Our Favorite Portable Fans Keeping Us Cool This Summer (& During Those Hot Flashes)

Erika Doty
3 days ago
4 min read

Between sitting at my kid's outdoor sports events, summer travel and attractions, and the always-fun perimenopausal hot flashes, I recently went on a mission to find a really good, worth-the-money portable fan.

And it wasn't just me searching stuff on Amazon. I wanted the good stuff without the trial and error and chaos of returning stuff. So at every baseball game and every outdoor concert I asked the moms. And I struck gold! Check out which ones are literally in our bags right now.

Cute! Portable Misting Fan

This one took first place! It puts out a really good breeze AND it mists! Bonus: It looks like a sophisticated little cat when it's folded up...I mean, come on! We all need this in our lives! It comes in different colors and held a charge for more than an entire baseball game. Best part - it folds up small enough for any little bag you're carrying this summer.

2nd Place Goes To...

Though this one does not have a water mist feature, it's our second favorite because you don't have to hold it. This fan has mutliple speeds, holds a charge for a very long time and can easily be mounted to your chair, stroller, bunk bed (camp kids, where you at?), or umbrella. The head is on a swivel so you can mount it, point it right at your face and then enjoy that hot summer day! We literally own two of these - that's how much we love them.

This fan is our OG portable fan and was featured in our Sports Essentials Article way back when. If you're a sports parent, definitely check out our full list here.

Another Mister!

As far as the water misting feature, this fan was our second favorite. Puts out a good breeze, misting is great and holds a charge for a long time. This one took second just because it's a little bigger/bulkier than the other one.

Clip On

Brooke gave me this fan as a gift. I was skeptical at first, but when I whipped this out at a baseball game in Omaha a few weeks ago (90 degrees + 80% humdity) everyone was jealous. It has three speeds - the top speed puts out a really good breeze. It has a decently "fashionable" design so it doesn't look super weird clipped to your shirt. The fan holds a charge for at least 2+ hours (that's how long I've used it each time), and it's so small you can throw it in any bag. Bonus: Because it's a clip-on, you don't have to hold it! Hands free, baby!

Another Hands-Free Option

This one has been featured on Babble's Summer Essentials list for the past few years. It puts out a great breeze and is quiet. But the best part is the hand-free feature. Comes in several colors.

Runner Up

This is another great option for a hand-held fan with a water misting feature. Several game spectators had this one and raved about it. I didn't personally use it and I don't own one (yet), so I couldn't put this guy in first place. But it seemed totally legit! You won't go wrong with this one.

The Menopause Fan

It's not really called that, but it's what me and my girlfriends call it. Last year we all got together and over dinner we were laughing and complaining about hot flashes. The next time we got together one of our friends brought us each one of these. They are handheld fans that fold up super tiny and can fit in any handbag or pocket. And they come with their own cute little carrying pouch. These come in a 4-pack and I immediately ordered myself a couple packs. I now have these in every pocket, bag, glove compartment, and kitchen drawer.

The true test: I took one to Rome in July when it was unbearably hot (and no one has AC) - that little guy was a godsend and stood up in all the heat, sweat, humidity and nearly 24-hour use.

Looking for more information about perimenopause? Check out Babble's full Perimenopause Cheat Sheet.

Had To Mention It

This was the first portable fan I purchased, mostly to use at my son's summer baseball games. They work fine. But they aren't great for travel (very bulky) and the water reservoir often leaks. These are not rechargeable (like all the other mentioned above) and take 2 AA batteries, which is just annoying. These are fun for little kids - especially if you don't want to share your nicer portable fans knowing they will just get them sticky, dirty, or drop in the public restroom toilet (it's happened!).

Have a portable fan you love? Email us at erika@babblewithbrooke.com

Stay cool!

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