Which Dreo Tower Fan to Buy for a Heat Wave Without AC

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Our picks are based on the data shown, not on what pays us.
The short answer: The DREO Tower Fan 554S is the pick for a heat wave: it lists 1473 CFM of air volume, 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft max wind reach at $99.99, $30.00 less than the Pilot Max S 714S. Choose the Tower Fan 117 if you want the lowest price at $69.99, or the Pilot Max S 714S if you want the most speeds and the tallest unit.
- Best overall: Tower Fan 554S — 1473 CFM air volume, 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft reach with 90-degree oscillation at $99.99, $30.00 under the Pilot Max S 714S. See price at dreo.com
- Best value: Tower Fan 117 — At $69.99 it is the lowest-priced fan here, $30.00 under the 518, 519 and 554S, and weighs 8.4 lb. See price at dreo.com
- Best premium: Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S 714S — 12 speeds, 42.52-inch height and 10.1 lb at $129.99, the most speeds and tallest of the group. See price at dreo.com
- Best compact: Tower Fan Nomad One — At 36.22 inches tall and $79.99, it sits between the 117 and the $99.99 models in price. See price at dreo.com
| Product | dimensions | weight | voltage | wattage | Price now | 90-day low | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S 714S | 12.76"D x 12.76"W x 42.52"H | 10.1 lb | 24 | 36 watts | $129.99 | $129.99 | 4.9 | dreo.com |
| Tower Fan 117 | 8.03"D x 8.03"W x 36.26"H | 8.4 lb | — | — | $69.99 | $69.99 | 4.9 | dreo.com |
| Tower Fan 518 | — | — | — | — | $99.99 | $99.99 | 4.9 | dreo.com |
| Tower Fan 519 | 13"D x 13"W x 42"H | 9.7 lb | 120 | 45 watts | $99.99 | $99.99 | 4.9 | dreo.com |
| Tower Fan 554S | 8"D x 9"W x 42"H | — | 120 Volts | 35 Watts | $99.99 | $99.99 | 4.9 | dreo.com |
| Tower Fan Nomad One | 11.81 x 11.81 x 36.22 in / 30 x 30 x 92 cm | — | — | — | $79.99 | $79.99 | 4.8 | dreo.com |
Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S 714S

Pros
- 12 speeds for fine control of airflow
- Rated 4.9 out of 5
- 36-watt draw at 24 volts
Cons
- At $129.99 it costs $60.00 more than the Tower Fan 117 and $30.00 more than the 518, 519 and 554S
- 42.52-inch height and 10.1 lb make it the bulkiest option here
Who it's for: Buyers who want the most speed settings and a top rating and will pay $30.00-$60.00 more than the cheaper Dreo towers.
Tower Fan 117

Pros
- Lowest current price in the lineup at $69.99, $10.00 less than the Nomad One and $30.00 less than the 518, 519 and 554S
- Compact footprint of 8.03"D x 8.03"W x 36.26"H fits tight spaces
- Light at 8.4 lb for moving between rooms
- Rated 4.9
Cons
- No fan speeds, airflow, oscillation or noise level listed
- No smart features or remote noted in the specs
Who it's for: A budget-minded buyer who wants a compact, lightweight tower fan at the lowest price in the range and doesn't need documented airflow or smart controls.
Tower Fan 518

Tower Fan 519

Tower Fan 554S

Pros
- 1473 CFM air volume with a 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft max wind reach for strong room-wide airflow
- 9 fan speeds and 4 modes plus 90-degree oscillation for adjustable coverage
- 35 watts at $99.99, $30 less than the Pilot Max S 714S and $20 more than the Nomad One
- Rated 4.9
Cons
- 42-inch height and 8"D x 9"W footprint take up floor space
- 5 amps and 120 volts means corded outlet power only
Who it's for: Anyone wanting a high-airflow 42-inch tower fan with 9 speeds and wide oscillation at $99.99.
Tower Fan Nomad One

Pros
- 42 W output on 120 V power supply
- 36.22 in tall, 11.81 x 11.81 in footprint
- Rated 4.8
- Priced $79.99, $10.00 more than Tower Fan 117 and $20.00 less than Tower Fan 518, 519 and 554S
Cons
- No bladeless design listed
- No noise level or speed count given
Who it's for: Someone who wants a mid-priced, tall Dreo tower fan at $79.99 and does not need the pricier models' extra specs.
How we chose
We started with the numbers each fan lists for moving air, because a heat wave is about airflow, not features. The DREO Tower Fan 554S lists 1473 CFM of air volume, 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft max wind reach, with 9 speeds and 4 modes, at $99.99. That is $30.00 less than the Smart Tower Fan Pilot Max S 714S, which lists 12 speeds and stands 42.52"H.
Price mattered next. The Tower Fan 117 is the lowest at $69.99, $30.00 less than the 554S. The Tower Fan 518 and Tower Fan 519 also list at $99.99, the same as the 554S, and the Nomad One sits at $79.99, $20.00 less than the 554S. Every listed fan is at its 90-day low.
We also weighed size and weight for rooms where the fan has to fit a corner or move between rooms. The 117 is 8.4 lb and 36.26"H; the 519 is 9.7 lb and 42"H; the Pilot Max S 714S is 10.1 lb and the tallest at 42.52"H. Where a spec was not listed, we left it out of the comparison rather than guess.
Who should skip these
If you need cooled air rather than moving air, these tower fans may not fit. Every unit here moves air; none of them is an air conditioner. The DREO Tower Fan 554S lists 1473 CFM of air volume, 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft max wind reach, but that is air movement, not cooling.
If a very small footprint matters, check the dimensions before choosing. The Tower Fan 117 measures 8.03"D x 8.03"W x 36.26"H and weighs 8.4 lb. The 554S measures 8"D x 9"W x 42"H. The Pilot Max S 714S measures 12.76"D x 12.76"W x 42.52"H and weighs 10.1 lb, and the Tower Fan 519 measures 13"D x 13"W x 42"H and weighs 9.7 lb. The Nomad One measures 11.81 x 11.81 x 36.22 in.
On price, the Pilot Max S 714S is $129.99, $60.00 more than the Tower Fan 117 at $69.99 and $30.00 more than the 554S, the 518 and the 519, each at $99.99. The Nomad One is $79.99, $10.00 more than the 117.
How to choose the right one
Start with the room, not the price. If you need to push air across a large space, the Tower Fan 554S lists 1473 CFM of air volume, 28 ft/s max air speed and 36 ft max wind reach, with 90 Degrees of oscillation and 4 Modes across 9 Speeds. Those are the figures to match against how far the fan has to throw air and how wide a sweep you want.
Then weigh height and weight against where the fan will sit. The Pilot Max S 714S is the tallest at 42.52"H and 10.1 lb, with 12 speeds. The Tower Fan 519 is 42"H and 9.7 lb, and the Tower Fan 554S is 42"H. The Tower Fan 117 is the shortest at 36.26"H and the lightest at 8.4 lb, and the Nomad One measures 36.22 in tall.
On price, the spread runs from $69.99 for the Tower Fan 117 to $129.99 for the Pilot Max S 714S. The Tower Fan 518, Tower Fan 519 and Tower Fan 554S all sit at $99.99, and the Nomad One is $79.99. The Pilot Max S 714S costs $60.00 more than the Tower Fan 117 and $30.00 more than the Tower Fan 554S.
Questions readers ask
Which of these fans is the cheapest?
The Tower Fan 117 is the lowest-priced at $69.99, $10.00 less than the Nomad One and $60.00 less than the Pilot Max S 714S.
Do any of these fans cost the same?
Yes. The Tower Fan 518, Tower Fan 519 and Tower Fan 554S are all $99.99.
Which fan moves the most air?
The Tower Fan 554S lists an air volume of 1473 CFM with a maximum wind reach of 36 ft and 90-degree oscillation.
How many speeds do these fans offer?
The Pilot Max S 714S has 12 speeds, the Tower Fan 554S has 9 speeds across 4 modes, and the Nomad One has a 42 W output.
How tall are the fans?
The Pilot Max S 714S and Tower Fan 519 are both about 42 inches tall, while the Tower Fan 117 and Nomad One are roughly 36 inches tall.
Update history
- — Prices and availability refreshed
- — First published
Get a price alert
We track these prices daily. Tell us your email and we'll send one message when one of the Dreo tower fans drops.
Get the week's guides by email
One digest a week, the stories people were shopping around and what to buy. Unsubscribe in one click.