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Most people consider cold one of the biggest challenges faced when camping, but heat can be a problem, too. Luckily, there are tools out there to help you combat the heat when you’re camping during the warmer months. Batter-operated fans are one of the most useful. They’re a convenient way to stay cool during the warmer months when camping and you don’t need to worry about having access to electricity to use them. Many of them fit inside of tents and RVs without problems and can make sleeping and doing other activities much more comfortable.
What are a few of the most important things you should know about battery operated fans for camping?
There are a few things you’ll want to consider before buying a battery-operated fan for camping. Most of these things are based on how and where you’re camping.
If you’re planning to use your fan inside your tent, you won’t need anything too powerful. As a matter of fact, you’ll want a lower-powered fan for a small tent because you don’t want the walls of your tent moving around from the breeze all night. With a bigger tent, you can upgrade the power a bit, but you still don’t want to overdo it.
It’s also important to consider whether you’ll have some kind of alternate power source for operating your fan. Are you bringing your laptop computer or an external phone charging a battery with you when camping? Many fans offer alternative power sources and can be charged or operated via a USB cable. If none of these is an option for you, make sure you bring along at least one set of backup batteries for your fan.
You’ll also want to consider whether you are using your fan outdoors or just in your tent or RV. An outdoor fan intended to cool a campsite will need to be more powerful than an indoor tent. It should also offer some weather-resistance and be able to be stationed with a clip or hook. There’s plenty of things that can knock a fan off a table or other surface when camping and you don’t want to your fan falling and breaking.
Think about the size of the fan and how you’ll pack and store it when moving from location to location. It’s important to make sure you have enough room for your fan with your other equipment when camping.
Finally, consider the weight of your fan. If you are planning to hike a long distance in warmer weather, it would be nice to arrive at your campsite or take a break and have a fan handy to cool off with. However, you don’t want to be carrying a heavy fan with you during your hikes. A small, lightweight, clip-on fan is probably your best option if you’re looking for something for a camping and hiking trip.
Battery Operated Fans for Camping
What are some of the best battery operated fans on the market?
O2COOL 5-Inch Portable Fan
This portable fan has two operating speeds and requires two D batteries which are sold separately. Some users reported the battery life was short, but others were able to use one set of batteries for their entire camping trip up to a week with continuous use. There is no alternative power source with this fan, so it’s advisable to bring backup batteries just in case or to invest in rechargeable batteries. This fan offers moderate power and is ideal for keeping you cool while sleeping, but is unlikely to be powerful enough to cool off an entire campsite.
Check it out on AMAZON.
Honeywell HTF090B Turbo on the Go Personal Fan
This is one of the pricier portable fans on our list, but it runs on smaller batteries that are cheaper, so long-term the cost of this fan is likely comparable to all other portable fans for camping. It also comes with a USB cable, so you can run it if you run out of battery power if you’re brought along a charging battery for your phone or a computer. It features a handle, so you can sit with it and direct the cooling air onto your face, or you can place it on a table or hang it from a hook. It’s able to cool at a distance of about three feet and is perfect for inside of a tent or bedside in an RV. It runs quiet and features an energy-saving DC motor.
Check it out on AMAZON.
COMLIFE Rechargeable Battery Operated Clip on Desk Fan with Aroma Diffuser Function and 4 Speed
This fan is a combination desktop and clip-on fan, which makes it incredibly versatile for camping. It’s capable of rotating 360 degrees and offers enough power to cool a tent or a small campsite with a maximum wind speed of up to 10.5 feet. It comes with two rechargeable batteries and can operate for four to 40 hours, depending on the power level it’s operated at.
We love this fan because of its aromatherapy option. Though that might seem a bit over-the-top for getting back to nature and roughing it, we can’t think of a better and more convenient way to keep mosquitoes away from a campsite. It comes with two sponges that can be soaked in essential oils or oil blends known to drive away bugs. We recommend citronella and tea tree.
Check it out on AMAZON.
OPOLAR 5 Inch Desk Fan with Timer, USB or AA Battery Operated
The Opolar fan operates on four AA batteries which tend to last for several hours of continuous use at the fan’s highest speed. We like this one because it offers a one, two, and four-hour automatic shut-off timer. This means you can fall asleep with the fan running when it’s warmer, but the fan will turn off as outdoor temperatures and your body temperature fall throughout the night. You get an optional USB charging option and the fan can run when plugged into a USB outlet with no battery power. It’s a small fan that will fit just about anywhere and it comes with a one year warranty.
Check it out on AMAZON.