Tower fans tend to divide opinion. Some people prefer them for the footprint. Others find they move less air than a good pedestal fan. The Duux Elevate Smart makes a strong case for the format by doing the things a tower fan should do well and adding a few things that most do not bother with. The DC motor draws just 4W at low speed, which is less than many LED bulbs and cheap enough to run overnight without thinking about it. At full speed it moves up to 500 cubic metres of air per hour, which is a decent output for a tower fan of this size, and the 90 degree oscillation means that airflow reaches the whole room rather than one patch of it. The 26 speed settings give you real control over how much air the fan moves. Natural wind mode varies the airflow automatically to feel less mechanical, and smart sleep mode does something genuinely useful: rather than running at a fixed speed all night, it gradually reduces the fan speed as your body cools down, so you are less likely to wake up cold at 3am. Night mode dims the display completely and silences any alert sounds so nothing disturbs your sleep. The built-in ioniser is worth noting, particularly if anyone in your household has allergies. It releases negatively charged particles that attach to airborne dust, pollen, and similar particles, causing them to settle out of the air. It is not a replacement for an air purifier, but it adds a useful layer of air quality benefit on top of the cooling. Control is well thought through. The touch panel on the unit is responsive and straightforward. The remote control has its own storage slot on the back of the fan so it is always where you left it. The Duux app gives you full WiFi control including scheduling, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are both supported for voice commands. At 3.7kg with a built-in handle, the Elevate Smart is easy to move between rooms. The 29cm footprint means it tucks into corners, alongside furniture, or anywhere else a pedestal fan would be awkward.
