WIRED has updated its 2026 fan recommendations, and the list reads less like a tour of cheap plastic appliances than a reminder that even room fans have been dragged into the sensor-and-app era. For people trying to cool a room without committing to a window AC, the practical question is now less “does it spin?” and more “how much software do you want attached to moving air?”
The July 2026 update adds Dreo’s 513S ceiling fan as a pick, according to WIRED. The publication also said it moved some earlier recommendations into an “Others Tested” section after longer-term use, added tested models from Elecom Nestout, Lasko and Balmuda, and refreshed pricing and links. WIRED also added new information about Matter compatibility for Dreo’s TurboPoly 765S.
WIRED says its fan reviewer has covered the category for nearly two years and looks for newer or unusual fan designs. The guide also discloses that WIRED independently selects featured products, while it may receive compensation from retailers or purchases made through its links. That is the standard affiliate-commerce fine print, but it is still fine print worth reading before treating any buying guide like gospel.
The top visible picks
For air circulation, WIRED’s pick is the Vornado Vora 8 Whole Room Air Circulator, listed at $100 at Amazon, Home Depot and Walmart. WIRED describes it as an upgraded take on Vornado’s older 660 air circulator, adding a remote, 10 speeds, three airflow modes, vertical and horizontal oscillation, a backlit touch display and an aromatherapy pad. WIRED’s feature list says it does not include app control, and lists noise at 69 dB on high and 42 dB on low, with a five-year warranty.
For a pedestal fan, WIRED selects the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, listed at $130 from Dreo and $117 at Amazon in the guide. WIRED says the model is smaller and lighter than Dreo’s earlier PolyFan 704S and supports nine speeds, vertical and horizontal oscillation, a remote, onboard controls and the Dreo app. The app adds scheduling and a 12-hour timer, while smart-home support includes Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, according to WIRED.
Dreo’s noise claim gets a raised eyebrow in the guide. WIRED says Dreo’s marketing materials cited 20 decibels, while the reviewer measured 29 dB. WIRED still calls it the quietest fan it has tested. The guide lists a top measured noise level of 55 dB, a low setting of 29 dB, a 1,040 ft/m high wind speed and a one-year warranty. The 508S also includes an RGB ring light, with up to 1,000 color choices through Dreo’s app, according to WIRED.
For tower fans, WIRED’s visible quick pick is the Dreo Nomad One 307 Tower Fan, listed at $70 from Dreo and $65 at Amazon. For a cheaper box fan, it names the Lasko 20-inch Classic Box Fan, listed at $24 at Walmart.
Fans are getting weirder
The guide points to several features that would have looked absurd on a dorm-room fan not long ago. WIRED says Dreo’s TurboPoly 707S uses radar to detect a person’s position in a room and aim airflow as they move. Other categories mentioned include bladeless fans, fitness-focused fans, misting fans and models that use a metal plate meant to cool skin directly.
For buyers who do not want apps, lighting or voice assistants involved in a fan, WIRED still mentions the Vornado 683 Whole Room Circulator as a simpler alternative to the Dreo pedestal pick. It has no Wi-Fi, remote, timer or pivoting head, according to WIRED, but the guide says it is light, easy to move and built for basic airflow rather than feature spelunking.
This story draws on original reporting from WIRED.
