Air convection fans "reign" in the hot season, which model is suitable?

According to the technology world, the appearance of convection fans is considered an effective support solution, helping to improve the efficiency of air conditioners and bring a more comfortable living space.

Variety of types and prices

The popularization of information about the functions and benefits of convection fans in the past 2 years has made this electrical product sought after by users. Manufacturers are not slow in launching products with diverse features and prices.

Mr. Tran Quoc Tien, Director of a digital content production company in Da Nang , said: “Since last year, I read in foreign newspapers about the uses of this type of device, so I searched for it. At that time, there were very few products, so I bought it on Amazon. Seeing the efficiency of saving electricity and making the air more pleasant, this summer I bought a series of 5 to equip the company.”

Convection fans are also popular in designs including ceiling fans, standing fans or industrial fans, each suitable for a specific space. In previous years, this type of product was almost non-existent on the market, with only a few specialized products manufactured by equipment manufacturers and sold on foreign e-commerce sites.

Quat doi luu khong khi “len ngoi” mua nong, chon dong nao phu hop?

The convection fan market is very diverse in design, features and prices. Photo: Tue Minh

Entering the early summer of 2025, this type of device began to be sold widely on domestic e-commerce and electronics platforms due to increased demand.

Mr. Tran Chau Thanh, sales manager of an electronics chain, said that the products are also very diverse. Comparing with the same capacity, convection fans are also priced similarly to regular fans.

Mr. Thanh said: “The cheapest is the mechanical fan with a capacity of 40W or less, which costs only a few hundred thousand and was previously bought quite a lot. However, at the beginning of this summer, information about reversing fans became more popular, so users switched to buying higher quality products. Normally, the self-reversing type with remote control costs around 1 million. High-end products with integrated cooling water, rechargeable batteries, control via application... cost over 2 million.”

Referring to the market, famous electronics brands such as Toshiba, Elmich, Hitachi often provide some high-end imported convection fans that match the brand and have a price of over 2 million VND.

Popular brands like Xiaomi (China) or Fujihome (Vietnam) offer a variety of models under 1 million VND. Models priced at a few hundred thousand VND have many different brands, most of which are from China.

“Convection fans are not used for direct cooling, so they do not compete with other conventional fan products and become a separate, very new product group.” – Mr. Tran Chau Thanh commented.

What does technology have that "beats" traditional products?

Convection fans, also known as air circulation fans, are designed to create a continuous flow of air throughout a space. Unlike conventional fans that blow air in one direction, convection fans work on the principle of thermal convection - a natural phenomenon in which warm air rises and cool air sinks. Convection fans enhance this process by drawing air in from one side and pushing it out the other, creating an air circulation that helps distribute temperature evenly throughout the room.

Unlike a conventional fan with simple blades to push the wind, a convection fan has many blades stacked on top of each other, forming a spiral column of wind. This vortex of air helps to stir hot and cold air, balancing the temperature throughout the space.

Quat doi luu khong khi “len ngoi” mua nong, chon dong nao phu hop?-Hinh-2

Convection fans create 3-way circulating air flow, considered a perfect combination with air conditioning. Photo: Tue Minh

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Minh - an electrical engineer in Hai Phong, explained: "The difference between a convection fan is that it pushes the air flow further, stably creating a continuous air flow. They also use a conventional electric motor, only the design of the fan blades is different, including many blades or special shapes to optimize the air flow, leading to a different function than a conventional fan."

Basically, convection fans are not used to cool directly by blowing air into the body, but the air flow created by this device helps balance the temperature in the same space through continuous air flow.

“In terms of function, convection fans are closer to ceiling fans. However, to achieve convection efficiency, ceiling fans must use long blades, fan straight down to a fixed position, while convection fans are more flexible and smaller.”

Most modern convection fans are designed with low noise levels, making them suitable for quiet spaces such as bedrooms or offices. They also prevent the buildup of dust, mold, and allergens by keeping the air circulating, thereby reducing the risk of respiratory problems caused by stagnant air.

Dr. Tran Thi Lan of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association commented: "Good air circulation from convection fans helps minimize the accumulation of allergens such as dust and mold. This is especially beneficial for children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, providing a healthier living environment."

In a study recently published in the Medical Journal of Australia, scientists from the Center for Health and Thermal Research, University of Sydney (Australia) said that by creating such circulating air flows, instead of turning on the air conditioner at 23-24 degrees, users can raise it to 27-28 degrees and still feel comfortable.

Quat doi luu khong khi “len ngoi” mua nong, chon dong nao phu hop?-Hinh-3

A small convection fan model, suitable for use in the bedroom. Photo: Tue Minh

In an article in the Australian Medical Journal, the research team stated: “Fans generally consume only 3% of the electricity of air conditioners, but thanks to the air flow reversal, the air conditioner will reach the set temperature faster. For air conditioners with inverters, this advantage is very well promoted.”

While choosing a convection fan at an electronics supermarket, Ms. Tran Minh Thao (an office worker in Quang Ngai) said that she only knew about this type of fan when she saw it at her company. “Through information from a colleague, I decided to go and buy one for my family. If it really helps my family save electricity when using air conditioning, it would be great,” Ms. Thao said.

Most products have a 2-3 year warranty depending on the brand, only some under 500 thousand dong usually have a 3 month warranty. "Users should consult at large electronics stores to be able to comfortably choose the right product. At the same time, reputable electronics brands will ensure quality products and thoughtful warranty" - Mr. Tran Chau Thanh advised.

Cooling efficiency is far inferior to traditional products

Like all electrical appliances, convection fans also have disadvantages due to their unique characteristics. This device only brings about air circulation without reducing the actual temperature. Their cooling efficiency is also far inferior to conventional fans. Therefore, it is necessary to combine convection fans with other temperature-regulating devices. With large spaces, convection fans are less effective and also take up much more interior space than ceiling fans.

Not a replacement for air conditioning, nor a replacement for a conventional fan, a convection fan is intended to be a supporting device, helping to optimize living space and reduce operating costs. If you need to cool and de-stuff a small space at the same time or are looking to improve the cooling efficiency of your air conditioning, you may consider investing in a convection fan.