask yourselves this question more than anything else. Having fast motor and quick-spinning blades are great things. A fast motor can die out quickly because of the strain. I must say; the faster a fan is, the better. But be ready to sign some cheques in return.

The only way out of this scenario is to find out how much energy it saves with the motor. Sometimes you have to cut down on complementary features. But the appropriate product can save you heaps of cash in the long run.

Once folks go through my pedestal fan reviews, they’ll find that Lasko 1820 excels others in this department by a longshot.

Do You Want that Remote Control, Or Not?

I’d vote in favor of it. Having a remote control helps if you have a large room and need to control the speed levels, modes, and snooze feature of the fan constantly. It’s a handy thing to have by your side. However, pedestal fans like Costway will cost you some money for the remote control.

I don’t recommend an expensive fan unless you use it to its full potential. If you don’t use the remote control that much or don’t have large rooms to cover with eccentric features, you better opt out. Buying one will be a waste of money. With less expenditure, one can go for two fans in place of one.

Do You Need the Advanced Controls Some Machines Provide?

I’d take basic features and an oscillating head as part of my best pedestal fan setup. However, I understand not all of my readers aren’t me. People want something extra out of their fans.

That’s why makers have put in numerous modes in various pedestal fan brands. These modes regulate how air will move and at motion. Most machines have three to four modes.

I enjoy the speed switching systems as well. Few fans go as far as providing a dial. Others do it in buttons. Truly advanced models leave it to the remote control device.

Then, there are models where you’ll find an LCD display. People can adjust the height of the fan with buttons as well. You’ll find models that do the same for tilt adjustment too.

Lastly, some of the more expensive fans come with timers. These timers let the machines run for a period of time before shutting down. It’s particularly useful while sleeping.

These are all well and good but there’s a question of money involved. Namely, you’ll have to pay more than usual for these perks. “Normal” pedestal fans look to minimize the cost and don’t have these perks.

Ultimately, the ball’s in your court. if you want these cool features, make sure to loosen your wallets quite a bit. Budget-friendly fans won’t have these perks. But they won’t cut your wallets too deep.

Consider How Much Sound Your Chosen Product Makes

When shopping for pedestals, sound does matter. This is not an AC where once the room cools down, people have the option to switch it off. Pedestal fans have to remain powered on for quite some time while people go about their jobs. Turn them off and the room will go back to being hot within minutes.

Naturally, running for 5 – 6 hours a day (or more) will cause the motor to go on overdrive. This exerts pressure on the motor, the blades, and the build quality. As a result, every fan makes some noise. Too much noise can be a cause for concern. It can disrupt your daily activities and even sleep.

That’s why one needs to measure the noise level of each fan. One cannot entirely eliminate it. Thus, he/she should be practical. Folks should see to it that the sound doesn’t overpower noises from your TVs, stereo systems, and other devices.

My advice would be to choose a model that keeps it to a minimum. Lasko fans produce a noise level between 40 to 57 dB. There are models which produce sound at the level of “White Noise.” Such a model is a good buy.

Consider How Easy/Hard It Will Be to Clean the Fan

It’s all good to have a fan which can reach great heights, top rpm counts and speed, tilt backward and forward, and is capable of doing a bunch of things. But when running maintenance, how easy is it to clean the body and the blades? Can people take the fan apart? Do or don’t they need a solvent to clean the blades?

These are questions that the buyers need to ask themselves. They should check the assembly time. Also, keeping an eye on “How” a fan’s grill opens up and snaps back together, is a good habit. Some of the models have buckles that hold the grill together. Others have screws and take time when picking apart.

My Last Notes

Congrats! You’ve made it through to the end of my “Looong” piece. This article should serve you well to quench your doubts about pedestal fans. When shopping for pedestal fans, a sturdy base, quality machinery, safety, and efficient blades should be your priority.

Despite how long my write-up looks, things are simple. Buying these fans isn’t rocket science. Not anymore. Just click a few buttons and you’re done. You can find some of the best pedestal fans on my list if you need any. I’d suggest you go for either Rowenta VU5551 or one from Lasko.

Be careful about the price too. Depending on their budget, people might have to let go of some juicy features that make these models intriguing.