Finding the right desk fan comes down to a few considerations—how much space you have to work with, your own personal work habits, and whether or not you want a nice, gentle breeze or you to prefer to work looking like the cover of a romance novel. As you can tell by its name, the Rowenta prides itself on being one of the quietest fan options available, and it lives up to its humble brag. The 12-inch oscillating fan can pivot up to 90 degrees in all directions, and the “Turbo boost” option helps pump up its highest speed setting for those particularly balmy days. It has a built in handle and a sturdy base—it’s not loaded with bells and whistles, but it’s a solid, classic fan that doesn’t disappoint and absolutely does the job in any room. If you’re looking for a nice oscillating fan that won’t command all of your desk space, this unique Honeywell design may be your best option. From its tower shape (roughly 13 inches high) to the fact that it has both fan speed and sound level settings (it has a “white noise” setting for those who need a little background static when they sleep), it’s an efficient way to cool down a workspace or just keep air circulating without having to rely too heavily on an a/c unit. The slim design uses less plastic, and the automatic shut off timer helps conserve energy. What better way to keep organized than with a device the combines a desk fan, a small desk light, a penholder, and a smartphone stand? Standing just over 12 inches high (the goose neck is flexible and adjustable), this small fan packs a lot. It’s battery-powered (with energy and waste-saving rechargeable batteries) and features three fan speeds as well as three different brightness levels. The fan runs quietly, so it won’t interrupt smartphone video viewing. Overall, it’s an efficient space-saving, multi-purpose addition to your work desk. As its sleek profile suggests, this is far from just an average desk fan. Powered by a built-in rechargeable battery (that is good for about three to four hours depending on speed setting), the Conbola fan stands about 11.8 inches high and weighs only about 20 ounces, so it’s very portable and easy to set up anywhere. The turbine technology is gentle (there are three basic fan speeds and a fourth “Natural Wind Mode” that randomly flows between speeds) and safe for homes with little children or pets, and it runs very quietly. Perhaps its best feature is its lack of traditional fan blades, which makes it less likely to get dust and dander build up and easier to clean.
