Black & Decker 20-Inch Box Fan

First impressions

I set this 20-inch box fan in my home office on a humid afternoon, clicked the rotary knob to Low, and felt immediate relief. There’s nothing fancy here—no remote, no app, no digital panel. It’s a straightforward, square-bodied fan designed to move a lot of air with minimal fuss. If you like simple controls and easy portability, this is very much that kind of fan.

Design and build

The footprint is classic box fan: roughly 21 inches tall, 21 inches wide, and just over 4 inches deep. At 7.1 pounds, it’s light enough to carry one-handed using the integrated top handle. The plastic frame has a bit of give, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. I appreciate the recessed cord storage along the back; it keeps the 6-foot cord tidy when I’m shuffling it between rooms or tucking it into a closet.

The motor sits in a rain-resistant housing, which doesn’t make this an outdoor fan—but it does offer some peace of mind when placing it near a cracked window on a damp night. The copper motor is a nice touch at this price tier, and over long sessions it never heated up to the point that the back of the fan felt hot. ETL safety certification is printed on the label, which is table stakes for indoor fans but still worth noting.

Setup and placement

Put it on a firm, level surface and you’re basically done. The narrow depth means it doesn’t gobble up floor space, but give it a stable base: a solid floor, a sturdy dresser, or a low bookshelf. On a wobbly card table, it will transmit vibrations and sound louder than it should. I also tried it in a double-hung window. There’s no dedicated window kit, but with the sash lowered onto the top edge, it sat securely enough to draw in cool evening air. Just remember it’s intended for indoor use.

Controls and features

Control is via a single mechanical rotary knob with Off, Low, Medium, and High. The knob has clear detents, and I could tell the speeds by feel without looking. There’s no timer, no oscillation, and no remote. For many rooms, that’s fine; set it and forget it. If you need more granular control or scheduling, this isn’t the fan for you.

Airflow and performance

As a 20-inch box fan, it moves a substantial volume of air—exact numbers aren’t provided, but subjectively it’s enough to refresh a small-to-medium room quickly. On Low, I used it to keep a gentle draft across a desk without papers rustling. Medium is the sweet spot for general room circulation; I could feel a steady breeze from 8–10 feet away and the stuffiness in my living room dropped fast. High is the workhorse setting for hot afternoons or when you want to push air through a doorway to the next room. I also tried pairing it with an open window: High pulled in cool air effectively, and Medium maintained a comfortable cross-breeze with another window cracked.

Noise and vibration

Noise is the big question for any box fan. On Low, this one has a soft, steady whoosh that faded into the background for me—good for sleeping if you like a bit of white noise. Medium adds a touch more motor hum but stayed comfortable for TV or conversation. On High, you’ll hear it; I had to nudge the TV volume up a notch or two. The character is mostly airflow noise rather than whine, which I prefer.

Vibration can vary from unit to unit and depends a lot on the surface. On a rigid floor or a solid dresser, mine was stable across all speeds, with only a minor cabinet buzz at High. On a thin tabletop, the buzz got more noticeable. A couple of simple fixes helped: I added thin rubber pads at the corners to decouple it from the surface and made sure the fan sat perfectly flat. If you experience persistent shaking even on the floor, that can indicate a blade balance issue; at that point I’d exchange it rather than try to live with it.

Portability and daily use

The carrying handle is positioned well, the weight is manageable, and the recessed cord really does keep things tidy. Moving it from bedroom to home gym took seconds. The 6-foot cord is adequate for most wall-to-outlet distances, though a power strip or extension helps in rooms where outlets are sparse. The grille spacing is typical for a box fan; it’s not a kid-safe fan in the way a bladeless unit is, so keep it out of small hands’ reach.

Energy use and motor behavior

I didn’t measure wattage, but box fans are generally one of the more efficient ways to move a lot of air indoors. Over multi-hour sessions, the copper motor stayed cool and consistent—no smells, no surges, and no obvious reduction in speed as the room warmed up. The mechanical switch also means no electronics to glitch if you unplug it while running.

Cleaning and maintenance

Dust builds up quickly on any fan used daily. The front grille is easy to wipe, and I used a vacuum brush to pull lint off the intake side. For a deeper clean, plan on a few screws—common with box fans. Take care not to bend the plastic vanes. A monthly wipe-down kept performance and noise consistent in my tests. Make sure to unplug it first (obvious, but worth saying).

Where it fits best

• Bedrooms and dorms on Low for a gentle breeze and white noise.
• Living rooms and apartments on Medium to clear out stuffiness.
• Home gyms or workshops on High for maximum airflow.
• Near a window to pull in cool evening air or exhaust warm air during the day.

If you need directional airflow without taking much floor space, a tall tower fan is tidier; if you need targeted airflow at a workbench, a pivoting utility fan is more precise. This box fan is about volume and simplicity.

Quibbles and trade-offs

• No timer, remote, or oscillation. You get basic control only.
• On High, it’s audibly present. If you’re extremely noise-sensitive, you may prefer a smaller diameter fan on a lower setting.
• Stability is tied to the surface. Budget for some rubber pads if your placement is on furniture.
• The cord length is average; rooms with awkward outlet placement may need an extension.

None of these are deal-breakers for what this fan is trying to be, but they’re worth weighing against your space and expectations.

Value and alternatives

In the 20-inch category, this is a no-frills, dependable option. Tower fans often promise quieter operation and extra modes, but they can’t match the sheer volume of air a box fan can move per dollar spent or per watt consumed. If you want advanced features, look elsewhere. If you want reliable airflow with simple, durable controls, this fan hits the brief.

Final thoughts and recommendation

After using this Black & Decker box fan daily across a couple of rooms, I came away appreciating its straightforward design, strong airflow, and easy portability. The mechanical knob is satisfying, the handle makes quick work of moving it, and the recessed cord is a small but thoughtful touch. Noise is reasonable on Low and Medium; High will be too loud for some spaces, which is typical for this class. Vibration was minor for me on solid surfaces, and simple padding eliminated most of it on furniture.

I recommend this fan for anyone who wants a basic, dependable 20-inch box fan for indoor use—bedrooms, living rooms, dorms, or a workshop—without paying for features they won’t use. It moves a lot of air, the copper motor feels built for daily duty, and the ETL mark provides safety assurance. If you’re a light sleeper who needs near-silent operation, or you want timers and remotes, this isn’t the right tool. For everyone else, it’s a practical, portable workhorse that earns its spot in the room.