Before you start shopping for a new fan, you need to know a few basic principles that should guide your decision-making process. These features and specs can tell you a lot of about how quiet the fan will be and what sort of quality you will receive. Never buy a fan straight from the internet without doing your homework first! You might just end up with a noisy fan that keeps you up all night long.
Noise Range
Common sense should tell you that the first thing you need to look for when buying a quiet fan is the noise range, typically measured in decibels (dB). Most manufacturers will give you a noise range in decibels because their products have multiple speed settings. You may find a low range decibel for a slower spin and a higher decibel for the max speed. Other manufacturers may only give you the maximum noise range that you can expect on the highest setting.
Noise is a very relative thing, as some individuals will be more sensitive to it than others. It does help to know exactly what the decibel ratings truly mean though. The average window air conditioning unit usually clocks in around fifty decibels, so your fan should have a decibel level lower than this. People are often most satisfied with a noise range between 30 and 50 decibels.
Maximum Air Flow
How much air is your fan going to move per minute? This tells you exactly how strong of a breeze you can expect from the fan. Manufacturers usually provide the maximum air flow in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM) or liters per second. The amount of maximum air flow you need is typically determined by the size of the room that you are looking to cool. For example, a 10 x 10 room with standard ceilings may need 1,000 CFM to properly cool the space.
The higher your maximum air flow is, the more likely your fan will be to make excessive noise and have a higher decibel rating. When you are searching for the perfect quietest fan, you must remember to balance these two important categories. Look for an option that has a great CFM and a low decibel rating.
Base Size
Where you do plan to put your fan? Know in advance whether your fan is going to sit on the floor, on your nightstand, or directly next to a window. Measure exactly how much space you have available to ensure that you are purchasing a fan of the appropriate size. Keep in mind that fans are not a one-size-fits-all product, so there are multiple different sizes available on the market.
Speed Selections
Many people like to have some control over how much air their fan produces at any given time. Look for speed selections that offer several different options for how quickly your fan will blow. You may want a lower setting for when you’re doing office work and a higher setting as you try to fall asleep at night. Speed selections are essential to look for when making your purchase if you don’t want to run the fan at full-blast all of the time.
Cleanliness
Have you ever seen a fan that has been consistently used for months but hasn’t been cleaned? All of the dust and particles in your air can easily accumulate on the fan blades. You may want to consider how easy it will be to clean your new fan before you make a purchase. This ensures that you are always pushing around fresh air into your rooms. Some types of fans are easier to clean than others, such as ceiling fans or tower fans. This is something that you should be aware of before you make a purchase.
Bonus Features
Did you ever consider that you might get some handy bonus features with your fan? Gone are the days when fans only had a simple on and off switch with a few speed selections. Now, you can choose from fans with remote control access, Bluetooth, and more. A remote control or Bluetooth option allows you to control the fan from your comfortable position without the need to walk across the room. This is especially useful for adjusting the speed while you attempt to fall asleep. Consider whether this is a feature that you would want included in your fan before you make a purchase.
You may also find fans that feature built-in ionizers designed to purify the air around you. They can cleanse the air in the room by electrically charging the molecules and removing small air contaminants from the air. One of the other benefits of a built-in ionizer is its ability to help remove odors from the room.
Some people have very specific preferences when it comes to how their fan will operate. You may want to search for a quiet fan that also sweeps the air throughout the room instead of fixing it on one central location. This makes it slightly easier to cool down an entire room, but it may not be the best option for someone who wants to cool down only themselves. Consider why you want a fan before you decide if this feature is right for you.
