Do neck fans actually work?
In a word, yes. If you tend to sweat a lot on your face, head and neck, the targeted air flow from a neck fan really helps to cool you down. Whether you're suffering in a heatwave, sweating from a hot flush or looking for relief from a migraine, the cool breeze from a neck fan can be a godsend.
Are neck fans allowed on planes?
Neck fans can be taken on planes in your hand luggage or worn, and aren't restricted by any major airlines. If in doubt, it's always worth contacting your airline in advance to double-check.
Are neck fans safe?
Yes, neck fans are very safe to use. If you have longer hair and don’t want to tie it up, it would be better to go for a bladeless neck fan rather than a bladed model which could get your hair caught.
What's the best neck fan to buy?
The Amacool Neck Fan is the best neck fan to buy for heatwaves. Its flexible arms mean you can direct its two fans where you need them most, which sets it apart from other neck fans on our list.
What to consider when choosing a neck fan
Power
Take a look at the wind speeds when shopping for your neck fan. This will affect how hard it blows into your face. Many come with multiple speeds, but bear in mind that sometimes the faster the fan, the louder it may be. There are quieter designs available, too.
Battery life
If you plan to use the neck fan on a sweaty commute or for long days out - or you just don’t want to have to keep charging it - look at how long the battery lasts. The high-end designs on our roundup can last for up to 16 hours.
Design
The main difference between fans is whether they are bladed or bladeless. Bladed fans tend to offer more airflow but are bigger around the neck. Bladeless neck fans look more like headphones so aren’t as obvious and, as they use small turbines to create airflow, are more suitable for people with long hair.
How long do neck fans last?
This will depend on the size of the battery. On average, neck fans with a smaller 2,000mAh battery will run from three to nine hours, depending on what speed setting you use. While fans with 4,000mAh or 5,000mAh batteries can last up to 16 hours on low. So, even if it has a smaller battery life, a good neck fan is a smart addition to your bag along with the best reusable water bottle during the summer months.
About the author
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier – as a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice.
After working on women’s weekly magazines for nine years, Gemma turned to freelance writing to fit around family life, writing for a range of online and print publications, charities and small businesses. She loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life. She knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making a purchase, so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we are recommending the best ones on the market.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real parents
We started our research by trawling our forums to find out what our Mumsnetters thought about neck fans and which products they recommend. Our forums have over 8 million monthly users, so we know that the neck fans Mumsnetters independently suggest have been tried and tested and will cater for different needs and budgets.
Authentic reviews
We looked at in-depth reviews of neck fans to see which brands and products impressed experts the most. This helped us to narrow down our shortlist and focus on the products that excel across the board.
We also checked verified consumer reviews on websites such as Amazon, making a note of both positive and negative feedback, to help us pick the best products.
Celebrated best products
Finally, during our research, we always make sure to look at products that have received awards. This, combined with real parent recommendations, reviews and expert advice, helped us recommend a variety of neck fans to keep you cool on hot summer days.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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