I tested handheld fans – the £5 winner from B&M is powerful and perfect for summer
NOW that the UK is finally enjoying some warmer weather, you might find that you’re getting hot and bothered while you’re out and about.
Cue, a handheld fan; it’s a perfect gadget for cooling you down when you need a blast of cool air immediately.
They’re ideal to use when travelling on a bus or train, stuck in a traffic jam, at work, or even on the beach.
Mum-of-two, Natasha Harding, 49, from Bude in Cornwall tried eight fans and rated them out of 30.
Jisulife Handheld Fan
- Amazon
- £20.99
I liked the fact it is rechargeable as it saves money and the faff of having to buy and insert batteries.
It did a pretty good job of cooling me down instantly and wasn’t too noisy.
My son Zak liked it so much that he nabbed this one to keep in his car.
- Cool factor: 7/10
- Value for money: 6/10
- Overall score: 8/10
- Out of 30: 21
Blaupunkt mini handheld fan
- B&M
- £5
Good old B&M delivered again and this pretty pink appliance was my favourite.
Although it’s only small, it is pretty powerful – and not too noisy.
It has three speeds and also comes with a handy stand turning it into a tabletop fan if necessary.
The built-in battery promises up to two hours run time per charge and it lived up to that expectation.
I’m going to keep this one in my bag this summer and reckon I’ll use it the most.
- Cool factor: 9/10
- Value for money: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
- Out of 30: 29
PlayWorks Mist Spray Fan
- The Works
- £3
This bargain fan from The Works is pretty good and the cold water blast from the inbuilt spray is a welcome touch if you want to chill some more.
I tested this one on the beach and it was really useful when the midday heat became too much.
The water spray was ideal to wash the salt off my face after a sea dip.
I can use this a lot on super warm days.
- Cool factor: 6/10
- Value for money: 10/10
- Overall score: 9/10
- Out of 30: 25
Any Day 4inch Rechargeable Fan
- John Lewis
- £12
This stylish-looking fan from John Lewis was probably the most powerful that I tested, which might be due to the fact that it was bigger than most of the others too.
It has three speeds and folds in half too, meaning it doubles as a desk fan if you need it.
It’s also rechargeable so a bonus in the long term as you don’t need to keep buying batteries.
- Cool factor: 10/10
- Value for money: 7/10
- Overall score: 9/10
- Out of 30: 26
2 in 1 Bubble Fan
- B&M
- £2
For younger children, this is a great idea if they’re getting irritable because of the heat.
The fan works by pulling on a string and although it didn’t give off the most powerful blast of cold air, it’s good enough for younger kids and the bubbles are a nice touch – and perhaps a welcome distraction to cool down hot tempers as the temperatures climb.
- Cool factor: 3/10
- Value for money: 9/10
- Overall score: 6/10
- Out of 30: 18
Icycool handheld battery fan
- The Range
- £1.59
For a bargain price, this fan from The Range packs a small but fairly decent punch and comes in an assortment of colours.
It takes two AA batteries to get it going and it offers immediate relief from the heat.
It was one of the noisiest that I tested and I think because the EVA foam blades are quite small it didn’t cool me down as effectively as some of the others.
However, it’s a bargain price and definitely worth keeping in your bag in case you need it.
- Cool factor: 6/10
- Value for money: 10/10
- Overall score: 7/10
- Out of 30: 23
Ambiano handheld portable fan
- Aldi
- £6.99
The fan from Aldi was the noisiest that I tested, and with three fan speeds, it got noisier each time I turned it up – but the airflow didn’t seem to increase with the volume.
It comes with a detachable base making it easy to put it on a table and also has an integrated power bank and rechargeable battery – so gets a bonus point for that.
- Cool factor: 5/10
- Value for money: 8/10
- Overall score: 6/10
- Out of 30: 19
Neon rechargeable handheld fan
- Tesco
- £8
With its 3-speeds and freestanding base, this fan from Tesco did a pretty good job of cooling me down when the temperatures rose, but it wasn’t as powerful as some of the cheaper options.
It’s small enough to fit in an average-sized handbag and delivers a good blast of refreshing air.
It’s light enough to hold for a while if you need it and it has an internal battery that needs to be charged before use.
- Cool factor: 5/10
- Value for money: 7/10
- Overall score: 7/10
- Out of 30: 19
How to keep cool in a heatwave
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS...
Keep out of the heat if you can.
If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down.
Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool.
Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
How to keep cool
Relying on just a fan to keep you cool could be adding to bills during a heatwave, but there are other options you could try.
You could try cooling your sheets down before bed by sticking them in the freezer, according to TikTok star That Property Guy.
Shutting curtains and blinds during the day can help the house stay cool while opening the windows on both sides of your home can create a cooling through-breeze without the cost.
He also recommends avoiding using the oven and turning off appliances which are not in use as they kick off heat too, even on standby.
Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said that having a cool shower before bed can set you up for the night to avoid overheating.
You could try putting hot water bottles in the freezer, or a plastic bottle if you don’t have one.
You could also make your fan work harder by putting a bowl of water and ice in front of it to help cool down the house.
We have also calculated how much it costs to leave your air conditioner on all night.
It’s not just us struggling in the heat, here are eight gadgets to keep cool in a heatwave – including your furry friends.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories