Best Misting Fan

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Updated November 30, 2021

The best misting fans provide a welcome refuge from blistering heat, keeping you cool and refreshed. In our evaluation, we focused on oscillation, number of speed modes, size, and run time for battery-powered fans. We also looked into auxiliary features such as design and pivoting heads. These are some of the elements you use to compare the best fans.

After more than 18 hours of research and testing, our top pick goes to the Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan. This portable misting fan comes with three speed modes and strong mist shooting as far as 9 feet out, making it nice for smaller outdoor patios. Keep reading to learn more about the Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan and five others that made the cut.

Top 6 Best Misting Fans

 #1  Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan

Award: Top Pick

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best outdoor misting fan, featuring three speed modes and a powerful mist. It is an excellent choice for small to mid-sized outdoor patios or backyards.

Pros
  • Strong mist
  • 3-speed mode
  • Pivoting head
Cons
  • May create puddles
  • Flimsy carry handle
  • Not quiet

Thanks to this misting fan’s 9-foot hose and shut-off valve, you can prop it away from the home in an open area for greater coverage. Once connected to the standard garden hose, it creates a refreshing breezy mist created from the fine droplets of water. A rotating, 90-degree pivot head directs air and mist exactly where you want it. Our testing saw reduced air temperatures by 20 degrees.

This misting fan uses a dial with three ‘Misting Power’ modes, with ‘1’ being the weakest and ‘3’ being the strongest. A separate oscillate button moves the fan up/down and side to side for better air distribution. It’s almost as good as wall-mounted misting fans. Mist spray comes out nice and even, shooting roughly 9 feet ahead, which is great for outdoor spaces such as smaller patios and backyards. You can also use one of the best ceiling fans for more air flow.

 #2  COMLIFE Handheld Misting Fan

Award: Honorable Mention

WHY WE LIKE IT: This handheld misting fan offers 3-in-1 functionality as a 7-color night light, facial steamer, and fan. It is a great portable fan to sneak in your purse or backpack for a quick cool down.

Pros
  • Best quality
  • Mist mode lasts 30 minutes
  • Folds 180°
Cons
  • Small water tank
  • Annoying to refill

We love this misting fan’s light weight and portability. Weighing less than one pound, it also folds 180 degrees for easy storage in tight spaces. It can even stand on a desk or be clipped to a stroller. Bonus points for its one-button operation and three wind speeds – gentle wind, natural wind, and strong wind (2.8 m/s to 4.6 m/s).

This misting fan’s charging time is very respectable. A 2000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery takes 3 hours to charge in exchange for a 2 to 13 hour working time, depending on the speed mode. This is especially important for frequent travelers who may not have immediate access to a charging station. Speaking of travels, the best tower fans are a good non-misting option.

 #3  KOODER Handheld Fan

Award: Best Handheld

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best misting fan for Disney, featuring a spray bottle design with a mist and spray. It is a great choice to carry in your purse for quick spritzes throughout a blistering hot day at Disneyworld.

Pros
  • Portable & lightweight
  • Can be used as a desk fan
  • Uses rechargeable battery
Cons
  • Long recharge time (3 hours)
  • Noisy at full power
  • Small water tank

Our favorite thing about this handheld fan is its portability. This compact mini fan is very lightweight, weighing 4.6 ounces – roughly the same as an apple or a baseball. Bonus points for its rechargeable battery for 6 hours of usage per charge.

Using this handheld fan is a breeze (pun intended). Simply fill up the tank, press the switch, and hit a button to activate the fan and mist sprayer. It also carries removable blades to save even more space in your pocket. For your outdoor fan needs, read about the best outdoor ceiling fan.

 #4  NewAir Outdoor Misting Fan

Award: Best Coverage

WHY WE LIKE IT: This best cooling fan for outdoors measures 18-inches, is height adjustable and cools up to 500 square feet of space. It is a great choice for mid to large-sized patios and backyards.

Pros
  • Cools very well
  • Adjustable oscillating head
  • Unlimited misting with hose
Cons
  • Not rustproof
  • Requires hose
  • Hard water may leave residue

Thanks to this misting fan’s adjustable expansion tube, this misting fan covers a large area using three speed options. An oscillating head moves pretty smoothly. We were very impressed with its strong airflow and mist. Plus, it does not require any batteries.

Setting up this misting fan is easy. Simply connect the kit to a 0.75-inch garden hose, adjust its height and position, and use the pull chain or knob to toggle between speed settings. An oscillating head moves up/down, side to side, or straight to circulate air in one direction. Another one of the best outdoor misting fans for those hot summer days is the Dynamic Collections Oscillating Fan with Misting Kit on Amazon.com. It has three speeds to choose from, a cooling mist feature for a cooling effect, and a fan head that oscillates from side to side. These types of misting fans intended for outdoor use have safety features like sturdy foundations so they can be floor standing while also dealing with windy days. For relief in small areas, the best usb fan can also help.

 #5  O2COOL Small Carabiner Keychain Misting Fan

Award: Best Budget

WHY WE LIKE IT: This misting fan comes with a keychain and one-speed motor. It is the smallest misting fan on our list, small enough to clip to your shirt or belt.

Pros
  • Best portable
  • Bright, fun colors
  • Foam fan blades
Cons
  • Only one speed
  • Needs refills often

Our favorite feature is its design, coming in an assortment of bright colors, including teal, purple, raspberry, and dark blue. It is also transparent, so you can see its inner shell and parts. Bonus points for its slide button operation, which is easy to operate.

This misting fan’s soft foam blades move at a high speed using a single AA battery. We recommend using rechargeable batteries if used frequently. Bonus points for its one-button operation, which is easy to press. Though it is a fun gift for beach bodies, this misting fan could use wider blades for stronger airflow. Be sure to check out the Ventamatic CDMP 14″ Premium Misting Fan and 20 Gallon Cooler. This Premium Misting Fan has three fan speeds, a custom 4-nozzle misting ring with replaceable brass misting nozzles, 6 ft. power cord, and 20 gallon water supply. These are good quality nozzles. For extra air flow, your home may also need the best ventilation fans.

 #6  Windrio Handheld Misting Fan

We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock

Award: Lightest Weight

WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best camping misting fan, doubling as a humidifier and night light. It makes a great gift for an outdoor enthusiast on his/her next adventure.

Pros
  • Best camping
  • Rotates 180°
  • Battery life
Cons
  • Not powerful
  • Small buttons
  • Blades do not come off

This misting fan is super portable, fitting comfortably in your pocket or backpack. Its 17ml water tank is enough to last for several hours. Three speed modes and two spraying modes also provide greater versatility than our #5 pick O2COOL Small Carabiner Keychain Misting Fan.

Thanks to a 2500 mAh rechargeable battery, this handheld fan can run for up to 14 hours. It can also be powered using a car, cellphone, or computer charger using the provided USB cable. Turning it on is easy – simply short press the button for three seconds to achieve mist mode and quickly press twice to turn the nightlight on. For your cars, check out our guide on the best garage fan.

How We Decided

In determining the best misting fan to buy, we explored oscillation, number of speed modes, size, and run time. Oscillating fans use adjustable pivoting head to rotate, covering more ground. The 18-inch NewAir Misting Fan cools up to 500 square feet of space, great for small patios and backyards. The number of speed modes is also essential. Our #2 pick COMLife Misting fan offers three modes (2.8 m/s to 4.6 m/s), which are great options to have depending on how hot it is.

Size is very important. Active outdoor folks could use a handheld misting fan for a quick spritz before their next lap. Patio homeowners could use an 18-inch misting fan for their next outing. Different sizes pertain to different settings. Lastly, run time was considered. Some handhelds run as much as 13 hours on a single charge, depending on the mode selected.

Misting Fan Buying Guide

 

The Most Important Features to Consider

  1. Oscillation
    We prefer oscillating fans that move up and down and side to side to hit a larger surface area. This is especially useful for large outdoor patios and gardens that need greater coverage.
  2. Number of Speed Modes
    Variable speed fans work to each user’s comfort level. Cooler days could use lower speeds, and hotter days could use faster speeds to reduce the air temperature even further.
  3. Size and Run Time
    Portable, handheld fans provide welcome relief for frequent travelers and gym-goers with no immediate access to a larger fan. Run time should also be considered. Our #2 pick, COMLIFE Handheld Misting Fan, runs as long as 13 hours on a 3-hour charge.
  4. Water Source
    Larger misting fans, like our #1 pick Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan, use a garden hose as the main water source, ensuring a limitless supply of water. Others, like handheld misting fans, use a small container that can weigh less than a pound (see our #2 pick COMLIFE Handheld Misting Fan)

Misting Fan FAQs

Are misting fans effective?

Yes, misting fans are incredibly useful in cooling you down on a hot day using oscillating fans and mist. Some, like our #1 pick Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan, can reduce air temperatures as much as 20 °F. Note, the larger the misting fan, the more effective it is in cooling a larger area quicker.

Do misting fans work in high humidity?

Yes, they can. They work equally well in dry and humid areas.