Dyson is renowned for its air technology across its products, including vacuums, tower fans and hair dryers. There’s a new frontier the company hasn’t explored until now: handheld fans. On Wednesday, Dyson announced its first portable fan, the HushJet Mini Cool, and it has just arrived at my home for testing. “We were inspired by a simple but universal problem: staying cool when you’re on the move,” Dyson design engineer Emily Blance told me. “From hotter commutes and crowded events to travel, menopause, pregnancy and everyday comfort, people are increasingly looking for fast, effective cooling that fits seamlessly into modern life.”
The HushJet portable fan can be used in three ways: in your hand, worn around your neck, or placed on a surface. Using its new HushJet air projection system, the 7.5-ounce device delivers five speeds and a boost mode for airflow up to 55 mph. Its three-in-one format lets you hold it in your hand, wear it hands-free around your neck, or place it on a table or desk. With a 5,000 mAh battery that charges in three hours, the HushJet Mini Cool can run for six hours. The 1.5-inch diameter—about the size of a watch face—keeps it sleek and portable, and Dyson notes that the Supersonic hair dryer and the PencilVac cordless vacuum also share that same diameter.
The HushJet Mini Cool is lightweight and easy to hold. Despite its top speed of 55 mph, it was designed with sound and sharing spaces in mind. Its nozzle tilts in two directions at 45 and 90 degrees, and a honeycomb mesh liner dampen the whir of the 65,000 rpm motor. The fan operates at 52 dBA to 68 dBA, rising to 72.5 dBA in boost mode. For reference, normal conversation typically ranges from 60 to 70 dBA, and sounds at or below 70 dBA are generally considered safe. The nozzle and honeycomb liner help minimize the motor’s sound, so it won’t disturb work calls.
Blance explained that instead of misting the body with water or using cooling that relies on skin contact, the HushJet Mini Cool uses evaporative cooling, which accelerates airflow near the skin (rather than directly on it) to help moisture evaporate more quickly. Alongside hygiene, safety was a key concern, which is why the device has a bladeless design. The Mini Cool comes in three color combos: stone/blush (white and blush pink), available now; carnelian/sky (red and sky blue), available in May; and ink/cobalt (ink and cobalt blue), available in June. The package includes a lanyard, charging stand, USB-C cable and travel pouch.
This summer, Dyson plans to offer a universal mount that you can fasten to strollers and more, plus a grip clip for attaching the device in other situations.
