The $15 Lifesaver I Swear By for Keeping Cool All Summer Long

Growing up and living in Southern California where residents experience dry, hot summers, I’ve had to get creative with ways to stay cool, especially when I’m spending a lot of time outside. One of my favorite outdoor activities is to visit Disneyland with my best friend, but dealing with the sweltering heat while waiting in those long ride lines can be unbearable. 

I knew I needed to come up with a cooling solution before our next excursion. Then I found the Otlonpe Handheld Misting Fan, and it’s become my summer staple, not just for Disneyland trips, but also for beach days, park picnics, and warm evenings just lounging on my balcony. 

This portable misting fan has a 20-millimeter water tank (and a 40-millimeter squeeze bottle to fill it), which is enough for three 10-minute intervals of mist. It also has a feature that automatically turns off the mist after each interval 10 minutes, so you don’t have to keep fidgeting with it. Depending on the speed of the fan (there are three) and how much you’re using it, this fan can last on a charge between six and 15 hours. Since it has a grip on the bottom, you can use it as a handheld or desk fan.

I’ve had this little misting fan for nearly a year now, and it’s been invaluable during the summer and early fall. I love taking it with me whenever I’ll be outside for long periods of time: on a hike, at farmers and flea markets, and of course, theme parks. My best friend and I shared this fan during that Disney day last summer, and she loved it so much she ended up getting one for herself. Many people in line with us also commented on how they wish they’d brought a fan just like it!

If I’m using it continuously or on and off for an entire day, this fan’s charge lasts me about five to six hours. When I’m using it at my desk or on my balcony for a few minutes at a time, though, I only have to charge it once or twice in a week. Although I do have to refill it frequently since I’m always using the mist option, it’s not an inconvenience or drawback. Since the mist is quite light (I’d consider it to be cool air as opposed to wet mist), my face never feels uncomfortably damp from excess water. 

My best friend and I will be going to Disneyland again in a couple of weeks, and despite it being the peak of summer, I can’t wait to enjoy the day and brave the heat with this compact, portable, and useful misting fan to keep us from overheating.

Buy: Otlonpe Handheld Misting Fan, $14.99