I haven’t realised just how serendipitous it has been that AirCraft offered its Lume fan for a review at the end of April. The weather then was a lot less sunny than it is today, and even though I said yes to reviewing the Lume, I didn’t think I’d be able to properly test it until July. How wrong I was!
Along came the hottest bank holiday weekend in the UK for like 100 years, and instantly, the Lume went from being boxed up to being in use almost day and night. And boy am I glad that it was available at home! I have no qualms about my Meaco 1056 Air Circulator, but the Lume was super handy, as we could now circulate air in two rooms simultaneously.
Plus, having the Meaco at home provided an excellent opportunity to test the Lume against one of its biggest rivals. I could compare not just the physical dimensions of the two, but also how much noise they make, their power consumption, features, and, most importantly, how well they circulate air in a room.
The Lume has its strengths and weaknesses, but the former certainly outweighs the latter. Should you get one? Let’s find out!
AirCraft Lume Air Circulator review
Price and availability
The Lume Air Circulator is available to buy now directly from AirCraft UK and Amazon UK for the recommended price of £149 (~$200 / €172 / AU$281). It’s the same price as Meaco’s 1056 Air Circulator and is generally on par with brands such as Shark and Duux, and much cheaper than any of Dyson‘s models featured in T3’s best fan roundup.
Specifications
- Fan type: Air circulator
- Format: Desktop or pedestal
- Number of speeds: 12
- Oscillation: Yes
- Timer: Yes
- Maximum fan flow: 13.69 m3/min
- Standby power consumption: 0.36 W
- Weight: 4.2 kg (~9.25 lbs)
Design and build quality
The AirCraft Lume Air Circulator is one of the more lightweight pedestal fans I tried. It weighs 4.2 kg and can be carried around in one arm. It has the classic pedestal fan silhouette with its flat disc base, long, slender stem, and circular fan unit at the top.
Left: Maeco 1056′ Right: AirCraft Lume
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
That said, the fan is encased in a much slimmer housing than the Meaco 1056, making it look much less top-heavy when viewed from the side. The compact top fan unit is connected to the stem via a semi-circular frame, with the touchpoints located on both sides of the Lume.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
The fan has a controller (more on this below) and also a panel on the stem. The controls on the panel are touch-sensitive and won’t respond unless you graze them lightly. The power cable connects to the back of the stem, just behind the on-fan control unit, and not the base. I would have preferred it to be positioned lower; it would have made the Lume’s silhouette tidier.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
The Lume has two height settings: floor/pedestal or desk/tabletop. AirCraft height-adjustment solution isn’t the most elegant – you have to remove the lower section of the stem – but it works. I prefer the more gradual, sliding mechanism of the Meaco. That said, AirCraft’s approach feels safer and less prone to damage.
However, the fan itself doesn’t feel the sturdiest, maybe because of its slender stem and smaller fan unit. Plus, the Lume doesn’t have a carry handle, so you do end up picking it up by the stem, which I’m not sure is the best way to carry it.
Features and performance
As mentioned above, the AirCraft Lume Air Circulator can be operated via the on-fan panel or the remote, although I assume most people will opt to control it from a distance. The panel on the fan lets you control fewer things, including the horizontal and vertical angle, speed, and backlight, but enough to make the Lume go on in case you can’t find the remote.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
You can also silence the beeps, set a timer and pause the oscillation with the remote. On top of this, the controller lets you switch between the three modes: Normal, Natural and Sleep.
In Normal mode, the fan runs at a constant speed, while in Natural mode, the speed alternates to simulate a breeze. In Sleep mode, the Lume will reduce speed every 30 minutes until it reaches Level 1, where it will remain. So, if you start at Level 6, it will reach Level one in three hours.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
The Lume is incredibly quiet at lower settings – no wonder it‘s Quiet Mark-approved. At Level 1, it hardly makes a sound, and you have to increase the speed to Level 6 to really start hearing the blades whirring. Understandably, the Lume makes quite a whooshing sound at its maximum speed setting (Level 12), but it’s far from deafening.
Speaking of speed adjustments, there are no up and down buttons, so you have to cycle through all 12 speed settings if you want to reduce the speed one notch. Not a deal-breaker, but again, not the most elegant solution, either.
One of the standout features is the airflow’s vertical and horizontal adjustability. You can choose between 30º, 60º and 90º oscillation in both directions, which is genuinely cool (pun intended). You can mix and match between the two and go with a 60º vertical and 30º horizontal option, for example.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
In terms of the light at the back, I don’t think it’s necessary. Maybe if the Lume were an outdoor fan, I could see the appeal, but I can’t think of a situation where an adjustable LED light source at the back of an air circulation would come in handy. Maybe I’m just too conservative when it comes to fan design – who knows?
Verdict
The AirCraft Lume Air Circulator might not reinvent the fan, but it nails the fundamentals that matter most in day-to-day use. It’s quiet, lightweight, easy to move between rooms and offers genuinely impressive airflow customisation thanks to its dual-direction oscillation. The ability to switch between pedestal and desktop modes also makes it more versatile than many similarly priced rivals.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat)
Not every design decision lands perfectly. The rear light feels more gimmicky than useful, the missing carry handle is an odd omission for such a portable fan, and the overall construction doesn’t feel quite as reassuringly robust as the Meaco 1056. Even so, none of these issues significantly impacts the overall experience.
If you’re after a capable, stylish and flexible air circulator that can comfortably cool bedrooms, offices and living spaces without sounding like a jet engine, the Lume is a strong contender, especially if you value quiet operation and adjustable airflow above all else.
Also consider
The Shark FlexBreeze Fan is a stronger option for anyone who needs more cooling power than the Lume can provide. Its larger fan head pushes serious airflow, and the cordless design makes it far more versatile for gardens, patios and larger living spaces. It’s less compact and not as whisper-quiet, but much more adaptable overall.
If you want something a little sturdier and more refined, the MeacoFan 1056 remains one of the best fans we tested. It offers similarly quiet operation and excellent air circulation, but its sliding height adjustment, reassuring build quality, and easier controls make it feel more premium and polished day-to-day.
The Dyson Pure Cool is a better option for anyone wanting more than just airflow. Alongside cooling, it also functions as an air purifier, making it ideal for allergy sufferers or stuffy urban homes. It’s significantly more expensive than the Lume, but the bladeless design, smart features and premium finish make it feel far more high-end.
