If you’re curious whether a box fan is the right option for you, we have all the information you need to find out.

What to Consider When Buying a Box Fan

Your perfect box fan might not feel the same to someone else. It all comes down to personal preferences and the nature of your space. The following three considerations will help you make the best choice for your unique needs. Dimensions: Most typical box fans clock in around 20 inches tall and wide, but if you plan to purchase one, be sure to read its exact dimensions. Case in point: This Lasko option is marketed as a 20-inch box fan, but it’s actually 23.2 inches tall, which could present an issue if you’re tight on space. For those who can’t sacrifice the square footage, small tabletop box fans are a great alternative. In terms of depth, the fans tend to fall between 3 and 7 inches, so they can easily be placed in narrow nooks and crannies. Weight: Tabletop box fans are often lighter than their regular-sized counterparts, which are generally around 7 to 11 pounds. Models with unique features, like a pivoting head, may weigh more due to extra hardware and wiring. If you’d like to perch your fan on a table or windowsill, that’s crucial to keep in mind. Noise Level: Every box fan is guaranteed to make noise, but some create far more than others. If you’re not specifically shopping with white noise in mind, look for options whose reviews mention sound coming only from the blades, rather than the motor itself. We used these factors and real customer reviews to find the best box fans out there. Read on to learn more about all six shopper-approved options.

Best Overall: Pelonis 3-Speed Box Fan Best Affordable: Lasko Classic Box Fan Best Small: Black+Decker Mini Tabletop Box Fan Best With Filter: Lasko Air Flex 2-in-1 Box Fan and Air Purifier Best for White Noise: Hurricane Box Fan Best With Remote Control: Lasko Cyclone Fan With Remote

Dimensions: 21.3-inch height, 20.6-inch width, 5.6-inch depth Weight: 7.98 pounds Noise Level: Medium. “It has a pleasant perpetual fan noise,” one reviewer wrote. Dimensions: 22.56-inch height, 21.5-inch width, 4.44-inch depth Weight: 7.5 pounds Noise Level: Medium to high. “It’s loud, but for a cheap fan, it is powerful,” one reviewer wrote. Dimensions: 10.9-inch height, 10.9-inch width, 425-inch depth Weight: 3.17 pounds Noise Level: Low. “It moves plenty of air on all settings and doesn’t make that much noise,” one reviewer wrote. Dimensions: 23.2-inch height, 21.3-inch width, 6.4-inch depth Weight: 11.92 pounds Noise Level: Medium. “This is an air purifier for people who aren’t too concerned with appearance, size, or noise, and just want a basic air purifier that has easy-to-replace filters,” one reviewer wrote. Dimensions: 20-inch height, 20-inch width, 3.5-inch depth Weight: 7 pounds Noise Level: Medium. “This ’noise’ is just right. It helps to get me to sleep and drown out unwanted noise in and around the apartment,” one reviewer wrote. Dimensions: 23.19-inch height, 21.75-inch width, 5-inch depth Weight: 10.7 pounds Noise Level: Low to medium. “The fan produces a very strong breeze without creating too much noise,” one reviewer wrote.