I want to get a standing outdoor fan for our backyard. It will cool us during the summer, blow away mosquitos and gnats, and blow away our neighbor's cigar smoke which seems to always make a direct line for our outdoor dining table.

I haven't been able to find many reviews online. Amazon has the most. Many of the models are misting - which sounds like a reasonable idea in theory - but reading the reviews closely indicates that for many, these really just wet everything in front of them - and I don't want to just soak cushions and people. Anyone here have experience with the misting ones? If not, I might avoid the potential drawbacks and get a regular outdoor-rated fan. I'd like variable speed settings, relatively quiet, stable so wind doesn't blow it over.

The prices seem to range from just under $100 to many hundreds. Any advice is appreciated. If there's a more appropriate forum to post this on, please let me know.

Thank you.

Lynn.