When a handheld fan just won’t cut it, and you’re sweating on the Tube or melting in the park, a neck fan can save the day. Designed to look inconspicuous like headphones, these wearable devices rest around the neck and direct a cooling breeze in your face and neck.
They also have bladeless designs that prevent hair from getting caught in the fan. They are lightweight, rechargeable, and have adjustable speed settings.
Neck fans are small and easy to carry, making them a convenient way to cool down. Many of them use battery-powered motors to provide a gentle or vigorous breeze and some have blades while others are bladeless. If you have long hair, opt for a bladeless fan to avoid getting your strands caught in the device. The best neck fans can run for hours on end without requiring a recharge and are lightweight enough that they won’t put a strain on your shoulders.
A neck fan is the perfect addition to a summer daypack or backpack and can be used on long travel days, beach outings, walking tours, or anywhere else you may need to cool down. Most of them come in fun colors and patterns and are designed to look like a pair of headphones, so they won’t draw attention or be distracting. They also cost a fraction of bigger fans and can add a stylish accessory to your outfit.
Some neck fans have multiple speed settings to let you adjust the airflow, while others feature a low noise design that can help you focus on your work or social activities. A good neck fan should have a battery that can last for up to 16 hours at its highest setting and a compact and light design that makes it easy to carry around.
While the Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan is an excellent choice, it’s not cheap and requires a power outlet to operate. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, try the Comlife Portable Neck Fan that provides a powerful cooling experience at a lower price point.
Comfort
Whether you’re melting on the Tube or wilting in the park, a neck fan is a great way to beat the heat. These wearable fans resemble modern headphones, rest around the back of your neck like a necklace and create a cool breeze to keep you comfortable. They’re perfect for walking in the sun or working from home, cost a fraction of larger fans and can provide targeted cooling that won’t disturb your focus or rhythm.
You can find neck fans that run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries ranging in capacity from 2,000mAh to 5,000mAh. Those with higher capacity batteries typically offer longer running times. For example, the RANVOO Neck Fan has a 5,200mAh battery that can last for 5-28 hours at different wind speeds after it’s fully charged. It also features a bladeless design, so it’s safe for children and the elderly to use.
Another option is the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan Pro, which has 78 air outlets that cover a wider area of your neck. It’s lightweight and compact, so you can easily carry it in a bag or purse. It also has three speeds to choose from, so you can adjust it depending on your comfort level. One downside is that it can be noisy at high speed.
The ICEBIRDS Portable Neck Fan is ideal for kids and comes in several animal-inspired colors, including Bear Orange, Dinosaur Cyan, and Swan White. The small size makes it easy to wear, and the 1,800-mAh battery offers up to nine hours of operating time. It has an ergonomically-designed neckband that’s soft and comfortable against the skin.
If you’re looking for a neck fan that’s a little more sophisticated, check out our top pick, the Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan. It’s designed with a ceramic semiconductor radiator that acts as an air conditioner, so you can adjust its power and temperature. It’s available for a bit more money than our budget pick, but it will likely be worth the extra investment if you’re in need of more advanced cooling. It also has a built-in USB port to allow you to charge other devices while it’s cooling your neck.
Safety
Whether you’re working from home, at the office, or outside on a hot day, a portable neck fan can provide comfort to your neck, head, face, and chest. Their wearable design and cooling power allows you to keep your hands free and focus on your task at hand, while their compact size makes them easy to store and carry around. They can also help you create a personal cooling zone in a crowded cafe or non-air conditioned workspace.
Most personal neck fans use lithium-ion USB rechargeable batteries, which can last from four to sixteen hours depending on the model and usage. Most of the models on our list have three wind speeds and an energy-saving mode to prolong the battery life. Most also emit a noticeable amount of noise, though this can vary from one model to another. For example, the Torras Coolify neck fan operates as an air conditioner and blows cold air around your neck through 36 vents, while the Penkou bladeless neck fan resembles a pair of headphones and only emits 25 decibels at low speed, meaning it shouldn’t interfere with conversation or other ambient sounds.
While a portable neck fan can be used in many situations, it’s important to be aware of potential safety issues when using one, especially if you have long hair. Bladed neck fans have the potential to catch strands and pull them, which can be uncomfortable at best and damaging at worst. Bladeless neck fans, on the other hand, rely on small turbines to move air and don’t present the same risks as their bladed counterparts.
With their patented squeesed air duct and powerful brushless motor, the RANVOO neck fan draws in air and swiftly compresses it, producing a strong breeze that helps to lower your body temperature by up to 8 degrees. The patented design allows for the neck fan to fit snugly around your neck, creating an all-encompassing air flow that covers your head and shoulders from every direction. This innovative design also eliminates the risk of hair entanglements that might be a concern with bladed neck fans.
Tips
There’s nothing like a cool breeze blowing right at your neck and cheeks to beat the summer heat. Neck fans are perfect for commuting on the Tube, during long walks with the dog or when you’re cooling down on the terrace after watching your favorite band.
If you’re looking to get the most out of your wearable fan, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For starters, you want to be aware of the battery life capacity, speed options and portability. Also, consider whether you want a bladed or bladeless fan. The latter is great for those with long hair as it doesn’t allow your hair to get tangled in the blades.
One of the best portable neck fans out there is the Cozii, which received a 4.5-star rating from more than 2,500 users on Amazon. Its padded design ensures your comfort, and it has three different settings that allow you to adjust your desired air flow. While it’s a little more expensive than some other options, it is very effective and can be worn for up to 16 hours on a single charge.
Another great option is the Sweetful portable neck fan, which boasts a battery life of up to nine hours at its lowest setting. It’s also relatively quiet, which is great for those who don’t want to annoy their neighbors with their fan noise. Plus, it’s a bargain at just $30.
Although it’s not as lightweight as some of the other models we’ve featured, it’s still a good option for those with long hair. The bladeless design means you won’t have to worry about your strands getting tangled in the fan and it has a range of colors and patterns to suit all tastes. It’s also safe for children to use.
While we recommend wearing a neck fan in many situations, it’s important to remember that they don’t offer full coverage and can leave your chest exposed to the sun. For this reason, you should always apply sunscreen and wear a hat or scarf when using a neck fan.
