Rather than escaping from the heat in the comfort of your camping home, you enter a sauna from which there’s no escape. It’s at that moment you might wish you had purchased a camping fan to add to your outdoor adventure kit. But it’s not too late. With this handy guide, you can set off on your next summer camping trip fully confident that you’ve got the best camping fan money can buy.
Considerations for Purchasing the Best Camping Fan
Although, if you factor the following information into the decision-making process, there’s every reason to believe you’ll buy one that your family can’t help but fight over.
Airflow
Before even getting into the nitty gritty of brands and prices, airflow is the primary consideration when deciding which portable fan for camping you want to buy. After all, the better the airflow, the better the cooling.
It’s important to note that a higher airflow volume typically means a larger fan, and a larger fan means more weight and more power demands. Keep this in mind when you’re tossing up between smaller and larger fans.
Power Source
Manufacturers are coming up with all kinds of weird and wonderful ways to power fans. You can buy a solar camping fan, a rechargeable camping fan, a 12-volt camping fan, one that uses single-use batteries, one that requires AC power, USB-rechargeable ones… the list goes on. There is no right or wrong power source, but there is one that suits your unique needs better than others.
Consider each power source’s pros and cons before making your decision. For example, most single-use battery fans use D-cell batteries, which can be expensive to buy and don’t typically last long. Rechargeable batteries can be used countless times, but you must keep recharging them, which isn’t always possible when you’re out in the wilderness.
Floor vs. Hanging
How do you want to set up your new fan once you buy it? Some of the best 12v fans on the market are designed to sit on tables where they can create the biggest impact, while others come with all the necessary accessories to be hung from tents and caravans. You might even be able to buy camping fans that you can sit on tables or hang from your caravan or tent.
Noise Level
While some fans are reasonably quiet, to the point where they become like white noise that helps you drift off to sleep, others are so noisy they have the potential to wake up other campers in your campground. Pay attention to a decibel rating if it’s supplied. Anything louder than 65 decibels can sometimes be hard to ignore.
Best Portable Fan for Camping in Australia
- Spinifex Lithium Rechargeable Fan
- Spinifex Airstream Tent Fan with Light
- Coleman Rechargeable Lithium Ion Fan
- Oztent LED Fan Light
- Katabat 12V Portable Oscillating Fan with Clamp
- Outdoor Connection Breezeway 12v Camping Fan
- OZtrail Portable Fan & LED Light Rechargeable
- Explore 12V Cool Breeze Fan
- Companion Aerobreeze Lithium Fan
It’s a 12v/240v fan with an AC and DC socket, an AC connector and plug, a 12v DC car plug adaptor, and a 12v DC power lead with battery clamps. You can also purchase this fan in three convenient sizes – 6 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches. What more could you need?
It’s designed to sit on a flat surface, has side LED lights to illuminate your tent or caravan at night, and boasts two speeds and an oscillating mode to suit your preferences. This rechargeable fan even comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Dimensions: 20.9 x 9.4 x 28.2cm (6”), 29.8 x 12.6 x 36.8cm (8”), 39.3 x 16.3 x 49.8cm (12”)
Diameter: 6”, 8”, 12”
Power source: 12v/240v, rechargeable lithium battery
Warranty: 1 year
It’s one of the most cost-effective tent fans on the market and even has a light to illuminate your tent with ease. All you have to do is hang it from the top of your tent, and you have a breeze and light source at the touch of a button.
Dimensions: 21.5 x 21.5 x 13.5cm
Power source: 4x D cell batteries required
Choose from a 6-inch, 8-inch, or 12-inch fan, and enjoy up to six hours of run time with an 18-hour full recharge. These high-quality fans run on 12V DC and 240V AC power supplies and are designed for use in tents, campers, RVs, and more. Set it on one of two fan settings and enjoy a cold breeze that tops off a beautiful summer’s day in Australia.
Dimensions: 21 x 29 x 10.5cm (6”), 29.5 x 12 x 36.5cm (8”), 39 x 14 x 50cm (12”)
Diameter: 6”, 8”, 12”
Power source: Rechargeable lithium-ion/7.4V 4Ah
Warranty: 1 year
It has a rechargeable battery, USB charging port, phone-charging capabilities, and a mosquito-repellent light as the icing on the cake. You can also hang this light in your tent or caravan, carry it around for personal relief, or set it up on a table for everyone to enjoy.
While the fan diameter is small compared to some other rechargeable camping fans on the market, it’s hard to deny the power and airflow capabilities it has to offer. You can also enjoy up to six hours of run time, with a maximum charging time of 32 hours.
Dimensions: 19.4 x 20 x 15cm
Diameter: 3.5”
Power source: Rechargeable lithium-ion, 3.7V 6000mAh
Warranty: 2 years
This high-quality fan comes with a 12V DC rechargeable battery and is available in three different sizes to suit your needs. To power it, simply plug it into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter and let it get to work. You’ll also be pleased to know that it comes with a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Dimensions: 14 x 26 x 25cm (4”), 18.5 x 18.5 x 26cm (6”), 20 x 20 x 150cm (8”)
Diameter: Dual 4”, 6”, 8”
Power source: 12V DC rechargeable battery
Warranty: 1 year
This portable fan for camping is also easy to set up, has three speeds, and boasts low noise to limit disturbances when you’re trying to sleep. You’re also bound to enjoy its suitability for tents, caravans, camper trailers, and more. Set it up on a table, plug it into your 12V power supply, and let it provide a nice, refreshing breeze.
Dimensions: 40.5 x 39 x 7cm
Diameter: 12”
Power source: 12V DC
Warranty: 1 year
You can also use two separate controls for the light and fan, giving you the freedom to run the fan and light simultaneously or each function separately. With a one-year warranty to seal the deal, it’s hard not to put this rechargeable camping fan at the top of your wishlist.
Dimensions: 22 x 12cm
Diameter: 6”
Power source: Rechargeable 4000mAh built-in battery
Warranty: 1 year
It has a 3m cord to plug into your 12V power supply, boasts 10 blades for exceptional airflow, and has three speed controls to get as much or as little breeze as you like. It’s also easy to set up on a table, floor, or wherever you need the breeze to be.
Whether you’re camping or caravanning, you’ll be pleased you added this portable tent fan to your camp kit.
Dimensions: 10 x 11cm
Diameter: 4”
Power source: 12V
It has two speed functions and up to five hours of run time courtesy of its 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It comes with AC/DC charging cables for convenience, a 30-lumens LED light for nighttime reading, and is lightweight and easy to set up on a camp table.
It’s also hard not to notice its large diameter blades to enjoy a fresh breeze at all times of the day or night. Once you’ve enjoyed 4-5 hours of run time, you can recharge the battery via your AC or DC power supply, which takes around 8-12 hours.
This lithium fan might not be the most cost-effective fan on the market, buts its long list of convenient features certainly makes it worth your attention.
Dimensions: 27 x 12 x 23cm (17cm), 24.4 x 13.5 x 48.4cm (25cm), 39.3 x 16.3 x 49.9cm (30cm)
Diameter: 17cm, 25cm, 30cm
Power source: 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
