Dyson Fan: Priced around $400, this fan is emblematic of premium home appliances. But did you know there are fans that cost even more?
While Dyson is a household name in the U.S., Tokyo-based Balmuda is celebrated in Japan for its high-end minimalist designs, including The Brew and The Toaster. Check out their unique clock, speaker, and even their innovative Teppanyaki grill. Their latest offering, the NatureWind Studio fan, retails for $429 and is available in sleek black and white.
The NatureWind Studio design resembles a caged windmill mounted on a sturdy tripod. It lacks remote control, smart features, or app integration, focusing solely on replicating a natural breeze. Some might argue that many fans achieve this by running at lower speeds, but the NatureWind Studio employs a patented dual-blade design to deliver gentle, wide-ranging airflow that operates almost silently.
Balmuda claims the NatureWind Studio operates at just 9 decibels on its lowest setting. While I can’t independently verify this amidst household noise, I found it inaudible in a quiet room. This impressive quietness, however, raises concerns about whether its features justify the steep price tag—especially given the absence of a remote control.
Durability and Design
Unlike conventional pedestal fans that often comprise just a base and stem, the NatureWind Studio is more complex. I had to attach the blades to the motor and assemble the guard housing over the robust tripod legs. The assembly took around 20 minutes, but the benefit is that disassembly for cleaning is straightforward—something many pedestal fans overlook. The construction materials, including metal blades and motor housing, feel high-quality and are fitting for its price range.
Although the NatureWind Studio, known as “GreenFan Studio” in Japan, has been around since 2010, it just launched in the U.S. market in early June. Its standout feature, dual-blade technology, harmonizes a slower inner blade with a faster-moving outer blade to create airflow that mimics a natural breeze from an open window rather than that of a mechanical fan.
The fan’s height is fixed, and it lacks a rechargeable battery for cordless operation. However, it comes equipped with a generous 10-foot cloth-wrapped cord complete with a hook for easy management of excess length.
Source: www.wired.com