The 8 Best Handheld Fans for Surviving Late-Summer Heat Waves

Taking top honors, this fan from JISULIFE has garnered high reviews from just about every corner of the internet (as well as through testing from a couple of our editors). It touts a sleek metal body and can produce up to five hours of use on a full charge (that only takes 30 minutes). We liked the mostly accurate battery gauge and found it perfect for short-to-medium outings. For longer adventures away from a power source, you may want a little more juice.

But there’s even more to like about this dynamic little fan. The size is ideal, it does not overheat, the power and sound levels are dialed in, and there’s even a one-year warranty. Combine that with a smart three-phase brushless motor, the many fan speeds, and its ability to cool your holding hand as well as throw a big breeze and you’ve got yourself a wind-producing winner.

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Who says you can’t have a quality handheld fan for under $20? This one overdelivers in just about every department, from the deceptively powerful motor to its ability to fold into itself for even more portability. It’s a nimble little fan, able to sit on a desk at home or get carried around with ease while out and about. During testing, we found the battery life to be a little weak, but loved how easily it broke down and tucked neatly into even small compartments.

It’s not going to win any design awards but the sprightly nature of the fan makes it great for everyday use, not to mention all the more appealing due to its modest price point.

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This one made the shortlist for our best neck fans guide and for many reasons. Sure, it’s technically not handheld since you wear it on your neck but it’s built so well we could not help but give it another nod of approval here. We know what you’re thinking: That fan is wildly expensive. But think of it more as an ergonomic air conditioner you can fashionably take anywhere.

The fan comes with a protective case and can even offer heat in the cooler months. It’s an immersive experience, even on the hottest days. Our testers loved the plethora of vents that line the entire horseshoe-shaped fan, producing powerful airflow throughout. The feel is bona fide quality, from feel to function. You can get eight hours on a charge and this puppy produced the least amount of noise of the entire group. Oh, and those heat settings not only work great come winter, but even offer a little recovery relief much like a heating pad can. It’s not cheap, but it’s suitable for so much, including all-day outings and travel.

In terms of looks and design, this new option from Blueair blew us away. It’s as though IKEA designed a handheld fan, flexing modern aesthetics and great colors. During testing, we found the tilting head to be very handy, able to turn 75 degrees and cover a wide expanse. The fan settings are unique and worthwhile, and about the only major complaint we had involved the size. It’s a bit clunky compared to some of the others, but looks alone makes up for that.

The noise level was satisfactory and we thought the charge-up process was pretty quick. The brand says the fan can go 32 hours fully juiced but we tended to see stretches a bit shorter than that, especially when using higher fan speeds. The 100 speeds are a bit excessive and some run together, but we came away appreciating the clean LED screen and overall ease of use.

This fan is all about the spider-like legs built into the bottom. Those little limbs can grab on to just about anything, clutching a stroller or desk or even standing up straight like a tripod. That means you can take it just about anywhere and free up your hands en route.

Now, the battery life is a bit weak, but we could not help liking the extra flair in the form of bright color and the overall flexibility of the thing. Debris can enter the fan, although the protective covering is well-made enough you don’t have to worry about your fingers. Battery life is a solid 10-ish hours per charge and the full oscillation (it goes 360 degrees) means no hot spots. We had fun wrapping those legs around everything from bikes on hot commutes to work to dog carriers to keep our four-legged friends cool.

The little fan that could. This one is compact and great for on-the-go lifestyles and even fits in a pocket. The design is easy on the eyes and the functionality is impressive. We liked the included hand strap for more secure usage, and the six different speeds proved to be more than enough. The fact that you can get about 10 hours on a full charge is great, but note that that number falls off significantly if you’re mostly dabbling in higher settings.

And speaking of more power, about the only thing we didn’t like was how much louder the fan got while working in the highest settings. Blowing its hardest, the little fan was a bit of a nuisance, charming as its size may be. But you’re getting a lot of good here, in a model that’s so petite it can nest in the palm of your hand. Oh, and it’s also a bargain-and-a-half.

All handheld fans are cool in the temperature sense but when it comes to appeal and being on the cutting edge, that’s not always the case. Enter this option from Dyson, which, thanks to a slender design with cool color combos, actually elevates the handheld fan to the level of a stylish accent. It’s slender, the fan itself touts a precision nozzle, and it’s plenty powerful (replicating the look and airflow concept of Dyson’s remade air purifiers).

During testing, we appreciated the five unique speeds and how easy it was to carry. It can rest on its own or be worn around the neck for great versatility. We found the noise levels to be quite moderate, despite the clear strength at play. While a bit taller than others we’ve tested, it’s among the slimmest, making it quite portable.

When things get really hot, go with mist. But really though, when temperatures toward 100° F, moving air around can actually have a negative impact on cooling down your body. This little number throws in some H2O to make sure you’re taking in a bona fide cooling sensation even when you’re in Phoenix in triple-digit conditions.

But there’s even more to like with this model. Our editors loved the efficient charge and slick LED screen. The misting levels are ideal, so as not to soak but definitely cool down, and even when you’re not going wet, the InstaChill cryo plate does produce a real cooling effect, arguably more than most models we tested (even more so when you press it to your skin). One other cool feature: You can customize the sound levels, allowing you to use the fan as both a cooling agent and white noise machine for sleep.