With the UK firmly in the grips of another heatwave, keeping cool is becoming somewhat of a daily struggle. From sticky commutes to the never-ending plight to get a good nights sleep, chances are we’ve all been Googling “how to stay cool”.
Handheld fans are becoming a must-have gadget this summer, as well as portable air conditioner units and air coolers. But there’s another kind of cooling device becoming increasingly popular: neck fans. These are the go-to option for anyone who wants hands-free heat relief while on the move. They’re worn around the neck like a lightweight headset and designed to direct airflow straight towards the face and upper body.
Our team has reviewed plenty of fans over the years (and through many heatwaves), including neck fans. But one that stood out to reviewer Stuart Pritchard was the Status rechargeable neck fan. And it’s only £12 too, so it’s an affordable cooling hack.
Read more: Best fans, reviewed
Status rechargeable neck fan
In his review of the best neck fans, Pritchard described the Status neck fan as a “solidly built” gadget that delivers “incredible value”, particularly thanks to its five speed settings that range from a gentle breeze to something closer to “a Lamborghini Huracan with the roof down”.
Despite its low price, it still manages a decent level of practicality, he said, with a three-to-four-hour charge providing anywhere between three and nine hours of use depending on the setting. It also includes a small LED digital display, which adds a slightly more premium feel than you might expect at this price point.
He added: “The downside is that, with an upper racket level between 50dB and 70dB, there’s some noise to endure during use on the higher speed settings. But, if you require decent chilling on a budget, you may not care about the clamour.”
More neck fan recommendations
Geepas 2000mAh three-speed quiet neck fan
There’s no getting away from it, fans are generally noisy. So, if you’re looking for one that’s a bit quieter, Pritchard recommends the Geepas 2000mAh three-speed quiet neck fan. He said: “Geepas’s fan packs three powerful speed settings while running at a whisper-like 25dB, making it the best quiet neck fan. A rapid charge time of two and a half hours gives you up to six hours of breeze, with a digital display keeping you abreast of both speed setting and battery.”
BeCool bladeless neck fan
“If you don’t want something that feels too hefty around your neck, the BeCool bladeless neck fan was the lightest on test,” says Pritchard. “Thanks to an adjustable collar, it felt comfortable during use, and it’s also relatively quiet at just 40dB when used at full blast.”
This £14.99 handheld fan is ‘the most powerful’ we’ve tested
