Bajaj Speedster X 1200mm Ceiling Fan Review: Cheap Induction Fan

The Bajaj Speedster X 1200mm is for buyers who want a very cheap fan for a room used a few hours a day, and who value repair at any local shop. The main trade-off is running cost: at 67 W it uses nearly double the power of a BLDC fan, and the gap adds up quickly if you run it all day.

How does an induction fan compare with a BLDC fan?

It moves air well: 2.3 m/s at 1.5 m below the blades at top speed, in line with the BLDC fans. What it gives up is efficiency. At 12 hours a day and ₹8 a unit, it costs about ₹280 a year less than a 75 W baseline fan, but about ₹1,086 a year more than a 36 W BLDC fan. Bought as a replacement for a worn-out fan, the extra purchase price of a BLDC unit is usually recovered in under three summers.

Is the Bajaj Speedster X noisy?

We measured about 58 dB at one metre at top speed, with a clear motor hum and some blade noise, the loudest unit in this group. On lower speeds it improves but stays audible in a quiet room. The regulator can add a small buzz at middle settings, which is common with older resistance or electronic regulators.

How does it behave during voltage swings?

An induction fan is sensitive to low voltage. At 180 V it slowed by about a third and the hum increased, though it did not stall. At 250 V it ran hot to the touch after an hour. If your area has regular dips, a BLDC fan will cope better.

Can it run on an inverter?

Yes, but it is a poor match. On a 900 VA inverter with a 150 Ah battery and two LED bulbs, it ran about 12 hours at top speed. Two such fans would drain the battery in about six hours, while two BLDC fans would last twice as long. If you have a long power cut problem, a BLDC fan is the better investment.

What about repair and service?

This is its strength. A local electrician can replace a capacitor, a bearing or a winding in minutes, and Bajaj’s service reach is among the widest in India. There is no circuit board or remote to fail, so the fan can run for a decade with occasional oiling and cleaning.

What does the Bye-Bye Dust finish do?

The anti-dust coating on the blades reduced how fast dust settled in dry weather, though in humid monsoon weeks the blades still need a wipe every couple of weeks. It does not change the performance of the fan.

Who should buy something else?

Anyone who runs a fan for most of the day should pick a BLDC fan such as the Superfan or Atomberg. Buyers wanting a remote and a BEE 5 star rating at a similar budget should look at the Polycab.

Does the wall regulator waste power?

A little. Resistance-type regulators burn some energy as heat on the lower speeds, and an electronic regulator is more efficient. We measured about 38 W on the lowest speed through the supplied regulator setup, so the savings from running slowly are smaller than with a BLDC fan.