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10 Outdoor Fans That’ll Cool You Down and Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

Bye bye bugs.

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Mosquitoes are a notorious warm-weather pest, but there’s a super simple way to stop them from ruining your backyard fun: Buy one of the best outdoor fans to keep bugs away! Beyond creating a mosquito-free fortress, the best outdoor fans will also cool you down in the summer heat. That’s their intended purpose, after all. 

This surprisingly low-tech solution works wonders because mosquitoes are weak fliers. All it takes is a gentle breeze from a medium-sized rotating fan to deter these winged bloodsuckers. The gusts of wind from the fan will also disperse the scent of carbon dioxide and other chemical cues that mosquitoes use to find their next meal. 

This is not to say you should skip the insect-repellant spray, electric bug zappers, and citronella candles — a combination of these methods makes the most sense. Also, the fan technique works best if you only need a small circle of protection. If you’re hosting a backyard barbecue for the neighborhood, you’re probably better off with traditional bug spray.

While there are more permanent solutions for getting rid of mosquitoes — like draining any stagnant bodies of water — an inexpensive outdoor fan is a great quick fix. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, so you can get back to more important things, like sipping lemonade on your outdoor rocking chair. Keep scrolling to shop our picks for the best outdoor fans to buy in 2021.

Geek Aire Rechargeable 12-Inch Outdoor Floor High Velocity Fan

Best-seller Outdoor Fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $109.99 (was $139.99)

Why we like it:

  • Dual power supply
  • 1250CFM high performance airflow
  • Stepless speed control
  • Vertical 360° rotation

Geek Aire’s rechargeable outdoor fan is a bit smaller than the others mentioned but it comes with all the bells and whistles. It’s rechargeable, which means you don’t have to carry a tangled cord with you whenever you want to move it. This quiet fan comes with a handy LED battery gauge so you always know when it needs some juicing. The best part is the USB port on the side where you can charge your electronic devices.

Happy customer: “Such a great product. I full-time RV 9 months of the year. One of the more expensive uses of energy while RV’ing is staying warm and staying cool. I love this fan because of its long lasting battery power and because if you need to turn it up and get a lot of air moving quickly this thing is ridiculous. But more than keeping cool this product is exceptional at moving air to stay warm during cool nights in the mountains or on the beach. I use it in conjunction with my portable heater because running your furnace will burn propane very quickly. The Geek Aire is so more economical to use with a small heating unit. You need to have the ability to move that warm air and this fan is the cat’s meow when it comes to moving air. When I don’t need the fan or when I’m outside of my RV I plug it into my solar power system to charge or directly into my generator and then it is good to go for another few days without worry. It’s definitely a product I would recommend anyone who loves the outdoors or just needs to move air quietly and comfortably.”

B-Air FIRTANA-20X High Velocity Floor Fan, 20″

Best Outdoor Standing Fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $52.35

Why we like it:

  • 3 speed settings
  • Tilt adjustable
  • Portable handle

B-Air’s powerful 20-inch floor fan is a great basic option for any patio. Simply tilt it in the direction you’re sitting and choose from the three speed settings to enjoy cooling relief on those sweaty, sticky, and now bug-free summer days. 

Happy customer: “This is the single best fan I have ever owned. I have always owned the typical Walmart 20″ box fans and assumed that was how fans were. They work fine or so i thought. Case in point this Soleaire fan on low moves more air than a standard 20.00 box fan on high. The Soleaire fan on high…well its just crazy the amount of air. I will never own another typical box fan after having this.”

Lasko 20″ High Velocity QuickMount Fan

Best Outdoor Fan To Keep Mosquitoes Away
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $78.99

Why we like it:

  • QuickMount for easy conversion from floor to wall mount
  • Easily portable, plus built-in safety features
  • Pivots to direct air flow & circulation

Lasko’s QuickMount Fan is a powerhouse that will cool you in minutes. Keep in mind, this outdoor fan can be a bit loud, according to Amazon shoppers. That said, the fan’s hum is calming white noise to some buyers. One woman described this fan as “the sort of fan that kids will fight to be in front of until a parent or grandparent comes in and barks at them to all go [sit down]. And it’s the sort of fan that a woman that hates heat like grim death wants.”

Happy customer: “We bought two originally loved them so much bought two more. Moves a lot of air and it’s cold air. Way better than any fan I’ve owned. It’s a light wind sound. About like a regular fan. Even bought one to put on covered porch for my 3 Great Pyrenees dogs❤️”

iLIVING Wall Mounted Indoor/Outdoor Weatherproof Fan

Best wall mounted outdoor fan
iLiving wall mounted outdoor fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, from $99.79

Why we like it:

  • Corrosion-resistant finish
  • Available in 3 sizes
  • Adjustable wall-mount bracket

Perfect for using in garages and on patios, this space-saving fan comes with an adjustable bracket for mounting to the wall. It comes in 14, 18, or 20 inches, with a pull chain to adjust the three speed settings to your desired level of airflow. What makes this weatherproof fan a great outdoor option is its sealed, permanently lubricated industrial motor, which stays protected even when left out in wet conditions. Bonus: you can turn this fan into a mister with the ILG-250 Fan Misting Kit (Amazon, $285.30) for even more cooling relief on hot days!

Happy customer: “Good, durable, outdoor fan that is relatively quiet and has 3 speeds. We mounted it on a wall to provide circulation around our potting bench outside. It keeps the mosquitoes away and keeps us cool here in Florida.”

Lasko Misto Outdoor Misting Fan

Best outdoor misting fan
Lasko outdoor misting fan
Walmart

Buy from Walmart, $115.93

Why we like it:

  • Connects to your hose for a cooling mist effect
  • Weather, UV, and rust resistant
  • Easy to assemble

There’s nothing more refreshing than feeling the spray of a cool mist on a hot summer day, which is why this outdoor misting fan is essential for combatting the heat. Just connect it to your garden hose for a breezy mist, which can be adjusted to multiple positions and, according to the manufacturer, can reduce the air temperature by up to 25 degrees. This two-in-one fan is also a breeze to set up, as it doesn’t require any tools.

Happy customer: “Love it! Works great and cools wonderfully with or without the mister. Will be buying another for our patio in Florida!”

Maxx Air Industrial Grade Air Circulator

Best industrial grade outdoor fan
Maxx Air Industrial Grade Air Circulator
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, from $156

Why we like it:

  • Durable steel construction
  • Available in red and yellow
  • OSHA compliant grills

If a sturdy, long-lasting fan is what you’re after, look no further than this industrial grade model from Maxx Air. Made of rugged 22-gauge steel, it’s built to last and comes with a two-year limited warranty, just in case. It has mobile-friendly wheels for easy transportation between your patio, driveway, and garage, and comes fully assembled, so you can start using it right out of the box. Just be sure to move it indoors when not in use to prevent rusting.

Happy customer: “Great value for the amount of airflow, and is relatively quiet for the large size as well. I have been using one in the yard to keep mosquitoes away and cool our Florida air down.”

Loon Peak Reames Oscillating Floor Fan

Best outdoor floor fan
Loon Peak Reames Oscillating Floor Fan
Wayfair

Buy from Wayfair, $210.92 (originally $315)

Why we like it:

  • Faux pine log finish
  • Quiet setting
  • UV-resistant, all-weather paint coating

Just because a fan is designed for outdoor use doesn’t mean it can’t look elegant, which is why we love this ornate model by Loon Peak. The weighted faux pine base is not only eye-catching, it’s also extremely sturdy, so you can rest assured this fan will stay in place. A UV-resistant, all-weather paint coating offers protection from the elements, while the three fan speed settings and oscillating function keep you cool and comfortable on hot, muggy days.

Happy customer: “This fan is awesome! … The base is really heavy so there is little chance of it blowing over. The wood look base is just what I was looking for to go with my rustic home. The copper fan and base are really pretty. It puts out a nice breeze. I was able to put this together by myself (not bad for a 5’2” Grandma!). The instructions were so easy to follow that I would say anyone can put this together. I am so thrilled to have this. It was out of stock this past summer so I was excited when I saw it listed again. A definite must have at my house! Love it!”

NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan

Best standing outdoor misting fan
NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $163.38

Why we like it:

  • 2-in-1 misting and pedestal fan
  • Lightweight design
  • Adjustable height

This double-duty standing fan can be used as a cooling water mister or simply as an air circulator — either way, it’s a warm weather essential! Its lightweight design makes it easy to move between indoor and outdoor spaces, though the sturdy base keeps it firmly planted while in use. We like how customizable this fan is, from its three fan speeds and oscillating feature to its adjustable height.

Happy customer: “Powerful and relatively quiet for a large fan. Sturdy heavy base keeps it in place while operating at any speed. The built in mister hose makes it so easy to move around and reconnect anywhere from front yard to back. Keeps the deck cool on hot Texas days.”

Casa Vieja Wind and Sea Industrial Outdoor Ceiling Fan

Best outdoor ceiling fan
Casa Vieja Outdoor Ceiling Fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $399.99

Why we like it:

  • Wide-angle oscillation covers up to 600 square feet
  • Dimmable LED light
  • Bronze finish

If you enjoy spending the summer on your covered deck or patio (lucky you!), you’ll want a powerful fan to help cool things down and keep mosquitoes at bay. This industrial outdoor ceiling fan saves precious floorspace while providing refreshing airflow to areas spanning up to 600 square feet. It comes with a dimmable LED light that you can adjust by remote control to your ideal brightness, and the bronze finish will elevate the look of any outdoor space.

Happy customer: “Absolutely love the fan, we needed a good fan truly meant for outdoors. The blades are sturdy and holding up to the rain and humidity. For our outdoor covered area the light and look are perfect.”

Tesoky 2 in 1 Portable USB Fan

Best portable outdoor fan
Tesoky Portable Fan
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $36.99 (originally $47.98)

Why we like it:

  • LED light with 3 brightness levels
  • Hook design can be hung from a tent
  • USB rechargeable battery

Whether you’re going camping, laying out by the pool, or having a picnic, this small yet mighty lightweight fan is a must for keeping cool and keeping the bugs away. At less than two pounds (!) you can fit this handy device in a backpack or duffel bag, and it comes with a hook for hanging up in a tent. Another convenient feature is the built-in LED light, which has three brightness settings to help you see in the dark, and its long-lasting battery can be recharged anywhere via USB.

Happy customer: “Awesome portable fan. This charged up pretty quickly and provides a strong fan gust. It also has a dimming light. It is awesome for working outside, car trips, camping, or using at the dinner table (if you ask my kids). The hook is also very sturdy to hang around where you are working or sleeping.

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