Princess Smart Tower Fan review: our verdict on this sleek summer gadget

Price on writing: £95 | Buy now from Amazon

How we tested

Mumsnet editor Natasha put the Princess Smart Tower Fan to the test in her four-bedroom home in London. Taking detailed notes on ease of use, quality and how effectively the fan cooled her and the room, she tested the fan over the course of a year during periods of hot weather.

Our verdict

If the recent sweltering temperatures have turned your house into a sauna, an effective yet stylish fan that doesn't cost the earth is probably high on your wishlist.

While it's not as cheap as a neck fan or a handheld fan, the Princess is a decent, mid-priced buy which earned a coveted spot as the top app-controlled option on our best tower fan round-up. A breeze to use, there are four simple ways to control the fan; through the app, a smart voice-controlled device, the included remote, or manually on the control panel.

Admittedly, it won't lower temperatures quite like an expensive portable air conditioner, but I was impressed by how effective the gentle breeze was at cooling down a medium-sized room, even on the slowest setting. Other highlights are the timer function - a godsend if you're wanting to use the fan overnight - and the 80-degree oscillation, which provided a welcome chill across my room, making it an excellent choice for hot and sweaty summer days.

This fan is not only about function though; thanks to its glossy black exterior and silver accents, the Princess Tower is a sleek, stylish fan, which would look particularly great in a modern home. In addition, the tall, compact design should fit unobtrusively into a room without taking up too much floorspace.

However, it’s not the sturdiest fan on the market, wobbling ever so slightly when it oscillates. The highest speed is also noisy, so I'd suggest switching to the 'sleep' mode overnight, which runs at a still audible but much quieter volume.

How easy is the Princess Smart Tower Fan to set up?

I found it quite difficult to set up - a word of warning; you'll need your toolkit. While the main body of the fan comes intact, the base needs attaching to the bottom of the fan with screws, which was fairly time consuming. Granted, I'm not the most efficient person when it comes to DIY, but I was expecting a smoother set-up.

Related: Best cooling boxes for summer days out

How easy is the Princess Smart Tower Fan to use?

Very easy. In fact, I was highly impressed with how speedy it was to set up the smart element. It was simply a case of downloading the app, putting in my Wi-Fi password and adding the fan to 'My devices'. Then, I could turn the fan on and off, change the speed, control whether it oscillated, or even set a sleep timer - which was perfect for those sweltering days where moving just an inch was an unfathomably difficult (and sweaty) task.

Alternatively, there was also a little remote or the touch-screen control panel on the top of the fan to navigate the different options. Both were easy to master, though I much preferred the convenience of the app on hot days.

Related: The best deodorant for kids this summer

What's the Princess Smart Tower Fan like to use day-to-day?

Whilst it's not as feature-packed as some other fans like the Dyson Hot+Cool™ Purifying Fan (which retails at an eye-watering £595), I still loved the variety it offered for a mid-range option. There's three speed settings; I used the slowest speed the most as it provided a nice, gentle breeze for working from home without being too noisy. The highest setting was bliss on scorchio days, though when cranked up to the max, a quiet fan this is not.

There's also three additional modes: 'normal', 'natural' and 'sleep'. As the name suggests, 'normal' is the standard fan mode, while 'natural' gives an intermittent breeze in five-second intervals. 'Sleep' is the quietest mode on the fan (operating at only 15db), but I'd say it's only marginally quieter than the 'normal' mode on the slowest speed setting. I wouldn't describe the 'sleep' mode as whisper-quiet, but it wasn't too distracting and I quite liked the low background noise as I drifted off to sleep.

Speaking of nighttime, this is when the timer function really came into its own. Whether by app, Alexa, or manually, you can easily set the timer between one to eight hours for added reassurance when using overnight.

I also liked that it oscillates side to side at 80 degrees. I kept the fan on this setting most of the time as it provided a cool breeze around the room.

Related: The best kids' water bottles for hydration this summer

Does the Princess Smart Tower Fan offer good value for money?

After a year of on and off use, I reckon this smart fan offers fairly decent value for money. While good-quality, cheaper options are available, the Princess Tower Fan's £90 price tag is justified by its smart capabilities, with the added convenience of controlling it through your phone - or even your voice with an Alexa!

On the flip side, it doesn't feel like the sturdiest fan around. The tower wobbles slightly when it oscillates and an accidental knock makes the tall part a little shakey (though the base holds in place well so it shouldn't topple). With that in mind, you may want to splash out on a more robust, expensive fan. However, I think this does the job well if you want smart tech on a reasonable budget.

About the author

Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet and oversees all home and kitchen content on the website. With numerous years of editorial experience under her belt, her work has also been featured in prestigious national publications like The i Paper and Stylist Magazine, and she's written on a wide range of topics.

As a seasoned reviewer, she's meticulously examined a whole host of the best home buys for Mumsnet, including everything from the best kettles for hard water to the top slow cookers. With a discerning eye and a hands-on approach to testing, Natasha has developed a rigorous assessment process and knows exactly which products really do make life easier around the home.

When she’s not busy seeking out the best buys and advice for Mumsnetters, you can find her searching for the next best restaurant, watching live music, curling up with a good book, cross-stitching, or enjoying a good hike or swim.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive 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.

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