A sleek design that delivers a range of easy-to-use functions, including a handy night setting that dims the LED control panel. It's effective and super quiet at the lower settings, meaning my sleep wasn't disturbed.
Pros
+
Super quiet
+
Converts from desk to pedestal fan
+
Remote and app controlled
+
Night setting
+
Modern design
Cons
-
Problems connecting it to Wi-Fi
-
Assembly instructions could be slightly clearer
-
Rechargeable battery costs extra
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The recent heatwaves and sleepless nights have finally tipped me over the edge and made me consider getting a fan for our bedroom. I've previously been put off as I'm such a light sleeper that the slightest noise can wake me up, but a fan that promised to cool our room with less than a whisper of noise was something I was happy to put to the test.
The new Duux Whisper Flex 2 fan (available from Amazon) is endorsed by Quiet Mark, meaning it meets high standards for its low noise levels. Duux claims it comes in at only 13 decibels on the lowest fan settings, which is less than a whisper apparently as that measures around 30 decibels.
Having tried cheaper desk fans in the past and been disappointed by how noisy they were, I was keen to see if the Duux Whisper Flex 2 would make it onto our list of the best air cooling fans. More importantly though, would it save me from restless, sweaty nights in a heatwave?
Unboxing and setting up the fan
The fan arrived in a relatively compact package that was lightweight and easy for me to pick up. Once opened, I could see the different fan components were neatly packaged inside and would need assembling.
There were seven different packages within the box, and I was pleased to see that all of the packaging can be recycled, including the bags that hold the individual components as these can be composted.
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
All of the packaging can be recycled
(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
There was also a small booklet with diagrams on how to assemble the fan. I think the instructions could have been slightly clearer and bigger, but then I'm never a fan of assembling anything ( I typically delegate that to my husband), so other people may find the instructions super easy to follow.
The first thing that threw me was that it showed you had to insert a battery pack in the base, but there was no battery included in the box. A quick look on the website and I realised this is an additional extra and only required if you want to use the fan without a mains power supply, so not essential for me.
Simple diagrams illustrate how to assemble the fan(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
Once I'd sat down and worked out how to put it together from the images, it was relatively easy to assemble. The first column should slot neatly into the base, followed by the second one with the fan head on top.
At first I couldn't get them to slot in, but soon realised that each column features one wide prong and one narrower one, so you have to make sure you have each column lined up correctly with the right-sized hole. Once I'd turned the column 180 degrees, it slotted in perfectly.
You have to twist the outer casing of the fan to lock it into place before screwing it shut(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
One thing to note is you will need to have a screwdriver to unscrew the main fan casing so you can insert the blades and it's a bit fiddly to do it.
All in, however, it probably only took around 15 minutes to fully assemble everything, although I needed a second pair of hands to hold the fan steady while I slotted the casing back into place and tightened the small screw that keeps it firmly closed.
The last thing you need to do is insert the power cable in the base, plug it in and you're good to go.
First impressions
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the Whisper Flex 2's stylish looks. The sleek base with its touch-activated LED display feels super modern, while the off-white finish (this is the Stone colourway) will suit any room scheme, although it's also available in black and grey if you prefer a different colour.
The remote control is compact, easy to use and has a smart matt finish, although if I was being super picky I would have preferred it to be in white rather than black to match the fan.
I like the curved base and head of the fan, which add to its modern looks(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
The LED display on the base of the Whisper Flex 2 is easy to understand and I had no problem switching on the fan and activating the different modes from there or by using the remote control.
It also has a sturdy handle at the back of the fan that makes it easy to carry from room to room, so you can use it where and when you need it most to help keep your house cool.
It's certainly a step up from pedestal fans I've used and seen in the past, and although it perhaps doesn't have the wow factor of bladeless tower fans from the likes of Dyson or Shark, it's cheaper and still packs a punch in the style stakes.
Just like the similarly priced MeacoFan Sefte 10" Pedestal Air Circulator that we've also reviewed for Homebuilding & Renovating, it's part of a new breed of pedestal fans that are sleeker and more style conscious.
The LED control panel is located in the base of the fan(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
Duxx Whisper Flex 2 specifications
The Whisper Flex 2 comes with a whole host of benefits:
Super-quiet noise levels from 13dB – 55dB (depending on the setting you use)
Two-year guarantee
Vertical and horizontal oscillation
30 speed settings
Remote control
Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Timer function
Night mode
15m range
Adjustable height
Child safety lock
Air flow per hour of 1,750 m³
Weighs 4.2kg
The Whisper Flex 2 can be converted from a pedestal fan to a shorter desktop design(Image credit: Duux)
Using the Duux Whisper Flex 2 fan in my home
We haven't got air conditioning anywhere in our home, so the first place I was keen to try the fan was in my bedroom. I hate sleeping in a hot bedroom, so summer and heatwaves are always tricky when it comes to me getting a good night's sleep. I have the windows open at night whatever the time of year and I'm never happier than when our room is like an ice box in winter and I get to snuggle up under the duvet!
Whether it's summer or winter, I always seem to find the room far hotter than my husband does, and when you add perimenopausal hot flushes into the equation as well, I often feel like I'm sleeping in a sauna. I've lost track of the number of times I've woken up in the night feeling too hot and then struggle to get back to sleep.
The first night I used the fan in our room the daytime temperature had been in the mid-20s so our bedroom was still feeling warm by the time I went to bed. I set the fan up on my side of the bed near to the window with the hope that it would help to boost our ventilation by drawing cooler night air into the room as well.
Using the remote I set it on the night mode so it was a lower, quieter setting. Having it in this mode also means any beeps are eliminated if you change the settings during the night, plus the LED display dims so there are no bright lights to disturb your sleep.
The result? I had no issues falling asleep and even if I did briefly wake up during the night the fan was so quiet that I barely noticed it and had no problems falling back to sleep. If anything, the gentle movement of air that I could faintly hear proved to be quite relaxing. There's even a natural wind mode which Duux claims "adjusts fan speed to mimic the rhythms of real wind, for an incredibly relaxing cooling experience."
On subsequent nights the days have been even hotter as we approach another heatwave and the Whisper Flex 2 has done a brilliant job of keeping me cooler at night without disturbing my sleep.
I also haven't had to worry about how much all of this is costing me in terms of electricity. According to Duux, it costs less than 1p per hour to run the Duux on the lowest setting. Paying just 8p for a night of fan-cooled sleep sounds like a bargain to me!
Having the fan in our bedroom has made a huge difference to how much sleep I've been able to get during the recent hot weather(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
Switching to a desk fan
One of the things I love most about the Duux Whisper Flex 2 is how you can convert it from a pedestal fan to a desk fan in just a few seconds. Simply release the top section, remove the bottom column and then insert the top section of the fan directly into the base. It turns it from a 92cm standing fan to a handy 54cm desk/table fan that can sit neatly in my workspace.
My home office area gets full sun mid- to late-afternoon and can therefore become uncomfortably hot. When my laptop starts sounding like a plane that's about to take off, you know it's getting too warm in the room.
Adding the fan to my home workspace has been brilliant on those sunny afternoons. Rather than feel overtired in the heat, it's helped me to stay energised and refreshed towards the end of the day. It's also quiet enough to have on in the background during video meetings without disturbing everyone on the call.
You can easily convert the Whisper Flex 2 to a desk fan for your home office(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
The kids have also got in on the fan action too. Both of their bedrooms get the hot afternoon sun through their windows so during heatwaves their rooms can become unbearably hot.
My son has loved having the fan alongside his desk to keep him cool while he does his homework after school, while my daughter has been pinching it to lower the temperature in her bedroom in the evenings while she's at swim training, meaning it's cooler in there when she gets home and wants to go straight to bed.
The fan has also been used in my kids' rooms(Image credit: Beth Murton/Future)
Should you buy the Duux Whisper Flex 2?
It's safe to say that the whole family is a fan of the Duxx Whisper Flex 2. It works brilliantly for a multitude of uses, easily switching from a home office set-up to a taller pedestal fan for a bedroom.
The night mode is a big bonus for me, ensuring I have the benefit of a fan without having to worry about being disturbed by an appliance. It's also easier to move around the house than a portable air conditioning unit would be – even my two kids can easily carry it from one room to the next.
The reason I've only given it 4.5 stars instead of 5? Although I was able to download the Duxx app and locate the fan via Bluetooth, it wouldn't connect to our Wi-Fi. I tried various troubleshooting options, but we just couldn't get it to connect so I haven't been able to test how you control it from the app. Other reviews I've read online have said that it's easy to use with the app, so it could be the issue is with our internet and not the fan itself, especially as we've recently changed our router. I'll be trying again and add an update here once it's sorted!
That small issue hasn't stopped us enjoying the benefits of having a sleek, modern fan in the house. It's easy to control from the remote control or the base and I love how quiet it is, even when on the higher settings, something other reviewers are also quick to point out, with many comments saying that it's "ultra quiet".
Do I think it's worth the price tag? Although it's not the cheapest fan you can buy, it's certainly less expensive than other designer models and not as expensive as installing air conditioning. And if you want a fan that delivers on the cooling front, is super quiet and looks good sat in the corner of your room or on a desk, then yes, this is a smart choice.
For the past 20+ years, Beth has worked for and contributed to a number of leading magazines and websites in the UK, including Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Ideal Home, Period Living and Grand Designs. She was the Editor in Chief of Gardeningetc.com for nearly three years and is now the the Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating. She has fully renovated two houses, including her current property, a 1930s house in the Midlands. Her passion for all things homes-related means that she's always planning a new project in the house.
