Dyson versus Shark: Which brand has the better home fan?

Telegraph

06-08-2025

£450
Buy now
Price at
Argos
Shark TurboBlade
Score: 8/10
We like:
Fast cooling
Powerful airflow
Adjustable design
We don't like:
It's huge
No app control
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 versus Shark TurboBlade: What's the difference?
While Dyson and Shark are longstanding vacuum rivals, Shark only entered the fan market last year.
Now, with its trio of FlexBreeze models and the new TurboBlade, it's built a range to rival Dyson's.
However, the original innovator has been keeping us cool since 2009. So how does Shark's most advanced fan compare to a Dyson classic?
Well, the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 (our Best Buy Dyson fan) and the Shark TurboBlade are both bladeless fans, but that's where the similarities end.
The Dyson PC1 focuses on circulating purified air. It claims to filter 99.9 per cent of microscopic particles using a HEPA and activated carbon system, making it suitable for allergy sufferers or anyone living near busy roads.
It's app-connected too, has auto-sensing air quality and is impressively quiet, even on higher settings. The build is entirely plastic, which makes it lightweight and easy to move, but it feels less premium than other Dyson fans.
The Shark TurboBlade, on the other hand, skips the purification entirely in favour of raw, customisable airflow. With dual vents that pivot, oscillate and shoot cool air up to 80 feet, it's designed to move air fast. It's a bit chunkier and louder on its highest settings, but more affordable and visually striking.
In short: Dyson purifies, Shark powers through heat.
JUMP TO:
How we test
Review
Technical specifications
Final verdict
FAQs
How we test tower fans
I score against five key metrics when reviewing tower fans:
Performance
Design
Quietness
Ease of use
Value for money
Each fan was set up and used in a real-world environment, specifically, a small-to-medium-sized home office that gets warm in the afternoons and opens up onto a busy main road.
I ran both fans through multiple speed and oscillation settings, measuring airflow strength at various distances and closely listening to how each performed during work, sleep and general daily use.
I also kept a close eye on power consumption and used a sound level meter to assess noise levels.
Extra attention was paid to usability; both models were tested with their remotes, but I also used the 'MyDyson' companion app to adjust and control the PC1.
Assembly, portability and how well each fan integrated into my daily routine were also assessed.
Separately, the Dyson PC1 has been tested for its air purification. Our reviewer, Rosie Taylor, awarded it a score of seven out of 10, since the air purifying, while effective, won't operate independently of the fan.
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Performance
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1: 9/10
Shark TurboBlade: 9/10
In terms of raw cooling power, both the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 and the Shark TurboBlade do a solid job of keeping you comfortable, but they approach the task differently.
The Dyson offers a smooth, consistent airflow that feels more like a gentle breeze than a gust of wind. It's refined and practical in smaller to medium-sized rooms, but if you're expecting Arctic blasts on a sweltering day, you might be left wanting.
The Shark TurboBlade, meanwhile, feels noticeably punchier. It delivers a more substantial, more directional flow of air that's great for instant cooling, especially in stuffier or larger spaces, thanks to its ability to push air across the room to a distance of 20 metres.
You can tilt and adjust the blades to customise the airflow, which gives it an edge in versatility. It doesn't purify the air, but as a pure cooling fan, it arguably performs better when you just want to cool down fast.
Design
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1: 9/10
Shark Turboblade: 8/10
The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is undeniably attractive, with its signature Dyson loop that screams: 'I cost £450 and I know it.' However, while the design is eye-catching, it's entirely made of plastic and somewhat inflexible. What you see is what you get; there's no tilt, no adjustable head and no real interaction beyond a gentle oscillation and a subtle, albeit cooling, breeze.
The Shark TurboBlade, on the other hand, is unapologetically bold: it doesn't look like your typical fan, instead looking more like someone crossed a jet engine with a retro speaker. It's made from solid, premium materials and is endlessly adjustable, with blades that pivot and twist.
However, its bulky frame means it's not exactly suitable for smaller spaces, and its design won't be to everybody's taste. I found it somewhat over-engineered compared to the Dyson PC1.
Quietness
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1: 10/10
Shark TurboBlade: 7/10
The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 genuinely surprised me when testing noise levels. Though not marketed as such, the PC1 is impressively quiet, even when cranked up to mid-to-high settings, thanks to Dyson's bladeless design.
On the lower settings, it's practically inaudible, making it great for light sleepers, nurseries or sneaky midday naps.
The Shark TurboBlade is also bladeless, but it's not quite as discreet. It's noticeably louder than the Dyson at similar speeds, with a low hum that becomes a persistent presence on higher settings.
If you're using it in a living room or office, it's fine. But in a bedroom at night, you may struggle to sleep through the noise (despite the fan's horizontal design making it perfect for putting at the bottom of your bed).
The TurboBlade reached 88dB in my tests (similar to a loud hair dryer), whereas the Dyson never reached the 60dB mark.
Ease of use
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1: 9/10
Shark TurboBlade: 9/10
Both the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 and the Shark TurboBlade score highly when it comes to ease of use. They each come with a simple, magnetic remote that sticks neatly to the body, so it's always within reach (until it inevitably gets pinched by my toddler).
Set-up is also straightforward. The Dyson is plug-and-play, while the Shark requires a bit of quick assembly, but nothing that'll have you breaking out the toolbox.
Where Dyson may pull ahead is if you want smart features. The PC1 connects to the MyDyson app, giving you full control from your phone, even when you're not at home. Want to reduce the stuffiness of a room before you get back from the school run or commute? Done.
The Shark, while easy to use on a day-to-day basis, is a little more old-school in that respect, and doesn't offer control through a companion app.
Value for money
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1: 8/10
Shark TurboBlade: 8/10
When it comes to value for money, the Shark TurboBlade has a clear advantage, given its price alone. While it's far from the cheapest fan on the market, at £249.99 RRP, it's nearly half the cost of the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 (£449.99 RRP) and still delivers strong cooling, a bladeless design and solid build quality.
That said, the Dyson isn't wildly overpriced for what it offers. It's certainly a premium buy, but you're getting more than just a fan. There's also built-in air purification, app support, a super-polished design and a whisper-quiet operation that makes it bedroom- and home office-friendly. It feels like a more refined experience overall, and for some, that will justify the extra spend.
So while Shark wins this round for affordability, Dyson makes a strong case if you want a fan that doubles as an air purifier and looks good doing it.
Technical specifications
Should you buy the Dyson or the Shark fan?
Both are solid choices, but overall the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 takes the win for me, due to its quiet operation, intelligent controls and additional air purification functionality.
Buy the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 if:
You want a fan that cleans air simultaneously
You'd like app control
You want a quiet fan
£450
Buy now
Price at
Argos
Buy the Shark TurboBlade if:
You want a powerful fan with no extra features
You'd like a more versatile design
You're on more of a budget
Dyson PC1 and Shark TurboBlade FAQs
What are the main differences between the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 and the Shark TurboBlade?
The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is a fan with integrated air purification, offering HEPA H13 and activated carbon filtration alongside smooth, bladeless airflow. It emphasises air quality, maintains low noise levels and has a minimalist design.
In contrast, the Shark TurboBlade is a bladeless multi-directional fan, designed for maximising cooling flexibility. Its dual adjustable arms, ten speed settings and modes (boost, breeze, sleep) prioritise powerful airflow and room coverage.
In short, choose Dyson for clean air and subtle cooling but choose Shark for bold, adjustable airflow.
Which fan is more powerful for cooling?
When it comes to raw cooling power, the Shark TurboBlade has the edge. With dual adjustable blades and directional airflow that can cover a wide area, it's designed to push out a strong, consistent breeze, even in larger rooms.
It doesn't purify the air like the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1, but in terms of its performance on test, it was more powerful.
While both brands share their air flow rates, they use different metrics:
Using some rough conversions, the Shark's air flow equates to 717 litres per second.
Why is the Dyson PC1 more expensive than the Shark TurboBlade, and is it worth the extra cost?
Dyson's Purifier Cool PC1 costs significantly more than the Shark TurboBlade because it combines premium features, including HEPA H13 filtration, activated carbon filters, real-time air-quality monitoring and app control.
If you value clean air, allergen removal, quiet operation, app control and a two-in-one design, Dyson justifies the premium.
If raw cooling and adjustability matter more, Shark delivers nearly as much at half the price, so choose based on whether air quality or airflow power takes priority.