This $14 Handheld Fan Is My Secret to Surviving Even the Hottest Temperatures

This year has been an undeniably hot one — and that's coming from someone who grew up in the 118-degree temperatures of Arizona her whole life. While I've become pretty accustomed to the heat, I've also discovered that I'm far less comfortable in humid-heavy climates where the air is thick and the air conditioners are, well, pretty scarce (as any Arizonian will tell you, the dry heat is what makes the state so bearable). Alas, since this year has entailed a lot of travel for me personally — often to notably humid states like New York and Louisiana — I decided to prepare accordingly by investing in, what I would argue to be, one of the best inventions known to humankind (or at least one of Amazon's best products for that matter), otherwise known as the Tripole Mini Handheld Fan ($14, originally $20).

Tripole Mini Handheld Fan

From

$14

$20 Now 30% off

$14 at Amazon

While it might not look like much, trust me when I say that this portable handheld fan packs a seriously powerful punch — even in spite of its compact frame. The handheld tech gadget works exactly like a normal fan, with different cooling speeds that you can adjust depending on the outside temperature. It boasts a cone-like handle that's easy and comfortable to hold onto, plus an objectively quiet motor that allows you to hold the fan over your face and still easily carry on a conversation without any interference. I've rarely left the house without it this summer — from restaurants to running errands and even while on an airplane, it's proven to be my greatest companion for it all. It's been a key part of keeping any sweat at bay while also helping my makeup to stay looking fresh.

Since the ongoing heat waves don't appear to be letting up anytime soon, I decided to divulge why I love this portable fan so much — and where you can scoop up one (or two or three) for yourself. Keep reading for my full review.

More than anything else, I love that this rechargeable handheld fan has all the same capabilities of a traditional free-standing fan (think adjustable fan speeds and quick cooling capabilities), all condensed into a portable device that I can easily take on the go. The gadget is remarkably slim and compact, so much so that I can squeeze it into even my smallest crossbody bags. It's also super easy to operate, and with the click of a button, I can turn the device on and seamlessly toggle between different wind speeds. I appreciate that it's stylish and available to shop in a variety of colors, so it doesn't feel like an eyesore to carry around, and I can even match it to my outfits like a traditional accessory. I never have to worry about looking disheveled in the intense heat or having my makeup look stale from sweat, because this handheld fan helps to minimize all of that. And let's be real, you really can't beat the product's under-$20 price tag, too.

As with most affordable tech gadgets, you get what you pay for — and in this case, you get a fan that provides supremely cool air via a very limited battery life. Even with a full night's charge, I often find my fan slowing down or losing its battery life within only a few hours. This is understandable given that the handheld fan is so small and only requires a basic USB port to charge it. That being said, if you plan on using this fan for hours on end (perhaps while you're traveling or at a sporting event or outdoor concert), I wouldn't bet on it staying charged for the full duration of the event and would recommend bringing along a power bank of some sort (along with the product's charging cable) to ensure you can begin recharging it at a moment's notice.

This best-selling Amazon gadget is the perfect buy for anyone who lives in a warm climate (or has plans to travel to a warm climate), is enduring a sweltering heat wave in their city, or just has a tendency to sweat profusely pretty much year-round. (It's me, hi.) The device is compact and lightweight, meaning it's easy to carry around and can seamlessly fit in your purse, back pocket, or even just dangle from your wrist (with the hand strap attached, of course). It comes with a slim charging cable that can fit into any standard USB port, so it's easy to keep the product's battery charged even when you're on the go. It also provides just enough airflow to keep sweat at bay, but not so much that it's overbearing or a disturbance to others. (For context, I've used this in the airport (and even on an actual airplane), while walking through the grocery store, and while sitting in the outside patio area at a restaurant. The fan packs a lot of punch despite its slim design and quiet motor.

This handheld fan is available to shop at Amazon.

Rating:

★★★★★