Can the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 replace your fan and air purifier? I put it to the test in my home during the height of allergy season

With spring in full swing and the pollen count climbing by the day, there’s never been a better time to invest in an air purifier fan.

So when the brand new Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 landed on my doorstep, I was eager to put it through its paces with all of us suffering badly with the sniffles. Known for their sleek design and smart technology, Dyson’s latest model promises to deliver powerful cooling while quietly clearing the air of allergens and pollutants.

I tested both its fan performance and air purifying abilities to see how it fared against smoke, dust, and household odours and to find out whether it truly deserves a spot among the best air purifiers and best fans on the market.

In a nutshell

I found the new Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 to be both sleek and modern, while also boasting whisper-quiet cooling and purifying performance. During my testing, it tackled everything from everyday dust to lingering cooking smells, leaving the air fresher in a matter of minutes.

It cooled down the rooms in our house gently without the distracting hum you often get from traditional fans, making it ideal for bedrooms or even home offices. Like many a Dyson, it’s at the pricier end of the scale, and other models can match its purifying power for less, but where most fall short is in the finer details, and the PC1 doesn’t just have style.

It’s packed with smart technology like its Air Multiplier technology that others simply haven’t mastered yet, from its real-time air quality sensors in its Auto mode to the helpful app control, all wrapped up in a design you’ll actually want to show off and not hide away.

Specifications

• Power: 50w
• Speed settings: 10
• Modes: Normal, Diffused, Auto, Sleep
• Colour: White and silver
• Oscillation: Up to 350⁰ horizontal swing
• Maximum distance/reach: 81 m2
• Airflow at max setting: 290 litres per second
• Timer: Yes
• Controls: Remote, App and Voice (Alexa/Google/Siri)
• Decibel rating: up to 61.4 dB
• Dimensions: H105 x D 22 x W22 cm
• Weight: 4.72kg
• Other: Air Multiplier Technology (smooth, powerful airflow without blades)
• Air Purifier filter: HEPA H13 filter, activated carbon filter, fully sealed system

Unboxing and setting up

Unboxing the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 was refreshingly fuss-free, which is a rare treat when so many gadgets arrive swaddled in layers of unnecessary packaging. Dyson keeps it simple: the unit comes fully assembled, snugly slotted into two perfectly moulded inserts and wrapped in a protective layer of plastic.

There were no fiddly screws or cryptic instructions to contend with. All I needed to do was peel off the wrapping, plug it in, and it was ready to go. I had it up and whirring away in under five minutes.

Setting up the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 couldn’t have been easier, especially if, like me, you already have the MyDyson app from using the Airwrap. I simply opened the app, tapped “Add New Device,” and scanned the barcode on the fan.

Within seconds, it was registered, connected to Wi-Fi, and ready to go. Just make sure you take all the packaging off before you start... I made the rookie error of leaving the plastic wrap on the base and tried to test the oscillation. The fan didn’t love that and instantly flagged a fault. Once I removed the wrap, it was smooth sailing though.

It comes with a compact little remote control that’s surprisingly intuitive, which has all the main functions like fan speed, oscillation, auto mode, and night mode. It cleverly attaches magnetically to the top of the fan so you’re not constantly losing it down the side of the sofa, or misplacing which I am nearly certain I would do.

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Ease of use

Whether you’re using the remote or the MyDyson app (which, by the way, is refreshingly straightforward), everything is clearly laid out and easy to get to grips with, especially the resources section on the app with the many helpful how-to videos.

The air quality LED display is another big win. A quick glance at the colour gauge tells you everything you need to know, with green meaning the air’s in great shape, while red and purple are your cue to let the Dyson do its thing on the auto mode.

And the app also shows your indoor data, and I was very happy to see that our air quality in our home was 'Good'.

Design

Straight out of the box, the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is a striking bit of kit. It's sleek, sculptural, and unmistakably Dyson. If you’ve seen a Dyson fan before, you’ll recognise the silhouette instantly, with the signature bladeless oval loop giving it a slight futuristic look.

The control panel follows suit in its simple, slick design. It's discreetly nestled into the base, featuring a subtle black LED screen that only lights up when needed, displaying key information like air quality and fan speed without clutter or fuss.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Dyson without a bit of clever engineering. The Air Multiplier technology means it can deliver a smooth, powerful airflow that circulates clean, cool air around the room evenly.

The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is surprisingly lightweight, weighing just 4.72 kg, which makes it easy to move from room to room.

Although it’s quite tall and designed to sit on the floor, I had no trouble carrying it between spaces when needed, which is simple but much needed in a family home.

Performance

I put it through its air purifying paces with all the usual suspects: deodorant sprays, cooking smells and smoke.

It cleared smoke from a match I'd lit and blown out in 47 seconds, deodorant in one minute 33 seconds, and registered everyday dust from my vacuum in an instant, even though it did take a while to settle down once I'd cleared it up.

I even deliberately burnt some toast (all in the name of testing), and while it did struggle a bit at first, it eventually cleared the smell after about five minutes, so not instant, but still effective.

As a fan, it’s smooth, quiet, and powerful enough to push clean air across the whole room thanks to its wide 350-degree oscillation and 1-10 speed settings.

The Night mode dims the display and noise right down to keep things whisper-quiet, and it was easy to change things up once in bed with the remote and app.

Noise levels

The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 operates at a maximum noise level of 61.4 decibels, but it's still relatively quiet. It's a winner for bedrooms or living rooms where you might be watching TV, as it won’t disrupt your downtime or make you crank up the volume to hear your favourite show.

Unlike some other fans and air purifiers I’ve tested, which can be distractingly loud, the PC1’s quiet performance blends seamlessly into your environment to the point where you might just forget it's there.

And, the Sleep mode reduces noise even more and dims the display, making it ideal for nighttime use to boot.

Maintenance

Keeping the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 in tip-top shape is surprisingly simple. Every couple of months, you should give the exterior a quick once-over with a soft, damp cloth.

The filter is super easy to change, and Dyson makes it foolproof when you need to replace it. A little light pops on when it’s time for a change, and the app gives you an alert too.

Just click the plastic casing off the bottom of the unit, change the filter and click it back into place. The app also provides a how-to tutorial on how to replace the filter, so there are no excuses.

Energy use

As with most Dyson products, the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Operating at a maximum power of 50 watts, it consumes less energy than many other fans on the market.

In its Auto mode, the air purifier fan adjusts its operation based on real-time air quality, ensuring it only uses energy when necessary, which is a little nifty function that results in an average daily energy cost of roughly 5p for most users in the UK.

How does it rate online?

Even though it's one of Dyson's newest launches and is only months old, the PC1 is getting a lot of love already. On Dyson's website, it has a 4.6-star rating out of five from 35 happy customers, with an impressively high 88% of customers saying they'd recommend it to a friend.

Customers are particularly happy with its sleek, bladeless design, efficient air purification capabilities and quiet operation, and how great it is for allergy sufferers.

Verdict: Should you buy the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1?

If you’re on the fence about whether Dyson fans are worth it, I can safely give you my opinion on the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1. It’s a splurge, yes, but if you’re serious about air quality and cooling and in one sleek package to boot, I think it’s worth every penny. In my own home, I feel it tackles spring allergens and other household pollutants really well and looks good doing it.

And Dyson doesn’t skimp on the design either. It’s intuitive to use, the app is genuinely helpful (not just a gimmick), and it felt like a real upgrade rather than just another appliance. I may well consider passing on my other air purifier and pedestal fan. If you’ve got the budget, I say go for it because you definitely will notice the difference.