Any misting fan can get you wet, but only one of the best outdoor misting fans will actually keep you cool while you’re hanging out on the porch or BBQing in the backyard this summer. Unfortunately, the market is over-saturated with misting fans to pick from. That means that as a consumer, choosing one of the best units can take a bit of research.
In this article, we take a comprehensive look at our top five picks for the very best outdoor misting fan to get this year. We also discuss what exactly to look for when choosing the right one for you and your specific cooling needs.
Table of Contents
Backyard Boss Top 5 Outdoor Misting Fans for 2021
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan |
| Check The Price! |
 | iLIVING Wall Mounted Variable Fan with Misting Kit |
| Check The Price! |
 | RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit |
| Check The Price! |
 | HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit |
| Check The Price! |
 | Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan |
| Check The Price! |
Why Trust Us
At Backyard Boss, we spend a significant time of our days outdoors, especially during summer. For that reason, we deeply appreciate the significance of a great alternative source of cooling, be it misting fans or evaporative coolers. It’s what got us into this topic in the first place.
The first time I encountered a misting fan was at an outdoor restaurant. I wasn’t aware of how long I’d been living under a rock until that misting fan blew a misty breeze my way and cooled my overheated face and neck after a long day’s work under the squelching Alabama sun. I was instantly aware, and appreciative, of just how much it actually helped reduce the heat from being seated outdoors. With the canopy over our heads to boot, I’m sure we were nearly as cool as the guests inside of the joint, with AC on.
Channeling this experience, I went into doing my research for this article and reviewed products available this season.
Best Portable Misting Fan
-
The Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan is a three-speed misting fan that works for workshops, offices, and outdoors activities like camping and cook-outs.
Pros: |
Cons: |
Why We Like It:Â The first pick on our list is easily one of the best portable misting fans on the market. The fan has three speeds, and its mist has a multi-directional flow thanks to a 90-degree pivoting head. The unit consistently lowers temperatures by as much as 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s also light enough to move easily, but heavy-duty, weighing approximately 16 pounds. It is our top recommendation for those looking for a great misting fan to take along on outings such as sporting events or tailgating, as well as those looking for a mister for the back porch, patio, or garage.
Who Should Buy It: This Lasko Misto unit is a great choice for anyone who needs a genuinely portable and easy-to-use misting fan.
Best Patio Misting Fan
-
If its a wall-mounted misting fan that you're after, your search might well be over with this misting fan from iLIVING.
Pros: |
Cons: |
Why We Like It: The iLiving Wall Mounted Variable Fan is quickly and easily mounted on walls and it is IPx4 weatherproof so it’s ok to have it outside full-time. Further, it has a fully sealed motor, again making it a good outdoor fan. The entire unit is made of industrial-grade parts and components, making it much heavier-duty than most of the competition. This is a great choice for mounting on decks, patios, and near backyard pools.
Who Should Buy It: This fan is perfect for auto shops, gyms, garages, decks, and especially decks and patios.
Best Bucket Top Misting Fan
-
The Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan is exactly as it sounds, and yes, it works REALLY well.
Pros: |
Cons: |
Why We Like It: One of our all-time favorite brands, Ryobi, makes a great misting fan kit for five-gallon buckets, the 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit. This easy-to-use unit is a quick install and a breeze to operate. It is powered by a cordless 18V battery, making it extremely portable compared to most misting fans.
The fan has a quiet running pump, and multiple settings, so you won’t be bothered by the sound it makes while it’s on, plus you can adjust the airflow to your liking. Simply set this unit on a five-gallon bucket and connect it to the garden hose and you’re ready to rock and roll. Or, you can fill it manually if you prefer.
Who Should Buy It: If you’re into camping, BBQing, or simply want to keep cool on your porch this summer, you can’t go wrong with this 5-gallon bucket top misting fan by Ryobi.
Best Oscillating Misting Fan
-
The HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit is a quick and effective way to deal with hot summer temperatures, and it works with just about any fan.
Pros: |
Cons: |
Why We Like It: The HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit is a bit different than the others on our list, and may even be a better fit for you. If you already own an oscillating fan or plan to soon purchase one, there are few better solutions for a great portable misting fan.
The kit is leak-proof, includes a removable brass nozzle, a long 16.4 feet long tube, and an auto mister. All you have to do is slap the unit onto the oscillating fan of your choice, as it fits most units, and plug it into a power and water source and you are good to go. The only downside is that it does not fit every single oscillating fan.
Who Should Buy It: If you already own an oscillating fan, or have one in mind to purchase, this kit is an easy DIY solution for your misting/cooling needs.
Best Battery-Operated/Cordless Misting Fan
-
The sleek-looking yellow and black Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan is a great on-the-go cooling solution for up to several hours at a time.
Pros: |
Cons: |
Why We Like It: This 13-pound unit is highly portable, with a long-lasting battery, and is super easy to operate.
With its powerful motor and cordless battery, this rechargeable unit is portable and blows up to 2,300 cubic feet of air per minute. The fan will operate for as much as 10 hours, or as little as two, depending on the settings you utilize the most. It has a very quiet performance dB rating, and is great for using anywhere, inside or out, including camping and RVing. Even more, the battery can be used as a power bank for phones and mobile devices.
Who Should Buy It: If you need a mobile misting fan, look no further than the Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan, few options out there offer a better cooling/misting solution.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Misting Fan
If it’s a good outdoor misting fan you’re after, go ahead and pick any one of the five on our list and you’ll make out ok. But, if you want to choose the actual best one for you and your specific needs, there are a few factors to take into consideration before making a purchasing decision.
Quality of Construction
First and foremost, the type of materials and the overall quality of the construction of the fan is a strong indicator as to how well it will do its job as well as how long it will last. Units that consist of stainless steel, copper, and heavy-duty polyurethane are typically higher-quality products than the cheaper versions.
Number of Settings and Modes
As with most products, a variety of settings, modes, and features makes a huge difference in how much overall use you get out of something, including a misting fan. The best ones have multiple speeds, modes, and other advanced features to choose from. S0, don’t sell yourself short by jumping the gun and buying the first model you see that seems affordable.
Advanced Features
From built-in timers to auto-shut-down, and auto-fill, the most convenient outdoor misting fans include one or more advanced features. Depending on what you need your misting fan for, just as where, when, and how often you will use it, the advanced features may or may not be as important to you, but they’re nice to have.
Cost and Warranty/Guarantee
The ticket price is not necessarily the total cost of many outdoor misting fans. They may require filters and connection to a water source. Neither of which is free. Low cost, sure, but definitely not free. Over time, little things like replacing filters, or spending extra on water bills, can really add up. Also, keep in mind that the best products, including outdoor misting fans, often include a warranty or some sort of guarantee. So, don’t forget to have a look at all of the above before handing over your hard-earned cash for just any old fan.
How We Picked
While rounding up the five best outdoor misting fans of the season, we had to sort through a bucket load of units of all shapes and sizes. Looking at such specifics as to the power source, design, height, types of settings, number of modes, the quality of materials, and much more. We also kept in mind the needs of our audience, so we tried to pick units that work well for porches, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, decks, patio, garages, workshops, businesses, and more.
We slimmed our picks down until there were only five left, and that is what you see here on our list, today. These five units yielded higher ratings, trust scores, and sales than most comparable units, anywhere online. That includes factors such as price, usefulness, durability, and overall quality in general. Whether you’re looking for a fan to mist a small crowd, or you’re after a more personal-sized unit, or something in between, we’ve included one for you.
Picking the Best Outdoor Misting Fan for You
Choosing the right outdoor misting fan for you and your need should be simple. While there are tons of products available on the marketplace, most of those products are absolutely inferior. The right product should tick many of the boxes we outlined above.
Our top choice for this year’s best outdoor misting fan is the Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan. It is highly portable, easy to use, has multiple settings, and comes at a fair price. The unit is versatile and works well for indoor and outdoor uses.
Featured image credits: Geek Aire via Amazon
