It wasn't planned, but we all swear by the same fan brand - they're heatwave heroes
Shark fans are the ones our homes team reach for when the temperatures soar, but which one should you buy?
In the midst of a heatwave, it won’t surprise you that our favourite topic of conversation is cooling fans. Which ones actually work? Is Dyson still the gold standard, or has Shark taken the lead? And, crucially, are fans now doing a better job than air conditioning?
In amongst all the conversation about how we keep our homes cool, we noticed something striking: every member of our Homes team (the editors who test and review cooling solutions day in, day out) uses a Shark fan at home. And we don’t think that’s a coincidence. Shark fans have secured a place in our homes against leading fans from other top brands for their exceptional cooling power, speed, and the ease with which they integrated into our lives.
The exact models we rely on do differ, because our needs aren’t the same. but that’s why we want to share them with you. It shows how Shark’s range manages to cover everything from bedroom cooling to portable, on-the-go relief without compromising on performance. So whether you want a powerful, whole-room fan for the end of your bed, or a lightweight option you can move from room to room (or even take on your commute), these three Shark fans are the ones our team actually use and recommend.
The three Shark fans we swear by - through heatwaves and hormones
Best for sleep
Large and in charge, this is the biggest of all the Shark fans. It can be angled vertically or horizontally to give you a stream of soothing, cool air. It's the best option for use all around the house when you need serious, vast cooling power.
Best misting
This portable fan fits on your bedside table, dressing table, and the kitchen table too. It has a misting function for when you need more than just some cool air and it can blast a lot of cooling power without becoming disruptive or noisy.
Best portable
Perfectly petite, this is the fan for keeping you cool on the go. It can mist, there's a cold plate for your pressure points, and the main fan works powerfully and quietly for when you are in need of a cool breeze.
Best Shark fan for sleep
The Shark TurboBlade isn't just our favourite Shark fan for sleeping through a heatwave, it's currently our top-rated cooling fan overall. Its clever bladeless design can pivot, twist, and direct airflow exactly where you need it, whether that's cooling your entire bedroom overnight or providing head-to-toe relief while you work. Better still, it does all this without the intrusive noise that makes so many fans unsuitable for sleep.
Tamara uses the TurboBlade beside her standing desk during the day, then rotates it horizontally at night to create a stream of airflow across the entire bed. This flexibility makes a real difference if you struggle with overheating, hot flushes, or night sweats. During testing, the fan measured just 38dB on its lowest setting, around the volume of a whisper, and even Tamara, who describes herself as a light sleeper, found that "the noise is barely noticeable at night." Instead of hearing the fan, you simply feel a gentle, cooling breeze that helps you drift off more comfortably.
For more intense cooling, the TurboBlade's highest setting delivers a powerful blast of airflow while still measuring a relatively modest 59dB. Tamara often uses this setting to instantly cool a room, before switching to a gentler speed for the rest of the evening. "It's incredibly effective," she says. "I can cool a room down in minutes and then leave it running overnight without it disturbing my sleep."
While fans aren't usually chosen for their looks, the TurboBlade is one of the few models we'd happily leave on display year-round. Tamara describes it as "as chic as it is effective. It blends seamlessly into my décor like a futuristic art installation." Combined with its quiet operation, powerful airflow, and highly adjustable design, it's one of the closest alternatives we've tested to a portable air conditioner, without the cost, bulk, or energy consumption.
You can find out more in our full review.
Best misting Shark fan
Unlike traditional fans, the FlexBreeze HydroGo can switch between a cool breeze across your skin and a light, refreshing mist. It's brilliant for sitting on your bedside table, on the kitchen counter, and when you're outside enjoying the sun. It's versatile, powerful, and portable, which is why it practically lives by Emily's side as soon as the heat hits.
"I've never had a high-quality fan before," Emily says "I'd always settled for the cheapest desk or floor fan I could find, but having the Shark Flexbreeze Hydrogo has completely saved me on those humid, hot summer days." The misting function is, of course, a true talking point. It's effective without being messy, and in warmer, drier conditions it adds a noticeable layer of cooling that lifts the whole experience beyond a standard fan. Emily explains "it immediately cools you and provides a refreshing, cooling effect without you feeling you're being hit with a water gun. I use it consistently through heatwaves, and it's a dream when it comes to cooling down my bedroom whilst I sleep."
As a cordless fan, the charge lasts about 2 hours, which is impressive when you feel the amount of airflow that comes out at full blast. The Shark is also quick to charge back up and, of course, runs constantly when it's plugged in. We've had it positioned everywhere from a small bedside table to a wider kitchen surface, and it feels stable and well-balanced in both settings. The adjustability is a real strength too: you can tilt and angle it quite precisely, so you’re not locked into a single fixed direction of airflow. It’s also quiet enough to sit beside the bed, which makes it usable overnight rather than just as a daytime heatwave fix.
The airflow is smooth and controllable rather than overly aggressive, which makes it easy to keep on for long stretches without it becoming intrusive. Emily loves the cordless freedom which lets her take it inside and outside of the house and has even threatened to take it on her train commutes if the hot weather holds up. It's no surprise that this is a sell-out success.
You can find out more in our full review.
Best portable Shark fan
The Shark ChillPill is brand new to the market this summer and it's already incredibly popular amongst athletes, celebrities, and anyone who seriously struggles with the heat. The reason so many people are using it is because the ChillPill covers a range of uncomfortably hot scenarios, from dry, stagnant air to a stuffy 11-hour train journey. Where the ChillPill sets itself apart is in its sheer versatility. You can see in the name, this isn't just a fan, it's a "cooling system."
The ChillPill combines three cooling modes: a fan, a misting function, and a cold plate.. The fan itself is surprisingly adaptable, shifting from ultra-quiet (so discreet you can use it in a quiet carriage or at your desk) to a setting of 10, which offers powerful, precise, soothing cool air when you need a stronger blast to cool you down.
The misting function really comes into its own in dry heat, where I found it gave instant relief and helped stop that tight, dehydrated feeling you often get in warm indoor environments. It's particularly nice to mist over your neck when the air is still, but it also doesn't get your face actually damp, so you could use it with a full face of make up on and still look fresh.
For me, the cold plate is the standout: it sits comfortably on pulse points and pressure areas like the wrists, neck, or temples, and feels genuinely soothing, almost de-puffing after a long day or travel. Combined, these features make it more than just a fan; it’s a portable cooling system you can actually tailor to how overheated you feel in the moment.
I also love how adjustable and easy it is to use in different settings: it tilts for desk use, fits comfortably in the hand, and is small enough to slip into a bag or even a large pocket. On that long train journey, it became a constant companion: smooth, calming, and consistently effective without ever feeling fiddly or overcomplicated.
You can find out more in our full review.
How we test cooling fans
We don’t just plug a fan in and hope for the best. We live with them. Each cooling fan on our list has been tested in real homes, during real heat (and yes, a few hot flushes too). We look at how powerful the airflow is, how noisy it gets on each setting, and how easy it is to use day to day, because no one wants to wrestle with a clunky remote or a confusing control panel when they’re already too warm.
We also pay attention to the little things, like how simple it is to assemble, whether it’s light enough to move between rooms, and how discreet it looks in your space. If a fan claims to be “whisper-quiet,” we put that to the test during sleep and TV time. And if it’s portable, we’ll take it on the train, to the garden, or around the house to see how it really performs on the go.
We also factor in price and features, because value matters. Whether it’s a sleek investment fan with smart tech or a budget-friendly clip-on that fits in your handbag, we test everything with comfort and practicality in mind, especially for women navigating hot summers, hormonal changes, or just trying to get a good night’s sleep.
Shark's cooling fans are the best of the best: whether you're struggling through a heatwave, or battling with hormones that are giving you hot flushes, there's a Shark fan that will sort you out. We swear by these fans - and love them in our homes, so if you want to cool like the experts, these are the ones to go for.
