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Keep cool on the go with these top compact fans. outdoor ceiling fans
As someone who’s lived in and traveled to some of the world’s hottest places, trust me when I tell you that a portable travel fan can make all the difference to your comfort — whether you’re trying to sleep without air conditioning in an Indonesian homestay, dealing with rolling blackouts in South Africa, or traveling by bus across Nicaragua.
There are many different styles of portable fans to choose from, with the best for you depending on your intended use. A wearable fan that leaves your hands free could be a lifesaver at a theme park or on a local market tour. A handheld fan that folds down to fit in your pocket is ideal for long train, plane, or bus journeys; while a foldable fan you can prop on a side table or desk will keep you cool while attempting to sleep or work in a humid hotel room. Whichever style you go for, the best portable travel fans are quiet, robust (yet lightweight), have plenty of battery life, and take up minimal space in your suitcase.
This compact fan offers impressive battery life and a powerful motor with five different wind speeds.
While the battery can last up to 19.5 hours on the slowest speed, you’ll only get 3.5 hours of use on the fastest speed.
Over the years, I’ve learned that compactness and durability are priorities when choosing travel accessories. The JisuLife Handheld Fan Life7 ticks both boxes. It's only a little larger than your average smartphone and constructed from hard-wearing ABS plastic. The 12-blade fan head is bracketed so that it can rotate through 150 degrees, allowing you to position it perfectly for handheld use, for wearing around your neck on the included lanyard, or for folding it so that it can sit unsupported on your hotel desk or bedside table.
The Details: 8.2 ounces | 7.6 x 3.3 x 1.7 inches | Up to 19.5 hours battery life | Rechargeable
This pick can be worn necklace-style or around the waist and is subtler and more stylish than most wearable fans.
The battery tends to run down quickly once more than half is depleted.
If you’re planning on extended hours of sightseeing in extreme heat, a wearable fan is a complete lifesaver. The Andwing Portable Neck Fan is one of my favorite choices — partly because it's quiet and effective, and partly because its compact, black-and-white design is much more subtle and more stylish than other wearable fans. This is because the cooling mechanism is concealed so that from the outside, it doesn’t look like a fan at all.
It comes with an adjustable lanyard for wearing around your neck; alternatively, you can use the integrated slot on the back to attach it to a belt. When you’re not using it, the fan fits easily into a purse or backpack pocket. There are three wind speeds to choose from as well. Depending which you go for, the 3000mAh battery lasts between four and 10 hours and takes approximately 2.5 hours to recharge using the included USB-C cable. You can also see the remaining battery life and wind speed on the fan’s discreet LED display.
The Details: 7.4 ounces | 4.6 x 3.1 x 1.5 inches | Up to 10 hours of battery life | Rechargeable
Resembling a pair of headphones, this fan offers a stylish, hands-free way to stay cool on the go.
Although comfortable, the fan is relatively heavy and may take time to get used to.
The Asnug Rechargeable Neck Fan is another excellent option for those that want a wearable fan to provide hands-free cooling while traveling, sightseeing, working out, or running errands. I love that the fan imitates a pair of over-the-ear headphones and that it comes in a wide variety of pearlescent colors designed to complement your outfit, rather than detract from it. These range from goes-with-anything black or white to more unusual shades like crystal green or light purple.
The fan is also adjustable and comfy to wear. Vents along the length of the neckband provide 360 degrees of cooling airflow. The brushless motor runs quietly, while the fan’s lack of blades eliminates any risk of it getting tangled in long hair. Use the single button to switch between three different wind speeds. Depending on which speed you choose, the 4000mAh battery offers between four and 16 hours of use. When it runs flat, the fan can be recharged using the included micro USB cable.
The Details: 12 ounces | 8.6 x 5.5 x 2.4 inches | Up to 16 hours of battery life | Rechargeable
In addition to being an effective cooling device, this fan doubles as a flashlight and power bank.
The unfolding mechanism could be a little bit smoother.
Those that appreciate multipurpose versatility will love the JisuLife Handheld Fan Life8 Plus, which features a USB output for use as a power bank and a handle that doubles as a 60-lumen flashlight. These features are especially handy for long journeys or trips to countries where the electricity supply is not always reliable. The fan also stands out for its foldable design, which conceals the blades to protect them from damage when not in use while also making it compact enough to fit into a pocket.
The fan can be handheld (using the included wristlet to guard against dropping) or propped up on a flat surface using the folding handle as a stand. The soft blades won’t hurt you if you touch them accidentally. Choose between three wind speeds (all of which are near-silent) and enjoy between 11 and 48 hours of operating time thanks to the powerful 4500mAh battery. You can recharge the fan via USB-C cable. Colors range from pink to mint green, white, and brown.
The Details: 6.3 ounces | 5.2 x 1.7 x 1.6 inches | Up to 46 hours of battery life | Rechargeable
A sturdy clip allows the fan to grip to almost any surface, making it ideal for use in the outdoors.
Some may find it a little too bulky for convenient air travel.
Made of durable ABS plastic, the palm-sized Beskar Portable Clip-on Fan comes with a heavy-duty clip for attaching it to a wide variety of horizontal and vertical surfaces. The clip is padded with rubber to prevent it from leaving marks or scratches, while the fan can be oriented in any direction — even upside down. I love it for car or RV camping, cruises, and long-distance journeys when stable, flat surfaces are in short supply.
The bottom of the clip is wide enough for use as a standard desk fan, too. Glossy blades repel dust, while the brushless motor is quiet with a maximum output of 40 decibels. Choose from four wind speeds and enjoy between three and 12 hours of battery life. The 2000mAh battery can be recharged via the USB-C port in approximately three hours.
The Details: 9 ounces | 4.9 x 6. x 2.2 inches | Up to 12 hours of battery life | Rechargeable
This fan is comparable in size to a small tablet and equally easy to pack.
Battery life is limited for faster wind speeds, although it can be plugged in.
Available in black, pink, or white, the Cooperwin Portable Travel Fan is equipped with a foldable stand that swivels through 180 degrees to stand on a desk or bedside table, or to hang flush against the wall. It weighs 8.6 ounces and folds flat, making it a lightweight and conveniently packable option for all kinds of travel. At a maximum of 40 decibels, it puts out the same amount of noise as a refrigerator, making it plenty quiet enough to run while you sleep.
The fan has a unique front dial that allows you to make minute adjustments to wind speed, with 100 different levels to choose from. Wind speed and remaining battery are displayed on a digital screen as percentages for maximum accuracy. While the battery only lasts about 30 to 45 minutes on the fastest speed, it can be plugged into any laptop, power bank, or wall adapter with a USB port for extended use.
The Details: 8.6 ounces | 6.9 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches | Rechargeable
The option to augment three wind speeds with a mist of cooling water makes this fan the perfect choice for extreme heat.
The water tank is quite small so you’ll need a way of refilling it on the go.
The six-blade Portable Misting Fan from HandFan offers three wind speeds and a separate button for optional misting. This fine spray of water can make all the difference in high heat and humidity, helping you to cool down more quickly and keep skin hydrated. I really like that the fan’s water tank is transparent so you can see when you need to refill. The 5200mAh battery provides up to six hours of run time on the highest setting and up to 22 hours on the lowest setting. A series of LED lights indicate how much battery is left.
The angle of the fan head can be adjusted through 180 degrees, allowing for three different types of setup. Use it as a handheld fan or wear it around your neck on the included lanyard for on-the-go scenarios or fold the handle backward to create a free-standing desk fan. The fan also doubles as a portable power bank for keeping your phone and other small electronics charged. With independent USB and USB-C outputs, you can even charge two devices simultaneously.
The Details: 10.8 ounces | 5 x 4 x 1.5 inches | Up to 22 hours of battery life | Rechargeable
When choosing a portable fan, choose one with features suited to your destination. For example, a high-powered fan with stronger wind speeds will make all the difference in a country with extremely high temperatures and little chance to escape them (like Egypt, where sights are not air conditioned and summer temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees). You may be able to get away with a less expensive, less powerful fan for destinations with milder temperatures.
Packing for your destination also means considering what style of fan will work best. A desk or standing fan is perfect for use in a hotel room where you’re likely to find an abundance of even surfaces. When space is limited, or you want to use the fan on the go, a handheld or wearable fan will be best. Choosing a lightweight fan that takes up as little suitcase space as possible is a priority for air travel; while those traveling by car can afford to choose something heavier and more powerful.
Battery life can vary widely between different portable fan models. When choosing the right one for you, you should check how long the battery lasts on each setting and compare that to your requirements. For example, a fan may offer a full day of power on the lowest setting, but only one hour of power on the highest setting. If you’re likely to need the highest setting, you may want to opt for one with a better lifespan on max power.
Some portable fans are significantly louder than others, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to sleep or are worried about irritating others on a sightseeing tour or public transport journey. A maximum output of around 40 decibels is ideal since this makes the running noise of the fan comparable to that of a refrigerator, even on the most powerful setting.
Absolutely — portable fans are specifically designed for travel with a focus on lightweight packability. If you’re worried about whether a portable fan will be permitted on an airplane, don’t be. For flights within (and departing from) the United States, TSA states that electric fans are permitted in your carry-on and checked luggage. Although other destinations and transport authorities may have different rules, I have never had a problem traveling with a portable fan on any of my adventures to more than 50 countries.
The best portable fans use a rechargeable battery that can be powered over and over again using the included cable (typically with a USB or USB-C connection). How long they last in between each charge depends on several factors including the battery capacity (measured in mAh) and what setting you choose (assuming that your fan has more than one wind speed). Obviously, the higher the setting, the faster the battery will run down. If you need yours to last for a long time without access to power, consider investing in a power bank for on-the-go charging.
TSA doesn’t have a specific rule about neck fans; they fall under “electric fans” as described above. Therefore, you should be able to pack them in your carry-on or checked luggage without issue. Wearing your neck fan should not be a problem either — just be sure to choose a quiet one that won’t disturb your fellow passengers.
Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel gear and accessories for more than 10 years. She often packs a portable fan for her travels, and used one on extended backpacking trips across Southeast Asia and South America. She also kept one at home while living in South Africa, where temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees and rolling blackouts often see a loss of power for several hours a day.
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