Cheap to buy and run, sturdy and portable – box fans are winners. But some can be rather loud. For this reason, we penned an article on the best quiet box fan.

This is the place to check out the standout quiet box fans on Amazon. Manufacturers don’t usually state the decibel (dB) level of box fans, but we will include them when available. We will also talk about what makes them quiet, and tell you about other cool features.

Before we go any further, let’s settle something…

How loud are box fans? – The truth is, box fans are around the same noise level as pedestal fans – that’s around the 50-60 dB mark. They are essentially the same thing; what’s different is the housing (a box, rather than a pedestal). The quiet models we discuss here are approximately 40-50 dB, which is roughly the same noise as an air fryer in operation, or a dishwasher. Tower fans tend to be quieter, but they are also usually more expensive and less powerful. 

Skip to:

1. Classic Box Fan
2. Vornado 80X High Velocity Box Fan 
3. BLACK+DECKER Box Fan
4. Amazon Basics Box Fan
5. AMAcool Table Fan

Allow us to hit you with some stats before the main bit:

#1 – Classic Box Fan 

Classic design. Standard 20” size. Rock bottom price. This box fan doesn’t promise anything out of the ordinary, but it isn’t loud enough to disturb you, either.

There are 3 speeds to choose from, with the lowest setting being the quietest. Amazon reviewers agree that this is a low-noise box fan – Aidan Lancaster wrote:

“This fan keeps my room very cool and it is very quiet compared to some other fans.”

Other than that, this box fan does what it says on the tin. You get the sturdiness of a tough metal frame, a handle for easy portability, and a weather-resistant motor that makes it an option to improve air flow next to windows.

It’s lightweight, so don’t expect the power of some larger box fans.

Pros

• Reported as quiet
• 3 speed settings
• Lightweight and easily portable

Cons

• Not as powerful as some

Best for: Small-to-medium sized rooms

#2 – Vornado 80X High Velocity Box Fan 

Up to the premium end of the market – the Vornado 80X gives you the two things you probably want – ample power (3050 CFM) but with very little noise (‘whisper quiet’), as the manufacturer calls it). 

We are ‘high’ on Vornado, because they know how to achieve quiet air circulation, and we covered another Vornado model in this round-up of the best fans for sleeping.

If you are looking for a savvy long-term investment in a box fan that will cover you for all times of year, the Vornado 80X makes a compelling case. When you crank up the speed to the higher of its 99 speeds, you’ll have all the power you need. But when you want quiet, its lower settings work a treat. TP, who bought the fan on Amazon, said:

“The quietest setting is super quiet and very gentle in moving air.”

So we’ve determined that the Vornado 80X is quiet and powerful. And now we should talk about durability. Because Vornado is so confident in the 80X’s design that they’ve slapped a 5-year warranty on it.

Pros

• Very quiet on lowest settings
• Powerful (3050 CFM)
• Durable
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• Higher end of the price scale

Best for: Year-round comfort in indoor spaces with variable temperatures

#3 – BLACK+DECKER Box Fan

Here’s another buyer’s favorite. This BLACK+DECKER Box Fan has earned rave reviews from those who appreciate its discreet noise level. Look at the blades – those rounded edges mean better airflow paths and less noise.

It’s a standard size at 20”, and has the standard 3 settings of Low, Medium and High – but one thing that does make it stand out from the crowd are the reviews. Here is one of them from Tharper309 on Amazon:

“Works well, puts out a lot of air, quiet, and an all-around solid little fan.”

This BLACK+DECKER is lightweight, and 1200 CFM means that it is no slouch when it comes to power. There is an easy-carry handle and feet to stabilise the fan for floor use.

It’s also a budget buy!

Pros

• Reported as quiet
• Excellent value
• Rain-resistant motor housing

Cons 

• Just 3 basic settings

Best for: Quiet, budget buy

#4 – Amazon Basics Box Fan 

Here is another no-frills option that is highly rated by users. The Amazon Basics Box Fan doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not.

It’s another 20” box fan with 3 settings, but crucially, it’s quiet. This is backed up by happy reviewers on Amazon, including Seth Metoyer, who said:

“It runs very quietly, which I appreciate, especially when using it in a work or sleep environment. However, the difference between the low, medium, and high settings isn’t dramatic.”

The Amazon Basics Box Fan is floor-standing, and for the price, we think it is pretty smart and slick-looking. It has a light weight, meaning moving it from room to room isn’t a drag (see what we did there?).

Pros

• Reported as quiet
• Light weight
• Good value

Cons

• Power not stated, may struggle to cool larger rooms

Best for: Box fan to move where you need it

#5 – AMACOOL Table Fan

Here’s one for tables and desks. The AMACOOL Table Fan is smallish (10”) and doesn’t vibrate. That makes it ideal for offices and living room tables.

Its quietness is owing to optimized air flow and circulation. But who cares why?! The fact is that the low noise is endorsed by a long line of users. For instance, Steve B remarked on Amazon that even on the higher speeds, the operational noise is still tolerable:

“I turned it up to speed 2 and could still barely hear it. Even on 3 it’s damn quiet! VERY happy with the purchase.”

Unlike many box fans, you can actually adjust the blowing angle on the AMACOOL; by up to 270°. This means you can play around until you get exactly the airflow you want.

Pros

• Quiet
• Low vibration
• Adjustable angle

Cons

• Doesn’t have the power to cool larger rooms

Best for: Office desks and living room or bedroom tables