Staying in a garage without any air conditioning can get really hot, especially during summer days. Working in a hot garage can be quite exhausting, unhealthy, uncomfortable, and sometimes even outright dangerous. The heat coming from the car can also make the temperature in your garage worse. As a solution, you could install a garage fan.
However, choosing the best garage fan is not an easy task, as some tend to fail after a short period of time. To help you out with your purchase, we have prepared a buying guide for you and a list of best garage fans with reviews.
Top 10 Best Garage Fans for the money
– Bestseller Garage Fan Comparisons Table –
[amazon bestseller=”garage fan” items=”5″ template=”table”]As we will discuss in detail later on, there are multiple types of fans available for purchase. This is why picking one universally optimal garage fan is impossible since every person has their own needs and preferences. Hence, our list is in no particular order and includes various garage fan models that we believe to be of high quality and worth your money.
So here is a list of the best garage fans that you can choose from, which could help keep the temperature in your garage at bay:
1. Patton – High-Velocity Fan Review
This fan is perfect for use in a rugged environment due to its sturdy industrial construction. It will surely work best in a garage or in a workshop, where proper air ventilation is needed for you to work and function comfortably. This appliance comes with a 20-inch metal blade that will last a long time.
The blades are designed to move a lot of air with a super effective motor. You can rotate and easily move this Patton garage fan to provide the necessary ventilation, drying, and cooling off exactly where you need it. Also, it has adjustable speed settings.
Moreover, it has a carry handle at the back to make portability much easier. Its front and rear grills are made from metal for durability. With its powder-coated finish, it’ll resist wear and tear a lot better. This fan comes with a 3-year warranty.
2. Air King 9020 – Wall Mount Fan Review
This is an industrial-grade fan that is ideal for commercial or industrial settings. It can be used in garages, warehouses, or any other indoor location.
Since this fan is mountable on the wall, you would save more space on your floor or any other usable surface. It will allow you to move easier in your garage. You won’t have to deal with the fan’s cord lying loosely on the floor. The fan has a powerful motor that can instantly provide cooling and air circulation.
The Air-King 9020’s power rating is up to 1/6 of a horsepower (~125 watts), meaning it can cool off large areas quickly at the highest settings. It also has three adjustable speed settings. You can change the motor’s speed any time you want.
This mountable fan requires little maintenance since it has a high-velocity circulation. This would also mean that you can mount it on your wall without checking its condition too often. You’ll have to clean it once in a while. This garage wall fan comes with a slightly shorter 1-year warranty.
3. Stanley 655704 – Blower Fan Review
This blower fan is ideal for closed spaces that need a lot of air circulation. Stanley’s garage fan is best suited for workspaces, garages, basements, and attics. It’s also a multi-purpose fan that can be rotated for direct airflow in any direction. Great for drying floors, carpets, furniture, and walls.
Unlike other blower fans, the Stanley 655704 has a silent high-velocity motor, combining both comfort and utility. It has 3 power settings.
The fan has a rugged carry handle for convenience and two power outlets on the case, which adds an extension cord feature to this device.
These outlets are also as safe as any other since the 655704 has circuit breakers for safety purposes. And unlike the other fans, you don’t have to assemble this as it is fully ready to work upon purchase.
4. Hurricane Classic Series – Wall Mount Fan Review
This wall mount fan from Hurricane can be used anywhere in your home. It can be in your bedroom, living room, kitchen, or in your garage. Aside from the walls, it can also be installed on the ceiling. With its mounting feature, it will help save you a lot of space. This will help prevent minor accidents that can be caused by tripping over its 60-inch power cord.
This fan’s oscillation motion ranges up to 90 degrees, and it has two convenient pull cords to control its oscillation and speed from afar. This garage fan comes with 16-inch fan blades that will ensure optimum energy usage when generating airflow.
The neck support of the Classic series wall mount fan is made of solid steel, which will last a long time. The fan also requires little to no maintenance at all. The assembly instructions are easy and straightforward to read. You won’t have problems with the quick assembly of this wall fan.
5. Vornado 293 – Air Circulator Review
The Vornado 293 is a powerful workshop fan, which you can use in your garage, in a workshop, or at a job site. It’ll provide you with enough air circulation to help minimize the room’s temperature.
It is made with durable, high-quality materials to withstand high temperatures and potential mechanical damage. This can also be used to dry up industrial varnished materials, helps cool off the garage, and of course, provide air circulation. It has 3 ventilation speed settings for various workplaces and needs.
The fan is also precisely constructed so that its ball-bearing motor will never need any lubricating since it and the other moving parts of the fan will resist dust. The head can be pointed in any direction while its powder-coated parts will last for a long time in most workshop environments.
The fan is also lightweight and has a comfortable carry handle, making it conveniently portable. This fan has a lengthy and reassuring 5-year limited warranty.
6. Lasko 2265QM – High-Velocity Fan Review
This is a very convenient high-velocity garage fan that is ideal for garage use. You can attach it to the included mount on your wall or just let it work on your floor. With its high velocity and three metal blades, it can help deliver maximum air movement from in and out of your garage. The fan has three adjustable speed settings. You can change the amount of air it circulates when needed.
With the fan’s one-piece steady bracket, you can easily mount it on your wall. Or you can simply place it on the floor. With its rubber pads, it won’t let the fan skid on your floor or damage the floor’s surface. It also has a convenient built-in carry handle for convenience and portability. However, this fan is a bit loud when used due in part to how powerful it is.
The 2265QM’s sturdy steel parts will ensure its durability, proper functionality, and the fan’s longevity.
7. Maxxair HVWM – Wall Mount Fan Review
Here is another best fan for your garage. This fan is energy efficient, enclosed, and dustproof. Maximum airflow is 2,500 CFM, along with two other lower speed settings.
This 18” wall mount fan is both economic and a reliable solution for garages, barns, and workshops with limited space or if overhead circulation is needed. The fan’s head could tilt up to 180 degrees to freely control the direction of airflow. The fan has a 3-speed pull chain to change the fan’s speed setting anytime easily. Maxxair fan is made with rust-resistant grills and powder-coated steel to help ensure proper ventilation and durability.
It’s ideal for a rugged work environment like a garage, a workshop, and other job sites. Out of the box already fully assembled, all you have to do is plug it in for it to work. This fan is backed up with a 1-year warranty.
8. Lasko 4900 Pro – Performance Blower Fan Review
This blower fan has a beautiful industrial look as it has a yellow color and a beautiful black finish. This fan has a high-velocity motor, is fully assembled, and has three adjustable speeds. This fan has a power rating of 2400 Watts, which is quite high compared to other fans.
The fan weighs roughly 10 pounds and can blow air at a rate of up to 350 CFM. The Lasko blower fan is made up of very sturdy plastic, thus making it very durable. It can also withstand the intense heat in your garage during summer days. The blower’s head can be pivoted. You can adjust it in an up and down to aim the blower wherever the air is needed.
Aside from providing air circulation, the blower fan can also be useful for drying, ventilating, and cooling whenever you need to. With the fan’s easy-grip handle, you can easily move the fan from place to place. This is an ideal blower fan for work sites, basements, and garages.
9. Maxxair High-Velocity – Air Movement Fan Review
This is a portable heavy-duty air circulator offered by Maxxair. It is a well-built, powerful product that is suitable for basically any workspace imaginable. Unfortunately, the high quality comes at an equally high price as this garage cooling fan costs almost twice as much as some cheaper alternatives.
This portable air blower could weigh up to 38 pounds. It has a maximum power of 4000 CFM and a minimum of 2800 CFM. The fan is also built with durable metal and a rust resisting grill. You can tilt the fan’s head to adjust the airflow. Moreover, with its wheels, you can easily move the fan from place to place without carrying, except when necessary.
This fan can fairly cool 1600 square feet garage without any problems. With its high-velocity circulator, it doesn’t make deafening noises, so not only is it a high-performance fan, but it is also comfortable to be around. The fan’s feet have anti-skid rubbers, so you don’t have to worry about it skidding around your floor with its wheels.
10. Westinghouse – Industrial Ceiling Fan Review
This is a 56-inch, a three-bladed garage ceiling fan is ideal for residential, industrial, and commercial use. With its high power motor, it could help create a more comfortable environment in your garage or in any other part of your house for that matter.
This fan might not stand out as too pleasing to the eyes, but it is well-recognized because of its mechanical capabilities. It only needs minimal assembly, meaning that it is not really hard to install and assemble in your garage. Unlike the other fans, this ceiling fan has 5 speed/power settings, perfect for garage use, especially if you have a big garage. This is also great for two-story entryways, high ceiling rooms, lofts, and workshops.
The Westinghouse fan is backed with a 15-year warranty on its motor and a 2-year warranty on the other parts. Westinghouse is a well-known, trusted global brand, so you can rest assured that their products are all high-quality and durable.
Defining the Best Garage Fan
Generally, when you choose a fan for your garage or workshop, it should be big, durable. It can create a strong airflow that can at least provide a moderate ambient temperature, enough to make the area comfortable to work in.
Here are the important features that you should look for in a garage fan:
Strong, Durable Motor
There are two types of motors that are used by fans. One is a sleeve bearing motor. This motor has a recirculating oil system that will keep the parts lubed up as the fan’s motor works. Fans with this type of motor are less expensive, but it tends to have a shorter lifespan, as it’s difficult to keep the parts lubricated at low-speeds or when often turned on or off.
The other type of garage fan motor is a dual ball-bearing motor. Regardless of the fan’s operating speed, this type of motor will stay evenly lubricated. Unlike the sleeve bearing motor, this motor is more expensive but would last longer. This motor also works much better in high-temperature areas. This is apparently a good choice for a garage that gets too hot during the summer and usually gets too cold in the winter.
The Fan’s Power
In fans, the amount of power of the airflow that they emit is measured in CFM. It stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. It is the volume of air or wind that they push out per minute. Workshops are usually quite spacious, so you will probably need a fan with at least 3000 CFM of power to keep it evenly ventilated and cool. This will provide you with enough air conditioning and will meet your needs every day.
Adjustable Fan Speed
If you mostly spend your time in your garage, there would be times that you won’t want your garage fan working at full blast. Sometimes, using a fan with 3000 CFM power can be too much for your comfort, especially if the fan is right in front of you while working. Therefore, if you buy a 3000 CFM powered fan, choose the one with at least a low, medium, and high setting.
Suitable Fan Size
Many people might shy away from getting an industrial fan, but if you are looking for the right amount of air circulation in a large space, the bigger the fan is, the better. Industrial model fans are often better and sturdier for workshop conditions. But if you are looking for a fan that could provide airflow in a smaller garage, you might need a garage fan that can fit in tight spaces.
Tiltable Fan
There are a lot of reasons why you might need or want an adjustable tilt in your fan. There may be spaces in your garage that don’t get any ventilation because of the fan’s straight angle, but if the fan can be tilted, then you can easily adjust it. Also, there may be humid days where you’ll want to work directly in front of the fan, so you might want to adjust the fan’s airflow direction.
Sturdy Design
If you are looking for a durable fan that can withstand the change of temperature in your garage, your best option will be getting a fan with metal blades. If a fan is placed in a garage, it will often be exposed to heavy dust and accidental dents. A metal bladed fan is more accessible to be regularly cleaned.
It may be made of metal, but it is still lightweight enough to reach the CFM’s desired amount. Besides that, you may also want to make sure the feet and wall mounts are made with lightweight and durable materials.
Sturdy and Durable Wall Mount or Feet
Whether you plan to use a wall, stand, or floor fan, you should look for the sturdiest one possible. For a floor model, the fan’s stand should be made out of metal with rubberized feet. This will prevent your garage floor from getting damaged or scratched. The rubber pads will also help prevent the fan from skidding when the blades are spinning at full speed.
For a wall fan, you should make sure that the mounting bar is made out of metal and that it is specially designed for your fan only. Check if it’s a perfect fit. If the mounting bar is loose, then you should return it to the manufacturer immediately.
Types of Garage Fans
Choosing the type of garage fan will highly depend on your needs, the cost and effectiveness of the appliance, and your garage space. This section will provide you with a brief review of the different types of garage fans.
Different fans can be separated into two types depending on how the airflow is generated. The two ways to achieve this is through either an air circulation design or through a blower fan design:
Air circulation Fan
Ceiling and wall-mounted fans are an example of air-circulation fans. These types are designed to circulate the air in the room properly. The metal blades will distribute the air in low pressure and wider space. However, there’ll be some situations where you need a stronger, more concentrated airflow, in which case a blower fan might be better.
Blower Fan
This is a stronger fan type, which can produce airflow in a concentrated area with higher pressure, higher than an air-flow garage fan. With its high-pressure airflow, it can be also be used to blow out dust particles. It’s also great for keeping the insects out.
If you are looking for something lightweight and portable, then a blower fan is just the thing that you need. Note: blower fans tend to be much louder than normal oscillating fans. This is due to the pressurized airflow.
The generation of airflow isn’t the only factor that separates different garage fans. They can also be classified by how they’re mounted :
Ceiling Fan
One of the best types of garage fan that you can choose from is a ceiling fan. Some may also come with lighting, which can help improve visibility if you have a small or dark garage.
There are other different designs for ceilings fans, but they mostly tend to have large, uncovered blades. They tend to run quietly and function as an ambient cooling device. They also come with many different settings that optimize the fan’s speed to any circumstance.
However, since ceiling fans are installed and are not mountable, it will require you to wire the fan into your electric system. This will make it harder for you to remove and install a ceiling fan. If you want something easy to move around and easy to install, you should probably choose a mountable wall fan.
Wall-Mounted Fan
This type is an excellent option for you when it comes to saving space. Unlike ceiling fans, you don’t have to wire it to your electrics to operate, but it can still provide you with a huge amount of power. In most cases, these fans work with spinning blades to help circulate the air. If you consider using a wall mounting fan, then look for one with a sturdy installation bar and/or multi-purpose wall brackets for multiple placement options.
Many wall-mounted fans can be turned into ceiling fans if you have limited space in your garage. Choose a fan with an adjustable tilt to help maximize your customization option of airflow.
5 Things to Consider when Buying a Garage Fan
There are a lot of things that you should consider when buying your own fan for your garage. So to help you narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a couple of the most important tips for finding the best garage fan for your needs.
Here is a list of things that you should consider to help you decide on your purchase:
1. The Appropriate Amount of Power
We already discussed the amount of power that you should consider earlier in this article and the importance of a fan’s speed settings. However, if you are working in a small garage and don’t have to deal with a lot of excessive heat during the summer, or if your garage has decent air circulation already, then you might not need a fan with 3000 CFM power. Using an industrial fan is highly recommended for garage use due to its sturdy build. But if you don’t need to use it regularly, you can get a non-industrial fan to help you save some money.
2. Make sure the garage fan motor is well protected
You need to use a garage fan with a covered motor to protect it from dust. If you are using your garage as your workshop area, there would be a lot of debris and dust build-up around your garage space.
If you can find a lot of dust in a regular household fan’s blades, consider how much more dust can damage a garage fan’s blades. With this in mind, you need to invest in a fan with a covered motor to protect it from dust so that the fan lasts you for a long time.
3. The Amount of Noise it Creates (garage white noise)
Air blowers create a high pressurized airflow than other garage fans. However, it can also create loud noises because of the pressurized air and the high-power motor used to generate said pressure. Large industrial fans can also make loud noises.
If you live alone and work in your garage, you can consider buying a blower or an industrial fan. But if you work with other people in your garage or otherwise need to keep the noise down as much as possible, you should choose a fan that has several options for speed so that you can turn it down a few notches if you have to.
4. Garage Fan Installment
There are some cases where space is an issue in a garage, especially if you have turned it into a workshop instead of a parking area. If space is an issue for you, it would be best to get a ceiling or wall-mounted fan.
Wall fans are much easier to install than ceiling fans, but ceiling fans are often equipped with lighting materials. This can be quite convenient if you have a badly lit garage. Or if it’s too small to install lighting and the fan separately.
5. The Appliance’s Warranty
Warranty is important, even more so if you are purchasing a garage fan. This is because garage fans will often be exposed to a lot of dust and debris. Having a warranty of at least 1 year can help you worry less about potential damage to your new garage fan.
However, think about what you’ll be doing in your garage, and then decide if you need to invest more in a garage fan or a more basic fan.
Whatever your needs may be, you need to get the right garage fan to suit your needs. Using the right garage fan for your home or workshop can make working more comfortable.
Conclusion
If the scorching heat outside your house makes you uncomfortable while also heating your garage like an oven, then the fans listed here will provide you with cool, refreshing air conditioning.
Aside from the intense heat in your garage, installing a fan can also help eliminate the odor or stuffiness inside the room. Some fans can also be used for drying up sheets, carpets, and such.
Moreover, these fans are highly economical and user-friendly. Some also come in different sizes, so choose the right size for your garage. Garage fans needed to be assembled and installed first before using, and some are readily assembled and just needed to be plugged in to use.
With all of this in mind, the final choice is up to you. Just know that we have found every garage fan on this list to be of high quality. We hope that our tips and recommendations will help you make your final decision.
