Ridgid 18V Cordless Jobsite Fan Gets A Facelift And A Power Boost
Here in Central Florida, a good fan is worth its weight in gold during those blazing hot summer months! The updated Ridgid 18V Cordless Jobsite Fan has a few familiar features from its predecessor but with a few upgrades under the hood to keep you cool. Should you make the upgrade?
Ridgid 18V Cordless Jobsite Fan Performance
Airflow
Ridgid’s previous cordless fan pumped out 475 CFM but the R860721 is cranking out 670 CFM at a rate of 1070 FPM (~12 MPH). That’s about a 40% increase in airflow, ultimately keeping you cooler during those warmer conditions.
Ridgid uses a variable speed dial to toggle between six speed settings for more control than a simple low, medium, and high.
To put it all in perspective, we set this fan up in our shop and measured the airflow range. At 5 feet, the highest speed setting produces an air speed of 8.5 MPH, which can cool you down in a hurry. Here’s what airspeed we measured in all six settings:
- Low: 3.5 MPH
- 2: 4.0 MPH
- 3: 5.3 MPH
- 4: 6.0 MPH
- 5: 7.3 MPH
- High: 8.5 MPH
2.5 MPH is about the lowest you still get some cooling effect and that airspeed is what we use to define a fan’s effective range. At high speed, this jobsite fan can push 2.5 MPH out to 18 feet.
Runtime
Our runtime test produced some impressive results. We set the fan to its max speed and got 6 hours, 31 minutes, and 20 seconds of continuous runtime using a Ridgid 4.0Ah Max Output battery.
What elevates this fan from good to great is its hybrid power capability which gives you unlimited runtime using a 120V outlet. Additionally, there’s an integrated extension cord slot that lets you tuck the cord flush underneath the fan while plugged in.
Noise Level
The Ridgid R860721 maintains a very low operating noise level, measuring just 54 decibels on max speed from 5 feet away. From 18 feet and 25 feet, the noise level was too low for our sound meter to register.
Some people have complained about a high-pitch whine and it’s something we heard on our model, too. The higher the speed you run on, the less you heard it, though. In the lower three speeds, It’s not very noticeable outside but it is inside.
Ridgid 18V Cordless Jobsite Fan Design Notes
Easy Carry Handle
The handle is another win for Ridgid. Rather than molding a handle into the frame and maybe adding some rubber overmold to it, the fan has a rubberized handle attached to the top of the frame. The fact that it’s not rigid plastic means that it will conform to a comfortable grip no matter what size hand you have or if you’re wearing gloves.
Mounting Options
Ridgid tells us there are ten total ways to mount this fan. A few of our favorites are the retractable rafter hooks and the 1/4-inch threaded tripod mounting point on the bottom. Additionally, there are two keyholes in case you’d like to mount this fan on a wall.
240° of head rotation should leave you with the ability to get the airflow pretty much anywhere you need it.
Additional Highlights
- 5.3 pounds bare, 6.9 pounds with 4.0Ah Max Output battery
- Compatible with all Ridgid 18V batteries
Ridgid 18V Cordless Jobsite Fan Price
The Ridgid R860721 retails for $79 as a bare tool and $139 as a kit that includes a 4.0Ah Max Output battery and charger. Ridgid backs this fan with a 3-year limited warranty and a lifetime service agreement if you register within 90 days of purchase.
The Bottom Line
Ridgid’s latest jobsite fan has an excellent upgrade in performance and still maintains the impressive runtime we enjoyed on the previous model. Keep in mind that some of these have a noticeable squeak even though the actual decibel level is very low. If you happen to get one of those, just exchange it the next time you’re at The Home Depot.
Ridgid 18V Hybrid Jobsite Fan Specifications
- Model: Ridgid R860721
- Power Source: Ridgid 18V battery
- Max Air Flow: 670 CFM
- Max Airspeed: 1070 FPM
- Rated Noise Level: 51 decibels
- Weight: 5.4 lbs (bare)
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 9 x 11 x 15.25
- Warranty: 3-year Limited
- Price: $79 (bare), $139 (kit)
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