Portable fans are everywhere in New York City. We picked our 7 favorites for chilling out.
I sweat, and I sweat a lot. All summer long, I carry around a bandana, which isn't just the most underrated men's fashion accessory, but a great way to dab away sweat like a southern gentleman drinking sweat tea on a porch. If you're trying to cool off, there's another way to beat the heat this summer: personal fans.
Mashable previously named portable fans the product of the summer. They were all over the Vidcon conference floor, and I'm still seeing handheld portable fans all over the streets and subways of New York City, and I know I'm not alone.
So, to help my fellow excessive sweaters (I see you), I asked Mashable's team of shopping experts for their personal fan recommendations. When you need help making a purchase, you can always count on the Mashable hive mind. (And if you're worried about your carbon footprint when using portable fans to cool off, we have thoughts on this as well.)
The best option for little ones
Why we like it
It's rough being a kid, and it's even harder to go through life when overheated. A Mashable parent and shopping editor personally uses the Ventifinal Portable Stroller Mini Fan to keep the kiddos cool(er). It's affordable and super functional, easily wrapping around a stroller, a crib, or in the car. Plus, the base can detach, so it'll sit upright at home. The Ventifinal fan has three speed settings and comes in black, blue, and pink. Expect to get about three hours of use on a full charge.
Best compact portable fan
Why we like it
Measuring under six inches in height and 2.5 inches in width, the Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan is the ultimate tiny companion for getting a nice breeze. It's perhaps the single most popular fan among Amazon shoppers. At this size, it's also lightweight and comes with both a lanyard for strapping to your bag and a base for using the fan on your desk or nightstand. This Gaiatop fan has three speeds and recharges in under three hours.
Best portable fan for versatility
Why we like it
A fan, a power bank, and a flashlight is what you're in store for with the Jisulife Handheld Fan, which was recommended by creator Naomi Hearts in Mashable's In My Bag feature. Not only does this assist with keeping cool, you can recharge your phone on the included power bank or search for that Lego brick that just bounced under the couch with the flashlight.
In terms of cooling, you get three fan speeds on the Jisulife and thanks to the power bank, you can get up to 37 hours of life before you'll need to recharge. It also comes in over a half a dozen colorways (and looks like a bear) to find your perfect summer accessory.
Best minimalist fan
Why we like it
Muji is a terrific go-to option if you only accept top-quality pens, stationary, and wardrobe essentials, and the brand's minimalist design also carries over to the Muji Rechargeable Compact Handheld Fan. One of our reporters personally uses this fan to cope with UK heatwaves, and as we all know, our friends across the pond don't even have the benefit of air conditioning. You'll have control over four speed settings and get between two and 12 hours of use with each charge. Recharging takes about 3.5 hours via the USB cable. The head is foldable up to 120 degrees and can angle upward, making this the perfect desktop accessory this summer.
Best tabletop fan to use at home
Why we like it
This is a recommendation from Mashable's tech editor, and it's also a cult-favorite among college students for its small size and dorm-cooling abilities. If you're searching for a powerful fan that's lightweight enough to travel with you from room to room at home, Walmart has your solution. The Iris Woozoo 3-speed Oscillating Fan is a free-standing fan that operates on one of three speeds with oscillation options. With 90 degrees of vertical tilt, you'll be able to get the stream of chilled air wherever you want it, and all of this is controllable on the included remote. Plus, there's an auto-off timer and natural breeze setting, both of which are ideal if you're using the fan come bedtime.
Best K-Pop-approved portable fan
Why we like it
Keep cool with the company of Brown the bear or Jessica the cat, two of the most adorable Line Friends around. These South Korean icons have captured hearts all over the world, and now they're adorned on the Line Friends minini Portable Handheld Fan. This is a must-have for walking around town this summer, but it's absolutely essential if your summer vacation has you jetting off to a remote (but hot) location. The lightweight design and included wrist strap make these cuties especially travel-friendly.
Best portable misting fan
Why we like it
When we were at Vidcon, a battery-powered hand fan was among the items recommended by icon Jools Lebron. Specifically, she says she depends on a fan that can last at least six hours per charge. This rechargeable, battery-operated fan also adds a misting effect, providing extra cooling power on a hot day.
Bonus pick: A bladeless home fan
Why we like it
In our guide to the best bladeless fans, a Dreo tower fan nabbed the top spot. This particular bladeless tower fan is on sale at Amazon, making it a smart pickup for the summer heat. If you're tired of sweating in your own home, use this fan to quickly cool down your space without taking up as much room as a bulky box fan. Look for a 10% coupon to save on this oscillating home fan.
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
Lauren Allain is a freelance journalist covering deals at Mashable. She graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in journalism and holds an M.B.A from Webster Leiden. You can find more of her work online from publications including Reader’s Digest, U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Refined, and more. When she’s not writing, Lauren prefers to be outside hiking, bouldering, swimming, or searching for the perfect location for all three.
