Ryobi has recently came out with a new hybrid cordless One+ fan (P3220) that can be powered by their 18V battery packs, but it can also be used with any standard 2-prong power cord.
We have one in for testing, which is perfect timing too. It’s not scorchingly hot these days, but it’s hot enough where cooling aids are definitely appreciated.
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There are three areas the new fan shines:
First, the two power options mean you can go cordless for portability and placement convenience, or plug it into an AC outlet for infinite runtime.
Second, I like how the fan offers multiple mounting options. Thus far I’ve only placed the fan on flat surfaces, but the built-in hook and screw mounting holes look like the could come in handy down the road. There are also small hooks on the sides, but the manual doesn’t mention how these are intended to be used.
Third, the fan actually works! I expected it to have wimpy airflow, but it’s capable of outputting a decent amount of air. It won’t product a gust of air, but it’s enough for a personal fan.
Blade diameter is about 7.5″ (this is a rough measurement), and there are two speeds – low and high which spin the blade at 1400 and 2100 RPM, respectively. The fan has a pivot range of about 100° or so, which is enough for my liking, regardless as to whether it’s placed on the floor, a benchtop, or potentially hung from the wall.
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I haven’t completely drained a 4.0Ah battery in one go, but runtime looks to be decent. Specs for the similarly-looking cordless-only fan say that it can be powered on the low setting for up to 10 hours.
The user manual specifies that the battery should be recharged after about 5 hours to prevent deep discharging the battery too often, as this could damage and shorten the life of batteries. There’s a warning on the back of the fan that mentions this as well.
It’s too soon to tell for certain, but the overall construction seems to be top-notch. I liked how the fan was ready to go straight out of the box, with no assembly or setup required. The fan doesn’t come bundled as a kit with batteries or a charger, but those can be purchased separately for as low as $60 for a battery and charger combo.
I haven’t yet hooked up the fan with an extension cord, but it’s nice to have that option. It should be compatible with standard heavy-duty extension cords. There’s a chart in the user manual that’s not too helpful, as it doesn’t mention current draw. But, going by the chart and the “please recharge the battery after 5 hours” warning, a 16-gauge 25′, 50′, or 100′ cable should suffice.
Overall, I found the new hybrid fan to be a delightful addition to Ryobi’s 18V One+ lineup. Yes, that’s right, I called it delightful. I was doing some work outside the other day, and when resting indoors it was easier to bring this fan to me than for me to sit closer to a floor-standing fan.
Could it be better? Not in any way I can think of, unless Ryobi made it larger, but that would also increase the size, weight, and cost, while decreasing its runtime and portability.
Price: $40 for the bare fan, battery and charger are sold separately.
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There’s also a cordless-only version (P3310) available for $30. It looks like both fans are identical, except for this new hybrid fan’s added plug-in AC option.
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Thank you to Ryobi for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for editorial and comparison purposes.
jason. w
Go ryobi! My favorite brand. 🙂
KL
Is the deep discharge thing unique to Ryobi, ie did they not build in protections? I run my Milwaukee radios (not a fan I realize) until they shut off, I thought the battery packs were smart enough to just shut down at a certain point.
Stuart
Not really, deep discharging any rechargeable Li-ion battery could potentially lead to reduced lifetime. I am unsure as to why this is more of a concern here, but I suppose it could be due to how users might “set and forget” the fan for long stretched of time. With other handheld tools, users will be much more aware when it’s time for a recharge.
Jason
I have never see a warning like that before on a Lion battery powered tool before. Usually the protection circuity prevents further use once the pack is drained.
JohnnyFbomb
I hope TTI brings this out in milwaukee.
Kurt Greiner
I wonder why they don’t put a timer circuit in the fan and shut it off after 5 hours if battery damage is possible? The nature of a fan means it is very likely to leave it on during a working day.
Glenn
I have the cordless only version and have had it for about 8 months now. It appears to have identical specs except for the mains option, which unfortunately is not available here yet.
There is no disclaimer on it re switching it off . I find it odd that your version does as all the li-ion batteries have low voltage discharge cut out anyway. I certainly run mine til cut out.
I have used mine quite a lot in the garage and also on site on still days a few times and with the smaller batteries it will run for about 4 1/2+ hours on low and @ 2+ hours on high.
Our Ryobi site suggests that a run time of up to 16 hours is possible (obviously using the 4ah batteries and on low).
Overall I too have found it to be useful and used as designed ie; a personal fan, it has more than enough airflow to make life more comfortable in the garage.
With the addition of a mains power option this makes it even more attractive. Now I will just have to wait til it’s available here and then sell off my current one!
joe
I would like the competition to come out with one brushless version with “intelligent” battery circuitry monitoring….from the battery itself or the tool, doesn’t matter.
I made myself a carry on fan using a computer brushless fan with the 12v dewalt battery….I’m surprised why not a lot of workers ask for this since it’s helps the body HVAC system (sweat) work better….try to repair an HVAC line, water pipe, run coaxial cable etc…in an attic where outside is 90+ degrees….or even working under your car in a hot summer day….
kangaroos in Australia cool down their bodies by liking their arms to cool down their blood as to not fry….the way the body sweat works is the way the kangaroos saliva works too…when the body sweats it means it’s over heating….the sweat evaporates when the wind hits it there by cooling the body….where there is no air circulation, like in an attic or garage….you just sweat and feel the heat….thats torture lol imo.
Obviously DIYers and guys of the trade need this more than a guy sitting in a cooled building in his cubicle…lets get these portable fans out for all workers from all brands. IMO.
matt
I have had mine a while… I like it allot… even if its the only tool you have from them its worth it if you do HVAC or Plumbing(well any trade really) where you can be in a hot area for a extended period its great..
Far as cut off goes I am pretty sure mine does have a cut off it does not do the nicad slow crawl to death thing, it just shuts down right now like all Li-ion tools do.. I have certainly ran mine to cut off more then once and it just cut off every time.. Its rare that I run it for that long though..
I do wish Milwaukee would come out with one since that is my preferred line..
Makita also has a fan and it looks pretty awesome quite a bit larger then this unit to.. but cost is up there on it..
Adam
I’ve had the hybrid fan for a few months now – it’s perfect to take camping with the family. My 4.0 ah battery lasts all night on the low setting. It does move a decent amount of air on the high setting as well.
Chad
I would like to see DeWalt come out with one. I like this idea a lot, but I dont want to invest in Ryobi to get one.
Mark Belden Jr
I made the switch to ryobi from old 18v dewalr tools, I sawed thru a 1″ piece of blower shaft 3 times with the recip saw, very happy with the results, don’t hesitate to make the jump,
Bob
Just purchased one after the nightly temps have prevented sleep until around 3 am when it just begins to cool down. I have two of Ryobis smallest, cheapest batteries that came in a drill combo on sale, barely over 1 AH each…. Will have to save up for a larger battery if these two don’t last long enough.
Cindy
I’ve had two of older (blue) model since about 2011. The reason I need two of them — instead of one fan with two batteries — is that occasionally the blade assembly falls off the rotation shaft, and then you have to remove 18 tiny screws to open the ‘cage’ so that you can put the blade assembly back into place. The blade is only held on my friction.
I would gladly buy a new fan if this problem has been fixed and the blade won’t just fall off, but in looking at the newer model I can’t see that it’s designed any differently.
BTW, my experience is that the fan will run for about eight hours on the lower speed. I have two batteries so that I can run a fan on the high speed during really hot days.
Mike M
My fan rotates from the position i set it on….seems like not enough stiction on the swivel…. anyone seen or solved this problem ?
S Weaver
Hooks are great for attaching to a dog crate in the car or at an event…. Just wondering how I would go about using
the plug-in option in a vehicle?
James Nobles
Rubio fans should be bought by someone who has the strength of Superman because the battery hold down clamps are to hard to squeeze to get the battery out.Im getting carpal tunnel just changing batteries which is too often.They don’t last and Dewalt has one better cheaper and easier to use.