After back-to-back heatwaves in London, handheld fans are now ubiquitous – and some are even a status symbol. Be it Shark’s influencer-favourite chillpill or Sony’s tech-savvy wearable design, the best portable fans are a must-have accessory while commuting, at the pub, or at a festival.
Dyson’s new hushjet mini cool is among the most covetable offerings, and a regular sight on the tube. Designed in the same sleek, dual-tone casing – think carnelian/sky, stone/blush and ink/cobalt – as the brand’s luxury hair tools, the handheld device transforms into a wearable neck fan.
But in such a crowded market, is the portable fan worth £99? Tech expert Alastair Jennings tested Dyson’s hushjet during the peak of the heatwave last month. Reviewing the device for Standard Shopping, he compared it to the likes of Shark, Sony and John Lewis, writing that “Dyson is a company known for innovation, and its hushjet mini cool is a standout portable fan.”
With five modes and app connectivity, he added that “its power, despite its size, puts it in another league to its competitors.”
If you’re weighing up which portable fan to invest in – particularly given that hot weather is becoming the norm in the UK – read Alastair’s full review below, including his one major criticism.
How we tested
When testing the Dyson hushjet fan, Alastair considered everything from desk positioning and ambient temperature to extra features, speed control, motion and app connectivity. Aside from the cooling effect, he noted portability, how easily it stowed away into a bag, robustness, battery life, charge times, noise and wind speed.
Read more: Best portable and handheld fans that keep you cool wherever you are
Dyson hushjet mini cool handheld fan
★★★★☆
What we love: High build quality, excellent power, and a rotating head
Take note: Loud at full power, limited features, and expensive
“The Dyson fan is small and light enough to slip it into my bag without adding bulk or weight. There are five power modes, and the noise ranges from whisper-quiet at 65.6 dB to 83.4 dB at full throttle.
As its internal fan mechanism cranks through the power options, it’s able to kick out a surprising amount of air – I recorded 14.1 m/s at the lowest and 15.3 m/s at the highest, while the booster function touched just over 20 m/s.
The fan has app connectivity, but I found the direct controls more innovative – the app wasn’t really needed for the most part. The speed is adjusted through an intuitive rocker switch: when you reach the highest speed, you can push and hold the rocker to “boost” a turbo charge of airflow.
The cylinder design is comfortable to hold, although the air intake at the base sometimes gets covered by my hand. The rotating head enables direct airflow. If you wear the neck lanyard, you can keep a gentle flow of cooling air rising, which was surprisingly effective.
The targeted airflow can be widened by holding it further away, while the charging dock allows you to position it as a desk fan (note that speed is capped at the lowest setting in the dock).
A carry case completes the set. While the noise at full blast could draw attention in public, it’s an impressive, highly portable device with cooling power.”
Buy now £99.00, Dyson.co.uk
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