Your grow room fan should provide enough air movement so all leaves gently rustle.
Grow rooms require constant circulation of fresh air to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels for healthy weed plants growth. A good box fan is a cheap way to provide proper air circulation for any grow room setup. Box fans are a cost-effective solution for moving air, making them a popular choice among growers on a budget.
But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best box fan for your grow room? To help you out, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the best box fans for grow rooms based on factors such as airflow, noise level, durability, and cost.
Spoiler alert: you get what you pay for. Cheap box fans are far less powerful than more costly options.
Read below for full reviews on these box fans, as well as other options available at similar price points.
Best box fans for grow room use
Pelonis 3-Speed Box Fan
Overall winner: Best box fan for a grow room
The Pelonis 20″ Box Fan ($42-$49) is our overall pick for the best box fan for grow room or grow tent usage. We have several in use. It’s powerful, fairly quiet considering the high air movemen, and has lasted for several years of use.
These fans work great when standing on the floor due to the wide adjustable feet. They also work good for general window fan use (which we use in summertime to control temperature in a bedroom that contains a vegetation tent). Features:
Lightweight plastic frame with 5 plastic fan blades
Energy usage: 60 watts, .5 amps
Dimensions: 4.6″ wide x 20.6″ long x 21″ tall
Power cord length: 6 feet
It’s moderately easy to remove the grille for cleaning. Another benefit is that the feet are pretty sturdy, it doesn’t “walk” due to vibrations so you don’t have to worry about repositioning it to ensure airflow is directed right at your cannabis plants.
Note: the product description on Amazon is full of nonsense and bad info. Ex: this fan has 5 blades, not 3; the airflow is definitely not just 64 CFM, it’s much much higher; the cord is 6 feet long, not 3 feet; etc. But it still is a good value overall and a worthwhile box fan for grow room circulation under the canopy, despite the shitty product description.
The Hurricane Box Fan is a good cheap box fan option for grow room use. It is priced in the $30-$35 range. Features:
3 speed options, on high it runs at 2400 CFM and 1100 RPM
Fan measures fan measures 20 in. x 20 in. x 3.5 in., with adjustable feet and a power cord tucking compartment
Uses 55 watts
5 foot cord
ETL listed for safety
The Hurricane Fan has decent longevity. We’ve used this model for many years as a bedroom fan, serving double duty as a fan we also use to quickly dry off weed plants after spraying them with a pump sprayer.
The Amazon Basics 20″ Box Fan is an inexpensive ($40-$45 range) and reliable option for growers with small or medium sized rooms. For larger rooms you’ll need to buy a few, or you’re better off finding a more powerful brand. Features:
3 speeds with front-facing controls
Free-standing design with extra large feet for stability
6 foot cord with 2 prong plug
Dimensions: 6.77″D x 20.86″W x 21.33″H
Description on website doesn’t mention wattage
We’ve used several models of Amazon Basics fans over the years with pretty good results. They tend to deliver decent airflow across all those sizes compared to competitors at similar price points, and the light plastic construction has help up surprisingly when we inadvertently knock them over or bang into them.
Winner: Best powerful fan for large grow rooms
The Tornado 24 Inch High Velocity fan ($130-$160) is a reliable and efficient option for large grow spaces.
The Tornado 24 Inch Fan is a powerful box fan for grow room or greenhouse usage.
It has a powerful motor that provides strong and consistent air flow, making it ideal to ensure ventilation through grow room of all sizes. The fan is also built to last, with a durable metal frame and a powder-coated finish that provides added protection against rust and corrosion. Features:
220 watts of power with 68 dB noise level
Tilts a full 360 degrees
Air Delivery CFM: High: 7800. Medium: 6000. Low: 5000.
Dimensions: 29.3 x 11 x 29.5 inches
8 foot 3-prong grounded power cord
UL Safety Listed
The Tornado 24 inch High Velocity Fan is our pick for the best box fan for grow rooms or greenhouses due to the balance of high power and durable construction. At 68 dB on high speed it’s relatively quiet given the amount of air it moves.
It has a powerful motor (much stronger than typical box fans) that delivers strong airflow, and a high-velocity blade that provides maximum air movement. This fan is also built to last for many years, with a rugged metal frame and weather-resistant construction. Features:
2 powerful speeds
4 blades with OSHA compliant grills for safety
10 foot 3-prong grounded power cord
180 degree tilt capability lets you adjust and properly target your plants
Mesurements: 16″D x 30″W x 32″H
The MaxxAir Industrial Fan is suitable for larger grow rooms or tents, it would be overkill in small grow rooms.
The Comfort Zone 20-inch Box Fan is a cost-effective solution for growers on a budget. They range from $33-$50 on Amazon.
The Comfort Zone Box Fan is a cheap model suitable for circulation in small grow rooms.
It has three speed options, allowing you to adjust the airflow to meet your grow room’s needs. It’s not as powerful as other box fan models, but that’s why it’s also one of the cheapest box fans for grow rooms that you can buy. Features:
Air movement: 640 Cubic Feet Per Minute
Noise level: 52.4 dB
3 speeds
Metal frame with with 5 plastic blades
Wattage: 75 watts
Dimensions: 5″D x 21″W x 22″H
We’ve owned a lot of Comfort Zone fans over the years. Translation: we bought a bunch of cheap fans that we needed to replace. Mostly clip fans, but some larger ones as well including this box fan. The low price point of Comfort Zone fans is appealing, and for small grow rooms this box fan will do the trick. You’ll be disappointed if you have a large space though, it’s just not powerful enough.
Wattage: high powered fans move more air. For a mid- to large-size grow room, box fans need to keep air moving throughout the room to avoid stagnant spots that could lead to moisture issues. In general, the cheaper the fan, the less power it uses. It’s always better to size up and run a stronger fan on a lower setting, reserving the ability to further increase air movement if needed.
Ability to clean: keeping box fan blades and grilles clean ensures maximum airflow and minimizes wear on the fan motor. Clean fans any time you notice dust sticking to the blades or grille.
Cord length: most box fans have fairly short cords. If you use an extension cord and make sure to hang it off the floor where it can’t get wet.
Noise level: Powerful fans make more noise. It’s quieter to run a fan at lower speeds, so buying an over-powered fan and using a lower speed will keep noise down. Learn more about how to find the quietest fans for growing weed.
Location: many box fans have legs to help it stay upright on your grow room floor, providing good under-canopy circulation. If you are using the fan above the plant canopy, make sure it is placed in a position where the air movement provides a gentle rustle to the cannabis leaves throughout the tent. Use extra fans if needed. If your fan is located right next to a wall it won’t move as much air.
Ventilation: Box fans are good at circulating air inside a grow room. But you’ll also need a separate inline fan to ventilate air outside the room (unless you’re running a sealed room with C02 supplementation). This helps remove the moisture transpired through plant’s leaves during photosynthesis.
In conclusion, the best box fan for your grow room will depend on the size of your grow room and your ventilation requirements. Pay more, get more power. Consider factors such as airflow, noise level, and durability when choosing a box fan.
For small grow rooms, fans don’t need to be as powerful. For large grow rooms or greenhouses, industrial-strength drum fans are a better match. If noise is a concern, buy a more powerful fan and run it at a lower speed. If you’re growing in a really small space like a grow closet or grow tent, check out our reviews of grow tent fans.
