Dyson Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde tested - clean air as a luxury?
9.4.2024
Translation: machine translated
When it comes to hoovers and hair dryers, Dyson has achieved cult status. The British company also has exciting ideas in the field of air purification. But is the "Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde" really as good as the big price tag suggests?
Spring is also the start of allergy season for many people. The pollen season not only brings allergens into the air, but often also into your own home. For many, this is a reason to consider an air purifier. The Dyson Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde is one of the most popular models in our shop - despite its high price. What does the air purifier with the extra-long name have to offer, and is it really worth its 700 francs or euros?
The model from the English brand combines practically all the features you could ever dream of in a top-class air purifier - at least that's the promise. That's why I've had it in my bedroom home office since last summer to put it through its paces.
It's basically a combination device between an air purifier, humidifier and fan. Therefore, in my opinion, it only makes sense to divide this review into the three main functions of this appliance. So from the beginning:
Purifyer: Formaldehyde... - please tell me?
Martin has explained how poor air quality occurs and why you should keep an eye on the air in your home in his test report on the "Würfeli" CO2 measuring device. But it's not just carbon dioxide that you want to banish from your four walls. Normal household dust, pollen, viruses, other pollutants: the air in most homes is virtually overflowing with invisible culprits.
That's why Dyson has equipped the PHCF with several layers of filters to combat these pollutants. The first level is a combination of HEPA 13 and activated carbon filters. The HEPA filter is responsible for all particles, no matter how small, such as smoke, fine dust, viruses, pollen or allergens. This will be particularly appreciated by those who suffer from hay fever or allergies in the spring. The activated charcoal filter, on the other hand, captures gases or odours. These include perfumes, cleaning products or pollutants caused by combustion, such as exhaust fumes or gas cookers. However, this double filter wears out and needs to be replaced from time to time. At 99 francs, it is not particularly cheap, but at least it only needs to be replaced about once a year.
The air purifier also features a catalytic filter that deals with the formaldehydes that give it its name.
The filter traps and breaks down these gases so that they can no longer harm you.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
But enough theory, how does the whole thing perform in everyday life? Amazingly well!
The Dyson PHCF notices when I'm cooking in the kitchen at the other end of the flat, spraying deodorant in the bathroom or blowing out a candle in my bedroom. It turns up its power almost immediately and blows clean air until the air is pure. In the truest sense of the word.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
However, the device is only designed for large rooms or very small flats. According to Dyson, the performance of the PHCF is sufficient for a room measuring 81 m^3^.
Humidify: humid air is good air
The air should not only be clean, but also sufficiently humid for a pleasant indoor climate. Especially in the winter months. If you often wake up in the morning with a dry nose or dry skin, this could be due to the microclimate in your bedroom. Especially in modern homes, where a lot of sunlight enters through large windows, the air can quickly become too dry.
For this reason, the Dyson PHCF has a 5-litre tank for fresh tap water. To prevent deposits or bacteria from forming here and being thrown into the air, Dyson installs a UV cleaner inside.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
Air humidification is either fully automatic or based on an adjustable percentage value. In my experience, the full tank lasts between a week and a month in continuous operation, depending on the circumstances. A small but special highlight of the tank are the wheels on the underside and the fold-out handle on the top. This makes filling and replacing the water tank child's play.
But: Where tap water is involved, limescale is never far away. This also applies to the Dyson air purifier. The appliance also has a practical solution for this. If the contamination is too severe, a fully automatic deep-cleaning cycle can be carried out by adding a little citric acid powder. How often this needs to be carried out depends on the water hardness. After nine months, I'm still a long way from having to start a cleaning cycle.
Cool: A great fan, but no air conditioning
The biggest minus point I have to give to the "Cool" part of the Dyson Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde. I could even describe this as misleading.
Warm air builds up quite quickly in my flat and I struggle with high temperatures in the summer months. That's why I was more than excited about the cooling function that Dyson promised here. But it didn't materialise.
As great as this device may be, there is simply no active cooling function. For this, warm air would have to get outside somehow, as with an air conditioner. However, the Dyson PHCF is probably the best fan I have ever come across.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
As with humidification, the strength of the air flow can also be regulated automatically or manually. In contrast to conventional fans or other air purifiers from Dyson, however, this device offers a decisive advantage: the two lateral oscillators - Dyson refers to this as "Jet Axis Control Technology".
Instead of simply moving a stream of air back and forth, this device can control two streams independently in both directions. This results in a breeze mode that is truly marvellous. Instead of being hit by a strong blast of air at regular intervals, it feels more like having a window or two open. Just a refreshing breeze.
If you don't want a fan at all, but just want air purification and humidification, you can also let the air flow out of the back of the device.
Dyson delivers features upon features
So much for the core functions. But that's not the end of the story. The Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde is equipped with a number of other functions. For example, the extremely comprehensive app.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
If you connect the PHCF to your Wi-Fi, you always have the control centre with you. For example, the app shows you the current air quality in your city, broken down into the various measured values. Below you will find all the control functions that can also be found on the remote control.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
Scrolling down again will take you to your own air quality. Here you can not only see which particles and pollutants are currently in your environment, but also a corresponding record of the last week.
You can also set up time-based automations in the app. For example, my device switches to night mode every day at 10.00 pm, which dims the display and changes the airflow direction to the rear. You can also integrate the Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde into your Google Home or Amazon Alexa network to control it by voice command. With a little tinkering, it can even be integrated into Apple Homekit.
If you want to use the smart features and control the Dyson via the internet, you need to create an account in the app. A small amount of personal data is collected, but Dyson is more than transparent about this. However, these functions are completely optional and you can also use the air purifier offline.
Source: Dayan Pfammatter
In a nutshell
An expensive gimmick that pays off
So does this Dyson deliver what it promises? For the most part, yes. Air purification and humidification both deliver more than satisfactory results and the appliance is also aesthetically pleasing. However, a half-baked cooling function and the high purchase price do not necessarily tempt you to buy it. In every other respect, however, I am a big fan of the product.
So: The Dyson Purifyer Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde is undoubtedly a more than well thought-out product. With its multitude of filters and functions, it creates the optimal indoor climate in every situation and season. However, at around 700 francs, it is anything but an impulse buy.
But if you really do struggle with allergies or hay fever, or often wake up with a dry nose and sore throat in winter, this Dyson is definitely worth considering. At best, this ingenious combination appliance replaces three other devices - namely an air purifier, humidifier and fan. This puts the high price into perspective and saves a lot of space. Dyson should still think about a catchier name and dispense with the word "cool".
Pro
- Cleans even large rooms very efficiently
- Eliminates dust, allergens and viruses
- Most pleasant fan ever
- Easy to control via remote control or app
Contra
- Very expensive to purchase
- Cooling function does not deliver what it promises
- The name is too long and creates a risk of confusion
Dayan Pfammatter
Freelance Editor
pf.dayan@gmail.comI've been fascinated by all things keys, displays and speakers for basically as long as I can remember. As a journalist specialising in technology and society, I strive to create order in the jungle of tech jargon and confusing spec sheets.
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