Adrian Dimakis
What’s that one thing that home renovators, carpet cleaners, and painters have in common? They all do manual work? Have great attention to details? Well, not necessarily! While these professionals are keen on their duties and spend a good deal of time doing manual work, it’s true that they mostly deal with moisture and wet surfaces. After a long day of work, they all need to have the surfaces they’ve worded on dried. They have the option of going back home and coming back after a day or two to find everything well dried up, but this means wasting a ton of time.
Welcome technology! Manufacturers have built an air mover, a lesser-known work tool, which performs the task of blowing air to dry wet surfaces and objects. Don’t confuse them with an ordinary fan, though — these tools are designed to provide a targeted and constant blast of air, offering an insanely high output compared. And because of their compact size and ease of moving, you can use them to crawl places where their larger cousins would fit.
Instead of sitting somewhere twiddling your thumbs hoping that your surface will dry sooner, you can just use this tool and save time. Just go through our reviews and buying guide to find the best air mover for your needs. There’s something for every profession or DIY enthusiast!
Top 10 Air Movers of 2020 Reviewed
1. STANLEY 655704 High-Velocity Blower Fan
- Features a wide pivoting angle
- Features twin power outlets with a circuit breaker
- Features a three-speed setting for increasing and reducing the velocity
- Could be more durable
- Noisy
- Fragile
Best High-Velocity Air Mover
STANLEY High-Velocity Blower Fan comes packed with features to help get the work done at the site. This high-velocity air mover features a pivoting patented design which allows you to direct air wherever you need it most. The pivoting design allows the air mover to rotate up and down at wide angles aiding you to direct the air up or down and anywhere between.
This air mover features three high-velocity speed s making ideal for garages, basements and other work sites. The three speeds are controlled using a knob on the side that is calibrated for easy access. The fan can be used for a range of applications including cooling, drying, ventilating as well as exhausting.
STANLEY High-Velocity Blower also features 120 volts outlets built-in making it very ideal for onsite projects and other DIY projects even in your house. These outlets can charge and power any tool. Whether it’s charging your smartphone or powering a drilling tool, this air mover will come in handy. A circuit breaker is also included in the fan assuring you of safety for your charging devices. With this air mover, you don’t have to bother yourself with extension cords anymore. This fan comes readily assembled and ready to use right out of the box.
2. Shop-Air by Shop-Vac
- Features two 120V power outlets
- A 500CFM powerful motor
- Compact design for portability
- Very loud
- Poor warranty policy
- Could be more durable
Best Mini Air Mover
Shop-Vac Mini Air Mover which comes with a three-speed setting for a more enhanced functionality features a range of functions including drying, ventilating and exhausting spaces. This air mover can be used for drying carpets and floors using the first position and drying walls and ceilings with the second and third positions.
This air mover features a [compact and minimalistic design making it very easy to carry it around. It also comes with a top carrying handle for ease of handling. It also features a ten-foot cord which makes it convenient when accessing power from a distant outlet. The cord wraps around the body of the blower for ease of storage.
Shop-Vac Mini Air Mover can move 500 cubic feet of air per minute thanks to its powerful motor. To ease storage, these air movers can be stacked hence occupying less storage space. Shop-Vac Mini Air Mover features two power outlets for extended applications. Should you need to charge your electronic devices or even connect other powered tools, this air mover will do.
3. Air King 9550
- Three-speed fan velocity setting
- Wide-angle pivoting design for enhanced air distribution
- Grounded twin power outlets
- Very noisy
- Could be more durable
- Fragile fan
Best High-Speed Air Mover
Looking for the best air mover for your onsite range of applications? Why not go with an air mover which gives more than just air moving applications! Air King 9550 comes with a three-speed setting giving you more air moving velocity options. The three-speed is controlled using a well-calibrated knob on the side of the blower.
For a more enhanced application, this air mover comes with grounded power outlets. These power outlets can be used for charging your electronic devices as well as powering other automated work tools. You need not worry about getting extension cords. Air King features 1/16 hp motor which qualifies as one phase blower. The pivoting fan features a wide-angle for moving air near the ground, in between and also high areas.
Air King comes in a compact size for more enhanced storage options. It can fit in tiny spaces. The fan also comes with a handle for ease of handling. This makes the air mover easily portable. The air mover also features a seven-foot three-conductor power cord that works on a 120V volts power outlet. The Air-King blower measures 11.5 long by 9.25- wide by 11.25 high in inches and weighs about 10.10-pounds. This air mover is ETL and OSHA compliant. The air mover comes with a 1-year warranty policy for quality assurance.
4. B-Air VP-25 1/4HP Blower Floor Fan
- Stackable storage
- 2-year and five-year housing warranty
- Features 3-speed control switch for enhanced applications
- Could use a better build
- Could be quieter
- Not so durable
Best Air Mover for Floors and Surfaces
The best solution to your home cooling is by using B-Air VP-25 air moving machine which comes in vibrant green color. This air mover does a lot more than just cooling your home. B-Air VP-25, which comes with ¼ horsepower, is powerful enough to dry your wet carps as well as circulate fresh air within your home, creating a clean environment for your whole family. This air mover comes in a compact design making it easy to move and install as well as occupying a small dedicated space.
B-Air VP-25 works hand in hand with dehumidifiers and air scrubbers in controlling water damage in any environment. Find the best solution to combat mold growth in your home and also mildew. The fan for this air mover is potent coming in at 11lbs. This compact blower will move air al the way up to the second floor through its enclosed ¼ horsepower motor using only 2.1 Amps. It works well for garages and even outdoors as well.
B-Air VP-25 comes richly packed with features such as daisy chain which allows for multiple air mover connections or even just for charging your electronic devices as you cool yourself in the phot summer highs. The air mover can also be stacked for ease of storage. The air mover comes with a two year and five-year housing warranty.
5. Portable Adjustable Industrial Fan Blower by Stalwart
- CSA approved
- Durable body build
- Versatile applications and functionality
- Quality guarantee, not 100%
- Could move much more air
- Heavy vibrations
Best Industrial-Grade Air Mover
Looking for a heavy-duty commercial grade air mover with a range of applications? Portable Adjustable Industrial Fan Blower is made for a variety of applications and functionality including moving air in garages and shops. This compact air mover features a three-speed setting for a variety of applications. The three-speed setting is controlled using a rotary dialer on the side.
Stalwart Industrial Fan Blower also features a circuit breaker as well as a reset switch. A motor overload protection is also included in the range of features making it a unique air mover. The air mover is rated 120V and can be used for circulating air in homes for various home-based projects. It can dry floors, carpets, and also entrances.
This compact air mover comes in a durable and lightweight ABS material body for reliability and durability. The air mover boasts of a quiet motor that cranks about 300CFM. Stalwart Industrial Fan Blower comes with a handle for conveniently carrying the air mover from one space to another for different applications. The air mover also features two grounded power outlets, both ranging at 15 amperes. The air mover comes with a 14 gauge long 8.5 feet power cord which is well-grounded. The fan at just 1600RPM and measures height 12 inches width 8.5 inches, it is also worth noting that this air mover is CSA approved.
6. XPOWER P-230AT 1/5 HP
- CETL/ETL safety certified
- Features a 3-hour timer
- Energy efficient
- Could be more durable
- Switches burn out easily
- Cannot handle a lot of power
Best Energy Efficient Air Mover
Moving lots of air is one thing, but energy efficiency is yet another. XPOWER P-230AT 1/5 HP combines these two features in a compact portable air mover which comes in blue color. This small air mover features a handle on the top, which allows for ease of movement for the fan. It also features rubber casings on its four feet which reduce the effect of the vibration of the fan hence reducing the rattling noise as wells as unnecessary movements.
XPOWER P-230AT features a powerful and very efficient 1/5 Horsepower motor which makes negligent noise. The 2.3Amps motor will perform a range of functions including drying wet carpet, drying wet floors and soggy entrances as well as circulating fresh air in your home without crippling your power bills. At its highest speed, this air mover ascends to just about 800CFM moving a sufficient amount of air for your home applications.
XPOWER P-230AT features a three-speed setting and also a four-angle position including a swing-out kickstand. At its highest speed, the air mover’s motor consumes 2.1Amperes only and can move air from four different angles. The angle settings are controlled by a rotary dialer as well as the speed setting. To add on to its magnificent build, this air mover comes with a daisy chain enabled functionality with twin grounded power outlets for added applications. The timer featured on this device can switch the air mover on and off with 1-3-hour adjustments. To cap it all, this air mover is CETL/ETL safety certified.
7. CFM PRO Air Mover
- CSA and CAN approved
- ETL listed
- Heavy duty and powerful
- Could be more durable
- Could use a better build
- Cannot handle so much power
Best Heavy Duty Air Mover
Looking for the best air mover for maximum performance in all your industrial and home air moving solutions? CFM PRO Air Mover is built for just that, maximum performance. This industrial/Professional grade heavy-duty air mover by CFM Pro features a precision-impeller built for maximum efficiency with an unbeatable CFM output thanks to its 1HP motor.
CFM PRO Air Mover is crafted from polyethylene composite making this air mover very durable. This air mover was crafted to make it wit stand heavy-duty applications as well as harsh environments including transportation from site to site. The air mover features anti-marring and also anti-skid feet which enhances the device’s stability as well as safety during an action. The rugged handle comes handy when transporting this air mover.
CFM PRO Air Mover features a 3-speed setting enabling you to control the fan output intensity. The air outlet comes with a protective grill as well as all the inlets keeping debris and other foreign objects away from the motor. This allows for uninterrupted and continuous operation. The air mover also features three different airflow angles for versatility, including diagonal, horizontal and even vertical. CFM PRO Air Mover is generally portable and even stackable for ease of storage when in significant quantities. The air mover also comes with 15 feet long grounded 110-120 Volts power cord. The total dimensions of the device are 18″ long, 18-1/2″ wide, and 18-1/4″ tall. The air mover is CSA, and CAN safety approved, and also ETL listed.
8. Max Storm 1/2 HP
- Color variety
- Three operating angles
- 25-foot power cord for efficiency
- Wheels don’t hold up
- Not heavy duty
- Could feature more stable build
Best Lightweight Air Mover
Max Storm 1/2 HP is a high-velocity air mover that comes with a two-speed setting that give you ultimate control over the velocity intensity for a range of applications. This high-velocity air mover moves a considerably high amount of air, for a variety of applications and functions such as drying wet floors, drying wet carpets and also circulating fresh air into your home. If you are planning to start a janitorial job, including clean drying carpets, you will require several of these Max Storm air movers.
Max Storm air movers come in three different colors including orange, sky blue, and purple. This gives you variety and an option to pick a color that is close to your preference. The air mover also comes with three different angle settings. Max storm will allow you to blow air across the ground level, 45 degrees up in the air (diagonally) or straight upwards at 90 degrees. This Max Storm air mover works in different environments, including homes, garages, and also shops.
When it comes to efficiency, Max Power air mover does not lag. This air mover comes with a whopping 25 feet powder coated power cord that will source power from across the hall — the cord winds on top of the cord wrap allowing for convenient handling. The air movers come in a compact housing measuring 16.5” W X 16” L X 19.5” H for enhanced portability. In terms of power, this air mover consumes 5 Amperes at 115V and 60HZ. For quality assurance, Max Power features a one-year warranty for the parts and also a five-year warranty on the housing.
9. OdorStop OS2800 Heavy Duty Air Mover
- Long power cord
- Supports daisy chain with grounded power outlets
- Strong motor
- Makes a lot of noise
- Does not support velocity intensity change
- Could feature a better design
Best Heavy Duty Air Mover
If you need a heavy-duty air mover that will hold up in the most extreme conditions, you’d be glad to know that OdorStop OS2800 which comes with a 3/4Horse Horsepower motor is the perfect blower for the job. This air mover’s powerful engine is thermally protected and clocks at just 2800CFM. It also comes with very durable housing.
OdorStop OS2800 features a 25-foot power cord that comes s in yellow color for visibility and caution. The power cord also features w/lighted end. For a more enhanced application and functionality, this air mover features a daisy chain for a multiple of the air movers. The outlets can also be used to power and charge other electronic devices like mobile phones and other powered tools.
This air mover features a carpet clamp that holds the carpet in position for faster drying without having to move or remove the carpet. The air mover can be placed in different positions for more enhanced operation. OdorStop OS2800 also features a cord wrap for wrapping the long cord. For more efficient storage, the stackable feature allows for up to 5 feet stack. The air mover consumes a total of 6.8 amperes and rated at 115 volts. This air mover weighs 2 pounds.
10. MOUNTO 3-Speed 3/4HP 3000CFM Air Mover
- Compact and portable size
- Powerful motor
- Moves large amount of air over 3000CFM
- Does not feature daisy chain
- Does not feature a manual
- Could use a better warranty policy
Best Compact Air Mover
Mounto air mover is one of those unique air movers which brings home a thrilling performance with its three-speed feature and also ¾ Horse HorsePower motor. This air mover also features a three-angle position. Mounto three-speed features come in handy in aiding you to have full control over the velocity of the fan for a range of applications. The three-angle feature also comes in handy when you want to direct the air towards different locations in the room. Mounto does well to project air at 0 degrees at the ground level, 45 degrees for diagonal positions of the room and also upwards at 90 degrees towards the ceiling.
With its powerful motor, this air mover clocks at 3000CFM and above should you select the highest speed setting. With this kind of power, this air mover can move vast amounts of air which makes a plus; for the fan. This kind of power makes this fan versatile and hence can be used in a range of contexts including basements, shops, and offices, not forgetting your home.
Mounto assumes a compact body design with a durable rotational molding. The body features a handle which makes handling this air mover a breeze. The small size of the air mover enhances its portability. Mounto comes with a dialer for altering the three-speed setting as well as a protective grill on all of its openings. This prevents debris and other foreign objects from interrupting the running fan.
How to Choose the Best Air Mover – The Ultimate Buying Guide to Air Blower Fans
Air movers come in handy in several applications including drying floors, carpets, and even walls, and also for circulating fresh air within the house, offices, shops, and even construction sites. The good thing about this air movers is that they are not limited to industrial use. You may have probably come across a number of them being used at home and even offices. Homeowners can use them to dry off freshly painted walls, and even areas that are hard to reach while drying.
These air movers come in a range of sizes, colors, and even price ranges amongst other parameters. It thus calls for you to identify why you want any air mover to source for the one that will meet your needs. There being so many brands of air movers in the market, it becomes almost impossible to pick the right one for you. Let us have a look at some of the things to consider when you are choosing the best air mover for your home use.
Speed versus strength: which should you opt for?
For you to make maximum use of the air movers’ optimal performance, then the device has to be made from top-notch parts. We strongly suggest that you make this a priority while buying an air mover. The power and speed are our primary concerns at this point. When it comes to power, we think of how strong the air being blown is. Can the fan blow off debris? And what type of debris are we talking about here?
For you to get the main idea here, let’s compare the air mover with a vacuum cleaner. The more powerful the vacuum cleaner, the more debris it can suck up along the way. Weak vacuum cleaners probably suck in pieces of paper, but the much stronger ones sweep up large debris like nails and so forth. Point home? If the air mover will be able to move the amount of debris you require to be moved, then it has served its purpose.
When it comes to strength, we also look at consistency. Consider the air mover that will not only give you optimal performance but also be consistent throughout its use. When it comes to speed, we mean the number of rotations the fan makes per minute. If you want more work cover better yet more airflow/circulation, then go for a higher speed which is otherwise very noisy. Otherwise, the lower speed which is a bit quieter will give an average performance.
Choosing the right type of air mover
Air movers come in three different types which vary in terms of airflow speed and direction. You must, therefore, choose the one that fits best your job requirements.
- Axial: these types of air movers come in a larger form and also produce a higher airflow rate. They are known to blow huge amounts of air in a vast space. The downside for these air movers is that they can only move air horizontally. This means they are only good for drying floors and walls, ventilation and also as cooling equipment.
- Centrifugal air movers: if you are down for compact air movers, then perhaps this category would make a great choice for you. This compact air movers usually draw the air from the surrounding while directing the same air to the required space. These types of air movers are best suited for hard-to-reach areas like cabinets, closets, and areas that would normally require you to crawl.
- Compact: if you are looking for more versatile air movers then perhaps this would do for you. These air movers do well in both small and large applications. These air movers are much quieter than their larger counterparts due to the little amount of Horsepower in them (1/4HP). They also occupy much less space than the centrifugal air movers. They are lightweight by nature due to the compact build hence making them the best choice for hard to reach areas.
What level CFM and horsepower (HP) will work for you?
When talking about horsepower, we mentioned earlier that horsepower could be equated to the strength of the motor. This means that the more hp your air movers harbor, the more powerful the air movers are. So how then do we know what power is best for us? Again, in the previous section of the buying guide, we talked about the purpose of the machine. The answer to this question lies in the purpose of the machine. How quickly do you want the task at hand completed?
CFM can be defined as the amount of air moved in ‘cubic feet per meter.’ This means how much air is being moved and produced within a minute. A simple rule goes, the higher the horsepower, the higher the CFM rate.
How safe is the air mover in the house?
When it comes to using electrical appliances, the rule of thumb is safety first. One of the most important factors to bear in mind when purchasing any air mover is safety assurance. What do we mean by electrical safety? Check for the materials that the air mover is made off. Do these materials succumb to great levels of heat brought about by the device? Has the appliance been tested by professionals and has it aced the quality assurance test?
This information is available to you everywhere including in our product review. Check for guarantees and proper labels indicating the device is safe to use, as well as electrically safe. Devices that come lacking the general manufacturers’ labels, as well as manuals, raise concerns and thus you should steer clear of them.
Are you looking into saving some energy? Check the Amp Draw
It is imperative that you also consider the amount of energy being used to run the machine. By now, you are quite conversant with the effect of more speed (CFM) and more strength (HP) on the device. If you are planning to save some energy, then you most likely will need to consider the strength of your air mover both in terms of horsepower and also speed. Of course, the more of these two aspects, the more the power consumed to run the machine. This calls for you to go for smaller compact devices if you have to save energy.
Look for an air mover with variable speed settings
If your air mover comes with a variable speed setting, then noise levels become less of a concern. With this feature, you can set your device to move large amounts of air at the top speed and then bear with the noise, or, set the low-speed setting for less amount of airflow but with minimized noise production. The speed dial enhances your air mover, making it more versatile for a range of applications including offices and homes.
Variety of angles is key
Some air movers come with a feature for setting the direction of airflow. This feature could be a dialer or inbuilt plastic molding that allows you to place the device in specific positions to direct the airflow to a certain position. This feature comes in handy, should you have a large object that requires multi-angular air movers to direct air to certain spots. Most of these machines come with three distinct angles, including 0, 45, and 90 degrees.
Will it last? Lok for a durable machine
These air movers come in compact and a variety of shapes which makes them very portable. Moving them back and forth puts them in so much risk of wearing off. These devices are likely to tip over and fall when stacking them or even collide with other objects during the up and down movement. You should, therefore, be very keen as to the level of quality of the device you are choosing. Consider devices constructed using durable materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene.
Extra features are an added advantage!
There are instances where you may need to use more than one air mover to get the job done. For his reason, you’d be better off using the daisy chain method. For the daisy chain method, it is recommended that you go for air movers that feature a low Amp draw.
Moreover, there are instances where you may need to use other electrical appliances like dehumidifiers or even T5 grow lights and so forth. These electrical appliances call for a daisy chain feature in the air movers. This would consequently call for air movers that come with a lower Amp draw.
If you do happen to have limited power outlets on your site, going for air movers with a low Amp draw would be the better option.
Alternatives For The Product Type
If you are looking into cooling your home with air movers but don’t have the means to acquire one, you may also consider investing in the following alternatives.
- Fans: These fans come in different varieties right from tabletop to pedestal mounted fans. These fans may not be as functional as the air movers, but they can definitely cool you house down a notch.
- Improved fan: Placing a damp cloth in front of a fan improves its performance drastically. The air that is projected towards the towel causes the moisture in the dump to evaporate consequently hence cooling the environment. This is a DIY project. However, some fans come with misters in built-in them, which improves the overall condition of your house temperature.
- Bladeless fans: these fans are very safe at home as they do not feature rotating blades. They feature adjustable speed and are very expensive.
- Air conditioners: these too are a great alternative to air movers. They, however, consume a lot of energy and are equivalently very expensive to install and maintain.
Things To Avoid or Be Attentive To
- You should steer clear of air mover that does not feature a label nor the manufacturers manual. These products tend to be low-quality build. Their materials may not be able to withstand great amounts of heat produced by the fans hence prompting safety hazards.
- Avoid air movers that have not been approved by various regulatory bodies such as ETL may not appeal to the international standards.
- Avoid air movers that have not been tested by professionals for their efficiency. These are likely to let you down along the way.
Conclusion
Air movers come in handy in a range of applications including house cleaning and circulating fresh air to the house. There being so many brands of air movers in the market, it becomes a daunting task knowing what to look out for when choosing the best of these super machines. There’s so much to keep in mind right from identifying the different types and models down to the amp draw and also electrical safety. We have outlined the most important points which we think will play a key role in helping you pick the right machine for your needs. Be sure to follow through, and you might land yourself the best deal.
