Dyson has used its considerable knowledge of aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, air treatment, light sensing, acoustics and ventilation to develop the Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan.
The Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan uses a new Dyson Core Flow technology to create a steady stream of purified air and allows you to direct the airflow precisely where you need it.
It was inspired by the aerodynamic properties of the Harrier Jump Jet that Dyson also happens to own! Dyson engineers discovered that when two jets of air meet on a convex surface, they converge to create a high-pressure core and a focused stream of air.
What problem is the Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan trying to solve?
The problem is that that most of us spend 90% of our time indoors – in bed, at a study desk, in the kitchen or at work etc.
Dyson already has a solution for larger areas with its Dyson HP04 Pure hot+cool purifier/fan/heater (review here), and it’s Dyson Pure Cool series (review here) but nothing really for smaller personal spaces.
The Dyson Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan (website here) is just that – it creates a mini-oasis of purified air that you can bathe in. It is just for you.
I wasn’t too sure of its marketing slogan until I looked at my crusty Kmart fan replete with copious dirt on the cage and blades. Dyson says, “Cool with purified air. Not dirty air.” And it is right.
How we rate the Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan
Filters
We don’t have the test equipment to measure the purity of the air it produces, but we will take Dyson at its word. It says the sealed filter (borosilicate glass HEPA and activated carbon) removes 99.95% of pollutants and allergens down to .3 microns. It is the same filter as used in the Pure Cool series.
The HEPA/Activated carbon filter is good for 4380 hours (12 months at 12 hours a day).
Airflow/noise
The fan speed is from 1-10, and the corresponding noise level is from 30-60dB. Apparently at speed ten, it delivers 257 litres per second. We don’t know the efficiency of the ‘Harrier’ air multiplier, so we assume air intake is about 20lps. Based on a 1000 litres per m3 that means it can purify that air in under a minute.
We found that up to speed setting four was whisper quiet and – so much so you would not notice it. But remember the lower the setting, the lower the airflow and air intake. See our tests later.
The airflow is adjustable ‘up to down’ by about 45°. To explain if the unit were on the floor beside you, you angle the air up. If it is on a desk beside you then you angle it down. It can also oscillate 70° 35° in each direction). The aim is to create a micro-climate zone about 60cm wide by 1m deep around your head. Oscillation will extend that area slightly, but placement is critical.
I was concerned that a constant stream of air would be annoying. But you adjust the fan so that you are bathed in it – not blown away.
Energy efficiency
As it probably will be most of the time, this is a vital issue. At setting ten, it consumes 50W. Setting one is 10W and setting five is 18W. To put that in perspective (at peak rates of 50 cents per kWh) it costs between one and three cents an hour.
Cooling
One of our pet hates is when any fan maker states that it cools you. No fan cools. It blows ambient temperature air on you and depending on relative humidity, and skin perspiration can help create an evaporative cooling effect.
Out tests were on a beautiful spring day/evening (indoors) at 21.5° and 58.6% humidity and while the air felt cooler our Kestrel Drop analyser showed it was precisely the same temperature and humidity. Now if you live in a humid climate (like Singapore), this will induce that evaporative effect.
The only devices that cool are air conditioners and evaporative air coolers.
Maintenance
The HEPA and activated carbon filters cost around $100 and are suitable for 4380 hours. Again, to put that in perspective if you ran it 24/7/365 you would need two replacements a year. But at eight hours a day you would get one and a half years use. And it depends on pollution levels too.
There are full user and maintenance videos and instructions here
Looks/Design
I can’t help but think it looks a little like a kitchen swing top tidy. Standard colour is two-tone White/Silver, but I love the two-tone black/copper – very smick.
The filter is straightforward to replace and just lifts out of the base.
Best placement – Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan tests
It is not a room purifier. Hopefully, you will have invested in other Dyson Pure products to do that. This is different – it is for personal use in a personal space.
It is about 25cm round by 45cm high. It is small enough for use on most desktops, larger bedside tables, side tables, desks – near where you sit.
- Desk use: On the floor about 1.5 metres from my head with the air up. The air focused on my waist as I sat at the desk. FAIL
- Desk use: on the rear of the desk approx 1 metre from my face – PASS.
- I also tried it on a coffee table approx. 40cm off the floor and the air was all around my head. PASS.
- On the couch. Placement on the floor (air up) was fine for a quick nap on the couch. I could have placed it on a coffee table (air down) as well. PASS
- At night beside my bed air down. The ambient room temperature was 19°, so I was not after cooling but purification. On setting one it was gentle and quite enough. PASS
The real issue here is to find a spot that is around 1 metre from your face.
App – none
It is not Wi-Fi or internet-connected, so it doesn’t report to an app or have voice control. However, the LCD shows fan speed, filter life, oscillation and sleep timer (15 minutes to 8 hours).
The magnetic remote control manages all functions, including a sleep timer. And it sticks to the unit, so it is harder to misplace.
Intelligent light sensing for a good night’s sleep
A light sensor tracks the ambient light and automatically dims or brightens the built-in LCD screen.
Price/Warranty
$499 and available 6 September. Dyson delivers for free, provides a 45-day money-back guarantee and a two-year warranty.
GadgetGuy’s take – Dyson FB01 Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan cleans the air in your personal space
At the launch, I was not entirely sure of the need for this personal device.
I do not mean the need for purified air – as a severe hay fever sufferer I acknowledge that Dyson Pure Cool and Hot&Cool works for me (well any decent purifier really). And I like the ‘big brother’s’ app and the other features like temperature, humidity, air quality, auto, night mode, oscillation adjustment, real-time and historical data etc.
But I get it now as a sedentary worker spending 8-12 hours a day at my desk and 8-hours a night in bed. Given the minuscule running costs, quiet fan, and small footprint, I am happy to use it in both locations.
We do not comment on price – if you have to ask, you must shop at Target or Kmart. It is very well made, has loads of science behind it, and helps pay for the considerable impact Dyson is making on the world. Let’s just say if Steve Jobs were alive today, he and Sir James would be great mates and the iPhone would be so much more than a vessel to make money from Apple services!
If I had to choose one, I would fork out $899 for the Dyson HP04 Pure Hot&Cool for its flexibility and ability to create about a 60m3 micro-climate. But my wife fell in love with the Dyson FB01 Pure Cool, so I have to choose two!
It is a selfish, indulgent Dyson product – for me! We rate it as such.
