A funny thing happens when you have a baby in the tropics, and it’s something I often forget isn’t seen or done in the southern states.

You’re really only reminded that it’s an odd thing for southerners when they poke their head in the pram to coo at the baby but are more taken aback by the whirring of a little machine. 

And that little machine is a fan attached to your pram.

Able to maneuver around to keep baby and mum cool in whatever circumstances, the pram fan is a must-have for any mum in the north of Australia but it’s rarely seen by those outside of FNQ and the Territory. It’s a spectacle and draws many questions, queries and exclamations of how handy it must be to have a fan in this weather, as if it wasn’t just common sense for us folk up here sweating it out with a baby unable to control their own body temperature. Common sense, but also handy.

Now on my third baby, having seen and used many pram fans, I’ve linked and ranked the five top pram fans used by mums across the top half of the country.

5. Dreambaby EZY-Fit Clip-On Fan – the fan bought by most first time mums (guilty) but you very quickly realise it doesn’t stand a chance against a 37 degree November day. My toddler also ate the foam blades which bought a quick end to this fan which was absolutely not up to the task of keeping anyone cool under any circumstances.

4. Mini Handheld Personal Portable Fan with Flexible Tripod – this Big W special is handy because of the flexible legs able to be wrapped around any pram handles, but that’s where it stops. The lack of power and size is likely to set you up for failure against a thick wall of humidity given one of the main warnings of this portable fan is ironically ‘do not place this product in high humidity and high temperature’. Go figure. 

 

3. Spinifex Lithium 6″ Rechargeable Clip Fan – This fan has three speeds and three light modes. Powered by a USB-C rechargeable battery, it provides up to five hours of power. Its versatile design allows for 360-degree movement and 180-degree tilt so you can move the fan exactly where you need it. There’s also three attachment options of a strong clip, magnetic base, or hanging hook. Good for the pram and good for a camping trip. It’s a win win for this podium finisher.

 

2. Ryobi 18V ONE+ Compact Fan RCF18 – a Bunnings special and often found on the prams of women married to tradies who also use Ryobi, this is one of the most common fans you’ll find people using. It unfortunately only has two speeds but its clamp will attach to most surfaces like your pram or a table edge. While the battery will run for a whopping 12.5 hours, you’ll unfortunately you’ll also need to buy a battery and charger or keep your eye out for the whole kit which will set you back $150 compared to $69 for just the fan.

1, 10000mAh 8 Inch Rechargeable Portable Clip on Fan – deep in the back of Amazon, you’ll find the fan to beat all fans. Recommend by a friend of mine after complaining of my toddler eating the foam blades of the aforementioned fan, I have never looked back since buying this. Keeping the charger in my car, I simply pop it on after using it while driving home. This fan has four speeds, a 24-hour battery life on full charge, and can clip to anything because of its rubber lining. It’ll even just sit on a table without falling over due to its flat base. Able to move in any direction, it’s 360 degree rotation means it can be pointed in any direction you need. The GOAT of all pram fans and an absolute must-have for mums in the tropics, this fan tops our list and is simply found on Amazon.