Whether you need a portable battery fan for camping, working outdoors or simply because you don't have a power outlet where you need it, there are plenty of different options to consider.
Since they all perform roughly the same job, the biggest thing to worry about when buying a battery-powered fan is simply the size and style you want for the job. Some are small, rechargeable units that can easily hook onto tents or air vents, while others are more powerful, self-standing and designed for offices or construction sites.
Panergy Portable Battery Camping Fan
For
- Lightweight and easy to mount
- Up to 40-hour continuous fan use
Against
- No battery indicator
Amacool's portable battery fan is another excellent consideration for campers who want to combine cool air functionality with LED light.
The design features a hook to hang on tents, inside cars or in the outdoors, and, when turned upside down, can stand on its own.
It also doesn't require disposable batteries - the 5000mAh battery lasts around 40 hours with continuous fan-only use (or 18 days with light-only use) and can also be operated through a USB cable, car charger or power bank.
Other portable battery fans we've considered
When initially deciding what we believe to be the best portable battery fans currently available, we spent hours testing and researching. No matter the subject area, we always consider a range of factors when it comes to recommending devices - and apply the same process before a new device enters our top five selections. We don't just take into account our own testing, either, but also consumer reviews, brand quality and value.
How to choose a portable battery fan
There are a huge number of portable battery-powered fans on the market, they come in a wide variety of styles and at a range of price points. All this choice means it can be especially difficult to narrow down the best choice for your needs.
This is an area where you won't find too many established brands to default to either, so it can be hard to separate the quality products from the flimsy junk. Hopefully, some of our picks have got your attention, but to help ensure you're getting the right fan for the job, here are some things worth considering.
Where will you be using it?
Chance are, if you're on the hunt for a battery-powered fan, then you have a location in mind that needs some cooling. Maybe you're about to head off on a summer camping trip or maybe you just don't have an accessible plug socket in the toastiest corner of your house.
Thinking about where the fan will be used most should help you identify the features to look out for, and what to avoid. For example, if you'll be doing some hiking, then you're not going to want to carry around a giant 20-inch fan. Conversely, if you'll always be using it at home then it doesn't make sense to get a tiny ultra-portable device as it'll do a worse job of cooling down your space.
Batteries vs rechargeable vs USB
When it comes to portable fans, there are three main options: traditional batteries, rechargeable built-in batteries and USB powered (for use with a power bank). Each has its own benefits and shortcomings, so it's important to think about what will work best for you.
Traditional batteries are convenient because no matter where you are in the world, you can probably find some AAs This means that you'll never have to worry about running out of juice and you'll also never have to worry about battery degradation, as you'll get the same performance every time they are replaced. The downside is that you'll have to keep buying batteries, and rechargeable options tend to offer a longer run time.
Rechargeable built-in batteries are probably the best option for most people as keeping your fan topped up is as simple as plugging in your phone at the end of the day. The only downside with built-in batteries is that once the batteries degrade, you'll be looking at getting a new fan,
Finally, there's the option of using a USB fan with a portable power bank. If you're anything like us, you might have a pretty sizable power bank already, why not take advantage of all those milliamps by using them to keep yourself cool. If you're in the market for one, you might want to check out our guide to the best portable chargers.
