Another summer heatwave has arrived: you’re sweating through your shirt on the train, your fringe is stuck to your forehead, and it feels like someone’s just locked you inside the sun. You could try fanning yourself with your debit card, but there are more practical solutions: the best portable fans.
I’m not talking about the flimsy, noisy portable fans you once bought impulsively from a guy on a city break that barely moved any air and broke in a day. Instead, you can find quiet, surprisingly powerful and multipurpose handheld and wearable fans.
The best portable fans can almost rival a tower fan, and one comes surprisingly close to functioning like an air conditioner or an air cooler.
As a tech critic, I’ve spent this year’s many heatwaves testing the best portable fans to see which ones actually deliver the breeze you need to stay cool and sweat-free. From bargain buys to tech-heavy finds, you won’t regret buying any of the below.
How I tested
I tested each portable fan in the blazing sun, on the commute, during bus and tube journeys with limited to no air conditioning. I’ve also tried them while walking outside in 30C heat, and when trying to sleep through muggy nights. I also used them at home during the day to see how noisy they were on calls and whether they actually cooled me down while I was working.
I assessed each fan on several criteria, and if it failed to meet these, I did not include it in this guide:
- Battery life: A long-lasting battery is essential. You need each fan to work for hours on the commute or during long sets at music festivals.
- Noise levels: I needed these fans to be quiet – you don’t want to annoy a colleague with a buzzing fan, or have it keep you awake at night.
- Power: Some handheld fans feel like someone’s wheezing on you, not like a cooling jet of air. I looked for fans with powerful motors.
- Design: Could they fold up to sit on a desk, clip to my neck, or fit in a bag without taking up loads of space?
Why trust IndyBest reviews
Alex Lee is The Independent’s senior tech critic. Alongside reviewing the latest launches from the likes of Apple and Nintendo, he’s also been reviewing everything to do with cooling your home down and air treatment since 2021. Alex has consulted experts on what to look for in cooling tech, and always takes into consideration everything from performance and value to design and usability when testing. He’s got particular expertise when it comes to cooling devices, having tried and tested everything from Sony’s wearable fan and Dyson’s best fans to the best portable air conditioners and air coolers. Beyond his experience in real-world testing, Alex is the perfect candidate for this test since he runs warm, making him a harsh critic.
The best portable fans of 2025 are:
- Best overall – Commem turbo fan: £7, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for quiet operation – John Lewis Anyday handheld fan: £12, Johnlewis.com
- Best for versatility – VonHaus handheld fan: £10.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best wearable fan – Sony reon pocket pro: £199, Sony.co.uk
