Summer’s arrived, and another heatwave is already rolling in, bringing the usual attempt to stay cool on packed trains and busy commutes. You could fan yourself with what you have to hand, but investing in one of the best portable fans is a far more practical solution.
But not all portable fans are created equal. Once flimsy and loud, today’s portable fans are thankfully much quieter, more powerful and available in a wide range of designs. From compact desk-style units to wearable options, the best portable fans now have impressive performance. Some even edge into air conditioner territory thanks to features like misting and contact-based cooling, as seen in newer arrivals such as the Shark chillpill.
As a tech critic, I’ve spent warm spring days this year and last year’s heatwaves testing portable fans. From bargain buys to feature-packed do-it-all fans, these are the ones worth buying in 2026.
Read more: Best portable air conditioners
Read more: Best fans, reviewed
The best portable fans of 2026 are:
- Best overall – Commem turbo fan: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for quiet operation – John Lewis anyday handheld fan: £12, Johnlewis.com
- Best portable misting fan – Shark chillpill: £129.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for versatility – VonHaus handheld fan: £15.07, Amazon.co.uk
- Best wearable fan – Sony reon pocket pro: £199, Sony.co.uk
Read more: Best neck fans, tested
Commem turbo fan
Rating: 5/5
Best: portable fan overall
Why we love it
- Extremely powerful
- Sleek and minimalist design
Take note
- Quite noisy
If power is your priority, this turbo model is the one to beat. It’s the most powerful handheld fan I’ve tested to date, delivering such intense airflow that I’ve actually had to switch it off just to take a breather. The top speed genuinely feels like sitting in front of a small desk fan – it’s that strong.
It's also cleverly designed. There’s a near-180-degree hinge, so you can prop it up at different angles without it slipping or tipping over, and the overall look is slim and minimalist, which makes it easy to carry around or stash in a bag. While it doesn’t offer as much surface coverage as some chunkier handheld fans, the sheer force of the airflow more than makes up for it.
The battery life is generous, too. With a 10,000mAh capacity, it comfortably ran for five to six hours on the highest setting. If you’re not blasting it at full power, you’ll easily get much longer runtime by sticking to the lower speed modes. The only issue? It’s really noisy. It’s almost as loud as a hairdryer on the highest speed. If you don’t mind that, then this is the best portable fan to buy. It’s cheap, compact, and you can even attach a lanyard to loop it around your neck.
Key specifications
Buy now £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
John Lewis anyday fan
Rating: 4/5
Best: quiet portable fan
Why we love it
- Quiet
- Sleek, simple design
Take note
- Not that powerful
Want something no-frills that looks pretty, is well-built and easy to use? The John Lewis handheld fan is a simple option that is super quiet, and while it doesn’t pack the same punch as some others on this list, it makes up for it with its near-silent performance.
There are three speeds to choose from, and there’s a built-in flip-out stand so you can use it hands-free on a desk or bedside table. That stand is very sturdy, and it has never toppled over. It’s just as easy to pop in your bag as any other portable fan. The battery life is good, too. You get around nine hours on the lowest setting, and it charges via USB.
It’s certainly not the strongest fan I tested, but it is the quietest. If you prioritise subtlety and simplicity over power, and want something no-frills that won’t distract you, this is a nice handheld fan, and it comes in lots of different colours.
Key specifications
Buy now £12, Johnlewis.com
Shark chillpill
Rating: 5/5
Best: Portable misting fan
Why we love it
- Fine-mist spray is fantastic
- Ultra versatile
- Strong airflow
- Even includes a cold plate
Take note
- Expensive
If you want something ultra-versatile, Shark’s three-in-one chillpill could absolutely save your summer. It doesn’t merely feature a high-speed fan like the others on this list; it also adds a misting spray and a contact-based cooling plate, so you’ve got multiple ways to cool down depending on how hot it gets.
The design is unlike anything else here. It’s built from two rounded barrels joined by a hinge, which lets you angle it precisely or fold it into a right angle to sit on a desk. More interestingly, it uses a modular system, so you can swap between the standard fan, misting attachment and cooling plate depending on what you need.
The airflow is super strong, far more powerful than most portable fans I’ve tried. But the best feature has to be the fine-mist spray attachment. It feels like a cold spritz for your face, and feels so, so nice when it’s hot out. You fill up the attachment with cold water and screw it on. The cooling plate attachment is interesting – it’s essentially a handheld version of Sony’s reon pocket pro, delivering instant relief when pressed against your neck or wrist. It’s super cold, feeling like a mini ice pack.
It’s not cheap, and the cooling plate drains the battery much faster than the other modes, but it’s the best-designed, feature-packed portable fan I’ve tested.
Key specifications
Read the full Shark chillpill review
Buy now £129.99, Sharkninja.co.uk
VonHaus handheld fan
Rating: 3.5/5
Best: versatile portable fan
Why we love it
- Good amount of power
- Doubles up as a phone stand
- Not too loud
Take note
- Doesn't sit well when folded
- Lanyard is a bit fiddly to put on and use
VonHaus’s £11 fan doesn’t look like much, but it’s a decent fan. It’s small, rechargeable and actually quite powerful, with five speed settings that range from gentle breeze to face blast. While the design is simple, with one button on the front and a slim build, making it easy to chuck in a bag, it also has a lot of different use cases.
It comes with a neat little base, which turns your fan into a phone stand, handy for travelling, and you can also wear the fan around your neck using the included strap. It’s a nice touch, even if the lanyard’s a bit fiddly. One hack I found is that it sits more securely against your chest if you keep the stand clipped to the bottom, helping to stop it from bouncing about as you walk.
You can technically prop it on a desk at different angles thanks to the hinge, but it’s not the most stable. The rounded body and button placement make it tip over unless you get the angle just right. That said, battery life isn’t bad. It lasts up to 10 hours on the lowest setting. It’s not silent, especially at higher speeds, but it’s one of the quieter ones I’ve tested and gets the job done.
Key specifications
Buy now £10.99, Vonhaus.com
Your questions about portable fans answered
What’s the best portable fan?
The best portable fan is Commem turbo fan. It’s compact, shockingly powerful and can be propped up in loads of positions. The only issue? It’s noisy. The John Lewis anyday fan feels more premium and is the quietest of the bunch, though it’s a bit heavier, and isn’t quite as powerful as others on this list. I’m obsessed with Shark’s chillpill because of its sheer versatility and included fine-mist spray feature, but it’s not cheap.
Are portable fans actually effective in extreme heat?
Portable fans do not lower room temperature like an air conditioner, but the best portable fans significantly improve personal comfort by increasing air circulation and, in some models, adding misting or evaporative cooling effects.
Can I take a portable fan on a plane?
Yes, you can take a portable fan on a plane in both hand luggage and checked baggage, as long as it contains a battery that meets airline safety rules (typically lithium-ion batteries must be carried in cabin baggage if they are removable or built-in and within allowed capacity limits).
How I tested and selected the best portable fans
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 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.
When testing, I considered the following:
Why you can 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.
Need something stronger to beat the heat? Take a look at our tests of the best fans
