The summer can be a wonderful time to spend afternoons and evenings relaxing outside in a cool patio space to clear your head and maybe even nap a little.
However, nothing ruins a nap more than it being too hot to fall asleep. Enter, a weather resistant outdoor fan to keep you cool when the temperature gets too much to handle.
This article will go over the different considerations to take into account when picking from one of the top deals to buy an outdoor fan.
Buying Guide – How to find the best outdoor fans
In order to make the correct purchasing decision, it is important to have a high degree of information regarding the sort of fan you will need and what to consider in making your decision.
Type
The first and foremost consideration is the type of fan that you are going to purchase. Outdoor fans come in a variety of different types.
You could go for ceiling fans that can be attached directly overhead if you are looking for something out of the way and to cover a bigger area. Alternatively, if you want something easier to install and with lower prices you could also consider a standing fan.
Depending upon your place and your needs, this will be one of the most crucial factors guiding your purchase decision.
Blades & Speed
Another key specification is the size of the blade of the fan and the speed at which it spins. There are a couple of principles in this regard to understand.
Firstly, the faster a fan spins, generally the more airflow and noise it has. Spin is usually measured in number of rotations per minute, also known as RPM, you can use this as a data point when making your selection.
Secondly, the blade of the size is also important as the bigger the blade the more airflow the fan produces. Generally, if you want to minimize noise, a good idea is to go with a fan that has a comparatively lower RPM but larger blade size.
This way you can get the best of both worlds. One thing to consider, however, is that a model with a large blade size will cost more than one with a smaller blaze size. This is down to the fundamental fact that a bigger fan uses up more material and is harder to build and transport.
Thus, like with most things in life, it will be helpful to find a middle ground.
Design
Design is a purely aesthetic decision based on the styles that you are into as well as the theme of your patios. Check different color options and skews to see what might fit in well with your specific home.
Moreover, you can also browse the internet for ideas and inspiration regarding the sort of look to go for with your little outdoor retreat.
One common strategy is to buy a matte black and relatively non-descript fan so that it simply blends into the background and is not noticed. However, if you want to go for something fancier, there are plenty of outdoor fans that can meet that requirement.
Safety
Safety is an extremely important consideration to take into account. This is doubly the case if you expect to have guests or pets over frequently. Animals and children run the risk of unknowingly sticking hands or arms into the fan and getting themselves in danger.
In such cases its probably better to get a product that can be attached high up off the ground such as ceiling fans. Additionally, getting a fan with a grill on it can also prove helpful as it can prevent inadvertent bird strikes that may happen when you use a fan in an outdoor environment.
Price
Finally, on of the constant considerations when purchasing new items is price. Depending on your required list of specifications the price of a fan may vary tremendously. The best way to go about this is to pick a brand or two and online and check out their store page. This should provide you with a rough ballpark estimate of the sorts of prices you can expect to pay for fans. After you have completed this step you can go ahead and form a budget to complement your requirements.
A good tip is to look for top deals on different websites so that you can pick up outdoor fans at a discount, making the value proposition on some items much better.
Top Deals for Great Waterproof Outdoor fans
1) Rowenta Outdoor Extreme Fan
The Rowenta is a standing fan that comes with a series of features that make it convenient to use. Firstly, the design itself has 5 wheels on the bottom of the stand. These allow you to easily roll the fan around without straining too much.
Additionally, the fact that it is a standing fan gives it an advantage over ceiling fans as it can be portable and used wherever you need it.
Apart from these features, the Rowenta is waterproof, mist resistant, and UV resistant. These three things combined make it a long lasting offering that can withstand anything that mother nature throws at it.
One con to note with this option, however, is the fact that it is relatively expensive when compared to other options on the market.
2) Lasko Oscillating Outdoor Tower Fan
The Lasko fan comes with a distinctive set of characteristics which are sure to make it a unique purchase. Firstly, in terms of appearance, the fan itself looks like it is out of the space age thanks to its sleek and unconventional design. What is more is the fact that it has an oscillation feature which essentially means that it rotates through an arc and provides air to a larger area than simply where it is pointing. This makes it a good choice if you have a bigger patio or expect company often.
Finally, the Lasko is extremely easy to assemble and you want need a single additional item such as a tool or a bracket to get it going. Simply assemble it out of the package and it shall be ready for use.
One oversight, however, is the fact that the Lasko completely lacks a remote control, making it needlessly annoying to use as you have to get up every time you want to change a setting.
3) iLIVING Wall Mounted Variable Speed Indoor/Outdoor Weatherproof Fan
The iLiving outdoor fans may look fairly standard, however, that is one of their strengths. This offering, unlike the others so far on this list, is mounted on the wall. This immediately makes it safer to use around kids and pets.
Moreover, the motor of the fan is permanently lubricated and completely sealed which has the dual benefits of reducing the need for maintenance as well as providing you with great waterproofing. Finally, the relatively low price of this offering makes it a great value for money proposition compared to the other fans on this list.
A well known issue with this model, however, is the fact that the plastic pull chain used to control the fan has a strong tendency to break which can be quite troublesome.
4)Allen & Roth Valdosta 20-in Oil-Rubbed Bronze Outdoor Downrod Mount Ceiling Fan
The first of the ceiling fans on this list, the Allen & Roth is a classy option that exudes excellent taste and quality. The finish on this fan make it look premium when compared to its competitors.
Moreover, the fact that it is on the ceiling and out of harms way, paired with its protective grill, make it perfect for outdoor use as it almost eliminates the risk of injury to humans and animals alike.
When compared to other fans, however, the majority of this option’s strengths are in the design. In terms of its practicality, there are a few things left to be desired. For example, this offering produces significantly more noise when in operation than some of the other products on this list.
5)Designer Aire Oscillating Indoor/Outdoor Standing Floor Fan
If cost is not a concern to you and you are looking for something to give your patio a vintage and rustic look, the Aire is for you. This standing fan comes in a gorgeous finish that is worlds apart from the standard matte black of most of its competitors.
Additionally, the Aire also has an extremely strong build due to the use of high-quality stainless steel in its construction.
Moreover, the 45-Watt motor is also one of the most powerful on this list and help give the fan an extremely strong airflow making it excellent for cooling a larger space. There are also quality of life features such as a telescoping neck so that you can adjust the height of the fan to your needs.
With all these strong points, there are obviously cons to consider. As you would imagine, a product like this costs a fair penny due to the premium nature of the offering. Another important thing to consider is that this is a relatively heavy fan which makes it relatively difficult to change its positions.
This is an important fact to consider because, unlike ceiling fans, the Aire is a standing fan that is designed to be portable and moved around.
