We must talk about personal fans.
During VidCon 2025, their influence was unmistakable. On the creator floor, handheld fans were ubiquitous. I spotted the fashionable Naomi Hearts with her trendy pink fan, which she listed among her must-haves. At first, I assumed handheld fans were merely a fad among creators, but upon returning to the East Coast during a heatwave, they remained widespread. At a gathering, attendees utilized personal fans as the air conditioning faltered, and I noticed someone at the gym using one to cool off.
I questioned my judgment, but my coworkers validated the trend. Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel shared that her Gen-Z sister had recently purchased one, and they gained popularity during the Cowboy Carter tour. Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern even packed them into Christmas stockings last year. After reflecting on my envy of children at Disney World with souvenir fans, it became evident that personal fans are the essential item for summer.
What contributes to the popularity of personal fans?
The increasing use of personal fans is hardly surprising, given the extreme heat in the northern hemisphere. The East Coast faced a heat dome stretching from Chicago to Pittsburgh and North Carolina to New York, with temperatures not recorded in over ten years, as reported by the Associated Press.
With global warming, heat waves are becoming increasingly common. Climate scientist Patrick Brown indicated that a minor temperature increase due to global warming can transform a “once-a-decade” heat wave into a yearly occurrence. This year’s heat wave arrived early, leaving minimal time for people to acclimatize. With a strong need to stay cool, personal fans have become a favored solution, assisting in regulating temperature by enhancing heat evaporation.
Their low cost enhances their appeal, with prices typically below $20 at major stores.
Where can one purchase a personal fan?
The most favored models are handheld, USB rechargeable, and feature bright pastel colors. Although neck fans are available, they look like unattractive headphones. You can find them nearly everywhere, with Amazon providing a wide selection. Popular brands, such as Gaiatop, Jisulife, and Sweetfull, come in striking colors.
Henschel’s sister acquired hers from Shein for only $1. Shein offers packs of fans in assorted colors, targeting festival-goers looking for fans that complement their outfits. However, these models might lack the quality of $15 models from Amazon, raising questions about durability. The packs from Shein stand in contrast to the trend of underconsumption on social media, shedding light on fast fashion’s impact on global warming.
Nevertheless, the attractive price point is a draw. Staying cool typically necessitates air conditioning, which can be expensive and difficult to access. In unprecedented heat, a personal fan delivers an economical relief.