Honeywell HY254E QuietSet Tower Fan Review

The Honeywell HY254E QuietSet is one of the best value tower fans under £80 for light sleepers and home workers. Eight speeds, a remote and a genuine sleep mode deliver real flexibility, and the lower settings are as quiet as anything in this price bracket. The caveat: the QuietSet name only holds on the bottom half of the range, so buyers after maximum airflow should look elsewhere.

The Honeywell HY254E QuietSet positions itself as the go-to choice for buyers who prioritise quiet operation above everything else. With eight speeds, a dedicated WhisperQuiet mode, a remote control and a sleep function, it packs more features into the sub-£80 bracket than most of its rivals. The name is both a selling point and a promise, so how well does it hold up in practice?

Design and build quality

The HY254E has a classic tower fan silhouette: tall, slim and upright with a neutral dark finish that suits most interiors. At around 97 cm it is on the taller side for a mid-range fan, which helps with wider airflow projection, particularly in combination with the 90-degree oscillation arc.

The plastic construction is functional but not inspiring. It does not feel cheap, but it does not feel premium either. Controls are arranged on a panel at the top of the unit, with clear labelling for each of the eight speeds and the various modes. The included remote duplicates the key controls, which is genuinely useful when the fan is across the room.

Assembly is straightforward, the base is stable on carpet and hard floors, and the oscillation mechanism is smooth without any rattling. Honeywell’s broader product range and safety testing history gives this fan credibility over lesser-known brands at a similar price.

Airflow and cooling

Eight speeds give the HY254E real flexibility. The lowest two or three settings move a gentle amount of air, fine for background cooling or desk use. By speed five or six the airflow is meaningful enough to feel across a medium-sized room, and the top two settings push a strong draught for hot afternoons.

The 90-degree oscillation arc covers most standard rooms, and combined with the taller height the fan spreads its airflow reasonably well. It is not the most powerful fan at this price, but the combination of reach and adjustability makes it effective for everyday use. For context on how well tower fans actually cool a space, see our guide on whether tower fans cool a room.

Noise

This is where the QuietSet earns its name, at least on the lower settings. Speeds one through four produce a soft, consistent airflow noise that is easy to sleep through and unobtrusive during work. Honeywell’s motor tuning on the lower end is noticeably better than budget alternatives, which tend to produce a rough, buzzy note even on their quietest setting. The tone is steady and smooth rather than pulsing or variable.

Speed five and above pushes the boundaries of “quiet.” By speed eight the fan is loud enough to be clearly audible across a room, and the WhisperQuiet branding feels like marketing more than reality at the top of the range. In practice, most users will find their ideal spot between speeds three and six, where the fan earns its reputation.

The sleep mode is particularly well thought out, gradually stepping the speed down as you settle in rather than abruptly switching between settings. This graduated drop is one of the most sleep-friendly features available at this price.

Running costs

At about 50W, the HY254E costs roughly 1.2p an hour at the Ofgem price cap of around 24-25p per kWh. An overnight eight-hour run adds around 10p to your electricity bill. Even at the higher speeds, tower fans are vastly cheaper to run than air conditioning units. For a full comparison, see our tower fan running cost guide.

Features

Eight speeds, oscillation, a remote, a sleep mode and a basic timer cover most practical needs. The remote is straightforward to use and feels robust. There is no app connectivity or smart-home integration, which keeps setup simple and the learning curve flat.

The display dims automatically in sleep mode so indicator lights do not disturb you overnight, a small detail that makes a real difference in a dark bedroom.

Is the Honeywell HY254E QuietSet worth it?

For buyers who want quiet overnight performance, a remote and decent airflow without paying Dyson prices, the HY254E is one of the better options under £80. The eight speeds are genuinely useful, and the lower settings are as quiet as anything in this price bracket.

The caveat is that the “quiet” promise only holds on the lower half of the range. If you primarily want maximum airflow, a fan with fewer speeds and a stronger motor might serve you better. But for light sleepers, home workers and anyone who hates getting up to adjust a fan, it is a well-rounded choice.

See how it compares in our best quiet tower fans roundup, and browse the full Honeywell tower fan range for other options.