Dyson’s new air-purifying fan and humidifier is the most hygienic ever

Dyson’s iconic bladeless fans are among Dyson’s most popular products and come in a variety of forms. One thing that sets them apart from the competition is that they are two or three devices in one: fan and heater, fan and air purifier, fan and humidifier – or a combination of both. This means you won’t have to find space for a lot of bulky appliances throughout your home or tidy them up during the off-season.

The latest in the series is the new Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, now available in the UK and Europe. As the name suggests, it is a cooling fan as well as an air purifier that can measure and destroy formaldehyde in the air, as well as an antibacterial humidifier.

When you turn it on this summer, assuming you buy it, you can relax knowing that the cool air blowing on you is clean and free of bad odors. It is also a smart device that you can control through the MyDyson app.

This technique is not cheap. It will cost you £699 and you can buy it online from Dyson in the UK from today.

It’s already available from Dyson in the US for $939.99.

There are very few air purifiers that specifically target formaldehyde. If you’re wondering why you might need it, say that formaldehyde is a toxic gas that can be inhaled.

And, since it’s a by-product of combustion, it can be in your air if you have an open fire or a wood-burning stove. It is also used in the production of pressed wood products, synthetic fabrics, wallpaper, paints and cosmetics. This means that the air quality in your home can get worse if you’ve bought new furniture or are redecorating, and get worse if you have a new home designed to keep you warm in the winter.

The Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde Purifier is equipped with a solid state sensor for chemical detection. It won’t degrade over time like some gel-based sensors (although you probably think so given the price). The device is also equipped with a separate dedicated VOC (Volatile Organic Gas) monitor to detect other gases and odors that may linger in the air. Universal VOC detectors may be less reliable for formaldehyde, Dyson said.

The machine’s catalytic filter then traps and breaks down the formaldehyde molecules.

As an air purifier, it is also equipped with full featured H13 HEPA filtration. The purifier is completely sealed, so all the air passing through it is purified, making it Dyson’s most hygienic appliance. In tests, Dyson says that it reduced the appearance of the H1N1 virus in the air by 99%, although it also noted that this “efficiency in real life may vary.”

Dyson

Dyson has also added several layers of protection inside the unit to prevent bacteria and mold from building up, which can be a problem with humidifiers. The silver threads and UV light in the evaporator kill 99.9% of bacteria and keep the water droplets in the air clean.

It has a five liter tank that provides 36 hours of humidification before it needs to be refilled.

Humidifiers tend to be less popular than dehumidifiers in the UK due to the damp maritime climate. But people with sensitive respiratory systems may benefit from its use. If you find that there is a lot of static electricity on your hair and clothes, or you get small electric shocks when you touch things at home, this is a sign of excessively dry air.

And like a fan, it’s powerful, equipped with Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology to increase airflow.

The Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde Purifier is available today from Dyson in the UK for £699 and available from Dyson in the US for $939.99.

But there are other options you could go for. If you don’t need a humidifier and prefer a heater and fan in one, take a look at our humidifier review. Dyson HP09 cleaner Hot + cold formaldehyde. Or, if you need a cleaning fan, you can save a lot by choosing Dyson Cool Autoreact Cleaner.

For some more affordable fan options and our top tips for keeping you cool this summer, check out our roundup of the best fans we’ve tested.