What are the favorite outdoor fans for campers?--ipanergy

We’ve put out a few posts about staying cool recently because we’ve had one heck of a hot summer here in North America. Staying cool in your RV is not only a comfort issue but also a health issue. We’ve dealt with topics related to RV air conditioning, but what about a camping fan or even a tent fan? Are fans worth having? Are they up to the task of keeping you cool?

In today’s post, we’re looking at the value of having a camping fan (yup – we’ve got one ourselves) and which ones are best based on effectiveness, features, and power consumption.

It’s heating up out there again, so let’s get right to it!

What Is a Camping Fan?

So, what exactly do we mean when we use the term “camping fan”? 

Well, of course, it’s a fan to take camping, but what sets a camping fan apart from any other type of cooling fan? 

Let’s take a look!

Battery-Powered Fans

Battery-operated fans are probably the most common type of fan used for camping. Tent fans are usually battery-powered, for example. They give tent campers a way to have some air circulation inside the tent. 

Battery-powered fans are also often used as personal fans. Many campers take a portable camping fan on a camping trip. This type of personal fan often has a built-in hook allowing a camper to hang the fan inside the camping tent, in a vehicle if you’re car camping, or in a truck, van, or RV to blow some air on them as they relax or sleep.

Battery life varies, as does the power of the airflow. So those are features one should keep in mind when reading specs and reviews of battery-powered fans.

Some battery-powered fans have a rechargeable battery. These are often charged by a USB connection. The power source may be an RV’s power system, a solar generator or solar panel with a USB outlet, or even a small power bank.

panergy 12V Fans

12V fans can be powered by the 12V outlets in a car, van, or RV. They can also be powered by a solar generator with a 12V outlet and are often equipped with a clip, allowing them to be clipped onto something positioned near a bed, couch, or dinette. 

12V fans are useful for car or van camping or for RVing, but unless you have a small portable solar generator, they’re not the best choice for tent campers. 

ipanergy 120V Fans

These fans require 120V power which means they can be powered using an AC adapter wall outlet, (great if you’re plugged into shore power), by an inverter, by a solar generator, or an RV generator.

120V fans often have larger fan blades, multiple speed settings, and the ability to oscillate. Many floor fans are 120V.

What Are the Best Fans for Tent Camping?

If you’re a tent camper, you’ll likely want a battery-operated fan. These can be rechargeable or use replaceable batteries, but it’s important that you find the tent camping fan with the best air circulation possible, because battery-operated fans are not generally the strongest. 

You’ll also want to make sure the fan is capable of running for at least as long as you’re trying to sleep in the tent!

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular battery-operated fans for tent camping.

Coleman CPX Lighted Tent Fan With Stand

We’re including the Coleman CPX because it’s popular with tent campers for the combined features found in both a battery-operated fan and a camping light. 

The LED light has two settings – one that actually lights the tent for activities and another setting that allows it to serve as a soft night light.

Made of alloy steel, this fan weighs 3 ¼ pounds (more when you add the batteries!) and can attach to the ceiling of the tent with a provided clip and hook. It also has a stand that allows it to be set on a table or stool, though reviewers note that the stand is fairly unstable. 

The four fan blades of the Coleman CPX are soft and not dangerous to little fingers, but bear in mind that there’s no cage over the blades so they’re probably capable of entanglement of some sort. 

The fan operates with 4 D-cell batteries which are not included. 

Although this is a popular fan among tent campers, we should note that some reviews are lukewarm, noting that the 4 D-cell batteries will only last one night before requiring replacement, and the fan on the highest of its two speeds produces only a light breeze.