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 whenever you want. 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.
How do cooling fans actually work?
When the heat kicks in, a cooling fan can be your best friend. But have you ever wondered how these simple devices make such a big difference? Let’s break it down.
Why fans make you feel cooler
Fans don’t actually lower the temperature in a room—they just make you feel cooler. How? By moving air across your skin, they:
Speed up sweat evaporation, which cools your body
Carry heat away from your skin through a process called convection
That breeze you feel? It’s your body’s natural cooling system getting a boost.
What’s inside a fan
Most fans—whether they’re desk, pedestal or tower models—share a few key components:
A small electric motor to power the blades
Angled blades (pitched just right to scoop air forward)
A safety grille to keep fingers safe
A speed switch to control airflow
Optional oscillation gear to sweep the breeze side to side
How it all comes together
The motor spins the blades, and thanks to their tilt, they push air forward. That’s what creates the steady breeze that cools you down.
Power use and cost
Fans are energy-efficient. A typical model uses about 40 watts of power. If you run it for 8 hours, it’ll cost you roughly £0.09 at a rate of 27 p/kWh.
Here’s the maths:
(40 ÷ 1000) × 8 × 0.27 = £0.086
Not bad for a full day of cooling!
Types of cooling fans (at a glance)
Axial fans (desk or pedestal): Fast breeze, budget-friendly
Tower fans (cross-flow): Slim, stylish and quieter
“Bladeless” fans (with hidden impeller): Safest and sleekest—also generally the priciest
Quick tip for better cooling
Want to get the most out of your fan? Place it near an open window or opposite a door to create a cross breeze. This helps fresh air flow through the room and boosts the cooling effect.
Best fans
Here are a few of our favourites, from powerful air purifying fans to super portable desktop fans.
Best air purifier fan: Dyson TP11 Air Cooling Purifier
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 TP11 Air Cooling Purifier? This premium quality Dyson fan circulates 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 air purifier fan: Logik 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: Meaco Sefte 10” Table Air Circulator 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 Meaco Sefte 10” desk fan? It has 12 different speed settings to give you just the right level of cooling, and The Air Beam Precision technology gives you the airflow just where you want it. You get ultra-quiet cooling from just 25 dB, so you'll barely hear it running. Perfect for staying cool without distractions.
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 picked out a couple of our favourite air conditioners for use around the home or office.
Best portable air conditioner: Delonghi Pinguino
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: Evapolar smart air cooler
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.
Cooling fans and air conditioners FAQs
Can a cooling fan actually lower the air temperature in a room?
Moving air speeds up evaporation of moisture from your skin and carries warm air away from your body, so heat leaves you faster—even though room temperature stays the same.
Why do I feel cooler under a fan even though the thermostat hasn’t changed?
Even though the air temperature in the room stays the same, a fan makes you feel cooler by helping your body lose heat more efficiently. It does this in two main ways:
Evaporation: When air moves across your skin, it speeds up the evaporation of sweat. Since evaporation is a cooling process, this helps lower your body temperature.
Convection: The moving air also carries away the heat your body naturally gives off. This process, called convection, makes the surrounding air feel fresher and cooler against your skin.
So while the thermostat might still read 25°C, the airflow from the fan helps your body stay comfortable - especially in warm or humid conditions.
Is it cheaper to leave a fan or a portable air conditioner running overnight?
A typical 40 W fan running 8 h costs about £0.09 at 27 p/kWh, while a 1 kW portable AC would cost roughly £2.16. Fans are far cheaper but don’t reduce humidity or actual room temperature.
Does a portable air conditioner need to be vented outdoors?
Yes. Its compressor dumps hot air that must exit via a hose through a window or wall; otherwise the unit would heat the room more than it cools.
Can running a ceiling or desk fan help my air conditioner use less energy?
Often, yes. A circulating fan distributes chilled air more evenly, letting you raise the thermostat by 2–3 °C while feeling just as comfortable - cutting AC run time and energy use.
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.
Trade-in and save….how much?!
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.