I Tried Dyson’s New Handheld Fan, and It Made My Sweaty Subway Commute Actually Tolerable

I was born and raised in Miami, so I know what it’s like to live in the sweltering heat,  but nothing could’ve prepared me for my first summer in New York City. Sweating through my clothes on a crowded train platform made me reconsider my life choices, I won’t lie. However, I promised myself that this summer, I’d be prepared in every way I know how — starting with the HushJet Mini Cool, Dyson’s first portable fan. You won’t catch me outside without it this season, and here’s why. 

I should’ve known that a Dyson portable fan would look this sleek. Designed without clunky blades (which means less dust build-up!), the HushJet is compact and unassuming, with a clean pillar shape that’s small enough to toss in your purse. I personally don’t even think it looks like a fan at first glance (I even had friends ask what it was I was holding). It also comes with a lanyard attachment to allow for effortless, on-the-go wear and a dock that lets it stand on its own while charging or cooling you off. 

The HushJet is also way more powerful than any other portable fan I’ve tried. It has a high-speed 65,000-rpm motor that’ll make you wonder how Dyson engineers managed to fit such heavy-duty tech in a handheld fan. Plus, the HushJet features an adjustable head that allows you to direct airflow where you want it for targeted, efficient cooling. And I do mean cooling, because it doesn’t just blow air in your face it actually cools you off. It’s like an AC unit you can wear. 

Since the forecast has decided to skip spring and jump straight to unforgivable heat, the HushJet hasn’t left my side. I brought it to a barbecue with friends recently, and it ended up getting passed around so everyone could experience a rush of cool, refreshing air. It made sitting outside for six hours surprisingly bearable, which is a testament to its power. Despite there being five speed settings, I rarely had to go above the second or third, it’s that strong. And while it’s admittedly not the quietest (it sounds like it’s preparing for lift-off at the highest setting),  it’s worth keeping me from turning into a sweaty, sticky mess. 

The HushJet has been an absolute game-changer on my commute, too. I keep the Neck Dock permanently attached, so I can fish the fan out of my bag with ease and sling it around my neck while I wait for the train. And if you’ve ridden the New York City Subway during the summertime, you know that the underground stations feel like they’re boiling, especially when they’re stuffed with commuters. With the HushJet around my neck, I feel like I can breathe. I simply turn its head to blow air directly up at my face (no hands!), and it helps me keep my cool (literally and figuratively) when I’m packed on a crowded train like a sardine. 

The battery life is also no joke: I’ve only had to charge my HushJet twice over the past month and change. It delivers six hours of continuous airflow on a full charge, which is way more than those cheap, non-descript ones I see online. 

I know what you’re thinking: $100 is steep for a portable fan, and I hear you. But I’d argue that it’s relatively affordable for a high-tech Dyson product (which are usually quite expensive). And unlike the aforementioned budget fans on the market, the HushJet is designed to last far beyond the summer. Just thinking of all the money I’ve wasted on shoddily-made handheld fans (only for them to die after a few weeks), makes Dyson’s HushJet a sound investment. It’s the only portable fan I’ll ever need! 

Buy: Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, $100