Having a breeze blow across your body can cool you down and make it easier to sleep during those hot, still, muggy summer nights–when there is no breeze, and opening your window just lets in the noise–making sleep even more elusive. This is where you need a quiet fan in your bedroom.
Fans are actually not cooling devices. They merely provide the means to allow your body to cool itself by moving air across your skin carrying away the evaporating sweat.
Note: Most white noise machines have multiple fan settings to mask annoying and intrusive noises. The fan you are using for cooling can serve dual purposes–cooling and quieting. Some fans are even equipped with white noise settings.
Here are some of the quietest, most efficient fans.
| Top 6 Quietest Fans for Sleeping | Why It's Best | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan | Whisper quiet - 42 dB on high, 28 dB on white noise, 26 dB on sleep mode. Remote control Oscillating. | ★★★★★ |
| Rowenta VU2531 Turbo Silence Table Fan | Ultra quiet 38 decibels on all speed settings. 1695 CFM. 4 speed manual control knob. Oscillating. | ★★★★★ |
| PELONIS PFS45A5BBB Oscillating Pedestal Fan | Quiet 50 dB - 65 dB operation. 4 modes/5 speeds. Remote control. Oscillating. ECO temperature sensor. | ★★★★★ |
| Vornado 630 Mid-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan | Very quiet 42 dB - 52 dB operation. Simple 3 speed manual switch. 5 year replacement warranty. | ★★★★★ |
| Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan | Whisper quiet 35 dB operation on all speeds. 2436 CFM. Remote control. 5 speed settings. Timer. | ★★★★★ |
| Dyson 300905-01 Air Multiplier AM07 Tower Fan | Quiet 61 dB operation. 1060 CFM. 10 speed settings. Remote control operation. 2 year parts & labor warranty. | ★★★★★ |
9 Quietest Fans For Sleeping
This list includes a variety of fans–pedestal fans, table fans, tower fans, and even a ceiling fan. Hopefully one of them will be the one you need.
1) Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet Whole Room Tower Fan
The Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Oscillating Tower Fan is a space saving fan that produces only 48 decibels of sound when on its highest setting. That is the sound made by a babbling brook. It is only 33″ high, 8.23″ in diameter, and weighs 9.26 lb. making it easy to pick up and move around using the integrated handle. The control panel is located on the top of the machine, which is angled for easy access.
With 5 speed settings ranging from Sleep to Power Cool, you can find the air volume that works for you. It has a blue light LED display that comes with a dimmer switch which allows you to keep your bedroom dark at night. The Auto Shut-off Timer has 4 settings–1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours–providing many comfort options. It also will run continuously. It also oscillates for more room coverage. For across the room control, keep the remote control on your nightstand, and you can adjust the fan without getting up. When not in use the remote has a convenient storage slot on the rear of the machine.
The sturdy flared base provides stability to the unit.
Note: When using the white noise setting you will only hear 28 decibels while sleep setting only produces 26 decibels of sound. (Both decibel ratings are quieter than a whisper.)
The Good
- Whisper quiet fan – 41 dB on high, 28 dB on white noise setting, 26 dB on sleep setting (A typical whisper produces around 30 decibels of sound.)
- Top mount angled control panel
- 5 speed settings
- 4 auto shut off timer settings
- Oscillates approximately 70 degrees
- Remote control
- 1 year limited manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Virtually nothing
2) Rowenta VU2631 Turbo Silence Table Fan
The Rowenta VU2631 Turbo Silence Table Fan is an ultra quiet table fan that makes 38 decibels of noise on all 4 settings–Sleep to Turbo. It delivers up to 1695 cubic feet of air flow per minute (CFM). The VU2631 features simple operation with a 4 speed manual control knob and push button oscillating control.
The integrated handle makes moving this six and a half pound machine easy.
Note: Rowenta also offers this fan as a 5 speed model with electronic controls and a remote for cross the room use.
The Good
- Ultra quiet 38 decibels on all 4 settings
- Up to 1695 CFM air flow
- 4 speed manual control knob – including Sleep and Turbo settings
- Oscillates over 90 degrees for excellent room coverage
- 1 year manufacturers limited warranty
The Not so Good
- Takes up quite a bit of room on a table, night stand, or dresser
3) Pelonis PFS45A5BBB Oscillating Pedestal Fan
At 50 decibels to 65 decibels (low to high settings), the Pelonis PFS45A5BBB Oscillating Pedestal Fan is louder than the first two fans on the list. But it may still be an attractive choice. This pedestal fan can be adjusted between 3.9′ and 4.7′ high–convenient heights to get air across beds. Vertical head adjustment of 24 degrees will let you aim the air flow almost anywhere in the room, and the 85 degree oscillation will spread air around the room.
This Pelonis fan features an ECO Temperature Control Sensor which automatically increases or decreases fan speed according to room temperature. It has 4 modes (Normal, Nature, ECO, and Sleep) along with 5 speeds. These can be set on the LED control panel or with the convenient remote control. It comes with built in overheating protection that automatically shuts the unit down in case it gets too hot and a 1 year manufacturers limited warranty.
A powerful AC motor will move air at speeds up to 155 miles per hour.
The Good
- Quiet 50 decibel – 65 decibel operation
- Adjusts up to 4.7′ high
- 85 degree oscillation
- 24 degree vertical adjustment
- 4 modes/5 speeds
- Remote control
- ECO temperature sensor adjusts fan speed to room temperature
- 1 year limited warranty
The Not so Good
- A little louder than some other models – sound of a refrigerator at low speed and a little louder than normal conversation at high speed
4) Vornado 630 Mid-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
The Vornado 630 Mid-Size Whole Room Air Circulator Fan is a serious air moving machine. And it does it quietly. At low speed it will move 258 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) while producing only 43 decibels of sound. High speed – 363 CFM while producing only 52 decibels of sound. These ratings are well below the sound of normal speech–somewhere between the sound of a babbling brook and the sound made by your refrigerator.
The signature Vortex Technology moves air up to 70′ and circulates it throughout the entire room. Perfect for cooling smaller rooms like bedrooms and offices. It can be positioned on the floor or tabletop, dresser, or night table and will easily cool the room. Very simple one control manual switch with 4 settings – off, and 3 speeds. The fan head can be adjusted vertically. It is easy to clean and comes with a 5 year manufacturers warranty promising full satisfaction and replacement during the warranty period.
This Vornado also seems to work well as a white noise machine–cancelling annoying incoming noises.
The Good
- Very quiet – 43 decibels at low speed, 52 decibels at high speed
- Moves 258 CFM at low speed, 363 CFM at high speed
- One simple manual switch – 3 speeds
- Sits on floor or table
- Doubles as a white noise machine
- 5 year full satisfaction and replacement warranty
The Not so Good
- Some concerns about quality
5) Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan
The Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Oscillating Fan is another whisper quiet fan from Rowenta. It only makes 35 decibels of noise at each speed setting–a little louder than a whisper. This oscillating pedestal fan produces up to 2436 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) of air flow. The oscillation feature provides whole room coverage. It adjust from 42″ to 54″ high.
This fan comes with 5 speed settings including Turbo Boost for extra power and Silent Night for whisper quiet sleeping. Unlike some pedestal fans, the control panel is easily accessible and includes an 8 hour timer and energy saving mode which adjusts the fan speed to the room temperature. It also can be operated with the remote control eliminating the need to get out of bed to make adjustments. (Or the remote can be stored in the handy holder located on the back of the fan housing.
Note: Rowenta has been using German technology since 1909 to produce efficient home products.
The Good
- Whisper quiet operation – 35 decibels at each speed setting
- 2436 CFM air movement
- Adjustable height – 42″ to 54″
- 5 speed settings – including Turbo Boost and Silent Night
- 8 hour timer and energy saving mode
- Remote control
- 1 year limited manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- A little pricier than other options, but reviewers feel it is well worth the cost
6) Dyson 300905-01 Air Multiplier AM07 Tower Fan
The Dyson 300905-01 Air Multiplier AM07 Tower Fan uses patented Air Multiplier Technology to produce a powerful uninterrupted airflow without the use of fans. Making it extremely safe for children and pets. And easy to clean. It operates at 61 decibels–about the sound of normal conversation while moving approximately 1060 Cubic Feet per Minute (if I converted 500 liters/second correctly). It is operated exclusively by remote control giving the machine a sleek look. The remote is curved and magnetized to store easily on the machine.
The AM07 has 10 speed settings and a timer with settings from 15 minutes to 9 hours. The tower oscillates a full 90 degrees for complete room coverage. This machine also provides air filtration to 0.1 microns and comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty.
The Good
- Quiet 61 decibel fan
- Moves 1060 CFM
- Operates exclusively by remote control
- 90 degree oscillation
- 10 speed settings
- Timer range from 15 minutes to 9 hours
- 2 year parts and labour warranty
The Not so Good
- Quite a bit more expensive than competitors
- Some questions about Dyson’s customer service
7) Dr. Prepare Quiet Oscillating Personal Fan
The Dr. Prepare Quiet Oscillating Personal Fan is not a large room machine. It works best in small rooms or as a ‘personal’ fan that will keep one sleeper cool without being too annoying for a second sleeper. It produces less then 60 decibels of noise which can act as a white noise machine sitting close to the bed. The small dual fans and the 110 degree oscillating tower provide plenty of air flow where you want it. Ideal for use in bedrooms, offices, and kitchen counters.
The controls are set into the base of the unit and provide 3 speed settings and 3 timer options–2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours along with the oscillation control. This is a very compact machine measuring less than 6″ wide and less the 13″ high. It weighs less than 3 lbs. and the built in handle/grip makes it easy to carry. It comes with a 1 year manufacturers warranty.
The Good
- Quiet personal fan – less then 60 decibels on high setting
- Inexpensive and compact
- Dual fans
- 110 degree oscillation
- 3 speed settings/3 timer settings – 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours
- 1 year manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Not for larger rooms
8) Hunter Ceiling Fan c/w Remote Control
The Hunter Ceiling Fan c/w Remote Control is just one of the latest products manufactured by a company started in 1886. This very quiet ceiling fan eliminates the need to find a place to set table or tower or pedestal fans. And may do a better job of moving air. The Whisper Wind motor delivers powerful airflow with quiet operation. The multi-speed fan direction can be reversed for winter and summer use.
The fan is operated by remote control, eliminating chains hanging from the light; it controls, speed, light, and direction of travel. The motor has 3 speed settings in both directions. Which means you do not have to stand on the bed pulling chains until you get it right. It includes different length down rods to get height correct and the LED light kit provides great illumination and saves energy. There is a lifetime limited warranty on the motor and a 1 year warranty on all other parts.
Note: Amazon states that this fan weighs 1 lb. Anyone who has installed one of these above his/her head knows this is not correct.
The Good
- Whisper quiet motor
- 136 year old USA company
- All functions are by remote control operation only
- LED lights
- Limited lifetime warranty on motor, 1 year warranty on all other parts
The Not so Good
- Requires installation not needed for pedestal or desk fans.
9) 36″ Oscillating Tower Fan c/w Remote
This 36″ Oscillating Tower Fan c/w Remote is a fairly new kid on the block, but it fits in with some of the best and quietest fans. It produces only 44 decibels of noise. Airflow can be customized to your needs with a 3 speed fan and 3 operation modes–Normal, Natural, and Sleep. It moves air at 20 feet per second and the tower oscillates at 65 degrees for complete room coverage. The large, clear LED display keeps track of ambient temperature, speed, mode, timer, and oscillation.
This is a bladeless fan making it safe for kids, pets, and the person cleaning it. There are no buttons on the housing. All settings are controlled with the remote. The automatic off timer can be set for 1 hour – 12 hours. When sleep mode is turned on, the LED display is turned off. This fan also works well as a white noise machine.
The Good
- Very quiet operation at 44 decibels of sound – about half way between a babbling brook and your refrigerator
- 3 speed fan
- 3 operational modes – Normal, Natural, Sleep
- Moves air at 20 feet per second
- 65 degree oscillation
- Remote control
- Doubles as white noise machine
The Not so Good
- Warranty information is difficult to find
How We Chose the Quietest Fans For Sleeping
Only two of the fans on our list produce over 60 decibels at full speed. Hopefully, we have provided enough of a varied list of bedroom fans that you can choose one that works best for you.
Noise Levels of Bedroom Fans
Sleeping is difficult for some people, and excess noise is not going to help any more than excess heat. When buying a fan to cool the bedroom, it is important to get one of the quietest ones. 60 decibels is the sound or normal conversation. If you can consistently sleep through that, then any fan under 60 dB will work for you. A fan that rates under 50 dB will double as a white noise machine and cancel some of the noise coming into your bedroom.
Many fan manufacturers will only publish the highest decibel rating to illustrate the worst case scenario of their products. Lower speed settings, like sleep settings or white noise settings, should have lower noise ratings. For instance, the Pelonis fan listed above has a top end noise rating of 65 decibels when set on high. Assuming that you do not want the fan set to blow the blankets off, there is likely a lower speed setting that will be quiet enough for sleeping.
Styles of Bedroom Fans
There are 5 main styles of fans that could be suitable for your bedroom and make sleeping easy.
- Tower Fans. Slim design takes very little space in the bedroom. Generally, offer timer settings. Quite often come with remotes.
- Desktop Fans. Very portable. Can be placed on desks, tables, night tables, or the floor. Some models are quite bulky. May take up too much room.
- Pedestal Fans. Relatively inexpensive. Generally easier to position on the floor. Usually move more air than tower fans.
- Ceiling Fans. Take more installation effort. Do not take up any counter of floor space. The remote control makes operation easier.
- Box Fans. Box fans are generally not considered bedroom fans. Too loud–65 decibels to 80 decibels.
Speed and Timer Options of Bedroom Fans
Although speed options vary a bit with models, you should look for a fan that at least provides 3 speeds–low, medium, and high. Some fans have more choices, allowing you to get the exact setting. More is better.
Some fans come with timers. Timers are found in some of the electronic control models. Timers allow you to set the length of time your fan will run. For instance, you might want to cool down quickly when you get into bed, but at certain times of the year it cools down well before morning and you do not need, or want, a breeze blowing across you.
Volume of Air Movement of Bedroom Fans
A fan is effective at cooling a room when it is moving about 10 Cubic Feet per Minute for each square foot of floor space in the room. Therefore, a 12′ x 12′ bedroom (144 square feet) will require around 1500 CFM to keep it cool.
- CFM is a measurement of the amount of air the fan can move.
- The higher the CFM rating, the quicker a room will be cooled; and the cooler it will remain.
- BUT, the higher CFM rating the more noise your fan will make. This is almost invariably true, although we have listed one fan that claims the same decibel level at all speeds.
Bedroom Fan Choices – Other Considerations
Some of the other fan qualities we considered when compiling this list.
- Variety. I almost always make an effort to find different styles, types, costs, and manufacturers for my lists. There is very little benefit if you want a pedestal fan, and I list nothing but tabletop models.
- Availability. It is totally pointless to research and list the quietest, greatest fan ever made, only to tell you that it is unavailable until 2024.
- Cost. Although I did include one fan that is very expensive, generally I want to list products that provide good to great quality at reasonable prices.
- Warranty. Products and/or manufacturers with longer, better, or more inclusive warranty coverage tend to get a few more points.
Quiet Fans for Sleeping – Best of the Best
All of these fans will do a good, quiet job of cooling you and your bedroom. Most of them will make less noise than a normal conversation. All that is left is for you to make your choice–based on your needs, and the amount of space in your bedroom. Here is the one I would choose.
The Honeywell QuietSet Whole Room Oscillating Tower Fan has about the quietest settings of all the machines on this list. It has a small 10″ diameter base, weighs less than 10 lbs. and is easy to move to other locations as needed. It is reasonably priced, and should fit into any bedroom.
The Good
- Whisper quiet fan – 41 dB on high, 28 dB on white noise setting, 26 dB on sleep setting (A typical whisper produces around 30 decibels of sound.)
- Top mount angled control panel
- 5 speed settings
- 4 auto shut off timer settings
- Oscillates approximately 70 degrees
- Remote control
- 1 year limited manufacturers warranty
The Not so Good
- Virtually nothing
Quiet Fans for Sleeping – Honorable Mention
The Rowenta VU2631 Turbo Silence Table Fan can also be placed on the floor. It claims to have the same decibel rating on all 4 speed settings. It is not as quiet as the Honeywell’s lower settings, but is quieter than the Honeywell’s loudest setting.
The Good
- Ultra quiet 38 decibels on all 4 settings
- Up to 1695 CFM air flow
- 4 speed manual control knob – including Sleep and Turbo settings
- Oscillates over 90 degrees for excellent room coverage
- 1 year manufacturers limited warranty
The Not so Good
- Takes up quite a bit of room on a table, night stand, or dresser
FAQs About Quietest Fans For Sleeping
Can I use a smart plug with my fan?
Yes and no. Smart plugs usually work well on appliances with manual switches that you can leave turned on. Then the smart plug will work. For most tower fans, and some pedestal fans, with remote controls, smart plugs will not work because they cannot turn the electronic switches on and off.
Can fans help me sleep?
Yes. Fans can act as white noise machines cancelling out quite a bit of incoming noise. But if they produce more than 50 decibels, they may become part of the problem instead of the solution.
Is there a whisper quiet fan?
A couple of fans we have listed come pretty close. A whisper is usually rated around 30 decibels of sound. The Honeywell claims to be less than 30 on a couple of settings and the Rowenta claims 35 decibels at all speed settings.
What makes a fan quiet?
The best indication of a quiet fan is the decibel rating it has. But you can keep them quieter by:
- Placing them on a level surface. The rotation of the fan can cause them to wobble.
- Placing them on a soft surface like carpet or mats.
- Keep them clean. Accumulations of dirt on the fan blades can make them unbalanced.
- Make sure covers and screws are tight.
What type of fan is the quietest?
Bladeless fans should be quieter than traditional fans because the technology pushes the air instead of chopping at the air. Bladeless fans are usually significantly more expensive, and traditional fan makers are putting more effort into designing quieter fans because of demand.
