It’s only in recent years that we’ve seen the emergence of truly smart ceiling fans that can go beyond simply turning the device on and off to affect every aspect of the fan and lighting. While these smart ceiling fans have been expensive so far, I was excited to try the Dreo 44-inch Smart Ceiling Fan (originally $149.99, but available on Amazon at the time of this writing), which is reasonably priced and comes from one of my companies. I think interesting things are being done with cooling and fans .
Simple design and easy installation
The Dreo comes in two sizes: the 44-inch four-blade version I was testing and the larger 52-inch five-blade version ($159.99, sold out). Since my office ceiling fan is in desperate need of an update, this was the perfect time to test the Dreo. The fan design is simple, with clean lines and smooth surface, and the light source is a large low-profile LED. This fan fits almost any decor, from modern to classic, without being unobtrusive. The only assembly required is choosing which side of the blade you want to face the room - one side will have a wood grain and the other a different color, depending on the size you buy.
Once connected, you can proceed with the installation. If you are replacing a fan, all you need is someone to help hold the fan while you connect it to an existing junction box on the ceiling; then bolt the fan body and begin installing the parts in layers, starting with the junction box cover, light holder Start with, and end with, the lamp cover. From there, you can install the Dreo app and pair the fan. There is also an optional light switch and remote control available for installation.
Dreo 44-Inch Smart Ceiling Fan
Unique smart features
I'm already a fan of the Dreo app: it's well designed with adequate functionality and a clean, clear design. In the app, you use a slider to select the speed of the fan; there are six speeds (the larger model has twelve), but the slider makes it feel like it has infinite speeds because you can fine-grained choices for how it feels. Correct speed. To my delight, the ceiling fan has the same functionality as the stand fan, and you can choose between "normal" or "natural" modes. Like a stand fan on the ground, the "natural" setting creates a feeling more like a breeze by not simply slowing the fan down, but by pulsing at different speeds to simulate wind. This is a fascinating feature that I use all the time. A neat trick is that you can change the direction of the ceiling fan with the click of a button in the app, so the fan can also be used in the winter (when you want to distribute hot air more evenly around the room rather than sending cooling air). Most fans have this feature, but it's usually a manual switch on the fan itself, and people often don't take the extra step to reverse the fan, losing a great way to move warm air into the room during the colder months.
Although the design of the lamp is plain, it does a great job of lighting up the room. I immediately noticed a difference in how bright the room was compared to the old ceiling fan, which had four separate bulbs. The 2400 lumen LED temperature can be adjusted from warm to cool (2700K-6500K) and the brightness can be dimmed using the slider. Once you adjust it, the light doesn't jump to the color or temperature you choose, but gently changes to it. While Dreo integrates seamlessly into Google Home and Alexa (including the associated assistants), it doesn't currently work with Apple HomeKit or IFTTT, and it doesn't have Matter or Threads integration.
You can also set a schedule for the fan and light individually or together, or set the fan to "sleep" mode, which will gradually slow it down during the night or even turn it off if you use a timer.
unusually quiet
The most striking aspect of the Dreo ceiling fan is the volume: it's so quiet that you'll forget it's on. It's so quiet, I asked Dreo how they silenced the blades and their support channel attributed it to the brushless DC motor and proper mounting (when the fan is unbalanced, the rocking can make noise). Although it's silent, the fan works just like you'd expect, moving air around the room. The smaller version promises 3170 cubic feet per minute (CFM), while the larger version has 5673 CFM. That's average for a fan size, but when using the Natural setting and without the typical white noise of a fan in the background, it feels like having the windows open on a breezy day.
It's hard to get enthusiastic about ceiling fans—as appliances go, they're just not sexy. However, Dreo is truly the perfect blend of technology and usability. For around $150, you can get an easy-to-install fan (costing less than half as much as the competition) that's simple to use but feels different from other ceiling fans. It's quieter, brighter, cooler and doesn't make you feel like you're in a wind tunnel. While I might prefer a higher-end design, when it comes to functionality, the Dreo Smart Ceiling Fan can’t be beat.
