Innovative Design Meets Exceptional Functionality
The Noctua HOME NV-FS1 Desk Fan stands out in a crowded market with its overengineered design, quiet operation, and versatile functionality. Backed by Noctua's reputation for quality and a six-year warranty, this fan is a top choice for those willing to invest in a premium cooling solution for their workspace.
The Good
- Exceptional Build Quality
- Quiet Operation
- Versatile Functionality
The Bad
- Premium Price
- Multiple Cables
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Design and Build Quality
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Performance and Noise Levels
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Ease of Use and Customization
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Value for Money
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Warranty and Support
Ten years ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing my first Noctua product, the iconic NH-D15 cooler. Noctua was one of the original companies that took a chance on me as an emerging reviewer, entrusting me with their top-tier cooler to deliver an unbiased opinion. Over the years, the NH-D15 has withstood numerous computer upgrades, maintaining its performance and modern appeal in every build.
Noctua has become my go-to brand for PC cooling solutions, consistently proving their reliability and longevity. I have Noctua fans that have been running flawlessly for five to ten years essentially every single day since installation.
At CES 2024, Noctua surprised everyone by venturing outside their cozy realm of computer components with their new Home lineup. It’s a simple yet innovative approach that no major brands had seemed to consider.
Given Noctua fans’ ability to handle the intense heat of a 212°F (100°C) CPU, why not use them to cool us down during that same gaming session too?
Gone are the days of relying on cheap, noisy USB-powered desk fans. Today, we start our exploration of Noctua’s HOME lineup with the NV-FS1 Desk and Room Fan.
Initially, I was skeptical about its utility, but spoiler alert: the NV-FS1 will become a permanent fixture on my desk for many years to come.
Welcome to my review of the Noctua NV-FS1 Desk and Room Fan.
Design
A few months after my initial review of the NH-D15, Noctua sent me their IndustrialPPC and Redux fans to review. These new fans offered industrial-strength and lightweight cooling solutions, respectively.
Over the past decade, Noctua has demonstrated their preparedness to launch this new Home lineup, adapting their expertise and knowledge from the past to a modern lineup.
In 2016, Noctua expanded their product range again with the Chromax lineup, allowing users to add a splash of color to the ironic beige and brown aesthetic. Those solid black fans that followed quickly gained popularity.
The NV-FS1 had to balance subtlety with functionality to earn its place on any desk. Its all-black finish ensures it blends seamlessly into its surroundings while discreetly cooling whatever is placed in front of its large circular air shroud.
The “Airflow Amplifier” is the NV-FS1’s first standout feature and a rather eye-catching one for that matter.
The Airflow Amplifier focused the airflow from a A12X25 120mm fan, of which I reviewed a few years ago. With helix shape of the airflow amplifier, the NV-FS1 not only directs strong airflow precisely, but also maintains the Noctua’s signature quiet operation.
Airflow Amplifier does add some bulk to the entire package with the NV-FS1 is a little on the larger size with the width of the unit measuring at 5.5 inches (140mm) and the height at 5.9 inches (150mm).
That said, despite its larger size, the NV-FS1’s footprint is comparable to that of my Xbox Elite Controller when set on the desk.
Attached to the all-metal stand and housing is a classic Noctua A12X25 fan, a fan that has won over 100 awards and is a strong robust long-lasting fan in Noctua’s cooling lineup.
To prevent any noise or vibrations from ever disrupting you and your work, Noctua added rubber padding to the NV-FS1 metal base as well as including black rubber Chromax to the A12X25’s eight corners.
This is seriously a stable and quiet desk fan and with how much engineering goes into Noctua products, I wouldn’t have expected less.
The versatile metal frame can be mounted to virtually any surface or left free-standing, with the option to rotate the A12X25 fan 180 degrees or even replace it with a larger 140mm fan if desired.
Included in the NV-FS1 box is everything you would need to get started. The NV-FS1 itself comes fully assembled and Noctua includes a nice DC power lead (plus connectors for all over the globe), zip ties, mounting hardware for drywall, and a PWM fan controller and the cable leads.
If there is a single “thumbs down” I would share about the NV-FS1 it would be how many cable connections are in the chain for the NV-FS1. The A12X25 fan uses a PWM 4-pole fan connector that then attaches to Noctua’s Stepless PWM fan controller which then connects to a PWM fan extension cable, which then connects to the DC power cable.
While I understand why Noctua did this because it gives users more power to how they wish to operate their fan, for the general consumer it can be seen as a lot.
All-in-all, I appreciate the stealthy all-black design, which complements my black Xbox controller and dark oak desk. Noctua’s attention to detail extends to the cables, which are also black to maintain a cohesive look.
Noctua has truly excelled with the design of the NV-FS1. Its color, size, and customizable features ensure it fits seamlessly into any home setup and I’m welcoming it with open arms to be a permanent feature on my desk. A high mark for someone who seeks a minimal-ish and clean desk.
Functionality
When Noctua announced the NV-FS1 at CES, there was a lot of negative media coverage of the product. Reviewers, journalists, and the like asked “Why?” and judged the product by its cover.
Ever since setting up the NV-FS1 on my desk about two weeks ago, it has become an absolute favorite of mine. I work a hybrid role, and sitting at my desk all day can cause me to get warm, especially when gaming and my computer is dumping heat.
To start, Noctua’s Stepless PWM fan controller allows the user to adjust the fan speed of the A12X25 fan from 0 to 100%. While it’s a little awkward to reach around the fan to adjust the small dial, I often keep it at a 50% or 0% workload.
The orange status LED indicates the power draw and glows according to the percentage of power being sent to the fan. It’s a handy little device.
An optional button on the controller enables the green LED to inform the user that the fan will not drop below 300 RPM. This feature ensures that the fan will not be turned off by a BIOS during a PC shutdown if you opt to connect the NV-FS1 to a PC fan header instead of DC power.
I am constantly readjusting the airflow direction, whether I want it to cool my face, my chest, or, my new favorite, keep my hands from being sweaty on the keyboard and mouse while gaming. Or, in this case, writing this review.
At anything under 80% power, I can’t hear a single thing from the A12X25 fan, but even at 100% power, it’s still relatively quiet and doesn’t bother me one bit. At 100%, the fan really moves a lot of strong directed air and cools the air as well.
For the past two weeks after installing the NV-FS1, I haven’t bothered to turn it off at all. The fan has constantly run whether I’m at my desk or not, and I’d expect Noctua to welcome this use case as they stand behind their products.
What I initially was unsure I ever needed on my desk has become something that is a must-have. The Noctua NV-FS1 is a powerful desk fan that is unmatched by, quite literally, anything on the market. It’s robust, well-built, stylish, powerful, and does everything perfectly. Plus, the entire unit is customizable, allowing you to mount it how and where you want or even replace the fan with a bigger one.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the NV-FS1 has passed a good protection and safety check by preventing fingers from getting caught in the fan with its pre-installed fan grill and stable power supply with overvoltage, overcurrent, and short-circuit protection.
My Final Thoughts
Amazon returns over 3,000 results for “desk fan” on their marketplace, but I’d challenge anyone to find a better desk fan than the Noctua NV-FS1.
The NV-FS1 is a meticulously overengineered, made-in-Taiwan masterpiece, just like everything else Noctua manufactures and I’m proud to give it the exclusive desk space it well deserves. Noctua has created an exceptional product that combines versatility and functionality.
With Noctua’s six-year warranty, I have no concerns about running the A12X25 fan non-stop. I’m confident that Noctua would happily replace any component that might fail within that timeframe without any hassle.
Priced at $100 on Amazon, it might seem steep for a desk fan, but it’s an investment in quality and durability. This fan is built to last at least six years, and I plan to use it until Noctua releases their next innovative product.
It’s an A++ review from me and a product that you cannot be disappointed with if you decide to see how wrong the initial media coverage was too.
© 2024 Justin Vendette
