I would like to start by letting you know we use fans of all types around the house from pedestal to box fans. This fan replaced a large swivel box type of fan in the bedroom, it is about half the size of that fan but moves air bettter creating a circular airflow in the room. On its highest setting it is loud and creates a good background noise to go to sleep to if you like that but on the mid setting has a low background noise but is high enough to keep the air circulating nicely. On low it is pretty quiet but the air circulation is reduced enough that we do not feel enough air movement. For the size of this fan and the small amount of space it takes up it is a great option for 12x18 rooms and it even dis well in 18x24 living room with no problems.