Bring the power of cooling air with you wherever you go with a portable fan! Portable fans are comfortable, rechargeable, and feature many different styles and designs. If you’re facing some discomfort during the summer season, portable fans are your best bet.
Portable fans come in various styles such as handheld, hands-free, and tripod. Many styles of portable fans can be clipped to strollers, desks, or cribs, and can be used in the car or at your next sporting event. They’re great for camping or the beach, and can be held with just one hand while you’re reading a book or sipping a cocktail. Some hands-free portable fans can hang around your neck to provide superior cooling. But with all these different types, how do you decide on the best one? We’ve put together this list of our favorite portable fans, the ones that kept us cool day after day.
Read on to see why our experts love these portable fans!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are USB Fans Worth It?
Many types of portable fans feature rechargeable batteries with USB ports, so that you can plug them in the same way you might with a smartphone. USB fans can be very powerful despite their small size, and feature adjustable fan heads and variable speed settings. USB portable fans might not cool an entire room but they can drastically reduce the heat around your face, neck, forehead, and arms. They’re great for the office desk, crib, or bedside.
Do Portable Fans Make Noise?
Portable fans are quiet at their lowest speeds, and sometimes louder at their highest speeds. Still, they aren’t as loud as box fans or room fans, and are low profile so that you can use them in the office or other public settings without issue. They’re also small enough that you can quickly put them away when you don’t need them, and share them on a whim. The virtually noiseless option makes them very attractive as personal fans on very hot days.
Buying Guide
We’ve put together this efficient Buying Guide so that you can find the best fan for your comfort. Check it out!
- Style: What kind of portable fan works the best for your needs? Have you ever wanted a tripod fan that can grip to any surface? Do you want to give someone a hands-free fan as a gift?
- Battery: The length of a battery charge will make or break your fan—ensure that the fan you buy will last as long as you need it to.
- Speeds: It gets hot out there, and you’ll need a fan with a profile that supports your comfort. If you’re getting a cooling fan for the office you might be fine with a low wind speed, but a hot day will demand a high speed fan.
EasyAcc Personal Cooling Fan
Easiest to Charge
Can be charged with any device featuring a USB connection
Keep yourself cool with this convenient portable fan, small enough to fit in your backpack or purse. It features three angles that can be folded, making it easy to hold in your hand or stand on your desk.
Pros:
- Lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge
- Comes with three speed settings
Cons:
- May be too noisy for some users
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan
Best Battery Life
Lasts up to 21 hours
This quality portable fan is small enough to pop into your pocket or bag. It can be folded into two positions, allowing it to either stand on your desk or hold in your hand. The fan also comes with a flashlight to help you navigate in the dark.
Pros:
- Blades can be folded away for compact storage
- Comes with a power bank for on-the-go charging
Cons:
- May be too small for some users
Battery Operated Stroller Fan
Best For Strollers
Designed to easily clip onto the stroller frame
This portable fan is supported by a sturdy tripod and can attach to almost anything to give you that cool breeze when you need it most. The 2600-mah battery lasts between 2.5 hours and 10 hours, depending on the power setting of the fan. It comes with three different speed settings.
Pros:
- Features a LED night light with three brightness settings
- Has a baby-safe design that covers the blades
Cons:
- Fan and light buttons may be too small for some users
OCOOPA USB Desk Fan
Best Desk Fan
Comes with rubbers on the base that reduces vibration on your desk
A 360-degree rotatable head makes this fan the perfect accessory for your desk while working during the hot summer months. The fan is adjustable between three power settings by simply pushing the power button.
Pros:
- Comes with a highly-durable brushless motor
- Includes charging cable to charge with any USB output device
Cons:
- May be slightly noisy at full power
SmartDevil Mini USB Fan
Most Compact
Measures only 6.5 inches by 5.23 inches
This small, lightweight desk fan is an excellent solution for your workstation. With its 20-degree rotating head, you can point the wind direction where you need it most. The power setting can be accurately changed by rotating a 180-degree knob, instead of just the normal 1-2-3 setting.
Pros:
- Comes with a detachable cover for easy cleaning
- Charging compatible with most PCs, laptops, car chargers and AC adapters
Cons:
- Has to be unplugged to turn off
