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
Smaller fans can also become cool mantel or coffee table decor with styles like this one that blend into the aesthetic of the space.
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.
This portable, rechargeable fan is raking up the praise and 5-star reviews on Amazon — and for good reason. Some of the perks include whisper-quiet operation, a 17-hour run time, remote control operation, and night mode settings. A stylish table fan (that also works well) is hard to come by, but this one has a sleek enough design that you could easily style it on a desk or nightstand.
This may seem like the average pedestal fan, but the butter yellow colorway makes it so much more. Something about a pop of color takes drab to fab, and it also comes in sage green and violet purple. But it's not just style, there's substance, too: including a nine-hour timer, three speed settings, and a nine-blade turbo airflow. It can be a floor fan or a table fan, and that alone convinced me to add this trendy design to my cart.
Can you believe a fan there is a fan that looks this cute? I was in awe when I discovered this mini fan on Printworks Market. The Fantastic fan is a rechargeable portable fan designed for a desk or coffee table. It operates silently and features three levels of wind speed, as well as a 360-degree rotation capability, so you can direct the breeze precisely where you need it. Plus, it comes in even more colors, like light blue, hot pink, and Phthalo green.
When to Buy a Bladed Fan
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.
This two-in-one fan and air purifier is reaching near art piece/decor status, and I'm obsessed. Rather than finding a small fan that blends into the background, this tripod stand becomes a statement piece in the room. Staying cool in a heatwave is important, nay, necessary. Heatwave gadgets like this make it all the more stylish.
Of course, we can't have a conversation about bladeless fans without talking about Dyson. Dyson seems to have mastered the balance between form and function when it comes to fans. While the Dyson Cool Tower is a crowd favorite and the perfect choice for your first Dyson buy, the Dyson Hot and Cool is a natural next step for those seeking a little more functionality.
What initially struck me about this Turboblade Bladeless Tower fan from Shark is its size and slim design. You can easily place this piece on a desktop or counter for a streamlined look, as well as use it as a proper floor fan. Some of its functions include 10 high-speed settings, quiet power operation, 10 speeds, oscillation technique, and a remote control on top of its stylish design. There’s no settling for less than a fan you can be excited about.
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.
