The best stove fans have the power to distribute all the lovely heat produced by your stove much further, meaning that you will really feel its benefits, whatever its style or size
The best stove fans include one by Vonhaus as well as by NETTA(Image credit: Amazon UK)
It can be a little hard to know where to begin when shopping for the best stove fan for your home, but don't worry, we're here to help.
Log burning stoves, along with multi-fuel, gas and pellet models, are all brilliant ways to heat up a room fast, as well as adding a cosy glow. As a result they are increasingly being installed by homeowners keen to keep an eye on their electricity bills.
Not only will our guide answer all your stove fan questions, but we have also rounded up the top products currently on the market to ensure you get the very most out of your stove.
What is a stove fan?
Stove fans work to maximise the heat given out by stoves, helping it to project further out and around the space. They are designed to sit on top of the stove and circulate the warm air, distributing it evenly around the space. What's more, because they are powered by the heat generated by the stove, they require no power source or batteries.
Sound good? Read on for our top picks of the very best stove fans around to help you decide on a model that is perfect for your stove and your home.
The Quick List
Not much time to spare? Here's a quick overview of the stove fans on this list, along with handy quick links that allow to you skip down the page to get right into a more detailed review of the particular stove fan that you like the look of.
This is an excellent, compact stove fan, perfect for small stoves. Operation is quiet and the design is discreet. It has a lower airflow range than some of the models – something for those with larger rooms to note – but that shouldn't be a problem for those with smaller spaces.
Cost-effective, simple, yet surprisingly effective – plus it comes complete with a highly useful and accurate temperature gauge. Users love how quiet it is as well as its efficient heat distribution capabilities – all despite its attractive neat, compact proportions.
This six blade stove fan really does pack a punch in terms of its ability to distribute heat, yet is still quiet while running at below 25 decibels. This model measures 20cm in height which is a little larger than some other models. It is also great value for money.
A truly tiny and neat stove fan that is ideal for anyone struggling to find a model that is suitable for an awkward, tight space above their stove. Despite its super small size, the Ecofan Original Mini has a highly impressive maximum operating temperature of 345°C.
The Sterling Ventures Fireplace Heat Powered Stove Fan is an eye-catching, stylish black and gold stove fan. Perfect for anyone who is looking to add a stylish little touch and draw attention towards their stove at the same time as maximising its efficiency.
There are several reasons why this fan has made it on to our list. Firstly it is really effective when it comes to heat distribution. Then there is the fact that it is compact yet reassuringly robust and, finally, it is nice and quiet even when running at full pelt.
This is an excellent, compact stove fan that would be ideal for those with small stoves with limited space above – for example those placed in an alcove.
As with all the stove fans listed here, no batteries are required for it to operate – it simply kicks in once the stove reaches 55°C and switches off once it reaches 350°C, getting slower or faster as required. Operation is quiet and the design is discreet.
One negative of the compact size of this fan is that it has a lower airflow range than some of the models on this list (150 - 180 CFM.), which could be an issue in larger spaces but should not be a problem for those with smaller rooms.
If you want a thermometer you will need to buy one separately.
A basic, yet highly effective stove fan. While it has no magnetic base, this fan does come complete with a very accurate temperature gauge – making it a great buy for its very reasonable price.
Users praised it for its quiet operation and its highly efficient heat distribution capabilities, despite its handy compact proportions.
The design of the fan is unfussy and would blend in with any interior scheme and with a range of stove styles.
Don't let the price tag of this four-blade fan lead you to believe that you will be compromising on efficiency – you won't be. It's six blades send the heat produced by your stove streaming out into the room so effectively you might be surprised at how quietly it operates – under 25dB in fact.
Like many of the other models here it features an overheat protection function offering peace of mind. The handy thermometer included lets you see the temperature your stove is running at which makes adjusting it a breeze.
Tiny yet effective stove fan — perfect for small spaces
Our expert review:
Specifications
Dimensions: 5.9(D) x 6.8(W) x 7.3(H)cm
Weight: 680g
Blade: 2
Min. operating temperature: 85°C
Max. operating temperature: 345°C
Reasons to buy
+
Super compact
+
Lightweight
+
Quiet operation
Reasons to avoid
-
No thermometer
-
Expensive
This is a truly tiny stove fan that would be ideal for anyone looking for a fan that would fit into an awkward or tight space, such as a little inglenook.
Despite its small size, the Ecofan Original Mini boasts quiet operation and has a maximum operating temperature of 345°C.
On the downside, its airflow of just 85CFM is lower than many of the other models here, largely due to its size and it having just two blades rather than the more common four or five.
That said, users still praised it for upping the heating capabilities of their existing stoves.
5. Sterling Ventures Fireplace Heat Powered Stove Fan
Eye-catching design that belies its reasonable price tag
Our expert review:
Specifications
Dimensions: 14cm x 8cm x 20cm
Weight: 500 g
Blades: 2
Min. operating temperature: Unspecified
Max. operating temperature: Unspecified
Reasons to buy
+
Stylish appearance
+
Lightweight
+
Quiet operation
Reasons to avoid
-
Only suitable for wood burning stoves
This smart stove fan is ideal for those looking to add a stylish little touch to their stove at the same time as maximising its efficiency.
At just 500g it is lightweight – handy should you want to move it around to another stove in the house (although perhaps easier to knock over than some of the heavier fans we looked at.) You should also note that this is not one for those with gas or electric stoves as it is only suitable for log burners.
Contemporary appearance aside, the main benefits of this fan are its quiet operation, compact size and reasonable price tag.
This four-blade stove fan might look a little unassuming but it has one of the most impressive airflow rates around when compared to other stove fans – expect 420 cubic feet per minute which is considerably more than some of the other fans on the list. This makes it ideal for those with more open plan layouts looking to up the efficiency of their stove.
This Valiant stove fan is strong and sturdy in construction and quiet to run, yet users praise how effective it is at pushing warm air around the home and how quickly it gets to work in order to do so.
How to choose the best stove fan for you:
When choosing a stove fan that will be right for your home, you need to take into consideration how much space you have above your stove and how big the room your stove is located in is.
Airflow Range
Bigger rooms require stove fans with greater air-moving capacities – something measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Therefore, stove fans with a higher CFM will mean you will use less fuel for burning in your stove.
Magnetic
Fans with a magnetic base 'stick' to the stove via a clamp that fits onto your flue pipe instead of sitting flat on the stove top. This is a feature that can be very useful if your stove is slightly sloping or has an irregular surface.
Temperature gauge
A temperature gauge is an energy-efficient features which lets you monitor the heat and performance of your stove fan. You can use it to optimise its efficiency which will prevent against damage from overheating.
Blades
Stove fans vary in the number of blades they possess, but a 4-blade fan is widely considered to be very effective.
How we review stove fans
Here at Homebuilding.co.uk we like to get our hands dirty and trial as many products as possible, but in the instances where we aren’t able to, such as the best stove fan, we leave no stone unturned to provide you with the crucial information you need to know before buying.
Our team is passionate about DIY and home improvement (which probably won’t be a surprise) so we already have knowledge about the brands that make these stove fans. Moreover, we have taken into account user reviews when compiling this buying guide.
There's a lot to consider to ensure you buy the best stove, and we’ve scanned the pros and cons of each stove fan in this buying guide to ensure you feel confident in choosing the right product for your home.
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Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.
