Last August, I had the privilege of travelling to southern China for a product launch. I had a wonderful time, but the weather was like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was usually just under 40°C with 100% humidity and not the slightest hint of breeze. Going outside was like stepping into the steam room at the gym, and as someone raised in the cloudy Midlands, a five-minute stroll had me drenched in sweat.
That’s when I came across a store selling these JisuLife fans, which retail for around £50/$50 on Amazon UK and Amazon US. They look a lot like Dyson hairdryers, which is what got my attention initially, but the raw power is what sealed the deal. The max output is astonishing – it’s almost like a leaf blower, and when you’re in an extremely sticky climate, it feels like heaven.
Luke Baker
The fan is relatively compact, charges by USB-C and has a scroll wheel on the front for adjusting the power output. Pressing the scroll wheel turns the fan on and off, and there’s a sliding switch on the rear to lock the fan in off mode, so you’ll never accidentally leave it running in your bag.
The speed can be adjusted in increments from 1% to 100%, and an LCD display in the centre tells you your current power level, as well as the battery percentage. Spooling it up from 1-100% makes it sound like an aeroplane about to take off. Just about the only issue with this fan is that it’s far from silent at full whack.
Luke Baker
That said, at 1-5% power, the JisuLife fan is very quiet, and it’s still just as powerful as most portable fans with exposed blades. There’s a 3600 mAh battery inside, and how long it lasts will depend on how you use it. Leaving it locked at full power drains the battery fairly quickly, but at more reasonable speeds in the 30-60% range, it lasts for days. On most trips, I never even have to think about charging it.
My version is made from plastic, but you can also opt for a model with metal housing, which might feel a little more premium. That said, the plastic version has been globe-trotting with me for the last nine months, I’ve dropped it countless times, and aside from a few cosmetic scuffs, it’s working just as well as ever.
I appreciate that £50/$50 might seem like a lot to spend on a handheld fan, but honestly, it’s been worth every penny. Whenever I travel, or when the weather heats up at home, this is a gadget that I don’t want to be without.
But if the price seems a bit steep, we’ve also tested and would recommend the much more budget-friendly John Lewis Anyday hand fan, if you’re in the UK. To see all our top recommendations for fans and air coolers, have a look at our round-up of the best fans we’ve tested.