Best Shop Fans (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

We'll be clear in saying that we didn't actually use any of the fans below. Though chances are high that we have come across some of these makes and models in the wild. Instead, we stuck to the usual routine for research. And the thing is, fans aren't exactly rocket science, nor are they anything we're unfamiliar with. After watching a few videos to refresh our memories, we were able to apply what we already know and our personal desires to put together a list of products we think match what most personal shop owners are after.

At the end of the day, we firmly believe the Tornado 24 Inch Grade UL Listed High-Velocity Fan is hard to beat in the average garage. On the other hand, the Lasko 20-Inch High-Velocity QuickMount Fan is a great choice for smaller shops or situations that don't necessarily call for a high-dollar fan. 

Maybe breezing through a list of top picks isn't enough for you. After all, you're the kind of person who likes to know everything about anything they use in their shop. No problem. This buying guide is here to explain some of the details you need to read into when shopping for a solid shop fan. 

Drum fans are the most common option for shop owners, and that is the type of fan that makes up the majority of our list. These are powerful units that are able to move a ton of air in a hurry. Of course, airflow rates vary from model to model, but they can still be much more effective at circulating air than many of your other options. 

Drum fans typically aren't permanently mounted fixtures, and you can move them around with relative ease. That's a big benefit to owners who may need to rearrange the shop for large projects or simply to redirect airflow from time to time. 

Ceiling fans are, well, ceiling fans. What you would use in a garage closely resembles what you will find in your living room with the only difference being that shop ceiling fans are built to live in a more rugged environment. In other words, they likely won't feature the tasteful wooden blades or trim like those in your home would. These ceiling fans are also usually much larger. 

The obvious benefit of shop ceiling fans is that they don't take up any floor space, leaving more room for projects. They're also usually much quieter than drum or floor fans. The only issue is that you can't redirect airflow, and you may use a drum fan in combination with ceiling fans because of it. 

What we're categorizing as a floor fan is a self-standing fan that's much smaller than the typical drum fan. These are perfect for cooling personal spaces such as the area around your workbench or desk. They aren't nearly as large, cumbersome, or as loud as a drum fan, which can ultimately make them the best solution for some small shops. The only drawback is that they don't move as much air like a drum fan.

Obviously, smaller fans are great for use in combination with drum fans because they're better for personal purposes. However, you should make sure that any floor, wall-mounted, or desk fan used in the shop is cut out to handle more dust and debris than you may find in a home.  

A fan is designed to move air. How well it does that is measured by CFM, or cubic feet per minute. Yeah, it's the same measurement you'd find on a carburetor, and just like with carburetors, more doesn't always mean better. Going slightly larger won't hurt anything, but you certainly don't need a tornado in the shop either. 

There are calculators to find the exact CFM requirements of fans in your workshop. However, you can keep things simple by multiplying the square footage of your garage by 10. If you have a 750-square-foot garage, a 7,500 CFM fan should suffice. It's not down to science but a good way to get in the right ballpark. Also, you can double up on fans of smaller CFM ratings to get the airflow you need. 

No, you likely don't always need the shop fan running at max speed. Some days are cooler than others, and sometimes you only want a little bit of circulation for comfort. That's why you want a fan that offers multiple speed settings. 

This is a standard feature, and it'd be harder to find a fan without variable speed settings than those with. That isn't to say you should go with just anything. Some may only feature two speed settings, while others feature three or more. Obviously, more speed settings make it easier to adjust flow rates to your liking. It's best to read what options are available in your price range and go with what you feel most comfortable with. 

As we know, shops are harsh environments, and that's not solely due to temperatures and humidity. Dust gets into everything, including your motor, and that will cause it to overheat. That's why thermal protection is such a vital feature and part of why you should take the time to clean your fans regularly. 

Thermal protection is a feature on the motor that shuts it down if it begins to overheat. In other words, it just might be the detail that saves you from a catastrophic electrical fire.

One of the most obvious benefits of a shop fan is the ability to keep things cool. You might be willing to look past creature comforts of the likes in a rugged environment like a workshop, but it can ultimately help you achieve more. Your coveralls, welding gear, aprons, and boots all keep heat in. That heat wears you out and can ultimately serve as a distraction. Not only that, but the machinery you run also tends to put off massive amounts of heat.

Adding a shop fan takes your mind off discomfort, allowing you to work more proficiently. On top of that, a comfortable environment is something you look forward to returning to. Therefore a shop fan can get you in the shop more and help you accomplish more when you're in there. 

It's no secret that workshops can get muggy and filled with stagnant air. Using a fan to keep the air moving can make dramatic improvements to these environmental conditions, especially when coupled with sources of fresh air. 

Of course, your mind will shift to how this aspect makes the shop more enjoyable to work in, but that's not all it can do. Some delicate projects require low humidity levels. Using a fan may be necessary for you to tackle certain jobs to achieve the best results. 

The many fumes produced in a workshop can be dangerous, and if your shop isn't well ventilated, it can become deadly because of them. That's why it's better to perform some tasks outside or in bays with open doors. Things don't always go as planned, though, and there's always room for human error. If things get out of control and fumes or dust contaminate the shop, a shop fan can help you evacuate them from your workspace.

Using a fan to control fumes or dust can be life-saving. It can also allow you to move some projects indoors. For example, you can safely tune up a running engine in the garage with the bay doors open and the fan pushing air out. 

Personal budgets are always a factor, but this is one of the areas where prices are pretty much fixed, and you're going to spend what you're going to spend to meet your demands. If you just need a small floor, wall, or desk fan, you can expect to pay roughly $50-$100. Drum fans typically draw in $100-$200, with the majority sitting around the $150 mark. Ceiling fans often fit into the lower price ranges, but the premier models can surpass the $200 mark along with the higher-powered drum fans. CFM ratings are one of the major determining factors for fan pricing, but remember, you can always double up on fans to reach the rating you need, which can save you a little bit of money here. 

As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and shop fans. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

A: With so many options from different brands, the answer to that question with all fans can take hours of research to answer. However, the Maxxair Red High-Velocity 2-Speed Belt Drive Drum Fan is the most powerful on the list of our top picks. But remember, the most powerful fan available isn't necessarily the best choice for your situation. 

A. In short, a high-velocity fan is built to produce more airflow and remain stable while doing it. These fans usually feature studier blade designs, implore ball bearings, and many other industrial-grade components. 

A: You really shouldn't. You might be able to slightly readjust the direction of airflow with a fan running, but you're asking for trouble. The housing or blade position may shift when you do, causing the moving parts to collide. It's best to power off the fan and unplug it before moving it around.