United Kingdom 
United States 
Deutschland 
France 
España 
Italia 
International 
Key findings:
- Desk fans are the most common cooling device among Britons, with 39% already owning one before this summer and a further 9% purchasing one during the current heatwaves.
- Price is the leading purchase driver, with 67% saying it is the most important factor when choosing cooling devices, ahead of quality (41%) and availability (37%).
- Nearly half of Britons (49%) have no plans to install air conditioning at home, while only 13% say they are likely to do so and 3% already have it installed.
With Britain experiencing record-breaking spells of hot weather this summer, staying cool has become a priority for many households. New YouGov Surveys data explores which cooling devices Britons are purchasing, what influences their buying decisions, where they shop, and whether they are considering installing air conditioning at home.
Which cooling devices are Britons buying during the summer heatwaves?
Desk fans are the most common cooling product among Britons, with 39% saying they already own one – and a further 9% having purchased one during this summer’s hot weather.
Tower fans follow, with 37% already owning one and 7% buying one this summer. Pedestal fans are also relatively common, with 32% owning one before this summer and 5% purchasing one during the recent warmer months.
Handheld fans are proving a popular consumer choice for summer 2026
Handheld fans record the highest level of new purchases this summer (15%), while 26% already own one.
Other devices remain less common. Around 13% already own cooling devices such as blankets, pillows, mats or wearable cooling clothing, while 8% purchased them this summer. One in ten already own a portable air conditioner (10%), compared with 4% who bought one this summer.
Smaller proportions already own neck fans (9%), ceiling fans (8%) or evaporative air coolers (5%). Purchases this summer stand at 5%, 2% and 2%, respectively.
Why are Britons buying cooling devices during the 2026 summer heatwaves?
The most commonly cited reason for purchasing cooling devices is to keep bedrooms cooler at night (28%). A quarter (25%) say they bought them to reduce indoor temperatures generally, while 7% purchased devices to improve comfort while working from home.
Only small proportions say affordability (4%) or recommendations from friends, family or online reviews (3%) were their main reason for buying.
More than a quarter (27%) say they did not purchase any cooling devices because of the hot weather.
Where do Britons shop for cooling devices during the summer heatwaves?
Online retailers and marketplaces are the most common place to buy cooling devices, used by 57% of purchasers.
Supermarkets rank a distant second at 16%, followed by department stores (11%). Electrical retailers and DIY or home improvement retailers are each used by 9% of buyers, while 6% purchased from discount retailers.
What mattered most when Britons chose cooling devices during the 2026 summer heatwaves?
Price is the most important factor when choosing devices to cope with the summer heatwaves, selected by 67% of purchasers.
Product quality is the second most important consideration (41%), followed by availability (37%) and ease of purchase (34%). Around a quarter (24%) consider recommendations or reviews, while fewer prioritise energy efficiency (19%) or brand (9%).
Are Britons planning to install air conditioning to manage future summer heatwaves?
Despite the summer heatwaves, nearly half of Britons (49%) say they have no plans to install air conditioning in their home.
Around one in seven (14%) say air conditioning is not suitable for their home, while 15% say they are unlikely to install it.
Only 13% indicate some likelihood of installing air conditioning, including 3% who say they are very likely and 10% who are somewhat likely. A further 3% already have air conditioning installed in their home.
Methodology: YouGov polled 1,003 British adults online on 28-29 July 2026. The survey was carried out through YouGov Surveys: Self-serve. Data is weighted by age, gender, education level, region, and social grade.
Image: Getty Images