The best air purifiers for mold aren’t enough. Here’s why.

Oct 20, 2026Nov 3, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Before you start shopping for an air purifier, you need to understand what you’re trying to catch.

The airborne spores from molds such as Aspergillus measure 2 to 5 microns in diameter, so they can be easily removed from the air using different types of particle filters.

So… do you really need an expensive HEPA filter to remove mold?

While marketing materials for specific air purifier models suggest you need HEPA H13 or even H14, the reality is that a higher-grade filter can reduce the speed at which an air cleaner removes mold spores from the air because the filter itself is much denser and restricts airflow.

That is why, instead of obsessing over HEPA filter grades, I suggest you focus on finding an air purifier powerful enough to provide multiple air changes in the room with the mold issue. To do this, look at the air purifier’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), which is the volume of filtered air it can deliver.

Aim for a model with a high enough CADR to provide 4-6 air changes per hour in your room. You can use our CADR calculator to determine the CADR you need for your room.

Three more points:

Avoid those small, popular air purifiers with a CADR below 100 cfm. Unless you’re planning to use the air purifier in a tiny closet, small units simply won’t have the strength needed to clean the air quickly enough.
For most people, an air purifier with a CADR of at least 200 cfm will do. A 200 cfm air purifier can provide 4 air changes in spaces up to 375 sq. ft. or 6 air changes in rooms up to 250 sq. ft.
CADR can be maximized with a lower-grade filter, such as MERV 13 or E11. However, moving to lower filter grades, such as MERV 8, will lead to lower CADR because, even though airflow is higher, the filter efficiency is not high enough.

Alright, that’s enough theory. Let’s get into my recommendations…

Best for basements: Levoit Core 600S

Most people who reach out asking for a mold recommendation mention their basement. My top pick is this $300 air purifier from Levoit.

💡exclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

If you’re looking for a unit for a damp basement with humidity levels above 60%, I recommend looking for a high-CADR model with a hardy case that can be wiped down regularly to remove moisture and minimize the risk of mold growth on the filter. My pick is the largest air purifier from Levoit: the Core 600S.

I bought my 600S back in 2022, and it’s still going strong.

In fact, I recently retested everything about it, and it cleaned our test room faster than more expensive models like the Xiaomi Elite or the Winix 9800.

The only issue is that it runs loud at top speed, hitting 62.3dBA, but this shouldn’t be an issue in most basements – unless you’re spending a lot of time down there.

Levoit Core 600S HouseFresh Performance VS Sound

The device itself is made entirely out of plastic, so it’s easy to clean.

Be aware that, at 23.6 inches (60 cm) tall, it is the largest model in Levoit’s Core range of air purifiers—see how it compares to the Core 300S (left) and the Core 400S (middle).

When buying filters, you can choose from Standard, Pet Allergy, Smoke Remover, or Toxin Absorber. The main difference between them is the amount of carbon they have. For mold, stick with the Standard filter.

You can also connect the 600S to your phone via the VeSync app to control it remotely, set automations, and even customize the auto-mode.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 375 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 156 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 398 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Bonded particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a pre-filter mash wrap.
Recommended room size:	562 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31.3 x 31.3 x 60 cm)
Weight:	13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep: 37.9 dBA Speed 1: 44.4 dB Speed 2: 45.9 dB Speed 3: 53.8 dBA Speed 4: 62.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 1.3 watts Sleep: 4.33 watts Speed 1: 7.46 watts Speed 2: 10.7 watts Speed 3: 20.29 watts Speed 4: 48.1 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

Best budget option: Corsi-Rosenthal Box

If you don’t care about smart features and want to save some money, you can just build your own large CADR air purifier.

BUY MERV 13 FILTERS

BUY BOX FAN

My top budget pick for large spaces is the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, a DIY device you can build yourself using a box fan, four MERV 13 filters, and a cardboard base. The combination yields a high CADR at a very low cost.

We tested two versions of the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, and the design with larger 3M 30×20 MERV 13 filters reached the top of our leaderboard as one of the fastest air purifiers in our particle removal test.

Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimated a PM1 CADR of 462 cfm for our 20×30 CR box, which is incredible for something that costs less than $140.

To build it, we used a Lasko box fan and four 20X30 3M Filtrete MPR1900 filters.

Now, there are some issues with Corsi-Rosenthal boxes: they run loudly and can be power-hungry. Plus, they take up a lot of space — this is especially true for our 20×30 CR box.

However, the Corsi-Rosenthal Box is hard to beat for raw performance for the least amount of money upfront. And any savings you make can be put towards a long-term solution that I will discuss later in the article.

Tip: By the way, if you’re building a CR box for a very damp basement, I recommend adding some legs so the cardboard base doesn’t end up sitting on a wet floor.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 462 cfm
Filter technology:	3M Filtrete 20x30x1 MERV 13 MPR 1900 filters
Recommended room size:	693 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	20 x 20 x 35 in (51D x 51W x 89H cm)
Weight:	11.26 lbs (5.1 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 51.5 dBA Speed 2: 58.3 dBA Speed 3: 62.4 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0 watts Speed 1: 72.57 watts Speed 2: 88.55 watts Speed 3: 103.28 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months

Best for bedrooms: PC fan air purifiers

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

PC fan air purifiers revolutionized the air purifier market by providing high CADR at low noise levels. Unlike the loud box fans used in CR boxes, these devices use the same ultra-quiet, high-airflow fans found in gaming PCs, designed to move a lot of air without making much noise.

If you’re in the U.S. or the UK, you have the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

If you’re in Canada, there’s the team at Northbox Systems with their 6XL.

If you’re in Europe, you can go with the smaller Nukit Tempest Euro.

And if you live in Australia or around Asia, there’s the AirFanta 3Pro.

All the models I recommend above performed very well in our particle removal test, in many cases outperforming units double their size and double their price:

Another advantage of PC fan air purifiers is their low running costs, thanks to the combination of energy-efficient PC fans and affordable filters.

To build CleanAirKits and NorthBox PC fan kits, you can use any type of MERV 13 filter. The Nukit Tempest Euro uses Starkvind E11 filters you can buy at IKEA. And the 3Pro uses proprietary (and fairly priced) filters from AirFanta — you can choose between HEPA-only or HEPA and carbon.

Something to keep in mind: these are DIY kits you will need to build yourself, unless you want to pay extra for a pre-built version, which might not even be available where you live.

If you like the idea of a PC fan-powered device but are not comfortable building one, consider the AirFanta 3Pro, as the assembly process takes just a few minutes and doesn’t require any cable management.

Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.

Best for most people: Levoit Vital 200S

If you are looking for a standard air purifier under $200 to help with mold in a medium-sized room, check out the Levoit Vital 200S.

The Vital 200S from Levoit offers good particle removal performance, has a PM1 CADR of 260 cfm that can provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 375 sq. ft., doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to run, comes with an on-board sensor that unlocks smart features, and has app support. This combination makes it the best option for most people.

In our tests, the Vital 200S performed as well (or better) than air purifier models that are more expensive and have similar features:

This is a quiet little beast. At speed 2, the Vital 200S generates just 41 dBA of noise while offering a PM1 CADR of 128 cfm. This means it could clean the air in a room up to 192 sq. ft. five times per hour, without disturbing you.

In addition to the particle filtration you’ll need to remove mold spores from the air, the 200S also has a layer of carbon to tackle damp odors.

Levoit Vital 200S Activated Carbon Filter

You can connect the Vital 200S to your phone through Levoit’s VeSync app. From the app, you can operate the air purifier remotely, schedule routines, customize auto modes, keep track of filter life, and more.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 254 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Bonded particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a removable pre-filter
Recommended room size:	373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	15.6D x 8.5W x 19.8H inches (39.3D x 21.5W x 50.2H cm)
Weight:	13.2 lbs (5.9 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 38.3 dB Speed 2: 41.9 dB Speed 3: 53.8 dB Speed 4: 57.7 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0.97 watts Speed 1: 5.71 watts Speed 2: 8.01 watts Speed 3: 31.96 watts Speed 4: 44.55 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

Special mentions

Two good-performing air purifiers that didn’t make the cut, but that could be a good choice for you.

The models above are my top picks BUT it’s also worth mentioning some other air purifiers with solid air cleaning performance that can help with mold, as I know that everyone has different needs and likes.

Winix 9800

A medium-sized device with a HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter and a removable pre-filter. With a PM1 CADR of 333 cfm at 54.3 dBA, it offers excellent particle removal performance and app connectivity in a stylish design for $329.

It didn’t make the list because it was outperformed by the Core 600S (PM1 CADR of 375 cfm), which comes at a cheaper list price ($319.99).

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

AlorAir Clean Shield HEPA 550

If you’re looking for a powerful air purifier to help remove mold spores in a very damp basement or a damp construction area, then the Clean Shield HEPA 550 might be just the thing.

It has a PM1 CADR of 429 cfm so it can clean the air in spaces as large as 643 sq. ft. five times per hour. But it will do it while generating 74.5 dBA of noise, so it is not suitable for home rooms.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

A long-term solution to mold

Understanding why an air purifier alone won’t solve your mold issue.

Okay, you’ve picked the perfect air purifier with the right CADR for your room. It’s removing mold spores from your air 24/7. But if you stop here, you will be fighting this battle forever.

An air purifier removes the symptom, not the cause. To win the war against mold, you must control the one thing it needs to survive: water.

Mold spores are everywhere, all the time, just lying dormant. They only become a problem when the humidity in your home rises, giving them the water they need to wake up and grow. This is why the most important tool in your arsenal isn’t an air purifier; it’s a dehumidifier.

In fact, research has shown that using a dehumidifier in combination with an air purifier has significant effect on overall mold levels.

My number one tip is to avoid mini dehumidifiers and small Peltier devices that cost less than $100, as they are just not effective, so they end up being a waste of money. Instead, stick to refrigerant dehumidifiers and stay away from models with pumps, as they are a common cause of failure. If you want to read more, read my quick guide on how to choose a good dehumidifier.

In my experience, dehumidifier sensors are not always accurate and they generally just measure humidity levels only directly next to the unit. That is why I recommend getting a hygrometer (a relatively cheap humidity sensor) so you can place it in the moldiest corner, and then set the dehumidifier to high until you have been able to bring the humidity below 50%, as research shows that mold starts to grow at 68% relative humidity.

For those with damp basements, I highly recommend the Midea Cube dehumidifier. It comes with a gravity hose that empties the bucket without needing me to do anything.

In terms of hygrometers, I’m a big fan of the HT.w from SensorPush. This is the same sensor we use in our dehumidifier tests for tracking levels of humidity every minute.

If you have a limited budget, my tip is to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box, so you can save some money to buy yourself a dehumidifier as well.

Tackling both the airborne spores AND the humidity is the only way you’ll solve the problem long-term.

I hope this article helped cut through some of the confusion around mold and air purifiers. If you have any questions or if you’ve had your own success story dealing with mold, please drop a comment below, as I’ll reply as soon as I can.

Xiaomi 4 Compact review

Mar 16, 2026Sep 16, 2025 by Danny Ashton

The 4 Compact is the smallest air purifier we have tested from Xiaomi. It is currently available in the U.S., Europe, Asia and some countries in South America, selling for under $100.

It comes with app support through Xiaomi’s Mi app and has an in-built infrared laser particle sensor that feeds live data to the air purifier to enable a smart mode that automatically adjusts fan speeds based on the quality of your air. In terms of filtration technologies, the Compact 4 comes with a small 3-in-1 cylindrical filter including a pre-filter mesh cover for large particles, a low-grade particle filter for small particles and a layer of activated carbon for odors.

The overall score for the Xiaomi 4 Compact incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

Search for the 4 Compact (or any other model you are researching) to see where it ranks:

The pros and cons of the Xiaomi 4 Compact

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

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“If $99 is the top of your budget, then the 4 Compact is definitely a good option for you.

At this price, the 4 Compact will give you okay performance at top speed but above average performance at sub-45 decibels, which I’d argue is more important in the day to day.

It also has some of the lowest running costs when compared to other popular small devices, so you won’t be spending an arm and a leg to use this air purifier each year.”

Danny Ashton HouseFresh — Danny Ashton
HouseFresh Founder
& Lead Tester

CONS

Top speed performance is not as good as what you get with other popular small air purifiers like the Levoit Vital 100S or the Coway Airmega 100.

Minimal buttons on the control panel mean you will need to use the app to actually set manual fan speeds.

The filter doesn’t come with enough carbon to make a significant difference against odors and gases.

PROS

It offers very good performance at sub-45 dBA fan speeds, outmatching the Winix A231 and the larger Coway Airmega 200M.

It has low running costs thanks to affordable OEM filter replacements and low electricity consumption.

The design is small and lightweight, so you can easily place it on top of sidetables and window sills.

The Mi app is one of my favorite ones: it’s easy to use and unlocks a wide range of fan speed options.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 117 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – Manufacturer provided CADR: 135 cfm
Filter technology:	Bonded cylindrical particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a pre-filter mesh cover.
Recommended room size:	175 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	8.6 x 14 inches (21.8 x 35.5 cm)
Weight:	4.85 lb (2.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep mode: 35.6 dBA Speed 1: 35.3 dBA Speed 2: 35.6 dBA Speed 3: 42.2 dBA Speed 4: 44.5 dBA Speed 5: 46.4 dBA Top speed: 56.1 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 1.4 watts Sleep mode: 2.2 watts Speed 1: 2.4 watts Speed 2: 3.6 watts Speed 3: 8.1 watts Speed 4: 9.5 watts Speed 5: 11.3 watts Top speed: 26 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

The 4 Compact comes with a 3-in-1 cylindrical filter that can capture particles and help with mild odors.

The filter has three layers to it. First, you get an outer pre-filter mesh cover that wraps around the particle filter which has a layer of activated carbon on the inside.

However, it is worth mentioning that this is a small filter so it doesn’t come with enough activated carbon to help with serious issues with VOCs or strong smells.

On their website, Xiaomi explains that the filters in the 4 Compact have a lower grade of density than traditional HEPA-grade filters, which they say will lead to higher performance at a lower noise level.

Xiaomi also states that in their testing, the filters could remove 99.9% of particles as small as 0.1 microns. It sounds impressive but is something that many particle filters can achieve, including MERV 13 filters.

Design, controls and features

A small cylindrical air purifier that doesn’t take up too much floor space, similar to what you get with the Airmega 100, Core 300S, Winix A231 and PuroAir 240.

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The 4 Compact (right) is a small cylindrical air purifier, similar in size with what you get with the Winix A231 (left) and the Coway Airmega 100 (center).

Winix A231 Coway 100 Xiaomi 4 Compact scaled

It is lightweight, doesn’t take up too much floor space and can easily fit on top of a desk or side table without looking too bulky.

It comes with an infrared laser particle sensor, which is nice to have BUT is a cheaper sensor compared to what you get with the Xiaomi 4 Pro or the Xiaomi Elite, both of which have a laser sensor that also measures temperature and humidity.

Also, you need to remember to clean the sensor with a dry cotton swab to wipe the dust that will stick to it every few months to ensure the air quality readings are accurate.

Like other Xiaomi air purifiers we have reviewed, the control panel consists of a touchscreen with three buttons that sits at the top of the device.

From left to right, you get a button to dim or turn off the lights, a power button and a mode button to switch between auto, manual and sleep mode.

By the way, you will need to access the app in order to set manual fan speeds. Once you set what the manual speed is, the 4 Compact will automatically switch to it after you choose Manual with the mode button.

The mode button also doubles as a child lock if you press and hold the for seven seconds.

You also get a bunch of indicators on the screen, such as a child lock indicator, a Wi-Fi indicator and a filter life indicator.

There is also an LED air quality indicator bar at the top that changes color from red to yellow to green, based on the levels of pollutants in the air.

Through Xiaomi’s Mi Home app, you will be able to set the most optimal fan speed based on the size of your space and save your settings the Manual mode the device will go into when selecting M on the touchscreen.

You will also have the option to schedule routines, check the current filter lifespan and set automations with other Xiaomi devices.

Something disappointing is that, unlike the Xiaomi Pro 4 or the Elite, you don’t get an exact reading for PM2.5 levels in the air. Instead, the app shows a combined indoor air quality score.

Personally, I haven’t had any issues with the Mi app but I read some negative reviews on the App Store from people who had issues with their electric scooters and their vacuum cleaners.

It seems most issues are happening on iOS as the current rating for the app is 3.7 from Apple users compared to 4.5 from Android users.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the 4 Compact in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense smoke.

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When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows the 4 Compact needed 50 minutes to reach PM1 zero – and we estimate a PM1 CADR of 117 cfm which would be good enough to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 175 sq. ft.

When it comes to air cleaning performance at full power, the Compact 4 was outperformed by small models from Levoit, Coway and Winix.

But it’s not just about raw particle removal performance when running at top speed…

Sound levels

The sound levels of the 4 Compact range from 35.3 dBA to 56.1 dBA — quieter than popular small units like the Winix A231 and the Coway Airmega 100.

Xiaomi 4 Compact Sound Electricity Tests scaled

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The reality is that if your air purifier is too loud, you are likely to end up turning it off eventually.

That is why we use a sound meter to measure how much noise in decibels the 4 Compact generates at each fan speed from 3 ft. away:

Be aware that our background noise is 35 dBA, so the 4 Compact running on sleep mode and at speed 1 and 2 might be quieter if you could test sound levels in a silent room.

By the way, unlike standard air purifiers, there are no specific speed settings in the Compact 4. Instead, you get 14 options for room sizes inside the app that range from 2-4 cubic meters to 16–27 cubic meters. For this test, I selected six different rooms sizes.

Reaching 56.1 dBA at top speed, this Xiaomi device generates as much noise as you can expect from other small air purifiers we have tested, although it is on the higher side compared to the Levoit Vital 100S.

Now we have the sound levels at different fan speeds, we can find the speed that is below the 45 dBA limit we set for our quiet performance tests so we can re-test air cleaning performance.

Running at speed 4, the 4 Compact generates 44.5 dBA and was able to reach PM1 zero in 76 minutes, which we estimate to be a PM1 CADR of 77 cfm.

When accounting for sound, the Xiaomi 4 Compact ranks among the top three best performers on our table, right after the older Core 300S and the Vital 100S from Levoit.

However, part of this is down to the lack of fan speed options with the Winix and Coway models, so their sub-45 dBA fan speed is much quieter than what you get with the small Xiaomi.

But let’s start adding up long-term costs to see how much money you would need to spend each year to run an 4 Compact in your home.

Long-term running costs

Running an 4 Compact will cost you $93.52 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

We used our energy meter to record how much energy the 4 Compact uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby.

Xiaomi 4 Compact Electricity Consumption scaled

At top speed, the 4 Compact pulls just 26 watts. This means that if you were to leave it running at top speed 24/7 for one year, it would add $28.88 to your annual energy bill, assuming an average U.S. electricity prices.

However, it’s not just energy costs that add to the running cost of an air purifier, you will also need to replace the filters eventually.

The OEM filter for the 4 Compact costs £24.99 (or $32.43) and Xiaomi says you need to replace it every 6-12 months.

As always, we will take the lowest estimate of six months to calculate filter replacement costs in the worst case scenario. So, according to this estimate, you will need to buy two filters per year for your 4 Compact and this will cost you £49.98 (or $64.64).

When we combine this with the electricity cost, you can expect to spend $93.52 each year to run this device all day, every day at top speed.

At $93.52 per year, the running costs for the Xiaomi 4 Compact are on the low side of the scale for the small air purifiers we have benchmarked against it.

Like we saw when testing the 4 Pro and the Elite, Xiaomi air purifiers generally have low running costs thanks to low-cost OEM filters and energy-efficient fan motors.

Bottom line: Should you get a Xiaomi 4 Compact?

If £70 (or $99) is the top of your budget, then I’d say yes.

At this price, the 4 Compact will give you okay performance at top speed but above average performance at sub-45 decibels, which I’d argue is more important in the day to day.

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It also has some of the fairest annual running costs when compared to other popular small devices, so you won’t be spending an arm and a leg to use this air purifier each year.

So out of the many small air purifiers on the market, the Xiaomi 4 Compact stands out as being good value both at the point of purchase and in the long run.

And this is a key point when it comes to small and cheap units as the low upfront cost will trick you into buying them, but then you’re stuck with a device that will cost you twice as much to run as the months go by.

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That being said, if you can, try to go bigger and choose a mid-size air purifier like the Winix T810, the Levoit Vital 200S or the AirFanta 3Pro that will give you more power and will make a more meaningful difference to your air much faster than the 4 Compact ever will.

But if you need a small air purifier that won’t cost you three times the price just to run it each year and you find that Xiaomi sells devices in your country, then the 4 Compact is a very good option.

By the way, if you decide to buy a 4 Compact, please use this link to support the work we do at HouseFresh, as we will get a small affiliate commission over the price of the sale at no extra cost to you.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

The best wall-mounted air purifiers we tested

Dec 17, 2025Sep 9, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Air purifiers are scientifically proven to make our homes healthier. They use highly engineered filters to capture harmful microscopic particles from your rooms and replace them with clean, pollutant-free air.

But an air purifier can take up much-needed room if you’re limited on floor space. Luckily, there are air purifiers on the market that have been designed to be mounted onto your wall.

In this article, I will share my top picks based on our own tests. We bought every air purifier on this list with our own money to remain unbiased and to experience the customer journey the same way you would.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Ok, let’s get into our full list of the best wall-mounted air purifiers on the market today.

1. Best overall: RabbitAir A3 SPA-1000N

A powerful air purifier that can be mounted to the wall straight out of the box.

PRICE on amazon

The A3 is a high-end air purifier from RabbitAir that offers excellent air cleaning performance, with an estimated PM1 CADR of 249 cfm when running at top speed, where it generates 57.9 dBA of noise. This makes the A3 powerful enough to provide five (5) air changes per hour in rooms up to 373 sq. ft.

Unlike other devices that can be mounted but share zero instructions on how to do it, Rabbit Air made sure you get everything you need to wall-mount your A3 from day one. Inside the box you will find a wall-mount bracket and a clear step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Tip

The MinusA3 can be mounted right side up or upside down. If you are planning on mounting the device higher than 6 ft., you should consider doing it upside down so you can access the control panel, which otherwise will sit at the top of the device and could be hard to reach.

CONS

Selling at $749.99, the A3 has a much higher initial price compared to models from Winix, Levoit and Coway BUT neither of those brands offers devices that could be wall-mounted.

The LED light is cool but it doesn’t connect to the air quality sensor, so it can be confusing if you’re used to the usual color-coded LED lights you get with other units.

It comes with 280 grams of carbon, which is good but isn’t much considering its high price.

PROS

It is a great looking design and you get the option to have beautiful works of art in the cover, if that is something you’d like.

It can be mounted to the wall straight out of the box, and it comes with clear instructions on how to it and everything you need to mount it.

Running at fan speed 3, it provided a good amount of air cleaning at a sub-45 dBA level of sound.

It comes with an app that allows you to schedule routines and also gives you access to all the other functions that you get on the main control panel.

Usage without the ionizer didn’t have a significant effect on performance, so you can confidently turn the ionizer off and you’ll get solid ozone-free air cleaning.

Now, if you decide to having the A3 on the floor, know that this thing is HEAVY. I haven’t mounted it on the wall at home because I’m constantly running tests and need to move my air purifiers up and down the basement, so I really feel the heavy weight and the lack of deep handles.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 134 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 262 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	BioGS® HEPA filter and a separate pelleted activated carbon filter with 280 grams of carbon
Recommended room size:	373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	19.7H x 18.9W x 8.4D inches (50H x 48W x 21D cm)
Weight:	20.3 lbs (9.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.7 dBA Speed 2: 36.2 dBA Speed 3: 42.1 dBA Speed 4: 49.1 dBA Speed 5: 57.9 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.39 watts Speed 1: 6.6 watts (7.08 watts w/ionizer) Speed 2: 7.31 watts (7.86 watts w/ionizer) Speed 3: 12.39 watts (12.84 watts w/ionizer) Speed 4: 21.55 watts (22.21 watts w/ionizer) Speed 5: 57.18 watts (59.45 watts w/ionizer)
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	5 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	South Korea

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

2. Best under $300: Smart Air SA600

A high-performing air purifier from a trusted brand that can be mounted on the wall and offers excellent air cleaning power.

U.S. PRICE on SMART AIR UK PRICE on SMART AIR

The SA600 from Smart Air is a no-nonsense air purifier that will give you an estimated PM1 CADR of 249 cfm when running at top speed, while generating just 56.7 dBA of noise. This is powerful enough to provide 5 air changes per hour in spaces up to 373 sq. ft. just like the RabbitAir A3 above BUT it does so without charging an arm and a leg for it.

While not sold as a wall-mounted design, it includes spaces on its chassis for mounting brackets on any wall or surface. We wish more air purifier brands would offer this choice as wall-mounted can be especially useful in classrooms or any room many people use.

CONS

No auto-mode or smart features.

You need additional brackets to wall mount it and there are no instructions in the box on how to do it.

PROS

Great performance at cleaning our test room both at full speed and at quiet fan speeds, especially considering it’s price.

Only 52dB at its highest fan speed, which is much less than the average, especially for larger devices.

It comes with two H13 HEPA filters and two gas filters with pelleted activated carbon + two removable pre-filters for easy cleaning.

Lights automatically switch off every time.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 287 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	H13 TrueHEPA filter with a removable pre-filter and pelleted activated charcoal filter (set of two)
Recommended room size:	373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	20 x 13.8 x 9 inches (51 x 35 x 23 cm)
Weight:	15.5 lbs (7 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.2 dBA Speed 2: 37.2 dBA Speed 3: 41.5 dBA Speed 4: 46.1 dBA Speed 5: 56.7 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.1 watts Speed 1: 2.4 watts Speed 2: 4.3 watts Speed 3: 7.1 watts Speed 4: 12.9 watts Speed 5: 53.8 watts
Filter lifespan:	18 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

3. Best money can buy: IQAir Atem X

If money is not an issue, then the Atem X from IQAir is the best air purifier you can mount on your wall.

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The Atem X sits at the top of the IQAir line of air purifiers, with a unique design that is guaranteed to get the attention of anyone who comes into contact with it. But this is not just a pretty device: with a dust CADR of 435 cfm certified by AHAM, the Atem X is officially the highest CADR device we have ever tested.

The only downside of this air purifier is its high price ($1,399.99) and the fact that it doesn’t come with activated carbon as standard. And if you want to mount it, you will need to buy a separate wall mount kit. However, if money is not an option, then this is the best air purifier you can mount on your wall.

CONS

Rolls Royce-tier design doesn’t come cheap at 1 cent under $1400.

OEM filters are not cheap and there are no generic filters available that could help lower the yearly costs.

It runs louder at top speed than other highly-powered HEPA retail air purifiers.

It doesn’t come with a carbon filter for dealing with gases and odors, so you only get particle filtration.

PROS

The design looks incredible and even though it is a big device, it has a footprint smaller than two sheets of A4 paper.

Performance at top speed is one minute faster than the beast that is the Smart Air Blast Mini MKII and nearly 10 minutes faster than the highly popular Winix 5500-2.

At quiet fan speeds, it offers similar performance to the PC fan powered air purifiers from AirFanta and CleanAirKits, which isn’t normal for a traditional HEPA device.

The app has a good UX, useful functions and you even get a web dashboard with a ton of air quality data to explore.

It comes with IQAir’s 10-year warranty, which certainly inspires confidence.

In our particle removal test, the Atem X outperformed every other HEPA retail air purifier we have tested to date. The only device that cleared our test room of PM1 particles faster was our 30×20 DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box, but you can’t mount that on the wall, unfortunately.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 429 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 229 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 435 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	HyperHEPA filtration.
Recommended room size:	643 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	27.08H x 25.19W x 10D inches (68.8H x 64W x 25.4D cm)
Weight:	28.66 lbs (13 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.6 dBA Speed 2: 36.9 dBA Speed 3: 40.7 dBA Speed 4: 44.5 dBA Speed 5: 49.5 dBA Speed 6: 53.6 dBA Speed 7: 58.4 dBA Speed 8: 62.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 1 watt Speed 1: 5.3 watts Speed 2: 7.5 watts Speed 3: 10.5 watts Speed 4: 15.5 watts Speed 5: 24.2 watts Speed 6: 35.9 watts Speed 7: 57.2 watts Speed 8: 85.5 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	10 years
Country of origin:	Switzerland
Country of manufacture:	Germany

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

Other wall-mounted air purifiers we have tested

Rabbit Air MinusA2

The MinusA2 is the first air purifier we reviewed from Rabbit Air. It is as sleek as the A3 but with a top speed dust CADR of 193 cfm, it is not as powerful as the A3 (262 cfm for dust) when it comes to air cleaning performance.

It can be a good option for those who need to clean spaces no larger than 289 sq. ft., based on the MinusA2 providing at least 5 air changes per hour.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

IKEA FÖRNUFTIG

An affordable air purifier from IKEA that can be mounted on the wall and will cost you just $79.99 for the HEPA only version. If you have a limited budget, then this could be a good option. However, you will need to spend an additional $23 if you want to get the gas filter to tackle odors.

In terms of air cleaning, the FÖRNUFTIG is not the most powerful device with a PM1 CADR of 80 cfm, which will only be good enough for small spaces up to 120 sq. ft.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

What to look for when buying an air purifier to mount on your wall

First, let’s address the question many of you are probably asking yourselves: Can all air purifiers be wall mounted?

The simple answer is no.

For air purifiers to be able to be wall-mounted, they need the right holes to attach brackets that then attach to your wall. We would strongly advise against making your own incisions as this could compromise the effectiveness of your air purifier.

The most important features you need to consider BEFORE choosing a wall-mounted air purifier are:

**1. Is it really wall mountable?**

Remember you should never attach a unit to your wall if this unit doesn’t already come with the right holes in the right places and with brackets for you to use when pinning it to the wall.

Each unit featured in this list can be both wall-mounted or floor-standing, and instructions on how to mount are easily accessible, like this instructional video for the Rabbit Air A3.

2. What is the size of the room?

Measuring your room and purchasing an air purifier suited to that space is essential. For example, there’s no point using the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG in a 500 sq. ft. room as it won’t clean the air effectively.

That is why we tried to be inclusive in our shortlist by recommending products suitable for different-sized rooms.

You can use our handy calculator to find out what CADR score you should be looking for in order to guarantee that the air purifier you buy is powerful enough for the room:

3. Is the unit built with high-quality materials? And does it come with a warranty?

When mounting an air purifier on the wall, you want to be sure that it will not crash to the floor or, even worse, fall on somebody’s head. Look for units build with reinforced materials or those that come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers accidental damage.

Every air purifier we included in this list has been built to high standards and has a warranty.

4. What filtration technology do you need?

The filters are arguably the most important part of any air purifier. However, your filter requirements will depend on whether you want to remove particles and/or gases from the air.

If you don’t have an issue with odors or VOCs, then an air purifier with a particle filter alone will do the trick. The HyperHEPA filter in the Atem X, for example, will do an excellent job at removing dust, pollen and smoke particles.

Now, if you are looking for an air purifier to help remove unwanted smells or chemical gases from the air, then you need to look for units with activated carbon – ideally, pelleted. Both the RabbitAir A3 and the Smart Air SA600 offer this, in addition to particle filtration.

What you need to know when mounting an air purifier on the wall

Placing your air purifier in the right place can make a big difference to the air quality in your home.

An air purifier works best when it isn’t pressed up against a surface; that’s why it’s recommended that you keep your unit at least six inches away from the wall. In the case of wall-mounted purifiers, they are (usually) designed so that the air intake is far enough away from your wall to maximize efficiency.

Make sure you read the installation instructions properly and follow them so that your air purifier doesn’t work harder than it should due to how it’s been mounted.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to positioning your unit:

Do

DO place your air purifier close to the source of pollution

DO check the inlets and outlet are not blocked or confined

DO keep it away from traffic (don’t place it where it could get knocked or damaged)

DO try to keep it away from doors and windows

Don’t

DON’T position your unit in the corner of the room

DON’T install your unit so high you can’t reach it

Lastly, here’s a common question we’ve received from a few readers:

We strongly advise against installing your air purifier next to your TV.

Air purifiers can create an electrical disturbance known as Radio Frequency Interference (or RFIs), which can affect the picture on your television. If this happens, you may notice the picture jumping or looking wavy.

I hope you found my guide helpful. If you have any questions I didn’t cover or want to know more about any of the mountable air purifiers I recommended above, please drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

IQAir Atem X review

Oct 25, 2026Sep 2, 2025 by Danny Ashton

IQAir is one of the longest standing air purifier manufacturers and are known for their above-average prices, innovative Swiss engineering and the uncommon offer of a 10-year warranty.

The Atem X is part of their latest generation of air purifiers, with integrated air quality sensors, smart features and app connectivity. This is undoubtedly a high-end device that promises style AND performance.

Selling at $1,400, this is officially the most expensive unit we’ve ever bought, so as you can imagine, my expectations are very very high. I tested our Atem X in the same space we’ve tested more than 100 other models, and in my review, I will break down its design features, air cleaning performance, energy consumption, user experience and more.

The overall score of the IQAir Atem X incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the IQAir Atem X

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

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“If you can afford the $1,4000 and value high-end design, then you should definitely consider the Atem X over other premium models like the Dyson Big+Quiet, the Jaspr and the Molekule Air Pro due to how powerful its air cleaning performance is.

A big downside, however, is that there are currently no gas filters for the Atem X in the U.S., so you will need to buy an additional device to deal with VOC issues.”

CONS

The Rolls Royce-tier design doesn’t come cheap at one cent under $1400.

It doesn’t come with a carbon filter for dealing with gases and odors, so you only get particle filtration.

It runs louder at top speed (62.3 dBA) than other highly-powered traditional air purifiers.

Official IQAir filters are not cheap, selling for $199.99.

PROS

The design looks incredible and even though it is a big device, it has a footprint smaller than two sheets of A4 paper.

Performance at top speed is one full minute faster than the beast that is the Smart Air Blast Mini MKII and nearly 10 minutes faster than the highly recommended Winix 5500-2.

When running at fan speeds that generate less than 45 dBA of sound, it offers similar performance to PC fan-powered air purifiers from AirFanta, CleanAirKits, NorthBox Systems and Nukit – this is not normal for a traditional air purifier.

Transparent specs: IQAir made available factory-tested airflow reports and detailed HEPA filter grades at each fan speed.

It comes with IQAir’s 10-year warranty, which certainly inspires confidence.

The app has a good UX, useful functions and you even get a web dashboard with a ton of data – which is something we have never seen before in an air purifier.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 429 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 229 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 435 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	HyperHEPA filtration.
Recommended room size:	643 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	27.08H x 25.19W x 10D inches (68.8H x 64W x 25.4D cm)
Weight:	28.66 lbs (13 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.6 dBA Speed 2: 36.9 dBA Speed 3: 40.7 dBA Speed 4: 44.5 dBA Speed 5: 49.5 dBA Speed 6: 53.6 dBA Speed 7: 58.4 dBA Speed 8: 62.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 1 watt Speed 1: 5.3 watts Speed 2: 7.5 watts Speed 3: 10.5 watts Speed 4: 15.5 watts Speed 5: 24.2 watts Speed 6: 35.9 watts Speed 7: 57.2 watts Speed 8: 85.5 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	10 years
Country of origin:	Switzerland
Country of manufacture:	Germany

Filtration technology

The Atem X comes with IQAir’s signature HyperHEPA filter, which is highly efficient at capturing particles but it has no activated carbon to remove VOCs from the air.

The Atem X comes with three HEPA filters that surround the device.

To access the filters, you need to remove the front round cover and unclip the ‘Impaktors,’ which are blades that trap larger particles and catch them in the washable pre-filter that sits underneath.

However, it’s disappointing that this $1,400 device doesn’t come with a gas filter or any form of carbon filtration as standard. That said, in some regions like the UK and Thailand, you can get a set of HyperHEPA CF Filters if you need to tackle Formaldehyde. Hopefully, this option will be made available in the U.S. soon.

The HEPA grade will be dependant on the fan speed and ranges from H13 to E11, as you can see the full technical specifications made available by IQAir

Design, controls and features

Most high CADR air purifiers are big, utilitarian-looking devices that put form over function but IQAir broke the mold with the Atem X.

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When it comes to the design, the Atem X looks very different from any other air purifier on the market right now.

The only models that come close are other IQAir air purifiers in the Atem Series, such as the Atem Car.

Even though the Atem X has a small footprint, it’s still pretty heavy (28.7 lbs or 13.5 kg). The good news is that it comes with a strap at the back and a stand with wheels that you can clip to the base.

One thing I didn’t expect was how cool the Atem X looks once you remove the white front cover. Without it, you can see a red and black fan that sits behind a transparent plastic cover.

This means you can see the fan doing its thing, and I must say it is quite hypnotising! It was fun to show my kids.

The control panel is situated at the back and, unlike most other air purifiers, it doesn’t have any screens – instead, you get a few different lights.

From left to right, you get a filter warning light, the power button, an auto mode button, a fan speed slider that is surrounded by a color-coded air quality indicator, a light dimming button, a wi-fi button and an ethernet connection indicator.

The Atem X also comes with full app support using the IQAir AirVisual App, which unlock many features that are not available on the control panel.

The app has 4.7 out of 5 rating for Android and a 4.8 on Apple, but the vast majority of the reviews are not a fair representation of the UX and functionalities in the Atem X, as most people use the app to check the air quality in their area.

Once you add the Atem X to the app, you will get to enable child lock for the controls on the device, schedule routines, adjust the brightness of the lights, see indoor and outdoor air quality data, and also customize the auto mode (which IQAir calls ‘Smart mode’) by limiting the maximum fan speed to 5, 7 or 8 depending on the level of sound you want.

Overall, the IQAir AirVisual App app worked well and I had no issues, and I especially liked how quickly the indoor air quality data showed up on the screen.

You also get access to a web dashboard, which will be particularly useful for those who use multiple IQAir devices in one place – like in a school setting or an office. But be aware that you will need to get a paid subscription if you want to create groups of many devices, add multiple members, create widgets and other features that could be useful to those managing multiple air purifiers.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Atem X in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

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When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows the Atem X needed 14 minutes to reach PM1 zero – and we estimate a PM1 CADR of 429 cfm which would be good enough to provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 643 sq. ft.

The Atem X provides excellent particle removal speed, outperforming some of the most powerful air purifiers we’ve tested in the the Smart Air Blast Mini and the Levoit EverestAir.

So I’m pleased to say that spending $1,399.99 on the Atem X won’t be a total waste of money as this device is officially one of the best performing air purifiers we have tested.

But it’s not just about raw power when running at top speed…

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Atem X range from 35.6 dBA to 62.3 dBA — quieter than popular models like the Winix 5510 but louder at top speed than most air purifiers we’ve tested.

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If an air purifier is too loud, you will turn it off eventually. That is why we always measure how much sound air purifiers generate from 3 ft. away.

These are the results for the Atem X:

Be aware that our background noise is 35 dBA, so the Atem X running at speed 1 and 2 is likely to be quieter if you could measure it in a silent room.

Reaching 62.3 dBA at top speed, the Atem X is quieter than the DIY 30×20 CR box (which uses a standard box fan) and the AlorAir HEPA 550 air scrubber (which is generally used in construction zones), but it is louder than the Blast Mini, the Core 600S, the EverestAir and the AirFanta 3Pro – all of which offer similar air cleaning performance.

However, one of the benefits of larger CADR devices with multiple fan speeds is that you can run them at lower fan speeds and still clean the air effectively.

Running at speed 4, the Atem X generates 44.5 dBA and it managed to clear our test room from all PM1 pollutants in 26 minutes, which we estimate to be a PM1 CADR of 229 cfm, when accounting for the natural ventilation in our test room.

So when it comes to sub-45 dBA air cleaning performance, the Smart Air Blast Mini and the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits were still able to clean the air quicker at quiet fan speeds, but the Atem X was able to outperform the AirFanta 3Pro and the EverestAir and Core 600s from Levoit.

But let’s start adding up long-term costs to see how much money you would need to spend each year to run an Atem X in your home.

Long-term running costs

Running an Atem X will cost you $295.52 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

We used our energy meter to record how much energy the Atem X uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby.

At top speed, the Atem X pulls 85.5 watts. This means that if you were to leave it running at top speed 24/7 for one year, it would add $95.53 to your annual energy bill, assuming an average U.S. electricity prices as of September 2025.

However, it’s not just energy costs that add to the running cost of an air purifier, you will also need to replace the filters eventually.

On their website, IQAir states that you need to replace the filters for the Atem X every 12 months. The genuine filter set includes the three HyperHEPA filters costs $199.99, so you will spend that much each year.

When we combine this with the electricity cost, you can expect to spend $295.52 each year to run this device all day, every day at top speed. Now, this is unlikely but it is the best way for us to calculate ongoing costs in a fair, comparable way.

As you can see from the chart, even though the Atem X is highly energy efficient, the expensive filter replacement costs drive the yearly running costs up.

To be clear, though, these calculations are using the 12-month estimate from IQAir, as we always use manufacturer’s filter lifespan information. But considering that the Atem X only uses a particle filter, I would expect that you would get a longer filter lifespan. For those in the UK, Allergy Cosmos estimates that the filters could last three years and this would mean a filter cost per year of $66.66.

Bottom line: Should you get an IQAir Atem X?

I can’t make a case for it being the best bang for your buck, so I won’t.

If particle removal performance is your top priority regardless of noise levels and long-term running costs, then you should consider building your own Corsi-Rosenthal box using 20×30 MPR 1900 MERV 13 filters from Filtrete and a Lasko box fan.

However, if money is not an issue, then the Atem X is definitely worth considering. A big downside, however, is that there are currently no gas filters for the Atem X in the U.S., so you will need to buy an additional device to deal with VOC issues.

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Like a Rolls Royce, the Atem X is expensive to buy and expensive to run, but it looks incredible inside and out, and wouldn’t look out of place in a 5-star hotel. Plus, it can be wall-mounted for an even cleaner look with the optional bracket.

It has an incredibly sensitive onboard sensor and auto-mode that can be adjusted to exactly what you want. The app is clean and works well, and you even get a web dashboard to access your data and control the device remotely.

And running at lower fan speeds, it can even compete with the very large Smart Air Blast Mini or the new generation of PC fan-powered air purifiers from AirFanta and CleanAirKits.

But there is no way around the fact that it costs $1,399.

However, if you are okay with spending this amount of money and value design and features, it’s hard not to recommend this over the other premium models on the market like the Dyson Big+Quiet, the Jaspr and the Molekule Air Pro. With the Atem X, you will not only get the looks and the features but also a lot more air cleaning power.

So, should you buy it? If you want the best-looking, smart purifier for removing particles with a 10-year warranty and don’t mind the spicy price tag, then the Atem X is it. But if you’re budget-conscious, the mighty DIY 30×20 Corsi-Rosenthal box still rules.

If you do decide to buy yourself a fancy Atem X, please use the links in this article. It won’t cost you anything extra but you will be supporting the work we do at HouseFresh, as we will get a small affiliate commission over the price of the sale.

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i review

Aug 30, 2026Aug 12, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Alen air purifiers are highly regarded for their impressive design, build quality and performance. This Texas-based manufacturer has developed an excellent reputation by being at the forefront of the industry for over 15 years.

Alen is also known for its above-average prices, and the BreatheSmart 75i, with a price tag of $799, is undoubtedly high-end. You might be here because you wonder whether it’s worth spending the extra money on this device, and that is why I bought an Alen 75i to test it in the same space I’ve tested over 100 air purifiers since 2020.

The overall score of the Alen 75i incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

By the way, I originally reviewed the older BreatheSmart 75i back in 2022 and I have now updated my original review with the data of the newer 75i V2.

The pros and cons of the Alen BreatheSmart 75i

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

“For those looking for an air purifier for dealing with odors and VOCs in rooms up to 500 square feet, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i could be worth the $799 investment.

However, if you don’t have serious issues with gases and smells, then it might be overkill.”

CONS

It is considerably more expensive ($799) than other air purifiers with the same performance.

It is a large unit that takes up a lot of space.

The app is bare bones compared to many other air purifier apps.

PROS

It is more powerful than the older 75i model, with a dust CADR of 351 cfm certified by AHAM.

It offers solid performance at sub 45 dbA fan speeds: we estimate a PM1 CADR of 164 cfm at speed 2 with just 44.7 dBA of noise.

You get a laser sensor, which doesn’t need cleaning regularly and is more accurate than the optical sensors we see in other models.

It is packed with up to 3.6 lbs of carbon when choosing the Fresh filters.

Alen offers lifetime warranty if you stick to their branded filter replacements.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 333 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 164 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 351 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	True HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size:	448 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	27H x 18.5W x 11.5D inches (68.58H x 46.99W x 29.21D cm)
Weight:	27 lbs (12.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 36.5 dBA Speed 2: 44.7 dBA Speed 3: 51.9 dBA Speed 4: 54.6 dBA Speed 5: 57.5 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.75 watts Speed 1: 5.19 watts Speed 2: 13.27 watts Speed 3: 25.85 watts Speed 4: 33.99 watts Speed 5: 47.4 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 – 15 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

The Dyson BP06 comes with a HEPA filter as standard, and you can choose between various options with different carbon quantities to suit your needs.

The first layer of filtration comes in the form of a removable pre-filter that sits in front of the HEPA filter.

As standard, the 75i comes with their Pure filter, which is a thick H13 HEPA filter without any carbon.

You can choose between Alen’s Fresh filter and their Odor filter if you want a combination of HEPA and pelleted activated carbon.

The Fresh filter has a thinner HEPA H13 combined with a carbon section that comes packed with 3.6 lbs of pelleted activated carbon.

The Odor filter also combines a HEPA 13 filter with less carbon but it has a catalyst to neutralize unwanted smells.

From all the air purifiers we have tested, the Alen 75i with its Fresh Filter has the third largest amount of carbon after the IQAir Healthpro Plus and Austin Air Healthmate:

We are developing our methodology for testing VOC removal and our preliminary data shows the 75i with the Fresh filter a great option for those wanting to remove orods and VOCs from the air.

Design, controls and features

The 75i is a large air purifier with a laser particle sensor, smart functions and app connectivity.

The 75i is Alen’s largest air purifier and is much bigger than the 45i and the 35i.

Build quality is solid. The plastics feel dense with no creaking, and the panel seams are tight, giving it a premium feel.

If you don’t want the plain white cover, there are five other options ranging from graphite to oak BUT you will need to pay a little extra.

Considering its size, I appreciate the large handle at the back and the wheels underneath for when you need to move it from room to room.

It comes with a laser sensor is that is much quicker to react to air pollution than the typical optical sensors we see in most air purifiers and doesn’t need to be cleaned regularly.

You also get an air quality indicator at the top. The LED ring changes color reacting to the pollution levels, going from blue (excellent) to green (good) to yellow (fair) to red (poor) and finally purple (very poor).

In terms of the control panel itself, I appreciate the clearly labelled buttons and the fact that all options are available without the need to use the smartphone app – which is a concerning trend I’ve noticed with new air purifiers.

The biggest improvement I’ve found from our older 75i is that the 75i V2 comes with app connectivity through the Alen Air app, where you can create schedules, check sensor data and you get an option to turn your phone screen into a mini remote to control your 75i

The app installed quickly (and even worked on my 5ghz network!) and I had no issues with it since I started using it. I love that it visualizes sensor readings in easy to understand charts for PM2.5, tVOC, CO2, temperature and humidity – and the data is easy to export, too.

One thing this app is lacking is the option to adjust the sensitivity in the auto mode to make sure it hits top speed when it needs to. This is something that other manufacturers like Levoit, Xiaomi and IQair have introduced that I really like. However, to be fair to Alen, the auto mode in the 75i reaches full speed when there is a high level of pollutants in the air by default.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the 75i V2 in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

First, we tested 75i V2 running at each of its fan speeds in the same 728 cubic ft. test room where we have tested over 100 air purifiers.

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows the 75i needed 18 minutes to reach PM1 zero – and we estimate a PM1 CADR of 333 cfm which would be good enough to provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 448 sq. ft.

For raw performance to $ spend, the Alen 75i provides more value for raw CADR than the IQAir Atem X, the Dyson BP06 and the Rabbit Air A3 but sits behind the Levoit EverestAir and the Smart Air Blast Mini.

But results at top speed won’t tell us the full story…

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Alen 75i range from 36.5 dBA to 57.5 dBA — quieter than popular models like the Winix 5510, the IQAir Atem X, and the Rabbit Air A3.

As part of our testing, I used a sound level meter to measure how much noise the Alen 75i generates at each of it fan speeds.

Reaching 57.5 dBA at top speed, the 75i is quieter than the Levoit EverestAir, the IQAir Atem X and the Rabbit Air A3 but it is louder than the Dyson BP06, the Airmega ProX and the Blast Mini from Smart Air.

At speed 2, it cleared our test room from all PM1 pollutants in 36 minutes, so we estimate a PM1 CADR at sub-45 dBA of 164 cfm based on the natural ventilation of the room. At this sub-45 dBA speed, it can provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 246 square feet.

So when it comes to quiet air cleaning performance, the 75i outperforms the Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 but its performance is worse than every other large air purifier on the table:

Long-term running costs

Running a 75i will cost you $170.23 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

We measured how much energy the 75i uses when running at speed 1 (5.19 watts), speed 2 (13.27 watts), speed 3 (25.85 watts), speed 4 (33.99 watts), speed 5 (47.4 watts) and on standby (0.75 watts).

If you were to leave your 75i running at top speed 24/7 for one year, it would pull 411.7 kWh and add $52.21 to your annual energy bill, assuming an average U.S. electricity prices as of August 2025.

But energy costs are not the only thing you need to budget for – the filters need to be replaced, and this can become a significant expense, depending on the lifespan of the filter and how expensive replacements are.

Alen says you need to replace the filters for the 75i every 12-15 months, and as always, we will take the lowest estimate.
So you will need to buy one Pure Filter for $99 each year as a minimum, which leads us to a yearly running cost of $151.21 combining this with the electricity cost:

Thanks to the low energy usage and fair filter costs, the Alen 75i has the lowest running costs of all the large air purifiers we have benchmarked it against for this review.

And you can drop those yearly costs even further if you decide to go with a generic filter replacement from PUREBURG, which cost $75. That said, you will lose Alen’s lifetime warranty if you go the generic filter route, so you would need to decide if those $25 savings are worth losing that.

Bottom line: Should you get an Alen BreatheSmart 75i?

A powerful air purifier that can be customized with filters packed with carbon for serious odors and VOCs.

I have used Alen air purifiers for many years and something I can vouch for is how they continue to support older models. I still have my old A350 here in the basement and it not only works but I can still buy filters for it from Alen directly!

This means that when you choose to spend more on an air purifier from Alen, you know that you are investing in a device you will be able to run for as long as Alen exists.

And the fact that you can choose to go with the Fresh filter and get 3.6 lbs of activated carbon is a pro for me as it is a lot of carbon compared to what you get with most other air purifiers on the market today.

So for those looking for an air purifier for dealing with odors and VOCs in rooms up to 500 square feet, then the 75 could be worth the $799 investment.

The app is simple but works really well and the data you get from the laser onboard sensor offers accurate readings similar to those from a high-end air quality monitor.

So if that initial price doesn’t put you off, the Alen 75i is a solid contender for those looking for a premium air purifier.

But if odors are not a concern and you’re looking for a more powerful particle removal performance at a cheaper price, then look into the Levoit EverestAir (which sells for $499.99) or the Blast Mini which you can buy from Smart Air for around $700.

If you liked my review and want to support the work I do here at HouseFresh, please, use the affiliate links in the description and I’ll get a 3% commission at no extra cost to you.

The best air purifiers for dust, based on 150+ tests

Oct 20, 2026Aug 7, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Whether you struggle with dust allergies or you’re trying to reduce the amount of dust flying around your home, an air purifier can help.

The fans in air purifiers draw air that then passes through a series of filters, where pollutants are removed. In the case of dust, you need to choose a device with a good particle filter and shouldn’t worry about carbon filtration.

However, not all air purifiers are created equal and some devices won’t pack the power to circulate the air fast enough so it stays clean. That is why, I recommend you to look for an air purifier that will be able to provide at least five air changes per hour, based on how much clean air it can deliver.

And as dust is an ongoing issue in most houses, I suggest to focus on finding an air purifier that runs quietly at top fan speeds and that offers good particle removal performance even at its lowest fan speeds. That way you will be able to run your purifier 24/7 without disruptive noise in the background.

I kept all those points in mind when shortlisting the models I’ll share with you today. As always, all my recommendations are based on first-hand testing of over 150 air purifiers, which we have bought with our own money to remain unbiased and experience the customer journey as you would.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

As no two homes are the same, I made sure to include options for various budgets, room sizes and different features.

1. Best dust filtration at whisper-quiet operation: CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7

An air purifier that uses seven Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans and 20×25 3M MERV 13 MPR1900 filters to quickly remove dust particles from the air without loud noises.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

The Luggable XL-7 is part of a new generation of air purifiers that combine PC fans with HVAC filters. This is a device you can build yourself ($189) or buy pre-assembled ($259), and that is powerful enough to clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 484.5 sq. ft.

The Luggable XL-7 is the quietest high-CADR air purifier we have ever tested thanks to the use of PC fans that are quiet and energy-efficient.

It uses any 20×25×1 filters, but we recommend 3M Filtrete MPR1900.

CONS

It’s made out of hardboard panels so the body is not as sturdy as a traditional air purifier made from plastic or metal.

MERV 13 filters are hard to find outside of the U.S. and Canada, so it might not be the right choice for you if you live elsewhere.

PROS

Incredible performance to sound ratio: Dust CADR of 323 cfm (Intertek) with a max sound level of 38.8 dBA!

You get the option of buying the DIY kit (which comes with everything bar the filters) or you can buy it pre-built if you’re not a DIY kind of person.

This is the best-performing air purifier we have ever tested under 40 dBA.

It comes with a metal handle and is lightweight so you can easily move it from room to room.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Intertek PM2.5: 323 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	MERV 13 (20×25)
Recommended room size:	390 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	7D x 25W x 20H in (18D x 64W x 51 cm)
Weight:	8 lbs (3.63 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Only speed: 38.8 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Only speed: 10.5 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	United States

If you live in Canada, check out Northbox Systems 6XL. Northbox Systems is a Canadian company that produces PC fan-powered air purifiers that use HVAC filters locally.

For those in Europe and Asia, check out the AirFanta 3Pro, which costs just $159.99 but still offers 353 cfm at quiet operation. The design is inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal Box but it is much smaller, and unlike the Luggable XL-7, it uses filters you can buy on Amazon.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

2. Best under $200: Levoit Vital 200S

For those looking for a traditional air purifier that will remove dust without costing an arm and a leg to buy and run.

This is a solid air purifier you can buy for $189.99, although it usually goes on sale for less than that. Even though its filter is not HEPA-grade, the particle filtration of the Vital 200S is better than more expensive models.

At top speed (57.7 dBA), it offers a dust CADR of 254 cfm (AHAM), so it can provide five air changes per hour in rooms as large as 381 sq. ft.

It has an app, an onboard air quality sensor and smart functions that automatically adjust fan speeds based on the level of dust in the air.

CONS

Levoit originally marketed the filter as H13 HEPA but they were forced to remove the label after Dyson challenged this claim through the National Advertising Division.

It is not available in many countries.

PROS

It offers good air cleaning at top and bottom fan speeds: at speed 2, it generates 41.9 dBA and still offers a CADR of 128 cfm.

It comes with pelleted activated carbon, so it will not only help with dust but also with odors.

In our particle removal test, it outperformed popular models like the Winix 5510, the Coway Airmega AP-1512hh, the Rabbit Air A3 and the Dyson BP06.

The VeSync app from Levoit is pretty good and they regularly roll out updates that add new functions across all models.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 254 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Bonded particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a removable pre-filter
Recommended room size:	373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	15.6D x 8.5W x 19.8H inches (39.3D x 21.5W x 50.2H cm)
Weight:	13.2 lbs (5.9 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 38.3 dB Speed 2: 41.9 dB Speed 3: 53.8 dB Speed 4: 57.7 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0.97 watts Speed 1: 5.71 watts Speed 2: 8.01 watts Speed 3: 31.96 watts Speed 4: 44.55 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

3. Best for small spaces: Xiaomi 4 Compact

To deal with dust, you should buy the larger air purifier you can live with. But if you don’t have much space, then the 4 Compact is the best option right now.

FIND IT ON AMAZON FIND IT ON THE MI STORE

For those looking for a purifier capable of removing dust from the air in very small rooms, my recommendation is the Xiaomi 4 Compact. For most people, I would suggest not going smaller than the Vital 200S (above) but if space is tight, then this $99 air purifier from Xiaomi is my top pick.

It is a small cylindrical air purifier that doesn’t take up too much floor space with a size similar to what you get with other small air purifiers like the Airmega 100, the Core 300S and the Winix A231.

The filter inside has three levels of filtration: a pre-filter mesh cover for larger dust particles, a non-HEPA grade particle filter for smaller dust particles and a layer of activated carbon to tackle smells.

CONS

Top speed performance is not as good as what we saw with other small air purifiers like the Levoit Vital 100S or the Coway Airmega 100.

The mode button on the control panel only circles between sleep, auto and manual mode but in order to use the device on manual mode, you need to adjust fan speeds through the app.

It is a small device so it won’t be powerful enough to make a meaningful difference in spaces larger than 175 sq. ft.

PROS

It offers the best performance at sub-45 dBA fan speeds across all small purifiers we tested.

It is cheap to buy and cheap to run thanks to low priced OEM filters and low electricity consumption.

The design is small and lightweight, and you can have it on top of shelves, desks or sidetables.

It comes with a great app that is easy to use and unlocks a wide range of fan speed options.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 117 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – Manufacturer provided CADR: 135 cfm
Filter technology:	Bonded cylindrical particle filter with a layer of pelleted activated carbon and a pre-filter mesh cover.
Recommended room size:	175 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	8.6 x 14 inches (21.8 x 35.5 cm)
Weight:	4.85 lb (2.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep mode: 35.6 dBA Speed 1: 35.3 dBA Speed 2: 35.6 dBA Speed 3: 42.2 dBA Speed 4: 44.5 dBA Speed 5: 46.4 dBA Top speed: 56.1 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 1.4 watts Sleep mode: 2.2 watts Speed 1: 2.4 watts Speed 2: 3.6 watts Speed 3: 8.1 watts Speed 4: 9.5 watts Speed 5: 11.3 watts Top speed: 26 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

4. Best for large spaces: Coway Airmega ProX

A large air purifiers that can clean the air five times per hour in spaces as large as 879 sq. ft. based on its dust CADR of 586 cfm (AHAM).

BUY FOR $819.99

This is the fastest residential air purifier we have ever tested: at top speed, the ProX completed our particle removal test in 13 minutes while generating just 53.6 dBA of noise — this is incredibly quiet considering that the next model in our ranking (IQAir Atem X) reached 62.3 dBA to offer similar performance.

The ProX is the largest device in Coway’s Airmega range. It weighs 51 lbs (23kg) but it comes with wheels and handles at each side that make it easier to move it around the house.

It has an air quality sensor, particle readings on screen and four smart modes that adjust fan speeds automatically based on the level of dust particles in the air.

CONS

This air purifier is not cheap, with a list price just over $800.

The positioning of the handles means that when pulling the device upwards, you sometimes end up removing the plastic sheet that covers the filters.

There is no app connectivity, which is something you might expect to get when paying upwards of $800.

PROS

It is officially the fastest residential air purifier we tested – we estimate a PM1 CADR of 462 cfm.

It comes with four smart modes so you can set it to adjust fan speeds automatically, based on sound levels generated and energy consumption.

It comes with an onboard air quality sensor and an LED light that changes color depending on the level of pollutants in the air + accurate particulate matter readings at the top of the device.

It is very stylish and is made of high-quality materials.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 462 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 299 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 586 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Green True HEPA filter with pelleted activated carbon
Recommended room size:	693 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	18.9 x 36.6 x 24.3 in (48 x 93 x 62 cm)
Weight:	51 lbs (23kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 37.4 dBA Speed 2: 44.4 dBA Speed 3: 53.6 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0 watts Speed 1: 11.76 watts Speed 2: 26.09 watts Speed 3: 58.88 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	3 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	South Korea

Special mentions

These air purifiers nearly made my list. Depending on your budget and availability in your location, it could be worth checking them out.

Smart Air SA600

With a dust CADR of 287 cfm (AHAM), this mid-sized air purifier from Smart Air will give you five air changes per hour in rooms up to 430 sq. ft. This is a unique air purifier that uses two sets of H13 HEPA filters, two pelleted carbon filters and two pre-filters.

I didn’t include it in my main list because it offers similar performance to the Vital 200S without any smart functions — if you are not bothered, then definitely look into the SA600.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

IQAir Atem X

Based on its AHAM report, the Atem X has dust CADR of 435 cfm which will be powerful enough to clean the air five times per hour in rooms no larger than 652 sq. ft.

I didn’t shortlist the Atem X due to its high price tag ($1,399.99), which makes it hard to recommend over the $800 Airmega ProX.

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

Dyson Big+Quiet BP06

The BP06 is the cheapest model in Dyson’s Big+Quiet range and its performance is good – especially compared to other Dyson units I’ve tested. It has a dust CADR of 190.8 cfm (AHAM) which will clean the air give times per hour in rooms no larger than 286.2 sq. ft. when running at top speed and while generating just 51.4 dbA of noise.

I didn’t include it because it costs the same as the Airmega ProX but it has a third of the air cleaning power.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

Winix 5510

With a list price $249.99, the 5510 usually goes on deal for less than $200. It offers a dust CADR of 252 cfm (AHAM) at top speed while generating 67.2 dBA. This means it can clean the air five times per hour in spaces up to 378 sq. ft.

I didn’t shortlist it because it can be loud at full speed, but it comes with app connectivity and looks great so you might like it.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH OUR VIDEO REVIEW ➜

Common questions about dust and air purifiers

Yes! Using an air purifier with a high quality particle filter will help remove dust from the air before it settles on your furniture and home surfaces but it won’t completely get rid of dust.

A regular home cleaning routine paired with a good performing air purifier can help keep dust under control but you will still need to dust, vacuum and mop. Here are some quick tips to help you reduce dust in your home:

Dust with a microfiber cloth. Microfiber will trap dust particles instead of just moving the dust around.

Vacuum beyond the floor, always starting with upholstery and curtains. Consider getting a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Mop uncarpeted floors after vacuuming. Try mopping your floors with a wet microfiber mop to remove any dust leftovers and crud spots.

Wash bed sheets, duvet covers, pillow covers, blankets and bed throws weekly. Use water over 120°F to kill any dust mites.

Clean vents and replace air filters regularly. Vacuum everything and scrub removable parts with soapy water.

Dust comprises many different pollutants, from pet dander to pollen, many of which can contribute to allergies. However, when people refer to a specific dust allergy, they usually refer to dust mites.

Dust mites are microscopic critters that feed off dust particles and excess moisture in the air, and they are one of the most common allergens found in the home. When those with allergies to dust inhale or come into contact with dust mites or the proteins they leave behind, they experience symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, itching, or developing a runny or stuffy nose.

Dust mites will exist in every home worldwide, and although they are nigh-on impossible to eradicate, they can be curtailed and symptoms can be managed. The best way to keep on top of dust mites is to frequently dust your home, keeping the space ventilated and an air purifier running and keeping humidity levels low.

Inhaling small quantities of dust will happen from time to time. Fortunately, our immune system is well equipped to deal with foreign pollutants, such as dust, entering our bodies.

When we inhale dust regularly, however, we may see our immune system kicking into overdrive to help resolve the issue. When this happens, you may recognize having a stuffy nose, itchy eyes or other common allergy symptoms that flair while the dust is in your system.

Being exposed to vast quantities of dust every day over prolonged periods (usually through work rather than domestic exposure) can lead to more serious conditions such as:

Silicosis
Lung cancer
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Kidney disease

If you work in a dusty environment, such as a building or industrial site, then your employer should ensure the necessary PPE and safety precautions are provided.

As dust comprises hundreds of pollutant particles such as skin cells, cloth fibers, and dirt from the earth, it is simply impossible to escape.

Certain homes may be more susceptible to dust build-ups. Sometimes based on what’s inside, such as pets or lots of soft furnishings, sometimes based on the house itself, with gaps by old doors or windows, an old HVAC system, or your local environment being key factors, and sometimes down to having a poor dusting and vacuuming regime.

Be sure to check out our tips for reducing dust in your home.

Wrapping up

Dust is a problem we all have to deal with that is not going away anytime soon. Vacuuming and cleaning your house thoroughly and regularly can help, but you can supercharge your dust-busting routine by introducing an air purifier to capture dust particles flying into the air before they settle on surfaces.

But, before buying an air purifier, remember the key factors to consider:

Look for a device that uses high quality particle filters – you don’t need to worry about carbon
Make sure its CADR can provide five air changes per hour, based on the size of your room
Find a model that is quiet enough for you to run it 24/7

If you have any questions about any of the air purifiers on the list or have recommendations of your own, please drop them in the comments below.

And if you have a different air purifier in mind to help you reduce the amount of dust at home, try searching for it in our comparison tool. If it’s a model we have tested, you’ll be able to see how its air cleaning power, sound levels, energy consumption and long term running costs compare to other air purifiers in our collection:

Dyson Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP06 review

Dec 17, 2025Jul 27, 2025 by Danny Ashton

I have been open about my disappointment in the air cleaning power of Dyson combo devices like the TP07, HP04 and PH03. But the BP06 is Dyson’s first pure air purifier, so my expectations are much higher.

The BP06 doesn’t have any of the smart functionalities you’ll find in other models in Dyson’s Big+Quiet range. The issue is that, selling at $600, this bare bones air purifier falls into the territory of premium devices with smart features like the Levoit EverestAir. In this review, I will help you decide whether its performance is worth the investment.

The overall score for the Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the Dyson BP-06

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

FIND it on amazon FIND IT ON DYSON.COM

“The Dyson BP06 is a much better air purifier than every Dyson combination units I have tested before. It offers good performance at top (51 dBA) and bottom (40.4 dBA) fan speeds and is more affordable than other units in Dyson’s Big+Quiet range.

That said, the BP06 offers the same power you will get from cheaper air purifiers, like the Winix T810, Vital 200S the Alen 45i.”

CONS

It is considerably more expensive ($600+) than other air purifiers with the same performance.

It lacks auto mode, smart functions, app connectivity, multiple fan speeds and an on-board particle sensor. If you want those features, you need to upgrade to the BP03 and BP04.

It’s takes up a lot of space and isn’t easy to move around the house.

PROS

It is a much better air purifier than previous Dyson models we have tested, such as the TP07, PH03 and HP04.

It offers good performance at speed 1 (128 cfm) while generating just 40.4 dBA of noise.

It comes with non-bonded filters, so you can replace the used-up carbon filter without throwing away a perfectly good particle filter.

It has low energy usage (32.9 watts at top speed), adding just $36.66 per year to your energy bill when running it 24/7.

Its filter can last up to 30 months, which is much longer than the usual filter lifespan of 6-12 months.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 198 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 190.8 cfm (dust)
Filtration technology	H13 HEPA filter and separate filter with 900g of activated carbon
Recommended room size:	297 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	32.67 x 17.08 x 16.33 in (83H x 41.5L x 43.4W cm)
Weight:	25.5 lbs (11.57 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 40.4 dBA Top speed: 51.4 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.5 watts Speed 1: 10 watts Top speed: 32.9 watts
Filter lifespan:	Particle filter: 30 months Carbon filter: 24 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	UK
Country of manufacture:	Malaysia

Filtration technology

The Dyson BP06 comes with a cylindrical HEPA filter and a separate activated carbon filter.

To access the filter, you need to remove the head (or conic amplifier) from the top and the metallic cover underneath:

How to replace the filter in the Dyson BP06

To catch particles, the BP06 comes with a large cylindrical H13 HEPA filter that Dyson recommends you to replace every 5 years.

HEPA filter inside the Dyson BP06 air purifier

The activated carbon filter is a flat piece of carbon impregnated fabric that clips into place around the internals of the device. Dyson states it comes with 900g of carbon.

Carbon filter inside the Dyson BP06 air purifier

This is a good amount of carbon and will help remove unwanted odors from the air.

Chart comparing the amount of carbon in different air filters

However, if you are looking for an air puriifer to deal with serious VOC issues, you should look into the Austin Air HealthMate instead.

Design, controls and features

The BP06 is a large air purifier without smart functions that you can operate with one button.

FIND it on amazon FIND IT ON DYSON.COM

Love it or hate it, one can’t deny that the design of the Dyson Big + Quiet range is unique in the world of air purifiers. While it still uses a cylindrical design for the filter section at the bottom of the device, the fan on top looks very different from what brands like Winix, Coway, Blueair and pretty much everyone else offers.

Chart comparing the weight of popular air purifiers

The BP06 weighs 11.57kg (or 25 lbs), which matches the weight of other large air purifiers like the Atem X from IQAir. However, it’s much heavier than mid-size devices like the Levoit Vital 200s or Winix 5500-2.

So you could say that this device lives up to the ‘Big’ in its name.

Person carrying the Dyson BP06 up the stairs

We found it tricky to carry it upstairs because it doesn’t have any handles, so you basically have to pick it up like a giant box.

The bigger size and weight make it tricky to find a space for it, especially in smaller rooms. But it has wheels to move around the room on smooth floor surfaces.

Tip

You can upgrade the look by choosing the Nickel + Prussian Blue of the BP03 for an extra $300 or the fancy Prussian Blue + Gold of the BP04 for an extra $400.

But it’s not just the looks. Unlike the BP06, the BP03 and BP04 come with smart features, app connectivity, an on-board air quality sensor and multiple fan speeds.

In terms of operation, you get one button you can press to turn your BP06 on, rotate through the two fan speeds available, and also turn it off.

Person using the Dyson BP06 air purifier at home

Like other Dyson devices, the BP06 comes with a display screen where you can see the current fan speed and real-time air quality readings.

The BP06 doesn’t have sensors for particulates or gases, but it comes with a CO2 sensor so it will show you real-time CO2 readings on screen.

How to use the controls in the Dyson BP06

While air purifiers can’t remove CO2, high levels of CO2 are a good indicator of poor ventilation. This can prompt you to open the window, which will make a big difference to your air.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Dyson BP06 in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

a computer monitor showing test results next to Dyson BP06 air purifier

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According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the BP06 needed 30 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 198 cfm, which matches the AHAM PM2.5 CADR result of 190.8 cfm.

When it comes to raw particle removal speed, it’s clear from the table that you pay a lot more with the Dyson BP06.

Chart comparing air cleaning performance of various air purifiers

Now, when we compare the performance of this device to what we saw with other Dyson devices, you see that the BP06 vastly outperformed the combo units we’ve tested here in the past:

Chart showing air cleaning performance of Dyson air purifiers

However, when we compare the results of the BP06 to those of other premium air purifiers, it once again becomes clear that the Dyson tax doesn’t mean you are getting the best air cleaning power:

Chart showing air cleaning performance of luxury air purifiers

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Dyson BP06 range from 40.4 dBA to 51.4 dBA — quieter than popular models like the Winix 5510, the IQAir Atem X, and the Coway Airmega 250S.

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As part of our testing, we use a sound level meter to measure how much noise each of the air purifiers we review generates at each fan speed.

Dyson made things extra easy for me because the BP06 only has two fan speeds 🙂

At top speed, it reached 51.4 dBA. We visualized how this compares to other similarly-prices air purifiers running at top speed:

The Dyson Big + Quiet BP06 lives up to its name with a significant reduction in sound when compared to other similar performing HEPA retail devices. But as expected it can’t compare with a PC fan powered air purifier like the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

Running at speed 1, the BP06 managed to reach PM1 zero in 46 minutes while generating just 40.4 dBA.

The data shows the BP06 offers the same level of performance at speed 1 than the $189.99 Vital 200S. And while it is a little quieter, it can’t compete with larger CADR devices like the EverestAir and the Rabbit Air A3.

We estimate a PM1 CADR of 128 cfm at speed 1, which would be enough to provide five (5) air changes per hour in spaces no larger than 192 sq. ft.

Long-term running costs

Running a Dyson BP06 will cost you $194.64 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

We measured how much energy the BP06 uses when running at speed 1 (10 watts), speed 2 (32.9 watts) and on standby (0.5 watts). It would cost you $36.66 in energy costs for a year, based on 24/7 usage at top speed at the average U.S. energy rate.

And you will also need to replace the filters eventually. The original HEPA filter costs $169.99 and the carbon filter costs $89.99.

On their website, Dyson states that the lifespan is half that time: 21,900 hours (or 30 months) for the HEPA filter and 8,760 hours (or 12 months) for the carbon filter. So, you would need to budget $157.98 annually for filter replacement costs.

When combining energy costs with filter replacement costs, you can expect to spend a total of $194.64 each year to run a Dyson BP06 24/7 at full speed.

The running costs for the Dyson BP06 are fair compared to other popular air purifiers and as it comes with a non-bonded filters, you could also choose to run the device with HEPA only if you wanted to save money on carbon filters.

There are many generic filters available, starting at $162.22 for a set of one particle and one carbon filter. We will be testing the performance of the BP06 with generic filters as part of the experiments we share with our supporters on our Patreon.

Bottom line: Should you get a Dyson BP06?

The BP06 is a much better air purifier than any of the Dyson combo units we have tested before.

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When it comes to air cleaning, the BP06 offers good performance at top speed at a much lower sound levels than competing HEPA retail devices.

At speed 1, it’s quiet enough (40.4 dBA) to leave it running in the background, with an estimated PM1 CADR of 128 cfm. This is good enough for five air changes in spaces up to 192 sq. ft., which is the same power you will get from popular devices like the Levoit Vital 200S and the Winix T810 running at fan speeds below 45 decibels.

The only fly in the ointment is the price.

The BP06 is bare bones compared to other models in Dyson’s Big+Quiet range and this lack of fan speeds and features comes at a lower price tag that is easier to swallow, selling currently at $699.99 at the time of writing this review.

However, at this price point, this bare bones BP06 falls into the territory of premium devices like the Coway Airmega ProX, the Levoit EverestAir and the Rabbit Air A3, both of which offer multiple fan speeds, app support, an onboard particle sensor, and higher performance at lower sound levels.

So, it is big and it doesn’t come cheap, but if you are a fan of Dyson and are set on getting an air purifier from their range, then I can confidently say that you won’t be burning your money if you go with the BP06 – which isn’t something I could say about older models.

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Now, if you like the BP06 and want the extra features such as remote control, particle and gas sensor, app connectivity, auto mode and more fan speeds, then you may want to look at the pricier BP03 and BP04, but I think it’s much harder to make a value case for these models because the price places them in the Atem X territory and they are not nearly as powerful.

If you have any questions I haven’t answered already about the BP06, please drop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

And if you do decide to buy an air purifier after reading one of my reviews, please use the affiliate links in the buttons or buy us a coffee to support the work we do here at HouseFresh.

Xiaomi Smart Air Purifier 4 Pro review

Dec 17, 2025Jul 1, 2025 by Danny Ashton

The 4 Pro is a mid-sized air purifier from Xiaomi, available across Asia, Europe and some countries in South America.

It comes with app support through Xiaomi’s Mi app and smart functionalities such as sleep mode and auto-mode. It also has an on-board laser particle sensor, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor that feed live data through the app and also on screen. In terms of filtration technologies, the 4 Pro has a cylindrical particle filter with 650 grams of pelleted carbon and comes with an ionizer that can be disabled.

The overall score for the Xiaomi 4 Pro incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the 4 Pro

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

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“The Xiaomi 4 Pro offers good value for money, with air cleaning performance scores that much more expensive air purifiers like the Levoit Core 400S and the Coway Airmega 250S.

The only fly in the ointment is that the in-built ionizer can only be disabled through the app.”

CONS

If you want to disable the ionizer, you will need to use the app as there are no buttons on the device to do this.

There are cheaper air purifiers with better air cleaning performance in Europe like the AirFanta 3Pro (£160) and the Winix 5500-2 (£159).

We noticed a strange whining sound when using sleep mode that only becomes apparent at night, when our home is extra quiet.

PROS

Solid air cleaning performance at top speed for a £200 device, beating more expensive devices like the Dyson BP06 and the Coway Airmega 150.

Good performance at sub-45 dBA fan speeds, for those looking for a quiet device that can still clean the air. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 186 cfm when running at speed 2.

The Xiaomi app works really well and allows you to operate the 4 Pro remotely.

One of the most affordable air purifiers to use in the long run, thanks to cheap OEM filter replacements and low energy usage.

It is quite narrow so it will fit small spaces, even though I would class it as a mid-sized device.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 285 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 174 cfm
Filter technology:	Particle filter with 650g of activated carbon pellets and optional ionizer function
Recommended room size:	448 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	10.8 x 10.8 x 26.7 in (27.5 x 27.5 x 68 cm)
Weight:	15 lbs (6.8 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep: 35.3 dBA Speed 1: 35.5 dBA Speed 2: 35.3 dBA Speed 3: 44.5 dBA Speed 4: 53.2 dBA Top speed: 59.2 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 1 watt Sleep: 4.4 watts Speed 1: 4.1 watts Speed 2: 5.4 watts Speed 3: 13.9 watts Speed 4: 26.6 watts Top speed: 45.9 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

The Xiaomi Pro 4 features a particle filter packed with activated carbon that lasts between six and 12 months, and an ionizer function you can disable.

An all-in-one cylindrical pleated particle filter with a pre-filter mesh on the outside that you need to vacuum every few weeks.

The filter comes packed with 650g of pelleted activated carbon that adsorbs odors and gases but that won’t be the best for serious VOCs.

In addition to mechanical filtration, the Xiaomi 4 Pro has an ionizer that electrically charges air molecules to produce negative ions with the goal of attracting and neutralizing positively charged particles such as dust, pollen, bacteria, and other pollutants. This process generates small amounts of ozone.

The good news for those who want to avoid ionization are that the ionizer can be disabled through the Xiaomi app — although I would much prefer to get a button to disable it as you do with the Xiaomi Elite.

Design, controls and smart features

The 4 Pro is a smart air purifier you can control through an OLED screen and also from your phone.

You get an OLED screen at the front that displays air quality readings, temperature and humidity levels.

You also get a power button and a mode button to switch between sleep mode, auto mode, three fan speeds and ‘manual’ mode which you can set on the app.

You can also adjust the brightness of the screen tapping on a button that sits at the back of the device, right above the sensor.

It connects to the Mi Home app, which is the same app you will use for other Xiaomi smart devices.

The app itself is slick and it works well. It displays real-time air quality readings and allows you to disable the ionizer, schedule routines and set your own ‘manual’ mode based on your coverage area.

I prefer the controls and app functionalities you get with the Xiaomi Elite. You get more buttons on screen and historical data in the app.

The Xiaomi Elite costs double of what you pay for the Pro 4, but is it worth the extra money or should you go for the Pro 4 instead? My tests show that air cleaning performance at sub-45 dBA speeds is exactly the same, but we estimate a CADR of 299 cfm a top speed for the Elite compared to a lower CADR of 285 cfm for the Pro 4 at full power.

The biggest difference, however, comes in the form of a more attractive, Dyson-inspired design, a more comprehensive control panel (which allows you to disable the ionizer with the touch of a button) and the ability to store air quality data on the app. If any of those things matter to you, then perhaps the Elite will be worth the upgrade, but watch my full review below before you decide.

Air cleaning performance

The Xiaomi 4 Pro matches the particle removal results we saw when testing popular units such as the Coway Airmega 250S and the Blueair 311i Max.

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According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the Xiaomi Pro 4 needed 24 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 285 cfm, which would allow the Pro 4 to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 448 sq. ft.

But this information in isolation won’t tell you much, so check out how this compares to other popular mid-sized air purifiers on the market today:

The Xiaomi Pro 4 completed our particle removal test faster than the much more expensive Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 (30 minutes) but slower than the cheaper AirFanta 3Pro (17 minutes). This is a decent result but if you are looking for an air purifier with solid air cleaning at a cheaper price, then you should definitely check out the 3Pro.

Sound levels

In our testing, the sound levels of the 4 Pro ranged from 35.3 dBA to 59.2 dBA. It is much quieter than the new Winix T810 (62.5 dBA) and the Coway Airmega 200M (64.3 dBA)

We used a sound level meter to measure how much noise our air purifiers generate at each fan speed.

At top speed, the Xiaomi Pro 4 reaches 59.2 dBA. Check out the chart below to see how this compares to other similarly-priced air purifiers running at top speed:

Completing our particle removal test in 24 minutes while generating just over 59 decibels is a good result, but it is also in line with what is expected for a mid-sized air purifier like the 4 Pro.

However, sound levels at turbo fan speeds are not as important as air cleaning performance at lower fan speeds.

That is why we always identify a fan speed where the air purifier generates less than 45 dBA of noise to assess its quiet performance.

Running at the Pro 4 at speed 2 (or 23-59 meters) generates 44.5 dB(A) of sound and it needed 34 minutes to complete our particle removal test.

As you can see from the table, 34 minutes is the exact same result we saw when we tested the more expensive Xiaomi Elite, so even though the Elite has a higher CADR at top speed (299 cfm) but they both have the same sub-45 dBA CADR (174 cfm) so they could provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 261 sq. ft.

Long-term running costs

Running a Xiaomi 4 Pro will cost you $162.24 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

As always, we used our energy meter to measure how much electricity the 4 Pro uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby. Energy consumption ranges from 4.4 watts on sleep mode to 45.9 watts when running at top speed.

This means that if you had to leave your 4 Pro running 24/7 at top speed, it would cost $51.10 in energy costs for a year, using average U.S. energy rates.

Considering you need to replace the filter every six months and that the replacement costs $55.57 (£42.99), you can expect to also spend $111.14 per year on filters.

When compared to other similar-performing air purifiers, the 4 Pro is generally cheaper to run, thanks to its low energy usage and low-cost OEM filters:

There are many generic filters available, starting at £39.22 (or $28.55) when you buy two. As they don’t use a HEPA grade or pelleted activated carbon the generic filters could offer a good option for those wanting to save money. We have shared performance test results with our Pro 4 using PUREBURG filters with our Patreon supporters here.

Bottom line: Should you get the Xiaomi Pro 4?

A good option for those living in the UK, Asia and other parts of Europe looking for a mid-sized air purifier with smart functions and app support for under €250 or just over £200.

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This Xiaomi air purifier is faster at cleaning the air at top speed (21 minutes) than the pricier Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 (30 minutes), and its quiet performance at sub-45 dBA matches the pricier Xiaomi Elite (both with a PM1 CADR of 174 cfm at speed 2).

Both points go to show that the 4 Pro offers excellent value for its price (£210 in the UK and €247 in Europe), especially considering long-term running costs are also cheap compared to most other mid-sized air purifiers.

Plus, it comes with app support, an air quality sensor and displays not only air quality but also temperature and humidity measurements on its OLED screen. And it can be connected to Google Home and Alexa, so it could be a great choice if you are looking for an air purifier for your smart home.

If you’ve got the extra budget and are a fan of Xiaomi already, check out the Xiaomi Elite. You’ll get everything you get with the 4 Pro with improved performance at top speed and lower yearly running costs thanks to a longer lasting filter.

I really wish you could disable the ionizer with a button on the control panel instead of having to open the app to do it. And I also noticed that the fan motor makes a high-pitched whining noise at low fan speeds, which in our case means we had to take this air purifier out of our room because it was disturbing our sleep.

If those two things would nag you too but are set on a smart air purifier, then check out the Winix T810 and the Levoit Core 400S, both of which sell for a similar price than the 4 Pro, come with app connectivity and offer good air cleaning performance. And if you’re not bothered by smart functionalities, then you should definitely consider the AirFanta 3Pro as it offers a higher CADR (353 cfm) for a lower price ($160).

By the way, if you decide to buy a Xiaomi 4 Pro and want to support the work we do at HouseFresh, please use this link so we can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review. Did I miss anything? Please drop a comment below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max review

Feb 12, 2026Jun 16, 2025 by Danny Ashton

The Blue Pure 311i Max is a mid-sized air purifier from Blueair, available worldwide under various model names, including the Blue Pure 3350i Max (Europe) and the Blue Pure 3450i Max (Oceania and parts of Asia).

The 311i Max has smart functionalities, such as WiFi connectivity, auto-mode, an LED air quality indicator and an app that allows you to control the air purifier remotely. As with other devices from Blueair, it features their trademarked HEPASilent technology which combines mechanical filtration with electrostatic ionization.

The overall score for the Blue Pure 311i Max incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the 311i Max

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

“Raw figures from our particle removal tests show that this air purifier offers solid air cleaning performance, and the use of HEPASilent allows the 311i Max to clean a lot of air without consuming too much energy.

If you don’t mind the use of electrostatic ionization, then this could be a good option for you.

CONS

It comes with an optical sensor instead of laser sensor, so you’re going to have to remember to clean the sensor regularly.

You will be forced to use its in-built ionizer, in the form of Blueair’s trademarked HEPASilent technology, which cannot be disabled.

With every new generation of 311 devices, Blueair introduces a new design that uses different filters, so if you’re thinking about upgrading from the old 311 Auto, you won’t be able to use any filters you might already have at home.

PROS

Good air cleaning performance at top speed for less than $300, comparable to what you’ll get with the Winix T810 and the Dyson BP06.

Low energy usage that helps keep long-term costs low – it is less power-hungry than smaller devices like the PuroAir 240 or the Molekule Air Mini+.

The app works well and allows you to operate the 311i remotely.

It is aesthetically pleasing, as we have come to expect from Blueair devices with fabric pre-filters.

Good size for small to medium-sized rooms.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 220 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 108 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 321 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Bonded particle and carbon filter with a removable fabric pre-filter and HEPASilent electrostatic filtration.
Recommended room size:	330 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	19 x 12.5 x 12.5 in (48H x 32W x 32D cm)
Weight:	7.87 lbs (3.56 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep: 34.9 dBA Speed 1: 37 dBA Speed 2: 47.8 dBA Top speed: 57.7 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.6 watts Sleep: 2.8 watts Speed 1: 5.2 watts Speed 2: 13.4 watts Top speed: 29.2 watts
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	Sweden
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

The Blue Pure 311i Max features a cylindrical filter with three layers of filtration, along with an in-built ionizer.

The first layer is a washable fabric pre-filter that comes in various colors.

The second layer is a pleated particle filter that sits underneath the fabric pre-filter.

The third layer is a carbon-impregnated fabric that sits on the inside of the main filter.

When buying a filter replacement, you can choose a basic particle + carbon filter, or upgrade to Blueair’s specialist filters: the SmokeBlock (with additional carbon) or the AllergenBlock (with an odor neutralizer). Personally, I’d suggest you stick to the basic filter as it’s cheaper and will do the job in 90% of cases.

In addition to mechanical filtration, the 311i Max utilizes an ionizer that electrostatically charges particles, attracting them to the filter where they are captured and removed from the air. This process generates small amounts of ozone, and unfortunately, it cannot be disabled.

Other manufacturers such as Alen, Coway, and Winix use similar ionization technologies to supercharge their particle removal speed. However, they all include buttons or app options that allow users to disable the ionizer for those who don’t want to risk introducing ozone into their air.

Controls and smart features

The 311i Max is a smart air purifier you can control with just two buttons and also from your phone.

This air purifier comes with auto mode (adjusts fan speed based on PM2.5 levels), sleep mode (quiet and with dimmed lights) and three fan speeds.

On the back, you get a sensor that measures the level of PM2.5 particles in the air. Unfortunately, it’s just an optical sensor so you need to remember to clean it.

On the front, you get an air quality indicator in the form of an LED light that circles through five colors, going from blue (excellent) to red (very polluted).

The 311i Max comes with app support through the Blueair app. I had no issues installing the app, connecting it to the device, and using it on a regular basis. From the app, you’ll be able to adjust the fan speed, set the mode (auto or night), enable the child lock, track the filter lifetime and schedule routines for the device.

Air cleaning performance

This air purifier delivers good performance at its top speed, matching our expectations based on its AHAM CADR report.

According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the Blueair 311i Max needed 27 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room. Based on this time, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 220 cfm.

But this information in isolation won’t tell you much, so check out how this compares to other popular mid-sized air purifiers on the market today:

The Blue Pure 311i Max completed our particle removal test faster than the much more expensive Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 (30 minutes) but slower than the cheaper Levoit Vital 200S (23 minutes).

Sound levels

In our testing, the sound levels of the 311i Max ranged from 34.9 dBA to 57.7 dBA. It is quieter than other popular air purifiers like the Winix 5510 and the Coway Airmega 200M.

We used a sound level meter to measure how much noise each of the air purifiers we review generates at each fan speed.

At top speed, the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max reaches 57.7 dBA. Check out the table below to see how this compares to other similarly-priced air purifiers running at top speed:

Completing our particle removal test in 27 minutes while generating only 57.7 dBA is impressive, although it doesn’t make a dent on the performance of the PC fan-powered Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

The reality however is that you are unlikely to want to run your air purifier at top speed all the time, so we found a fan speed at which the 311i Max generates less than 45 dBA of noise, which is the limit we have set for our quiet performance tests.

Running at the 311i Max at speed 1 will produce 37 dB(A) of sound, which is below the 45 dB(A) limit and close to the 40 dB(A) limit that CleanAirStars recommends for quiet classrooms and offices. At this speed, the 311I Max needed 54 minutes to complete our particle removal test:

When we repeated the test at speed 2, the 311i Max reached PM1 zero in just 32 minutes while generating 47.8 dBA of noise. At home, I’ve been using it at this speed and it is louder than I would like BUT it is also more efficient at cleaning the air.

You can see in the table below the CADR and sound levels you get with the 311i Max at each available fan speed:

Long-term running costs

Running a Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max will cost you $122.19 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

As always, we used our energy meter to measure how much electricity the 311i Max uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby. Energy consumption ranges from 2.8 watts on sleep mode to 29.2 watts when running at top speed.

This means that if you had to leave your Blueair 311i Max running 24/7 at top speed, it would cost $32.21 in energy costs for a year, using average U.S. energy rates.

Considering you need to replace the filter every six months and that the replacement costs $44.49, you can expect to also spend $89.98 per year on filters.

When compared to other similar-performing air purifiers, the 311i Max is generally cheaper to run, thanks to its low energy usage and low-cost OEM filters:

There are many generic filters available, starting at $17 per filter when you buy two. As they don’t use a HEPA grade or pelleted activated carbon the generic filters could offer a good option for those wanting to save money. We will run performance tests with a range of generic filters for our Patreon supporters.

Bottom line: Should you get the Blueair 311i Max?

A good option for those looking for a mid-sized air purifier that won’t cost an arm and a leg to run, and who aren’t bothered about using an ionizer.

At top speed, the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max will be faster at cleaning the air and MUCH cheaper to run than the pricier Dyson Big+Quiet BP06, so overall performance and value for money is very good. Even at speed 2, it can provide 185 cfm while generating 47.8 dBA of noise, which is louder than our 45 dBA limit but not by much.

Energy consumption is lower than other mid-sized air purifiers and filter replacement costs are fair, so you won’t be spending more than you should to run this device all year long.

Plus, it comes with app connectivity and an on-board air quality sensor, for those who are looking for an air purifier with smart features.

But there are two clear cases where I don’t recommend this Blueair device:

Don’t get the 311i Max if want to remove odors or chemical gases from the air. The lack of pelleted activated carbon renders this model pretty useless for VOCs. Instead, look for an air purifier with large amounts of pelleted charcoal — here are my recommendations.

Don’t get the 311i Max if you are wary of ionizers or don’t want to add ozone to your air. Unlike popular air purifiers like the Coway Airmega AP-1512hh or the Winix 5500-2, Blueair doesn’t include an option for users to disable the ionizer inside their devices. If this doesn’t sit well with you, then look into models from Levoit and Smart Air, or check out my list of ozone-free air purifiers.

And if you’re not set on getting a Blueair device but love the idea of a quiet and energy-efficient model, then check out the new generation of PC fan-powered air purifiers like the CleanAirKits Luggable XL (U.S.), the NorthBox Systems 6XL (Canada) and the Nukit Tempest Euro (Europe). All of these models are able to clean the air incredibly fast while generating less than 45 dBA of noise and pulling very little electricity.

If you decide to buy a 311i Max and want to support the work we do at HouseFresh, please use this link so we can earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

January 23rd, 2026:

Replaced interactive comparison tables with static images that visualize performance, sound, and long-term costs data in an easy-to-digest way.
Added a new chart with PM1 CADR figures and sound levels in dBA for each available fan speed.
Added information on the new specialist filters available for this model + my advice on whether you should spend the extra money.
Added a link to a new AHAM CADR report for this model that has been uploaded to the Energystar database.

Coway Airmega 100 review

Oct 25, 2026May 23, 2025 by Danny Ashton

The cylindrical 100 is one of the smallest air purifiers in Coway’s Airmega line, second only to the even smaller Airmega 50.

But can this new model deliver enough clean air to be worth the $129.99 price tag? And is it louder or quieter than other popular small cylindrical units from Levoit, Philips, Winix and Xiaomi?

To answer these questions, I bought one with my own money so that I could test its air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy efficiency, yearly running costs, and day-to-day user experience.

The overall score for the Coway Airmega 100 incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency, and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the category breakdown.

Search for ‘Airmega 100’ to see where it ranks, based on its air cleaning performance and value for money. You can also filter results to easily compare models in the same price range.

The pros and cons of the Coway Airmega 100

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier, following our methodology.

“Overall, I’d say this is a good device from Coway in a small package with some cool features like the night light function.

The upfront cost is higher than what you’ll pay for models from Winix and Xiaomi, but it could potentially lead to long-term savings because it has some of the lowest running costs we’ve seen in small air purifiers.”

CONS

It is more expensive than small cylindrical units from brands like Winix and Xiaomi.

Its own fan speed below 45 decibels is speed 1, so it doesn’t offer powerful air cleaning at sub-45 dBA sound levels. Set to speed 2, you get a lot more power but it’s just over the 45-decibel mark, reaching 46.5 dBA.

PROS

It is highly energy efficient. In our tests, we measured 23.2 watts when running at top speed.

The filter has a lifespan of 12 months and replacements cost less than $40, so yearly filter costs are low.

It has an onboard sensor and an indicator light at the top that changes color depending on the quality of your air.

You get a night light function with a soft warm glow.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 148 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 115 cfm
Filter technology:	Bonded particle filter with a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric.
Recommended room size:	222 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	8.6 x 8.6 x 15.5 in (22 x 22 x 39.5 cm)
Weight:	6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep mode: 35.6 dBA Speed 1: 38.9 dBA Speed 2: 46.5 dBA Speed 3: 57.2 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.3 watts Sleep mode: 3.5 watts Speed 1: 5.6 watts Speed 2: 9.5 watts Speed 3: 23.2 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

A small cylindrical filter with particle filtration and a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric.

The filter inside the Airmega 100 has three layers of filtration: a pre-filter mesh on the outside, a particle filter in the middle and a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric on the inside.

The carbon-impregnated fabric won’t be able to help with serious issues with odors and chemical gases – I really wish Coway would include activated carbon pellets instead.

Design, controls and features

A small cylindrical air purifier with similar dimensions to other popular small models.

The Airmega 100 draws dirty air all around its body and releases clear air through the top.

In terms of size, it has dimensions similar to those of the popular Winix A231 and the Xiaomi 4 Compact.

You get touchscreen buttons to adjust fan speeds, switch between light modes and set timers.

You don’t get app connectivity, but you do get an onboard particle sensor that unlocks auto mode.

It has an onboard sensor that measures the level of particle pollution in the air.

The air quality indicator light changes from blue (good) to green (moderate) to orange (unhealthy) to purple (very unhealthy).

You get a button at the top to switch between the air quality indicator light mode, the night light mode, or to turn off all lights – including the backlit control buttons at the top.

The LED light is easy to see from across the room and is a pretty cool addition to the design that makes it stand out from other cylindrical small air purifiers.

The night light mode emits a warm glow with a faint shade of orange, which isn’t powerful enough for reading but feels pretty relaxing on a side table.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Coway Airmega 100 in our 728-cubic-ft test room, measuring how quickly it removed PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense smoke.

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows that the 900 Series needed 40 minutes to reach PM1 zero. Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 148 cfm.

This makes the Airmega 100 powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in small rooms up to 222 sq. ft.

When comparing to other small-size air purifiers, the Airmega 100 matches what we saw from the Winix A231 and the Levoit Vital 100S, but it’s less powerful than the PC fan-powered AirFanta 3Pro.

BUT, as I always say, air purifiers running at full power are usually too loud for everyday use, so we must account for noise levels – – especially with small units that you’re likely to place on top of your desk or maybe even your bedside table.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Coway Airmega 100 range from 35.6 dBA to 57.2 dBA — which is louder than other small air purifiers like the Philips 900 Series.

Coway Airmega 100 Sound Electricity Tests

I used our BAFX sound meter to measure how much sound the Coway 100 generates at each of its fan speeds at 3 ft away:

Reaching 57.2 dBA at top speed, the Coway 100 is not particularly quiet compared to other small air purifiers from Philips, Dyson and Blueair.

Coway Airmega 100 HouseFresh Peformance Chart

Running at speed 1, it hit 38.9 dBA and cleared our test room in 138 minutes. When set to speed 2, it completed the test in 50 mins at 46.5 dBA.

Long-term running costs

Running a Coway Airmega 100 will cost you $73.39 per year, combining energy and filter replacement costs.

We used our energy meter to record how much electricity the Coway 100 pulls at each fan speed and while on standby.

At top speed, the Airmega 100 draws 23.2 watts, so if you were to leave it running at top speed 24/7 for one year, it will add $35.87 to your energy bill, based on the latest energy prices in the U.S.

But electricity costs are not the only costs you need to budget for when buying an air purifier…

According to Coway, you need to change the filter in your Airmega 100 every 12 months. The OEM filter is available for $37.52, so you can expect to spend that much each year on filter replacements alone.

I added this to the energy costs and can tell you that you need to budget $73.39 each year to keep your Coway Airmega 100 running 24/7 in your home:

The only other small air purifier with lower running costs is the newer Blueair Blue Pure 511i Maz BUT bear in mind that it is more expensive upfront, with a list price of $139.99.

Bottom line: Should you get a Coway Airmega 100?

Overall, I’d say this is a good device from Coway in a small package with some cool features and decent air cleaning power.

Let me recap my findings:

It offers good air cleaning performance at top speed, with test results on par with what we expect from small air purifiers. At 40 minutes, it matched the particle removal speed we saw from popular units like the Philips 900 Series and the Winix A231.

It has very low yearly running costs, which is something we always see in air purifiers manufactured by Coway – that is, assuming that the carbon-impregnated filter doesn’t give up sooner than 12 months.

It has an onboard particle sensor and you’ll be able to see air quality readings displayed in the form of a color-coded light on top of the device. However, it doesn’t come with app support.

It is more expensive to buy than small cylindrical air purifiers from Winix and Xiaomi, but you will spend less in the long run thanks to its energy efficiency and low-cost filter replacements.

It is noisier than other small models, with a top speed that reaches 57 dBA and a speed 2 that is louder than the 45 dBA limit we recommend for quiet performance.

Based on these notes, I’d say that if you’re looking for a good performing cylindrical air purifier with an onboard sensor and a light feature, then the Coway Airmega 100 might be just the thing.

However, bear in mind that its performance comes at a cost in the form of loud operation at top speed. I recommend setting it to speed 2, where it will generate around 46 decibels of noise while providing good air cleaning power, with an estimated PM1 CADR of 117 cfm that will be good enough to clean the air 5 times per hour in rooms up to 175.5 sq. ft. (or 16 m2).

And if space is not as tight, I recommend that you look for a mid-sized air purifier that will offer you A LOT more power at quiet fan speeds with the option of cranking up the power in moments when you need it. My top recommendations for mid-sized devices right now are the Coway Airmega Mighty2, the Levoit Vital 200S and the Winix 5510.

If you decide to get yourself a Coway Airmega 100, please use this link to help support the work we do at HouseFresh – – we will receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We don’t run any ads and have no partnerships with air purifier brands, so we rely on those commissions to continue buying and testing air quality products.

And if you’re still unsure, you can try using our air purifier comparison tool to see how the Airmega 100 stacks up against units with similar prices:

If you have any questions about this air purifier or about Coway models in general, please drop them in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you personally as soon as I can.

4 best Winix air purifiers, based on our tests

Dec 17, 2025May 16, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Over the last few years, I have tested nine different air purifier models from Winix, and by the end of this article, you will know which one is the best choice for you.

Since 2020, I have tested and reviewed 110+ air purifiers from different brands, and devices manufactured by Winix tend to stand out.

In fact, at this point, I’m confident enough to say that Winix is a brand that generally makes good-value, high-performing air purifiers, so choosing the best ones hasn’t been easy.

All my recommendations are based on our first-hand experiments, including a particle removal test at top fan speed and sub 45 dbA speed, sound tests from 3 feet away, electricity consumption, and yearly running costs. We also live with the air purifiers in our home to assess the overall user experience in the long term and test out features like app support and auto mode in different day-to-day situations. Read more about how we test.

Let’s kick things off with the best Winix air purifier for most people.

1. Best for most people: Winix 5510

A brand new model from Winix that came to replace the now discontinued Winix 5500-2

The two reasons why the Winix 5510 is my number one pick are its performance and its price — now that the 5500-2 has been discontinued, Winix has dropped the price of the 5510 to $179.99.

At top speed, the 5510 completed our particle removal test in a speedy 24 minutes, which is faster than much more expensive devices like the Coway Aimega 250S or the Dyson Big+Quiet BP06.

Based on our particle removal test, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 248 cfm (which PlasmaWave enabled), which makes the 5510 a solid choice for those wanting to get five air changes per hour in spaces up to 372 sq. ft.

What we really like

It has a better-looking design compared to every other rectangular Winix device I’ve tested.

When running at top speed, its air cleaning performance is on par with the older 5500-2, the popular Smart Air SA600, and the much more expensive Rabbit Air A3.

The Winix app is intuitive and has no annoying ads like the ones we see in other apps.

The filters are not bonded together, making the pre-filter easier to clean and the gas filter easy to replace when the carbon runs out without needing to throw away the HEPA filter as well.

Its body is compact and has a smaller footprint compared to the older Winix 5500-2 and Winix Zero Pro.

What we think could be better

The 5510 is louder at top speed than similarly-sized air purifiers from Winix and other brands.

Its air cleaning performance drops when running at sub-45 dBA fan speeds.

The app is still quite bare and lacks features you see in apps from Levoit and Xiaomi, but this is expected as it’s very new for Winix.

When running at speed 2, the 5510 generates 40.8 dBA of noise so I repeated our particle removal test at this fan speed and it managed to clear all PM1 pollutants from the air 60 minutes. This is much slower than the 43 minutes I recorded when testing the older 5500-2 at speed 2, but it is a larger device with a bigger fan and filters so it makes sense.

If you care about quiet performance, then I recommend running the 5510 at speed 3 which generates 51.6 dBA of noise but is powerful enough to clear the air much faster — completing our particle removal test in 38 minutes.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 248 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 125 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 252 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	True HEPA filter with pelleted activated carbon and a removable pre-filter
Recommended room size:	372 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	15.9 x 11 x 25.2 in (40.3 x 27.9 x 64 cm)
Weight:	13.03 lbs (5.9 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep mode: 35.2 dBA Speed 1: 36.8 dBA Speed 2: 40.8 dBA Speed 3: 51.6 dBA Speed 4: 67.2 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.65 watts Sleep mode: 3.51 watts (3.77 with PlasmaWave) Speed 1: 4.59 watts (4.87 with PlasmaWave) Speed 2: 6.58 watts (6.89 with PlasmaWave) Speed 3: 15.68 watts (15.98 with PlasmaWave) Speed 4: 52.62 watts (53.94 with PlasmaWave)
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	South Korea

➜ Read our full review

➜ Watch our video review

2. Best for small rooms: Winix A230 / A231

The best choice for those looking for a Winix air purifier for a room smaller than 200 sq. ft.

I always recommend that most people push for a mid-sized air purifier as they have similar long-term running costs as small devices and you can run them at lower fan speeds but still get excellent air cleaning performance without the noise. However, I know not everyone has space for a large device so for those of you looking for a small Winix air purifier, my top pick is the Winix A231 in white and grey or A230 in black.

In our testing, it cleaned our test room of PM1 particles from incense smoke in 40 minutes (with PlasmaWave enabled), which is faster than what we recorded when testing more expensive and similarly sized air purifiers like Levoit Core 300S or the Xiaomi 4 Compact.

Based on the particle removal results, we estimate a CADR of 148 CFM, which makes the Winix A231 a good choice for those looking for a device that could offer five (5) air changes per hour in spaces up to 222 sq. ft.

What we really like

Even though its list price is $99.99, you will often find it on Amazon for just 75 bucks.

It comes with an on-board sensor, auto-mode and a color-coded ring that shows air quality data at a glance.

The official filter replacements from Winix are affordable and there are also many generic filters are available, so you don’t need to worry about not finding filter replacements online.

You get two options in terms of design: white (A231) and black (A230).

Running the A231 25/7 at top speed will cost $50.65 in energy per year, which is comparable to mid-sized units like the Winix ZERO-S and the Winix 5510.

What we think could be better

The bonded cylindrical filter uses impregnated carbon instead of the pelleted carbon you get with the Winix 5510, which won’t be good enough to tackle serious issues with odors and could lead to filters needing to be replaced more often.

Reaching 57.9 dBA at top speed, it is as loud as bigger air purifiers like the Levoit EverestAir or the Rabbit Air A3.

The A231 generates 57.9 dBA of noise at top speed and this will be loud for many people. We repeated our particle removal test with the A231 running at speed 1 (35.2) and it needed 86 minutes to clear our test room of PM1, so we estimate a CADR of 66 CFM (good for 5 air changes per hour in spaces up to 100 sq. ft.)

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 148 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 67 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 154 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Fine mesh pre-filter, True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, PlasmaWave technology
Recommended room size:	222 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	9.5D x 9.5W x 14.6H inches (24.13D x 24.13W x 37H cm)
Weight:	7.1 lbs (3.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.2 dB Speed 2: 48.3 dB Speed 3: 57.9 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0.06 watts Speed 1: 35.4 watts Speed 2: 37.7 watts Speed 3: 45.6 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	Thailand

➜ Read our full review

➜ Watch our video review

3. Best for medium-sized rooms: Winix T810

A new model from Winix that rivals popular air purifiers such as the Levoit Core 400S and the Xiaomi Pro 4

PRICE ON amazon PRICE ON Sylvane

Based on their latest releases, it is clear that Winix has been focusing heavily on the smart functions and design aesthetic. In fact, the T810 (or T830 in blue) is, in my opinion, the best-looking Winix device on the market. But looks are not the reason why I have included the T810 on this list.

The performance of the T810 in our testing was good at both full speed (26 minutes with PlasmaWave enabled) and also at its highest sub-45 dBA speed (46 minutes) — this is the sweet spot I’m looking for when testing air cleaning speed as most devices are loud at top speed.

What we really like

This is the first Winix device to sport a screen that can provide real-time air quality information with exact PM2.5 data.

At speed 2 (44.8 dBA), the T810 needed 46 minutes to clear our test room of all PM1, which is just 3 minutes slower than the 5510 but with a smaller footprint.

You get app support through the Winix app, which is intuitive to use and has no annoying ads.

It comes in two colors, and they both look great: silver (T810) or blue (T830).

What we think could be better

Like the A231 (above), the filters in the T810 use impregnated carbon instead of pellets, which we see with other Winix models. This might lead to a shorter filter lifespan if you have a serious issue with odors and gases.

Due to the use of an all-in-one filter, I find that it is more cumbersome to clean the pre-filter in the T810 regularly as you need to remove the whole filter and it can get messy.

If you want a medium-sized Winix air purifier with app support and the benefit of an onboard screen to see the real-time data from the air quality sensors inside the device, then the T810 in grey (or the T830 in blue) are my top picks.

HouseFresh rating:	◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◻️◻️◻️ 7/10
Time to reach PM1 zero (running at top speed in our 728 cubic feet test room):	– 26 minutes (top speed) – 46 minutes (sub-45 dB speed)
Air filtration technology:	True HEPA particle filter with carbon and pre-filter mesh
Ionization technology:	PlasmaWave bipolar ionization that can be disabled
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):	343 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– HouseFresh PM1: 229 cfm – AHAM PM2.5: 267 cfm (dust)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	11.3 x 11.3 x 20.4 in (28.7 x 28.7 x 51.8 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)
Filter life:	12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	– Sleep mode: 35.1 dBA – Speed 1: 37.4 dBA – Speed 2: 44.8 dBA – Speed 3: 50.3 dBA – Speed 4: 62.5 dBA (top speed)
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	– Standby: 0.52 watts – Sleep more: 2.2 watts – Speed 1: 4.40 watts (4.72 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 2: 8.23 watts (8.47 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 3: 12.30 watts (13.42 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 4: 41.92 watts (42.59 w/PlasmaWave)
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	– Energy consumption: $47.31 per year – Filter replacement: $79.99 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of manufacture:	Thailand

➜ Read our full review

➜ Watch our video review

4. Best in the UK & Europe: Winix 5500-2

Winix has recently discontinued the 5500-2 in the U.S. but this excellent air purifier is still widely available across Europe.

As of May 2025, Winix was confirmed that the 5500-2 and the 5300-2 will be discontinued in the U.S. and Canada BUT this is an excellent device and it is still available in the UK and Europe, so I have to include it on this list.

I have reached out to Winix to ask about their long-term plans, and they confirmed that they will keep producing filter replacements for the 5500-2 until 2032, so if you find this air purifier on sale where you live, then it is definitely worth considering as it offers EXCELLENT air cleaning performance both at top speed and sub-45 dBA speed.

A big advantage of the Winix 5500-2 is that there are various filter replacement options both OEM and generic, which can lead to big savings in terms of long-term running costs and also guarantee filter replacements long after Winix stops manufacturing their genuine filters:

What we really like

With PlasmaWave enabled, the 5500-2 cleaned our test room in 23 minutes — without the ionizer, it still managed to clean the air in 24 minutes

It comes with separate filters so the pre-filter is easy to clean without taking all the filters out AND you can just replace the carbon when it runs out without needing to replace the HEPA filter.

Affordable filter replacements, with genuine filters available for $50 and generic filters for $15 per year

It is an oldie but goodie — the 5500-2 has been released nearly a decade ago, so you know you’re buying a device that will keep working without issues in the long run.

What we think could be better

This is an old Winix device, so the design is more dated than some people would like. It’s bigger and bulkier than both the T810 and 5510, and lacks the smart features and app connectivity that these newer models have.

It has been discontinued in the U.S. and Canada, so it might get harder and harder to find in stock online.

HouseFresh rating:	★★★★★
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	23 minutes (with PlasmaWave)
Air purifier technology:	PlasmaWave, removable pre-filter, washable activated carbon filter and True HEPA filter
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):	360 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	Dust: 243 CFM Smoke: 232 CFM Pollen: 246 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / cm):	15W x 8.2D x 23.6H inches (38W x 21D x 60H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	14.8 lbs (6.7kg)
Filter life:	12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	Speed 1: 38.8 dB Speed 2: 42.5 dB Speed 3: 47.5 dB Speed 4: 58.9 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	Standby mode: 0.34 watts Speed 1: 6.5 watts Speed 2: 9.11 watts Speed 3: 14.80 watts Speed 4: 53.46 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	$161.53 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):	$0.66
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 year
Country of manufacture:	South Korea

➜ Read our full review

➜ Watch our video review

Other Winix air purifiers we have tested

A round-up of Winix units we have reviewed, and why they didn’t make the cut.

Winix 5300-2

We first tested the 5300-2 in 2021 and it offered excellent value back then. These days, however, there are other solid options from Winix like the 5500-2 and the 5510 that will give you more powerful air cleaning for a similar price.

Plus, as of May 2025, Winix America has confirmed that they are discontinuing the 5300-2 in the U.S. and Canada in favor of the newer Winix 5520.

Winix C545

The C545 first showed up in 2019 and these days you can only find it refurbished on the Winix website BUT it was brought back by Costco and became pretty popular in 2023.

It offers great performance on par with the Winix T810, but I didn’t include it on my main list as you will only be able to buy it if you’re a Costco member.

Winix Zero-S / Zero-SE

The Winix Zero-SE is a Costco version of the Winix Zero-S, which is widely available in Europe and the UK. This is an good-performing air purifier and it has lower long-term costs than newer models like the 5510 and the T810.

I didn’t include it because its design means that the front cover comes off easily when moving it around, and moving it around is in itself more awkward than it needs to be due to its shallow handle at the back. BUT if you find it at a good price and know you won’t need to move it around the house, then the Zero-S/Zero-SE is a solid device.

Winix Zero Pro / HR900

Only a few days after publishing my video review for the Winix Zero Pro or HR900 in the U.S., Winix announced that it would be discontinued so that is why I didn’t include it on this list.

This was a real shame, as I really liked this device. It offers good air cleaning performance, looks good, and has a dual gas and particle sensor for improved auto-mode performance.

Wrapping up

I hope this article will help you choose the right Winix air purifier for your unique situation.

If you decide to buy one of these devices, please use the affiliate link we included in the buttons throughout the article to support the work we do at HouseFresh. We will get a small 3% cut at no extra cost to you and this will allow us to continue buying and testing air purifiers in the future.

As always, feel free to ask away any questions you may have in the comments below.

Coway Airmega 250S review

Dec 17, 2025Apr 2, 2025 by Danny Ashton

Coway is the manufacturer behind the most popular air purifier in the world, the Airmega AP-15122HH which has been the number one pick from the team at the NY TImes’ Wirecutter since 2014.

The Airmega 250S is a relatively new model that has been around since the end of 2021, and has been very well received by the press. So well received, in fact, that one reviewer referred to it as “the Wagyu Beef of Air Purifiers”…

That got me even more interested in testing its performance.

As always, we bought the Airmega 250S with our own money to experience the customer journey just as you will and remain unbiased without any special deal or connection to Coway.

The overall score for the Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the Coway Airmega 250S

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

PRice on amazon Price ON COWAY

“The Airmega 250S has excellent build quality and is beautifully designed, so it is a good option for those who are happy to spend a little more on an air purifier that will look great while cleaning the air.

However, if you are sensitive to noise, you might want to pass on the 250S because it doesn’t offer good air cleaning performance under 45 dBA.”

If you don’t want to read my full review of the Coway Airmega 250S, here are the three things I like and the three things I don’t.

CONS

Long-term running costs are higher than similar performing devices due to the filters needing to be changed every six months.

Sub-par air cleaning at its only sub-45 dBA fan speed. There is a big jump in noise levels when moving from speed 1 to speed 2.

The app has a habit of logging you out, which is quite annoying and could explain the low user ratings in both the App store and the Google Play store.

PROS

Build quality and design are a step above the rest. The Airmega 250S is full of little design details, from the braided cable to the retro-modern aesthetic.

It offers solid air cleaning performance at top speed – earning the 250S a spot in our rankings right beside many of our top recommended air purifiers.

It is more energy efficient than previous Coway models we’ve tested.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 91 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 261.2 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	True HEPA filter with pelleted activated carbon and a washable pre-filter
Recommended room size:	373 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	18.5 x 19.7 x 8.3 in (47 x 50 x 21 cm)
Weight:	20.5 lb (9.3 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	– Sleep mode: 35.7 dBA – Speed 1: 36.5 dBA – Speed 2: 50.2 dBA – Speed 3: 59.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	– Standby mode: 1.76 watts – Sleep mode: 4.53 watts – Speed 1: 6.52 watts – Speed 2: 22.01 watts – Speed 3: 57.71 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 – 12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	3 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	South Korea

The best Airmega 250S feature: Retro-inspired design built with high quality materials

The 250S has been built to last and is guaranteed to look great in most rooms.

If you’re reading this review, it’s probably because you saw the 250S and thought the design was worth paying extra compared to other air purifiers from Coway.

I’ll be honest, as soon as I unboxed this device, I became obsessed with how it looks. I am not one to care about design or aesthetics but the Airmega 250S really made me notice. And it’s not just how nice the retro-inspired design looks — from the plastic chassis to the braided cable, this thing has been made with high quality materials.

Filtration technology

The Airmega 250S comes with a bonded H13 HEPA filter with pelleted activated carbon and a removable pre-filter that is also washable.

PRice on amazon Price ON COWAY

With the Airmega 250S, Coway moved away from the non-bonded filters we’ve seen in the past from models such as their incredibly popular AP-15122HH or the newer Airmega 200M. And unlike those models, the 250s also lacks an ionizer function.

It comes with an all-in-one filter they call ‘Max 2’ filter with a Green True HEPA particle filter on one side and a gas filter with pelleted carbon on the other.

The removable pre-filter on this unit is really high quality and slides into place beautifully. I like that it’s washable so you can rinse it, dry it and place it back.

Bonded filters can have better performance at removing particles compared to separate filters, but once the carbon runs out, you will need to replace the whole filter — even if the HEPA filter didn’t need to be replaced.

Design, controls and features

A customizable heavy, rectangular air purifier with two on-board sensors and app connectivity.

PRice on amazon Price ON COWAY

Weighing 20.5 lb (or 9.3 kg), the Airmega 250 S is heavier than other similarly powered air purifiers, and it is also wider than other mid-sized devices so it will take up more space on the floor. Luckily, it has hand holds on each side, so it’s fairly easy to move around the house.

It comes with two sensors: one for particles and one for gases. When on auto mode, it switches to high fan speeds as needed based on the readers of the sensors.

While it has no screen showing air quality levels, it comes with an LED bar that changes color depending on how bad the air quality is — you will also get an alert through your phone once you have setup the app.

The AQI light bar is easy to see and will change color from blue (good) to green (moderate) to yellow (unhealthy) to red (very unhealthy), depending on the sensor readings.

Something I really like is the introduction of a ‘Rapid’ mode, which will supercharge the usual auto mode ensuring the device will hit its highest fan speed until the air quality is improved.

We bought the Airmega 250S in Warm Gray, but if you go with the Airmega 250 Art, you can upgrade the look of the device to include an artwork imprinted on the front cover.

However, it will cost you an additional $50 if you buy from Coway (or an added $100 if you buy from Amazon) and you will be giving up on the app connectivity that you get with the 250S.

The Airmega 250S comes with app connectivity through the Coway IoCare app, which is easy to use and has a clean UX without invasive ads. You can access all the controls you get on the device from the app, with the added option of scheduling routines and accessing historical air quality data.

An issue I encountered with the IoCare app is that it keeps logging me out. This is especially annoying if you don’t have the password handy. Based on the poor 1.4 out of 5 stars the app gets in the App store, it looks like I am not the only one having difficulties. But to be fair to Coway, I haven’t had any other issues with the app apart from this.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Airmega 250S in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

PRice on amazon Price ON COWAY

We started by testing the particle removal performance of the 250S running at its highest fan speed. According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, it needed 24 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room:

Based on the natural ventilation of our 728 cubic feet test room, we estimate that it has a top speed PM1 CADR of 249 cfm, which could provide five air changes per hour in rooms up to 373 sq. ft.

With this data in hand, we can compare the performance of the 250S to the results of other similarly-priced air purifiers running at their top speed:

Coway Airmega 250S Performance Top Speed

As you can see from the table, air cleaning performance to cost seems fair when benchmarking with other similar powered devices. That said, you still get a much better bang for your buck with something like the AirFanta 3Pro or the Vital 200S.

And if you are set on getting a Coway but not too fussed about it being the 250S, then you should probably look into the Airmega 200M, as it offers better particle removal performance for a cheaper price.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the 250S range from 35.7 dBA to 59.3 dBA — louder than similar performing models like the Smart Air SA600 and the Levoit Vital 200S.

If an air purifier is too loud, you will find yourself turning it off eventually.

That is why we used a sound meter to measure how much sound the Coway Airmega 205S generates from 3 ft. away at each of its fan speeds:

Be aware our background noise is 35 dBA, so the 250S running at sleep mode and set to speed 1 is likely to be quieter than 36.5 dBA if you could measure sound levels in a silent room.

Even though it’s a larger device, when running at its highest fan speed, the 250S is quieter than the Airmega 200M. That said, it is still louder than most other mid-sized traditional air purifiers we benchmarked it against.

However, it is clear that this device is much louder than a PC fan-powered air purifier like the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

One of the benefits of going with a mid-to-large sized air purifier, is that you can run them at low (and quiet) fan speeds while still enjoying powerful air cleaning performance due to use of larger fans and filters. That is why we also test the particle removal speed of our air purifiers running at quiet fan speeds.

The Airmega 250S needed 64 minutes to remove all PM1 particles from the air running at speed 1 (36.5 dBA) and 30 minutes running at speed 2 (50.2 dBA).

When comparing the sub-45 dBA performance of the 250S to other air purifiers running at fan speeds that generate less than 45 decibels, it becomes clear that this air purifier doesn’t offer good air cleaning at quiet operation.

Coway Airmega 250S Performance Sub 45DBA

Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate that the Coway Airmega 250S has a sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR of 91 cfm which would be powerful enough to offer five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 136.5 sq. ft.

I would like for Coway to add a fan speed in between speed 1 and speed 2 that doesn’t exceed 45 dBA, as this is a sound level that many people will have no issues hearing all day in the background.

Long-term running costs

Running a Coway Airmega 250S will cost you $224.08 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

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As always, we used our energy meter to record how much energy the Airmega 250S uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby. If you had to leave your 250S running at its top speed 24/7, it would cost $64.10 in energy costs for a year.

Now, I know this is an unlikely scenario as you will probably prefer having the device running at a quieter fan speed in the background, but I use this ‘worst case scenario’ to estimate the most the 250S could add to your energy bill each year.

But it’s not just energy costs that add to the running cost of an air purifier, you will also need to replace the filters eventually. In the case of the 250S, Coway says that you need to replace the filters every 6-12 months.

The recommended official filter (AP-1720-FP) costs $79.99, which means that you will need to spend $159.98 each year in filter replacements.

When we combine energy costs with filter replacement costs, we find that the Coway Airmega 250S will cost you $224.08 per year to run.

Due to the filters needing to be changed twice per year, the costs are higher than those models that only need changing every 12 months. In this benchmark of similar devices, the 250S ranks as the air purifier with the highest long-term running costs.

Coway Airmega 250/250S Air Purifier Replacement Filter Set, Max 2 HEPA Filter and Active Carbon Filter, AP-1720-FP

Coway Airmega 250/250S Replacement Filter
Coway Airmega Max2 filter is an all-in-one that combines Coway HEPA filter with an Activated Carbon filter.
Coway Airmega Max2 filter has an average of 12-month lifespan.

Bottom line: Should you get the Coway Airmega 250S?

For raw money-to-air-cleaning-performance, you will get a better deal with the older AP-15122HH or the newer Airmega 200M.

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The Airmega 250S has excellent build quality and is beautifully designed, so it is a good option for those who are happy to spend a little more on an air purifier with smartphone connectivity that will look great while cleaning the air.

However, if you like the look of the 250S but are not keen on having yet another app on your phone, then you may want to choose the Airmega 250 instead or even the Airmega 250 Art for a snazzier look.

If you’re not convinced by the looks, then I’d say there are other mid-to-large sized air purifiers out there that will give you great air cleaning power even at quiet fan speeds for less or about the same price you’ll pay for the 250S.

A big problem with this device is the small number of fan speeds.

While speed 1 is very quiet, air cleaning performance is not as impressive. Switching to speed 2 will improve this, but the 250S will get noisy as this fan speed goes over 50 dBA, which is louder than most people would like to have running continuously.

It would be much better to see a fan speed in between that runs at just under 45 dBA, as we know that many people could deal with this sound level running all the time in the background.

For those wanting a powerful air purifier with excellent quiet performance, smartphone connectivity, and a design that looks as good as the Coway 250S, check out the Levoit EverestAir.

And if you want to save some money, look into the Winix 5500-2 and the Levoit Vital 200S, both of which will give you the same level of air cleaning power for a cheaper upfront and long-term cost.

I hope my review was helpful and if you have any questions about the Coway Airmega 250S, be sure to leave them in the comments below.

NorthBox 6XL review

Jan 24, 2026Apr 2, 2025 by Danny Ashton

After his father went into a long-term care facility at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert Fantinatto teamed up with his son Aidan to make PC-fan powered air purifiers easily available to Canadians.

As with all the air purifiers we tested, we bought the NorthBox 6XL with our own money. We went with the DIY kit as it was easier to ship all the way to the UK, and chose the HDF hardboard version as it was cheaper at $220 CAN.

The DIY kit came with everything we needed to build the 6XL, except for the two 20x20x1 3M Filtrete MERV13 filters and the six Arctic P14 fans. But if DIYing is not your thing, you can get the fully assembled version for $350 CAN.

In this review, I will be comparing the NorthBox 6XL against the more than 100 air purifiers I have tested to date. I will take you through my first-hand data on air cleaning performance, sound generation, electricity consumption, user experience and long-term running costs.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the NorthBox 6XL

“The NorthBox 6XL is an excellent alternative to the CleanAirKits Luggable models for those living in Canada, who will be able to buy them without worrying about tariffs while supporting a Canadian small business.

Air cleaning performance, sound generation and energy consumption are on par with what we’ve come to expect from PC fan-powered devices.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

$220 CAD (DIY KIT) $ 350 CAD (ASSEMBLED)

If you don’t want to read my full review, here are the five things I really like about the 6XL, and the three things I don’t.

What we really like

Excellent air cleaning performance comparable to the impressive Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

Outstanding particle removal speed at quiet operation with Noctua P14 Redux fans.

It is more affordable than other PC fan air purifier kits such as those from CleanAirKits and Nukit.

It uses 20x20x1 MERV 13 filters that are easily available.

It is lightweight and easy to move around.

What we think could be better

I found it trickier to build compared to the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 — but it’s definitely easier than the Nukit Tempest.

There is no mesh filter guard or pre-filter available, which is something we see with the Tempest and the Luggable.

North Box Systems doesn’t have an online store, so you will need to email them to make an oder.

HouseFresh rating:	◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◻️◻️◻️ 7/10
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	– Top speed: 21 minutes (Arctic P14 Max) – Sub-45dBA speed: 23 minutes (Noctua P14 Redux)
Air filtration technology:	MERV 13 (20x20x1 3M Filtrete MPR 1900)
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):	427 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	HouseFresh PM1: 285 cfm
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	20 x 20 X 5.5 in (50.8 x 50.8 X 14 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Filter life:	12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	– Arctic P14 Max: 50.2 dBA – Noctua P14 Redux: 45.1 cBA
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	– Arctic P14 Max: 28.45 watts – Noctua P14 Redux: 14.4 watts
Estimated running cost:	– Energy consumption: $31.60 per year – Filter replacement: $89.98 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of manufacture:	Canada

The best 6XL feature: Repairable, upgradeable and customizable

You can choose different types of PC fans depending on what you value most: sheer power or quiet performance.

One of my favorite features of the new generation of PC fan-powered air purifiers is the fact that you can fix and replace parts, using widely available air filters and fans.

In the case of the NorthBox 6XL, we were able to build multiple versions of the same device without any issues. Each time, we were able to improve the performance of the air purifier in regards to its particle removal efficiency and its sound generation.

This makes the 6XL highly customizable, depending on what you value most: quiet power or particle removal speed.

A natural HDF hardboard body that houses two 20×20 MERV 13 filters

The design of the 6XL is reminiscent of the Luggable XL-7 we reviewed from CleanAirKits.

The moment I finished building my 6XL, I could immediately see the resemblance with the design of the Luggable XL from CleanAirKits—especially considering the use of 3M Filtrete MERV 13 filters.

In fact, on their website, North Box Systems highlighted CleanAirKits’ own Rob Wissmann as a source of inspiration, alongside the DIY movement around the Corsi-Rosenthal box.

However, unlike CleanAirKits, you don’t get a handle and won’t find an option to add a mesh guard or pre-filter on top of the MERV 13 filters.

That said, you will get two choices for the body of your NorthBox 6XL: glossy black acrylic or natural HDF hardboard, with the first one adding $30 to the price.

Personally, I prefer the wooden look and the cost-savings associated with the HDF hardboard, but I am aware that there might be durability benefits with the acrylic version.

$220 CAD (DIY KIT) $ 350 CAD (ASSEMBLED)

As I mentioned in the intro, we went with the DIY kit to build our 6XL at home because it was cheaper and easier to ship to the UK. The kit comes with everything you need (bar the filters and the fans), including a UL/C 12V power supply, safety grills to place on top of the fans and a set of adjustable internal tension cords to keep the cables nice and tidy on the inside.

This was the third PC fan kit I put together and I must say that I found it a little trickier than the kit from CleanAirKits but much easier than the one from Nukit. I really appreciate the team at North Box published a how-to video for people to follow while building the air purifier.

And I know that Robert Fantinatto made some adjustments to the kit after my initial video, so I’m looking forward to building and testing another model from North Box Systems to see the improvements.

In terms of fans, North Box recommends the Arctic P14 fans, which will set you back $49.99. For my build, I wanted to try something different so I went with the Artic P14 Max fans and I also tested Noctua P14 Redux fans.

And when it comes to filters, you will be able to use any 20x20x1 MERV 13 filters you can get hold of.

North Box recommends the 3M Filtrete MPR1900, so we went with those filters because we were super impressed with the particle removal efficiency of the Filtrete MPR1900 when we tested them with the Luggable XL and the Lasko 2-in-1.

The NorthBox 6XL cleared our test room in 21 minutes

Our build with Arctic P14 Max fans completed our particle removal test two minutes faster than the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7.

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We tested the NorthBox 6XL in the same 728-cubic-feet room where we have tested 100+ different air purifier models since 2020. By testing every device in the same room doing the same job of removing incense smoke, we can quickly compare performance across devices.

Our 6XL build with Arctic P14 Max fans cleared all PM1 pollutants from incense smoke in 20 minutes, which is two full minutes faster than the result achieved by the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 with one more PC fan than the 6XL:

That means that, by choosing to use the P14 Max fans, I managed to improve the air cleaning performance of the 6X, but as you will see later, this build has some downsides.

Next, we repeated the particle removal test with the Noctua P14 Redux fans, and this version of the 6XL took a little longer, reaching PM1 zero in 23 minutes:

You can see in the table below how these results compare to some of the most popular air purifiers we have tested:

Similar to the Luggable XL, the NorthBox 6XL comes at a higher initial cost when compared to HEPA retail devices with similar air cleaning performance. However, you will get a lot more value out of the 6XL when looking at quiet performance and long-term running costs.

It is quieter at top speed than air purifiers from popular brands such as Levoit, Winix and Coway

In our testing, the Noctua build of the 6XL hit 45.1 dBA and the P14 Max build hit 50.2 dBA.

$220 CAD (DIY KIT) $ 350 CAD (ASSEMBLED)

While air cleaning performance is very important, it is not the only thing you should focus on when choosing an air purifier. Sound is important too.

If an air purifier sounds like a jet engine, you’re likely to end up turning it off eventually. That is why, we used our sound meter to measure how much sound is generated by the NorthBox 6XL from 3 ft. away.

Our data shows that the P14 Max build generates 50.2 dBA and the Noctua build is quieter at 45.1 dBA. But this information in isolation is not as helpful, so let me show you how this compares to other air purifiers running at their top speed:

As you can see from the table above, in my quest to improve air cleaning performance with the use of Arctic P14 Max fans, I built a version of the 6XL that is much louder than the other PC fan kits I have tested.

I want to be clear, this is down to me choosing these fans rather than any issue with the design from North Box. North Box recommends the use of Arctic P14 fans, which would be much quieter.

If sound is a big deal for you

If you’re keen to experiment with the PC fans for the 6XL, I would suggest looking into the non-Max version of the Arctic P14 fans, which will be much quieter and we recorded reaching 41.8 dBA in our build of the Nukit Tempest.

We have been experimenting with lots of different fan models for our Nukit Tempest that you might want to check out:

While I was able to improve the CADR of our 6XL a little with the use of P14 Max filters, the downside is that you’ll get much louder operation so it is probably not worth it.

Using the Noctua P14 Redux fans, I managed to lower sound levels to the 45 dBA limit we set for our quiet performance tests. Check out the table below to see how the air cleaning performance of the 6XL compares to other air purifiers at sub-45 dBA fan speeds:

North Box 6XL Sub45 performance compared

As the chart above shows, when comparing quiet performance below 45 dBA it becomes clear that PC-fan air purifier kits offer a lot more value that you’ll ever get from HEPA retail devices.

And even though that the NorthBox 6XL with Noctua P14 Redux fans is louder than other PC-fan powered devices, its particle removal performance still outmatches every other shop-bought device on the list.

The cost to run a NorthBox 6XL: $85.50 CAD per year

1. Electricity costs = $30.97 CAD per year

As part of our reviews, we use a power meter to measure how much energy is pulled at each fan speed. As the NorthBox 6XL has only one speed, we only needed to record energy consumption at its only speed.

When running the 6XL with P14 Max fans, it pulled 28.45 watts. When we swapped for Noctua P14 Redux fans, the power consumption dropped to 14.4 watts.

We can now compare the estimated energy costs associated with running a NorthBox 6XL, based on calculations we made using the appliance cost calculator from BC Hydro.

But it’s not just electricity costs that add up to the maintenance costs of running an air purifier in your home 24/7; you also need to think about filter replacements.

2. Filter costs = $54.53 CAD per year

As with any air purifier, you’re going to have to replace the filters in your NorthBox 6XL eventually.

The 6XL uses two MERV 13 20x20x1 filters and, depending on where you live, you should be able to get 12 months of use out of them before it’s time to replace them.

If you go with the recommended 3M Filtrete MPR1900, you will pay $163.58 on Amazon.ca for a set of six filters, which should last you around three years. That means that you should budget around $54.53 per year in filter replacements for your 6XL.

When we combine energy usage with filter replacement costs, we estimate that the NorthBox 6XL could cost you

Still, when you combine the energy usage with these filter prices, the Northbox 6Xl annual running cost is $85.50 CAD. This figure compares favorably with other air purifiers we have tested:

As you can see from the table above, choosing to build your 6XL with Arctic P14 Max fans, you will end up paying more in the long run due to how power-hungry those PC fans are compared to what you can expect to pay with the Noctua P14 Redux fans.

Bottom line: Should you buy a NorthBox 6XL?

If you are based in Canada, the 6XL is the best value PC fan-powered air purifier you can buy today.

So before I jump into the conclusion, it’s fair to say that I messed this one up when I decided to build my first iteration of the 6XL using six Arctic P14 Max fans.

When I swapped out the P14 Max fans for the Noctua Redux fans, we improved performance at quiet fan speeds. However, the Noctua fans are quite pricey so it might be better to get the standard P14 fans, as recommended by North Both.

$220 CAD (DIY KIT) $ 350 CAD (ASSEMBLED)

All in all, I’d say that the NorthBox 6XL is an excellent alternative to the CleanAirKits Luggable models for those living in Canada, who will be able to buy them without worrying about tariffs while supporting a Canadian small business.

The 5XL and 6XL PC fan-powered air purifiers from North Box should be the top choice for those looking for a PC fan air purifier in Canada.

If you have any questions about this device, please drop them in the comments below and I’ll try to reply as soon as possible.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the NorthBox 6XL for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, based on the Canada average utility rate as of March 31st, 2025.

Winix T810 review

Dec 17, 2025Mar 17, 2025 by Danny Ashton

After having tested multiple Winix air purifiers, I have grown to become a fan of their brand.

In fact, their trusted and affordable Winix 5500-2 is one of my top recommendations for most people. So you can imagine my excitement with the release of the new Winix line in 2023.

The Winix T810 was first announced in September 2023 as a “cutting-edge” air purifier with “unparalleled 360° air care capability.” These big promises were paired with photos of a sophisticated, “Instagrammable” design that we’ve never seen from Winix.

In this review, I will compare the T810 to the more than 100 air purifiers we have tested at HouseFresh since 2020.

My observations are based on our first-hand data on air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy efficiency, real-life user experience and long-term running costs. You can read more about how we test air purifiers here.

By the way, I bought our T810 for $421.66 on Amazon.com, including the shipping and import fees needed to get it sent to us here in the UK. If you are buying it from the U.S. you will only need to pay $215.

The lowdown on the Winix T810

“The Winix T810 offers good air cleaning performance in a relatively small package.

To put it into perspective, the T810 offers better particle removal performance than what you will get from the popular Coway Airmega AP-1512hh, which has a bigger footprint and costs around the same.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Product Tester

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If you don’t want to read my full review of the Winix T810, here are the three things I like about it, and the three things I don’t:

What we really like

I love the design. I have 105 air purifiers (and counting!) at home right now, and the T810 stands out because it looks like a million bucks.

It offers solid air cleaning performance in a relatively small package. The T810 offers better performance than many devices with a bigger footprint.

The Winix app has clean UX without invasive ads. Plus, the smart features work well and the onboard sensor is quick to detect changes in air quality.

What we think could be better

It can get loud. When running at turbo speed, the T810 runs louder than many similar performing air purifiers.

It has a bonded filter. The all-in-one filter is cumbersome to clean regularly and will need replacing once the carbon is full, even if the HEPA filter is perfectly fine.

It is not cheap. The T810 sells for over $200, so it’s more expensive than high-performing devices like the AirFanta 3Pro ($160) and the Levoit Vital 200S ($190).

HouseFresh rating:	◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◻️◻️◻️ 7/10
Time to reach PM1 zero (running at top speed in our 728 cubic feet test room):	– 26 minutes (top speed) – 46 minutes (sub-45 dB speed)
Air filtration technology:	True HEPA particle filter with carbon and pre-filter mesh
Ionization technology:	PlasmaWave bipolar ionization that can be disabled
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):	343 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– HouseFresh PM1: 229 cfm – AHAM PM2.5: 267 cfm (dust)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	11.3 x 11.3 x 20.4 in (28.7 x 28.7 x 51.8 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	10.4 lbs (4.7 kg)
Filter life:	12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	– Sleep mode: 35.1 dBA – Speed 1: 37.4 dBA – Speed 2: 44.8 dBA – Speed 3: 50.3 dBA – Speed 4: 62.5 dBA (top speed)
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	– Standby: 0.52 watts – Sleep more: 2.2 watts – Speed 1: 4.40 watts (4.72 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 2: 8.23 watts (8.47 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 3: 12.30 watts (13.42 w/PlasmaWave) – Speed 4: 41.92 watts (42.59 w/PlasmaWave)
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	– Energy consumption: $47.31 per year – Filter replacement: $79.99 per year
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of manufacture:	Thailand

The best T810 feature: A design that will make you look twice

The Winix T810 won’t look out of place in the most stylish of spaces.

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I know looks have nothing to do with air cleaning performance, but it’s hard not to comment on how beautiful the design of the T810 — especially compared to other Winix air purifiers we have tested.

The Winix T810 is easy on the eye thanks to its sleek medium-sized cylindrical design with vertical lines topped by a high-end touchscreen control panel.

If you asked me to choose the best looking air purifier out of the 104 devices I’ve got now in my home, the T810 would be my pick.

A modern and sophisticated device, packed with smart features

The T810 is one of the few air purifiers from Winix with smartphone connectivity.

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Normally, my wife and I disagree on what we like and dislike about the design of air purifiers, but for once, we are both in agreement that the T810 is a seriously good-looking device.

While design aesthetics shouldn’t be your primary concern when shopping for an air purifier, I understand it’s an important thing to consider because you will need to have the device on show all the time.

If having a better-looking design means more people are more likely to use air purifiers, then I am all for it.

The big difference over other popular Winix devices is the use of a cylindrical design vs the rectangular box we see with the 5500-2, C545, Zero Pro, 5510, Zero S… etc.

However, there are some downsides to the T810’s cylindrical design.

The 360-degree filter combines all filters into one, so you will have to throw away the entire filter once the carbon layer is full—even if the HEPA filter is perfectly fine.

You have to remove the full filter to vacuum and clean the pre-filter cover. The process is more cumbersome compared to devices with washable removable pre-filters.

That said, the big benefit to the cylindrical design is that the T810 is less bulky and takes up less floor space than other medium-sized air purifiers with similar levels of performance.

You can see in the photo below how the T810 compares to two of our most recommended air purifiers since 2023: the 5500-2 also from Winix (right) and the Levoit Vital 200S (left):

Rather than pulling air from just the front, the T810 pulls air in from all sides of the device, which means you have higher CADR without the usual large size.

Compared to other cylindrical air purifiers such as the Levoit Core series, I much prefer the design choices that Winix has made.

The vertical lines make the T810 feel much more stylish and sophisticated than the usual all-white cylinder shape used by many other air purifier manufacturers.

We chose to go with the Silver design, but you can also choose Blue stripes instead if you go for the T830:

The one thing I dislike about some cylindrical air purifiers is having to access the filter through the bottom of the device. Sadly, this is what Winix decided to do with the T810.

So to access the filter of your T810, you will have to tip the device upside down and turn the handle counter-clockwise to release the cover:

Something my wife reported experiencing a few times, which is a common issue with this type of cover: if you slide the air purifier on the ground from one side to another for some reason (e.g. you’re sweeping the floor), then you might end up unintentionally opening the cover.

Moving on from the design aesthetic, one of the big differences between the T810 and most other Winix air purifiers is the inclusion of an onboard screen and app support.

Not only that.

Like the Winix ZERO Pro, the T810 also comes with two sensors: one for particles and one for gases. This makes the T810 more responsive to air quality changes.

Plus, people often forget to clean the particle sensor and this can negatively affect the reliability of the auto-mode. The addition of the gas sensor is a welcomed inclusion for those cases.

The screen takes a few moments to kick in, but once it does, it shows the level of PM2.5 detected on screen.

You also get an LED light that adjusts its color based on the level of air quality, moving through red (poor) to amber (fair) to green (average) to blue (good).

Another innovation from Winix is the inclusion of app connectivity.

The T810 can be paired to the Winix Smart app, which I found easy to install and navigate. The app has a clean UX, without the product ads or content marketing we see with other manufacturer apps such as Levoit.

I tested the Apple app, which has better ratings (4.6 stars) than the Android app (3.3 stars), so perhaps I am one of the lucky ones but I didn’t encounter any issues and I am happy with the app’s functionality. The scheduling function is easy to use, and every other feature can be also controlled from the touchscreen on top of the device and the remote control.

Something I really liked about the app is having the ability to store historical air quality data from the device, but I am a data nerd so it might not be something you’ll care about. I’m also glad Winix didn’t move all the features to the app (as we see with Xioami) because not everyone wants another app.

An all-in-one 360°cylindrical True HEPA filter with an activated carbon coating

It offers good particle filtration but doesn’t come with enough carbon to be effective against serious VOCs or strong smells like cigarette smoke.

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Overall, the filter you’ll get with the Winix T810 is very similar to other cylindrical filters we see with many other brands:

But this all-in-one bonded filter is very different from what we expected from Winix.

You see, most Winix air purifiers come with separate filters for carbon and particles. These non-bonded filters from Winix usually come with a removable (and often washable) pre-filter, which makes it easier to quickly clean the pre-filter to help extend the life of the HEPA filter.

However, the T810 comes with an all-in-one cylindrical filter that includes a pre-filter mesh, a carbon coated layer and a True HEPA filter.

As is the case with every other Winix device, the particle filter of the T810 is HEPA-graded, which means it was independently tested and certified by a lab as True HEPA grade.

And the gas filter consists of a carbon coated layer, which is likely not going to be as effective at tackling chemical gasses and odors compared to a filter with a good amount of pelleted activated carbon.

The Winix T810 cleared our test room in 26 minutes

It matches the performance of the Coway Airmega AP-1512hh, but it was slower than the Levoit Core 400S.

First, we tested the particle removal speed of the Winix T810 running at top speed with PlasmaWave enabled.

According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the T810 needed 26 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room:

We can compare this to other similarly-priced devices running at their top speed:

Winix T810 Top Speed Performance Compared

Considering AHAM’s high CADR ratings for this device (267 cfm for dust), I was surprised that it wasn’t quicker than the Winix 5500-2 and Vital 200S.

It’s also fair to say that while the list price ($250) is similar to that of other devices, many (like the Winix 5500-2) are often sold for much less so you are likely to get better value from this older Winix device.

But, these are the results with PlasmaWave enabled, which is not something everyone will want to have as many people avoid ionizers. That is why we disabled PlasmaWave and re-tested the air cleaning performance of this device.

Without using Plasmawave, the T810 needed 27 minutes to achieve PM1 zero – that is just one additional minute from our previous test. This is how this result compares to other air purifiers with and without their ionizers enabled:

Our data shows that the T810’s PlasmaWave has a fairly low effect on overall air cleaning performance here―especially when compared with what we saw with the Blueair 211+ or the Coway AP-1512HH. So, I see no downside to running your T810 without PlasmaWave enabled if you want to avoid bipolar ionization.

In our testing, the sound levels of the Winix T810 ranged from 35.1 dBA to 62.5 dBA.

If an air purifier is too loud, you will find yourself turning it off eventually. That is why we always measure how much sound they generate from 3 ft. away with a sound monitor.

These are the results for the T810:

Tip

Be aware our background noise is 35 dBA, so the T810 running at speed one (1) is likely to generate less sound if you could measure it in a silent room.

As you can see from the table below, the T810 does run louder than many of the other similar-performing air purifiers we have benchmarked:

Next, we re-tested the particle removal performance of the T810 when running at its lower fan speeds.

Running at speed two (2), it generates 44.8 dBA, which is just below the 45 dBA limit that CleanAirStars recommends for noisy classrooms or offices. At this speed, the T810 managed to reach PM1 zero in 46 minutes.

When running at sub 45 dBA, the T810 performs similarly to other popular devices, such as the Levoit Vital 200S and Winix 5500-2 although you do get better performance at the same sound level with the Levoit Core 400S:

As I expected, our data shows that the T810 is completely outmatched by PC fan-powered devices like the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 and the AirFanta 3Pro. But this makes sense as PC fans are whisper quiet.

The cost to run a Winix T810: $126.64 per year

We look at how much the T810 will cost you in the long term, including your energy bill and filter replacement costs.

1. Electricity costs = $46.65 per year

As always, we used our energy meter to record how much energy the T810 uses when running at each fan speed and also while on standby.

I also made sure to measure how much power was used once I disabled PlasmaWave:

If you were to leave your Winix T810 running 24/7 at its top speed with PlasmaWave enabled, it would add $46.65 to your energy bill within a year.

With this calculation in mind, we can compare the annual energy costs you can expect from the T810 to other devices we have tested.

At this point, we can see the improvements WInix has made as the T810 is more energy-efficient than the popular 5500-2. That said, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to run, you might want to consider the Levoit Core 400S or the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7.

2. Filter costs = $79.99 per year

It’s not just energy costs that add to the running cost of an air purifier, you will also need to replace the filters eventually.

Winix says that you need to replace the filters for the T810 every 12 months and their OEM Filter R filter costs $79.99.

Winix Genuine Replacement Filter R for T810 Air Purifier | Air Purifiers, Replacement Filters, Hepa Filters, Carbon Filters, Thailand, Air Purifier Unit T810, Boxed

Compatible with Winix air cleaner model T810
Fine Mesh Pre-Filter: The first line of defense against the largest airborne particles found indoors
True HEPA Filter: Captures 99.99%* of airborne allergens including pollen, dust, pet dander, and smoke (particles as small as 0.01 microns in size)
Activated Carbon Filter: Reduces VOCs and household odors from cooking, pets, and smoke. It is designed to catch airborne particles found indoors
Genuine Winix one year replacement filter set. For optimal performance, it is recommended to change the All-in-one True HEPA Canister Filter once every 12 months

So you can expect to pay $79.99 each year on filter replacements for the T810.

As you can see from the chart below, the annual running costs of the T810 are higher than what you can expect from units like the Levoit Vital 200S or the Coway Airmega Mighty.

As this air purifier is fairly new, I was happy to see that you can already get generic filters from PUREBURG for $29.22 for one filter.

Now, I wasn’t able to buy a PUREBURG filter from the UK to test it with the T810, but based on tests I’ve run with other air purifiers, I have found PUREBURG filters usually offer similar performance to genuine filters.

PUREBURG Replacement Filter Compatible with Winix T810 T820 T830 Air Purifier Parts 1712-0118-00 & R Filter, H13 True HEPA and Activated Carbon Multi-Layer Filtration

H13 3-Stage Filtration True HEPA Filter,1-Pack
Compatible with Winix T810 T820 T830 Large Room Air Purifier 1712-0118-00 (Filter R)
H13 HEPA capture up to 99.97% of PM2.5 particles as small as 0.3 microns. This includes dust, pet dander and other minute particles ,Activated Carbon reduce Chemicals VOCs, tobacco smoke,PM2.5,common household bad smell,Fine Mesh Layer Prevents large particles such as dander,Pet hair
Please replace regularly to keep your machine fresh and clean. For the best performance, clean the filter once a month with a soft brush gently or with a vacuum cleaner.
Top Notch Quality Used for Maximum Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed. Every Product made by PUREBURG is Tested through Rigid Examinations and QC Procedures.

However, performance will vary depending on the amount of carbon included in the filter and the grade of HEPA you get with the particle filter.

Tip

I will be running some experiments with my Winix T810 for our Patreon supporters, and I’ll make sure to test its performance using generic filters from PUREBURG as soon as I can buy them here in the UK.

Bottom line: Should you get the Winix T810?

Well, for most people, the older Winix 5500-2 will be a better choice.

PRICE ON amazon PRICE ON Sylvane

If what you want is an air purifier with above-average air cleaning performance, then the T810 isn’t it.

You will get a better air purifier in the older Winix 5500-2 as it provides better air-cleaning performance, comes with pelleted activated carbon (which will be better for odors in the long term) and also has a removable pre-filter that you will find easier to clean regularly.

However, the 5500-2 is a big black box without app support. So, considering design and features, I’d say the main competitor to the T810 is the Levoit Core 400S, which has a similar design, comes with app support and sells for $219.99 (although you’ll usually find it cheaper than that).

Now, does the Core 400S look as sleek as the Winix T810? Well… no.

If you are looking for a stylish air purifier that won’t look out of place in even the most well decorated spaces, then the Winix T810 is the best-looking air purifier you can buy for less than $220. I even prefer it to the also new Winix 5510, which is louder and bulkier compared to the T810.

If you end up deciding that the Winix T810 is the right air purifier for you and want to support the work we do here at HouseFresh, please make sure to use this link to make your purchase — you won’t pay anything extra but we will get a 3% commission from Amazon.

Do you have any questions about the Winix T810? Have you bought the T810 and are using it at home? Please drop your question or share your experience in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

SOURCES

We calculated energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energy’s appliance energy calculator. We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Winix T810 for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.1268/kWh as of March 17th, 2025.

The only air purifiers made in the USA we recommend

Dec 17, 2025Dec 27, 2024 by Danny Ashton

The ‘great tariff war’ of 2025 led many people to look for U.S.-made alternatives to products they would usually source from Asia and Europe. And, like many consumer products, most air purifiers are built in China and Korea, with a good number of them being manufactured in Thailand, Malaysia, Sweden and Germany.

Whether you’re looking for a device made in the USA to avoid overpaying in fees or you’re buying American-made products to support manufacturing jobs in the United States, this list is for you.

I am the lead tester here at HouseFresh, so my job is to review and test air purifiers. I only recommend units I have tested and that I have had enough time to use at home, sharing data I’ve gathered myself and insights from my first-hand experience. If you want to learn more about how I test air purifiers, I’ve broken down the full process on this methodology page.

Intro out of the way, let me share the best air purifiers I have tested that are built in the United States.

1. Best for allergies and dust: CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7

All CleanAirKits devices are hand-assembled in and shipped from Missouri, United States.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

CleanAirKits is a family business founded in 2022 with the goal of finding a quiet, cheap and efficient air purifier to keep the air in classrooms across America clean and safe after COVID-19 mask mandates were dropped. Every DIY kit sold by CleanAirKits is assembled by hand in Missouri, and that is why they earned a spot on this list.

The Luggable XL-7 is not your traditional air purifier. Inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box, the Luggable XL is part of the next generation of air purifiers powered by PC fans.

In terms of the filters, you can choose any 20×25 HVAC filters. CleanAirKits recommends 3M MERV 13 Filtrete MPR1900+ filters and I agree as they are excellent.

Based on my tests, I estimate a PM1 CADR of 323 cfm. This level of air cleaning power allows the Luggable XL-7 can clean the air five (5) times per hour in rooms of up to 390 sq. ft.

The biggest benefit of the Luggable XL-7 is that it uses PC fans, which are not only whisper quiet but also energy efficient and incredibly powerful. This makes the Luggable a high-CADR device you won’t even hear working in the background, even when at top speed.

What we really like

It is best-performing air purifier we have ever tested that generates less than 40dB of sound when running at top speed.

It completed our particle removal test in 23 minutes, which is the exact time we recorded when testing the Winix 5500-2 and the Levoit Vital 200S.

You can buy it as a DIY kit to build it yourself at home, or pre-built so you can just plug it in and use it right out of the box.

It is nearly silent on its only fan speed: 38 decibels.

What we think could be better

It is not cheap, but you can shave off some dollars by choosing the DIY kit.

It doesn’t come with any activated carbon, so not a good option if you want to deal with odors and gases.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Intertek PM2.5: 323 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	MERV 13 (20×25)
Recommended room size:	390 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	7D x 25W x 20H in (18D x 64W x 51 cm)
Weight:	8 lbs (3.63 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Only speed: 38.8 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Only speed: 10.5 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	United States

➜ Read the full review

➜ Watch my video review

If you opt for the DIY kit to assemble your Luggable XL at home, you will receive a box with everything you need other than the filters. You will get Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans, four hardboard panels (one with an integrated handle), a power supply, internal pre-tensioner cords, foam tape strips and seven fan guard grills. Check out this video where I show you the steps to build it yourself.

2. Best for smoke and VOCs: Austin Air HealthMate

All Austin Air devices are built at Austin Air System’s manufacturing facility in Buffalo, New York.

The Austin Air HealthMate has an estimated CADR of 150 CFM, making it suitable for rooms of up to 234 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour). It comes with a medical-grade HEPA filter to remove particles from the air and it’s packed with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite to remove VOCs and odors.

The filter of the HealthMate is bigger than most small air purifiers. However, it’s important to mention that the 15 lbs of carbon restrict airflow and impact this device’s ability to remove particles quickly.

That is why I recommend the Luggable XL-7 if you need an air purifier to remove allergens, as it will be faster at that than the HealthMate.

In terms of the control panel of this device, Austin Air decided to include just a single dial for fuss-free operation. This is perfect for those looking for a functional unit without smart functions or app connectivity.

The dial matches the body of the HealthMate, which is completely made out of metal and feels quite industrial.

What we really like

It is made out of metal, making it not only durable but also sustainable.

It boasts the longest-lasting filter

Good air cleaning performance — cleaned our test room from all smoke pollutants in 38 minutes.

It comes in a variety of color options.

What we think could be better

It gets very loud at its top speed, reaching 61.5 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound made by an air conditioner.

It is very power-hungry. When running at its highest fan speed, the HealthMate pulled 147.6 watts, so if you were to run this device 24/7 all year, it would add $163.95 to your electricity bill.

As all Austin Models are made in the USA, you could also look at the following other air purifier models, such as the Austin Air HealthMate Plus, the Austin Air Bedroom Machine and the Austin Air Allergy Machine.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 77 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 154 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	HEPA particle filter with 15 lb of activated carbon and zeolite mix gas filter
Recommended room size:	169 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	23H x 14.5W x 14.5D inches (58.4H x 36.8W x 36.8D cm)
Weight:	20.41 lbs (9.26 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 42.5 dB Speed 2: 53.2 dB Speed 3: 61.5 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 61.1 watts Speed 2: 85.05 watts Speed 3: 147.6 watts
Filter lifespan:	5 years
Manufacturer’s warranty:	5 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	United States (Buffalo, New York)

➜ Read the full review

3. Best small and portable option: CleanAirKits Triple Exhalaron

All CleanAirKits air purifiers are assembled by hand at their headquarters located in Missouri, USA

$359 AT CLEAN AIR KITS

The Triple Exhalaron is another device from the team at CleanAirKits, hand-assembled and shipped from their headquarters in MIissouri.

This small air purifier has a CADR of 120 cfm and it is powerful enough to give you five (5) air changes per hour in rooms of up to 192 sq. ft. When we tested its air cleaning performance when running at its highest fan speed, it cleaned our test room in 46 minutes, which is faster than the popular Levoit Core 300, the PuroAir 240 and the Aroeve MK04.

The Triple Exhalaron comes with three CoolerMaster Mobius argb (2400 rpm) PC fans and a purple variable-speed knob you can use to adjust fan speeds.

When running at full power, it generates just 40.5 dBA of noise, which will barely audible in most homes.

It uses three cylindrical HEPA H11 filters, which don’t restrict airflow as much as a higher HEPA grade like H13 would — this means the air will pass through the filter more times and can lead to higher CADR.

It also comes with two handles at the top, which make it easy to move around the house or take with you in the car.

What we really like

You can use it with a battery pack (with a male USBC pigtail) inside your car or take it with you wherever you go. You will get up to 10 hours of use with a 20,000 mAh battery.

It is the most interesting-looking air purifier I have tested. Sure, this is personal preference, but I know many will agree.

The filters comes with activated carbon for odors and VOCs.

At its highest fan speed, it hit just 40.5 dB of noise.

What we think could be better

If you don’t need portability or tabletop usage, you get much better CADR to $ with the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 128 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 128 cfm
Filter technology:	HEPA H11 with a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric
Recommended room size:	192 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	22W x 7.25D x 8.5H in (56W x 14D x 22 cm)
Weight:	6 lbs (2.72 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.2 dBA Speed 2: 37.7 dBA Speed 3: 40.5 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby: 0.1 watts Speed 1: 1.1 watts Speed 2: 2.8 watts Speed 3: 6 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	United States

➜ Watch my video review

What to look for when buying an air purifier

Consider these key factors to make sure you’re choosing the right unit for your needs

1. Look for high quality particle filters

We have seen excellent performance from MERV 13 filters and HEPA filters. However, it’s important to mention that lower grade HEPA (H10, H11) can offer higher CADR than higher grade HEPA (H13) as it doesn’t restrict airflow as much.

2. Decide if you also need to tackle gases and odors

Whether you live near a busy road affected by traffic fumes or share the house with a smoker, then you should look into an air purifier that can tackle gases as well as particles.

In order to remove gases and VOCs, you will need to find a device that comes with filters packed with activated carbon, ideally pelleted. The higher the amount of carbon, the better the air purifier will be at removing gases and smells from the air.

3. Determine the size of the space your air purifier will need to clean

You need to find an air purifier that will be able to circulate the air multiple times per hour in the room where you want to use it. The Association of Home Appliance manufacturers recommends a minimum of 4.8 air changes per hour and the EPA recommends a minimum of 5.

Once you’ve measured the room where you will place the air purifier, you can use our calculator to find out what CADR you should be looking for to ensure the device you buy will be able to clean the air multiple times per hour:

4. Consider how opting for a made-in-USA device will impact its price

Like many goods, air purifiers made in the United States often have a premium price tag. You must opt for a unit that meets the minimum requirement for your space without compromising on room coverage or filtration.

If you find that no suitable options are made in the USA within your budget, look for options that may be designed here yet are manufactured overseas, as this will usually reduce the cost considerably.

5. Beware of how much energy the air purifier consumes

As the cost of living rises and energy prices continue to fluctuate, it’s important to understand what you will expect to pay when using an air purifier before taking the plunge. Using our energy cost calculator, you can enter the unit’s wattage and receive an approximate cost to avoid any nasty surprises when your energy bills arrive.

Common questions about American-made air purifiers

Regarding manufacturing, China has very high-quality factories and lower production costs, making it hard for US companies to build their goods on US soil. This has been happening across various industries for some time, but if you want to read more about it, check out this Proquest study.

You’ll also find that eastern technology hubs such as Beijing and Seoul are somewhat ahead of the game regarding air quality, having needed a solution to polluted air due to their increasing industrialization and booming populations over the years.

Most air purifiers are made in China due to lower costs associated with production. Levoit, Blueair, Medify and Honeywell are headquartered in the United States, but their factories are based in China.

Air pollution is increasingly on the radar for many people in the USA. And for good reason, too. Whether affected by high traffic or industrial areas that emit harmful fumes, the toxic smoke created when wildfires strike or simply the desire for a healthier environment in your home, free from dust, allergens or odor. There are plenty of factors that negatively impact air quality in American homes.

Using an air purifier in your home will protect yourself and your loved ones from breathing in these harmful pollutants daily. Many of which can contribute to health concerns in the long run.

Air pollution is usually invisible to the naked eye, so it can be easy to turn our attention elsewhere. However, the particulate matter from burning fossil fuels, agriculture, construction and wildfires contribute to 100,000 deaths in the USA annually. Other common pollutants found in the home, such as bacteria, viruses, mold and allergens, directly affect millions more, all of which can kill any vulnerable person.

Wrapping up

Opting for a purifier made in the USA is a great way to guarantee you’ll be purchasing a purifier made and designed to tackle the challenges we experience in the United States, while being made to the highest standard by American workers.

If the options on these page are outside of your budget or if you couldn’t find a device that matches what you were looking for, just drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you with more recommendations as soon as I can.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 review

Apr 14, 2026Dec 6, 2024 by Danny Ashton

Today, I am excited to review another PC fan-powered air purifier: the Luggable XL from CleanAirKits, a business operating out of Missouri.

CleanAirKits came about in 2022 as an online community of engineers from around the world experimenting with PC fan-powered Corsi-Rosenthal boxes. The goal was to design a solution that could offer air cleaning in a quiet, cheap and efficient way to keep classrooms’ air clean and safe after mask mandates were dropped.

The result? A series of snap-together kits that aim to bring energy-efficient and super quiet PC fan-powered air purifiers to as many people as possible.

We received tons of messages from readers after we published our review of the Nukit Tempest asking us to test a DIY air purifier kit from CleanAirKits, so I hope you will find this review insightful and helpful in your search for the best PC fan-powered unit for your home.

It was great to see that CleanAirKits offers several different options with each device they sell on their online shop: you can choose the number of fans, the type of wood, the size, and even whether you want your kit pre-built.

As with all the air purifiers we reviewed here at HouseFresh, we bought the device from CleanAirKits ourselves. We do this for two reasons: Firstly, we want to remain unbiased, without any special relationship or deal with the manufacturer. Secondly, we like to experience the full customer journey just as you would.

If you buy a CleanAirKits Luggable XL through one of the links on this page, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—this is how we can afford to spend months testing air purifiers like this one.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

I’m based in the UK, so I chose to go with one of the kits available for international customers: the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Sickleflow. We paid £176 for the kit that includes everything except for the filters, and then we added two Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 for £88.47.

If you are in the U.S., you can get the same kit for $227, and the filters will be much cheaper at around $45. If you’d like to go with the pre-built option with filters included, that figure will go up to $299.

The lowdown on the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7

“This DIY PC fan-powered air purifier reached the top tier of our ranking with two MERV 13 filters and without any ionization or electrostatic filtration technology.

The CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 has convinced me that PC fans are the future of air purification.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

CONS

The mesh filter guard is an optional extra that will set you back $100.

My wife (who is 5’2″) reported not being able to use the handle to move the Luggable from room to room without dragging the device on the floor.

The case is built with lightweight wood, which looks great but is not as durable as harder materials like the metal in the Tempest.

PROS

This air purifier is the best-performing air purifier we have ever tested under 40dB.

It offers solid air cleaning performance, making it a good choice for spaces as large as 485 sq. ft.

The DIY kit comes with everything you need, except for the filters.

It was relatively easy to build, compared to other DIY kits like the Tempest or the NorthBox.

It is lightweight and looks pretty good, considering it’s a thing you can build yourself at home.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 260 cfm – Intertek PM2.5: 323 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	MERV 13 (20×25)
Recommended room size:	390 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	7D x 25W x 20H in (18D x 64W x 51 cm)
Weight:	8 lbs (3.63 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Only speed: 38.8 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Only speed: 10.5 watts
Filter lifespan:	6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	United States

The best Luggable XL-7 feature: Only 38.8 dB of noise without compromising on air cleaning power

The Luggable XL is a great choice for classrooms, offices and rooms where a quiet environment is important.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

One would think I’d get used to quiet operation after having tested and reviewed five different PC fan-powered air purifiers, but the CleanAirKits team really pushed the limits with the Luggable XL.

When running at top speed (which is also the only speed), the Luggable XL-7 hit 38.8 dB(A). That is as quiet as leaves rustling, and it compares incredibly well against other air purifiers we have tested:

As you can see, CleanAirKits’ choice of Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 fans paid off: the Luggable XL is the quietest air purifier we have tested to date even when compared against other PC fan-powered devices (in red).

A lightweight, thin, good-looking CR box

Combining a lightweight wood case, seven PC fans and two 20x25x1 MERV 13 filters.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

The design of the CleanAirKits Luggable XL is inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box, but looks a lot slicker and is easier to move from room to room.

The Luggable XL’s body is made of hardboard panels and houses only two filters (versus four in the CR box), one on each side. We bought the XL-7 model, which has seven PC fans on top and two more on one of its sides.

One of the big downsides of the original Corsi-Rosenthal Box is that they are very big, take up a lot of floor space and can potentially look pretty ugly if you suck at DIY as much as I do.

However, you can’t say the same about the CleanAirKits Luggable XL.

While it’s certainly less durable than the steel used for the Nukit Tempest, the Luggable XL is truly lightweight, and it looks modern and clean—especially when compared to the CR box:

However, keep in mind that even though it’s not as deep as the CR Box, the Luggable will be wider than other similarly-powered air purifiers if you use it with the five filters on top.

That said, you can turn it on its side to have the shorter side on top and this will reduce its width. See how it compares to the Smart Air SA600 in the photo below:

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Smart Air SA600

When it was time to buy the Luggable XL, I chose the DIY kit to assemble it at home. I was pleased to see that it came with clear instructions.

Inside the box, I received seven Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans, four hardboard panels (one with an integrated handle), a power supply, internal pre-tensioner cords, foam tape strips and seven fan guard grills. The whole process took me around 45 minutes but bear in mind that I’m not great at building stuff.

The internal pre-tensioner cord helped me neatly connect all the PC fans, while keeping the cables out of the way of the filters for when the time comes to replace them.

I particularly like the side suitcase handle as it makes it easy for me to grab my Luggable to move it around the house. That said, my wife (who is much shorter than me) mentioned that it would be great to have a handle on the longer side of the Luggable as the current placement means that she will drag the device on the floor.

If you prefer, you can get a mesh filter guard, which may improve durability and looks. Personally, I quite like the open filter design, but if you want the mesh, it’s another $85.

For a more interesting look, they sell versions that are higher priced but made with Cherry wood, starting at $285 without filters.

Tip

If you choose to buy the DIY kit, be aware that it doesn’t come with any filters.

Two widely available MERV 13 filters

You can choose any 20×25 MERV 13 filters. CleanAirKits recommends 3M Filtrete MPR1900+, and I agree with their recommendation.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

On their website, CleanAirKits recommends two 3M Filtrete MPR1900+ filters, but you can use any other brand of MERV 12 or MERV 14 filters, which is the beauty of PC fan kits like this one.

However, be aware that if you don’t go with Filtrete, you will need to use 2-inch thick filters to get the same level of performance. This means that the filters will stick out a little more compared to how they look when you use the Filtrete MPR1900 or MPR2200 filters.

After testing multiple MERV filters with other DIY air purifiers, I have to say I really like how well-constructed the filters from Filtrete are. They are sturdier and hold their shape incredibly well, thanks to the thick cardboard border.

Tip

At the moment, there are no carbon filters available for the Luggable XL-7, so if you are looking for a PC fan-powered air purifier to help you deal with odors and gases, then I recommend you check out the AirFanta 3Pro instead.

The Luggable XL-7 cleared our test room in 23 minutes

As fast as the Winix 5500-2, the Levoit Vital 200S and the Smart Air SA600.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

After some controversy with the r/AirPurifiers subreddit, CleanAirKits sent the Luggable to Intertek for AHAM AC-1 CADR testing. The report is here and shows the following figures:

Smoke: 259 cfm
Dust: 323 cfm
Pollen: 370 cfm

Based on dust CADR figures, I expected our performance results for the Luggable XL-7 to be somewhere between the Levoit Core 400S (247 cfm, 28 minutes in our test) and the Levoit EverestAir (365 cfm and 18 minutes in our test).

We tested the Clean Air Kits Luggable in the same 728 cubic feet test room where we tested 90+ different air purifier models since 2020. By testing every device in the same room doing the same job (removing incense smoke), we can quickly compare performance across devices.

Our trusted PurpleAir Zen laser particle counter shows that the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 reached PM1 zero in 23 minutes.

I knew CleanAirKits had built something special with the Luggable, but I didn’t know it would be so special.

This DIY PC fan-powered air purifier reached the top tier of our air purifier ranking with two MERV 13 filters and without any type of ionization technology.

Check out how its performance compares to other air purifiers in its same price range:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	$189.99
Smart Air SA600	23 minutes	$279.95
AirFanta 3Pro	17 minutes	$159.99
Winix 5500-2 (with ionizer)	23 minutes	$249.99
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	23 minutes	$299.00
Corsi-Rosenthal Box	32 minutes	$85.00
Nukit Tempest	31 minutes	$300.00
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH (with ionizer)	26 minutes	$229.99

The Luggable XL-7 performs as well as popular retail HEPA air purifiers coming from well-known brands such as Levoit, Winix, Coway and Smart Air.

Noise levels, compared

While air cleaning performance is very important, if the air purifier sounds like a jet engine then it will be turned off. That is why we use a sound level monitor from 3 ft. away to record the sound levels generated by air purifiers at each fan speed.

Now, the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 has made my job easier as it has only one speed. In our test, I recorded 38.8 dB on average, which is incredible.

The first PC fan air purifier we ever reviewed was the Nukit Tempest with Artic P14 fans and it generated 41.8 dBA of noise — super quiet! However, the Luggable XL-7 with its 120 SickleFlow fans is even quieter.

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dBA)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Levoit Vital 200S	57.7 dB(A)	23 minutes	$189.99
AirFanta 3Pro	56.3 dB(A)	17 minutes	$159.99
Smart Air Blast Mini	56.3 dB(A)	15 minutes	$599.00
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	38.8 dB(A)	23 minutes	$299.00
Winix 5500-2	58.9 dB(A)	23 minutes	$249.99
Levoit EverestAir	57.8 dB(A)	16 minutes	$499.99
Corsi-Rosenthal box	60.7 dB(A)	32 minutes	$85.00

The background noise in our house is around 35.5 dBA, so I would often forget that the Clean Air Kits Luggable XL was running—which is exactly what you want from an air purifier.

But listen for yourself:

Most air purifiers we test sit between 50-60 dBA at their highest fan speed, could be considered too loud for some use cases such as a classroom, an office or any other space where you need quiet. That’s why we recommend that most people choose bigger devices than they need and run them at lower fan speeds.

When comparing the Luggable XL-7 to popular air purifiers running at fan speeds that generate less than 45 dBA (suitable for classrooms and offices), we found that even at these lower speeds, other devices can’t compete with the low level of sounds generated by the CleanAirKits device:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dBA)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT LOWEST SPEED
Levoit Vital 200S - Speed 2	41.9 dB(A)	40 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 4.84v	38.1 dB(A)	31 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 8.01v	47.2 dB(A)	17 minutes
Smart Air Blast Mini - Speed 1	44.9 dB(A)	16 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	38.8 dB(A)	20 minutes
Winix 5500-2 - Speed 2 (no ionizer)	42.5 dB(A)	43 minutes
Levoit EverestAir - Speed 1	39.1 dB(A)	25 minutes
TaoTronics AP-003 - Speed 2	42.8 dB(A)	39 minutes
Air Doctor 3000 - Speed 1	40.2 dB(A)	43 minutes

As you can see from the table, some of our most highly recommended air purifiers running at sub-45dBA fan speeds are still louder than the Luggable XL-7 running at its main fan speed.

The only device that got close to the Luggable XL-7 in terms of noise levels generated was the $500+ Levoit EverestAir. However, running at this low speed, the EverestAir couldn’t match the air cleaning performance of the Luggable, and needed five additional minutes to complete our particle removal test.

So, when you account for sound levels, the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 offers just incredible air cleaning performance.

The cost to run a CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7: $58.16 per year

The use of PC fans and HVAC filters leads to lower long-term running costs, compared to traditional HEPA retail devices.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

1. Electricity costs = $12.22 per year

We used a power meter to measure how much energy is pulled by the Luggable XL-7 when running at its only fan speed. Similarly to what we saw with noise levels, the energy consumption of the Luggable XL is also very low: 10.55 watts with all seven PC fans running.

Energy consumption figures are even more impressive when we compare the Luggable XL-7 with other devices running at their top speed:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT TOP SPEED
AirFanta 3Pro	43.2 watts	17 minutes
PuroAir 240	36.2 watts	51 minutes
NorthBox 6XL [P14Max Build]	15.4 watts	22 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	44.5 watts	23 minutes
Smart Air SA600	53.8 watts	24 minutes
Winix 5500-2	53.8 watts	23 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	10.5 watts	23 minutes
Corsi-Rosenthal box	46.7 watts	32 minutes
Nukit Tempest [P14 Build]	8.8 watts	39 minutes

The only air purifier I have tested that pulls less energy than the Luggable XL-7 is the Tempest by Nukit.

When compared with other devices running at lower fan speeds, the energy difference is less pronounced in itself but it becomes clear how powerful the Luggable XL is in terms of air cleaning:

When you account for energy usage and air cleaning speed at sub-45 dBA fan levels, the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits is much more efficient than most—especially when compared to standard retail HEPA devices.

Clearly, CleanAirKits made a solid choice going for the super energy-efficient Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 fans.

If you were to leave your Luggable XL-7 running 24/7 all year around, it would add $12.22 to your energy bill in a year. This is one of the lowest we have seen!

The Luggable XL-7 uses a 12V power supply, so you can connect its cable directly to a battery pack using a USB-C adapter.

This means you can use this air purifier on the go and in locations where you might not have an easily accessible power outlet.

According to the CleanAirKits website, a 20,000mAh battery can last 12 hours. Just be aware that not all battery packs work at full voltage. My Anker PowerBank worked well, if you want to try it.

2. Filter costs = $45.94 per year

As with any air purifier, the filters for the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 will need to be replaced eventually.

CleanAirKits recommends replacing the filters every 12 months, but filter life will be dependent on the air quality in your area and the severity of the issues you’re tackling with your air purifier.

The recommended Filtrete MPR1900 filters cost $45.94 for two, so this is how much you’d need to spend on filters each year.

3M Filtrete MPR 1900 20x25x1

MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR SANCTUARY: 2-pack of 3-month pleated Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 MPR 1900 AC Furnace Air Filter helps capture unwanted particles from your household air to contribute to a cleaner, fresher home environment
TOP PICK: Selected by The New York Times Wirecutter for its ability to clean the air without straining your HVAC system
EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY: HVAC filter designed with Filtrete 3-in-1 technology to pull in and trap unwanted particles, allowing cleaner air to flow through (Compared to MERV 13 minimum filter requirements; microparticles are 0.3 – 1.0 in size)
HIGHEST AIRFLOW: Filtrete MPR 1900 air filters deliver better airflow than any other brand’s residential 1” retail MERV 13 filters, based on California Energy Commission claimed data as of 1/29/2025

The total cost of running your CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 all year is $58.16. This also compares favorably with other air purifiers we have tested:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY COST (per year)	FILTER REPLACEMENT COST (per year)	YEARLY MAINTENANCE COST
Nukit Tempest	$9.25	$40.86	$50.11
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	$12.22	$45.94	$58.16
Levoit Vital 200S	$46.83	$49.99	$96.82
Corsi-Rosenthal box	$50.56	$60.32	$110.88
AirFanta 3Pro	$46.56	$78.67	$125.23
Winix 5500-2	$57.82	$79.99	$137.81
Smart Air SA600	$63.07	$54.99	$118.06

With its significantly reduced energy costs and the ability to use HVAC filters, this air purifier offers excellent performance at much lower running costs than a traditional HEPA retail device.

Bottom line: Is the Luggable XL from CleanAirKits worth it?

When you take into account sound levels generated and energy consumption, the Luggable XL-7 can out-clean anything sold in retail.

The Luggable XL-7 is the quietest, most cost-effective high CADR air purifier we have tested. This is a highly contended spot in our rankings as we believe that the Holy Grail of air purification is a device that can move a lot of air quickly without excessive noise or long-term running costs.

$229 AT CLEAN AIR KITS RECOMMENDED FILTERS ($45.94)

I appreciate that CleanAirKits has been making kits for a while, and it shows. They are continually improving their designs to make them easier to construct. The Luggable is easier to put together compared to the other DIY kits like the Nukit Tempest. However, it is worth mentioning that the Tempest’s steel material will likely be more durable than the Luggable’s hardboard body, That said, the fact that the case material is more flexible makes adding the filters easier compared to the inflexible metal case of the Tempest. So you get pros and cons with both.

With the Luggable XL, CleanAirKits has convinced me that the PC fan DIY kit movement is the future of air purifiers. The big benefit of DIY air purifier kits like the Luggable XL is that they are repairable and much more environmentally friendly than a traditional shop-bought air purifier. These devices have been designed with easily available parts and filters.

If you don’t want to build anything, you can buy the pre-made version, and the kit itself is easy to put together. And if you are based in Canada, I highly recommend you check out what the team at NorthBox Systems is doing over there with the NorthBox 6XL.

Just to wrap this up, I want to touch upon the unwarranted controversy around CleanAirKits over at Reddit in the past year or so. After some negative comments made about CleanAirKits on Reddit by a former moderator of the popular r/AirPurifiers subreddit, CleanAirKits have invested into getting their device CADR tested by an independent third-party and these results match our in-house tests.

I hope that our air cleaning performance data will add to the body of work that supports the high levels of air cleaning performance you can expect from a CleanAirKits Luggable XL, compared to even the best retail HEPA devices on the market.

If you have any questions about this PC fan-powered air purifier DIY kit, please drop a comment below and I will reply as soon as possible. Thank you for reading!

SOURCES

We calculated energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energy’s appliance energy calculator. We calculated yearly costs associated with running a CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.1268/kWh as of December 2024.

AirFanta 3Pro review

Oct 21, 2026Sep 17, 2024 by Danny Ashton

If you like the idea of a Nukit Tempest but you worry about the process of building it yourself from scratch with multiple PC fans, parts and screws, then this device by AirFanta might be the perfect option for you.

The AirFanta 3Pro is a creation of Adam Wong, someone who is very active on social media platforms — you might recognize him by his handle: @Engineer_Wong. Wong started his journey developing air purifiers in 2022, right after China left the Covid Zero policy. His beginnings involved assembling Corsi-Rosenthal boxes for friends and family, powered by his engineering background. Over time, he started receiving CR box requests from the local Covid Cautious community. This led to him designing and developing a new kind of DIY box that could be assembled and disassembled easily.

As with all the air purifiers we tested, we paid for the AirFanta 3Pro with our own money to experience the entire customer journey, conduct various tests and write an honest (and unbiased) review. If you decide to buy an AirFanta 3Pro after clicking on a link from this review, you will be supporting our work, as we will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The overall score for the AirFanta 3Pro incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the AirFanta 3Pro

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.

“This is the only high CADR air purifier that you can disassemble and bring along wherever you go inside a backpack or suitcase.

The AirFanta 3Pro blew me away with its air cleaning performance, which is powered by a smart CR box-inspired design and the choice of combining four low-resistance H11 filters with four PC fans.

The market for PC fan air purifiers is booming, and AirFanta has made its mark with a device you can buy for a fraction of the price of its competitors ($160).”

If you don’t want to read my full review, here are the six things we like about the AirFanta 3Pro and the three things we don’t.

CONS

It is louder (56.3 dBA) than other PC fan kits we have tested (>45 dBA) when running at full speed.

Unlike other PC fan kits, the 3Pro doesn’t use standard HVAC (MERV 13) filters — you have to use OEM filters.

Energy costs are similar to traditional HEPA devices when running at full speed.

PROS

The highly affordable price ($159.99).

Its incredible air cleaning performance — it took just 17 minutes to clean our test room, which is two minutes slower than the almighty Smart Air Blast Mini.

It is A LOT easier to put it together than a standard DIY PC fan air purifier kit.

It’s small in size, especially when compared to a Corsi-Rosenthal box.

It can be assembled and disassembled in just a few minutes.

When taken apart, the parts are small enough to fit inside a backpack or small suitcase.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 213 cfm
Filter technology:	True HEPA H11 and optional pelleted activated carbon
Recommended room size:	529 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm)
Weight:	7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	3.63 volts: 36.1 dB 4.19 volts: 36.9 dB 5.24 volts: 39.7 dB 6.54 volts: 43.3 dB 7.44 volts: 46.7 dB 8.56 volts: 49.1 dB 12.6 volts: 56.3 dB
Electricity consumption in watts :	43.23 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 – 12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

The best feature: it fits inside a carry-on bag

This is the only high-CADR air purifier you can bring with you wherever you go.

Adam Wong designed the AirFanta 3Pro to be not only highly powered but also portable. You will not find any other air purifier with a CADR above 400 that you will be able to fit inside a large backpack or small suitcase.

The AirFanta 3Pro from @Engineer_Wong is the only high CADR air purifier you can fit in a backpack 🎒 pic.twitter.com/AAM8663ESW
— HouseFresh (@ThisHouseFresh) July 31, 2024

The 3Pro can be disassembled and reassembled in just a few minutes, making it the best option for those looking for devices they can travel with.

You also get a long piece of cable management Velcro that you can use to wrap all the parts neatly once you have disassembled your AirFanta 3Pro:

My favorite part of that Velcro strip: makes it very easy to pick it up, place into luggage, and remove it from luggage as a single item: pic.twitter.com/9Z3bLhhQQw
— Ocean𓅃Ridge (@RidgeOcean) August 7, 2024

Filtration technology

Four HEPA 11 filters (with the option of activated carbon) with an expected life of 6-12 months. Wong stated that they can last a full nine months before they need to be replaced.

HEPA ONLY FILTERS HEPA + CARBON FILTERS

Unlike actual DIY air purifier kits, you won’t be able to simply pick up some HVAC filters for your AirFanta 3Pro, so you will need to buy the official AirFanta filters. You can choose between EPA 11 filters only or EPA 11 with activated carbon. We have both because we wanted to test the performance of the 3Pro with and without activated carbon.

When it comes to the particle 11 design, AirFanta states they developed a new pleating technology in order to produce powerful filters in such a small package. The 126×11.4“ particle filter material has been pleated eleven times into a much smaller 11.4×11.4×1″ area.

Whether you choose to go with the particle filter only or the particle+gas filter, you will find that AirFanta filters come with an aluminium cover on the outside that protects the air filter and serves as a (sort of) pre-filter for large dust particles.

For those needing to tackle odors and gases, the best option is the carbon filter. It is a bonded filter (similar to those we see in Levoit devices) that combines a 15mm thick HEPA 11 filter with a 10mm layer of activated carbon.

We are currently working on our written review of @Engineer_Wong’s AirFanta 3Pro, including new air cleaning performance data using HEPA + Carbon filters 🤓 pic.twitter.com/vYrDG3eGAm
— HouseFresh (@ThisHouseFresh) September 5, 2024

Tip

Remember to remove the filters from the plastic bag they come in before you switch on your AirFanta 3Pro.

Design and controls

The 3Pro is a small and light with a design inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box.

Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.

The AirFanta 3Pro is basically a box with a base at the bottom, one filter at each side and a fan array on top — much like the design of the Corsi-Rosenthal box.

The thing with the AirFanta 3Pro is that it is A LOT smaller than a CR box and that other PC fan kits using large HVAC filters:

Now, while this is not a DIY kit like the Nukit Tempest or the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7, you still need to put the AirFanta 3Pro together, but it’s a lot easier to do compared to the Tempest and the Luggable.

You just need to put the four filters in place on the sides of the base, which are clearly marked.

Once the four filters are in place at each side, you just need to clip the fan array on top.

As I mentioned briefly above, the AirFanta 3Pro has been designed to be cheap and portable: when you take it apart, you will be able to fit it neatly inside a standard carry-on bag. It even fits snuggly inside Gisele’s Osprey Proxima backpack:

In terms of controls, the AirFanta 3Pro comes with a 110-220v AC to 3-12v stepless DC power adapter which will allow you to control the speed of the fans and the noise output.

AirFanta recently launched a new edition of the 3Pro, which is certified by CARB and is the only option if you live in California.

This new edition has an independent speed controller that allows you to control the speed even when it is connected to a power bank of 12v/3A (or higher current) DC 5.5mm x 2.1 mm port.

Something that I really appreciate about AirFanta and Adam Wong is how committed they are to keep improving their devices based on customer feedback.

A few days after we ordered our 3Pro, I saw a tweet from Wong in which he announced the introduction of a handy Velcro strap in response to an idea from @ParentMishmash:

Thanks to the advice from @ParentMishmash
I decide to add a piece of cable management Velcro in the 3Pro package from today.
It would help the installation.
Please note that the batches that already on the way to US and Canada don't contain this. pic.twitter.com/6hkFdoOhhJ
— Adam Wong (@Engineer_Wong) April 18, 2024

As mentioned at the top of this review, you can use this very same Velcro strip to strap the filters + fan array + base together once you have disassembled your 3Pro to ensure all parts fit nicely inside your suitcase or backpack. Simple yet effective!

Air cleaning performance

The AirFanta 3Pro cleared our test room in 17 minutes — it is nearly as fast at cleaning the air as the MUCH larger Smart Air Blast Mini.

I’ve been really keen to test the AirFanta 3Pro because there has been a lot of hype around it — especially after it was independently tested by Rob Wissmann and David Elfstrom. These are the results of their CADR tests:

CADR: at 13V: 436 CFM
CADR at 12V: 413 CFM
CADR at 9V: 328 CFM
CADR at 6V: 213 CFM

I’m happy to report that the hype is completely warranted. Let me walk you through how the 3Pro performed in our tests.

According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the AirFanta 3Pro needed 17 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room running at top speed (12.6v). We estimate a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, which would allow the 3Pro to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 529 sq. ft.

Swapping the filters for the HEPA + activated carbon option added three more minutes to the test, bringing the time to clean all traces of PM1 smoke pollutants to 20 minutes:

This matches the incredible CADR score tests performed by David Elfstrom and Rob Wiss, and compares quite favorably with other air much more expensive air purifiers.

As you can see in the table below, the AirFanta 3Pro is not only affordable but also incredibly fast at cleaning the air:

Our air cleaning performance test showed that at its highest fan speed (12.6v), the AirFanta 3Pro is as powerful as devices costing upwards of $450 and more effective at removing particles from the air than much more expensive air puriifers like the Dyson BP06.

Sound levels

In our testing, the sound levels of the 3Pro ranged from 36.1 dBA to 56.3 dBA. It is much quieter than the new Winix T810 (62.5 dBA) and the Coway AIrmega 200M (64.3 dBA)

The second most important thing to look at when choosing an air purifier is the amount of sound it generates. A device that is too loud is unlikely to be used regularly or, even worse, is likely to be switched off.

That is why we record (from 3 ft. away) the sound levels generated by every air purifier we test running at each fan speed in the same location (our basement).

The AirFanta 3Pro comes with an AC-to-DC power adapter, which includes a dial for adjusting the voltage and the sound level generated by the air purifier. Here are the results at each fan speed we measured:

VOLTAGE	SOUND LEVELS (decibels)
3.63 v.	36.1 dBA
4.19 v.	39.7 dBA
5.24 v.	36.9 dBA
6.54 v.	43.3 dBA
7.44 v	46.7 dBA
8.56v	49.1 dBA
12.6 v. (top speed)	56.3 dBA

At top speed, the AirFanta 3Pro reaches 56.3 dBA, which is quieter than most mind-sized popular traditional air purifiers available on the market today:

However, you may be wondering how this compares to other devices, especially other PC fan-powered air purifiers. Check out our table below:

PC FAN KIT	SOUND AT TOP SPEED (decibels)
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 [Cooler Master SickleFlow 120]	38.8 dBA
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Ultra [Cooler Master Mobius 120]	47.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest	41.8 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [ARCTIC P14 Max]	50.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest Euro	50.5 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [Noctua P14s Redux]	45.1 dBA
AirFanta 3Pro	56.3 dBA

Compared to other PC fan devices from Nukit, CleanAirKits and NorthBox Systems, the AirFanta 3Pro is much louder at its highest fan speed. However, it’s still in line with the top-speed sound levels of the traditional retail HEPA devices we have tested.

However, sound levels at top fan speeds are not as important as air cleaning performance at lower fan speeds.

That is why we always identify a fan speed where the air purifier generates less than 45 dBA of noise to assess its quiet performance. In the case of the AirFanta 3Pro, we repeated the particle removal test multiple times across different voltages:

My recommendation is to go for 6.54V for top performance at sub-45 dB noise levels. Running at this speed, the 3Pro generates 43.3 dB of noise while still being able to clean our test room in 28 minutes.

When we account for sound levels, we see the performance of the AirFanta 3Pro getting beat by the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7, which managed to clean our test room in 23 minutes even when running at only 38.8 dBA. However, the Luggable XL-7 costs upwards of $200 (plus filters), so considering the low cost of the AirFanta 3Pro ($159.99 including filters), I am super impressed.

What impresses me the most is how incredibly well the AirFanta 3Pro compares to the shop-bought HEPA air purifiers I have tested. At its top speed, it is faster and quieter than most of the devices we have reviewed here at HouseFresh.

Tip

If you’re considering getting an AirFanta 3Pro, I suggest experimenting with the voltages to find a sound level that works for you. Personally, I have stuck to having my 3Pro running at the 8-volt mark as I find it offers an excellent performance-to-sound ratio.

Long-term running costs

Running an AirFanta 3Pro will cost you $165.76 per year, combining energy consumption costs ($47.76) and filter replacement costs ($118).

Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.

As always, I calculated the long-term costs associated with running your AirFanta 3Pro all day, every day at its top high speed for a full year — an unlikely scenario as you’ll probably want to have it running at a lower fan speed, but it’s a good baseline for running costs.

I started by using our energy meter to measure how much electricity the 3Pro uses at different voltages and, when running at top speed (12.6V), it pulled 43.23 watts.

VOLTAGE	ENERGY CONSUMPTION (watts)
Standby	0 watts
3.63 v.	2.19 watts
5.24 v.	5.02 watts
6.54 v.	8.98 watts
7.63 v.	13.31 watts
8.56 v	17.46 watts
12.6 v. (top speed)	43.23 watts

This means that if you had to leave your 3Pro running 24/7 at top speed, it would cost $47.76 in energy costs for a year, using average U.S. energy rates as of July 7th, 2025.

Considering you need to replace the filter every six months and that the replacement costs $59 (HEPA only), you can expect to also spend $118 per year on filters.

When compared to other similar-performing air purifiers, the 3Pro has low energy consumption costs but it’s the OEM filter replacement costs that drive the yearly running costs up.

At 43.2 watts, the AirFanta 3Pro is more energy-efficient than many popular units, such as the Winix 5510 or the Levoit Vital 200S. However, compared with another PC fan-powered air purifier like the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits, it’s clear that the 3Pro consumes more electricity at its maximum speed of 2900 RPM.

That said, running costs for the 3Pro are similar to those of standard HEPA retail devices, but you do get much higher performance levels especially when you consider the much lower initial purchase cost.

Tip

For a more efficient operation of the AirFanta 3Pro, I recommend going for 6.54V.

At this fan speed, the 3Pro consumes just 8.97 watts, so it will just add 10 bucks to your energy bill in a year while still being able to clean the air effectively as Levoit Core 400S or the IQAir HealthPro Plus running at full speed.

AirFanta’s creator, Adam Wong, explains how this big drop in energy consumption is possible:

“The power consumption of a fan is proportional to the cube of its RPM, while the airflow is proportional to the first power of the RPM. So higher RPM will result in less efficient of electricity consumption. The fan in the AirFanta 3Pro has a maximum speed of 2900 RPM, which is much higher than other PC-fan-based air purifiers, making it look less energy-efficient.

In fact, running it at 9V or lower would significantly improve energy efficiency. It still has a quite good CADR at lower voltage.”

— Adam Wong, Founder of AirFanta

All AirFanta products come with a 1-year warranty. AirFanta will send you a new 3Pro and you won’t need to return the faulty device.

If you experience issues with your AirFanta 3Pro, all you need to do is email the AirFanta team at airfanta@air-fanta.com.

Make sure to include photos and/or videos of the issue you are experiencing.

Bottom line: Should you get the AirFanta 3Pro?

It’s totally worth it. This is the only air purifier with a a high CADR that you can travel with.

Here’s the thing: if you were to have come to me selling an air purifier with a CADR of 353 cfm for $159.99, I would have assumed it was some sort of a scam. The sheer power of such a device would surely cost a lot more, right?

Adam Wong says no.

The AirFanta 3Pro can provide large rooms with multiple air changes for a price that is three times cheaper than what you normally pay for a standard, shop-bought HEPA air purifier. That is an incredible achievement that goes to show how brilliant Wong is and how much he actually cares about creating truly affordable solutions to clean the air.

Use the discount code HOUSEFRESH for 5% off when buying directly from AirFanta.

While the 3Pro is not totally plug-and-play (as you need to fit the filters and put the fans in place), it is MUCH easier to put together than all the other PC fan-powered DIY air purifier kits I have tested. That said, the 3Pro is also louder than all of them, so that is something to keep in mind.

For those looking for an air purifier they bring along when traveling or to events, there isn’t anything on the market right now that matches the high CADR of the AirFanta 3Pro. You can simply disassemble the device and pack it in your suitcase or backpack just to reassemble it wherever you need it.

For those wanting a quiet and energy-efficient air purifier, they can leave running in the background even when having work calls or meetings at the office, then a PC fan kit like the Luggable XL by CleanAirKits or the Tempest by Nukit will be a better choice — just know that they will both cost over $100 more than the 3Pro.

Now, is sound is a concern but your budget can’t stretch beyond $160, then remember you can run your AirFanta 3Pro at lower fan speeds. It will be much quieter and still outperform the standard retail HEPA air purifier you can find online, costing you less upfront and in the long run.

I really love this device, so I expect you will find it across many of our lists of recommended devices.

One last thought before I leave you: I believe everyone living outside the U.S. will really benefit from the AirFanta 3Pro, especially those living in places like the UK, where finding box fans and HVAC filters to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box is virtually impossible. As if that wasn’t good enough, the 3Pro has a much smaller footprint than the standard CR box, is definitely quieter and offers much more adjustable fan speed options.

Do you have any questions about this device that I didn’t cover in my review? Drop a comment below, and I’ll reply right away.

How to choose an air purifier: 10 things you need to know

Dec 17, 2025Jul 25, 2024 by Danny Ashton

Are you looking for an air purifier for your home?

First, I want to let you into a secret: Many of the air purifiers available on the market right now are underpowered and overpriced.

With this guide, I will help you avoid the thousands of duds on Amazon, so you can find a device that works for your budget and air quality issues.

Since 2020, I have tested over 70 air purifiers and performed in-house experiments, looking at air cleaning performance, sound level generation and energy usage.

That is how I have uncovered 10 tips that will help you choose the right air purifier for your home.

1. CADR, CADR, CADR

Unlike most appliances, an air purifier’s work is hidden from the naked eye. This allows manufacturers to say all sorts of things to make you choose them over competitors, but the main thing you need to look out for is the CADR score.

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate and is the result of a lab test result from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. They test how well each device does removing dust, pollen and smoke and provide a score from 0-400 cfm

You could say that CADR is the gold standard for testing air purifiers.

As a very rough guide:

Small rooms of less than 200 sq. ft. will need a CADR of at least 150 CFM

Medium-sized rooms of up to 400 sq. ft. will need around 260 CFM

Larger spaces over 400 sq. ft. will need more than 300 CFM

Use our calculator to find out what CADR score you should be looking at depending on the size of your room:

The largest of spaces will need devices with very high CADR scores, like the Smart Air Blast with a whopping 559 CFM.

Tips

You can use multiple devices in a large space. You just need to add their CADR scores together.
EnergyStar hosts a directory of publicly available AHAM test results. Before buying an air purifier, check out their website to confirm CADR scores for any air purifier.

2. Bigger is generally better

While it’s good to focus on finding an air purifier with the right CADR score for your space, you should know that CADR tests are run on the device working at full speed.

When running at full speed, the vast majority of air purifiers are loud, generating 55 to 65 decibels of noise. That is why, in most cases, you are better off getting the biggest device you can live with so you can use it at lower fan speeds instead. Mechanical filters like HEPA work by pushing air through them using a fan. The bigger the fan and filter, the higher the air-cleaning performance.

While smaller devices might seem like a better choice for your budget, you will need to run them at their highest fan speeds for them to do a good job. And when running at top speed, these small devices will be louder than you would like.

Not only that, we find that smaller air purifiers often have the same or higher long-term running costs as larger units due to how often you need to replace the filters and how much electricity they pull when running at top speeds.

Tip

If you can, try to get at least a medium-sized device like the Levoit Vital 200S or the Winix 5500-2 with a dust CADR of 240-260 CFM. While they cost a little more to buy, you can run them at lower speeds in smaller rooms – and they will cost the same or even less to run over the long term.

3. Don’t trust room size recommendations

If you visit Amazon or any retailer’s website, you will see that every air purifier seems to be able to clean the air in rooms bigger than 1000 sq. ft.

You might think you can just get one of these cheaper, smaller devices to keep a large room clean, trusting ‘recommended room size’ figures from manufacturers. The problem is that they are using a marketing trick.

The room sizes quoted by retailers (and parroted by big media sites in their best-of lists) will be based on calculations the manufacturer did based on just one air change per hour, but cleaning the air once per hour just isn’t useful in the real world.

In fact, the EPA recommends 4.8 air changes per hour, which will result in a much smaller room size than the one quoted in manufacturers’ marketing materials.

There are no regulations on room size recommendations, so brands can do this without getting into trouble.

Tip

When looking at product specifications here at HouseFresh, you can be confident that recommended room sizes are based on 4.8 air changes per hour. The same can be said for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, so be sure to check with them before trusting if an air purifier is powerful for your room size.

4. Look for models with a removable pre-filter

All air purifiers come with pre-filters that capture the largest particles, such as pet hair and fluff floating in the air.

The pre-filter protects the main filters, so if you vacuum and clean your pre-filter regularly, you will extend the life of your main filters AND you will ensure they keep cleaning the air as efficiently as possible.

A dirty pre-filter can make a HUGE difference to the performance of your air purifier. Believe it or not, it can reduce air cleaning efficiency by 40%!

Data on airflow in a portable HEPA air cleaner used in a dusty childcare after 10 weeks use (one prefilter clean at 5 weeks).
👉 Flow change of -40% of the original restored to -10% after pre-filter clean.
👉Check & clean your pre-filters if very dusty.https://t.co/4z39c5XfmL pic.twitter.com/XszO7D8cu9
— CleanAirStars@mas.to (@CleanAirStars) June 19, 2022

The problem is that many air purifiers (like those from the Levoit Core series) have the pre-filter attached to the main filter. This makes them difficult to clean, leading to needing to replace the whole filter sooner than you’d like.

So try to find an air purifier with a removable pre-filter instead so you can stay on top of cleaning it regularly without hassle. Devices that allow you to remove the pre-filter make the job much easier and increase your likelihood of doing it.

Tip

If you’re reading this and you can’t remember when you last cleaned your pre-filter, then give it a clean now! Your lungs will thank you for it.

5. Don’t worry too much about activated carbon

The particle filter in an air purifier can address the main issues most people face, such as pet dander, pollen or dust. This means that you don’t need to get an activated carbon filter unless you have an issue with chemical gasses like formaldehyde and unwanted odors.

Now, you will notice that most air purifiers come with activated carbon filters anyway…

While cheap carbon filters can remove mild, everyday unwanted smells, most have such small amounts of carbon that they will quickly become saturated if you have a serious issue with VOCs.

So if you have a serious issue with odors, you should look for air purifiers with very large carbon filters, like:

The Austin Air HealthMate that costs $720 and comes with 15 lbs of carbon
The IQAir HealthPro Plus, which costs $899 and comes with 5.5 lbs of carbon

However, be aware that replacement filters for both of these units cost A LOT. Also, these are both energy-hungry devices, AND they are not needed for most uses.

Carbon filters reduce particle removal efficiency, so if you don’t need them, you should just stick to the particle filter.

Smart Air is great for this, as the carbon filter is always optional.
Levoit bonds its carbon filter to its particle filter, which is one of the major downsides of its devices. Once the carbon stops working, you will be forced to replace the whole filter.
Winix and AirDoctor units work with separate filters for particles and carbon.

Tip

The best cheap device with decent carbon filters we have seen is the Winix 5500-2. This unit has washable carbon filters that use pelleted activated carbon, but it only comes with 0.5 lbs of carbon, so it is not enough for serious issues with odors and gases.

6. HEPA is not a requirement for a good air purifier

HEPA is a rating system for measuring the efficiency of air filters, but it is not the only rating system. You also have MERV, MPR, FPR and ISO ratings.

However, the vast majority of commercial air purifiers have adopted HEPA ratings, so that is why you will probably have heard about HEPA way more than the other acronyms.

Here’s the thing though:

The efficiency of an air purifier has less to do with the grade of its filter and more to do with its CADR (remember the first point in this guide?).

The highest the CADR rating, the more efficient the air purifier is at cleaning the air – this explains why a Levoit air purifier can clean the air super fast even though its filters are not HEPA-grade.

What is more, we have recently started testing DIY air purifier kits that use non-HEPA-grade HVAC filters, and we have been blown away by their performance! Both the Corsi-Rosenthal box and the Nukit Tempest use MERV 13 filters and outperform many HEPA-grade air purifiers we tested that cost much more.

So, don’t get caught up in whether an air purifier comes with True HEPA or H14 HEPA filter. Instead, pay attention to its CADR rating.

7. Don’t forget to check noise levels

If you are like me, you don’t want a noisy turbine running when you’re watching a movie, concentrating in your home office or, more importantly, when you’re trying to sleep.

That is why I always recommend paying attention to noise levels generated, as you are unlikely to want to use your air purifier all the time if it’s too noisy.

However, you need to be wary of manufacturer specifications because many brands will just state noise levels at the lowest fan speed, which, in the case of small air purifiers, is a fan speed that will take FOREVER to clean the air.

I have also been especially impressed by the new generation of DIY air purifiers that use PC fans. In our testing, we found that they perform much better than standard air purifiers running at a similar sound level and cost much less over the long term.

While they are not yet plug-and-play, if you are open to putting in the time to build them, you will end up with a device that cleans the air well at a much lower sound than you would get with a traditional air purifier.

Tip

Some of the quietest shop-bought air purifiers we have tested are those produced by Smart Air, Levoit and Alen.

8. Decide if you want an ionizer

Ionizer air purifiers have a bad reputation after companies in the early 2000s sold devices like the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, which was shown to lead to ozone and VOC build-up. Perhaps that’s why air purifier manufacturers have opted for renaming ionizer technology under different brandable terms such us PlasmaWave by Winix or HEPASIlent by Blueair.

The good news is that in 2010, the CARB certification was introduced in California to guarantee that new air purifiers with ionizers are being tested for ozone emissions. This means that modern air purifiers with ionizers shouldn’t emit ozone and make the quality of your air worse.

However, ionizers can lead to dust buildup around the air purifier and there are people who have sensitivities to negative ions. I have also received emails from multiple readers who found their respiratory issues getting worse after introducing an ionizer air purifier into their homes.

Tips

If you want to choose a unit with an ionizer to boost the work of the filters, I recommend choosing a model with an on/off ionizer function. Manufacturers like WInix, Coway and Alen offer this.
Blueair units don’t allow you to switch off the ionizer, so avoid Blueair devices if you believe negative ions could affect you.

9. You might not need smart features

Modern air purifiers come with all sorts of bells and whistles and, in the majority of cases, these bells and whistles add up to the price.

Before buying a pricey smart unit with app support and all sort of modes, take some time to decide if you will truly need all those extra features.

Features like auto-mode and scheduling can be useful in some situations and use cases. Personally, I prefer having an auto-mode in my kitchen air purifier, for example. But when dealing with serious issues such as outside pollution, you should keep your device running all the time, so these smart features are likely not worth paying extra for.

The same can be said for those wanting to tackle air quality issues related to wildfire smoke, allergies or reducing the risk of airborne transmission of viruses. In all those cases, you will want to keep your air purifier constantly running at a sound level that doesn’t create a problem.

10. Stick to brands that have been around for a while

If you don’t want to build your own DIY device, a good rule of thumb is to stick to brands that have been around for a while.

Since 2020, many new brands have entered the market, promising the world, but many have failed to live up to the hype in our testing.

To make things simple, stick to long-standing brands like IQAir, Coway, Winix, Smart Air, Alen, Levoit, Austin Air and Honeywell. These brands have been making air purifiers for many years and are far less risky than one of the new brands that have yet to prove themselves.

Sadly, the fact that you can’t assess whether an air purifier is doing its job with your naked eye means that bad actors can get away with selling underpowered, overhyped devices that most consumers won’t realize are ineffective.

Final thoughts

I hope these tips help you choose the right air purifier for your specific situation and budget.

If I had to condense all these tips into just three key takeaways:

Use the AHAM directory to find air purifiers that have been independently tested by them. Check the CADR and room size recommendation for 4.8 air changes per hour before you buy an air purifier.
Don’t get caught up in whether a device comes with a HEPA filter or an activated carbon filter. There are many other effective particle filters besides HEPA, and you might not need activated carbon unless you are dealing with gases and VOCs.
Get the biggest air purifier you can afford. You will be able to run it at lower fan speeds, and it will do a much better job than a small unit without generating a ton of noise.

If you want to know which specific models I think are the best this year, be sure to check out our list of the best air purifiers you can buy right now.

Let me know what you think, or share any other tips I missed in the comments below.

Nukit Tempest review

Dec 17, 2025Jun 19, 2024 by Gisele Navarro

We have already built and tested two DIY units at HouseFresh, the Corsi-Rosenthal box and the more basic DIY Air purifier. We were impressed by their air cleaning performance and straightforwardness to build. So, when I saw CR Box creator Jim Rosenthal’s tweet on the Nukit Tempest, I knew we had to give the Tempest a try.

Good review of the Nukit Tempest by @joeyfox85 here:https://t.co/0hB7IXu7f2
I plan on buying one when the new stock is available. For those who support @NukitToBeSure, I would suggest you do the same.
— Jim Rosenthal (@JimRosenthal4) December 30, 2023

I am a big fan of the CR box as it is incredibly reliable and can be built with just a few readily available components. However, it doesn’t come without its downsides: the fan is noisy, the box itself takes up a lot of space, and the build is not as robust.

After some discussion on X (formerly Twitter) on how these setbacks could be improved, PC fans were suggested as a suitable alternative for the bigger, louder box fan. It was Zack Deis who designed the first PC Fan Corsi-Rosenthal Box before donating his design so that the Nukit Tempest could be developed.

The Tempest is produced by Nukit, a Shenzhen-based startup on a mission to produce high-quality products at a fair price backed by third-party testing and supported by honest marketing and excellent customer service. Nukit has developed a small selection of products and is well known for the Nukit Torch Far-UVC Lights, which are increasingly popular online. They are always working to improve their products, and if you follow them on X, you will quickly learn that they are not shy when it comes to sharing the behind-the-scenes of their work, including new products they are developing right now.

When purchasing the Nukit Tempest kit, you get all the parts required to build the frame for $179.95. However, you still need to buy the MERV filters, DC power supply and PC fans (with fan guards, if you want them) — all of which are transparently listed on The Cyber-Night Market, which is the online store were you can buy Nukit products. We estimate a total cost of $300 to get all the items.

As always, we bought the Nukit Tempest kit and the parts with our own money to ensure we have the freedom to say what we really think after conducting the same performance tests we run on every air purifier we review.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

That was a long intro, so I hope you’re still with me. Let’s jump into the review.

The lowdown on the Nukit Tempest

“I am super impressed by the Nukit Tempest. This new type of air purifier uses PC fans to offer great air cleaning power without high levels of sound. While this is the first generation, I’m super excited to see where this new approach to air purifiers takes us.

Be aware that this is a kit and does need some time and effort to build, but those who do will have a great air purifier that is also incredibly quiet.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

TEMPEST DIY KIT ARCTIC P14 PC FAN MERV 13 FILTERS

Before jumping into my full review, I have distilled the key strengths and weaknesses of the Tempest into pros and cons below:

What we really like

It has the best cleaning-power-to-noise ratio we have ever seen on an air purifier.

Filters are far easier to replace when compared to the CR box — you don’t need to rip your air purifier apart to change them.

You can choose any 20x20x2″ MERV filters you want to use, from any brand you want.

This is a truly buy-it-for-life device: all parts can be easily replaced at a low cost, allowing you to fix and maintain your unit yourself.

It is highly customizable. You can choose the 20x20x2″ MERV filters, PC fans, power switch and fan guards you want.

What we think could be better

Without activated carbon filters, it won’t be able to help with unwanted smells and gasses.

It is a hot product right now, so it might not always be available for purchase. However, you can sign up for Nukit’s mailing list on The Cyber Night-Market to get notified as soon as it’s back in stock.

While most items are readily available worldwide, 20x20x2″ MERV filters may be harder (or more expensive) to find outside the U.S.

It is not a “plug and play” air purifier, so it will not be suitable for those who are not comfortable building it. PC building experience is highly useful.

HouseFresh rating:	★★★★☆
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	Without fan grills: 31 minutes With mesh fan grills: 43 minutes
Air filtration technology:	MERV 13
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):	385 sq. ft. (estimated)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	247 CFM (estimated by @VentiloAngel)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	21.25L x 20.25W x 9.6H inches (54L x 51.5W x 24.2H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	14.7lbs (6.65 kg)
Filter life:	12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	41.8 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	8.8 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	$50.11 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):	$1.20
Country of manufacture:	China

The best Tempest feature: Quiet yet powerful

You’ll barely notice it’s running thanks to the PC cooling fans — and it can still effectively cover rooms up to 385 sq. ft.

TEMPEST DIY KIT ARCTIC P14 PC FAN MERV 13 FILTERS

The Nukit Tempest not only looks cool but it also offers excellent performance with cleaning power comparable to many medium-to-large air purifiers we have tested.

Yet, despite its capacity to draw in considerable amounts of air through its filters, the Tempest runs far quieter than most.

But you don’t need to take my word for it. Check out the chart below comparing the max sound levels VS air cleaning speed of the Tempest against various popular air purifiers:

A PC case-inspired design that fits two large MERV filters and six fans

Assembling the Tempest is not particularly easy, but the end result is a cool-looking device with a gamer vibe.

TEMPEST DIY KIT ARCTIC P14 PC FAN MERV 13 FILTERS

The Nukit Tempest looks nothing like a regular air purifier. In fact, if you walked into a room with a Tempest, you are more likely to think it’s a desktop computer than a DIY air cleaner. Similarly to PC building, the appearance of your Tempest will vary slightly depending on the items you choose to assemble it.

It has six PC cooling fans on top and six more on one of the sides. As I have small children at home, I decided to also get 140mm mesh guards, which will protect the fans from dust but, most importantly, keep little fingers out of the way. However, it’s worth mentioning that the mesh grill restricted airflow, thus affecting the performance of the Tempest but I will tell you more about this further down the review.

140mm MESH FAN GUARDS 140mm WIRE FAN GUARDS

Another important point to consider with my kids in mind: the metal is sturdy yet smooth, and it has no sharp edges or imperfections that could cut you while moving it from room to room. Speaking of which, it was great to see all the clever little design details that improve usability, such as the two handles at the top.

The Tempest comes with wire mesh side grills to guard the filters, making the device more resistant than other DIY air purifiers, including the CR Box. Plus, it conceals a bit the fact that it is an air purifier, avoiding the attention-grabbing white filters to be the center of attention.

Speaking of the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, I took a photo of the Tempest next to my CR Box to show you just how small and stylish the Tempest looks next to the bulky cube.

As you can see, the footprint of the Nukit Tempest is much smaller, making it a great choice for spaces where the CR Box couldn’t quite fit. It is also super lightweight, weighing no more than 14.7lbs.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the Tempest does not have a control panel. It is either plugged in and running, or unplugged. That said, you could buy a power supply with an on-off switch.

DC POWER SUPPLY

The Tempest was created with homes AND public spaces (such as schools and businesses) in mind, where air purifiers should be running 24/7 but are often not. This is the quietest unit I’ve tested able to clean the air effectively — for example, the Core Mini is super quiet, but it won’t be useful in most rooms.

Another example of quiet power is the Smart Air Blast Mini. I took a photo of both devices next to each other so you can see how they compare to one another in terms of size:

The Tempest kit comes with four metal panels, screws, a cardboard tube containing the side grills, four square, self-adhesive feet and 3mm rubber hole plugs, a 19mm rubber plug, a PWM connector, a 12v DC power connector AND zip-ties.

What you will need that’s not included is the following:

ITEM	RECOMMENDED	WHAT WE BOUGHT
6 x PC cooling fans	Arctic P14	Amazon
6 x Fan guards	140mm mesh or metal	Amazon
1 x DC power supply	12v, 2A with 5.5x2.1mm barrel connector	Amazon
2 x Filters	MERV 13 filters, 20x20x2 inch	Amazon

While assembling the Tempest might seem a tad daunting for those not so comfortable with their DIY skills, there’s a thorough step-by-step guide on The Cyber Night-Market website with photos and detailed instructions. You can also watch my video:

All pieces, screws and cables come in separate bags to make assembling easier. It is kind of building a huge Lego –– a fun STEM project to be sure.

Two 20x20x2″ MERV filters protected by side grills

The Tempest is proof that you don’t actually need HEPA to achieve exceedingly good air filtration results.

TEMPEST DIY KIT ARCTIC P14 PC FAN MERV 13 FILTERS

That’s right: HEPA is not the failsafe many manufacturers want us to believe.

Certified HEPA filters are considered an assurance for many for their single-pass filtration efficiency, or in simpler terms, the capacity of a filter to trap particles in just one pass of air. The thicker the filter (HEPA 12, 13 and even 14), the more particles it can catch on the fibers in a single pass.

On their part, MERV filters have a lower single-pass filtration rate compared to HEPA filters. But air purifiers are designed to run continuously, circulating air and trapping particles on the filters in every cycle. As David Elfstrom, an engineer who has shed light on many key discussions related to indoor air pollution, puts it:

To recap, for in-room air cleaners, HEPA *IS NOT NEEDED*. What matters is the combination of filtration, fit, and airflow, to maximize the Clean Air Delivery Rate for a target particle type and size, verified by an independent laboratory test to an industry standard. /7
— David Elfstrom (@DavidElfstrom) February 23, 2024

So, with no real need for HEPA, the Nukit Tempest uses affordable and readily available MERV 13 filters just like the Corsi-Rosenthal Box and the simpler DIY air purifiers.

As MERV filters are less dense than HEPA, they allow for increased airflow. That means that they can move a lot more air than units with HEPA or HEPA-type filters, capturing more particles from the air.

The Nukit Tempest hasn’t been sent to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for a CADR test, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not been tested by third-parties. David Elfstom estimated a CADR of 280 CFM and Nathalie Roussay (known as L’Évangéliste de la Ventilation on X) estimated 247 CFM – all of these using the Artic P14 fans, which are the same we’ve used in our own Tempest.

I will go deeper into air cleaning performance comparisons in the next section but, with these numbers, the Nukit Tempest and its MERV 13 filters could offer similar performance than air purifiers such as the Blueair Blue Pure 311+ and the Alen BreatheSmart 45i – both good, reliable units much liked by many users.

It’s worth noting that replacing the filters in your Tempest will be much easier than disassembling your CR Box and other DIY units before you can rebuild them with the new ones. With the Tempest, you just have to unscrew the sides, remove the old filters, place the new filters and screw them back.

Tip

If you buy MERV filters in bulk, make sure each one is sealed separately or at least in twos. You don’t want the filters in contact with the air before use, or they will start accumulating particulates as they are stored in a cupboard.

The Nukit Tempest cleared our test room in 31 minutes

The Tempest has the best performance-to-noise ratios across all 70+ air purifiers we have tested, and the six PC cooler fans have a lot to do with that.

To assess the real-world performance of the Nukit Tempest, we run the same tests we perform on all the air purifiers we review, including particle removal speed, noise output and energy usage.

For the speed test, we filled our 728 sq. ft. test room with incense smoke and used our two PurpleAir sensors (the Touch and the Zen) to monitor how long the Tempest took to clean the air, bringing the PM1 levels to zero.

As you will see on the chart above, it took the Nukit Tempest 31 minutes to complete our particle removal test.

This number changes when we add the mesh guards on top of the PC fans. I wasn’t expecting such a big difference, but it turned out that the mesh guards added 12 minutes to the test:

	Without fan grills	With mesh fan grills
Nukit Tempest	31 minutes	43 minutes

This is something to consider when building your Nukit Tempest. We haven’t tested it using wire fan grills, but I imagine it will be better than the mesh grill as, clearly, the ultrafine nylon restricts airflow:

A reader shared this report on the effects of different grill patterns on fan performance. It shows that the mesh grill does, in fact, restrict airflow. The report also shows that opting for a wire grill can achieve performance results nearly as good as running your Tempest without a grill.

Air cleaning performance, compared

With an average estimated CADR of 247 CFM, the Nukit Tempest’s cleaning speed definitely met our expectations.

Compared with units that boast similar CADR, the Tempest sits in the middle: the Blueair Blue Pure 311+ (250 CFM) was 10 minutes faster, but it outpaced the $428 Alen BreatheSmart 45i (207 CFM) by three minutes.

There is also a six-minute difference with the Corsi-Rosenthal Box (estimated 274 CFM). I cannot deny that I’m still a huge fan of the CR Box; it is such a practical solution for so many people and different contexts. However, if we factor in the noise output of the two, the CR Box’s speedyness becomes somewhat relative.

Let’s see how the Tempest performed noise-wise.

Noise levels, compared

This is one of the Nukit Tempest’s highlights: how quiet it runs. To measure the noise output, we used a commercial sound meter to record sound levels in dB(A) emitted by the Tempest from 3 ft. away.

As we saw in the first section, the Tempest has only one speed. When running, it emits 41.8 dB(A) of noise, which is equivalent to the (almost imperceptible) noise of a suburban area at night.

The chart below shows how the Tempest compares to other air purifiers.

If we focus on the lowest fan speeds, the Tempest might not be the quietest unit, but it is not the loudest, either. However, the comparison changes completely when we look at the top speed values: no purifier runs as quietly as the Tempest.

We were so impressed with these results that we decided to push our tests further. So, we compared the Tempest’s performance (speed and sound) versus some of the best units we tested but running at a similar sound level (in most cases, in Speed 2). Here’s what we found out:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dBA)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Levoit Vital 200S - Speed 2	42.5 dB(A)	40 minutes	$189.99
Winix 5300-2 - Speed 2 without ionizer	42.5 dB(A)	43 minutes	$199.99
Taotronics AP-003 - Speed 2	42.8 dB(A)	39 minutes	$99.99
Nukit Tempest	41.8 dB(A)	31 minutes	$179.95 (plus parts)
Air Doctor 3000 - Speed 1	40.2 dB(A)	43 minutes	$519.00

When noise output is the primary variable, the Nukit Tempest air cleaning performance amply outperforms all others.

I mean it when I say you will often forget the unit is running in the background. But still, don’t take my word for it; listen to the Tempest running for yourself:

The cost to run a Nukit Tempest: $50.11 per year

1. Electricity costs = $9.25 per year

When choosing an air purifier, long-term costs are worth considering, especially with rising electricity prices worldwide. So, as part of all our reviews, we measure electricity consumption using an energy meter.

The PC fans in the Nukit Tempest mean less noise and less energy usage. In our testing, the Tempest pulled a mere 8.8 watts. Running it 24/7 uninterruptedly would add up to less than $10 a year to your electricity bill.

As a reference, the Blueair Blue Pure 411 has an energy usage of 10 watts at top speed, and it was featured among the 2024 most efficient air purifiers at Energy Star. However, the Blue Pure 411 needed over an hour to remove all PM1 pollutants from our 728 sq. ft. room.

As with noise levels, the energy consumption of the Nukit Tempest matches the same figures you can expect from some of my favorite air purifiers when running at low fan speeds. The problem is that low fan speeds mean slower air cleaning performance, so when comparing these great devices against the Tempest, we see the Tempest win again:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Air Doctor 3000 - Speed 1	9.6 watts	43 minutes
Nukit Tempest	8.8 watts	31 minutes
Taotronics AP-003 - Speed 2	10.5 watts	39 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S - Speed 2	8.0 watts	40 minutes
Winix 5300-2 - Speed 2 without ionizer	6.7 watts	43 minutes

The performance-to-energy usage ratio of the Nukit Tempest is just incredible.

2. Filter costs = $40.86 per year

Filter costs are the second ongoing expense to factor in. With store-bought units, you can choose between original, branded filters (which tend to be expensive) or generic ones (for which there’s not always enough information online).

The Nukit Tempest uses standard, non-proprietary 20x20x2 MERV 13 filters. Availability may vary depending on your location, but in the U.S., there are plenty of options at a varied range of prices.

We used Filterbuy’s set of two for a little over $40. Considering filters need to be replaced about every 12 months, the Tempest has one of the lowest long-term costs we’ve seen in the industry: around $50 a year.

There are simply too many reasons to love this device.

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY COST (per year)	FILTER REPLACEMENT COST (per year)	YEARLY MAINTENANCE COST
Coway Airmega 150	$48.12	$49.99	$98.11
Smart Air S	$41.00	$73.98	$114.98
Levoit Vital 200S	$67.95	$59.99	$127.94
Winix 5500-2	$81.54	$79.99	$161.53
Nukit Tempest	$9.25	$40.86	$50.11
Mila	$58.45	$150	$208.45

Bottom line: Is the Nukit Tempest worth it?

The short answer: yes, but be aware that building it might be tricky if you’re not comfortable with cables and tiny parts

The Nukit Tempest has definitely impressed us with its clear advantages over shop-bought devices: it is super quiet, cleans the air pretty fast, can cover large spaces (385 sq. ft.), and its long-term running costs are as low as they get.

One of my favorite things about it is the environmentally conscious buy-it-for-life concept that defies a whole industry of devices with built-in planned obsolescence. Say the PC fans get old and start malfunctioning; you can replace those, and that’s it. The same applies if you want to upgrade the PC fans for newer, quieter ones or if you want to add an on/off switch or Nukit’s own power loss alarm. Most components in your Nukit Tempest could be swapped, upgraded and fixed at home. Besides, with standard MERV filters, you are not tied to any brand.

TEMPEST DIY KIT ARCTIC P14 PC FAN MERV 13 FILTERS

But I get it. Sometimes a ready-to-use solution is all you want or need, and that’s understandable. There are plenty of great store-bought air purifiers that will do a fine job. But if you are at all curious about the use of PC fans or fancy a STEM project you can carry out with your kids, then I strongly suggest giving the Nukit Tempest a try.

You won’t just get an amazing air purifier; you’ll also be supporting a worthwhile project with a genuine interest in indoor air quality that is affordable and powered by honest marketing — two things that the world really needs.

I’m currently testing other PC fan DIY air purifiers (the Luggable by Clean Air Kits, Adam Wong’s AirFanta 3 Pro and the NorthBox Systems’ 6XL), so make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch my review without having to wait for it to be published on our site.

Tip

If you want to take the DIY spirit further, the instructions to build the Nukit Open Air Purifier’s enclosure are available on GitHub (there’s even an app).

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Nukit Tempest 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.174/kWh as of June 2024.

Winix C545 review

Dec 17, 2025May 30, 2024 by Danny Ashton

With a trajectory of over 50 years, Winix has a solid background in indoor air cleaning.

During the COVID pandemic, the South Korean brand gained a foothold in the U.S. market, attaining a solid place among the most preferred brands to improve Americans’ home air quality.

Winix produces budget-friendly, well-built, and high-performing air purifiers, with the corporate mission as its compass: “To deliver perfect products that are superior in Innovation, Performance and Style.”

The Winix C545 is not the brand’s latest model (it was Energy Star-certified in 2019). In fact, the unit is only available as refurbished on the U.S. Winix website. But it is still trending and hyped by Costco, so we got curious about its performance.

Besides traditional mechanical filtration, all Winix units have the built-in PlasmaWave® function, a by-polar ionizer that boosts cleaning efficiency. Ionization is a known controversial topic, so you’ll be pleased to know Winix units emit less than 0.01 ppm of ozone and are CARB-certified. However, one of the highlights of these air purifiers is that the function can be easily disabled.

We have previously reviewed three Winix units, the 5300-2, 5500-2 and A231 and found solid results. So, we decided to get the C545 and put it to the test.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

As always, we bought the C545 with our own money like regular consumers — no special treatment for us, no free Winix for HouseFresh. We prefer it this way. We are free to write unbiased reviews with an honest take on every unit we test.

The lowdown on the Winix C545

“The C545 is very similar to other Winix devices, like the 5300-2, and it’s just as good for removing particles. One thing that stands out is its app support, which you don’t find in other Winix models.

The fact that this device is sometimes sold cheaply at $99-$139 at Costco makes it an easy choice for those wanting a good air purifier on a budget.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

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Before we dive into the detailed analysis of the unit, I’ve condensed the C545 highs and lows:

What we really like

All-round budget-friendly unit: low initial price and affordable long-term running costs.

Faster than more expensive units and still competitive, even when compared to newer models.

There are plenty of smart features, including app support for remote control, air quality readings and a light sensor.

An easy-to-navigate control panel that lets you switch off the ionizer at any time.

What we think could be better

It lacks a sturdy activated carbon filter. Instead, the C545 comes with carbon-impregnated fabric that needs to be replaced every three months.

Considering its size, it is not the quietest air purifier. When running at top speed, it generates 59 dB of sound.

The Winix Smart app could be improved.

HouseFresh rating:	★★★★☆
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	PurpleAir Touch: 19 minutes PurpleAir Zen: 27 minutes
Air purifier technology:	Washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, True HEPA filter and Plasmawave technology
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):	360 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Smoke: 232 CFM – Dust: 243 CFM – Pollen: 246 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	13.7W × 8.4D × 20.5H inches (35W x 21D x 52H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	11 lbs (5kg)
Filter life:	– HEPA filter: 12 months – Odor filter: 3 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	Speed 1: 36.1 dB Speed 2: 39.2 dB Speed 3: 43.1 dB Speed 4: 59.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	Standby: 0.27 watts Speed 1: 4.15 watts (4.46 with ionizer) Speed 2: 6.6 watts (6.9 with ionizer) Speed 3: 10.15 watts (10.49 with ionizer) Speed 4: 51.30 watts (51.01 with ionizer)
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	$113.6 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):	$0.53
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of manufacture:

The best feature of the Winix C545: good $ to CADR ratio

Impressive 232 CFM (smoke) for $90 if you get it refurbished from Winix

As mentioned in the introduction, the Winix C545 can be bought refurbished at the manufacturer’s website for a mere $89.99. At Costco, on the other hand, you’ll find the new unit for $129.99. At the time of writing this review, I wouldn’t recommend buying from Amazon, as the C545 rises to over $170.

This price disparity makes my job harder when trying to compare the C545 with other units in the same price and cleaning power range. But I will try my best anyway.

The TaoTronics TT-AP003, for example, has a CADR of 226 CFM for $80 and features a pelleted activated carbon filter instead of the carbon-impregnated fabric. The same goes for the Levoit Vital 200S, which outperforms both the TT-AP003 and the C545 BUT it doubles in price ($190).

Now, things are more favorable to the C545 when comparing it against the Winix C535 and 5300-2, which can be found at $140 and $135, respectively. While neither of them have smart features, they share similar CADR and are all suited for 360 sq. ft. rooms. With those numbers in mind, it is clear that the C545 offers a great $ to CADR ratio with extra smart features, not bad.

An old design that’s compensated with a few aces up its sleeve

The Winix C545 won’t stand out from the crowd for its looks, but it remains functional and offers smart features.

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I’d venture to say classic rectangular-shaped air purifiers are making a comeback; they seem to be regaining protagonism after cylindrical units occupied the central stage for some time. Take, for example, the bold-looking Coway Airmega 150 or the sober and stylish SmartAir SA600.

While the C545 is not among the latest releases in the industry, its rectangular body with a front air intake benefits from this trend.

The C545 comes in an all-white matte style with curbed edges, and is shorter and somewhat chunkier than the larger (and darker) 5500-2 and the 5300-2.

While newer Winiexes come with a magnetized tab to fasten the front cover, the front panel on the C545 is only attached to the body by clips. True, many units on the market rely solely on tabs (take the TaoTronics TT-AP003, for example, although it has an extra clip compared to the Winix). Still, it is worth pointing out the magnet feature ensures a more secure attachment.

The controls on the Winix C545 are straightforward and self-explanatory, so you can set it up and have it running without browsing the manual – although I usually take a look when unboxing a new unit.

Instead of having just one button to cycle through the four different fan speeds, the C545 comes with arrow buttons to go back and forth between Auto Mode, four different fan speeds and Sleep Mode.

The P – 3SEC legend stands for PlasmaWave®. To toggle the PlasmaWave® function, you’ll need to press the two arrows for three seconds simultaneously. The white LED light will indicate when it’s activated (light on) or deactivated (light off). By default, the unit will turn on with PlasmaWave enabled — I’m not a fan of that.

The Auto-mode in the C545 is possible thanks to the onboard air quality sensors, which will adjust the fan speed to tackle the level of pollutants detected. The LED light on the control panel will indicate the air quality in the room with a color-coded scale:

LED indicator	Fan speed
🔴 red for polluted air	Top fan speed
🟠 amber for fair air	Medium fan speed
🔵 blue for good air quality	Low fan speed

That’s the industry-standard Auto mode, but the Winix C545 has an extra perk: it has a built-in light sensor that detects the amount of ambient light in the room.

So, when in Auto mode, the moment you turn off the lights, the unit will turn to Sleep mode automatically. It will adjust the fan speed to the lowest, reducing noise output, and turn off all LED lights (except for the night mode light, though).

The Winix Smart app is usually reserved for top-tier air purifiers, such as the 9800 ($329). However, for tech enthusiasts on a budget, the C545 fits the bill — at least for North American users.

Tip

As of January 2021, the Winix Smart app is no longer available in Europe or the UK due to the EU general data protection regulation.

Therefore, for those based in Europe or the UK to whom app support was a key driver to getting the C545, I’d suggest checking out the Winix 5500-2, which comes with a remote control and a more robust pelleted activated carbon filter.

Or check out the Levoit Vital 200S, which offers remote access to the unit through the user-friendly Vesync app.

The Winix Smart app will let you create schedules, monitor indoor and outdoor air quality, track the filter’s life (and get alerts when it’s time to replace it), and logically control the unit remotely from wherever you are. As a bonus, you’ll also be able to command the Winix C545 with Amazon’s Alexa.

DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP 

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Although you get useful features and an enhanced experience with the app, I must say that it’s not the most intuitive one:

The signing-up process is tedious and a bit of a maze. Luckily, you just need to do this once.

You’ll have to grant the app access to your exact location. Winix claims this is just to provide outdoor air quality readings, but it won’t let you go through the pairing process without it.

The app sometimes loses connection with the unit. This can be easily fixed by closing and reopening the app, but it would be nice to see the Winix team permanently solve the issue.

Winix four-stage filtration: mechanical filters boosted by PlasmaWave®

The C545 comes with a robust True HEPA filter for particles but a weak activated carbon filter that falls short when dealing with serious VOCs.

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Almost every air purifier comes with a single set of filters for you to get the unit up and running the moment you take it out of the box. Well, Winix went the extra mile with the C545 and added an additional set (which could last up to 12 months!) That’s right, when you buy a C545, you get two years’ worth of indoor air cleaning. Nice touch, Winix!

But then, there are some highs and lows to the C545 filters worth considering before making up your mind. Let’s start with the good.

Like all Winix air purifiers, the C545 features AHAM-verified True HEPA filters capable of removing 99.97% of particulate air pollutants from the air as small as 0.3 microns. The filter traps dust, pollen, mold spores, dander, smoke particles, bacteria and more, boosted by the unit’s 246 CFM Clean Air Delivery Rate.

A second advantage of the C545 four-stage filtration is the removable pre-filter. Picking up on the rectangular-shaped air purifiers’ comeback, I’d say this type of pre-filter is one good reason behind it.

In budget cylindrical units, like the Leoivt Core series (200S, 300, 400S and 600S) or the Shark HP102, you usually find pre-filters fitted into the HEPA, which makes maintenance a lot trickier. But when you get a removable pre-filter, you will find that it’s much easier to stay on top of vacuuming and washing the mesh.

Winix suggests cleaning their pre-filters every two weeks. It’s pretty often, for sure. But by doing this, you extend the life of your HEPA, as the pre-filter traps larger particles such as lint, hair and pet fur that would otherwise clog the main filter faster.

The greatest downside of the C545 is the activated carbon filter.

Activated carbon filters trap VOCs and odors through adsorption: the gas molecules stick to the carbon, accumulating on its surface. The Winix C545 comes with a thin fabric impregnated with activated carbon, which is less effective when compared to a filter with pelleted activated charcoal.

Utilizing carbon-impregnated filters means there is a far smaller surface for the pollutants to adhere to. This leads to filters that become full (and ineffective) way faster than you’d like.

You can see how flimsy the activated carbon filter in the Winix 5300-2 and the C545 look when compared to the sturdier pelleted activated carbon on the Winix 5500-2 (right):

Tip

The C545 carbon filter needs replacement every three months. As mentioned above, you are covered for two years as the air purifier comes with eight of these. But while the unit and app show the HEPA filter’s lifespan, you’ll have to keep track of the activated carbon filter’s life cycle.

What you need to know about PlasmaWave®

The last stage of Winix filtration is the PlasmaWave® function. To put it in (very) plain terms, bipolar ionizers on Winix units alter the composition of airborne gas molecules and particles. These are either neutralized and turned into water (H2O) molecules or regroup into bigger, heavier clusters that are thus drawn into the ground (or any other surfaces in the house).

As a disclaimer, I’m not 100% into ionization, no matter if it is unipolar or bipolar. Even when the air purifiers’ ozone emission is tested, such as in the case of the Winix units, introducing ions into the air can alter all kinds of airborne molecules and particles, such as fumes from ordinary cleaning products, and potentially produce dangerous by-products. In my view, compensating a weak activated carbon filter with an ionizer is not the smartest (nor safest) choice.

Besides, those re-formed ion-particle clusters will deposit all around you, the HEPA filter won’t trap them all. As proof, you’ll notice more dust around the air purifier when the PlasmaWave® is on.

Tip

New filters always come in plastic wrappings. When you open the C545’s front panel, you’ll find the 2-years worth of filter supply, each individually packed.

Remember to remove the plastic before placing the filters in the unit, but do so only for the set you’ll be using first. Put away the remaining ones with their packaging intact: the plastic protects the filters and prevents them from trapping any airborne particles while stored.

The Winix C545 cleared our test room in 26 minutes

Although somewhat old, the C545 can still compete with newer units.

At HouseFresh, we run a series of performance tests for every single unit we review. We like taking matters into our own hands to contrast manufacturers’ specs. We evaluate the air purifiers’ performance in real-life situations – mirroring the use you’d give the unit at home.

Our first step is the air cleaning performance test. We light incense to generate particulate pollution in the same 728 cubic feet we test all units. Then, we measure the time it takes to remove the smallest PM1.0 particles using two Purple Air sensors: the Touch and Zen.

These were the results of the Winix C545:

Air cleaning performance results, compared

The C545 took 26 minutes to remove all PM1 particles from our 728 cubic ft. test room. This is above average on the spectrum of mid-sized affordable air purifiers.

With such speedy results, the Winix C545 outpaced more powerful and costly units like the Mila and Levoit Core 400S.

While it didn’t outbeat the Levoit Vital 200S, it was three minutes faster than the TaoTronics AP-003. Similarly, upon comparison with other Winixes, the C545 felt behind the 5500-2 but trimmed off a whole minute of the non-smart but otherwise almost identical 5300-2.

Noise levels results, compared

Cleaning efficiency is undoubtedly a key indicator of an air purifier’s performance. However, considering the air purifier will be running in the background for most of your time at home, the noise output can also be a decisive factor.

By measuring the noise levels of the Winix C545, we found out the output was:

It’s not the quietest Sleep mode we’ve come across, but it is still silent enough to let you rest unbothered. At top speed, though, the C545 gets noisy. On the bright side, it comes with app support and the Winix Smart App allows you to create custom schedules. You can program or command the unit to do a deep air clean before you get home.

Here’s how the Winix C545 compares to other units:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dB)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Coway Airmega 150	55.6 dB	33 minutes
TaoTronics AP-003	54.2 dB	26 minutes
Winix C545	59.2 dB	19 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	57.7 dB	18 minutes
Smart Air SA600	52.5 dB	33 minutes

I know from personal experience that noise levels are subjective. Have a listen at our full sound test to see whether the C545 is too noisy for you:

The cost to run a Winix C545: $190.52 per year

An affordable air purifier with average long-term running costs.

1. Electricity costs = $77.79 per year

Air purifiers are like any other appliance: they add to the electricity bill. Energy costs are rising worldwide and are a pressing matter for some households. Knowing your energy consumption will help you plan your monthly expenses and decide if a unit is right for your home.

Winix units have the PlasmaWave® feature; common sense would suggest that with the ionizer on, the unit would need more power to operate. However, we found no significant difference after measuring the energy consumption with the PlasmaWave® on and off.

However, there is a leap when comparing the energy consumption at the bottom and top fan speeds, which range from 4.15 to 51 watts. There’s no mystery here: the fan needs more energy to pull in extra air at the top speed than on the lowest setting.

The C545 is the most efficient than other Winix devices, such as the 5500-2 (51 watts) and 5300-2 (53.46 watts) when running at top speed.

However, units at a similar price point and similar CADR, like the Levoit Vital 200S or the all-affordable TaoTronics TT-AP003, consume far less energy annually ($37.84 and $30.48, respectively).

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Coway Airmega 150	31.55 watts	33 minutes
TaoTronics AP-003	36.5 watts	26 minutes
Smart Air SA600	60 watts	33 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	44.55 watts	18 minutes
Winix C545	51.30 watts	19 minutes

2. Filter costs = $59.99 per year

While you get replacement filters to last for two years with the Winix C545, air purifiers are built to last longer.

The C545 uses the S Filters. It’s worth noting that, as an older unit, genuine replacement filters are not always easy to come by. When writing this review, for example, the genuine S Filters are missing from the Winix Store at Amazon. However, they are available on the Winix web at $60 for a year’s worth.

On the other hand—and for the same reason—plenty of generic Winix S filters are available on Amazon for $34.99, which is $17.50 a year for two HEPA and four odor filters.

PUREBURG Filters Compatible with WINIX PlasmaWave P150 B151 C545 Purifiers | Filter C 113050 & Filter S 1712-0096-00, 2 HEPA Filters + 8 Carbon Pre-Filters for Dust, Pollen, Pet Dander & Odors

COMPLETE REPLACEMENT SET – Includes 2 HEPA filters and 8 activated carbon pre-filters, providing multiple replacements in one convenient pack.
COMPATIBILITY – Designed for use with WINIX PlasmaWave P150, B151 and C545 air purifiers. Replaces Filter C 113050 and Filter S 1712-0096-00. Please verify your model before ordering.
MULTI-LAYER FILTRATION – The pleated HEPA media helps capture airborne particles such as dust, pollen and pet dander, while the carbon pre-filter helps reduce common household odors.
8 CARBON PRE-FILTERS – Extra carbon pre-filters make routine filter changes convenient and help capture larger particles before air reaches the main HEPA filter.
EASY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE – Designed for a straightforward fit and replacement. Replace filters as needed based on usage and indoor conditions to help maintain airflow and filtration performance.

The C545’s replacement filters are not among the most expensive, but considering the odor/activated carbon filter is not exceptional, I wouldn’t consider them the most affordable either. Once again, when comparing with similar units, a two-set of filters for the TaoTronics TT-AP003 costs only $35, while the Levoit Vital 200S filter price rises no further than $60 a year.

Bottom line

With affordable long-term costs and featuring app support, the C545 is a solid option.

The Costco hype that is turning the old Winix C545 into a popular unit once again is not unfunded.

It boasts a fine CADR score and a better cost-per-CADR ratio when compared to similar air purifiers. Besides, the unobtrusive design, removable pre-filter and a fair share of smart features make the unit very easy to live with.

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As for the C545 shortcomings, I would point out two. First (and most significant to me), is the lack of pelleted activated carbon on the odor filters. Having to replace these every three months just to get subpar VOCs and odor filtration in return is not great.

It would be nice to see some improvements done to the Winix Smart App, especially in terms of UI and UX as it would be good to have an app that is more intuitive for the user. Needless to say, the company should also review the app’s privacy policy to comply with European and UK legislation.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Winix C545 for 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.174/kWh as of April 29th, 2024.

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The price of clean indoor air in every country

Dec 17, 2025May 25, 2024 by Danny Ashton

The home should be the safest place a family can be. But no lock and key can keep out the effects of air pollution. Aside from the unbound nature of motor and industrial pollution, one-third of the world’s population uses air-polluting stoves and fuels to cook meals. This latter pollution alone causes around 3.2 million deaths each year, including nearly a quarter of a million children under five.

While deaths of this nature are in slight decline, air pollution from fossil fuels and industrialization continue to take a bigger toll. And while the effects are more pronounced in other parts of the world, the U.S. is no exception. Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, where pollution is often up to five times as dense as outdoors.

But another level of inconsistency exists in the cost of coping with bad air. The price and accessibility of air purifiers and electricity vary considerably around the world. To find where it’s cheapest or least affordable to keep indoor air fresh, the team here at HouseFresh identified an affordable, effective and widely available air purifier and calculated the cost of buying and running it in every country for a year.

We found the cost of buying or importing three Levoit Core 300 air purifiers in every country (with these units, one could filter the air of a three-room, 680-square-foot home). And then, we added the local cost of running these three units 24/7 for 365 days a year for each territory by using the unit’s energy consumption rate and the average local electricity prices.

Key findings

Clean indoor air is most expensive in Ghana, where it costs $1,852 to maintain clean air in a home for one year.
Keeping the air clear of pollutants at home is the cheapest in Thailand ($434/year).
The U.S. has the cheapest clean indoor air in North America ($482/year).
In the UK, keeping the air clean in a home for one year could cost up to $815 (£655).

How much does each country pay for clean air at home?

We found that six of the ten countries with the most expensive clean air are in Africa and two (Cambodia and Afghanistan) are in Asia. Moreover, 23 of the 30 most expensive countries are in either Africa or Asia.

However, Asian countries also comprise eight of the ten lowest-cost markets for fresh household air. The United States ($539) and Serbia ($515) are also among the ten cheapest spots.

01 The Price of Clean Indoor Air in Every Country

The most expensive place of all is Ghana in Africa. Here, it costs $1,852 for one year of clean air; that’s 3.8 times as expensive as in the U.S. This is mainly due to the cost of buying the air purifier in the first place. Of the ten most expensive countries, Burkina Faso and Belize stand out for earning their places with high energy costs rather than expensive hardware.

As our next graphic illustrates, Ghanaians are also coping with high levels of PM2.5 — fine particulate matter. This matter can come from industrial, automobile or domestic sources and consists of particles that are under 1/30^th the diameter of a strand of human hair. Desert dust is a particular issue during the dry season in Ghana, but motor vehicles are also to blame. A policy shifting car users significantly towards public transport, walking and cycling could save up to 5,500 premature deaths every year.

02 Air Pollution vs Price of Clean Indoor Air

Iraq has the world’s highest PM2.5 levels and is among the 26 most expensive countries for clean indoor air. Iceland has the lowest PM2.5 levels (from countries with available data). However, volcanic activity can make matters worse — spewing ash and gasses that break down to PM2.5 scale within a month. Unfortunately, we found that Iceland also is one of Europe’s most expensive countries for air purifiers.

The most and least expensive countries for indoor clean air by continent

The annual cost of purifying the air at home varies by at least $600 on every continent. Our following maps reveal the cost disparity across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

North America

The Caribbean countries of Belize ($1,534) and the Cayman Islands ($1,300) stand out as North America’s most expensive markets for home air purification. The set-up costs are over $100 higher in Belize, but Cayman Islanders pay $0.42/ kWh for electricity — nearly twice Belize’s rate ($0.22).

Fortunately, Belize has relatively low PM2.5 levels of around 5.6 μg/m³. By comparison, the North American country with the highest PM2.5 levels is Mexico, with Mexico 19.5 μg/m³.

03 The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Clean Indoor Air in North America

The United States ($482) has the cheapest air purifier costs on the continent and the sixth cheapest globally. A decent purifier can cost as little as $100 in the U.S., although with electricity costing $0.17/kWh, the process isn’t as cheap as it might be. America’s PM2.5 concentration averages around 8.9 μg/m³.

The effects of air pollution in the U.S. are far from even. One study found that “the harmful effect of fine particulate matter on life expectancy is especially pronounced in states with both very high levels of income inequality and very large black populations.”

South America

We found three South American states with a four-figure price tag on that first year of clean indoor air: Argentina ($1,328), Colombia ($1,228) and Brazil ($965). Argentina suffers from particularly expensive set-up costs, while Colombian families pay around 3.4 times as much for electricity.

Particulate levels are notably higher in Colombia. Around 8% of deaths in Colombia are linked to water and air pollution, with parts of the Aburrá Valley and the Bogotá towns of Puente Aranda, Carvajal and Kennedy among the worst affected.

04 The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Clean Indoor Air in South America

Venezuela ($554) is the cheapest South American country for clean indoor air. The country benefits from low set-up costs and modest electricity prices of $0.09/kWh. However, climate change-induced extreme weather events, illegal mining and deforestation contribute to an ongoing environmental crisis in the country.

Europe

Substantial energy costs and an air cleaner price that’s around twice or more that of the U.S. push several European countries into the four-figure area. Liechtenstein ($1,055) has the highest overall price for clean indoor air. This can be attributed to electricity costs of $0.51/kWh — the second highest in the world next to Ireland.

Sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein has a permanent population of just 40,000 people. Although Liechtenstein’s fine particulate levels are towards the lower end of the scale (8.3 μg/m³), levels of atmospheric ammonia — an agricultural byproduct — continue to outpace efforts at reduction.

05 The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Clean Indoor Air in Europe

The UK ($815) has the 14^th highest price of clean indoor air in Europe. As with Liechtenstein, this is mostly due to phenomenally high electricity costs ($0.44/kWh – the 4th highest in the world). The UK’s PM2.5 levels slightly outstrip Liechtenstein’s at 8.9 μg/m³.

The UK government’s air pollution targets (10 µg/m³) are twice as high as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends (5 µg/m³) – and the target is not set to be met until 2040. In 2020, nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah became the first person in the UK to have her cause of death listed as air pollution. She died from an asthma attack in 2013, having grown up just 25 meters from the busy South Circular Road in south-east London.

Asia

Countries across different Asian regions are among the world’s most expensive for clean indoor air. But the most expensive by a significant leap is Cambodia ($1,645). Cambodia has among the highest set-up costs in the world and not insignificant electricity rates of $0.15/kWh.

The Cambodian government launched a “Blue Sky Campaign” in 2023 and has reduced the number of wildfires while introducing cleaner fuels. The country’s rural population has long suffered from the effects of agricultural fires and waste incineration, and 95% of the rural population uses harmful cooking methods and fuels.

06 The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Clean Indoor Air in Asia

However, Asia is also home to some of the cheapest countries for clean indoor air. Home air conditioning set-up costs in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Malaysia are among the lowest in the world, and with low-moderate electricity costs, too.

Thailand ($434) is the cheapest country in the world overall for clean indoor air. This is fortunate as the country suffers from severe air pollution, with over 10 million Thais seeking treatment for pollution-related illnesses in 2023.

Africa

Africa is home to the two most expensive countries for clean indoor air: Ghana ($1,852, see The price of clean indoor air around the world, above) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($1,801). Ghana is expensive primarily due to the cost of air purifiers, while Congo has the most expensive filters in our study.

Congo is Africa’s most polluted country. Air pollution alone reduces life expectancy in Congo by 2.9 years, compared to what it would be if the country met World Health Organization guidelines.

07 The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Clean Indoor Air in Africa

Despite ongoing poverty across much of Africa, there are no African countries among the cheapest in the world for clean indoor air. Africa’s cheapest countries are Algeria ($568) and Angola ($556), but there are 11 Asian countries that are cheaper, as well as the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Luxembourg and Serbia.

Angola has cheap purifier set-up costs and electricity at just $0.02/kWh. However, Angola’s cheap energy is available to only a few homes. Some 57% of urban homes and 90% of rural homes are not connected to the grid.

How to make your own air purifier

A decent, shop-bought air purifier will combine engineering know-how with dependable materials and expert awareness of the scientific and regulatory factors at play. But if you prefer to build your own hardware, or find yourself at home on a bad air day with no working purifier to hand, it isn’t too hard to put your own basic machine together. Here’s how.

Box fan
MERV 13 filter
Strong tape
Scissors
Screwdriver

Step 1: Buy materials

The main things you might not have at home are a box fan, HEPA filters and strong duct or gaffer tape. Make sure the filters you buy are large enough to cover the whole fan without stretching past the edges.

Step 2: Remove the speed dial from the fan

Needless to say, make sure to unplug the fan before you start removing parts. Turn the dial to the fastest speed setting before pulling it off with your hand or pliers.

How To Make a DIY Air Purifier Remove dial

Step 3: Remove the front grill from the fan

With most box fans, you should be able to unscrew the grill — but if it’s molded, use metal cutters.

How To Make a DIY Air Purifier Remove Grill

Step 4: Stick the MERV 13 filter on

Place the filter carefully on the front of the fan and make sure there are no gaps around the edges. Stick it down with the duct tape.

Step 5: Switch it on

The fan will suck air through, catching pollutants in the HEPA filter. You should change this filter at least twice a year.

Tip

If you want to build your own DIY air purifier, you can find more detailed instructions here.

The increase in wildfires and other air pollutants makes an air purifier more than an annoying expense — they are an essential part of the modern home. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re getting the best one for your needs (for example, one that deals with construction dust well) and that can keep your indoor air as clean as possible for the minimum necessary price.

SOURCES

To determine the cost of clean indoor air worldwide, we calculated the cost of buying and running three Levoit Core 300 air purifiers (with two filter changes per unit) for a year in every country.

To research the cost of Levoit 300 units and filters, we first sourced prices for countries that Levoit operates in and hence could order directly from their website. For other countries, we sourced prices from local popular online marketplaces. For the remaining countries (particularly the African countries), we manually gathered data on the cost to import a Levoit Core 300 air purifier using local importers.

The cost to run these three units 24/7 for 365 days a year was calculated by factoring in energy consumption (35.5 watts per hour at speed level 3) and the average electricity prices in every country, sourced from globalpetrolprices.com.

These prices are in USD and are correct as of April 2024.

We decided to use the Core 300 for this research because it is a widely available air purifier (with a significant CADR of 145 CFM) that we can confidently say will be able to clean the air in rooms as large as 219 sq. ft. According to the performance tests we conducted when reviewing the Levoit Core 300, this is one of the best-performing low-priced air purifiers available on the market right now.

We accounted for three Levoit Core 300 units in order to cover an entire household, guaranteeing clean air in important areas such as the kitchen (where cooking generates particulate matter), the bedroom (where having an air purifier can remove allergens and improve sleep) and the living room or other living areas (where air purifiers can remove pet hair, dust, pollen, allergens and reduce the risk of exposure to airborne viruses).

How we test air purifiers

Feb 23, 2026Apr 22, 2024 by Danny Ashton

HouseFresh air purifier performance test

Unlike most consumer products, the work an air purifier does is hidden from the naked eye.

You could think that an air purifier has cleaned the air in your bedroom, but unless you have a high-quality laser sensor, you could still be breathing in harmful tiny particles.

It would be great if you could trust manufacturer claims, but sadly manufacturers want you to buy their product and will say what they need to say to make it so.

That is why HouseFresh exists.

Objective performance testing

We use incense smoke and an optical particle counter sensor to track how fast air purifiers clean the air in our test room.

Since 2021, we have been testing the air cleaning power of air purifiers with the help of PurpleAir laser sensors. We built our own tool to connect to the PurpleAir API, so we can pull regular readings of PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 particle levels in our 728 cubic ft. test room while we are running a test, which allows us to produce performance graphs like this:

We upgraded to the PurpleAir Zen sensor in 2024 after using their Touch sensor for three years. We re-tested all our air purifiers with the new Zen sensor, which took us a few months but it allowed us to collect fresh particle removal data.

We moved to the PurpleAir Zen sensor because it is more accurate than the Touch as it utilizes PurpleAir’s PA-II sensors and has two PMS6003 optical particle counter sensors for improved accuracy. Smart Air recently confirmed the PA-II to be the most accurate sensor in a study that compared accuracy across 55 different sensors.

In addition to upgrading the sensor, we also moved to filming all our particle removal tests, making sure to include the creation of the graph in real-time on screen.

Comprehensive sound testing

We use a sound level monitor to measure the decibels of noise the air purifiers generate when running at each fan speed.

While air cleaning performance is the most important feature of an air purifier, we also consider sound levels generated because we know that noisy devices are likely to gather dust in a corner without being used regularly.

Many air purifier manufacturers include sound in decibels when running the device at the highest fan speed based on their own tests. Unfortunately, we have found that some brands will understate these figures, so we know it’s important to gather our own data.

We use our trusted sound level monitor to record noise levels in decibels generated by the air purifier when running at every fan speed from 3 ft. away.

As with our air cleaning performance test, each device is tested for sound in the same location and using the same tools, so results can be compared across different brands and models.

Since 2024, we have moved to film this test as well and in 2025 we started uploading all tests as soon as they are ready to our Patreon, for those who don’t want to wait till the full review is out.

Accurate energy consumption testing

We use our energy meter to record how much electricity the air purifiers consume in watts when running at each fan speed.

Air purifiers generally need to be left running 24/7, especially when dealing with issues such as allergies or outdoor air pollution. However, some of these devices have power-hungry motors and fans that can result in hefty energy bills.

That is why we test each device with an energy meter to measure how much wattage is pulled at each fan speed, including sleep mode and standby functions.

Since 2024, we started conducting sound and energy consumption tests at the same time and all tests are recorded in video, so readers can see how much electricity is pulled.

Associated long-term costs

We calculate how much money you will spend replacing HEPA and activated carbon filters across 12 months.

Another cost that consumers buying an air purifier for the first time might not be fully aware of is the cost of replacing filters. Small air purifiers might require two filter changes per year, and since filters range from $50 to $100 per filter, the costs can add up quickly.

That is why we always calculate filter replacement costs for every air purifier we review, sharing both genuine and generic filter prices.

We use manufacturer data on filter lifespan and always stick to the shortest estimate (e.g. if the manufacturer states 6-12 months, we will calculate filter replacement costs with 6 months as our base).

Once we have the latest filter price data and the added costs to your energy bill, we can estimate yearly running costs so this information can easily be compared across devices.

Quality-of-life features, materials and first-hand experience

We use the air purifiers in our home, putting all the features to the test in real-life scenarios.

If you have never used an air purifier before, you are likely unaware of the many features that can benefit you in the long term.

By using these devices in our homes, we can test out auto-modes in real time, use their smartphone apps from our phones, run them at night with sleep mode on, experience how easy (or hard) it is to move them around the house, and test how straightforward it is to clean and maintain the filters.

This allows us to write comprehensive reviews of what it’s like to live with these air purifiers day in and day out. It also gives us enough time to uncover faults and issues that won’t show up during a simple photoshoot of the unit.

But we don’t stop there. We are happy to open the air purifier to explore its internals when something doesn’t sit right.

This is how we can identify the different parts and materials being used, highlighting issues that you won’t see when looking at the air purifier from the outside.

Estimating PM1 CADR scores at different fan speeds

We use the data from our particle removal tests to estimate the clean air delivery rate of each air purifier at different fan speeds.

CADR tests completed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers are conducted at full power, so those CADR scores you see in specs tables and marketing materials only apply if you are going to use the air purifier a top speed.

The reality, however, is that most air purifiers are very loud at top speed so you are unlikely to use them at full power in your day-to-day.

That is why, in 2025, we have started estimating PM1 CADR figures based on the data from our particle removal tests, taking into account the natural ventilation of our 728 cubic feet test room.

Calculating the HouseFresh score

We have developed a weighted scoring system that turns all our data into a scorecard for each air purifier.

In 2025, we started calculating an overall score for each air purifier we review that incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. This is a weighted score so not all categories have equal importance and, in some cases, the lack of certain features could lead to points being taken away.

Here is a breakdown of each of the categories:

Performance: How well a model cleared our 728 cubic feet test room of PM1 particles when running at its highest and sub-45dBA speeds. A model that scores well for performance offers excellent air cleaning performance even at low fan speeds.

Value for money: How much air cleaning power the model offers per dollar spent both when running at top speed and its highest sub-45 dBA speed. A model that scores well for value for money has a low cost per CADR.

Ongoing costs: How expensive it is to run the model in the long term, based on annual electricity and filter replacement costs. A model that scores well for ongoing costs has lower yearly maintenance costs.

User experience & design: This score includes multiple aspects of UX and design, such as noise levels, filter quality, features, maneuverability, filter lifespan and usability.

Brand transparency & trust: How trustworthy the manufacturer behind this model is, based on how well established the company is, how easy it is to track down the organization behind the brand, and how informative and accurate they are in their website and marketing. This factor is not included in the scoring calculations of DIY purifiers, as it would be unfair for it to affect the overall score.

Customer service: How good the experience is as a customer, based on customer service response times, availability of FAQs and manuals on the manufacturer’s website, ease of return process and refund policy. This factor is not included in the scoring calculations of DIY purifiers, as it would be unfair for it to affect the overall score.

You can explore our leaderboard in the chart below:

We are still refining our scoring system and our interactive ranking, so if you have any feedback, please drop a comment below.

Assessing the value of a device with comparable data

We use our first-hand data and long-term experience with every unit we have ever tested to decide whether a device will be good value for your money.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the air purifier industry has been flooded by overpriced devices sold to unsuspecting customers with clever marketing tactics.

Consumers today are being duped into buying useless gimmicks with the help of untested claims and even outright lies, massively overpaying for what is basically just a fan and a filter.

By using a repeatable and comparable approach to testing, we hope to let the data guide more people away from these overhyped devices and toward those that effectively clean the air for a fair price and without excessive noise or energy usage.

We also understand that not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on an air purifier, so we are always on the lookout for devices that cost less but still perform well, including DIY options like the CR Box.

Continual improvements

We started testing air purifiers at the end of 2020 and are always looking at ways to improve. If you have any suggestions for how we can improve our testing and reviews, then be sure to reach out to me directly danny@housefresh.com

The countries and states most concerned about indoor air quality

Dec 17, 2025Apr 15, 2024 by G. John Cole

It’s easy to think that air pollution is only a problem for smog-filled cities, but the sad truth is that air pollution is all around, with one study finding that 99.82% of the planet’s land is exposed to unsafe levels of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). Depending on where you live, your local air quality might be negatively affected by factors like local industry, heavy traffic and even wildfires.

Getting home might seem like a breath of fresh air compared to the outside, but unfortunately, there can be allergy-triggering pollutants there, too, like pet dander, dust, mold spores and harmful gasses like radon and tobacco smoke. With the average American spending 90% of their time indoors, it’s no wonder that the EPA calls indoor air pollution one of the top five environmental risks to public health.

It’s a pressing issue, but how much of a concern is indoor air quality across the U.S. and around the world? And is that concern growing at all? Guided by online searches for air purifiers — which work by removing tiny particles and odors from the air — HouseFresh went to find out.

We recorded the average monthly Google search volume in 2023 for “air purifiers” (translated into the local language where applicable) in 150 countries and in every U.S. state. For each country and U.S. state, we then calculated how often air purifiers are searched for locally per 100k of the population (i.e., the higher the search volume, the higher the concern for indoor air quality). To track the change in indoor air quality concerns, we then calculated the % change in monthly search volume between 2018 and 2023 (2022 and 2023 for U.S. states).

KEY FINDINGS

Sweden is the most concerned country about indoor air quality: an average of 168 monthly online searches for air purifiers are made per 100k people.
But Croatia has gotten more concerned over time: between 2018 and 2023, average monthly searches increased by +507%.
In the U.S., Illinois is the most concerned state about indoor air quality, with an averageof 98.2 online searches for air purifiers made per month per 100k people.
New Hampshire has seen concerns about indoor air quality increase the most over time: between 2022 and 2023, online searches for air purifiers jumped by +29.7%.

Sweden leads as the most concerned country about indoor air quality

Our map below reveals the countries that are most concerned about indoor air quality, based on the average monthly number of online searches carried out for air purifiers per 100k of the population. Sweden comes top, with an average of 168 monthly searches made. Locals needn’t be as concerned as in other countries: outdoors, the Nordic country’s air is among the cleanest of any country in the world (based on PM2.5 levels), and looking indoors, Sweden has Europe’s lowest proportion of smokers.

Among the other most concerned countries is Australia (138.7 searches), where bushfires happen regularly. During bushfires, locals are often advised to keep their windows and doors sealed to prevent smoke from getting into the house. But one government report cites that — depending on the age and quality of a house — these actions only offer a level of protection between 12% to 76%. Air purifiers in these homes would offer extra protection from harmful airborne particles.

The United States is not so worried about air quality (39.7 searches), despite over a third of Americans living somewhere with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Croatia leads in as having seen the biggest year-on-year increase (+507%) between 2018 and 2023 in searches for air purifiers. Perhaps locals are eager to control the air they can, given that Croatia’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2022 was 4.7 times the WHO’s guideline value.

Illinois residents are the most concerned about the air quality indoors

In the U.S., Illinois ranks as the most concerned state about indoor air quality, with 98.2 online searches for air purifiers carried out per month for every 100k people. It’s no wonder that air quality is a concern for Illinois residents: in 2023, the Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI area ranked among the most polluted cities in the country for ozone and year-round particle pollution.

03 Air purifier capital states map concerned

Massachusetts comes next with 97 online searches per 100k people, where air pollution is responsible for an estimated 2,780 deaths a year. Other states in New England also place highly: Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut. It could be that locals are reacting to last year’s localized increase in outdoor air pollution due to wildfires in Canada; wildfire smoke can enter the home through open windows and doors and ventilation units.

West Virginia — where 20% of adults smoke (more than any other state) — ranks somewhere in the middle of all the U.S. states, with an average 73.2 searches made per month for air purifiers.

04 Air purifier capital states increased

When it comes to increased concern over indoor air quality, New Hampshire leads, having seen a +29.7% jump in the average monthly number of searches for air purifiers in 2023 compared to 2022. As well as the aforementioned wildfires in Canada, three in five households in the state use petroleum products as their primary heating fuel (a rate seven times higher than the national average). Burning fuel oil releases emissions like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

Nevada comes second (+26.4%), where (like New England) wildfires in neighboring areas — combined with ozone — are contributors to poor air quality.

Understanding the causes of poor indoor air quality

We’ve gone over some of the contributors to poor indoor air quality, but take a look at our infographic below to find out how different types of pollutants can affect different rooms in your home.

Easy ways you can improve indoor air quality

If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, here are our five top tips to help improve the health of the air in your own home.

1. Let fresh air in

The American Lung Association advises opening your windows for ten minutes every day to let fresh air circulate in your home (unless you live near a busy highway or pollution-emitting factory).

Tip

Make sure to check what the local air quality is like each day; if the air is particularly polluted (perhaps from a local wildfire), it’s best to keep your windows shut.

2. Install a carbon monoxide alarm

Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that is produced when fuel is burned. It can leak out of appliances like stoves, fireplaces and furnaces. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home to ensure your indoor air is safe to breathe.

3. Stop smoking

According to the Environmental Protection Agency: “There is no known safe level of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.” If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to give up the habit completely, cut down or smoke outside if they have to.

Tip

For those who share a home with a smoker, I suggest reading our advice on how to minimize secondhand smoke.

4. Get a dehumidifier

Too much moisture in the home (e.g., from condensation in the bathroom) can cause mold to form, which can worsen asthma and cause respiratory issues. A dehumidifier works by extracting moisture from the air, lowering the chance of mold forming.

5. Stay on top of cleaning

Make sure you remove mold thoroughly if you find it in your home. You can make cleaning solutions using low-cost ingredients. Pet dander and dust in the air can trigger allergies, too, so try to vacuum your home at least once or twice a week (more regularly if you have pets) and keep surfaces free of dust with a microfiber cloth.

Tip

You may also want to consider investing in an air quality sensor to monitor the health of the air in your home and an air purifier, which works by removing pollutants from the air and filtering them safely out.

Methodology

To generate these tables, we started by translating the phrase “air purifier” into 136 different languages.

Then, using the Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, we logged the average monthly Google search volume in 2023 for every country. We repeated this process with the DataForSEO tool to retrieve 2023 data for every U.S. State.

(Note that country search volumes were adjusted based on each country’s Google market share, sourced from gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-host-market-share/)

We then calculated the search volume per 100,000 people in every country and state to assess the relative concern for each region.

To monitor the change in indoor air quality concerns by country, we calculated the % change in monthly search volume from 2018 to 2013.

To monitor the change in indoor air quality concerns by state, we calculated the % change in monthly search volume from 2022 to 2023.

The data is correct as of January 2024.

SOURCES

Asthma + Lung UK. (2023). Air pollution at home. asthmaandlung.org.uk
Dupraz-Dobias, P. (2023). Indoor air pollution: a slow killer in need of awareness, data, and investment. healthpolicy-watch.news
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). What Are Possible Sources of Indoor Air Pollution? cdc.gov
Just Energy. (2023). Indoor air pollution: sources and effects. justenergy.com
Laurent, J. G. C. Et al. (2021). Associations between acute exposures to PM2.5 and carbon dioxide indoors and cognitive function in office workers: a multicountry longitudinal prospective observational study. doi.org
NIH. (2011). Tobacco smoke particles and indoor air quality (ToPIQ) – the protocol of a new study. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Qualls, M. (2023). How to improve home air quality with pets. iaq.works
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Indoor air quality. epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). The inside story: A guide to indoor air quality. epa.gov
World Economic Forum. (2022). Indoor air pollution: What causes it and how to tackle it. weforum.org
Vernon, E. (2023). What are the major sources of indoor air pollution? metrikus.io
Wilson, M. (2023). Chicago leads in office return, outpacing national trends. chicagostarmedia.com
World Health Organization: WHO. (2022). Household air pollution. who.int
Zhang, Q. Et al. (2010). Measurement of Ultrafine Particles and Other Air Pollutants Emitted by Cooking Activities. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AirDoctor 3000 review

Aug 30, 2026Mar 27, 2024 by Danny Ashton

AirDoctor is a brand launched by Peter Spiegel in 2016 and sits under the umbrella of Ideal Living, which has been in business since 1999 and has 146 employees, according to Linkedin. In August 2026, independent filmmaker Reckless Ben published a documentary on YouTube that presents some serious allegations about Spiegel.

In terms of their air purifiers, AirDoctor devices are designed in the USA and manufactured in China. Their unique selling point is the use of UltraHEPA filters, which AirDoctor says perform 100x better than standard HEPA. So I bought an AirDoctor 3000 with my own money to test this claim.

To do this, we performed a series of tests to find out how effective their UltraHEPA is, how loud this unit can get and how much electricity it pulls, among other things. You can read more about our testing methodology here.

Search for AirDoctor (or any other model you are researching) to see where it ranks:

The pros and cons of the AirDoctor 3000

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

“The AD3000 is now discontinued. When I first tested it, over three years ago, this air purifier surprised me as I had mixed expectations for it after seeing the amount of marketing hype.

In our particle removal tests, it matched the performance of the Blueair Blue Pure 211+, which is a good result, clearing our test room in 20 minutes at top speed. However, it can get loud, reaching 63.6 decibels when running at full power.”

CONS

It comes at a high initial price, selling for over $500.

It’s also pretty loud, reaching 63.5 decibels at its highest, and you only get one fan speed below 45 decibels.

There is no app support unless you pay an extra $200 for the 3000i model — not worth it IMO.

It is power-hungry so you will spend more in electricity compared to newer models.

PROS

It has a high CADR. Based on our tests, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 299 cfm at full speed.

Auto-mode was quick to kick in, and you can easily see the LED sensor from across the room.

The filter lasts for up to 12 months compared to most other units with a 6-month filter life.

There is a good amount of generic filters available that bring down annual filter costs to only $40 per year.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 299 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 115 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 339 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	UltraHEPA filter and dual-action Carbon/Gas Trap/VOC filter
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):	448 sq. ft. (41 m²)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	19.87D x 27.16W x 12.38H inches (50.4D x 69W x 31.4H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	18 lbs (8 kg)
Filter life:	UltraHEPA filter: 12 months Carbon filter: 6 months
Noise level in decibels (from 3 ft. away):	Speed 1: 40.2 dBA Speed 2: 48.9 dBA Speed 3: 55.8 dBA Speed 4: 63.5 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0.5 watts Speed 1: 9.6 watts Speed 2: 17.6 watts Speed 3: 39.9 watts Speed 4: 93.2 watts
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

Design, controls and features

A large rectangular air purifier with an onboard sensor, an air quality indicator and an ionizer you can disable.

The design of the AirDoctor 3000 is definitely what you expect when you think of an air purifier.

In 2026, the AD3000 looks a little dated. Personally, I prefer the look of the EverestAir.

The control panel is clearly labeled, so it’s easy to figure out what each button will do.

On the far left, you get a button called ‘Ion’ that turns the ionizer function on and off.

It has a sensor that informs an air quality indicator light placed at the front, above the logo.

It’s a dim light that changes color depending on the air quality, going from blue (good) to (red) poor.

Tip

AirDoctor has a smart version of this device called the AirDoctor 3000i, but comes at a $200 premium, which seems a little high for WiFi connection and app support. If you’re unsure about which one to get, I would suggest you save yourself the $200 and stick to the AD3000.

Filtration technology

The AD3000 comes with two separate filters: one for particles and the other for odors.

I appreciate the use of separate filters over the bonded ones. That way, you can replace either filter when you need to without throwing away the full thing.

On their homepage, AirDoctor states that their UltraHEPA filter has been third-party lab tested by LMS Technologies as being capable of removing particles as small as 0.003 microns. It would have been good to see the lab report or at least to get a link to it somewhere.

But it’s not just a HyperHEPA filter, the AD 3000 also comes with an activated carbon filter too, which allows the unit to deal with gases and odors.

AirDoctor AD3500 Activated carbon filter

The filter comes with activated carbon pellets, which are more effective at adsorbing odors and chemical gases and have a longer life than carbon-impregnated fabric. You can see in this photo that the filter is packed with a good amount of carbon.

AirDoctor AD3500 Activated carbon filter pellets

Tip

As with all HEPA-based air purifiers, the AirDoctor 3000 filters will come in a plastic bag you must remove before turning the device on. If you forget to do this, you will just move dirty air around your room and not clean it.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the AD3000 in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense smoke.

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows that the AD3000 needed 20 minutes to reach PM1 zero. Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 299 cfm.

This makes this air purifier powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in large rooms up to 448 sq. ft (or 41 m²) when running at its highest fan speed.

When comparing these results against other air purifiers for medium-to-large rooms, we found that there are multiple models from brands like Blueair, Levoit, Winix and Xiaomi that offer better or equal performance at a cheaper price.

But, as I always say, performance at top speed only tells us half the story.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the AD3000 range from 40.2 to 63.5 dBA – – this is louder than other large air purifiers like the Blueair Signature Large or the Winix 9800.

If your air purifier is too loud, someone in your house will turn it off sooner or later. That is why we use a sound meter to measure how much noise in decibels the EverestAir generates at each fan speed from 3 ft. away:

The AirDoctor 3000 is on the loud side, reaching 63.5 dBA at top speed.

Every single air purifier model I benchmarked it against is quieter than this, with the closest one being the Xiaomi Elite and its 61.5 dBA.

AirDoctor AD3000 Top Performance vs Sound

The only fan speed below our 45-decibel limit for quiet performance tests is speed 1 at which the AD3000 generates 40.2 dBA.

Running at speed 1, it needed 51 minutes clear our test room – slower than most.

AirDoctor AD3000 Quiet Performance vs Sound

Long-term running costs

Running an Air Doctor 3000 will cost you $333.38 per year, combining energy and filter replacement costs.

As always, I used an energy meter to measure how much energy the AD3000 pulls at each fan speed and also while on standby.

AirDoctor AD3000 Electricity Consumption

This AirDoctor unit pulls 94.5 watts at top speed, so if you were to leave it running 24/7, it will add $155.88 to your energy bill by the end of the year, based on the average U.S. electricity price as of July 2026.

But there’s another factor that will affect the yearly maintenance costs of your AD3000: filter replacements.

According to AirDoctor, the carbon filter needs to be replaced every 6 months, whereas the UltraHEPA has a lifespan of 12 months. This means you will spend $178.00 each year in filter replacements.

We can add this to energy costs to work out the total yearly cost and compare it with the other devices I’m benchmarking this model against:

As you can see from the table, the AirDoctor 3000 is the most expensive air purifier to run over a year, compared to similarly performing models from brands like Winix and Levoit. This is a result of high energy consumption and expensive filter replacements.

Bottom line: Is the AirDoctor 3000 worth it?

The AD3000 is a powerful air purifier but in 2026, there are cheaper models from other brands that offer better air cleaning performance at quieter operation.

PRICE on amazon PRICE ON AIR DOCTOR

I didn’t expect to like this product as I was a little put off by the term “AirDoctor” and their claims about their UltraHEPA filter being able to capture particles 100 times smaller than the standard HEPA. I’ve seen my fair share of gaslighting from manufacturers, so I went into this review wary and ready to uncover the truth.

After my first round of tests, I was pleased to see that it offers good particle removal performance, comparable to some of the best air purifiers I’ve tested. Back in 2023, this was a serious contender, but in 2026, there are better options out there that will cost you less to buy and to run.

In fact, you can see in this chart that you’re expected to spend nearly $900 in the first year of owning an AirDoctor 3000 when we combine the list price with the yearly running cost – – this is the most expensive air purifier for new owners in my benchmark.

Perhaps that is the reason why AirDoctor decided to discontinue the 3000, as it’s just too dated and too power-hungry. Be aware that there is a new model called AirDoctor 3500, which, according to its CADR lab report, has the same level of air cleaning performance and features as the AirDoctor 3000 however, it is unable to use older generic filters due to a change they made in the design.

If you’re reading this and looking for a good performing air purifier for a large room with similar features to what you get with the AirDoctor, then my recommendation is to look at the Levoit EverestAir, the Winix 9800 or the Blueair Signature Large.

You can compare their performance using our air purifier comparison tool – – just look for the name of each model and you’ll get to compare the test results:

By the way, if you buy any of the air purifiers I recommended here using one of our links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is our main source of income and it allows us to buy air quality products so that we can test them and review them to share our findings. We are completely independent and don’t accept air purifiers for review and have no sponsorship deals with any brands. If you want to support our work in a different way, you can also buy us a coffee.

Do you have any questions about this AirDoctor air purifier? Please drop them in the comments below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

IQAir HealthPro Plus review

Dec 17, 2025Mar 19, 2024 by Danny Ashton

IQAir was founded in 1963 by Klaus and lifelong asthmatic Manfred Hammes to reduce indoor air pollution from coal smoke from ovens that people used in their homes at the time. All IQAir air purifiers are manufactured in Switzerland and southern Germany, which makes IQAir stand out against its competitors, who mainly produce devices in China.

The Hammes family still owns the company and is now a significant player in the air purifier markets across the U.S. and China. You can even watch Frank Hammes step into a smoke chamber with only the IQAir HealthPro Plus to protect him!

This particular model that I am reviewing is the IQAir HealthPro Plus 250, which is priced at $899 and is at the higher end of the budget for most home users. That is why I will try to uncover whether the HealthPro Plus is worth its significant price tag — I don’t want anybody to buy this expensive air purifier and then regret it.

As with all the air purifiers we review here at HouseFresh, we bought the IQAir HealthPro Plus with our money to test its performance, noise levels generated and electricity consumption. We don’t run ads on our site or accept freebies, so all our reviews are impartial, and we have no issues saying when a product sucks or doesn’t provide value. We do all this to compare different air purifiers side by side.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

In addition to running all these experiments in our test room, I have been using the unit in my home since 2022, so I can share my impressions of having an IQAir HealthPro Plus in real-life situations.

The lowdown on the IQAir Healthpro Plus

“The IQAir HealthPro plus is one of the best pure HEPA + Activated charcoal air purifiers on the market, BUT its outstanding performance doesn’t come cheap. It costs much more electricity and filter costs, which might be overkill for many household use cases.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

If you don’t have time to read my full review, you can just go through my pros and cons for a quick snapshot of my findings:

CONS

It comes at a high price of $1,199.99 but you get a 10-year warranty.

You can also expect to spend $161.28 each year in electricity costs — we measured the HealthPro Plus pulling 145.2 watts at top speed.

I found the wheels were challenging to fit, and a quick search on Google showed me that I wasn’t the only one.

This specific model has no app or auto-mode but if you want smartphone connectivity, you can get the HealthPro Plus XE.

PROS

The gas filter has 5 lbs of activated carbon but it’s still offers solid particle removal performance.

It comes with a large HyperHEPA filter to remove allergens such as pollen, dust and other particles from the air.

It comes with a 10-year warranty and the filters can last up to 4 years, when most units come with a 1-year warranty and filters that need to be replaced every 6-12 months.

It is manufactured in Germany and the performance of each unit is manually tested before it’s delivered to your home.

It doesn’t use an ionizer nor generates harmful byproducts such as ozone gas.

Before we jump into the stats, it’s worth taking the time to talk a little about CADR and CFM. The team at IQAir is not a fan of CADR as they believe it is biased in favor of hybrid units (those that use ionizer and HEPA). You can read more about their argument on IQAir’s blog.

In simple terms, IQAir doesn’t use any ionizer technology compared to others in this space (Blueair and Alen) due to health concerns and efficiency decreases from particle charging. While hybrid technology could clean the air quicker, if you have similar concerns about ozone or ionizers, you should look closely at something like the IQAir HealthPro Plus.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 213 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 86 cfm
Filter technology:	HyperHEPA and V50-CELL with 5lbs of activated carbon + zeolite mix
Recommended room size:	319 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	28H x 18W x 16D inches (71H x 38W x 41D cm)
Weight:	35 lbs (15.88 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 36.9 dB Speed 2: 37.2 dB Speed 3: 40.9 dB Speed 4: 47.2 dB Speed 5: 53.9 dB Speed 6: 61.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 1 watts Speed 1: 16.5 watts Speed 2: 32.7 watts Speed 3: 47.3 watts Speed 4: 69 watts Speed 5: 94.3 watts Speed 6: 145.2 watts
Filter lifespan:	4 years
Manufacturer’s warranty:	10 years
Country of origin:	Switzerland
Country of manufacture:	Germany

Okay, maybe it does look like an 80s printer

“Is it a printer?” That was the first thing my wife said when she saw it.

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

The IQAir HealthPro Plus gives off office printer/copier vibes, but that might not be a bad thing if you are into vintage electronics.

Once I saw the IQAir HealthPro Plus box, I knew a huge unit was inside, and you would need two people to help move the box. The IQAir HealthPro Plus comes well packaged in a large box and includes a remote, wheels, and power cable packed separately.

Inside the box, you can also find a certificate of performance.

IQAir’s team in Switzerland ensures that every unit is tested before it goes out to you. As you can see from the certificate, my unit performed better than the published rate, with Speed 6 providing 494 m3/h vs 440 m3/h.

As I mentioned above, inside the box, you will also find the wheels, which you must attach to your HealthPro Plus yourself. You just need to connect the wheels to the brackets at the bottom of the unit, so it should be a straightforward job, right?

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a straightforward job for me.

Unlike most castor wheels, these didn’t just click into place with the brackets. I could only make the wheels click into place by putting my entire body weight onto the unit. Throughout this process, I was very worried about the possibility of breaking the whole thing.

This was the only complication I encountered when using the IQAir HealthPro Plus. I hope I don’t need to remove the wheels for whatever reason, as I worry they are now latched on super tightly and might break apart if I force them out. This is something that IQAir could improve in future versions.

Once the wheels were on, I could move the IQAir HealthPro Plus around the house to test its portability and closely inspect the unit.

The main case is a thick plastic shell housing each filter with a fan at the bottom that draws air through the pre-filter and into the other filters.

Once I finished testing the air cleaning speed, electricity consumption and noise levels generated by the IQAir HealthPro Plus, I had to find a spot for it in my home as I was assigned to use this air purifier long-term to assess potential issues that could arise.

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

Right now, I have the HealthPro Plus in my hallway, and while it did get a strange look from my wife the first morning I set it up, it’s now a part of the house and doesn’t get in the way.

The positioning is great because it sits in the middle of the house, and it catches any cooking smells from the kitchen or the smoke from the wood burner in the TV room before they travel to the rest of the house.

Simple controls without smart functions

The buttons on the control panel at the top of the IQAir HealthPro Plus are easy to use, without unnecessary options or cryptic icons.

This reasonably simple system offers users the ability to increase fan speed with the touch of a button, and also check out the amount of time left in the filters before they need to be replaced. It’s a straightforward system compared to many more modern air purifiers with multiple screens and touch buttons.

I was a little disappointed the IQAir HealthPro Plus doesn’t include a smart mode that would allow it to come on automatically when it senses pollutants in the air, but this is a technology that requires an onboard air quality sensor, and that isn’t available on this model.

IQAir has launched a smart air purifier model that includes an in-built air quality sensor and app support: the Atem X. It doesn’t come cheap at $1,399, but we are excited to test and review it before the end of this year.

That being said, the controls on the IQAir HealthPro Plus do include a timer button to program a routine for the air purifier to switch itself off at night or when you leave the house, for example. However, you have to set this manually daily, setting hours for the air purifier to turn on and off. Not ideal by any stretch.

Another thing that would be nice to have is a child lock. My youngest loves buttons, so it is not uncommon to find him turning the IQAir HealthPro Plus on and off.

On the plus side, the IQAir HealthPro Plus comes with a remote control that is a portable version of the control panel embedded at the top of the unit.

It’s a super simple remote, with buttons for all six fan speeds and to set the timer. I quickly stored it because I have small children who like to play with (and misplace) remote controls. I prefer to use the buttons on the control panel anyway.

Outstanding filter technology

A beast of an activated carbon filter with over 5 lbs of carbon and zeolite mix.

IQAir’s HyperHEPA filter is a beast.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is heavy at 46Ibs, and I was worried about how much of that weight was wasted as part of the chassis. I was wrong.

This is not a large air purifier full of empty space. When I opened the top cover of the HealthPro Plus, I could see that the engineers at IQAir had used every inch to fill it with filters. This means that we will be getting a good amount of performance for the floor space it takes up.

The initial pre-filter stops large particles like pet dander and dust particles:

The air continues to be pulled into the fan, and as it passes through the V5-Cell, this next layer of filtration removes gas and odors:

IQair Healthpro plus Activated carbon front

Upon closer inspection, one can see the individual pellets of activated carbon inside the V5-Cell Filter:

The V5-Cell filter is packed with over 5 lbs of activated carbon and KMn05 alumina, making it one of the most powerful air filters on the market to deal with odors and VOCs.

You can see here how it compares with the activated carbon filter on the Levoit EverestAir:

IQair Healthpro plus Activated carbon vs Levit EverestAir

Once the air passes through the V5-Cell filter, it reaches the last layer of filtration, where the air is finally pushed through the primary HyperHEPA filter.

Using a high-grade filter like HyperHEPA adds to the device’s cost and means more energy is required to push enough air. But this is an excellent feature for those who want to ensure that only clean air is released from the device, such as those with serious health issues or in a hospital setting.

The benefit of this layout is that only pre-cleaned air passes through the most expensive HyperHEPA filter, which can be found for around $200 (the pre-filter is half that price.)

According to IQAir, you must replace the pre-filter every 18 months. Still, you only have to replace the HyperHEPA every four years, which compares favorably to other high-end air purifiers.

You can see in the video below how the process for replacing the filters goes:

As the case with Levoit showed us, many manufacturers will say that a filter is HEPA grade but often do prove it with third-party lab reports. We have no worries about the IQAir HealthPro Plus as Interbasic Resources, Inc. did third-party testing on it and made the report available to the public.

IQAIR third party lab report filter efficiency

They compared the effectiveness of the HyperHEPA filters with other air cleaning technologies (synthetic HEPA, fan-powered electronic air cleaners and electronic air cleaners without a fan) across a range of different particles, from viruses to pollen. IQAir’s HyperHEPA was able to sustain 99-100% removal efficiency.

That said, this is not a requirement for most consumers just looking to reduce the number of particles in the air, as standard synthetic filtered devices can eventually clean the air in the room with multiple passes through the filter.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus cleared our test room in 28 minutes

Considering the amount of carbon this air purifier uses, its particle removal is impressive.

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, we always test every air purifier performing the same job (cleaning the air from pollutants emitted by a powerful incense stick) under the same conditions in the same test room of 728 cubic feet and tracking PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 using two PurpleAir air quality sensors.

We do this because it allows us to compare different air purifiers like-for-like and calculate estimates of CADR even when manufacturers don’t provide it, which is the case with IQAir.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus took 28 minutes to return the room to a reading of zero PM1 when tracked using the PurpleAir indoor sensor and 28 minutes to achieve PM1 zero with our newer Purple Zen sensor.

From an air cleaning performance perspective, the IQAir HealthPro Plus performed as well as I expected, especially when we consider the high-grade HEPA and large amounts of activated carbon used. I can now understand why IQAir CEO Frank Hammes was so confident about using this air purifier as his primary air supply in this video, where he is locked in a smoke chamber.

The table below allows you to compare the performance of the IQAir HealthPro Plus against similarly priced or sized units, including the fastest air purifiers we have tested:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	TIME TO REACH PM1 ZERO AT FULL SPEED	LIST PRICE
Smart Air Blast Mini MKII	15 minutes	$649.00
Levoit EverestAir	16 minutes	$499.99
Alen BreatheSmart 45i	30 minutes	$429.00
Winix 5500-2	23 minutes	$249.99
Rabbit Air A3	24 minutes	$749.95
Coway Airmega AP-1512hh Mighty	26 minutes	$229.99
IQAir HealthPro Plus	28 minutes	$1000.00
AirDoctor 3000	30 minutes	$519.00
Austin Air HealthMate	52 minutes	$756.00

The HeathPro Plus completed our particle removal test 27 minutes faster than the Austin Air HealthMate when removing PM incense smoke pollutants inside our small 728 cubic feet test room.

Airflow test results

We also used our Testo 410i anemometer to measure directly from the air outlet how fast the airflow is at each fan speed when taken directly from the device.

We found that at speed one, airflow averaged 0.5 m/s, and at speed six, it achieved 3.65 m/s. It is worth mentioning that I measured the airflow one year after setting up the HealthPro Plus in my hallway to ensure it would perform at its best as the filters have been ‘broken into’.

You can see the sheer power of the IQAir HealthPro Plus by looking at how quickly the air sensor changes when put close to the airflow exit on this air purifier in the video below:

Noise levels test results

These are the results for each fan speed from 3ft away:

Speed	Sound Level
1	36.9 dB
2	37.2 dB
3	40.9 dB
4	47.2 dB
5	53.9 dB
6	61.2 dB

Here is how the IQAir HealthPro Plus compares against units with a similar air-cleaning performance in regards to noise output:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dB)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Coway Airmega AP-1512hh Mighty	60.1 dB	25 minutes
Austin Air HealthMate HM400	61.5 dB	37 minutes
Okaysou AirMax10L Pro	55.6 dB	44 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	57.7 dB	18 minutes
IQAir Healthpro Plus	61.2 dB	26 minutes

If you are interested in hearing the noise to find out just how loud the IQAir Health Pro Plus is, then be sure to check out the video below, which shows noise levels generated by the unit as you move from the lowest to the highest speed levels:

The cost to run an IQAir HealthPro Plus: $421.47 per year

The powerful fan and high-quality filters don’t come cheap.

A big unit like this does cost a lot more in the initial outlay, but another thing to consider is the extra costs for electricity and filters.

1. Electricity costs = $221.47 per year

Rather than take the averages from the manufacturer’s website, I tested the electricity usage for each different speed for this air purifier.

Fan speed	Energy consumed
1	16.5 watts
2	32.7 watts
3	47.3 watts
4	69 watts
5	94.3 watts
6	145.2 watts

This air purifier will cost $221.47 per year at its highest fan speed, based on my calculations using the latest average electricity price per kWh reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and assuming you would run the HealthPro Plus 24/7.

Compared to other devices, the IQAir Healthpro is more power-hungry than many of the devices we have tested:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Coway Airmega AP-1512hh Mighty	77.3 watts	25 minutes
Austin Air HealthMate HM400	147.6 watts	37 minutes
Okaysou AirMax10L Pro	58.05 watts	44 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	44.55 watts	18 minutes
IQAir Health Pro Plus	145.5 watts	26 minutes

2. Filter costs = $200 per year

Another area to consider is the costs associated with replacing the filters.

The original IQAir pre-filter is available for $155.78. Remember, it needs to be changed every 18 months.

The genuine IQAir HyperHEPA costs $199.00, but it only needs to be replaced every four years.

IQAir’s V5-Cell Gas and Odor Control Filter lasts up to two years, and it costs $99 when writing this review.

The good news is that generic filters that fit the IQAir HealthPro Plus, with packages of all three, including V5 and HyperHEPA, come in at $249.95.

That said, IQAir does not build these filters, so their performance may differ, and they will likely not put these through the same lab tests to certify the HEPA grade.

While you would hopefully not have to change all the filters every year, you would expect to budget at least $200 per year for filter running costs on top of the unit’s costs, which is at the highest level compared to other air purifiers we have reviewed.

Now, let’s compare the running costs of the HealthPro Plus against the costs we estimate for other units:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY COST (per year)	FILTER REPLACEMENT COST (per year)	YEARLY MAINTENANCE COST
Coway Airmega AP-1512hh Mighty	$83.64	$39.99	$123.63
Winix 5500-2	$57.82	$79.99	$137.81
Levoit EverestAir	$73.58	$99.99	$173.57
Smart Air SA600	$56.55	$141.47	$198.02
AirDoctor 3000	$104.63	$178.00	$282.63
Austin Air HealthMate	$164.39	$57.90	$283.03
Smart Air Blast Mini MKII	$136.29	$236.99	$373.28
IQAir HealthPro Plus	$221.47	$200.00	$421.47

Bottom line: Is the IQAir HealthPro Plus worth it?

I had high expectations for the IQAir HealthPro Plus, and its performance in our real-world tests didn’t disappoint.

Yes, it isn’t cheap, but any level of performance of 250 CFM doesn’t come cheap with comparable high-performance units such as the Blueair Classic 605 at $799.99 and the Alen BreatheSmart 75i at $749. These units can perform at this level for less money due to their hybrid use of an ionizer combined with a HEPA filter.

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

IQAir is clear that they don’t recommend ionizer technology, but I could understand situations where you would benefit from this extra power without the extra cost of a pure HEPA and activated charcoal system, such as cases when you are dealing with large amounts of smoke.

Whether you should get a unit like the IQAir HealthPro Plus depends on your position on using hybrid systems that utilize ionizers and your health issues. If you have any concerns about ionizers or specific health concerns, then the HealthPro Plus is currently the most powerful HEPA + Activated Charcoal air purifier on the market.

Suppose you don’t want to get the odor and VOC filter. In that case, you can buy a version that has a more powerful HyperHEPA performance at $50 less, which is the IQAir HealthPro (no plus) and IQAir HealthPro Compact — both of them might make more sense, depending on your specific use case.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the IQAir HealthPro Plus for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.174/kWh as of April 2024.

Honeywell HPA060 review

Dec 17, 2025Mar 13, 2024 by Teddy Booth

If you’ve researched air purifiers, you’ve most likely come across the name Honeywell. This big brand has earned its reputation as a trustworthy household name and prides itself on producing no-nonsense, powerful air purifiers and dehumidifiers.

It’s worth noting that, according to the manual, the HPA60 is not made directly by Honeywell. It turns out that the HPA060 comes out of a company called Kaz USA (part of Helen of Troy Limited), which licenses the Honeywell trademark.

Helen of Troy Limited made over two billion dollars in sales last year, so it is not a small company. However, it is still worth making consumers aware that this product is being sold under a license because the marketing materials don’t make it clear that Honeywell International Inc does not manufacture this air purifier.

We have a few Honeywell products in HouseFresh HQ, including the popular Honeywell HPA300 and the questionable Air Genius 5 HFD320.

The Honeywell HPA060 is a smaller air purifier, which is a big market to be in. With popular units like the Levoit Core 300, Winix A231 and the Shark HP102, does the HPA060 stand tall next to the competition?

In this review, I will take you through the data we collected from using and testing the HPA060, look at its controls, features and functions, offer my opinions on the design and see how it compares to other air purifiers of similar size and CADR.

The lowdown on the Honeywell HPA060

“A solid, basic small air purifier from Honeywell but likely too underpowered for most use cases. I recommend our readers to spend a little extra for a device with at least 140 CFM.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

PRICE on amazon PRICE on EBAY

With all the air purifiers to consider, you may not have time to read the full review. So, I’ve condensed it down to the main points from our performance test of this unit.

What we really like

It’s lightweight and easy to move between rooms, making it possible to keep the HPA060 on a ledge or shelf.

The controls are simple and straightforward thanks to its one-dial operation.

It is small enough to fit on a desk in your home office or on the countertop in your kitchen.

The filters are easy to replace.

What we think could be better

It is lacking in power to effectively clean the air even in the smallest of rooms — it took 74 minutes to complete our air cleaning performance test, compared to the 39 minutes we saw with the Levoit Core 300S.

The pre-filters only last three months.

It doesn’t offer any smart features (such as Auto Mode) or an on-board air quality sensor.

The specifications

The HPA060 is a smaller unit, so its size and performance should match its price tag. This unit retails for around $100, which is ballpark for air purifiers of this size with no smart functions. The issue comes with the performance per $ spent, and with a CADR of just 61 CFM, it is a poor result for a Honeywell unit.

HouseFresh rating:	★★☆☆☆
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	74 minutes
Air purifier technology:	Pre-filter, True HEPA filter and activated carbon sheet
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):	75 sq. ft. (5 ACH)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	Dust: 61 CFM Smoke: 48 CFM Pollen: 75 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	10.69 x 7.72 x 15.16 inches (27.15 x 19.61 x 38.51 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	6.39 lbs (2.90 kg)
Filter life:	B Genuine Pre-Filter: 3 months H Certified True HEPA Filter: 12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	Speed 1: 42.1 dB Speed 2: 48.2 dB Speed 3: 54.5 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	Standby mode: 0.01 watts Speed 1: 11.44 watts Speed 2: 16.13 watts Speed 3: 21.21 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	$98.34 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):	$1.15
Manufacturer’s warranty:	5-year limited warranty
Country of manufacture:	China

PRICE on amazon PRICE on EBAY

It looks like a Honeywell

They’re not straying from the path of design or operation — that’s not a bad thing

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If you’re looking for a stylish air purifier to fit the aesthetic of your modern home, Honeywell isn’t the usual choice. They like to stick to their black, oval-like design, but that’s because they keep their air purifiers with no-frills.

A smaller version of the HPA300 looks wise; the HPA060 is made of plastic with grill-like lines around the body. There’s a handle on the pack so you can move it easily from room to room (it’s also not heavy, weighing in at just over 6 lbs).

The HPA060 is intended for those who don’t have use for smart functions like an auto mode, AQI, sensors or app connectivity. The basic functionality means it’s easy to use and not much can go wrong.

The controls sit nicely on the top of the unit, with the fan speed setting built into a dial instead of the usual button format. There are three fan speeds to choose from low, medium and high. There are also two filter check lights, one for the main particle filter and one for the pre-filter (I’ll get into the filters in a second).

When you place the HPA060 next to other units of similar size, like the Levoit Core 300, Winix A231(A230) and Coway Airmega 150, you can see that it has a different style than the others. It also doesn’t take up much space, which is a big plus when running it in a small room.

Something I don’t understand about the design of the HPA060 is the position of the inlet panel. Why have they limited the airflow to a narrow section when they could have used the side area like the HPA300?

Narrow, but still HEPA

Honeywell’s HEPA filters are ok, but the pre-filter is a letdown

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Because the inlet is located where it is, the filters must also be narrow. Inside is a True HEPA filter, which is highly effective at removing microscopic contaminants from your air down to 0.3 microns. But Honeywell has restricted itself by making it so narrow with minimal surface area.

The HEPA filter in the HPA060 is sturdy and well-built, with a plastic shell to keep it rigid. Honeywell says that it should last around a year before it needs to be replaced, which is a plus as it’s usually half that time in other units.

The pre-filter that Honeywell has opted for in this unit doubles as an activated carbon filter and is a disappointment.

It is basically a wafer-thin sheet that “helps capture large particles such as dust, lint, fibers and pet fur and helps to reduce VOCs & odors from cooking, smoke, bathrooms and pets,” according to their marketing.

Honeywell HPA060 Activated carbon filter

This sheet may be able to capture large particles, but there is not enough activated carbon embedded in this filter to tackle VOCs and odors.

You can see plenty of holes when you hold the pre-filter up to a light. And it only has a lifespan of 3 months, an extra cost that could have been avoided by installing a washable pre-filter instead.

Honeywell HPA060 Activated carbon see through

I promise I’m not being unnecessarily harsh here. I am pointing out all these issues with the filters because they will significantly impact how well the HPA060 will remove pollutants and odors from the air.

You can see how flimsy the filters in the HPA060 are just by looking at the results of the CADR test in the unit’s AHAM Verifide Performance Verification Certificate:

Once the filters are ready to be replaced, an indicator light on the control panel will illuminate. Changing either of the filters is painless, but it could get annoying when you have to do it every 3 months.

Here’s what you need to do:

Switch off the unit and unplug it
Remove the panel at the back of the unit
The pre-filter is located on the inside of the back panel; remove and replace
Pull the HEPA filter out and replace it with a new one
Click the back panel back into place

See how simple it is with our filter replacement video:

Tip

When you purchase a new air purifier, it’s common for the HEPA filter to be wrapped in plastic packaging inside the unit. Be sure to remove all of the packaging from the HEPA filter otherwise, it won’t be able to perform its duties effectively.

The Honeywell HPA060 cleared our test room in 74 minutes

A disappointing result from a Honeywell air purifier, even for a small unit

We don’t just rely on manufacturer numbers. We test every unit we review in our HouseFresh home lab (a room at HQ) under the same conditions. Doing this allows us to compare results with other units and share our data with you.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

First, we measured the performance of the HPA060 by recording how long it took to remove incense smoke from our home lab using our indoor sensor from Purpleair. This provides us with updates on airborne PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10.0 ug/m3 particles in real-time.

Once Danny exported the data, he used Flourish to visualize it so you can clearly see how long it took in an easy-to-digest way:

It took around one hour and 15 minutes for the HPA060 to reduce PM1.0 levels down to zero.

I would say that the combination of a weak fan and a subpar HEPA filter is not working out well for this unit. Even for a small air purifier, it doesn’t possess the same kick as some of its rivals.

Air cleaning speed compared

The Honeywell HPA060 cleared our room in 74 minutes, but how does that compare to other air purifiers in the same price range or with similar capabilities? Explore the chart below to find out:

When we put this unit next to others of the same size and cost, you can see how much the HPA060 falls behind.

To continue my previous comparison, the Levoit Core 300 took 40 minutes to clear our room, and the Winix A231(A230) took 36 minutes. All in all, it seems to take the Honeywell HPA060 around 40 minutes longer to clean the air than small units from competitor brands.

Airflow test results

More powerful fans will result in faster and more effective air cleaning. That is why, as part of this test, Danny used the Testo 410i Anemometer to measure the fan speed levels directly from the air outlet of the device at each of the three fan speeds.

At its lowest fan speed, the HPA060 averaged 2.5 m/s. When moving to its second fan speed, it averaged 3.23 m/s. When reaching its highest fan speed, the HPA060 averaged 3.88 m/s.

Noise levels test results

Air purifiers make a sound; there’s no avoiding that, but some units make more noise than others. It can mean the difference between not being able to hear the TV and having to turn the air purifier off at night because you can’t sleep with the noise.

For a smaller air purifier, the HPA060 isn’t as quiet as some other units, but it also won’t make your room shake like you’re watching Apocolypse Now. We measured it at its lowest fan speed, producing 42.1 dB of sound and 54.5 dB at its highest.

Sound level is subjective. The volume I choose to listen to Motorhead may not be the same level my neighbors wished I listened to Motorhead. That’s why we made this video of the HPA060 running at all of its fan speeds so that you can get an idea of volume for yourself.

The cost to run a Honeywell HPA060: $98.34 per year

The HPA060 is an energy-efficient air purifier with costly filter replacements

1. Electricity costs = $32.35 per year

A cost you must consider when buying an air purifier is how much energy it uses. It’s recommended that you run your unit 24/7 in order to effectively clean the air in your home, but that also means pulling electricity non-stop. An air purifier that pulls a lot of power can become expensive pretty quickly.

This air purifier by Honeywell is a small unit, so it doesn’t require too much energy to run. When Danny used his electricity monitor during the test, he measured the HPA060 pulling 11.4 watts at its lowest fan speed and 21.2 watts at its highest.

I used the latest average electricity price per kWh reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate how much you would spend if you were to run the HPA060 all day, every day. The total cost would come to $35.33 per year in associated energy costs.

2. Filter costs = $65.99 per year

Another running cost you need to consider is the price of replacement filters AND how often they need to be replaced. If you don’t buy new filters when the air purifier indicates it won’t work effectively.

Honeywell’s certified true HEPA filters must be replaced every 12 months, and they cost $25.99:

Honeywell HRF-H1 HEPA Air Purifier Filter H, 1-Pack | For HPA050/150, HPA060 & HPA160 Series, Airborne Allergen Air Filter Targets Wildfire/Smoke, Pollen, Pet Dander, and Dust

AIR PURIFIER FILTER REPLACEMENT – This Honeywell HEPA Air Purifier H Filter helps capture up to 99.97% of the following molecules: pollen, pet dander, debris and smoke.
WORKS WITH HONEYWELL AIR PURIFIERS FOR HOME – These Honeywell HEPA Filters are designed exclusively to fit Honeywell HEPA Air Purifier models HPA050 150, HPA 060 160 and HHT055 155 Series.
EFFECTIVE AIR CLEANING & CIRCULATION – A Honeywell Air Purifier with a Honeywell Certified filter will filter and circulate air up to 4.8x an hour in stated room size. Replace HEPA Filters 1x per year. Pre-filters used with this filter are sold separately.
COMPATIBLE DOESN’T MEAN COMPARABLE – For best performance, use only genuine Honeywell air purifier filters. Compatible air purifier filter replacements are not guaranteed to offer the same performance or efficiency.
A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Improve your air quality and neutralize unpleasant smells for a cleaner breathing experience year round with Honeywell air cleaners, purifiers and humidifiers.

When it comes to their B pre-filters, Honeywell recommends they should be replaced every three months. The cost of swapping out filters this often will rack up over time, especially considering an official B pre-filter costs nearly $10:

Honeywell Odor-Reducing Air Purifier Replacement Pre-Filter HRF-B1, 1 Count | Helps Reduce Household Odors and VOCs While Capturing Larger Airborne Particles

AIR PURIFIER FILTER REPLACEMENT – This Honeywell B+Pre-Filter helps capture larger impurities and reduces unpleasant smells and VOCs.* Includes 1 Carbon B+ Pre-Filter. Pre-filter should be changed every three months
WORKS WITH HONEYWELL AIR PURIFIERS FOR HOME – This air purifier filter works with these Honeywell models: HHT-055/HHT-155/HHT-080/HHT-081/HHT-085/HHT-090/HHT-100/HHT-145/HHT-149/HPA-050/HPA-150/HPA-245/HPA-249/HPA-248 Series, HPA060 Series, HPA160 Series
EFFECTIVE AIR CLEANING & CIRCULATION – A Honeywell Air Purifier with a Honeywell Certified filter will filter & circulate air up to 4.8x an hour in stated room size.** If you have pets or stale indoor air, air purifiers help deliver cleaner, fresher air
COMPATIBLE DOESN’T MEAN COMPARABLE – For best performance, use only genuine Honeywell air purifier filters. Compatible air purifier filter replacements are not guaranteed to offer the same performance or efficiency
A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST – Improve your air quality and neutralize unpleasant smells for a cleaner breathing experience year round with Honeywell air cleaners, purifiers and humidifiers

The good news is that you could save some money by buying non-genuine filters, but we haven’t tested these, so we can’t speak to their performance. You can find a 4-pack of generic HEPA filters and pre-filters for the HPA060 retailing at around $40:

Fette Filter – Filter H with Pre-Filter for Model HPA-050 HPA-060 HPA-061 HPA-150 HPA-160 HHT-055 HHT-155 (QTY4) Part # HRF-H1 HRF-H2 HRF-B1 HRF-B2 H (4+4)

Includes 4 (four) Premium Filter & 4 (four) Pre Filter Replacement for Select Tower Air Purifer Models.
Compatiable with Filter H Filter B+ Part Number HRF-H1 HRF-H2 HRF-B1 HRF-B2 (Check for Your Model Below)
Compatiable with Tower Air Purifer Model HPA-050 HPA-060 HPA-061 HPA-150 HPA-160 HHT-055 HHT-155
Replacement Filter is able to remove all of airborne particles from the air that passes through the filter.
Easy to Install No Tools Requried. We recommend to change your filters every 4 months to maintain your machine at optimal performance.

Bottom line

If you are looking for a small but powerful air purifier, there are better air purifiers out there than the Honeywell HPA060.

With so many great small air purifiers on the market, Honeywell hasn’t hit the mark with the HPA060.

It is relatively small and light, which makes it easy to move from room to room. It is easy to use, thanks to its one-dial control. It looks different in black and doesn’t follow the “white box” aesthetic. But the performance isn’t there when it comes to cleaning the air.

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With a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 75 CFM for pollen, the HPA060 doesn’t match up to the CADR you can get with the Levoit Core 300 (145 CFM) or the Winix A231’s (149 CFM).

If you’re looking for an air purifier for a small room, you can find higher-performing units with additional features at the same price or for a few extra dollars.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running Honeywell HPA060 for 24 hours a day for 365 days utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.174/kWh as of May 2024.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 review

Dec 17, 2025Mar 6, 2024 by Teddy Booth

Honeywell has been a trusted brand worldwide for a long while, and it’s easy to see why. They use their extensive engineering knowledge to design a variety of consumer products, including high-performance air purifiers.

We reviewed the Honeywell HPA300 two years ago and were impressed with its performance but not so happy with its running costs. With the Air Genius range, Honeywell has done something a little different by using a permanent/washable particle filter instead of one you need to replace periodically.

But does this filter stand up next to tried and tested HEPA technology? Has Honeywell given this the same power we’ve seen in previous models? Is it any good?

I will answer all these questions as I take you through every aspect of the Air Genius 5.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320

“A washable filter seems like the perfect solution to avoid paying for costly filter replacements, but the technology is just not there yet.

A high initial price and poor particle removal performance make it hard to recommend the Honeywell Air Genius 5.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

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Don’t have time to read my full review? Don’t worry, I’m not offended. Check out my concise list of what I liked about the Air Genius 5 and what I think could be better.

What we really like

It is easy to operate.

The washable filter means lower running costs in the long term.

It is quiet, even when running at high fan speeds.

What we think could be better

Lousy air cleaning performance.

No auto mode.

Lack of on-board air quality sensors.

The lifespan of its pre-filter is short (only three months).

The specs

We’ve come to expect more from air purifiers over $250, and this unit doesn’t hit the mark for performance or smart features.

HouseFresh rating:	★★☆☆☆
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):	93 minutes
Air purifier technology:	True HEPA Filter K
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):	250 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	Dust: 160 CFM Smoke: 161 CFM Pollen: 170 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):	9.97 x 9.92 x 26.81 inches (25.3 x 25.2 x 68 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):	13.05 lbs (5.91 kg)
Filter life:	Pre-filter: 3 months ifD® particle filter: washable
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):	Speed 1: 41.8 dB Speed 2: 44.8 dB Speed 3: 45.9 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):	Standby mode: 0 watts Speed 1: 26.11 watts Speed 2: 27.2 watts Speed 3: 28.83 watts Speed 4: 30.75 watts Speed 5: 35.12 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):	$111.57 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):	$1.22
Manufacturer’s warranty:	5 years
Country of manufacture:	China

Typical tower air purifier

It may not be groundbreaking, but Honeywell has designed clear, easy-to-use controls and a light feature.

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Honeywell has an aesthetic they tend not to deviate from, which means you know what you’re gonna get when it comes to design. With its glossy black casing and large vented grill, the Air Genius 5 sticks to this trend…but in a tower format.

Don’t get me wrong, in the air purifier world, it’s no Elephant Man, but it’s also no [insert current attractive celebrity] either.

I feel that it’s time for Honeywell to take design into the new era, especially now that other manufacturers are releasing air purifiers with innovative and modern designs like the Airmega 150 from Coway and Levoit’s EverestAir.

But all is not lost, as Honeywell has added a little flare to the Air Genius 5 in the form of a blue accent light on the bottom of the unit.

This blue hue matches the color of the control buttons and gives the unit a futuristic look.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Control panel

There are not a lot of buttons on the Air Genius 5, but they make use of the space by making them large and descriptive. Instead of ‘fan speed,’ it says ‘cleaning level’ where you can choose from [1] Sleep to [5] Max. There is also a timer you can set in 2-hour increments from 2 to 12 hours, turn on the oscillation and a button to illuminate the accent light.

Honeywell has also added something I’d like to see more of… a filter status gauge. This gives you an idea of how full of particles your filter is so you know when it’s time to clean it.

I really appreciated the quick access guide that comes with the Air Genius 5 to remind the user of what each of the modes does, as well as instructions to reset the filter replacement warning light.

In my view, the Air Genius 5 is lacking in smart functions. There is no auto mode, no sensors and no AQI (Air Quality Indicator). If you want/need your air purifier with extra features, you can upgrade to the Air Genius 6. But I wouldn’t recommend that as there are plenty of more powerful and cheaper units available.

Check out the TaoTronics TT-AP003, the Winix 5500-2 or the Levoit Core 300S for better performance for a fraction of the price.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Comparison

Washable particle filter

It makes environmental sense to use a permanent filter, but the ifD® filter in this unit doesn’t show much promise.

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Honeywell has opted for something a little different for the Air Genius range. Instead of using HEPA filters that need replacing periodically, they’ve installed a permanent, washable particle filter they call the ifD®.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 HEPA filter

ifD® (intense field dielectric) technology has been described as “light-years ahead of anything else out there.” Instead of using fibers to capture particles like in HEPA, these types of filters contain thin electrode sheets to generate electrical fields. When pollutants pass through, they become electrically charged, forcing them to be drawn to the filter’s surfaces.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Air filter

As well as the ifD® filter, the Air Genius 5 has a separate ‘K Pre-Filter’ to trap larger particles like dust and dander. Honeywell claims this filter can also remove VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and “odors from cooking, smoke, bathrooms and pets.”

In order to effectively remove odors and VOCs from the air, you need a substantial amount of activated carbon. The K Pre-Filter In this unit is a thin slice of material with little hope of removing odors and gasses. Sorry, Honeywell, that’s a poor effort.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Activated carbon filter

When prompted by the filter check lights, you’ll need to remove the filter before you can wash it. Removing the filter is the easy part:

Unplug your air purifier
Detach the back panel
Remove the filters
Wash, leave to dry completely and put them back the same way

Here’s a quick video to show you how easy it is to remove and re-insert the filter.

Full washing instructions are printed on the side of the air purifier.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Replacement instructions

Tip

Filters are often wrapped in plastic and placed into the air purifier when bought new from the store. Always remember to remove all packaging from the filter before switching on your unit.

If you don’t remove this packaging, the filter will not operate correctly, and you’ll probably start to detect a burning smell coming from your new air purifier.

The Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 cleared our test room in 93 minutes

Our air cleaning speed test showed subpar performance from a trusted brand.

The Honeywell Air Genius HFD320 was sent to the AHMA VERIFIDE program, which puts the device through a series of tests to see how well it performs at removing dust, pollen and smoke. Public results are available at the EnergyStar directory.

The dust CADR of 161 CFM would make me expect that it would be a little quicker than the Winix A230 (36 minutes) or the Taotronics AP 005 (36 minutes) as they have similar CADR scores. Based on this CADR rating, we would expect a result of around 36 minutes, give or take three minutes.

In order to get accurate data, we test every unit we review under the same conditions. We light an incense stick inside our 728 cubic ft. test room and use our trusted PurpleAir sensor to measure the levels of PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10 and VOCs while the air purifier is working at its highest fan speed. This allows us to see how quickly the device can clear smoke pollutants from the air in the room.

Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 Air cleaning test

At its highest fan speed, the Air Genius 5 cleared our home lab of incense smoke in 93 minutes. This was a disappointing result, not only for an air purifier of this size and cost but also for a Honeywell unit, which prides itself on cleaning performance.

I am also surprised that the AHAM CADR score is so far off from the results we found in our in-house test. I tested this device again and got the same results, which were far from what we would expect based on the reported CADR from AHAM. It’s a little worrying as AHAM is the gold standard when evaluating air cleaners’ performance, but it shows us the importance of our in-house experiments.

Air cleaning performance results, compared

When you compare this performance to other air purifiers similar in size or cost, you see how this unit falls short.

Two air purifiers that spring to mind are the Levoit Core 300S and the Winix A231(A230). These units are over half the size, cost a lot less $$$ to buy, have more features like an auto mode, AQI and app connectivity (Core 300S only) and cleared our home lab of contaminants over 70 minutes faster than the Air Genius 5.

Other units that surpass the Air Genius 5 on performance to consider are the Winix 5500-2, Levoit Vital 200S, TaoTronics TT-AP003, Blueair Blue Pure 311, the list goes on.

Noise levels results, compared

I need to mention one positive that the Air Genius 5 has over many other units on the market: it is VERY quiet.

When you compare this to some of the other units we’ve tested, the Honeywell shows that you can be a larger unit and still make the same sound as a ninja on a mission.

As you cycle through its fan speeds, the noise created is barely noticeable. At its highest fan speed, the Air Genius 5 produces 46dB (comparable to a refrigerator running), and at its lowest, it only makes 42dB (comparable to light rainfall).

Sound is subjective, so here’s a video of me cycling through its five fan speeds so you can hear its output for yourself.

The cost to run a Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320: $111.57 per year

You save money not replacing the particle filter, but the pre-filter only lasts three months.

1. Electricity costs = $53.57 per year

Unfortunately, the costs of clean air don’t stop at the initial purchase of an air purifier. You need to run this electrical device, and that means energy costs. With the cost of energy continually on the rise, it pays to know a unit’s running costs (pun intended).

On paper, the Air Genius 5 comes across as a highly energy-efficient air purifier that should cost less than $60 a year to run. But, as we’ve seen from our performance tests, this is because it’s not exactly working as hard as other units out there.

2. Filter costs = $58 per year

Another consideration to factor into your budget is how much it costs to replace the filters when needed. This is where I usually talk about how HEPA filters need replacing periodically because of how they work, but the Air Genius 5 doesn’t use a HEPA filter.

Having a washable filter may require more effort than simply ordering a new one, but you save a heck of an amount of money over time. That would be true for the AG5 if the pre-filters lasted longer than 3 months.

Why have a washable particle filter but not a washable pre-filter?

At around $30 for a pack of two genuine Honeywell pre-filters, replacing them is the biggest expense here.

Honeywell HRF-K2 Household Odor & Gas Reducing Pre-filter (Filter K) – 2 Pcs – For Air Purifier

You can opt to buy unofficial filters from other brands at a cheaper price, but I can’t testify to how effective they are.

CoreCarbon 4-Pack Exact Fitment Carbon Pre-Filter Designed to Fit Honeywell | Air Genius 3, 4, 5, 6 Purifier – Models HFD300, HFD310, HFD314, HFD320, HD320, HFD323CV1, HFD323-TGT, HFD324, HFD360B

NOTICE ***** PRE-FILTERS ARE DESIGNED TO BE LARGER THAN AND PROPERLY COVER THE HEPA FILTER. NOT TO COVER THE HOUSING GRILL. NO AIR WILL BYPASS THE PRE-FILTER. REFERENCE IMAGE #2
DESIGNED TO FIT: Honeywell* Air Genius 3, 4, 5, 6 Air Purifier – Models HFD300, HFD310, HFD314, HFD320, HD320, HFD323CV1, HFD323-TGT, HFD324, HFD360B
NO SCISSORS REQUIRED: Pre-Cut for Exact Fitment 5-3/4″ x 20-5/8″
MADE IN USA: High Grade Powdered Activated Carbon for Superior Performance, Odor Reduction, Includes Resealable Bag To Maintain Carbon Freshness
PERFORMACE: Proper balance of Air Flow and Performance

Bottom line

This is a poor-performing air purifier considering its price, I suggest you look elsewhere.

Honeywell has a strong position in the air purifier world. Their products are trusted and held in high regard amongst consumers. So, why have they let this one out into the wild?

There are some redeeming features on the Air Genius 5. It doesn’t look ugly, the controls are easy to use and it is seriously quiet, but none of these can outweigh the sheer lack of performance compared to its price tag.

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I’ve never been this negative about an air purifier before, it’s probably because I’m so disappointed. I would expect this type of performance from a cheap mini-unit, not a tower unit from one of the best brands in the game.

Do yourself a favor, forget all about the Air Genius 5 and check out the long list of better air purifiers that we’ve tested and reviewed, like the Winix 5500-2, Levoit Vital 200S, TaoTronics TT-AP003, Blueair Blue Pure 311.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Honeywell Air Genius 5 HFD320 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.174/kWh as of May 2024.

Winix A231 (Zero Compact) review

Oct 25, 2026Feb 29, 2024 by Danny Ashton

Winix is a South Korean company that has been producing air quality devices since 1973. We have previously tested and reviewed the Winix 5300-2 and 5500-2 with good results, so we know Winix knows how to produce air purifiers with excellent performance at affordable prices.

The Winix A230 comes in all black, and the A231 — the device we are reviewing — is white and grey. Besides the color, the Winix A230 and A231 have all the same features and functions. This same device is known as the Winix Zero Compact in Europe.

The Winix A231 is aimed at those with smaller spaces of up to 230 square feet and is a much smaller device than the popular Winix 5500-2.

All Winix devices are sent for independent CADR testing as part of AHAM/ANSI AC-1-2002, to see how well the device can remove dust, smoke and pollen. After years of testing air purifiers, I recommend you always choose a device with an AHAM CADR lab result, as this will help you get an adequately powered air purifier to keep your room clean.

All Winix devices use PlasmaWave, a bi-polar ionization technology that can improve particle removal performance beyond HEPA filtration alone. One big thing I like about Winix is that their Plasmawave technology is optional and easily switched off. I wish more air purifiers with an ionizer would offer this.

As with all the reviews we perform here at HouseFresh, we bought the Winix A230 with our own money and have no relationship with Winix. We aim to share the results of our hands-on testing, including a performance test, sound levels, long-term costs and energy usage.

When writing this review, the Winix A231 was $81.22, and the all-black A230 was $78.99 — this is even cheaper than the popular Levoit Core 300, and the Winix device has a better Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).

I am excited to see if Winix can offer their usual high cleaning performance in an air purifier that can be found regularly for less than $99.

The lowdown on the Winix A231

“The Winix A231 is an impressive small air purifier that does a good job considering its low cost.

While I would still recommend that most people choose a bigger air purifier, for those needing a smaller device, this is at the top of my list of recommendations.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

Some people just want to know the key findings without reading the entire review, so I distilled the review down to the seven most important things to be aware of with the Winix A230/A231.

What we really like

It was five (5!) minutes quicker at cleaning our test room of PM1 particles than the Levoit Core 300.

Small design that doesn’t take up too much space.

Auto-mode means it can add value in cases where there are occasional issues with air quality, like a kitchen.

Fair pricing from Winix for genuine filters, some of the cheapest on the market.

Generic filters bring filter costs down to $15 per year.

What we think could be better

No settings memory, so if the device loses power, it will go to default (with PlasmaWave enabled.

It is a small air purifier, so it will struggle to clear the air in spaces larger than 219 sq. ft.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 148 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 67 cfm – AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 154 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:	Fine mesh pre-filter, True HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, PlasmaWave technology
Recommended room size:	222 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	9.5D x 9.5W x 14.6H inches (24.13D x 24.13W x 37H cm)
Weight:	7.1 lbs (3.2 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Speed 1: 35.2 dB Speed 2: 48.3 dB Speed 3: 57.9 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:	Standby mode: 0.06 watts Speed 1: 35.4 watts Speed 2: 37.7 watts Speed 3: 45.6 watts
Filter lifespan:	12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	South Korea
Country of manufacture:	Thailand

A small air purifier that takes little space

The Winix A231 is light, bright and easy to the eye

This small device takes up very little space in the home and could easily be used in smaller rooms like a bedroom or office. It’s a good-looking device with a flared design that makes it stand out from the standard white cylindrical designs of other manufacturers.

In terms of size and weight, the Winix A231/Zero Compact is similar to the Levoit Core 300 — small and easy to move around. But similar ≠ the same: the A231 comes with a flared design that makes it a little shorter than the Core 300. That being said, both units have a similar floor footprint.

The control panel of this air purifier sits at the top. It is a touchscreen surrounded by the air quality indicator: a circular light that changes color depending on the current air quality (red = poor, amber = fair and blue = good).

In terms of buttons, you will see that there is a filter alert at the top (to let you know when it’s time to change the filter) and then three buttons for enabling auto mode, sleep mode and switching PlasmaWave on and off. There are also two arrows to switch through the three fan speeds available (low, medium and high). Finally, you have a power button at the bottom of the screen.

One minor issue I found with the control panel of the Winix A231 is that the arrow buttons don’t light up, so it can be tricky to see them in the night or when using this unit in darker spaces.

This air purifier comes with an on-board air quality sensor, which powers the AQI light indicators and the possibility of running the unit on automatic. The sensor sits at the back of the device and you should always make sure that it is not blocked by anything.

While this device comes with an auto-mode, it doesn’t come with a smartphone app or smart speaker connectivity. This limits your ability to operate your A231 remotely. Not everyone cares about this but I always like to clarify for those who do.

H13 HEPA, carbon and an integrated pre-filter

The Winix A231 (Zero Compact) offers great CADR for less than $80!

With the recent fiasco of Levoit falsely claiming their filters were HEPA-certified, we are paying close attention to other air purifier brands who might be overselling their features.

It’s reassuring that all Winix devices are third-party tested by Aham Verifide. These tests pit purifiers against the most common air pollutants, and we can see below the impressive results backing up Winix’s performance claims for the A231.

Winix uses HEPA H13 for their Winix A231/Zero Compact. These filters are considered medical-grade, which means they can remove 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns — the equivalent of ultra-fine pet dander, dust mites and bacteria particles.

The Winix A231 also uses activated carbon, but it’s the same impregnated fabric we saw we testing the 5300-2 rather than the pelleted carbon we saw in the latest 5500-2. As this is a small air purifier, the amount of carbon will still be tiny, so it’s unlikely to make much of a difference in daily usage against gasses and odors.

Tip

If you have a severe issue with VOCs or odors, you should look at specialist air purifiers that utilize high quantities of activated carbon.

Like the Levoit Core 300, you can remove the filter from the bottom of the device by twisting it in the direction of the arrows.

One benefit of the A231/Zero Compact over the Levoit Core 300 is that it’s much harder to remove the base by accident when the device is standing on the floor. This is an issue that my wife uncovered: sometimes, when cleaning the floors, she will pick up the Core 300, and the filter falls out because the base of the device was unlocked. The Core 300’s base can easily unlock when moving the air purifier around the floor. With the Winix A231, the base stays on unless you intentionally twist it with your hands, so it is a much better design.

Tip

Most HEPA filters will arrive in a sealed plastic bag, so be sure to remove them before you start your device, or you will fail to remove any particles from the air.

The Winix A231 cleared our test room in 40 minutes

This small air purifier is fourteen minutes quicker than the popular Levoit Core 300.

For our performance test, we used the Purpleair Indoor Sensor with an additional BM680 gas filter that allows us to continually track the levels of PM1, PM2.5 PM10 and VOCs in our 728 cubic feet room.

At top speed and with PlasmaWave enabled, the Winix A231/Zero Compact cleared all traces of pollutants from our home test lab in 40 minutes.

Without the PlasmaWave, the Winix A231 reached PM1 zero in 46 minutes, just one minute slower than the Levoit Core 300:

This is how it compares to other small air purifiers we have tested:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	LIST PRICE
AirFanta 3Pro	17 minutes	$159.99
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	$189.99
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH (with ionizer)	26 minutes	$229.99
Corsi-Rosenthal Box	32 minutes	$85.00
Levoit Vital 100S	37 minutes	$139.99
Winix A231 (with ionizer)	40 minutes	$99.99
Levoit Core 300S	45 minutes	$149.99
PuroAir 240	51 minutes	$199.00

Although the Winix A230/A231 is still only suitable for smaller rooms, I was very impressed by its air cleaning performance, considering its low price.

Noise levels

The final test is to see how much sound is generated at each of the three fan speeds.

Air cleaning performance is essential, but if you don’t want to use the device due to the level of sound, then it won’t matter.

We recorded that the Winix A231 produced 57.9 dBA at the highest fan speed, similar to other Winix devices we reviewed. 57.9 dBA is not quiet enough to use during sleep or work, but it wasn’t excessively high compared to other air purifiers we tested.

At the second fan speed, noise levels peaked at 48.3 dBA. And at the lowest speed, sound levels dropped to 35.2 dBA. This is very quiet, but we wouldn’t recommend using such a small device at its lowest speed as it just wouldn’t be able to clean enough air, even in a tiny space.

We re-tested the particle removal speed of the A231 at this sub-45 dB speed and it reached PM1 zero in 86 minutes ― a whole 46 minutes slower than when running at its top speed:

The cost to run a Winix A231/Zero Compact: $119.54 per year

Low energy draw and affordable filters keep annual costs feasible.

1. Electricity costs = $69.55 per year

It’s advisable to keep your air purifier running constantly to improve the number of air changes in your room. This means you must be aware of the energy costs because they can add up when running inefficient devices.

Assuming that Winix A231 was on 24/7 every day of the year at its highest speed, it would add $69.55 to your electricity bill. This level of electricity usage aligns with other small air purifiers and is fair, considering how well it can clean the air.

2. Filter costs = $49.99 per year

Winix states that you should change the filter every 12 months for the A231, but this will depend on how you use it and how bad the air is. Thankfully, it also includes an alert to tell you when to change the filter at the top of the device.

Genuine filters are $20 cheaper than those from Levoit for similar-sized devices, so these filters are some of the best value on the market.

If you want to keep costs even lower, you can also go for generic filters that bring the yearly filter costs down to just over $15 if you buy a 2-pack.

Sale

Winix Genuine Replacement Filter for A230 and A231

Compatible with Winix air cleaner models A230 and A231
Genuine up to 12 months of filtration! Longer lasting than generic compatible filters

Generic Replacement Filter for Winix A230 and A231 (2-Pack)

Perfect Compatibility: Fits Winix A230 and A231 air purifiers; replaces part # 1712-0110-00.
3-Stage Filtration: Combines a pre-filter, main filter, and carbon layer to trap particles.

Bottom line: Is the Winix A231 (A230 or Zero Compact) worth it?

The A231 is a great performing small air purifier for an equally small price.

I always recommend readers who email me asking for advice to oversize their air purifiers because larger devices can run at lower fan speeds without loss in performance, which means they are quieter but still pack some power for moments when you need it.

That being said, there are times when you just need a small device or when space is limited, and those big units will be impossible to fit in. The Winix A230/A231 is a great unit for those cases — for example, for a small bedroom or the top of a desk in a small home office.

When it comes to competitor units, I have to compare the A231/Zero Compact to the Levoit Core 300 and the Core 300S. After our testing, it’s clear that the A231 beats both of them:

The Winix A231 was quicker to clean our test room of PM1 than the $99 Levoit Core 300
It comes with an onboard air quality sensor and auto-mode, which are features you would get with the Levoit Core 300S after paying $50 extra

I recommend looking at bigger Winix devices like the 5500-2 for serious air cleaning performance, including odors and VOC-busting capabilities. However, if you are short on space or budget, the Winix A230/231 is one of the best small air purifiers I have tested.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Winix A230/231 for 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.174/kWh as of April 2024.

CADR calculator: What size air purifier do I need?

Dec 17, 2025Feb 28, 2024 by Danny Ashton

Running an air purifier can drastically improve the quality of air in your home, especially as we spend around 90% of our time indoors. However, not all air purifiers are created equal, and not all models will be a good fit for your space.

For an air purifier to be effective, you need a unit capable of cleaning the air multiple times per hour in the space where you will be using it. And the best way to assess how effective a specific model will be is to pay attention to its CADR in relation to the size of your room.

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate. It is a score calculated by measuring the volume of clean air produced by the air purifier when used to remove dust, pollen and smoke. In simple terms, the higher the CADR score for each pollutant, the faster the air purifier filters the air. When you combine this score with the size of your space, you can find out whether a unit is powerful enough to effectively clean the air based on how big the space is.

Unfortunately, most air purifier manufacturers will inflate the room size recommendations by looking at how large a space the air purifier can cover based on it offering just one air change per hour. That is why you will find very small devices on Amazon that are recommended for spaces as large as 1,000 sq. ft.

Ignore the room recommendations you see in marketing materials and Amazon listings.

Always run the calculations yourself.

Calculate the CADR you need in an air purifier based on the size of your space

If you buy an air purifier that is too underpowered for your space, it will struggle to deliver clean air fast enough to make a positive difference.

That is why, before you buy, you need to find out what CADR you should be looking for in a unit to make sure it will perform well in your particular room.

Step 1. Measure the size of the room

First, you need to measure your room accurately to know how much air your purifier needs to clean.

Whether you’re using a laser measure or good old-fashioned tape, you will need measurements for the length, width and height of your room:

With these three figures, you can work out your space’s square footage and volume.

Step 2. Calculate the CADR needed to effectively clean the room

To calculate the required CADR for a room, multiply the room volume you worked out on step 1 by the desired air changes per hour (typically, at least three).

Alternatively, you can simply fill in the dimensions of your room and our calculator below will automatically work out what CADR is required to clean your space.

Step 3. Do your research into the air purifier you like

Now that you know which specifications you need from an air purifier, it’s time to find out what else you should be looking for.

This is where a little research goes a long way:

Find the CADR certificate of the air purifier you’re considering by searching the ENERGYSTAR database.

Check the CADR of the unit matches the minimum you need based on the size of your room.

Aim at getting a unit that will offer a higher CADR than you require so you can run it at lower fan speeds for quieter and less power-hungry operation.

Air purifiers can come with different types of filters to remove pollutants from your air. If you want to remove dust and pollen from the air, look for a good quality particle filter (HEPA or MERV will do). If you want to tackle smoke, viruses and bacteria, look for medical grade HEPA (H13). If you want to rid the air from unwanted smells or VOCs, then look for devices that also come with an activated carbon filter.

The fans inside air purifiers can be noisy, so be sure to check the air purifier’s noise output before buying one. Here, too, manufacturers tend to tweak figures to make them look better than they are, so check our reviews to see what the real-life sound levels are. If noise is an issue for you, check out the new generation of PC fan-powered air purifiers.

Air purifiers can be power-hungry. Considering you should be running yours 24/7, it is important that you calculate how much they will add to your electricity bill. You can use this calculator from the U.S. Department of Energy to get an idea based on how much power the device consumes.

Many modern-day air purifiers come packed with smart features like air quality indicators, auto mode and app connectivity. Consider if these features are worth paying extra for, based on your specific lifestyle and how you use appliances at home.

Tip

Read our guide on ten things you need to know before you buy an air purifier – or watch Danny’s video:

Find out if the air purifier you want is powerful enough for your space

If you’ve been researching air purifiers for a while, you’re likely to have come across the acronym ACH, which stands for Air Changes per Hour.

ACH refers to how many times the air is replaced in a room during one hour of an air purifier running. If you see 4 ACH, for example, it means the air will be fully filtered and replaced with clean air four times an hour.

The minimum number of air changes per hour we recommend is 4.8 ACH, as this is the minimum recommended by AHAM. However, you can amp that up to 5 ACH (following CDC advice for workplaces) or take it up to 6 ACH (as recommended by ASHRAE for schools).

We created another calculator so you can find out whether the air purifier you want will be able to offer enough air changes per hour in the space where you want to place it.

Simply fill in the CADR of the unit you’re looking to purchase and our tool will tell you what is the maximum size of the room it can clear based on the specific number of air changes per hour that you want to get — the calculator uses 4.8 ACH as standard:

Common questions about choosing the right size of air purifier

Yes, it can. Both in size and power.

If you have limited space in your room, the last thing you want to do is waste it on an unnecessarily big air purifier. Plus, having a large device in a small room can be a giant waste of energy and you’ll be subjecting yourself to expensive long-term running costs when a smaller, less powerful unit will do the ideal job.

That is why looking at the CADR of an air purifier over its sheer size is a better way to go about it.

Having multiple air purifiers can be the most cost-effective choice for very large spaces.

But before you decide, ask yourself the following questions:

Is there an air purifier capable of cleaning your whole room based on your CADR calculations?
Do you suffer from severe allergies?
Is your home located in an area susceptible to wildfire smoke?
Do you live in an area with severe air pollution?

If you couldn’t find a device that can clean the air in your space by itself, then you will definitely need to look at getting more than one unit.

If you suffer from severe allergies or live in an area prone to wildfire smoke/bad air pollution, then choosing to have more than one device in a room will give you the option to ramp up the air cleaning power whenever you need it.

Air purifiers are designed to clean the space they are in, not your whole home.

If your house is prone to pollution e.g. you live next to a busy road or are affected by wildfire smoke, or suffer from bad allergies from pet dander, dust or mold spores, then having an air purifier in every room in your house, will give you the most protection.

Closing thoughts

Not all air purifiers are created equal. To avoid choosing the wrong device for your space, run your own calculations before you settle on a specific model based on the recommended room size stated in the marketing materials or the Amazon listing.

If you have any other questions I haven’t answered in this article or need more help to make a decision over which model you should get, please drop a comment below and I will try to reply as soon as I read it.

How to clean your air without an air purifier

Dec 17, 2025Feb 27, 2024 by Michelle Honeyager

At some point in everyone’s life, your home will smell stale or musty like an old locker room. You might also have concerns about pollutants in the air or odors from mysterious sources.

An air purifier with a HEPA filter is still the best way to clear pollutants from your home. However, if you don’t have an air purifier and need to banish the stink fast, there are some ways you can instantly freshen up the air. Most of these involve ways to increase airflow and reduce pollutants, but we’ll also look at common clean air “hacks” you have to avoid.

7 ways to keep home air clean without an air purifier

You might think you need an air purifier to keep your home environment clean. While it’s still the best tool in your arsenal to combat pollutants, here are a few tips you can employ for a breath of (literal) fresh air.

1. Open windows and use fans

To reduce indoor air pollutants, the EPA recommends opening windows and doors and running window or attic fans to increase the amount of outdoor air coming in.

If you have a window AC with open vent control, perfect. Use that. The World Health Organization states that natural ventilation is more economical and better for the environment. You save money and the Earth!

Natural ventilation is opening windows and doors, or installing solar chimneys, wind towers, and trickle ventilators to let air in naturally. Mechanical ventilation involves installing fans in windows or walls, or putting them into air ducts. Note that air purifiers complement ventilation — they’re not a type of ventilation themselves.

Tip

Be mindful of anyone in the home with allergies or asthma, as opening windows could invite allergens or asthma triggers like pollen. Use a different method to clean the air in this case, ideally an air purifier.

2. Reduce infection risk with HVAC systems and exhaust fans

The CDC recommends turning on exhaust fans in the bathroom or kitchen and keeping your HVAC system fans on when guests are over. This reduces the risk of infection from things like the flu or COVID-19.

According to the CDC, using pleated filters in your HVAC system can also mean more efficient air ventilation. Make sure you install the filter properly and change it every three months or according to manufacturer instructions.

3. Control outdoor sources of pollution by weatherizing

Open windows are effective and all, but in today’s polluted world, there are times when it’s actually better to keep them shut. For example, if there’s wildfire smoke outside, you’ll need to seal up. This is what the EPA calls “weatherizing.

Weatherization is the process of making your home ready for the winter. Most of it focuses on reducing the strain on your HVAC system by reducing the energy transfer between the indoors and outdoors.

Weatherizing also works to keep your air clean, though. Put adhesive barrier tape around window and door frames for an extra seal against outdoor air pollutants. You might also want to use door draft stoppers.

4. Clean your home regularly, avoid biological contaminants

Biological contaminants like mold, bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander thrive in dirty homes.

The EPA recommends drying out and cleaning up any water damage immediately to avoid mold growth.
Vacuum and dust regularly.
Use allergen-proof mattress encasements for those with allergies.
Wash bedding in hot water, which is known for killing dust mites and other allergens.

5. Use fewer burning products

The EPA states that burning products are a large contributor to indoor pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and smoke particles. Try to avoid or cut down on using candles, incense, wood stoves, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen when cooking. Also, if you’re still smoking indoors and reading about how to keep air clean… take it outside.

Tip

Make sure to measure radon and carbon monoxide in the home using home-based readers, as recommended by the EPA.

A tabletop air quality sensor such as the Qingping Air Quality Monitor Pro can help you keep an eye on the levels of VOCs, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), CO2, and humidity at home.

6. Don’t use dangerous cleaning chemicals

Many cleaning products exude fumes that aren’t safe to breathe in, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The agency recommends several ways to clean the home safely:

Open a window or use a fan to ventilate the area while cleaning.
Store cleaning products in a safe place with the original container tightly sealed.
Never mix cleaning products and follow instructions.
Try using natural cleaners like white vinegar and baking soda.

7. Be especially careful with new carpets

The EPA reports that some people are sensitive to new carpets. A number of issues could cause this, like the chemicals used during manufacturing, pollutants picked up on the way, or any number of things.

Choose carpets carefully, reviewing possible emissions and low-emitting adhesives.
Ventilate the area during and right after installation.
Leave the area during installation if possible.
Unroll the carpet in a well-ventilated area.
Talk to the carpet retailer if there are persistent odors from the new carpet.

Online advice that’s a waste of time

Cleaning “hacks” are usually sensationalized for views and don’t actually clean your home environment properly. Not all hacks, but these ones in particular are pretty popular:

1. Using plants as a purifier. Plants are great at sprucing up your home, but plants do not clean air.

2. Masking scents with candles. People use candles for pretty fragrances, but they can actually emit chemicals that are more harmful than helpful.

3. Spraying scented air fresheners. Air fresheners are go-to for masking scents quickly, but the University of Massachusetts Amherst states that they can release VOCs. Air fresheners can cause headaches and nausea, and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. If you want a better-smelling home, try these green air freshener ideas instead.

4. Putting scented items in creative places. There’s a curious hack going around that states you can freshen up your home by putting dryer sheets in your air vents. Michigan State University states that certain chemicals in dryer sheets can cause allergic reactions, asthma, migraines, and trigger dermatitis in some people. Oh, and they’re also a fire hazard, according to ACE Home Services.

While these tips don’t work, getting an air purifier probably will.

Should you get an air purifier?

Even with all these tips, you should still consider an air purifier, especially one with a HEPA filter. They’re designed to filter pollutants right out of the air and help take care of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other small particulates. Follow this flow chart to see if you need an air purifier and which kind:

Wrapping up

If you don’t have an air purifier, there are a number of ways you can still get clean air yourself. They mostly involve ventilating your home, but also using natural cleaning products, weatherizing the home, using fewer burning products, measuring harmful pollutants, and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule.

If you’re short on cash, you can also put together do-it-yourself devices, like a CR Box or a DIY air purifier. These allow you to make your own air purifier with filters, duct tape, and a box fan. In this video, Danny explains how:

@thishousefresh A cheap air purifying hack that works as well as a $500 Dyson air purifier. With just a box fan, screwdriver, scissors, duct tape and any HVAC filter you can make your own air purifier than can remove dust, pollen, mold spores and bacteria. #airpurifier #cleanair #lifehack #easydiy #homediyideas #cleantok #diyprojects ♬ original sound – HouseFresh

SOURCES

ACE Home Services. Should I Put Dryer Sheets in My AC Intake Vent at Home? acehomeaz.com
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. How to Reduce Your Exposure to Chemicals at Home, Work and Play. atsdr.cdc.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Improving Ventilation in Your Home. cdc.gov
The Guardian. (2023). Too many smelly candles? Here’s how scents impact the air quality in your home. theguardian.com
Michigan State University. (2022). Dryer Sheet Ingredient Safety. canr.msu.edu
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. epa.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). What is a HEPA Filter? epa.gov
University of Massachusetts Amherst. Air Fresheners and Indoor Air Quality. ehs.umass.edu
World Health Organization. (2009). Natural Ventilation for Infection Control in Health-Care Settings. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Best for basements: Levoit Core 600S

Most people who reach out asking for a mold recommendation mention their basement. My top pick is this $300 air purifier from Levoit.

Best budget option: Corsi-Rosenthal Box

If you don’t care about smart features and want to save some money, you can just build your own large CADR air purifier.

Best for bedrooms: PC fan air purifiers

For those looking to remove mold spores from the air in their bedroom, I highly recommend considering air purifiers powered by PC fans.

Best for most people: Levoit Vital 200S

If you are looking for a standard air purifier under $200 to help with mold in a medium-sized room, check out the Levoit Vital 200S.

Special mentions

Two good-performing air purifiers that didn’t make the cut, but that could be a good choice for you.

A long-term solution to mold

Understanding why an air purifier alone won’t solve your mold issue.

The pros and cons of the Xiaomi 4 Compact

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

CONS

PROS

Filtration technology

The 4 Compact comes with a 3-in-1 cylindrical filter that can capture particles and help with mild odors.

Design, controls and features

A small cylindrical air purifier that doesn’t take up too much floor space, similar to what you get with the Airmega 100, Core 300S, Winix A231 and PuroAir 240.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the 4 Compact in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense smoke.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the 4 Compact range from 35.3 dBA to 56.1 dBA — quieter than popular small units like the Winix A231 and the Coway Airmega 100.

Long-term running costs

Running an 4 Compact will cost you $93.52 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

Bottom line: Should you get a Xiaomi 4 Compact?

If £70 (or $99) is the top of your budget, then I’d say yes.

1. Best overall: RabbitAir A3 SPA-1000N

A powerful air purifier that can be mounted to the wall straight out of the box.

CONS

PROS

2. Best under $300: Smart Air SA600

A high-performing air purifier from a trusted brand that can be mounted on the wall and offers excellent air cleaning power.

CONS

PROS

3. Best money can buy: IQAir Atem X

If money is not an issue, then the Atem X from IQAir is the best air purifier you can mount on your wall.

CONS

PROS

Other wall-mounted air purifiers we have tested

What to look for when buying an air purifier to mount on your wall

1. Is it really wall mountable?

2. What is the size of the room?

3. Is the unit built with high-quality materials? And does it come with a warranty?

4. What filtration technology do you need?

What you need to know when mounting an air purifier on the wall

Do

Don’t

The pros and cons of the IQAir Atem X

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

CONS

PROS

Filtration technology

The Atem X comes with IQAir’s signature HyperHEPA filter, which is highly efficient at capturing particles but it has no activated carbon to remove VOCs from the air.

Design, controls and features

Most high CADR air purifiers are big, utilitarian-looking devices that put form over function but IQAir broke the mold with the Atem X.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Atem X in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Atem X range from 35.6 dBA to 62.3 dBA — quieter than popular models like the Winix 5510 but louder at top speed than most air purifiers we’ve tested.

Long-term running costs

Running an Atem X will cost you $295.52 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

Bottom line: Should you get an IQAir Atem X?

I can’t make a case for it being the best bang for your buck, so I won’t.

The pros and cons of the Alen BreatheSmart 75i

A summary of our top-level findings after testing this air purifier following our methodology.

CONS

PROS

Filtration technology

The Dyson BP06 comes with a HEPA filter as standard, and you can choose between various options with different carbon quantities to suit your needs.

Design, controls and features

The 75i is a large air purifier with a laser particle sensor, smart functions and app connectivity.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the 75i V2 in our 728 cubic ft. test room, tracking how fast it removed all PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense stick.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Alen 75i range from 36.5 dBA to 57.5 dBA — quieter than popular models like the Winix 5510, the IQAir Atem X, and the Rabbit Air A3.

Long-term running costs

Running a 75i will cost you $170.23 per year, combining energy consumption costs and filter replacement prices.

Bottom line: Should you get an Alen BreatheSmart 75i?

**1. Is it really wall mountable?**