Portable fans can be a lifesaver in the hot summer months, especially neck fans that provide much-needed cooling relief for people commuting to work, those just walking around town or, really, anyone trying to avoid excessively sweating. Many aren’t all that expensive either with most ranging in price from roughly $25 to $40 or $50.
So, when I came across the Torras Coolify Cyber neck fan, a product that already has an expensive-sounding name, I was curious about what exactly a $279 neck fan would be like to use. It is, by far, one of the most expensive neck fan options on the market and doesn’t come close in price to any of the best neck fan models I tested earlier this year.
To see if its performance justified its price, I spent a few days in the sweltering Texas heat toting around this Torras neck fan. There was no denying its superior cooling ability and ease of use, but should you really spend close to $300 on this thing? Here’s what I thought.
The Torras Coolify Cyber does it's job well if you live in extreme heat and aren't constrained by a budget, though many of our favorite neck fans can cool you off at a way better price.
What I liked about it
First off, I loved the sensation of the cooling jets around my neck with this neck fan. It uses a graphene carbon material that conducts cold (or warmth), which feels great when pressed against bare skin. It offers three distinct modes, Fan, Cool and Heat Therapy, and it can be used to warm up or cool off in temperatures between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. I suffer from a stiff neck and aching shoulders and actually found that the warming function provided similar relief to something like a heating pad. Normal neck fans don’t have this.
The hottest day I wore it was 98 degrees Fahrenheit in Austin, Texas (with the humidity making it feel like 104 degrees). In these conditions, the Coolify Cyber held up well on its highest setting, but anything lower didn’t provide significant relief. This is fine since you’d typically have a far cheaper neck fan blaring away on its highest setting in this heat too.
The fan is mainly controlled via Bluetooth with a convenient companion app that shows its battery percentage, as well as a timer function. The app is simple to connect and use, and I loved how I could turn the fan on or off and change function and strength without removing it from my neck.
A total of eight vents on the fan release a steady stream of air, and the app allows you to specifically control which vents to use. You can also use its Auto mode, which will adjust the temperature automatically to suit the ambient temperature and the wearer’s body temperature. I tried using it on the heat setting in a room that was 80 degrees, then switched it to Auto mode and it immediately changed itself to cool.
Another selling point is that it’s mercifully quiet, despite the 10W of power. Depending on the setting, it runs between 49.9 decibels and 58.6 decibels, which isn’t terribly intrusive while having a conversation or watching TV.
The battery held out for just over 2.5 hours when I had the Coolify Cyber continuously running on its highest setting. It takes a little over an hour to charge it to 80% and three hours to charge fully. It uses a standard USB-C to USB-A cable for charging too. Torras also offers an external power pack for $78, but this just ups the overall price even more. However, the fan can be used while plugged in and charging.
It also comes with a stiff, padded case, which I found essential for protecting it during travel and storage.
What I didn’t like about it
Aside from the hefty price tag, the Coolify Cyber is also quite hefty in weight at over 17 ounces. That’s significantly heavier than most of the more affordable neck fans available. However, its ergonomic design meant I still found it fairly comfortable when worn for extended periods.
The smooth contours and concealed vents mean it doesn’t get tangled with hair, jewelry or clothing, and it’s flexible enough to fit just about any neck width. However, I wouldn’t recommend running or jogging while wearing this because it doesn’t do a good job of staying secure and bounces up and down, hitting the collarbone.
Another downside is that it cannot be used in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Where I live in Austin, Texas, it regularly gets above 104 and occasionally below 32, so that would render it useless during the more extreme temperatures in July, August and February. For something this expensive, I wouldn’t want to buy yet another model to use in those extreme situations.
It also only comes in two colors, Cascade Black or Natural Titanium, so you won’t be able to make any fashion statements with this one.
Bottom line
The Coolify Cyber offers excellent cooling (even heating), and its companion app is very convenient for controlling it. However, it’s not a neck fan everyone should buy. Calling it “worth” the investment is hard because of its extremely high price tag compared to other models in the neck fan category. But then again, it does far more than any cheaper model does.
If you’re intrigued and not necessarily on a budget, then give it a try. It’s great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the beating sun, plus Torras offers a generous 30-day return policy. This makes spending that amount feel less risky. Just know that it does have its limitations in extreme heat and extreme cold.
For anyone who just wants to keep cool without spending hundreds of dollars on gear, there are plenty of cheaper cooling products, such as cooling towels and cooling fans, to choose from.
