RYOBI USB Handheld Fan
RYOBI USB Handheld Fan Kit (FVF53K)
When the calendar turns to July and August here in the Northeast, it means 3 things in terms of the weather – hazy, hot, and humid! High dew points and temperatures in the upper 90’s is the norm. While air conditioning helps us manage the heat in our homes and cars, air conditioning does us no good when we are sitting outside at sports games, barbecues, and the beach. Thankfully, RYOBI has designed several different battery-operated and hybrid portable fans that allow us to pack a personal breeze anywhere we go. I have been using the RYOBI USB Handheld Fan for a couple of weeks and I am very pleased to have this portable fan in my pocket when I need it most.
Specifications
- Pocket-size cooling with all day runtime
- Flexible blades with auto stop safety feature when touched
- Multi-position design for handheld or tabletop use
- Lanyard loop for portability (lanyard not included)
- Powered by the RYOBI USB Lithium battery system
- Practically endless runtime with the swap of a battery
- 17-hour runtime on low speed
- 6-hour runtime on high speed
- Includes a USB Lithium rechargeable 2Ah battery
- External battery indicator on the rechargeable 2Ah battery
- USB-C port on battery can be used to charge other mobile devices
- Includes a 21″ USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- 2-year limited warranty
- Will be available at The Home Depot for $29.97
- COMING SOON!!
Portable Fans Are Popping Up Seemingly Everywhere
Portable fans are everywhere these days. During a spring heatwave at our schools, my wife and I saw several teachers carrying battery-powered fans for their desks and outdoor recess duty. From the newest neck fans seen at outdoor sporting events to an actor stealing the spotlight with a mini fan on the Oscars red carpet, personal cooling devices have become officially mainstream. With personal fans growing in popularity, RYOBI’s timing couldn’t be better as they introduce their USB Handheld Fan Kit (FVF53K) to their USB Lithium lineup.
Form Factor
The RYOBI USB Handheld Fan arrives in a small box with a 21-inch USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a Lithium rechargeable 2Ah battery. When closed, the fan measures 5 inches in length, 1.75 inches across, and 1.875 inches in depth. When the Handheld Fan is opened, the lower handle is approximately 4.5 inches in length. The handle also can operate as a stand for the fan when placed horizontally on a flat surface.
The plastic blades are in the 3.75-inch section above the handle and each plastic blade is almost 1.75 inches in length and 1 inch across at its widest part. The recessed power button is located in the upper section behind the fan blades. At the base of the fan is the battery compartment.
Battery Life
The RYOBI USB Lithium rechargeable batteries display tremendous longevity in all of the tools I have tested, and this Handheld Fan is no different. I ran the fan one night by my bedside and it was still working in the morning. While the airflow is considerably less on the low setting, the battery can last for a whopping 17 hours—which is almost an entire waking day. A nice bonus is that when you turn on the fan, a light on the right-side illuminates to indicate the remaining battery life (green, orange , or red). Alternatively, you can remove the battery and press the indicator button directly on the battery itself.
While many handheld fans on the market feature rechargeable batteries, they often rely on internal power cells that require you to plug the entire fan into a power source when the battery dies. However, when you carry the RYOBI USB Handheld Fan, the cooling breeze can last all day if you bring extra USB Lithium 2Ah or 3Ah batteries. Because the batteries weigh so little and are slightly bigger than a stick of lip balm, you can easily carry multiple batteries for a day at school, the beach, or camping in the mountains. Being able to quickly swap out the USB Lithium battery whenever needed is one of the best reasons to invest in the RYOBI model.
Another advantage of the RYOBI USB Lithium battery is that it can act as a power source to charge your mobile devices. If you carry a USB-C charging cable with you, the battery doubles as a portable power bank. In fact, I’ve brought a RYOBI USB Lithium 2Ah battery with me to sporting events just to keep my older phone charged through the 4th quarter.
If you don’t already own a powerful USB charging block and a long USB cord, I would highly recommend you purchase the Ryobi 30-watt USB Wall Charger (RYIAC30120V) and the Ryobi 4-foot USB-C to USB-C Cord (AC0i4USBCC). The 4-foot USB-C cord is constructed from reinforced braided cable and the charging block has both a 30-watt USB-C port and an 18-watt USB-A port (and a retractable plug!). Both of these RYOBI products provide quick charging capability.
Stand It Up or Hold It Up
You have a couple of options when using the Handheld Fan. When opened, the handle on the RYOBI Handheld Fan is large enough and comfortable enough to hold it for extended periods of time. Obviously, holding the fan allows you to customize the direction of the breeze and the proximity from you when the sweat is really pouring down your face.
If you have a surface to put the fan down on, the handle can either face forward or backward to act as a stabilizing foot. Facing forward facilitates a 90-degree angle, whereas a backward facing foot directs the breeze at an upward angle. I found both worked well and I ultimately had no preference.
It is important to note that the fan frequently “walked” across my table due to the vibrations and air movement caused at high speed. On the low speed, the walking was reduced almost entirely. I had to monitor the fan closely since it moved so much on the high speed setting—placing something “less smooth” underneath the fan’s extended foot increases the friction and eliminates the movement across a table
Bringing The Breeze
I already own 2 other RYOBI battery powered fans. The RYOBI 18V One+ 4” Clamp Fan is a larger unit that requires the heavier 18V One+ batteries, making it less portable. I also use the RYOBI USB Lithium Clamp Fan, which is smaller, but still not pocket-size friendly—however, it does excel at cooling you down when attached to the handles of an exercise bike or treadmill. The reason to own the RYOBI USB Handheld Fan is its high degree of portability and the comfort it can provide you while on-the-go.
Whether I was wearing shorts or pants, the Handheld Fan always fit comfortably in my pocket. It would also easily fit inside a purse. There is also a super handy slot in the bottom of the handle to attach a lanyard if you want to carry it on your backpack or around your neck.
When I took it out and used it, the fan itself was discreet and the noise the fan made was also quite unobtrusive. In a perfectly quiet environment, the fan operated at 46 decibels on the high setting and at 35 decibels at the low setting. Being so small and quiet allows you to take the fan almost anywhere with you when you might require a breeze to cool down. I use it at night all the time while watching TV with my wife and you can’t even hear it over the television’s speakers.
This handheld fan can absolutely move the air and it legitimately makes a difference when and where you need it. Of course, based on the size of its body and attached fins, it should only be thought of as a single-user device. I have used it both inside my house atop a desk or table, as well as outside on my patio table and even walking with it in my hand. The air it moves provides a refreshing breeze that makes the heat and humidity just a little more bearable.
Here is a short video of the fan on HIGH speed with a roll of toilet paper approximately 12 inches way.
Here is a short video of the fan on LOW speed with a roll of toilet paper approximately 12 inches way.
For those interested in a longer video of the fan being opened, positioned, and used on both speeds, please visit this video.
Handling The Fan
I have to admit that it took me a few tries to learn how to move this fan without hitting the moving blades—much to my wife’s amusement! Because the spinning blades are so hard to see, you really need to be careful when you grab it by the handle or try to turn it off in the back. The good news is that the plastic blades are remarkably durable and they suffered no damage from the multiple impacts from my clumsy fingers. Plus, RYOBI included a clever auto-stop feature that completely halts the blades and blinks a red light if triggered, making it a super safe option around young kids.
Final Thoughts
Summer heat and humidity in the Northeast can cause constant sweating, even when you’re standing still. For anyone who struggles to regulate their body temperature or simply hates being hot, keeping the RYOBI USB Handheld Fan in your pocket or bag is an easy way to stay cool and comfortable. I highly recommend making the affordable investment in one when they become available at The Home Depot.
Ryobi has recently released many different USB devices that use their 2Ah lithium batteries. These tools each can satisfy a unique need in your home, office, or workshop. I encourage you to have a look at some of these other handy devices here:
- RYOBI USB Lithium LED Compact Area Light
- RYOBI USB Lithium LED Compact Flashlight
- RYOBI USB Lithium LED Flip Light
- RYOBI USB Lithium LED Clamp Light
- RYOBI USB Lithium LED Magnifying Light
- RYOBI USB Lithium Power Scrubber
- RYOBI USB Lithium Clamp Fan
- RYOBI USB Lithium High Volume Inflator
- RYOBI USB Lithium VERSE Compact Speaker
- RYOBI USB Lithium Heated Cushion
- RYOBI USB Lithium Telescoping Power Scrubber
- RYOBI USB Lithium Power Spray Mop
