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The Best Personal Fan

Last updated on March 16, 2023

We looked at the top 14 Personal Fans and dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Personal Fans.

Best Personal Fan

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Anyone who’s been through August (or say, any month at all in Florida) can tell you how dependent we are on air conditioning. But we can’t always be indoors, and when it comes to cheap and portable ways to get cool, there are few solutions better than a personal fan.

In fact, even when we are indoors, a good breeze from a small desktop fan can make a big dent in your energy bill. They use far less wattage than your AC unit, and if you tend to stick around in a home office, they can help keep your computer cool in the bargain.

Most personal fans essentially do one thing: Rotate their fan blades as quickly as possible to get the air moving. They typically do this by way of simple electric motors, though one that uses a brushless motor might be liable to last longer — and probably cost more.

Companies will throw out stats like RPMs to boast of how powerful their fans are, but there’s really only one measurement that matters when it comes to power: CFM. That stands for cubic feet per minute, and in this case, it refers to the volume of air that a fan can move through a given space and how forcefully it can do it.

Ceiling fans might have a CFM rating of 6,000 or more. For box fans or tower fans, that might get up to 2,500. Personal, desktop fans and the like can vary a lot — anywhere between 100 and 1,800. With that in mind, the positioning of a fan can be just as important as its power. Fans placed in a corner or against a wall will generally work better than those in the middle of a room, and at night, they are best placed in front of an open window where they can bring in the cooler evening air.

Of course, there’s a lot of other factors to consider: portability, safety and energy efficiency, just to name a few. Do yourself a favor and get in some research on your new fan before buying.

Our Picks For The Top Personal Fans

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

TORRAS 360 Degree Airflow Travel Personal Fan

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

TORRAS

360 Degree Airflow Travel Personal Fan

Constructed using a special patented four-wind channel, this personal fan is able to offer 3D airflow. The fan will run for a full 18 hours on just one charge. It comes with nine different modes and three speed settings. You can even get the fan in starry black, arctic white or ocean blue.

Overall Take

Consistent and SafeIn addition to keeping you cool in the summer, this personal fan also has a warming function for the colder winter months.

 Runner Up

Aluan USB Powered Non-Slip Personal Fan

Aluan

USB Powered Non-Slip Personal Fan

Although this personal fan measures just 5.1 inches, it's quite powerful. It's made with a sturdy base and has a 360-degree fan rotation, so you can position the airflow where it feels the most comfortable. The USB cable also makes the fan easy to charge.

Overall Take

Three Color OptionsWith this personal fan, you'll have a choice between a pink, sky blue or deep blue finish.

Pros
" Nearly 80 percent of reviewers gave this desk fan five stars. Nearly a third of them specifically describe it as quiet. And though it might not sound like it’s doing much, it’s described many reviewers as powerful."
 We Also Like

Honeywell TurboForce Pivoting Bedroom Personal Fan

Honeywell

TurboForce Pivoting Bedroom Personal Fan

This personal fan's design allows it to put out plenty of air without using a ton of power. Its wide plastic blades are durable, especially for a fan with this price point. And with a nice wide base, it can sit on most any surface without fear of tipping.

Overall Take

Affordable Budget FanThis budget fan is also energy-efficient.

Pros
" We love how the larger fan blades produce a more focused and stronger stream of air. Minimal energy usage even at high settings"
Cons
"Just how it is – you won’t find it easy to clean. Seems as if you have to take it all apart, to get it cleaned up and possibly re lubricated. Some users state the fan will just stop working..."
 Strong Contender

JISULIFE Quiet Compact Neck Personal Fan

JISULIFE

Quiet Compact Neck Personal Fan

This personal fan is extremely versatile and can be used indoors when reading a book or outdoors when picnicking with friends. It wraps around your neck, so you can enjoy a direct cool breeze without having to tie up your hands. You can even get the fan in black or white.

Overall Take

Keeps You Nice and CoolThe powerful motor on this personal fan allows for switching between three speeds.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
21

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the personal fans available to purchase.
14

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

59

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: New York Mag, Unclutterer, Review Finch, The Techy Home, The Review Index.

120,652

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 14 Personal Fans and also dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Personal Fans.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Aluan USB Powered Non-Slip Personal Fan

Our Expert Score

10.0
2 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

9.0
1,241 user reviews

Our Take

Although this personal fan measures just 5.1 inches, it's quite powerful. It's made with a sturdy base and has a 360-degree fan rotation, so you can position the airflow where it feels the most comfortable. The USB cable also makes the fan easy to charge.

What other experts liked

Nearly 80 percent of reviewers gave this desk fan five stars. Nearly a third of them specifically describe it as quiet. And though it might not sound like it’s doing much, it’s described many reviewers as powerful.
- New York Mag
The personal, potent Aluan Desk Fan with USB power boasts a powerful motor, with a brushless motor that creates minimal noise and lasts longer than regular motors. The fan’s head is able to be turned 360°, so it is able to direct its flow to any angle desired.
- Unclutterer

What to Look For

  • The term “personal fan” covers a lot of ground, from mid-sized, stationary units to tiny clip-on gadgets that you might use to keep a baby cool in the stroller. The first question you’ll want to ask, then, is where will your fan see the most use? Flat-base models tend to pack a bit more power, but more expensive smaller fans can be just as effective. If you’re looking for versatility, some fans even come with adjustable bases that can be attached to different surfaces.
  • If you’re getting a portable fan, check the power source. Cheaper fans might rely on standard-issue batteries, so considering investing in an energy-efficient model or expect to pay more down the line. For just a bit more, you might be able to get a fan powered by a range of modern methods, everything from rechargeable batteries to solar power. Smaller desktop fans might even come with a USB so you can plug it directly into your laptop or another device, but check the reviews: The output on these fans can vary depending on what source they’re drawing from.
  • Even if you’re just buying for yourself, an oscillating fan can be a good investment. Models with a head that moves back and forth are fairly common and can be the difference between a constant, annoying blast of air and a gentle, occasional breeze. Needless to say, they also circulate the air much more evenly.
  • No matter how powerful your fan, it will be a lot more energy efficient than running your AC, especially if well-positioned. To maximize that advantage, check the wattage consumption on your fan.
  • Noise level can be a huge factor, depending on where you use your fan. The comfort of a good, stiff breeze can be quickly offset by the loud drone of a particularly cheap fan. On the other hand, some people might not mind or even prefer such a model. White noise can be a great sleep aid, after all. Loudness can be tough to quantify since many fans operate at multiple speeds, and the official stats on some models can be less than helpful. Be sure to check the reviews.
  • If you’re using your fan in a house with small children or pets, give a thought to the safety features.  Check the casing around the fan blades to make sure your little one’s fingers won’t be able to get through, or be vigilant about placing it up high. Smaller, pocket-sized fans or those made specifically for strollers might feature blades made of felt or similar material that won’t hurt tiny hands, but be advised that they can still be a hazard if hair gets caught inside.

Personal Fan Rankings

1. TORRAS 360 Degree Airflow Travel Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 1

2. Aluan USB Powered Non-Slip Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 4

3. Honeywell TurboForce Pivoting Bedroom Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 8

4. JISULIFE Quiet Compact Neck Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 1

5. Tripole Easy Hold Ergonomic Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 1

6. Vornado Flippi V6 Vortex Multi-Directional Personal Fan

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 10

7. Genesis Adjustable Head Clip Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 8

8. WOWGO Lightweight Battery-Powered Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 1

9. Holmes Lil’ Blizzard Easy Clean Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 13

10. VersionTECH Lightweight Outdoor Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 11

11. Jomilly Mini Pocket Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 2

12. Holmes Compact Tilt Head Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.5
Reviews Included: 13

13. O2Cool Deluxe Necklace Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 7

14. Vornado Flippi V6 Multi-Directional Personal Fan

Overall Score: 8.1
Reviews Included: 10

More to Explore

Electric fans have been around since the 1880s, but it was the rare contribution from a woman in the 1930’s industrial sector that revolutionized the device. In 1932, Jane Evans invented the Silver Swan for Emerson Electric. Its overlapping blade design was based on a boat propeller, an innovation that made table fans much quieter and soon became an industry standard.

More to explore