Having a portable camping fan can mean the difference between a good nights rest vs tossing and turning all night when camping during hotter months.

Summer camping trips can be a fun way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, with no TV's or internet connections to distract you from nature. But if the heat is ruining your trip, you aren't going to have the best time possible.

This is where adding the best camping fan to your list of gear becomes a necessity. These handy fans are compact enough to carry with you but powerful enough to keep the whole family cool in the tent on a hot summer night.

There are many types, including stand or hanging fans. There are also different battery types to choose from, including alkaline, rechargeable, and solar. Camping fans also come with a variety of features, from LED lights to radios.

To find the right one for you, check out our camping fan reviews and tips to help you make this decision. With the right camping fan on your next trip, you’ll wonder how you’ve ever lived without.

Best Camping Fan

Name	Image	Type	Size	Weight	Price	Our Rating
Image Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan		Ceiling	6.25 x 6.25 x 7.25 inches	20.48 oz	See It	5
OPOLAR F201 Rechargeable Portable Mini USB Fan		Floor	4.9 x 1.77 x 5.8 inches	8 oz	See It	5
Honeywell HT-900 TubroForce		Floor	11.1 x 6.54 x 11.3 inches	42.3 oz	See It	4
02COOL 10” Battery or Electric Portable Fan		Floor	4 x 13 x 12 inches	38.8 oz	See It	5
O2COOL 5” Portable Fan		Clip	7 x 1 x 11.5 inches	16.15 oz	See It	4.5
Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand		Ceiling	6.8 x 8.4 x 8.7 inches	45.9 oz	See It	5
Coleman Cool Zephyr		Ceiling	4.7 x 9.5 x 1 inches	31.9 oz	See It	3.5
KINDEN Camping Lantern With Fan		Floor	7.95 x 4.4 x 4 inches	18 oz	See It	4
BaseCamp F235100 Tent Fan		Ceiling	9 x 8.9 x 6.4 inches	20 oz	See It	4.5
AGPtek 2-in-1 18 LED Portable Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan[/easyazon_link		Ceiling	6.25 x 6.25 x 6.25 inches	16.8 oz	See It	4

Camping Fan Reviews

Image Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan

This battery operated camping fan from Image is lightweight and versatile, giving you hours of use on only 2 D cell batteries. There are two switches on the side, giving you the ability to operate the fan and the light separately or together as needed.

With both features going, you have a full 16 hours of use. There is a built-in handle with a hook to hang your tent fan light combo, plus it can be turned into a stand for table use.

The military grade material combined with the 18 low powered LED bulbs ensure long-lasting use. And when your trip ends, it can be collapsed to a smaller size for easy storage.

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Tech Specs

OPOLAR F201 Rechargeable Portable Mini USB Fan

There are two ways to keep this rechargeable battery powered fan running. You can remove the battery and charge it in a charger, or plug it in using the included USB cable to charge it up while staying cool.

There are 3 adjustable speeds to choose from, with a maximum airflow of 4.2m/s on the high speed for those extra hot days. But this powerful portable fan is super small, fitting into a small bag or suitcase with ease.

There is also an internal blue light and a side light for those times when you need a bit more illumination.

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Tech Specs

Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce

This small electric travel fan is great for those who like a bit more luxury than normal tent camping can provide. It has an Aerodynamic Turbo design to keep the air moving at optimal levels.

This portable camping fan can be placed on a table or shelf, or wall mounted to save space in a camper, dorm, or apartment. The small size of Honeywell's portable fan for camping makes it easy to carry with you.

The features include a 90-degree variable tilt head, 3 speeds with top mounted controls, and a removable grill to make cleaning a breeze. This fan also claims to be 25% quieter than similar models, which may be great for light sleepers.

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Tech Specs

02COOL 10” Battery or Electric Portable Fan

There's no worries if your campsite is off the grid with this O2Cool battery powered fan. It uses 6 D cell batteries to keep you cool, but also includes an AC adapter for those who prefer an electrical site.

The built-in handle of this camping fan makes it easy to carry. There are 2 speeds to choose from. These portable fans for camping also include o2Cool's patented fan blade design, which helps to maximize your battery life without sacrificing the airflow on those hot days.

The best camping fan can travel with you, and this one fits the bill thanks to the slim design and easy use.

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Tech Specs

O2COOL 5” Portable Fan

This O2Cool 5 inch fan is a great fan for camping, thanks to its small size and versatility. There is a heavy-duty clip on the end that allows you to clamp it to almost any surface. You could even hang it from your tent roof to keep you cool while you sleep.

There are 2 speeds, both of which are quiet, so they won't drown out your conversations. The body of this O2Cool portable tent fan is rugged enough to last through any type of adventure.

The best tent fan also points where you need it to. The rotating and pivoting head of this O2Cool tent fan keeps it aimed anywhere you want.

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Tech Specs

Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand

The best tent fan works with you, to keep you cool without compromising your limited space. This Colman CPX fan has a small stand plus a magnetic base you can use to hang if from the ceiling.

This is also handy since there are two light modes, white and nightlight, which can be used effectively in either position. The four 5mm LED lights give you 99 lumens of light on high, and have a lifetime warranty.

There are 3 power options to choose from, including regular D batteries, a rechargeable pack, and an AC adaptor, though only the battery cartridge is included. The others must be purchased separately.

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Tech Specs

Coleman Cool Zephyr

The Coleman Cool Zephyr ceiling fan with light is great for those who prefer tenting it. It attaches to the top of the tent with a magnetic plate, which holds strong with no shifting.

There are two fan speeds with a runtime of 24 hours on high and 48 hours on low, so if you're careful, your batteries can keep you cool all weekend long. The Coleman Zephyr fan also has 2 light modes, white and amber nightlight.

These Coleman fans for camping are durable, usable with most tents, and have foam fan blades to reduce injuries. The two switches allow you to use these tent fans in fan mode, light mode, or both together.

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Tech Specs

KINDEN Camping Lantern With Fan

The best rechargeable fan does more than keep you cool. This Kinden portable tent fan has an LED flashlight on the fan itself. There is also a 24 LED lantern on the base to light up a larger area.

But this rechargeable tent fan has a few extra features not found on other models. There is an FM radio with push buttons for volume and channel selection. Plus, there is a high-frequency sound that repels mosquitos.

You can hang this tent light and fan using the hook on the bottom, or stand it on a table to light up your site. In terms of versatility, this Kinden lantern may be the best fan for tent camping around.

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Tech Specs

BaseCamp F235100 Tent Fan

The BaseCamp battery powered tent fan is compact and easy to carry with you on any of your camping trips. The blades are foam, giving you great airflow with less risk of injury while it's running. There are two speeds, both with great runtimes to keep you cool all weekend.

The best camping tent fan also has a great light to keep everything visible when needed. This one uses energy efficient white LED's that give you over 100 hours of light when used on the low setting. With 50 lumens at your disposal, you'll be able to find everything you need. The carabiner hook makes this tent fan with LED light easy to use in almost any tent.

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Tech Specs

AGPtek 2-in-1 18 LED Portable Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan

AGPtek's battery powered camping fan is a 2-in-1 model, acting as both a standup or hanging camping light and fan, depending on your needs. Just lay it on its side with the stand down for table use or add the hook to hang it form your tent ceiling for a cool night of sleep.

This lightweight and portable camping fan light is weather resistant, so you don't need to panic if it is left outside in the rain. For maximum illumination, there are 18 super bright LED bulbs to light up your tent or your campsite after the sun goes down.

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Tech Specs

Guide to Finding the Camping Fan

What Features Make the Best Camping Fan?

When making your camping supply list, adding a tent fan is a must, as long as it has the right features.

The first thing to look for is the size. A small portable fan is much better than larger ones for using and traveling with. A lightweight fan is also essential for the same reasons, especially if you plan to hang it from the roof of your tent.

You also want to find one that has usable batteries. Solar, rechargeable, or alkaline are all possible, but access to electricity and sunny days are necessary for two of them. A long runtime is a must as well. If your camping fan has a light (similar to this fan), even better, to keep you from fumbling with a flashlight while you try to get ready for bed.

Who Needs a Camping Fan?

To be frank, anyone who plans on camping during the hot summer months and finds themselves tossing and turning all night due to the heat needs the best camping fan they can find. This is especially true if you use a tent instead of an air-conditioned camper.

Even if it is incredibly windy outside, you won't feel it in your tent, so not having one of these handy camping fans for tents could leave you sweating all night long.

Plus, not only does the weather affect the temperature in the tent, your body heat will increase it even more. A tent fan will cool you down and keep the air moving.

Obviously tent fans are not designed for lightweight backpacking, but for car camping they are incredibly useful for comfortable summer camping.

But you can also use these fans in the cooler months to reduce condensation that could accumulate on the tent walls.

Where To Place a Camping Fan Inside Your Tent

Where you place the best tent fan depends on the type of camp fan you buy. If you have one that can stand on its own, you can place it on any surface available, including the tent floor. But for these camping tent fans, the best place is near the door. This will increase circulation.

A camping ceiling fan usually has some sort of hook or magnet to attach them to the top. If you have a way to hang a hook on your tent ceiling, these are easy to use. But otherwise, the magnetic ones are great and hold in place over the whole weekend.

The weight of your fan will also determine the best way to use it. If you have a small tent that can't hold the extra weight, a stand-up is best. But larger tents with sturdy poles can handle almost any type of fan.

Things to Consider When Finding the Right Camping Fan

Size

When you are choosing the best camping fan to take on your next trip, size is one of the most important things to look for. If you have a small one or two person tent, you don't want to take up precious space with a large fan and will end up hot and uncomfortable through your entire trip.

Small fans that run on batteries are a great choice, especially if they can hang above you and out of the way in a smaller tent. A larger tent won't have the same issue unless you have it packed with people and other gear. You also want a lightweight camping fan so it is as easy to travel with as it is to use.

Weight

Whether you are traveling by by foot or even by car directly to your camp site, you don't want to carry a large battery operated fan with you. This could take up the limited space you have for your gear, plus add a bunch of extra weight that you may need to carry at some point. That's why the best portable travel fan will be compact and lightweight.

There are many options available that are only a couple of extra pounds, which is essential for backpackers or campers that need to walk even short distances from their car with their gear on their back to reach their site.

If you prefer tent ceiling fans, heavier ones may be too much for the fabric and poles to handle. The lighter, the better, as long as it isn't sacrificing power.

Type

There are a few types of camping fans to choose from. The first is the stand-up fan, which has some sort of base or stand to lean on. These are handy for use inside the tent but are also the best fan for camping if you want one that can be moved around the site. These can be propped on a table during meals or set beside you while you relax and read a book.

The downside of the stand fan is that it may take up space you need for gear inside the tent. That's where a ceiling fan for tent camping is handy. These can be hung above yo and out of the way. If it is a tent light fan, this is extra useful, lighting up the entire area inside your tent instead of just the spot it is pointed at.

Power Type

There are a variety of options when it comes to powering the best camping fan. The most common power source is alkaline batteries. The amount you need depends on the size of the fan and its uses. Some fans require more power than others, so make sure you have access to extra batteries when needed.

Some of the best tent fans also use rechargeable battery packs. These are great if you have electricity to charge them up, but if not, you need to watch your usage. The upside to these is that some of them have USB charge ports. This means all you need to carry is a full power bank to keep it running.

There are also AC powered fans, but again, you need access to an outlet for these. A solar-powered camping fan can be handy, but you need sunlight to keep it going. Plus, it will be charging during the hottest part of the day when you need its cool air.

Max Run Time

If you're buying tent fans for camping, you want them to last throughout your trip, or they won't be of any use to you. That's why you need to check the max runtime on the fan before you open your wallet.

Of course, the maximum runtime usually refers to the time the fan will run on low speed. It could also refer to the maximum your tent fan will light your way on the lowest setting with no fan going.

As soon as you turn up the speed or brighten the light, that runtime cuts in half. If you use both features of the lighted tent fan together, this reduces your runtime even more. So, if you are short on batteries and can't recharge your fan, limit your usage as much as possible.

Durability

If your camping fan breaks during your trip, you won't enjoy the rest of your time outdoors, especially if the temperature soars high above a comfortable range. To check if your model is the best camping fan around, the first thing to do is look at the blades. These should be made of quality material that won't snap at the slightest pressure.

The body should also be made from durable materials so it can protect the internal workings of the fan properly. If anything seems loose, or there is some unexplained rattling on the inside, move on to a different tent fan.

You can also check the warranty. Companies who believe in the quality of their product give years of warranty because they expect it to last. The longer the warranty runs, the better the fan will be.

Fan Noise

Unless it is pouring rain and you have no other form of shelter, you'll likely only really need your tent fan at night to cool you down while you sleep. That's why you need to find the quietest model available to you.

To do this, you should find a fan with plastic blades. These run much quieter than fans with metal ones. Lower speeds will reduce the noise level, so a multi-speed fan is also a good choice.

To be 100% sure you have a quiet model, you should also check out the camping fan reviews to see what others have experienced with the camping tent fans you're looking at. If it is too loud, someone will have complained about sleepless nights.

Portability

You need your camping fan to travel easily, or you won't want to take it with you. That's why these type of fans are compact in size and light in weight. This makes it easy to put them in a pack or suitcase, or even tuck into the corner of your trunk or on your seat.

There are even some tent fans that fold down into a smaller size to make them even more portable. Of course, these are usually the stand or tabletop fans. The camping ceiling fans usually have a fixed body, but their size makes them easy to carry, so this shouldn't be an issue.

Other Features

The main purpose of the best camping fan is to keep you cool and comfortable. But there are many brands out there that have added a few extra features to make their fans more convenient to carry along on any trip, even if it is just to your own backyard.

An LED light is a great addition. The stand-up fans with lights can be used at night to light up your site, while the ceiling tent fans help you find your way into your sleeping bag when it's time for bed.

An FM radio is rare, but can also be found on some camping fans. Adjustable hooks and stands make your fan more versatile are handy to have, giving you more options on where to place your fan.

A waterproof or water resistant case keeps your fan running even in damp weather. Mosquito repellent is another handy addition, to keep those nasty bugs from attacking you during your trip.

Value

The best camping fan doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. In fact, most of these fans are quite reasonably priced. Of course, they are all usually pretty basic, with a couple of fan speeds and usually a light for added convenience.

Of course, if you want additions like radios or mosquito repellents, your price will obviously rise to give you these extras. The materials used to make the fan could also add to the cost, especially if it is a high-quality fan meant to last for many years.

But if you are happy with basic camping tent fans, you should have no trouble finding one within your budget. It won't have all the extras, but it will keep you cool and light your way when you need it.

The Bottom Line

Camping on hot summer days can be uncomfortable, especially if you have no way to cool down. You can trust me on this one since I've done it more times than I'd like to admit. But having the best camping fan in your tent or sitting next to you on the table to cool you off while you eat can make those trips the best times of your life.

With so many different shapes and sizes of tent fans to choose from, it may be hard to decide which is the right one for you, but since they are usually quite versatile, you can't go wrong with any camping fan, no matter which one you pick.

If you are on a budget and need a cheap, basic fan to keep you cool while you sleep, the OPOLAR F201 Rechargeable Portable Mini USB Fan is the lowest priced model on our list. Since it is rechargeable, it saves you even more money on batteries, plus is compact and easy to carry with you on pretty much any type of trip.

For extra features, the Kinden Camping Lantern With Fan has the most to offer. As well as the multispeed fan and dual light options, there is the FM radio and mosquito repellent to add to your enjoyment. This one is also versatile, with both stand and hanging options for both in and out of your tent.

You can also read our guides to the top backpacking tents, finding the best camping pillow and other recommended travel products here.