Don’t panic buy a cheap fan - this record-breaker is the best way to stay cool

When a heatwave hits, it's all too tempting to rush out and buy the cheapest fan you can find. And whilst budget fans certainly have their place, when you're trying to stay cool through a sticky summer night, you'll quickly appreciate the difference that a more substantial model - especially the Meaco Sefte 6" Portable Fan - can make,

If you've spent any time researching the best cooling fans, chances are you've already come across the Meaco Sefte range, especially this compact 6-inch model. Despite its modest size, it's built an almost cult-like following among experts thanks to its impressive combination of cooling power and whisper-quiet operation. In our tests, it outperformed some of the biggest names in the business, including even some of the best Shark fans, particularly when it came to balancing airflow with noise levels.

The reasons this little fan gets so much love for keeping your home cool during a heatwave are almost too numerous to list. It's portable, working just as well in the garden as it does on your desk or bedside table; it's surprisingly powerful for its size; and at its quietest settings, it's so silent that some sound meters struggle to detect it. Add in its compact footprint, which lets it slot neatly under kitchen cupboards and into small bedrooms, and it's easy to see why this is the fan I'd recommend before you spend your money on a cheap impulse purchase.

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MeacoFan Sefte 6" Portable Battery Air Circulator Fan review

• RRP: £69.99
• Dimensions: 324 x 210 x 180 mm
• Weight: 1.7 kg
• Speed settings: 12
• Oscillation: 70° (horizontal), 70° (vertical)
• Modes: normal, night, eco
• Sound: Minimum 22 dB
• Airflow read: 16m (length of a lorry)
• Corded: rechargeable and replaceable battery, cable length of 1.2m
• Timer: 12 hours
• Battery run time: up to 27 hours (charge of up to 3)
• Warranty: 3 years

Who would the Meaco Sefte 6” Fan suit?

I've already waxed lyrical about the Meaco Sefte 6" Fan, but if you want to check that this is the right fan for you, here's a quick summary of the real deciding factors for who it would suit:

• Anyone struggling to sleep in the heat - this sites neatly on a bedside table and is quiet enough not to disrupt even the lightest sleeper
• People who need a portable fan - this is cordless, so can go inside, outside, to the kitchen and back with you
• Those who want fast, powerful cooling - Meaco are experts in air circulation and this is one of the most powerful, coolest fans on the market

If you're looking for relief from hot flushes, night sweats, or simply struggling to sleep through the current heatwave, this fan makes a compelling case for itself. There are lots of features that make the Meaco bedroom friendly: a night mode turns off any bleeps and lights that might wake you up, the fan speed is almost silent, so you wouldn't be kept up by noise, and the remote works effectively from bed. You don't need to angle your hand or arm at all - the sensors are cleverly placed to avoid that.

Whilst the Meaco can be used plugged in for an infinite amount of time, if you can't bear to be separated from yours, or you want to take yours outdoors, this can be used as a cordless, portable fan. On its lowest setting, you can have it running for up to 26.5 hours before it will need to be plugged into a socket for charging - and it runs instantly then anyway. It might look heavy, but at just 1.7kgs, it's easy to carry from room to room.

There's also no way of escaping just how powerful this is. The lowest setting is a nice, gentle breeze that would only ripple a piece of paper, but on full whack, it could blow you away. The throw is actually the distance of a full lorry (16m). It's incredible.

What is the Meaco Sefte 6” Fan like to use?

I've tested plenty of fans over the years, and the first thing that struck me about the Sefte 6" was how much airflow it produces for its size. During this heatwave, I've found myself reaching for it constantly because it delivers immediate, close-range cooling exactly where you need it. On my desk, it kept me comfortable through long afternoons of writing without drying my eyes out, while on my bedside table it created enough airflow to keep my bedroom cool while I slept, stopping that sticky, overheated feeling that can make falling asleep so difficult.

The controls are also really straightforward: it offers 12 speeds, a clear digital display and useful extras like Night mode and a timer. You can either control the Sefte from the base of the fan, with clearly labelled buttons and a digital display, but you can also use the magnetic remote. This sits in the middle of the fan when you don't need it, but is also the right side for the palm of your hand. Meaco have also positioned the sensors so you don't need to reach funny angles to get the fan to respond: it'll pick up your request from almost any angle.

It's also really nice to be able to switch off the display lights and mute the button sounds completely. It's a little detail, but when you're trying to drift off during a hot night, every little helps.

At 1.7kgs, it's not a stretch to call the Sefte portable. Of course, it's not going to si in your bag on a commute, unless you're desperate, but it's easy to carry around the house, using the handle. I didn't think twice about carrying it with me outside for lunch, bringing it down to the kitchen when I'm cooking, and then taking it upstairs at night.

I often used it plugged in, because I didn't want to run out of charge, but it has nearly 27 hours of battery life. This is really handy if you wanted to sit the Meaco, for example, on a bookshelf or at a particular angle that isn't near a plug, because you don't need to worry about it running out of battery. As soon as it's plugged in, you can have the fan running instantly.

Should you buy the Meaco Sefte 6” Cooling Fan?

In the midst of a heatwave, it’s easy to panic buy a fan to “just get the job done”, but the Meaco Sefte isn’t a gap filler. This is an investment you’ll recommend, boast about, and use for years to come. You can thank us later.