UK heatwaves, while in theory a fun, exciting time to wear your favourite summer dress and best 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 overridden 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 in classic white and earthy sage, making it the perfect summer companion.
Apart from John Lewis, other great fans include the Miady Fan, £11.99 recently employed by Penn Badgley to conquer the extreme New York heat. If you're looking for a value-for-money option, you can actually get a pack of two on Amazon for less than £15.
Grazia's Best Handheld Fans, At A Glance:
Best value for money handheld fan: Miady Pack Of Two Fans, £13.59 on Amazon
Best handheld fan overall: John Lewis ANYDAY Handheld & Foldable Desk Fan, £12 on John Lewis
Best trending handheld fan: EasyAcc Fan, £17.99 on Amazon
Speaking of Amazon fans, the EasyAcc Fan became quite the phenomenon last year (especially the pink version). And there are plenty more options, starting at just £12, depending on what you're looking for.
Shop: Best Handheld Fans
Best value for money handheld fan
If it's good enough for New York's heatwave (currently terrorising too-hot residents of the city), then that's enough for us. The Miady fans are charged by USB, have three adjustable speeds and are compact, so easy to throw in your bag and go. Reviewers say that they're the perfect portable size, producing powerful airflow that keeps you seriously cool in a heatwave.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Has three adjustable speeds
- Compact in size, perfect for packing away
Cons
- May take a while to charge
Best handheld fan overall
www.johnlewis.com
Compact, quiet and available in two 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 due to its foldable quality. Delighted reviewers took to the comments to praise this 'fantastic little fan', with many saying that it made their commute so much more bearable.
Pros
- Quiet motor while in use
- Has a foldable mechanism for convenience
- Compact in size, perfect for packing away
Cons
- The battery life could be improved
Best trending handheld fan
Gaining viral status last year, the EasyAcc handheld fan features three settings and an impressive 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
- Has a foldable mechanism for convenience
- Long-lasting battery life of up to 10 hours
- Compact in size, perfect for packing away
Cons
- Slightly on the noisier side
Best misting handheld fan
Regulate your temperature with the HandFan Handheld Portable Misting Fan. It provides a burst of gentle mist of water to cool your face down in a hot flash. Reviewers say to 'get one and don't look back', Besides, you'll be the envy of the whole office when you're battling 30C heat.
Pros
- Releases gentle mist to cool the face
- Battery life that lasts up to 13 hours
- Three different speed settings
Cons
- Other models may be more powerful
Best sleek handheld fan
JISULIFEThe JISULIFE Handheld Turbo Fan from Amazon looks sleek, stylish and sophisticated. A worthy investment that looks so much more expensive than it is, it definitely won't be an eyesore on your desk. Not only that, but it boasts five different speed settings and up to 16 hours of battery life. Customers were pleasantly surprised with the quality and power of this little fan, with one even commenting it was 'the best investment they'd made in a long time'.
Pros
- Sleek, stylish design that looks luxury
- Battery life that lasts up to 16 hours
- Five different speed settings
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other models
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.
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.