Living in heat-prone Los Angeles for the last 15 years, I’ve been required to purchase and experiment with a number of different cooling methods be it fans, AC units and anything in between. Never before has one singular fan impressed me to such a chilling degree as the gorgeous Vornado Pedestal VFan, a retro-inspired beauty that I had been ogling for ages but held off buying because of its $250 price tag.
Before you, too, scoff at the idea of spending that much on such a basic home essential, know that the Vornado technology is no basic innovation. In fact, it may be more accurate to call fans by the brand “air circulators,” a function that, yes, most traditional fans already do, except that Vornados are built with the brand’s signature dual-injector air cones at the base of the fan head. These interlaid aerodynamic cones, coupled with five strategically designed propeller blades, powerfully circulate and cool air faster — even in the dead of Southern California summer.
Rooms that would normally feel oppressive and stuffy with heat are instantly transformed into spaces that are more comfortable, temperature-regulated and noticeably fresher. This has been a game changer for summer nights and on those occasions when I don’t want to sit in front of the overly drying and artificially cold blast of the AC.
Another probable cause for the Vornado cost is its construction. Upon heaving it out of its box when I first purchased it over a year ago, I knew right away that it was built to last. No flimsy plastic here, the VFan is made entirely of durable metal.
The fully tilting fan head sits atop an adjustable arm to completely customize the direction of airflow and you can choose from three different fan speeds, each one shockingly quiet. The blades and fan head are also significantly easier to keep free of dust compared to other fans I’ve owned plus, as someone who strongly opposes modern-looking gadgets, I love how “cool” the VFan looks.
It’s available in a jade green color and a sleek cream color, both of which are accented with gold details. And, if the pedestal is too bulky for your needs, the VFan also comes in a non-pedestal version, a smaller three-speed version, a tilting desk fan and a mini desk option — all of which are at cheaper price points than the full-size original.
But don’t just take my word for it. In the list ahead, explore a few other Vornado fan designs, along with words from reviewers who also profess their love for the Vornado name.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Vornado VFan Jr. fan
Promising Amazon review: "I actually own three of these fans: the mini, the Sr., and the Sr. Pedestal. All of them are in the off-white color, and they're all great!
I have the mini in my office at work, on my desk. It's a little noisy for a small room, but not overly so; no one can hear it in the background on my Zoom calls. It's very powerful for the size, though, and works so much better than other desktop fans--especially the USB ones. I have the Sr. in my guest bedroom at home, and it works perfectly for summertime. It circulates the air well for a medium-sized room. Finally, I have the Sr. Pedestal in my living room/kitchen area. With the pedestal fan, I don't need to run my PTAC machine except during heatwaves. It was lighter weight than expected, but not cheap-feeling at all; it was very easy to assemble.
It's hard to find a fault with these fans, to be honest. They're all very attractive-looking and all work exceptionally well to circulate air! They're all fairly quiet for a mid- or large-sized room, and they're all very well-built. I have left them running for days (weeks!) at a time before without issue. Even though they're significantly more expensive than the "regular", plastic Vornado circulators, I prefer these because they're so much sturdier. They really feel like investment pieces that will last me a long time." — Katherine
Vornado 630 and 683 electric mid-size fan
The Vornado 630 and 683 (pedestal) could be considered a more modernized rendition of my retro-inspired VFan, promising that same coveted vortex circulation system that makes Vornados so superior. It offers three speed settings, multi-directional air-flow and is the perfect option for effectively cooling mid-size rooms.
Promising Amazon review: "I've generally been using box fans which work fairly well, and I haven't really paid more than $20 for them. I realize you get what you pay for, and while some have lasted more than a couple of years, they've all tended to be kind of flimsy, especially the plastic grills on the front and the back. And I clean and maintain them regularly. Having said all of that, they are kind of cumbersome and get in the way. This year I figured I'd invest in something a little more expensive, a little more compact, but that serves the purpose of keeping the air circulating in the house.
And this Vornado doesn't disappoint in the slightest. The first thing you'll notice is how compact it is. Which makes storing it or just chucking it in a corner when it's not in use very convenient. Despite its size, though, it's pretty darn powerful. And the circulation is great, even on the lowest of its three settings. Another thing is that for a small unit, it's SO sturdy and heavy for its size. The base is solid and there's very little chance it will even tip over. The unit swivels up and down fairly well, so you can really position it for maximum effect and efficiency." — TrotsDad
Vornado Pivot personal air circulator fan
Promising Amazon review: "I bought this and a Honeywell turbo from my local hardware store to help beat the heat wave without AC. The compact size of this one felt practical for moving between rooms while working, sleeping, etc. In 100 degree heat, a personal breeze is the only thing to provide relief aside from AC.
After about 15 minutes, I realized this fan is different — amazing, even. The amount of air it moves for its size is impressive and for the first time I felt the Vornado difference. I immediately gained faith in Vornado and purchased another of this model in copper along with the pedestal model 7803 and the VFAN Alchemy." — Little Miss Sunshine
Vornado EXO51 heavy duty shop fan
Promising Amazon review: "I've relied on Vornado fans for about 20yrs or more. This is a great floor fan, smaller than most clunky, space-hogging floor fans, but it is powerful for its size, and much quieter than most floor fans. Vornado fans have been reliable work horses for me and I love the fact that they are very easy to clean, fronts come off easily, no tools necessary. They may run a little more expensive than fans that are seemingly comparable, but every time I try to "save money" with a cheaper one, I'm always sorry. Most are difficult or impossible to clean, and so many break down before their time. I've always been satisfied with these fans." — jlhd