$5Check out this roundup of low-cost beach gear to help all members of the family enjoy frolicking in the sand and water.
Fan Performance
As we read reviews of cheap fans, it became clear that the three critical performance criteria were cooling ability, noise level, and durability. Users have mostly positive things to say about their cheap fans, especially the four we've included on our list; we did, however, come across a bargain fan that finds few enthusiastic supporters.
Fans Cooling Ability.
The Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B garners strong praise among users posting fans reviews. One fans review on Sears asserts that this small Vornado fan is quiet and an extraordinary air mover that increases comfort, improves air circulation, and saves you money. Another user posting a fans review on Walmart agrees, saying she was wary at first (we assume because of the size) but the performance of the Vornado 530B wowed her. The Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Stand Fan also impresses users with its cooling ability. A fans review on Home Depot says the Lasko 1854 cools down a room, has good air output, and is pretty powerful for a plastic fan. Another Lasko model, the Lasko 3733 20" Box Fan, finds, well, fans at Buzzillions, who like its ability to move air and cool a room; one user claims that the good-quality motor moves much more air and uses less energy than some of its competitors. Winning positive reviews for cooling off personal spaces is the Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan; while it's a one-person fan and doesn't move much air, say two fans reviews at J&R, that limitation makes it just right for a desk or nightstand. Then there's the EntreeAir Door Frame Fan RR100; users find fault with this model, noting in fans reviews that a unit that attaches to the corner of a door frame just isn't effective at circulating air. Posting fans reviews on Amazon, users say this fan is a huge disappointment and completely useless.
Fans Noise Level.
The whirringblades of a fan make noise, period. How much noise you can tolerate -- are you watching television? having a conversation? trying to fall asleep? -- is obviously a personal thing. Noise level is, indeed, important to users, and we often found disagreement among reviewers about the din emanating from their cheap fan. But for the four cheap fans on our list, votes for quiet outnumbered votes for noisy. The Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B earns perfect scores on this dimension in fans reviews at J&R, where one user says it's quiet enough for the TV room and another says it's quieter than expected. The Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Stand Fan likewise pleases users; fans reviews on Amazon comment that it's quiet enough for sleeping, although some reviewers at Buzzillions find it a tad noisy, or alternatively, about the same as any other fan. Most users classify the Lasko 3733 20" Box Fan as somewhat loud, but some fans reviews on Amazon write appreciatively of the white noise it provides, facilitating sleep and blocking out more bothersome sounds. The Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan is also lauded for its low noise level. One user posting a fans review at Buzzillions deploys it on an office desk, and compared to other fans that have been loud and intrusive, this one isn't noticed by callers or colleagues. One low-cost fan that moves the needle on the noise meter into unacceptable territory is the EntreeAir Door Frame Fan RR100, according to fans reviews at Home Depot, where users say it makes an impressive amount of noise.Fans Durability.
Low prices notwithstanding, fans reviews suggest that cheap fans pass the durability test with most users. Fans reviews on Amazon applaud the Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B for its durability, with one user reporting he's run the fan on "high" for a month straight without any problems; one user, however, gripes about vibrations and another says the on/off switch cracked and failed within a few weeks. The Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Stand Fan gets a nod of approval from one user on Amazon who says that given the price, these fans are good quality; a couple of user reviews on Home Depot, however, report cracked buttons and wonder whether the unit will hold up over time. The Lasko 3733 20" Box Fan seems to take its knocks without flinching: a fans review on Epinions says it's been running 24/7 for more than a year and has even survived countless brushes with a hardwood floor, courtesy of a very active four-year-old. On the other hand, some users gripe on Home Depot that the fan quit working after a couple of weeks and the slim profile makes it prone to tipovers, stabilizer feet notwithstanding; a couple of reviews say the unit seems flimsy. Users also consider the Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan a durable buy, according to fans reviews at Amazon; one user says it's still going strong after running non-stop from August to November for two years straight and another says this is sturdier and more effective than at least five other desk fans he's tried; a few users report, however, that the fan broke down soon after purchase. And aside from complaining about the failure of the EntreeAir Door Frame Fan RR100 to circulate or blow air, several fans reviews on Amazon report rattles, disintegrating blades, and breakdowns after just a few uses.
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Read user comments below
Best Cheap Fans
Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B
Users shower high praise on the Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B for its ability to quietly circulate a lot of air to cool down a room. This table fan features three speed settings and full-tilt capabilities to effectively direct air flow (up to 65 feet, which is a powerful punch for a table fan); it comes with a five-year limited warranty.Fans Deals
Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Stand Fan with Remote Control
Users give a thumbs up to the Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Fan for moving a lot of air. This pedestal fan oscillates, tilts, and can be height adjusted, and is suited to larger rooms. It features three speed settings, a remote control that includes a timer, and a round base for added stability; it comes with a one-year limited warranty.Fans Deals
Good Cheap Fans
Lasko 3733 20
A very cheap fan, the Lasko 3733 20" Box Fan doesn't disappoint. Users like its high quality motor, which moves lots of air and uses little energy, and its functionality: billed as a floor fan, the Lasko 3733 can be used on a table or set in a window. It features three speed settings, plastic feet for stability, a carrying handle, and a one-year limited warranty; some users grouse about the build quality.Fans Deals
Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan
Users deem the Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan best for desks and nightstands, and say it quietly and efficiently cools personal spaces; a few users report durability problems. The Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan is unique because of its soft cloth blades, a good safety feature for a fan that sits close to users and has no protective screen. It has two speed settings and comes with a three-year limited warranty.Fans Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Fans
EntreeAir Door Frame Fan RR100
The main complaint from users of the Entree Air Door Frame Fan RR100 is that it fails at its sole function: circulating air. Users also say it's very noisy and some report it breaks within weeks of purchase. A unique concept for a fan, the Entree Air Door Frame Fan RR100 attaches to the corner of the door frame while still allowing the door to be shut; there are no speed settings and it comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Products Mentioned in This Review
EntreeAir Door Frame Fan RR100Lasko 3733 20
Vornado FA1-0007-06 Zippi Desk Fan
Vornado Compact Air Circulator 530B
Lasko 1854 18-Inch Oscillating Stand Fan with Remote Control
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