Although box fans have been around for ages, unlike other technological innovations, their popularity never seems to wane. Perhaps their ubiquity can be attributed to their simplicity. With a box fan, what you see is what you get. A five-winged blade humming inside a metal encasement.
Box fans are usually used as cheaper, eco-friendly alternatives to air conditioning. As they assist with natural ventilation while saving on energy. In this article, we will review the best box fans on the market and compare models to help you decide which box fan is the best for your intended use.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Box Fan
- OUR TOP PICK: Lasko B20401 Decor Box Fan
- RUNNER-UP: Hurricane Box Fan Classic Series
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: BLACK+DECKER BFB09W
Comparison of the Best Box Fans
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What Are Box Fans?
Box fans are large portable fans which are usually square or rectangular in shape. The ‘box’ contains a propeller blade that circulates air which is encased by a grill or metal lattice at the front and back. Designed to encourage air flow, such fans are usually strategically placed on window sills and doorways. So they can assist ventilation by drawing cool air from one area to another.
A box fan could be a great appliance to add to your home. It is budget friendly, environmentally friendly and easy to maintain. Some main features to consider when buying a box fan are its size, airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM), noise and remote control options.
Box Fans vs Tower fans
Now that you have a basic idea of what box fans are, it is time to introduce tower fans. And to compare the two to give you a better idea of which appliance most suits your needs.
Tower fans like box fans are portable in nature. However, instead of the traditional propeller found in the box fan, tower fans consist of a series of small blowers set in a vertical unit. Tower fans are popular in Europe and Asia where central conditioning is not as widely used as in the American continents.
Design Considerations
While box fans come in a basic rectangular shape, tower fans come in an entire range of sizing options. And have the advantage of taking up less floor/desk space. Since they’re sleeker, they can fit into narrow corners and won’t compromise on the aesthetic nature of a room. They can, in fact, add something to it.
Pricing Options and Affordability
Box fans are a much cheaper option than tower fans, but they’re also less versatile and flexible. There are a lot of pricing options available. Tower fans and lower priced fans usually have fewer features than the higher-priced models.
Features
Tower fans often have cool features you can experiment with. Such as an ionizer, night light, variable speed settings, air purification and different operation modes.
They usually also come with a timer to determine how long the fan is to run for. Unlike tower fans, box fans lack the oscillation feature, and different wind modes let alone ionizers and other fancier features. Box fans perform the function they are designed for. A powerful airflow in the chosen direction.
Maintenance
Since they’re cheap, box fans can be easy to replace, and spare parts are readily available. Due to their basic design, box fans can be fixed up at home with the help of the provided instruction manual. If a tower fan malfunctions, it needs to be fixed by a professional electrician or sent to a professional service. Since they are built more intricately.
Review of the Best Box Fans
With so many box fan models available on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one may be the best for you. In this section, we will give you our top recommendations based on some factors. Such as air flow, maneuverability, noise levels, build quality, and energy efficiency.
Best Overall
Lasko B20401 Decor Box Fan
Specifications
No. of Speeds: 3
Dimensions: 20.5 x 4.25 x 21.75 inches
Special Features: N/A
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Review
The Lasko fan comes in a 20-inch square Save-Smart design and has a top-mounted control knob with 3 speeds. It costs less than 2 cents to run, and its small size and rounded corners make it perfect for small spaces.
Bottom Line
Despite its lightweight build, the fan is quite durable and powerful, it moves a good amount of air. It isn’t very noisy and is perfect for sleeping according to users. It is environmentally friendly and easy to operate so comes highly recommended.
Pros
Powerful
Looks nice
Energy efficient
Cons
It is loud
The material is slightly flimsy
Runner-up
Hurricane Box Fan Classic Series
Specifications
No. of Speeds: 3
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 3.5 inches
Special Features: N/A
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Review
The hurricane box fan has a basic but simple square design and measures 20 inches. It has 3-speed settings which are said to be energy efficient. It has a compact design and is made from lightweight materials. It also comes with a 5 foot 120 v power cord.
Bottom Line
The hurricane box fan seems to be everyone’s favorite. In addition to the easy installation process and excellent airflow, the product offers good value for money. It is, however, a little noisy to operate, and there aren’t a lot of part replacement options in case of malfunction.
Pros
Easy installation
Excellent air flow
Gives perfect white noise effect
Cons
Uneven oscillation
Lowest speed still too fast
Best for the Money
BLACK+DECKER BFB09W
Specifications
No. of Speeds: 3
Dimensions: 11 x 11 X 4
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Review
Another popular choice, this fan model is perfect for use in the home, garage, or office. It has 3-speed settings that allow variable air circulation, 9-inch blades and a compact, stable, self-standing frameless design. It is also EPL certified.
Bottom Line
Most buyers love the sleek finish on this model and report that it gives one of the best white noise effects. Because of its size, it’s quite powerful but uses more energy than one would expect. Overall, a good buy.
Pros
Quiet
Durable
Sleek, simple design
Cons
Cord at the back
Comparatively energy inefficient
Lorell LLR84551 Tilt Box Fan
Specifications
No. of Speeds: 3
Dimensions: 21.73 x 6.54 x 19.13 inches
Special Features: N/A
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Review
The Lorell fan model is a popular choice. It offers three fan speeds for cooling and direct soothing airflow with tilting angle adjustment. Additionally, it comes with a 7-inch power cord and plastic base (ETL approved).
Bottom Line
This model comes highly recommended and has excellent ratings on Amazon. It is a cost-effective option which performs its function well. Users have described it as versatile and easy to clean.
Pros
Powerful
Good value for money
Almost noiseless at low speeds
Cons
Loud at higher speeds
Knobs may loosen up over time
OPOLAR 8 Inch Desk Fan
Specifications
No. of Speeds: 4
Dimensions: 8.2 x 3.1 x 8.2 inches
Special Features: N/A
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Review
This desk fan has some really cool features. Including USB operation with a 4-speed control, a unique 7 curved blade design that assists quiet operation, and a timer and rotation feature. The portable fan comes with a range of power options and can be used with an AC adaptor.
Bottom Line
This fan is perfect for desk operation and moves a lot of air so it cools down heating laptops and other electronic devices pretty fast. The speed range is great and the USB power option allows power saving and reduces wire clutter. All-in-all a great option.
Pros
Cost effective
Almost inaudible
Sturdy construction, yet light
Cons
Adapter is unattractive
Additional cord is a little short, an extension cord is required for operation
Cleaning Box Fans
Over time, the blades on the box fan tend to accumulate a layer of dust if they aren’t being used regularly or if they are left out in the open. Hence, it’s a good idea to clean your box fans every now and then. So that dust particles are kept out of your home and so that the motor runs smoothly as it tends to get clogged by dust. This may cause the appliance to overheat and catch fire in extreme cases.
With a little care, you can keep your appliance operating well beyond the expected duration. To clean your box fan, you need a few simple tools such as a screwdriver, a vacuum cleaner, and a damp cloth.
You will want to start by removing the cord from the power source and then unscrewing the grills from the back and front using your screwdriver. Most box fans have 12 screws in place.
Next, you should wash your grills by using a high-pressure detachable shower head to blast most of the grime off. Pull out any clumps of accumulated animal hair and leave to dry.
As for the motor and blades, first, you should wipe off any obvious dust with a cloth and suck dust out of crevices with a vacuum cleaner hose (with crevice attachment). Don’t go near any copper wiring as it may get damaged. Go over the blades with a damp (but not completely wet) cloth and leave to dry. Once that’s done, reassemble the appliance and observe the improved air flow.
Conclusion
Box fans are an energy efficient way of improving natural ventilation and cooling spaces. There are lots of models available in the market nowadays, and it can be hard to come to a decision without proper research. We hope our review of top products will help you choose and maintain a box fan that best suits your needs.