Buyer's Guide: Portable Battery Powered Fans

Battery powered fans can be useful in a variety of situations during the summer, such as in a power outage, on a boat, while camping, or in a vehicle without air conditioning. Some battery powered fans have additional features such as a variable speed, AC power jack, or water misting, and they are available in several different sizes. Read on for more details about their features, as well as tips on where to buy them...

LIGHT: Some battery powered fans, including the Ozark Trail Portable Fan/Light, have a built-in light as well. This eliminates the need for a separate flashlight and batteries, and expands the unit's usefulness during a power outage.

BLADES: Most desktop and table fans have plastic or metal blades enclosed in a metal "cage" to prevent injury or damage. Handheld units, and some very small tabletop portable fans, do not have a metal cage around them, but usually feature plastic or foam blades. Small plastic blades can be mildly painful if touched while moving; foam blades aren't, but are less durable.

BATTERIES: The power requirements of battery powered portable fans range from 1 "D" or 2 "AA" batteries for some of the smaller handheld units, to several large "D" batteries for large tabletop models. Devices which use "D" batteries tend to run longer without needing them to be replaced, although more/larger batteries will increase the fan's weight.

VARIABLE SPEED: Battery powered fans with more than one speed setting include the O2-Cool 1054 and the Seafit Vents SF-2004WM. This allows you to save battery energy when a higher speed isn't necessary to provide sufficient cooling.

ADAPTER: Some battery operated portable fans (usually desktop/tabletop units) can also be powered with an AC adapter when an electrical outlet is available. The adapter may be included with purchase, while less expensive models are more likely to require that it be purchased separately. With some models, individual sellers will include the adapter, while others won't.

WATER: A few battery powered fans use water to enhance their cooling effect, in at least a couple different ways. The Kool-Down JC2885 has a water tank inside it, next to its two-speed fan, which can be filled with cold water to help it blow cooler air. Other fans, including some O2-Cool models and generic units, have a water misting feature.

OTHER: Additional potentially-useful features to look for on a portable fan include variable direction, built-in neck strap, a suction cup mount, built-in radio receiver, oscillator, or internal battery charger.

Portable battery powered fans can be purchased at some stores (they are sometimes available at Wal-Mart or Rite Aid), online shopping websites (try searching froogle.google.com), and internet auction services. Most are priced in the $5-30 range, becoming more expensive as they are larger and have more features.