I'm looking for a fan that would work as a white noise machine. Is this loud enough to drown out sounds - cars, voices, etc. - from outside?
1400717
If that's what you are looking for, you will NOT find such in this make and model. This Holmes Blizzard is one of the quietest fans yet! Keep shopping!
1400718
It isn't a loud fan, but the sound is consistent enough to diffuse sounds from outside. My neighbors have naturally loud kids who bounce basket balls and a guy who saws boards for no reason for hours. My fan makes their noise tolerable. Sometimes I use two fans on opposite sides of a 16'x16' bedroom and I almost don't notice the sawing or if the toddler screams. During the middle of the night one fan is sufficient to prevent the train noise (1 mile away on flat terrain) from disturbing my sleep.
1400719
On high it might drown out some noise but it is actually a pretty quiet fan which is what I was looking for. There are other fans listed that are described as being "noisy" so I didn't choose them.
1400720
It may mask some of the noise if run on the high setting, but I don't think it will drown out the sounds.
984945
The fan does produce enough ambient noise if you are nearby it. It increases a little bit with each speed.
1937122
Hi Sandy, Like I said this hardly blew out any cool aire. I wouldn't recommend it all. I didn't use it outdoors, but I can't imagine that it would be any more efficient outside than in. However, I do think that you might not mind the noise as much outdoors as you might indoors.
616127
you DON'T want a silent fan? I'm confused. I love this 3 speed as it doesn't just go back and forth. I rotates in a circle. It can be constant or give you a "wind" burst effect. It is quiet but I can still hear it. Sure, white noise. But a noisier one, you got me. I really like this one.
984949
Definitely not a quiet fan, so if you are looking for noise this should work.We take it on trips for the same reason.
1305085
This device is mounted on the outside of my home at about waist high level. I cannot hear it running when I am anywhere inside my home. In order to hear this fan , I have to be standing directly next to it outside
267487
I don't live close enough to an airport to know for sure, but I can tell you that it absolutely blocks out the noise of a fleet of snowploughs and snowblowers clearing the street in front of my house, so my best guess would be "yes". Not all settings would work well for this, of course. I find the "rainfall" and "brook" settings best for blocking out random noises, while other settings like "train" or "meadow" seem better for situations where you just need soothing sounds to help you relax. I have not tried other noise machines (other than our summertime, window-mounted air conditioner), so I can't offer a meaningful comparison with other products. I hope this helps with your decision. I don't live close enough to an airport to know for sure, but I can tell you that it absolutely blocks out the noise of a fleet of snowploughs and snowblowers clearing the street in front of my house, so my best guess would be "yes". Not all settings would work well for this, of course. I find the "rainfall" and "brook" settings best for blocking out random noises, while other settings like "train" or "meadow" seem better for situations where you just need soothing sounds to help you relax. I have not tried other noise machines (other than... » Read More I don't live close enough to an airport to know for sure, but I can tell you that it absolutely blocks out the noise of a fleet of snowploughs and snowblowers clearing the street in front of my house, so my best guess would be "yes". Not all settings would work well for this, of course. I find the "rainfall" and "brook" settings best for blocking out random noises, while other settings like "train" or "meadow" seem better for situations where you just need soothing sounds to help you relax. I have not tried other noise machines (other than our summertime, window-mounted air conditioner), so I can't offer a meaningful comparison with other products. I hope this helps with your decision. « Show Less
2016984
I don't think that fan is going to be loud enough. The sole purpose is to use in a camping sleeping mode.treat your tinitius and get s good night sleep
224863
Well, if you're right next to a freeway, you're still going to hear the freeway unless you have this machine turned way up and right next to your ear. What it CAN do is provide a constant level of white noise, like having a fan going, that lulls your brain into relaxation. There are other sounds that provide a nice aural background as well.
2048849
Yes. It's the perfect amount of white noise in my opinion. We've only had it for a few months but it's been an excellent fan.
2140397
Sounds like the perfect fan for you...we like the white noise from a fan when sleeping also.
1257175
I don't think it is loud enough to drown out footsteps and voices. I had an older Honeywell fan and it was much louder than this one.
1001011
Probably too noisy for routine use that close to conversation, TV, etc. Ours is about 20 ft down a hall and that's OK. Hard to make a fan that is quiet and still puts out the volume that this one does -- you can feel the breeze from it 30+ ft away!
1605166
The only sound from the unit is the sound of moving air. I have worked in sound before. If you intent to use the fan to make noise, like a fan sound to sleep by, I would not recommend it for that use. It is to quite. If you intend to use it for cooling equipment, I would recommend it for that use. I use it on my laptop computer. With it being that close I can hear it, but it is not too distracting.
1900102
Actually, it is a pretty quiet little fan--even on high. If you need a lot of ambient noise, I would look elsewhere. If you only need a little and you are able to position it close to your head when you sleep, it may work fine.
2127364
No, it just makes white noise or various soothing sounds. That would help you ignore the noise from your neighbors!
1322493
I installed it in my engine compartment and it is very quiet there. It certainly is no louder than what an osillating fan would be in the house. Should work for your application too.