TechCrunch compares handheld mini fans from $13 to $149

Handheld mini fans have long been a summer staple sold for $10 to $15 on Amazon and TikTok Shop, but premium brands are now entering the category. Dyson and Shark have both rolled out handheld fans priced at $100 to $150, prompting a hands-on comparison of the premium options against cheaper alternatives already in circulation. The takeaway: all the fans tested performed well in their own way, and the right pick depends on budget, bag size, and tolerance for carrying a device that blows air in your face.

The Dyson HushJet ($99) is the most powerful of the group, unsurprising for a company best known for vacuums, air purifiers, and hair dryers. At about 7 inches tall, it’s the tallest and heaviest fan tested — it still fits most purses but isn’t pocketable. It ships with a travel bag, a charging and desktop stand, a neck lanyard, and a USB-C charger, and offers five power settings; the added power comes with more noise, though the lower settings are quieter.

The Shark ChillPill ($149) is the most expensive fan tested and does the most: it comes with three swappable attachments — a fan, a water mister, and a cooling plate for the wrist or temple — connected via a locking mechanism. It measures about 4 inches long but is about double the width of the other fans because of its dual-cylinder design, and offers ten speed settings. Its size and multi-attachment design fit outdoor events like sports games or festivals better than more casual, everyday settings.

At the budget end, the JISULIFE 3-in-1 Portable Fan ($13) has held up for three years of regular use, including trips without air conditioning. It’s the weakest fan of the four tested, though still functional, and includes a flashlight and a USB port for charging a phone; it folds to about 4.5 inches and extends to about 8 inches, and charges slowly. The top overall pick, however, was an unbranded $15 fan from MACMORE, an Amazon seller that lists only two products and, based on its edited listing photos, appears to be a sketchy drop-shipping operation. At 4 inches tall, it’s the smallest and lightest fan tested — weaker than the Dyson or Shark models but strong enough to satisfy — and comes with a removable clip for hands-free wear.

Why it matters

Dyson and Shark’s move into a category long dominated by anonymous marketplace sellers signals established hardware brands testing whether premium design and multi-function attachments can command a price premium on products that previously sold for a fraction of the cost.