Portable Fans Keep Me Cool on Hot Summer Days—And My Favorite Is Under 20
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This Portable Fan Keeps Me Cool on Hot Summer Days

The under-$20 buy is a must-have for theme park visits and outdoor events.

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I love going to theme parks—even when it’s hot and humid, I find myself waiting in lines for the newest attractions or trying to find a seat for parades. While this particular travel experience may sound miserable to some, I’ve found relief from the blazing sun with the VersionTech mini handheld fan. This tiny fan has enough power to keep me cool, less sweaty, and feeling great while walking around Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. While it may seem too good to be true, the $16 fan really is worth the hype. 

When I first saw this fan go viral on Instagram, I knew I wanted to try it. Several Disney influencers used the fan and they always looked content as they traipsed around Epcot in the middle of summer. After a bit of searching, I found the fan on Amazon. I first put it to use on a hot May weekend spent visiting all four theme parks at Disney World. 

The first thing I noticed about the portable fan was that it was lightweight and easily fit into my purse without having to take anything out. As the day got increasingly warm, I whipped my fan out—making my friends jealous that I had one and they didn’t—and set it to the highest speed of the three settings. Even better was when we went into stores or joined attraction lines that were inside, the air blowing out of the fan was ice cold. As I sat down for lunch, I was also pleased to find that the adjustable handle folded back and had enough stability to keep the fan on without it falling over.

VersionTech mini handheld fan

My personal breeze lasted all day at the theme parks, though I wasn’t using the fan at every single moment. The directions say it can last for eight hours of continuous use on speed one, and three hours of continuous use on speed three. The best part about the fan—besides keeping me cool, of course—is that it charges via an included USB cord, making it easy to recharge in hotel rooms or with portable external batteries. Since buying the fan for myself, I’ve bought one for each of my family members; all of my theme park-loving friends have bought one, too. It's a staple for warm-weather trips.

While I mainly use the fan at theme parks, I’ve also taken it on cruises for hot, shore excursion-heavy days, and brought it with me to sporting events; it would be great to have at outdoor concerts or food festivals, too. If you’re looking for something to keep you cool that’s hands-free, or a little bit smaller, here are a few other great options. 

More portable fans we recommend

Dartwood portable neck fan

The Dartwood portable neck fan is a great option for those who want to be completely hands-free. The bladeless fan sits around your neck on your shoulders and keeps you cool with three speeds for maximum comfort. The fan has a low-noise level and can last up to 16 hours on just one charge. 

Scurry Upgraded Version portable neck fan

This fan sits around your neck and has two adjustable mini-fans on either side. The fan has three speed levels and can last anywhere from 3 to 10 hours depending on the speed that’s used. Recharging the fan is easy with the included USB cable.

Jisulife handheld mini fan

Those looking for a smaller handheld fan will like this petite fan, which also has an integrated flashlight and a backup power bank. With one charge, the fan can last up to 21 hours, which is perfect for long theme park days.