Ryobi Updates Hybrid Portable Fan to Keep You Cool With Quiet Operation
Whether you're out working or enjoying a nice evening in the backyard, it's good to have some airflow to keep you refreshed. Ryobi's 18V Hybrid Portable Fan (PCL811B) makes your life cooler and quieter. We got this fan to gain some first-hand experience to share with you.
Ryobi 18V One+ Hybrid 7.5" Portable Fan Performance
noise test
The latest hybrid fan joins Ryobi's Whisper line, the brand's quietest lineup yet. It has a noise rating of just 47 dBA, which Ryobi tells us is 44 percent quieter than previous fan models. Even with reduced noise, it's still 24 percent faster than Ryobi's previous fan iteration. Here's what our sound level meter recorded from 3 feet away in each mode:
- Low: < 50 dBA (not detected by our meter)
- Medium: 52 dB
- High: 54 dB
In fact, noise testing is a pain. The chirping of birds or the rustling of a breeze in the trees changes our measurements. Essentially, it's eerily quiet, although you can hear the fan running.
airflow test
Ryobi says the fan is capable of producing up to 680 CFM of power. To find out what this really means for the air you feel, we took two wind speed measurements. Here are the measurements for each mode at 3 feet away:
- Low: 4.4 MPH
- Medium: 7.3 MPH
- High: 8.2 MPH
To determine the fan's maximum effective range, we measured how far you could still get 2.5 MPH blowing past you.
- Low: 7 feet
- Medium: 14 feet
- Height: 19 feet
runtime test
To get an idea of what kind of runtime you can expect, we fired up a 4.0Ah battery and ran it on high for a total runtime of 5 hours and 9 minutes. At low speeds, that's over 21 hours, according to Ryobi.
There is also the option of using an extension cord to power this fan if you don't mind being tethered to an outlet.
Ryobi 18V One+ Hybrid 7.5" Portable Fan Design Notes
size and weight
The fan's blades are 7.5 inches in diameter, significantly smaller than some of Ryobi's first cordless fans. It's only 15.5 inches tall and 11.5 inches wide.
At 3.9 pounds with batteries, it's light enough to take with you for work or play. Take it to the job site, camp, or just to keep yourself cool while reading our website.
put air where you need it
If you need to hang the PCL811B fan, you have several mounting options. The base has two sets of keyholes where you can use #8 pan head screws to secure the base to the studs. There are also mounting hooks on the bottom of the fan, allowing it to be mounted on a wire mesh fence.
The head swivels 160° so you can direct the airflow wherever you need it.
The carrying handle on top of the fan also makes for easy transport.
Additional features
- Compatible with all Ryobi 18V One+ batteries
The Ryobi PCL811B retails for $59. You also have a $129 kit option that includes the 4.0Ah battery and charger. Ryobi backs your purchase with a 3-year limited warranty. Like all Ryobi products, this fan is exclusive to The Home Depot.
the bottom line
It's the height of summer at the time of writing, and we certainly enjoyed testing Ryobi's PCL811B hybrid fan. It provides plenty of airflow to keep individuals cool, and we appreciate its quiet operation. If you're using Ryobi's 18V One+ system and need a fan that you can take with you, whether for work or casual adventures, head to your local Home Depot to pick up this one.
Specification
- Model: Ryobi PCL811B
- Fan diameter: 7.5 inches
- Height: 15.5 inches
- Width: 11.5 inches
- Weight: 3.9 lbs
- Blade material: ABS plastic
- Required battery type: 18V
- Number of speeds: 3
- Noise level: 47 dBA
- High set speed: 1,850 RPM
- Medium set speed: 1,500 RPM
- Low set speed: 930 RPM