I tested the best fans from Amazon under £20 – they're a genius way to beat the heat
Easy, affordable ways to stay cool as temperatures soar again across the UK
Now that the heatwave seems here to stay, we’re all finding our own ways to tackle the summer heat. While some people are making bigger investments in air conditioning, I’ve found that one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay cool is with a portable fan. Whether I’m out on a walk, travelling on public transport, working at my desk or sitting outside, having a cooling breeze that I can control has made a huge difference for keeping me comfortable.
Of course, some of the best cooling fans aren’t designed to be carried around with you. Larger models are often better suited to staying in one place, particularly in the bedroom where they can help keep you comfortable through hot nights. But when you need instant relief wherever you are, a small handheld or portable fan can be a summer essential, especially during unexpected moments when the heat becomes too much.
That’s why I’ve tested a selection of affordable portable fans from Amazon, putting them through their paces in everyday situations to find the ones that are worth buying. From compact designs that fit in your handbag to more powerful options for keeping cool on the go, these are the best budget-friendly fans I’ve found, all available for under £20.
Best portable fans on Amazon under £20 - the quick list
- Clip-on bladeless fan – best for commuting
- JSdoin handheld & neck fan – best all-rounder
- Gaiatop mini fan – best for handbags
- EasyAcc handheld fan – most powerful airflow
- JISULIFE 3-in-1 fan – best multi-use (fan + power bank + torch)
- JSdoin neck fan – best hands-free wearable cooling
1. Clip-On Bladeless Fan – best for hands-free cooling
The most recent addition to my handheld fan collection, this is the one I’ve been using most recently, especially when I’m travelling. On packed trains into London, where it feels like everyone is slowly overheating together, this little clip-on fan has been a genuine game-changer.
It clips onto clothing so you stay completely hands-free, which is exactly what I need when I’m juggling bags, phones, and trying not to melt into the seat.
It’s quiet enough for public transport and small enough to fit into even a tiny handbag. It won’t blast you with industrial-strength air, but it creates a steady, cooling breeze that genuinely takes the edge off.
I’ve also found it useful at my desk on warmer days, especially when I don’t want anything bulky taking up space.
It's not the most discreet of items, but it's lightweight and only has the slightest pull on my clothes if I place it at my neckline. On the waistband of any bottoms, it securely fixes without pulling. I regularly get asked by overheating passengers on the train where it is from.
When testing the battery, it fell a little short of six hours on the middle power option, and was fully charged again within the stated 90 minutes. I really like that this is compatible with my USB-C iPhone charger, as it means I don't need extra charging stations or more wires around the house.
Why I like it
- Completely hands-free
- Very quiet for travel
- Lightweight and portable
Perfect if you need cooling on the move without carrying anything in your hands.
2. JSdoin handheld and neck fan – best all-rounder
This is the fan I didn’t expect to rate as highly as I do. It’s affordable, reliable, and surprisingly powerful for the price.
What I didn’t expect to love is the neck-hanging option. I assumed it would be awkward, but it’s actually one of the most practical features. I can wear it while doing housework, working, or even walking in the heat.
Being able to angle airflow directly at my face while keeping both hands free makes it incredibly useful during hot flushes.
It also lasts impressively well on a charge, which makes it ideal for long days out.
If I had to pick just one “do everything” fan, it would probably be this.
I also really like the digital display on this handheld fan; it makes it really easy to see how much battery is left, when it is fully charged and what speed/setting it is on. It has two more speed options than other fans on this list, and they all have enough weight behind them to keep you cool. Of the four I tried, this one was the quietest, which was also a surprise considering there are two others with smaller blades.
It also held up in my battery test. I placed them all on full pelt and left them running for three hours straight. The box promises 8-15 hours worth of use, so I would have been surprised had it stopped, but it was still firing away, with no sign of slowing.
The only downside to this is its size. When it comes to portability, it's the second biggest and took up a fair bit of room in my bag. But its other features outweighed this for me – a great little fan, at a bargain price.
Why I like it
- Can be handheld or worn around the neck
- Strong battery life
- Surprisingly versatile for everyday use
3. Gaiatop mini – best for handbags
This is the fan I barely think about – and that’s exactly why I like it.
It’s so small and light that it disappears into my handbag, which makes it perfect for “just in case” moments. Hot flush on the bus? Heat building while shopping? Stuck in a stuffy café? It comes out instantly.
The battery test, which saw this running at top speed for three hours straight, definitely put a dent in this one. I could see the difference in the power it was throwing out, but there was still enough to provide a very refreshing breeze.
There are no frills or unique features here, but if you want a powerful, discreet fan with decent battery life and really convenient to carry around, this one is hard to beat.
It’s not the quietest, and it doesn’t have fancy features, but it wins purely on convenience. I almost always have it with me.
Why I like it
- Extremely portable
- Fits in any bag
- Ideal backup fan
A cheap, no-fuss option for instant cooling on the go.
4. EasyAcc handheld fan – most powerful airflow
If you want raw cooling power, this is the one.
The airflow is noticeably stronger than the others – almost like a mini desk fan you can hold. I use this one at home or at my desk when I need serious relief quickly.
The trade-off is noise and size. It’s not subtle, and I wouldn’t use it on a quiet train or in a meeting. But for home working or short bursts of heat relief, it’s incredibly effective.
Much like the Gaiatop handheld fan above, this is a very simple, no-frills fan, which does what it's meant to well. If you want a handheld fan to be really powerful, or are after an alternative to an electric desk fan, this Easyacc model is definitely worth considering.
Why I like it
- Very strong airflow
- Good for desk or home use
- Fast cooling relief
Best if you prioritise power over portability.
5. JISULife 3-in-1 fan – best multi-tasker
This one earns its place not just as a fan, but because it doubles as a power bank and torch. Brilliant.
The fan itself is decent rather than exceptional, but the added features make it useful for travel, emergencies, or long days out. I’ve used it in situations where my phone battery was low, and I still needed cooling – which is exactly the kind of multitasking you appreciate in a heatwave.
The design is adjustable, so it can standalone, and it folds away, making it very portable - it would easily fit in most pockets.
But it's surprisingly noisy for such a small device. And the open/closing method is really fiddly. Luckily, there are two methods, so if you don't have nails that will fit in the frankly tiny gap between the cover and main body to pull it open, you can push it from the base to make it pop open.
The company claims the longest battery power on this list – up to 21 hours. When testing them all for three hours on full speed – granted it's nowhere near that length of time – but it was still going strong, with no sign of it losing any power after that time.
Why I like it
- Fan + power bank + torch
- Good for travel
- Useful emergency backup device
A smart pick if you want more than just cooling.
6. JSdoin neck fan – best hands-free wearable
If you have a little extra to spend and you want a completely hands-free option, our ecommerce editor, Heidi Scrimgeour, really rates this hands-free fan on Amazon too. And while not quite under £20, it's not that much more.
"I wouldn't be without my wearable fan now. I keep it on my desk, so I’m always ready for the next heatwave - there always seems to be one around the corner," Heidi says. "You pop it around the back of your neck like a pair of headphones, and it’s so light and comfortable to wear that I genuinely forget it's there."
This version has five speed settings, dual air inlets, and multiple air outlets, which basically means powerful, efficient cooling without the drama of windblown or tangled hair, so it's perfect for staying cool at work, even on video calls. "It's quick and easy to charge," Heidi adds. "I love that I don't have to worry about changing batteries - and after a 3–4 hour charge you get all-day use.
"I've even worn mine outside - the perfect way to make the most of the chance to read on a sunlounger in the garden but without getting too hot and bothered! It's also marvellous for keeping close at hand when a hot flush strikes - instant, powerful, effective cooling is literally within reach."
Why I like it
- Fully hands-free
- Constant airflow
- Great for hot flushes and working
Ideal if you want wearable cooling you can forget you’re wearing.
How I tested them
These aren't the only portable fans that I tested, but they are the best. How I narrowed down the list came down to a discerning testing process which was designed to answer the following questions:
- Cooling power - does it help quickly? Is the airflow powerful? And is it actually cooling?
- Portability - can I actually carry it around all day? Is it comfortable to hold for extended periods of time? And does it sit well in a handbag?
- Noise levels - can I use it in public or at work? Could I take a call with it running? Can I sleep with it on?
- Battery life - does it last through a commute or workday? Is it quick to charge back up to full? Are there factors that affect how quickly the battery is drained?
- Versatility - can I use it in different places – desk, bed, garden? Does it have different position settings? Are there special features that you should know about?
If you're eager to find out more, you can visit our page dedicated to how we test fans.
What to do while you wait for your fan to arrive
With the hot weather getting more intense, it feels like everyone has their own hacks, tips and tricks for staying cool. Of course, a fan or air conditioning unit will give you the best chance of beating the heat, but if yours is still on its way, there’s a simple trick that can help create a DIY version of air conditioning when temperatures start to feel unbearable: place a fan so it blows across a bowl of iced water.
We’ve compared fans and AC when it comes to staying cool before, and while this won’t replace the power of a proper air conditioning unit, it can create a noticeably cooler stream of air that makes a room feel more comfortable within minutes.
I’ve used it at my desk during the day and beside my bed on particularly warm nights, and it’s a brilliant low-effort hacks that genuinely seems to make a difference when the heat becomes hard to escape.
We’ve created this guide because, in this kind of heat, portable fans aren’t just a nice-to-have, they’re a genuinely practical way to stay comfortable, especially if you experience hot flushes or find high temperatures harder to tolerate.
What surprised me most during testing was just how much difference the right fan can make. The best option isn’t necessarily the most powerful one; it’s the one you’ll actually have to hand when you need a cooling breeze most. That’s why I put every fan through rigorous testing to find the models I’d genuinely buy again or recommend to a friend, rather than simply highlighting the ones that are most talked about.
The added bonus is that many of these are available on Amazon, meaning you could have a fan delivered the same day or the next day, just in time for the next heatwave.
