I put Dyson's new clever cooling fan to the test this heatwave and slept like a baby

I've spent most of this heatwave doing what every Brit seems to do when temperatures creep above 25°C: complaining about being too hot while still refusing to invest in air conditioning.

As someone who's also currently pregnant, sleeping has been particularly challenging. Between the heat, pregnancy insomnia and trying to find a comfortable position, I've spent more nights staring at the ceiling than anyone should. So when Dyson's new Find+Follow Purifier Cool launched, I was more than willing to put its £549.99 price tag to the test.

At first glance, it looks much like Dyson's other bladeless fans, but this model comes with one major upgrade. Using what Dyson calls Find+Follow technology, the fan can actually detect where you are in the room and direct purified airflow towards you, even when you move.

I wasn't convinced I'd notice much difference. After all, a fan is a fan, right? Oh, so wrong. Some things really are worth investing in, and this is one of them.

READ MORE: 5 of the best cooling bedroom buys to help you sleep comfortably in the heatwave

The first thing I tested was bedtime. Rather than blasting cold air in one fixed direction, the fan subtly tracked my position as I shifted around the bed during the night. I’m prone to a lot of movement at night, so it meant I wasn't constantly adjusting the fan or waking up feeling stuffy (well, more stuffy than I already am, thanks to this baby).

What surprised me most was how quiet it was, despite the powerful airflow. In Sleep mode, the machine dims its display and significantly reduces noise levels. I'm highly sensitive to sound when trying to drift off, and my partner to light, so these features were perfect for us.

The cooling performance itself is excellent. I’d actually say better than the Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool Formaldehyde fan I was previously using. Dyson says it delivers more than 290 litres of air per second, and while I didn't exactly get out a measuring jug, I can confirm it made my bedroom noticeably more comfortable during the particularly sticky nights this week.

The purification element is arguably just as impressive. The Find + Follow continuously monitors air quality and uses a fully sealed HEPA H13 filtration system designed to capture allergens, dust, pet dander and airborne particles. I don’t suffer from hayfever really, but I do worry about living in central London with all the air pollution, so this feature really gives me peace of mind.

One of my favourite touches is the intelligence behind the system. If you leave the room, it automatically stops directing airflow towards you while continuing to purify the air. If no one returns after an hour, it switches to auto mode to conserve energy. The fan is essentially smarter than my 16-year-old nephew.

Is £549.99 a lot of money for a fan? Absolutely. But I don’t look at this as just a fan. It's a cooling system, air purifier and smart home gadget rolled into one. After a week of testing during one of the hottest spells of the year, I can say for sure that it's one of the few products that has made a noticeable difference to my sleep. And right now, that's worth its weight in gold.

• Price: £549.99
• New Find+Follow™ technology automatically detects your position and directs cooling purified airflow towards you, even as you move around the room
• Multi-person detection intelligently adjusts oscillation up to 350° to share airflow between multiple people
• Purifies and cools simultaneously with powerful airflow designed to cool you while filtering the air
• HEPA H13 filtration captures 99.95% of particles, including pollen, dust, pet dander and bacteria
• Formaldehyde destruction via a permanent catalytic filter that never needs replacing
• Real-time air quality monitoring is displayed on the built-in LCD screen
• Sleep mode operates at lower noise levels with a dimmed display for overnight use
• Smart energy-saving features detect when you leave the room and automatically adjust the operation
• App connectivity lets you monitor air quality, set schedules and control settings remotely
• Diffuse mode purifies the room without blowing air directly onto you

Shopping around for heatwave cooling hacks? Here are 5 of the best cooling bedroom buys to help you sleep comfortably in the heatwave, including Emma Comfort Cooling Pillow, currently £64 down from £80, and Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist Indoor & Outdoor Fan & Outdoor Misting System, available for £249.99.