UK heatwave survival: I tested the best fans from Amazon under £20 – just in time for Prime Day deals
Easy, affordable ways to stay cool as temperatures soar again across the UK
This article was last updated on 26 June at 12:54 - all products featured are in stock at the time of writing.
Here we go again. One minute I’m reaching for a jumper; the next I’m melting in 30-degree heat, wondering how on earth I’m supposed to function.
As a 46-year-old woman going through perimenopause, the UK heatwave doesn’t just feel uncomfortable – it feels relentless. Hot flushes don’t care whether I’m on a train, working at my desk or trying to sit in the garden with a cup of tea. When they hit, I need cooling, fast.
That’s why I’ve become slightly evangelical about small, portable fans.
With Amazon Prime Day running until Friday, now feels like the perfect moment to round up the best budget-friendly options I’ve actually tested – all under £20, all currently available on Amazon, and all used repeatedly in real-life situations: commuting, sleeping, working, and surviving hormonal heat spikes.
For good measure, I’ve also included a simple but genuinely effective cooling hack I keep coming back to when things get really uncomfortable.
Quick list: Best portable fans on Amazon under £20
- 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
How I tested them
I’ve been using portable fans daily for over two years now – often multiple times a day during summer and during hot flushes.
For this update, I focused on:
- Portability (can I actually carry it around all day?)
- Cooling power (does it help quickly?)
- Noise levels (can I use it in public or at work?)
- Battery life (does it last through a commute or workday?)
- Versatility (can I use it in different places – desk, bed, garden?)
Some live in my handbag, some stay on my desk.
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.
And for a little bit extra...
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.
The cooling hack I always return to
I heard a simple trick in the office this week that genuinely works when the heat feels overwhelming:
Place a fan so it blows across a bowl of iced water.
It’s a basic DIY version of air conditioning, but it creates a noticeably cooler airflow that can make a room feel more breathable within minutes.
I’ve used it at my desk and beside the bed during particularly hot nights, and it’s one of those low-effort hacks that really does seem to make a difference.
Final thoughts ahead of Prime Day
Portable fans aren’t a luxury in this kind of heat – they’re practical survival tools, especially if you’re dealing with hot flushes or find high temperatures harder to tolerate.
What surprised me most is how much difference the right one makes. The best fan isn’t necessarily the most powerful – it’s the one you actually have with you when you need it.
With Prime Day deals about to drop, it’s a good moment to pick one up before the next heatwave inevitably rolls in.
