As the weather heats up, we think this super cute and super affordable handheld fan from John Lewis & Partners is going to become your new best friend.

There are a whole host of fan styles to choose between, from compact handheld fans that are great for taking out and about, to desk fans that allow you to place the fan on a convenient surface (if you have the space) so that the fan blows directly at you whilst your sitting and working, and tower and pedestal fans that can be placed on the floor and are great for the side of a bed or to cool a larger area. The type of fan that works best for your needs tends to depend on how and where you plan to use the fan, so thinking about placement before you shop can help to avoid costly mistakes. Anyone who’s been through August (or say, any month at all in Florida) can tell you how dependent we are on air conditioning. But we can’t always be indoors, and when it comes to cheap and portable ways to get cool, there are few solutions better than a personal fan.

Honeywell TurboForce Pivoting Bedroom Personal Fan

Thanks to its DC motor – part of the reason this fan requires a little more investment – it also delivers that cooling airflow almost silently. Whilst it can't quite beat the Duux Whisper Flex Ultimate Fan on the 'virtually silent' front, it comes very close, especially when you consider what powerful airflow this fan can dish out. There's no hint of the dreaded droning noise that's associated with most fans, instead the only noise is of gushing air.

Not all fans come with a timer function, a feature that can be especially useful if you plan to use your fan at night to help you fall asleep when it's warm, but don't want it running all night. If this is important to you, then investing a little more for this feature could be worth it for the energy you'll save. Remote controlFor some, its budget price tag will be worth putting up with the increased noise levels, for others the investment in a quieter fan, like the MeacoFan 1056 Air Circulator or Duux Whisper Flex Ultimate Fan will be worth its weight in gold.

Although its DC motor means a more expensive initial outlay, as a result, the EcoAir Kinetic uses just 1-18 watts of energy to run, making this the most affordable fan we've tested in terms of running costs.All in all, the Russell Hobbs 12" Scandi Desk Fan looks good, isn't too expensive, and if you're not going to use it too often then it does the job of blowing air towards you during particularly hot and clammy days. If you're willing to invest more for quieter operation and better performance, then there are better fans to be found in this edit.

A good fan can recreate the powers of nature, delivering this same 'cooling' airflow indoors, and making hot and humid conditions far more bearable. HONEYWELL FANS: The right fan helps cool you off & improves airflow in your room or home; Give your air conditioner & wallet a break by using fans to help reduce your energy consumption & costs; Honeywell carries a variety of fans to meet your home needs If you're looking to invest in a fan that really does the business, then it's hard to fault the MeacoFan 1056 Air Circulator. Whilst it's not cheap, it delivers powerful, reliable, energy-efficient and user-friendly performance for its mid-range price point. Unfortunately, there is also one more downside to this bargain buy... and that's that the Honeywell Turbo Force Power Fan is noisy. The fan's three-speed settings provide excellent customization. I can choose between a gentle breeze for a subtle cooling effect or crank it up to high for maximum airflow. The adjustable head tilts vertically, allowing me to direct the airflow exactly where I need it.

From The Manufacturer

It's impressive stuff, but if you purely want a fan that performs well, then in our opinion, the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool HP09 Formaldehyde is an investment you don't need to make. Meaco and Duux offer fans with comparable cooling effects for considerably less cash, but if you're also considering investing in an air purifier, and you have the budget for a Dyson fan's super-cool good looks, this is a stylish investment you may be happy to make.