Best Cooling Fans To Help Beat The Heat in 2023
5 min
The weather is heating up and you’re looking at ways to keep your cool. Whether you’re renting or you own your home, fans are not only an effective way to feel more comfortable in the heat, they’re more cost and energy efficient too. While a ceiling fan costs about 2c an hour to run, aircon costs between $1.49 and $1.94 per hour – a significant saving when cost of living pressures are on the rise.
The kind of fan you choose will depend on the size of the room you hope to cool, whether you rent or own and how much you have to spend. Where possible, ask for a demonstration of the fan and its features, taking note of aspects like noise and the speed at which the air is moving. You might also take note of details like lights, which can be annoying if you’re running the fan while you sleep.
1. The Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan, $599
This stylish looking device is a cooling fan and air purifier in one, with Air Multiplier™ technology and HEPA filter to provide a steady stream of cool, purified air. It also has an oscillation feature to help you send the air wherever you want it to go. The bladeless design also means it’s a safe option around small children and pets.
2. AirDynamic 3D™ Connect Air Circulator, $299
This compact pedestal fan stands just 36cm high and has been described as ‘small but mighty’ in reviews. With nine blades and eight speeds, it is Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatible, allowing users to control it via voice or their phone. It has automatic vertical and horizontal circulation for an even distribution of air.
3. Dimplex 50cm high velocity wall fan matte, $249
No room? No problem. This three-blade wall fan from Dimplex can be mounted wherever you need it for directional cooling air. It has three speeds and oscillation for even distribution of air and comes with a remote for ease of use.
4. DeLonghi Dual Oscillating Tower Fan, $199
There’s a reason that this fan is a best seller. Standing almost a metre tall, it has three speeds and three wind modes and has an LED display that dims automatically after a minute – ideal when you’re trying to sleep. It has dual 360 degree oscillation and can be set to one, two, four or eight hour settings if desired.
5. Omega Altise Tower Fan, $119
The slimline good looks of this tower fan make it a great choice where space is at a premium. Standing 120cm high, it has three speeds, a 12-hour timer and wide angle oscillation. The display goes dark once set and the unit runs quietly, making it ideal for bedrooms. At 4kg in weight, it’s not much drama to move around if necessary.
6. Heller Metal Desk Fan, $69.95
The appeal of this desk fan is largely based on its cool retro looks, but it does all the things you want from a fan – it oscillates, has three blades and has an adjustable tilt. It’s available in silver but we like the gorgeous glow of the copper finish.
7. Breville the PopFan Foldable and Rechargeable, $79.
You’ll wonder how you managed without this compact, handy fan that can store up to 15 hours running time on low speed, or four hours on high speed. As the name suggests, this fan pops up when required offering 360 degree air delivery and four speeds. When you’re done, it packs away for easy storage. Rechargeable via a USB port, it’s a super convenient option for cooling down.
8. Fenici Pedestal Fan 40cm, $35
If everyone at your place is suffering through hot summer nights, this is the fan for you. At this price, you can buy one for every bedroom to create enough air flow to keep everyone comfortable as they sleep. The no frills option, it still has five powerful blades, three speeds, oscillation and can be adjusted up to 120cm high. It’s also stylish enough to have around the house without creating clutter.
How can I make my room cooler without AC?
For the best results, take action before the room heats up. That means closing windows and drawing blinds to stop the summer heat coming in. Appliances can also add to how hot a room feels, so turn off anything you’re not using. Cooling fans, whether they are ceiling, floor or desk lamps, will move warm air on and replace it with cooler air.
Is it better to sleep with AC or fan?
Whether it’s better for you to sleep with the fan or the AC on will depend on a few factors. AC certainly costs significantly more to run than AC, so if money is a concern, a fan can be a better option. AC costs more to run the cooler you want to go, so running the fan with the AC can create the best of both worlds. AC can also remove some of the moisture in the air. Depending on where you live, and the levels of humidity, that could be a benefit or a problem.
Do cooling fans actually work?
Fans work by moving air around. They make people feel cooler by cooling the sweat on their skin and moving warm air on. An AC unit, on the other hand, reduces the air temperature in the room. Fans can be extremely effective during heatwaves and in areas with high humidity, as they reduce the moisture in the air, effectively making spaces feel cooler.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
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Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.
3 min
Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.
“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”
At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.
“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”
Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.
Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.
Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.
“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.
Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.
Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
