Healthliners pressure-tested popular cooling fans and cooling products to see what stands up to the heat.
Thrilled it’s summer? Not me. Everyone else is happy the gray is gone. But I’m facing the reality that it’s going to be over 100°F for the next three months.
Sidewalks will cook. Trees will broil. Hot girl summer takes on a whole new meaning.
It’s my turn to hibernate — and instead of waiting for snow to melt and sun to shine, I’m counting the days until cool air returns. I’ll continue to complain the weather away, but this year, I’ve decided I can arm myself with some other tools, too.
I tried out some popular cooling products (along with some colleagues who survive hot climates and heat waves) to see what can help me forget I am living in an oven until October.
Most portable misting fans don’t hold enough water to last a long day outdoors, so you need a way to keep refilling them on beach days and theme-park trips.
But even so, this cheap fan has proven to be a perfect addition to a few specific, short stints outdoors that I do often in the summer and which require some heat relief:
- short walks to my kids’ swim lessons on hot afternoons
- the walks to and from my car to pick up my 3-year-old from school
- playing with the kids outdoors in the evenings (because it’s still 100 degrees)
And because my house still tends to feel warm in the afternoons, especially in my home office near a window, it’s nice to prop it on my desk while I’m working. It may not solve all woes, but at roughly $20, it’s providing a comfort boost worth the pocket change.
This is technically a stroller fan, but it attaches to my treadmill just as well. Compared to the Shark ChillPill below, the misting will last me throughout a 45-minute workout on its intermittent setting.
Because my workouts take place in my garage sans A/C, this is a nice close-range addition to the larger fan we have in there, with the bonus of a misting option. I used it primarily for my treadmill, but you can configure the legs to rest the fan on a desk or cooler as well.
It’s larger than the hand fan above and the Shark ChillPill below. It’s not as portable, but still technically portable —just not the best option for carrying it in a smaller bag or purse during commutes and trips.
Truthfully, this cooling fan should not cost $150. For most people, I can’t say it’s worth it. But it has a unique cooling plate feature that might cause you to turn a blind eye to the price tag and just splurge (that’s between you and your bank account).
The cooling plate delivers quick cooling and bursts of relief during commutes, walks, and workouts. Unlike portable fans (which this is as well) that just recirculate warm air, the cooling plate directly cools you down and is cold to the touch. It feels like melting ice on your neck, without having to worry about the whole melting debacle or wetting a cooling towel.
Other than this, this fan functions just like most other cheaper, portable cooling fans. It looks a little hipper and is more compact (though still kind of awkward to carry in small purses). The fan attachments are on the louder side compared to other fans we tried. The cooling plate is really stellar, but admittedly, the $150 price tag is a tough pill to swallow.
Whether out of naivety or a desire not to feel dorky, I had never considered that a cooling towel would actually be helpful.
But when I need to be out in the backyard in the afternoon, working in my garden in the still-hot evening, or on a short walk with my kids, this Mission cooling towel is heavenly.
It’s lightweight and offers a cool sensation that’s really handy for longer stints outdoors or in the heat. I also used it while running on my treadmill in the garage. Between this and my Amacool misting fan, I think I’ll actually be able to keep my workout routine consistent throughout the summer.
Another Healthline colleague tested these a couple of years ago alongside five other popular cooling sheet sets for menopause symptoms. She dubbed Quince Percale sheets the winner, praising their coolness to the touch and their overall quality for the price point.
After that, I purchased them myself and have had them ever since. The quality has held up for many, many washes. They are light and crisp, and do feel cool to the touch. They help prevent my husband and me, the former who is a very sweaty sleeper, from overheating quite so much.
A fellow Healthliner tested this Gulaki neck fan against the Shark ChillPill and found it was helpful enough for its affordable price. It won’t cool the air, but rather circulate warm air to at least be less stagnant and cool you down some.
For under $30, it was a nice addition to beach trips and kayaking outdoors. It’s also pretty quiet and totally hands-free, unlike most other fans we tested that require handholding.
Another colleague tried Beneunder’s unique, itty-bitty slim fan that attaches to your phone. It’s only $14 but not overly powerful. It may be just what you need, given the low price point, but don’t expect it to blow you away.
Portability is where it shines, attachable to your smartphone, making it helpful for commutes and outdoor walks. However, the phone attachment may not be compatible with all phones, so check that before you purchase.
As much fun as summer brings, it’s also a bit of a nuisance. If your summer climate is as extreme as mine, a few cheap cooling fans (and one potential splurge) can go a long way toward helping you thrive during a heat wave.