It goes without saying, but when the UK gets hit with a sudden heatwave were not all that prepared, which is why you need the best hand-held fans to keep you cool in time for those climbing temperatures. After a pretty cloudy summer, theres a heatwave on the horizon, so its best to be summer-ready.
As everyone always says, 30C feels different in the UK than it does abroad. After all, we tend to have limited air conditioning, and our houses are built to retain heat. So when that heatwave hits, youll be all the more grateful to have your very own hand-held fan to keep you enviably cool during the hottest months of the year. (Bonus points if you have your own tower fan, were extremely jealous).
Closers best hand-held fans at a glance: Best hand-held fan overallJohn Lewis Handheld Foldable Desk Fanread review|buy now - 12Best multipurpose hand-held fanBenpen Rechargeable Portable Pram Fanread review|buy on Amazon - 17.99 (was £19.99)Best viral hand-held fanEasyAcc Handheld Electric USB Fansread review|buy on Amazon - 16.99Best budget hand-held fanHonHey Handheld Fan read review|buy on Amazon - 7.97 (was £8.99) The best thing about a hand-held fan, though, is that you can take them anywhere. Just pop one in your handbag and youre good to go. If you are planning on going on that all-inclusive trip abroad? Even better. Might as well get your moneys worth, right? Right.
Gone are the days of your make-up melting off, or getting all hot and bothered when youre trying to take a picture in your lovely summer dress by those must-see tourist attractions. A hand-held fan will be your new best mate. Here are the best hand-held fans to shop now as selected by us at Closer.
SHOP: 7 best hand-held fans to keep you cool 2024 1. John Lewis Handheld Foldable Desk Fan
Best hand-held fan overall
John LewisPrice:12John Lewis Partners
View offer Compact, quiet and available in four colours, John Lewis handheld fan is a bestseller for a reason. Our Commercial Content Writer, Piper Huxley, was delighted with this fan, calling it the best £12 shes ever spent and saying that its a must-have for the summer. She went on to say I wouldnt be without mine, whether in the UK or abroad, and described how she loved the click handle, several power modes and how it runs quietly and efficiently. Its safe to say this bestselling fan, with thousands of reviews, has safely made its way into our basket. See for yourself.
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsCompact design makes it portableFoldable so you're able to use it as a desk fanQuiet, discreet and doesn't make too much noiseConsReviews say the battery may not last long
Colours: | White, sage, lake blue, yellow |
Size: | H25 x W11.3 x D2.5cm |
Charge: | Standard USB port, rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 9 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld and desk fan |
Best multipurpose hand-held fan
Price:17.99 (was £19.99)View offer Digital Group Editor, Maria Martin, swears by this handy multipurpose fan from Amazon. She says, I have to say, I was a bit dubious about spending almost £20 for it, but Im happy I did. Our writer goes on to say that it is very durable and lasted over three years, working for a good couple of days on just one charge. She says, the grip is sturdy, meaning I can prop it on my desk, on a chair while having a picnic, or pretty much anywhere while travelling. This innovative fan can be adapted to use almost anywhere thanks to its flexible legs, wrapping around surfaces like prams, bikes, high chairs and beyond to offer a powerful breeze.
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsFlexible, adaptable design to suit youAnti-touch net makes it suitable for childrenAlso attaches to surfaces like pramsConsLess compact than other designs on the list
Colours: | Black, blue, pink, white |
Size: | 7.5D x 10.9W x 27.9H centimetres |
Charge: | Standard USB port, built-in rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 8 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld, desk and clip-on fan |
Best viral hand-held fan
AmazonPrice:16.99View offer Gaining viral status last year, the EasyAcc Handheld Electric USB Fan features three settings and an impressive 10-hour battery life. Its available in five colours which can be snapped up in a pinch on Amazon just in time for the hot weather to hit. Fans of the product loved its compact design and long battery life, with one reviewer calling this hand-held fan a game changer and the best portable fan EVER. Over 10,000 reviews later, and, need we say more?
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsPowerful motor for efficient coolingBattery life that lasts up to 10 hoursThree different speed settingsConsReviewers say it may be a bit noisy
Colours: | Black, blue, green, pink, white |
Size: | 4 x 11 x 23.5 cm |
Charge: | Standard USB port, rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 10 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld and desk fan |
Best budget hand-held fan
AmazonPrice:7.97 (was £8.99)View offer As the cheapest option on the list, the HonHey Handheld Fan is a worthy contender in our round up. So much so, in fact, that reviewers have lovingly dubbed it as a summer saviour, claiming that they dont leave the house without it. Though it be but small, it is mighty - and this compact handheld fan certainly packs a powerful punch, delivering cool air for up to 10 hours thanks to its high performance rechargeable battery. You can choose whether to use it as a standard hand fan, or attach it to a base which converts it into a desk fan - your choice. Either way, youll be glad when youre keeping cool by this budget fan. We know we will.
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsFantastic value for moneyBattery life that lasts up to 10 hoursFour different speed settingsConsThe handle is non-foldable
Colours: | Blue, grey, pink and white |
Size: | 3.6D x 10.4W x 19.8H centimetres |
Charge: | Standard USB port, rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 10 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld and desk fan |
Best luxury hand-held fan
Price:16.99 (was £24.99)View offer The JISULIFE Handheld Turbo Fan looks positively fancy and, if its one thing, its certainly sleek. A worthy investment that looks so much more expensive than it is, it definitely wont be an eyesore on your desk. Not only that, but the stylish fan boasts five different speed settings and up to 16 hours of battery life. Customers were pleasantly surprised with the quality and power of this little fan, with one even commenting it was the best investment theyd made in a long time. Well take their word for it.
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsSleek, stylish design that looks luxuryBattery life that lasts up to 16 hoursFive different speed settingsConsSlightly heavier than other models
Colours: | Black, brown, green, white |
Size: | 8.2 x 4.3 x 16.7 cm |
Charge: | Standard USB port, rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 16 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld and desk fan |
Best cooling hand-held fan
Price:17.99View offer Regulate your temperature with the HandFan Handheld Portable Misting Fan. It provides a burst of gentle mist of water to cool your face down in a hot flash, so, its totally genius if you ask us. Ahhh. You can select between three different speeds and whether you want the added mist or not, so you can adjust it to totally suit your needs. Reviewers say to get one and dont look back, and were not going to argue with that. Besides, youll be the envy of the whole office when youre battling 30C heat, thats for sure.
Pros ConsSpecificationsFeaturesProsReleases gentle mist to cool the faceBattery life that lasts up to 13 hoursThree different speed settingsConsOther models may be more powerful
Colours: | Pink, royal blue, black, white |
Size: | 3D x 9.9W x 21H centimetres |
Charge: | Standard USB port, rechargeable battery included |
Battery life: | Up to 13 hours |
Fan type: | Handheld, desk and clip-on fan |
Best compact hand-held fan
JISULIFEPrice:18.99 (was £24.99)View offer Arguably one of the most compact options on the list, were loving the JISULIFE Small Pocket Fan, especially given its super cute design. This sleek mini fan can be used as a handheld option, or folded so it rests on the desk to keep you cool as you work. Its small enough to fit in your pocket, and an added bonus? It also comes with a torch. Yep, this fan can literally do it all. The best part? It can last an unmatched 19 hours on just one charge, and reviewers say its an absolute life saver.
Pros ConsSpecificationsProsCompact design means it can fit into your pocketBattery life that lasts up to 19 hoursComes with an added torch functionConsOther models may be more powerful
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If you want to go all out, manual hand-held fans are another style. We often see these on trips abroad like hen parties and girls holidays, with some fab designs that can be customised for your girls trip. They make a great accessory for your outfits and keep you cool while doing so. A total win-win.
What features should I look for when buying a handheld fan? When choosing a handheld fan, features like how portable it is, the battery life and noise levels are ones to take into consideration.
• Portability: Look for a lightweight and compact design thats easy to carry in your bag.
• Battery life: Go for a fan with a long-lasting rechargeable battery to avoid frequent charging.
• Speed settings: Multiple speed settings will allow you to adjust the airflow.
• Noise level: A quieter fan is less disruptive, especially in public or professional settings.
Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.
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