We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The best Dyson fan for staying cool this summer, tried and tested by experts
We heated up the lab to see which would cool us down the most
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Whether you’re trying to survive a heatwave, or you run hot at night and need something to cool you down, a good fan is a staple. And they don’t come much sleeker or high-tech than the best Dyson fans.
But while it’s easy to agree they look the part in the corner of your living room, we wanted to know if they offer function as well as form. So, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute called in the leading models and put them to the test.
There are plenty of other brand's on the market who make fantastic fans, however the very best tower fan on the market is currently a Dyson so here's our definitive ranking of our favourite models from the brand. Plus, check out our full reviews below.
What is the best Dyson fan to buy?
Our highest scoring model is the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, but there’s not a lot in it. So, what you really need to decide is which functions are most important to you, and which size will suit your space best.
All the fans below also act as air purifiers when they’re running. But one also humidifies the air (which is good if you’re worried about the drying effect of having a fan on for an extended time), while another doubles as a heater in the winter. Ultimately, it all comes down to how you think you’ll use it.
Every fan comes with a remote control and all but one connect to the MyDyson App, which lets you control the fan from your phone. Testers also praised the intuitive design of each and every one.
Looking for our review of Dyson's brand new Cool CF1 Desk Fan? This is currently being tested and reviewed at the Good Housekeeping Institute and we'll be updating this page soon with our experts' thoughts.
How we test fans
Our testers don’t just sit in front of the fan for hours on end (although there is an element of this).
Firstly, they assess how powerful each setting is using an anemometer, which measures how much air is blown in feet per minute (FPM). Ideally, there should be a noticeable difference between each air speed setting, so you can find the right level more easily.
Then they measure how noisy each fan is, as well as its energy efficiency (note that none of the fans we tried used much electricity). And they assess the range of oscillation is, making sure each device lives up to its advertised claims.
Finally, they take a seat. Three testers each take it in turns to sit in a room heated to 30C. They use the fan for half an hour to see if it makes them feel more comfortable.
Every fan is also scored for its ease of use and design. Here’s how the range of Dyson fans performed.
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde
Score: 93/100
With a stand-out range of air strengths, an air purifying function (including a formaldehyde filter) and a humidifying setting, it’s little surprise that this is our best in test tower fan – not just of the Dyson ones tried, but of all the tower fans our experts have got their hands on.
Testers found all its functions easy to use, and loved its overall design, noting how well it improved their comfort levels. It does has a more limited oscillation range than the other fans on this list – only 90 degrees in comparison to the 350 degrees of others, so it won't be the best for cooling a group of people, if you plan on sharing.
It was relatively noisy on its highest air speed too (although that’s hardly surprising given that it exceeded 700FPM on test), but there’s a night mode and 10 different speeds, so you should be able to find a quieter one that’s still effective – our testers certainly did.
Key specifications
| Number of air speeds | 10 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Functions | Air purification, humidification, fan |
| Dimensions | W28 x D31.2 x H92.3 cm |
| Weight | 8.2kg |
| MyDyson connectivity | Yes |
Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool Formaldehyde
Score: 89/100
If you like the sound of our winner, but don’t think you need a humidifier, then you’re in luck because this model ticks all our other boxes for air purification and cooling. And because it has slightly less functionality, it’s not as expensive.
It still has 10 air speeds, plus 350 degrees of oscillation, so it can reach multiple people at once. Because there are so many settings, our panel said it can take a while to figure out the best one for you and they don’t all seem that different. But ultimately, testers said they felt noticeably more comfortable when using this fan.
It was quiet on test, and it’s tall, which means you won’t need to stack this fan on a pile of books to feel its effects in bed. Dreamy.
Key specifications
| Number of air speeds | 10 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Functions | Fan, air purification |
| Dimensions | W22 x D22 x H105 cm |
| Weight | 4.85kg |
| MyDyson connectivity | Yes |
Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Formaldehyde
Score: 86/100
Already thinking ahead to winter? Well then, this warmer will be just what’s needed – testers praised its warm air projection in particular, but note that it uses more electricity to run as a heater than the relatively light-lift fan.
Trust us though, it will do a good a job in the summer thanks to its 350 degrees of oscillation. While it has the same 10 air speeds that already wowed our testers with other models, it wasn’t quite as high on max as our winner. This wouldn’t be that noticeable, however, and testers found it relatively quiet. They also liked that intuitive Dyson design.
Key specifications
| Number of air speeds | 10 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Functions | Air purification, fan, heater |
| Dimensions | W24.8 x D20 x H76.4 cm |
| Weight | 5.5kg |
| MyDyson connectivity | Yes |
Score: 85/100
While this is the cheapest fan on our list, it’s still an investment. And because of the lower price, you do sacrifice some functionality. The key difference is that it can’t connect to the MyDyson app. But it still comes with a handy remote control (all on this list do), 10 air speeds and air purification capabilities.
If you feel overwhelmed by the number of settings, our testers liked the mid-way ones the most. They also praised its height, straightforward design, and the fact it’s lightweight so it’s easy to carry from room to room as needed.
Impressively, it was the quietest of the Dyson fans we tried, earning a perfect score in our decibel test – the measurement wasn’t any louder than the ambient noise of our testing room.
Key specifications
| Number of air speeds | 10 |
|---|---|
| Night mode | Yes |
| Functions | Air purification, fan |
| Dimensions | W20.4 x D12 x H105 cm |
| Weight | 4.99kg |
| MyDyson connectivity | No |
The verdict on Dyson fans
Our top pick if you’re shopping for the summer is the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde. It’s very breezy, and testers liked the humidification feature for counterbalancing the drying effect fans can sometimes have.
But, if you want maximum versatility, we’d pick the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Formaldehyde as you can use it year-round, which is ideal given the price tag of all the fans on this list.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing household essentials for 100 years, and our homes testing manager Blossom Boothroyd draws on that history to ensure our testing protocols are as thorough as possible – including for tower fans.
Hannah Mendelsohn is our homes editor and makes sure we’re testing the latest innovations and products so our reviews are always up to date. She also looks after our tower fan buying guide.
7 April 2025: Article introduction and headlines were updated. Stock levels and prices were checked to ensure we're bringing you the best available deals.
19 June 2025: We updated the headline and checked stock levels, adjusting pricing where necessary. We also added a note about the Dyson CF1 which is currently in testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
The best air mattress to buy for overnight guests
The best desk fans to keep you chilled at home
Our review of vacuum food storage containers
My whole family is obsessed with this £20 mop
