In this article, we will explore the difference between a fan and an air circulator, and we will help you discover what is the best option for your needs. Both types appear in our best fans summary, and both have their pros and cons, depending on what you want to achieve.
As you can see in the image above, the two types of fan can be extremely similar to a look, but work in different ways.
An air circulator is designed to circulate the air around larger spaces. This type of fan really shines when combined with a cold air source, since it will ensure that the coldest air is quickly and efficiently distributed around the entire space.
In contrast, regular fans use a directed air flow to improve sweat evaporation, which helps you feel cooler. They are excellent for personal cooling, but they will only have an effect if the air points directly.
Do you want to know more? Keep reading to see air circulators more closely against fans.
Air circulator vs. fan: What is an air circulator?
What is an air circulator?
An air circulator is a type of fan designed to circulate the air around an entire room, instead of simply blowing it in a specific direction.
For this reason, air circulators are especially effective when combined with a cold air source as an air conditioning unit (here is more in the air of the fans). In this configuration, an air circulator amplifies the work of the air conditioning unit, which helps reduce the general temperature in the room much more efficiently and ensuring that cooling air is distributed evenly.
If you do not have air conditioning, they can still be useful, for example, the breeze from an open window.
Let’s say that his room has heated for a sunny day: if he makes an air circulator next to an open window when the night begins to fall and the outer temperature falls, it will help to distribute that fresh air around his room in double time, to sleep cooler. They are also good to improve room ventilation.
How do air circulators work?
Often, air circulators look like pedestal fans or desktop fans, with a fan head sitting on a post or on a base. They work by sucking the air through the back of the fan’s head, and push it through a tight spiral grill and goes out to the room, where it bounces on the walls and the roof. Finally, the air will recover towards the air circulator unit, and the whole process will begin again.
The fan head does not necessarily need to move to circulate the air effectively. However, sometimes the fan head will turn, and not only side by side as a normal fan, but also from above and down.
AIR CIRCATOR VS Fan: What is a fan?
What is a fan?
‘Fan’ is the general term; An air circulator is a type of fan. However, if we are talking about traditional fans (including tower and pedestal fans), they are generally designed to direct an air flow to a specific area. This is great if you want to cool only one or, if the fan has oscillating capabilities, some people at the same time.
As a general rule, traditional fans are not designed to circulate the air around a complete room. However, fans with wide oscillating properties will help change the air around a little. Some Dyson fans can range 360 complete degrees, for example.
How do fans work?
Fans don’t really cool the air; It is the movement of air on your skin that helps you feel colder by increasing the evaporation of sweat. That means that you will only feel the benefits when sitting directly on the path of air flow.
Buy an air circulator if …
1. You have an air conditioning unit
Air circulators can be greatly effective to amplify a cold air source, for example, from an air conditioning unit, and ensure that it reaches the entire room. As a note, this can help save energy and potentially reduce their public service bills helping their CA to work more efficiently.
For example, in our revision of Dreo Turbopoly 508s, our tester discovered that this air circulator fan was incredibly efficient to reduce temperatures in your home when combined with its generally ineffective CA unit.
2. You need to cool a large area
Traditional fans will only cool one or two at the same time, while an air circulator is designed to create an air flow around a complete room. That has the additional benefit of meaning that its air circulator could get out of the road, in the corner of a room, and still do its work, while a fan would need to be placed so that it is directly in its air flow range. However, do not expect a powerful individual cooling of an air circulator unless adding a cold air source.
3. You want something for use throughout the year
While a fan is only really useful in the warm climate, air circulators can also be used together with a heater in the coldest months. While the hot air will rise naturally, adding an air circulator will help evenly heat a room. They can also help with the ventilation of the room if they have areas that tend to feel loaded.
Buy a fan yes …
1. You want something for personal cooling
Non -air circulation fans direct an air flow to an individual, helping them feel cooler by improving the evaporation of their skin. You do not need a cold air source for this type of fan to help you cool it.
2. You want something to use
The effects of an air circulator will be lost outside, while a fan can help generate a cooling breeze. Nebulization fans such as Shark Flexbreze or Flexbreze Hydrogo can be especially effective for outdoor use.
3. You don’t have air conditioning
Air circulators are designed to amplify an existing cold air source, usually from an air conditioning unit. While an air circulator can still be useful without AC, traditional fans tend to be more efficient for cooling when used on their own.
