Turns out, sleep mode in smart fans isn’t just a gimmick

I tried out the Dreo Smart Fan earlier this year. Among its many features is one called “sleep mode,” which purportedly lowers the volume of the fan without impacting performance. I didn’t think much of it; after all, how loud could a fan actually be?

And then fall arrived. For those of you who aren’t familiar with weather in the Southern U.S., you can experience three seasons in a single day. It might start out as sweater weather in the morning, then be warm enough to swim in the afternoon — only to plummet overnight.

It’s impossible for a thermostat to keep up.

The LG PuriCare AeroTower sits in the center of a room and cools the entire space.

On one night when it got a bit warmer than it should have been, I took that smart fan into the bedroom to try and cool things down. As it turns out, the fan was louder than I thought. So with nothing to lose, I opened the app and turned on sleep mode.

And then I had to make sure the fan was still working. I felt the airflow, but I couldn’t hear it unless I listened closely.

A pleasant surprise

I can’t sleep with a lot of noise in the background. White noise is fine, but a lot of smart fans need to be cranked up to higher speeds to produce noticeable airflow. Of course, higher settings also means more volume.

Out of the Dreo Smart Fan’s 12 speeds, I usually keep it on a nine or so. It’s reasonably quiet during the day, when there are other sounds in the house to drown it out. At night, when I’m lying in bed?

It’s the only thing I can hear. When I activated Sleep Mode, there was a small pause, and then the fan began to quiet down without losing as much airflow. It somehow found an equilibrium between air output and noise level.

It also shut off all onboard LEDs. Again, they are useful for checking the status of the fan at a glance, but can seem as bright as the sun in a dark room. According to documentation, Sleep Mode gradually decreases the output before shutting the fan down according to its timer.

This also means the fan can be programmed to turn on at a specific time; in fact, mine remains on Sleep Mode at nearly all times, but still produces airflow with lower noise levels.

The benefits of smart fans

I’m always in search of ways to sleep better. I’m a bit of a workaholic, and I like to capitalize on time spent asleep. So many people are chronically sleep-deprived that it’s important to make those hours of snoozing count, and uncomfortable sleep does not a restful night make.

Smart fans can give you that little bit of extra cooling, but with more precise control. You can set it to turn on and off at certain times, which means no more crawling out of bed when you’ve found the perfect spot to switch on the fan. You can even control it with your voice if you don’t want to stare at your phone.

The Dreo Smart Fan beside a table.

Some smart fans go beyond just cooling, too.

Take the LG PuriCare AeroTower. While it provides extensive cooling capabilities, it also doubles as an air purifier. It keeps you comfortable and helps you breathe easier — literally.

In the grand scheme of the smart home, fans are a secondary investment. Most of them are still unifunctional, which is something we’ve talked extensively about in the past. Smart home devices need to serve more than one function, or they’ll go the way of single-use kitchen gadgets.

Then you have products like the AeroTower.

While it’s a phenomenal device, it’s price is on the steep side for an air purifier and a fan.

Right now, smart fans need to both come down a bit in price and expand their functionality before I can readily recommend them to the majority of people, but possessing truly useful features is a step in the right direction.

Editors’ Recommendations

Tags:

monopoly-lifesized listed on couponmatrix.uko2 listed on couponmatrix.ukparadise-wildlife-park listed on couponmatrix.ukspaseekers listed on couponmatrix.uktom-hixson listed on couponmatrix.uktessuti listed on couponmatrix.uk
monopoly-lifesized listed on couponmatrix.ukTurning an iconic board game into a life-size, immersive experience, Monopoly Lifesized is a great new take on a family classic. If you’d like to have an attempt at testing your wits and physique for a place on the London property board, ensure you use a Monopoly Lifesized discount to enjoy a unique day out at minimal expense. Whether you’re competing against friends, family or strangers, Monopoly Lifesized ensures there’s never a dull moment during your time on the board.
o2 listed on couponmatrix.ukO2 has been making waves in the mobile industry since 1985, and today boasts some great perks for media lovers. As well as O2 Priority, letting you buy tickets up to two days earlier, there’s free Apple Music, Disney+ or Amazon Prime with selected contracts. Browse the diverse range of mobile phones, SIM-only deals and accessories and then apply an O2 promo code to stay connected for less. Sell your old phone to O2 while you’re at it and you could save even more on your next handset.
paradise-wildlife-park listed on couponmatrix.ukHertfordshire’s hidden gem has won multiple awards for its enclosures and conservation initiatives, and the big cats, primates and endless other species that are lucky enough to have this extraordinary facility as their home will be delighted to meet you. Your Paradise Wildlife Park vouchers won’t just enable you to meet the residents, though - there are many other attractions on offer, including a dinosaur park to keep the roar factor on eleven even when the lions are taking lunch.
spaseekers listed on couponmatrix.ukAdd a healthy dose of self-care to your to-do list and book a sublime spa break with the health and leisure experts at SpaSeekers. Whether you’re in desperate need of a weekend away with the girls or want to treat that certain special someone to a romantic package for two, a spa seekers discount code will help you pamper yourself to perfection. Escape from the daily grind with a soothing massage or champagne-fuelled jacuzzi session - book yourself into a SpaSeekers experience today!
tom-hixson listed on couponmatrix.ukCalling all carnivores, Tom Hixson and its worldwide network of premier butchers are here to serve you! Supplying only the finest cuts of meats you know and love – be it beef, lamb, poultry or plenty else besides – rest assured you’re saving on some seriously good food with the latest Tom Hixson discount code to hand. Whether you’re holding a dinner party for close friends or getting the relatives together for some barbecued brisket, make your meat unmatched with a little help from Tom Hixson.
tessuti listed on couponmatrix.ukFor unbeatable style and seasonal wear, there’s no better place to shop than Tessuti. Stocking more than 100 men and women’s brands from respected designers including Calvin Klein, Fred Perry, Michael Kors and more, you’re sure to be grateful for a Tessuti discount code to help keep the costs low on that next spending spree. Find accessories, shoes and plenty more to add more luxury to your look and put the premium back into your apparel.