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Best budget fan: effective fans from just £10

Effective, not too noisy and cheap as chips? Here's our guide to the best fans under £40 to keep you cool this summer.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Aug 19, 2025

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Best budget fan

This summer hasn't been the most predictable, but when temperatures rise, it can get really hot, really fast. While more and more Brits are investing in a pricey portable air conditioner for their home, not everyone wants to spend hundreds on keeping cool for what can turn out to be just a handful of weeks each year.

That's why we've turned to the tried-and-tested recommendations of the Mumsnet Talk forums to bring you our guide to the very best budget fans to keep you cool this summer.

We know it's sometimes easy to end up with a bit of a dud when you opt for the cheaper option, so we've thoroughly researched each fan to bring you the fans under £40 that are worth buying. While they may not be the quietest fans or the most stylish, they'll help keep you sane during a heatwave.

Here are the best budget fans to buy in 2026.

1

Best budget neck fan

Amacool Neck Fan

What we like
  • Fans are flexible

  • Relatively quiet

  • 3 strong speed settings

What we don't like
  • No 360 cooling as with more expensive neck fans

Key specs

Price: was £17, now £10 | Type: Bladed neck fan | Speed settings: 3 | Battery life: Up to 6 hours on speed 1 | Battery type: 2600mah | Dimensions: Approx. 20 x 28 x 6 cm  | Weight: 185g

Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet writer Gemma Wilcock: Read our full Amacool Neck Fan review

We don’t just love the price of the Amacool Neck Fan, we love how flexible it is, too. The arms move so it can be adjusted to get a good angle on your face and neck or you can take it off and use it as a desk fan in your home office. In fact, this was our best neck fan for getting a really good breeze onto your face.

The bladed design does mean it is bulkier than the likes of the TRILINK Neck Fan, and it doesn't target the back of your neck at all. However, for just £15 you get an impressive three speeds powered by a 2600mAh battery which, even at the lowest setting, will keep you feeling fresher and cooler. It’ll be a lifesaver if you suffer with hot flashes or simply struggle in warmer weather. The blades have even been designed so that it blows your hairs away rather than getting caught up.

Related: Best cooling towels

2

Best budget bladeless neck fan

Wolepaz Neck Fan

What we like
  • Quiet

  • Leaves your hands free

  • 360-degree cooling

  • Long battery life

What we don't like
  • Non-flexible arms

  • Heavier than the Amacool neck fan

Key specs

Price: £12 | Type: Bladeless neck fan | Speed settings: 3 | Battery life: 4-16 hours | Battery type: 4000mah | Dimensions: 24 x 17 x 7cm | Weight: 440g

What Mumsnet users say

OhRex · Recommended product
I have 2 of these bad boys - it’s like your own personal air-con…
See Post
Evenstar · Recommended product
I have one of those neck fans, they’re a lifesaver.
See Post
Our verdict

With fan outlets all the way round for 360-degree cooling, this bladeless neck fan is a quieter model than the more flexible bladed version above. We like the sleek headphone-esque look of them, and the comfortable design that sits on your shoulders, wafting lovely cool air up onto your neck and face.

3

Best budget tower fan

Pro Breeze 13" Inch Desktop Mini Tower Fan

What we like
  • Great price

  • Cheap to run (from just 1p per hour)

  • Compact design

What we don't like
  • Not as quiet as pricier models

Key specs

Price: £28 | Noise level: 52dB | Size: ‎11 x 11 x 32.5 cm

Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Read our full Pro Breeze Mini Tower Fan review

The Pro Breeze boasts 60 watts, three speeds and three wind modes from standard to natural, then sleep. It is ideal for cooling large rooms, but you will need it on sleep mode during the night as it can be a bit noisier on the higher setting.

This robust fan also has a wireless remote control that allows you to adjust the settings from the comfort of your sofa or bed, even if you’re several metres away. Reviewers were delighted with how easy this tower fan is to set up and use; they also loved the elegant yet modern design.

Read next: The best tower fans, according to Mumsnetters

4

Best budget pedestal fan

Igenix DF1655 16” Pedestal Fan

What we like
  • Bargain price

  • Easy to store

  • Adjustable height

What we don't like
  • Not as effective as higher-priced options

Key specs

Price: £20 | Dimensions: 24.41 x 24.41 x 48.82 cm | Weight: 3.89kg | Cord length: 1.5 metres | Features: Oscillating head; adjustable tilt; three speed settings

Our verdict

Sometimes, simple is best. If all you need is a pedestal fan to cool you and your room down, the Igenix DF1655 could be the one for you. It’s simple, affordable, and perfect for occasional use at the hottest time of the year. It has a classic design in unobtrusive white that will suit most rooms, and the generous 1.5 metre power cord adds to this great fan’s versatility.

The adjustable height and fan tilt mean you can direct the air wherever you need it in the room. It also oscillates 80 degrees so it will reach across larger spaces. There are three speed settings, and the 50-watt motor creates a nice breeze without too much noise. It might not win any prizes for style, and it doesn't have any bells and whistles, but you might not care once you’ve reached a comfortable temperature!

Related: The best pedestal fans for cooling the whole room

5

Best budget desk fan

Dr. Prepare Oscillating Desk Fan

What we like
  • 105 degree oscillation

  • Two fans for maximum air circulation

  • 2, 4 and 8 hour timers

What we don't like
  • Noisy on highest setting

Key specs

Price: £25 | Size: ‎14 x 14 x 39 cm | Weight: 1.37kg | Oscillation angle: 105 degrees

What Mumsnet users say

bizzey · Recommended product
The fans are lovely. Went to get some more...
See Post
Our verdict

Mumsnet users love this bargain desk fan for its two fans, which provide an impressive breeze for less than £30. The fan has 3 speed settings, a timer for 2, 4 or 8 hours and oscillates at a 105 degree angle, effectively circulating air in the area around your desk or bedside table.

Its tower-like design means it takes up a lot less room than the other wide-based desk fans out there, so it's also a great choice if you're pushed for space.

Read next: The best desk fans and the best USB fans for WFH and bedside tables

6

Best budget handheld fan

EasyAcc Handheld Fan

What we like
  • Folds away

  • Great battery life

  • Very quiet

What we don't like
  • Bigger models may be more powerful

Key specs

Price: £11 | Speed settings: 3 | Dimensions: ‎19.5D x 10W x 3.5H cm

What Mumsnet users say

Itwasntmeguv · Recommended product
This is my best friend. I've had it for 4 years and still it's going strong. It's quite a ferocious little beast when on full power and a single charge lasts ages.
See Post
Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet editor Poppy O'Neill: Here's our full EasyAcc Handheld Fan review

Coming in at around the size of your hand, this handheld fan will take up less room in your bag than your mobile phone. It comes with a foldable handle, so the fan can go from standing on your desk to being the ideal accessory for keeping cool when you're out and about, just with a quick fold.

Chargeable by USB, this quiet fan can last up to 17 hours in the low-speed mode and five and a half hours in high-speed mode. If you're in the market for a compact yet powerful fan, you can't go wrong with this highly-rated option.

Read next: The best handheld fans for labour, travel and heatwaves

7

Best budget pram fan

Dreambaby Pram Fan

What we like
  • Affordable price tag

  • Quiet running volume

  • Caged blades for safety

  • Powerful cooling

What we don't like
  • Some reviewers found it can detach fairly easily when bumping down kerbs

Key specs

Price on writing: £10 | Power source: AA batteries | Speed settings: One

Our verdict

With caged blades for safety, this powerful fan provides impressive cooling with a low running volume, using a handy clip that clamps onto your pushchair bumper bar or chassis. While reviewers found it quick and easy to attach, some found it could fall off relatively easily when navigating bumpier terrain. 

It’s also worth mentioning that this pram fan isn’t rechargeable, so you’ll need to stock up on your AA batteries to ensure it’s ready when you need it. Alternatively, you could opt for Dreambaby’s three-speed USB version instead, but you’ll pay twice as much for the benefit. 

Are cheap fans any good?

While you may get a more powerful and efficient blast of air from a pricier fan, if you're looking for something to take the edge off on the hottest days and nights of the year, a cheaper fan will still make a noticeable difference.

Fans get air moving, reducing stuffiness in the room and cooling your skin. At Mumsnet HQ we've tested a lot of fans, and while spending more will get you a quieter fan with more choice in terms of speed settings, a timer and a remote control, when it comes to blasting air, a good budget fan can hold its own.

Lots of Mumsnetters opt for a smaller personal fan, like the Amacool Neck Fan or the EasyAcc Mini Handheld Fan, preferring targeted cooling they can use anywhere over expensive models that can cool a whole room.

It's always important to choose the best products to suit your budget and needs, which is why we've also written in-depth guides to the best budget washing machines, the best budget tumble dryers and the best budget dehumidifiers, all based on recommendations from real families.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing the products Mumsnetters swear by for 3 years, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.