The GHI tested the best portable fans for summer – these are our top picks (2024)

Score: 92/100

With a massive 100 different speeds (yes, you read that right), this aesthetically pleasing handheld fan (it comes in six shades) was a hit from the get-go. Panellists loved its cooling powers with one saying it made them feel more comfortable “straight away” on a hot day on the bus.

That’s the benefit of a handheld model, too. This lightweight fan fits easily in your bag and even comes with an attachable travel lanyard so you won’t lose it on the way.

Overall, it was very easy to use, and boasts a digital screen that displays the wind speed and battery power. Speaking of the battery, it lasted three hours on the highest setting so you won’t be caught short on your commute home either.

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Score: 91/100

Claiming to offer 12 cooling combinations in one, the Shark FlexBreeze has heaps of features. It can be used cordless or corded, either indoors or outdoors. And to switch it from a free-standing, pedestal fan to a desk fan, you simply adjust the height of the pole. It can also be operated with a remote control.

In terms of cooling power, testers could feel its strength from across the room and appreciated the five different speeds and varying oscillation.

While this isn’t one for travelling with, it’s still a great portable fan for moving around your home or office. And on the hottest days, using it in the garden is a great way to keep cool – it even has a misting attachment that sprays water over you if you attach your garden hose. We feel more chilled already.

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Score: 90/100

Meaco’s portable fan is the perfect choice for keeping you cool on hot days. While there are only four fan speeds, testers noted a good difference between each setting and appreciated how simple it was to switch from one to the other, as well as how quiet the fan was. It comes with a built-in nightlight, too, so would be a welcome companion for camping or for alfresco dinner parties.

You won’t have to worry about the battery, either. Our testers found it long-lasting, circulating air at various speeds for over four hours in our tests.

Again, it’s not one for chucking in your handbag but for moving around your home, it’s an easy to use, intuitive fan that won’t disappoint.

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Score: 87/100

You’ll be the envy of every person in the office or on your morning commute with this fan. It simply loops round your neck so you can keep your hands free for your phone, bag or morning coffee, and it keeps you cool by circulating air quickly and evenly through its dual-turbine motor design and the 78 air outlets distributed around the neck.

There are three wind speeds, which had noticeably different strengths; however, they weren’t as powerful as other fans we’ve tested. But we think its lightweight, intuitive design is probably worth the compromise. Our testers found it stayed on easily, too. That’s our morning commute sorted the next time a heatwave rolls around.

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Score: 86/100

This lightweight fan is made to sit comfortably on your desk, in your car, or by your side on the hottest days. On test, it was great at distributing cool air and our panellists liked that you could tilt the head up and down to alter the direction of airflow. It was easy to use too, with accessible, responsive controls.

There are only three speeds and it’s not the most powerful fan we’ve tried; however, it was still effective at keeping our panellists cool with everyone saying they’d recommend this fan to others.

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Score: 82/100

Lightweight and available in a range of stylish colours, this handheld fan is the one for taking to events and meals out – or for bringing a pop of colour to the office.

It was hard to fault in our ease of use tests – it’s easy to assemble, travel with, control and clean – scoring perfect marks. Testers also liked its foldable handle, which doubles up as a stand for use on a desk or table.

Again, there are only three speeds which weren’t overly strong but this is a great basic fan that will complement every summer outfit going.

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Score: 79/100

Despite a no-fuss, no-frills design, this affordable fan ticked the boxes for keeping our panellists cool as a cucumber. It’s small and compact, so it can fit in a handbag or decent-sized pocket and comes with a detachable base, allowing you to use it as a handheld or desk fan.

Testers found it intuitive to use, which was lucky as the instructions lacked detail, but the three speeds circulated air well, with the fan blades providing an even distribution of air. Some panellists thought the design felt a little cheap but for a budget buy, we can’t complain.

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Score: 77/100

Boasting an LED ring light and an aromatherapy pad for diffusing essential oils, Beldray’s 3-in-1 fan does a lot more than just cool you down on a hot day. Panellists enjoyed the calming fragrance and the light is great for taking selfies, or as a feature in your room.

Along with these fun extra features, panellists praised the fan’s adjustable design, which allows you to switch easily between a pedestal and desk fan, as well as its foldable stand that offers fuss-free storage.

It is too big to carry on your morning commute but makes a good flexible option for home.

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Score: 77/100

Our panellists loved this Igenix desk fan for its even air distribution and large 12-inch design. It’s one of the only fans on our list to offer varying degrees of oscillation, allowing you to cool the entire room and circulate air well.

Panellists appreciated its minimalist design but were disappointed by the limited portability. While it’s fairly lightweight and compact, it isn’t battery-powered, so you’re restricted by a cord. It’s still very easy to move between rooms though, and it’s steady once in-place thanks to a well-built and balanced base.

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Keeping cool has never been so easy. Our winning portable fan, the JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan, is our top pick, with a huge range of air speeds and long battery life.

If you’re looking for a portable fan for your home or office, we suggest checking out Shark’s FlexBreeze Portable Fan. It’s expensive but incredibly versatile and even comes with a misting attachment, which could be invaluable on hot WFH days.

If you want to stay cool for less, Dunelm’s Fine Elements Handheld fan is an affordable, yet reliable pick.

Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we’ve been testing household products for 100 years, looking for those smart gadgets that will make our readers’ lives easier.

Our GHI homes testing manager, Blossom Boothroyd, helped develop the rigorous testing protocols for portable fans, making sure we tested them as you would use them at home and on the go, to ensure they’ll deliver on their claims.

Our homes writer, Megan Geall, has written hundreds of product reviews and knows what to look for when interrogating test results, helping you make the best decision for your budget and lifestyle.