The best fans to keep you cool: 14 tried and tested favourites to beat the heat

Struggling to sleep and work in the balmy months? Chill your space - and avoid energy-guzzling air con - with our pick of the best fans, from tower to desk to bladeless

Warm weather essentials: 42 ways to make the most of the sunshine

Our world is getting hotter. Summer heatwaves are so frequent, they're stretching the bounds of what we think of as summer. Hot-and-bothered home working and sweaty, sleepless nights are now alarmingly common.

Fans sell out when the mercury rises, so get ahead of the pack by ordering one in anticipation: there will always be another heatwave. Get a good fan, and you can also dodge the temptation of air conditioning. Air con is incredibly effective, but it uses a lot of electricity ... and burning fossil fuels is how we got into this mess in the first place. Save money and carbon by opting for a great fan instead.

Best fan overall:
AirCraft Lume
_{129 at AirCraft}

Best budget fan and best desk fan:
Devola desk fan
_{49.99 at Devola}

Best tower fan:
Dreo Cruiser TF518
_{89.99 at Amazon}

Best travel fan:
Morphy Richards Air Flex USB fan
_{39.99 at Morphy Richards}

Best evaporative cooler:
Swan 5-litre Nordic air cooler
_{69.99 at Amazon}