Best 6 Drying Fans On Any Budget

To help you choose the best drying fan for carpets and floors, among other surfaces, we have tried plenty of top models, researching them for high-velocity air streams, with a range of speed options, the ability to adjust to a wide variety of positions, to easily accommodate different drying needs, and compact anti-slip form factors. We also preferred products with additional features, such as electronic controls and power outlets, for powering external devices and creating daisy chains. We know that identifying the best fans is a challenging task. We have done the hard work to make the selection process easier for you.

The best product we researched was the Lasko X12905 High-Velocity X-Blower Utility Fan, which boasts three speeds, which can be chosen via electronic control, an adaptable design, with six airflow directions, and an extremely compact form factor, standing only 11 inches tall and weighing only seven pounds. We also liked the non-slip feet, for stability, built-in circuit breaker, and the inclusion of USB ports and a 120V accessory outlet. Keep reading to learn more about the Lasko X12905 High Velocity X-Blower Utility Fan and the other products on this list.

Top 6 Best Drying Fans Compared

 #1  Lasko X12905 High Velocity X-Blower Utility Fan (max 350 CFM) – Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: High velocity air stream, with three-speed settings, non-slip feet, and additional functionalities, such as the ability to power gadgets via dual USB ports or a 120V outlet. It also comes fully assembled and ready to go, which helped to make this our top pick.

The Lasko X12905 High Velocity X-Blower Utility Fan is a fantastic product and a powerful blower pumping out high volumes of drying air, incredible functionality with three-speed settings (low, medium, and high), and six air flow positions.  The non-slip feet are great and we also found the dual USB ports and 120V outlet useful for powering external gadgets. It also has a built-in circuit breaker and a reset button. The compact form factor of this excellent blower fan, coming in at 11 inches tall and weighing seven pounds, was also nice, as was the fact that it came fully assembled and ready to go. It’s an excellent choice for use in kitchens, basements, garages, job sites, and more.

Similar to the Lasko T42950, this product does come with a one-year warranty, which is decent, there are longer warranties on this list, as the number two pick comes with a three-year limited warranty. Additionally, this isn’t the quietest fan on this list, but the noise output was average given the high-velocity air stream. You might also want to read about the best ventilation fans.

 #2  Patton PUF1810C-BM 18-Inch High Velocity Fan (max 2,218 CFM) – Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: Boasts an extremely adjustable fan head, which can direct airflow in nearly any direction, and comes with a three-year warranty, which is great. The metal components are extremely durable and make this an ideal product for a workshop or garage.

This Patton PUF1810C-BM 18-Inch High-Velocity Fan features a highly adjustable fan head, which helps the product to direct airflow in nearly any direction. The whole thing is made out of extremely durable metal components, making this an ideal product for a garage or workshop, and the fan pumps out a lot of air at high-velocity speeds, which can be adjusted to three-speed settings. The three-year warranty is also on the higher end, which is a fantastic bonus.

The fan portion of this product does come assembled in the box, but the stand does not, requiring a wrench and other tools to put together. Additionally, this product is 12 pounds, which is much heavier than the top pick, though it does have a latch on top to carry it. The Patton is the solid option if you want a fan that will last you a long time. Also, for better airflow in your home check out the best tower fans.

 #3  Maxx Air Industrial Grade Air Circulator (max 4,000 CFM) – Most Mobile

WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes with a set of wheels on the bottom, for easy mobility, with rugged steel components and motors that reliably pump out an extremely high volume of air. The set of wheels on the bottom makes it easy to place this fan nearly anywhere you need it.

The Maxx Air Industrial Grade Air Circulator is a high-quality product, made from durable steel components and containing a set of premium motors, which reliably pump out an extremely high volume of air, allowing areas to become dry quickly. The unit has high versatility and can easily be mounted to walls or ceilings, thanks to a built-in bracket, and the wheels on the bottom of the product make this a highly mobile fan.

Though the two-year warranty is pretty good, our number two pick has a three-year warranty. Additionally, this is a high-quality fan with premium motors, so it is definitely on the louder side. Speaking of the air in your home, read up on the best modern ceiling fan.

 #4  Soleair Max Storm 1/2 HP Air Mover (max 2,550 CFM) – Longest Power Cord

WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes with an extremely long power cable, 25 feet, is housed in an impact-resistant shell, and is available in multipacks of up to 30 units, helping to save money. The long power cable makes it a breeze to use this fan anywhere in your home, garage, or office.

Soleair Max Storm 1/2 HP Air Mover is a janitorial-grade product, with an impact-resistant shell, water-resistant control switches, and a 25 feet power cable, the longest on this list. The 25-foot power cord provides for added flexibility, easy handling, and a no-hassle user experience. It boasts three operating angles, for easy air flow placement, is safety certified, and comes in multipacks of up to 30 units, which will save you some bucks if you are looking to populate an entire office or school.

The exterior casing does come with a five-year warranty, which is fantastic, but the internal components are only covered by a one-year warranty. Additionally, this product is heavy, over 25 pounds, though it does have a convenient carry handle for easy transportation. It is a perfect choice for janitorial and carpet cleaning companies. The best outdoor ceiling fans and the finest outdoor floor fans are also worth looking at for the home.

 #5  B-Air VP-25 1/4HP Blower Floor Fan (900 CFM) – Best Value

WHY WE LIKE IT: Units can be daisy-chained together, up to five at a time, to help cover large surface areas, with an extremely durable exterior plastic casing and a lightweight form factor, given its industrial-grade features. This is the perfect product for those looking for a fantastic value.

The B-Air VP-25 1/4HP Blower Floor Fan features an exterior casing made from ultra-durable heavyweight plastic, making it essentially fall-proof. The product comes with a pair of 120V outlets, allowing for the easy daisy-chaining of up to five fans at once, allowing users to cover a large surface area with air. The warranty is a combined affair, with five years being given to the exterior housing and two years given to electrical components. It is also only 11 pounds, which is on the low end considering the industrial-grade features on offer.

This is an industrial-grade product and, as such, the fan can get pretty loud, which could be an issue for some users. Additionally, the power cord is only ten feet long, whereas our number four pick comes with a 25-foot-long grounded plug. For a more personalized airflow, check out the best USB fan.

 #6  XPOWER P-80A Mini Mighty Air Mover (600 CFM) – Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely light and compact, just 11 inches high and weighing around seven pounds, coming with a pair of built-in power outlets, for charging external gadgets, and is housed in a highly durable plastic casing. This is a great product for the budget-conscious consumer because of its attractive price point.

The XPOWER P-80A Mini Mighty Air Mover is extremely light and compact, at just 11 inches high and seven pounds, making it a truly portable product. Portable drying fans are great for application in various places. The exterior casing is manufactured using highly durable heavy plastic, making it essentially fall-proof, and it comes with a pair of power outlets built-in and a stackable design, which can be used for powering external gadgets or for daisy-chaining up to four similar units together for easy storage. Energy efficiency is also key, and the XPOWER features an induction motor with an energy-efficient design, making it a very reliable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient motor. The 138W energy-efficient motor produces up to 600 CFM while drawing only 1.2 amps at its highest speed setting. This unit is easy to install, so no need to hire a professional, as it comes with a detailed guide.

This comes with a one-year warranty, which is ok but less than some other products on this list. A 10 feet power cord is not that long either compared to the others. Additionally, the motor only boasts coverage of 600 cubic feet per minute (CFM,) which is on the low side, though the portability and friendly price more than makes up for it. Also, have a look at the best fans.

How We Decided

To help you find the best drying fan, we researched dozens of top models, researching them for drying capabilities, favoring products with powerful motors that easily output many CFMs, as much as 4,200 as found in our number seven pick. We also preferred models with multiple speed settings and the ability to adjust the air vents, to cover as much area as possible.

For portability, we liked compact and relatively light products, such as mini air movers, though we realized there is often a trade-off between size and power. The ones with a lightweight design do not make very powerful blowers. On the safety side of things, we ended up picking many products that used ultra-hard plastic as an exterior casing, as we found that helped protect the blower fans from a fall or some other accident. Some products have built-in circuit breakers, increasing their safety ratings.

We also enjoyed models with additional features, such as the ability to daisy chain multiple units together, for maximum coverage, and built-in hanging mounts, for in-ceiling or in-wall use. But, you’ll need to find a great wall-mounted fan to put on the wall. Finally, we preferred products with power outlets and USB ports built-in to the casing, making it easy to power external gadgets as it operates.

Drying Fan Buying Guide

The Most Important Features to Consider

1. CFM and Speed Settings
   CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and is a metric used to measure how much airflow is emitted by the fan. It is the airflow capacity. Generally speaking, the higher the CFM, the better the drying capabilities of the fan, though this rule is not set in stone. Some models, like our top pick, have a relatively low CFM but still boast above-average drying capabilities, thanks to designs that maximize efficiency. Products that feature a wide variety of speed settings can also help dry areas quickly, as can larger-than-average blowers.
2. Safety and Durability
   These are somewhat complicated pieces of machinery, so you are going to want to make sure the product you pick is both durable and safe to use. On the durability front, many of the above models are encased in ultra-hard plastic, making them resistant to falls, among other accidents. Additionally, some models come with built-in circuit breakers and other safety forward technologies such as motor overload protection and thermal protection for the motor and grounded outlets which come in handy, especially on job sites. When all else fails, make sure to pick something with a lengthy warranty.
3. Additional Features
   Some drying fans boast additional features, such as power outlets and USB ports that allow for the charging of external gadgets. Many products can actually daisy chain on top of one another, meaning you can use the available power outlet to plug in another of the same product, up to five times as is the case with one of our picks. Other picks come with mounting hooks built-in, making it easy to hang from the ceiling, and non-slip feet, which can help if you are attempting to dry an area that has been soaked.