8 Best Solar Powered Fans for Camping To Stay Cool
Why have a fan? To keep the air moving, right? The answer is right there on the box. Most of the fans at the camping store are designed to stay in one place, or a specific area. They may do that, but not all that efficiently. There are many better options. You can set it up and have it move to the desired area and angle without that fan being constantly on, having to run to stay cool. Some models also come with a timer. That way, you set it up for a given time and you know that it will be moving when you want to go to bed, or even awake.
What to look for?
So, what should you look for in a solar-powered fan? The answer is “anything”, as long as it does what you want. Make sure you do a little research before buying one because they all look the same, regardless of the brand name. The one thing to keep in mind, if you do not want the fans to blow away when you try to set them up, is to cover the lids with a little screen, especially if you have them in locations where the wind can come from all angles.
Solar-powered fans vary greatly in price. You can spend as little as $15, or you can spend over $100 for a “premium” model, like the TOP CAMPER ARCADIAN SPOTLIGHT. Most of the other models in this guide are in the $30 to $70 range. The sun is pretty strong in the desert, so make sure you pick one that will work well in your location. Make sure the model you are considering does not exceed 12 volts to avoid possible danger if you have a voltage protector.
If you plan to use a small unit as a portable charger for your electronics, be sure it can handle it. However, some models can only run on smaller solar panels, so check that out before buying.
Sun Joe Tri-Circle Plug and Play LED 12V Portable Solar Fan
This fan from Sun Joe is designed for camping, but it can also be used indoors. The unit plugs into any 12V source. The LEDs are shielded, so they don’t light up your eyes. The fan works at three different speeds, and it has an adjustable rotational range. This model is also weatherproof. The best part? You can buy it for just $35.
It is available in a variety of colors. You have a couple of options when it comes to the fan blades. You can go with a circular design. Or, you can go with a rectangular design. The angle will be 3-32 degrees.
Features:
- Made of Zinc Alloy
- Adjustable design
- Free Shipping on Amazon
- Recommended for Outdoor use
- Made in the USA
- Built-in Water Filter
- Solar-powered
- Rotation range: 3-32 degrees
- Speed: 60 RPM
Pros:
- 12V battery is rechargeable
- Easy to control with an on/off switch
- Can work indoors
Cons:
- Heavier than most
- The battery lasts about 2 hours
- A little noisy
TopSpeed Turbo Max Solar System with 350W Extra High-Voltage Battery and Amazon Alexa
If you have a lot of lights or electronics, then you will need a way to keep them charged. This Sun Joe model is designed for camping, so it is a nice option to have if you want to keep the lights and electronics charged while you are gone. It can charge 10 to 14 devices at a time. The extra-high-voltage battery holds 750 Wh of energy. This is enough to power most electronics for a long time. There are leds in the frame. You can turn the lights on and off with the press of a button, or just leave them on for your convenience.
TopSpeed Turbo Max comes with two batteries and a 5W LED bulb that is good for 10 to 15 hours of brightness. This is one of the most affordable models in this guide, but it still offers a lot of power. The fans work at four different speeds, and they have a variety of mounting options. It is recommended for outdoor use. The blades are built to last, and they also come with a lifetime warranty. You can pick up the TopSpeed Turbo Max for $40 on Amazon.
Features:
- 5-watt LED bulb
- Two high voltage backup batteries
- Built-in fan
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- 11-inch fan diameter
- 130-degree air movement
- Can charge 9 modern cell phones simultaneously
- Works up to 30 hours continuously
- 5-year warranty
Pros:
- Both backup batteries are included
- Two 120-volt, 12-volt 3-prong outlets
- A 120-volt outlet is great for charging devices
- Uses Samsung lithium batteries
Cons:
- The propellers may wear out after several uses
Procter & Gamble ChillMax 12 Volt Portable Solar Fan
The Procter & Gamble ChillMax 12 Volt Solar Panel Mounted 12V Portable Solar Fan is perfect for camping, but it will work well indoors as well. It has a cool design, and the red/white color scheme is sleek and classic. There is also a little hand switch on top, so you can adjust it quickly. The fans also have an auto-shutoff feature.
One of the best things about this unit is that it has a solid construction and uses a thick metal blade. It will keep you cool in a wide variety of outdoor conditions. The auto-shutoff feature is another great feature. It will turn itself off if the air temperature drops below a certain level.
The price is reasonable, so it is well worth considering. The only complaint some people have is that the fans are a little noisy, especially if you have the blades moving. However, if you set up your campsite in an area where there is not much air movement, the sound won’t be nearly as loud. The Procter & Gamble ChillMax 12V Portable Solar Fan is available for $69.99 on Amazon.
Aerogard Solar Fan 2-Speed Fan with Adjustable Blade
This fan is one of the more expensive models on this list, but it is very well worth the price. The Aerogard Solar Fan 2-speed Fan has a motor that can pull 20% of its peak power at any altitude. In addition, it has a motor rated at 12,000 RPM. The blades have a total of 3.75-inches. This is a pretty heavy-duty unit.
This fan runs on two different sizes of solar panels. It can be used with a 13W/7.5W model, or it can be used with a 13W/13W model. The two panels connected to the fan itself are placed next to each other. You can plug the fan into any 12V source, but you cannot use it without the panels. They are designed for this purpose.
There are a few different brightness settings for the LEDs on this fan. The standard setting is 3-5 lux. The lowest brightness setting is 3-4.3 lux. The higher settings are 5-9.5 lux but are warned that the lower settings will give you a headache if you are using it indoors. The higher settings will work for pretty much any outdoor application.
The fans draw in about 6-8 watts. The fan speed range is 3-30 rotations per minute. The unit can run for about 20 hours on one charge. The entire package is solid. It is heavy-duty and made of high-quality metal. If you are in the market for a durable and expensive fan that will run all year round, then you should consider this unit. The Aerogard Solar Fan 2-speed Fan has an MSRP of $124.99. It is currently available for only $56.99 on Amazon.
Aeria Solar Electric Self-Balancing Electric Fan
One of the best features of this fan is the 12-volt battery that it uses. The Aeria Solar Electric Self-Balancing Electric Fan has an excellent build quality, and it is very quiet as well. It is easy to move around when you need to adjust the settings. It has an on/off switch on top, so you can adjust the speed on the fly. It comes with a power cord, an 11-inch long screwdriver, and a USB cable.
The fan has a single-speed setting, but you can also set it to a rotating mode. It has a lifespan of about 8-10,000 spins, which is quite a lot. The size is right. It is a good size for most spaces. The weight of the unit is pretty good, considering that it is not powered by an inverter.
The Aeria Solar Electric Self-Balancing Electric Fan has a 2.8-star average from the customers that have reviewed it. They have a few complaints, such as the fact that it does not get as hot as some of the other models on this list. However, most people feel it is well worth the money. The Aeria Solar Electric Self-Balancing Electric Fan has an MSRP of $54.99, and you can get it for only $29.99 on Amazon right now.
Ozfoton eSolar RO Solar Electric Cooling Fan
Ozfoton, a German brand, has made a fan that is very similar to the Aeria Solar Electric Self-Balancing Electric Fan. The only difference is that the Aeria model has a motor that is capable of pulling 15% of its peak power at any altitude, while the Ozfoton unit can only pull 12% of its peak power at any altitude. These are not major differences.
The Ozfoton model has a 4-speed speed setting, a standard brightness setting, and a battery type that changes depending on the ambient temperature. This allows the fans to operate when they are sunny, and turn off when it is cloudy.
The quality of the fan is very high. It is made of heavy-duty metal. It has a lifetime of 3,000-4,000 spins, depending on the ambient temperature, and it has a lifespan of 25,000 spins, which means you can use the fan for a year or so before having to replace it.
Like the Aeria model, the Ozfoton model can be powered by a small power inverter. However, it cannot be powered by a battery and has a lifespan of fewer than two years.
The quality of the construction and the build quality is also very high. It is very sturdy. The fans are well-built and they operate with a smooth motion. It is light, too. Overall, this fan is quite decent for the price. The Ozfoton eSolar RO Solar Electric Cooling Fan has an MSRP of $79.99, but you can get it on Amazon for only $45.99 right now.
Cooltech Solar Electric Fan
The Cooltech Solar Electric Fan does not have the motor unit of the Aeria model. However, it is similar in most ways, such as the versatility of the placement of the fans, the fact that the fans are removable, and the great build quality of the product. The Cooltech model is very quiet as well. The noise level is very low, so you can keep it running when you need it, but it will be barely audible from outside the room.
It has a maximum speed of two speeds, and the lamp can only be operated at a certain intensity level. The Cooltech Solar Electric Fan has a 5-star rating with over 800 reviews on Amazon. The fans are quite quiet and they look great, too.
Leviticus eSolar RC Fan With Magnet
The KeVitus eSolar RC Fan is a USB-powered fan that can be powered with a micro USB adapter or a USB wall charger. It comes with a detachable magnet that allows it to be attached to a metal surface, such as a wall.
The KeVitus eSolar RC Fan has a maximum speed of two speeds, and it has a maximum altitude of 45-degrees Fahrenheit. It has a typical lifespan of 10,000 spins, and it lasts for 15,000 spins, which is equivalent to 20 years of use.
The KeVitus eSolar RC Fan has an MSRP of $34.99 on Amazon. It can be purchased on Amazon for $20.99 right now.
Conclusion
It is hard to choose the best model in this roundup. All of them are quite good. However, there are some features that you may prefer. We hope these 8 solar system fans will help you out. My advice would be to get a fan with a USB charger to make charging much easier. If you have kids or pets, then you may want a fan that comes with a magnet. Some models come with remote control as well. However, we do not recommend getting a fan without a remote control because it is easier to control and more convenient to use.
