Curious as to what is the best high velocity drum fan?
Drum fans, also known as barrel fans, are light industrial fans that range from 5,000 to 20,000 CFM.
In this product review guide, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for the best drum fan
- Why noise is a top complaint
- Tips to pick the best barrel fan
Let's get started with this guide!
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
- High of 19,000-cfm speed
- Large 60-inch fan blades
- Belt driven for quiet operation
- Dual ball bearing drive
- 22-gauge powder coated steel
My overall top pick for the best high velocity drum fan goes to the MaxxAir BF60 by Ventamatic. This industrial barrel fan has a high of 19000-cfm and is great for light industrial, large rooms, basements, barns, and warehouses. It features 60-inch fan blades, dual ball bearing drive, drive belt, and 22-gauge powder coated steel housing.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Pick  | Top Pick | MaxxAir BF60
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Tornado
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | MaxxAir BF30DDPro
|
| View on Amazon | |
Budget Pick  | Budget Pick | Q Standard
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Xpower FD-650DC
|
| View on Amazon |
Top 5 Best High Velocity Drum Fans
My top picks for the best rated high velocity drum fans include ultra high speed capacity (rated in CFM) and have powder coated housings for extra durability. These barrel fan are great for light industrial and large room applications like basements, barms, and gyms. Most of these fans have high temperature shutoffs for safety.
What Is A Drum Fan?
A drum fan, also known as a barrel fan, is a high velocity fan with a cylindrical steel housing.
Drum fans are usually for light industrial or large room use because they can move a significant amount of air volume. These high velocity fans are great for basements, gyms, barns, warehouses, and other large rooms where ventilation is required.
CFM
The CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air flow for these industrial fans are generally in the 5,000 to 20,000 range. In contrast, the CFM for your average 20-inch box fan is around 1,000 to 2,000.
One of the biggest complaints I have discovered with drum fan buyers is that the perceived air flow doesn't match the CFM rating of the fan.
If the hitting the marketed CFM is important to you, I would thoroughly read customer reviews to see if they are satisfied with the air flow.
Read Also: What Are The Best Panasonic Bathroom Fans?
Speed Settings
Almost always, there are at least two speed settings for drum fans — low speed and high speed — though sometimes there are three speeds.
Also, some barrel fans have multi-speed rotary dials so you can fine tune the exact speed that you want. Multi-speed rotary dials are great if you want to find that perfect blend of air flow and noise.
Noise
Noisy drum fans are probably the second biggest complaint that buyers have.
Unfortunately, most drum fan manufacturers don't state the sone level of their fans (unlike in the bathroom fan industry), so you will be left to reading customer reviews.
But if noise level is important to you, I would put in a little more research on the noise level of your barrel fan.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Mold in Basements?
Power Cord
Most power cords for industrial drum fans are in the range of 6-ft to 9-ft in length.
If safety is important to you, I would verify that the powercord is UL listed and possibly even OSHA certified.
Residential structure fires from electric fans is a common occurance.
High Temperatures
If you are buying your drum fan for use in high-temperature environments, you may want to look for a barrel fan that was designed for that purpose such as the Q Standard Drum Fan. These specialized fans are designed for high temperatures and include resettable thermal shutoff switches.
Also, their motors are permanently sealed and were designed to run with less power needed which means that the motor doesn't get as hot.
Read Also: What Are The Best Low Profile Ceiling Fans?
Reviews of The Best Industrial Drum Fans
Here are my reviews of the best high velocity drum fans together with their pros and cons. Check it out below...
The Maxx Air BF60 is a premium industrial drum fan with an air flow rating of 19,000-cfm on high.
Use this high velocity fan to keep your room cool and dry — great for garages, gyms, barns, or other heavily used areas.
This fan 60-inch fan is belt-driven to improve performance and to make it much quieter.
And it is a 3/4-hp PSC motor with thermal protection for enhanced power and safety.
The BF60 is made of 22-gauge steel and a powder-coated housing for a tough durability.
- 22-gauge powder coated steel
- 19,000-cfm high speed
- Belt driven for quiet operation
- Dual ball bearing drive
- Somewhat loud
This drum fan by Tornado is a really nice budget-friendly high velocity circulator.
It features 24-inch ultra light aluminum blades and powder coated grills.
This fan has 3-speeds, high speed in CFM (cubic feet per minute) is 7680-cfm, mid is 6000-cfm, and low is 4000-cfm.
The motor is a thermally protected 1/3-hp PSC motor.
Tornado's patented technology reduces noise by 40% for an ultra quiet performance.
It also has non-skid legs and two castor wheels for easy portability.
- 3-speeds (high of 7680-cfm)
- 1/3-hp PSC motor
- 24-inch aluminum blades
- 40% quieter
- Complaints of under-performance for air flow
- Complaints of louder than expected
This 30-inch barrel fan Ventamatic MaxxAir brand is a premium drum fan for any residential or industrial application.
It features a 1/3-hp thermally protected PSC motor for optimal performance.
The BF30's is dual speed with a high fan speed of 5500-cfm.
It includes a handle for easy portability and powder-coated grills for rust resistance.
This MaxxAir high velocity barrel fan includes dual ball bearings and a reinforced steel motor mounts.
- 2-speeds (high of 5500-cfm)
- Handle
- 1/3-hp PSC motor
- Dual ball bearings
- Only 2 speeds
This industrial 1/2-hp drum fan by Q standard is a top choice for your basement, barn, porch, or warehouse.
It features 30-inch blades and is direct drive (no belt) so it can operate at a higher capactiy.
The high speed in cubic feet per minute is 9100-cfm (high) and 7000-cfm (low).
It includes a re-settable high temperature thermal shutoff and is designed to withstand higher temperatures.
This Q Standard drum fan is built to be rugged and dependable with permanently sealed bearings.
The direct drive requires less power and minimal maintenance.
- High speed of 9100-cfm
- Direct drive (less power needed)
- 1/2-hp & sealed bearings
- Designed for high temperatures
- Complaints of shipping damage (dents)
This powerful drum fan by XPower moves an impressive 9500-cfm with its 1/2-hp motor.
Use this fan to ventilate your basement, warehouse, enclosed porch, or other large room.
At high speed, this barrel fan only uses a low 1.8-amps which means you don't need a dedicated circuit.
The motor is permanently sealed and has a high temp safety shutoff switch.
This XPower drum fan has handles and wheels for easy portability.
The XPower barrel fan is safety certified and meets OSHA requirements.
- 9500-cfm on high
- Low amp draw on high
- Handles & wheels
- 1/2-hp motor (sealed)
- Pricey
My #1 Top Pick: MaxxAir BF60 Industrial Drum Fan
My top pick for the best rated industrial barrel fan goes to the MaxxAir BF60. Here's why...
1. High Speed CFM
The BF60 has a whopping 19,000-cfm on high which is great for large rooms or industrial applications.
2. Durability
The body of this industrial fan is made of 22-gauge powder-coated steel for extra durability.
3. Motor
This high speed motor is belt driven which makes it quieter and includes a dual ball bearing drive.
