As you may have noticed, summer is well and truly upon us. So far this year we’ve seen record high temperatures around the world, with spikes in places where the mercury has repeatedly reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from Arizona to Nevada, Texas and across the ocean stretching to Athens, Greece and beyond.
If you are going on vacation soon, you may be worried about keeping cool when you are on the go, especially if you are visiting. Europe or a place little known for its abundant air conditioning. While we can’t do much about the weather or widely available air conditioning, portable fans are available that are both affordable and convenient to carry on trips to stay as cool as possible.
Here are some of the TPG team favorites and top-rated portable fans on Amazon to help you determine the best option for any travel situation.
Best for Extra Features: Jisulife Portable Mini Fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Jisulife Portable Mini Fan
All-in-one fan, flashlight and portable charger
With an Amazon rating of 4.6, this portable fan from Jisulife is a small but powerful device that offers great value for money.
Ergonomically designed, this device easily folds up for storage in a bag. It’s also rechargeable, offering between 14 and 21 hours of use depending on which of its two settings you use. It comes with two cool extra features: the fan houses a small flashlight and also functions as a power bank that can charge your devices on the go.
Still need to be convinced? TPG travel reporter Tarah Chieffi, who makes frequent trips to Orlando’s often hot theme parks, never travels without it.
“It folds up small and holds a charge longer than any other fan I’ve tried,” she said. “I also like that I can use it to charge my phone when I’m on the go.”
Buy: Jisulife Portable Mini Fan on Amazon
Ideal for hotel rooms: coldSky portable fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
coldSky portable fan
A small but powerful desk fan perfect for travelers
This sturdy and powerful fan may be slightly larger than other portable fans (though it’s certainly small enough to fit in a tote bag), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes you want something with a little more oomph when you accidentally book yourself into a hotel room whose air conditioning is below average (or not).
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The coldSky device is essentially a compact desk fan that packs a punch but is still small enough not to clutter up your hotel room nightstand. It has five speeds and a seven-blade design that will have your room airy in no time. It also has a handy digital display showing the remaining battery life so you know when to recharge the device.
Buy: coldSky Portable Fan on Amazon
Best for Parents: Sweetfull Portable Stroller Fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Sweetfull Portable Stroller Fan
Lightweight and easy to attach to a stroller or crib to keep your baby cool
When traveling with a young child during a heat wave, you’ll also want to plan how to keep them cool. In these scenarios, a fan that you can easily attach to your strollerbassinet or bassinet will give you peace of mind and keep your baby comfortable when you’re on the go.
The Sweetfull Portable Stroller Fan comes with a detachable tripod that you can easily attach to most stroller models. You can also put it on bedside tables or attach it to cots, car seats and more. Its four settings even include a natural wind mode to help soothe your child, and the fan offers up to 18 hours of runtime.
Buy: Sweetfull Portable Stroller Fan at Amazon
Best for Serious Wind Power: Jisulife Handheld Fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Jisulife Handheld Fan
Small but mighty for when you really need to beat the heat
This is a stylishly designed hand fan that can also easily stand on a desk.
The Jisulife portable fan offers up to 16 hours of battery life and is easily recharged via USB. It has fewer speed settings than some other fans on this list, but its real selling point is its strength. At full speed, it can reach up to 4,400 revolutions per minute; this equals the feeling of a strong wind, making it ideal for cutting through the harshest heat.
Buy: Jisulife Portable Fan on Amazon
Best Hands-Free Fan: Penkou Portable Neck Fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Penkou Portable Neck Fan
A hands-free fan to keep the heat away while on the go
Looking for something you don’t have to carry around in your hands all day, but also worried that a portable fan will sound like some quirky steampunk contraption? This neck fan from Penkou is a safe option.
When in use, the device looks like a pair of headphones hanging around your neck. Its bladeless fan design produces less than 20 decibels of sound (about the same level as rustling leaves), so it’s also free of noise distraction. And with a weight of just 8.8 ounces, you should be safe from neck strain.
In terms of battery life, you should get between three and 16 hours, depending on which setting you prefer. It’s perfect for hiking, to the theme park, or to wear on a long, sweaty train or bus trip.
Buy: Penkou Portable Neck Fan on Amazon
Best Current Deal: VersionTech Mini Handheld Fan
Photo courtesy of Amazon
VersionTech Portable Mini Fan
Reliable and practical for a great price
Finally, if you’re looking for something cheap but reliable enough to shower with a nice breeze, we recommend VersionTech’s Mini Handheld Fan. It’s a favorite of TPG Travel Content Director Summer Hull.
This device can work both as a portable fan and as a small desktop fan. It also easily clips onto bags or other thin surfaces.
The fan has three adjustable speeds and will run for up to three hours on the highest setting or eight hours on the lowest. It’s currently priced at $12.99, down from its usual price of $27.99 as of the date of publication. Collect it while you can.
Buy: VersionTech Portable Mini Fan at Amazon
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