Owning a fan is essential for many reasons. A fan can help circulate air better inside a room. For a home without many windows, placing a fan near a window will help bring in a lot of cool and fresh air. Proper air circulation will also help the air ventilation inside a room, which is important for lung health.

There are two popular types of fans you can buy in the market – a box fan and a tower fan. The nagging question is “Which one’s better for home use?”

To answer that question, here are the pros and cons of each type.

Tower Fan

A tower fan has small blowers in a vertical unit. It has side inlets that pull the air through and a rotating base. This type of fan is popular in many European and Asian countries where many houses don’t have AC units.

According to PICKHVAC, here are the pros and cons of a tower fan.

PROS:

  • Modern design

Compared to a box fan, a tower fan is more stylish and appealing. There are many tower fans designed to fit a modern-styled home. 

  • Size

The shape of a tower fan takes up less space than a box fan. This means that it can fit into narrow spaces and corners. 

  • Extra Features

It has more features to offer compared to a box fan. Some tower fans offer nightlights and ionizers. Some also have mode settings like a sleep mode where you can set a timer for it to turn off automatically. 

  • Quiet

Unlike a box fan, tower fans are quieter, so they’re not as distracting or irritating.

  • Saves money

Some tower fans offer an air purification feature, creating a healthier breathing environment. It’s helpful for people who suffer from allergies or breathing problems. You also won’t need to buy a separate air purifier, which saves you a lot of bucks.

  • Safety

A tower fan is safe for homes, especially with children. The steady base stabilizes the fan to prevent it from falling easily. The blades are also well-protected. This prevents children from getting injured.

CONS:

  • High-Maintenance

Tower fans require more maintenance compared to box fans. Once they malfunction, you’d need to call a professional technician to fix them.

  • Not very durable

They’re not as durable as box fans. You’d need to invest more money on durable tower fans. 

Box Fan

A box fan is a portable fan. It’s easier to place on higher surfaces because of its build. It has a steel or plastic grille. It can have a circular, rectangular, oblong, or square shape. 

PROS:

  • Portability 

A box fan is easier to carry and move around compared to a tower fan. 

  • Powerful

A box fan is more powerful compared to even expensive tower fan models. This makes it a great choice if you want to get rid of smoke and odors inside a home.

  • Affordable

Powerful box fans can come at a cheaper price compared to tower fans. They’re also cost-efficient when in use.

  • Low-maintenance

Most box fans come with a manual, which includes easy troubleshooting methods. It’s easy for a regular homeowner to clean and repair box fans, when needed.

CONS:

  • Noisy

Most box fans are loud, unlike tower fans. They can become distracting, especially at night.

  • Lacks extra features

A box fan is a simple machine. It doesn’t have any special features like a tower fan. 

  • Unappealing design

A box fan wouldn’t fit in a well-decorated and stylish home because of its design and build.

VERDICT

Box fans are simple and straightforward. They’re also cheaper and more powerful compared to tower fans. Still, they don’t have added features like tower fans. If you’re looking for something that does the job at a lower cost, then a box fan is for you.Tower fans can also provide the air circulation needed in a home. Most tower fans are well-designed, which can make it a part of your decoration. But, powerful tower fans may cost a lot. If you’re conscious about your home’s aesthetics and don’t mind spending a few more bucks, then choose tower fans.