A quiet wall mounted fan is ideal for cooling an outdoor seating area or for use indoors where space is at a premium.
Of course, finding the right balance between cooling power and noise level can be challenging. Luckily, you’re in the right place for just such information.
In this article, I review my top picks for best quiet wall fan. I also cover some of the most important factors to consider when making your pick. Hopefully, it helps you to identify your needs and narrow down your choices.
Our Top 6
My top picks for the best wall mounted fan are based on the criteria I mention above. The range of sizes should be suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
1. Top Pick: Air King 9020 Wall Mount Fan
- Max. Airflow: 3670 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: No (Manual Pivot)
- Fan diameter: 20″
- Max. Noise Level: 62 dB
With a 20-inch blade diameter and noise level of 62dB at its highest speed, this Air King wall mounted fan is a good pick for indoor or outdoor use. It’d be ideal in large indoor spaces such as gyms, garages or greenhouses.
It’s easy to mount on the wall with the included bracket, which allows it to pivot horizontally and vertically. However, it doesn’t oscillate, but this is a minor complaint considering the wide range of head rotation.
The fan’s CFM ranges from 2940 to 3670, making it ideal for large indoor spaces. It has 3 speed settings that you adjust using a pull cord switch. Overall, it’s pretty easy to use and does exactly what it needs to.
Users praised the weight and build quality, but complained that the mounting kit didn’t include bolts. Luckily, they’re a common size (5/16” bolts) and you can buy some here.
- 62dB maximum noise level.
- Easy to mount using the bracket.
- Fan rotates horizontally and vertically.
- Doesn’t oscillate.
- Doesn’t include screws for installation.
2. Best Budget Pick: Simple Deluxe Industrial Wall Mount Fan
- Airflow: 4000 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: No (Manual Pivot)
- Fan diameter: 18″
- Max. Noise Level: 60 dB
This 18-inch quiet wall mount fan is designed for industrial use but will be absolutely fine to use at home. Due to its size, I’d recommend using it outdoors or in large indoor rooms.
It has 3 speed settings with a maximum CFM of 4,000. In terms of noise emissions, it produces between 45dB and 60dB, meaning it’s fairly quiet on all settings.
You can mount it easily onto the wall using the frame and bolts included. It rotates 270 degrees either vertically or horizontally depending on how you mount it. Unfortunately, though, it’s not an oscillating wall mount fan.
Some users reported that this wall mount fan can be wobbly when operating at higher speeds. To avoid this, be careful about how and where you mount it. You should ideally choose a solid surface that can tolerate the level of vibrations such a powerful fan will produce.
- Great air circulation.
- Quiet operation – maximum of 60dB.
- 270-degree horizontal or vertical rotation.
- Doesn’t oscillate.
- Can wobble at higher speeds.
3. Best Indoor Pick: Ken Brown Wall Mount Oscillating Fan
- Max. Airflow: 2400 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: 90°
- Fan diameter: 16″
- Max. Noise Level: 42 dB
I’ve chosen this wall mount fan as the best indoor pick because it operates like a pedestal fan but mounts on the wall. With a maximum noise level of 42dB, it’s a very quiet wall mount fan.
As the name implies, this oscillating wall fan has 90-degree horizontal arc and a 60-degree vertical tilt. Its maximum CFM is 2400, making it suitable for medium-to-large rooms.
You’ll find 3 speeds and 3 fan modes, including sleep mode. Combine this with the 7.5 hour sleep timer, and you’ve got a fan that’s ideal for leaving on at night.
It also comes with a remote for easy operation and a simple wall bracket that makes mounting it a breeze. It has a thermal overload feature, meaning it’s safe to leave on without the worry of it breaking down.
Users praised the build quality but critiqued the lack of functions on the fan itself. You can only operate the fan modes and sleep timer from the controller, but this is a fairly minor complaint for an otherwise decent indoor wall mount fan.
- Quiet oscillating wall mount fan.
- Acceptable CFM for indoor use.
- Sleep timer and remote control.
- You can’t operate it entirely from the fan.
4. Best Outdoor Pick: Global Industrial 258321 Deluxe Fan
- Max. Airflow: 8650 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: 80°
- Fan diameter: 24″
- Max. Noise Level: 74 dB
This fan is ideal for outdoor use because it provides a massive 8650 CFM, meaning it’ll be powerful, even outdoors. Its fan diameter is 24 inches, which is large compared to others on this list.
It has 3 speeds that you operate using a pull cord switch. The impressive CFM does come at a cost, though. Its noise level is 74dB, which is quite loud for a quiet wall mount fan. But, when you’re outdoors, it doesn’t matter as much due to background noise levels.
Unlike other outdoor fans, this one has an 80-degree oscillation arc. Even outdoors, an oscillating wall fan helps to circulate air more efficiently.
Many users criticized its noise levels, but I’ve mentioned this above. If you need a seriously quiet outdoor fan, this isn’t the one for you. Also you can always run this fan at lower speed, which puts this fan in the same noise level range as others in this list.
Overall, if you’re happy with a fan that’s quieter than normal, it’ll be ideal.
- Great CFM rating.
- High-quality motor with safety features.
- Ideal for outdoor use.
- Quite loud at max speed – 74dB noise level.
5. Hurricane Wall Mount Fan
- Max. Airflow: 1412 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: 90°
- Fan diameter: 12″
- Max. Noise Level: nc
This wall mount fan is another one ideal for indoor use. Unlike the Ken Brown model above, it doesn’t come with a remote control. But, it does come in 6 different fan sizes!
Unfortunately, Hurricane doesn’t advise a decibel rating, which is why this didn’t make the top pick. But, users state that it’s not at all loud and so is easily ignored.
This oscillating wall fan has 3 speed settings and 90-degree oscillation. Each has a pull chain, so it’s fairly easy to use. While CFM will vary depending on fan size, the 16” fan ranges from 1412 to 2118.
It’s easy to mount on the wall using the included bracket. Although the body is plastic, it’s sturdy enough to last. And, if something goes wrong, it has a 1-year warranty.
Users stated that the fan’s speeds aren’t very equal. On low, it’s still very fast and there’s very little increase when switched to high. If this is a concern, opt for a smaller fan size.
- Plenty of sizes to choose from.
- Good CFM rating.
- Easy to mount on a wall.
- No dB rating.
- Speed settings aren’t very equal.
6. Air King 9312 Wall Fan
- Max. Airflow: 1360 CFM
- Speed settings: 3
- Oscillation: No
- Fan diameter: 12″
- Max. Noise Level: 56 dB
This wall mount fan is the smaller version of the Air King fan reviewed above and comes with many of the same features. Its blades are 12 inches in diameter, making it suitable for smaller indoor areas, such as bedrooms.
Its maximum CFM is 1360, which is the lowest CFM of the wall mounted fans on this list but should be enough to cool medium-sized indoor spaces. The 3 speed settings range from 42dB to 56dB. So, even on the highest settings, it’s not very noticeable.
Unlike other wall mount fans on this list, it’s mounted using a single bolt. While this is convenient, it does mean there’s more chance of it wobbling. To avoid this, make sure you fix it as securely as possible.
It has a 9-ft. power cord and comes with various safety features. These include overheating protection and health and safety certification. It’s not rated for use in damp conditions, but some users state that they mounted it on a covered porch in a humid area and had no issues.
Some users reported that the fan is noticeably weaker than its larger versions. But, these users state that it doesn’t produce a breeze but still ventilates the room. So, if you want something with a strong breeze, choose a larger model like the 14” or 18” model.
- Quiet operation.
- Suitable for indoor use.
- Includes various safety features.
- Doesn’t produce a strong breeze but still circulates air.
Why Choose a Wall Mount Fan?
A wall mount fan is suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces. You might choose one if you need some serious air circulation or if you’re short on floor space or surfaces.
Wall mounted fans are often far more powerful than pedestal and desk fans, simply because they’re larger. They’re ideal for circulating air, which helps to create a breeze but doesn’t cool a room down.
You might want to choose a wall mount fan over a normal floor fan because:
- They don’t take up any floor space
- They often circulate more air
- You can direct the airflow from above, creating a better current around the room
What Noise Level to Expect
Wall mounted fans can be much louder than pedestal and desk fans because of their size and air velocity. For a normal wall mounted fan, you could expect up to 80dB of noise.
But, for a quiet wall mount fan, anything below 70dB would be acceptable. Often, these are large, industrial fans and so won’t be the kind of thing you’d install in your bedroom.
If you’re looking for a wall mounted fan for your bedroom or living room, choose a smaller option. In turn, this will mean less noise emissions (ideally 60dB or below).
Factors to Consider Before Buying
As with any other quiet fan, you need to consider some important factors. In no particular order, they include:
Noise Level
I stated above what we’d consider to be an acceptable noise level for a wall mount fan. Any manufacturer labeling their fan as quiet should include a decibel rating, otherwise they’re making an unfounded claim.
Here’s a handy chart of decibel levels equated to common noises so you can get a better idea of what we mean by quiet operation.
Build Quality
Better build quality doesn’t always mean a higher price, although it often does. When choosing a quiet version of anything, look for signs of better build quality, such as:
- Metal body and blades
- Brushless motor
- Thermal/overcharge protection on the motor
Opting for better build quality not only means your wall mounted fan will last longer but also that it should operate better. Specifically, cheaper fans might start to squeak or click while in use, which adds to noise levels.
Speed Settings
Speed settings are vital for both air circulation and noise levels. Ideally, a wall mount fan should tell you the noise levels for each of its speed settings.
Choosing a more powerful fan than you need means you can run it on a lower setting, meaning quieter operation.
Fans should state both their speed (in RPM) and their air circulation (in CFM, or cubic feet per minute). The latter helps you determine what size fan you need for your room.
Use this calculator to work out your minimum requirements and then aim for a more powerful fan.
Oscillation
An oscillating wall fan turns side to side. It helps circulate air more efficiently around a space and so is quite important. But, it can add more noise if you don’t pick a high quality fan. Look out for reviewer comments on the oscillation feature, as many people will pick up on whether it’s noisy or not.
Installation
Most wall mount fans are fixed using screws or bolts. If not mounted properly, wall mount fans can wobble, particularly if the screws aren’t tightened enough.
It’s less of a sound pollution issue, as it won’t create structure-borne noise. But, it will be noticeable as the fan spins and can be quite annoying.
The easiest way to prevent this is to simply tighten the screws enough or mount on sturdy materials, such as brick, wall joists, or wooden beams.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ve now got enough information to make the right selection for your needs. Overall, your choice will mainly depend on whether you want a wall mount fan for use indoors or outdoors. For more details on what you’ll need for a quiet outdoor fan, check my article here.
My top pick for either is the Air King 9020 Wall Mount Fan. It’s got a great CFM rating and still operates quietly. It’ll be ideal for large indoor spaces and enclosed patios.
If you have a top pick that I haven’t featured on this list, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear about other great wall fans.
