This 4-Pound Portable Misting Fan Is Our Favorite Way To Beat the Summer Heat

When temps hit the 80s, 90s, or even higher, staying outside can be more than just miserable—it can also be downright dangerous. In these conditions, using an outdoor misting fan to create evaporative cooling can lower the surrounding temperature by as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. And when paired with a little shade, the right model can make spending time in your hammock, standing over a grill, or watching your kids from the sidelines significantly more comfortable.

In our tests of the best outdoor misting fans, the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro became an easy favorite for its noticeable cooling power, ultra-portable design, and convenient corded/cordless functionality.

Best Portable Outdoor Misting Fan

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan

Rating: 4.7/5

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Photo: Amazon

What We Like 

• Highly portable at under 4 pounds
• Runs up to 29 hours on lowest setting
• Evaporative mist cools without getting things wet

What We Don’t Like

• Small water tank requires frequent refilling

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Product Specs 

• Type: Desk
• CFM: 440
• Water source: 5.7-ounce tank

Portability and Performance

Weighing just under 4 pounds with a built-in carrying handle, the compact Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro is easy to take virtually anywhere you want. In the last month of testing, it’s earned a permanent place on our deck, moving from our griddle and grill while we cook, to our table while we enjoy a meal or play cards, and to our shaded seating area while we watch Blue Jays gather peanuts. Its water-resistant build has withstood full sun as well as a light afternoon shower, and its quiet operation is almost unnoticeable even on the powerful BreezeBoost mode. 

The reason this has become the model we tote around isn’t its size, durability, or lack of noise, though, it’s the combination of its 440 cubic feet per minute (CFM) output and its dry-touch evaporative misting system. You can feel the fan’s breeze from several feet away, and its mist is substantial enough to instantly cool you down without getting anything wet. That said, the integrated 5.7-ounce water tank will run out of water in about an hour when high, but it’s very easy to fill, and you can opt for the intermittent mist function to more than double that time. 

Runtime and Value

When running cordlessly and without mist, the rechargeable battery lasts up to 29 hours on the lowest of the five settings and up to 3.75 hours on the highest. Since it also works while plugged in, however, I simply keep ours charging when I’m near an outlet so it’s ready to go whenever I’m not. Most models don’t offer both corded and cordless functionality, and that versatility is something I take advantage of all the time.

Another thing that makes the Shark HydroGo Pro so special, especially compared to most outdoor misting fans, is that you can also use it indoors. The 11-inch-tall by almost 9-inch-deep body fits well on a side table or nightstand, and the approximately 8-inch tilting face is easy to adjust where you want it while you sit or sleep. Since my husband likes a fan on his face year-round, that means it won’t just sit unused in our garage all winter, making it well worth its asking price.

Where to Buy

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro Fan

Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart Buy at Best Buy

Photo: Amazon

 

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