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The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Why buy a fan and space heater separately when you can get both rolled into one? We researched and tested some of the best combination fan and heaters available today, evaluating each model on factors such as temperature control, fan settings, noise level, and safety features.
Best Overall
Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier, Heater and Fan
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Amazon
Sleek design
Blade-free operation
10 speed settings
Built-in air purifier with HEPA filter
Certified asthma and allergy friendly
Pricey
Our top pick, the Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool, is attractive, efficient, and packed with valuable features, making it worth the higher price tag. We love that this sleek fan offers supplementary heating in the winter; plus it also functions as an air purifier, using a HEPA filter to capture 99.97 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including pollen, mold, dust, and pet dander. Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it even has an activated carbon filter that helps remove odors from your home, all while providing a cool breeze or cozy warmth, and it’s effective in spaces up to 800 square feet.
This high-tech fan features the brand’s signature blade-free design and has 10 fan speeds (twice as many as most others offer), and it oscillates up to 70 degrees to push air across the whole room. The fan is controlled via its user-friendly LED display, and it also comes with a magnetized remote control that can be stored right on the fan if needed. It is expensive, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find an option that’s more attractive and versatile.
Price at time of publish: $400
Dimensions: 24.88 x 8.7 x 6.06 inches | Weight: 8.6 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: 72 inches | Decibel Rating: 56 dB | Oscillation: Yes
Best Tower
Lasko FH500 Fan & Space Heater Combo Tower
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Walmart
Slim design
Multiple fan and heat settings
Breeze can be felt from across the room
Easy-to-clean filter
Short power cord
Cumbersome to move
We tested The Lasko FH500 Fan and Space Heater Combo in our lab and at home and were impressed with its sleek tower design and impressive airflow. The fan is just over 12 inches wide at the base, making it easy to tuck into a corner of your room, and in addition to four fan speeds, it also has three warming settings powered by a 1,500-watt heater. The fan’s automatic electronic thermostat maintains a consistent temperature using less energy, and we noted that the fan could circulate air up to 20 feet away, making it ideal for midsize rooms. In fact, this fan is a favorite with our tester's whole family (including the dog!) as they could all enjoy the cool and relatively quiet airflow while on the couch watching TV.
This tower fan and heater combo oscillates to push air across a wider area, although our tester noted it only swings back and forth in roughly a 6-inch range. It has a remote control that can be stored on the back of the fan itself, and the fan has an 8-hour timer with an auto shutoff—ideal for use at night. The fan’s filter is easy to access via a panel at the back of the unit, and while there is a small handle to help move the appliance, it is fairly bulky and cumbersome to carry. We also noted that the power cord seemed shorter than listed, and the fan needed to be set up fairly close to a power outlet. However, once you find the perfect spot to place it, you'll be impressed with its quiet, effective operation and design, and it won't be an eyesore in any space.
Price at time of publish: $119
Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 x 41.88 inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: 72 inches | Decibel Rating: Not listed | Oscillation: Yes
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The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Best Budget
LifePlus 2-in-1 Heater Fan Combo
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Amazon
Affordable
Lightweight and portable
Multiple heat and fan settings
Tilting head
Heating element smells on first use
The LifePlus Heater Fan Combo has a basic design, but it’s affordable and works well to heat and cool small spaces. The portable unit weighs just over 2 pounds, making it easy to move between rooms, and it has a single control dial on top. When you turn it to the red side, you can choose between high or low heat settings, and on the blue side, there are high and low fan speeds for a total of four different settings. It doesn’t oscillate, but you can tilt the head upward to 18 or 45 degrees to push air at a different angle.
This little fan has a grid cover to keep children’s fingers away from the blades, and it also has an automatic shutoff function if it ever overheats. Its electric coil heating mechanism warms up quickly when you turn on the heat setting, yet it won’t use too much electricity and run up your bill. While it is small with limited features, you can’t beat the affordable price of this portable unit, which is ideally suited for use in a home office or other small space.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 9.44 x 6 x 10.63 inches | Weight: 2.42 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: 60 inches | Decibel Rating: Not listed | Oscillation: No
Best Splurge
Dyson HP04 Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier, Heater and Fan
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Amazon
Air purification with HEPA filter
350-degree oscillation
Built-in Wi-Fi
Certified asthma and allergy friendly
Expensive
If you’re willing to spend top-dollar on a high-tech fan and heater combo unit, the Dyson HP04 Pure Heat + Cool is the next model up from our best overall pick. It’s slightly larger than the HP01, and it comes with several additional features that make it a worthwhile splurge, including 350-degree oscillation and Wi-Fi connectivity. The 3-in-1 design works as a fan, heater, and air purifier, and when it’s connected to your smartphone, you can adjust its settings, get real-time reports on your air quality, monitor the filter status, and more. You can even control it using voice commands via Amazon Alexa.
The HP04 has 10 speed settings, and its powerful bladeless design pushes purified air across your whole room. It automatically senses and tracks air pollution in your home, displaying the levels on its LCD screen, and it uses both HEPA and activated carbon filters to remove impurities from the space. The fan comes with a magnetic remote that can be attached right to the fan for convenient storage, and it’s certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Price at time of publish: $755
Dimensions: 9.76x 8.07 x 30.08 inches | Weight: 19.18 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: Not listed | Decibel Rating: Not listed | Oscillation: Yes
Best for Bathroom
Delta Breez Radiance Series Ceiling Bathroom Exhaust Fan
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Amazon
Quiet operation
Built-in heating element and thermostat
Low-profile design
Includes light
Uses GU24 bulbs
The Delta Breez Radiance Series Ceiling Bathroom Exhaust Fan will help to keep your bathroom warm on chilly days thanks to its built-in heating element. It uses just 10.5 watts of power and has a built-in thermostat that helps regulate the temperature. Plus, the fan moves up to 80 CFM of air, helping to remove moisture and odors from the space.
This exhaust fan is designed to be mounted on your ceiling, featuring a low-profile design with a classic grille, and it can typically replace older bath fans thanks to its compact housing. The fan does require a dedicated 15-amp circuit for installation, and once it’s set up, it operates extremely quietly at just 1.5 sones—roughly 34 decibels. The fan has an integrated CFL bulb to help light up your bathroom, but be aware that it uses special GU24 bulbs, which don’t have a classic twist-in base.
Price at time of publish: $111
Dimensions: 14. x 8.25 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 13.7 pounds | CFM: 80 | Cord Length: Not applicable | Decibel Rating: 34 | Oscillation: No
Best for Small Rooms
PELONIS Portable 2-in-1 Vortex Heater
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Walmart
Affordable
Adjustable thermostat
Compact and lightweight
Head tilts up to 90 degrees
No oscillation
If you’re only looking to heat or cool a small space, the PELONIS Portable 2-in-1 Vortex Heater is compact and affordable. It has two warmth settings that offer 900 and 1,500 watts of heat, as well as two cooling settings for fan-only operation. The fan is extremely lightweight, weighing less than 5 pounds, and it has a built-in carrying handle for easy transport.
This portable fan can heat up to 70 degrees using its ceramic heating technology, and it has a digital control panel on top of the unit that makes it easy to adjust the settings to your liking. The head can be tilted up to 90 degrees, but it doesn’t oscillate—another reason why it’s best suited for smaller rooms. Plus, the fan comes with a remote control for across-the-room adjustments, and its housing stays cool to the touch.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 11.92 x 7.63 x 11.1 inches | Weight: 4.36 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: Not listed inches | Decibel Rating: 56 | Oscillation: No
Best for Large Rooms
Lasko FHV820 High Velocity Hybrid Fan and Space Heater
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Amazon
Multiple heat and fan settings
Built-in timer
AutoEco thermostat saves energy
Easy-to-clean filter
Slightly noisy
This high-velocity fan from Lasko is able to cool down (or heat up) larger rooms thanks to its large form and widespread oscillation. It offers four fan speeds, from low to high velocity, as well as four heat settings. When you put it on turbo heat, the fan projects warmth 40 percent further, helping to raise the temperature in the room more quickly, and its AutoEco thermostat is able to maintain the room temperature while using less energy.
You can control this Lasko fan using the multi-function remote control, which can also be stored on the back of the fan, or via the digital control panel on the top of the unit. An 8-hour timer allows you to set and forget the device, and it’s equipped with all the safety features you’d expect, including a tip-over switch and overheating protection. The fan has two easy-to-clean filters that can simply be vacuumed as needed. Keep in mind that its operation is slightly louder than other fans, so it may not be the best choice for bedrooms or anywhere else that you want a quiet atmosphere, but it's a great option for larger spaces.
Price at time of publish: $150
Dimensions: 10.96 x 8 x 38.65 inches | Weight: 15.13 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: 72 inches | Decibel Rating: Not listed | Oscillation: Yes
Best Portable
Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater
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Amazon
Circulates air throughout room
Adjustable thermostat
Cool-touch exterior
Five-year warranty
Expensive for its size
Only one fan speed
Don’t be fooled by its compact form—while the Vornado AVH10 Vortex Heater may be portable, it’s also extremely powerful and able to heat up large rooms with ease. Thanks to the brand’s signature design, the Vornado more efficiently circulates air throughout the room, delivering more efficient performance compared to similarly sized fans. It has high and low heat settings, as well as a fan-only mode, and its adjustable thermostat automatically senses how much heat and circulation are needed to maintain the set temperature.
This compact fan weighs around 5 pounds, making it easy to move around as needed, and it has a large, user-friendly LCD screen with push-button controls. The cool-touch cabinet is a nice feature, especially for homes with children and pets, and the heater will automatically shut off if the unit is ever tipped over or starts overheating. There’s a hidden cord wrap on the bottom of the fan for storage in the off-season, and the product is backed by a five-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $100
Dimensions: 12 x 9.25 x 11.63 inches | Weight: 5.4 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Cord Length: 72 inches | Decibel Rating: Not listed | Oscillation: No
Best Humidifier
COSTWAY Evaporative Cooler and Heater
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Amazon
Adds moisture to the air
Mounted on caster wheels
Works as swamp cooler
Included ice packs are small
The COSTWAY Evaporative Cooler and Heater is an ideal choice for anyone who lives in a low-humidity climate, as it helps add moisture to the air during operation. It can be used without water as a regular fan, with cold water for cooling in the summer, and as a space heater in the winter. There’s even an ion setting that helps to purify the air in your home.
This swamp cooler has a 7-liter water tank, and you can choose from three fan speeds and three “wind modes.” The louvers on the front of the unit can be adjusted up to 70 degrees up or down, and they oscillate 120 degrees from side to side in “swing” mode. The evaporative cooler comes with two ice packs that can be added to the water tank to help increase its cooling power, but they’re fairly small, so you may need to invest in additional ice packs if you want the air extremely cool. While this fan is fairly heavy at 17 pounds (not counting the weight of the water you add in), it’s mounted on caster wheels that allow you to roll it around your home for indoor and outdoor use.
Price at time of publish: $156
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 29 inches | Weight: 17 pounds | CFM: 334 | Cord Length: Not listed | Decibel Rating: 42 | Oscillation: Yes
If you want a powerful fan that can also help heat up your home, go with the Dyson HP01 Pure Hot + Cool Air Purifier. In addition to its sleek design, it offers 10 fan speeds and air purification, and it can be used in spaces up to 800 square feet. For a compact, budget-friendly option, the LifePlus 2 in 1 Heater Fan Combo offers two heat and two fan settings that you control via a manual dial.
What to Look for in a Combination Fan and Heater
Temperature Control
Combination fans and heaters can vary widely in their heat settings—some allow you to select a precise temperature using a digital thermostat, while others simply offer one or two heating settings. The former is ideal for people who want more granular control over the heat output, while the latter may work just fine if you just want to add a little extra warmth to your space.
Fan Speeds
Fan and heater combo units often have anywhere from one to 10 fan speed settings. Models with more fan speeds give you more control over the amount of air being pushed across your room, as well as the level of noise created. Single-speed fans, on the other hand, are inflexible—if you don’t like the breeze it creates, your only other option is to turn it off.
Oscillation
To help heat or cool a larger area of your home, you may want to look for a combination fan and heater that offers oscillation. This simply means that the unit will swing back and forth to push air across a wider area—it could be as little as 70 degrees or as wide as 300+ degrees, depending on the model you select.
Noise
Because of their built-in motors and heating units, combination fan and heaters can be somewhat noisy. If you’re planning to use the fan in your bedroom, office, or another space where you like a quiet environment, it’s best to look at each unit’s decibel level to determine how loud it is during operation.
Safety
Because combination fan and heaters use the same technology as space heaters, they should be equipped with a variety of safety features. You’ll want to look for models that shut off automatically if they’re tipped over or start to overheat. These products should always meet U.S. safety standards, and you’ll also want to look for labels that indicate the unit has been tested by recognized labs like UL, ETL, or CSA.
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How does a combination fan and heater work?
“Combination fan and heaters offer users relief from both warm and cool temperatures, all in one unit,” explains Brian Schaadt, business unit director at Lasko, a popular fan brand. “These units can be used year-round and never need to be stored away.” These combo units typically have enclosed blades like a regular fan, but they also feature some type of built-in heating unit, similar to a space heater. These features can typically be used separately, and some models allow you to use them in tandem.
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How much electricity does a fan heater use?
On average, a fan heater will use about 1 to 2 kWh of electricity, or about 1,000 to 2,000 watts, for every hour the device is on. Many people prefer these units for supplementary heating and cooling as they use significantly less energy than, for instance, an air conditioner.
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Why might the fan on a combination unit stop working?
There are several reasons a fan may fail on a fan heater combination unit. The fan, rotor, and motor may be too dusty to work properly, so if you see a thick layer of dust, clean the fan and try again. If this doesn't help or the fan isn't dusty, then perform a close inspection of the individual parts. Look for loose bearings, sparks coming from the brushes, or an acrid odor that could indicate problems with the windings or that the motor needs lubrication. If you have a multimeter, then you can also check the motor for electrical resistance. If the motor is not receiving electricity, then there is likely a short circuit.
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How can you maintain a combination fan and heater unit?
Keeping a fan and heater unit working isn't difficult. “Combination fan and heaters should be routinely examined to ensure dust and debris are not clogging intake vents,” recommends Schaadt. “The filters should be vacuumed twice a month to keep the unit running efficiently. In addition, it’s recommended to use a can of compressed air to help loosen dust.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching combination fans and heaters for this article, she spoke with Brian Schaadt, business unit director at Lasko, for insights on selecting, using, and maintaining these appliances. She evaluated each model on factors such as size, heat and airflow output, noise level, and overall value, prioritizing products that offer a variety of safety features. Rabideau also used insights from The Spruce’s team of product reviewers, who conducted firsthand testing on select units.