Air Quality - Organizer

The lack of smart features made me quick to judge this Dyson purifying fan, but its impressive performance quickly turned things around

9:00 am | June 15, 2025

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan: two-minute review

The Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan is a tower fan and air purifier combo that helps you beat the heat while improving the quality of the surrounding air.

Available in the US, UK, and Australia, you can find the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan with a list price of $429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799 at Dyson or third-party retailers. As I write this, there are discounts available at Dyson US and Amazon UK, reducing the price to $299.99 / £349.99, so it’s worth checking if there are savings to be made before you buy.

With its bladeless loop amplifier, glossy plastic, and metallic finishes, the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan has the modern, clean aesthetic we’ve come to expect from the brand. Generally, it’s available in a white and nickel colorway, but there’s a bonus option of black and nickel over in the US.

A woman has the remote control for the TP10 purifying fan in her hand. — (Image credit: Future)

Unlike most of the best fans and best air purifiers, the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan lacks onboard controls and app compatibility, and can only be controlled with the included remote control. While this in itself isn’t an issue, as the remote works well and has a magnetic, curved design that makes it easy to store on the top of the loop amplifier, it does mean that you’d be a bit scuppered if you happened to lose the remote. Not to mention that, at this price point, it’s verging on stingy that Dyson hasn’t given the TP10 the app compatibility that’s included with their more expensive products.

In terms of the fan performance, I got the results I expected when testing the TP10 Purifying Fan; namely that it produced a smooth and cooling flow of air, the strength of which was particularly impressive when running at top speed, as I could still feel the cooling effects 14ft / 4.3m away.

As the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan’s sensors can only detect particulate matter and not VOCs (volatile organic compounds), it won’t automatically react to all airborne nasties, but it’s still capable of filtering them thanks to the HEPA H13 and activated carbon filter. The LCD screen displays the real-time levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in micrograms per cubic meter, with color coding making it clear how this translates to air quality, ranging from good to very poor. There’s also a 24-hour graph, which offers a basic indication of the changes in air quality over time.

The HEPA 13 and activated carbon filter can be seen inside the outer panels of the purifying fan. — (Image credit: Future)

I was happy with the speedy detection and prompt air clearing I recorded during my time testing the TP10 Purifying Fan, with it detecting and clearing contamination from dry shampoo within a minute of me spraying it, and automatically upping its power when my two fluffy cats paid a visit. It didn’t make a noticeable impact on food odors or the dry shampoo fragrance, however.

The noise levels were also commendable, with the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan giving whisper-quiet readings as low as 26dB and 33dB in auto mode and on fan speed one, and the highest reading on fan speed ten being just 52dB, which is equivalent to light traffic.

Despite my frustrations around the lack of app support, I’d still recommend the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan, thanks to the overall good performance from both elements. If you’ve not got your heart set on a Dyson, or don’t want to have a tower fan running in the colder months, I recommend teaming up the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max with the Shark TurboBlade. Both performed well in our testing, and thanks to regular deals, the two together often work out cheaper than the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 alone.

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan review: price & availability

List price: $429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799
Available now in the US, UK, and Australia

Available from Dyson and other retailers, the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 purifying fan has a list price of $429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799. It’s available in white and silver, with an additional option of black and nickel for shoppers in the US. It’s worth keeping a lookout for potential savings, as at the time of writing, there’s a generous $130 saving on the white model at Dyson US, bringing the cost down to $299.99. Meanwhile, in the UK, there’s a 22% discount in effect, lowering the price to £349.99.

According to Dyson, the 360 Combi Glass HEPA + Carbon air purifier filter used in the TP10 could last around 12 months of 12-hour use. Replacement filters have a list price of $79.99 / £75 / AU$99, so it’s worth considering whether you’re happy to commit to paying this out on a fairly regular basis before making a purchase.

I initially considered the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan a little overpriced, largely due to the lack of app support for the cost, but the TP10 won me over with its strong airflow, prompt particulate detection, and quick reaction times. Could you get a separate tower fan and air purifier that would do the job just as well for less money? Probably, but if you’re a Dyson fan who wants a Dyson fan, plus an air purifier, I’d recommend this combo.

Value score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan review: specs

Type	Purifying tower fan
Fan speeds	10
Oscillation	45, 90, 180, 350 degrees
Timer	Yes
CADR (Clean air delivery rate)	Requested
Filter	HEPA H13 and activated carbon
Particle sizes detected	PM2.5, PM10
Dimensions	8.7 x 8.7 x 41.3 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm
Weight	10.4 lb / 4.7kg
Control	Onboard power button and remote control
Timer	Only in sleep mode
Additional modes	Sleep mode

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan review: design and features

Offers real-time, color-coded PM2.5 and PM10 readings
No smart features or app compatibility
HEPA H13 filters are easy to access and replace

Featuring the classic Dyson aesthetic with its bladeless fan and smooth curves, this is a purifying fan I didn’t mind having out on display. That being said, I did find the glossy white plastic was a bit of a dust and lint magnet. The metallic nickel-color plastic was too, but it was barely noticeable compared to the white.

A useful combo for the summer months, the Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 consists of a bladeless tower fan that sits on a purifying unit. This purifying unit houses a HEPA H13 filter, with H13 being considered to be within the highest tier of HEPA air filtration, and is understood to capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.2 microns. The filter comes in two halves, with one half clipping into the front of the purifying unit, the other at the back. Both halves are easy to get to thanks to the push-down catches on either side of the unit.

A woman is removing the front panel from the body of the purifying fan. — (Image credit: Future)

There are ten fan speeds to cycle through, as well as an auto mode, which uses the sensors on the TP10 Purifying Fan to detect and react to the presence of particulate matter with a diameter of up to ten micrometers. It can’t detect VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can be emitted by paint and cleaning chemicals, among other sources, but the carbon element of the 360 Combi Glass HEPA and Carbon air purifier filter means it’s still capable of clearing them from the air.

One thing that frustrates me with some Dyson devices is the lack of smart features and app compatibility. Considering this functionality is available with the more expensive Dyson products, and far cheaper brands offer remote control and air quality data via their apps, it seems a little unfair for Dyson to hold this feature back unless customers are willing to pay an even higher premium.

Aside from the power button, there’s a distinct lack of onboard controls on the TP10. This isn’t an outright issue, as I’d have used the included remote control nine times out of ten anyway, but with no app compatibility, it does mean I’d find myself in a bit of a pickle if I managed to lose the remote. As with all of the Dyson remotes I’ve used, the one for the TP10 is curved and magnetized, meaning it can be kept on the top of the fan.

A woman is placing the remote control on top of the loop amplifier. — (Image credit: Future)

The round LCD screen on the front of the TP10 is bright and large enough to read easily. It was easy to cycle through the multiple different displays using the information button on the remote control. The information I was most interested in was the particle readings, and I was happy to find there were dedicated screens showing the ambient levels of both PM2.5 and PM10. Both readings are independently communicated in numerals and color rating, making them simple to understand. The TP10 has been programmed to classify readings below 35 micrograms per cubic meter as good air quality, with higher readings colored either yellow for fair air quality, orange for poor, or red for very poor.

While the lack of a companion app means it’s not possible to view historical data, or real-time data when away from home, there’s a 24-hour graph on one of the display screens, so I could at least see if there’d been any spikes in contamination throughout the day – though that was as detailed as it got. It’s worth noting that the continuous monitoring needed to support this function isn’t enabled by default, but it’s a simple case of holding the auto button on the remote for five seconds to enable it.

Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan review: performance

Returned air quality to an acceptable level within a minute of air contamination
Didn’t reduce or eliminate odors from cooking or fragrances
Quickly reacted to the presence of cat fluff and dander

All of the fan functions performed as expected during my time testing the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan. It was good to have a wide range of oscillation options, with four choices from 45 to 350 degrees, and I appreciated that, unlike the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan, the TP10 remembered the last oscillation setting I’d used, so I didn’t have to cycle through the options each time. I find it curious that the timer on the TP10 Purifying Fan is only available in sleep mode, which dims the display, so I had to use the remote to wake the display if I wanted to view the current air quality reading whenever I used the timer.

The airflow felt smooth, but seemed to fluctuate a little at times. In terms of fan strength, I found I could feel a noticeable, cool breeze around 4ft / 1.2m away from the TP10 Purifying Fan on setting one, 7ft / 2m on setting five, and 14ft / 4.3m on speed 10, which is admirable considering it doesn’t run very loud.

A woman is about to press the power button on the TP10 air purifier. The LCD screen shows the particle and that the fan is on speed two. — (Image credit: Future)

To test the PM2.5 detection while the fan was on auto mode, I sprayed some dry shampoo around two feet away from the front of the TP10. The sensors picked up the presence of the dry shampoo particles in about 16 seconds, and I saw the levels of PM2.5 per cubic meter rapidly climbing on the LDC screen.

It was interesting to see a numerical representation of the speed at which the Dyson TP10 cleared the air, as not all air purifiers offer this level of data. In this case, the contamination dropped from 89 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter, which was back within the green range, within a minute of me spraying the dry shampoo. While it made quick work of clearing the particulates in the air, it didn’t have any effect on the odor from the dry shampoo or from the food smells from the minestrone soup I had on my lunch break.

It’s very easy to tell whether the larger-particle sensors on an air purifier are doing their job once I get my two very fluffy cats involved in the testing process, after evicting them from my living room for the initial stages of my testing, so that I can set a baseline. It was clear the particle sensors on the TP10 were sensitive to pet-related particles like fur and dander after both kitties came to investigate, as both the PM2.5 and PM10 readings rose by around eight micrograms, and the fan speed increased slightly to compensate. It stayed at roughly this level, with the occasional ramp-up in speed, for the entire time they were in the room. Once they’d wandered off, it took less than ten minutes for the purifier to bring the reading back down to its usual level.

A view of the back of the TP10 purifying fan, showing the apertures for the particle sensors. — (Image credit: Future)

The Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan operated really quietly, considering its size, with a lower than whisper-quiet reading of just 26dB when idling on auto mode, rising to 33dB on fan speed one, 38dB on speed 5, and just 52dB on speed ten, which is comparable to light traffic or background music. This is particularly positive when compared to the readings I got from the Molekule Air Pro, which gave an output of 38dB at the lowest fan speed, 51dB on speed three, and a pretty shouty 78dB at speed six, though admittedly the TP10 doesn’t have any where near as many bells and whistles.

As an added testament to the quiet functioning of the TP10 Purifying Fan, my very timid female cat spooks at most things, but was comfortable enough to touch her nose on the display even when the purifier was ramping up in response to her presence. It’s also worth mentioning that it was quiet enough to fall asleep next to, and I could happily watch TV with the TP10 running at level five fan speed nearby.

The quick detection, reaction, and purifying times meant I was pleased with the performance of the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan overall, though I didn’t find it made the air feel quite as fresh as the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan?

Section	Notes	Score
Value for money	The TP10’s premium design, pleasant cooling, and powerful purifying performance mean you won’t be disappointed, but you could save money by ditching Dyson and combining a well-performing fan and purifier instead.	4/5
Design & Features	The smooth curves, bladeless design, and nice material finish make the TP10 an attractive purifying solution. It detects and communicates the ambient levels of particulate matter before they’re captured by the HEPA H13 filter. It’s just a shame there’s no smart features.	3.5/5
Performance	I appreciated the satisfyingly strong airflow and prompt purifying performance, with the TP10’s sensors making quick work of detecting and removing particles from the air. Its quiet operation meant it wasn’t disruptive, so much so that it didn’t phase my flighty feline.	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want something that’ll purify around your pets
The TP10 reacted promptly to my kitties’ presence, yet was still quiet enough that it didn’t unsettle my timid rescue cat.

You want detailed, real-time air quality readings
It’s easy to see the level of contamination with the usefully color-coded PM2.5 and PM10 readings. Plus, once continuous monitoring is enabled, there’s a 24-hour graph to get a view of the changes in air quality over the last day.

You want two functions in one device
If you’ve been tempted by a Dyson tower fan before, and want to make some improvements on your air quality, too, then this purifying fan is a good way to save space.

Don't buy it if...

You want a purifier that’ll detect VOCs
While the carbon element of the 360 combi filter can tackle VOCs (volatile organic compounds), the TP10 doesn’t have the tech to detect and react to raised levels.

You want to use the purifier independently
The 2-in-1 format of the TP10 worked well for me as I tested it in warmer weather, but as the purifier doesn’t work independently from the fan, it’s worth considering whether that’ll prove problematic in the colder months.

You want to keep an eye on your air quality data
As the TP10 isn’t compatible with the MyDyson app, short of registering your purchase and viewing user guides, there’s no way to view the air quality remotely or to keep track of the trends in air quality readings over time.

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan review: Also consider

	Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10	Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i	Shark TurboBlade
Type	Purifying tower fan	Air purifier	Multi-directional tower fan
Price	$429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799	$169.99 / £169	$299.99 / £249.99
Fan speeds	10	3	10
Additional modes	Auto, sleep mode	Auto, night mode	Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost
Oscillation	Up to 350 degrees	N/A	Up to 180 degrees
Filter	HEPA H13 and activated carbon	HEPASilent and activated carbon	N/A
App support	No	Yes	No
Dimensions	8.7 x 8.7 x 41.3 inches / 220 x 220 x 1,050mm	18.9 x 10.6 x 10.6" / 481 x 269 x 269 mm	11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8" / 300 x 800 x 1,120mm (max)
Weight	10.4 lb / 4.7kg	7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg	15lb / 8.8kg

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i
If you’re after a purifier with smart capabilities that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, then this super-lightweight alternative will fit the bill. It’s better suited to smaller rooms, has fewer speed settings, and only detects and reacts to PM2.5, but it can still filter out the same nasties as the TP10. A key detail is the washable fabric prefilter, which helps reduce the amount of dust that reaches the HEPA filter within, and comes in a range of colors. To find out more, have a read of our full Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review.

Shark TurboBlade
This tower fan twist offers multi-directional airflow and a range of adjustments to help customize your cooling, and is a fantastic alternative if you happen to like the bladeless aspect of Dyson fans, but not the price. Tower fans don’t typically offer height or vertical angle adjustments, so this clever concept from Shark is a breath of fresh air. If you’d like more information, go ahead and take a look at our full Shark TurboBlade review.

How I tested the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan

I used the TP10 purifying fan in the office and at home
I observed its detection and purification skills
I evaluated the strength of the airflow and the sound levels

I used the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 Purifying Fan in our photo studio, my home office, and my bedroom for one week. I evaluated how easy it was to operate, along with the build quality and aesthetics, and explored the available functions and features.

I tested the strength of the airflow by determining at what distance I could still feel a cooling breeze. I also observed the TP10 Purifying Fan’s detection and purification skills, both passively and during standardized testing.

I used a decibel meter app on my iPhone to record the noise levels, taking readings from around 2ft / 600mm away, ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

I checked the timer worked as expected, and tested out the sleep mode to see whether the TP10 Purifying Fan was quiet enough for me to be able to sleep well with it running overnight.

First reviewed: June 2025
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The chilling performance of the Dyson Cool CF1 fan didn’t come as a surprise – it was how quiet it was that blew me away

5:52 pm | June 9, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan: two-minute review

The Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan is the latest generation of the brand’s original bladeless fan, boasting some upgraded features in a desktop format. As one would expect from the brand, the Dyson Cool CF1 is firmly at the premium end of the desktop fan scale, with a list price of £249.99. We’re still waiting on pricing and launch specifics, and will update as we learn more, but so far we know that the Cool CF1 won’t be available in Australia until later in 2025, or in the US until 2026.

Setting up the Dyson Cool CF1 was simple, as it comes in just two parts – though the rotating base made it a little tricky for me to click the loop amplifier into place. I had mixed feelings about whether it makes a suitable desk fan, as the 14-inch / 360mm loop amplifier could prove a tight squeeze on smaller desks or nightstands. That being said, the height and compact diameter of the fan’s base meant I had no issues incorporating it into my workstation.

The Dyson Cool CF1 is shown tilted downwards while sitting on a tabletop, in front of a leafy green plant. — (Image credit: Future)

The Cool CF1 desk fan has a clean and modern aesthetic, making it instantly recognisable as a Dyson. I liked the combination of the satin silver and gloss white finishes, but found it needed regular dusting, though this can often be the case, even with the best fans.

With 10 fan speeds, sleep mode, oscillation, and a timer, there were plenty of features to play with. The Cool CF1 doesn’t have any smart capabilities, though, so I had to rely on the onboard buttons and the remote control. Both proved simple to use when operating the Cool CF1, but the responsiveness when using the remote was inconsistent, especially if I wasn’t pointing it at the fan head-on.

In terms of the overall performance of the Dyson Cool CF1, it did a great job. The airflow was smooth and proved very efficient as it helped me stay cool as I worked away in a stuffy office. I appreciated how easy it was to adjust the angle of the fan, giving me more control over the direction of the airflow.

A woman's hand is holding the Dyson Cool CF1 remote. — (Image credit: Future)

I was very pleased with how quiet the Cool CF1 was, with sound levels ranging from whisper-quiet at speed one to moderate rainfall on the highest speed setting, which is particularly impressive considering how strong the airflow is. While the Cool CF1 sounds a little unusual while oscillating, I had no problem dropping off when using sleep mode.

If you’re a diehard Dyson fan, you definitely won’t be disappointed with the Cool CF1. It has the classic Dyson aesthetic, plus it quickly and quietly delivers efficient cooling. The remote could be better, and I’d have liked to see a companion app for more convenient control at this price point, but the great performance from the fan itself means it’s still a worthwhile investment.

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: price & availability

List price: $TBA / £249.99
Launch date: May 2025 (UK)
Available now in the UK. US and Australia release dates TBA

Released in the UK in June 2025, the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan has a list price of £249.99 and is available for purchase at Dyson, John Lewis, and AO. In terms of availability in other regions, all we know so far is that the Cool CF1 won’t be available until later in 2025 in Australia and 2026 in the US. I’ll provide an update as soon as I learn more about the specific release dates and pricing.

This is a pretty premium price tag for a desk fan, though this likely won’t come as a surprise if you’re already familiar with the brand. I must admit I’ve found some Dyson offerings to be somewhat overpriced in the past, and I can’t say I’d want to pay this for a desk fan myself, but the build quality and performance of the Cool CF1 are worth the cost if it’s within your budget.

There are far cheaper options out there that can still help you chill out at your desk, like the bladed MeacoFan Sefte 8in Portable Air Circulator, for those in the UK, though the cheaper price comes with compromises; namely that it’s heavier, only offers 90-degree oscillation, and it’s nowhere near as attractive.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: specs

Type	Bladeless desk fan
Speeds	10
Oscillation	15, 40, 70 degrees
Timer	Yes
Dimensions	5.9 x 14.2 x 217 inches / 150 x 360 x 550mm
Weight	4lb / 1.8kg
Control	Onboard buttons and remote control
Timer	Yes
Additional modes	Sleep mode

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: design and features

Sleek and modern aesthetic
Collects dust and fibers
Basic but easy-to-use controls

The Dyson Cool CF1 comes in just two parts, so it was pretty straightforward to set up. Assembling the fan was simple in theory, as all I needed to do was push the bottom of the circular loop amplifier onto the base unit and twist anti-clockwise until I heard a click. It proved a little trickier in practice, however, due to the rotating base and the glossy outer finish, but I got there eventually.

Apart from the inside of the ring, which is a satin-finished silver color, the Cool CF1 has a glossy white exterior. I tend to appreciate a gloss surface, as this finish tends to be easy to clean, which was fortunate in the case of the CF1, as it appeared to be statically charged and attracted any dust or fibers that happened to be in the vicinity. As easy as it was to clean, my efforts felt a little futile as it would gather more dust very quickly.

A woman is about to press the power button on the control panel at the front of the fan. — (Image credit: Future)

I’m on the fence about whether the 14-inch / 360mm diameter loop amplifier makes the CF1 a little impractical for a desk fan. I found it to be a bit of a space invader, but as it sits eight inches / 200mm off the tabletop on a base of just 5.9 inches / 150mm in diameter, I was able to fit it on my workstation and my nightstand. It is at least easier to accommodate than the old-school bladed fans I’ve owned over the years, and as it weighs 4lb / 1.8kg, it proved easier to move around, too.

In terms of onboard controls, there are two push buttons and a dial/button combo under the little LCD screen on the front of the fan's base. The two push buttons control sleep mode and oscillation, and the dial can be turned to cycle through the ten fan speeds or pushed to power the fan on or off.

A woman is placing the Dyson Cool CF1 remote on top of the loop amplifier. — (Image credit: Future)

A remote control is also included, so it was fairly easy to switch up the settings even when the fan wasn’t within reach. It offers the same functions as the onboard buttons, along with a button to cycle through the timer durations, which range from half an hour to eight hours.

The concept of the curved and magnetized Cool CF1 remote control is to stick it to the top of the fan. While this makes it easily accessible, it looks out of place and disrupts the sleek aesthetic, especially as each end of the remote is clear, showing the circuitry within. That being said, I still managed to forget where it was, so it clearly isn’t that much of an eyesore. Speaking of losing the remote, it’s a shame the Cool CF1 isn’t compatible with the MyDyson app, as it’d make life much easier for those times I’ve gotten comfy and realised the remote’s still sitting on top of the fan.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: performance

Satisfyingly strong airflow
Patchy remote performance
Quiet enough to fall asleep with

It didn’t take long to feel the cooling effects from the Dyson Cool CF1 on the lowest setting when I had it about 2 ft / 600mm away from me on my desk in our stuffy reviews office. As I’m only 5 ft 2 inches tall, I found that the stream of cold air hit me in the face, even if I adjusted the angle. While this was great for keeping my makeup from melting off my face, it proved a bit of a sensory nightmare for me, so I made good use of the oscillation.

The airflow felt smooth, and it was satisfyingly strong, to the point where I’m pretty sure it gave me brain freeze when I tried it on the highest setting. I tested how far away I could still feel a cool breeze on the lowest, highest, and middle fan speed settings, and found that it was still noticeable when I was 2ft / 600mm away from the CF1 on setting one, 7ft / 2m on setting five, and 11ft / 3.3m on setting ten.

The three oscillation choices were convenient for a desk fan, as I could choose the 15-degree option to keep the cool breeze around me, 70 degrees to circulate the air a little more, or 40 degrees for something in between. I did wish the CF1 could remember my last-used setting, though, as I had to cycle through each time.

A woman is adjusting the angle of the airflow by sliding and tilting the fan unit on the base. — (Image credit: Future)

It was really easy to tilt the fan upwards or downwards, even when it was oscillating. This simple angle adjustment proved a real asset, especially when using it next to my bed on warmer nights, as it allowed me to fine-tune the fan’s position for the maximum cooling effect.

The simple onboard controls and remote made it simple to control the Cool CF1. The dial mechanism felt pretty satisfying; there was clear feedback each time I bumped the fan up or down a speed, so I didn’t even need to look at the screen.

The magnetic hold on the remote control felt just right, as the remote would stick to the top of the fan even if I was a bit absent-minded when placing it down, but was still really easy to pick up again. I’ve got to say I wasn’t thrilled with the remote’s operation, however. I found that the fan didn’t respond at times, even at pretty close range, and this worsened if the fan was rotated away.

The timer function worked as expected, and I liked that I could easily view the time remaining at any point by pressing the timer button on the remote. It was easy to cancel the timer by double-clicking the button.

A woman is pointing the remote at the Dyson Cool F1 while changing the fan speed. — (Image credit: Future)

Noise level is an important consideration, especially at nighttime, which is why I always do a sleep test whenever I’m testing fans or a potential best air purifier. If I happened to be using a higher fan speed setting before toggling sleep mode, the Cool CF1 would drop to speed setting four. I was happy to find that I could still increase the fan speed when in sleep mode, and the display would still turn itself off, which bodes well if I need it on a particularly toasty night.

For context, I have a British king-size bed, roughly the size of a queen, for those in the US, and I placed the CF1 on the nightstand on the opposite side to where I was sleeping. As speed four was the default for sleep mode, I kept the fan at that setting and set the oscillation to forty degrees. I’m quite sensitive to sound, especially repetitive ones, so I picked up on the whirring from the oscillation, which sounded a bit like I was settling down inside a document scanner, but it wasn’t overly loud. In fact, this bedtime setup had a reading of just 35dB, which is the equivalent of a whisper, so I was able to drop off and sleep undisturbed.

I was very impressed with the sound levels in general, with the CF1 giving an impressively quiet reading of 27dB on the lowest setting. Even on its highest setting, which kicks out a lot of air, it was only emitting 45dB of sound, comparable to the sound of moderate rainfall, and just a meagre 5dB louder than the bladed MeacoFan 260c on its lowest fan speed.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan?

Section	Notes	Score
Value for money	This isn’t a desk fan for the budget-conscious, and there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, but if you’re willing to pay the Dyson price tag, you’ll be more than happy with the overall quality and cooling performance.	4/5
Design & Features	Typically on-brand for Dyson, this fan looks well made, with a pleasingly sleek and modern aesthetic. It offers useful features to help fine-tune the airflow, but it loses a point for the lack of app connectivity and the slightly questionable design of the remote.	4/5
Performance	Aside from the hit-and-miss remote performance, I was really happy with the CF1. It produced a strong and consistent flow of air, which did a great job of cooling me down without making a racket.	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want fine-tuned airflow
With 10 fan speeds, three oscillation settings, and adjustable vertical angles, it’s delightfully easy to get customized cooling.

You want a quiet night
The CF1 was whisper-quiet when I had it in sleep mode, and measured just 45dB when running full blast, making it a good choice for summer nights.

You love the Dyson aesthetic
With smooth lines and metallic elements, this fan is undeniably Dyson, so you can get a taste of the premium label without shelling out on one of the higher tech models.

Don't buy it if...

You’ve got limited surface space
This fan can’t be considered compact due to the wide loop amplifier. If your desktop and nightstand real estate is taken up by monitors or large lamps, I’d suggest looking at a floor-standing format like the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S instead.

You’re on a tight budget
While it’s currently the cheapest model in their air treatment range, this fan's price tag still comes with the Dyson premium. If you’re looking to save some pennies, I’d check out brands like Govee or Meaco, whose offerings won’t make such a dent in your wallet.

You like your products smart
At this price point, I can’t help but find it a little stingy that Dyson didn’t design the CF1 to be compatible with the MyDyson app, especially considering the disappointing remote performance.

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: Also consider

	Dyson Cool CF1	Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo	Shark TurboBlade
Price	$TBA / £249.99	$149.99 / £129.99	$299.99 / £249.99
Speed settings	10	5	10
Oscillation	Up to 70 degrees	No	Up to 180 degrees
Timer	Up to 8 hours	No	Up to 12 hours
Controls	Onboard push buttons and dial, remote control	Onboard buttons	Onboard button, remote control
Companion app	No	No	No
Additional modes	Sleep mode	Cordless up to 12 hours, Misting	Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost
Dimensions	5.9 x 14.2 x 217 inches / 150 x 360 x 550mm	8.7 x 8.4 x 11.5" / 22 x 21 x 29cm	11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8" / 300 x 800 x 1,120mm (max)
Weight	4lb / 1.8kg	4lb / 1.8kg	15lb / 8.8kg

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo
Not only is this fan and mister combo compact enough to use as a desk fan, its cordless capabilities mean it can be used on the go, too. The pairing of the built-in battery, which offers up to 12 hours of use, and the misting function makes it a great choice for summer weather. If you’d like to learn more, why not take a look at our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review?

Shark TurboBlade
If you want to save on desk space and would like a bladeless format without the price tag of a Dyson tower fan, then I suggest taking a look at the TurboBlade. It’s height adjustable, offers multi-directional airflow, and can oscillate up to 180 degrees, so you can really customize your cooling. Check out our full Shark TurboBlade review for more information.

How I tested the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan

I used the Dyson Cool CF1 in multiple locations
I judged the setup process and how easy the fan was to use
I evaluated the strength of the airflow and the sound levels

I used the Dyson Cool CF1 in our reviews office, my home office, and my bedroom for one week. I evaluated the assembly process and build quality closely before using it passively and in specific tests that allowed me to assess the available features.

I assessed the airflow by checking the distance I could still feel a good breeze on different settings. I used a decibel meter on my phone to check the noise levels, taking the readings from around 2ft / 600mm away, ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

I checked the timer worked as expected, and tested out the sleep mode to see whether the Dyson Cool CF1 was quiet enough for me to be able to sleep well with it running overnight.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

Paired with my usually ineffective AC, this circulator cooled down my house phenomenally quickly

9:00 am | May 2, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: AC | Comments: Off

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S: two-minute review

As someone who has a house that's over 100 years old, my A/C and heater struggle to heat or cool down my rooms and it usually results in high bills at the height of summer or winter. I've tried many different ways to fix this problem – and I think I've finally found the answer in the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S.

Despite the name, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S is more accurately described as an air circulator. While it has nine different wind speeds and can blow air long distances, it's not the best fan I've tested when used on its own. However, its ability to horizontally and vertically tilt 120-degrees makes it an outstanding tool for circulating cool or hot air from an air-conditioner or a heater around a room.

I used this air circulator in my house, running a number of tests to see how well it works, and I was beyond impressed. When paired with my air-conditioning, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S cooled my living room faster than the air-conditioner could work. In fact, in less than 10 minutes, it cooled the living room down by five degrees – which I know because I monitored the temperature of the room in the Dreo app where I can easily control the various settings of the fan.

Beyond its air circulating powers, the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S offers more features and settings than most other fans or air circulators on the market. With five different specialty modes and ambient lighting with customizable color and brightness settings, it more than justifies its $119.99 price tag. Tack on the fact that you can schedule the fan, create custom specialty modes, and adjust the oscillation degrees, and this Dreo product feels slightly underpriced.

Read on for a fuller picture of how the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S performed during testing.

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S in reviewer's living room — (Image credit: Future)

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: price & availability

List price: $119.99 / £129.99
Launched: April 2025
Available: US, Canada, UK

The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S was part of an April 2025 launch of summer cooling products by Dreo. It's priced at $119.99 / £129.99 for all three color options. It can be purchased direct from Dreo, but it's also available on Amazon (although make sure you're buying the model you want here – the product codes are rather well hidden, and a lot of this brand's fans look very similar).

Considering this air circulator fan is stylish, can be controlled within an app, has ambient lighting, and vertical and horizontal oscillation, I would say the price is reflective of the features. I've seen fans with less features and cooling capabilities that cost more.

How does it compare to the competition? One of TechRadar's best-rated fans is the Shark FlexBreeze, which costs $199.99 / £199.99. That model does some things the 508S can't – it can be used cordless or taken outside, and has a misting function, for instance – and it's also more powerful as a standalone fan than the 508S.

Also highly rated is the MeacoFan 1056P, which costs $189.99 / £149.99. This is perhaps a better comparison point because, like the 508S, it can oscillate horizontally and vertically to circulate air. This starts to look poor value for money compared to the Dreo model – there's no app control with the Meaco option, and the vertical and horizontal oscillation range is smaller.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S specs

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: design

Modern pedestal fan / air circulator with vertical and horizontal oscillation
Outfitted with ambient lighting in different colors
Controllable through display buttons, a remote, app, and voice control

The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S arrived in a few pieces that were easy to put together, even without the instructions provided. It took all but a few minutes to assemble the fan.

While I tested a white colored Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, it comes in two other colors, silver and gold. The fan sits on a pole that goes into a round base. The pole itself is adjustable, and according to Dreo, it can be adjusted 0-5 inches. Oddly, I measured the full extension with a measuring tape, and found the pole extends up to nine inches for a maximum fan height of 40 inches.

On the pole, there is a digital screen that displays the different settings and fan speeds, indicated by the numbers 1-9. Below the display are a variety of touch buttons – power, fan speed/timer, ambient light, ambient light color, vertical oscillation, and horizontal oscillation/child lock button.

Close up of control panel on Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S — (Image credit: Future)

The fan itself has what Dreo calls 3D oscillation, which basically means that the fan head tilts 120 degrees vertically and 120 degrees horizontally. This is why the fan head feels a little loose around the area where it connects to the pole – to allow for movement.

In addition to the touch buttons, a remote control is provided, as well as a holder for it that clips onto the pole. The remote has the exact same buttons as is found on the fan itself.

Close up of control screen and remote control on Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S — (Image credit: Future)

The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S also connects to the Dreo app, meaning you can control the fan within the easy-to-navigate app. It has also the same buttons found on the fan and the remote, as well as a few others. For instance, in the app, you can adjust the vertical and horizontal oscillation degrees to anything between 0 and 120 degrees. You can also turn off the panel sound in the app and see the temperature of the room. In fact, the ambient temperature from the last 24 hours and past 30 days are recorded.

This fan is outfitted with five different specialty modes. While you can set the Turbo mode with the remote or the display buttons, you must use the app to set the fan on Normal, Auto, Sleep, or Natural mode. You can also create a custom mode that lets you set an ambient temperature goal and oscillation degrees. Users also have the ability to schedule the fan to turn on and run for a certain amount of time.

Equally as interesting is the amount of control you have with the ambient lighting. Not only can you adjust the brightness level of the light, but there is a gradient that lets you choose up to 1500+ colors, so you're not limited to just a set number of colors. You can even adjust how the light presents itself on the fan. There's the Constant setting – which means the light will remain constant. The Breath setting results in a breath-like pulse of light that can be set on low, mid, or high speeds. With the Circle setting, the ambient light changes cyclically in a set sequence at a low, mid, or high speed.

This is perhaps one of the quietest fans I've ever tested. I barely hear it, even when it's on Turbo mode. For reference, when placed on fan speed 1, it has a 40dB rating, while on Turbo mode, the sound rating is 67 dB.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S review: performance

Extremely effective as an air circulator used with air-con or a heater
Good airflow power, but there are more effective standalone fans
Tons of convenient control options, but voice assistant support unreliable

As mentioned above, my air-conditioning unit and heater struggle to cool and heat my house. I've had many technicians tell me that I could benefit from a second unit and more vents. I make do with what I have, but unfortunately, my house has little insulation, and the cool or hot air tends to seep out the ceiling, the windows, or the walls, and my units run longer and ultimately cost me more.

I think I've found a solution in the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Before I explain how phenomenally this air circulation fan worked, I'm going to break down my use of a variety of other features it offers.

I typically alternated between using the remote and the app to manage the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, as it really didn't make sense for me to walk over to the fan and use the touchscreen buttons. I was able to use the remote 30 feet away as long as the remote was in the sight line of the fan. Maybe it would work at farther distances, but this is as far as I could go based on the design of my house.

Most of the time I used the app, since you can't access all the settings with just the remote or display buttons. The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S can be voice controlled with Google Assistant and Alexa too. I tested this out by connecting to Google Assistant on my phone. It only took a few minutes to do within the app, though it was a little confusing, so if you're not tech savvy, you might need to rope in a tech-forward friend to help you out.

With voice commands, I was able to turn the air circulator or the oscillation on and off, increase or decrease the fan speeds, change specialty modes, and check the temperature of the room. While I was able to turn the ambient lighting on and off, Google Assistant couldn't change the color of the ambient lighting for me. There was also a point where I asked it to increase the fan speed to 5 and it increased the fan speed to 4. Clearly, there are some limitations to Google Assistant and Alexa. At least, Dreo provides voice command examples in the app, so you know exactly how to change the settings.

Close up of fan head on Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, showing red ambient lighting — (Image credit: Future)

I didn't use the ambient lighting feature often, except at night when I placed the fan in my bedroom. I'd turn on the ambient lighting, sometimes switching to colored lights for the fun of it. It doesn't light up a room, but it kind of works like a soft night light. While this is not a necessary feature for me personally, I think it definitely adds value to the product.

Now to the most important feedback – is the air circulator actually effective? The answer is yes. Before testing the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S, I hadn't turned my A/C on yet as it wasn't quite hot enough outside to warrant it. That said, my home had grown pretty warm. In fact, it had reached 82F (28C) inside my living room. I know this because the fan can read the temperature in the room it's located, and you can see that temperature reading within the app.

I decided to turn on my A/C and set it to 72F (22C). I wanted to see how long it would take the air circulator fan to cool down my living room that much. I turned on the fan and set the vertical and horizontal oscillation degrees to 120 degrees and the fan speed to 9.

The A/C and the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S had only been running for one minute when the temperature in my living room dropped one degree. I felt the room cool almost immediately.

This is even more impressive when you consider the layout of my house. The dining room and the study are connected to the living room, and there are large walkways (like six feet of space) between them. The air circulator was placed in a corner of the living room. Because I didn't shut off the living room from the dining room or the study, the air circulator was probably working double time, and still the temperature dropped quickly in the living room.

Within seven minutes, the temperature had dropped by four degrees to 78F (26C). At the 15-minute mark, I decided to turn the fan on Turbo mode. After thirty minutes, the living room temperature had dropped to 74F (23C). It took 45 minutes for the living room to cool to 72F (22C), although when I checked my house's thermometer, it said that the house had only cooled to 76F (24C) in that time.

I was thoroughly happy with these results, and I could imagine all the benefits of using the air circulator in the future. In the winter, I'll put it in my bedroom before I go to sleep and use it to circulate hot air from the heater and effectively warm up the room quickly so that it's nice and cozy before I get under the bed covers. This summer, I'm definitely going to use it to circulate the A/C's cool air in the kitchen, so I don't overheat when I'm cooking dinner.

Dreo PolyFan 704S in reviewer's home — (Image credit: Future)

I can't say this for sure, but I think the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S could save me some money. For instance, rather than lowering the A/C, which will be expensive, I'm planning to set the A/C in the high 70s. That will still give me enough cool air for the air circulator to circulate the cool air in whatever room I'm sitting in and make that room cooler for me. I don't really care if the rest of the house is cool, only if the room I'm in is cool. Money saving idea? I think so!

If you don't have an air conditioner, the TurboPoly 508S can still be used a standalone fan. When it's set on the Turbo speed level, I can feel the airflow 29 feet away, and 12 feet away when it's set on speed level 1. However, I've recently tested three other fans (the Shark HydroGo desktop fan, and the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S and Shark TurboBlade tower fans), and I found their airflows much more effective at cooling.

I'll say this – there are times of the year when I don't have my air-conditioning or heater on but I'd still like a fan to cool me down. The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S will work just fine until I turn on the A/C or heater. But I wouldn't necessarily buy it with the plan to only use it as a fan. It's best designed to circulate air in a room, and I think I've explained above why I love this product for having that capability – and in fact, it assists in keeping me overall cooler or warmer than any fan actually does.

For the most part, I used the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S on Normal or Turbo mode. Sometimes I adjusted the oscillation so that the fan would direct airflow right on me, but as I said, most of the time, I used it as an air circulator.

Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S in reviewer's home — (Image credit: Future)

I'm a big fan of the Natural mode, because it simulates the feel of a breeze. This is nice when I'm not super-hot but I just want some light air movement across my skin. The Sleep mode also worked fantastically. Like other Dreo fans, when in Sleep mode, the fan speed decreases once every 30 minutes, stopping after the second decrease. For instance, if I set the fan speed at 7 while on Sleep mode, the speed would reduce to 6 after 30 minutes and then 5 after another 30 minutes. It would remain on 5 the rest of the night.

The Auto mode is a smart feature that is super helpful. When set, Auto mode will increase the fan speed until the room temperature lowers. Once the room reaches a comfortable level (which is noted in the app), the fan speed decreases, maintaining that comfortable temperature. I used this feature sometimes, because it was nice not having to monitor the temperature reading within the app.

I didn't schedule the air circulator often, except when using the Sleep mode at night. Usually, I'd schedule the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S to turn on about 30 minutes before I went to sleep so that the air in the room could circulate and cool down before I went to bed.

A cool addition is the option to create your own custom mode, which essentially lets you choose temperature blocks and oscillation degrees. I like that I had the option to customize a mode, but I didn't really find much use for it, at least not at this time. Perhaps in the future, when I've used the fan for longer, I'll see how a specific custom mode might benefit me.

Performance score:4 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S?

Buy it if...

You want a to boost your air-con

The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S is an air circulator fan, which means it's designed to circulate hot or cold air around a room, heating or cooling down a space faster than an A/C unit or heater could do on its own. This is all thanks to the vertical and horizontal oscillation capabilities of the fan. As an air circulator, the 508S is phenomenal.

You want a fan with smart features

Although it comes with buttons and a remote control, this Dreo fan is most conveniently controlled within the Dreo app. The app has so many customizable settings, from the color of the lighting to a scheduler and custom mode creation. Not only that, but it has some smart features like voice command with Alexa and Google Assistant and an Auto mode that increases or decreases the fan speed based on the temperature of the room.

You love cool lighting features

The Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S doubles as a nightlight thanks to ambient light color settings. Not only does it have a white light that you can turn on at night, but in the app you can choose from over 1,500 colors within a color graph.

Don't buy it if...

You want a powerful standalone fan

I've tested a number of fans, and if it's a standalone fan you're after, there are more effective options than the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S. While it does have high fan speeds and a Turbo mode, it isn't the most powerful fan or the best on the market to keep you cool without combining it with an A/C.

You want a fan with 180-degree horizontal oscillation

This fan can oscillate vertically and horizontally 120 degrees, which is impressive. However, there are fans that oscillate 180 degrees horizontally, if you're worried the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S's oscillation won't be enough.

You're on a tight budget

There are some air circulator fans on the market that cost less than $100/£100. While they lack many of the features of this Dreo fan – like a wide range of speeds, specialty modes, app connectivity, smart features, and lighting – they still do a decent job at circulating air in a room, if you're happy to keep things simple.

How I tested the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S

Testing of the Dreo TurboPoly Fan 508S occurred in April 2025 in my house in North Texas. I used every specialty mode, the different fan speeds, and tested how far away I could feel the airflow. Not only did I test the fan in different areas of my house, but I used it in conjunction with my air-conditioning unit to see its effectiveness in circulating cool air around a room and how that impacted the room's temperature.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2025

I tested this portable misting fan, and it immediately became my summer essential

4:42 pm | April 25, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo: two-minute review

Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo FA052DV
UK: Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo FA050UK

For this review, I tested the US version. There may be minor differences between different countries' models.

The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is a lightweight, portable fan that is outfitted with a rechargeable battery, meaning you can unplug it and take it out and about with you on warm-weather excursions. But the most exciting thing about it is that it comes with a misting function for extra cooling clout.

When you live in a state like Texas, you understand the need for a fan. They're not just indoor necessities. During the summer, my family always has a fan on the porch to cool us down – but we've never had a misting fan. As a result, I was ecstatic to test the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan.

Testing this compact fan was a joy, especially in April when the days grew warmer here in North Texas. The tiltable design made it easier to focus the airflow and I was thoroughly impressed by how far away I could feel the five different fan speeds and the BreezeBoost mode. While the battery life won't last you all day (far from it) and the fan can't oscillate, it's still an excellent cooling companion. I'm also a fan of the design. There's a range of cute colors (in the US only – sorry UK shoppers), and overall it's more attractive than others on the market.

I plan on using the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan all summer. Keep reading to see why it's the best fan I've tested this season. Or, if you want more power and are happy to sacrifice some portability to get it, check out this fan's larger sibling – read about that model in TechRadar's Shark FlexBreeze fan review.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review: price & availability

List price: $129.99 / £129.99
Launch date: March 2025
Available: US, Canada, UK

The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan launched in March 2025 and is available in the US, Canada, and the UK. It comes with a list price of $129.99 / £129.99 and can be purchased direct from Shark or via a range of third party retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target. In the US, the fan is available in six colors (all the same price), but in the UK it's charcoal or nothing.

At that price, it's a mid-range fan. Considering it's rechargeable, portable, and has misting capabilities, I'm inclined to say that the price of the fan is decent, though not exactly amazing value. The full-sized FlexBreeze is a fair bit pricier at $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$249.99.

If you just want a basic desk fan, you'll be able to find one for much cheaper. Similarly, corded non-portable fans in that price bracket deliver far more features, including things like oscillation, a timer function and app control. However, you're paying for the convenience of it being portable here, and if that's your priority then it's a decent buy.

Also bear in mind that Shark runs regular sales, so you could well snag it for less than list price.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo specs

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review: design

Small, lightweight fan with handle to easily transport
Vertical tilt design up to 45 degrees
Integrated refillable mister

The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan is a small tabletop fan that's less than 12 inches tall and weighs only 5lbs. It has a rechargeable battery, allowing you to unplug the fan and move it from one place to the next with the handle on the top.

Lookwise, it's an attractive modern fan that comes in six different colors. I tested the 'dove' option, a cream color that matches the lighter tones in my house. Pink, purple, and soft mint green colors could add some fun to your space. (Note, in the UK it's charcoal only.)

Image 1 of 2

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan side-on — (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan back view — (Image credit: Future)

There is no assembly necessary with the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan. It comes put together, so you only need to charge it fully before the first use. The charging cord plugs into the back of the fan and then into the wall.

The fan can tilt up or down within 45 degrees, allowing you to narrow the focus of the airflow however you see fit. There are no oscillating features. In that way, it's very different from something like the Shark TurboBlade, which launched around the same time, and is designed to shoot out jets of air in any different direction.

Buttons that control the different settings can be found along the top of the fan. The power button in the center. To the left of that is a fan button that lets you cycle between fan speeds of 1-5, and a BreezeBoost mode. Green indicator lights correlating to the fan speed and boost mode sit below the buttons.

Close up of buttons on top of Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan — (Image credit: Future)

There is also a battery symbol next to the lights, and the color of the battery symbol indicates the amount of battery left. If it's green, the fan's battery is 70-100% charged. An amber light indicates that the battery is 30-69% charged, while a steady red light notes a 6-29% charge. When the battery light blinks red, the fan is about to die because the battery is 5% or lower.

To the right of the power button is a button with three droplets. This is the misting setting. There is a fill port at the top of the fan, right below the handle. The water mists from a port on the face of the fan, which must be opened when the mister is in use.

Sound wise, the fan emits a 46 dB rating on the lowest setting, and a 63 dB rating on the highest speed of 5. When placed on BreezeBoost, a turbo-like mode, the fan emitted a 67 dB sound rating. If none of those numbers mean anything to you, just know that the fan isn't loud or bothersome. I could barely hear it when sleeping at night and I had to go in the room where it was located to make sure it was still on (even if I was in the next room over).

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review: performance

Can feel the airflow of the fan 30 feet away when on BreezeBoost
Two misting modes, lasting a max of 55 mins before needing a refill
Vertical tilt is useful, but I'd love an oscillation option

There is a lot more to the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan than meets the eye. Though this tabletop fan is small, it packs a big punch in terms of airflow and power.

The first thing I wanted to see was how far away I could feel the airflow. When placed on BreezeBoost – the most powerful mode – I could feel the airflow 30 feet away. That's the full length of my house, so I didn't really have a way of testing if I could feel the airflow further away. When set on the lowest fan speed, I felt the airflow 17 feet away.

Depending on the layout of your house, you could likely feel the airflow between a couple of rooms. The only thing that would make this fan better would be the ability for it to oscillate horizontally or even vertically. At the moment, you can only tilt the fan up or down 45 degrees by hand to direct the airflow. This is not the biggest drawback, but something to note.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan in a kitchen — (Image credit: Future)

I tested the mister outside. I wasn't sure how much water it would create, though after testing it, I'd say you could use the mister inside for a bit and you shouldn't have a problem with damp floors.

There are two mister modes – consistent and interval. As you'd expect, the consistent mode pushes out a constant stream of mist, while the interval mode stops and starts. When the water drop flashes, that's when you know the interval mode is on.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo portable fan in a garden — (Image credit: Future)

The mister isn't overwhelming. In fact, you need to be about 2-4 feet from it to really feel the spray. I found that the wind typically blew it away (usually upwards) at about the four foot mark. This isn't a mister that will soak you.

The water emptied in 20 minutes when I used the consistent setting. According to Shark, the mister has a maximum misting time of up to 30 minutes per tank on any speed, but it looks like that figure is a little optimistic. On interval, the mister is meant to last up to 60 minutes on any fan speed; it lasted about 55 minutes for me.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review: battery life

Lasted 1hr 30 on max fan speed, and 4hrs 13 on middle mode
Shark states up to 12 hours of use on lowest speed
Takes 2 hrs 30 mins to charge from flat

While I could have kept the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan plugged in and had an infinite source of power, because it's a portable fan, I wanted to test the battery life. The fan takes 2 hours 30 mins to charge. It lasted 4 hours and 13 minutes on the 3 fan speed level, which is better than what Shark estimates (a four-hour battery life on that level) The fan also exceeded the estimated battery life of 1.5 hours on the fan speed of 5.

I set the fan on BreezeBoost, and the battery lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes. I'm inclined to believe that the battery might last longer than Shark's reported maximum cordless run time of 12 hours on fan speed 1.

In terms of battery run time, this Shark fan is about what I expected. If you took this fan to a tailgate, four hours of battery life is fairly good, as long as it's a comfortable enough temperature to keep the fan speed at 3. If you live in super-hot areas, you might want the fan to last more than 1 hour and 50 minutes when using the BreezeBoost option.

Hopefully, there's an outlet nearby to recharge the fan. I wouldn't say this portable fan is a great choice for a day at the lake, especially since the 1 or 2 speed level likely won't offer enough airflow to keep you super cool, but it's better than nothing if the wind isn't blowing. Plus, at those two speed levels, you'll get a lot more hours of use.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo?

Buy it if...

You want a fan you can take out and about

This fan can be used cordless, and comes with a handle for on-the-go cooling. It also looks good, and if you're in the US you can choose from a range of summery pastel color options.

You want a misting fan

Misters are great for summer days, especially when you want to sit on your porch without dying of a heat stroke. This portable fan lets you enjoy mist anywhere in your yard or house without needing an outlet nearby.

You want a powerful fan that can reach long distances.

No matter the fan speed, this fan can direct airflow long distances. On the lowest fan setting, I could feel the airflow 17 feet away – and on BreezeBoost mode, 30 feet away.

Don't buy it if...

You aren't bothered about portability

If you don't need it to be lightweight, you'd be better off with this fan's big sibling: the original FlexBreeze. It can still be used cordlessly, and unlike the HydroGo, it does oscillate.

You want to control your fan remotely

If you want to change the fan speed or turn on the mister, you're going to have to walk over to the fan and press a button. It would have been nice to at least have had a remote control, and even better if the fan settings could be adjusted within an app.

You need a portable fan with a super long battery life

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo's battery life is decent but it's not going to last you all day at the lake, unless you're willing to use the lowest fan speeds. In fact, you only get a little over four hours on the 3-speed level and less than two hours on BreezeBoost mode.

How I tested the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo

Testing the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Portable Fan was easier than testing most fans due to its portable nature. I used it around my house – in my bedroom, living room, and kitchen, as well as in outdoor spaces like my backyard and on my front porch. I even packed it in my car and tested it two hours away at my parent's house. Testing occurred in April when temperatures reached the mid-80s in Texas, so it was nice to experience the misting feature on warm days.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2025

This smart fan with auto mode, app control and scheduling kept my home consistently cool

6:00 pm | April 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S: two-minute review

The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S hit the market in April 2025, offering customers a wide selection of features for a relatively affordable price.

The tower fan is tall at 42 inches and has 210 blades pushing out air at nine different fan speeds. On the highest speed, I could feel cool air about 30 feet away, and airflow from the lowest fan speed about 20 feet away, meaning it was plenty powerful enough to cool a couple of connected rooms in one go.

There are also four speciality modes to choose from: Sleep, Natural breeze, Normal and Auto mode. It's the last of those that really stood out during my review period. It adjusts the fan speeds automatically to keep the room at an ambient temperature of your choosing.

You can control the tower fan in three ways: with the display buttons, a remote, and my favorite method – in the Dreo app. Not only does the app mean you can switch the fan of remotely, while you're out of the house, but it also unlocks options for scheduling, for ultimate convenience.

Coming in slightly over $100 / £100, it's not a budget fan but it's far from the priciest option on the market. I think it delivers excellent value for that price, given the strong performance and long feature-list. If you're looking for something powerful and ultra-convenient, this could well be the best fan for you. Keep reading for my full Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review.

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review: price & availability

List price: $119.99 / £109.99
Launch date: April 2025
Availability: US / UK

Dreo launched a number of cooling products in April 2025, including the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S. It's available to buy via Amazon and costs $119.99 in the US and £109.99 in the UK. Considering the height of the fan, its app connectivity, and cooling capabilities, the price seems more than fair.

There are a number of very similar looking Dreo tower fans, with similar but slightly different features, so it's worth taking a minute to make sure you're buying the right one for your needs. For example, you can get this same model without Wi-Fi, for a slightly cheaper price.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S specs

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review: design

42-inch tower fan that can oscillate 90 degrees
Smart and remote control capabilities
9 fan speeds and 4 speciality modes

The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S is a slim black plastic tower fan that's 42 inches tall with a round base. Assembly only took about five minutes, and did not require any tools. I was slightly confused when putting together the circular base, but the instructions were clear, and I had the tower fan plugged into the wall in no time.

There are 210 airfoil-shaped blades, which move cool air around the room whether it's sitting in place or oscillating 90 degrees. It's outfitted with nine different fan levels and four specialty modes – Sleep, Auto, Natural, and Normal.

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S in reviewer's home — (Image credit: Future)

At the top of the tower fan, there is a circular display with a power button and buttons that let you choose from the nine different fan speeds and four different modes. Here you can also set a timer for up to 12 hours and set it to oscillate. A digital display screen illuminates the different settings in use, and the fan speed.

A remote control is provided, with the same buttons that are found on the circular display. When not in use, the remote control can be stored at the top and along the back of the tower fan where there is a cut out in the design.

The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S has Wi-Fi capabilities and connects to the Dreo app. Within the app, I can turn the fan on and off and adjust the settings in the same way I can with the remote or on the fan's display screen. There are a few additional settings in the app. For instance, I can turn on and off the panel sound, as well as the display auto, which basically turns off the display on the tower after 1 minute of inactivity.

The most interesting feature in the app is the temperature. This tower fan can read the temperature in the room and notates it in the app. This capability exists for the Auto mode, which senses heat and adjusts fan speeds automatically to cool a room. Even if I don't have Auto mode on, I can use the temperature reading to adjust the fan speed manually.

As for noise, Dreo claims that the fan has a dB rating of 25. However, when I measured the sound rating, I found that the tower fan had a 44dB rating on the lowest fan speed of 1 and a 52 dB rating when the fan speed was set 6. This is not particularly loud, and if I was sleeping or sitting 10 feet away from the fan, the noise would not be bothersome. For reference, I tested the noise rating by placing my phone, with the sound rating app, right next to the fan.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S review: performance

Powerful airflow – max modes can be felt ~30 feet away
Auto mode is very effective, but oscillation range could be wider
Remote control effective and convenient, and the app even more so

The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S is the first tower fan I've tested, and I can say without a doubt that if you're going to invest in a tower fan, this is the one to buy.

The buttons on the display worked just as well as the remote, though I usually opted for using the remote, because I didn't have to get up and go to the fan to adjust the settings. I was able to use the remote 33 feet away, as long as the remote and the tower fan were in a direct line of sight. Perhaps I'd be able to use the remote further away, but I was not able to move further back because of the design of my house.

Though the remote was convenient, the app was even better to use since I could use it in any area of the house without having to be in direct sight of the tower fan. The app is easy to use, since it has the same buttons as the remote and the tower fan display.

There are 9 different fan speeds. Most of the time, I didn't need to go beyond 6, but some days my house grew particularly warm, and I appreciated the higher speed levels. When placed on the first speed level, I could feel the air blowing on my skin about 19.5 feet away. On the highest speed level, I could feel cool air at 29 feet away. With this in mind, you don't have to be in the same room as the fan to enjoy cool air from it.

When I had company over, I usually set the tower fan on oscillating, which allowed cool air to blow on multiple people at a time. Though I appreciated that the fan could oscillate at 90 degrees, I was surprised that it did not have the capability to oscillate at a higher angle like 180 degrees. It would have also been nice if I could adjust the oscillation degree within the app (say to 45 degrees if I wanted), but alas, this was not an option.

The Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S has four different modes – Normal, Natural, Sleep, and Auto. Most of the time, I used the Normal mode. When set on this mode, I adjusted the speed manually and it remained that same speed until I changed it again.

I also really liked the Natural mode, because it simulated a natural wind breeze by switching between different fan speeds. This mode is great if the temperature inside your house is fairly comfortable, and you just want some air circulation that isn't harsh against your skin.

The Sleep mode on the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S is a bit different than others. When in this mode, the tower fan is muted, and the fan speed decreases every 30 minutes until it's two levels below your original setting. For instance, if the tower speed is set at a level 9, after 30 minutes it'll go down to 8, and then another 30 minutes later it'll decrease to a speed of 7, where it will remain the rest of the night. (If you set the fan at level 2, it'll stick at 1 rather than turning off completely.)

Most sleep modes on fans are designed so that the fan is quieter, and thus doesn't bother the person trying to fall asleep. Unfortunately, a quieter mode also means a fan speed that might not be as high, or effective in cooling to help you fall asleep. With the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S, I think the idea is to allow users to fall asleep with a higher and more effectively cooling fan speed. As it reduces in speed over the course of an hour, the sound will lessen which should help you fall or stay asleep.

Auto mode is perhaps the most unique mode I've seen on a fan. In Auto mode, the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S adapts to the ambient temperature. So if you have the ambient temperature set at 75 degrees, the tower fan will automatically adjust the speed of the fan to maintain that temperature. Usually, the tower fan reduces the temperature by at least one degree less than the ambient temperature. I like that it monitors the temperature and maintains it to something that feels comfortable to you.

Overall, I enjoyed the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S. I loved the smart features and the app connectivity and how well the fan kept me cool no matter the mode I used.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S?

Buy it if...

You want a powerful fan

During testing, I was able to feel the highest speed level up to 29 feet away and the lowest speed level nearly 20 feet away. With this fan, you can effectively cool two connected rooms at a time.

You want remote control options

You can change the fan settings with a remote, by pushing buttons on the display, or adjusting the settings in an app. With the app, you could even start the fan before you get home, ensuring your space is cool upon entering.

You want a fan with smart features

When on Auto mode, the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 529S automatically adjusts the fan speed based on the temperature of the room. So, if it senses the room is hot, the fan will increase the speed and cool it down for you.

Don't buy it if...

You're looking for a fan with 180-degree oscillation

This Dreo fan has a 90-degree oscillation capability. While any oscillation is appreciated, some users may prefer a fan that can oscillate up to 180 degrees for better room coverage.

You want to control the degree of oscillation

With some Dreo fans, you can adjust the oscillation degree within the app. That's not the case with the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S. For instance, you can't adjust it to 45 degrees. It's either 90 degrees or nothing at all.

How I tested the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S

I tested the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S in my 105-year-old house in Dallas, Texas, in April. Temperatures ranged day by day from quite warm to a bit chilly. I tested all four modes and the fan speeds in my bedroom, living room, and kitchen, so I could get a sense of how well the fan cooled the room or circulated air. During this time, I did not use my air-conditioning or heater and found that the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S was powerful enough to keep me cool no matter the temperature.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2025

The Shark TurboBlade fan can blast out blades of cool air in any direction, but it’s its breeze-inspired mode that really won me over

11:00 pm | March 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

View or buy at Shark US

Shark TurboBlade: two-minute review

My 105-year-old house lacks insulation and has a sub-par air-conditioning system, so often I suffer from a stuffy hot home – which is why I was excited to test the Shark TurboBlade. Launched in January 2025, the Shark TurboBlade improves on the tower fan design thanks to two multi-directional blades with vents that can be adjusted in height, direction and angle to push air in all directions for complete cooling coverage.

On test, I found it very effective. It could cool a room in no time at at all, with the blades of air shooting up to around 28ft from the fan (a little short of Shark's 30ft claims, but very respectable nonetheless). There are 10 speeds, a timer, and the option to oscillate airflow, but I was most enamored by the speciality modes.

Sleep Mode kept me at the perfect temperature overnight, with the quieter operation mimicking soothing white noise. Natural Breeze Mode was my favorite though – the gently fluctuating airflow felt like a cool breeze, outside in the fresh air, rather than the blast of a fan.

While I was surprised – given the premium price – that the Shark TurboBlade doesn't come with app control. It does, at least, come with a remote, even if you're slightly limited by what you can adjust remotely.

The Shark TurboBlade is without a doubt a pricey fan but it's stylish, somewhat compact, and does an exceptional job at cooling thanks to its versatile and innovative design. It's well worth the price in that regard. Keep reading to see exactly how the Shark TurboBlade performed during testing and whether or not it might be the best fan for you.

Shark TurboBlade fan in reviewer's home — (Image credit: Future)

Shark TurboBlade review: price & availability

List price: $249.99
Launch date: January 2025
Availability: Currently only available in the US and Canada

The Shark TurboBlade launched in January 2025 with a $249.99 price tag. As of now, it's only available in the US, to buy direct from Shark. No word as to if / when the TurboBlade will become available in the UK or Australia, but Shark has a presence in both of those territories, so we're hopeful. It may also come to third-party retailers like Amazon.

There's not really another fan on the market similar to this one. However, the best comparison are tower fans which can cost as little as $40 and as much as $370.

While $249.99 seems like a high price for a fan, its ingenious design, which allows customers to adjust the angle of the fan and push air up to 80 feet at 360-degrees, is well worth the premium price. You get far more coverage with this fan and a lot more customization in terms of the speed, air bursts, and air flow angle. Shark is also no stranger to sales, so if you buy at the right time you could avoid paying full price.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade specs

Shark TurboBlade fan review: design

Multidirectional blades pivot and twist for 360-degree coverage
Tower oscillates 180 degrees on adjustable telescopic pole
Remote control can only adjust speeds and modes

Upon removing it from its packaging, I found the Shark TurboBlade was a bit larger than I expected (it's worth scrolling through the press photos to ones with people in to get a feel for the size of this fan – it's easy to assume it's more compact than it really is). That said, its adjustable and versatile design can make it feel more compact in your home. Specifically, you can turn it into one tall tower, which can sit in a corner, with a relatively small footprint.

It took me about five minutes to set it up. I really didn't need to use the instructions to assemble it, though I was thankful that everything was clearly labeled, and an instruction pamphlet was provided in case of confusion.

The Shark TurboBlade is similar to tower fans in that it has a base and a vertical design (here's more on tower fans vs pedestal fans, if you're not sure). This is in fact a bladeless fan – there's no visible, spinning section, but the 'Blade' in the name refers to the blades of air emitted by the two pivoting arms.

These arms sit atop the main pole, which is telescopic, so it can be raised or lowered. You can move the blades to the right or left, until they lie horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Both vents can be directed in the same direction, or you can move one of the vents in the opposite direction.

That means you can direct blasts of air in specific directions, and they can be focused on two different areas at once. It's an especially clever design when you consider that fans don't actually lower the temperature in a room; it's the feel of the moving air that makes you feel cooler.

You'll have to plug the Shark TurboBlade into a power outlet for the fan to work. The base is designed to oscillate 180 degrees. This can be done with the remote control. Shark provides two batteries so you can use the remote immediately.

The remote control is compact and can be stored on the top of the fan, with a magnet to hold it in place. Instructions are printed there as well, so that you don't need to have the manual to hand at all times.

With the remote, you can adjust the fan speeds, oscillation, set a timer, change the horizontal angle of the base, and choose one of the three specialty modes – Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze Mode. On the front of the base, there are five blinking lights that indicate the fan speed. One of the biggest drawbacks to the design is that you can't adjust the vents or the blades with the remote.

At 15lbs, it's easy enough to move the Shark TurboBlade between rooms. As of now, there are no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity options, though I hope to see Shark offer that option in the future. I'd much prefer to control the fan with my phone than a remote.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade fan review: performance

Airflow detectable from around 28ft, but best at <20ft away
Fast and efficient at cooling a room, thanks for adjustable vents
Natural Breeze mode is a revelation – brings the outdoors in

After running a variety of tests, I can say that the Shark TurboBlade is very easy to use and will keep you cool on hot days. Most of the time, I used the remote control to adjust the settings of the fan. However, for the sake of testing, there is a button on the front of the base. I could use it to turn the fan on or off and adjust the fan speeds by holding down the button. The fan speed is indicated by a chime and five flashing lights above the power button. (I preferred disabling the chime.)

Unfortunately, there were a few things I could not adjust with the remote control. If I wanted the blades to be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, I had to move them by hand. I also could not adjust the direction of the vents with the remote.

I was able to turn the fan on and off and adjust the settings with the remote from about 30 feet away. Shark advertises that the fan can push air up to 80 feet, however, when I set the TurboBlade on the highest fan speed of 10 (the speed can be adjusted between 1-10), I could barely feel the airflow at 30 feet. The airflow was more noticeable at 28 feet. If you want to feel the breeze of the fan on your skin, it's better to be 0-20 feet from the Shark TurboBlade.

Though my house was a bit warm during testing, I didn't usually need to adjust the fan speed any higher than five. Most of the time, I set it at 3 as I found this level quite sufficient in circulating the air and blowing a cool breeze on me. The lowest fan level has a 39 dB sound rating, while the highest fan level comes in at 65 dB.

The fan can oscillate at 45, 90, or 180 degrees. It's also possible to use the remote to adjust the direction of the blades by small degrees. So if I moved from one side of the room to the other side, I could use the remote to 'move' the fan to face my new position in the room. Be mindful that when the blades are placed in the horizontal position, they can hit the wall or furniture. There aren't sensors in this product that will stop the blades from hitting an object.

Most of the time, I had the vents facing the same way so I could maximize the airflow toward me when I was sitting in a room. However, my kitchen can warm up quickly when I'm using the oven and the stove, so when I placed the Shark TurboBlade in there, I adjusted the blades vertically or diagonally and then moved the vents so they were facing opposite directions. From there I would oscillate the fan 180 degrees, which allowed the air to flow in all directions at the same time. The kitchen stayed exceptionally cool when I did this. No more sweating over the stove for me!

I should mention that if the blades are horizontal, you can adjust one of the vents toward the ceiling and keep the other facing forward. I'm not sure in what situations such angles would be beneficial, but at least you have the option. It would be nice to be able to place the vents in opposite directions (forward and backwards) in the horizontal position, but unfortunately, you can't.

With the timer, I was able to set the fan to run for 1, 2, 4, 8, and/or 12 hours. Sometimes I would set the timer so that it would cool the room down and then turn off around the time I planned to go to the gym so I could save some energy when I was out of the house.

Special modes

There are three specialty modes – Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze Mode. BreezeBoost is the highest fan setting you can choose and has a dB rating of 66 dB. The amount of cool air that blows through on this setting is significant. I don't think I'll need BreezeBoost except during triple-digit (Fahrenheit) temperatures in summers.

My favorite setting is the Natural Breeze Mode. The fan randomizes the airflow to simulate natural winds. As someone who loves to sit outside and enjoy a breeze, it was really amazing to have this wind simulation indoors. I don't particularly love air blowing directly on me but appreciate the natural ability of a breeze to cool me down, which is why Natural Breeze Mode is my favorite mode.

Sleep Mode is, as the name implies, best used at night while you're sleeping. In Sleep Mode, the chime is muted, the lights on the front of the machine are dimmed, and the fan speed is lowered. The lower speed was perfect for me: I don't like to be cold at night, but I also appreciate some air circulation. While I could hear the fan, it's not very loud in Sleep Mode (about 49 dB), and almost sounds like comforting white noise. It's no louder than my ceiling fan.

The Shark TurboBlade can be tucked away into a corner when the blades are positioned vertically. The charcoal color is fine, though the white color option that is expected to drop next would definitely look better with my house's color palette. There really isn't much maintenance required except occasionally dusting the dust defense panel that covers the motor.

My only real complaint with the design is that I found the cord a little short. It's six-foot long, and I wish it was closer to 10 feet. My outlets in my historic home are in odd places, like halfway up a wall, so a six-foot cord isn't as long as I need it to be to move the fan into the best position.

Overall, the Shark TurboBlade is a really fantastic fan, one that will keep you cool thanks to all the ways in which you can adjust the direction and speed of the airflow. I hope in the future Shark might release a new version that can be controlled via an app, but as a first iteration, the TurboBlade is excellent.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark TurboBlade fan?

Buy it if...

You want to cool a large space

You can not only adjust the direction of the vents but also the direction of the blades, so that you can actually feel the airflow without having to stand two feet in front of the fan.

You want a fan for nighttime

Set the Shark TurboBlade on Sleep Mode, and you'll barely hear the fan as you fall asleep at night. Best yet – it'll keep you cool as you sleep. You might even opt for the Natural Breeze Mode which simulates natural breezes, making it feel like you're sleeping outside.

You struggle with overheating

With the remote, you can turn the Shark TurboBlade on and off, change the speeds, set specialty modes, and make the fan oscillate. This allows users to move around their house and adjust the fan at far distances.

Don't buy it if...

You want app control

The Shark TurboBlade is not a smart fan that can be controlled via an app on your phone. Considering its versatile design and the price, you might expect it to have some Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, but alas, it does not.

You want to do everything remotely

The remote can control a lot of things – the speed, modes, oscillation, timer, and even the angle of the airflow. Unfortunately, it can't adjust the directions of the vents or the angle of the blade (in terms of being horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). This is something you have to do by hand.

You're on a budget

The Shark TurboBlade is one of the most expensive fans on the market with a price tag of nearly $250. If you don't want the innovative features, you could probably find a cheaper alternative that keeps your space equally as cool and comfortable.

How I tested the Shark TurboBlade

I tested the Shark TurboBlade for one week in my 105-year-old home in Texas. Testing occurred in March, that in-between time when my heater and air-conditioning weren't being used. On particularly warm days, my historic home became pretty warm (about 75 degrees F / 24 degrees C). I tested the Shark TurboBlade mostly in my living room, kitchen, and bedroom. This included using the Sleep Mode overnight, to get a sense of how well the fan circulated air and kept me cool as I slept.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: smart, swell, and it purifies well

5:00 pm | January 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite: two-minute review

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite is a space-saving air purifier that's easy to use, thanks to simple onboard touchscreen buttons, app, and voice control. It has a list price of $49.99 / £59.99 on the Govee website and is also available to purchase at Amazon. Both Govee and Amazon offer the occasional discount on the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite, so it's worth checking in to see if there's a deal to be had.

Replacement filters can easily be purchased from the Govee site and Amazon for a price of $19.99 / £19.99. This is an acceptable price for a 3-in-1 HEPA filter; however, this depends on how long the filter life is, which is currently an unknown as Govee doesn't appear to have provided this information

A great size for placing on your desktop or dresser, the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite measures just 6.2 x 6.2 x 10.75 inches / 158 x 58 x 273mm and is delightfully lightweight at 2.4lb / 1.1kg.

The individual components of the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite. — (Image credit: Future)

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite purifies using a 3-in-1 HEPA filter, designed to trap particle matter up to 2.5 microns, as well as VOCs (volatile organic compounds). 3-in-1 filters are fairly commonplace in air purifiers, but since testing purifiers such as the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max and Shark NeverChange, I'd love to see more brands using washable prefilters over disposables built into the filters.

Unsurprisingly for the low cost, the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite doesn't have an abundance of features, but it does offer app and voice control via the Govee Home app and compatible smart home devices, something many other similarly priced air purifiers don't offer. There's no air quality data available, and it doesn't possess the capability to react to contaminants, so it'll need to be controlled manually to ensure efficiency.

The onboard touchscreen buttons are easy to use, with it simply being a case of pressing the power button to cycle between the sleep, low, high, and custom modes, and there are also Wi-Fi and filter change indicator lights on the control panel. Custom mode is another feature I've not often seen for this price. It enabled me to set up a routine triggered by selecting this setting; for example, I was able to set the purifier to run at high, low, and sleep modes for set increments at a time, making it perfect to set off in the run-up to bedtime.

A close-up of the touch-button control panel. — (Image credit: Future)

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite proved satisfyingly efficient when it came to freshening up the air in my living room, with a noticeable improvement when walking into the room. The only failure in terms of performance came from the aromatherapy function, which only produced a light fragrance even when the fragrance pad was saturated with a very intensely fragranced oil.

When it comes to noise levels, the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite was satisfyingly quiet. Volume ranged from 30dB on sleep mode, to 38dB on low, and 47dB on high. The whisper quietness of sleep mode meant that I found it easy to sleep with the purifier on, even with it next to my side of the bed.

In summary, you'd certainly be getting your moneys worth with the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite. The aromatherapy aspect was underwhelming, and there's a lack of detection and air quality data, but the latter is forgivable for the price. However, the smart and custom features really set this air purifier apart from competitors, and I was impressed with this Govee air purifier's performance. I'd highly recommend the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite, but if you'd like to see some other options, I'd suggest checking out our pick of the best air purifiers.

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: price & availability

List price: $49.99 / £59.99
Available now in the US and UK

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite is a smart yet simple-to-use small-room air purifier available at a list price of $49.99 / £59.99 on the Govee website, which is offering a discount at the time of writing, lowering the price to $34.99 / £47.99. It’s also available to purchase at Amazon and is occasionally included in their limited-time deals, so there’s often a saving to be made.

Replacement filters are easy to purchase on the Govee website for $19.99 / £19.99. That's pretty standard for a replacement HEPA filter of this size, assuming that it will last around six months like the HEPA filters in other air purifiers, as Govee doesn’t appear to have released guidance on the recommended usage period.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: specs

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: design and features

Simple design
360-degree air intake
Smart features

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite is pleasantly lightweight, weighing just 2.4lb / 1.1kg, and with dimensions of 6.2 x 6.2 x 10.75 inches / 158 x 58 x 273mm, it’s small enough to sit on a desk or dresser. While Govee hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the aesthetic of the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite, the materials look and feel good. The bottom of the air purifier comprises of white plastic slats that enable 360-degree air intake. As with many air purifiers, the 3-in-1 HEPA filter is accessed by unlocking the base by twisting the handle on the bottom of the unit, making it easy to remove and replace the filter when required.

The 3-in-1 HEPA filter is made up of three layers, a pre-filter, for hair and fibers, a personal HEPA filter, which aims to capture from PM 2.5 to 0.1-micron particles, and an active carbon filter intended to trap cooking odors, smoke, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). While the design of the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite feels suitably robust, in terms of sustainability I prefer the option of a washable pre-filter. Pre-filters built into these 3-in-1 filters have a shorter life span as they can’t be cleaned to restore efficiency or be reused; the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is a great example of this being done right.

A close-up of the back of the air purifier showing the power-in port and the closed fragrance pad tray. — (Image credit: Future)

The touchscreen control panel was simple to use. All I needed to do was hit the power icon to switch it on, then press again to cycle through to my chosen setting with a choice of sleep, low, high, and custom. There are two light-up icons on the control panel too, consisting of Wi-Fi and filter change indicator lights. While I appreciated the simplicity, I don’t generally like needing to increase to a higher power before switching the purifier off, but the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite responded far quicker than other purifiers I’ve tested, so it wasn’t a major problem.

If I didn’t have the patience to cycle through the settings, I could easily change the settings from my phone. The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite has 2.5GHz WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity so can sync with the well-designed Govee Home app, and works with smart home assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri.

One feature I was particularly interested in testing out was the built-in aromatherapy function. There’s a small pop-out tray located above the removable power cable at the back. This houses a pad for dropping essential oils onto that’s intended to circulate the fragrance through the air outlet. Unfortunately, this excitement was short-lived – as you'll discover below.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: performance

Operated quietly
Easy to use
Aromatherapy feature underperformed

The Govee Home app is user-friendly and visually appealing. It was easy to add the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite and connect it to my Wi-Fi, and the settings were simple to use, plus was no delay between the app and the purifier whenever I switched between different power modes. Although the interface is fairly simple, there were plenty of useful settings I could alter, which I was pleased to find as some lower-priced air purifiers have limited options. The display brightness can be adjusted, it’s set to “always on” by default, but I could change it to only be on within a certain time frame, so it was simple to set it to switch off around bedtime. I also had the option to set schedules, set a timer, and change the name of the device.

The GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite sits on a table with house plants on either side. — (Image credit: Future)

One feature that the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite lacks is data on the quality of the surrounding air, which is an important thing to note if you’re someone who wants to keep track of these details. This isn’t unusual for a purifier of this price, so while the Smart Air Purifier Lite doesn’t lose any marks for this, it does mean that you’ll need to be proactive in adjusting the settings to suit your environment.

I found the custom mode, which is the final setting in the cycle when using the onboard touchscreen controls, to be a useful feature, as it allowed me to choose a series of three settings, each with their own timer. For example, I could set the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite to run at high for half an hour, then reduce to low power mode for two hours, before switching to sleep mode continuously. This was great for an evening air purifying routine and was simple to calibrate within the Govee Home app.

A close-up of the fragrance pad tray. — (Image credit: Future)

I loved the prospect of purifying and adding fragrance to my living space in one process; in practice, however, the result was lackluster. Due to the intensity of my chosen fragrance oil, I only applied a couple of drops to the aroma pad at first. For context, I only need a maximum of four drops of this fragrance oil in a water diffuser to get an intense aroma, but I needed about twelve drops to be able to detect any hint of it from the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite.

While this aligns with the advice in the user manual, it was surprising that a fragrance this potent needed this many drops to get just a slight hint of the fragrance even when sitting right next to the purifier. In the end, I used enough drops to saturate the pad, resulting in a light fragrance. Obviously, this isn’t going to be a substitute for a diffuser or wax melt burner, but I can forgive this as it isn’t the product's main function, although I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed.

Aromatherapy aspect aside, I was pleased with the performance of the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite. It made a noticeable difference to the air quality of my 13 x 16 ft / 4 x 5 meter living room after running for just two hours on the low-speed setting. I found it easy to sleep with the purifier located next to my side of the bed, something that didn’t come as a surprise as I measured a sound level of just 30dB, which is comparable to a soft whisper. When watching TV, I found the low-speed setting wasn’t noticeable with a reading of 38dB, a sound level similar to light rain, and the high-speed setting was 47dB, which is as loud as moderate rainfall. So overall I didn’t find it disruptive.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite?

Buy it if...

You want an air purifier in multiple rooms
Not only is the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite small and light enough to easily carry between rooms, it's also cheap enough to buy more than one thanks to its low price.

You want smart features
A real bonus at this price, the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite has smart capabilities making it easy to control via the Govee Home app or with voice control with smart home assistants.

You want to sleep peacefully
Thanks to the sleep mode's 30dB volume, I found it really easy to get a good night's sleep even when the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite was placed next to my side of the bed.

Don't buy it if...

You want some aromatherapy
Unfortunately, I was left unimpressed by the aromatherapy feature. Even after saturating the fragrance pad with an intense fragrance oil, I was only able to detect a slight hint of fragrance.

You want automated purifying
We can't have it all for this price, so if monitoring the air quality or having your air purifier keep on top of the air quality in your environment is top of your wishlist, this won't be the one for you.

You want washable pre-filters
I'm seeing more air purifiers popping up on the market with eco-conscious features, and I'd have loved it if the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite offered this too. This change can increase the life of HEPA filters, and reduce the amount of waste.

GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite review: also consider

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max
I adored this little Blueair purifier when I tested it. As with the Govee purifier, it doesn't have detection or automated response features, but it performed really well. Plus, it's incorporated a washable pre-filter into its design with the fabric outer sleeve, available in a range of colors. Why not take a look at my full Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review to learn more.

Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA
A pricier alternative, this Levoit air purifier offers insight into the air quality in your home. It's larger than the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite, but with the larger size comes better features with automated detection. To learn how well it performed when we tested it, check out our Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier review.

How I tested the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite

I used the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite for one week
I tested the usability, app, and smart features
I tested how much of an impact it had on the surrounding air quality

I assessed how easy it was to get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier Lite set up, how easy it was to operate via the touch screen and app, and how portable it was.

I tested it in different rooms in my home and observed how quiet it was at night time and whether it disturbed my sleep.

I looked at its design and structure, paying close attention to quality, and I reviewed the impact it made on the air quality in my environment, and how well the features worked.

First reviewed: January 2025
Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: my new favorite budget-friendly air purifier

10:00 am | January 1, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i : two-minute review

Blueair offers similar air purifiers under different model names in the US and UK. In the US, this air purifier is known as the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max, but as I’m located in the south of England, I tested the UK model, Blueair Blue Max 3250i.

The Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max is available to purchase at the Blueair website and Amazon for a list price of $169.99, but can occasionally be on offer for a discounted price. In the UK, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i is priced at £169 at multiple retailers including Very and Amazon, and also sees a price drop now and then.

The large Blueair air purifier sits on its side with the top removed on a wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

The straightforward design is composed of the white plastic top section that houses the working parts, and a simple yet efficient base that consists of a lightweight frame within the changeable particle and carbon filter, plus a machine-washable fabric pre-filter outer layer. The neatness of the seam isn’t perfect, but other than this it is a great way to capture dust before it reaches the single-use filter, and is available in a range of colors making it effortless to switch things up if desired.

This came as no surprise to me, but I’ve seen some customer reviews complaining that this air purifier doesn’t do anything. In fact, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i is purifying, and it’s capable of clearing more than just the PM2.5 it detects, such as VOCs when manually operated – it just doesn’t possess the capability to detect these things automatically. That's fine, in my professional opinion, considering the low price.

A close-up of the top of Blueair air purifier on a wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

During testing, it took just 10 minutes for the contamination from spraying dry shampoo to be detected and cleared by the Blueair Blue Max 3250i. It continued to impress me over the days I tested it, being sensitive enough to detect the drop in air quality when I used hair products in the next room.

In terms of noise levels, I didn’t experience any issues with the Blueair Blue Max 3250i. I found that I could sleep or watch TV with it in the room without it being disruptive.

I’m a big fan of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, both for its innovative design, and its good performance for a low price, so I can envision it finding its way into our choice of the best air purifiers in the near future. So if you're in the market for a low-cost air purifier that won't shock you with extortionate costs for replacement parts, this is the one for you. If you'd like to learn more, read on for our full review to get all the facts.

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: price & availability

List price: $169.99 / £169
Available: in the US and UK under different product names

The Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max is available to purchase from the Blueair US website for $169.99, and at the time of writing has a Black Friday deal slashing the price down to $119.99 at Amazon US. The comparable UK model, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, can’t be purchased from the Blueair website but is available at many major UK retailers, including Argos, Very, and Amazon. The list price is £169 for the Blue Max 3250i at Amazon, and a Black Friday deal has knocked the price down to an even more impressive £113.

I was pleasantly surprised that the Blueair Blue Max 3250i performed so well and had such a considered design considering its price tag, making it fantastic value for money. Replacement components won’t break the bank either, with replacement Particle and Carbon filters costing just $29.99 / £35 – this is particularly impressive as Blueair states that these filters can last between six to nine months.

Value for money score: 5/5

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: specs

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: design and features

No display
Simple to use
Machine-washable pre-filter

I became a fan of the design aspects of the Blue range when I reviewed the impressive Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. The standout design feature is the attractive machine-washable fabric pre-filter covering most of the purifier’s outer. This design proves innovative, as directly behind the pre-filter cover sits the particle and carbon filter (this can be upgraded to Smokeblock or Allergenblock filters if desired), which surrounds a simple plastic frame. This makes the base of the purifier super lightweight for its size, weighing in at 7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg. The Blueair Blue Max 3250i can purify an area of 219 sq ft / 48 sq meters yet still remains fairly compact, measuring 18.9 X 10.6 X 10.6 in / 481 x 269 x 269 mm. I’m very pleased with the reduced amount of materials used on the body of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, but my concern with this construction is that the exposed filter could be prone to damage.

The sleeve of the large Blueair air purifier is rolled down to reveal the HEPA filter underneath. — (Image credit: Future)

I’ve never seen a design quite like this, as most air purifiers have plastic casing to protect the inner filters whereas the body of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is simply some structural plastic sitting within the particle and carbon filter, covered in the washable pre-filter. This goes to explain its very light weight of 2.5 lb / 3.4kg but could make it vulnerable to damage.

Despite its minor flaws, it’s a nice touch that Blueair made the pre-filter part of the overall aesthetic, which has meant less material and wasted plastic, which we’re always happy to see at TechRadar. It’s also an advantage that they are machine washable and extras can be purchased in a range of colors, just in case you don’t want to wait for one to dry, or want to switch things up occasionally.

Not only is it delightfully light, it’s dinky in size, too. Measuring just 11.4 x 6.8 x 5.9 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm. This cylindrical 360-degree design enables the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max to be placed in a variety of spaces, as there’s plenty of opportunity for it to pull air in.

The large Blueair air purifier sits with its back turned toward the camera on a wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

As was the case with the Mini Max, the seam of the fabric pre-filter could be neater as it is a little puckered and bulges in places, but this is less noticeable on the Blueair Blue Max 3250i as the overlapping seam doesn’t stand out as much over the larger area.

The controls on the top of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i are simple, there are just two touch-operated buttons, a power button, and a fan button that cycles between auto mode, sleep mode, and fan speeds of one to three when pressed. There’s no LED display to view the air quality data; however, there’s a light on the front of the unit that changes color to indicate the air quality score, ranging from Excellent to Very Polluted, and a light below each fan mode to indicate which is currently being used.

Real-time quality levels are easy to view on the Blueair app, but there’s no detailed data to review, simply a colored graph showing the air quality rating over time. I found I was able to use a pinching motion to zoom in and out of the graph, which allowed me to view more detail of the air quality changes over smaller increments of time.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: performance

Quiet operation
Clears PM2.5 contaminations quickly
Detects and reacts to PM2.5 that originates in other rooms

Getting the Blueair Blue Max 3250i set up was quick and simple. The user manual was easy to follow, containing first-time setup instructions including how to connect it to my home Wi-Fi, which proved to be a breeze. It also included instructions on how to remove and wash the fabric pre-filter, which I appreciated. Upon installing the Blueair app, I was given the option to use it without creating an account, but I chose to so I could enter my location and view the outdoor air quality data too.

Connecting the Blueair Blue Max 3250i to the app was blissfully straightforward, taking less than three minutes after switching the air purifier on to view my indoor air quality. As I was using the Blueair Blue Max 3250i in my living room, I selected “Living room” as the product name, but there was an option to add a custom name should I have been using it in an office or nursery, for example.

The HEPA filter from inside the Blueair air purifier sits facing forward on a wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

It’s worth noting that although it’s claimed the Blueair Blue Max 3250i’s electrostatic and mechanical filtration captures airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, it will not detect anything smaller than PM2.5. PM2.5 is particulate matter over 2.5 microns in size, including dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria. Other far more expensive air purifiers, such as the Molekule Air Pro, can monitor and react to VOCs along with PM2.5. These volatile organic compounds can come from paint, furniture, carpets, and cleaning products, and are often the main offenders behind lower air quality, so having an air purifier capable of detecting these contaminants would be advantageous.

However, just because an air purifier doesn’t detect these contaminants doesn’t mean it isn’t tackling them, but it won't be aware of them so won’t initiate higher fan speeds in their presence. Considering the low price of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i though, it’s not surprising that it doesn’t have this capability, but this is something to bear in mind if you want a purifier that you can leave to its own devices to tackle all the common contaminants.

According to the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, the air quality in my living room was considered excellent, so it remained at a low fan speed when I put it into auto mode. To test how sensitive the sensors were to contaminants, and how quickly they reacted to them, I sprayed some dry shampoo roughly three meters away. Within two minutes the Blueair Blue Max 3250i detected the dry shampoo, raising the contamination reading to 56 on the graph within the app over about thirty seconds, which it classed as very polluted. Within three minutes of spraying the dry shampoo, the reading had lowered to 25, classed as good; within six minutes, it returned to excellent.

It was at this moment that my fluffy cats chose to pay a visit, and interestingly, the air quality reduced slightly again, raising the score, so it appeared to detect their fur or dander in the air. Within a minute of them leaving, the score gradually dropped further than before, so it appear that the Blueair Blue Max 3250i’s particle sensors were doing a good job.

I continued to be impressed by how sensitive this air purifier was to changes in air quality over a week of testing. I would be surprised to hear the fan speed ramping up, before realizing I’d used my dry shampoo in the next room. I’ve not encountered a cheap air purifier that possessed this level of sensitivity before.

The inside of the top section of Blueair air purifier on a wood surface against a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

When it came to viewing the testing data on the air quality graph on the Blueair app, I found that it wasn’t very easy to view data over multiple days. Whenever I viewed the graph, the data was in real time and I would need to scroll along for some while. I could change from hourly readings to readings across a day or month, but when I scrolled back to a previous day and switched to hourly view to see more detail, it returned to the current day and time. This meant that I could only see this level of detail by scrolling all the way back to my chosen day when in hourly view, which wasn't ideal. The air quality graph didn’t give the full picture of how contaminated the air had become after I sprayed the dry shampoo. It communicated the highest score as being 22, despite reaching 56 in reality. This lack of detail isn’t unheard of, though, as I found that the Molekule Air Mini+ also failed to relay all readings if they were cleared quickly.

I found the Blueair Blue Max 3250i to be easy to sleep next to when in sleep mode, and I found that I couldn’t hear it over the TV when operating on fan level 2. Some other air purifiers can prove deafening at higher fan speeds, but this was not the case with the Blueair Blue Max 3250i.

Overall, though, I was very impressed with how sensitive the Blueair Blue Max 3250i was, how quickly it responded to contaminants, and how swiftly it dealt with them. The level and quality of features are great for the price, and this is only the second non-VOC detecting air purifier that I’ve found myself growing a fondness for, with the other being the Blueair Blue Mini Max.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i?

Buy it if...

You want good results on a budget
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m highly impressed with this air purifier. It’s repeatedly proven itself sensitive, responsive, and fast-acting, making it a great performer for the cost.

You need something lightweight
The Blueair Blue Max 3250i isn’t just light for its size; it’s lightweight in general. With barely any body material in its base, it is very easy to pick up and move, making it a good choice for anyone wanting to use it in multiple rooms.

You want something simple
With only two onboard buttons to operate the air purifier and a simple-to-use app, the settings of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i are easy to get a handle on.

Don't buy it if...

You want detailed air quality readings
With a low-cost piece of tech, there’s always going to be an element of compromise. In this case, the contamination detected is limited to PM2.5, and the app doesn’t give any detail on indoor air quality aside from an overall score.

You want something to fight off the nasties on its own accord
As this air purifier can’t detect VOCs, it won’t automatically react to strong odors or finer particles, so settings will need to be altered manually if a higher level of purifying is required.

You want something robust
Despite the advantages of such a lightweight air purifier, there’s no denying that the base design could be at risk of damage should anything make contact with it.

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA
We rated this little air purifier a commendable four-and-a-half stars thanks to its performance and smart features. It is cheaper than the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, but there were delays in response time, and it doesn’t offer washable pre-filters. For more information, why not check out our full Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier review.

Molekule Air Pro
I know, I know, the cost difference here is vast, however, if you happen to be looking for an option with medical-grade materials, FDA medical device clearance, and fantastic VOC detection, then this is hands down the product to go for. If you'd like to find out more about this air purifier's skill set, take a look at our full Molekule Air Pro review.

How I tested the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i

I used the Blueair Blue Max 3250i for a week and a half
I tested how much of an impact it had on the surrounding air quality
I tested how easy it was to operate and live with

I checked how easy was to get the Blueair Blue Max 3250i set up, how easy it was to operate, and how portable it was.

I tested it in different rooms in my home, and observed how quiet it was at night time and whether it disturbed my sleep.

I assessed its design and structure, paying close attention to quality and any sustainable elements.

I reviewed the impact it had on the air quality in my environment, and how well it handled cooking smells.

First reviewed: November 2024
Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: my new favorite budget-friendly air purifier

10:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i : two-minute review

Despite being compact and impressively light for its capabilities, there’s a lot to love about the Blueair Blue Max 3250i. The two touch buttons make it simple to power on the air purifier and to cycle through auto mode, night mode, and fan speeds one to three. The simple design is composed of the white plastic top section that houses the working parts, and a simple yet efficient base that consists of a lightweight frame within the changeable particle and carbon filter, plus a machine-washable fabric pre-filter outer layer. The neatness of the seam isn’t perfect, but other than this it is a great way to capture dust before it reaches the single-use filter, and is available in a range of colors making it effortless to switch things up if desired.

The Blueair Blue Max 3250i does a great job for the price, rivaling some of the best air purifiers. For the most part, the fan speed remained on the lowest setting when the Blueair Blue Max 3250i was left in auto mode. This came as no surprise to me, but I’ve seen some customer reviews complaining that this air purifier doesn’t do anything. In fact, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i is purifying, and it’s capable of clearing more than just the PM2.5 it detects, such as VOCs when manually operated – it just doesn’t possess the capability to detect these things automatically. That's fine, in my professional opinion, considering the low price.

During testing, it took just ten minutes for the contamination from spraying dry shampoo to be detected and cleared by the Blueair Blue Max 3250i. It continued to impress me over the days I tested it, being sensitive enough to detect the drop in air quality when I used hair products in the next room.

In terms of noise levels, I didn’t experience any issues with the Blueair Blue Max 3250i. I found that I could sleep or watch TV with it in the room without it being disruptive.

I’m a big fan of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, both for its innovative design, and its good performance for a low price, so I can envision it finding its way into our choice of the best air purifiers in the near future. So if you're in the market for a low-cost air purifier that won't shock you with extortionate costs for replacement parts, this is the one for you. If you'd like to learn more, read on for our full review to get all the facts.

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: price & availability

List price: $169.99 / £169
Available: in the US and UK under different product names

Value for money score: 5/5

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: specs

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: design and features

No display
Simple to use
Machine-washable pre-filter

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: performance

Quiet operation
Clears PM2.5 contaminations quickly
Detects and reacts to PM2.5 that originates in other rooms

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i?

Buy it if...

You want something simple
With only two onboard buttons to operate the air purifier and a simple-to-use app, the settings of the Blueair Blue Max 3250i are easy to get a handle on.

Don't buy it if...

You want something robust
Despite the advantages of such a lightweight air purifier, there’s no denying that the base design could be at risk of damage should anything make contact with it.

Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i review: Also consider

How I tested the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i

I used the Blueair Blue Max 3250i for a week and a half
I tested how much of an impact it had on the surrounding air quality
I tested how easy it was to operate and live with

I checked how easy was to get the Blueair Blue Max 3250i set up, how easy it was to operate, and how portable it was.

I tested it in different rooms in my home, and observed how quiet it was at night time and whether it disturbed my sleep.

I assessed its design and structure, paying close attention to quality and any sustainable elements.

I reviewed the impact it had on the air quality in my environment, and how well it handled cooking smells.

First reviewed: November 2024
Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: there’s something special about this budget-priced air purifier, and I can’t get enough of it

1:00 pm | November 16, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max: two-minute review

The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is a simple-to-use and space-saving air purifier. It’s available from Amazon in the US and the UK at a list price of $69.99 / £79. It’s far from the most high-tech air purifier on the market but it seems to do a good job of purifying the air, despite its lack of bells and whistles and low price point.

Replacement Particle and Carbon filters are cheap, costing $21.99 / £18, and should theoretically last a long period, with BlueAir stating that they can last up to six months of 24-hour use. There are other filter options available, namely Allergenblock and Smokeblock, which offer more tailored protection.

An ideal air purifier for desktop or nightstand use, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max measures only 11.4 x 6.8 x 5.9 inches / ‎172 x 172 x 289mm and is impressively lightweight. The reason behind this portable purifier weighing so little is down to the lack of protective casing over the filter itself. The colored fabric covering doubles as a washable pre-filter over the filter, and other than some structural plastic on the inside, that’s all the base consists of.

Image shows a close-up of the fabric pre-filter. — (Image credit: Future)

It’s possible to purchase further pre-filter coverings, and they’re available in a range of different colors, which is always a bonus for me. While this design is innovative and sustainability-conscious, it does mean that the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max could be at higher risk of damage than heavier plastic-covered alternatives.

The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is as low on features as it is in price, but that’s fair enough. It has no automated fan settings or particle detection, just three fan speeds that can be cycled through via the fan touch button on the top of the purifier. It is helpful enough to monitor the condition of the filter, however, showing a yellow indicator when the filter is due to be changed soon, and red when it needs changing.

The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max was a breeze to set up and operate. The touch buttons were responsive and the air purifier reacted quickly upon switching settings. Even though the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max lacked any kind of contamination indicators, the change in air quality was noticeable when the purifier was in operation. It had a surprising cooling effect on the surrounding environment, but as I was using it on a chilly November morning in the south of England, I consider this to be an indicator of how well the Blue Pure Mini Max was circulating the air.

The image shows the removed top section of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max sitting next to the fabric-covered filter base. — (Image credit: Future)

In terms of volume level, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max operated very quietly on the lowest fan speed, so it was no problem sleeping or working next to it. The two higher settings are more noticeable, but still at a satisfyingly low volume, with the top speed giving me a reading of just 47 dB.

Overall, you’re getting what you pay for with the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. The price for the air purifier is great, and the filters are good value, especially considering their longevity and the cost savings from the filter subscription plan available in the US currently.

In closing, I was pleasantly surprised by the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. I didn’t expect to be impressed due to this mini air purifier's low price point and lack of features, but the ease of use, good performance, and innovative design really won me over, and could see it sneaking its way into our selection of the best air purifiers before too long.

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: price & availability

List price: $69.99 / £79
Available now in the US and UK

The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is a simple, desktop-sized, small-room air purifier that’s available in the US, and UK at Amazon for $69.99 / £79.

One element that often has the potential to catch people out is the cost of replacement filters compared to the initial cost of an air purifier itself. I’m pleased to say this isn’t the case with the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max, as replacement Blueair Particle and Carbon filters cost just $21.99 / £18, which is particularly good considering the filters can last up to six months, even when used 24 hours a day. This cost can be brought down further still with Blueair's filter replacement subscription, but at the time of writing the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max and associated filters are only showing up on the Blueair website, so we’ll have to wait for them to become available on the official site to take advantage of this offer in the UK.

There are other filter types available too: the Allergenblock filter, designed to reduce our exposure to dust allergens, pollen, and pet dander, and the Smokeblock filter, with double the activated carbon intended to remove wildfire smoke, plus heightened protection against other wildfire emissions.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: specs

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: design and features

No display
Long-lasting filters
Machine-washable fabric pre-filter

This is a very simple example of an air purifier, with no app support, visual display, or automatic detection – but at this price point, it’d be unfair to expect much more. The fact that the low-cost filters can last up to six months when running for 24 hours a day is certainly an attractive feature, and one thing the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max can monitor is the filter life, displaying a yellow light on the top of the unit to indicate that the filter will need changing soon, turning red when it actually does.

The outer fabric looks nice from a distance, but the finish gives away the budget cost of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max; the fabric is a little loose, and the seam is wiggly and uneven, bulging out where it goes over the tan leather effect Blueair tag. The reason for this looseness becomes apparent as it’s not simply an aesthetic covering; it’s designed to be a washable fabric pre-filter.

This image shows a close-up of the seam and leather-effect tab of the fabric pre-filter. — (Image credit: Future)

The image shows the inside of the base of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max, the top section is visible to the right. — (Image credit: Future)

There is no display panel on the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max, with only a power button, a fan button, a filter indicator light, and three fan speed indicator lights on the top of the air purifier. The fixed power cable extends out of the lower portion of the white plastic top section of the purifier. I found this placement odd at first but, of course, as the base is simply composed of the filters and plastic frame, this was the only logical place to put it.

There’s not much to dislike about the aesthetic of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max. The finish along the seam of the fabric pre-filter could be better, and the cable placement looks a little unusual, but all things considered, it lives up to its name. It's satisfyingly small and lightweight, making it a perfect option for anyone wanting to relocate their purifier regularly, or for those who struggle with maneuvering things.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: performance

No display or smart features
Operated quietly
Easy to use

The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max proved easy to set up and operate. It was essentially just a case of removing the packaging and plugging the air purifier in, job done. The touch buttons were responsive, so it was quick to turn the purifier on and off and to cycle between fan speeds. The reaction speed was satisfyingly quick when changing between fan settings, whereas some purifiers take time to slow down, even when quickly cycling past the highest setting to get back to the lowest.

Despite the lack of air quality data to review, the Blue Pure Mini Max made the air around me feel fresher quickly upon first use when running it at fan speed 2. It had quite the cooling effect straight off the bat, which I’ve not encountered with other air purifiers, with cold air blowing quite strongly through the air vents at the top of the unit. This suggested to me that the air was circulating well, but after a while, on a grey November morning in the South West of England, it made the room uncomfortably cold, so that’s worth bearing in mind if you plan to use your air purifier in the winter.

The white and gray Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max sits on a pale surface in front of a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

In a 13 x 16 ft / 4 x 5 meter room, the sound of the air purifier is noticeable when on its second speed setting if there’s no other sound to drown it out. The pitch of the noise is interesting: it reminded me of the sound of a blowtorch, which is ironic considering it was cooling the room down. Blueair claims that their lowest fan speed is quieter than a whisper, and while I didn’t get a reading as low as they’ve stated, it was pretty darn quiet at 26 dB. It was barely audible to me from around four feet away. If I listened hard, I could hear a low humming, but it didn’t prove disruptive in the slightest when I was trying to sleep or working away at my desk.

Naturally, the higher fan speeds were louder, with fan speed 2 giving a reading of 35 dB, and speed 3, the highest setting, giving a reading of 47 dB. This was of course much more noticeable and made my cats a little wary at first, but compared to other air purifiers, such as the Molekule Air Mini+ whose lowest fan speed was 39 dB, it’s satisfyingly quiet.

As with other low-priced air purifiers I’ve tested, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max couldn’t remove cooking smells. It did have some impact on the intensity, however, as I noticed that the cooking odor got a little stronger once I’d switched the purifier off, so I was pleased that it managed to make a small impact at least.

Overall, using the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max was a pleasant experience. It was small enough and light enough that I could find a space for it in every room, and it worked at a low enough volume that it wasn’t distracting.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max?

Buy it if...

You want multiple air purifiers without breaking the bank
The Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max works hard despite its small stature, and its low cost means that it isn’t above the realm of possibility to purchase more than one so that you can enjoy its effects in multiple spaces.

You want a lightweight air purifier you can relocate with ease
Due to this purifier’s petite size, and the base consisting of a lightweight frame, the filter, and the pre-filter, the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is gloriously easy to pick up and carry.

You want some peace and quiet
The sound of the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max is barely audible when on the lowest setting, making it a perfect nighttime purifying companion. Naturally, it is much more noticeable at higher speeds, but it’s still much quieter compared to other small purifiers I’ve tested.

Don't buy it if...

You want automated purifying
A budget price means basic features, and so this air purifier lacks particle detection. This means it can’t be left to its own devices and settings must be adjusted manually for it to clear the surrounding air efficiently.

You want something robust
It’s certainly a big pro that this air purifier is light and doesn’t possess a load of excess materials, however, the internal filters aren’t the most robust and are only covered by a layer of fabric. On the plus side, though, at least the filters are replaceable.

You want a display
There’s no display or companion app with this low-cost air purifier. There are no settings to alter other than the fan speeds and, as expected, without particle detection there is no contamination data to review, either.

Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max review: Also consider

Levoit Core 300S Smart True HEPA
It’s double the cost, but it features an insightful and intuitive companion app, and it performed well during testing. It’s larger than the Blueair purifier but has the added benefit of automatic detection and an LED touch display. If you want to learn more, why not check out our full Levoit Core 300S True HEPA air purifier review.

Molekule Air Mini+
A much more premium option for those who value a higher quality of materials and extra bacteria-busting technology. Its communication wasn’t ideal, and so although it is smart and has a companion app, it isn’t always reliable, but used manually it has some great purification features that might take your interest. To learn more about its medical-grade credentials, you can find out more in our Molekule Air Mini+ review.

How I tested the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max

I used the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max for one week
I tested how much of an impact it had on the surrounding air quality
I tested its ability to tackle cooking smells

I checked how easy was to get the Blueair Blue Pure Mini Max set up, how easy it was to operate, and how portable it was.

I tested it in different rooms in my home, and observed how quiet it was at night time and whether it disturbed my sleep.

I assessed its design and structure, paying close attention to quality and any sustainable elements.

I reviewed the impact it had on the air quality in my environment, and how well it handled cooking smells.

First reviewed: November 2024
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