**If you are in a hurry I recommend the Comlife Fan as the best camping fan for its versatility and portability.**
Camping in Texas for most of my life means I’ve found every way possible to cool down during the warmer months. But nothing quite beats the cool breeze of a well-built camping fan. You want to make sure its powerful enough to be able to feel the wind blowing when you lay down at night. But you also want to make sure its portable enough to bring with you while your grilling or hanging around the fire. Learn which one is going to cool you down and work in any situation by reading the best camping fan reviews below.
What Makes The Best Camping Fan
Portability
Portability for a camping fan in hot weather can turn out to be a luxury. Especially if you are going to do some hiking. Imagine attaching your fan to a backpack as it cools you down while you hike. With some fans on this list you can attach it to the grill, a camping chair, canopy, ceiling of your tent, or pretty much anywhere you go.
These types of fans are usually hanging or clip fans. They are lightweight, small, and will sometimes have extra features. Keep in mind that the smaller the fan is, the less power you will get. Sometimes this isn’t a problem if you have a small tent or you’re traveling with one other person. But if you need some wind speed and want to keep more people cool then a freestanding fan might be a better option.
Free standing fans stay on the ground while they work and do not have hooks for hanging. If your staying near your campsite for most of the trip then you wont mind having a free standing fan. These don’t travel as well as the lightweight hanging or clip fans but they can pack some serious air flow. You set these fans directly on the ground and they stand on a solid base. They are usually light enough to pick up and place where you want so they can work near the fire, while grilling, or in your tent at night.
Power
Camping fans run using batteries or a USB port. There are other options like solar but you don’t want to be stuck on a hot, cloudy day with no fan blowing because the sun never came out. If you decide to buy a camping fan that is battery run you’re going to need to stock up on extras just in case. That is unless you buy a rechargeable which is highly recommended. Some fans on this list already come a built-in rechargeable battery. Batteries are pretty terrible for the environment any way so it makes more sense just to stick with rechargeable.
Ultimately USB is the best option because you can plug the fan in to different power sources to start charging like a power bank, car adapter, or phone. And some fans have quicker recharging options if you don’t like to spend your time waiting in hot weather till your fan gets some juice back.
Features
Buying the best camping fan helps keep you cool when you need it but you can actually get a lot more. You’ll be able to get up in the middle of the night for an outdoor restroom break by using the LED lights that come with some of the fans below. Some even offer hanging hooks you can set up from the ceiling of your tent. This cools down the hot air that can collect at the top of the tent.
One of the more innovative ideas on this list is a fan that comes with sponges you can soak with mosquito repellent! Place them in front of your fan and you have a bug-biting free weekend. When you are buying your fan make sure to think about if you can solve several problems with one purchase. Multi-purpose items are going to be your bread and butter in the outdoors where you have limited packing space.
Noise
The bigger fans have a larger and more powerful motor which is going to make some noise. If you are someone who sleeps with a white noise machine or the TV on then this might be perfect for you. Some of the larger fans can come with a brushless motor which can help reduce the amount of decibels the fan omits.
But if you are the type of person who enjoys the serene sounds of the outdoors when you’re getting cooled down then a smaller fan is usually ideal. Most fans will also have different settings for wind speed so the higher the speed then the louder the noise.
Run Time
Knowing how long your fan is going to stay on is pretty crucial on hot, muggy days. This will let you plan if you want to use it during the day or while you are sleeping and when to charge it even if it’s not dead. The battery life depends on what kind of batteries you are using, which wind speed setting you’ve chosen, and how long it has been running.
Some of the newer models will have LED display lights that show you when the fan needs charging, when it’s fully charged, and which speed setting its on. Read the manufacturer’s suggested run time and compare that with reviews from customers to see how the fan really performs.
Top Pick: Comlife Fan
You can tell the makers of the Comlife have heard the calls of campers everywhere. They’ve built a fan to give you the most comfortable camping experience possible. You can rest the fan on its base so that it can stand anywhere with a steady surface. But it also has a hidden hook that is inside the base you can flip out so that it can hang on the ceiling of your tent or on a tree branch.
It also has 12 LED bulbs with 3 different light settings doubling up as a lantern or night lite. The fan itself can rotate 360 degrees in any direction so you can aim it exactly where you want to get the best airflow. The built-in battery charges using a USB port so any laptop, phone, computer, or power bank will get it going. The size of this fan means you won’t get as much power as some other free standing fans on this list, but the features more than make up for it.
One of the more innovative ideas for the Comlife camping fan is the 2 white sponges that come with your purchase. You can soak them up with mosquito repellent and place them right in the middle of the blades. Say good-bye to itchy bites all over your legs. The Comlife is the best camping fan for campers because of its portability and versatility.
Runner Up: Geek Aire Fan
Sturdy, free standing, and a rechargeable built-in battery make this camping fan a great choice for the outdoors. It has an advanced brushless DC motor which helps keep the noise to a minimal level. Perfect for lighter sleepers needing to get some shut eye after a long day in the outdoors.
It only takes about 2-3 hours to charge. It has a battery life indicator so you never have to wonder how long you have left for use. And the fan speed regulation is seamless which means you aren’t limited to specific settings but you can adjust to your exact needs. You can also tilt the fan 360 degrees in case you need to change the airflow in a specific direction.
This fan is not going to be for the hiking camper. It’s 10.8 pounds doesn’t make it ideal for lugging around on your trip. It also doesn’t have any hooks that you can hang it from so it’s limited to staying on the ground. But the airflow is amazing, it’s extra quiet for its power, and it has a long shelf life you can take advantage of.
Honorable mention: Dewalt 20V Max Fan
Although I don’t recommend the Dewalt for hikers, it’s still worthy of an honorable mention. On a low power setting, this fan should be able to run all day long thanks to the detachable battery source you can recharge. You will also barely hear it on the low setting.
The Dewalt also has a cord option for plugging into the wall so you can bring this with you anywhere you go. Use this for working in your garage, in the garden, or any other activity where you need a cool breeze. The extreme durability and multiple power sources make it one of the most trusted fans to take with you in any outdoor situation.
Able to withstand a significant beating it’s perfect for taking in the wild. Although not the most portable, I recommend the Dewalt if you are setting up your site close to your car. This is an investment fan you are going to use many times in the hot weather.
Opolar Clip Fan
This is going to be the only clip fan you will see on the list. The 3-inch clip opening can grasp any item on your camping trip like a grill, tent, or canopy. At 1.8 pounds it is very light and is portable enough to take with you while your hiking the trails. You can also recharge the built-in batteries using a USB cord. Bring a power bank with you and you will be able to use the OPOLAR whenever you want.
Because of the size of this fan, it isn’t going to be as powerful as some of the others on this list. The OPOLAR is much more efficient when inside a small 2-4 person tent. Outdoor use will be harder to feel the effects of the airflow. But when you do attach it inside your tent you will be pleasantly surprised at how much airflow the 8 inch blades create.
The clip doubles as a base and it will stay upright on a steady surface. The design is quite useful for different scenarios at your campsite if you’re grilling or sitting by the fire. It also allows 360-degree rotation for specific air direction. this is a very portable fan for camping while still providing great airflow.
Viniper Fan
The small but mighty Viniper is a solid choice for heading to the outdoors. The built-in battery is rechargeable with a USB port so you can easily plug into a car adapter, laptop, phone, or power bank. It also has an LED display for charging, wind speed setting, and if the fan is at full charge.
At less than a pound, its extremely easy to carry around. The only problem is that it does not fold up and also doesn’t have any hooks for easy attachment. This means it isn’t as easy to bring with you on a hiking trip as other hanging fans on this list. This is more of a personal fan but it does have some good airflow for its size. It also has a brushless motor to make it quiet when in use.
This is a great in-between fan. You can adjust the fan itself 180 degrees to angle it directly where you want the airflow to go. This doesn’t have the bulky size of other free standing fans but still packs some power. It’s as light and portable as any hanging fan on this list. It also gets cool points for being one of the more unique designs on this list.
Opolar Portable Fan
This is another portable fan that packs some serious airflow ability. It is also one of the few camping fans that have extra features. Like a LED light on the side of the fan, you can use during dark outdoor nights as a lantern. There are three adjustable speeds and run times will vary depending on which speed you use.
The fan itself does not move or angle at all. There are no hooks or clamps you can use to hang from different areas of your campsite. It’s a free standing fan but it’s light in weight and compact enough to pack in your bag wherever you need to go.
It has a powerful motor so the airflow is great and the rechargeable battery takes USB. This fan is going to be more of a 2 or 4 person tent fan where the airflow can make a bigger difference. You can aim it right at you since it doesn’t hang and use the 3 different wind speed settings to adjust to what you like.
O2Cool
This tiny fan might not look all that impressive at first glance but it’s 5 inches in size can produce some great airflow for muggy, hot days. It’s one of the smallest fans on the list making it perfect for bringing along on your camping trip. The base even folds up so it rests right behind the blades for an even more compact size.
The downside is that this is a battery powered fan for camping. You have to use 2 D batteries that do not come with the purchase of the fan. It’s also the only non-rechargeable fan on this list. I recommend buying some rechargeable batteries instead of constantly purchasing new ones. Plus, batteries are terrible for the environment so it’s best to find something more sustainable. There are also no other features on the O2Cool. So there’s some lost opportunity but the price is one of the more affordable options on the list.
This is another fan that would go nicely inside a smaller tent size for a solo traveler or a couple getting away for the weekend. You can choose from a variety of colors to pick one that matches your personality. The portability is great for packing into your car with no problem. And it is surprisingly durable for being made of plastic.
Summary
My top recommendation for the best camping fan for your trip is going to be the Comlife Fan. It can rest directly on its base and it also has the ability to hang from the ceiling of your tent. You can charge the battery using a USB port so your phone or laptop can double as a charger.
The 12 LED bulbs that can act as a lantern are better than any other fan on this list. Not to mention it comes with 2 sponges you can soak with mosquito repellant to stay safe from those pesky insects. This fan was built for camping and it is extremely portable. If you want a fan that is going to cool you down and take care of several problems at once, then this is for you.
