The 9 Best Window Fans of 2023

Best Overall

Genesis A1 Window Fan

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Air Speed
  4/5
• Design
  4/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

After testing several models of fans, the Genesis Twin Fan High Velocity Reversible AirFlow Fan won our title for best window fan because of its affordable price, cooling capabilities, and minimal design. We tested this pick in The Lab and at home afterward to capture insights in a real-world setting, and it didn't disappoint. The fan not only has three speed settings, but also a built-in thermostat so you can track and change the temperature. Our at-home tester reported that she wasn't sure if the thermostat worked well, but that the normal setting worked easily and the fan was really powerful even on its lowest setting.

Each individual 9-inch fan has in and out toggles that control the direction of airflow for cooling and exhaust capabilities. Our in-lab tester was especially impressed by the air circulation capabilities and the consistency between both fans. The copper motors that power each fan blade are made to withstand weather conditions, so this window fan is a great option for especially wet climates. In addition, expandable side panels on the unit add an additional 6.5 inches on either side. There’s also a built-in handle on the back of the fan so it can easily be lifted. Removable plastic feet are also included in case you want to use the fan as a tabletop model, but our at-home tester said the process of attaching the feet was a bit difficult. Our in-lab tester noted that this fan is incredibly lightweight and can easily be carried with one hand. 

In addition to its lightweight design, our in-lab tester noted that she could feel the cooling effect of the window fan from 6 feet away, and she could still detect air movement from 20 feet away, although it was faint. While the speed on this fan is not very high, our tester said the fan’s consistency would be great for cooling a room. Our at-home tester confirmed this saying, "I placed this fan on the window by where I work out in the mornings, and it's strong enough to keep the entire room from feeling stuffy, even on hot days." She noted this power is matched with a louder operation that may disturb you while you're sleeping.

Although the fan is constructed with durable plastic, our in-lab tester said it wasn’t the most luxurious or exciting design for a window fan. Overall, it's an affordable option, though, that blends into a space and has customizable features that effectively cool a room.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 12 x 24 x 4 inches | Weight: 8.28 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Plastic, copper | Cord Length: 6 feet | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best Budget

Comfort Zone CZ310R 3-Speed 3-Function Expandable Reversible Twin Window Fan

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Air Speed
  2/5
• Design
  3/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Value
  3/5

The Comfort Zone CZ310R 3-Speed 3-Function Expandable Reversible Twin Window Fan is a great affordable option for anyone living in a smaller space and looking for portability. Our tester noted the display is easy to use and understand, with three different fan speed settings, plus cool, exhaust, and circulate function settings. Although this fan may not have a strong cooling rate in a larger room, its price and multi-function options make it a reasonable buy for especially unbearable summer temperatures. 

This fan also has a handle and can be easily moved from one location to another, our tester noted. While it does come with feet, our tester said they were very flimsy. The bug and humidity screens are helpful for controlling what enters your home, but can be a bit tricky to attach. Despite a few minor design issues, we still think this window fan is a great budget pick for cooling down any small spaces in your home that don’t receive as much natural circulation.

Price at time of publish: $55

_{Dimensions: 13.75 x 25.25 x 4.75 inches | Weight: 6.62 pounds | CFM: 431 | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Plastic | Cord Length: 6 feet | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best Exhaust

Lasko 9 in. Remote Control Electronically Reversible Twin Window Fan with Thermostat

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This fan by Lasko is ETL-certified and comes with a one-year warranty, making it a great option for your kitchen, especially since it has independently-controlled twin fans. The fans can be set to intake, exhaust, or exchange, so if an especially smokey mishap occurs in the kitchen, you can direct all of that air out at full force. Unlike other models, this window fan has a digital display that tells you exactly how cool or warm it is in your home.

It also has an 8-hour, auto-off timer, so you can save energy once you’ve cooled off your home. While this fan is a powerful cooling option, it is louder than other models, so it may not be the best choice for a bedroom. Despite its noisy operation, we still recommend this fan because of its programmable thermostat, digital display, and independently operating twin fans.

Price at time of publish: $76

_{Dimensions: 12.9 x 24 x 4.9 inches | Weight: 8.15 pounds | CFM: 560 | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Plastic | Cord Length: 6 feet | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best Cooling

Bionaire Window Fan with Twin 8.5 in. Reversible Airflow Blades and Remote Control

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For a window fan that works hard around the clock, check out this Bionaire window fan. A digital display shows the exact temperature of your room and can be programmed to your ideal temperature. Once programmed, this fan will automatically adjust its cooling power to remain at your desired temperature. A separate remote control makes it easy to control this fan from anywhere in the same room, without having to adjust the buttons on the unit.

The airflow on this window fan can also be adjusted to direct air into your home, out of your home, or circulate air throughout. While this fan is a long-lasting model, be careful not to drop it or force it into a window frame, because the plastic frame is not super strong. Bionaire also doesn’t have many customer support options available, but this fan's auto-adjusting temperature features and its LED screen display make it a winner.

Price at time of publish: $90

_{Dimensions: 14.1 x 25.5 x 6 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Not listed | Cord Length: Not listed | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best Quiet

Vornado TRANSOM 3.35 in. Dia 4 Speed Low Profile Window Fan

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If you’re looking for a low-profile, quiet window fan for a bedroom or living room, check out the Vornado TRANSOM window fan. This fan has a 46-decibel rating, which means that it’s comparable to the average quiet of a library. In addition to its quiet operation, this window fan has an auto-adjusting temperature setting, four fan speeds, and three airflow settings. 

This window fan also has a “Soft-fit System” that prevents any elements from leaking into your home while the fan is installed in the window. A 5-year warranty also offers plenty of protection against potential malfunctions or system failures. While we love the low-profile design and the digital display on this window fan, the weather-tight extension blocks provided can be challenging to set up. Be sure that you have additional help on hand to properly secure the fan into a window frame. Despite this minor design flaw, the high performance, sleek design, and quiet operation are worth every penny.

Price at time of publish: $99

_{Dimensions: 7.16 x 26 x 5.73 inches | Weight: 8.32 pounds | CFM: 137 | Number of Fan Speeds: 4 | Material: Plastic | Cord Length: 8 feet | Decibel Rating: 46 decibels}

Best for Small Rooms

Optimus 8” Electrically Reversible Twin Window Fan

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Smaller rooms in a home don’t require a fan with major cooling force, which makes the Optimus 8-inch Electrically Reversible Twin Window Fan a great choice for them. While this fan may not be as powerful as other fans, it can still quickly and effectively cool off a small room. The twin blades are independently controlled so you can switch between exhaust and cooling settings. The speed on the blades is also independently controlled.

A timer on the control panel allows you to choose between a one, two, or four-hour limit before the fan shuts off. The motor is also self-lubricating, making it a low-maintenance option as well. While the independently controlled blades are a great feature, we wish this fan had more than two speed settings. However, if you’re placing this fan in a small room, then two speed settings should be sufficient enough to circulate cool air in the room.

Price at time of publish: $68

_{Dimensions: 12.2 x 24.2 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 8.85 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Number of Fan Speeds: 2 | Material: Plastic | Cord Length: 6.04 feet | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best for Large Rooms

Lasko 16 in. Window Fan with E-Z Dial Ventilation

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For a window fan that delivers on cooling power, especially in larger spaces, check out the Lasko 16-inch Window Fan with E-Z Dial Ventilation. Although this window fan is much larger than other options available, it has a CFM of 2210, making it a powerful option that can quickly cool down a larger room. The powder-coated storm guard frame makes it all-weather resistant and a trustworthy investment to last several seasons. 

Like other window fan models, this pick also has expandable sides that can extend to fit a window up to 34.5 inches wide. This fan also has an electronically controlled exhaust system, which can easily be switched on and off on the dial. While the control panel is very user-friendly, we wish there was a way to control the temperature of the circulated air. Despite this minor lack of detail, its high CFM and easy-to-use design make this pick a happy addition to a home.

Price at time of publish: $112

_{Dimensions: 22 x 8.25 x 26.5 inches | Weight: 13.9 pounds | CFM: 2210 | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Plastic, rust-resistant powder coat | Cord Length: 6 feet | Decibel Rating: Not listed}

Best for Bathrooms

Holmes Dual Blade Window Fan

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Our Ratings

• Air Speed
  3/5
• Design
  2/5
• Portability
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  2/5
• Value
  3/5

A bathroom exhaust fan is essential, especially if you enjoy hot showers. The Holmes Dual 8-inch Blade Twin Window Fan with Manual Controls is a reliable bathroom window fan choice because of its water-resistant motors and manual controls. You won’t have to worry about condensation affecting the performance of this fan, and you can easily switch both fan blades to exhaust mode for quick hot air removal.  

While there is a comfort-control thermostat dial, it doesn’t include any temperature range, so it’s difficult to know what temperature you’re setting the fan to. Each fan blade has its own speed dial and airflow switch, making the fan easy to operate and quick to adjust, though.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Dimensions: 13.3 x 25.7 x 6 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds | CFM: Not listed | Number of Fan Speeds: 3 | Material: Plastic | Cord Length: Not listed | Decibel Rating: Not listed}