I tested portable neck fans perfect for beating the heatwave – the best costs under £5 & is a must-pack for festivals
GETTING a bit hot under the collar during this mini heatwave?
Wearable fans are the summer’s coolest trend.
But while some devices may look daft, the best are a stylish and cost-effective way to beat the heat.
Worn around your neck, they typically have three speeds for pumping out cold air and are rechargeable.
So if you boil at the very mention of sunshine, you no longer have to sit still in front of a desk fan or carry around a hand-held version.
Some are £400, but we’ve rounded up eight of the more affordable versions.
Julia Etherington reveals the coolest.
Pifco
Home Bargains, £6.99
ASIDE from being the ugly duckling of the neck fan world, the bendy wire means you can cool the front of your neck, chest or your face with the whirring blades.
If it’s hot at the back of your neck, simply adjust the red tube so you have one fan on the front and one round the back.
However, you have to sit still to keep it there so look a bit odd being comfortable.
The most attractive thing about this contraption is the very reasonable price.
Being able to direct the air up towards your face or on to the back of the neck is a big win for me.
RATING: 3/5
Icycool
The Range, £11.99
WITH airflow holes running the whole way round the device – even at the nape – this is noticeably different to some rivals.
But it does seem heavier and because it is designed with all-round freshness, it isn’t adjustable.
It’s not too loud, yet despite blowing air out of the top and bottom, it doesn’t seem quite as cooling or powerful as some other options.
RATING: 2/5
Nuerst
Amazon, £19.99
IT is refreshing that this comes in a lovely pink colour, rather than the usual black or white most are limited to.
But I’m afraid that is where the positive comments end.
The device feels bulky at the back and froze my cheek bones instead of my neck.
It’s so loud I couldn’t think and I felt that its price point is too high when there are cheaper, better versions available on the market.
RATING: 2/5
BeCool
Menkind, £15
THIS gives effective relief from the heat and seems more lightweight than some of the others on the market.
It is a basic design, with the usual three speeds, and is bendable to make it wider or to direct the air closer to the neck.
Like some others I tested, it cooled down my ears more than anything else.
There are cheaper versions that do just as good a job.
RATING: 2/5
Ynport Crefreak
Amazon, £4.79
THE cheapest fan in our test, this packs a good punch with its 60 twin turbine blades.
Although not as strong as a few of the others, it still cools my sweaty neck.
The design is more attractive than some, with silver trims over the two circles at either end.
The button is easy to access as it is in the middle near the front, unlike many that have it near the back.
The blades don’t go all the way round the device as it has a silicone band for adjusting the shape.
Does a decent job considering the price tag.
Well worth the cost of a couple of coffees.
RATING: 5/5
Qsocksy
Amazon, £13.99
IF you want to splash out a tad, this is a close runner-up and features a more attractive design.
With its shiny ends, silver inner rests and sleek edges, it looks like it should cost more.
But the USP of this neck fan is that it has five speeds, while most only have three.
It cools almost all the way to the back of my neck while also looking good and keeping the volume at a reasonable level.
In case anyone wonders what you are wearing, it also rather handily features the words “neck fan” on each side.
RATING: 4/5
Menopause and me
Boots, £15.99
AIMED at women experiencing the dreaded hot flushes often associated with menopause, this is really cooling.
Very cold air is blown around the neck and up towards the ears.
Easy to use, it has three speeds.
A short press on the button powers it on and off, a long press changes the force of airflow.
It did suck and pull at my hair, but if I had read the instructions beforehand, I would have tied my locks back into a ponytail.
My main criticism is that this is one of the noisiest fans, which is distracting if you are trying to concentrate or snooze.
RATING: 3/5
NinetinGel
Amazon, £6.99
WHEN I turned this up to the highest of its three speed settings I was reminded of the wind noise you get in the cabin of a plane when the air-conditioning is jacked up just before take-off.
It’s quite powerful, providing ice-cold air, but also blows right into my ears, making it impossible to hear.
If I received a phone call, I’d have to switch it off before answering.
One of the noisiest I tested, so not my top choice.
RATING: 2/5