When the UK summer decides to turn up the heat once again, there’s nothing quite like a good fan to make life more comfortable. Heatwaves have a way of making everything feel harder than usual, whether that’s working from home, sleeping, cooking, even sitting still. Having a portable fan that can offer some much-needed relief when temperatures climb can make a huge difference.
While a standard fan can help circulate air and offer some respite, the Shark flexbreeze hydrogo takes things one step further. Alongside its powerful airflow, it delivers a refreshing mist that gives you that “just stepped out of the shower” feeling - without leaving you soaked to the skin.
At £129, it isn’t the cheapest portable fan around. There are plenty of budget options available online, so the question is whether the extra features justify the higher price. After testing it through a heatwave, here’s my verdict.
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Shark flexbreeze hydrogo
Rating: 4/5
Why we love it
- Misting delivers a fine spray that cools you down without leaving you drenched
- Cordless, portable and easy to move between rooms, gardens and outdoor trips
- Simple to use, with straightforward controls and no complicated set-up
Take note
- It doesn’t oscillate
- Charging cable is bulky for a portable fan
The Shark flexbreeze hydrogo arrived in the depths of a UK heatwave, so I was very grateful that it came with some charge already in the battery. There’s nothing worse than unboxing a gadget designed to cool you down, only to discover you need to wait several hours before using it.
Getting started is refreshingly simple. The fan arrives with removable stickers showing you what each button does, highlighting a power button, a mist button (which also switches between constant and intermittent mist modes), and a fan button that cycles through the five speed settings.
The biggest selling point is, of course, the hydrogo misting feature. The mist is refreshingly fine, so it won’t leave you feeling like you’ve accidentally stood too close to a garden sprinkler. This meant that I felt comfortable using it indoors, although I’d still avoid placing it directly on anything precious, such as suede furniture, just in case. It’s also worth noting that the water reservoir runs out relatively quickly (between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what mode you use), so keep that in mind if you want to be misted while out and about.
Shark says it projects up to 20m on its maximum setting, and in practice I thought the airflow was excellent for its size. During testing, I found the third speed setting was usually enough, with the higher settings feeling almost too powerful for personal use on my work-from-home desk. The main downside is the lack of oscillation. While the fan head can manually tilt up and down by around 45 degrees to help you find the right angle, it won’t sweep across a room. This means it’s best suited to keeping one person cool rather than circulating air around a larger shared space.
One feature I particularly like is the natural breeze mode. Instead of blasting you with a constant stream of air, it varies the airflow to feel more like a natural breeze. As someone who struggles with dry eyes, I appreciated not having a relentless powerful stream of air hitting my face.
Noise levels are also worth mentioning. On the lower settings it’s fairly unobtrusive, but the higher speeds are noticeable. If you’re a very light sleeper looking for an overnight cooling solution, this probably wouldn’t be my first choice. The misting function itself, however, is extremely quiet and almost unnoticeable.
Battery life is reasonable, with up to 12 hours available on the lowest setting without misting. However, higher speeds drain the battery much faster, with maximum airflow lasting closer to 90 minutes or so. The charger is also surprisingly chunky in comparison to the fan’s size, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to pack this fan away for a trip.
Key specifications:
Buy now £129.99, Sharkninja.co.uk
Should you buy the Shark flexbreeze hydrogo?
Overall, the Shark flexbreeze hydrogo is a brilliant option if you want a powerful fan that can follow you around. The misting feature is the star of the show, making hot days much more manageable, while the powerful airflow and cordless design make it great for everyday activities. It’s not perfect, and the price isn’t cheap at £129.99, but for personal cooling during the summer, it’s a very handy gadget.
How I tested the Shark flexbreeze hydrogo
I tested the Shark flexbreeze misting fan for a month, including during a 30C heatwave, using it in my home office, bedroom and in the garden for a group yoga session. I tried all five fan speeds, both natural breeze modes and the misting settings to see how effective they were in different environments. I also tested how easy it was to move around, how long the battery lasted and whether the misting function worked comfortably indoors and outside.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Every product reviewed by IndyBest is tested by our team in real-life situations, and not just judged by specifications on paper. We spend time using products as you would at home, considering everything from ease of use and performance to value for money. Our recommendations are based on honest experiences, helping you make more informed buying decisions. Elsewhere on IndyBest we’ve reviewed plenty of the top cooling gadgets from the best air coolers to the best neck fans, best Dyson fans and more.
