Best Bladeless Fans 2023 (UK’s top 7 reviewed)

Ask 100 people to describe a bladeless fan and 98 of them will describe the Dyson air multiplier. However, the bladeless fan was originally designed in Japan way back in the early 1980s by the Toshiba company. In fact, when Dyson applied for a patent on the air multiplier they had to change the design because it was too close to the original 1980s design.

Dyson has a reputation for innovative technology and the air multiplier certainly looks innovative. Since its launch in 2009, the bladeless fan has grown in popularity. Being functional and having a sleek, modern design, they suit the modern minimalist lifestyle. Decorative, relatively small, neat and fairly quiet too, what’s not to like?

Recommended Electric Bladeless Fans

Here are our top recommended bladeless fans you can buy in the UK:

What Is A Bladeless Fan?

The clue is in the name, a bladeless fan has no visible fan blades making them a safer way to cool a room where children are present.

The bladeless fan comes in 2 shapes spherical and elongated. We should also include the oscillating bladeless fan, but not many people think of this type when bladeless fans are mentioned.

How Do Bladeless Fans Work?

Calling them “bladeless” fans is a bit of a misnomer, as they do have a fan, it’s just concealed within the base of the unit. Unlike conventional fans that consist of rotating blades pushing air around the room, bladeless fans rely on a small compressor and 9 asymmetrical  (mismatched) blades. The air produced by this concealed fan is directed up and into the top ring, where it passes through slits in the ring and over the edge which is shaped like an aeroplane wing.

This allows the airflow to reach speeds of 55 Miles Per Hour (MPH).  The edge is sloped at a 16-degree angle that directs the cool air smoothly and almost silently. Due to the shape of the inner wall of the fan, more air is drawn through the fan using a similar effect to the wing of a plane.

This is why it’s called an air multiplier. According to Dyson, the air multiplier technology increases the output of air flowing through the tube by 15 times as much as the air taken in through the base of the unit.

What Are The Benefits Of A Bladeless Fan?

When it comes to the benefits of a bladeless fan there’s one thought that comes to mind, so let’s start with that and then go through the rest of the benefits.

• Safety
  Due to the design – no blades, there’s nothing to hurt inquisitive little fingers. Children will stay safe around an operational bladeless fan. Even if it’s accidentally knocked over while running, there are no blades to damage or cause damage.
• Quiet
  It is claimed that bladeless fans are 60% quieter than conventional fans making them the perfect choice for any room in the house. Allowing you to get on with whatever you’re doing, keeping cool and not getting distracted by a noisy fan.
• Efficient
  Compared to conventional fans, bladeless fans are far more energy-efficient and cool quicker using less power.
• Design
  Fans are usually quite ugly appliances, bladeless fans are much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Ornamental and functional, they pass the test for both.
• Portability
  Bladeless fans are small enough and light enough to be carried from room to room. Wherever you need a cooling breeze a bladeless fan can be placed.
• Lightweight
  Due to the design, bladeless fans are so much lighter than conventional fans. There’s no need for a heavy base to counteract the large blades spinning at high speed. This adds to their portability.
• Easy to clean
  As there are no moving visible parts, the bladeless fan is easy to dust/clean. Just wipe with a damp cloth.
• Hot and cold air
  Many models are capable of producing hot air as well as cold. This means it’s not just a cooling fan, it’s also a sleek portable heater too.

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Bladeless Fan?

The main disadvantage is the price, depending on the make and model, bladeless fans can cost up to 15 times more than a conventional fan of the same diameter. 

Bladeless Fan Buyers Guide

Before you buy a bladeless fan, there are a few points to consider, they are:

Fan Speeds

Many bladeless fans have only one operating speed, but some have as many as 12. Check before you buy how many speeds and therefore temperature range-choices your model has.

Hot And Cold Air

There are some bladeless fans that can be used as both a fan and a heater. Some have smart thermostats to help save money on heating by detecting when the temperature reaches optimum levels and cutting out.

Remote Control

This is a very handy feature to have, a wireless remote control allows you to operate the fan from the opposite side of the room. No need to leave the comfort of your armchair, just press a button and start to cool down.

Noise Level

One of the main features of bladeless fan technology is how quiet it is compared to conventional fans. But not all bladeless fans are made equal. Check the noise level before you buy.

Timer

Many bladeless fans have a  timer; this feature is easy to set up and can be set for timings of between 10 minutes and 8 hours.

Design

Bladeless fans are either spherical or elongated, some have lights, different colours etc. Choose the design that best suits your personality and decor.

Energy-Efficiency

Bladeless fans are considerably more energy-efficient than conventional fans, but not all bladeless fans have the same level of efficiency, check the specifications to see how energy-efficient the model you choose is.

Size

The size of the bladeless fan differs along with the shape, do your research, check out the space you intend to place your fan. How large is the area? Will the bladeless fan fit in that space? Will it look out of place?

Power

We’ve already mentioned energy-efficiency, but there’s more to power than that. Look at the power flow for cool air and hot air. Also check the Wattage, depending on how many watts it’s rated at will determine how much power it uses.

Brand

Buying a well-known brand from a reputable retailer will ensure you buy a product that will last. Established companies tend to make reliable appliances, which mean they’re less likely to be problematic.

Guarantee

Most bladeless fans are guaranteed for 15 years, this represents the confidence the manufacturers have in their product. That said, any guarantee is only as good as the company that issues it. 

That’s another reason for buying a well-known brand from a reliable retailer. If anything does go wrong they’re more likely to honour the terms of their guarantee. They’re also more likely to have a decent customer service department too.

Air Purifier

There are some bladeless fans that have an integrated air purifier. If this is something you would like, it can be bought but they do tend to be more expensive.

Bladeless Fan Price

This can be the make or break factor in buying a bladeless fan. Let’s face it, this is a relatively new technology, and it comes at a price. There are more companies producing bladeless fans nowadays and that has helped to lower the price in some cases.

But there are many models on the market today from companies that are completely unknown. These might be reliable, and they might not. We all have a budget, see what yours will buy you, but we would always recommend buying from a well-known make if possible.

• Oscillating tower fans can be picked up for around £30
• Bladeless fans start at around £50 for an unnamed, unknown model.
• Dyson bladeless fans start at around £250 and rise to around double that.

Bladeless Fan Costs To Run

The Dyson model quoted above that costs around £250 is powered by a 26-watt motor. With the average cost of electricity at around 16 pence per kilowatt per hour (kW/h), it would cost around 4 pence per hour to run. Whereas the oscillating fan mentioned above is powered by a 50-watt motor. So using the same calculation that would cost 8 pence an hour to run.

Related Articles:

• How Does A Bladeless Fan Work?
• Are Bladeless Fans Better Than Regular Fans?
• Do Bladeless Fans Move More Air? (are they good for air circulation)
• Are Bladeless Fans Easy To Clean? (and do they collect dust)

Frequently Asked Questions