Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 High Velocity Oscillating Tower Fan (Model DR-HTF001)

This is a continuation of the search for a fan that can set itself apart from some of the others. We have been playing with a number of Lasko models since they can be found just about anywhere (Walmart, Target, etc). However, what about some of these other names we aren’t that familiar with?

Our run-in with the Honeywell QuietSet didn’t go so well. It didn’t come close to the claims made online via various publications/blogs (showing that the reviews for that model are heavily exaggerated everywhere). So we continued on to other models.

In a previous story, we mentioned the name “Dreo” since it has been popping up a lot lately on Amazon. We got our hands on the company’s basic 40″ model and it seemed to deliver pretty well. Its performance was on par with many of the entry to mid-range models coming from Lasko. This was a positive experience, but it didn’t offer anything that stood out on its own.

Then we came across the Dreo Cruiser Pro T1 Tower Fan. At least, that’s what it is listed on Amazon as. It is listed on Dreo’s own website simply as the “Dreo High Velocity Oscillating Tower Fan”. Regardless of its name, the model number is DR-HTF001 and this is consistent. There is also a DR-HTF001S, which is a smart Wi-Fi-connected version that is only $10 more (which, sadly, we haven’t tested out yet).

Unlike the first model we tested out, this one did indeed stand out. Not only that, but it has triggered our interest in what else the company has out there. Not only did this fan look nice and feature a well-built design, but its performance took on the likes of Lasko and dug a nice hole for the Honeywell.

This fan is capable of delivering air at up to 24ft per second. It is very powerful, thus it can help cool a room down quite quickly. Especially, if you place it near an AC vent so that it can help distribute the cool air around the room faster.

Not only that, but there are no clicks, ticks, hums, or whines coming from it. All you hear is the air coming from it. Which does get louder the faster it gets (nothing you can do about that), but we found the setting of about 3 was a good place to be for a bedroom. It moves plenty of air around while being quiet enough to sleep like a baby.

Listening to the clip above, you can hear the air moving out of the fan at that exact setting (3). It’s a soft, comforting sound. Meanwhile, air can be felt clear across the room still. Unlike the Honeywell, there isn’t a pulsating whine coming from the motor/blades. Simply, quiet and powerful.

Taking a look at it in waveform, you can see that there are no inconsistencies caused by machine noise anywhere. Just a simple white-noise pattern to coax you to sleep with. While keeping the room cool at the same time.

The buttons on the face of the fan are touch-sensitive (nothing to press in physically) and they do perform well. The moment your skin comes into contact with them, they respond as expected. You’ll find all of the same options as you will the remote, minus the fact that air speed is simplified to a single button that you can rotate through the settings using.

When it comes to ergonomics, you will likely find yourself preferring the remote. This is due to the angle your hand approaches these buttons at. It would have been nice to see these buttons placed at the top of the fan for a more natural reach. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is something worth noting.

The remote features a nice modern design as well. Taking a step away from the clunkier design found with brands like Lasko. While not overwhelming the user with options, the remote continues to keep things simple. Offering power, air speed, mode, mute (for muting the beeps/alerts), oscillation, and timer.

We could only find one thing we didn’t like about the fan. It was that no matter what setting we have it in, the display cuts out into a sleep mode so that it doesn’t bother you while sleeping. This option in itself is fantastic. However, the IR sensor also seems to cut out with it (partially). It does respond when you go to change something or turn it off, but the first click of a button simply brings the screen back. You can have click it again to perform whatever function you are looking for.

So to turn it on, requires a single click on the power button. However, you have to hit the power button twice to turn it off if the screen isn’t active (and it only stays on for a number of seconds). This prevents you from properly using IR blasters to add it to your smart home setup as the IR blaster is only going to fire once to try to turn it off (which will only light the screen up and do nothing else).

Our Conclusion

So in the end, this has been one of our favorites thus far when it comes to a balance of price and performance. It’s around the same price as the Honeywell, but completely blows it out of the water. Even better if you find this one on sale. If you plan on using it manually with the remote or the touch-controls, it works out great as the double press of buttons won’t bother as much. However, if you plan on using this with your smart home setup, you might as well spend the extra $10 for the Wi-Fi connected model so that it can be done properly.

I don’t know why they let the IR sensor fall into any kind of sleep mode. Or maybe Dreo simply didn’t want the remote/buttons to change anything unless you could visually see what modes everything was already in on the screen. Either way, we think the remote/button commands would work better if they always did what they were supposed to the first time you pressed them.

Beyond that simple little minor battle we had with it, we found this to be an excellent tower fan. Good for any room of the house. Especially, one that you plan to catch some Z’s in. We’d love to see what some of their smart models have to offer, as well as those that offer additional settings/features.

Additional Images:

Are you a manufacturer or distributor that would like us to test something out for review? Contact us and we can let you know where to send the product and we will try it out.

Don’t forget to subscribe for a chance to win cool prizes!