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★★★★☆ It's not a power bank, a telescope or a speaker. Nope, it's weirder.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

I have a case for my iPhone, a power bank, a wireless charger … plenty of other accessories. But when I heard about one gizmo, I literally laughed out loud. The idea was so ridiculous that I had to get it so I could relentlessly mock it on Cult of Mac.

The joke’s on me: Turns out I love it.

What is it? A USB-C fan. Sounds stupid, right? All it does is blow cool air in my face while I use my iPhone or iPad, but now I use it all the time. Here’s why.

Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan review

iPhone accessories make everyday tasks easier and expand what your iPhone can do. Cases and screen protectors guard against drops and scratches, while MagSafe power banks and wireless charging stands keep the battery topped up with minimal effort. External storage devices, camera grips, microphones and tripods turn the iPhone into a more capable tool for photography and videography.

So how does the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan fit in?  Surprisingly well.

Table of contents: Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan review

• Cooling wherever you need it
• Runs off an iPhone or iPad
• So cool!
• Drawbacks: Power drain, size limitations, noise
• Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan review: Final thoughts
• Pricing

Cooling wherever you need it This little phone fan helps keep me cool on sweltering days.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

I frequently sit outside in the evening, reading on my iPhone or iPad. I live in Atlanta, where it’ll be over 90 degrees four days this week. That’s not a heat wave, just a weather phenomenon we locals call “July.” So it’s hot much of the time I’m outdoors all summer long, though it’ll cool down a bit by the time I’m off work.

Still, a fan is welcome. I used to frequently bring one out to cool me off a bit on exceptionally hot days — then I discovered the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan.

Like I said, I thought the idea was ridiculous. Plug a fan into my iPhone? But it’s so convenient. And it really works!

The Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan is a mere 2.1 inches long, and it’s a cylinder that’s 1.5 inches across. The total height is 1.9 inches, and the unit weighs a mere 1.5 ounces (0.09 lbs.)

That’s small enough to put in a pocket when I’m carrying it outside, and it fits very easily into a backpack.

Runs off an iPhone or iPad The Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan plugs easily into an iPhone or iPad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

When I’m sitting outside, I’m not anywhere near an electrical socket. The fan I preferred before runs off a USB-A power bank, but that was something else I need to remember to keep charged.

Using the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan is as simple as plugging it into my iPhone or iPad then pressing a power button on the side of the accessory. That means I always have what I need to run the fan.

So cool!

I initially mocked the product because I didn’t think a fan that plugged into my iPhone could possibly do anything useful. Boy, was I wrong.

First off, the airflow is easily aimed without affecting reading on my iPhone. I can point it right at my face, or a bit lower to cool both face and chest. And with the fan only a foot or so away, it’s genuinely cooling.

As mentioned, when I used the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan for the first time, I was fully prepared for it to suck. Nope, it blows — and quite strongly for something that fits in my palm.

There are four speed settings. I find the lowest to be enough, but if you want serious power, you can have it.

Drawbacks: Power drain, noise, size limitations This phone fan can get loud if you crank it all the way up.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

I expected the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan to murder my iPhone’s battery life. And it’s definitely a drain, just not as bad as I thought.

In my testing with the product, an hour spent reading outside with my iPhone 17’s backlight set at 50% and the fan set on low dropped the handset’s battery life by 15%. I think that’s a reasonable tradeoff for some additional comfort on a hot day.

If battery life is important, I can always attach my MagSafe battery to the iPhone. I use one with a USB-C port that can simultaneously charge my iPhone and power the fan.

More importantly, if my plan is to sit outside for a couple of hours, it’s worth the hassle of bringing out a full-size fan that doesn’t drain my iPhone at all. I generally only use this small one when I’m relaxing for a few minutes while dinner is in the oven.

And I’ll admit, relaxing would be a bit easier if the Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan was just a bit quieter. It’s no more than a hum on the lowest setting — where I almost always keep it — but speed the blades up and the noise level jumps. At top speed, the fan sounds like the world’s largest mosquito.

And even at top speed, the fan can cool my face and upper body, but that’s it. There’s only so much fan blades that are less than 1.5 inches across can do.    

Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan review: Final thoughts

I was hoping to have some fun mocking a fan designed to plug into an iPhone, and I’m a little bit disappointed that I can’t. This gizmo is quirky, but I actually love it and will continue to use it.

Especially at its low, low price.

★★★★☆

Pricing

The Aecooly USB-C Phone Fan normally sells for $14.99, but it’s currently on sale!

Aecooly did not provide Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.