Photo: Michael Hession

Chances are you’ve seen somebody wearing a plastic ring around their neck this summer. And no, in this case, it’s not a high-tech pair of headphones nor is it Geordi La Forge’s visor from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It’s a neck fan.

Personal fans are everywhere. Neck fans take their portability to the next level by wafting cool breezes to your head, while leaving your hands free—good for sweaty commutes to work or treks across campus. (Perhaps a parting gift for a kid heading off to college?)

And while they may seem gimmicky, after our latest round of testing more than a dozen models, we landed on a few favorites that are powerful, easy to use, and will keep you cool. Will you look cool, though? Maybe not so much.

The best neck fans→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Illustration: Dana Davis; Photos: Signe Brewster

For editor Signe Brewster, this ultra-sturdy four-seater stroller wagon’s open design, easy maintenance, and impressive hardiness make it well worth all the hecklers and admirers that stop to ask her questions on the street.

“We get it; it’s big, aggressively tactical, and unlike any other stroller,” she says. “But after pushing and pulling it for more than 650 miles over the past nine months, including trekking more than 5 miles round trip to and from daycare every day, it’s easily become our family’s favorite way to get around town.”

Hop on board→

Yes, you can leave the AC running all day Contrary to popular belief, it’s the most efficient way to keep your home cool→

The quickest way to digitize a pile of papers Our new favorite portable document scanner is easy to use and produces good-looking scans→

The best men’s razors We’ve done another round of testing and our picks are still the best→

Photo: Michael Hession

There’s no such thing as a single pair of headphones that’s a perfect match for everyone, but these come pretty darn close. Our favorite Bluetooth wireless headphones sound great, are comfortable to wear, and provide days-long battery life.

They’re on sale right now→

Stay chill.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app

Connect with us on:

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018