- Bladeless fans have a hidden propeller in their base, which draws air into the pedestal and up into the bladeless ring.
- The air exits through the ring, which is shaped in such a way that the expelled air pulls even more surrounding air into and through the ring.
- Bladeless fans are more powerful, safer, quieter, use less energy, and are more expensive than their bladed counterparts.
How do bladeless fans work?
A propeller in the base of the fan draws air into the pedestal. That’s right, bladeless fans aren’t actually bladeless. It’s a tad misleading, since there is actually a propeller with blades concealed in the base of the fan, which takes in air through the vents in the fan’s pedestal. These fans are “bladeless” because you don’t see the blades, not because they don’t have them!
The propeller pushes air out through the fan’s ring. Once inside the base of the fan, air is directed up into the ring of the fan. Then, the air is expelled out through a slot in the fan’s ring. This slot spans the entire length of the ring, creating a circle of flowing air.
The expelled air creates “negative pressure,” which sucks in more air. The inside of the fan’s ring is shaped like a slight cone, and the expelled air exits the wider end of the cone. This movement creates what’s known as “negative pressure” around the ring of the fan. The air around the fan wants to fill this area of negative pressure, and so more surrounding air is directed or sucked through the fan, creating a more intense breeze. “Negative pressure” occurs because the air inside the ring is moved out of the ring, and so more air is pulled into the ring in order to equalize the pressure. This phenomenon of air getting sucked into the ring of the fan due to negative pressure is known as “inducement.”
Air around the fan also begins to move in the direction of the breeze. As the air is expelled through the fan’s ring, it pulls additional air outside the ring along with it. This process is called “entrainment,” and adds to the overall airflow created by the fan. Note that the air is “multiplied” now in 2 different ways: air pulled in through the ring, and air pulled along from outside the ring as the air inside the ring exits. By the time the air exits the fan, its flow is about 15 times more intense than when it started, all thanks to some clever physics! The physics that make bladeless fans possible, namely air inducement and entrainment, are the same physics that lift an airplane as air flows over its wings.
How are they different from standard fans?
Traditional fans provide weaker air flow. A traditional fan merely pushes air with its blades. Though many of the same principles are in play—air still pulls more air along as it passes through the blades—bladeless fans optimize this process with their clever design, which takes full advantage of physics.
Bladeless fans are safer than traditional fans. Because the “blades” of a bladeless fan are tucked away in its base, they pose less danger, especially to curious infants and pets. While most traditional fans are surrounded by a cage, the cage may break or fail to prevent children from sticking their fingers into the fan itself.
Bladeless fans are quieter than traditional fans. The original Dyson bladeless fans had something of a noise problem, but later redesigns smoothed out the harsh noise. Bladeless fans are now typically much quieter than their bladed counterparts, which makes for a cooler, more peaceful space.
Bladeless fans use less energy. Heating and cooling typically comprise the largest percentage of your energy bills, so you want to lower that however possible. Bladeless fans are capable of circulating air much faster than traditional fans, which cools any given space much faster, which lowers the amount of power needed to stay cool yourself.
Traditional fans are typically cheaper. While bladeless fans may offer better airflow and safety, they also are significantly more expensive, due to their highly engineered design. In addition, many bladeless fans now come with additional features, like remote controls and air purifying or even heating capabilities, which will cost you more.
What are the best bladeless fans?
Dyson TP01 Pure Cool Air Purifier The Dyson TP01 is the base, flagship Dyson bladeless fan. It has a built-in air purifier, and can cool any large room. Dyson pioneered and originated the bladeless fan technology, so the company’s own bladeless fans are top-of-the-line. That said, it will run you a hefty $300.
Dyson Pure Hot + Cold (HP04) Space Heater If you’re looking for a step up in the Dyson line, the Pure Hot + Cold is just the ticket. It includes a space heating function along with the built-in air purifier, and is WiFi enabled so you can pair it with the Dyson app to monitor your space’s air quality and remotely control the machine. All those features don’t come cheap, though, and this model costs about $900
Dreo Cruiser Pro The Dreo Bladeless Fan is the optimal compromise between price and functionality. True, it’s not the brand-name workhorse the Dyson fans are, but for $80 you get 6 customizable speeds at a quiet 34 decibels, with 90 degrees of oscillation and a 12-hour timer.
Lasko Wind Curve Tower Fan If you’re on an (understandably) tighter budget, the Lasko Wind Curve will suit you well. It’s not as pretty as a Dyson, and it’s a bit noisier, but for a modest $60 it provides ample airflow in an unobtrusive form factor.
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