Whether you’re struggling with loud neighbors, living above a busy street, or you just can’t stand the true silence of your bedroom at night, the best fans for white noise can perform dual purposes: keeping your bedroom cool while filling the airwaves with a light background noise that can lull you to sleep. But, there are a lot of fans out there, ranging from small ones that are whisper quiet to workhorses that might be too loud for you. So, what should you look for in a white noise fan?
First and foremost, keep your space in mind as you shop for the best fan for sleeping. There are plenty of fans for white noise that come in a variety of types, from a taller tower fan to a box fan you might place in your window. This may go without saying but, the larger your bedroom, the more powerful you’ll want your fan to be. However, if you’re primarily looking for a fan for the white noise it provides instead of its cooling features, room size might not matter quite as much as you shop. And, if you are looking to mimic the sound of a white noise fan without any of the breeze, you might be better off with a white noise machine reviewers love.
Scroll on for the 11 best white noise fans on Amazon that’ll get you to sleep in no time.
1. A Popular Box Fan For White Noise: Genesis Box Fan
White noise sleepers widely consider box fans (like this one from Genesis) to be one of the best options, because they’re often the loudest. This one has three speed settings you can operate with the convenient dial. It features a copper motor, and it’s great for a constant sound. Over 1,800 Amazon users have weighed in and give this box fan an average 4.6-star rating. Plus, the manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.
According to a reviewer: ” Perfect white noise fan. Has very powerful air movement, but in narrow wind tunnel shape. Used to pull cooler air from outside into a room to cool it, and it worked within an hour!”
2. A Small Desktop Fan: Lasko Platinum Desktop Wind Tower
If you’re looking for a compact fan for your apartment, this small but powerful oscillating tower should do the trick. It has three speeds, a stacked design to save space, and two separate sections that pivot for even wider coverage. It comes in a few different colors, if you have a preference as to which style you place on your bedside table or desk.
According to a reviewer: “I bought the fan for white noise, and am pleased with the levels available in terms of noise strength. I measured the highest setting with a decibel meter, and it runs between 58 and 60 decibels.”
3. The Editor Favorite: Lasko Wind Curve Electric Oscillating Tower Fan
With multiple white noise levels, you’ll be able to customize your white noise with this tower fan. And thanks to the built-in Bluetooth, you can control it all from your phone up to 75 feet away. The oscillation is wide and there’s a timer function that’s great for sleep. “I’ve had this Lasko tower fan for over a year, and it is a lifesaver for my hot apartment. This fan has three speeds, each of which produce a white noise at different intensities. It’s surprisingly powerful on its highest speed, and I love that I can control it via an app from anywhere in my space,” raves Bustle Commerce Editor Amy Biggart.
According to a reviewer: “We bought this Lasko to replace an older Lasko tower fan that started “squeaking.” We had that one for 3 or 4 years, BTW. […] This one blows significantly stronger. It makes noise, but we like white noise when we sleep, so we’re happy with that. But you will have to turn the TV up a little.”
4. A Low-Profile Personal Fan: Honeywell 2-Speed Personal Fan
If you want something that’s noticeable, but bit more subtle, there’s the Honeywell personal fan. It has two speeds and it fits on desks, tabletops, and nightstands. With a one-year warranty in case you run into any issues, this fan is a safe home purchase that plenty of Amazon reviewers wish they had found sooner.
According to a reviewer: “The white noise is just what I needed and the cool breeze is perfect for me to sleep. I would and probably will order another one for kitchen. Worth every penny!”
5. A Stronger (& Louder) Fan For Your Whole Room: Vornado Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
“I use the small vornado fans,” wrote Reddit user rfgrunt in a post about white noise fans. “Very good quality, has lasted years with nightly use.” It’s ideal for someone who likes a ton of air flow because it uses a signature vortex technology that circulates up to 70 feet. Instead of hearing the mechanical sound of blades, though, you actually hear whooshing air.
According to a reviewer: “Like other Vornado products, this one is well made. […] Chatting with a Vornado rep, I learned that the sound levels for this Model 630 are Low- 53, Med- 58 and High- 64 decibels.”
6. A Budget-Friendly Model: Comfort Zone 3-Speed 12-inch Oscillating Table Fan
For less than $20, you can pick up this model with a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 2,500 reviews, customers seem to agree that this Comfort Zone fan is a quality product for a low price. It has three speeds and an adjustable tilt. Plus, it oscillates so you can cover a wide area.
According to a reviewer: “I live where there is medium outside noise, a mile or so from a train track and a few blocks from a highway. So this fan actually acts like white noise for me. It is easy to assemble and take apart to clean. The first one I bought is still going after three years. Would definitely buy another.”
7. A Portable White Noise Fan: O2COOL Clip Fan
This battery-operated clip fan measures in at only 5 inches, so it’s a great option for traveling, and according to reviewers — it delivers just the right amount of white noise for sleeping. Plus, the head pivots so you can aim the direction of airflow in any direction you choose. Pro tip: The clip is perfect for attaching the fan to a headboard or bedside table.
According to a reviewer: “There is a little screw to tighten it up and the head swivels almost 360. There isn’t an angle that this fan wont get. I moved it around several times as my son was moving. There is a low and high option and the fan makes just enough noise to calm and soothe without being obnoxious. Would DEFINITELY purchase again!”
8. A Powerful Fan That Cools Like An AC: Lasko High-Velocity Pro Pivoting Utility Fan
The Lasko utility fan has a pivoting high-velocity airstream blower that outputs loads of air and a nice constant noise. It’s ideal for super hot sleepers (one reviewer even noted that “Everyone asks if it is an AC”), but it’s not so loud that most can’t fall asleep.
According to a reviewer: “It works better than any tower, box or ceiling fan I’ve ever had. It was also pretty cheap for the value. It is kind of noisy, but its kind of comparable to “white noise” which i need in order to fall asleep so it works great for me. My cats love it too.”
9. A “Wind Machine” White Noise Fan: Lasko 3300 Wind Machine
This Lasko Wind Machine has large 20-inch blades and a pivoting head for optimum air flow. There’s a convenient carrying handle to move it from room to room. This fan has three different speeds so you can pick your preference and weighs under 10 pounds, making it easy to lift and move.
According to a reviewer: “If you’re searching for the perfect fan that moves air and provides the white noise of a whirring fan without the obnoxious hum of a motor look no further! I’ve slept like a baby since buying this.”
10. A Tiny White Noise Machine: Marpac Dohm Sound Machine Fan
Whether you’re traveling light or it’s too cold to deal with airflow, this sound machine was specifically created to drown out the world with a relaxing fan noise. That’s because it’s got actual asymmetrical blades inside that create the soothing sound of rushing air without pushing any. With nearly 15,000 Amazon reviewers weighing in, this white noise machine is tried and true. It’s a great way to experience the sound of a white noise fan without any of the cooling effects.
According to a reviewer: “Do you ever get the feeling your white noise is just…fake? These machines are anything but! […] Real fans power REAL sound, and they’ll lull you to sleep in a few winks. Think you can turn this machine on and read in bed? Think again! You’ll be asleep by the end of paragraph 1.”
11. A Powerful, Industrial Fan: Air King Industrial Grade Fan
According to many reviewers, the Air King fans are the way to go if you want plenty of power as well as a soothing white noise. This floor fan has a pivoting head, powder-coated steel blades, and a mounting option for more versatility. It measures 20 inches in width, but it comes in a few different sizes if this isn’t the best one for your space.
According to a reviewer: “Awesome air movement! I could very well see this being used in a nursery or warehouse. I use it for “white” noise at night. It has 3 speeds. The lowest speed covers up just about everything except the trash truck.”
