I bought it as part of my "hurricane kit", thinking it would sit in a closet until such time as the power went out and I needed it.  But instead it's become an everyday item for me.

I'm talking about the 10 inch Battery-Operated fan from O2 Cool. 

This is a nice-sized, sturdy fan with a few convenient features.  The first is that it folds flat for storage.  But when it's in use, you can unfold its stand, or hang it on a wall by the attached hook.  Even the handle can be lifted for use, or folded down, for storage. 

The 8 D batteries go into the stand.  There are two latches which slide apart to allow access to the battery compartment, or slide together to lock the cover closed.  There are clear lock/unlock labels so you'll know which way to slide the latches.  I like that you don't need a screwdriver to remove the battery cover.  One thing I don't like is that the battery cover comes completely off the fan.  Then you have to make sure to line it up perfectly in order to close it again.  It would be better if it were a hinged design where it remained attached on one side and you merely had to fold it open or closed. 

Like most appliances that take a number of batteries, there are + and - markings indicating which direction to place the batteries.  But the markings are small and in the same color as the base, so they're difficult to read, especially in low-light conditions (such as what might occur if your power is out).  But a clear, bright diagram showing proper battery placement was included with the instruction manual.  So, for those whose eyes can't quite make out the markings on the fan, itself, at least you have a clear diagram.

There's a single button on the front of the fan that slides left for "low" and right for "high, with clear labels.  I have to say that this is a very strong fan.  Rarely do I use the "high" setting.  The 5 plastic blades spin, making a pleasing - but not overly loud - hum.  The blades sit behind a safety panel with small openings.  I can't fit my fingers in those openings far enough to touch the blades but a little kid probably could, so use common sense around the kiddies.

So when do I use this fan?  All the time!  Because it runs on batteries it's extremely portable.  I use it any time I want an extra breeze, but don't want to be bothered with plugs.  It's great in the kitchen, outdoors, the laundry room, even the garage.  With the batteries, the fan weighs around 5 pounds so it can easily go with me wherever I go.

But when the power goes out, that's when this fan is a real life-saver.  It doesn't oscillate (which would be a nice feature) but it's big enough that two people can share the breeze.  I actually bought two of these, so we can use them in separate rooms.

And, by the way, if you don't want to waste your battery power, you can use this fan with an optional a/c adapter.  Sadly, it doesn't come with the adapter, but you can order one from the manufacturer.  Or, you might find you already have one at home that can work with it, as I did.  I found that the fan is actually stronger on battery power than on the a/c power.  The batteries last a long time (I've been using the same set for about a year), and there's no reason why you can't use rechargeable batteries.

Overall, when you live in a climate that's hot most of the year, it's wonderful to have a fan that runs on batteries.  Whether it's because the power's gone out, again, or just because I don't feel like fussing with a plug, this fan gets a lot of use in my house!  Approximately $20, this is a must-have item for me!

Recommended: Yes