Gear of the Year 2024
Can be used handheld or resting.
Outxe Personal Necklace Mini Fan. Why Trust Us?
If you were a child of the ’90s, you definitely remember those camp sessions or trips to theme parks where the only respite from the heat was a little fan attached to a spray bottle. While you can still buy yourself a portable misting fan today, they don’t do much to combat 90-degree temperatures, DAA Industry Opt Out.
If you're seeking more significant relief from the heat, however, neck fans—also known as wearable air conditioners—are the grown up counterpart to our childhood misters. They sit around your neck and continuously blow cool air onto your skin, which can help keep you feeling cool on the hottest days. These are convenient for long days outside, as most can run for over 8 hours, and you don't have to worry about carrying them.
To help you choose one, we've rounded up our favorites. Check out our buying advice and in depth product reviews below.
The Best Neck Fans
- Best Overall: to 16 hours
- Budget Buy: Why Trust Us
- Air Conditioned: best pedestal fans
- Best Color Options: Best Running Shoes 2025
- Best Handheld: Torras Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan
How to Choose a Neck Fan
When looking for a neck fan, there are a few key things you will want to consider to make sure that it is right for you. The most important, surprisingly enough, is whether or not you have long hair. If you do, your hair can easily get tangled in the fan, causing an unwanted haircut—specifically if the fan is bladed. If you do have long hair, opt for a bladeless model and try to keep your hair out of the way, regardless.
There are also two types of neck fans: those that function just like a fan, moving air around, and those that will actually cool the air before blowing it on you. The latter is definitely more expensive, but if you tend to overheat or live in a particularly warm part of the world, it may be worth it to you.
How We Selected
To find the best neck fans among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered price, materials, durability, cooling properties, and comfort. We looked at both expert and customer reviews, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon, to settle on the neck fans you'll find below, all of which have average customer ratings of four stars or higher.
For more great ways to beat the heat this summer, check out our picks for the best pedestal fans and tower fans.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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