The forecasts don’t look particularly encouraging. With a heatwave settling in across much of the country and plenty of hot, humid days still ahead, now’s the time to get serious about keeping your space comfortable. A tower fan can help boost your comfort, making any room feel dramatically cooler by circulating air and creating a steady breeze across your skin. Better yet, pair one with an air conditioner and it’ll help distribute that chilled air throughout the room much faster, meaning your AC doesn’t have to work nearly as hard.

There’s a reason tower fans have become the go-to choice over traditional box or pedestal fans. Their tall, slim footprint slips neatly into a corner, they take up very little floor space and they run quietly enough for bedrooms, home offices and apartment living. Many of today’s best models feature bladeless or enclosed designs, making them safer around kids and pets while looking far more refined than the fans you grew up with. The real question isn’t whether you need one, it’s how many features you’re willing to pay for. We tested a handful to find the ones worth considering.