The best fans to help you cope with extreme summer heat
As summers get hotter, your AC isn't always going to cut it.
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You might say Canadian civilization is built on indoor heating in the winter months, but it’s not exactly chilly up here in the summer either. Even so, not all Canadian homes and businesses have AC, or even good AC, and once you’re outdoors, you’re on your own. In a warming world, it’s best to take charge of your own cooling, and we offer these six suggestions, depending on your location.
Lasko Tower Fan
Amazon.ca
Those classic old oscillating fans you may have grown up with are very much a thing of the past. Tower fans are where we’re at now, and of those available, we liked the look of this 36-inch option from Lasko the best. Its sleek design, quiet operation and ease of installation speak well of it also.
Other features we liked:
Three speeds available, comes with wireless remote control
Built-in timer allows automatic shutdown after 1-7 hours
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on an astounding 16,000-plus reviews
Honeywell TurboForce® Desk/Table Fan
Amazon.ca
For something a little more three-dimensional, there’s this option from Honeywell. The fan pivots 90 degrees, allowing you to direct the flow toward your bed, chair or workstation, or point it up to the ceiling to allow a more even distribution. Good for individual rooms and home offices especially, and it’s very inexpensive for what you’re getting.
Other features we liked:
Three speed options
Includes heating element for warming air in the winter
Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 11,000 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Karvipark Portable Camping Fan
Amazon.ca
Camping is grand, but there’s little hope for AC when you’re trying to sleep on those hot forest nights. Fortunately, tent fans exist, and this one sparked our interest, not only for its cooling potential but for its multifunctionality, something we’re really drawn to here at Shop The Weather: it includes a small LED light and can function as an emergency power bank. Of course, that’s a lot of power moving in and out of it depending on how you use it, so be mindful of its charge and what power sources you have handy.
Other features we liked:
Speed and brightness each have three settings
Up to 25 hours of use on a single charge
Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 700 reviews
READ MORE: Make the sun work for YOU with these solar powered gadgets
Battery Operated Flexible Fan with Tripod Clip-On
Amazon.ca
For when there’s no flat surface to set your fan down on, here’s another option, which we’re pretty keen on. Its flexible arms allow you to attach it just about anywhere you need it, including your car, particularly useful for adults, kids, or pets. People who buy it from Amazon.ca seem to like it a lot, as it has one of the highest numbers of reviews we’ve ever seen on that website.
Other features we liked:
Cool air, anywhere
Cordless and powered by a rechargeable battery
Rated 4.4 out of 5 based on an impressive 25,000+ Amazon.ca reviews
READ MORE: Protect your car from the heat and sun with these products
EasyAcc Rechargeable Handheld Fan
Amazon.ca
Outside of the home or office, handheld fans will do in a pinch, and there are no shortage of rechargeable ones. We liked this four-speed version best of the ones we looked at, since unlike many of the others, this one folds easily to allow you to set it down and direct it for when you need both hands free to take care of work or some other local task.
Other features we liked:
Two colour options and three battery size options
Largest battery size provides up to 23 hour duration, depending on the speed
Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca, based on more than 22,000 reviews
SmartDevil Portable Neck Fan
Amazon.ca
Wearability is always a consideration when you’re shopping for gadgets, and on a hot day, a cooling fan needn’t be the exception. There are, again, loads of wearable fan options out there, and we were drawn to this one. First, its sleek, unobtrusive and easily adjustable design – when you’re out and about with this around your neck, it looks for all the world like a pair of headphones. Second, rather than blades, it has 48 different air outlets, helping to cool your neck as well. It also has a maximum charge of six hours, and can charge anywhere with a USB outlet like, say, your car on the way to a game.
Other features we liked:
Available in white or pink
Three speeds available, up to 6-hour charge
Rated 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 600 reviews
Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.
Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Thumbnail image courtesy Amazon.ca
