All of the more expensive fans we've reviewed in our guide to the best fans also offer oscillating powers that work much better to cool an entire room rather than just the spot they're directed at. But, they are just that; more expensive.

Desk fan Fans | Argos Desk fan Fans | Argos

Honeywell Comfort Control Fans will spread a steady amount of cool air in a wide area due to their oscillation. Ranging from personal to whole room cooling, these oscillating fans come with multiple cooling speeds for increased comfort. The Honeywell Double Bladed Pedestal Fan comes with the added bonus of delivering 15% more air volume. What is the difference between white noise and pink noise? Size: ‎25 x 25 x 40cm | Weight: 2.8kg | Oscillation angle: 90˚| Cord length: Not specified | Warranty: Not specified | Noise level: ‎‎56 dB | Power: 40 watts What Mumsnet users say Honeywell QuietSet Fans feature a range of quiet operation levels including “sleep” and “white noise”. QuietSet Fans are fitted with aerodynamic blades and a cone shaped air diffuser that’s engineered to deliver a powerful cooling experience with reduced noise. Let the soothing sound of these powerful fans lull you to sleep while also keeping your surroundings cool and comfortable. What is a Comfort Control Fan?As the name suggests, desk fans usually sit on a table or desk. They are not as powerful as pedestal or tower fans, and may not be sufficient enough to cool an entire room. However, their small size and portability make them ideal for a work from home or office setup, allowing you to have a cooling breeze while you work. They also take up less space and, depending on the model and features you want, tend to be cheaper than floor fans. It's also not the coolest fan out there, the MeacoFan 1056 Air Circulator, Duux Whisper Flex Ultimate Fan, and EcoAir Kinetic Ultra Silent Air Circulation DC Fan can all deliver an icier blast. The latter two also have 'natural wind' modes that add variety and are far more pleasant to sit in for long periods of time than the Honeywell Turbo Force Power Fan's flat and one-directional air current. So does it cool you down? Well, yes and no. As mentioned, this affordable fan does blow air at you, and its airflow is fairly powerful – as you'd expect from its 'Turbo Force' name tag. It's not such powerful or noticeably cool air as the more expensive MeacoFan 1056 Air Circulator can deliver, but it does have a cooling effect, as long as the fan is pointed directly at you. If you point it elsewhere, then its cooling effects are more limited. There's rarely a true bargain without some kind of payoff, and in the case of the Honeywell Turbo Force Power Fan, its very welcome affordability comes at the cost of intrusive noise and limited functionality.

Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan, Black Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan, Black

Unfortunately, there is also one more downside to this bargain buy... and that's that the Honeywell Turbo Force Power Fan is noisy.

6. Best quiet desk fan: Duux Globe Table Fan with Remote Control

Tower fans are similar to pedestal fans and are designed to cool an entire room. They are tall and slim, taking up less space than a pedestal fan, but are usually more expensive. Additionally, tower fans have a modern and minimalist appearance compared to pedestal and desk fans. How to choose the best desk fan for you

Honeywell Turbo Force Fan HT 900 in Black Honeywell Turbo Force Fan HT 900 in Black

The motor technology in desk fans has really moved on over the years and you can get a decent cooling airflow with fairly low noise levels from the smaller desk fans (as opposed to larger pedestal or tower fans). That said, the slightly larger models are a little more efficient at blasting out air. Will a desk fan cool a room?This guide was updated by MNHQ on 28th June 2023 to ensure all information and products are up to date and accurate. Size: ‎43 x 36 x 15 cm | Weight: 4kg | Oscillation angle: N/A | Cord length: Not specified | Warranty: Not specified | Noise level: ‎‎41 to 58 dB | Power: 40 watts Our verdict

Honeywell Fans | Argos

On the other hand, pedestal fans are larger and more powerful than desk fans, and can be placed on the floor or a desk if the size is adjustable. They often have an customisable tilt and oscillate horizontally to cover a wider area of the room. Looking to style up your desk with a fashionable and functional gadget? May we present the Stadler Form Q desk fan designed by Swiss sculptor, Carlo Borer. Let’s cut to the chase here, this is a serious design statement. It is shaped like the letter after which it takes its name and is finished in stainless steel and aluminium. There’s no oscillating feature but place it in front of you and it will cool you down a treat and it’s very simple to use. The fan that swings it for us is the MeacoFan 650 Desk Fan which comes with great features and design for an affordable price. It’s hard to beat that winning combination. How we chose our recommendationsIt might not have many frills or a stylish design, but it’s very efficient at cooling your room down, which is essentially what you want from a desk fan. It’s only 18cm in width so it sits neatly on your desk or table and it’s easy to operate with two speed settings. The adjustable tilt feature means you can position the incoming breeze to best suit your needs.