Fans are one of those categories where true innovation is kind of hard to find. Ultimately, it’s just there to cool things and circulate air. SwitchBot recently launched its new SwitchBot Standing Circulator Fan, which caught my eye for its built-in battery and Matter (and therefore Apple Home) compatibility. Let’s take a closer look at what this portable fan actually offers and what you need to know before picking one up.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
The idea of a battery-powered smart fan is fantastic this time of year. Having the freedom to move a fan from the bedroom out to the porch without worrying about finding a power outlet is a huge convenience. SwitchBot also built the SwitchBot Standing Circulator Fan to convert between a shorter desk fan and a taller standing fan. Especially with summer coming in the US, I love the option to take it outside on the porch for an evening dinner.
Apple Home support
One thing to note on the Apple Home support is that you cannot just unbox the SwitchBot Standing Circulator Fan and connect it directly to your Apple TV or HomePod mini over Wi-Fi or Thread. To get the Standing Circulator Fan to appear in the Apple Home app, you must first pair it with a SwitchBot Hub.
