I tested Dyson's smallest (and cheapest!) fan — this is why I'll be recommending it to all of my friends

If you want a premium fan that looks as good as it performs, the Dyson Cool CF1 deserves a place on your shortlist as one of the best desk fans. At just 1.8kg, this stylish and sleek fan is easy to carry around, fits neatly on your desk or bedside tables, and the magnetic remote control clips to the top so it’s always close at hand.

I put the Dyson Cool CF1 fan through its paces over several hot nights - just as we do for all of the best fans - testing how well it cooled me down, how quiet it remained during the night or when I was working, and how much power it consumed.

In a nutshell

The Dyson Cool CF1 is lightweight at just 1.8kg and easy to move from room to room, with a compact, bladeless design that’s safe for kids and pets. It offers 10 speeds and four oscillation angles (0°, 15°, 40°, and 70°) to deliver a smooth, powerful breeze without buffeting or harsh blasts. Noise levels stay impressively low, from just 23dB on the quietest setting to 38dB at full power - perfect for night use.

Controls are simple and intuitive, with a smooth dial on the base and a sleek magnetic remote that clips on top so you won’t lose it. There’s no need for apps or complicated setups, and cleaning is a breeze thanks to the bladeless design. Plus, it’s energy efficient, using only 30 watts at max speed, which keeps running costs low.

While it lacks smart features and can’t tilt, its minimalist, premium design and reliable cooling performance make the CF1 a solid choice if you want a fuss-free, safe, and stylish fan that just works.

Specifications

• Power: Up to 30W
• Speed settings: 10
• Modes: Normal and sleep
• Colour: White and silver
• Warranty: 24 months
• Oscillation: 70⁰ horizontal swing
• Maximum distance/reach: Not specified (designed for medium-sized rooms)
• Timer: Yes
• Controls: Remote, Touchpad
• Decibel rating: 23-38 dB
• Dimensions: H55 x D 36 x W36 cm
• Weight: 1.8kg
• Other: Bladeless technology, magnetic remote control

How I tested

Joanne Lewsley

I’m a freelance journalist who regularly reviews household and garden appliances for Ideal Home. I'm also a Customer Advisor for Top Ten Reviews, specialising in vacuums, air purifiers, and cleaning devices. I tested the Dyson Cool CF1 Fan over a series of hot and humid days and nights in my home, trying out all the different settings and schedules and assessing its performance in different conditions.

Unboxing and setting up

The Dyson Cool CF1 fan comes neatly packaged in a compact cardboard box measuring 41 x 41 x 17cm. Everything inside is well-secured, although I was surprised to find that the soft foam packaging strips don’t appear to be recyclable — a rare oversight from Dyson, which usually leans towards eco packaging such as paper.

Assembly is refreshingly simple: just slot the fan into the base and twist and click to secure. No tools, no fiddly parts. There’s no instruction manual included, but everything about the fan is so intuitive that I didn’t miss it.

You also get a slender white remote control, which attaches magnetically to the top of the fan — a clever touch that means you’re less likely to lose it.

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At just 1.8kg, the CF1 is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to carry from room to room. And with a 1.8m cord, it’s long enough to reach wherever you need it most.

The fan feels sturdy and well built, with Dyson’s signature sculptural design. Its compact footprint fits easily on a desk or bedside table, and because it’s bladeless, there’s nothing for little fingers or curious paws to get into — a major plus if you’ve got kids or pets.

The whole process of getting your fan up and running takes just a minute. You can then control the fan using the buttons below the screen on the base or using your remote control.

Design

There’s no mistaking that this is a Dyson fan. The Cool CF1 looks and feels every inch the premium product, with smooth, sculptural curves and a matte finish that steers well clear of the shiny, plasticky look you get with some fans. It’s stylish without trying too hard — the kind of fan that wouldn’t look out of place in a designer living room or a calm, minimalist bedroom.

I love how refreshingly simple it is to use. The single control dial is smooth and satisfying to turn, letting you scroll through 10 fan speeds without fiddly buttons or confusing menus.

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There’s no smart connectivity, which might be a downside for some, but I found the stripped-back approach really refreshing. You just plug it in, set your oscillation and twist the dial for more or less power. Apart from setting sleep mode or the timer, that's pretty much it.

And because it’s bladeless, there’s nothing exposed, so it feels completely safe around kids, pets, or even if you accidentally brush past it in the night.

According to Dyson, the CF1 reflects their “form follows function” philosophy, refining the original design to better suit modern lifestyles. It’s engineered for comfort and quiet cooling, day or night, while staying true to the brand’s legacy of sleek innovation and timeless design. I’d say it lives up to that promise.

Performance

For something so compact, the CF1 delivers exceptionally well when it comes to cooling. Dyson’s Air Multiplier™ technology pulls in air and amplifies it up to 13 times, pushing out 370 litres per second in a smooth, powerful stream. There’s no buffeting, no pulsing, and no sudden cold gusts — just a steady, uninterrupted breeze that instantly takes the edge off the heat.

I used it during several sweltering nights of a recent heatwave, and it made a noticeable difference. Even on the lower settings, my small home office and bedroom felt cooler within minutes. On the highest setting, it had no problem shifting the air in our open-plan living space either.

What really stood out was how quiet it is. Even on top speed, it never got louder than 38 decibels — about the level of a soft conversation or a quiet library. On Level 1, that drops to just 23 decibels, which is quieter than a whisper. I was able to fall asleep with it running right next to the bed and barely noticed it was on.

The CF1 also gives you four oscillation options — 0°, 15°, 40°, and 70° — so you can choose exactly how far you want the breeze to sweep. I found 70° ideal for moving air across the whole room, while the smaller angles were perfect for more focused cooling.

And despite all that power, it uses just 30 watts at full blast.

Ease of use

The CF1 is refreshingly fuss-free. It’s incredibly easy to use — no need to dig out a manual or fiddle with apps. Just twist the dial on the base or use the sleek remote control, which cleverly attaches magnetically to the top of the fan so you don’t lose it. Everything about it feels intuitive and simple.

While you can’t tilt the fan, placing it somewhere that lines up with where you want the airflow is easy thanks to its compact size and lightweight design. The 70° oscillation does a great job of sweeping air gently across the room, so you still get wide coverage without needing to reposition it constantly.

Noise levels

What really stood out to me was how whisper-quiet the CF1 is. On the lowest setting, it’s just 23dB — about as quiet as rustling leaves — and even on the highest speed, it only reaches 38dB, which is softer than a typical conversation.

I didn't notice the sound at all during the night or during the day while working. It’s the kind of fan you can keep on all night without it disturbing your work or sleep.

Maintenance

Cleaning the Dyson Cool CF1 fan is a total breeze. With no blades or grille, there are no nooks and crannies for dust to collect — a quick wipe with a cloth and it looks brand new. I can imagine that if you live in a house with someone who has allergies, you'll appreciate how low-maintenance and dust-free it is.

Energy use

The CF1 is incredibly energy-efficient, drawing just 30 watts at maximum speed. That means if you ran it for eight hours a night, it would use 0.24 kWh.

At the current UK electricity price cap (about 22p per kWh as of June 2025), that’s just over 5p a night, or around £1.60 a month if you use it daily. For powerful, all-night cooling, that’s a small price to pay.

How does it rate online?

User reviews for the Dyson Cool CF1 fan are notably scarce online, primarily because it's not widely available through major retailers like Amazon. Most reviews on Dyson's official site come from customers who received the product for free, which may influence their assessments.

Among this limited feedback, users generally appreciate the CF1's sleek, bladeless design and quiet operation. The fan's oscillation and sleep modes are also highlighted as great features. However, some reviewers express concerns about its cooling effectiveness, especially in larger or poorly ventilated rooms. A tiny fraction of users report issues with noise, such as whirring or buzzing sounds, particularly at higher speeds, but this isn't something I noticed at all.

Verdict: Should you buy the Dyson Cool CF1 fan?

If you’re after a fan that looks sleek, feels safe, and runs whisper-quiet, the Dyson Cool CF1 ticks all the boxes. It’s super lightweight, so you can easily move it from room to room, and that bladeless design is a real bonus if you’ve got kids or pets.

The airflow is smooth and powerful without the usual blast of cold air, and the magnetic remote means you’re less likely to lose it down the back of the sofa.

Sure, it’s got no fancy smart features or tilt, but sometimes simple is exactly what you need — and the CF1 delivers on that with style and efficiency. The only downside is the premium price tag. But if you are a Dyson devotee because of their superior technology and long-lasting engineering, then you're sure to love the CF1.