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Fans are essential. They help keep you cool in the summer without the need to crank up the AC, or simply serve to create a pleasant cooling breeze both indoors and outside. While some fans are whisper-quiet, though, others sound more like a jet on takeoff. During recent hands-on testing to find the best quiet fans on the market today, I discovered a trendy new item—a fan with a water mist attachment that’s ideal for outdoor use but also functions perfectly indoors.
At first, I was slightly skeptical that a fan emitting a mist would be all that versatile, but I was wrong. The Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan is a winner for both indoor and outdoor use. I tested this unique product in my home and found it to be just about everything I could want in a fan.
Keep reading to discover how the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan fared in my hands-on tests to see if it will meet your year-round cooling needs.
Shark FlexBreeze Fan with InstaCool: At a Glance
Rating: 4.7/5
SPECS
- Power: Corded and cordless
- Runtime: Up to 24 hours
- Oscillation: Yes
- Weight: 12.2 pounds
- Extras: Remote control included
- Noise (decibels): 32.4 dB on the lowest setting, and 58.5 dB on the highest setting
PROS
- Easy and quick to assemble
- Use as a corded or cordless fan on either the floor or a tabletop
- Handy remote control stores via a magnet to the back of the fan head
- Mist function is a game changer for additional outdoor cooling
CONS
- More expensive than traditional fans that produce a similar amount of breeze
Get the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool at:
What is the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool?
The FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan is an innovative fan from SharkNinja, a manufacturer known for developing forward-thinking products that make life easier and more fun. The FlexBreeze with InstaCool is like having four fans in one:
- A corded pedestal fan that plugs into an outlet;
- A cordless fan that you can take anywhere, thanks to a rechargeable battery;
- A tabletop fan to set on a bench, tailgate, or other flat surfaces; and
- A fine water mister/fan combination product for a maximum cooling effect.
Additionally, the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool includes a handy remote control that stores conveniently on the back of the fan head, and users can purchase additional accessories, including a storage cover to keep the fan head dust-free and a 12-volt DC car charger to charge the fan from a vehicle’s 12V port. While I didn’t test those accessories, I will likely purchase both of them to protect the fan and make it even more portable.
Setup? It’s a Breeze
The FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan arrived in several pieces, but putting it together was easy. A two-piece pedestal pole is connected by an internal cord, and I first snapped those pieces together to form a single pole and then inserted the pole into the sturdy base unit. The instructions called for inserting a bolt into the underside of the base—and SharkNinja included a good-size Allen wrench for tightening it in place. This process took less than 2 minutes.
The remaining assembly was a simple matter of plugging the cord into the bottom of the base and inserting the fan head into the top of the pedestal. This was also an easy process. After that, it got interesting.
With the FlexBreeze plugged into an outlet, I turned it on and let it run for a few minutes, noting the amount of breeze the fan was generating and its oscillating ability. Then, I decided to detach the fan head by pressing a button on the pole and pulling it up and out. While I could remove the fan head smoothly, I was surprised when the fan kept running even after I removed it from the pedestal. I soon realized it was running on the battery.
Next, I tested the FlexBreeze with InstaCool as a tabletop fan by spreading out the four legs at the bottom of the fan head unit to form its own stand. Quite the ingenious design! The fan converted from corded to cordless in a matter of seconds and never stopped running.
Cooling Capability and Mist Function
Where the FlexBreeze with InstaCool shines is in its ability to cool, whether indoors or out, despite its smaller size. This is not a large-face fan like standard box fans. Although the fan’s grill measures 11.5 inches in diameter, it still emits a strong breeze.
The FlexBreeze with InstaCool features five power settings, and SharkNinja claims that on the highest setting—called “BreezeBoost”—you can feel a breeze from up to 70 feet away. I couldn’t test it at that range because I don’t have an open space that large in my home, but I could feel the breeze created by the fan at 32 feet, and the draft was still strong.
Next, I tested the mist function of the FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan. I took the fan outside and snapped the misting attachment to the center front of the face. Then, I attached the tube that supplies water to the attachment to my garden hose and turned on the water. A fine mist started coming out of the front of the fan: no drips and no dribbles, just a delicate mist. As I increased the fan’s speed, it distributed the mist farther.
The temperature outside was chilly on the day I tested the misting function, but I could feel the enhanced cooling effect by placing my hand in front of the mist. The combination of moisture plus a breeze made for maximum cooling. How would the InstaCool function feel on a sweltering summer day? Probably pretty refreshing.
Noise Level
I contacted SharkNinja to ask about the noise level the FlexBreeze produces. The company reported that it generates 32.4 decibels on the lowest setting and 58.5 decibels on the highest setting.
I used a decibel tester to corroborate those readings from about 1.5 feet away while the fan was running. At the lowest setting, the FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan is almost silent. It registered just 31 decibels, comparable to a whisper in a library or a slight rustling of leaves. At the highest setting—the aforementioned “BreezeBoost”—the fan registered about 60 decibels, which is about the volume of normal conversation. So, my decibel tester was aligned with the numbers SharkNinja provided. Plus, the sound of the fan is like white noise; it’s soothing instead of annoying, and I’d tuned it out entirely within a few minutes.
Is the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool right for you?
Currently, the FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan sells at multiple retailers for just under $200. While this is on the pricey side for a fan, keep in mind that it’s not a conventional fan. If you’re interested in buying a simple fan for a single room and plan to leave it in place, you can find a less expensive model to keep you cool.
However, shoppers looking for a multipurpose fan for use as a corded or cordless model—one that can produce a regular or a mist-enhanced draft and offer the versatility to serve as either a pedestal or tabletop model—won’t be disappointed with this product.
The FlexBreeze with InstaCool fan offers virtually everything one could ask for in a fan. I love that I can operate it from the fan head or via the remote control that attaches to the back of the fan via a magnetic connection. Additionally, with a runtime of up to 24 hours and the ability to charge it from a 12V DC car outlet (charger sold separately), the FlexBreeze with InstaCool covers virtually all cooling bases.
Where to Buy the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool
Get the Shark FlexBreeze with InstaCool at:
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests various power tools and other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.