Best Tent Fans for Camping and Overlanding

Summer is one of the best times for camping. Unfortunately, the heat can turn your tent or camper into an oven. This is where a tent fan can save the day — and night.

A good camping fan can help to keep your tent or camper cool, making it a must-have camping gear for those camping or overlanding in hot weather. In this guide, we’ll cover the factors to consider when looking for the best tent fan and highlight some of our favorite options.

How to Choose a Tent Fan

It is not easy to choose a tent fan for camping as, frankly, they can all start to look the same. To help you better discern the differences, here are a few factors to keep in mind.

Construction

As you will mainly be using your camping fan outdoors, it is wise to go for a model that is well-constructed and intended for rugged use. Buying a solidly constructed fan will be cost-effective in the long run since you will not need to spend money on a new one soon.

Cooling capacity of the fan

Another important factor to consider when buying a tent fan is its cooling capacity. This way, you will know whether or not it will effectively cool your tent. Some tents will list the amount of air they move as cubic feet per minute (CFM). While nothing is set in stone, look for larger CFM-rated fans for big tents and vice versa.

Portability

Overlanding and camping gear should be highly portable, and a tent fan is no exception. In addition to being lightweight, a tent fan should also be compact enough to fit in your camping bag. Ideally, it should also have a carry handle or hooks that make it easy to lift and carry.

Safety

For fans to move a great deal of air, their blades must be rotating at high speeds. This means that if you accidentally insert your fingers through the rotating grills when the fan is at top speeds, you will suffer serious injuries. Consider going for models with tight spacing between the grills that do not permit a finger to fit through, or go for one that has a mesh covering. This is particularly important if you have kids in tow.

Ease of usage

Look for a fan that is easy to set up and mount and makes it easy to switch out batteries. A fan with LED can make it easier for one to use as a nightlight. A hanging hook allows you to hang the fan from the tent ceiling, which can be particularly nice if you want to use it while you are laying down.

Noise level

You don’t want to buy a ten fan that makes too much noise, as this can ruin your relaxing moments. If you can find the information, look for fans with a maximum noise level of no more than 50 decibels. The fans we’ve picked in this list are all very quiet and should be fine for camping.

Our Picks for the Best Tent Fans

The following fans cover a range of air-moving capacities and price points, with an eye to the factors we mentioned above.

OUR TOP PICK

Coleman OneSource Multi-speed Fan and Rechargeable Battery

Coleman’s OneSource Rechargeable Fan is part of the company’s OneSource series of products, a range of camping gear that all uses the same lithium battery system (the battery doubles as a flashlight). The OneSource fan is water-resistant and designed to withstand outdoor elements. This adjustable speed camping fan can last for 15 hours running at the lowest mode with a fully charged 4800 MAh. It takes around two hours to recharge. The tripod legs fold up for stowing and so you can hang the fan inside your tent or camper.

• Power Source: Rechargeable Battery/USB plug

• Design: Hanging/standing

• Run time: 6 to 15 hours

• Size: 12 x 8 x 6 inches

BEST FOR BIG TENTS AND CAMPERS

Geek Air Outdoor Floor Fan

The Geek Aire Outdoors Floor Fan is a rechargeable camping fan that moves some serious air. It boasts a 12-inch metal fan blade with a maximum airflow of 1500 CFM, which makes it perfect for cooling larger tents. You can vary the fan speed considerably, and the lithium-ion battery can run for up to 24 hours on a charge when set on low. It takes 4 to 5 hours to recharge the battery.

The Geek Aire fan is easy to carry using the large grip handle and switch between speeds using a turning knob. Its sturdy metal construction and water-resistant design make it plenty rugged for camp life. Note that this is only a floor fan and doesn’t come with a hook for hanging.

• Power Source: Rechargeable Battery/USB cord

• Design: Standing

• Max airflow: 1500 CFM

• Run time: 4 to 24 hours

• Size: 15 x 7 x 16.75 inches

• Weight: 6.9 lbs

BEST ON A BUDGET

Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan

Coleman’s CPX 6 is a durable tent fan that has a unique hanging system with a metal loop that connects a magnetized clip and carabiner attachment. This means no hooks are required to hang the fan in the tent. Besides, it can work as a free-standing stand, thanks to its built-in stand. 

The lightweight, innovative tent fan also comes with a 99 lumens flashlight with two light modes. Also, you can switch between two fan speeds depending on your liking. On low, the CPX 6 runs for up to 30 hours, the longest run time on this list.

• Power Source: Battery Powered/AC adapters

• Design: Hanging/Standing

• Run time: Up to 30 hours

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