The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Dyson's new handheld fan: a premium cooling solution?
Carrying around a handheld fan never used to be common in the UK. People would simply wave a piece of cardboard and call it a day. However, hotter summers and the growing popularity of portable fans and neck fans in East Asia have propelled them into the mainstream. A few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine brands like Dyson or Shark venturing into something as traditionally tacky as a handheld fan. They were the sort of item you impulsively bought on holiday in Thailand when the heat became unbearable. Could a handheld fan truly be premium?
That is what Dyson aimed to achieve with the hushjet mini cool, a handheld fan that claims to deliver airflow speeds of up to 25 metres per second, potentially making it one of the most powerful handheld fans on the market. But at £99, can Dyson justify the price tag? I tested it on the hottest day of the year.
Design and features
Dyson's handheld fan does not look like a regular bladed model. Tall and cylindrical, it lacks spinning blades, instead featuring a precision nozzle with a honeycomb mesh liner that can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing you to direct airflow wherever you like. You can place it on a desk or attach the included lanyard and wear it around your neck. This is arguably the best wearable implementation seen on a handheld fan so far.
Available in ink/cobalt, carnelian/sky, and stone/blush, I tested the latter, a delicate pink colour that matches Dyson's other vibrantly coloured gear. It is simple to set up and charges via USB-C at the base of the fan. Flick the switch up to turn it on, and a strong airflow emerges.
Performance and power
What sets Dyson's handheld fan apart from most competitors is its sheer power, which is not surprising given Dyson's cooling heritage and range of home fans. There are six different fan speeds. The sixth, boost mode, can only be activated by holding down the plus button, as Dyson does not intend for it to be used continuously. Inside the fan is a brushless DC motor that spins up to 65,000 RPM, delivering wind speeds of 55 mph on boost mode. The effect is impressive; boost mode is so intense that it actually gives me a slight shiver whenever I use it. For most situations, level five has been sufficient to keep me adequately cool. While the fan becomes quite loud on level five and boost mode, I have tested many handheld fans for The Independent, and the hushjet mini cool is one of the quietest at high airflow speeds.
Battery life stands at six hours on the lowest fan speed, a setting I barely used during the heatwave. On higher settings, it lasts only an hour. You can charge the fan and use it simultaneously, but annoyingly, it will not let you use it beyond level one while charging. It takes roughly three hours to fully charge once depleted.
Value for money
At £99, I am not entirely convinced of its value. My favourite handheld fan, the Commem turbo fan, costs a tenner and delivers what feels like a similar amount of airflow on the highest setting. Although it is significantly louder than the Dyson hushjet mini cool, I do not mind the noise. If you are sensitive to noise, the Dyson might be the better choice, but it is equally powerful and much more affordable.
When comparing the Dyson hushjet mini cool to Shark's £130 three-in-one chillpill, I found that while it is not as powerful in terms of raw fan speed, it actually made me feel cooler. This is largely due to the misting feature, which sprays a fine mist of water at your face. The Dyson hushjet mini cool is more of a traditional handheld fan; the airflow is incredibly strong, but when the air itself is hot, it sometimes feels like warm air is being blown back at me.
That does not make the hushjet mini cool bad—far from it. It boasts excellent build quality, powerful airflow, and quiet operation at higher speeds. However, it is very expensive for what it is. If you just want something to keep you cool, cheaper options will do the same job, making the Dyson a tricky handheld fan to recommend.
Key specifications
- Speed settings: 6
- Battery life: 5 hours on lowest speed, 1 hour on highest speed
- Weight: 212g
- Price: £100 from Dyson.co.uk
How I tested
I tested the Dyson hushjet mini cool during the recent UK heatwave, using it both indoors and while out and about to see how well it coped. I tested the different airflow levels, wore it around my neck using the included lanyard, and used it handheld to judge comfort, noise levels, and practicality. I also compared it against other handheld fans I have tested for The Independent, including Shark's chillpill and cheaper Amazon alternatives, to see whether Dyson's premium price translated into better cooling performance.
Alex Lee is The Independent's senior tech critic. Alongside reviewing the latest launches from Apple and Nintendo, he has been reviewing everything to do with cooling your home down and air treatment since 2021. He has particular expertise in cooling devices, having tried and tested everything from Sony's wearable fan and Dyson's best fans to the best portable air conditioners and air coolers. Beyond his experience in real-world testing, Alex runs warm, making him a harsh critic.
