The 8 Best Tower Fans That'll Actually Keep You Cool Year-Round

New York may be the land of plenty, but one thing most New York City apartments don't have is central A/C, which means portable air conditioners, cooling fans, and tower fans are all essential to surviving the sometimes pushing heat. Luckily for anyone in the market to buy a tower fan, most of the House Beautiful editors live in Manhattan or its neighboring boroughs, so we've tested the best of the best to keep our own homes cool during the hottest months of the year.

When I set out to find the best tower fans, I first turned to my own colleagues to ask about the ones they've had and loved for years and the ones they bought at the start of summer. I asked them why they bought the specific one they ended up with, how quiet it is at full-blast, how easy it is to set up and operate, and, of course, the things they'd change. Before submitting their thoughts on their beloved fans, I asked the editors to live with theirs for at least two weeks and to use it at night while they sleep and during the warmest hours of the day, ensuring it actually keeps them cool. For any tower fans that didn't directly pass through our hands, I consulted customer reviews, selecting only the products that got the most rave reviews and checked off all the boxes in our rubric, to include.

Size: Though the term "tower" may imply a large size, here, in the context of fans, it refers to the shape. Tower fans are often taller than they are wide in order to take up as little floor space as possible. That said, if you're looking for a tower fan compact enough to pop right on your nightstand, you can. On the other hand, if you're looking for a 40-inch option to stick in the corner of your living room, feel free. The size range is huge, but before you buy, consider what and where you'll be using your tower fan. If it's in your home fitness studio, you may want a bigger one, and if it's in your home office, you can probably get away with a smaller, desktop one. One thing to note: The bigger the fan, the more surface area the fan will cover.

Oscillation: Oscillation is a big factor worth considering—more so if you go with a large tower fan versus a tabletop alternative. Here's why: Oscillating fans help distribute cool air over a larger area, which will improve both the air circulation and the temperature. Some fans oscillate as little as 40 degrees and others can turn a full 360 degrees.

Noise Level: Unlike window A/C units, which can be annoyingly loud, tower fans are generally pretty quiet. That said, they all run on a motor, so, for the most part, they will make at least a little bit of white noise. If you need absolute silence in order to sleep at night or focus on work during the day, you would be remiss not to snag either of the Dyson options on our list because, as the testers promise, they don't make a peep.

While tower fans aren't nearly as powerful as an A/C unit, they are pretty effective at keeping a room feeling cool because the air is constantly moving around. "Tower fans can lower room temperatures by up to five degrees when running on a high speed setting," Chenault says. "The wider the oscillation, the more effective the cooling will be. I prefer models with at least 90 degrees of oscillation, but to each their own." The only downside is that fans rarely cool the air down; they just circulate it, which mimics the feel of a breeze. If you want the air to feel colder than it actually is, place a bowl of ice in the fan's path.

"For cleaning, wipe the exterior and wash or replace any filters. Never submerge the fan in water," Chenault warns. Of course, you can take the front cover (the part that will likely be covered in the more debris and dust than others) off and soak it in water, but refrain from getting any part that's connected to the fan too wet, as it could increase the electrical current and start a fire. The safest way to clean the vents, filter, and anything else that may be too dangerous to clean with water is with a vacuum. Simply suction out the dust and debris.

Though Chenault admits he prefers a tower fan that oscillates a full 90 degrees, the gold standard depends on your space and how you'll be using your fan. If, for instance, it's beside your bed, you don't really need it to turn 90 degrees. Around 40 would probably be enough. If, on the other hand, you're using it to cool your entire living room, 90 degrees may not even be enough oscillation to feel the full effects of the fan. That, if you're looking for an ideal, easy to manage oscillation, Chenault is right: 90 degrees will definitely do the trick.

When it comes to picking out the best (and affordable) pieces for any space, I have been reviewing all things home for nearly eight years. I've covered everything, from the where to buy wallpaper to slow decorating, which is all about buying with intention. You can trust that I have done my homework to find the best and most beloved pieces on the market. For this story, I and several other House Beautiful editors spent weeks, and even years, testing our tower fans. There's nothing I love more than recommending products my colleagues and I love and use in our own homes. I also interviewed Allen Chenault, owner and founder of AC's Heating & Air, based in Orange County, Florida. Chenault opened the doors to his business eight years ago in one of the country's famously hottest states, so he knows a thing or two about keeping a space feeling cool.