Best Plug-In Ceiling Fan

Last Updated: May 30, 2023 @ 10:59 am.

Plug-in Ceiling Fans: Hints & Tips

Ceiling fans can do wonders to cool off a hot space—but what if you live in an apartment or dorm room without a fan? 

A plug-in ceiling fan may be a good solution . . . and also a good bet if you need to cool off a small gazebo or tent, where permanently installing a fan might be difficult.

Before you decide to try this option, keep in mind these hints and tips:

• USB cord doesn’t mean it is battery operated! One of the picks in this article has a cord that plugs into a USB charger. But the fan itself doesn’t have a battery . . . it must be plugged into an electrical outlet to work!

• These fans work best in small areas. Most of these fans have 16″ to 20″ diameters—that’s about half the size of a standard ceiling fan. Hence, they work great in a small space (75 square feet, for example), but would struggle to move the air around a larger room.

• No lights. These fans do not have lights—just fans!

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money. 

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!