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

Dyson’s iconic bladeless fans are among its most popular products and they come in several different forms. One thing that sets them apart from rivals is that they’re two- or three-in-one devices: fan and heater, fan and air purifier, fan and humidifier – or a combination of those. That means you won’t need to find places for as many chunky appliances around your home or stow them away during the off-season.

The latest in this series is Dyson’s new Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde, which is available to buy now in the UK and Europe. As the name suggests, it’s a cooling fan, plus an air purifier that can measure and destroy formaldehyde in the air, and also an anti-bacterial humidifier.

When you switch it on this summer, assuming you buy one that is, you can relax in the knowledge that the cool air blowing at you is clean and free from nasties. It’s also a smart device, which you can operate via the MyDyson app.

This tech does not come 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 a heady $939.99.

There are very few air purifiers that particularly target formaldehyde. If you’re wondering why you might need one, formaldehyde is a toxic gas that can be absorbed by inhalation, so it’s very much something you’d want gone if it’s hanging around.

And, as it’s a by-product of combustion, it might be in your air if you have an open fire or a log burner. It’s also used in the production of pressed-wood products, synthetic fabrics, wallpaper, paint and cosmetics. That means your home air quality might be compromised if you’ve bought new furniture or are decorating – and exacerbated if you have a new home that’s been designed to keep heat in during the winter.

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

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

As an air purifier, it also features full-machine H13 HEPA filtration. The purifier is fully sealed, so that all the air that passes through it is cleaned, making it Dyson’s most hygienic appliance yet. In tests, Dyson says that it reduced the appearance of the H1N1 virus in the air by 99% – although it also noted that that “real life efficacy may vary”.

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

It has a five-litre tank that will allow for 36 hours of humidification before it needs 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 from using one. If you find that your hair and clothes get a lot of static, or you get small shocks when you touch things at home, that’s a sign of overly dry air.

And, just as a fan, it’s powerful, featuring Dyson’s air multiplier technology for increased airflow.

The Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde 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 go for. If you don’t need a humidifier and would prefer a heater and fan in one, have a look at our review of the Dyson Purifier HP09 Hot + Cool Formaldehyde. Or, if you’re just after a purifying fan, you could make a big saving by opting for the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact.

For some more affordable fan options, and to see our top recommendations for keeping cool this summer, browse our round-up of the best fans we’ve tested.