Too Hot to handle? 6 mini fans worth trying

A fan used to be something that lived on a ceiling or a desk. Now it fits in a handbag, charges over USB-C and shows its battery level on a tiny screen. That is a surprisingly useful upgrade for queues, commutes, crowded events and any room where the air does not move.

Gadinsider has put together a list of handheld fans on Amazon, and the pitch is simpler than it sounds.

6 portable handheld fans

This little fan is lighter than your mobile phone, it fits in your pocket, and it can be used as both a table fan and a neck fan. This product is aimed at solving our day-to-day problems, whether that would be when we walk in hot weather or have a long wait at the airport.

It would make a good gift for a friend who is going on holiday, a relative who is a commuter, or any family member who is always feeling hot. Below are the six fans.

1. BEARWIND portable handheld turbo fan (4000mAh)

The BEARWIND is a foldable turbo fan with a 4000 mAh battery and five speed settings. It works as a handheld, desk or neck fan with the included strap. It comes in black and silver or pink and rose gold.

Key features and specs

• Airflow: Up to 9 m/s, which the seller calls 3x stronger than ordinary fans
• Motor and blades: Brushless motor, seven blades
• Speeds: Five
• Battery: 4000 mAh, up to 12 hours (per the seller)
• Charging: USB-C, about 3 hours
• Noise: 40dB
• Power: 10 watts
• Size and weight: 6.7 inches, 0.42 pounds
• Design: 180° foldable, with an adjustable lanyard
• Colours: Black and Silver, or Pink and Rose Gold
• In the box: fan, user guide, neck strap, charging cable

Performance

The device will run in low mode for an entire night and in high-speed mode during a concert, but this is just an estimate, not a laboratory test result. The foldable form allows placing it on a table or wearing it around one’s neck. The weight of 0.42 pounds makes it light.

Pros

• Up to 12 hours of battery, per the seller
• Folds and stands, with a neck strap included
• Two colour options

Cons

• No display for battery or speed is mentioned.
• The listing recommends outdoor use only.
• The listing gives conflicting control details, such as touch and push buttons.

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Portable handheld turbo fan — View at Amazon

2. SWEETFUL Portable Handheld Fan (Mini, Rechargeable)

The SWEETFULL is a slim handheld fan with an electroplated finish and an LED display. It converts into a desktop fan and comes with a lanyard. The seller also markets it as a makeup or eyelash fan.

Key features and specs

• Speeds: Five, with an LED showing speed and battery status
• Battery: 2000 mAh, 3 to 12 hours depending on speed (per the seller)
• Charging: USB-C, about 3 hours
• Motor and blades: Brushless motor, three blades
• Airflow: 50 cfm
• Power: 5 watts
• Size and weight: 5.6 x 2.2 x 1.8 inches, 0.25 pounds
• Design: 2-in-1 handheld and desktop, with a lanyard
• Controls: Long-press to power off

Performance

Weighing at just 0.25 pounds, it is the least heavy fan among our collection of standard handheld fans. The screen displays to you the battery level remaining before you step out of your home. There are two noise ratings for this product, so check its quietness in reviews.

Pros

• Very light at 0.25 pounds
• LED display for speed and battery
• Compact size for pockets and bags

Cons

• Battery range is wide, from 3 to 12 hours.
• The listing gives conflicting noise figures.
• Smaller 2000 mAh battery than the BEARWIND

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SWEETFULL portable handheld fan — View at Amazon

3. Aecooly Mighty portable fan (USB rechargeable)

The Aecooly Mighty is a palm-sized fan with an air-guide grille that focuses the airflow into a narrower stream. The seller says the wind reaches up to 20 ft/s. A digital display shows speed and battery.

Key features and specs

• Airflow: Up to 20 ft/s (per the seller)
• Speeds: Five
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours (per the seller)
• Charging: USB-C
• Display: Digital, showing battery and speed
• Size and weight: 6.2 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches, 4.2 ounces
• Blades: Seven
• Power: 3 watts
• Noise: 50 dB
• Design: Handheld

Performance

This grille allows the air to flow in a concentrated stream, and hence the airflow will feel more powerful than the same airflow that is spread out widely. The weight of the item is 4.2 ounces, making it very light. Its noise rating is 50 dB.

Pros

• Focused airflow from the grille design
• Digital display for battery and speed
• Light at 4.2 ounces

Cons

• 50dB noise figure
• No battery capacity or charging time is given.
• Handheld only, with no fold-out stand listed

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Aecooly mighty portable fan — View at Amazon

4. SWEETFULL portable stroller fan (Cream)

This SWEETFULL is a clip-on fan built for strollers, car seats and cribs. The seller describes a fully enclosed, pinch-proof design and a silicone tripod grip. It runs on a built-in rechargeable battery.

Key features and specs

• Safety: Fully enclosed, finger-safe design (per the seller)
• Mounting: Flexible silicone tripod for strollers, car seats and cribs
• Rotation: 360° plus 360° adjustment
• Speeds: Five, with an LED display
• Battery life: 2.5 to 10 hours (per the seller)
• Charging: USB-C, about 2 hours, with charging possible while in use
• Battery: Built in and non-removable
• Airflow: 145 cfm
• Weight: 12 ounces
• Noise: The seller gives 30 dB and 35 dB.
• Colour: Cream

Performance

The grips allow it to stay on either a pram handle or a car seat without being held. The sealed design means that it is supposed to protect children from accessing any moving parts, although this is an assertion by the seller. It is also heavier, weighing 12 ounces compared to handheld devices.

Pros

• Tripod grip for strollers, car seats and cribs
• Enclosed, pinch-proof design, per the seller
• Can charge while in use

Cons

• Heavier than the handheld fans at 12 ounces
• The listing gives conflicting noise figures and power levels.
• The battery cannot be removed.

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SWEETFULL portable stroller fan — View at Amazon

5. AUIIAH GS30 portable handheld turbo fan (Black)

The AUIIAH GS30 is a foldable turbo fan with a three-phase brushless motor and six blades. The seller says it reaches 10 m/s. It works as a handheld, desk or neck fan.

Key features and specs

• Airflow: Up to 10 m/s, which the seller calls 3 times ordinary fans
• Motor and blades: Three-phase brushless motor, six blades
• Speeds: Five, with an LED display
• Charging: USB-C, about 3 hours
• Weight: 0.44 pounds
• Power: 5 watts
• Design: 180° foldable, with an adjustable strap
• Battery: All night on low and a full concert on high (per the seller)

Performance

The speed of 10 m/s is the highest in this list for those models that lack cooling plates. Its folding design allows for its use in your hand, on a table, or around your neck.

Pros

• Up to 10 m/s airflow, per the seller
• Foldable, with desk and neck modes
• LED display for speed and battery

Cons

• No battery capacity or runtime in hours is given.
• No noise level is listed
• The listing gives no dimensions.

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Portable handheld turbo fan, 5-speed mini personal fan with strong airflow — View at Amazon

6. Shewind portable handheld fan with ice cooling

The Shewind adds a semiconductor cooling plate to a turbo fan. The seller says the plate drops its surface temperature to as low as 60°F, and you hold it against the skin for fast cooling. It folds and works as a neck fan.

Key features and specs

• Cooling plate: TEC semiconductor, to as low as 60°F (per the seller)
• Motor: Three-phase brushless, up to 25,500 RPM, with 10 m/s wind speed (per the seller)
• Speeds: Five, with a digital display
• Battery life: 3 to 11 hours depending on speed (per the seller)
• Charging: USB-C, about 2 hours
• Size and weight: 6.61 x 2.09 x 1.85 inches, 7.6 ounces
• Blades: Seven
• Power: 10 watts
• Design: Foldable, with adjustable tilt and a neck strap
• Warranty: 12 months
• In the box: fan, neck strap, charging cable, welcome guide

Performance

The cooling plate was designed to be used in proximity to the face or the neck, something that makes it suitable for application of makeup setting or use during a hot day. The cooling plate does not perform effectively when the environment is too hot and recommends that the cooling be turned off in order to conserve power.

Pros

• Cooling plate for direct skin contact
• 12-month warranty
• Charges in about 2 hours

Cons

• Heavier at 7.6 ounces
• Cooling mode uses an extra battery, per the seller
• The cooling effect depends on the ambient temperature.

Today's best deals

Portable handheld fan with ice cooling—5 gear, high-speed turbo, personal fan, rechargeable — View at Amazon