27-06-2025
The viral £12 tiny fan that's quite literally saved my life this summer - and other hand-held fans you NEED as temperatures continue to soar in the UK
With the UK on track for one of the hottest summers in recent years, those of us who run hot will be seeking out any way to stay cool.
Being a hot and sweaty person is not only inconvenient, it makes life unbelievably miserable.
Over the years, I've tried almost everything to - literally and metaphorically - keep my cool in summer. From ice water and coffee to cool clothes and even bringing ice packs on the train - these either didn't work or were too much of a nuisance to carry around.
I have the powerful Shark TurboBlade fan at home, but could never find something good enough for travelling.
As soon as temperatures creep above 20C, I start to worry about how I'm going to keep cool, especially on public transport and at the office.
I've tried handheld fans before but always found they weren't effective and ran out of battery in a few hours, leaving me hot and uncomfortable.
That was until I discovered this lightweight handheld fan from John Lewis, which was recommended to me by a friend who could see I was suffering in the sun.
After trying it out, I immediately went online and bought myself two in different colours and after using them almost every day for the past two months, I can safely say I will be buying more.
I'm not the only one this has made an impression on either. The ANYDAY fan currently has over 2,000 five-star reviews on the John Lewis website. It comes in four colours: White, Sage, Lake Blue and Sunburn
John Lewis ANYDAY foldable handheld fan
£12
Shop
Does this fan stop me from sweating completely? Of course not - but it does mean I can take action before I completely overheat and most importantly, it's completely portable.
The John Lewis fan is without a doubt my top handheld pick, but if you're looking for something slightly different these similarly powerful handheld fans have received rave reviews online.
The best handheld fans
gaiatop Mini Portable Pram Fan
Ideal for cooling on the go this portable fan has a fully adjustable silicone tripod that can wrap around prams, bed frames, car seats and more.
As well as being relatively quiet, it has small gaps to protect fingers and other small objects from the blades inside.
With three speed settings and a recharge time of as little as three hours, this is a great little fan that can be used handheld or at home.
£19.99 Shop
Jsdoin handheld portable fan
This stylish handheld portable fan has a smart digital screen and comes in a range of different colours including blue, green, pink, purple and white.
It has a stand for upright use on desks but can also be adjusted to lay flat. More unusually, the fan has a section in the head where users can add essential oils, for fragranced air.
With five powerful wind speeds and a run time of eight hours, this is a top choice for hot days.
£13.99 Shop
Dunelm dual position fan
Don't be put off by the price of this ultra budget offering from Dunelm. It's a surprisingly powerful little fan that can be adjusted three different ways for use on your desk or on the go.
Reviews rave about how powerful it is for the size, with some customers buying multiple to have at home and on the go.
Unfortunately it isn't rechargeable via USB, so you'll need to keep batteries on hand. It takes two AAs, though you can buy rechargeable versions of these if you prefer.
£3 Shop
