No-Nonsense Air Purifier For Those Who Want Substance Without Compromising On Style

Dyson Cool Gen1 Review: With Delhi-NCR AQI starting to resemble ATM pin codes with their four-digit metrics, there is no doubt that getting an air purifier for your home or office is now mandatory. But air purifiers are generally a costly proposition, with the most notable ones being easily upwards of the Rs 50,000 price point. So, to tap into the gap, several brands are now coming up with more affordable air purifiers that are more than up for the task of filtering out particulates, without burning a sizeable hole in your pocket. 

When I got my hands on the Dyson Cool Gen1 air purifier, the company’s entry-level offering (priced at Rs 32,900), I decided to put it to the test to see if it holds up to astonishing levels of pollution. And I must admit I was delightfully reminded of how you don’t need a household gadget to be exceptionally ‘smart’ (Wi-Fi connectivity, app support, etc). All you need is for the gadget to do exactly what it says on the tin. 

Dyson Cool Gen1 Review: Quick Pointers

What I love: 

• Conversation-starting good looks
• Minimalistic design
• Easy-to-use functions
• Capable of sorting out pollutants in a medium-sized room
• Good filter lifespan

What I don’t:

• Price tag could have been lower
• Slightly loud on high fan speeds

Can Brighten Up Any Corner Of Your Room

Let’s talk about the design aspect first. Just like other Dyson air purifiers, the Cool Gen1 looks stunning, with its signature oval fan design. You can put it up beside your bed, in the middle of your living room sofas, or even in the corner of your office, and it’s sure to make a few heads turn. 

The design code of Dyson Cool Gen1 is pretty simplistic. You have the fan tower sitting atop the filter canister, with a small circular display that shows all sorts of handy information, from fan speed to PM2.5 levels in your room. 

Of course, some might argue that the Cool Gen1 doesn’t support MyDyson app support. But that’s not really an issue because you get a perfectly good remote to handle all the functions pretty intuitively. From setting the sleep timer to changing the fan speed to changing the mode of display – everything can be controlled from the mini remote itself (which also follows a similar, neat design language as the main purifier). 

The display also shows real-time charts for particulates, both in graphs and numerical, to help you easily understand the level of PM2.5 or PM10 particulates in your room

So, in my personal opinion, you don’t need app support, as your remote and the small display are more than capable of handling it all. Of course, you will miss out on smart services such as voice control and such. But, unless you are ready to dish out over Rs 50,000, you may have to settle for less, understandably so. 

Capable Purifier For Mid-Sized Room

Dyson claims that the Cool Gen1 has been tested to be effective in air purification coverage in a ~850 sq. ft. room. I tested the machine in my living room which is nearly 900 sq. ft. as well as my bedroom which is nearly 750 sq. ft. I found the Cool Gen1 to be effective in lowering the particulate levels in both rooms equally well. 

Of course, the performance would vary depending on conditions. If my balcony door is open, the Cool Gen1 would struggle a bit when compared to its Dyson big brothers such as the Big+Quiet (which carries nearly double the price tag, at Rs 66,900) or even Hot+Cool HP07 (Rs 66,900 as well) – which was expected, of course.

But when all doors and windows are shut, with the air conditioner on, Dyson Cool Gen1 could easily lower the PM2.5 levels from over 210 to below 160 within 15 minutes. 

The Cool Gen1 comes with a HEPA H13 filter, which claims to capture up to 99.95 per cent of particles as small as 0.1 microns, which essentially means that this Dyson offering stacks up well with its pricier siblings in terms of air filtration. 

I have been using the Cool Gen1 for over three weeks now, and my filter marker shows less than 25 per cent utilised. So, the long lifespan of the HEPA filters is surely appreciated. 

Perhaps my most admired feature of the Cool Gen1 is the Auto mode, which not only captures pollutants in the air when needed but also uses energy when necessary. This is the best power-efficient mode to leave your purifier on throughout the day, as most of the heavy lifting will be done by the machine itself, without you having to worry about fan speeds and such factors. 

When the fan speed goes on overdrive, i.e. at 10 level, the machine does tend to get a bit loud. But it’s rarely overpowering. And if you have your TV on, you tend to get used to that ‘whooshing’ noise after a few minutes. The Cool Gen1, otherwise, is quiet as a church mouse. 

Dyson Cool Gen1 Review: Final Verdict

Good looks? Check. Capable filtration? Check. Easy to use? Check. Justifiable price tag? I wish I could check this one as well. 

At this price point, you have a lot of rivals in the market, from Sharp AIOT FP-S42M-L (priced at Rs 22,999) to Philips Air Purifier Series 3000 (Rs 28,849). Of course, the level of room area coverage differs from machine to machine and Dyson’s capability of covering over 800 square footage is commendable. Still, a sub-Rs 30,000 price tag could have made more sense for the segment Dyson is trying to tap into.

However, the design and the efficiency of the product make the Cool Gen1 a standout offering and great for those with small-to-medium rooms who prefer simplicity and substance over unnecessary frills.