The best part, honestly, was that the fan was such an easy icebreaker—there aren’t many better ways to earn your seatmate’s trust than by giving them a turn with a much-needed fan. I also love that the design allows me to focus airflow wherever I need it most on hot days: my face, my back, my armpits, and other embarrassing places.
I do have a few gripes: The device could be a little more effective at moving air, since I found traditional hand fans to be better at short bursts. (The Gaiatop, for what it’s worth, at least doesn’t require constant wrist movement to work.) It also didn’t stop immediately when it hit hair, making it a liability in especially cramped spaces. The device is a little tough to open once it’s closed, and the power button is located where your thumb wants to rest when you’re opening it. Everyone also told me—fairly, I think—that it looks more than a little like a bullet vibrator when it’s not in use. Despite these drawbacks, I noticed dozens of fellow showgoers with the exact same gadgets.
As I mentioned before, Gaiatop isn’t the only game in town. While I’d recommend my pick to anyone, my Glamour shopping team colleagues own Jisulife handheld fans and echo the whopping 55,000 perfect reviews they’ve earned from Amazon reviewers. “It’s a godsend,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs, who named this cooling fan one of the best products on Amazon. “I carry it in my bag, and on the hottest days, it provides a powerful breeze.”
“My friends and I recently went on a New York City pizza crawl, and we did it in 80-plus-degree weather,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “We took several subways, walked 15,000-plus steps, and hit up five different pizza spots. Luckily, I carried this portable fan with me so I was able to use it while waiting at the stations or in line to order our slices. The only thing I don’t love about this fan is that it’s a little heavy, and I wish there was a clip attachment for easier access, but overall it’s been a lifesaver this summer.”
I might get some flak from the brands for this, but the two fans are virtually the same. The Gaiatop has horns and ports on the base, while the Jisulife has rounded ears and ports underneath the fan; they’re even less than a dollar apart in price. The main difference is that the former comes in 11 colors, while the latter only has six options. So take your pick—you’ll end up with a great portable fan either way. And while we’re at it, shop these other top-rated personal fans as well; we’ve seen them all over TikTok and on New York City streets this season.
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