Tent fans are the easiest solutions for cooling a tent. Battery operated tent fans are the most common fans used today, some have power adapters with a rechargeable battery, however the most convenient and popular fans on today’s market take normal batteries which you can buy anywhere. Solar tent fans are also an option but the endurance is limited and when you need them the most (in the daytime) they are sitting outside being charged.
If you need a stronger fan, have a look at our top recommended tent air conditioners.
Here are the Best Camping Fans:
1
Geek Aire Rechargble Outdoor Fan
The geek aire cordless is the strongest camping fan we have tested and if you are after a serious air mover this is our top choice.
The Geek Are comes in 3 models 10”,12” and 16” models and we feel the 10” model is the best size for camping. It is a quality made outdoor fan with a rugged and durable metal frame and water-resistant (IPX4 rating). it has a convent build-in carry handle and the fan can be tilted up to120 deg.
This camping fan has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (15 600mAh) which depending on the speed can last between 4-20 hours (15 hours on medium speed). The speed control knob allows for the perfect setting of your choice and it has 3 LED lights to show the level of charge left. The included AC adapter will allow you to run the fan if power is available or you have a camping generator and it will be fully charged in 4-5 hours. It also has a USB port to charge devices if needed.
This is a very strong fan (1500CFM) and our choice if you are after an outdoor fan for your tent or stall.
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2
AGPtek 2-in-1 tent fan
The AGPtek is a great value for money camping fan and it's been a best seller on amazon for a reason. As the name suggests, this is a tent fan and light all in one.
It's got 18 bright, LED lights to light up your tent and runs on 2D cell batteries which will light up your tent for up to 37 hours.
The fan will run 50 hours on low speed or 30 hours on the high setting, the light and fan combined will last for16 hours.
This cool fan is not only lightweight and durable, but also water resistant.
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3
O2Cool 10" Fan
This is a great fan when it comes to portability and it is a high capacity air mover.It is a free standing fan that runs on 6xD cell batteries or a power adapter and folds up into a compact unit. The fan has a 2-speed setting and the light has 3 different intensity settings. On the low setting, expect up to 53 hours of run time and up to 20 hours on the high setting. This fan also has a light with three adjustable settings. The down side of the fan is that you cannot suspend it from the ceiling of the tent and the 6 batteries make it rather heavy.
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4
REENUO 500mAh Camping Fan
This Camping Fan is a winner when it comes to added extras while cooling your tent. It comes with a LED light, hanging hook & rechargeable battery. The battery life is 40hrs max. If only using the light function, it will last between 147-440 hours, depending on the brightness. This fan is quiet, energy-saving & stable. The lowest power consumption is only 4W. It has 3 adjustable speeds and the wind power is adjustable horizontally / vertically by 360 degrees, allowing you to feel comfortable from every angle. The battery is rechargeable, with a 5000mAh battery (built-in), 4-4.5hours of life, also included is a 100cm USB charging cable.
The Fan is lightweight and compact (2.4*5.3*7.1 inches). It is made of high-quality ABS material, it is strong and resistant to falls
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5
Comlife Biggest 11
This is a large Fan with 11-inch blades in fact, because of this it will need a large battery. Comlife certainly delivered on this. 4400mAh is enough to provide over 4 hours of cool breeze. Sufficient for a large-sized tent. If you need longer you can connect the fan to a power bank via the USB port included. This is a stand-only fan, however, it has 3 speeds and can rotate 360 degrees.
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6
SUPOLOGY Portable Fan
This is a 3-in-1 portable fan, containing a cooling fan, a high lumen camping lantern, and a big capacity emergency power bank. As it is designed to provide fresh cool air, light, and a standby power supply it is perfect for camping. It has 25 hours fan and 30 hours LED light span. It is lightweight (0.45kg) and small in size (6.21*5.03*6.21 inches). The fan working time can last between 6-25 hours depending on speed. Best suitable for small tents. It has a built-in foldable hook at the bottom so it can be hung on the tent.
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7
Busypiggy Solar Camping Fan
This Solar Camping Fan gets a 5-star rating from us due to all the added extras. A portable camping fan "with lights" is a must-have for extra comfort in the outdoors. It is an equal parts fan, light, and solar charger panel. 360-degree rotation allows for vertical and horizontal adjustment so the fan can also be hung from the ceiling of your tent. It has three LED light panels with four adjustable brightness, it also has a red flashing mode for use as an emergency signal. This multi-function tent fan comes with a built-in double rechargeable battery that can last between 5-48 hours non-stop. Designed with a USB output port to charge your phone in an emergency.
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8
Coleman Cool Zephyr Ceiling Fan
Coleman has been making outdoor gear for a long time and this is their solution for a camping fan. The Zephyr fan has a 2 speed adjustable setting and 4 white LED lights and one amber LED for reading. It comes with magnetic plates, which enables you to hang it anywhere in the tent, which is a great feature. It runs on 4xD cell batteries and will last 24hrs on high speed and 48hrs on the low setting.
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9
WoneNice Mini Air Cooler
This fan is a little bit different in the sense that it is a mini evaporative cooler. It can be powered from a USB port or 4xAA batteries and the battery will last for about 5 hours. This really is only a personal fan
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10
COLEMAN CPX6 LIGHTED TENT FAN
For camping the Coleman CPX6 is a great find, being portable, lightweight & with a long runtime. The tent fan is powered by 4 x D cell batteries, rechargeable battery or A/C adaptor cartridge. It has a built in stand to use as a freestanding fan, however, it has a metal loop on the back of the fan so you can hang it. This fan offers a high and low speed setting as well as two light modes; a white light & a nightlight. The fan and light operates independently and has a runtime of 10 hours on high and 30 hours on low.
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Things To Look For When You Buy A Tent Fan:
POWER:
The number one deciding factor whilst choosing your fan is power. The most popular power source is battery powered or operated. They are cheap, easily replaceable and you can buy rechargeable battery packs these days if you choose as well. Solar powered is another option for powering your fan, however you will be recharging your fan in the daytime when it is the hottest temperature and your fan will be needed.
NOISE:
The electricity powered fans not only use a power cord which is another item to carry, and added weight, but they are also noisy, which may not bother you if you are used to noisy air conditioning, however, it is something to think about when you are out to enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors. If you are going to be using a power cord, then you also need to think about the type of power cord you need. It must be waterproof, outdoor resistant to the elements, rain & mud etc.
HANGING FANS:
Hanging devices are a popular option, however you will have to make sure the fan has a cage so no accidents occur. It goes without saying you also need to make sure your tent can hold the weight of the fan. If you do decide on a hanging device battery operated is the better option, so as to have no cords hanging down.
ACCESSORIES:
Try to find a fan that has everything included you are looking for, whether you need a light included, or do you need it to be rechargeable or lightweight?
Some fans also come with USB cables, which can be used to recharge the batteries.
PORTABILITY:
How portable do you need your fan to be? If you are hiking & camping, then you will need your fan to be easy to carry & lightweight. Check that the material your fan is made out of is a lightweight material. Personal air coolers are utilized for many different spaces as they are small and compact.
BATTERY LIFE:
It is important to look at the battery life when choosing a fan and important to choose one with a long battery life. These fans obviously cost more, however, with a battery backup lasting from a few days to a few weeks, the longevity of your battery life will make your camping life that much easier.
FAQ's
Is it safe to have a Fan in a Tent?
Battery-powered fans are safe devices that can be used in a tent. The best option is a fan that can be hung from the ceiling of the tent, this way the floor is clear and you won't be bumping into it in the middle of the night.
Can I use a rechargeable fan while charging?
This depends on the fan design. You will need to check this feature while purchasing your fan, however, most fans allow for charging and recharging simultaneously.
How long do Camping fans last?
The life of a camping fan depends on the quality and the design. A well-built rechargeable fan should last for 3-4 years.
Which is the best battery-operated camping fan?
In our opinion, the Geek Aire Rechargeable Floor fan is the best fan for strong airflow.
Finally, Do I need a fan for camping?
This depends on the season, location of campsite and comfort level you would like to achieve. If it is hot and humid, definitely a fan is a necessity for comfort in your tent.
For the small amount of space these fans take, every camper should consider having one of them in his tent. If you take cooling your tent seriously why not build your own evaporation cooler?