After testing Dreos new smart misting fan, I couldnt imagine my life without it heres why

Date:
Sun, 21 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Description:
I tested a mess-free smart misting fan with powerful yet quiet performance
and a budget-friendly price heres why its a must-have device for the summer.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is a device
that came to me when I needed it most. It was a sweltering day in the UK a nation with little in the way of air conditioning, but lots of humidity. But as I sat there at my desk sweating profusely, my editor handed Dreos new misting fan to me, and I have to say, its been a lifesaver.

But what exactly is the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S? Well, its a device designed to deliver mess-free cooling, and is best-suited for desks and tables. Ive spent the last three weeks with Dreos fan, and have used it at my desk, at the kitchen table, and even in a controlled testing space at Future Labs. And for the most part, its proved to be quite an impressive performer though its not totally without its flaws. So, heres how Id rate my experience overall. First of all, lets talk about who this fan is for. In my view, this is best suited for someone whos sat at their desk and wants a personal fan, but one they can also set on a bedside table on hotter evenings too. Id not necessarily recommend it to keep the whole family cool on the sofa, though its still pretty compact, and the fan head is relatively small, meaning you dont get the huge amount of coverage that some of the best fans can provide. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

So, how does the 516S fare when used at a desk? In my case, it was great. I found the mist setting to work exceptionally well, and it added a nice degree of coolness without making any mess or feeling too intense. There were 12 speeds to select, and it was easy to switch between the three mist levels depending on how hot I felt. Whats more, it can oscillate 150 degrees horizontally, up to 20 degrees up, and 10 degrees down, making it easy to tailor coverage to your specific space. Dreo states that the 516S can cool a room by 3C / 5.4F at a max speed of 8m/s.

Setting up misting is pretty straightforward too. Simply fill up the detachable 1.3L water tank, slot it into the fan, and youre good to go. You have to flip the tank upside down before inserting it, and this can lead to a bit of minor leakage, but I never found this to be a big issue. The tank is also large enough to keep misting for hours on end 12 hours, according to Dreo and I never felt that I had to refill it too regularly. And if youre
not in a misty mood, then fear not its easy to switch over to a fan only mode, which works nicely too.

Even when using the mist mode, I found the fan to run pretty quietly, which was especially useful when trying it out at night. I didnt find it difficult to drift off to sleep with the fan at a middling speed, and it certainly couldnt cut past my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones when trying it during the workday. One caveat, however, is that the Turbo mode for those who want maximum power can get fairly noisy. This could frustrate some when trying to watch TV or listen to music, but the mode did still work well when I needed a thorough blast of cold. (Image credit: Future) Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S at Amazon for 84.99 There are a number of other ways to customize your experience, though, such as a timer, a humidity preference setting, and a child lock system. Such options can be accessed through a number of control methods: touch controls, a remote, voice commands, or a companion app. This level of versatility is always welcome, and the inclusion of Alexa and Google voice assistants is pretty neat, especially given the 516Ss modest price
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I will say, however, that the physical touch controls are a little temperamental. Sometimes I found myself pressing a button over and over again trying to get it to function properly. Thats pretty frustrating, and often pushed me to reach for the remote instead. Its no dealbreaker, especially
with the various alternative control methods, but its worth noting all the same.

Before we sum up, lets talk about design. This fan is decent-looking, with an easy-to-clean plastic exterior, attractive lighting on the control panel, and a transparent water tank, so you always know when its time for a refill. Theres also a practical carry handle, and you can easily dismantle the fan if you need to make a fix. The power cable is integrated, and you wont be able
to use this fan wirelessly, but for the cost, thats understandable.

Speaking of cost, the 516S will typically set you back $99.99 / 99.99 (about AU$140), which in my view, is a very fair price. Sure, there are cheaper options available in this size-class, but you get mess-free and effective misting, a wide range of speeds, and a wide number of control methods, all without having to break the bank. So if youre looking for a fan to use at
your desk, or a personal cooling solution while watching TV for instance, I think the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is well-worth considering. (Image credit: Future) Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: price & release date List price of $99.99 / 99.99 (about AU$140) Released in April 2026 The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S has a fairly modest price tag for all of the tech it crams in. Its typically available for $99.99 / 99.99 (about AU$140), although I
have seen it discounted with some online retailers. The fan released in April 2026 as part of Dreos 2026 summer lineup. Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Speeds

12

Oscillation

150 degrees horizontal, 30 degrees vertical

Weight

5lbs / 2.3kg

Dimensions

7.9 x 8.6 x 15.7 inches / 201 x 219 x 400mm

Control

Touch, remote, app, voice

Timer

Yes

Additional modes

Fan only, Turbo (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Dreo Smart Misting
Fan 516S? Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Wide control options, plenty of modes and speeds, mist and fan only options, wired power only.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Mess-free misting works well, decent coverage, usually quiet unless using Turbo mode.

4 / 5

Design

Decent looking, easily detachable water tank, touch controls could be better.

4 / 5

Value

Cheaper options exist, but a good performer at a relatively modest price.

4 / 5 Buy it if You want mess-free misting I was blown away by the effectiveness of this Dreo fans misting. It helped cool me down really quickly, but at the same time, it never made any mess whatsoever. Practical and a steady performer? Sign me up. You dont want to refill a misting tank
too often Despite the 516Ss relatively small size, it has a 1.3L tank that
can keep misting for hours on end without requiring a refill. If you just
want to load up and chill out for the rest of the day, this fan has you covered. Dont buy it if You want the broadest coverage This is a desktop fan, and so in spite of its wide-angle oscillation, you wont get the most
expansive coverage in the world. If thats a dealbreaker, Id suggest picking a larger model in our guide to the best fans around. You need the quietest fan around Although the 516S is generally quiet in use, the Turbo mode is a
little loud. It may be better to look elsewhere if you want borderline
silence for night-time use, for instance. Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: also consider MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in Our best mid-range pick, the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in is so easy to recommend. Unlike this Dreo fan, it's cordless, so you can pick it up and place it wherever you want with ease. It's powerful yet quiet, and pretty compact too, although it skips on the misting effect that you get with this Dreo model. Read our full MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in review . Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo This one is sometimes on sale at a very similar price to this Dreo fan, and were big fans of it here at TechRadar.
The HydroGo has misting capabilities, can be used cordless, and is surprisingly lightweight, making it a spectacular all-rounder. OK, it doesnt oscillate and theres no remote control included, but it remains an excellent personal cooling solution. Read our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review .
How I tested the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S (Image credit: Future) Tested across a three-week period Made use of all settings and features Used at home and in a controlled testing space at Future Labs I spent three weeks testing the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S, using it at home on my desk and the kitchen table, and even trying it in a controlled environment at Future Labs.

During this time, I tested out all of the various features, sifted through
the multiple connectivity and control options, and made sure to try the fan both with and without misting activated. During the majority of the testing period, I was using the fan on high temperature days with high humidity, making for a natural and authentic testing process.

More generally, Ive tested tons of gadgets here at TechRadar across the
course of multiple years. Ive covered home and lifestyle products, audio
gear, video games, and more as part of our dedicated reviews team. Read TechRadars reviews guarantee First reviewed: June 2026 Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S: Price Comparison 84.99 View 99.99 View 99.99 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/air-quality/dreo-smart-misting-fan-516s-review


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