When it comes to beating the summer heat, you need to find the right cooling solution for your home. That’s where we can help.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the best fans and air conditioners out there, and show you the features to look out for. So if you’re ready to chill, let’s get started…

What features should I look for in a fan or air conditioner?

In a nutshell, fans create a cooling effect on your skin by increasing air movement. Air conditioners, on the other hand, actually lower the temperature of your room.

If you’re thinking of investing in a fan or air conditioner, here are some key features to look out for.

1. Cooling capacity. Air conditioner cooling capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). You’ll need to make sure that the cooling capacity on your device matches the size of the room you intend to cool – to do this, measure the square footage of your room in metres, then multiple by 25. The number you get is the BTU size you need.

2. Energy efficiency. For air conditioners, check out the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings. Higher ratings mean they’re more energy efficient, so they’ll save you money on bills.

3. Programmable timers. With a timer, you can set your fan or air conditioner to turn on or off at specific times. This can help save energy by cooling your home only when it’s needed - just before you arrive back home from work, perhaps.

4. Thermostat and temperature control. An adjustable thermostat lets you set and maintain precise temperatures. This is another handy bill saving feature, because you’re never cooling more than you need.

5. Multiple fan speeds and modes. If your fan has multiple speeds, you can adjust the airflow to suit your room. Some fans also come with modes like sleep, eco, or turbo, so you can customise the airflow even more, depending on what you need.

6. Air quality features. Some air conditioners come with built-in air filters to help improve indoor air quality by capturing dust, pollen, and other particles.

7. Noise levels. Planning on using your fan or air conditioner in a bedrooms or quiet space? Then look for models with a low decibel rating or quiet mode.

8. Portability. If you need flexibility, go for a portable fans or air conditioner that can be easily moved from room to room.

9. Smart features. Some fans and air conditioners have smart connectivity, giving you the power to connect them to your home Wi-Fi and control them through your mobile smartphone app or smart home speaker.

Best fans

From powerful air purifying fans to super portable desktop fans, here are a few of the best around.

Best air purifier fan: Dyson Pure Cool

An Air purifying fan combines the functionality of a fan and an air purifier. Its main purpose is to circulate and filter the air in a room, removing impurities and improving air quality.

Why not try… the Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan? This premium quality Dyson fan uses Air Multiplier technology to circulate a cool breeze around your room, while drawing pollutants into the bladeless fan. It removes up to 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 micron, like pollen and pet dander, so you can be sure of clean air.

Best tower fan: LTFDCB21 portable tower fan

One of the major benefits about tower fans is their space-saving design. They’re tall, slim, and take up hardly any floor space. They can be easily be placed against a wall or in a corner, so they’re perfect for small rooms or anywhere with limited space.

Why not try… the LTFDCB21 portable tower fan? It has 12 speed settings and a clear LED display, so it's easy to choose the right level of breeze. It’s also height-adjustable, and you can set it to move from side to side. Plus, it comes with a remote control - so you can adjust the timer and settings from anywhere in the room.

Best desk Fan: MeacoFan 1056 portable desk fan

Desk fans are typically compact and lightweight, making them easy to move around. You can place them on your desk, bedside table, or any other surface you prefer. Additionally, their portability makes them convenient for travel, allowing you to have a personal fan wherever you go. ,

Why not try… the MeacoFan 1056 portable desk fan? It has 12 different speed settings to give you just the right level of cooling, and you can easily adjust it to find that perfect position - it oscillates vertically and horizontally to cool every corner of the room. It also has leather handles that let you carry it around with you. So whether you're working at your desk or sitting on your sofa, you can enjoy a refreshing breeze.

How do air conditioners work?

Air conditioners are designed to cool the air in a room. They come with precise temperature controls that help you maintain a consistent level of cooling. Fans, on the other hand, can create a cooling breeze – but they don’t actually lower the ambient temperature of your room.

Best air conditioners

We’ve rounded up a couple of our favourite air conditioners for use around the home or office below.

Best portable air conditioners

Portable air conditioners are designed to be moved from one room to another. A lot of them come with caster wheels, so you can easily move them to any area of your home or office that needs cooling. They’re ideal for anyone living in rented properties that don’t have pre-installed air conditioning units.

Why not try… the Delonghi Pinguino portable air conditioner? With built-in wheels and handles, you can easily move it wherever you need. It can cool rooms up to 70m³ and comes with a handy remote, so if you put it in your home office or living room you can control it without getting up from your chair. You can select a wide range of temperatures, and you’ve also got the choice of three fan speeds. Plus, there’s an auto mode that adjusts the speed to keep the room at just the right temperature. And with a class A energy rating, you can rest easy knowing you're not needlessly wasting electricity.

Best small air conditioner

If space is tight or you’ve got a small room, it makes sense to go for a small air conditioner. But even if you’ve a home with large rooms, small air conditioners come in handy. They give you the option of creating cooling zones in a room, which can help you save energy. Instead of cooling entire rooms or spaces, you can target specific areas.

Why not try… the Evapolar smart air cooler? It cools, humidifies and purifies the air in your room at the same time, so it'll keep you comfortable even when the air's too dry. Its light and portable, so you can easily put it on your desk or next to your bed, and choose from four speeds to get just the right air flow.

Need more help?

If you’re looking for more info on keeping your home cool, our fans and air treatment buying guide is a great place to start. Or if you’ve got any questions, why not pop in-store and ask one of our expert colleagues? They’re always happy to chat.

It pays to trade-in. Ker-ching!

We offer trade-in for most types and makes of devices, even if they’re damaged and non-working. If you’re interested, head to our trade-in page and check that your old tech is eligible for trade-in. You’ll also see a handy calculator that will give you an instant valuation. Then bring your device to one of our stores and we’ll confirm its value, take it off your hands, and give you a gift card to spend on the tech you really want. Easy.