Air technology company Blueair, maker of CNET’s best air purifier overall, released its AlwaysCool handheld fan on Tuesday, and I got a first look at the device. Measuring 2.44 x 2.56 x 7.28 inches and weighing 0.5 pounds, it has speeds from one to 100, offering up to 17 mph of airflow.
With its 5,200-mAh battery, the fan runs for up to 32 hours on low speed -- almost triple that of other personal fan models I’ve tried, like the Shark ChillPill -- and up to seven hours on high speed.
The device’s head tilts up to 75 degrees so that you can easily use it as a tabletop fan. While it isn't able to stand upright, it can also be held in your hand or carried on your wrist with the included wrist strap.
The AlwaysCool's 17-mph speed does feel sufficient enough to cool you down without going overboard and becoming loud. It's the same max speed offering by Shark's ChillPill. But if fast speed is what you're after, the handheld fan I've tested with the highest reported speed is the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, which goes up to 55 mph in boost mode.
The head's 75-degree tilt allows you to use the AlwaysCool as a desktop fan.
Anna Gragert/CNETWhere the AlwaysCool shines is with its low noise level, courtesy of Blueair’s proprietary HEPASilent technology. According to the company, at max speed, the fan is 46 dB (decibels), and it does sound quieter than other handheld fans I’ve tested. When I measured it with the Decibel X: Sound Level Meter app, it reached 55.7 dBA (A-weighted decibels), which is still lower than other models I’ve measured.
For instance, when I measured the Shark ChillPill, it reached 74.6 dBA, and Dyson’s HushJet Mini Cool reached 77.5 dBA. For reference, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that the typical sound level in an urban residence is 50 dBA.
At $60, the AlwaysCool is also more affordable than the ChillPill and Mini Cool. At full price, the HushJet Mini Cool is $100, while the ChillPill is $150. The AlwaysCool also comes in three colors (arctic sage, cloud linen and night charcoal), the same number as the HushJet Mini Cool, while the ChillPill is available in 10 colors.
The arctic sage color is a light green, while the cloud linen shade is white and the night charcoal color is a dark gray.
Anna Gragert/CNETWith the AlwaysCool, you also get a USB-C charging cord and wrist strap. The device itself is simple to use with just an on/off button and a fan speed dial. The LCD display shows the fan speed and battery life.
Where I think the AlwaysCool could improve is with its size, as it's larger than other handheld fans on the market. Its design reminds me of the 16-mph Jisulife’s Pro1 Mini, which measured up to 73.4 dBA, but the latter is smaller at 2.17 x 1.97 x 5.59 inches and slightly more lightweight at 0.4 pounds. However, the Pro1 Mini is $70 at full price, $10 more than the AlwaysCool, which was also 17.7 dBA less than the Pro1 Mini even though they have about the same airflow speed.
The LCD display shows both battery life and the fan speed, which can be adjusted with the dial on the front of the device.
Anna Gragert/CNETOverall, if you’re looking for a handheld fan that’s on the quiet side, can cool you down on a hot day and won’t cost you at least $100, then Blueair’s AlwaysCool is a great option. You can now purchase it on Amazon and Blueair.com.
