Best portable fans in 2025, tried and tested

CNN

27-05-2025

The best portable fans we tested
Best portable fan: Jisulife Handheld Fan
Best portable fan for families: Amacool Stroller Fan
Best portable fan for outdoor activities: O2Cool Elite Misting Fan The summer's coolest accessory isn't sunglasses, a beach towel or even flip-flops. It's a portable fan. Why, you ask? Because summer temperatures keep getting hotter, and this year will likely be no exception. So, while carrying a water bottle or cooling towel is a great way to stay chilled, a portable fan provides access to a refreshing breeze at all times.
The best portable fans have a long-lasting battery and various cooling levels, in addition to being compact and easy to pack. You want it to add to your overall comfort, not become a stressful burden.
With that in mind, I rounded up a pool of five portable fans to see which offered the most relief in hot weather. CNN Underscored knows a thing or two about the best cooling fans too, so I leaned on that expertise to evaluate each fan's design, portability and ease of use. By the end of testing, I had three clear winners.
Jisulife Handheld Fan
The Jisulife Handheld Fan has three speed settings that pack a punch. The fan's breeze is comforting, and it's small enough to fit in an 8-by-7-inch bag. Additionally, its rechargeable battery lasts over five hours on the highest speed.
Amacool Stroller Fan
The Amacool Stroller Fan can wrap around, bend and attach to almost anything. It has three strong speed levels that produce a generous breeze. Additionally, the Amacool has an LED light ring with three settings to keep your space cool and bright.
O2Cool Elite Misting Fan
The O2Cool Misting Fan combines a spray bottle with a portable fan to create a soothing breeze and a cooling mist, which was much appreciated while testing this model outdoors in a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The three power settings, easy-to-hold design and impressive battery life of the pocket-sized Jisulife Handheld Fan make it my pick for the best portable fan. After carrying it around Los Angeles, California, during several scorching-hot days, I know it's an incredibly valuable fan that can add to anyone's overall comfort this summer.
After unpacking the Jisulife Handheld Fan, I immediately noticed the size of the lollipop-shaped fan. At almost 7 inches tall, it's short and stout; however, the head of the fan is slightly larger than similar smaller options in my testing pool. This translates to a powerful breeze.
The first two settings of the fan are cute, but the real cooling starts on the third and strongest option. With this setting, I felt legitimate relief when temperatures hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I even brought the fan with me in my car and used it while getting ready in the morning. Since it's so easy to carry around, I found more and more use for it throughout my daily routine.
The Jisulife also offers solid battery life as it lasts for over five hours on its highest setting. This is the longest battery life of the battery-powered fans in our testing pool; the others didn't even come close.
The stout handle is comfortable and feels sturdy. Don't get the wrong idea, though: It's still petite enough to drop into a small bag and head out the door. I could place it in a normal tote, my Baggu purse or even the small clear bag I take to concerts.
The only nitpicks I have about the Jisulife are that it takes a long time to charge and the highest setting is loud. It takes about two hours to fully charge. It's not exactly a deal breaker but also not ideal. It helps that the fan runs for five hours on a full charge, though, so I didn't find myself having to recharge it all that often.
The best feature of the Amacool Stroller Fan is that it can bend, twist and attach to different surfaces easily. Plus, it has a fast charging time and powerful fan settings that offer instant relief. The combination of practicality, flexibility and power makes it my winning pick for the best portable fans for families.
I was intrigued by the spiderlike legs of the Amacool Stroller Fan from the jump. While the three malleable legs mimic a tripod, they are easy to bend and have some soft cushioning to them. They are meant to wrap around something like the handle of a stroller, the side of a crib or the back of a car headrest, though it's uses beyond those are numerous. The fan's head is also adjustable so you can situate it to get the perfect cooling angle.
The fan's three speed settings are controlled by a small button on the back of the fan's head. While the Amacool charges quickly, it also has a long-lasting battery. In my testing, the third and highest speed setting ran for two hours and 59 minutes before shutting off. That's not as long as the top pick above, but it's still highly useful.
There's also a button on the fan that provides three LED light settings, so it can double as a sort of night light. Lighting options are not a typical feature for portable fans, but it's something that makes the Amacool stand out for families.
While this portable fan is designed for strollers, it's not meant strictly for them. I attached the Amacool to the headboard of my bed, the leg of a table, the side of my couch and even a tree in the park. I like that the adjustable legs work well on different surfaces, and the powerful speed settings provide a strong breeze no matter where you use it.
The O2Cool Elite Misting Fan is the perfect option for active users since it doubles as a spray bottle that creates a cooling mist. This is perfect for warm weather hikes or cooling off after a run.
At 11 inches tall, the O2Cool fan iss one of the largest in our testing pool. The base is clear, and the bottom unscrews so you can fill it up with water as you would a normal spray bottle. The difference is that the O2Cool has a circular fan on top rather than a skinny nozzle. The fan is powered by two AA batteries (not included) and operated via a small button on the back.
I fell in love with this fan the moment I started using it, and it transported me back to Saturday morning soccer games and orange slices. It turns out I had used something similar when I played soccer as a kid, but I didn't remember the misting sensation being so refreshing. When I began testing the portable fans outside, I soon found that a little mist goes a long way, especially when it's 90 degrees Fahrenheit out. Other fans provide powerful gusts that help me survive the heat, but mist takes cooling to another level.
This fan was also one of the quietest options I tested. This is due mainly to the fact that it only has one speed setting that isn't all that powerful. The only other downside is that it's quite large and doesn't fit in a smaller-sized tote or bag. But the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to the O2Cool Elite Misting Fan.
I tested these portable fans in temperatures ranging from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. I walked with them around my LA neighborhood, tested them by the pool and used them in my stuffy second-floor apartment during a heat wave. While evaluating, I focused on the following testing criteria.
Performance
Cooling ability: While all fans can cool to some extent, some worked better than others. I noted how each fan felt and its unique cooling ability.
Battery life: All but one of the portable fans in my testing pool — the O2Cool Elite Misting Fan, which requires two AA batteries — included a charging cable for an electric battery. For the rechargeable fans, I set each fan to the highest setting and timed how long the charge lasted.
Portability: I took each fan on walks and other outdoor activities, and considered whether or not they were easy to pack and carry. I also noted which fans include accessories like lanyards to keep the fan on your wrist.
Design
Size: These fans are meant to be portable, so I noted the size of each fan. I attempted to pack them in three different bags: a clear purse, a tote bag and a gym bag.
Value
Ease of use: Using a fan shouldn't be difficult; therefore, any fan that was overly complicated to set up or didn't work as promised didn't rank highly.
Extra features: Once you've seen one fan, you've seen them all. So, if there were any included items or special features these portable fans had, I determined if they added to the overall value of the product.
Shopping for a portable fan should be simple. No matter what you plan on using it for, there are a few nonnegotiables you need. A good portable fan will have strong cooling ability (multiple power settings are a major plus here), maintain a lasting charge and be easy to take on the go. While electric fans are TSA-approved for carry-on and checked luggage, you're likely to take these with you for local adventures or use them at home, so they should fit in a tote and be comfortable to hold.
I tested these fans indoors and out during a heat wave in LA. Throughout testing, I noted that different fans were suitable for certain situations. For example, the smaller lollipop fans were great for walks, while the fan with a misting capability kept me sane while I attempted to tan in the brutal heat. The fans are similar, but they meet different needs.
Stay vigilant against extreme heat
While these fans kept me cool and comfortable throughout testing, they did not make me impervious to extremely high temperatures.
'Portable fans and neck fans are tools for anyone looking to maintain comfort during hot weather. They are designed for convenience,' said Dr. David C. Berry, a professor of kinesiology and member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. 'They're no substitute for following safety steps to stay cool in high temperatures, but they can provide immediate relief from heat.'
My experience testing portable fans outdoors aligns with Berry's statement. I found myself quickly out of breath while walking around my neighborhood in the extreme heat. The portable fans provided relief, but the temperatures eventually forced me to retreat indoors.
You should always listen to your body when spending time outside in higher temperatures. If you start to feel symptoms of a heat-related illness, such as heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps, dizziness or extreme tiredness, just to name a few, bring yourself inside to cooler temperatures.
Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan
The Gaiatop is a petite portable fan with an included lanyard and stand. While convenient to carry, the battery did not last as long as others in our testing pool. The Gaiatop Mini Portable Fan is just under 6 inches tall and comes with its own stand and attachable lanyard. While the size and these extra features make it convenient, other fans in our testing pool outperformed it.
The Gaiatop has three speed settings that generate a decent breeze; however, the speed was not as powerful as others I tested. Additionally, when set to the highest setting, the battery lasted less than two hours, which just doesn't cut it for something you want to rely on when it's warm out.
Tripole Mini Handheld Fan
The Tripole Mini Handheld Fan has two speed settings and an attachable lanyard. Though easy to carry and pack, the fan was no match for extreme heat. The Tripole Mini Handheld Fan is another petite and portable option. It's 6.7 inches tall and available in various fun colors (12, to be exact). The fan performed decently in my battery test, lasting more than two hours, and it also includes a detachable lanyard for convenient carrying.
The main drawback of this Tripole fan is that it only has two speed settings. While the highest speed produces a relieving breeze, it is not as strong as others I tested. Plus, when testing this fan in the extreme heat, I only felt relief if I held it extremely close to my face.
The following questions were answered by kinesiology professor and Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council member Dr. David C. Berry and include reporting done by associate testing writer Gareen Puglia.
Can you bring a portable fan on a plane?
Can you bring a portable fan on a plane?
TSA guidance states that electric fans are approved to be packed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, different rules apply if a portable fan is powered by a lithium-ion battery. According to the TSA, lithium-ion batteries of 100 watt-hours are approved for carry-ons but require separate guidance that might exclude them from being allowed in checked luggage.
Can portable fans treat heat-related illnesses?
Can portable fans treat heat-related illnesses?
Portable fans can provide immediate comfort and relief; however, they are not able to treat symptoms of heat-related illnesses. 'While [portable fans and neck fans] help cool a small regional area of the neck or upper body, they can mask early signs of heat illness if users rely solely on them for cooling without paying attention to their body's signals and signs of heat-related illness,' Berry said.
Given that, it's important to use portable fans wisely and to pay attention to the following symptoms, as well as others that could be signs of heat-related illness.
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Dehydration
Muscle cramps
Dizziness
Elevated heart rate or respiratory rate
How do you clean a portable fan?
How do you clean a portable fan?
Use a slightly damp paper towel or microfiber cloth to dust off your portable fan. Make sure you turn the fan off and remove any batteries before cleaning.
For this article, we consulted the following expert for their professional insights.
Dr. David C. Berry, a professor and chairperson of the department of kinesiology at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan and a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products we cover in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of testing experience, and we ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and listing the pros and cons of each item.
Gareen Puglia is no stranger to heat. She spent four years in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Southern California. Plus, Puglia tested portable fans during a heat wave. She took the products outdoors, used them in her apartment with a defective window AC unit and even took a fan with her to jury duty. Puglia has covered other cooling content, such as best neck fans.