In this article, we need to explore the difference between a fan and an air circulator and help you find out which is the best choice for your needs. Both types appear in our best fan -roundup and both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you want to achieve.
As you can see in the picture above, the two types of fans can look very similar in an instant, but they work in different ways.
An air circulator is designed to circulate air around larger spaces. This type of fan really shines when combined with a cold air source because it will ensure that the cooler air is distributed quickly and efficiently around the entire room.
In contrast, regular fans use a corrected stream of air to improve the evaporation of sweat, which helps you feel cooler. They are good for personal cooling, but they will only have an effect if the air is pointed straight to you.
Wanna know more? Read on for a closer look at Air Circulators VS 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 air around a whole room instead of just blowing it in a certain direction.
For this reason, air circulators are especially effective when combined with a cool air source such as an Air Con device (here is more on Air Con VS fans). In this setup, an air circulator amplifies the work of the Air Con unit, which helps to drop the overall temperature in the room far more efficiently and ensure that the cooling system is evenly distributed.
If you do not have Air Con, they can still be useful, for example by circulating the breeze from an open window.
Say your bedroom is heated during a sunny day-if you pop an air circulator next to an open window as the night begins to fall and the outside temperature falls, it helps distribute the cool air around your room in double-fast time, for a cooler sleep. They are also good at improving room ventilation.
How do air circulators work?
Often, air circulators like Piedestal fans or stationary fans, with a fan head sitting on top of a rod or on a base. They work by sucking air in through the back of the fan head and pushing it out, even if a tight spiral grill and into the room where it jumps out of the walls and ceiling. Finally, the air is jumped back towards the air circulator unit and the whole process starts again.
The fan head does not necessarily have to move around to circulate air effectively. Sometimes the fan head-and not only rotates side aside as a regular fan, but also up and down.
Air Circulator VS FAN: What is a fan?
What is a fan?
‘Fan’ is the umbrella concept; An air circulator is a type of fan. But if we talk about traditional fans (including tower and Piedestal fans), they are typically designed to direct a stream of air to a specific area. This is great if you want to cool only one or – if the fan has fluctuating capabilities – a few people at a time.
As a general rule, traditional fans are not designed to circulate air around an entire space. However, fans with wide fluctuating properties will help change air around a bit. For example, some Dyson fans may fluctuate 360 degrees.
How do fans work?
In fact, fans do not cool the air; It’s the movement of air on your skin that helps you feel cooler by increasing the evaporation of sweat. This means that you only feel the benefits when you sit directly in the airflow.
Buy an air circulator if …
1. You have an Air Con -Unit
Air Circulators can be extremely effective in strengthening a source of cool air – for example, from an air cone – and ensuring that it reaches the entire room. As a side message, this can help save energy and potentially lower your bills by helping your AC work more efficiently.
For example, in our Dreo Turbopoly 508S review, our tester found that this air circulator fan was incredibly effective in lowering the temperatures in her home when he was paired with her normally ineffective AC device.
2. You must cool a large area
Traditional fans will only cool one or two people at once, while an air circulator is designed to create a stream of air around an entire room. It has the added advantage of mean that you could pop your air circulator out of the way, in the corner of a room, and it will still do its job – while a fan should be placed so you are directly in its air flow area. However, do not expect strong individual cooling from an air circulator unless you add a source to cool air.
3. You want something for use year round
While a fan is only really helpful in the hot weather, air circulators can also be used with a heater during the colder months. While hot air will naturally rise, adding an air circulator will help evenly heat a space. They can also help with room ventilation if you have areas that tend to feel stuffy.
Buy a fan if …
1. You want something for personal cooling
Non-air circulator fans direct a stream of air by an individual, which helps them feel cooler by improving the evaporation of sweat from their skin. You don’t need a source of cold air for this type of fan to help cool you.
2. You want something to use outside
The effects of an air circulator are lost outside, while a fan can help generate a cool breeze. Misting of fans like Shark FlexBreeze or FlexBreeze Hydrogo can be particularly effective for outdoor use.
3. You don’t have air con
Air circulators are designed to amplify an existing source of cool air – usually from an air king unit. While an air circulator can still be useful without AC, traditional fans tend to be more effective for cooling when used on their own.
