What is a USB fan?
Unlike traditional pedestal and tower fans that are plugged into the mains, USB fans are powered by a USB connection, meaning you can plug them into any device with a USB port such as a laptop, desktop computer, USB socket or power bank. While some USB fans also have a rechargeable battery, many can be left plugged in, meaning you won’t be restricted by battery life when attempting to keep cool. Most USB fans also come with long charging cables, providing flexibility about where and when they are used.
Related: Best cooling towels
Can you use a USB fan away from your computer?
While plugging into your laptop or computer is the obvious way to operate a USB fan, you can also plug USB fans into a traditional plug if you have a USB charging socket. They can also be plugged into the USB port of a power bank for use outside of the home.
What’s the best USB fan to buy?
We think the EasyAcc Handheld Portable Fan is the best USB fan you can buy today. With a relatively affordable price tag, this portable fan can quickly switch between a handheld fan and a desktop design. With four powerful speed settings to keep you cool when temperatures rise.
While the rechargeable battery makes it ideal for use outside the home, it can also be plugged into your laptop for constant use on those stifling hot days.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
From when to open your windows to whether or not you should keep your curtains closed, there is a lot of debate within the Mumsnet forums on how to keep cool during summer, with many users sharing their hints and tips and the best tools for the job.
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on the USB fans they’ve used, rated and would happily recommend to others.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted USB fans that they felt were poor quality, noisy or simply failed to keep them cool.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by industry experts.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best USB fans on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.
As someone who struggles with the heat in summer, Lucy has also written a number of product roundups to help us keep cool this summer, including the best pram fans and best paddling pools.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.