Quiet box fans
If you’re in an office, bedroom or other space where noise is a factor, finding the right box fan to help you stay cool can become even more difficult. While many fans offer powerful airflow that keeps you cool during the summer, some of the most powerful fans can simply be too loud for quiet environments.
There are a slew of quiet box fans available today, ranging from your average, classic box fan with energy efficiency and slower speeds all the way to small desktop and personal use fans, both of which can be excellent and low-cost solutions if you know where to look.
Best quiet box fans
Best of the best quiet box fan
Black+Decker 9-Inch Tabletop Box Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This box fan offers extremely quiet operation on each of its three speeds, as well as a small design that's great for use as a personal fan or as an air circulation fan in small rooms.
What we like: Affordable. Three airflow speeds with quiet operation. Small at 11 inches. Weighs around 3 pounds. Extremely portable. Comes in a simple matte white finish. The purchase comes with a limited 1-year warranty from Black+Decker.
What we dislike: Some buyers had issues with this fan after just a few uses.
Best bang for your buck quiet box fan
Comfort Zone Portable 9-Inch Two-Speed Quiet Box Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This fan unit is smaller than most, but its low price tag and two quietly operating airflow speeds make you want to buy a few.
What we like: Great price. Two airflow speeds. 9-inch diameter. Under 3 pounds, making it highly portable. Uses a control switch on the front of the unit. Three fan blades. Perfect for desktop or personal use in quiet spaces. Features convenient carry handle.
What we dislike: Not as powerful as many other box fan models.
Best quiet box fan
Lasko 20-Inch Air Circulating Box Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This classic box fan from trusted fan brand Lasko offers a simple take on the traditional fan style, with three airflow speeds, quiet operation and a convenient handle.
What we like: Three quiet airflow speeds. Easily fits into windows, onto tables, floors and other flat surfaces. Features a convenient handle for easy mobility. Blue Plug Patented safety fuse. Five powerful fan blades. Comes in white plastic. 2-year limited warranty.
What we dislike: This model is a little more expensive than some other box fans.
Best small quiet box fan
Vornado 573 Small Flat Panel Air Circulator Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This tiny hybrid box fan is great for circulating air in small rooms with three adjustable airflow speeds, and it does so without causing much noise at all.
What we like: Inexpensive. Three different airspeed settings. Not very noisy at any of its speeds. Lightweight and portable at 11 inches tall and weighing just 2 pounds. Circulates air up to 60 feet. Perfect for small bedrooms, window sills or desks. 5-year warranty.
What we dislike: This box fan isn't as strong as some other quiet box fan models.
Best full-size quiet box fan
Pelonis 3-Speed Box Fan for Full-Force Air Circulation: available at Amazon
Our take: This powerful box fan features three quietly operating airflow speeds and classic box fan designs in black and white, making for a basic and reliable fan for any room.
What we like: Three airflow speeds. Convenient stands make it easy to set this unit on level surfaces. Five fan blades. Lightweight. Quiet operation compared to most box fans. Features a simple rotary switch on the front of the unit. Available in black and white.
What we dislike: This fan is a little more expensive and less powerful than other box fans.
Best overall box fan
Hurricane 20-Inch Classic Portable Box Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This white box fan from Hurricane holds true to its name, offering powerful, 1,100 rpm airflow with three speeds, a classic box fan design and quiet, energy-efficient operation.
What we like: Reasonably priced. 1,100 rpm produces impressive airflow. Lower settings run fairly quietly. Three speeds. Glossy white plastic. 20-inch box fan design works well in the window, on a table or elsewhere. Lightweight and easy to move around the house or office.
What we dislike: This fan's highest setting can be somewhat loud.
Best quiet window fan
Holmes Twin Window Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: While it isn't exactly a traditional box fan, this window unit offers customizable airflow options and runs fairly quietly, making it a good alternative for those who have access to sliding windows.
What we like: Independent controls for each fan, including three airflow speeds and options for intake, exhaust or exchange fan types. Plugs into a wall outlet. Thermostat dial for ideal temperature and airflow cultivation. Features extendable guide that fits into most windows.
What we dislike: This unit isn't a box fan and works best when used in a window.
Best floor air circulating box fan
Comfort Zone PowerCurve 9-Inch Turbo Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: If you prefer a box fan for its convenient ability to sit on level surfaces like the floor or on tables, this air circulating fan features a low price and a tri-curve grill for reducing the unit's noise levels.
What we like: Affordable and can be purchased in singles, two-packs or six-packs. Rotates 180 degrees vertically for optimal air circulation flow. Smaller and more portable than most box fans. Tri-curve grill reduces operation noise. Offers strong airflow for the price.
What we dislike: This model is not preferable for those who prefer the square design of a box fan.
Best quiet box fan with rotary switch
Westpointe 20-Inch Box Fan: available at Amazon
Our take: This box fan features three airflow settings and an easy-to-use rotary switch for selecting between speeds, while producing very little noise when running.
What we like: Three speeds. Quiet operation. Useful rotary switch on the front of the unit. 20-inch fan enclosure. Long power cable. Five fan blades. Classic white box fan design.
What we dislike: This unit isn't as quiet as some smaller box fan models.
Zachary Visconti is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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