The new Shark FlexBreeze cordless fan is all you need to find cooling relief on hot days (2024)

With summer fast approaching, you may be considering new patio furniture, an outdoor rug or other accessories to improve your outdoor space. Another way to ensure you have the most enjoyable time outside is to get an outdoor fan. A versatile fan that functions well inside and outside is always a good investment. This ensures you have lots of flexibility depending on your needs.

The Shark FlexBreeze is an indoor-outdoor fan that also comes with a misting attachment. It quickly transforms from a pedestal fan to a tabletop fan to work in various environments. With a fully charged battery, you can take this cordless fan with you on the go. Here’s everything you need to know about the FlexBreeze.

About the Shark FlexBreeze cordless fan

Shark is well known for its innovative vacuum cleaners, but it also produces high-quality fans. The Shark FlexBreeze is a jack-of-all-trades with everything it can accomplish.

At 13 lbs, the FlexBreeze is lightweight enough to be easily portable while using the carrying handle. There are five speed levels, three side-to-side oscillation options (45, 90, and 180 degrees), and an up-and-down tilt of 55 degrees.

The Shark FlexBreeze works as a pedestal or tabletop fan inside or outside. It also comes with Shark's InstaCool misting attachment that hooks up to a standard garden hose and can cool air temperatures by up to 10 degrees.

Plug in the power cord to charge the battery. When the battery charge is full, as indicated by the color of the LED battery light, the cordless fan can go anywhere with you.

With the included remote control, you can change the fan's speed and oscillation without moving from your seat. You can also use the powerful boost mode to feel an even stronger breeze.

How we tested the Shark FlexBreeze fan

When the fan arrived, the battery life was around 50%, so I plugged it in overnight to ensure it was fully charged and operating at peak performance. I first tested the different speeds without oscillation to get a feel for how strong each speed was and the noise level.

Next, using the manual buttons on the top of the fan, I tested the oscillation features at the lowest speed to compare the three options. The indication lights on the front helped us remember the fan's mode.

Then, it was time to test the InstaCool misting attachment. I hooked it up to a garden hose and tested it on each of the five speeds and with the different oscillation options.

Lastly, I played around with the remote control to see how it performed and converted the fan from pedestal to tabletop mode. The FlexBreeze does a lot, so I explored all of its features.

What we like

Stickers providing instructions are included on every piece

A standout feature is Shark’s commitment to making set up a breeze. The quick-start guide provides detailed instructions and photos on initially assembling the fan into pedestal mode. There’s also a section highlighting all of the cool features the fan offers, so you don’t miss out on any of the benefits.

Don’t fret if you forget what you read. It’s impossible to miss the bright yellow stickers on each piece of the fan reminding you what to do. Whether it is storing the remote, aligning the pole to the head of the fan, plugging in the charging cord, or converting the fan to tabletop mode, there are always directions to guide you.

There are multiple ways to use the fan

There are so many ways to use this fan that it feels as though you are purchasing three different fans. First, the fan is approved for use indoors and outdoors. I primarily tested it outside as I enjoyed the misting feature.

Next, you can choose whether to use it as a pedestal or a table fan. Inside, the pedestal mode was great for cooling down the whole room. I used the lowest oscillating setting of 45 degrees. I also used it as a desk fan on the lowest setting for a quiet, gentle breeze while working. This is a super quiet fan. You don’t hear anything until you get to speed three. Outside, it was great to have the tabletop option for sitting out in the sun and enjoying the breeze.

The third option is to convert it to a misting fan. The InstaCool attachment snaps into the front of the fan and features two nozzles. As you increase the speed, the misting stream gets stronger. I liked using the oscillating feature with the mist to get the full cooling effect. There is a convenient shut-off valve on the InstaCool cord if you need to turn off the water quickly.

The convenience of a remote control is a bonus

Having a remote control is a game changer when using the Shark FlexBreeze. When relaxing in your chair, the last thing you want to do is get up to adjust it. With the convenience of the remote, you can change the speed and oscillation settings. With the press of a button, you can also put the fan in boost mode.

A nifty remote function allows you to turn the fan head to the right or left about fifteen degrees. This is different from oscillating. It simply adjusts the fan head to point where you want it to go.

The best part of the remote is its convenient storage on the back of the fan. It attaches using a magnetic feature, so you’ll never have to worry about losing it.

What we don’t like

The variable battery life provides some uncertainty about the actual runtime

The main disadvantage to the Shark FlexBreeze is that the fan’s battery life indicator is not precise. It gives you a range of battery life left, probably to account for the variable amount of power used during each mode. However, it leaves the user wondering how long the cordless fan will last.

The included runtime chart shows that the battery life range starts at 27 hours at the lowest fan speed without oscillation. If you add oscillation, it drops considerably to 10 hours. At the highest fan speed without oscillation, the battery only lasts 2 hours. The two to 27-hour range is pretty broad.

Note that the chart is tiny and can easily get lost. I may have temporarily misplaced it during testing, so I recommend you store it somewhere safe.

Another battery woe is if you choose to use the boost mode. In boost mode, the fan only lasts up to 1.5 hours. Plus, after 20 minutes of cordless use, the speed automatically decreases to save battery life.

I recommend you skip boost mode altogether. It is significantly more powerful than the highest speed setting but also very loud and eats up battery life. You are better off running the fan at a lower speed and enjoying more runtime.

What other owners are saying

Owners love the versatility of having a pedestal and tabletop fan in one. It's great for indoor use in home gyms and camping in summer. The FlexBreeze's quietness is also a huge talking point. It is whisper-quiet through speed level three and only slightly louder at the highest speeds.

The main concern about the Shark FlexBreeze is that the battery runtime is shorter than advertised. You have to pay attention to the fine print. You can get 24 hours of runtime at the lowest speed without oscillation. However, that setting is weak and unpopular.

Should you buy the Shark FlexBreeze?

Yes, the abundance of capabilities it offers makes it a great choice

A portable cordless fan opens a whole new world of cooling relief. You aren’t limited to inside your office or the back deck. You can go anywhere an outlet might not be available, like the sports fields, camping, or a concert in the park. The FlexBreeze is designed to move around easily. It only takes seconds to transform it from pedestal to tabletop mode, giving you a larger array of uses.

The misting feature allows air temperatures to cool down even further with access to a garden hose hookup.

While the battery life can be confusing, all the positives outweigh any concerns. The bottom line is to consider the environment where you want to use your fan, make sure it is fully charged, and pay attention to the runtime chart so you aren’t disappointed by a shorter runtime.

If you are interested in corded indoor-only fans, here are some recommendations for some of the best fans.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.