With much of the UK sweltering through another heatwave, staying cool has become less of a luxury and more of a daily necessity. Whether you're battling a stuffy commute, trying to work from home in soaring temperatures or simply attempting (and failing) to sleep through warm nights, finding ways to keep cool is top of many people's to-do lists.
While portable air conditioners can make a huge difference, they can be expensive, and many are selling out as there’s a rush to stay cool. Handheld fans, on the other hand, offer a much cheaper and more convenient way to beat the heat. Plus, they’re totally portable and can accompany you on your commute or just on a morning walk.
The IndyBest team has tested many handheld fans over the years, and while many promise powerful cooling, few actually deliver. But one that stood out to our senior tech critic, Alex Lee, was the Commem turbo fan. And the best part? It’s only £14.99 at Amazon, so you don’t need to break the bank to stay cool.
Read more: Best fans, reviewed
Commem turbo fan
Why we love it
- Extremely powerful
- Sleek and minimalist design
Take note
- Quite noisy
In his best handheld fan review, senior tech critic Alex Lee described it as "the most powerful handheld fan [he has] tested to date", with airflow so intense that he "actually had to switch it off just to take a breather". Despite its small size, the top speed feels "like sitting in front of a small desk fan".
This fan has five speed settings and a 10,000mAh battery capacity, so it can run “comfortably” for five or six hours, according to reviewer Alex Lee. And if you’re not blasting it at full power, you’ll easily get much longer runtime.
“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.”
He notes it can be noisy to run, but if power is your main requirement, this fan ticks that box.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon.co.uk
More handheld fan recommendations
John Lewis anyday fan
Why we love it
- Quiet
- Sleek, simple design
Take note
- Not that powerful
If you want something quiet, this John Lewis fan is a great choice. Alex wrote: “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 into 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.”
Buy now £12, Johnlewis.com
Shark chillpill
Why we love it
- Misting spray is fantastic
- Love the design
- Great modular system
Take note
- Quite pricey
A new launch from Shark this year is the chillpill, which mists you while blowing air. When he reviewed it, Alex Lee said that it “looks a bit like a compact pair of binoculars, with two rounded barrels sitting side by side and connected by a hinge,” but that the “tech is actually pretty neat”
He added, “I think the most interesting attachment is the misting spray. You open the lid, fill it up with cold water, then screw it onto the barrel. Turn it on and you get a fine spray of water, along with the airflow. It feels like a cold shower just for your face. Having used it in 23C heat, it’s easily the device’s best feature. The airflow and mist deliver a really refreshing cooling effect, and it makes a noticeable difference compared to a standard handheld fan.”
Thanks to Amazon Prime Day, it’s been reduced by 20 per cent.
Read the full Shark chillpill review
Buy now £119.99, Amazon.co.uk
Dyson hushjet mini cool handheld fan
Why we love it
- Powerful airflow
- Quiet operation
- Premium design
Take note
- Expensive
- Short battery life at higher speeds
Another new launch is Dyson’s hushjet, which boasts six speed settings and it capable of delivering wind speeds of up to 55mph.
When tested, Alex wrote: “Unlike most handheld fans, which have exposed blades inside a plastic cage, the Dyson hushjet mini cool has a tall cylindrical design with a precision nozzle and a honeycomb mesh liner. The nozzle rotates through 360 degrees, so you can direct the airflow exactly where you want it, whether you’re holding it in your hand or using it on a desk.”
Read the full Dyson hushjet mini cool handheld fan review
Buy now £99.99, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best fan and portable air conditioner deals for Amazon Prime Day – live
