Hands (and body)-on review: The Dyson Pure Cool Me

For the past few weeks I've had Dyson's Pure Cool Me nestled close to my feet. Don't ask me why, but the part of me that generally overheats is generally the lower part. Even in coolish weather, I tend to overheat. Marriage has taught me that what feels like a sweltering day can feel like a cold Arctic winter's night to my wife.

Along with all this is what we call "springtime," when, as Gerard Manley Hopkins says, "weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush," … and don't even get me started on the "glassy peartrees" blooming. What is "juice and joy" to poets is streaming noses, eyes and asthma attacks to me.

In mid-winter I visited a large open-plan office with more than 200 workers. The day was unseasonably warm outside. Those sitting near the windows facing the all-day sun had a slightly glistened look to their appearance, with some exhibiting those tell-tale damp armpits. Those of us on the other side remained relatively comfortable until we had to visit our sweaty colleagues.

Dyson have devoted much time and thought and manpower to this conundrum. The Pure Cool Me is the result of their efforts. Think of it as a strictly personal device that you customise for your comfort. The Pure Cool Me filters the air just like its larger brethren. The dual filter system ensures that the majority of even the tiniest particles are captured, delivering you fresh unadulterated air. Those of us who suffer from allergies will appreciate being able to operate in a clean zone.

The HEPA filter is at the heart of the Dyson Pure Cool Me and here's what I quoted in an earlier review: "HEPA is an acronym that stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. This is a pleated filter that traps airborne particles as they pass through an air purifier. A true HEPA filter removes 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger.  This is known as the HEPA standard.  Although, in marketing we see HEPA as a term to mean in general a high efficiency filter.

Better still, the clever engineering ensures a pleasantly cooling jet of fresh air is constantly aimed at you. Some clever thinking has gone into the construction and design of the Pure Cool Me as I discovered when chatting to some of the team that worked on the design.

They came up with a domed surface where the air is directed to where you want it. The user controls where the air goes according to your need. You adjust the flow of air by using the dome, which will direct that air precisely to where you want it. The Pure Cool Me is controlled via a nifty remote, which nestles magnetically in a spot directly above the display. As this is a personal device, using an app is superfluous as you are the sole user.

 I covered the science behind the Pure Cool Me in my recent sneak peak, which you can find by clicking here.

Those of us who've relied on classical desktop or tower fans will know just how annoying they can be. You get the angle just right, but your neighbour ends up with paperwork being blown all over the place. They generally begin to rattle and cavitate after several uses, so they aren't the most peaceable companions in a busy workspace. In contrast, the Pure Cool Me is quiet. I can just hear the quiet whoosh of fresh, cooling air. The pile of proofing papers on my desk remain unmoved, because the air isn't being directed towards them.

The Pure Cool me is also eminently movable. The Pure Cool me is lightweight and easily carried. Just remember to carry it by the base and not from the dome.

I've barely mentioned the health aspect but as an asthmatic and hay fever sufferer, I've been a fan of Dyson's HEPA filtering system since discovering it.  HEPA refers to the High Particulate Air Particles the filter is designed to trap.

I experimented on myself by going without the Dyson for three weeks. By the time I switched it back on I was on my third box of antihistamines, my eyes were constantly runny, and my inhaler was working overtime. Not content with my selfless sacrifice on behalf of my readers, I checked out what purchasers had said on Dyson's website. The reviews came from asthmatics, allergy sufferers, and workers who suffered daily in their sweat boxes.

Dyson have a loyal following thanks to their creative thinking and innovative design. The clever technology behind the Pure Cool Me means that the air focuses over the dome and is directed exactly where the user needs it. Small enough to fit on your desktop, your bosses and colleagues will be left wondering at your sudden joie de vivre and improved productivity. Likewise, your sinuses, eyes and lungs will all benefit from breathing air free of those nasty particulates, allergens and pollutants.  My own use of inhalers has now returned to normal.

I had put this review on hold for a while, impatiently waiting for some hot and sultry weather, and oh joy, it's arrived.  At night I've used the timer, and the whoosh of air is barely audible.  The timer means that I don't wake in the wee small hours shivering with cold.  It also means that I don't forget to switch it off. It's so quiet that you can easily walk off and forget it's on.

Retailing for $549 on the Dyson NZ website, the Pure Cool Me is the perfect answer to those of us wanting healthy, filtered and cool air.  Available in either white/silver or gunmetal/copper, Dyson's "Core Flow" technology will ensure your flow of work is consistent and you remain pure and cool.