With the UK facing another summer heatwave, portable fans have become essential for staying cool on the go. However, an estimated 4.3 million fans will end up in landfill this year alone, making it crucial to choose a durable, high-quality model. After testing 16 handheld and neck fans from brands including John Lewis, Dyson, Shark, and Dunelm, here are the best options for power, noise, battery life and portability.
Best handheld fan overall: John Lewis handheld and foldable fan
The John Lewis handheld and foldable fan offers a well-made product at a reasonable £12. It features three power settings, producing wind speeds between 2.5 and 3.7 metres per second (m/s). The 10cm head covers the entire face without constant adjustment. Peak volume measured 62.4dB, quieter than many chunkier fans at their lowest settings.
Battery life exceeded four hours on the highest setting and over nine hours on the lowest. The handle folds down for use as a desktop fan, and charging is via USB-C. The fan is available in sage, white, light blue or orange. At 25cm tall, it is slightly awkward to fit in a bag.
- Power levels: 3
- Air speed: 2.5-3.7m/s
- Volume: 51.1-62.4dB
- Battery life: 4hrs 11mins (max), 9hrs 37mins (min)
- Weight: 181g
Best budget handheld fan: Fine Elements folding rechargeable mini travel fan
At just £6 from Wickes (click and collect only), the Fine Elements folding fan delivers surprising value. It has three speeds producing 2.6 to 3.7m/s of wind speed. Battery life lasted six hours on the lowest setting and nearly three hours on the highest. It is noisier than the John Lewis model, maxing out at 64.8dB, but weighs only 133g and folds in half for portability.
The folding hinge allows it to be used as a desk fan, and it includes a small flashlight on the bottom. Build quality is rough, with some plastic moulding imperfections.
- Power levels: 3
- Air speed: 2.6-3.7m/s
- Volume: 54.3-64.8dB
- Battery life: 2hrs 50mins (max), 6hrs (min)
- Weight: 133g
Best handheld fan for power: Diveblues Jetforce
The Diveblues Jetforce offers impressive power at a competitive price, starting at £18.99 from Amazon. Even at its lowest of five speeds, it produces 3.8m/s of wind. At the highest setting, it reaches 6.6m/s. Noise levels start at 66dB and climb to 74.3dB at maximum, comparable to a vacuum cleaner. Battery life ranges from 11 hours 25 minutes on low to 2 hours 37 minutes on high.
The flexible head allows desktop use, and an attachable lanyard enables hands-free neck wear. The fan is best for those who wear headphones or can tolerate noise.
- Power levels: 5
- Air speed: 3.8-6.6m/s
- Volume: 66-74.3dB
- Battery life: 2hrs 37mins (max), 11hrs 25mins (min)
- Weight: 184g
Best neck fan: Jialexin three-speed neck fan
The Jialexin three-speed neck fan, priced at £28.99 from Amazon, targets the body's thermoregulation centre at the neck. Measured air speeds range from 1.7 to 2.2m/s, but multiple air sources create a consistent cooling effect. Noise levels of 52 to 64.1dB can become tiring close to the ears, though headphones solve this.
The fan is comfortable and flexible, shaping around the neck. Battery life lasts 3 hours 19 minutes on maximum and 8 hours on minimum.
- Power levels: 3
- Air speed: 1.7-2.2m/s
- Volume: 52-64.1dB
- Battery life: 3hrs 19mins (max), 8hrs (min)
- Weight: 291g
Best handheld fan for flexibility: Shark ChillPill
Shark's first portable fan, the ChillPill, costs £129.99 and offers three interchangeable heads: standard fan, water misting, and a cold plate for direct skin cooling. The misting head provides a refreshing spritz, though the water reservoir needs frequent refilling. The cold plate stays cool as long as the battery lasts.
Battery life exceeded expectations: the fan ran nearly 20 hours on low, and the cold plate lasted over nine hours versus the promised two. The fan weighs 237g with the fan head and up to 282g with the cold plate. Additional accessories cost extra.
- Power levels: 10 (2 for cooling plate)
- Air speed: 1.6-4.6m/s
- Volume: 46.2-74.1dB
- Battery life: 2hrs 46mins (max), 19hrs 19mins (min, fan mode)
- Weight: 237g (fan head), 253g (misting), 282g (cold plate)
Best of the rest
JisuLife Handheld Fan Ultra2: With 100 speeds from 2.8 to 9.8m/s, this fan is extremely powerful but bulky, noisy (up to 88.8dB), and expensive at around £93.49. It includes adapters for inflating air cushions, starting campfires, dust cleaning, and a 9,000mAh power bank.
VonHaus handheld fan & phone holder: At £10.99, this fan is quiet (41dB on low) with five speeds up to 4.3m/s. It includes a desk stand and phone holder, plus a detachable lanyard. The smaller head reduces face coverage.
Dyson HushJet Mini: Priced at £99, this compact fan delivers 6.1m/s (7.5m/s in boost mode) but is noisy (61.5-80.3dB). Battery life is short: 51 minutes on maximum.
Aecooly neck fan Click 01: A lightweight 94g neck fan with magnetic lanyard, offering speeds up to 3.4m/s. Noise ranges from 59 to 71.4dB. Battery lasts 2 hours 15 minutes on high, over 10 hours on low.
What to look for in a portable fan
Consider fans that double as desktop units or include lanyards for hands-free use. Higher power increases noise and reduces battery life. Neck fans target the thermoregulation centre, potentially offering greater cooling effect, but can be noisy near the ears. Disposal: if broken, recycle via shops like Currys or use the Recycle Your Electricals website; do not put in household waste due to lithium-ion batteries.
