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The Best Rave Fan

Last updated on August 24, 2023
Best Rave Fan

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An interesting trend has emerged at raves, concerts and other crowd gatherings in recent years. Partygoers show up bearing interesting fans, inspired by the Asian folding fans that have been popular throughout history.

They may look attractive, but rave fans, at their heart, keep you cool. At an outdoor festival or concert, they come in especially handy, especially if you’re baking in the sun all day. But even indoor gatherings can become sweatboxes after a while. If you have enough space, opening one of these fans and waving it in front of you can make a small improvement.

But for most people, rave fans are all about costuming. They make a great, eye-catching accessory for many party-based events, going well beyond raves to be seen at concerts, drag shows, clubs and more. Most of the rave fans you’ll see on the market are designed to be opened and carried around, with eye-catching designs that let everyone know you’re there to have a good time.

You’ll find most rave fans focus on bright designs that help create a festive mood. These fans may depict anything from scenery to characters to abstract shapes and beyond. It’s a great way to express your personality. However, you may find it hard to find one that matches your outfit exactly. The good news is, it doesn’t have to. Just choose one you like and enjoy.

If you ask around, you’ll quickly learn the one defining feature in a rave fan is that sound it makes when you snap it open. That means not only does it need to be able to fully open with just a flip of the wrist, but also that it gives a loud clap as it does. You’ll know the sound when you hear it.

For that reason, you’ll likely want to look for a rave fan with a bamboo frame. This gives you the clap while also holding up through multiple opens and closes. The cloth that stretches over the frame should be durable, as well. Nylon will hold up under the stress while also being water-resistant.

Our Picks For The Top Rave Fans

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Zolee Handmade Eco-Friendly Rave Fan

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Zolee

Handmade Eco-Friendly Rave Fan

You'll find this rave fan comes in a choice of eight colorful patterns, including sunflower, shining stars and musical power. Each fan is constructed using eco-friendly materials, so you can feel good about your purchase. In fact, the fan features sturdy bamboo ribs that won't easily bend or break.

Overall Take

Super StylishIncluded with this rave fan is a handy fabric storage case.

 Runner Up

STHUAHE Oversized Nylon Rave Fan

STHUAHE

Oversized Nylon Rave Fan

This rave fan is handmade using a durable ABS plastic that is secured to the frame with metal nails. Ladies will find it can be used to keep cool on a hot day or as a prop during a dance routine. It also works as a wall decoration. The fan is available in a choice of black, blue, red, rose red or white.

Overall Take

Economical PickSince this rave fan has a budget-friendly price tag, you'll be able to afford a second one for a friend.

 We Also Like

Amajiji DJ Light Folding Rave Fan

Amajiji

DJ Light Folding Rave Fan

The luminescent dots on this rave fan make it stand out from the rest. The high-quality bamboo frame and water-resistant nylon fabric add strength and functionality to the fan's bright design. When not attending a rave, this fan can be used as a party decoration, as part of a cosplay costume or simply to keep oneself cool.

Overall Take

Handmade FansWhen you flick this oversized rave fan open, you'll hear a fun loud whipping noise.

 Strong Contender

SoJourner Easy Open Alien Rave Fan

SoJourner

Easy Open Alien Rave Fan

This bamboo rave fan is available in a variety of designs, including this fun, vibrant image. They're handmade, and the bamboo ribs ensure they hold up over many uses. Not only do they open with a flick of the wrist, but they make a satisfying clacking sound that adds dramatic flair to any moment.

Overall Take

Galaxy DesignThe neon design will match with a variety of outfits to help you stay stylish and cool.

What to Look For

  • Fans aren’t just for taking out on the town with you. Some use them to decorate areas of their home. The right one can really pop if you hang it in the right spot on a wall.
  • Take a quick look around before pulling your fan out and snapping it open. If someone’s standing nearby, your fan could make contact, which is painful at worse and annoying at best.
  • Hitting someone isn’t the only way to annoy them. Fan-clacking has become such a nuisance, at least one festival has banned it altogether. Consider how ear-piercing the sound can be, especially if you’re in a somewhat quiet space and you do it repeatedly, and adjust your behavior accordingly.
  • If you’re at an entertainment-related event, don’t clack your fan when audiences are trying to enjoy the performance. Even if you think the noise drowns it out, your constant clacking can interfere with the audio experience of those around you.
  • At any point, if someone asks you to stop clacking your fan, stop immediately. You may be asked to leave if you insist on continuing to make the noise when you’ve been asked to stop.
  • Thinking about buying a rave fan? Why not buy more than one? You’ll have a spare or two in case you lose one or, even better, you’ll have some to share with friends when they start to feel the heat.
  • Look at the fan’s measurements when fully open. A fan may actually be smaller than it looks online, and you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the presentation you’re expecting.
  • The measurements when closed come into play, too. If you’ll be folding your fan up to take in a purse or backpack, you’ll want one that’s compact enough to comfortably fit inside.

More to Explore

Long before buildings had central heat and air, humans used hand fans to stay cool. Records trace these fans all the way back to 3000 BC, and they are believed to have been used by the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. The earliest fans were fixed rather than folded, which meant they were a flat surface attached to a frame.

Folding fans are believed to have come along in 670 AD in Japan. These fans were made of wooden strips that were attached to a rivet. About 60 years later, paper production made it possible to create hand fans out of paper.

More to explore