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Head-to-head · Best Tower Fans

Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan vs Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet 8

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 2.6). Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan is best for: Buyers who want a quiet, powerful smart tower fan with app and voice control. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Tower Fans
Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan
2 sources$129.99as of Oct 16

The Dreo Pilot Max is a 42-inch bladeless smart tower fan with a brushless DC motor, 12 speeds, four modes and oscillation up to 120 degrees. PCMag gave it an Editors' Choice, finding it powerful enough to feel from 18 feet away and almost silent even at top speed, and TechRadar called its range of speeds, modes and app control a step ahead of competing tower fans. The gaps are small: no Apple HomeKit or IFTTT support, the oscillation angle can only be changed in the app, and it comes in one color.

Strengths
  • — PCMag felt its breeze from 18 feet away at top speed and found it almost silent even at maximum
  • — 12 speeds, four modes (Normal, Natural, Auto, Sleep) and oscillation of 30, 60, 90 or 120 degrees, per TechRadar
  • — Controls through the Dreo app, the included remote, the top panel, or Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, as PCMag notes
Watch-outs
  • — No Apple HomeKit or IFTTT support, PCMag notes
  • — TechRadar found the oscillation angle can be changed only through the app, not the remote or control panel
  • — Comes in one color, and TechRadar calls it expensive compared with other tower fans
$129.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet 8
Ranked #5 in Best Tower Fans
Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet 8
1 source$83.98as of Sep 25

The Honeywell QuietSet HYF290B has eight named speeds, a dimmable display and a 1/2/4/8-hour timer, but the published tests are not kind to it. TechGearLab scored it 42 out of 100, last of the nine tower fans it tested, and said it was underwhelmed by the fan's power and circulation. BestReviews measured a strong 5.1 mph at 3 feet but heard a loud grinding noise whenever the fan oscillated and said it could not recommend buying it. Top Ten Reviews was kinder, calling it the most versatile fan it tested while noting it is not the most powerful.

Strengths
  • — Eight speed settings - twice as many as most fans Top Ten Reviews tested
  • — BestReviews recorded 5.1 mph at 3 feet on the highest speed and could still feel airflow at 15 feet
  • — TechGearLab credits it with dimmable controls and found it quiet on its highest mode
Watch-outs
  • — TechGearLab scored it 42/100, last of nine, citing weak power and circulation
  • — BestReviews heard a loud gear-grinding noise during oscillation and could not recommend the fan
  • — Needs a security Torx driver to open for cleaning, per TechGearLab
$83.98 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Dreo Pilot Max Smart Tower Fan

Like the Levoit Classic 42-Inch Smart Tower Fan it has 12 speeds and app plus Alexa voice control, which the Lasko T42951 Wind Curve and Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet 8 lack. Its oscillation reaches 120 degrees, against 90 degrees side to side on the Levoit and 60 degrees on the Lasko, and it costs far less than the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which adds air filtration.

Honeywell HYF290B QuietSet 8

It has eight speed settings against three on the Lasko T42951 Wind Curve and 12 on the Levoit Classic 42-Inch. TechGearLab tested it in the same group as a Lasko Wind Curve and ranked the Honeywell below it (42 against 48). It has no app or voice control, which the Levoit and the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 both offer.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDreo Pilot Max Smart Tower FanHoneywell HYF290B QuietSet 8
Height42.5 in (PCMag)39.8 in
Weight9 lb6.81 lb
Speeds128
Modes4 (Normal, Natural, Auto, Sleep)—
Oscillation30/60/90/120 degrees—
Noise25 dB minimum (rated)—
MotorBrushless DC—
SmartDreo app, Alexa, Google AssistantNone
Timer1-12 hours1/2/4/8 hour
Base13 in wide—
Width—15.75 in
Display dim—5 levels (100% to off)
Remote—Included
Warranty—1-year
Power—40 W
Dimensions—10"D x 10"W x 40"H
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