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Which fan should you trust to keep you cool this summer?
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Summer is here, and Shark and Dyson have both launched portable fans to keep you cool as the temperature rises. But which one should you choose — the three-in-one Shark ChillPill and the sleek Dyson HushJet Mini Cool?
I was expecting these two fans to be closely matched, but having tested both fans extensively, for me the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool is the clear winner. It's much more powerful than the Shark ChillPill, and comes with a better set of accessories (including a pouch to protect the fan in your bag). It's also less expensive, which might come as a surprise since Dyson products are often pricier than their Shark counterparts.
The Shark ChillPill isn't without its appeal. It's slightly quieter than the Dyson fan, and has three swappable attachments that include a misting fan to enhance the cooling effect of the airflow, and an actively cooled metal plate (called the Instachill Cryro Plate), which you can press against pulse points. However, for me it ultimately couldn't compete with the Dyson's sheer cooling power. Read on for the full low-down on both devices.
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A sleek and powerful handheld fan with a bladeless design and neck strap for hands-free cooling on the move. No extra fan attachments, but surprisingly affordable.
An unusual-looking fan with three cooling attachments: a standard fan, misting fan, and cooling plate. Less powerful than the Dyson, and more expensive.
Price and availability
The Shark ChillPill launched in March 2026, with a list price of $149.99 in the US, or £129.99 in the UK. That converts to about AU$210, but at the time of writing it's not yet available in Australia.
Dyson revealed the HushJet Mini on April 9, 2026, and it was available to buy a few weeks later. It's significantly cheaper than the Shark ChillPill at $99 / £99.99 / AU$169.
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Design
The HushJet Mini Cool follows Dyson's usual 'form follows function' approach. It's a tubular device, with an angled nozzle on top, which rotates so you can direct the airflow. It can be held in one hand, stand upright on a desk (by itself, or in its charging stand) or worn around your neck.
It's operated using two simple switches: one to turn the power on and off, and another to adjust the airflow. The current airflow setting is shown by a row of small white LEDs.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool comes in three colorways: Ink/Cobalt, Carnelian/Sky, and Stone/Blush (shown here). At the time of writing, Stone/Blush is the most widely available.
The Shark ChillPill is a stranger-looking device, made up of two cylinders that pivot in the middle so you can change the direction of the airflow when it's standing on a flat surface. It resembles a small pair of binoculars, and although each cylinder is shorter than the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool, its total size is larger.
One of the ChillPill's cylinders houses the fan motor, while the other contains the rechargeable battery, an LED screen, and the controls. Press the screen to switch it on, and twist it to adjust the fan speed. You can lock the controls using a switch on the body of the cylinder.
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The ChillPill also has two attachments that twist onto the fan unit. One is a misting fan, which contains a small water reservoir and can emit a fine spray intermittently or continuously. The other is an actively cooled plate, which you can press against pulse points when you're feeling uncomfortably hot.
The Shark ChillPill is available in six colors: Carbon, Glacier, Haze (shown here), Dragon Fruit, Matcha, and Iced Latte.
Features and performance
The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool has five power modes, plus a boost option for extra cooling. During my tests its volume ranged from 46dB on its lowest setting, through to 67dB on the highest. That's even quieter than Dyson's claimed 52dB to 72.5dB — though since Dyson tests its devices with professional-grade microphones in an anechoic chamber, I'm inclined to trust its figures more than mine.
The Shark ChillPill has 10 speed settings, but the airflow isn't as concentrated as that from the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool. The ChillPill is slightly quieter (our reviewer measured 43.4dB at the lowest speed setting and70.5dB the highest), but Dyson's HushJet technology does a better job of cancelling out high frequencies, which I found easier on the ear.
The ChillPill's misting feature is a particularly nice touch, increasing the cooling effect of the fan without making your hair wet or frizzy. The Instachill Cryo Plate is also effective, becoming noticeably cold within a few seconds, though personally I found the mist more effective.
However, there's no mistaking the fact that Dyson's fan is much more powerful. The Shark ChillPill can reach up to 25,000rpm, while the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool can reach 65,000rpm, and that's a difference you can really feel, even on the lowest settings.
Accessories
The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool has a charging stand, which keeps the fan in a stable upright position, and is useful when you just want to use it free-standing on a desk or table. It also comes with a strap that allows you to wear it hanging around your neck. Slide the ring onto the body of the fan (it has a gap that allows it to pass over the buttons), put the cord over your head, and adjust the length. The strap has a section of faux leather that's comfortable against your skin, and you can adjust the direction of the nozzle so the breeze blows onto your face.
The HushJet Mini Cool also has a soft carry case, which is made from black velvet and tightens with a ribbon that matches the color of your fan. A universal mount and clip grip for the fan are sold separately.
The Shark ChillPill comes with three swappable fan attachments (the standard fan, misting fan, and cooling plate), plus a packet of spare misting wicks. These fit into a black velvet bag supplied with the device, but the bag isn't quite large enough to hold the ChillPill itself (it will just about fit inside, but is too large to tighten the drawstring.
A hard case for the ChillPill is available to buy separately, along with other accessories including a wrist strap, cross-body strap, clip (for attaching to clothing and bags), and clamp (for objects such as gym equipment and pushchairs). You can also buy replacement fan caps and misting wicks.
Both fans charge via USB-C and come with their own charging cables.
Conclusion
I own the Shark ChillPill, and although I don't regret my purchase (it's an effective tool, particularly for use on public transport during a heatwave), if I could choose again I would pick the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool. Although the ChillPill is marginally quieter, and its misting and cooling plate accessories are nice additions, it doesn't have anywhere near the power of the HushJet Mini Cool.
Dyson also provides a better set of accessories, including a case that fits the whole fan and a neck strap, whereas Shark sells these separately. Add in the fact that the Dyson fan is considerably less expensive, and it's an easy choice.
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TOPICS Dyson Shark
Cat EllisSocial Links NavigationHomes EditorCat is TechRadar's Homes Editor, covering smart home tech, kitchen appliances, vacuums, haircare and more. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights, find your ideal hair styler, or pick the espresso machine of your dreams, she's the right person to help.
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