We’ve looked at many tents trying to find the best camping fan for tents and RVs. We’ve narrowed it down to 6 we found to be the most efficient at keeping us cool on those hot summer days.
Even though camping is a great way to get away from the stress of daily life, it also comes with its own challenges. Particularly when it is hot or the weather gets bad and you are trapped in your tent. If you camp often, you know what I mean.
To combat the heat and stuffiness from your tent, a camping fan can be a great addition to your camping gear. I’m not always thrilled to add another item to all the stuff we already have, but trust me, a fan is a godsend on hot days.
You don’t have to deal with an oppressive and unbearable camping experience. The right fan will provide a nice breeze in your tent or RV and ensure you have a pleasant camping experience.
Some fans even come with lights that make them truly versatile. Here are a few best camping fan reviews of some we found useful to help keep everyone cool and happy.
In a hurry? Check out our top pick!
Best Camping Fan: Our Recommendations
- Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern
- O2COOL 10-inch Portable Camping Fan with Lights
- Ansee 3 in1 Solar Camping Fan
- Opolar 9 Inch Rechargeable Fan
- Geek Aire Rechargeable Outdoor Floor Fan
Quick Answers: Best Camping Fan
Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan
Even though you want to lay and look at the stars all night, it’s nice to have a little light when walking around your campsite. With the Image Portable LED Camping Lantern, you can easily walk around without risking tripping over your (or someone else’s) tent guy lines.
And, not only is this a helpful light, but it has a fan feature with two settings to create good airflow while keeping the tent nicely lit.
I personally love the versatility of this product. The military-grade construction on this fan/light makes it nice and durable in a place where it could easily get broken.
This is a lightweight fan that can actually collapse down so you can store it easily, another feature that comes in handy. No one wants to go camping with yet another bulky item to carry.
This fan can last over 36 hours, the Image Camping Lantern and Ceiling Fan works well in a tent and can light up and cool off a small area in an RV.
This is an easy to hang light/fan that features super bright LED bulbs that come with a hanging hook which makes it easy to hang up in a tent.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Not very loud making it great for sleeping
- Weather-resistant
- Comes with a hook to hang it up
Cons
- Only good for small spaces
O2COOL 10-inch Portable Camping Fan with Lights
Another versatile fan/light on our list is the O2COOL Portable Camping Fan. Sitting ten inches high, this fan also has three adjustable light settings which are nice to have inside your tent.
This is a good portable fan that stores easily and has an independently pivoting base, which keeps the fan nice and stable on uneven surfaces.
The O2COOL Camping Fan has an AC adapter port and is battery operated which is perfect if you don’t have access to power for longer periods. It’s also energy efficient with a blade design that will extend the life of your batteries while also maximizing airflow.
We love the built-in handle which makes it easy to carry and transport wherever you need it. Using LED lights, it even has a nightlight setting for those middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.
Pros
- Great for power outages with great battery life
- Keeps you comfortable throughout the night
- Has a little bit of weight to it so it is not to easy to tip over
Cons
- The AC adapter needs to be purchased separately
- Batteries not included
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Ansee 3 in1 Solar Camping Fan
The Ansee is another multifunctional camping fan that includes a LED lamp. What makes this fan different is the included spotlight torch which can certainly help in the dark wilderness. Also featuring an ultra-quiet motor, you can let it run all night without worrying about noise.
I personally don’t mind the sound of a fan at night but not everyone appreciates that constant whirring noise all night long.
The Ansee is a solar light fan that has become more widely used, especially in an emergency situation where you are without power. It is easy to adjust the light up and down for reading or you can switch it to the strong flashlight if you are out hiking. You can adjust the angle of the fan with its handy portable design.
If you are wondering how easy it is to charge this thing, it has a double charge design with an AC adapter and a solar battery charger that is hidden. It takes 3 hours to charge fully and will last up to 8 hours depending on the mode you use.
Something worth noting is if you charge it in the sun, it won’t work for more than a couple of hours and that’s if you charge it in full sun.
Pros
- A good solar fan that is easy to recharge
- Gives you good circulation inside a tent
- Nice torch feature
Cons
- A bit small
- Only works for a couple of hours when charged by the sun
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Opolar 9 Inch Rechargeable Metal Fan
You get between 4 to 15 working hours out of a charge depending on your speed setting. This isn’t as much as other fans in the same category but it will basically run all night long (which is what you want, really). The Opolar fan gives you both good airflow and is quiet with two settings that are good for camping or if you want to use it at home in an emergency.
The Opolar is an easy-to-clean fan. Since it’s metal, you just need to detach the frame and wipe it clean with a wet cloth. This is also a sturdy design that weighs less than two pounds. The steel legs feel quite sturdy and durable. They’re also adjustable and come with non-slip grips, and best of all, they do not vibrate.
We liked how this fan can last all night when fully charged and it comes with a timer.
Overall, this fan is perfect for those that do not want noise while they sleep. It’s quiet and also provides good airflow for those steamy summer nights.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- Long lasting battery power and easily charges on a USB
- Effective and quiet
Cons
- Battery cannot be replaced
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Geek Aire Rechargeable Outdoor Floor Fan
The Geek Aire Rechargeable fan is la creme de la creme of camping fans with an airflow output of up to 1500 CFM. It may not be as lightweight as the other models we’ve looked at but it does have some great features and impressive performance.
For one, it has a rechargeable 15600mAh Li-ion battery which comes with a 24V power charger. It only takes 4-5 hours to fully charge the battery. It will run for 4-24 hours, depending on the speed setting you select.
What we really like with this fan is the LED battery life indicator, which tells you how much charge is left. The Geek Aire Fan is IPX4 water-resistant so you don’t have to worry about it getting a little wet should the weather turn on you.
This fan also acts as a power bank with a USB charging port allowing you to charge your phone and other electronic devices. The fan also comes with an AC adapter so you can use it indoors, without using up the battery.
One of the downsides is that you can only tilt the fan 120 degrees up and down, and you can’t tilt it sideways. You also need to bear in mind that this is a floor fan so it can’t really be mounted to a tent ceiling.
Overall, this is an excellent camping fan with a great airflow output. It may be a bit heavy but it will last up to 24 hours on one charge. If you are car camping or RVing and you want something that will blow a lot of air, we think this fan is worth investing in. It’s also waterproof so it’s perfect for camping, boating, and any other outdoor activities.
Pros
- Great airflow output
- Lasts up to 24 hours on one charge
- Acts as a power bank for your digital devices
Cons
- A bit heavy
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How to Choose the Best Camping Fan – Buying Guide
Types of Camping Fans
Standing Fan – Having a base or a stand makes these types of fans more convenient and handy inside a tent, an RV, or outside. Plus, you want to be able to move it around your campsite easily, especially on a hot day when you are cooking next to a campfire.
Keep in mind that the one disadvantage of this fan type is that it will take up valuable space inside a tent that you could use for gear or another person.
Ceiling Fan – My own personal preference, ceiling fans hang up out of your way. And, if you get one with a light, this makes it useful when everyone is settling down for the night.
Some even have a nightlight mode so if you do have to get up to use the restroom, you can somewhat see and not step on anyone.
Power Source Options
Electric – Traditional fans use an electric power source. In a tent, that source will be more compact. Since you get more power from a typical electric power source, it will remove any worries about running out of power or your ability to cool a big area.
It will, however, limit where you can camp and your need for the correctly rated power cords. It will also increase the weight of the fan which is not a good thing in a backpack.
Battery – The most commonly used power source in a camping fan is either Standard batteries or rechargeable. Standard batteries will last for several hours but the downside of those batteries includes frequent replacements, which adds to the cost of running the fan.
Also, they are not eco-friendly. Rechargeable batteries don’t last as long but are most convenient since you don’t need to constantly replace them, you just charge them whenever you need to.
Solar – The newest power source for camping fans that has been gaining in popularity is solar power. Eco-friendly, energy-saving, and efficient, solar power has a host of benefits to it. You can recharge them in the sun during the day, and they are super easy to use.
However, if you have several cloudy days, you may have problems getting enough power to keep the fan going so it isn’t as reliable as the other sources. But their small size makes them perfect for use in a tent which I love.
You just have to make sure you pack them safely as their delicate design makes them easier to break.
Things to Look for When Choosing the Best Camping Fan
Size
One of your more important considerations, size matters when choosing a camping fan. For a smaller one or two-person tent, having a large fan will take up valuable space.
The best tent fan would be a small fan that runs on batteries, particularly one that you hang from the ceiling of the tent creating better airflow. You could also use a standing fan when you have more room.
Weight
So, it goes without saying that you don’t want a heavy fan that you have to carry out to your campsite. Larger fans are also not only heavy but take up a lot of space. Portable fans tend to be lightweight and compact which is perfect for traveling.
You will find tons of camping fans on the market that only weigh a few pounds and are easy to carry in a backpack or carry from your car to the campsite.
Also keep in mind that if you prefer hanging fans, having one that is too heavy will be hard on the poles and fabric. The rule of thumb for camping fans is always the lighter the better.
Portability
When it comes to camping, everything is better if it is portable. Having to carry anything heavy either in a backpack or from your car gets old fast. If you can’t move it easily, just leave it at home.
Camping fans need to be lightweight and compact if you want to take them with you so they fit easily in a pack or in your vehicle.
You need your camping fan to travel easily, or you won’t want to take it with you. When considering camping fans, look for one that can fold up into a small size and has a carry handle.
This feature is usually found in a tabletop or stand design. Ceiling fans typically have a fixed body, but their small size makes them easy to carry without folding.
Max Run Time
Another important thing to check on a camping fan is the max run time. This means how long your fan will run at a low speed. Obviously, the faster the fan runs, the faster your run time will end.
Also, if it has an additional feature like a light, that will also eat up your run time. If you find yourself short on batteries and your fan isn’t rechargeable, you may have to ration how often you have the fan on.
Blades
Your camping fan should be made of quality materials with durable blades that provide good airflow. There are three blade options when choosing a camping fan, and each has its ups and downs. Fans come with foam, metal or plastic blades. Foam blades are usually found in small handheld fans without a safety cage.
Foam blades reduce the fan weight tremendously so they are a good choice for backpacking. They are also a safe choice if you are camping with kids. The disadvantage of those fans is that most models are small and the airflow is usually on the low side.
Metal blades are probably the most efficient because they move the largest amount of air. The downside is they make the fan a lot heavier, which affects its portability.
Plastic blades are the best of both worlds. Although not as durable as metal blades, they are lighter and provide good airflow. This makes them a great choice for camping.
Noise
Fans are mostly used at night to make a tent bearable enough to sleep in. Most people want a fan that is quiet to allow them to sleep. Fans with plastic blades tend to be quieter than fans with metal blades.
Also, if you run your fan at a lower speed, it will help to lower the noise level so look for fans with several speed settings.
Durability
Things can easily get broken when you are camping. From packing things into the car to accidents when you move things around. Look for fans made with strong materials that won’t break from a little pressure.
The body should also be made with a material that can protect the internal parts so the fan will work right. When something becomes loose or breaks, you will hear a rattling which can keep you up all night. So much for a restful night’s sleep!
Other Features to Look out for
LED Light
A great additional feature. Some camping fans have lights that can also be used at night. This will help you find your way to your sleeping bag or out the door in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
Stands or Adjustable Hooks
Adding more versatility to your camping fan, a stand or hook is handy giving you a lot more options on where to put your fan in your tent or RV.
Waterproof or Water-Resistant
Some fans also have a case that will protect them from the rain so it continues to run in damp weather.
Final Thoughts
Although we think all the fans here do a good job, we believe the winner of this Best Camping Fan roundup is the Opolar 9 inch rechargeable fan Opolar 9 Inch Rechargeable Fan. We really like that it can run on either rechargeable batteries or USB and that it can run with an AC power adapter.
One must we have with any camping fan is it must be lightweight and durable all while providing good airflow and the Opolar does just that.
Not only are you saving energy and money with the rechargeable batteries, but this fan is efficient and easy to carry around. It is perfect for camping.
