THE second summer heatwave is reaching its end, but for now keeping cool is still a priority.
And the best fans will make soaring temperatures much more bearable.
Lynsey Hope tests fans to find out which one is the best
They instantly cool you down, are easy to set up and store and are much less expensive than air conditioning, which can cost you a fair whack.
They can be cheaper than other household gadgets and items that typically come out in the summer as well.
But they can be pricey and not all fans are the same, so which should you choose?
We asked Sun writer and mum-of-three Lynsey Hope to test out some of the best you can get your hands on for under £40. Here’s what happened:
JML Chillmax Go Fan
£14.99, jmldirect.com
Lynsey says: “This creates a surprisingly powerful breeze for a small fan. It does make a bit of noise while on full pelt, but it’s very compact, easy to store and is powered by rechargable battery.
You can clip it onto shelves, desks, bed frames. I even clipped it to my two-year-old daughter’s pushchair when it was 29C to keep her nice and cool.
It’s small and easy to take with you if you travel.”
- APPEARANCE: 7/10
- EFFECTIVENESS: 7/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 6/10
- OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 7/10
The Range 4inch USB Mini Desk Fan
£6.49, therange.co.uk
Lynsey: “I wasn’t expecting much from this tiny 4inch fan, which is powered by USB. It’s so small, it’s hard to imagine it being terribly effective.
But it does create a nice breeze as you work and is ideal if you don’t have a great deal of space to store a bigger fan. For £3, I’d say this is worth investing in for the summer.”
APPEARANCE: 5/10
EFFECTIVENESS: 4/10
VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 5/10
Amazons Basics 3-Speed Floor Fan
£33.98, amazon.co.uk
Lynsey says: “The base of this fan is quite large and it’s tall, so you’ll need a good space or decent-sized room if you choose a pedestal fan like this.
It was easy to put together but it did feel a little bit flimsy once erected and I worried about the kids bumping into it. I didn’t really like the Amazon logo being on the front.
It did a great job of keeping the house cool though and was nice to stand in front of, especially when cooking on a hot summers’ day.”
- APPEARANCE: 5/10
- EFFECTIVENESS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 7/10
- OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 6/10
Swan 12inch Turbo Silent Fan
£39.99, shop.swan-brand.co.uk
Lynsey says: “This was a bit of a faff to put together but as promised, it is the quietest of all the fans we tested so a great option if you don’t want the noise most fans make.
It kept a whole room nice and cool and you barely noticed any noise.
Whilst the design is stylish, it is quite big and cumbersome which makes it hard to store. Not the best choice if you only have a small space.”
- APPEARANCE: 7/10
- EFFECTIVENESS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 7/10
- OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 7/10
Winner: Aldi Status 8inch Retro Clock Fan
£29.99, aldi.co.uk
Lynsey says: “I love the retro style of this fan on offer at Aldi. It looks quite attractive on my shelves at home. It has two settings and while it does make a low hum, the noise isn’t too off putting. It’s a great price from Aldi. Buy one before they are all gone.”
- APPEARANCE: 10/10
- EFFECTIVENESS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 10/10
Coopers of Stortford Folding Fan
£23.99, coopersofstortford.co.uk
Lynsey says: “This was a surprising win. It folds away quite small so you can take it with you to your tent, caravan or hotel room and it will run for up to ten hours without any wires getting in the way.
Simply recharge via any USB port. It looks attractive too and comes with three speeds. It hardly takes up any space and easily folds away in a draw when not in use. A great, all rounder.”
- APPEARANCE: 9/10
- EFFECTIVENESS: 9/10
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 10/10
- OVERALL CHILL FACTOR: 9/10
SE has also tested out supermarket own brand orange juice, washing powders and Magnum ice lolly dupes.
Scores correct based on information on July 11.