Before You Impulse Buy That Fan for the Heatwave, Here's How Bladed vs Bladeless Fans Compare (and Which One I'd Buy)

Factors including the size of your room, your design style, and your budget all weigh in on what's the most effective way to cool down your space

DYSON Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 Smart Air Purifier
(Image credit: Dyson)

It's the middle of summer, and by this point, we're all but melting. Whether you're hosting friends or just trying to get some beauty sleep, the seemingly nationwide lack of air conditioning means things are likely to get hot, and fast. Time to bring out the fans.

For aesthetes like us at Livingetc, it's a love-hate thing: yes, a fan helps to cool down a room (love), but you also need to accept there's going to be an ugly appliance ruining your interior design (hate). But that doesn't have to be the case in 2025. Fans come in a range of colors, finishes, and shapes that cool your room and look cool while doing it. And while bladeless fans typically look better, I have to ask: do they work as well?

The bladed vs bladeless fan debate ultimately comes down to personal preference. Things like the size of the room, the design style of your home, and your budget all factor into whether a bladed or bladeless fan is right for you. Where bladed fans are all about airflow, bladeless designs offer a bit more for style. Below, I've broken it down in more detail and shared some of my favorite styles to shop.

When to Buy a Bladed Fan

A small white and wooden fan sitting on a stack of coffee table books on a kelly green cabinet. The wall behind the cabinet is mirrored and there is a gold vase with orange flowers sitting beside the fan.

Smaller fans can also become cool mantel or coffee table decor with styles like this one that blend into the aesthetic of the space.

(Image credit: Printworks Market)

AO’s air treatment expert Katie Lilywhite says, "There’s quite a simple difference between a bladed and a bladeless fan that can make a big impact. Bladed fans are your traditional models with visible spinning blades inside a cage. These chop the air and push it towards you in bursts."

As the more typical design, bladed fans come with the timelessness and dependability that all classics do. In the case of bladed fans, it means you can count on things like power, affordability, and generally more options to choose from.

If you want powerful, direct airflow, a bladed fan is your best bet. They move a bigger volume of air quickly and deliver stronger gusts of wind.

On the other hand, they can be noisier and more difficult to clean due to the exposed blades and grilles. So, you may want to take this into account if you're trying to cool a bedroom or study where you need quiet, or if you just want less upkeep.

When to Buy a Bladed Fan

Dyson HP09 Hot+Cool Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Dyson)

Unlike bladed fans, bladeless models hide their blades inside the base. "Air is drawn in and pushed through a circular frame, then amplified as it exits the rim," explains Katie. With no exposed blades, "bladeless fans are a safer option for households with young children or curious pets," she adds.

Plus, bladeless fans usually provide a gentler, more consistent breeze that many find more comfortable, particularly if the fan is going to be running while you sleep.

The decision really comes down to preference. "If you’re after a more forceful approach, choose a bladed fan," says Katie. "Whereas if you’re after a quieter, smoother airflow, try a bladeless model instead."

But while bladeless fans come with some brilliant features and are often quieter, safer, and easier to clean, they do tend to cost more upfront. And, as they run with a lower airflow, they’re not the best option if you’re quickly trying to cool a large room.

If you don't think a fan is quite enough to cut through the heat, take a look at our round-up of the best portable air conditioners that have both good looks and good reviews.

Olivia Wolfe
Design Writer

Olivia Wolfe is a Design Writer at Livingetc. She recently graduated from University of the Arts London, London College of Communication with a Masters Degree in Arts and Lifestyle Journalism. In her previous experience, she has worked with multiple multimedia publications in both London and the United States covering a range of culture-related topics, with an expertise in art and design. At the weekends she can be found working on her oil paintings, reading, or antique shopping at one of London's many vintage markets.