Updated July 2026
There’s always a need for a fan in an art studio. Drying out projects, moving air around, keeping things cool in the summer… you’re going to need a fan at some point.
My favorite studio fan is the Honeywell HT-900 Air Circulator Fan because it is small, effective, and cheap. Cheap that it’s enough that it’s ok if it gets beat up and covered in clay and gunk. It is definitely not a powerful fan, instead it is a gentle fan that is great for drying clay or plaster projects on a countertop, or for moving a bit of air around the studio. These fans are also a LOT quieter than a box fan, which is fine by me. Regarding noise, in online reviews some complain that the latest models of these fans are too quiet and don’t work as “white noise” machines anymore.
I also use one of the larger Honeywell models, the HT-908 to move air in the kiln room, but the HT-900 is great for gentle, countertop drying.
Honeywell HT-900 Air Circulator
3 speeds, 11 inches wide (fan blades are 9” wide)
Available in white or black
$19
Table of Contents
Top Pick: Honeywell HT-900 11 inch fan
Larger option: Amazon Basics Air Circulator
Upgrade Pick: Vornado Desktop Air Circulator
Larger option: Lasko All-Metal Floor Fan
A Note on fans and air quality
Wrap-up: The Best fan for your studio
Larger option: Amazon Basics Air Circulator
The Amazon Basics Air Circulator
If you want a larger option than the 11” wide Honeywell Air Circulator, the Amazon Basics Air Circulator Desk Fan at 15” wide is a good choice in the budget category. It has 3 speeds, is lightweight, and the total unit is just under 15” wide.
Amazon Basics Air Circulator
15” wide
3 speeds
$35
Upgrade pick: Vornado Compact Air Circulator
The Vornado 630 Compact Air Circulator
Vornado makes great fans, with a variety of different models. If you are looking for a quite, compact, desktop fan the Vornado 630 Compact Air Circulator is your best bet. Still relatively affordable at $60, it comes with a five year warranty, and has three speeds. There’s also a newer model, the Vornado 560, with 4 speeds. In either case, these fans will get the job done. It’s just a question if you want to go ultra budget or an upgrade pick as generally everrything in a studio gets covered in clay and gunk at some point…
Vornado 630 Compact Air Circulator
3 speeds
Fan is 9 inches wide, unit is 12 inches wide
$60
Large Fan Option: Lasko High Velocity Floor Fan
If you need to move a lot of air or have a bigger room, you will want the power of a fan like the Lasko 20” High Velocity Floor or Wall Fan. This will really move air and is great for a shop, kiln room, garage, or a bigger room. The all-metal construction and sturdy base make this a great option at around $80. This 3-speed model with a pivoting head is highly rated on various consumer sites, and it also has a built-in handle to make it easy to pick up and move around.
Lasko Floor Fan
3 speeds
22 inches wide
$80
A Note on Fans and Air Quality
If you are working in a ceramic studio, woodshop, or anywhere generating dust, be cautious and use best practices when using a fan. You don’t want to breathe the dust generated in these studios. If the air is dusty, a fan is only going to keep this dust in the air and possibly make things worse. Before using a fan, make sure you are keeping floors clean, that you are not kicking up dust, that you are using air filters if necessary, and that the fans are operating on low speed so that the air flow doesn’t generate more dust. If you can have open windows or doors, aim the fan outdoors. If the air continues to be dusty, stop using the fan and assess where the dust is coming from and remediate those problems before turning your fans on again.
Wrap-Up: The Best Fan for Your Studio
Two Honeywell HT-900 Air Circulator fans. The latest model is at right.
The Honeywell HT-900 is a great, compact and cheap fan that moves a lot of air and is very durable. It holds up just as well as its more expensive counterparts but if it gets beat up or you spill glaze and clay on it, you won’t worry too much. If you need a more powerful fan, step up to the Honeywell HT-908 Floor Fan, which is also effective and relatively sturdy for it’s price and size. Both of these models are quieter than a comparable box fan, and take up less room on a countertop or floor.
Whether you are working in ceramics, sculpture or painting, there’s almost always a need for a fan and the Honeywell fans are cheap, effective and they just work.
What fans do you use in the studio? Please share in the comments.
