Summer has barely begun, and London has already experienced another heatwave. An amber heat health warning has been issued as temperatures are forecast to climb above 30°C again. In preparation for more balmy weather, I tested the most talked-about handheld fan this year: the Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 portable travel fan.
First Impressions and Design
Arriving in a small box, the Shark ChillPill resembles a pair of binoculars at first glance. Two tubes are connected with a twistable central fixture, one holding the motor and the other the battery. The twisting aspect allows you to position it on flat surfaces at the perfect angle, but you can also thread it through bag and phone straps for hands-free cooling. The twin-cylinder design makes it double the size of most hand fans, but it's worth the pocket space for the three cooling functions.
Controls and Features
The controls can be mastered without resorting to the manual, which is available in physical and QR code form. The battery cylinder houses an on/off switch and a screen on one end, which should be turned clockwise or pushed down to increase speed or activate the mist, respectively. Three interchangeable heads come with the ChillPill unit.
Key Specifications
- Dimensions: L4.5 x W8.41 x H11.2cm
- Weight: 0.35kg
- Functions: fan, InstaChill cooling plate, misting pod
- Run-time: 11 hours at fan speed 1, up to 4.5 hours at fan speed 5, up to 1.5 hours at fan speed 10
- Charge-time: 3.5 hours
- Guarantee: 2 years
- Colours: Six available, including Dragon Fruit pink
Performance in London's Humid Heat
Ten fan speeds are enough to provide localised cooling for all. Speed one offered a gentle breeze, perfect for setting makeup, while the highest speed gave enough velocity to blow my hair back from my neck. The range is pleasing; unlike competitors with just three or five speeds, you feel reassured that there’s more left in the tank when a cooling turbocharge becomes a pressing biological need.
What’s not pleasing is the noise this fan makes. Noise levels rise in line with the fan speed, so prepare yourself for something that sounds like an aircraft carrier landing when it’s at full power. The noise is reduced a little if you swap the fan head for the cooling plate, but it’s still audible as breezes are pushed out from the underside of the head instead of the top. My favourite of the three heads is the mister. The spray it releases is really superfine, which compounds the cooling. On sweltering summer days, when trapped on the tube or at a festival, this function alone will be enough to forgive the cacophony entirely.
Is the Shark ChillPill Fan Worth the Price Tag?
At just under £130, the Shark ChillPill fan is probably one of the most expensive personal fans I’ve tried, but it’s also the most impressive. Three changing heads allow you to choose your flavour of heat relief, and while the attachments could become irksome rattling around in the depths of your bag, they are fairly small. Only tiny bag carriers have cause for concern. The ChillPill is double the size of most hand fans.
Noise is an issue too — you won’t want to keep this on at night, or beside napping infants or colleagues close to a deadline. But Shark has designed this fan for on-the-go use. You won’t hear it over traffic, crowds, or general city noise. The price is steep, but if you think back to all the cheap fans you’ve bought over the years that lived and died over one summer, Shark’s robust little ChillPill starts to look like a worthy investment. If you’re still hesitating, it’s worth remembering that this is the initial launch price. Shark will very likely put it on sale, so keep your eyes and your wallet peeled.
My Verdict on the Shark ChillPill 3-in-1 Fan
Shark’s new personal fan offers a triple threat against overheating. Three interchangeable heads offer traditional fanning with 10 speeds, a fan mist function, and a cooling plate to bring quick relief to your pulse points. It’s USB-C chargeable, negating the need for continually buying batteries, and comes with a small pouch to keep the fan heads from tumbling to the bottom of your bag. The twin tubes can be positioned to ensure breezes reach you at the optimal angle, whether on a flat surface or threaded through bag straps. At top speed, the motor’s whirr is undeniable, but it’s designed with portability in mind. Whether you’re looking for fast relief on a hot commute or icy breezes on a blistering festival field, Shark’s latest invention looks like the must-have for summer.
