Tower fans vs pedestal fans. What’s the difference? Let’s take a look at the similarities, differences and what might work best for your needs.
While both tower and pedestal fans provide great air circulation, there are some key differences that will impact which is best for your situation. The perfect fan depends not only on the price of the fan but several other factors like space, efficiency, looks, features, and so on.
A fan is one of the most effective and budget-friendly options to keep your space cool. Even if you have air conditioning, a fan can help adjust airflow direction and keep rooms feeling cooler. Both tower and pedestal fans have their own pros and cons. That’s why it is important that you check their reviews and gather information on them before making a choice.
We have prepared this comparison guide to help you in your choice and make it easy for you to select the best-suited fan for yourself.
Tower Fans vs Pedestal Fans
Consider the following key considerations when choosing between pedestal and tower fans. Room space, noise level, design, cost, ease of cleaning and portability are the main ones we’ll cover in order to help you determine the type of fan the will work best for you. There are also special features on differing models which can help you in deciding what works best for your needs.
Both types of fans blow air. That’s the bottom line. But your needs may be differ based on your situation. For example, you may be sitting in the heat of your apartment in the summer and want the highest level of cooling a fan can offer. Or you might be behind your desk for hours looking for a little cool air to keep you alert. In both scenarios, your choice of fan types will play a role in how happy you are with the product.
What Are Tower Fans?
What exactly is a tower fan and what makes it so special? They are bladeless. They are quiet. They (usually) take up a small amount of floor space. Tower fans are a modern alternative to the common fan.
Each tower fan model offers different features. They come in many shapes and sizes. They are available in a variety of different colors too.
What are Pedestal fans?
You can think of pedestal fans as a more traditional type of fan. They have blades. They will make a low humming and blowing noise. They are simple.
The controls for this type of fan will be very straight forward. For example, you will likely have on, off, low, medium, and high buttons. Some may find this simplicity refreshing because it takes no thought to turn on. With less features, there is less to go wrong with the unit.
If you shop around for a pedestal fan, you will see a wide variety of options available. Color, size and power will differ. But what makes pedestal fans so great is that they push out a lot of airflow and can really help making a hot space feel cooler.
Tower Fan vs Pedestal Fan Comparison Chart
Looking for a quick reference guide? Take a look below at the chart showing the difference between a tower fan and pedestal fan. You’ll notice that tower fans tend to offer more features. But that’s not to say that pedestal fans don’t have value! They certainly do. We’ll dive deeper into the differences in the article below.
Room Space
One of the first things that you need to consider when choosing a fan for your home is the location and space available for your fan. We all have different sized homes and furniture which can often determine the fan type which will be most feasible for your place. So, check out space in your home before you proceed with buying a fan.
If you have a small space or want to cool a small room at home then a tower fan will be the ideal choice for you. Tower fans are usually slim, lightweight and can be kept in any corner of the room without taking too much space.
On the other hand, if you have a large area to cool then a pedestal fan will be a better choice as it has powerful blades for more efficient air circulation. One thing to keep in mind is that pedestal fans are slim from the middle but have a wide upper and base body, so they require more space which is why they usually work best in big rooms, garages, or patios.
Noise Levels
Next thing that you might need to consider is the noise level produced by both the fans and which one suits your needs better. Let’s face it, no one wants a loud noise-producing fan which will disrupt sleep or work.
If the sound of fans is bothersome to you, then a tower fan would be a good choice. It is known to be one of the quietest fans in the world while providing you with cool and fresh air. Tower fans are designed using a brushless motor which is why they are so quiet and can be kept at a closer distance to you without all of the noise.
On the other hand, a pedestal fan is more powerful and comes with larger blades which make a lot of noise and can be really annoying to hear. Yes, they do provide high-speed air flow, but the constant noise can make it really difficult to sleep peacefully or work.
Fan Design
You might also want to purchase a fan which goes with the look of your home and doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. If that is the case, then a tower fan will be a better choice as it comes in many styles and designs which can easily match the room décor.
The tower fan is also slim and has an elegant design which takes minimal space. You can easily choose a tower fan which suits your office or home style, but the same is not true for a pedestal fan.
A pedestal fan comes in old designs which might not match your home décor but it includes an adjustable height feature which allows you to direct the airflow to a particular area. As a result, you can easily direct your fan to provide air flow to your bed, desk, or a table. So, if you don’t care too much about the aesthetics then a pedestal fan can also be considered.
Operational Cost
A lot of people also look for a fan which would consume less energy and will save them on electricity costs in the long run. A pedestal fan is considered to be more energy efficient than a tower fan but the difference in the energy consumption for both is almost marginal.
However, if you consider the operational cost in the long run then a pedestal fan will cost you half of what a tower fan will cost you and it will provide you with better airflow than a tower fan.
Ease of Cleaning
If you are looking for a fan which will require minimal cleaning effort, then a tower fan is the perfect choice for you. A tower fan keeps the blades hidden inside the fan so there is less likelihood of the blades getting any dirt or dust stuck to them.
To clean a tower fan you just need to use a vacuum cleaner brush and clean the outside of the fan. If you wish to clean the blades then you can use compressed air to accomplish that but there is no need to disassemble a tower fan to clean it.
On the other hand, a pedestal fan will require a lot of time and effort for proper cleanup. You will need to disassemble the fan and remove the grille so that the blades can be unscrewed. Then you need to wipe down the blades with mild soap and warm water solution.
Once you have washed the parts, you will need to dry it with a cloth and then re-assemble your fan again. Choose the pedestal fan only if you don’t mind spending at least 30 minutes in the cleaning of your fan periodically.
Portability
Although both types of fans are easily portable due to their sleek and slim design, tower fans are much easier to move around due to their lightweight feature. This is because tower fans are usually constructed out of plastic so you can easily pick them up and move them around.
On the other hand, a pedestal fan is usually constructed out of aluminum or stainless steel which can be a little heavy, so it is not feasible to move them around too much.
Air Purification
If you are living in a polluted area then you might want to look for a fan which will also offer you an air purification feature. In this case, a tower fan is an ideal choice as it often includes an air filter which helps in removing allergens and other particles to ensure that you receive cool and purified air.
A few tower fans also include a filter that can get rid of pollen, dust, animal hair, and so on which makes the air much better to breathe. The air ionizer also helps in improving the air quality and will make it more comfortable for you.
However, if you don’t care about air purification then you can stick with a pedestal fan which will provide you with high-speed airflow and will keep your room cool and comfortable.
Safety Features
In terms of safety and security, a tower fan is better than a pedestal fan. This is because the blades of the tower fan easily hide inside the grille so pets and kids cannot touch it.
However, since the tower fan is sleek and slim and includes a thin base as well, it is quite likely to knock over and cause injuries. A bladeless tower fan is a safer option as the blades are hidden from the view and the motor is placed at the base of the fan.
On the other hand, a pedestal fan is less likely to knock over as it has a wide base but its blades are large and fast-paced so it can cause injuries. It also includes a grille for protection. But due to the size of the blades on pedestal fans, it is easier to get hurt.
Additional Features
Before you select a fan for yourself, make sure that you check out the various features and functions available. Here are a few features that you might wish to check out when looking for a suitable fan. Fan models differ, so it’s important to make sure the model you are interested in has the features you need.
Auto Shut off
One of the handiest features in a fan is the automatic shut off feature which will ensure energy conservation by shutting off the fan after a determined period of time.
So, you don’t have to worry about leaving your fan on by accident anymore as you can simply set a timer to switch it off. However, this feature is generally available only on tower fans. So you might need to forget the pedestal fan if you want a timer function.
Speed Settings
If you are looking for high-powered airflow, then a pedestal fan will be the best choice for you. Tower fans can offer some decent airspeed but they can never match the power of a pedestal fan.
Adjustable Height
If you wish to adjust the height and the angle of your fan to particular spaces then a pedestal fan is the ideal choice for you. The tower fan doesn’t have this feature so you will be forced to manage with a single height and angle of the fan.
Remote Control
A remote control option makes it easy to control your fan and will allow you to manage the settings without getting up every time. If you wish to have a remote control feature then choose the tower fan because pedestal fan doesn’t include this feature.
Display Settings
You can find a digital display in both the fans but the likelihood of finding this in a tower fan is more in comparison to a pedestal fan. Also, a pedestal fan with a digital display is likely to be more expensive while most tower fans already include a digital display.
Oscillating Features
Are you looking for a fan the moves side to side in a set range? Oscillating fans do just that. The movement of air helps in cooling spaces and provides nice variation in airflow direction. Pedestal fans are often equipped with oscillating capabilities. But many tower fan models now offer an oscillating feature as well.
More about Fans: Which Type of Fan is Perfect for Home/Office Use?
Conclusion: Which is Best, Tower Fans or Pedestal Fans?
If your house feels hot and your in need of a nice breeze, a fan placed on the floor is a simple and relatively inexpensive solution. They are nice because you are in control of the speed and airflow direction.
Whether you are looking to move air in a large space with tall ceilings or just need a little relief from the hot summer air when you are trying to sleep, tower fans and pedestal fans can really help you out.
So, which one would be a better option? This depends on your needs and requirements. If you want to cool a large room at an inexpensive price then a pedestal fan will be the ideal option.
However, if you want to cool a smaller area while maintaining the aesthetics of the room then a tower fan will be the better choice.
Both tower fans and pedestal fans have their own advantages and disadvantages. But in this article, we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of each option. Hopefully that helped you out in determining which option is best for you.
