I tested the Vortex Air Cleanse Air Purifier, Heater and Cooler, here's why I recommend it

Price on writing: £165 | Buy now from Vortex

How I tested

Testing the Vortex Air Cleanse has been the easiest review I've done so far, in all honesty, as it hasn't exactly been rocket science.

My family and I have basically lived with it for four months during peak hayfever season and waited to see if I'd stop resembling a sneezing, streaming mess. With a new puppy added to the mix (hello, extra allergens), my sinuses were struggling, so it felt like the perfect storm to put this HEPA 13 filter through its paces.

During testing, I kept the Vortex running in our main living space where we spend most of our time, and honestly just monitored whether I felt less like death warmed up each morning. No fancy air quality meters or scientific measurements - just good old-fashioned "am I still sneezing my head off despite downing fexofenadine like smarties?" The real test was whether DH would stop moaning about the state of me during allergy season, and whether the air actually felt cleaner rather than that slightly stuffy feeling our well-insulated new-build can get.

Plus, after years of trying various air purifiers in the Middle East (trust me, you need them over there), I had a decent benchmark for what actually works versus what's just expensive white noise.

Vortex Air Cleanse: my verdict

The best thing about this fan is that it solves multiple problems without taking up loads of space or requiring multiple devices. Before this, we’ve had fans scattered around the house during summer and we’ve had to move them about as and when needed. 

We previously had a smaller air purifier in our bedroom, and we’ve relied on our oil heating system for warmth. Now we’ve got one unit that does it all for our larger living space, and does it well. 

If I had to pick one thing I'd change about the fan, I’d love the power cable to be a bit longer. At 1.5 meters, it’s adequate but means you need to be fairly close to a socket. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth considering when you’re planning where to place it. 

The two-year warranty gives peace of mind, especially as it’s something that’s going to be used regularly throughout the year. 

The HEPA filter apparently lasts six months or 4,300 hours, and replacement filters are reasonably priced (£18), which takes away any worry about ongoing costs. 

Overall, I’m genuinely impressed. It’s one of those purchases that makes you wonder why you didn’t get it sooner. The hayfever relief alone would have been worth it, but getting effective heating and cooling as well feels like a real win, especially for under £200. Our living space feels fresher, more comfortable and we’re not juggling multiple devices to achieve it. 

For a family like ours - with allergies, two dogs, unpredictable weather, and the usual chaos of daily life - the Vortex Air™ Cleanse has earned its place in the corner of our living space. Our DC have stopped calling it the "space fan" now; it's just become part of the furniture. Which, really, is the mark of a good product - when it seamlessly fits into your life and just works.

What were your first impressions of the Vortex Air Cleanse?

Full transparency: my first impression was “thank God”. I struggle with hayfever every year, and with the addition of a new puppy to our home, it’s fair to say that my sinuses have taken a beating since spring. 

All joking aside (kind of), my first impression of the Vortex Air™ Cleanse was a positive one. It’s a lovely design that isn’t too small but isn’t too large either. It sits perfectly fine in the corner of our living area - DH and I spend most of our time in the day in this space - and it doesn’t get in the way. The white colour suits our home well, too. 

Our two DC were very intrigued after unboxing it, with our eldest saying it looked like something out of space (he’s five). It didn’t take long for them to start bickering over who got to turn it on with the included wireless remote. 

How easy was the Vortex Air Cleanse to set up and start using?

Very easy! Straight out of the box, in fact. Once all packaging had been removed and the device was in place, a simple switch of a button both on the device itself or the remote turned it on. 

The controls are basic and do exactly what you need - no time was wasted trying to figure out what button did what both on the device and the remote. 

Although, one thing I have noticed - and it’s less of a design flaw, and more because of an unruly puppy - the buttons on the base of the device are very sensitive. We’ve had a few times when I’ve been sweltering in recent heatwaves when I’ve been working with the device pointing at me, only for our puppy to have a nosey and accidentally switch the heater function on.

How does the Vortex Air Cleanse compare to other fans you've tested?

We’ve got a bit of a collection going on in our home, actually - largely because our new-build home is quite well insulated and so in summer, temperatures can reach upwards of 28 degrees or higher in our main living space. 

We’ve a basic pedestal fan that lives in our bedroom - you know the type, the one that sounds like a helicopter taking off. We’ve owned this for eight years and it came back to the UK with us from the UAE. 

Then both of our DC have an oscillating tower fan each in their bedrooms during summer. One’s from Amazon, the other is from Argos. And honestly, these are well loved and well used (and now one is on a slight lean).

Comparing the Vortex to our other fans is like comparing a Samsung Z Flip 6 with a Nokia 3210, really. Our other fans are purely functional, bought out of desperation over the years as temperatures crept up over summer in our home. They move the air around, and that’s about it. 

The Vortex Air™ Cleanse however feels more like a proper piece of kit. Where our pedestal fan sounds like it’s about to take flight, this one runs surprisingly quietly. Even on the higher settings, it’s more of a background whoosh than an aggressive whirring. The oscillation is smooth too - there’s no jerky movements or that slightly concerning clicking noise our bedroom fan makes. 

From what I recall while trying out a Dyson bladeless fan, the airflow quality is quite similar - so smooth and consistent - but the The Vortex Air™ Cleanse feels just as well-built. And frankly, having the air purifier and heater functions built in makes it feel like better value for money.

The controls are definitely more straightforward than the Dyson models I’ve seen. Sometimes simpler is better, especially when you've got children who want to "help" with the buttons.

How do you rate the Vortex Clease as an air purifier?

I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical at first about the whole three-in-one concept. In my experience, products that try to do too much often don’t perform particularly well. In previous years, DH and I have gone through various air purifiers while living in the Middle East (a necessity over there thanks to air con and sand), but none have ever really been quite as efficient as this one. So, I’m happy to report that this particular device has proved me wrong. 

I dare say the purifier has worked in helping me manage hayfever symptoms over the last couple of months. Even after loading myself up with fexofenadine tablets, I usually find myself constantly sneezing - especially after waking up. 

But now we have the Vortex in our lives, I’m sneezing less, my DH is moaning a lot less and the air in our living space just feels a bit cleaner. So, the device’s HEPA 13 filter is definitely doing its job.

However, it does lack an air quality indicator - something that shows you visually how the air purification function is performing. It's working, but a little light or display showing air quality would be reassuring.

Does the Vortex Air Cleanse cool the room effectively in fan mode?

While testing the Vortex Air™ Cleanse, it’s certainly been put through its paces. We’ve had two heatwave stints that have seen temperatures soar to above 30 degrees here in Leeds - and, as I’ve said, our insulation is OOT in our home so it gets really warm. 

The cooling mode uses 35W of power, which is reassuring given current energy costs. The airflow is smooth and consistent - there’s none of that choppy, buffeting feeling you get from traditional fans. I also love, given that it’s in our living space, that there are no blades to worry about - particularly with two young DC in the house. So, I needn’t worry about their little fingers getting too close. 

The 10 speed settings give you proper control, too. Speed 1 is barely noticeable, which is great for nighttime use, while speed 10 will definitely move some air around. The noise level stays reasonable throughout, though, but isn’t so loud that you can’t hear your TV over it.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a Senior Content Editor hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she aims to bring parents content that’s designed to make life easier. As a mum of two herself, she knows all too well just how much things can cost these days. From beauty tools to home tech - she's on a mission to find and test the products that are designed to make life that little bit easier for parents (and won't break the bank).

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two young kids and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a school PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.