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Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: the 2-in-1 appliance that’s earned a spot on my bedside table
Long gone are the days when you needed a separate appliance for every single thing. Whether it’s the Thermomix TM7 that can literally do everything in the kitchen, or a multi-styler that curls, straightens and blow-dries your hair all at once, we now live in a world where clever, multi-use gadgets are designed to make life that little bit easier.
Now that winter is here, appliances like heaters and the best dehumidifiers start coming out of storage – only to be packed away again once temperatures rise. However, these days, there are also products that can do both heating and cooling, and Dyson is the latest brand to jump on board with the brand new Hot+Cool HF1.
As someone who is constantly cold but somehow still manages to overheat at night, I decided to set the HF1 up next to my bed and test it for a whole month to see whether it’s really worth it – and you’ll find my full thoughts below.
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: price and availability
The Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 has an RRP of £399.99 and is available from a number of selected retailers. At the time of writing, it’s sold out on Dyson’s own website, but you can still pick it up from John Lewis, Currys and AO.
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: unboxing and setup
Unboxing and setting up the HF1 was very simple, especially since the main body comes pre-assembled. There’s a magnetic base that the unit sits on, and that’s pretty much it.
Like many of Dyson’s other appliances, the Hot+Cool HF1 comes with the familiar Dyson-style magnetic remote, which neatly stores on top of the device itself. The remote includes buttons for power, oscillation, fan speed and temperature control, as well as options to enable sleep mode, set a timer and turn on the child lock.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
One big advantage the HF1 has over similar appliances is app integration. Through the Dyson app, you get access to a much more advanced range of settings, historical temperature readings, outdoor air quality data and easy remote control. I already use the Dyson app with several of my other Dyson products – including the WashG1 and the Dyson Airwrap i.d. – so adding another device was quick and painless.
Since my smart home is based around Amazon Alexa, I also connected the HF1 to the Alexa app so I could control it using my Amazon Echo Spot, which also lives on my bedside table.
The process is slightly different to other smart devices, as you have to link Dyson through the Alexa app by logging into your Dyson account. This takes a little time, but I’ve covered the full process in my guide on how to connect Dyson appliances to Amazon Alexa if you want a step-by-step walkthrough.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: design and features
The HF1 delivers both heating and cooling in one compact, bladeless unit, making it ideal for switching between seasons without cluttering your home with multiple appliances. Dyson’s Air Multiplier technology draws in surrounding air and projects it smoothly and powerfully, giving consistent airflow whether you’re trying to cool down or warm up a space.
The HF1 offers ten fan speeds and multiple oscillation angles, and the combination of oscillation plus the manual tilt design helps distribute air evenly around the room. When it comes to heating, it uses power-dense ceramic plates alongside the Air Multiplier system to warm spaces quickly – with Dyson claiming it can raise a room’s temperature by around 1°C in under two minutes.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Aesthetically, the HF1 sticks closely to Dyson’s minimalist design language, featuring a clean white and silver finish that fits neatly into modern interiors. It’s also very lightweight yet sturdy at the same time, so you can move it around easily when necessary.
Safety has clearly been thought through too. With no exposed blades or heating elements, the HF1 is safer to use around children and pets. There’s also automatic shut-off if the unit is tipped over, a child lock, a sleep mode with whisper-quiet operation and a dimmed display for nighttime use, as well as a timer that lets you choose when it turns off.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: performance
Testing the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 has been really successful, and as someone who’s very protective of both her sleep and what earns pride of place on her bedside table, I’ve been really pleased with it.
Sleeping with a fan on is one of life’s little pleasures that I know I’m probably not meant to enjoy, according to the experts – so having a 2-in-1 heater and fan has felt a bit revolutionary. It’s been lovely having the heater on in the mornings to make those cold starts a little easier, and then switching to the fan for an hour at night to help me drift off to sleep.
The first thing I noticed about the HF1 is just how quiet it is, which makes it ideal for bedrooms and home offices. When sleeping, I didn’t really go above fan speed level two, but even at higher speeds it’s still impressively unobtrusive. The heater is slightly louder, which is worth noting, but given how I’ve been using it, it hasn’t been an issue at all.
(Image credit: Dyson)
When it comes to controls, I’ll be honest – I haven’t really been using the remote. I found it a little slow to respond, taking longer than expected for the device to register inputs. Instead, I’ve found it much easier to control the HF1 either by voice through Alexa or directly via the Dyson app. So if you already have a smart home setup and plan to use it that way, you should be absolutely fine.
All of the other controls worked perfectly when used remotely, especially the safety features and automatic shut-off. During the first few days of testing, I accidentally knocked the fan over whilst making the bed and it immediately turned itself off, which gave me a brief moment of panic before I realised that’s exactly what it’s designed to do.
One thing I did notice when using the heater setting is that the unit itself gets very hot. Whilst I don’t think this affects performance, it did make me a little cautious about how long I’d leave the heater running. I’ve tested heaters in the past that don’t get quite this hot, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind – especially when deciding where to place it and how long to use it for.
Aside from those small points, I’ve really enjoyed using the HF1 and would happily recommend it to anyone who asks, especially if you’re looking for a reliable, year-round bedside companion.
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: verdict
Overall, the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 has proven to be a useful and well-designed addition to my bedroom setup. It’s quiet, compact and incredibly convenient to have both heating and cooling in one sleek unit, making it ideal for year-round use. Whilst the remote isn’t the most responsive and the heater does get noticeably hot, the smart controls, strong safety features and great performance make up for it. If you’re looking for a premium bedside fan heater that fits seamlessly into your smart home, the HF1 is easy to recommend.
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 review: alternatives to consider
One of the most similar products to the Dyson HF1 currently on the market is the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat. However, whilst it feels sturdy and looks premium, it’s noticeably heavier and bulkier, so I’d still recommend the HF1 if you’re after something more compact. It also lacks app connectivity and smart controls, which is a big downside for me.
Another alternative worth considering is the DREO Smart Whole-Room Heater and Circulator 714S, particularly if you’re looking for a more affordable option. It offers an impressive range of temperature settings, modes and oscillation options, and it’s even more lightweight and compact than the HF1. Our reviewer did mention some frustrations with the remote, so in that sense, they’re not entirely dissimilar.