After a long day out in the sun, the last thing you want to do is step into a stuffy tent. You’re best chance of getting a good night’s sleep? Investing in a good, portable camping fan.
These fans are a must-have to combat the heat and stuffiness from your tent. More than just producing airflow, camping fans can also be used to keep insects away. Some models even come with LED lights and can be used as an alternative torch. They are especially important if you’re camping with children or the elderly who are more susceptible to heat-stroke and exhaustion.
From handheld fans to ceiling-mounted fans, camping fans are essential accessories for campers in Australia. With fans, campers can keep themselves cool and make your summer camping experience a memory for the best reasons. In order to find the best camping fans for your camping experience, it is important to consider a number of different factors.
Size of the fan.
Consider the maximum wattage you need, which is the highest wattage rating that can be obtained from the fan blades. If you intend to camp for a week or more, the larger the fan, the more air flow it can produce. The best camping fans for tents come in different sizes and wattage ratings, so be sure to choose one that meets your needs.
Size and shape of the blades.
Blades vary in length. Some are longer than others, and some even look like fans. Some fans have built-in stands, while others require the user to screw on to the ceiling of the tent. Before choosing camping fans with batteries or which require USB charging, consider how much space you have in your bag or the area you plan to store the equipment. You’ll need to choose a fan with appropriate sized blades.
Energy rating
Higher wattage fans will give you better air flow, but higher energy output means the fan will use more power. In order to get an accurate energy rating, you should consider both the output power and the size of the blades when choosing a portable camping fan with rechargeable batteries.
Design
While most brands have similar designs, the best camping fans are those that keep your heart rate up and help to burn calories. The two best models are the Rythmics Tourister RV and the Treva 10-inch portable fan. These models provide excellent air circulation and long battery life, so they are the top choice for campers planning a trip.
Good Battery
Many top-quality portable fans include a rechargeable battery pack, but there are other options as well. If you’re camping for long periods of time, you may prefer to choose a fan with a rechargeable battery. The best camping fans for batteries are those with at least three or four cells. If you plan to use your fan on day trips during hot days, you should consider a fan with a four-cell battery life.
Waterproof
Some fans are made with durable nylon straps, but some are made with heavy duty fabric materials that will survive long trips into the wild. Before purchasing a ceiling fan, check for a nylon strap or a metal clip that will attach to a backpack and attach to the tent. You’ll want to keep your favourite camping accessory safe and dry.
Planning on investing in a camping fan?
We’ll help you beat the heat with our list of the top 8 best camping fans in 2023:
Whether you’re an experienced camper or an absolute beginner, the OUTDOOR CONNECTION Breezeway 12V Fan is a must-have for every camping trip. This is a powerful fan — it features 12 inch blades that produce high volume airflow for both indoor and outdoor use. It comes with three speed levels to choose from, so you can easily adjust the amount of airflow from high to low. With a built-in noise lowering feature, this camping fan is guaranteed to give you a good and quiet night’s sleep.
Key Features:
- High volume airflow
- Three speed levels
- 3 meter long cable
- Battery powered
- 12 inch blade diameter
- Folding feet
Verdict: The OUTDOOR CONNECTION Breezeway 12V Fan is a lightweight 12V portable fan that is ideal for medium-sized tents. It’s fully flexible and great for traveling, as its 3m long cable allows you to move it inside or outside the tent with ease. Weighing only 1kg, this camping fan is one of the most lightweight on the market today — ready to provide you with proper airflow on the go.
The COMPANION Rechargeable Fan is an all-rounder that combines three camping essentials: airflow, light, and entertainment. What makes this camping fan standout is its unique design — it features a built-in AM/FM radio that you can listen to anywhere and comes with an LED light with a separate controller to double as a night light.
Key Features:
- In-built rechargeable battery
- Two speed options
- AM/FM radio
- AUX socket
- LED light
- Carry handle
- USB cable, AC adaptor
Verdict: Despite having both a built-in radio and LED light, the COMPANION Rechargeable Fan is low voltage and consumes less power. Running on rechargeable batteries, this camping fan provides you with two different speed levels that you can adjust according to your preferences. It also comes complete with a USB cable, audio cable and AC adaptor.
The Coleman brand has become a household name in the camping world for consistently producing quality gear — and the COLEMAN Rechargeable 8-inch Fan definitely doesn’t disappoint. This camping fan comes with a built-in lithium ion battery that’s fully rechargeable and turns green when fully charged. It’s versatile enough to be used both at home or outdoors, as it comes with both a 240 home cord and 12V car plug.
Key Features:
- Rechargeable lithium ion battery
- Two fan settings
- Battery indicator turns green when fully charged
- 12V or 240V with adaptors
- LED lights that operate separately
- Weight: 1.8 kg
Verdict: The COLEMAN Rechargeable 8-inch Fan has just the right proportions to fit into small and medium sized tents, with speed levels that allow for more focused airflow. Its rechargeable lithium ion battery runs for a full 7 hours on low speed, perfect for those long summer nights. Like most camping fans from the same brand, it comes with LED lights that can be operated independently.
Are you looking for a great fan to keep you cool this summer? Well, look no further than the Spinifex Lithium Rechargeable 12” Fan. This fan is both durable and efficient, allowing you to stay comfortable all day long. Best of all, it’s rechargeable, allowing you to save on electricity costs while keeping you cool. So what are you waiting for? Pick up this fan today! The Spinifex Lithium Rechargeable 12” Fan is available in three colours: black, white and red. With its sleek design and durable construction, the Spinifex Lithium Rechargeable 12” Fan is the perfect choice for any adventure. This fan features four blades that deliver a
Key Features:
- 4 blades fan features
- Cools up to 15° F
- Three speed settings
- 8 white LED lights on each side of the fan
Verdict: So the big question here is whether does the Spinifex Lithium Rechargeable 12” Fan do what it’s designed to do? The short answer is yes it does. For warm nights and no electricity situations, whether in or out of the sunshine, this little fan can do the job nicely with a powerful breeze across a large area, keeping you cool and comfortable all season long.
The 12 Volt Cool Breeze fan by Explore is a one-of-a-kind product that operates through battery power to circulate air. By harnessing the energy of your car’s battery, this traveling fan can go just about anywhere – even with you in your RV when you’re camping! If you don’t want to have to worry about finding an electric power source while enjoying nature, then this unique fan is certainly for campers like you.
Key Features:
- 3 speed control settings
- 10 large high volume blades
- Retractable legs
- 12V Plug with 3m cord cable
- 5Amp safety fuse
Verdict: If you’re looking for a good fan to take with you on your next trip, the 12 Volt Cool Breeze is a great option. It’s lightweight and portable, and easy to set up and use. Simply plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter socket, and as long as there’s power in the battery, it will work!
Introducing the Companion Aerobreeze 30CM lithium fan! This amazing accessory is perfect for keeping you cool and comfortable while gaming or working. The aerobreeze technology helps to create a cool and refreshing airflow, keeping you comfortable all day long. The best part is that the lithium battery lasts up to 6 hours on one charge, so you don’t need to plug in this fan! It also comes with a convenient carry case, making it easy and convenient to take with you wherever you go.
Key Features:
- Two-speed oscillating fan
- Rechargeable lithium battery
- 5-12 hours running time
- 30 Lumens LED light on the side
- Includes AC/DC charging cords
Verdict: You will definitely want a cooling device if you can’t stand the heat and want to feel comfortable this summer season. Additionally, one great feature about this particular device is that you don’t have to worry about it losing its charge quickly. It has a good battery life which should be more than sufficient. Lastly, if you are looking for a small, portable cooling device that won’t take up too much space and can easily accompany you on all your travels, then look no further than the Companion Aerobreeze 30CM lithium fan.
Both rechargeable and portable, the OZTRAIL 12-inch 12V/240V Camping Fan makes the perfect travel companion. Because this fan is fully rechargeable with an internal battery that lasts up to 7 hours, you won’t have to worry about bringing spare batteries that could add more bulk to your camping gear. It is also easy to adjust between two modes: oscillating to reach a wider area and focused for high volume airflow.
Key Features:
- Two modes: Oscillating and focused
- Two speed fan switch
- AC and DC power inputs
- Run off internal rechargeable battery
- 240V home cord and 5m 12V car plug
- Integrated LED light 50 lumens
Price: $79.99
Pros
- Fan and light controls are separate
- Relatively long battery life
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- Not lightweight
Verdict: Featuring a minimalist compact design, the OZTRAIL 12-inch 12V/240V Camping Fan can be easily stored in your camping bag. This camping fan features two speed levels to choose from and has both AC and DC power units. It also has an integrated LED light with a separate control mechanism, so you can use both the fan and light without consuming too much power.
Easy to install and with an affordable price tag, the ETBOTU DC 12V Ceiling Hanging Fan is an excellent choice for the budget friendly camper. This versatile camping fan is also eco-friendly, as it has a solar panel that can be used as a power source on sunny days. Alternatively, it is also easy to charge and has a lower power design compatible with DC 12V.
Key Features:
- DC 12V with solar panel
- Smalle diamter of 50cm
- 40-50 db low noise
- 2.5m power cord
- Durable plastic structure
Price: $19.99
Pros
- Ideal for larger tents
- Airflow has wider reach
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Lacks airflow volume and speed settings
Verdict: As its name suggests, the ETBOTU DC 12V is a hanging fan; which means that airflow is circulated from above so it reaches a wider area — ideal for larger tents with an open-plan interior. Compact and incredibly low voltage, this camping fan consumes less power and promises a peaceful sleep with its 40-50 db low noise feature.
THE BEST CAMPING FANS -- WHY BUY ONE ANYWAY?
Here are a few reasons why a camping fan is a great addition to your camping gear:
Camping fans will help you beat the heat
Summertime camping can be fun, but it’s not always easy. The heat can turn your tent into a greenhouse, so it’s impossible to get a good night’s sleep. Camping will help keep the heat at bay and regulate the temperature in your tent.
Camping fans help keep you safe in the outdoors
When temperatures soar, people are more at risk of falling ill from dehydration or heat stroke. The best camping fans will help maximize comfort, especially when you’re camping with children or the elderly. They can even be used to keep bugs and other insects away.
Camping fans are compact and portable
These fans provide cool air on the go. Lightweight and compact, camping fans can be kept on the floor of the tent, either in the front of a small vent or a screen door. There are even designs that hang on a ceiling or a wall.
Camping fans can be used all year round
In colder weather, camping fans can be useful. Condensation can be a problem, when wet weather and raising body temperature are all trapped inside your tent. Using a camping fan can help avoid these humidity problems and keep from getting too wet inside the tent.
THE BEST CAMPING FANS -- BUYING GUIDE
Finding the best camping fan isn’t always easy, so we put together some of the basic factors you should consider when buying one:
- Type of Camping Fan
There are generally two types:
- Hanging camping fans — These fans hang from the ceiling so that air is circulated from above. These are best used in larger tents with an open-plan interior
- Stand-up camping fans — These fans have a broad base and can be set up anywhere. They’re quicker to install compared to hanging camping fans.
- Airflow
The motor and blades as well as the size of the camping fan all affect airflow quality.
Choosing a fan with a larger diameter generates more airflow, but its also a trade off when it comes to weight and portability, since larger fans are a lot heavier.
- Power Source
There are three most efficient types of power sources to choose from, each with its own advantages:
- Battery — Standard batteries will run for hours, and you can easily replace them quickly when they are depleted. But they might not be the most eco-friendly choice.
- Electric — Since you get more power from a typical electric power source, you won’t have to worry about running out of power. But since you’ll need power cords, they could limit the areas where you can set up camp.
- Solar — Some of the most advanced camping fans rely on solar power which is eco-friendly and energy-saving. You can recharge them easily in the sun during the day. The downside is that its not as reliable as other power sources since its dependent on sunny weather.
