Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
Portable neck fans are handy gadgets designed to keep you comfortable wherever you go. Novel, sure, but these personal cooling devices look like headphones, so you don’t have to sport a geeky-looking contraption to stay cool in the sweltering heat. They have a wrap-around design and circulate air upward toward your face and neck. Plus, neck fans are lightweight, and most have an estimated 10-plus hours of battery life on a single charge.
Considering the benefits—and the so-not-ideal alternative of donning a drippy washcloth—neck fans are a great purchase to make before summer travel, whether you’re sightseeing in a city or camping in the backcountry. But they’re just as useful for day-to-day to wear as you sit in a stuffy home office, run errands in humid weather, or even working out. Point being, the best neck fans are a far cry from an amusement park souvenir—they’re durable, practical, and you can grab one for about 30 bucks.
For more ways to beat the heat this summer, check out our top picks for the best window fans, best portable air conditioners, and best ductless air conditioners.
The Best Neck Fans
- Best Overall: Torras Coolify Wearable Neck Fan
- Best Value: Civipower Neck Fan
- Most User-Friendly: Jisulife Portable Neck Fan
- Most Comfortable: Sweetfull Portable Neck Fan
- Longest Battery Life: Delmac Portable Neck Fan
What to Consider
Fan Type
Wearable neck fans typically use bladeless fans so your hair and clothing won’t get caught up. We recommend one bladed wearable fan for our budget pick since bladed options are often cheaper, but if you can spare the extra $20 or so, spring for a bladeless neck fan. No matter how much you spend, expect to hear the fan’s noise while you’re using it.
Battery Life
Neck fans mostly run on rechargeable batteries, so consider the battery life if you want to wear one outside for an entire day or take it camping. Most of the neck fans we write about have an estimated runtime of at least four hours, though some models are said to last up to 10 hours or more on the lowest setting.
Fan Speeds
Consider how hard you want the fans to blow on your neck. Many of these models come with multiple speeds, but some have more options. Though keep in mind—the faster the speed, the louder the noise.
How We Selected
You may have a specific reason you want a neck fan, say for a trip to a theme park or music festival, but these portable gadgets can be used practically anywhere. Use them while commuting on public transit, lounging on the patio, or while grilling during summer cookouts.
During our research, we read through tons of customer reviews to identify potential product issues and compared options for battery life, speeds, noise level, and other features to identify models that perform well and offer the best value.
Pros
Fast-charging and good battery- Bladeless
- Actually cools air instead of just increasing airflow
Cons
- Could be overkill for casual use
If you’re looking for maximum cooling, consider this neck fan from Torras. It’s designed with cooling technology to actually reduce skin temperature around your neck by up to 12 degrees, thanks to a built-in semiconductor cooling chip.
The Torras also features a long-lasting battery, fast USB-C charging, bladeless design, and three fan speeds. While it is the most expensive option on our list, its features and excellent cooling capability make it worth the money.
Key Specs
| Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| Battery Type | 4000mAh rechargeable battery |
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Made of a comfortable material
- Steady airflow
Cons
- Less battery life on low speed than other models we cover
The Civpower neck fan offers high-quality cooling with its 78 air vents and turbo fan blades that generate airflow to your face and neck. The lightweight band and low noise level make it comfortable to wear for long periods, lasting as long as an estimated 16 hours on its lowest setting, though only three hours on high speed.
That said, it’s still an excellent option, plus it has three gears to adjust the sound of the fan, and features a sleek design.
Key Specs
| Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | 3 to 16 hours |
| Battery Type | 4000mAh rechargeable battery |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Most User-Friendly
Jisulife Portable Neck Fan
Pros
- Lightweight and quiet
- Great price for bladeless
Cons
- Might not be ideal for working out
This Jisulife portable neck fan is lightweight, with no blades and 78 air outlets around the neck band so you can really cool off. The fan has three speeds, a solid battery life, and a comfortable fit for all-day use. It even comes at an affordable price under $40 at the time of writing.
It’s constructed from plastic and silicone and features single-button operation, fast USB-C charging, and a powerful dual-sided turbine motor. If you’re looking for a no-frills neck fan that provides good airflow for most activities, this option from Jisulife will do.
Key Specs
| Blade Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | 4 to 16 hours |
| Battery Type | 4000mAh rechargeable battery |
Pros
- Fast charging
- 360 degrees of airflow
Cons
- Noisy on highest setting
Delmac’s neck fan needs only three hours of charging to last up to an estimated 20 hours. The bladeless design has 60 air holes that wrap around the band to circulate air around your neck and face.
The silicon band can flex to fit comfortably and is lightweight enough to wear for long periods of time. It’s quiet on its lowest setting though some customers noted it can be noisy on its highest. Still, many reviews say the lowest setting provides sufficient air flow. The impressive battery life is also a huge plus for those that don’t want to worry about charging it everyday.
Key Specs
| Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hrs |
| Battery Type | 2 lithium ion batteries (included) |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Thick and comfortable band
- Quiet fans
Cons
- Battery life is middling
The Sweetful portable neck fan delivers long-term comfort according to several user reviews. The fan features a decent battery life, bladeless design, and multiple fan speeds. It’s also super quiet, with some users saying they don’t notice the sound while wearing it.
Other highlights include the lightweight design and an extra-padded neckband for comfort, though the battery life could be better. At its highest setting, this neck fan only lasts roughly four hours.
Key Specs
| Blade Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | 4 to 10 hours |
| Battery Type | 4000mAh rechargeable battery |
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Adjustable neckband
Cons
- Fans might cause issues with longer hair
If you’ve never tried a wearable neck fan and want to give it a shot for as little money as possible, try this Vagau option. For about $16 at the time of this writing, you can experience an all-day breeze on your neck. The stand-up design can even work as a small desk fan in a pinch.
For the cost, it has a pretty decent battery life, maxing out at 10 hours on the lowest setting. Keep in mind that this one isn’t bladeless, so if you have long hair, make sure to tie it up before you put this on.
Key Specs
| Type | Blade |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Battery Type | 2000mAh rechargeable battery |
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Pros
- Can be hidden underneath clothing
- Cools and warms
- Doesn’t rely on fans, so it’s quiet
Cons
- Not great for cooling the face while on the move
This wearable device isn’t exactly a neck fan, but you can wear it pretty much anywhere to help you regulate body temperature just the same. Instead of using a fan, the Comfortpak relies on cooling or heating a stainless steel plate that makes direct contact with your body.
You can wear it around your neck or place that plate on your wrists or face as needed. Plus, with the option for warming, this nifty gadget is great for year-round use.
It has three cooling and warming settings, and it’s wrapped in a silicone strap that makes it easy to clean. It also comes in three colors to give it some flair.
Key Specs
| Type | Bladeless |
|---|---|
| Fan Speeds | 3 |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
| Battery Type | 1 lithium ion battery (included) |
Danny Perez
Commerce Editor
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Rachel Klein
Deputy Editor
Rachel Klein is the Deputy Editor of Popular Mechanics.
Kevin Cortez
Commerce Editor
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
