Are you pregnant and experiencing hot flushes? Or are you simply struggling to keep cool during a heatwave? Then a handheld fan is a must. Just like portable fans especially for babies and toddlers, a handheld fan will offer fast relief from the hot weather when you're on the go and make sure you don't overheat.
While we've all grown rather attached to our desktop and freestanding fans over the summer, these useful gadgets are small enough to keep in your handbag or your pocket, which means you can quickly whip them out whenever you start to feel the heat, whether that's on a car journey or even in labour.
If a handheld fan is just what you need, we've rounded up our top selection, whatever your budget.
The best handheld fans
1 of 7QINUKER Mini Handheld Portable Fan
Available in three pretty pastel colours, this fan can be recharged with the included USB charging cable and lasts up to 13 hours on a full charge. It has four different speeds and comes with a removable base should you want to use it hands free.
Review: "Bought this fan in my last trimester for the hot flushes soo good! Powerful just on the first mode, can’t fault it."
2 of 7Handheld Fan Battery Powered
This handheld fan comes with a copper made motor which can generate wind up to 4300 RPM at the maximum speed. It will last between 6-15 hours and the lay flat design means you can pop it down whenever you need to.
Review: "At 35 weeks pregnant in the middle of a heatwave, this fan has been my lifesaver. With the three speed settings it gives me just what I need. The battery lasts a good while too which is a plus."
3 of 7POWERbeast Handheld Fan
This clever fan has a foldable design so it can be adjusted from 0°-270° so you can direct it wherever you want it. Better yet, it also has a 15ml water tank and misting function to keep you feeling fresh. Heaven!
Review: "The fan itself is really good. It has three settings and kept me cool on the hottest of days. The blades are soft and if you accidentally touch them don't cause much pain and the fan turns itself off straight away. The fan is quite tactile when closed and fits nicely in your hand."
4 of 7Simply Motorised Handheld Fan
If you're looking for something that won't break the bank, this simple option will do just the trick. It has foam blades that help to create an improved airflow while keeping you safe and comes with 2 AA batteries to get it going.
Review: "Bought these to use on a long family journey, served their purpose well."
5 of 7EasyAcc 2021 Handheld Fan
One of the more expensive options, this fan has four adjustable fan speeds to meet your various cooling needs. It has a foldable handle for easy handling, taking up minimal space in your bag and there's a built-in rechargeable battery for easy charging.
Review: "Bought to replace an old handheld fan that I dropped and broke. This fan is superb I take it everywhere. It’s light and quiet on the lowest speed, but really delivers on level 3 or 4 keeping me very cool on the hottest of days."
6 of 7Revolution Hand Held Electric Fan
A great option for those of us that still persevere with make-up during the hot weather, this handheld fan has a built-in ring light and comes with a micro USB cord for charging.
Review: "Brilliant fan, quite powerful and has three speeds. Easy to charge and not too big. Perfect."
7 of 7JISULIFE Portable Handheld Fan
We love a multi-purpose product and this three-in-one fan can also be used as a flashlight and a power bank. It has a long battery life between 14 to 21 hours and comes with a lanyard so you can keep it close to you at all times.
Review: "Nothing to dislike about this product. It’s light weight, two fan speeds and obviously versatile. Battery life appears good. Had the fan approximately 3 weeks and have just put it on a charge. Very pleased with it."