The best neck fans in 2025, tried and tested

CNN

20-05-2025

The best neck fans we tested
Best neck fan: Gulaki Portable Neck Fan
Best adjustable neck fan: Amacool Neck Fan Wearing one of the best neck fans is a hands-free way to enjoy a cooling breeze. They can hang around your neck like headphones or be strung on a lanyard like a pendant. Regardless of how you wear one, it can be a godsend in the summer months.
There are many times I've wished I had this kind of cooling fan on me, whether I was spending three days in the Texas sun for a music festival or gardening outdoors in the summer. Even going on a walk during a normal 90-degree Fahrenheit day in Los Angeles would be better with a neck fan.
If you're determined to enjoy time outdoors this summer, despite temperatures that make stepping outside the last thing you want to do, a portable fan is a great solution. Plus, the convenience of a neck fan means you won't need to keep something in your hands to enjoy the breeze. You just put it around your neck and head out the door.
With temperatures rising in Los Angeles, I took five popular neck fans along for a few outdoor adventures to see which kept me the coolest and most comfortable. I also assessed their design, portability and overall ease of use. After many hours in the sun, I found two of the best neck fans I'd recommend to anyone.
Gulaki Portable Neck Fan
The Gulaki neck fan provides cooling relief wherever you are. Its impressive battery power, multiple speed settings and easy-to-use design make it our winning pick for best neck fan.
Amacool Neck Fan
The Amacool Neck Fan's three speed settings are great, but the adjustable sides make it even better. The Amacool can bend to create different fan angles, so it's versatile as it creates a cooling breeze. The Gulaki neck fan sits comfortably around your neck and produces a refreshing breeze, even in 90-degree heat. With impressive battery life and cooling power, it was an easy pick as the best neck fan.
The Gulaki fan creates a cooling area spanning from the back of your neck to your jawline. You can't see the fan motors, but vents line the top of the U-shaped fan to emit air. There are three speed settings to choose from, which is standard for neck fans, but this one differentiates itself by emitting less fan noise than others in my testing pool. This is especially true on the third and highest setting. The noise is there, but it's not overbearing.
This fan also has long-lasting battery life that can handle even outdoor excursions or commutes. I ran it on its highest speed setting and clocked five hours and 27 minutes of continuous runtime before it died.
It's also comfortable to wear, no matter if you're exercising, commuting to work or going for a casual stroll. I often took it with me while walking around my neighborhood and felt constant, comfortable relief even in 90-degree weather. I particularly liked using the highest setting to cool the back of my neck. I even brought the fan along to the gym and it stayed in place on the treadmill as I worked out.
Design-wise, the fan looks strikingly similar to a pair of Beats headphones, so much so that I did a double-take when I first glanced at it. Because of that, though, it achieves a nice sleek look overall. It's also available in seven color options.
This fan is the one I kept returning to out of all the fans in my testing pool. Not only did it keep me cool when temperatures started to rise here in Los Angeles, but it also is extremely easy to use, has a long-lasting battery and excels at its number one job: keeping me cool.
The best thing about the Amacool Neck Fan is how adjustable it is. Although every neck fan does well to cool your neck area, this fan lets you customize exactly what areas to hit with cool air. The result was a refreshing breeze I could angle on my neck, face or anywhere else.
This fan offers three speed settings, with the first two on the lighter side and not as effective in high temperatures, while the third setting creates a strong gust you can feel even in 90-degree heat. The lower settings aren't entirely unusable, however, as they proved useful for less strenuous activity like commuting to work.
The Amacool is also extremely lightweight as it weighs just 6.5 ounces. This makes it great for long-term wear. And since the the sides are bendable, it's easy to fold it up. When I wasn't using it, I folded it sort of like a pretzel and stashed it in whatever bag I had with me.
Unlike the Gulaki, the fan blades in this are more exposed, which I'll admit gave me pause at first. My hair is short, but I could see how folks with longer hair could be a little anxious about trying this fan. I had my sister test it out since she has longer hair, and I'm happy to report that no locks of her hair were harmed while she wore the fan.
Despite what the Amacool does well, there is one major downside: No matter how you adjust the fan, it's hard to get a consistent breeze on the back of your neck. There are also no vents on the body of the fan to run any cool air where it sits on your neck. Because of that, I noticed that I felt more sweaty than usual in that area while wearing it.
Another thing to note is how similar this fan is to the Comlife Portable Neck Fan. When I ordered both for this guide, they both showed up in identical boxes. I thought that maybe I mistakenly ordered two of the same fan. Even their specs are the similar, with the only difference being the design of their respective logos. However, where they truly differ is with battery life, as the Amacool's battery lasted longer in my testing. It ran for two hours and 15 minutes on its highest setting while the Comlife fan ran for two hours and five minutes.
To test these neck fans, I spent lots of time outside in the heat of sunny Los Angeles. After all, testing a fan in an office building with AC would have been redundant, not to mention wasteful. I even took a few to a jury duty stint, which turned out to be a lifesaver while waiting in a crowded, stuffy courtroom.
Here's how I specifically tested each neck fan.
Performance
Cooling ability: Neck fans would be nothing if they did not keep you cool. To determine which had the best cooling ability, I tested their various cooling settings (low, medium, high, etc.) and noted which had the most strength.
Battery life: To judge battery life, I placed each fully charged fan on its highest setting and timed how long its power lasted.
Noise: I considered the noise each neck fan made across its various cooling settings and whether it was loud enough to bother not just me while I wore it, but those around me, too.
Extra features: I noted all additional settings, misting capabilities or features that distinguished a certain neck fan from the rest of the testing pool.
Sweat test: I walked to and from a local park during a heat wave to see if these neck fans were effective when working up a sweat. I took note of how cooling it felt when sweating, as well as if the neck fan remained comfortable and functioned properly while exercising.
Design
Comfort: A neck fan isn't something you place on your desk or hold up to your face; it's an accessory you wear. So, it's important that these fans are comfortable. I evaluated how each neck fan felt to wear for long periods of time and during light physical activity.
Portability: I assessed the size and structure of the neck fans when they were not in use and how easy they were to store.
Product design: I took note of the shape of each fan, including where the power button was located and other notable design features. In this category, I was looking to differentiate whether the design enhanced the overall experience or not.
Value
Ease of use: Neck fans are simple enough to use; you charge them, change the settings and enjoy. So, while the overall consensus is that these tools are easy, I made note of any features or steps that made the fan more cumbersome than others.
Overall value: While every neck fan I tested for this guide costs less than $40, I consolidated my testing findings to determine what the overall value of each neck fan is. I took into consideration capabilities, design, comfort and price.
Consider the use case
Neck fans are an inexpensive accessory you can use wherever and whenever you need to keep cool. But before you buy one, you'll want to understand the fan's capabilities. They won't give you powerful gusts of wind, but will instead provide cool air on and around your neck.
Certain styles are more malleable, while others are stiffer. Either way, the main concern is the cooling capability and if the fan sits comfortably on your neck. From there, consider how you'll use the neck fan. Will you spend hours in the garden? Are you going to an outdoor concert, or doing any other sort of outdoor activity? Think about the kind of fan you want hanging around your neck while you do those things.
Think about your hair
My hair is currently at about shoulder length, so I wasn't too concerned with it catching in any of the neck fans. However, it managed to slip into a few of the back-facing vents throughout testing. If you have longer hair, choosing a neck fan where the blades are enclosed will help prevent any accidental snagging. If you're rocking a shorter style like me, you won't have to worry about this.
Remain vigilant to extreme heat
While you might feel invincible to higher temperatures with a neck fan, it's still important to prepare and protect yourself against extreme heat. Dr. Lucia Abascal at the University of California, San Francisco, said, 'heat-related illness is actually one of the deadliest weather-related things that happen. Fans might not be enough.'
Dr. Abascal is a postdoctoral scholar and works with the California Department of Public Health as a public health physician. She shared the importance of making a safety plan for extreme heat.
If you intend to spend lots of time in the sun, check the weather ahead of time, make a plan to stay hydrated and ensure you aren't outdoors if the heat reaches a dangerous level. It's also important to apply sunscreen often.
While Dr. Abascal stressed you'll need more than a neck fan to combat dangerous temperatures and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, she acknowledged the benefits of tools to keep you comfortable outdoors, especially in the heat.
'If that helps you and it's safe to still be outside, you can take a fan, water mist or whatever helps you stay comfortable,' she said. 'It might help you hike longer, be outside longer and be with friends. All of those have good public health benefits as well.'
Jisulife Portable Neck Fan
The Jisulife Portable Neck Fan is an impressive tool. It has three powerful fan settings and a long-lasting battery. However, it was louder and more difficult to use than our winning pick. The Jisulife Portable Neck Fan is a close runner-up to our winning pick for the best neck fan. Its battery lasts over five hours on the highest setting and speed options produce powerful gusts that worked well across testing. While there is much to rave about with this neck fan, certain design elements made it more difficult to use than our winning pick.
When I first put the Jisulife around my neck, I couldn't find the power button. I felt like it was hiding from me. Changing the settings of the fan while in motion also proved difficult because the button is smaller and placed at a slightly awkward position when you're wearing the fan.
Additionally, the Jusulife is extremely loud. This is not necessarily a problem, since the speed options are extremely effective when it comes to cooling, but it did impact my comfort level since the buzzing in my ear was not enjoyable. It also deterred me from wearing the fan around people, since I couldn't hear them well when it was on.
Overall, the Jisulife Portable Neck Fan is powerful and keeps you cool. However, the Gulaki has it beat when it comes to design, comfort and overall ease of use.
Comlife Portable Neck Fan
The Comlife Portable Neck Fan is practically identical to the Amacool. However, its battery didn't last as long. Comlife Portable Neck Fan is the identical twin of the Amacool fan above, my pick for the best adjustable neck fan. Both came in the same box, the specs are the same and they look similar. When testing, it came down to which fan performed better ,and the Amacool came out on top.
Additionally, the Amacool is slightly less expensive than the Comlife, another factor that made this fan fall in the ranking.
AoCool Portable Neck Fan
The Aocool Portable Neck Fan hangs around your neck like a necklace. The digital screen on the bottom lets you change settings and see the battery life. However, the cooling ability of this fan is not as strong. I wanted to like the AoCool portable Neck Fan, but it's just not as practical and effective as others in my testing pool.
It includes an adjustable lanyard that you attach to the back of the fan so you can wear it like a necklace. I loved the design of the AoCool because the power level and fan speed settings are displayed on a tiny screen in the front. I knew how much battery percentage the fan had at all times while wearing it, which made my life easy.
Speaking of battery life, the AoCool neck fan lasted an impressive four hours and 26 minutes on its highest setting. Despite the solid battery life, the strength of its three speed options isn't as powerful as most others I tested. So, while the fan lasted a while, the cooling impact wasn't great.
Its design is also a big reason why its performanced suffered. While the adjustable lanyard is a plus, I wasn't able to feel the breeze of the fan if I let it hang on my chest. Instead, I had to wear it very tight around my neck, which was far less comfortable.
The following FAQs were answered by Dr. Abascal and Gareen Puglia.
Who should wear a neck fan?
Who should wear a neck fan?
Anyone can benefit from wearing a neck fan as a hands-free way to keep comfortable with a cooling breeze. They're great for commuting to work in warm weather, going for a walk during the summer or even at something like a music festival. A neck fan may also be beneficial to folks experiencing hot flashes.
Can neck fans protect you from heat-related illnesses?
Can neck fans protect you from heat-related illnesses?
While neck fans can keep you comfortable in heat, they will not be effective enough to protect you from heat-related illnesses. The following symptoms are indicators of heat-related illnesses and should not be ignored.
Muscle cramps
Exhaustion
Heavy breathing
Disorientation
Nausea/vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms outdoors, a neck fan will not be able to treat them. Find somewhere cool to go inside and rest.
Are neck fans rechargeable?
Are neck fans rechargeable?
Yes, most neck fans are rechargeable. All the neck fans in this testing pool include a USB-C charging cable. However, specific charge time does vary. Some neck fans also use batteries, though none were tested for this guide.
Dr. Lucia Abascal, postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Francisco, and a public health physician at California Department of Public Health.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item.
Associate testing writer Gareen Puglia took on the challenge of testing neck fans during a heat wave in Los Angeles. She also spoke to a member of the California Department of Public Health to report on how to stay safe in extreme temperatures.