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The 'extremely effective' £12 John Lewis portable fan you won't regret buying

Looking for a portable desk fan to keep you cool this summer? John Lewis has just the thing. (John Lewis & Partners/Yahoo Life UK)

Every summer it's the same story: the weather unexpectedly heats up and suddenly fans are sold out everywhere. This year we've decided to get ahead of the inevitable fan shortage and luckily, the hugely popular John Lewis & Partners Handheld and Foldable Desk Fan, which costs just £12, is finally back in stock after selling out multiple times.

It's a portable, compact fan that'll keep you cool whether you're working at home, commuting on a packed and sweaty train or bus – or even going for a walk in the park. And, needless to say, it is also a godsend for those menopausal 'heatwaves' too that happen regardless of the weather outside.

In fact, several members of the Yahoo UK team have purchased this affordable summer essential and have nothing but praise for the nifty gadget, which, at just £12, is an absolute bargain.

John Lewis

Handheld & Foldable Desk Fan, 4 inch

This compact, portable fan is a godsend for summer.

£12 at John Lewis

The fan's small size means it's perfect for your bedside table, too, so you can let the cooling breeze ease you to sleep.

Why we rate it

The John Lewis & Partners Handheld and Foldable Desk Fan is compact, which is why it's a brilliant multi-purpose buy.

The small but mighty, foldable gadget is rechargeable and boasts three speed settings, so you can opt for a light breeze or faster, more full-on power.

Not only can the fan be handheld, but the handle can fold out to form a stand to prop it up, which makes it easy to position on a table or desk. It also means it'll sit safely on your bedside table at night. Plus, unlike a lot of bigger fans, it doesn't make a lot of noise which makes it even more sleep-friendly.

Portable and easy to charge, it's a must-have for summer. (Yahoo Life UK)

The fan can stand up independently or be folded neatly and compact in a handbag. (John Lewis & Partners)

The fan comes in four different colours. (John Lewis & Partners)

£12 at John Lewis

To charge, all you have to do is insert the charging cable into a standard USB port, and you can still use the fan while powering it up, or juice up the battery ready to keep in your bag for when you start to overheat.

It will operate for approximately nine hours on low speed, six hours on medium speed, and four hours on high speed. The fan also comes in four colours: white, sage, yellow, and blue. So, you can purchase a different colour for each family member to avoid any squabbles when the heatwave arrives.

What the reviews say

The John Lewis & Partners Handheld and Foldable Desk Fan is a hot weather winner and has received over 1,100 five-star reviews from happy shoppers, who've taken it on holiday, used it to keep cool on stuffy trains and even when running a fever.

"I've hunted for this fan for the better half of a year! This little fan is gold dust, it has 3 speeds and works amazingly! It has a standard recharging chord with it and last for a few hours before need recharging. I took this to the Caribbean in 36 degree weather and I always had cool breeze with me. With this trusty little fan by your side you can even take on a British summer!"
"Absolutely love the bright (sunflower yellow) fan. Good quality with 3 speed settings. Last for hours, once it's been fully charged. I purchased 4 of these last year for Father's Day presents last year, and they went down a storm."
"This is the third fan I've bought as I give them as gifts. Quick to charge which lasts a long time. Good fan action which is easily adjustable depending on how much of a cooling effect required. I keep mine in my handbag as useful for stuffy trains, theatres and general day to day. Invaluable for hot climates. Useful if someone running a fever too. Great value for money."
"First bought one of these 2 years ago – have since bought 2 more (placed in different rooms for my menopausal moments !!) and also gifted a few. Such a brilliant little fan – lovely cool breeze on even the lowest setting & love the fact you can fold & tilt it. Buy one quickly as they always sell fast!!"
"We have amassed seven of these fans across the family (Two have gone to Canada where they get a lot of comment too) and they are quite simply, brilliant. They are lightweight, easy to use with 3 fan settings and the charge via USB lasts for several hours and the re-charging, although not rapid, gives the fan plenty of juice for the next use."