27 Sep 2024

Top tower fans to keep your space cool and comfortable

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Which tower fan is best?

The right fan can both make you feel cooler and help regulate the temperature in your house, preventing those random hot or cold spots.

A tower fan is a space-saving option that is specifically designed to produce impressive results. For example, the Vornado Whole-Room Air Circulator Tower Fan will not only increase the comfort level of your home but may also help you save money on your energy bills.

What to know before buying a tower fan

Does a tower fan have a blade?

While some models are labeled as “bladeless,” tower fans have blades hidden in the base that rotate to push air. The inner rotating column of fins pushes the air out through the vents to create a powerful, circulating current.

What are the advantages of having a tower fan?

A tower fan has a sleek and stylish design, and unlike a box or pedestal fan, it is compact and can fit in small spaces. Because of its uniform size throughout, a tower fan will not be top-heavy like a pedestal fan, making it more stable. Tower fans are generally quieter than other fans, producing a more consistent stream of white noise. Many new models are high-tech devices with advanced filtration methods, removing odors and allergens from the air.

Do I need an oscillating tower fan?

There are two general types of fans: cooling fans and circulator fans.

Cooling fans are designed to be aimed at an individual, creating a breeze that travels across the skin and clothing and cooling the body. If there is more than one individual in a room, you will want a tower fan that oscillates to ensure everyone feels the breeze.
Circulator fans create a powerful stream of air that penetrates deep into a room. This stream circulates the air, similar to the way a pump moves water through a pool. As the air travels, hot spots mingle with cold spots, creating a consistent temperature throughout the room. This can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter; these fans work regardless of an oscillating mode.

What to look for in a quality tower fan

Range of speeds

Fans with ranges of speeds are great for comfort and season regulation. In the winter, a circulator fan should be set on low, while it should be set on high in the summer.

Quiet operation

If you want a tower fan that can be used while you sleep or watch TV, you will need one that runs quietly. If the noise level of your tower fan interferes with your daily activities, you won’t use it as often as you probably should.

Additional features

Some higher-end tower fans have multiple functions. You can get models that purify, heat or humidify the air.

Dimming controls

The display on most tower fans is bright enough to be clearly seen from across the room. At night, however, the blue light could become an annoyance. If you plan on using your tower fan in the bedroom, make sure the display can be dimmed – unless you’d like it to double as a nightlight.

Remote operation

Many tower fans can be controlled remotely either by a remote or a corresponding app. These features allow you to control the fan from across the room.

How much you can expect to spend on a tower fan

A tower fan can cost as little as $40 or as much as $200 (sometimes more). For the best quality at a reasonable price point, you can expect to spend between $80 and $120.

Tower fan FAQ

Where is the best location for a tower fan?

A. If you want a tower fan for cooling off, then you will need to position it so it blows on you. However, if you want to circulate the air in a room, position the tower fan so it is blowing toward the wall at the opposite side of the room. To achieve the best results, clear a path so the air can travel across the open space without any obstructions.

Are tower fans safe?

A. Most tower fans are equipped with many safety features. Tower fan blades are either covered by a grill or hidden in the base of the fan, making it nearly impossible to get your fingers caught. The best tower fans also have an automatic shut-off feature that stops operation if the fan is ever knocked over.

What’s the best tower fan to buy?

Top tower fan

Vornado Whole-Room Air Circulator Tower Fan

What you need to know: This Vornado fan is powerful enough to provide the type of circulation needed to regulate room temperature.

What you’ll love: This fan’s technology pushes the air up to 100 feet, making it suitable for larger rooms. It has an auto-off timer and four speed settings so you can customize operation, and it comes with a remote control for convenience.

What you should consider: A few users noted their fan developed a soft whine over a relatively short period.

Top tower fan for the money

Lasko Oscillating Tower Fan

What you need to know: This Lasko Tower Fan is a top model at a great value.

What you’ll love: This space-saving fan has three speeds, oscillation and a nighttime operating mode. The built-in timer lets you control when the fan shuts off, even if you fall asleep.

What you should consider: While affordable, this fan is louder than some users expected.

Worth checking out

Arctic-Pro Oscillating Tower Fan

What you need to know: This model is best for the individual looking for a feature-packed tower fan on a budget.

What you’ll love: This 42-inch tower fan has a pedestal that can be used to raise the fan. The LED display is easy to read and can be dimmed at night so it won’t disturb your sleep. The remote can be stored in the top of the unit so it doesn’t get misplaced when not in use.

What you should consider: The assembly instructions for this fan can be difficult to interpret.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

27 Sep 2024

NYC Mayor Eric Adams arrives at court in illegal-contributions case

by | posted in: Politics | 0

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s embattled mayor, Eric Adams, arrived at a federal courthouse Friday morning to be arraigned on charges that he accepted illegal campaign contributions and free overseas trips from people looking to buy his influence in city government.

Adams gave a thumbs up but did not pause to speak to reporters as he headed into the Manhattan court, flanked by his own police security. He was scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker at noon.

An indictment unsealed Thursday accused the Democrat of taking a variety of improper gifts from Turkish officials and businesspeople, including free hotel stays and deeply discounted airline tickets to destinations including France, China, Sri Lanka, India, Hungary, Ghana and Turkey.

In return, prosecutors said, Adams did favors for his patrons. That included helping Turkey get fire department approvals to open a new diplomatic tower in Manhattan, despite concerns about its fire safety system, prosecutors said.

Adams says he is innocent. His lawyer has said it was neither unusual nor improper for a government official to accept some travel perks. The mayor has denied ever knowingly accepting an illegal campaign contribution and said any help he gave people navigating city bureaucracy was just part of doing his job.

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It was unclear how the mechanics of Adams’ trip through the courthouse might unfold. Many people charged with federal crimes are arrested at their homes early in the morning, booked, and then brought before a judge after spending hours or even days in detention. But that isn’t always the case and it didn’t happen with Adams.

When former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, was arraigned on corruption charges in the same courthouse a year ago, he also arrived as a free person in the morning, had a short appearance before a judge and walked out after around 4½ hours in the building. He was never seen in handcuffs.

The Lower Manhattan courthouse is less than two blocks from the one where former President Donald Trump was tried and convicted of falsifying business records, and the same court where a jury found Trump civilly liable for sexually assaulting the writer E. Jean Carroll in 1996. Other prominent cases there now include the sex trafficking case against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The mayor tried to project a sense on his daily schedule that he’s continuing to go about the city’s business. He listed meetings at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. with senior city officials and staff. He also planned afternoon meetings, starting with one at 3:30 p.m. with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, a committee that screens candidates for judicial appointments — a reminder that Adams even while under indictment retains all of his official powers, including the ability to appoint certain judges.

Adams faces conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges in a five-count indictment.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on Thursday said that several businesspeople and a Turkish diplomat had engaged in “a multiyear scheme to buy favor” from Adams.

In public remarks Thursday, Adams asked New Yorkers to avoid making any judgments until they heard his defense.

His lawyer, Alex Spiro, told reporters the travel perks and seat upgrades Adams accepted were commonly offered to VIPs and members of Congress.

“That’s what airlines do,” he said, noting that many of the charges relate to trips Adams took years ago when he was Brooklyn borough president.

Adams has so far weathered calls to resign from his critics, some Republicans and the field of potential Democratic primary challengers he is expected to face in next June’s mayoral primary. The New York Times editorial board, which did not endorse Adams when he was running for mayor in 2021, has also called on him to step down, arguing that he cannot continue to effectively govern the city while he fends off his criminal charges.

Notably, top Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries have not asked Adams to resign. Both issued statements after the indictment was unsealed saying the legal process should be allowed to play out. The New York Post’s editorial board similarly said Adams should be allowed to defend himself against the charges and described some what is alleged in the indictment as “small potatoes.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat who has the power to remove Adams from office, also did not call on Adams to resign, but she appeared to issue a warning to a mayor she has often sought to portray as a close ally.

“While I review my options and obligations as the governor of New York, I expect the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders,” Hochul said. “We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government.”

It is unclear whether Adams’ indictment is the last word on federal investigations involving the administration.

Federal prosecutors are believed to be leading multiple, separate inquiries involving Adams and his senior aides and relatives of those aides. In early September, federal investigators seized devices from the police commissioner, schools chancellor, two deputy mayors and other trusted Adams confidants.

In the last two weeks alone, the police commissioner resigned and the schools chancellor announced he would retire. Neither has been charged with a crime or been publicly accused of wrongdoing.

Associated Press reporter Anthony Izaguirre in Albany contributed to this report.

27 Sep 2024

Top VIZIO smart TVs to upgrade your home viewing

by | posted in: News | 0

Which VIZIO Smart TV is best?

Shopping for a TV is becoming increasingly more complicated. Different brands use different terms for effectively the same things. Some of these are smart and intuitive while others aren’t. There are also endless acronyms and jargon with meanings that are hard to puzzle out. One thing that’s certain, however, is the quality and budget-friendliness of VIZIO Smart TVs.

The best of all of VIZIO’s Smart TVs is the VIZIO 55-inch Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV. This VIZIO Smart TV meets every possible need, from high-quality cinematic experiences to the smoothest possible gaming connections.

What to know before you buy a VIZIO Smart TV

Types of LED displays in your VIZIO Smart TV

There are three main types of LED displays in your potential VIZIO Smart TV: LED, OLED and FALD. Each are a little different. Pick the one that will meet your visual needs most closely. For more information visit the VIZIO Smart TV buying guide from BestReviews.

LED TVs: LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs serve as the backbone to liquid crystal display — more commonly known as LCD screens — TVs. Here, light is projected from the back of the TV into the pixels. They aren’t as clear or detailed as more advanced TV display systems, but the trade-off makes them brighter, and they can also be much larger.
FALD or XLED TVs: Full-array local dimming TVs combine the traits of LED and OLED TVs and exist in a quality spectrum between the two. They are still backlit, like LED TVs, but they are better able to prevent light from bleeding into pixels that shouldn’t be receiving the extra light. You won’t see FALD marked on your potential TV, however. VIZIO markets this technology as XLED instead to try and limit customer confusion between display types.
OLED: Organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, mean that each individual pixel is lit separately from every other pixel and only when that pixel needs to be lit. This gives your display an incredible range of color and OLED displays are the closest you can get to seeing a color as it exists in nature. The blacks are the deepest possible black by not lighting the pixel at all, and different viewing angles maintain uniformity and avoid distortion far better than LED displays. The only downside is OLED TVs are usually smaller than most while costing more.

What to look for in a quality VIZIO Smart TV

Accessory compatibility

Sound: VIZIO Smart TVs, like most TVs, are known for their affordability and their displays and not for their sound quality. While some VIZIO Smart TVs might have a little better sound than others, it’s strongly recommended you add a sound bar or speakers to your home setup. Keep in mind these will use up some of the ports on your VIZIO Smart TV.
Mounts: If you don’t want to use up more space in your home with a TV stand you’ll need to get a wall mount instead. Most TVs use a mount compatibility system called VESA to allow for any third-party mount to be used on said TV. VIZIO generally follows the VESA system but double-check your VIZIO Smart TV and prospective mount before purchasing.

How much you can expect to spend on a VIZIO Smart TV

VIZIO Smart TVs are some of the most affordable smart TVs on the market, but they can still cost a pretty penny. A VIZIO Smart TV that costs between $500 and $1,000 will usually net you the features you’re looking for with the size you want but won’t necessarily have every feature on your list. Spending above $1,000 will ensure that you do get everything you want in a VIZIO Smart TV.

VIZIO Smart TV FAQ

Do any VIZIO Smart TVs include a digital assistant?

A. They don’t include it per se. If you have a digital assistant like Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri, most VIZIO Smart TVs will be able to connect to your phone or other smart home-connected device and be controlled by them as long as they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Can my VIZIO Smart TV pick up on my locally broadcast channels?

A. Unfortunately, no. While VIZIO and other brands still market their “TVs” as television sets, they are technically just a display as they do not include the hardware for translating over-the-air signals. You’ll need a few extra pieces of equipment to pick up your local channels.

What’s the best VIZIO Smart TV to buy?

Top VIZIO Smart TV

VIZIO 55-inch Class Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV – M55Q6-L4

What you need to know: The creme of the visual crop, this VIZIO Smart TV has all the quality of the best TVs on the market and a tremendous library of apps for all your streaming needs.

What you’ll love: Its incredible array of features, including Wi-Fi 6 capability for improved streaming, a QLED display, enhanced HDR Dolby Vision and an integrated gaming menu, means this VIZIO Smart TV excels in every possible way.

What you should consider: Its sound quality is pretty good, but you might prefer a sound system for a better experience.

Top VIZIO Smart TV for the money

VIZIO 40-inch Full HD 1080p Smart TV (VFD40M-08)

What you need to know: This VIZIO Smart TV packs many features and a high-quality display at an amazing price.

What you’ll love: Native Chromecast and Apple AirPlay support, a vibrant 1080p LED display and HDR 10 make this budget pick well worth buying.

What you should consider: Some buyers thought that the display wasn’t very user-friendly.

Worth checking out

VIZIO P-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV

What you need to know: The buttery performance of this VIZIO Smart TV and excellent picture quality make this the perfect high-end VIZIO Smart TV.

What you’ll love: The bright LED display features Dolby Vision HDR, with deep blacks and sharp whites and a high refresh rate, perfect for gaming or sports.

What you should consider: This VIZIO Smart TV has fewer and lower-quality colors than other options.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

27 Sep 2024

Photos: Destruction caused by Hurricane Helene

by | posted in: Adventure | 0

Emergency crews are rushing to rescue people trapped in flooded homes after Helene roared ashore as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida. The system generated a massive storm surge and knocked out power to millions of customers in several states.

At least six people were reported dead.

The storm made landfall late Thursday in a sparsely populated region with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph in the rural Big Bend area. That region is home to fishing villages and vacation hideaways where Florida’s Panhandle and peninsula meet.

But the damage extended hundreds of miles to the north, with flooding as far away as North Carolina.

Jamir Lewis wades through floodwaters with his two daughters, Nylah and Aria, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
A Citrus County Firefigher carries 11-year-old, Michael Cribbins, while conducting rescues from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Andrew Lucky, 54, speaks about the water damage to his house caused by a flood from Hurricane Helene near DeSoto Park, Fla., on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Tampa. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Clarissa Lucky gives a tour of her home that flooded from Hurricane Helene near DeSoto Park, Fla., on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Tampa. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
A boat rests on a street after being relocated during flooding caused by Hurricane Helene Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Hudson, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
The streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains over night on Sept. 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Candace Redwine surveys the damage after about 3 feet of water inundated her Spiceman Kitchen store when Hurricane Helene passed offshore on Sept. 27, 2024 in Tarpon Springs, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Union Cathederal church is seen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Union Cathederal church is seen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Union Cathederal church is seen after of Hurricane Helene moved through the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Vehicles move slowly around trees that have fallen after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Staff of the Inn On The Gulf clean up after their restaurant flooded with surge from Hurricane Helene Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Hudson, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Rhonda Bell looks on after an Oak tree landed on her 100-year-old home after Hurricane Helene moved through, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
People and pets are rescued from flooded neighborhoods in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
An airboat transports residents rescued from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Residents wade through a street flooded in the passing of Hurricane Helene, in Batabano, Mayabeque province, Cuba, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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