Smartmi Standing Fan 3 - smart stand fan with app in the test

Smartmit Standing Fan 3 review

I had not yet had a fan test in my blog, but the manufacturer Smartmi helped me to remedy this. You sent me the smart standing fan "Smartmi Standing Fan 3" for a test. The device is not a "normal" fan, but a versatile model with remote control, natural wind simulation, ionizer, temperature and humidity meter and app control. In this article you will find out what you can expect from this pedestal fan and how it worked for me.

Transparency notice

I received the device free of charge, but as always I write my articles without any influence from the manufacturer. If I have something to criticize, it is also in my test reports. So you can be sure that I won't praise any device that I think is junk.

Here you can see the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 in the children's room - it just looked better than my chaotic office.
Here you can see the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 in the children's room - it just looked better than my chaotic office.

Specifications of the Smartmi Standing Fan 3

I think we can briefly discuss the technical data so that you have an overview of what the fan can and cannot do:

  • Device type: fan (pedestal fan)
  • Manufacturer: Smartmi
  • Model: Standing Fan 3
  • Model number: ZLBPLDS05ZM
  • Battery: yes, 2800 mAh / 33,6 Wh
  • Battery indicator in the stand (LED)
  • Mains connection: yes, Euro plug
  • Power consumption: 25 Watt
  • Remote control: yes (Bluetooth)
  • Negative ion mode: built-in ionizer
  • App: yes, Xiaomi Home (iOS / Android)
  • Automatic panning (oscillation): yes, 0°, 30°, 60°, 90° and 120°
  • Nature mode: slow, random change between two speed levels
  • Audio and displays can be completely disabled (via App)
  • Timer: adjustable via app
  • Parental control: yes, via app
  • Speed ​​levels: 4 via remote control, 100 via app
  • Voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (no Siri)
  • Noise level: 29dB(A) at the lowest level
  • LED indicator on the pole to show WiFi status, wind mode, temperature and humidity
  • 7 rotor blades
  • Motor: brushless motor
  • Tilt: Manually adjustable between 15° down and 25° up
  • Colour: white/silver
  • Material: plastic/aluminium
  • Weight: 3,5 kg
  • Dimensions: 34 96 x x 33 cm
  • Price: 99,90 EUR at Cyberport, 116,20 EUR at Amazon (Stand 30.08.2022)
Smartmi Pedestal Fan 3 smart mobile pedestal fan with battery White
  • Number of Pieces: One
  • Pack size: 18.4 L x 84.5 H x 35.8 W cm

Assembly done in 5 minutes

The smart fan comes in the mail as a kit and has to be assembled first. Instructions for assembly are included, which you should actually read, because I wanted to install the fan without instructions and forgot to install the axle.

But after I took the instructions to hand, everything was properly assembled and ready for use in 5 minutes with the tool provided. The construction is therefore no problem even for people who are not technically gifted.

The small fan kit is - if you look at the instructions - done relatively quickly. Even the right tools and the battery for the remote control are included in the package (photos: Sir Apfelot).
The small fan kit is - if you look at the instructions - done relatively quickly. Even the right tools and the battery for the remote control are included in the package (photos: Sir Apfelot).

Pair remote control

The remote control for the Smartmi Stand Fan 3 is small and handy and also looks quite elegant due to the white color. However, before you can use it, you have to insert the included AAA battery and pair it with the Smartmi fan.

It works like this:

  1. Hold down both buttons on the remote control for approx. 5 seconds.
  2. The LEDs on both the fan and the remote control should now be blinking.
  3. Now press one of the two buttons on the fan itself (within 30 seconds) and the two devices should be paired.
The remote control is slim and elegant, but therefore only has two buttons, which can control the most important functions.
The remote control is slim and elegant, but therefore only has two buttons, which can control the most important functions.

What can the remote control control?

The supplied remote control is relatively small and slim, so that it is hardly noticeable on the bedside table or on the office desk. Of course, the size also limits the number of available keys, which is why you only find two on it.

Both buttons are assigned several functions, which can be activated by short and long presses. The various functions are listed below:

  • Briefly press the top button: Change the 4 speed levels
  • Press and hold the top button: switch the fan on or off
  • Briefly press the lower button: switch oscillation on or off
  • Long press the lower button: Switch between normal and natural mode

control on the fan itself

The pedestal fan has two buttons that can be used to control the same functions as with the remote control. Speed, oscillation, mode change and operating status (on/off) can also be changed with these - of course also with long and short button presses.

The two buttons on top of the motor housing and on the back of the housing control the same actions that the remote control can control.
The two buttons on top of the motor housing and on the back of the housing control the same actions that the remote control can control.

What do I need the app for?

If you see what the remote control can do, you can see that by far not every function can be activated via it. Therefore, the Xiaomi Home (or Mi Home for Android) is a good addition to the operation. These functions can then be used via the app:

  • To switch on and off
  • Standard or Nature mode
  • Speed ​​level 1 to 4
  • Stepless speed control 0 to 100 (almost stepless)
  • Switch oscillation on or off
  • Switch oscillation angle: 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°
  • Timer (countdown and scheduled times)
  • Device name and location (define room)
  • firmware update
  • Automation possible with Xiaomi Home App
  • Display of air temperature and humidity
  • enable/disable built-in ionizer
  • Turn fan left or right
Here you can see the displays and functions that you have in the Xiaomi Home App for the Standing Fan 3.
Here you can see the displays and functions that you have in the Xiaomi Home App for the Standing Fan 3.

If you look closely, you will see the “Negative Ion Mode” switch. I'm not a physicist, but what I found out is this: This mode turns on an auxiliary device in the fan that creates negatively charged ions. Dust particles, odor molecules, microorganisms and other undesirable particles should then attach themselves to these ions and sink to the ground. I couldn't understand whether that would work, but air purifiers based on this technology have been around for a long time.

Not compatible with HomeKit

Unfortunately, the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 is not compatible with Apple's HomeKit. Anyone who still intends to do this can do so here on Reddit get the right tip on how to do it with Homebridge. I'll just briefly add to the reading and video recommendations that are mentioned there:

I did it with a Smartmi Fan 3 which is about the same. The whole thing runs via Homebridge with the appropriate plugin.

Configuring the plugin is pretty easy in the Homebridge interface, the complicated step is extracting the token – but you can follow the video for that.

What is nature mode?

The natural mode is an alternative to the standard mode, in which the fan runs at a constant speed. If you switch on the nature mode, the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 changes speed relatively slowly, but remains in the two lower levels.

This mode is perfect if you have the fan in the bedroom at night to let fresh air blow in with the window open. Coupled with the oscillation, you actually have the feeling that a breeze is blowing through the room every now and then.

The Smartmi Standing Fan 3 can also be operated without a cable. It is practical that the manufacturer has opted for a standard connection, so that a longer cable with a Euro plug can be connected if necessary (photos: Sir Apfelot).
The Smartmi Standing Fan 3 can also be operated without a cable. It is practical that the manufacturer has opted for a standard connection, so that a longer cable with a Euro plug can be connected if necessary (photos: Sir Apfelot).

Battery life in mobile operation without a power cord

A feature that I only noticed relatively late is the mobile operation of the fan. We found it out one night when my wife tried to turn it off by unplugging it. The fan kept running, of course, and I just said to her that she must have pulled the wrong plug. She then: "I thought so too, but now I've pulled all the plugs and it's still running!?"

Since I don't believe in free energy from Nirvana, there was only one conclusion: The thing seems to have a built-in battery. 😊

After reading the operating instructions, I also had it in writing. The battery is probably built into the base of the fan and thus provides the necessary weight, which a base needs to have anyway so that it works well.

At first I thought I didn't really need battery operation, but it's very practical if you can carry the fan around the house without further ado, so that it not only blows on you in the office, but also provides fresh air when cooking or eating.

The big question is, of course, how long will the battery last? Here's the answer:

  • lowest level: approx. 20 hours
  • highest level: approx. 3 hours

A complete charge of the battery requires about 4 hours charging time. A special power pack is not necessary for this, because the charging electronics are already installed and there is only one Euro plug between the fan and the socket.

I find this a bit critical for battery health, since lithium batteries are known to prefer to be kept at 80% charge level than to have 100% charge level all the time. However, since the user is only informed about the battery status via a small LED in the base and the colors red, orange and green, it is difficult for me to say whether Xiaomi has thought about battery health. I just hope so.

The Smartmi Standing Fan 3 has a clean finish, offers a number of features, the app is easy to use and it's quiet - what more could you ask for?
The Smartmi Standing Fan 3 has a clean finish, offers a number of features, the app is easy to use and it is quiet - what more could you ask for?

Design and finish of the Smartmi Standing Fan 3

Speaking of battery health, I would also like to briefly go into the design and processing quality of the Smartmi fan: The fan is silver and white and of course mostly made of plastic and only the rod is made of aluminum. That's not a disadvantage, however, as it makes it easy to carry around.

Visually, the pedestal fan is an eye-catcher, especially when the black LED field on the stand lights up with green icons. I think the elegant look makes it fit into any environment and it can be placed in the living room as well as in the office.

The processing is very valuable and the plastic does not look as if it would break the first time you touch it.

Here you can see the display of the Smartmi Standing Fan 3. The green dots show the speed level, the top symbols show the WiFi connection and the ionizer for air purification. Underneath the green dots is an icon for nature mode if it were enabled.
Here you can see the display of the Smartmi Standing Fan 3. The green dots show the speed level, the top symbols show the WiFi connection and the ionizer for air purification. Underneath the green dots is an icon for nature mode if it were enabled.

Is the Smartmi standing fan suitable for the bedroom?

In my opinion, the most important thing about pedestal fans is how well they are suitable for the bedroom. Especially in summer, a small draft in the bedroom is important to me personally when the house has heated up during the day.

It is important here that the fan runs quietly and that the displays can all be switched off. The Smartmi Standing Fan 3 offers both. At the lowest level, the fan is virtually silent. I often forgot to turn it off because I didn't hear.

And via the app, the key tones can be reduced in volume and switched off completely, and the brightness of the display can be adjusted until it is completely dark.

The small status LED on the base shows the battery level, but only if you have just switched on the fan. This means that this LED does not bother you at night either.

From my point of view, the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 is therefore perfect for cooling off at night.

Here you can see the base of the fan. On the left side you can also see the LED, which lights up green here, but can also take on other colors depending on the battery level (photos: Sir Apfelot).
Here you can see the base of the fan. On the left side you can also see the LED, which lights up green here, but can also take on other colors depending on the battery level (photos: Sir Apfelot).

Criticisms of the Smartmi Standing Fan 3

Of course there are always a few things that – in my opinion – could have been done better. But if you're allowed to dream, I would change the following points:

  • The battery level should – at least in the app – be displayed as a percentage. A running time display in hours and minutes would of course be even better.
  • The battery should optionally only be charged up to 80% in order to extend its service life. Alternatively, you could also do it like the DJI drone batteries: If you don't use them for a few days, they slowly discharge to a capacity at which they can be optimally stored.
  • A button on the remote control for a preset timer duration would be great. Currently you can only activate the timer via the app.
  • HomeKit and Siri support would be great as I don't want to mess with Homebridge.
The Smartmi standing fan 3 has a clean finish, looks good and has many functions that I didn't even expect - a convincing device for just under 100 euros.
The Smartmi standing fan 3 has a clean finish, looks good and has many functions that I didn't even expect - a convincing device for just under 100 euros.

My conclusion on the Smartmi Standing Fan 3

Despite my small criticisms, which didn't really bother me when using it, I find the Smartmi fan extremely successful.

So far we only had a small fan that made a lot of noise when it was running and that you couldn't run in the bedroom at night. This is not a problem with the Smartmi Standing Fan 3, since it does not emit any light or sound.

The first speed level is practically inaudible and is still enough for a pleasant draft. If you still need level 2, you have to live with a very low noise level, which is only slightly above the audible level.

I can only recommend the Smartmi Standing Fan 3.

On the left the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 and on the right our old, rickety and really loud table fan. The Smartmi pedestal fan is much better suited for night-time cooling - if only because it can run much more slowly due to the large rotor to move the same amount of air.
On the left the Smartmi Standing Fan 3 and on the right our old, rickety and really loud table fan. The Smartmi pedestal fan is much better suited for night-time cooling - if only because it can run much more slowly due to the large rotor to move the same amount of air.

Smartmi Standing Fan 2s vs Standing Fan 3

The standing fan 3 currently costs around 100 euros (at Cyberport). If you want to save something again, you can also get the Smartmi Standing Fan 2s watch, which is currently available for 89 euros (Cyberport) is offered. In principle it looks and has the same functions as the Standing Fan 3, but it differs in these points:

  • it has a slightly lower battery life (max. 16h)
  • it has no display in the base
  • it has no display in the aluminum bar
  • he has no remote control
  • it has no temperature sensor
  • it doesn't have a humidity sensor

However, the price difference of 10 euros is so small that I would actually prefer the new model. Currently (as of August 30.08.2022th, XNUMX) it is the cheapest at Cyberport, but since I cannot predict the price development, I would just drop by both shops:

► Smartmi Standing Fan 3 at Cyberport and Amazon watch ◄

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The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de

2 comments on “Smartmi Standing Fan 3 – smart stand fan with app under test”

  1. Hi Jens,

    I had ordered the same one at the beginning of the summer, there was a discount campaign where it only cost 85 €. And immediately ordered two more as soon as I received them.
    I had it placed near the bed on the hot nights, with full swivel range and natural breeze. The noise was still quieter than the outside noise through the open window.
    I haven't tried the app yet.
    A very well made fan, and above all the quietest fan I know. We also have it in the office, always set to natural breeze. The noise is imperceptible. What I particularly like: the low power consumption. I have never had a fan that produced such good airflow with so little power consumption.

    1. Hello coloredwolf! I assume the low power consumption and low noise also comes from the brushless motor. It's great that all devices are slowly being converted to this type of motor. LG!

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