The 8 Best Wearable Air Conditioners in 2023, Tested by Gear Editors

Pros

• Patented metal radiator plate cools your neck
• 36 air vents provide a refreshing blast of air
• High-quality feel
• Sleek design looks like a pair of premium headphones

Most wearable “air conditioners” are more like overhyped miniature neck fans. Torras’ Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan is a rare exception, and the closest thing we’ve seen to a legit portable air conditioner. A patented metal plate at the base cools the skin of your neck by almost 20 degrees. Plus, thirty-six air vents built into the Coolify’s arms deliver a steady blast of air to create a cooling “bubble” around your head. The bladeless design ensures that it’s slightly quieter than most of the alternatives we tested.

The most noticeable thing that sets this AC apart from all the others is the quality. It actually looks and feels like a high-quality electronic gadget. We also loved the solid battery life that came pretty close to the manufacturer’s (and most reviewers’) reported eight hours on a single charge. In our experience, it works better than every other model we tested. On the downside, the fans are still relatively loud and noticeable, especially indoors. But that’s an issue with almost every wearable AC we’ve tested.

At close to $130, it’s the priciest model on this list. But, we’ve found that you get what you pay for, especially with wearable air conditioners. If you want to be the “coolest” kid on the block (pun definitely intended), you might have to shell out a little more money.

What do buyers say? “The humidity in Florida sucks and everyone knows it, especially in summer. But this thing works so well that I even bought a second one in white for when I’m not wearing dark colored clothes so I can look more fashionably conscious,” said one Amazon reviewer.

ITHKY’s Hands Free Portable Neck Fan is the simplest and most basic wearable air conditioner we’ve tested this year. The budget-friendly model is less a traditional AC and more of a wearable fan. Still, the bladeless fans deliver a cool blast of air via 48 built-in outlets in the stems. The battery recharges easily via any standard USB port, making it great for travel. But, despite the purported 7-hour max run time, in our experience it was closer to 5 hour on low. Your mileage may vary, of course, and it does depend on which of the three fan speeds you choose. On all but the lowest speed, however, we found this model to be noisier than most, especially for indoor use.

Most users agree with our testers, noting that the design is lightweight and comfortable enough for all-day wear. The best part is that, at less $25, it’s one of the best-priced models available. However, that ultra-budget price does mean that this wearable air conditioner definitely feels like a budget product. While the thin plastic seems reasonably durable, it feels akin to a pair of value-priced wired headphones from the 90s.

What do buyers say? “Love how it puts air all around my neck. It certainly did keep me cool. It has 3 speed & the 1st speed is sufficient to lower my body temperature,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Pros

• Wide, lightweight design is comfortable for all-day wear
• Made of durable silicone and ABS
• Relatively quiet
• Recharges via USB-C
• Great price

JISULIFE’s Portable Neck Fan offers more features than almost any other wearable air conditioner at this price. It features 78 air outlets that deliver a steady, cool (though not quite cold) blast of air around your neck and head. The lightweight construction (at a little more than half a pound) and wide neckband make it plenty comfortable for all-day wear, even at the peak of summer. Compared to others we personally tested, the built-in fans are also quieter, especially at this price.

The battery charges in around three to four hours, which is slower than most we tested. JISULIFE reports between 4 hours (on high speed) to 16 hours (on low speed) of use, although, in our own testing, we found it was only good for around half that. In terms of battery life, that puts it near the bottom of all the wearable air conditioners we tested this year.

But, you get what you pay for. At less than $25, this is one of the most affordable personal/wearable air conditioners for the money, making it a great value alternative. Like many of the most budget-friendly options available in 2023, this model does feel like a budget product (lacking the same high-quality look and feel of more premium options, like the Torras above). We do like that it’s available in a handful of stylish colors, though, in case you’re interested in color-coordinating your high-tech personal cooling neckwear.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 35,000 Amazon reviews, 82% recommend the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan / Wearable Air Conditioner with at least a 4-star rating.

Sweetfull’s Portable Bladeless Neck Fan features a thick, wide band that’s surprisingly lightweight. It’s a design that’s among the most comfortable we tested—enough so for all-day outings in the sun. This wearable air conditioner relies on a brushless motor to ensure it’s whisper-quiet. According to the manufacturer, it measures less than 40 decibels on low. While we can’t confirm that exact figure, it is among the quietest we tested (about as loud as a gentle tabletop fan), making it a great choice for indoor and home office use. We’ve actually even fallen asleep wearing it at the beach.

Like most on this list, it recharges in just a few hours via any standard USB port, and the 4,000-mAh battery lasts an average of 10 hours on the lowest setting (almost the claimed 12-hour run time). On the highest setting, however, it cools better than most, but only lasts two hours or less which is hardly enough for a full day out. After a few weeks of use, we did notice that the charging became a little finnicky. Whether this is an issue with the port, the USB cable, or both, we’re still not sure, but it’s an issue other reviewers confirmed.

At less than $20 (on sale), it’s one of the best-priced models we’ve tested this year. We also dig the available color options—around 10 total, so you can dial in your exact look.

What do buyers say? “The lowest speed is strong that I thought it was the only speed. I saw more than were priced higher, but I am glad I ordered this one. Would definitely recommend to others,” said one Amazon reviewer.

With more than 4,000 five-star customer reviews, Civpower’s Portable Neck Fan is one of the best-reviewed and best-selling models on Amazon. The simple design features 78 air outlets (the most on this list) and three selectable fan settings so you can customize your cool. In our testing, we found that it provides much better airflow than most.

We’ve found the lowest setting is great for most casual use, while the middle setting works well on hotter days or during light cardio. It works great on the maximum setting, but is significantly louder than most other wearable ACs we tested—around 60 dB (comparable to a moderately busy restaurant). The semi-closed airlets are sweat- and dirt-resistant, however, making this a good choice for workouts.

Like other budget-friendly options on this list, it’s easily rechargeable via a standard USB-C outlet in about four hours, which is on the long side. However, it does last approximately three hours on high and about 12 hours (compared to the promised 16) on low on a single charge.

What do buyers say? “Love this fan! The fan works well even on low speed. I wear it at work and had someone comment on it and now they are ordering one for themselves,” said one Amazon reviewer.

And now for something completely different … Unlike every neck-centric model on this list, Koonie’s Waist Clip Fan features a unique design that clips to the neck of your shirt to blow cool air down or to the waistband of your shorts or pants to push air up. It’s less of a cold air-conditioned blast and more of a light, constant breeze that only you can feel. It’s less weird and more comfortable than it sounds. It’s even versatile enough to use as a tiny, tabletop fan.

What we like about the clip-on design is that it’s much more secure than traditional neckband-style wearable air conditioners, so it’s better for higher-intensity activities like hiking, biking, or running. We tested it during all three, and found it stays in place surprisingly well. We like clipping it to our shirt for casual activities, and to our shorts for more intense adventures.

The beefy, 6,000-mAh battery supports long run times of up to a claimed 23 hours on low and a solid five hours on high—both of which we confirmed in our own testing. Either way it fast-charges via USB in about three hours.

At around $30, it’s comparable to many of the best value wearable air conditioners we’ve tested. But, we think the one-of-a-kind, versatile design and excellent battery life make it stand out among the pack.

What do buyers say? “For anybody who sweats a lot, or wants to be comfortable while exercising, this is a great product. The battery life is good and it puts out a very decent breeze,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Pros

• Flexible silicone design
• High airflow with quiet operation
• Adjustable fan speeds
• Rechargeable via USB-C

Delmac’s latest Rechargeable Personal Fan is among the best new models we’ve tested over the last year. This wearable air conditioner boasts a big, beefy 6000 mAh battery (compared to the significantly smaller 4,000 mAh or less of most of its competition). That means, like the Koonie clip-on model above, it’s designed to run for up 20 hours on low. In our tests, we found that 14-16 hours was a more realistic number. That extra battery life does make for a heavier battery that weighs more than a pound, however.

It also quick-charges via an ordinary USB-C connector, so you can charge it from a standard wall outlet or even directly from your laptop or portable power bank if you’re taking it traveling.

Some reviewers noted a weak fan speed, but we found the airflow on every setting to comparable to many of the best models we tested. Delmac advertises a maximum output of up to 24 ft/s.

This latest bladeless model is also quieter than the company’s previous neck fans, so it’s great for both outdoor and indoor use. At around $40, it’s slightly pricier than some of the budget models in our roundup. But, given the solid feature set and roughly 50% more battery life than most other models on this list, we think it’s worth the premium.

What do buyers say? “This item keeps your neck and face cool. It is lightweight, it sits around your neck and don’t know it’s there. The charge lasts my shift and has multiple speeds. Best item I purchased for work,” said one Amazon reviewer.

FrSara’s Bladeless Portable Neck Fan offers the same great features as many other wearable air conditioners we tested over the last year. That includes a lightweight design (weighs less than 7 ounces!) with whisper-quiet operation, three-speed adjustable fan settings, and a food-grade silicone construction that’s dust- and sweat-resistant.

It charges fast via a standard USB cable. Although that’s thanks mostly to its tiny battery. With a meager 1,800 mAh capacity, it’s the tiniest power bank of any wearable AC in our roundup. In our tests, we were only able to squeeze less than five hours of run time out of it on low, and less than two hours on high. Both figures put this model squarely at the bottom of this year’s roundup for battery life.

But, what sets this one apart is the eye-popping design. It’s available in two-dozen bold colorways, including unique patterns like snakeskin, graffiti, and leopard print. So, if the standard “white or black” options of the others on this list aren’t disco enough for you, this might be your man.

What do buyers say? “I love this neck fan! I had received one as a gift and it helps out so much … My husband borrowed it and loved it so much that I ended up buying one for him too,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Wearable air conditioners and personal neck fans are surprisingly simple gadgets. Most are designed with several dozen ultra-compact fans blowing cool air up toward your neck and head to bring down your skin temperature. Most aren’t powerful enough to drop your overall body temperature, but by decreasing your skin temperature, they provide the illusion of cool. Sometimes, that’s all you need to find a bit relief on a hot summer day.

Finding the right wearable AC for you depends on your personal level of activity, how hot it gets where you live, and how much you’re willing to spend. The most important factors are:

Weight

Like anything wearable, the lighter the unit, the more comfortable it’s going to be to wear. The plastic construction of every unit above ensures every model we tested is light enough for all-day wear. Most models are extremely lightweight at less than eight ounces or one half-pound. The weight is typically a function of the battery size. Larger batteries make for longer run times, but also for heavier designs.

Battery Life

Most models on this list will last an average of 8-12 hours on a single charge, depending on which fan speed you choose. Those figures are according to each manufacturer’s claims. In real world testing, we found those numbers to be closer to 4-6 hours (assuming a mix of low/high speeds). On low, many will run for up to 10 hours—more than enough for even the longest summer outings. Blasting these fans on high will cut that time down considerably, however. Some only last two to three hours on their max settings, so carrying a spare battery or portable power bank might be a smart idea.

Noise

Most of the wearable air conditioners we selected are relatively quiet on their lowest settings. However, some can reach levels of 60 dB or more on high. For comparison, anything above 40 decibels is louder than a whisper. If you’re planning on using your wearable air conditioner outdoors or in noisy environments, this may not be an issue. But if yours will spend most of its life indoors—say, in an office or at home—that noise could be distracting, especially since neckband models are designed to wear near your ears.

Price

Wearable air conditioners aren’t complicated electronics. Thankfully, that means most decent models will run less than $40. Only the best, most premium options cost more than $100.