Best Oscillating Fans for Your Grow Room

Each of the several broad categories of fans is designed for a particular use. Therefore, you should define your needs before trying to choose a fan for your grow room.

Unlike inline fans, oscillating fans turn back and forth, slowly changing the direction of airflow in a growing room. This helps to move cool air around and breaks up pockets of warm, humid air around the canopy.

Good air movement matters for plant health: a review of cannabis diseases links better airflow in the canopy to less Botrytis bud rot.

This guide is for adults 21+ growing where it is legal. Here is how to pick a fan that fits your space.

Choosing an Oscillating Fan:

Product	Size (inches)	Type
Global Industrial	30	Three-Bladed
Lorell LLR49256	16	Three-Bladed
Hurricane Super 8	Check listing	Three-Bladed
Air King Commercial Grade	18	Five-Bladed
Hydrofarm Active Air	16	Check listing

Finding a Reliable Oscillating Fans for Your Grow Room

Global Industrial Oscillating Wall Fan

This uniquely made industrial grade fan provides dependable, safe, out of the way operation for an indoor garden with limited floor space.

This fan has a highly efficient motor that is permanently lubricated as well as enclosed for long-lasting durability.

The unit features well-balanced metal blades for optimum air distribution in your growing environment. The blades are enclosed in steel wire guards for safety.

The head tilts and oscillates through about ninety degrees.

It also features a pull chain control and a sufficiently long conductor power cord that is highly maneuverable.

It has three speed settings (high, medium and low) to clear out still air.

Things We Like:

• The permanently lubricated motor is long lasting
• Three different speed settings for optimum airflow
• Well-balanced metal blades allow for optimal air distribution
• Ninety-degree oscillation ensures superior air movement
• Wall mount saves floor space

Things We Didn’t Like:

• Maybe louder than usual

Lorell LLR49256 Oscillating Fan

The Lorell Oscillating Fan is a suitable choice for indoor gardening as well as grow spaces where larger fanning units just won’t fit.

It mounts on the wall, so it stays put and off the floor.

It has one pull chain switch, an adjustable tilt head, and three-speed settings. The variable speeds allow for easy elimination of stagnant air.

The lightweight, sturdy exterior mesh ensures the fan blades, as well as the surroundings, are protected from damage. High-quality parts are durable.

Three speeds let you match airflow to your space. Look for an ETL or UL listing mark on the fan or its listing.

Things We Like:

• Uniquely angled blades offer sufficient airflow
• The fully adjustable and oscillating head allows for wide coverage
• Variable speed settings eliminate stagnant air
• Durable blade guards protect the surroundings and blades from damage
• Front mounted control knob is super easy to navigate

Things We Didn’t Like:

• The oscillating chain may fail to work

Hurricane Super 8 Oscillating Fan

The Hurricane Super 8 Oscillating Fan was sold as a fan that can oscillate side to side, up and down, or in a figure-eight pattern.

It does not appear in Hydrofarm's current Hurricane lineup, which now lists Supreme, Classic and Pro wall fans, so it may be discontinued. Check availability before you buy.

Its multi-direction oscillation moves air both near the base of plants and over the canopy. It has a push-button panel and a remote.

It has several speed and oscillation settings plus a "natural wind" mode that varies the airflow.

Things We Like:

• Figure 8 motions cover a larger growing space
• Features back and forth and up and down motions
• Variable speed and oscillation settings clear stagnant air
• Remote control

Things We Didn’t Like:

• It is not entirely quiet, even in the low-speed setting
• May be discontinued

Air King Commercial Grade Oscillating Fan

If you are searching for a versatile fan for all your grow room needs, look no further than the Air King Commercial Grade Oscillating Fan.

Three powerful speed settings make this unit perfect for your growing space or anywhere else you may need a high performing unit.

It uses a permanently lubricated motor, a sturdy grill and plastic blades.

The pivoting head oscillates, moving air both above and below the canopy.

The control knob is easy to read, and the fan mounts on the wall. Check the current listing for cord length and mounting hardware.

Things We Like:

• Three speed settings
• Permanently lubricated motor
• Oscillating head improves air circulation
• Wall mountable

Things We Didn’t Like:

• A little bit louder than usual on all speed settings

Hydrofarm Active Air Oscillating Fan

This easy-to-mount Active Air fan helps prevent stratification of grow room air, per Hydrofarm's product page.

The 16-inch model mounts on the wall to save space and runs smoothly and quietly.

Hydrofarm lists about 2,224 CFM at 55 watts, three speed settings and 90° oscillation. Older descriptions claiming 3,000 CFM overstate it.

Two pull chains control speed and oscillation. It has a 6-foot cord and is ETL listed.

Things We Like:

• Ninety-degree oscillation
• Wall mountable design saves space
• Two pull chains for speed and oscillation
• About 2,224 CFM at 55 watts, per Hydrofarm
• Helps prevent grow room air stratification
• ETL listed

Things We Didn’t Like:

• May receive a defective model

What to Look For in the Best Oscillating Fan

Here are the main things to compare when you choose a fan.

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)

This refers to the airflow rate, which is the volume of air the fan delivers in a given time. Visualize one cubic foot as a block of air measuring one foot by one foot by one foot.

Almost all manufacturers supply a cubic foot per minute rating, showing the volume of air the fan will push per minute.

A larger number means more air movement. Small differences between models rarely matter.

CFM can also be used to determine the efficiency of the fan. Theoretically, CFM divided by watts gives an efficiency index.

The higher the index, the more efficiently the fan uses energy. For example, Hydrofarm's 16-inch Active Air fan works out to about 40 CFM per watt.

Fans that move the most air tend to be the loudest, mostly from wind noise.

Size

Oscillating fan size may range from as small as 6 inches to more than 20 inches. The size is usually determined by how large the blades are by design.

Most ideal size for a grow room should range from ten to twenty inches. Blades of such sizes can drive sufficient air in the grow room.

We recommend a 16-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch for most normal size indoor gardens. However, you can opt for a larger rotating fan, if your growing space is larger.

It is also worth mentioning that the blade size determines how big the fan is, but the number of blades is no indication of its quality or performance.

A three-bladed model can move more air than a five-bladed model, depending on the size and pitch of the props.

Speed Settings

It is advisable to choose a fan with variable speed settings. This helps to effectively control how the air is moved in your growing environment.

The most popular models are equipped with three speed settings: low, medium, and high. You can adjust the speed conveniently.

Variable speeds let you clear stagnant air without blasting plants. Leaves should flutter gently, not whip around.

Apart from the front mounted control knob, you can opt for a model that comes with a pull chain control for easy adjustment.

Tilting and Adjustable Head

The convenience of controlling the oscillation is of utmost importance. An ordinary oscillating fan will just rotate from left to right, but an advanced design allows you to modify the oscillation.

Consider a unit that has a tilting head (can move up and down). This enables you to mount the fan facing downwards or upwards conveniently, depending on where you want the air to be directed.

Some models are engineered to oscillate in a unique figure eight motion. This kind of oscillation maximizes air movement in the grows room in all directions.

You can also opt for a model that can be locked into a specific position. This will conveniently allow you to direct air to one specific direction at a given time.

Mounting Options

This may as well be one of the most important factors when shopping for a quality oscillating fan for grow room.

There are two major types of mounting or installation options you can consider: standing and wall mounted.

A standing rotating fan is ideal for a grow room with sufficient flow space to spare. However, a standing model can tip over and damage the head or even your plants.

Also, most standing designs are not very sturdy. Repeated contact with the fan may deteriorate the structural integrity of the stand.

The most desirable option for most growing rooms is a wall mounted oscillating fan. You will not have to worry about floor space.

Wall mounted units are also very sturdy. They sit above the plants’ canopy, providing a wider coverage.

Remote Control

Apart from the control knob and pull chain control, you can choose a model with remote control. This allows you to change mode and speed easily without having to use the knob.

Remotes are handy when the fan is mounted high on a wall.

Safety Features

Choose a fan that is ETL or UL listed, which means it was tested to a recognized safety standard. Keep cords away from water and don't overload power strips.

Final Words

The aforementioned products are our top five oscillating fans for growing rooms. However, you can choose a separate model that’s more appealing to you.

When shopping for a high performing model, consider a fan that has a head that can oscillate as well as tilt upwards and downwards.

The size of the blades depends on the amount of air movement you need in the grow space. A 16-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch size is sufficient for most grow rooms.

Consider a model with variable speed settings, usually three. This will help clear stagnant air and humid pockets around your plants.

For easy and convenient operation, we recommend a model that comes with remote control.

Sources

• Active Air 16" Wall Mount Fan, Hydrofarm
• Emerging diseases of Cannabis sativa and sustainable management, Pest Management Science (via NIH PMC)