This Compact “Whisper-Quiet” Fan Keeps My Entire Apartment Cool (Perfect for Small Spaces!) 

Living in a tiny New York City apartment without central air conditioning is really only a stressor for a few months out of the year — but because I run hot, I keep a standing fan going year-round. I need a little airflow, and I like to sleep in the coldest room possible. I also have a long-haired cat who loves to lounge in the sunshine, so I always worry he’s overheating, no matter the temperature.

Because I run my standing fans to the ground, I’ve tested quite a few over the years. And recently I tried the most compact, powerful oscillating fan that’s perfect for small spaces like mine: the DREO 36” Tower Fan.

The DREO 36” Tower Fan features 90-degree oscillation and comes with a handy remote so you can control it from anywhere. It offers eight energy-efficient speeds and four unique cooling settings: Normal (runs constantly at your selected speed), Natural (simulates an outdoor breeze), Sleep (gradually lowers the fan speed over time), and Auto (uses intelligence to adjust the fan based on the room’s temperature). There’s an eight-hour timer setting, and you’re also able to mute the display.

The fan can run as low as 25 dB, comparable to a soft whisper or rustling leaves, which is far quieter than the average standing fan. It’s the smallest tower fan I’ve ever used and it boasts powerful wind speeds of up to 27 feet per second, which is enough to cool any room or small apartment effortlessly. It also remembers the last setting you left it on, so there’s no fumbling back and forth between settings.

Every aspect of the DREO 36” Tower Fan was so thoughtfully designed. It’s super-lightweight and has a built-in handle at the top for easy moving, plus a removable rear grill and impeller wheel you can take out to make cleaning easier. The grills are pinch-proof, it has circuit protection, and the plug is fused, making it a safe option if you have kids or pets in close proximity. The cord is an inch shy of 6 feet long, so you’ll never need to use an extension cord.

Even after weeks of testing (24/7, might I add), it’s hard to believe how much power comes from such a small package. I typically keep it on Auto mode and find myself turning it down or turning off my window air conditioner because the two are such a powerful combo — even through the stickiest summer heat. I can’t wait to see how it keeps me and my cat cool year-round.

If you like to use standing fans, but live in a small space and worry about the amount of space it can take up, then the DREO 36″ Tower Fan is perfect for you. It’s compact and powerful; it’ll barely take up any room while being able to cool your entire apartment. 

Buy: DREO 36” Tower Fan, $80