There comes a point every summer when opening the windows simply isn't enough. Bedrooms stay stubbornly warm long after sunset, children wake up sweaty and irritable, and everyone starts searching for ways to cool down.

The good news is that modern fans are quieter, more effective and cheaper to run than ever before. While they don't actually lower the temperature of a room, the moving air they create can make it feel significantly cooler – often all that's needed to stay comfortable through a British heatwave.

We've spent the past few months testing fans in different parts of our home. These are the ones we'd happily recommend.

MeacoFan Sefte range

If you're looking for a bedroom fan, we'd start here.

The 10-inch MeacoFan Sefte is designed as an air circulator rather than a traditional fan, gently moving air around the whole room instead of simply blowing it in one direction. It has 12 fan speeds, a dedicated Night Mode that switches off the display and mutes button sounds, a timer, horizontal and vertical oscillation, a magnetic remote control and a clear room temperature display.

Despite its compact size, it's impressively powerful, yet quiet enough to sleep beside. Even on warmer nights we've been happy to leave it running until morning without it becoming intrusive.

The 8" version is portable so if you are worried about trailing cables the portable 8" version is a good alternative.

The Sefte isn't the cheapest fan on the market, but the thoughtful features, low running costs and whisper-quiet operation make it feel like a product you'll happily use for years rather than just during the occasional heatwave.

Best for: Bedrooms, particularly if you're a light sleeper.

Why we like it: Incredibly quiet, packed with thoughtful features and exceptionally well designed.

Dyson Purifier Cool

If your priority is a busy family living space rather than a bedroom, the Dyson takes a different approach.

As well as cooling, it combines HEPA air filtration with real-time air quality monitoring, automatically adjusting its performance as conditions change. The latest models also track where people are in the room, directing airflow towards them, while the bladeless design makes it easy to clean and reassuringly safe around children.

Ours lives in our open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room – by far the busiest room in the house. Between three children, a dog, cooking and doors opening onto a busy road, it's reassuring to know it's helping filter dust, pollen, cooking fumes and other airborne particles while keeping everyone comfortable.

It's significantly more expensive than a standard fan, but if you want cooling and air purification in one product, it's a compelling combination.

Best for: Large family living spaces and allergy sufferers.

Why we like it: Excellent air purification, smart features and great design.

NETTA Gym Floor Fan

Not every fan needs to be quiet or stylish.

The NETTA Gym Floor Fan is all about one thing: moving as much air as possible. Its industrial-style metal construction and large blades create a huge volume of airflow, making it a favourite with cyclists, garage gyms and workshops. It has three speed settings, a tilting head and a simple design that's built for performance rather than appearance.

We've had one in Fergus's home gym for more than six years. It's noisy, unapologetically industrial and not something we'd want in a bedroom, but when you're riding the turbo trainer on a hot day, it's exactly what you want pointed at you.

Best for: Home gyms, workshops and anyone who values cooling power above everything else.

Why we like it: Enormous airflow for very little money.

John Lewis Handheld Foldable Desk Fan

Sometimes you don't need to cool an entire room – you just need to cool yourself.

This clever little fan measures just four inches across but packs in five speed settings, a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 hours on its lowest setting (or around 2.5 hours on full power) and a folding design that turns it into a stable desk or bedside fan.

Originally bought for our daughter, it's become one of those gadgets the whole family ends up borrowing. We've taken it on holidays, used it in bedrooms, carried it around the house and thrown it into backpacks on hot days. It won't replace a full-size fan, but for personal cooling it's remarkably effective.

Best for: Travel, desks, bedside tables and keeping cool on the move.

Why we like it: Compact, versatile and endlessly useful.

Which would we buy?

If we could only choose one bedroom fan, we'd buy the MeacoFan Sefte. For the room where your family spends most of its time, we'd choose the Dyson Purifier Cool. And if you're building a home gym, we'd happily stick with our trusty NETTA.

Five ways to keep your home cooler

Even the best fan works better with a few simple habits:

• Keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day.
• Open windows on opposite sides of the house after sunset.
• Use lightweight cotton bedding.
• Avoid tumble drying clothes indoors during hot weather.
• Run your fan continuously on a lower setting rather than at maximum speed.

A fan won't lower the temperature of a room, but the breeze it creates can make it feel dramatically cooler – often all that's needed to stay comfortable through even the hottest British summer nights.