Last Updated on July 9, 2023
This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for 2023.
Summer is still is full swing, with recent temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit and breaking records in many places. At various times throughout the warmer months, Aldi sells products to help cope with heat waves, including air conditioners, window units, tower fans, evaporative air coolers, twin window fans, portable fans, and more.
A newer trend is portable neck fans. They look a bit like a headband or ear muffs, with two small fans positioned at either end of an arched plastic connector. As the name implies, a neck fan is designed to be draped around a person’s neck, where the fan can provide a breeze to the face and neck. I spotted a relative of mine wearing a portable neck fan during a recent visit to the zoo on a hot day.
Aldi is always one to get in on trends, and this summer, the discount grocery store introduced its own take on the portable neck fan. It’s rechargeable and plugs into a USB port.
What We Know:
The Crane USB Rechargeable Portable Neck Fan (Product Code: 823338 in 2023; Product Code: 816016 in 2022) cost $8.99 in 2023, which is the same price they sold for in 2022. That’s less than most neck fans on Amazon. Also, keep in mind that some neck fans are more like portable air conditioners that actually blow cold air on your neck, and those are naturally going to cost a lot more. In contrast, the Aldi neck fan simply offers air movement, not air conditioning.
This Crane neck fan is an Aldi Find, which means it’s only in stores for a short time. Each store gets just one shipment, and once that sells out, they’re gone unless Aldi decides to bring them back. Aldi does not offer online ordering for products that aren’t in stock at your local store.
This is the first time we’ve seen Aldi sell a fan like this. As far as we can tell, these fans don’t come with any kind of warranty.
Here’s more information about the neck fans, according to Aldi:
- Available in Orange, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Turquoise, or Green
- Features three fan speeds
- USB rechargeable
- Offers two illumination options: multicolor and white
- Run time: 2-5 hours
- Fully charged in 4 hours
- Includes USB micro charging cable
What We Don’t Know:
We haven’t yet tried this portable neck fan, so we don’t know how well it works or how long it lasts. We write open threads so readers can share their thoughts about Aldi products.
Did you purchase the Crane USB Rechargeable Portable Neck Fan? Tell us what you think of it in the comments below.
I have some concerns about longer hair becoming entangled. Even with hair secured, longer hair often has stragglers. Have you read anything about this being a problem?
Bladeless neck fans might be better for longer hair, but we haven’t seen Aldi sell a bladeless version.
I bought one and the first day of use my hair tangled. The charger, after 4 hours of charging was burning and broke. I definitely do not recommend.
I have the Crane personal fan. It is very well made and it does cool you off. The only thing I have an issue with is that I have long hair. Yes my hair got caught up in the blades. I think a new design is needed to prevent. The one great thing after some effort we got it out without cutting the hair or breaking the fan.
I would appreciate a user’s perception/opinion of the ‘noise’ level, please. Thanks much.
Very quiet
Bought one loved it charged and used once. Tried to charge again but would not charge was so disappointed. Wanted it for me to do yard work. LOve aldis shop there all the time.