Dyson isn't just about high-end vacuums. Their range of space-age bladeless air purifying fans – which cost from around $500 up to $1000 or more – have also developed a cult following among lovers of the sleek design and fancy features. 

Most of the Dyson models have air-purifying capability, which appeals to people wanting to improve air quality in their personal space by removing irritants such as smoke, dust or pollutants. The Dyson Hot + Cool models have both heating and cooling functions, while some of the other air purifying fans only have a cooling function. They all come in a 'tower fan' design, as opposed to a basic pedestal fan design, and are available in various finishes and sizes. 

Whether they're worth the price tag depends entirely on your priorities and what you will primarily be using the product for. 

CHOICE home appliance expert Chris Barnes says, "We have tested a few Dyson models across a number of areas, looking at how well they perform as air purifiers, how good they are at cooling, and how well they heat a room. We have seen mixed results, so how well this product will perform for you depends on what you will be using it for."

Features of Dyson air-purifying fans 

• They're easy to clean as they don't have grills or blades that gather dust.
• They don't have fast spinning blades or exposed heating elements that could cause an injury or accident.
• They are controllable via remote, with adjustable speed settings and sleep timers. Most also have a 'Night Mode' for quiet operation and some models can also be controlled using the Dyson smartphone app.
• Most Dyson fans have air purifying and cooling capabilities. Some models also have a heating function.
• All models come with a two-year guarantee.
• They have a sleek look, a small footprint and are easily portable. The brand is known for investing heavily in engineering new prototypes and perfecting its designs.

Are Dyson fan air purifiers any good?

Dyson air purifiers claim to improve indoor air quality by projecting purified air, either hot or cool, throughout your home, and removing dust, allergens, gases, odours and pollution in the process.

If you're not interested in the air purifying function, the Dyson Cool tower fan (RRP $499) is the simplest option.

CHOICE experts have looked at the air purifying capabilities of quite a few Dyson models over the years and found that, while their performance scores vary, they don't tend to clean the air as quickly and effectively as other air purifiers we've reviewed.

Our latest expert air purifier review includes the following Dyson models:

• Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03
• Dyson Purifier Cool TP07
• Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09
• Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool Gen 1 HP10

CHOICE members have access to our detailed testing data, with information on how each of these models performed at removing dust, smoke and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the air. We also include an assessment of how easy each model is to use. For some models such as the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, we have also tested how well it performs as a fan. 

In our air purifier review, the Dyson Big + Quiet Formaldehyde received the highest CHOICE Expert Rating, with our experts noting that it's very good at removing VOCs from the air but rated as 'only OK' in other areas of the testing. 

Chris says: "Our test method for air purifiers is based on the industry standard Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) test, while Dyson has devised a different test called Polar which they say is more realistic. This may be part of the reason why they perform less effectively in our reviews."

CHOICE experts have found that Dyson air purifiers don't tend to clean the air as quickly and effectively as other models

Chris says another reason that Dyson air purifiers failed to impress our testers could be because they're designed to do double-duty as fans, so this may require some compromise in how much air is filtered at any moment. 

"Most air purifiers work by sucking in air and pushing it through a series of filters, and the air leaving the air purifier has lost speed by the time it exits the filters," he says. 

"If you really want a tower fan or heater with air purification capability and you have the budget for a Dyson, the models we've tested may be worth considering as there aren't many other combination fan/air purifier models out there. 

"However, we recommend looking at the scores for how well each model performs at removing dust versus smoke or VOCs, as certain capabilities may be more important to you than others."

"It's also worth noting that there are many cheaper heaters and pedestal fans that have superior cooling and heating capabilities and other air purifiers that perform better in our reviews."

How well do Dyson's air-purifying fans work as heaters? 

If you're looking for a unit that's useful all year round, you may want to look at one of the Dyson fan air purifiers that also functions as a heater.

We have tested a few Dyson models with heating functions in the past and found that they generally deliver good heating performance. 

We looked at one Dyson in our latest electric heater review: the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool HP00.

"The Dyson HP00 delivers very good heating performance, in line with most other Dyson fan heaters that we've tested in the past," says Chris.

"It's quick to heat the room, spreads the heat evenly, and is good at maintaining the room temperature once it's been warmed up. Overall, it's a good choice for heating a living room or open-plan area." 

Overall, it's a good choice for heating a living room or open-plan area

Chris Barnes, CHOICE home appliance expert

If you're just after a simple heater to keep you toasty in the winter, though, our electric heater review uncovered models that outperformed (or performed almost as well as) the Dyson but cost less, including some impressive models for under $100.

How well do Dyson air purifying fans perform at cooling?

Pedestal fans and tower fans are great options if you can't install air conditioning or if you're renting and need a fast cooling fix. But if you're just looking to quickly cool a room, do you really need to fork out hundreds for a Dyson fan? Particularly when you can pick up a pedestal fan for under $20 from places like Big W and Kmart?

If you're keen on the air-purifying function and also want an appliance you can use as a heater in the cooler months, then it may be worth considering. However, if you're just after a fan, our experts are less convinced. 

"We test a range of basic, traditional pedestal fans in our labs here at CHOICE alongside the more high-tech expensive models such as Dyson," says CHOICE home expert Rebecca Ciaramidaro.  

"Our test looks at the strength of airflow of each fan and its ability to create a nice cooling breeze. Although the Dyson models don't perform badly in our tests overall, if a fan that cools you down is your main priority, you can buy a product that does the job for less than a tenth of the price." 

You can buy a product that does the job for less than a tenth of the price

CHOICE home expert Rebecca Ciaramidaro

Granted, a cheap $20 pedestal fan won't have any of the additional features touted by the Dyson models – including the air-purifying technology, smart connectivity and heating functions – so it depends what your priorities are. 

Pedestal fans usually have a height-adjustable stand, and can be useful when you want air directed at a height above ground or at a certain spot in the room – for example, to blow directly onto your face, across a bed's surface, or angled up toward the ceiling for an indirect breeze. 

They're ideal for small- to medium-sized rooms. Choose one that has an oscillating function and various speed settings to give you greater control. 

Tower (or column) fans have a long rectangular air outlet that usually sits closer to the floor, although their upper section can still blow air at a reasonable height, and some have louvres to direct the airflow up or down. They're often best suited to a large living area. 

Their slimline design means they also often have a smaller footprint so can be easier to fit into a corner or narrow space (around 20cm–23cm as opposed to 46cm–51cm for a pedestal fan). They also usually have concealed blades, which is good news if you're concerned about small children or pets.

CHOICE tester Matthew Tung puts pedestal fans through their paces in our labs.

Comparing Dyson fan models

Our lab experts have reviewed the fan function of many Dyson models in the past, some of which have been discontinued but may still be available from certain retailers or secondhand. 

These include the Dyson Cool Tower Fan AM07, the Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09, the Dyson Pure Cool TP04 fan and the Dyson Pure Cool TP00.

In our most recent review of tower fans and pedestal fans, you can compare results for the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 YY and the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10. 

"Although these fans perform adequately in our tests, we find that if you're just looking for something to circulate air and create a cooling breeze, the Dyson fans probably aren't worth the extra cash," says Rebecca. 

"You're paying a significantly higher price for the design and technology of the added features, which you may or may not need." 

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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