There's no single best way to stay cool. A tradie on a roof, a mum at Saturday sport and someone working from a hot spare room all need something different. Here's a straight comparison of the most popular personal cooling options, so you can pick the one that suits your day.
Bladeless neck fan
How it works: sits around your neck like headphones and blows air up both sides of your neck and face.
- Best for: walking the dog, gardening, commuting, the gym, cooking, queues and anywhere you need your hands free.
- Pros: hands-free, rechargeable, no water, no mess, no blades to catch hair.
- Cons: it moves warm air around, so it helps less on very hot, still days above the high 30s. Needs charging.
Shop the IcyMate Bladeless Neck Fan.
Handheld mist fan
How it works: a small fan with a water tank that sprays a fine mist. As the mist evaporates on your skin, it pulls heat away.
- Best for: the beach, outdoor sport, festivals, school pick-up and travel.
- Pros: mist plus breeze feels cooler than air alone, pocket-sized, rechargeable, comes with a lanyard.
- Cons: needs refilling, and mist works best in dry heat (like Perth and inland Australia) rather than sticky, humid days.
Shop the IcyMate Handheld Mist Fan.
Desk mist fan
How it works: a bigger fan with a 600 ml water tank, a cool mist and a soft night light.
- Best for: your desk, bedside table or a small room without air con.
- Pros: longer run time, 3 speeds, night light, carry handle.
- Cons: it cools you, not the whole room. It isn't an air conditioner.
Shop the IcyMate Portable Mist Fan.
Cooling towel
How it works: soak, wring and snap. The mesh fabric holds water and cools as it evaporates.
- Best for: working outside, under a hard hat, at sport and at the beach.
- Pros: no battery, very light, cheap, covers your neck and shoulders, hi-vis colours.
- Cons: needs re-wetting when it dries out.
Read how to use a cooling towel or shop the IcyMate Cooling Towel.
Neck cooler ring
How it works: chill it in the fridge or iced water, then wear it around your neck.
- Best for: short bursts of heat: school runs, walks, watching sport, the train.
- Pros: no battery, no water on your clothes, reusable.
- Cons: needs a fridge or esky to recharge.
Shop the IcyMate Neck Cooler Ring.
Quick verdict
- Hands busy, on the move? Neck fan.
- Outdoors in dry heat? Handheld mist fan.
- Desk or bedside? Desk mist fan.
- Working outside all day? Cooling towel (and a spare).
- Short trips and no power? Neck cooler ring.
Plenty of people combine two: a cooling towel for the job and a neck fan for the drive home. See the full portable fans and neck coolers and towels ranges.
Cooling gear helps you feel cooler. It doesn't replace water, shade and rest on very hot days.