In a garage without air conditioning, things can heat up pretty quickly on a warm day. Add a little humidity in a place like Florida in the summer, and it can get downright stifling in your garage. Under these conditions, an oscillating pedestal fan or even a box fan won’t be enough to get your garage to a comfortable level. If you feel a breeze at all, it may just be to blow hot air back on you as you work.

That’s because residential fans are designed to be used in smaller spaces. A two- or three-car garage, on the other hand, can be anywhere between 450 and 1,200 square feet. To cool that type of space — especially if it’s uninsulated — requires a much stronger fan.

Fortunately, there are dedicated garage fans designed to cool a large area effectively. The best garage fans are high-velocity fans made of tough materials that can stand up to tough conditions in your garage.

High-velocity fans are industrial strength fans and typically come with strong metal blades and a ball bearing motor, making them more powerful and durable than a normal fan. The CFMs—airflow efficiency—of a high-velocity fan is usually much higher than a typical ceiling fan or desk fan. A high CFM means you’ll experience strong waves of air circulation over a larger square footage.  

The best high velocity fan for you depends on where you plan on using it. If you plan on having it in your garage or workshop, the amount of available floor space you have will be a major determining factor when it comes to choosing your fan. Will it hang from the ceiling, so it is away from high traffic areas in your company warehouse? Or, will it move from room-to-room to give you powerful air circulation wherever you need it most?

There are three types of high velocity fans: wall-mounted, floor fan, or dual floor fan and wall-mounted. While the core features of each don’t differ, how they function in your life does. Here is a review of a floor fan and a wall-mounted fan to help you determine which is right for you.

A wall mount fan is the perfect space-saving option for smaller garages and workshops. You’ll never have to worry about it taking up valuable square footage, but you will have to find a spot to secure it on the wall — or perhaps the ceiling. This is easy if your outbuilding has exposed studs, but you should be able to locate framing members for installation with a stud finder if yours are covered over in drywall.

A long-lasting wall fan requires installation, so you’ll want to make sure it has the following perks to make that easy:

• A Sturdy Mounting Bar: Your fan should come with a solid mounting bar to use as you secure it to the studs in your garage. It should be designed specifically for your fan for a perfect fit and come with pre-drilled holes for easy installation.
• Dual Use as a Ceiling Fan: The best ceiling fan for a garage is an industrial one, so check to see if your mounting bar works for ceiling purposes, too. This will give you even more choices for tight spaces.
• Adjustable Tilt: Even though a wall fan is a more permanent installation, you’ll still want to be able to control its direction to get the most out of it. Look for user-friendly knobs that can be tightened and loosened by hand instead of with tools for quick and easy fan adjustments.

A floor fan is a great choice if you have plenty of floor space to spare — enough so that you’re confident you won’t trip over the fan or its cord as you work. A floor fan is also ideal if you spend a lot of time on the concrete beneath your car, as you’ll be able to direct air flow where you’ll most enjoy it on a hot afternoon. Floor fans also offer more flexibility because they are portable, so you’ll be able to bring this fan to a job site if needed.

A high velocity floor fan should have the following components:

• A Sturdy Stand:Look for metal instead of plastic for additional durability.
• Non-Skid Feet: Rubberized feet will prevent scratches on your floor and keep the fan in place. This is especially important for dampening vibrations, so your fan stays put at the highest speeds.
• Tilt Adjustment: You’ll get the most use out of your fan if you can aim it right where you need it. Look for an infinite adjuster that you can move to your liking instead of a limited number of settings.

In general, a garage fan should be big, tough and create a whole lot of wind power. Specifically, these features should be your gold standard for any type of fan you plan to use in your garage.

Even in a garage with an air conditioner, you’ll enjoy better air quality with increased circulation — especially if you need to rid your garage air of fumes from your work. An industrial-strength fan makes working in your garage safer and more pleasant, but you have to get the right machine to make it all come together. The best products for your garage are ones that are built for commercial rather than residential uses, so don’t be shy about picking out a fan that looks like it belongs on a factory floor — it’s just what you need.

The best garage fan has a high-powered, long-lasting motor that is sealed in its own housing, and features that make the fan most useful to you. These will include convenience settings and easy-to-mount hardware, but don’t underestimate the importance of sturdy materials, too. Plated metal fan blades look great and will stand the test of time, making them a worthy investment for any garage application. Whether you decide to mount your fan on the wall or keep it on the floor, you’ll be glad to spend more time working in your garage when you’re able to keep it cool and comfortable.