I have tested bladed and bladeless neck fans over the last 10 years.
In this article, I’ll share my test results, and which type of fans I now recommend to all my friends, family, and clients.
Are bladeless neck fans better?
This Is Why Bladeless Neck Fans Are Better:
Bladeless neck fans are better than bladed neck fans because they are safer, look better, last longer, and are less likely to catch your hair. Bladeless neck fans are also more durable, easier to maintain, quieter, come with more options, and are more comfortable.
Let’s quickly go through each reason bladeless neck fans are better (and when they’re not).
Bladeless Neck Fans Are Safer
Bladeless neck fans contain internal blades hidden inside the protective outer ring.
Therefore, there is very little risk of personal injury.
You can touch, hold, rearrange, put on, and remove the fan without your hands or fingers accidentally touching the internal blades.
Bladeless neck fans also feature many tiny holes or slots for airflow.
These tiny openings are much too small for any part of your body to pass through.
Even when my nieces or nephews climb all over me, I don’t worry about the bladeless neck fan harming them in any way.
Bladeless Neck Fans Look Better
With bladed neck fans, the long blades are exposed outside the outer ring. With bladeless necks fans, the air flows through holes in the external casing—giving them a modern and stylish look.
The blades on bladed neck fans look a bit garish to many people.
On the other hand, bladeless neck fans look almost like a pair of headphones hanging around your neck.
Plus, bladeless neck fans come in many different colors and styles to fit any taste.
Bladeless Neck Fans Won’t Catch Your Hair
Bladed neck fans can easily catch your hair in their spinning blades, which can be painful and cause hair loss.
This is usually not a problem with bladeless neck fans.
Long hair can sometimes get caught in bladeless neck fans, but the risk is much less.
Read: The Best Neck Fan for Long Hair (Tested and Solved)
Bladeless Neck Fans Are More Durable
Bladed neck fans have exposed blades that are much more likely to break or become damaged.
Bladeless neck fans protect their motors, blades, and other moving parts inside durable hard shells or flexible silicone sheathing.
I’ve had bladeless neck fans for years without them breaking down or becoming damaged in any way.
Bladeless Neck Fans Are Easier To Maintain
The tiny holes or slots in bladeless neck fans make them much easier to maintain than bladed neck fans.
You can use a compressed air duster, a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment, or a small brush to clean the internal blades and openings.
A simple microfiber cloth wipes clean the external body of the fan.
With bladed neck fans, you must remove the blades to clean them properly, and it’s very inconvenient to clean all of the small areas where dust and debris can accumulate.
Bladeless Neck Fans Are Quieter
Bladed neck fans are very noisy, making them awkward to use in quiet or sound-sensitive environments.
Bladeless neck fans are much quieter, allowing you to move around without attracting attention.
If you work in an office, use neck fans in public, or want a neck fan for travel, then bladeless neck fans are a better choice.
Read: Can You Take a Neck Fans On a Plane? (Answered)
Bladeless Neck Fans Come With More Options
Many bladeless neck fans come with additional features that bladed neck fans do not offer.
Some bladeless neck fans have built-in lights, multiple speed settings, faster charging, and added cooling plates for instant temperature management.
Bladed neck fans usually only come with a few speed options.
Bladeless Neck Fans Are More Comfortable
Another reason bladeless fans are better is that they feel more comfortable.
Bladeless fans come with cushioned neck pads, flexible silicone designs, and no fan blades blocking your view.
I’ve worn bladeless neck fans for hours at a time at Disney, on hiking trips, and while running. Not once did I feel uncomfortable or overheated.
On the other hand, bladed neck fans can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially on long trips.
They often get in the way of your view and bump into things while you move.
Are Bladeless Neck Fans Better Than Regular Fans?
If you are looking for a portable cooling fan that only blows air on you, then neck fans are better than regular fans.
However, if you want wider air circulation or more powerful cooling, then other fans might meet your needs better. Desk fans, pedestal fans, tower fans, box fans, blower fans, and ceiling fans will all circulate more air and distribute coolness to a larger area.
Therefore, it depends on how you want to use the neck fan.
Neck fans are better than other fans for:
- Running
- Hiking
- Travel (for example, if you need a fan for Disney)
- Mobile work (work where you move around a lot)
- Direct cooling to your neck and face
Read: Best Neck Fan for Runners (Tested & Solved)
Bladeless Neck Fan Pros and Cons (Table)
Here is a simple table with the pros and cons of bladeless neck fans:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safer | More expensive |
| Quieter | Only direct cooling |
| More comfortable | Not as strong as standard fans |
| Last longer | Low air circulation |
| Better technology | Must recharge regularly |
| Easier to clean | Might bother your eyes |
Here is a good video that demonstrates a bladeless neck fan, along with pros and cons:
Keep in mind that there are different neck fans that work better for kids, cooling, and comfort.
If you choose the right neck fan, it resolves most (if not all) of the concerns raised in the video.
3 Times Bladeless Neck Fans Are Not Better
Bladeless neck fans have many positive features, but there is one major negative feature: they are more expensive.
Bladed neck fans are much cheaper than bladeless neck fans.
Bladeless neck fans use better technology, stronger materials, and last longer than bladed neck fans. Thus, they cost more money.
If you do indoor cycling, work for long hours at a desk, or remain mostly stationary in a hot space, then other cooling fans might work better for you. The one exception might be the Torras Coolify neck fan, which is one of the most expensive and coolest neck fans on the market.
Finally, some people say that bladeless neck fans dry out their eyes and fog up their contacts or glasses.
This hasn’t ever been an issue for me and the neck fan owners I know.
Best Bladeless Neck Fans
Here are my suggestions for the best bladeless neck fans for traveling, long hair, working out, running, and hot flashes:
| Fan Purpose | Best Fan |
|---|---|
| Best neck fan for Disney | FrSara |
| Best neck fan for long hair | FrSara |
| Best neck fan for working out | Veamor |
| Best neck fan for hot flashes | Torras Coolify |
| Best neck for runners | Veamor |
Final Thoughts: Are Bladeless Neck Fans Better?
As someone who has actually used neck fans for years in a variety of settings, I really like them for personal cooling on the move.
My biggest tip is to choose a neck fan suited for how you plan to use it.
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