A USB fan is a small and portable device that’s handy for personal, close-proximity cooling. As the name suggests, it’s powered through a USB connection, such as the one in your computer, a power adapter that you plug into a wall outlet, or a portable battery. Some can be self-powered using an internal battery that you recharge — over USB, of course — and, in turn, some of these models can even be used as a portable battery to add some charge to a phone.
Despite their size, USB fans can be powerful, and most offer different speed settings. They won’t cool down an entire room, but they can keep you comfortable when used at a close distance, such as an office desk or bedside table. Best of all, they are inexpensive.
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Our top picks for USB fans
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Besides three speeds, the eFluky Mini Desk Fan has a backlight for ambiance and an emergency light for safety.
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This two-speed USB fan from Holmes Heritage has a classic design that blends in with many home decor.
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OPOLAR’s Clip-On Fan can be clipped onto a surface or object, and a long-lasting battery lets you take it outdoors.
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Attach the YXwin Stroller Fan to a stroller handle to provide your baby with some cooling, or use it as an aroma diffuser in your home.
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The SmartDevil Desk Fan is unobtrusive and quiet, making it a good choice for a home office.
Read more about our picks:
A USB fan with lighting: Efluky 3 Speeds Mini Desk Fan
This desk fan may be small, but it has three speed settings — soft, natural wind, and strong wind — to keep you cool. Depending on the speed setting, the 2,200mAh battery provides between three and nine hours on one charge. There’s blue backlighting you can use at night and an emergency light for when you’re in a critical situation.
A USB fan with retro styling: Holmes Heritage USB Fan
Available in brushed copper or brushed antique nickel, Holmes Heritage is a USB fan with classic styling. It has only two speed settings, but in our experience, it has impressive power. It’s tilt-adjustable, so you can easily point it in the direction you want. We think it looks great on a desk, but the downside is that it isn’t portable — there’s no internal battery.
A USB fan for indoor/outdoor use: OPOLAR USB Fan with Built-In Battery
Measuring 8 by 10 inches, the OPOLAR Clip-On Fan is larger than many of the other fans in this roundup, but, at just under 2 pounds, it is still highly portable. What makes this fan unique is the base that doubles as a clip that you can attach onto anything that’s up 3 inches thick. You can easily tilt and rotate the fan head, so you can angle it however you want. There are four speed options and with 8-inch blades, you can expect the fan to deliver outstanding wind speeds if you crank it up. Its 10,000mAh battery provides up to 24 hours of use on one charge.
A USB fan for parents: YXwin Stroller Fan
The design principle of the YXwin fan is similar to the OPOLAR Clip-On Fan, but it’s smaller and lighter, making it ideal for attaching to a stroller handle. It has a 360-degree rotation and four speed settings. Interestingly, the YXwin Stroller Fan has a tank with a sponge on the back that’s designed for absorbing ice water, essential oils, or bug repellent liquid, which is then blown out when the fan is on. When it’s loaded up, the fan will collect the liquid and emit a mist during use. The 4,400mAh is on the small side, but it can go for 40 hours on the slowest speed and 4.5 hours on maximum, according to the company.
A quiet USB fan for home office: SmartDevil Desk Fan
While it has “desk fan” in its name, this stylish unit is actually very portable, measuring 5 x 5 inches and weighing 6 ounces. It has three speed settings, with a maximum sound level of 50 decibels — quiet enough that it won’t disturb you while on Zoom calls. The downside: Although it’s portable, it requires a USB power source as it doesn’t have a built-in battery.
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