If a fan has only three speed settings, the leap between each option will be more noticeable – you may find only the lowest option is sufficiently quiet.

High-power mode: A pre-set mode that will instantly choose the highest power settings to give a strong blast of air. It’s got a lot of features for the money, and those who want the appearance of a Dyson without having the spend hundreds will find it appealing too. It’s got an easy to use remote control, but the buttons on the unit itself sometimes needed a double tap to register the contact. The first thing I notice (after how easy it is to assemble) is that it has both horizontal and vertical oscillation which, coupled with a powerful airflow of 1,653m³ph gives it unrivalled room-cooling capabilities.

Each product got a higher rating if the remote had a clever magnet to attach it to the fan or a built-in storage spot. If you’re after a particularly quiet fan, be wary of models that simply describe themselves as ‘quiet’ without including a decibel rating to back up the claim. I also examined their power cords; those with short cords (below 2 m) got a lower rating because some people may need an extension cord.

It’s a no-nonsense, three-bladed 30-Watt fan sitting on a solid, heavy base that can be angled and set to oscillate and.Furthermore, I rated the fan higher if it had an auto mode to change the speed as the temperature changed. There are also air coolers, which use water evaporation to chill the air a bit, but we cover those in a separate feature.