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

Dyson’s signature bladeless fans are some of its most popular products and come in many different forms. One thing that sets them apart from their rivals is that they are two or three devices in one: fan and heater, fan and air purifier, fan and humidifier – or a combination of these. This means you won’t have to find room for so many bulky appliances in your home or store them during the off season.

The latest in this series is Dyson’s new Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde purifier, which is available to buy now in the UK and Europe. As the name suggests, it is a cooling fan, an air purifier capable of measuring and destroying formaldehyde in the air, and an antibacterial humidifier.

When you turn it on this summer, assuming you buy one, you can relax knowing the cool air blowing at you is clean and free of harmful substances. It’s also a smart device, which you can operate via the MyDyson app.

This technology is not cheap. It’ll 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, where it costs $939.99.

There are very few air purifiers that specifically target formaldehyde. If you’re wondering why you might need it, formaldehyde is a poisonous gas that can be absorbed by inhalation, so it’s something you’d want to get rid of if it’s lying around.

And, since it’s a byproduct of combustion, it can be in your air if you have an open fire or wood stove. It is also used in the production of pressed wood products, synthetic fabrics, wallpaper, paint and cosmetics. That means your home’s air quality can be compromised if you’ve bought new furniture or are decorating — and exacerbated if you have a new home designed to retain heat through the winter.

The Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde Purifier has a solid-state sensor to detect the chemical. It won’t deteriorate over time like some gel-based sensors (although you’d probably assume that much given the price). The unit also has a separate, dedicated VOC (volatile organic gas) monitor to target other gases and bad odors that may linger in the air. According to Dyson, all-in-one VOC detectors can be less reliable when it comes to formaldehyde.

The machine’s catalytic filter will then trap and destroy the formaldehyde molecules.

As an air purifier, it also has full HEPA H13 filtration. The purifier is completely sealed, so all the air passing through it is cleaned, making it Dyson’s most hygienic device yet. In tests, Dyson says it reduced the appearance of the H1N1 virus in the air by 99% – although it also noted that “actual effectiveness may vary”.

Dyson has also added layers of protection inside the unit to prevent bacteria and mold buildup, which can be a problem for humidifiers. Silver strands and UV-C light in the evaporator will kill 99.9% of bacteria and ensure clean water droplets released into the air.

It has a five liter reservoir that will allow 36 hours of humidification before needing to be refilled.

Humidifiers tend to be less popular than dehumidifiers in the UK, thanks to our soggy maritime climate. But people with sensitive respiratory systems could benefit. If you find that your hair and clothes get a lot of static electricity, or you get little shocks when you touch things around the house, it’s a sign of too dry air.

And, just like a fan, it’s powerful, featuring Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology for increased airflow.

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

But there are other options you could opt for. If you don’t need a humidifier and prefer a heater and fan in one, take a look at our review of the Dyson HP09 Hot + Cool Formaldehyde purifier. Or, if you’re just looking for a purifying fan, you could make a big savings by opting for the Dyson Cool Autoreact Purifier.

For more affordable fan options and to see our top recommendations for staying cool this summer, browse our roundup of the best fans we’ve tested.