The $8 Handheld Fan That's Kept Me Cool From Scottsdale to the Hamptons

Summer is all fun and games until you're standing on a sweltering subway platform, practically melting, regretting every moment you ever wished away winter. Two summers ago, after one too many days in a row coming into the office dripping sweat, a coworker recommended I get a portable fan. Without much delay, I purchased an $8 handheld fan from Amazon—and honestly, it's some of the best money I've ever spent. As soon as the weather warms up, like it has this past week in New York, my tiny fan lives in my everyday tote. And on the weekends, I tuck her inside my crossbody bag for walks around Hoboken, beach days down the shore, and hot and humid outdoor dinner dates in the city. It instantly cools me down with a light breeze just when I need it most. Most recently, I brought my handheld fan with me on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. It was a hot one, and my friends and I spent an entire day walking around, exploring historic Rainbow Row and the Charleston City Market. My fan saved me—and it lasted the whole day without dying or slowing down. My friends even took turns borrowing it to cool themselves down. So, if you run hot or just love to spend as much time outdoors in the

May 22, 2026 → May 22, 2026