Duux Rize

Introduction

If all you want is a simple, no frills desk fan with great performance to keep you cool, then the Duux Rize is an easy option to recommend.

In the modern age of smart home tech, it can be all too tempting to get bogged down in the details of whether or not a device has certain app compatibilities or interconnected features, but I think that if any of that comes at the expense of performance then it all becomes a bit redundant. Dutch company Duux has taken that concept to heart with its latest entry-level fan, the Duux Rize.

There is no accompanying app that works with the Rize (even though Duux does have an iOS and Android app), so it’s very much a ‘back to basics’ concept with this particular device, but it’s one that I think only works to its benefit.

Design

• Nice, understated design
• Two colourways
• Extendable and easily portable

For the Rize, Duux has gone with a pedestal design but on a smaller scale. By default, the Rize is designed to be more of a desk fan as opposed to one that’s put into the corner of a room, and that considerably helps in its portability. At just 1kg in weight, it’s easy enough to carry around one handed, so you won’t have any issues in moving it from one room to another.

The design is somewhat low-key but I quite like it. The Charcoal model, which is the one I have for review, does have a nice bit of contrast going on between its grey and silver segments, creating a two-tone look that’s appealing to the eye, although I will say that the alternate Stone colourway looks a bit more modern.

The perimeter surrounding the base is likely to pick up the odd smudge or fingerprint during your time with it however, so if you are absolutely obsessed when it comes to your home decor then you might want to pick up the Dyson Cool CF1 instead (although that comes with a hefty price rise).

What really separates the Duux Rize apart from other desk fans though is that, when you need a bit more height, the stem can extend to 75cm at which point it could sit at a distance and happily dispell cool air throughout the entire room. This is one of two killer features on the Duux Rize, particularly at its low price point of £79.99/€69.99, as you’ll be getting more versatility out of just one device, so you won’t have to buy a fan for your desk and a fan for a larger room. The head of the fan also tilts 35 degrees upwards, which is great news for those with standing desks.

Features

• Four levels of airflow
• No remote control or app functionality
• Battery powered for up to 15-hours

As I mentioned earlier, do not expect anything in the way of smart features here. Presumably in an attempt to keep the Rize’s price down, Duux has done away with any modern amenities, instead sticking with the core features you’d want from any fan: strong air circulation and oscillation.

You can tell as much just by looking at the control panel on the Duux Rize. It’s a three button set-up: one for the power, one for changing the intensity of airflow, and a final button for triggering the oscillation. It’s easy to understand, and you won’t need to spend time delving through a manual to get a handle on it.

There are only four levels of airflow intensity which feels a tad stingy, although given that you can only cycle through them by continuing to press on the allocated button, it does complement the Rize’s simplicity.

When it comes to oscillation, you don’t get a say in the area of space covered (it’s always 90 degrees), just whether or not you want the feature on or off. This might be a turn off for some, but I quite like the fact that I can engage with the oscillation quickly without needing to also cycle through different modes. I’d probably feel different for a tower fan, but it feels less pressing for a personal one.

Thankfully, the Duux Rize does have one major ace up its sleeve: it’s battery powered. This means that you can easily use the Rize at home, and bring it with you to the office if it’s needed. There’s a USB-C port at the back, and it takes roughly four hours to charge the fan to its full capacity, but what’s really impressive is that the battery can last for up to 15-hours at a time. With that type of longevity, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be sweating even if you’re operating the Duux Rize without a power outlet in sight.

Performance

• Great airflow at the lowest setting
• Quiet enough to blend into background noise

Even though it’s a compact and portable fan, I’m thankful to report that after putting the device to the test, the Duux Rize holds some impressive power under the hood.

When at the lowest setting (level one of four), I was still able to pick up an airflow of 1.4m/s from 15cm away, and that jumped up to 2.0m/s at level two, which is technically the midpoint of available intensity.

If you’ve placed the fan further away then you’ll definitely want to start at level two as I couldn’t register anything on the anemometer at the first level from 1m away.

When the Duux Rize is set to full blast, you’ll feel a cooling sensation right away, at 3.1m/s and 2.0m/s from a distance of 15cm and 1m respectively.

At the lowest setting, the sound of the fan easily dissolved into background noise, as I picked up just 38.7dB at 15cm away, although that does jump up to 51.7 at the next level. At the highest setting, the fan clocks in at 62.2dB which isn’t too bad, and I think that most people would gradually get used to having that noise in the background after a few minutes.

Should you buy it?

FAQs