Want to have the healthy growth of plants in a grow tent? Many people concentrate on all other aspects for the ideal growth of their indoor plants except ventilation. Grow tent fans are specially designed to increase air circulation and ventilation. If you want to regulate the environment of your indoor growing space effectively, you need to buy a good fan for your grow tent ventilation. The good news is even the best grow tent fans are not overly expensive. You have to know which one represents good value.
When it comes to indoor farming, air flow and circulation of air is one the most forgotten element of indoor grow space. Trust me; you will put your plants at greater risk of developing environment-related problems and stunted growth. Ventilation is essential to allow your plants to thrive in a grow tent. Grow tent environment is not an aspect you want to ignore, and a good fan will ensure your plants have good ventilation, temperature, humidity, and airflow. For indoor farming, incorporating the best fan for grow tent is of prime importance.
Best Grow Tent Fan
Our expert team has tested various grow tent fans in different grow room ventilation setups. All grow fans are tested based on their affordability, effectiveness, and ease of installation. Below are our top recommendations for the best grow tent fans for optimum results.
Best Grow Tent Fans 2022
Our team has conducted careful inspections and critiques of the most popular brands to provide reliable information. We suggest all types of grow tents, whether you are a hobbyist with a small grow box or a commercial grower with a large grow set-up. After going through our reviews and thorough buying guides, you will be able to select a good fan for better grow tent ventilation, and you will be able to say goodbye to your ventilation worries within your grow tent.
We tried at least 20 products and have shortlisted the nine best options for you. We bring you the best grow tent fans available in the market.
Comfort Zone Cooling Fan–Best Clip Fan
In the sun’s scorching heat, all we need is a well-engineered, durable and reliable cooling fan. If you are also looking for a dependable and heavy-duty fan, the Comfort Zone 2-speed, 6-inch, adjustable tilt grow tent clip fan is your product.
The Comfort Zone fan is 6-inch wide and comes with a 2-speed setting where you can adjust the airflow to high or low .coming with a 360-degree rotation feature, and this fan makes it possible to adjust the airflow to aim in one direction. This clip fan comes with a grip clamp. With its help fan easily clips onto any surface securely without leaving any scratches.
The fan can not only be used in grow room, but you can use it everywhere. This good fan features a whisper-quiet operation allowing the fan to create airflow with the lowest noise level possible. Coming with adjustable tilt, steel safety grills, and a 5.5-foot cord, this fan not only creates a gentle airflow but also circulates the air and reduces the humidity levels in the air.
Its design is simple but effective and efficient at the same time. However, we recommend using a single Comfort Zone 6″ clip fan in a tent not larger than 2×3 grow tent, with less than five marijuana plants. If you have more plants, install another Comfort Zone. This product is 100% satisfactory.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
Hurricane Classic 6 Inch Clip Fan –Grow Tent Oscillating Fans
If you want a stellar fan with a simple design and efficient air circulation, Hurricane Classic 6” is the best clip on fan for grow tent. Its portable design offers large amount of power for grow tents.
The fan’s easy to clip-on design is very handy and can be clipped on to anything in a grow tent. If you tighten the fan neck toggle to finger-tight you need to give it another quarter turn to lock it in place, then you can bend it every which way you like.
In small grow tents the hot air seems to accumulate and sit up there on the underside of the canopy. This was the perfect solution. It had two-speed settings, with the second being considerably stronger, but at low it provides perfect light breeze.
Most of the parts are made of plastic but its quality seems very good, it’s flexible and can resist impact damages. Motor quality is also good you can leave it running for weeks without having any problem.
A single Hurricane Classic 6” Clip Fan is suitable for only small to medium grow tents that support up to 5 mature plants. For large grow tents, you will need more of these. The cord is a good length, about 4 feet long, so you most likely would not need an extension cord to run it. The only thing missing is oscillation, but that’s not a big deal as you can bend it to any angle you like.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
VIVOSUN 4 Inch 100cfm Inline Duct Fan-Best For Grow Tent
This inline duct fan is durable, efficient, and of good quality. This product will be perfect if you need an inexpensive, quiet operation and long-lasting duct fan.
The design of this product is compact but practical at the same time. This grow fan features a strong motor and a permanently lubricated bearing; say goodbye to maintenance. This fan operates quietly and has a 30 dB noise level that rarely disturbs your work so that you can work in a quiet workspace.
The Vivosun fan helps a lot in reducing humidity and lowering the temperature. It allows the requisite amount of air inside to keep the tent well circulated. Installation is pretty straightforward and does not take up much time or space.
This fan is inexpensive and uses very little electricity. We tested it in a small (4’x2’x5’) grow room. It worked very well, and the fan also comes in bigger sizes of 6 inch inline duct fan and 8 inch fan zise to cater for large grow setups requirements.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
AC Infinity CLOUDLINE T6–Best Circulating Fan
The AC Infinity CLOUDLINE T6 is rated as the best inline fan for grow tents because it offers unbeatable features, power, and quality, never-before-seen fan-based products for cannabis cultivation.
When I heard that AC Infinity was launching a new inline fan series — I was immediately on board. Soon after unboxing the AC Infinity T6 — it was time to plug it in and see what it was made of. Within an instant, my hair was blowing back, but I couldn’t hear a thing. To my surprise — the T6 was on full blast, yet it was silent enough that I thought it wasn’t on.
After the initial test, it was time to send it to the grow tent. I placed the T6 in a 4×4 grow tent where I knew it would feel at home while growing six mature cannabis plants. I was amazed to notice how the T6 pumped massive CFMs through the carbon filter and ducting without breaking a sweat.
Most importantly, the T6’s Bluetooth-compatible environmental controller made controlling the temperature and humidity a breeze. From my iPhone, I could adjust cooling parameters and set crucial alarms — all of which significantly enhanced the growing experience.
Ultimately, the AC Infinity CLOUDLINE T6 is an awesome inline fan for medium-sized grow tents. If you need a high-powered and high-tech inline fan capable of handling any situation — look no further than the AC Infinity T6 (or any other model under the CLOUDLINE series).
What we liked
What we didn’t like
VIVOSUN 4 Inch 195CFM Inline Duct Fan-Small Fan for Grow Tent
If you are looking for a sturdy, lightweight, and quiet fan with a powerful blower Vivosun is the fan for you. The fan can deliver 195cfm of air while running at 2500 rpm.
We’re delighted with the performance of this powerful little fan. It is super quiet and has excellent airflow. It’s a workhorse that doesn’t consume much electricity. Another plus is it hooks up quickly, and we had no problem hooking it to our existing 4″ duct.
The unit comes with a mounting plate, although additional brackets or bolts can be helpful. It makes a very low noise, not whisper quiet but no more than a typical household fan. We tested it rigorously for a couple of weeks but can’t find any complaints.
The only downside is it doesn’t come up with a speed controller, and you cannot adjust speed according to your needs. If plants are small, they will dry out quickly. Since we can’t turn it down, we resorted to attaching a variable speed controller, which can be bought separately.
Now, it works like a charm. Another option is turning it off or on and watering plants more frequently. If you run a CO2 system in a grow tent, you don’t want exhaust at full power. An additional variable speed controller can solve the problem. Right now, it is set on a timer with my grow lights, and my ventilation worries are solved. It’s controlling humidity and keeping temperatures down.
I guarantee you will not regret opting for Vivosun 4 inch Inline Duct fan, and this is the product I will use personally in my grow room ventilation setup.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
VIVOHOME Black Round Inline – Exhaust Duct Fan for Grow Tents
We were skeptical when we first purchased this fan as it was cheaper than everything else comparable. We were amazed by the power this little thing has. This small inline fan has the best dollar-to-CFM ratio. This little 4-inch fan is absolutely perfect, though, and incredibly quiet. Not sure why some people say it’s loud; maybe they’re just “sensitive”.
Built with well-balanced sturdy blades and produces very little noise. The housing and mount are plastic and look flimsy in the pictures, but they appear pretty rugged. It’s as inconspicuous as it is effective. It’s an excellent option to get stagnant musty air out of your grow room or generate robust circulation in your large grow room.
This small inline increase fan features a UV resistance plastic case and an easy-to-access 3-speed built-in variable speed controller, which is a nice plus. We wish it had an even lower speed control setting instead of fast and faster. It’s lightweight for quick installation.
The unit produces little to no vibration, is super quiet, good airflow. It can keep a reasonably large grow room well ventilated. Can purge down the air in a hurry. It can generate a substantial amount of airflow. It comes with a smooth, high-performance motor that should run continuously for an extended period without any issues. It retains its lubrication well, and its blades are super resilient, so it shouldn’t require any maintenance. It can withstand high temperatures.
Cheap inline fans don’t come with filters. It can safely displace heat, moisture, and particulates associated with a room full of healthy plants. It produces very little noise, although it makes a humming sound at low speed. With this strong grow tent exhaust fan, you will get enough circulation; you will not need any other fans. Overall VIVOHOME Black Round Inline is a great and highly versatile inline fan for grow tent with outstanding value. The seller has exceptional customer support.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
Pelonis Pedestal Fan – Growing Fans for Tents
This fan surprised us with its quality; it’s simple and practical. It pushes out a great breeze in every setting and is easy to assemble. I’ve read a lot of frustration about assembly, so I thought I’d try to help; it took me 20 minutes.
The Pelonis speed oscillating flexible fan comes with 12 hours timer and 12-speed settings. Remote offers many choices. Level 1 speed gives a very gentle, very light soft breeze which is great because it doesn’t provide windburn to your plants. Too much airflow can adversely affect your plants by causing too much transpiration or damage to your plants’ leaves. True cooling starts at 4. Level 12 is suitable for a large grow tent.
It may feel slightly noisy at level 12 but not that loud if you like white noise. With this model, Pelonis upgraded its craft and also technology. Pelonis pedestal fan uses a DC motor, making the fan extra silent while supplying a powerful and smooth breeze. This item includes an ultra-quiet DC motor. Fan’s performance has been considerably boosted in several fields through fan motor.
The Pelonis stand fan is engineered for silent procedures as low as 38 decibels. It can be an integral part of your grow tent ventilation setup. The DC motor provides superior energy efficiency and saves approximately 35% of the power price. Its wide oscillation angle, 12-speed settings, and 12-hour timer permit you to customize your breeze in your grow room. With five high-quality blades and a solid electric motor, this grow tent oscillation fan provides strong wind to improve the cooling. Its 85°level oscillation angle and 24° degrees tilt angle prolong wind coverage to every corner.
The screen displaying the numbers is quite bright, but the display turns off after less than a minute. With height adjustable between 3, 4, and 5 feet, you will get covered entirely regardless if your plants are short or tall. Its vast and solid base provides extra stability for the fan. It has integrated an overheat defense which will automatically turn off the fan when the electric motor overheats. The child-pleasant safety grid develops a safe atmosphere for everyone.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
Amazon Basics Dual Blade–Best Budget Oscillating
If you are looking for the best grow tent fan, Amazon basics Dual blade fan is among the best oscillating fans. This fan comes in antique style but still packs in all the features you will desire. The fan is about 18 inches in diameter, the maximum extension is 52.2 inches, and is powered by 55 watts of electric current. Meanwhile, it has a voltage rating of 120 volts, so in terms of functionality, it’s one of the best options available in the market.
It has a dual blade feature for better air circulation than single blade fans, producing uni-directional air circulation. Its adjustable height and dual blade system work efficiently. Parts are mostly made of plastic accepts fan blades, but plastic is of good quality, so no worries. Especially base is very sturdy and weighted. Both blades appear sturdier, have weight, and are not tenuous.
At lower settings, it’s super quiet and offers excellent airflow, but at higher settings, it tends to get noisier. I was concerned about the oscillating mechanism, but oscillations were smooth at almost 180°. With three years extended warranty plan, you can keep it running round the clock.
It will not be heavy on the pocket as it only uses 60 watts of power. With the dual blades, it does feel like it moves more air and has a better push. This tent fan is super quiet; even on the highest setting, the fan is not overly loud. The most remarkable features are sleep and nature modes, modes where it will mimic wind by decreasing and increasing speed. I mean, it’s pretty amazing. The remote has a small line of sight issue. The receiver on the fan gets somewhat blocked a little by the blades.
In conclusion, Amazon Basics Dual Blade has enough vim to cool your grow tent. This good fan is a lot lighter. The airflow and different settings are impressive and can provide impeccable ventilation for grow tents. Immaculate, sleek design as well. Given all the above items, the cost of this fan is very reasonable. It is well built, moves a lot of air quietly, and has a fully functioning remote to select any operational mode you want. You just can’t beat this fan for the money.
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VIVOSUN Ventilation Kit 4in with Filter – Highest Quality Inline
Vivosun is famous for producing affordable, reliable, and sustainable grow room fans and filters. We tested it in a 5×5 tent, and it did exceptionally well and got all the smell out almost instantly. The exterior is nice, sleek, and smooth. The fan comes with a leather case, mounting bracket, premium carbon filter, and ducting. This combo is perfect; it doesn’t waste your time buying and replacing parts.
Three-part system includes everything you need for a grow room ventilation setup. The free filter keeps you worry-free for the first six months or so. The fan is well built with a nice metal finish. It’s got some noise but not that loud once you get it hooked to ducting and filter, it becomes whisper quiet. We ran it 24/7 for a week with no complaints. It’s got a variable speed controller, which is right onto the fan, goes from low, medium to high but has no set positions you can spin it up. You spin it as high or as low as you want. Due to the small form factor, it’s perfect for 5×5, 3×3, 2×3, and 2×4 grow tents.
Filter comes with a nice chrome finish which gives it a premium look. Its premium carbon filter has a mesh construction which provides 53% open area for unrestricted airflow. Its superior carbon filter helps eliminate the nipping odor from indoor and hydroponic grow tents.
I also used Vivosun 4in fan and filter combination to dry my plants, where all of the air and moisture are pushed through the filter. As it comes with a permanently lubricated bearing, this fan can boost airflow for a very long time without any maintenance break. Overall it has a good balance between affordability and reliability.
What we liked
What we didn’t like
Grow Tent Fan Guide for Buyers
Adequate ventilation is vital if you want your plants to flourish in a grow tent. If you know your tent’s CFM, figuring out which fans and how many you need is a piece of cake. However, getting the right fan isn’t enough. You also need to understand how to place the fans correctly and adjust their settings so that the airflow rate is favorable for your plants to thrive. As fans are crucial for your grow tent ventilation, it makes sense to buy the most effective one available.
Since fans are generally not that expensive, you can buy the best ones without exceeding the budget. Ideally, you should look for a long-lasting fan that is easy to set up, move around, and circulate lots of air with minimum noise. We are here for you if you don’t know the fundamentals of tent fans and how to use them in a grow tent. Here we will provide you with firsthand knowledge about small, powerful fans and how to select them.
Why do We Need Fans in Grow Room?
We create an air extraction system with fans that removes moist, polluted air and circulates fresh, clean air through our grow area. Good fans play a significant role in grow room ventilation, and their main functions are to
Increase fresh air exchange: Fresh air is depleted over time and can result in the buildup of toxic gases, or air may become insufficient in oxygen or other gases needed for plant growth.
Increase CO2 concentration: CO2 is necessary for the plant nutrient cycle. Circulation provides much-needed CO2 for photosynthesis.
Regulate the environment, which includes temperature and humidity: Growers use LED lights to mimic the natural environment. Though LED lights produce a minimum amount of heat, it still needs to be managed. The temperature in grow tent must remain optimal for plant growth. The same goes with the humidity, and plants release a certain amount of water all day. If remained unchecked, it may cause pests and diseases.
Mimic the wind flow environment to increase plant strength: Plants can accumulate dust and other debris on their leaves, resulting in decreased gas exchange and blocking the much-needed light.
Keeps fungal diseases, molds, and insects at bay: Air circulation keeps plants healthy. Without wind circulation, pot soil will remain damp and may become a hotspot for fungus, molds, insects, and bacteria.
Types of fans:
When you search for tent fans, you will come across different types of fans which does not look the same. We will give you a brief description of each kind of fan so that you can buy the best fan for grow tent.
Inline Fans:
These can be the backbone of grow room ventilation setup. Even the smallest inline fan can provide robust air intake and outtake. We generally see inline fans installed with the ducting, significantly lowering the noise. Additionally, inline fans can connect to environmental controllers (carbon filters, air filtration systems, and grow light hoods) to maintain the best environment.
Oscillating Fans:
Grow tent oscillating fan gives you two advantages: more dynamic airflow and better ability to target airflow where you need it. Due to their oscillating movement, these fans can effectively direct the air in multiple directions and dissipate the heat quickly.
These fans can provide better cooling because they direct air in different directions. As oscillating fans swing from side to side, their placement is relatively easy, especially in confined places. A large tower oscillating fan can work well for a broader area, whereas small table oscillating fans can work well in small grow tents.
More advanced models have two options. You can have cool air in summers and hot air in winters. Specific models also come with an ionizer, which purifies the air and prevents dust and allergens from flying around the grow space.
Clipon Fans:
Clip-on fans are usually used in tiny grow setups. Setting up a small inline fan is relatively easy. They are generally clipped onto the grow tent support structure (poles). They can provide airflow in a small and hard-to-reach area.
Axial Fans:
Axial fans are an excellent option for small setups requiring intake and exhaust. These fans are much like the fans you see cooling computers, and their performance is excellent in grow tents; they move quite a bit of air. Axial fans are also called inline booster duct fans, and these fans generally have high throughput and are used to maintain airflow across the complete grow setup.
How many fans do you need in a grow tent?
Ideally, you should have at least two medium-sized fans to ensure sufficient airflow in a grow tent. Oscillating fans serve the purpose because they don’t concentrate air on one spot, preventing windburn. To determine your need, feel how the breeze evenly passes inside the grow setup. If one area doesn’t seem to get enough draft, try adjusting the fans for an even air distribution or add an extra fan. Below are guidelines for how many fans you may need for a few different-sized grow tents.
1. 2X2 Grow Tent:
A 2×2 grow tent generally doesn’t need too many fans. However, ventilation is still very crucial for your plants’ optimal growth. For such a small space, you should have at least one exhaust fan to expel the air from the inside to the outside and bring in the fresh air. Additionally, you’ll need a second fan inside the grow tent for better circulation.
2. 2X3 Grow Tent:
Similar to a 2×2, a 2×3 is also relatively small. To ensure a continuous exchange of air in and out of the tent, you will also need one exhaust fan and at least one oscillating fan to ensure proper airflow within the tent.
3. 2X4 Grow Tent:
In a 2X4 grow tent, you need at least two oscillating fans inside to keep the air flowing and one exhaust fan to ensure a continuous flow of fresh air within the tent.
4. 3X3 Grow Tent:
For this grow tent, you need at least two oscillating fans and one exhaust fan to ensure there’s a continuous flow of fresh air within the tent.
5. 4X4 Grow Tent:
For a 4X4 grow tent, you need at least two oscillating fans inside to keep the air flowing, and to ensure the continuous flow of fresh air, one exhaust fan will suffice.
6. 5X5 Grow Tent:
5×5 grow tent requires sufficient air movement because this size of grow tent holds more plants. As a general rule of thumb, place one oscillating fan strategically above the plants and one on the ground, ensuring they release a gentle breeze. An exhaust fan is also advisable to ensure that you’re expelling hot air and bringing in fresh air continuously.
Where to place the fans?
You have two fan placement options in a grow tent, either inside or outside. You can place fans outside or inside the grow room. An outside fan will pull air from inside the tent through a duct on the top corner. If you decide to put a fan and filter inside, you should place them at the top of the tent where the hottest air flows.
Putting the fan and filter inside is the most straightforward approach because you can use hangers, and it will be easy to factor in a reflector for better temperature management. In outdoor setups, you may be challenged getting the fan in the perfect position.
How Big Should Grow Tent Fans Be?
When placing a fan in a grow tent, the idea is to replace air once per minute. Fan strength is rated by CFM, and to calculate fan CFM, you will need the volume of your grow room or tent and exhaust efficiency.
The CFM requirement for a Grow Tent depends upon several factors, including the size of the tent, ducting design (length and number of turns), the heat produced by lights, flow rate drop through the carbon filter, and silencer if being used.
While calculating the CFM requirement for your grow space, you must factor all these in. However, to simplify the affair, you can multiply your grow tent volume by 03 to get the required CFM number.
- Measure your tent length, width, and height in feet
- Multiply the three dimensions to get the tent volume. Volume= Length x Width x Height
- Three times the tent volume will be the CFM requirement of your Grow Tent, and you can select the fans as per the CFM requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of fans do I need for my grow tent?
Depending on your needs, you can use an oscillating fan, an inline fan, an axial fan, or an exhaust fan for better ventilation and heat moderation.
What size of fan do I need for my grow tent?
The answer depends on how large your grow tent is and what your airflow requirements are. Please refer to our guide here for detailed information on the subject.
Do I need an oscillation fan in addition to an inline fan?
Yes, the oscillating fan can be beneficial in creating a gentle breeze and mimicking the natural environment for plants. Don’t point the fan directly at plants.
Should I leave the fan on when the lights are off?
Grow lights emit heat, it may not seem much, but a few degrees can make the difference. The fan must remain on when the lights are on. However, you may turn them off when lights are not beaming, considering other climatic conditions like humidity and odor inside the grow room.
Do I need an air intake in my grow tent?
Yes, you need an air intake if you are using an exhaust. The air intake shall match the exhaust; otherwise, it will create a negative pressure inside the grow tent.
What kind of ducting do I need?
Aluminum ducting works well for all types of ventilation systems.
Which end of the fan should be connected to the carbon filter?
You should connect the front end of the fan to the carbon filter. This way fan will suck the air through the carbon filter.
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