Black & Decker 14" Mini Tower Fan

A compact column of breeze for desks and nightstands

I’ve been using this mini tower fan on my desk and nightstand for a few weeks, and it fills a very specific niche: quiet, personal cooling in tight spaces where a typical round desk fan either looks clunky or takes up too much room. At just over 13 inches tall with a footprint smaller than a drink coaster, it tucks neatly beside a monitor, on a bookshelf, or on a compact bedside table without crowding everything else.

Design and build

The design is minimal, modern, and unapologetically utilitarian. The body is narrow and light (2.84 lb), with a low-profile base that keeps it from hogging desk real estate. The integrated top handle seems like a small thing, but I ended up using it constantly to move the fan between my desk and a side table or to nudge its position. Fit and finish are typical lightweight appliance plastic: nothing premium, nothing flimsy. It feels sturdy enough for daily use, though you’ll want to keep cords tidy so you’re not tugging at a 14-inch tower that doesn’t have a heavy base.

Dimensions matter here. The 4.2 x 4.3 inch footprint makes it a better neighbor to a keyboard than most small round fans, and the vertical grille sits high enough above a desk surface to clear papers and other clutter.

Setup and controls

Setup is as simple as it gets: open the box, pull out the fan, unwind the 5-foot cord, and plug it in. No screws or columns to snap together, no wobble-prone risers. The single control knob at the top handles both speed and oscillation.

One note about the control logic: in practice, there are two actual airflow intensities, and oscillation is effectively a toggle layered on top of those speeds. That means the dial gives you low or high, either stationary or oscillating. If you’re expecting three distinct airflow levels, you won’t find them here. What you do get is straightforward: a gentle breeze for near-field cooling and a notably stronger high setting when you need to feel the air from a bit farther away.

Detents on the knob are clear, and it’s easy to operate by feel in the dark. I wish the labeling around the knob were a touch more explicit about the difference between speed and oscillation, but once you learn the positions, it’s second nature.

Performance and airflow

This is a personal fan, not a room mover, and it performs well when used that way. On my desk, the low setting is perfect for taking the edge off a warm afternoon without drying out my eyes. I can sit 2–3 feet away and feel consistent, even airflow across my torso and hands. The tall vertical grille spreads the breeze more evenly than a small circular fan, so it doesn’t feel like a narrow jet aimed at one spot.

On high, the mini tower pushes enough air to be felt across a small office or a bed from about 5–6 feet away, especially with oscillation on. It won’t replace a full-size floor tower fan, but it’s more capable than its size suggests. The 90-degree sweep is useful for sharing air between a couple of people or just keeping a wider area comfortable without having to constantly reposition the fan.

Noise and comfort

Noise is a key part of how I judge a small fan, because it lives close to my ears. On low, the mini tower hums softly with a smooth, unobtrusive character. It’s the type of sound that easily fades into the background while working or watching TV, and it makes a decent bed-friendly white noise—gentle, steady, and not hissy.

High introduces more air rush, as expected, but stays on the right side of tolerable for conference calls and bedtime if you’re someone who likes more pronounced masking noise. With oscillation on, the motor’s back-and-forth movement is generally quiet. I did encounter a sample that produced a faint rubbing noise during oscillation, which sounded like internal parts brushing under load. Repositioning the fan on a level surface minimized it, and a second unit didn’t exhibit the issue at all. If you hear anything beyond a soft sweep, make sure the fan is square on a flat surface and not up against the edge of a table; if the sound persists, consider an exchange.

Oscillation and coverage

The 90-degree oscillation does exactly what it says: it widens the coverage enough to keep a small workspace or nightstand area feeling refreshed without blasting any one spot. There’s no vertical tilt adjustment—common for compact towers—so if you need to aim the airflow higher or lower, you’ll solve it with placement height rather than louvers. On a desk, it hits upper body and face nicely; on a low nightstand, it skims across the bed rather than blasting your head, which I appreciated.

Oscillation speed is moderate and consistent, avoiding the fast swing that can feel drafty over time.

Placement and portability

The 5-foot cord is adequate for most desk and bedside setups, though if your outlet is under a standing desk or tucked behind furniture, you might find yourself reaching for an extension. The light weight and carry handle make it easy to reposition during the day—desk to kitchen counter to living room shelf—and the small base means it finds a home where boxy fans don’t. It’s stable for normal use, but because it’s tall and light, I wouldn’t leave it on a wobbly plant stand or right at the edge of a crowded shelf.

Maintenance

Cleaning is the usual routine for small fans: a quick pass with a vacuum brush across the grille and a wipe-down with a microfiber cloth keeps dust at bay. There’s no tool-free disassembly for deep cleaning, so if you’re in a particularly dusty environment, plan on more frequent exterior cleanups to maintain airflow.

Efficiency and everyday usability

While I don’t have lab numbers, it’s safe to say this mini tower sips power compared to larger fans and AC. It’s an easy daily driver for long work sessions because it runs cool to the touch and doesn’t add heat or weight to the space. I appreciate that there’s no lighted display—no bright LEDs to compete with a dark bedroom—and the single knob is intuitive enough to adjust half-asleep.

What could be better

• True three-speed control: The dial layout suggests more granularity than you actually get. Two airflow levels are fine for most tasks, but I often wanted a mid setting between low and high for late-night use.
• Occasional oscillation noise: Most units run quietly, but sample variation can introduce a light rubbing sound during sweep. Level placement helps; a silent mechanism would be better.
• No vertical aim: A slight tilt or adjustable louver would extend usefulness on taller or lower surfaces.

Who it’s for

• Desk workers who need a quiet, space-saving fan within arm’s reach.
• Light sleepers who want gentle white noise and a soft, even breeze across a bed without a blast of air.
• Apartment dwellers and students who value a compact footprint and easy portability.

If you’re trying to circulate air across a medium-sized room or you need precision aiming with multiple speed steps, you’ll likely want a larger tower or a traditional bladed desk fan with a true three-speed control and tilt.

The bottom line

The mini tower fan is a practical, compact companion that excels at what it’s designed for: quiet, personal cooling with minimal fuss and minimal footprint. It’s easy to live with, easy to move, and easy to tuck anywhere you need a column of air. The control scheme is simpler than it first appears—two speeds plus an oscillation toggle—and that may disappoint if you were counting on three distinct airflow levels. And while most units run quietly, sample variability can introduce a faint oscillation rub that’s worth checking for out of the box.

Recommendation: I recommend this mini tower for desks, bedside tables, and other small spaces where quiet operation and a tiny footprint matter more than granular speed control. It’s a tidy, reliable way to keep your immediate environment comfortable. If a true three-speed setup or perfectly silent oscillation is critical for you, consider a fan with more precise controls or be prepared to exchange a noisy unit.