UK heatwaves, while in theory a fun, exciting time to wear your favourite summer dress and sandals are in reality a humid, sweaty, frizzy-haired nightmare. Commuting suddenly becomes actual torture, and the excitement of attending your favourite music festival is overidden by the prospect of sweaty crowds and lack of, well, oxygen. For that reason, handheld fans have emerged as the ultimate summer accessory to take to festivals, parties and practically any summer event.
Last year, John Lewis's ANYDAY Fan, £12 became an instant hit with fans, amassing over 12,000 reviews thanks to its chic design, great battery life and accessible price-point. Selling out almost instantly, John Lewis has, to our delight, brought the fan back for another summer, this time in four vibrant shades; white, sage, yellow and blue, making it the perfect summer companion.
Apart from John Lewis, other great fans include Amazon's viral EasyAcc fan which also became quite the phenomenon last year (especially the pink version) as well as plenty more options, starting at just £8, depending on what you're looking for.
Shop the best handheld fans below.
Shop: Best handheld fans
www.johnlewis.com
Compact, quiet and available in four colours, John Lewis' handheld fan is a bestseller for a reason. The rechargeable fan features three speed settings, and acts as a handheld fan as well as a desk fan.
Pros
- Compact design
- Quiet
- Foldable
- Great design
Cons
- Battery life not great
Gaining viral status last year, the EasyAcc handheld fan features three settings and 10-hour battery life. It's available in five colours, and reviewers particularly enjoyed the fan's compact design, as well as its long battery life.
Pros
- Compact design
- Great battery life
- Efficient
Cons
- Slightly on the noisier side
www.beautybay.com
Design forward, this fan from Nikkietutorial's beauty brand Nimya features a variety of power settings allowing you to set and dry your make-up, or simply keep cool on the go.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Multiple power settings
Cons
- None!
Are handheld fans actually effective at keeping you cool?
Handheld fans are more than just a chic accessory - and yes, they are remarkably effective at keeping you cool. Whether you're navigating through a crowded festival or waiting for a bus on a sweltering day, a handheld fan can provide much-needed relief. Plus, many models come with adjustable speeds and rechargeable batteries, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable for longer periods.
What features should I look for when buying a handheld fan?
When selecting a handheld fan, features such as portability, battery life and noise levels are key to take into consideration.
Portability: Look for a lightweight and compact design that's easy to carry in your bag.
Battery Life: Opt for a fan with a long-lasting rechargeable battery to avoid frequent charging.
Speed Settings: Multiple speed settings allow you to adjust the airflow to your preference.
Quiet Operation: A quieter fan is less disruptive, especially in public or professional settings.
Main image credit: @rosvanitybox @johnlewis_natalie
Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.