The 8 Best Handheld Fans For Cooling Down, Reviewed By Editors

ProsGood valueIncludes foldable clip for attaching to thingsQuiet despite powerful motorVery compactConsA bit loud on stronger settingsThe Torras was the one that truly blew us away (a pun we simply could not resist). The powerful little fan manages to offer great value, plenty of strength, and a look that's nice enough you don't feel embarrassed carrying the thing around. The motor is no joke, chugging along at a remarkable 17,000 RPMs.Weighing just over six ounces is another big plus for this compact fun. It packs easily and is a breeze to carry around. We brought it to the beach, clipped it on bikes, and even jogged with it in hand during our testing. While we don't claim to know a whole lot about the tech involved (works with a semiconductor cooling plate), we can testify to the consistent coolness of the airflow.At just under six inches in height with a small, two-inch-in-diameter fan, the thing really is petite. Throwing it in a large pocket or clipping it onto a pack or purse is no problem at all. It's a smooth operator that's relatively quiet and we found that we could just a couple of full day's out and about on a single charge, even with pretty heavy use. It's kind of nice not worrying about batteries, and the charge-up is pretty quick and easy. This will be our go-to fan for outdoor music festival season.Read More: Best Water BottlesTypePlastic with semiconductor cooling plateSpeeds3Battery Life10-12 hoursWeight6.4 ozSize5.9" x 2"ProsFive color optionsQuick charging and some 100 speedsYear-long warrantyConsLimited charge life compared to some othersThis handy fan looks like a little hair dryer. We liked it for a lot of reasons, not least of which the digital screen and overall ease of use. The battery gauge light proved accurate and helpful, and the claim that you get five hours of use on a 30-minute charge was mostly accurate. That said, this might not be the fan for long excursions like a weekend camping trip off the grid. But for shorter adventures, it's ideal.With a metal build and a three-phase brushless motor, it really feels elevated. The multitude of fan settings is great for that dialed-in breeze you're after, and it's pretty ergonomic. Oh, we found another benefit of the metal design: It tended to cool our hands while we held it, in addition to offering all that sweet air. Bonus points for the year-long warranty.TypeMetal with digital display and three-phase brushless motorSpeeds100Battery Life12-14 hoursWeight9.12 ozSize6.2" x 2.3"Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsFun pop of colorFlexible and potentially hands-freeThe most versatile fan legs we testedConsBattery life could be improvedDon't let the name fool you; this fan is way more than just a good stroller appliance. The flexible legs can attach to just about anything, making it one of the most nimble fans we tested. That means it's a bit of a hybrid, easy to hold but also just as easy to affix to something for some hands-free bliss.We coiled it around a road bike during a sweaty summer ride and packed it along while commuting to work. While it's nearly a foot in length, that's a bit deceptive, as much of that is in the legs, which can be adjusted or wrapped around things. It's lightweight, and the noise level seemed reasonable. A big bonus is that the fan can rotate 360 degrees.A lot works with this fan. We did notice that the screen in front of the blades is just big enough to let smaller items in—it's finger-safe, but smaller debris can still get through. The battery life is pretty solid at about 10-12 hours per charge, and it looks good enough to earn a spot atop your desk.TypeTri-blade plastic and rubber with adjustable legsSpeedsFourBattery Life10 hoursWeight12.8 ozSize11.8"ProsChic designImpressive power for price and sizeThree-in-one fan stylesConsA longer charge time that tends to take at least three hoursTurbo might not be a word you associate with a sub-$20 product, but this fan does deliver in the power department. You get motor speeds of almost 14,000 RPM, and it can be used in three ways—as a desk fan, a handheld fan, and a neck fan. We found the dimensions to be just about perfect, at about six inches in length and less than two inches wide, not to mention a slim build at just 6.57 ounces.You get five gears of wind speed, and the modern aesthetic, including an LED screen, makes it a bit more chic than some of the others in the camp. There are six color options, and we found the strap to turn the gadget into a neck fan to be pretty useful overall. Note that it runs pretty loud, so don't bring this one to the library.TypePlastic with three-phase brushless motor and foldable designSpeeds5Battery Life10-12 hoursWeight6.7 ozSize6.7" x 2"Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsComes with phone holderDoubles as a power bankExcellent retro aestheticFolds in half, making it very packableConsJust three fan settingsWe were immediately drawn to this fan, with its retro mid-century look. You could easily mistake it for a fashionable SMEG appliance. The fan folds in half, cutting that already small six-inch length into an impressive three. That means you can bring it just about anywhere, even if it's the last thing thrown into an already stuffed bag.What's more, the fan doubles as a power bank. It's not the fastest way to power up your device, but it works, and it's a cool extra to have on hand, especially if you're away from home often. We liked how it worked inside and out, whether on a bedside table or held during a lengthy hike in some serious humidity. We noticed that the power bank seemed to weaken over time during testing, sometimes unable to charge a phone efficiently.TypePlastic three-in-one with foldable designSpeeds3Battery Life9 hoursWeight7 ozSize6.5" x 3.15"ProsFast-charging batteryGreat mobile appPremium look and feelUnique heater function for year-round useConsMore expensive than traditional handheld optionsWhile technically not a handheld fan, this option made the grade out of sheer convenience. Sometimes, you need those paws for other things, like carrying groceries or sending a text. This model won us over in the air conditioner category, besting all of the competition with its sleek features.This option is durable and luxe. When testing neck air conditioners, we found that none of the others could hold a candle to the Torras. Part of that is the mighty 6,000-mAh battery; some of it is owed to the lightning-fast charging process. If it can handle the deserts of south Texas in the summer, it can handle just about anything.You get three fan speeds and around 15 hours of use when fully juiced. We love the blade-less design, and at just over a pound, it's quite light. No, it's not the most fashionable thing on the planet, but you won't care much when you feel that delicious cool air keeping your core temperature where it ought to be.Read More: Best Neck Air ConditionersTypeWearable aluminum and silicone neck air conditionerSpeedsNABattery Life10 hoursWeight17.5 ozSize8" x 2"Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBluetooth connectivity for easy speaker useFoldable for storage and travelFun, colored lightsConsBattery will deplete quickly when running both speaker and fanIf your summer soundtrack is just as important as staying cool, this clever two-in-one gadget delivers both. The handheld fan features a built-in Bluetooth speaker, so you can stream music, podcasts, or audiobooks while enjoying a refreshing breeze.A 5,000mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 18 hours of runtime (depending on the speed setting), while the 100-level stepless speed control lets you fine-tune airflow from a light breeze to a powerful blast. The foldable design also makes it easy to switch between handheld and desktop use, and fun colored lighting adds a playful touch for camping trips, beach days, or evenings on the patio.TypePlastic foldable design with turbo motorSpeeds100 (controlled by a dial)Battery Life16 hoursWeight9.4 ozSize6.69 x 2.4 x 2.28 in.ProsMist can help you cool off more quicklyBendable stand allows for use on desks and tablesLED digital display includedConsWater tank only holds about 40ml of waterWhen a regular handheld fan isn't enough, this one adds a refreshing cooling mist for instant relief on sweltering days. Its built-in water tank releases a fine spray alongside four adjustable fan speeds to help you cool down faster, whether you're waiting in a theme park line, lounging at the beach, or cheering from the sidelines at a summer sporting event.The rechargeable 4,000mAh battery provides hours of cordless use, and the compact design is easy to toss into a tote or backpack. It can also stand on a desk for hands-free cooling, making it just as useful indoors as it is outside.TypePlastic foldable design with water tank and misterSpeeds4Battery LifeUp to 10 hoursWeight8.96 ozSize1.69 x 3.74 x 8.14 in.Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.