Meaco Sefte Table Air Circulator review: is this desk fan quiet enough for WFH?

Price on writing: £120 | Buy now from Amazon

How we tested

Mumsnet editor Poppy put the Meaco Sefte 10" Table Air Circulator Fan to the test in her three-bedroom home in Sussex. Her 11-year-old took an instant shine to the fan, and tested it over the course of two months at his computer desk while gaming and doing homework, as well as on warm nights.

Taking detailed notes on ease of use, quality and how effectively the fan cooled her and the room, Poppy also tested the fan at her WFH desk.

Our verdict

With so many recommendations of Meaco's quiet, affordable fans in the Mumsnet forums, I was keen to test out the brand's latest, even quieter model. Meaco make some of the best desk fans and pedestal fans out there, and I was really impressed with the Sefte. As soon as it arrived, my 11-year-old bagsied it for his room, setting it up at his desk where he keeps his games console and laptop.

At just 25dB on its lowest setting, the fan is super quiet. There are 12 fan speed settings, and 3 oscillation modes that allow you to circulate air focused on yourself or around the whole room.

Just like the Meaco Sefte Pedestal Air Circulator, there's a Night mode where the fan speed reduces every 30 minutes, which is perfect for cooling the room as you sleep. While the higher settings provide a powerful breeze, once you get to the lower settings the noise is almost unnoticeable, and there are no squeaks when the fan oscillates either.

The fan is quite chunky, and if your desk or bedside table is on the small side you might need to place it on another surface. The head is 30cm wide but the base is a little more compact at 22cm in width. Thanks to its clever design and the way it circulates air so effectively, you don't need to have it right next to you to feel the benefit.

Related: The best neck fans, tried and tested

How easy is the Meaco Sefte Table Air Circulator to set up and start using?

The fan was ready to use straight out of the box. It comes with a remote control with simple, easy to understand symbols and an instruction booklet that explains in detail how to get the most out of the fan.

My 11-year-old really liked the Eco mode setting, which adjusts the speed of the fan based on the temperature of the room - though he would have liked to be able to set a target temperature.

At night, Meaco have thought of everything. You can turn the beeps off at the touch of a button so even if you do feel the need to adjust the fan, there'll be no extra noise. The remote control is even glow in the dark, so you won't need to fumble around for it after lights out.

Read next: The best handheld fans for labour, commuting and hot flushes

What's the Meaco Sefte Table Air Circulator like to use day-to-day?

While gaming or doing homework at his desk, the fan was really effective at cooling my son. He liked the wide angle oscillation setting for cooling the whole room, as the focused narrow beam was quite intense, but when temperatures really rise the narrow oscillation is perfect for an icy blast of cooling.

The remote control is handy for night time or if you're using the fan in a living room, but there are also a full set of controls on the base of the fan. The height of the fan isn't adjustable, but the head of the fan can be angled to get the flow of air tailored to your desk set-up.

There's a timer function so you can set the fan to turn on and off in advance, and in Eco mode it will automatically turn off at a certain room temperature. At night, the fan is quiet enough to sleep at lower settings, and really makes a difference in a hot, stuffy bedroom.

Related: The best cooling pillows for a great night's sleep

Does the Meaco Sefte Table Air Circulator offer good value for money?

At less than 1p per hour to run, the Sefte Table Air Circulator won't make much of a dent on your energy bills, especially when compared to an air conditioner. Meaco fans are often compared to much more expensive Dyson products (their Cool Me Personal Purifying Desk Fan is a whopping £350), with the majority of Mumsnet users saying the Meaco is just as effective, if not more effective, for a fraction of the price.

While £120 certainly isn't cheap for a desk fan, this small and quiet but mighty air circulator has the power to cool a whole room, making it versatile enough to use anywhere in your house that needs cooling.

It's worth noting here that the Meaco Sefte Pedestal Air Circulator, £180, can be adjusted to a similar height as the desk fan, so if you're looking for versatility, the taller model may be better for you. However, the base of the pedestal fan is much wider at 34cm than the desk fan's 22cm, which makes a difference if desk space is at a premium.

All in all, if you're looking for a desk fan that offers innovative design, effective cooling and a competitive price tag, this is a wise choice. Here's what Mumsnet users have to say about Meaco fans:

"I have a Meaco Fan air circulator. Much cheaper than a Dyson but very very quiet and powerful." - hennaoj

"I would save my Meaco fan from a burning building, it's that good." - MalteserGeezee

"We have a Dyson fan and a Meaco and considering the Meaco was a fifth of the price of the Dyson, I really rate it." - dalrympy

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing the products Mumsnetters swear by for 3 years, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From the best retractable washing line to the quietest fans and the most efficient dehumidifiers to the best steam generator iron, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.