5 Best Wearable Air Conditioners To Beat The Heat This Summer

Sometimes, it seems impossible to gather the motivation to leave an air-conditioned room - especially when it is too hot outside. But what if I told you that you can wear an air conditioner around your neck wherever you go?

The primary purpose of a wearable fan is to provide cool air on the go. They are typically worn around the neck to lower the body temperature while being outdoors, irrespective of how hot the weather is.

In this article, I present to you the top 5 wearable air conditioners that you can choose to go for. Let us begin!

Listed below are the Best Wearable Air Conditioners:

• JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan: JISULIFE excels with a stylish, compact, and hair-safe bladeless design. The main concern is the sub-par battery life.
• Arctic Air Cooler: The Arctic Air Freedom offers superior cooling efficiency due to its built-in water tank and lightweight design. It tends to be noisy at high speeds.
• RIYA Bladeless Neck Fan: RIYA's fan sets a standard in battery efficiency with up to twenty hours of runtime on a single charge. The trade-off is the fan's heavier weight.
• SAMISKO Portable Neck Fans: Noise efficiency is SAMISKO's forte, maintaining a meager 25 dB noise level even at the highest setting. Its rigidity could cause discomfort over long periods.
• TORRAS Portable Neck Fan: The TORRAS Coolify quickly lowers body temperature while flaunting a stylish design. The flip side is its hefty price tag.

Here is the list of the 5 best wearable air conditioners that you can use to beat the heat and ensure a comfortable and enjoyable summer.

1. Best Overall: JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan

The JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan is one of the best hands-free air fans on the market today. It features a stylish and compact design so that you can look cool and remain comfortable while going about your daily chores.  All you have to do is short-press its button to turn on the fan and press repeatedly to turn off the fan or adjust the airflow speed and stay cool throughout the day.

That said, this neck fan has three different types of air-flow settings - weak wind, natural wind, and strong wind. And as the names suggest, the “weak wind” setting offers the lowest wind speed, while the “strong wind” cooling mode ensures the highest wind speed. It did emit a bit of a “hum” at the highest setting, but it wasn’t something I found disturbing. 

Moreover, it doesn’t catch or tangle long hair because of its bladeless design. I didn’t find the battery life to be too impressive, though. 

2. Best For Cooling Efficiency: Arctic Air Freedom Personal Air Cooler

The Arctic Air Freedom Personal Air Cooler is an ideal option for people who prioritize their comfort over anything else. Its lightweight design made working out in hot weather way easier for me. 

The wind flow of this USB-rechargeable device was great. This neck fan comes with three fan speeds to cool you down as per your preferred settings even in high temperatures. 

Furthermore, the Arctic Air Freedom Personal Air Cooler has a built-in water tank. One can add water to it for an enhanced cooling experience. I decided to add ice to the tank for even better cooling, and it worked to eliminate hot air efficiently.

The battery life of this device is quite decent. It lasts up to six hours when set at a lower setting. However, one minor issue that I faced with this neck fan was that when I used it at its highest speed, it started emitting loud noise. It is tolerable when set at a lower speed though.

3. Best Battery-Efficient Wearable Air Conditioner: RIYA Bladeless Neck Fan

The RIYA Bladeless Neck Fan is the best option to go for if you want your neck fan’s battery to last for long periods at a time. It can last up to twenty hours on a single charge, which is a lot compared to the previous two recommendations. 

This bladeless and noiseless neck fan also comes with three airflow settings - weak wind, natural wind, and strong wind. You can adjust the wind flow levels based on your requirements. And since it is made of silicone and has a gooseneck design, it provides a very comfortable fit. It also has a sturdy and durable build, so you can take it for trips and outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.  

The only downside to this device is that it’s a bit heavy compared to the others. But that’s nothing major. It comes with a 360-degree surround air supply feature that supports fast cooling and increases the volume of air around the neck by up to 90%. 

4. Best For Noise Efficiency: SAMISKO Personal Cooling Portable Neck Fans

If you are looking for a wearable air conditioner with uncompromised cooling efficiency, then the SAMISKO Personal Cooling Portable Neck Fans won’t disappoint you. It comes with two sturdy and well-built fans with 48 wind outlets and 60 twin-turbine fan blades that provide cool breeze. 

I was a little concerned about the efficiency of this portable neck fan due to its size. However, it had a surprisingly great airflow because of its 360-degree full-air outlet that blows air both on your neck and face. The highlight of this fan, however, is its whisper-quiet operation at different fan speeds. It only produces 25 dB of sound even at the strongest wind speed setting. 

What’s more, the SAMISKO Personal Cooling Portable Neck Fan is priced at a reasonable cost. However, I found this wearable AC to be a little rigid. It might cause one a little discomfort around the neck and on the shoulder due when used for long periods. 

Other than that, the SAMISKO neck fan is a great option for people who want to enjoy a great cooling experience even at the lowest setting.  

5. Best For Stylish, Bladeless, And Hands-Free Design: TORRAS Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan

The TORRAS Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan is compact and easy to wear around the neck. With its semiconductor refrigeration technology and bi-directional vent, I was quickly able to lower the temperature around my neck down to about 18 degrees F within just 3 seconds. 

This wearable air conditioner also emitted surprisingly low noise as compared to other coolers at all three fan speeds (light breeze, mild wind, and cool wind). Since it is built with a bladeless design, I was able to use this portable neck fan in quiet areas like my office too. 

The battery of this portable neck fan lasted for about 8 hours (on a single charge) before dying out completely at a time. And it fully charges in about two hours, which is fair in my opinion. I’d say the battery life of this stylish wearable air conditioner is decent for people who want to use it for longer periods throughout the day. 

In fact, you can wear it comfortably around your neck the entire day because of its hands-free design and adjustable hinges. And it will look just like wearing a pair of headphones. The only downside is that it’s quite expensive compared to the other options I’ve reviewed in this guide.

What Are the Best Wearable Air Conditioners?

Wearable air conditioners are an innovative solution that offers personal cooling in a convenient, portable manner. The table below provides a comparative analysis of some of the best wearable air conditioners available in the market. The analysis factors include the type of controller, the capacity of the battery (in milliampere-hour, mAh), the weight of the wearable (in ounces), runtime (which is the operational hours provided on a single charge), and the noise level during operation (measured in decibels, dB).

Buying Guide For The Best Wearable Air Conditioner

Purchasing wearable air conditioners the minute you hear about them may not be the best idea. One should always keep certain factors in mind like the average customer rating before buying any product, and our portable neck fans are no exception in this case. 

Since a portable neck fan is relatively simple in design, there is no need to research extensively on its specifics. However, one should keep other factors in mind that will help them differentiate between different brands and models to find one that suits their needs.  

In this buyer’s guide, I have compiled a few such factors for you. They are:

Type Of Fan

One of the first things that you should look out for when browsing for the best wearable air conditioners is their fan type. There are broadly two kinds of fans in such devices - bladed and bladeless. 

Bladeless fans do not have blades in them, which is why they are much quieter when used. On the other hand, the bladed fans emit some noise since the blades rotate to blow cool air. Portable neck fans with the former type of fan are costlier than the ones with the latter. 

Your choice of fan type should depend on two factors - your budget and your needs. It is best if one manages to find a perfect middle ground between the two. 

Battery

One of the most important factors that I consider while buying wearable air conditioners is their battery life. Since there is no use for great features if the device can’t last long enough, one must consider it when buying a portable neck fan. 

For instance, if I have to be outside for long hours at a time and need constant cooling - I will need a wearable air conditioner with strong battery life. On the other hand, if I have access to a charging point and a USB nearby, I can settle for neck fans that offer a relatively lower runtime. 

Overall, I would advise not to go below six to eight hours of functioning when it comes to portable neck fans. 

Noise

Loud noise emitted from wearable air conditioners can be an embarrassment while working in quiet spaces like an office. Hence, it is best to consider the noise level of the fans before purchasing such cooling devices. 

As I mentioned before, bladeless fans emit the least amount of noise due to the absence of blades. Thus, if your priority is a noiseless environment, you can go for a bladeless wearable air conditioner. 

Even if you are not in a quiet space, it is advised not to compromise on the aspect of noise emission when it comes to wearable air conditioners. Since the neck fan is placed too close to the face and ears, loud noise may be intolerable for most people.

Weight

Since wearable air conditioners are supposed to be placed on the shoulders, it is important to consider their weight. If the device is unnecessarily heavy, it might lead to chronic pain in the future. Further, it may cause a stiff neck.

Hence, it is always advised to go for lightweight options when it comes to buying a portable air conditioner. Based on the age of the user and other factors such as physical conditions, the purchased neck fan must stay within the range of 7 ounces to 9 ounces.

A factor that strongly influences the weight of a wearable air conditioner is its material. If the product is made up of materials such as silicone, it will be lighter in weight.

That said, if you’re someone who suffers from chronic back and shoulder pain, I’d suggest opting for a portable air conditioner like the Zero Breeze Mark II instead.

Is wearable air conditioner safe to use?

Yes, wearable air conditioners are generally safe to use. However, like any electronic device, they should be used as recommended by the manufacturer. Never immerse the device in water if it’s not water-proof and following the recommended charging practices to ensure safety.

How effective are wearable air conditioners?

Wearable air conditioners can be surprisingly effective at regulating body temperature, but they aren’t meant to cool large spaces. Their effectiveness will depend on external factors like ambient temperature and the individual’s physiological response.

Can I wear a wearable air conditioner while exercising?

It depends on the design and water resistance of the specific unit. Some wearable air conditioners are sweat-resistant and designed for use during physical activities, but it’s best to check the manufacturer’s guidelines before wearing them during vigorous exercise.

Can a wearable air conditioner help with hot flashes or other symptoms of menopause?

Many people find wearable air conditioners to be helpful for dealing with hot flashes or other thermoregulatory issues related to menopause. However, the effectiveness might vary between individuals, and they are not a substitute for medical treatment.

Wearable air conditioners have made battling conditions like heat flashes easy to deal with. However, it is understandable if one gets confused as to which one to go for. After all, several labels claim to be the best on the market.

According to my personal experience, I found the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan to be the best overall. It has great features, and its downsides are fairly low in number. Other options like the Arctic Portable Neck Fan and the RIYA Bladeless Neck Fan follow closely behind.

The final choice as to which wearable air conditioner to go for depends on your requirements. Hopefully, my recommendations of the top 5 wearable air conditioners will help you make a more sound decision.

And if you decide to go for a portable air conditioner instead, do check out my review of the Delonghi Pinguino Air Conditioner.