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Best handheld fans for labour, heatwaves and hot flushes
The solution to heatwaves, commuting, working out and labour? Handheld fans. They're small enough to fit in your bag, and they make a real difference - I tested some of the best, here are my honest reviews.
By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Aug 19, 2025
The Met Office predict 2025 to be "one of the top three warmest years on record", and I for one want to be prepared. Whether you love the sun or prefer a more ‘typically British’ weather situation, hot, sticky commutes or school runs can be quite challenging in relentless heat, which is why I wanted to find the best handheld fan to see me through the warmer months.
While the best neck fans offer a cooling blast on your face and neck, a portable handheld fan is useful for targeted cooling wherever you need it - so it's no surprise Mumsnet users highly recommend handheld fans for labour. As Mumsnet user Sallyh87 says, "wards are hotter than sun sometimes!" so a compact handheld fan tucked into your hospital bag is bound to come in handy, whether it's during labour or on a sweltering postnatal ward.
And while an effective portable air conditioner will keep you chilled at home, you can't really take it with you on your commute, which is where a small fan is ideal - just pop it in your bag for an on-the-go icy blast.
Best handheld fans, at a glance:
Best handheld fan overall: VonHaus Handheld Fan, £11
Best budget handheld fan: Halfords Simply Motorised Handheld Fan, £2
Best handheld misting fan: HandFan Misting Handheld Fan, £21
Best foldable handheld fan: EasyAcc Handheld Portable Fan, £15
Best bladeless handheld fan: Fenshine Bladeless Handheld Fan, £13
Best mini handheld fan: EasyAcc Mini Handheld Fan, £13
Whether you’re looking for an everyday handheld fan, something to keep you comfortable on a long journey, a portable unit for when you’re out and about, or a handheld fan to pop in your hospital bag for labour, I've extensively researched tried-and-tested recommendations from the Mumsnet forums, expert picks, and authentic, verified consumer reviews, before hand testing to bring you only the very best.
Plus, for more heat-beating buys rated by Mumsnet users, we also have guides to the best cooling towels and most efficient tower fans available this year.
Here are the best handheld fans 2025.
Best handheld fan 2025
Wearable
Comes with a stand
5 fan speed settings
Great price
Available in navy or white
Bulkier than other handheld fans
Key specs
Price: £11 | Speed settings: 5 | Dimensions: 3.5D x 9.5W x 20H cm
With a chunky handle, lanyard strap, foldable neck and stand, the VonHaus Handheld Fan stands out from the crowd thanks to its versatility. Available in two colours, it makes an unobtrusive addition to your outfit or desk set-up.
With 5 speed settings, it's also that bit more customisable than the other fans on our list, which tend to have 3 speed settings. My favourite way to wear this fan is on the lanyard, with the fan angled towards my face, giving a similar effect to a neck fan. What's more, the stand even has a lip so you can prop your phone on it, taking Zoom calls with a pleasant breeze.
All in all, this fan does everything except misting, and at £11, it's a real bargain.
Related: Best cooling blankets
Best budget handheld fan
Excellent price
Perfect for travelling
Safe foam blades
Not rechargeable
Noisy
Not hugely powerful
Key specs
Price: £2 | Speed settings: 1 | Dimensions: not stated
If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful, you can’t go wrong with this affordable handheld fan from Halfords. Coming in at just £2, this diddy model is an excellent choice to keep in your bag for whenever you might need it.
The foam blades (rather than the traditional plastic) mean the fan is extra safe, posing no danger to your fingers or face if you get a little too close in your quest to cool down. It runs on two AA batteries, which are included but can’t be recharged, so make sure you have plenty of batteries at home to keep this fan going long-term.
As you’d expect, there are no flashy extras here, but with a powerful 4500rpm motor, delivering a decent airflow, this bargain buy packs an impressive punch for less than the price of an ice cream.
Related: The best kids' water bottle, according to parents
Best misting handheld fan
Misting function is ideal for keeping cool
Can be folded into a table fan
Creates powerful breeze
Reserve water bottle included for refills
Some users reported leaks
Pricier than other fans
Key specs
Price: £21 | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: 7D x 11W x 12.5H cm
What Mumsnet users say
If you’re preparing to pack your hospital bag, this little wonder definitely deserves a spot on your list. Not only does this lightweight fan provide a powerful breeze, but it can also be used as a misting fan. Just fill the small tank (55ml) up with water, then sit back and relax as the fan delivers a fine mist for the ultimate cooling experience. A dream come true in labour!
Similar to many other models, this handheld fan is powered by USB and can be recharged to offer up to nine hours of life depending on the setting you choose. Just bear in mind that if you're using the misting feature, a full tank of water will last up to 40 minutes, but there's a spare water bottle included in the kit so you can top it up on the go. The handle can be folded too, creating a base so it can go on the table if you want your hands free.
Our main grumble is that it can be prone to small leaks, so make sure you don't overfill the water tank. All in all though, we think this is a fantastic buy whether you're preparing for labour, are dealing with hot flashes or want extra cooling power during a heatwave.
Related: The best fans, tried and tested
Best handheld fan overall
Lightweight
Multi-use
Powerful fan
Battery life not that long on highest setting
Key specs
Price: £15 | Speed settings: 4 | Dimensions: 4.7D x 11.4W x 23.4H cm
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full EasyAcc Portable Handheld Fan review
Racking up plenty of five-star reviews on Amazon, this handheld fan is a bestseller for good reason. I found the EasyAcc Handheld USB Fan compact, lightweight and loved that it can fold into a desk fan in a flash.
There’s a choice of four speeds, with even the low speed settings providing a fantastic cooling breeze, and it’s easily recharged with the USB cable. With a battery life of three to 17 hours, depending on what setting you’re using it on, and a useful light display to let you know how much power is left, it’s a great fan to have at home or on the go. It's available in two different colourways – black and white – and I think it's a great buy for summer.
The downside? It is quite expensive for a handheld fan but it does gets rave reviews and Mumsnet users rate this brand very highly.
Related: The best USB fans for keeping cool while you type
Best bladeless handheld fan
Safe for children
Stylish design
Good battery life
Not a very powerful breeze
Larger than some of the other models
Noisy
Key specs
Price: £13 | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: 22 x 7 x 7cm
Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Fenshine Bladeless Handheld Fan review
Little ones and whirring fan blades definitely don’t mix, which is why I love this bladeless fan for families. While certainly not the most powerful fan in this round-up, the Fenshine – with three speeds – still delivers a gentle, cooling breeze that's perfectly suited to toddlers and children needing some relief on a hot day.
Chargeable with USB ports, it can also double as a desk fan – just sit it in the circular holder included for a hands-free breeze. With an operating time of eight hours, it should easily last for a day out too.
Looks-wise, I do enjoy the Fenshine’s sleek appearance, although it can be a little noisy. Overall it's a great child-friendly choice – pair with the best sun cream for kids to keep little ones safe and cool in the sun this summer.
Best mini handheld fan
Super compact
Great battery life
Very quiet
Detachable base
Bigger models may be more powerful
Quite pricey for the size
Key specs
Price: £13 | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: 3.81 x 6.6 x 13.97 cm
What Mumsnet users say
Tested by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Here's our full EasyAcc Mini Handheld Fan review
Although all of the handheld fans in our round-up are a decent, portable size, this dinky offering from EasyAcc beats them all when it comes to compactness.
Coming in at around the size of my palm, this handheld fan takes up less room in my bag than my mobile phone. It comes with a detachable base, so the fan can go from standing on my desk to being the ideal accessory for keeping cool when I'm out and about, just with a quick removal of the base.
Chargeable by USB, this quiet fan can last up to 17 hours in the low-speed mode and five and a half hours in high-speed mode – and there's even a wrist strap included for even easier portability. If you're in the market for a compact yet powerful fan, you can't go wrong with this highly-rated option.
Related: The best paddling pools for cool summer fun
How do I choose a handheld fan?
Battery life: Some models can last for 24 hours, while others may run out of steam after three. Always check the battery life, so you don’t get caught out.
Is it rechargeable?: The best handheld fans now feature rechargeable batteries that can be charged up from your electricity mains or laptop using a USB cable. Rechargeable models are a great money-saving option, and you won’t have to worry about having spare batteries around the house.
Power: A decent handheld fan should have a good amount of power behind it to provide you with enough of a breeze to keep you cool. Most models have different power settings – usually two or three – covering everything from a light breeze to a strong wind. It all comes down to personal preference, as well as what you’ll be using the fan for, so be sure to check before you buy.
Portability: If you want to take a handheld fan on holiday or simply out and about with you during a heatwave, it needs to be lightweight and small enough to pop in your bag.
Noise levels: Some handheld fans are noisier than others, so if this is an issue make sure you look for ‘silent’ models, which, although not always 100% silent, are much quieter than traditional handheld fans.
How safe is it for children?: If you plan on letting your child use a handheld fan, it’s important to consider the safety elements of each design. Bladeless models are a good choice for children, as there’s nothing for them to hurt themselves on. But, of course, it goes without saying you should never let a young child use a handheld fan unsupervised.
Additional features: Some of the best handheld fans are basic and straight-forward in design, while others include all sorts of bells and whistles – we’re talking everything from water misting to light-up models.
What is the best handheld fan?
We think the EasyAcc Portable Handheld Fan offers a lot for the price. Powerful and with great battery life, this fan can be used as a desk fan as well as a handheld. Portable and lightweight, it really does tick all boxes.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
First up, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users to get their feedback on the best handheld fans they've used. We considered the models and brands they loved, weighing up features like simplicity of use, versatility, and, of course, cooling power.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality or didn’t work.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best handheld fans on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Natasha is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet. With several years of editorial experience under her belt, she specialises in seeking out the top products to make daily life that little bit easier, with a focus on lifestyle and home product round-ups and reviews.
She has also written for The i Paper, Stylist Magazine, Exposed Magazine, and Mumsnet's sister site Gransnet.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products.
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.