Air Purifier

TaoTronics AP003 review

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TaoTronics TT AP003 Room 1 1 e1680774717302

TaoTronics is an interesting brand that is part of the Sunvalley group based in China, which was profiled by The New York Times back in 2017. They offer a wide range of technology products, from headphones to air purifiers.

At one point, TaoTronics was making $300 million from Amazon alone, so it was a shock when I read that all brands under the Sunvalley group were kicked off Amazon last year for breaking review rules. 

As we generally focus on air purifiers readily available on Amazon, we hadnโ€™t yet had a chance to test any of the units from TaoTronics. Still, I chose to push ahead with a review after using a tool from ClearnAirStars, an NGO run by Dr. Pieter Peach from Australia. His tool results showed the TaoTronics AP003 was at the top for best performance for non-DIY air purifiers! So, I had high hopes for this unit.

When Chinese brands first entered the U.S. market with their generic designs, they could often compete on price but were disappointed with the quality. As any consumer will now relate, Chinese versions of electrical appliances can now match the performance of Western brands and, in many cases, even outperform them.

The TaoTronics AP003 clearly focuses on the budget end of the air purifier market. With an entry price of $99.77 but a CADR of 226 CFM (384 mยณ/h), its performance aligns with far higher-priced units.

On paper, the AP-003 looks like โ€˜the Levoit Core 300 killerโ€™, with the ability to clean more air for less money. But we must take a more in-depth look at this unit before celebrating too early.

As with all our reviews here at HouseFresh, we bought the TTAP003 with our money. In this case, we bought the unit directly from taotronics.com, and while it wasnโ€™t as fast as Amazon, the delivery was within just a few days, and the communication was excellent along the way.

We use our own money because we donโ€™t want any external biases. We want to say exactly what we think so that our readers can choose the right unit for their particular use case. We also donโ€™t just take CADR figures for granted; we test using our own equipment to see how real-world performance matches up to the numbers on the box.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

We believe this is the only way you can assess and compare air purifiers fairly, as we tested them all performing the exact same jobs under the exact same conditions. This is how we can uncover jewels (like the AP003) and highlight devices that don’t live up to the hype (cough, Molekule cough).

So, let me walk you through what we learned when testing this air purifier.

The lowdown on the TaoTronics AP-003

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“The TaoTronics AP-003 is a budget air purifier that offers powerful air cleaning power and features premium functions. Unfortunately, it won’t be available on Amazon, but you can buy it directly from the TaoTronics store and also might find it on eBay for less than $99.

As of September 2024, finding this device is becoming increasingly difficult, so I recommend looking into one of the various other brands selling the exact same model as the AP-003 is a white-labeled design. I tested the Lago air purifier (available in the U.S.) and the Midea SmartAir Pure Control (available in Europe), with both devices matching the performance, noise level generation and electricity consumption of the TaoTronics AP-003.”

โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

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If you donโ€™t have the time to read my 3000+ word review, then get the main gist with the following bullet points:

What we really like

It costs less than $100 to achieve the high-speed air cleaning performance you can expect from devices that cost twice as much.
Sound levels are well below industry standard, which confirms the presence of a very efficient motor.
It comes with Pure HEPA and activated charcoal. There isn’t an ionizer, which means zero ozone is created.
One of the best-priced filters we have seen for units with such large filters.
It comes with activated charcoal pellets, normally only seen in premium units that cost about $200.

What we think could be better

It is currently out of stock on the TaoTronics store and finding it on eBay is becoming impossible. Fortunately, you can buy the same device sold under other brands, such as Lago in the U.S. or Midea in Europe.
There is no app support. This doesnโ€™t bother me, but it is something to consider.
It doesn’t come with enough activated charcoal to tackle serious issues related to VOCs.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):26 minutes
Air purifier technology:H13 HEPA with activated carbon pellets
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):307 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 202 CFM
Smoke: 198 CFM
Pollen: 215 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):21.8 x 14.1 x 7.9 inches (55.4 x 35.8 x 20cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):13.64 lbs (6.19 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 38.4 dB
Speed 2: 42.8 dB
Speed 3: 54.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0.7 watts
Speed 1: 5.9 watts
Speed 2: 10.5 watts
Speed 3: 36.5 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$90.66 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.49
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

Looks good, modern (and expensive)

The TaoTronics AP003 comes with a sleek design and looks way more expensive than it costs.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Close

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One of the big things Chinese manufacturers have been investing in is improving product design style. When my wife saw the AP-003, she thought it looked good (and expensive), which is an impressive job considering this unit is less than $100. It looks modern but doesnโ€™t have a strange shape, so it should be easy to have in the corner of a room without looking out of place.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Sofa Corner

The main thing that stands out with this air purifier is the screen that shows the current air quality level. It doesnโ€™t just give an estimate like many of the other air purifiers that contain sensors but it shows the exact level of pollutants to the nearest ug/m3. The screen looks high-end and doesnโ€™t match the budget cost.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Screen

The inclusion of the screen makes a big difference compared with the Levoit Core 300S. Whilst most people can easily see that blue is clean and red is problematic, having the exact figure feels like a big step up. It is certainly bigger than the Levoit Core 300S and has a large footprint, but itโ€™s not excessively big like the Alen 75i or IQAir Healthpro plus, both of which take up a ton more space.ย 

TaoTronics TT AP003 Comparrison

The TaoTronics AP003 has an uncomplicated menu system with a child lock button, timer, speed (3 options), auto mode, sleep mode, and on-off button. 

TaoTronics TT AP003 Controls

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I donโ€™t mind that there are no app-supported features, as I rarely use the app with air purifiers instead of the onboard buttons. This is especially true with purifiers that include auto-mode, as you just set, forget, and change the filters. One standout app would be that from Dyson, such as the one they include with their air purifier/fan combos, but most others are usually poorly designed with little usefulness for day-to-day use. 

For those looking to build a โ€œsmart homeโ€ you might prefer another unit, but for the rest of us, the TaoTronics AP-033 is simple enough to get going without the need to Google anything or *gasp* read the manual.

High performance filters for a low price

The filters in the TaoTronics AP003 are of excellent quality despite the low price tag.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Filters copy

Both the HEPA filter and activated charcoal filter in the AP-003 are of good quality. You will often find cheaper impregnated carbon filters such as those used in the Winix 5300-2, which still help to remove odors but are not anywhere near as effective as those that use actual charcoal pellets that you use on this unit.

Whilst odors might not be your primary concern for keeping your air clean, the addition of activated charcoal doesnโ€™t have any negative effects on performance, and you will be surprised at the amount of odor-causing chemicals in your home. 

TaoTronics TT AP003 Unit HEPA

The actual size of the filters still constrains mechanical filter technology, so itโ€™s good to see such a large amount of space dedicated to the filter with this unit. Adding the pre-filter is a good way to keep large particles from damaging the HEPA filter. Still, the main job of filtering the air is done using the H13 HEPA โ€” the grade of HEPA recommended for medical uses.

In reality, all HEPA-grade filters can filter very small particles, and as we saw with the Smart Health S, even a lower-grade filter such as H11 can still perform very well in reducing PM2.5 particles in the air.

But itโ€™s generally preferable to see a higher-grade HEPA filter if you have the right powered fan to push air through the filter, so weโ€™re thrilled with including H13 in such a low-priced unit.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Replace Filter

The TaoTronics team did an excellent job of making new users aware that they must remove the plastic bag from the filters before usage. They use a big yellow sticker visible when you remove the air purifier from the box. You will be amazed at how many people still forget to remove the plastic, so be sure to do that before you switch on your unit, as it otherwise might worsen the air.

Taotronics AP003 Filter label

When the time comes to change the filter in your TaoTronics TT-AP003, you will be pleased to find out that it’s quite a simple task that won’t take a lot of time and won’t require you to read a manual to perform:

The TaoTronics AP-003 cleared our test room in 26 minutes

The AP-003 blew us away with its impressive air-cleaning performance, considering this is a budget-friendly air purifier.

Most air purifier reviews are written by journalists who play with the unit and take some pictures but donโ€™t go further. At HouseFresh, our goal is to go a lot deeper into how an air purifier will work and how well it will keep your home air clean. 

Indoor air quality hasnโ€™t always been a top priority for homeowners. Still, since Covid-19, there has been a ton of new research that has shown how important air quality is, both to your respiratory system and even your mental health. 

We know that most consumers will not be excited about the latest air purifier launch like they are about the latest iPhone. However, we do believe that air quality health will become a major concern for American homeowners, especially considering the rise of wildfires affecting the country. The air purifier industry has a reputation for selling products that promise a lot but fail to deliver, so we think itโ€™s important that we help make life a little easier by thoroughly testing and assessing every unit we recommend. 

All our tests are done in the same room to compare different units, which all have the same job โ€” removing all the pollutants generated by one incense stick in our 705 cubic ft office. We use the indoor sensor from Purpleair to track levels of PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10.0ug/m3 over time so we can see how effective the air purifier is at removing these tiny particles from the air. 

The main number we track for our testing is how long the air purifier takes to bring the pollutants down to 0.

On paper, the TaoTronics AP-003 has some big numbers for its price, with a CADR of 384 mยณ/h/226 CFM.  This CADR is even higher than the old flagship air purifier the Alen A350, and even is in the same realm as the Levoit Core 400S (which costs $219.) If the performance test matches this CADR, it’s going to be easy to recommend this unit to those looking for cleaning on a budget.

So, how did it do?

Here are the main pointers:

  • It took 26 minutes to remove all the pollutants from our test room!
  • This was higher than the Mila (35 minutes) and even the BreatheSmart 45i (34 minutes), which was meant to have a slightly higher CADR on paper.
  • It was less than what we saw with the Alen 75i and IQAir Healthpro Plus (24 minutes), but both units are much larger, cost more and use way more electricity.

Letโ€™s put that into perspective by comparing it to the top 10 best-performing units in our tests:

From a performance perspective, the TaoTronics AP-003 has the best air purifier performance for $ spent. 

Noise level results, compared

Another feature that makes the AP-003 stand out is the amount of sound generated. The TT APโ€“003 has a range of 38.4 to 54.2dB, which is fairly low compared with modern air purifiers.

Here is how the TaoTronics AP-003 compares against units with a similar air-cleaning performance:

The TaoTronics AP-003 has a very efficient fan motor, which allows it to clean a lot of air without generating a lot of noise.

The cost to run a TaoTronics AP-003: $90.66 per year

1. Electricity costs = $55.67 per year

One area many consumers of air purifiers forget is the cost of electricity. Air purifiers work best when they are running continuously so if you are not careful inefficient air purifiers can start to cost a lot of money over the long term. 

The good news is that the APโ€“003 manages to clean like a far more powerful unit than the amount of power it used. Using an electric meter, we saw a maximum of 36.5 watts at the top speed and 5.9 watts at the lowest speed.

This power usage is similar to the Levoit Core 300, which cleaned our test room in 40 minutes – the AP-003 is also our top unit for performance to electricity usage.

2. Filter costs = $34.99 per year

Another cost that gets forgotten is the cost of changing filters. Mechanical-based filters must be replaced every 6 months depending on usage, and costs can add up, especially for smaller units that run harder and longer. 

Genuine filters that contain both the HEPA H13 and activated charcoal are $29.99, which is a very fair price considering their size. In comparison, the IQAir HyperHEPA filters are $199 but are replaced less often but still end up costing a lot more in running costs.

If you are open to non-genuine filters, you can find two for $34.99, which is $17 per filter. This aligns with the cheapest filters we have reviewed for the Fร–RNUFTIG from IKEA ($15.99) and Smart Health S from Smart HEPA ($29.99).

Long-term filter costs are very much in line with the very best in the industry.

Rioche TT-AP003 Premium H13 True HEPA Replacement Filter, Compatible with TaoTronics TT-AP003 Air Purifier, 3-in-1 Premium H13 True HEPA Filter, 2-Pack
Rioche TT-AP003 Premium H13 True HEPA Replacement Filter, Compatible with TaoTronics TT-AP003 Air Purifier, 3-in-1 Premium H13 True HEPA Filter, 2-Pack
  • โ–ถ Compatible with *TaoTronics *TT-AP003 Air Purifier. Compare to *VIVOSUN 5-in-1 Air Purifier (*FC-35S1A*) . Package of 2 pack.
  • โ–ถ H13 Grade True HEPA Filter helps remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns including lint, pet dander&pet fur, hair, dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mites, PM2.5, etc.
  • โ–ถ Activated carbon filter contains premium collumar activated carbon particles, which can efficiently absorb unwanted odors such as smoke, cooking smells pet odors and more.
  • โ–ถ 100% satisfaction. Recommended to replace every 3 to 6 months for optimal performance.
Buy on Amazon

Bottom line: Is the TaoTronics AP003 worth it?

With a CADR of 226 CFM for less than $100, the AP003 offers incredible value for money. 

At the start of this review, I said I had high hopes for this air purifier. 

After testing this unit in our home, Iโ€™m happy to say we have found a Levoit Core 300 killer. It cleans the same level of air as much higher-priced units ($200+) and comes with low sound levels, energy usage, and filter replacement costs. 

I now understand why Dr. Pieter Peach at Clean Air Stars rates this air purifier so highly, as it offers excellent air cleaning performance at a truly affordable price, compared to the latest crop of air purifiers consistently aiming at the high-end of the market.

The only downside is the lack of app support, and you will still want more charcoal if you are looking to deal with serious odors or VOCs but for most people looking to keep their home air clean, you canโ€™t go wrong with the AP-003 from TaoTronics.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Room 1

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The main contender to the AP003 is the Levoit Core 300, but the unit from TaoTronics has it beat on both performance and short-term and long-term costs. The only challenge is where to purchase it since the main company has been kicked off Amazon, so you have two options: buying it directly from TaoTronics or hunting for it on eBay. Both of these options worked well up until mid-2024 when the AP003 started to show up as ‘Out of stock’ constantly on taotronics.com, and that seriously affected the number of units you can find on other marketplaces like eBay.

The good news is that the TaoTronics AP003 is built on a very popular ODM design that allows different brands to white-label the exact same device. You can see here the TaoTronics AP003 (right) next to the Lago air purifier (left), and you’ll notice that other than the color, the design is indistinguishable.

Lago Air Purifier VS TaoTronics AP003

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I tested the Lago air purifier (available in the U.S.) and the Midea SmartAir Pure Control (available in Europe). Both units offer the same performance, generate the same noise levels, consume the same amount of electricity, and have the same estimated long-term costs as the TaoTronics AP003.

TaoTronics AP003 VS Lago Air Purifier
TaoTronics AP003 VS Lago Side
TaoTronics AP003 VS Lago Controls

Let me know if you have any questions about the TaoTronics AP003 in the comments below, and I will get back to you as soon as I read your message. Also, watch out for my video review of this air purifier on our YouTube channel, where I will discuss the alternative models in more detail and share the results of our air cleaning performance test using generic filters available for a fraction of the price.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the TaoTronics AP-003 for 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the latest average energy prices as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of $0.17/kWh as of July 2024.

Medify MA-25 Review

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Medify MA 25 Bedroom 1

The team behind Medify understands the issues we all face as air quality worsens year on year. To help combat this air quality crisis, they have created a range of products to foster healthier environments in order to prevent illnesses, allergies, and respiratory conditions for people around the globe. 

From a personal unit specifically designed for use in your car to extra-large units designed for open-plan living spaces or offices, the Medify range sets out to cover all bases where indoor air quality could be affected. As a mid-range product, the Medify MA-25 is designed for use in medium-sized spaces between 250 and 1000 sq. ft., offering an affordable purifier for the average home.  

Each of Medifyโ€™s purifiers comes with a medical grade H13 HEPA filter, capable of capturing 99.9% of pollutants as small as 0.1 micron in size. They are also extremely confident in the build quality of their purifiers, so much so that they offer a lifetime warranty on all their units. 

After reading Medifyโ€™s glowing reviews and being impressed with the Medify MA-40 when we reviewed it last year, we decided to put the MA-25 to the test. As always, we purchased this purifier with our own money, so you can rest assured this review will remain editorially impartial and give you an unbiased account of its performance.ย 

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Medify MA-25

Medify MA 25 Living room logo

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No time to read the whole review? Here are the key takeaways we learned while putting this purifier through its paces.ย 

What we really like

Superior H13 HEPA filter comes as standard
Outperformed similarly priced purifiers during our real-world tests
Available in different color options
Comes with a lifetime guarantee

What we think could be better

The filters have a short lifespan and genuine replacements arenโ€™t cheap
The unit is quite loud, even on the lowest setting
There are no smart features or an air quality sensorย 

The specifications

The Medify MA-25 comes with 3-stage filtration and a powerful fan, contributing to a CADR rating of 135. This unit is currently on the market for $157.38, which works out as slightly more expensive than the Blueair Blue Pure 411 at $130 with a CADR of 120 or the Levoit PUR-131 for $151.99, which also has a CADR of 135.ย ย 

Purifier technology:Pre-Filter, H13 True HEPA, Active Carbon Composite 
CADR (CFM / mยณ/h):135 CFM
Recommended room size:500 sq. ft. 
Filter life:3-4 months
Noise level (low โ€“ high):35 – 52dB
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):13.5H x 8W x 8D inches / 34.3H x 20.3W x 20.3D cm
Weight (in pounds / in kg):3.9 kg / 8.6 lbs
Energy consumption:$76.69 per year

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Average appearance enhanced by fancy flourishes

On receiving delivery of the purifier, I was surprised to find such a neatly packaged parcel. Thanks to the unit’s compact size and 3-in-1 filter, there were only a couple of components inside the box, which led to a speedy setup. Once everything was unpacked, it was easy to set up the purifier with little need to consult the instruction manual. Simply remove the back panel and slot in the filter, ensuring the pull tab is facing outwards, then plug into the mains and the unit is ready to go. 

Medify MA 25 Close up logo

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Itโ€™s fair to describe the Medify MA-25 as an average, run-of-the-mill appliance. Its simple cuboid design doesnโ€™t exactly break the mold, however it does possess a couple of nice features that elevate its appearance. Its glossy touch screen control panel adds a quality flourish, whilst the choice of three colors, coming in black, silver, or white, allows you to choose a unit to best suit your home.

Medify MA 25 Detail front logo

When comparing the unit to a similar purifier made by a rival manufacturer (such as the Levoit Core 400S), you really notice its compact size. Measuring up at 13.5 x 8 x 8 inches, this unit wonโ€™t take up much living space and can even be placed on a table or sideboard without looking out of place.ย 

Thanks to its different color options, the MA-25 also gives you the option to pick a colorway that will best match your home, whereas other manufacturers will often only produce more mundane white goods. 

Levoit Core 400S versus Medify MA 25 logo

3-in-1 air filter with H13 HEPA

When purchasing the MA-25, you receive a 3-in-1 filter consisting of a pre-Filter, H13 HEPA, and activated carbon composite filter. This conveniently packaged filter will protect you from a whole host of household pollutants, all you have to do is unclip the back panel and slot the filter inside. Hereโ€™s a look at just how easy it is:

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With the unit set up, you can expect this purifier to tackle a range of pollutants thanks to its advanced H13 HEPA filter. This type of HEPA filter is medical grade, meaning it can capture a higher percentage of smaller particles than its predecessors can. It is certified to remove 99.9% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, including harmful toxins, bacteria, and viruses. 

Medify MA 25 Filter 1 logo

As well as a HEPA filter, you will also find the pre-filter and activated carbon filter for enhanced protection. The mesh pre-filter comes attached to the HEPA filter to capture any larger particles such as hair, fur, or lint on entry. This can be regularly vacuumed to prolong the lifespan of the HEPA filter and keep your purifier operating at its optimum.ย 

The activated carbon filter is a composite layer made up of hundreds of charcoal pellets, providing the third stage of filtration. Thanks to these tightly packed, porous pellets, this filter will absorb VOCs and odors from your home as gaseous pollutants pass through and adhere to the carbon substrate. 

Medify MA 25 Filter 2 logo

Although Medify has clearly opted for high-quality filters to enhance their purifiers’ level of protection, itโ€™s hard to look past their disappointing lifespan. Where most other manufacturers offer filters that last 6 months (with others lasting even longer), Medify states their filters will need to be replaced every 3-4 months or after 2500 hours.

Medify MA 25 Filter change logo

A quick word to the wise for any readers that are planning to buy this purifier is to be sure to remove the plastic wrapping before inserting your filter and switching on the machine, otherwise you wonโ€™t purify much air and might add some unusual aromas to your space, trust us!

Foolproof controls everyone will understand

Medify MA 25 Control panel logo

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One of the best things about the MA-25 is its simplicity. By just taking one glance at the glossy touch screen control panel, even those with a serious aversion to technology will be able to operate this unit.ย 

Each of the controls is clearly labeled and illuminated to indicate which setting the purifier is on. Simply cycle through the fan speeds to adjust the power of the unit when required or utilize the 4-stage timer setting so you never have to remember to switch it off again. 

You can also operate the purifier in night mode, setting the purifier to its lowest fan speed along with cutting the LED lights so you can get a good night’s sleep. While the handy child-lock feature will prevent wandering hands from playing with your new toy. 

Although there is no doubting this is an easy purifier to get to grips with, some users may be left pining for more advanced features that are increasingly being found at this price point. Perhaps developing a compatible app for remote use or an air quality sensor for detailed feedback would take this purifier to the next level.ย 

The Medify-25 cleared our test room in 45 minutesย 

In order to see how the Medify MA-25 performed in the real world, we took the unit to our home office/testing lab to put it through its paces.In the interest of conducting a fair and controlled test, this is the same space we use for each of the purifiers we test, which measures up at 705 cubic feet, around the size of a medium-sized bedroom. We also use the same method for creating pollutant particles, by burning incense sticks and measuring the amount of PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10.0 created by using our PurpleAir indoor air sensor.

With the stage set and room filled with an abundance of incense smoke, we fired up the Medify MA-25 to see how well it performs in our real-world tests. At the time of switching on the unit, we recorded the particulate matter levels in the room to be: 

PM1.0: 376.99ug/m3PM2.5: 646.06ug/m3PM10.0: 709.79ug/m3

Within 43 minutes, the room was cleared completely of all particulate matter, showing this is a great option for eradicating harmful pollutants in well under an hour. 

To put this into context, the MA-25 outperformed two of its close competitors from within a similar price range, the Levoit PUR-131 and the Blueair Blue Pure 411, whilst giving other top-performing units a run for their money too. 

PurifierTime CADRPrice
Levoit PUR-13160 mins135$151.99
Blueair Blue Pure 41168 mins120$130.00
Levoit Core 30040 mins145$99.99
Levoit Core 400S33 mins260$236.94

During our tests, we also recorded the noise levels produced when cycling through its various fan speeds. With volumes ranging between 35 and 52dB this certainly isnโ€™t the quietest purifier weโ€™ve tested, but to hear what that sounds like for yourself, check out our sound guide below.

The cost to run a Medify MA-25: $226.69 per year

1. Electricity costs

With energy prices rising around the world, affecting the day-to-day cost of living, itโ€™s more important than ever to know how much an appliance will cost you in the long run. With this in mind, we use our energy use calculator to estimate what you might expect to pay if using the Medify MA-25.

Whilst testing this purifier, we measured how much electricity the unit used when running on its highest speed setting. We found that it draws just 35.3 watts of power, making this unit pretty energy efficient. This would equate to $76.69 per year, if left to run 24/7 on the highest speed, which isnโ€™t bad at all for a worst-case scenario cost. 

2. Filter costs

Similarly to energy costs, you need to factor in replacement filter costs before committing to buying an air purifier. For HEPA and carbon filters to work effectively and keep your unit running at its best, they need to be periodically replaced once they become saturated with pollutant particles. 

Medify states that their filters will need to be replaced every 3-4 months. This is a relatively short lifespan, especially when you consider a genuine filter replacement will set you back $50. When comparing this cost to those of Winix or Levoit you realize this is indeed a high price to pay, with competitors’ purifiers lasting 6 months and costing around $30-40. 

Sale
Medify MA-25 Genuine Replacement Filter Set for Allergens, Smoke, Wildfires, Dust, Odors, Pollen, Pet Dander | 3 in 1 with Pre-filter, HEPA and Activated Carbon for Removal to 0.3 Microns | 1-Pack
Medify MA-25 Genuine Replacement Filter Set for Allergens, Smoke, Wildfires, Dust, Odors, Pollen, Pet Dander | 3 in 1 with Pre-filter, HEPA and Activated Carbon for Removal to 0.3 Microns | 1-Pack
  • GENUINE MEDIFY MA-25 FILTERS ONLY: Ensure optimal performance and longevity of your air purifier by using authentic Medify MA-25 replacement filters (ASIN: B084Q965BF). Non-genuine filters risk damaging your machine and compromised air quality.
  • EFFORTLESS FILTER REPLACEMENT: Our user-friendly design ensures a hassle-free filter change. Keep every room in your home, school, or office filled with fresh, irritant-free air. Regularly updated filters effectively neutralize lingering odors.
  • TRUE HEPA H13 FILTRATION: Medify Airโ€™s HEPA filter material tested to remove 99.9% of particles from O.3 to 0.1 ยตm by Intertek Laboratories. Breathe easier with effective removal of dust, pollen, allergens, smog, smoke, wildfire smoke, odors, pet dander, and more.
  • 3-STAGE PURIFICATION PROCESS: The MA-25 boasts a three-layer filtration systemโ€”pre-filter for large particles, True HEPA H13 for superfine contaminants, and activated carbon for odor removal. Ideal for pet owners, allergy sufferers, and smokers.
  • EXTENDED FILTER LIFE & COST-EFFICIENCY: Our long-lasting filter set delivers up to 2,500 hours or 3-4 months of continuous, high-quality air purification. With fewer filter changes needed, enjoy cost savings and a healthier, cleaner home environment.
$45.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Itโ€™s worth noting that alternative filters that are compatible with the MA-25 are available on Amazon for a much more affordable price. However, you may wish to think carefully before purchasing these as Medifyโ€™s lifetime warranty is only applicable if genuine filters have been used. 

25 Filter MA HEPA Replacement for MA Air Purifier 25 Series S1/W1/B1 | 3-in-1 MA Air 25 True HEPA Activated Carbon Filter, 2 Set
25 Filter MA HEPA Replacement for MA Air Purifier 25 Series S1/W1/B1 | 3-in-1 MA Air 25 True HEPA Activated Carbon Filter, 2 Set
  • 25 replacement MA filters are designed for MA Series 25 S1/W1/B1 models air purifier. The package includes 2 Set 25 air filters for MA. It's recommended to replace the filters every 3-4 months on both sides at the same time.
  • The 25 replacement flters for MA air purifier are made of 3-in-1 filtration systems including Nylon Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter.
  • The 25 HEPA filter are capable of attaching 99.9% of airborne as small as 0.3 microns, and the carbon filter helps you solve the problem of unpleasant odors and gases.
  • Package includes 2 Set MA filters 25, fully meet your needs for the replacement of MA air purifier, with premium materials and advanced technology, ideal solution for homes with pet dander, odors, wildfire ashes, smokers, open layout kitchens.
  • We value customer service and satisfaction. If you have any problems with the filter fitting your air purifier, please contact us through our Amazon home page. Filter made of FSC-Certified paper
$32.99
Buy on Amazon

Bottom line

Medify have certainly got their priorities in order, creating a mid-range purifier that comes with superior H13 HEPA filters and build quality backed up by a lifetime guarantee. Giving consumers peace of mind they can breathe clean and healthy air for years to come. 

Medify MA 25 Baby nursery room logo

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We found that the MA-25 is, without doubt, a quality purifier that will work well in medium-sized spaces. This was proven during our real-world tests where all traces of polluting particles were eradicated in 43 minutes, beating many of the other units within a similar price range, such as the Levoit PUR-131 and Blueair Blue Pure 411.

That being said, there is still room for improvement. Despite having quality filters, their lifespan doesnโ€™t compare to rival manufacturers and replacements donโ€™t come cheap unless you source alternatives from Amazon. Also, while the simplicity of this unit makes life easier, the lack of advanced features does make it feel more basic.ย 

rish to help us show clearly how long it took a specific purifier to remove all pollutants from the air.

SOURCES

We calculated the monthly energy consumption costs with the help of our air purifier electricity usage calculator. We calculated daily and yearly costs associated with running an air purifier for 24 hours a day in California. You can customize the result by air purifier wattage and by state.ย 

At HouseFresh, we have been reviewing air quality products since 2010. In all these years, we learned not to rely on manufacturers’ claims and the ever-so-glowing marketing materials. That is why we buy products with our own money, so we can write unbiased reviews after we’ve had enough time to evaluate air quality products in our home lab. Every unit we recommend has been thoroughly tested to assess its performance, energy consumption, and noise levels emitted in real-life environments. If you have any questions about our testing process for different types of air quality products, just drop us an email at danny@housefresh.com.

Winix 5300-2 review

by
Winix 5300 2 Hallway logo

Starting their journey in 1973, this South Korean company made it their mission to โ€œdeliver perfect products which are superior in Innovation, Performance, and Styleโ€. By making sure each of their products meets the high standards of testing companies like AHAM and Energy Star, itโ€™s no wonder theyโ€™re a major player in the market.

Alongside HEPA and Activated Carbon filters, they use their signature technology, PlasmaWaveยฎ. PlasmaWaveยฎ claims to reduce bacteria and viruses from the air in your home without producing harmful ozone. 

As a disclaimer, weโ€™re still not 100% convinced with ionization technology, so it will be interesting to see if PlasmaWaveยฎ persuades us otherwise.

As with all our product reviews, we donโ€™t just do a little reading and look at pictures, we actually BUY the thing and conduct our own performance tests. This lets us play around with each product to tell you exactly what itโ€™s like in a real-world setting, highlighting both pros and cons. Weโ€™re not scared of delivering the truth. If it sucks, weโ€™ll tell you, trust us.

Here’s how we tested the performance of the Winix 5300-2:

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Winix 5300-2

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“The CADR for the 5300-2 may not match other budget units like the Levoit Core 600S but it still held its own in our performance tests. Itโ€˜s easy to operate, has enough smart features to keep up with the market, and looks great in the home.”
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
Winix 5300 2 Window logo

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The Winix 5300-2 may be older but isnโ€™t dated. This hard-working air purifier proves that Winix builds efficient units to last, and at a price we can get along with. Here are some of the things we really like about the 5300-2, and some of the things we think could be improved.

What we really like

It looks modern with its matte finish
Controls are easy to navigate and operate
It offers a high CADR rating for the price
It has an air quality smart sensor
It comes with extra replacement carbon filters in the box

What we think could be better

It would be better if it came with loose-fill activated carbon instead of bonded
It is quite loud when running at its top fan speed (60 dB)

The specs

Although Winix can boast a good CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate), it comes at a cost. When you have a high-efficiency fan, you need to be able to afford the cost of powering it (weโ€™ll get into that further down). The other thing that comes with a big fan is noise. On its highest fan speed, you can expect the 5300-2 to make more noise than other units out there like the SmartAir Blast Mini or Blueairsโ€™ Blue Pure 211+.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):27 minutes
Air purifier technology:Washable Fine Mesh Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, Plasmawave Air Cleaning Technology
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 / in cm):15W x 8.2D x 23.6H inches (38.1W x 20.8D x 59.9H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Filter life:HEPA filter: every 6 months 
Carbon filter: every 3 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 37.1 dB
Speed 2: 39.6 dB
Speed 3: 43.3 dB
Speed 4: 59.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0.41 watts
Speed 1: 4.85 watts
Speed 2: 6.7 watts
Speed 3: 10.47 watts
Speed 4: 51 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$150.99 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.60
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:South Korea

Slender, modern, matte finish design with user-friendly controls

As soon as you pull the 5300-2 out of the box, you notice how different it looks to other models. Unlike the SpongeBobiness of the Coway Airmega 300 or the flat glossy Alen BreatheSmart 45i, this Winix is slender with a matte gray finish and a black control panel.

Winix 5300 2 No Filter Close Up logo

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It has a flat base, so no need to worry about it wobbling over and it stands 23.6 inches tall. Thereโ€™s a nice-looking grill on the front panel and side inlets, so plenty of air can enter the filters. 

The front panel is magnetized rather than having a clip, so you know it wonโ€™t be falling off in the middle of the night. A great safety feature on the 5300-2 is the fact the unit automatically shuts off when you remove the front panel to clean or change the filters. This way thereโ€™s no chance of you trapping your fingers in a moving fan.

We stood the 5300-2 next to the Honeywell HPA300 so we could compare the two units side by side. The HPA300 cleared pollution from our testing room only 1 minute faster than the Winix, but is heavier, more expensive, and uses a lot more energy. 

Winix 5300 2 VS Honeywell HPA300 logo

I donโ€™t know about you, but I personally prefer the look of the Winix in comparison. I think it complements a room more and has a few more features like its smart sensor and air quality indicator light.

The controls on the 5300-2 are easy to navigate, easy to operate, and easy to understand. 

Winix 5300 2 Control Panel logo

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There are five buttons across the top of the unit to turn it on/off, select mode, engage PlasmaWaveยฎ, change fan speed, and set the timer. Each button is responsive and the icons above light up to show what setting the unity is on.

You have four different fan speeds to choose from, press the fan speed button to scroll through the speeds. The timer allows you to select from three countdowns, 1hr, 4hr, and 8hr. Once the countdown hits zero, the unit will automatically shut itself off.

The mode function selects between sleep Mode and auto Mode. Sleep mode sets the fan to its lowest (quietest) speed and dims all the lights on the unit so you can get a good night’s rest without any distractions. 

The auto mode takes over the controls, so you donโ€™t have to change the fan speed. Once engaged, the Smart Sensor measures air quality in the room and adjusts fan speed accordingly.

It also lets you know the quality of your air with its indicator light:

๐Ÿ”ต Blue: Good

๐ŸŸ  Orange: Fair

๐Ÿ”ด Red: Poor

Three-stage filtration, powered by PlasmaWave technology

The activated carbon filter could be improved but the presence of a TrueHEPA filter really helps

Winix 5300 2 HEPA Filter logo 1

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When you open the front panel, youโ€™ll first see the pre-filter. This is here to stop any of the larger airborne particles from getting to the HEPA filter, thus removing them from your environment and prolonging the life of your HEPA.

You can unclip and remove the pre-filter, enabling you to clean it when needed. After prolonged use, the pre-filter will get clogged with dust particles. You can wipe the filter down or vacuum it clean.

When you unclip the pre-filter, youโ€™ll reveal the bonded activated carbon filter:

Winix 5300 2 Carbon Filter logo

As you probably know, the activated carbon filter takes care of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and unwanted odors, removing them from the air. Here, activated carbon is pressed into a sheet so when VOCs try to pass through, they get caught in the carbon through a process called adsorption.

The basic rule for an activated carbon filter is; the more carbon it contains, the more effective it is.

Unfortunately, the 5300-2 doesnโ€™t contain much of this, so itโ€™s less effective than some (like the Coway Airmega 300) at removing VOCs and odors from your home. You should be able to clearly see how flimsy the activated carbon filter it is in the photo below:

Winix 5300 2 Three Stage Filtration System

Once youโ€™ve removed the activated carbon filter, you expose the True HEPA filter:

Winix 5300 2 Carbon HEPA Filter logo

This is the main part of the filtration process. Made from tightly woven fibers, the HEPA catches tiny airborne particles, trapping them so they donโ€™t get released back into your room.

True HEPA filters are designed to remove up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size (thatโ€™s SMALL). These are things like:

  • Pet dander
  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Smoke
  • Fine dust

Having a HEPA filter is the most efficient way of removing these harmful pollutants from the air in your home. If an air purifier doesnโ€™t contain a HEPA filter, I wouldnโ€™t look twice at it.

Replacing the filter is a pretty simple process on the 5300-2. Itโ€™s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

  1. Remove the front panel and unclip the pre-filter
  2. Pull the tab removing the filter
  3. Slide in the new filter and re-attach the pre-filter and front panel

Here is a video just in case that seems a little complicated.

Tip

Remember, when you purchase this unit new or buy a replacement, the filter will come with plastic packaging. You have to remove this packaging before turning your air purifier on. If you donโ€™t, the filter will be rendered useless and youโ€™ll probably start to smell burning after a while as the plastic erodes. 

What is PlasmaWaveยฎ?

Most brands these days use their signature technology in their air purifiers. This not only sounds fancy, but it shows that they have their own engineers developing technology to make your home cleaner, aka, more trustworthy.

For Winix, itโ€™s PlasmaWaveยฎ.

PlasmaWaveยฎ Technology creates Hydroxyls to reduce bacteria and viruses without producing harmful ozone. Our technology creates a safe & short electrical discharge to create dual polarity ions (positive and negative) and disperses them into the air.
โ€” Winix team

This basically means the unit has an ionizer. An ionizer sends out electrically charged particles into the air, which attract airborne pollutants and pull them to the ground. Pretty much like when clothes stick together fresh out of the dryer from static.

Iโ€™ve never been too keen on ionizers for two reasons:

  1. We tested one and it didnโ€™t seem to make any difference to the pollution in my room.
  2. The ions pull pollutants to the ground, they donโ€™t actually remove them from the environment.

Because of this, I wonโ€™t be using the PlasmaWaveยฎ technology in my home.

The Winix 5300-2 cleared our test room in 27 minutes

That is 7 minutes faster than the Alen Flex and the Mila, but 8 minutes slower than the Winix 5500-2

Winix 5300 2 Testing logo

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So, how does the 5300-2 actually perform? With every air purifier we review, we put it in our performance testing room where we see how well it does at removing airborne pollutants. We test each product in the same room under the same conditions in order to get a fair result that we can compare against other units.

Because we want to give you real-world results, we donโ€™t test our air purifiers in a lab or manufactured environment. We use an actual room in our actual home.

To get these results, we placed the 5300-2 in our 705 cubic ft performance room and contaminated the air using incense. We then turned the unit onto its highest fan speed and waited until the room was clear of pollution.

We monitored each stage of our test using our indoor sensor from Purpleair to provide us updates on PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10.0 ug/m3.

Here are the results:

As you can see from the graph, the Winix managed to clear the room of contaminants in 27 minutes which, for the size of the unit, was a good performance.

Air cleaning performance compared

When compared to other units, it was only 1 minute more than the powerhouse which is Honeywellโ€™s HPA300, and Cowayโ€™s Airmega 300. Quite surprising as both of those units have a higher CADR.

Noise ;evels test results

As I mentioned before, because of its powerful fan, the 5300-2 can get quite loud when running on its higher fan speeds. At its lowest speed, it clocks in at 27 dB, but on high, it can reach 60+ dB. This is loud enough to disturb your movie or gaming. 

Fortunately though, as you can see from our performance tests, you should never need to have it at full speed for long periods of time. Hereโ€™s a video to demonstrate the sound levels.

The cost to run a Winix 5300-2 : $150.99 per year

When purchasing an air purifier, most of us will factor in how much a unit costs before buying. Unfortunately, thatโ€™s not the only expense you need to consider. 

1. Electricity costs = $66.23

With rising energy costs worldwide, youโ€™ll need to consider how much an air purifier costs to run โ€” especially as it is recommended that you have it on for eight hours every day.

We clocked the 5300-2 at using 63.4 watts on full power, which isnโ€™t the most efficient weโ€™ve tested, but it also is not the worst. It looks good when compared to the Honeywellโ€™s HPA300, as it uses 87 watts at full speed. But put it next to the Levoit Core 600S, which cleared our performance room 12 minutes faster using 47 watts. It doesnโ€™t look so great.

We worked out that if you had the 5300-2 on full fan speed 24 hrs a day, it would cost $66.23 per year, according to data from the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator.

2. Filter costs = $84.76

Air purifier filters donโ€™t last forever. Periodically, you must replace each filter so your unit can run efficiently. If you donโ€™t, youโ€™re running a useless fan wasting energy.

Over time, HEPA and activated carbon filters become full of all the contaminants theyโ€™ve pulled out of the air. As they get fuller, they become less effective; therefore, they must be swapped out for new ones, which costs money.

As the activated carbon filters donโ€™t last as long as the HEPA filters, Winix has included some replacements in the box. Nice touch, Winix; thank you!

When itโ€™s time for a full replacement, the pack comes with one HEPA filter and four activated carbon filters, so you only have to make one purchase each time. This is well thought out and much appreciated, as some brands like to leave you to purchase separate filters.

Unfortunately, the filters cost around $80, so replacing them every 6 months can get a little expensive.

Filter
Genuine Winix 5300-2 Replacement Filter
Unofficial Winix 5300-2 Replacement Filter Replacement 2-Pack
Genuine Winix 115115 Replacement Filter A for C535, 5300-2, P300, 5300, White/Black
115115 Size 21 Replacement Filter A for Winix PlasmaWave Air Purifier 5300 6300 5300-2 6300-2 P300 C535, Compatible with Fellowes AeraMax 290 300 DX95, 2 Pack HEPA Filters + 8 Pack Carbon Filters
Technology
True HEPA Filter + 4 Activated Carbon Filters
2 True HEPA Filters + 8 Activated Carbon Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$35.98
Price not available
Filter
Genuine Winix 5300-2 Replacement Filter
Genuine Winix 115115 Replacement Filter A for C535, 5300-2, P300, 5300, White/Black
Technology
True HEPA Filter + 4 Activated Carbon Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$35.98
Filter
Unofficial Winix 5300-2 Replacement Filter Replacement 2-Pack
115115 Size 21 Replacement Filter A for Winix PlasmaWave Air Purifier 5300 6300 5300-2 6300-2 P300 C535, Compatible with Fellowes AeraMax 290 300 DX95, 2 Pack HEPA Filters + 8 Pack Carbon Filters
Technology
2 True HEPA Filters + 8 Activated Carbon Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
Price not available

Bottom line

A solid option, although you might prefer to go for the Winix 5500-2 which looks nearly identical but offers better air cleaning performance and a sturdier activated carbon filter

Although Winix has released an updated model, that doesnโ€™t mean the Winix 5300-2 is out of the race completely. This air purifier has enough features to keep you happy, and its design would look great in your home.

Winix 5300 2 Hallway logo

buy it on amazon FIND IT ON EBAY read our review

That said, the Winix 5300-2 is let down by the noise its fan can generate and that fact they use an ionizer as their signature technology. The activated carbon filter isnโ€™t the best by far and the matt control panel is susceptible to fingerprint marks.

You canโ€™t deny its performance, though. The 5300-2 sits comfortably alongside the โ€œDoctors’ favoriteโ€ Honeywellโ€™s HPA300 and Cowayโ€™s Airmega 300, making this unit a strong contender in an ever-growing market.

SOURCES

In order to calculate the monthly energy consumption costs, we used the appliance energy calculator from the Department of Energy. We calculated the daily and yearly costs of running an air purifier for 24 hours a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of February 14th, 2024.

Honeywell HPA300 review

by
Honeywell HPA300 Editorial logo

Thereโ€™s no doubt about it: Honeywell is a household name. But theyโ€™re so much more than an air purifier manufacturer. With heavy ties in industry, aerospace, chemicals, and healthcare, itโ€™s no wonder their air quality products have earned their slogan of โ€œThe Doctorโ€™s Choice.โ€

With quite a few models in the range, Honeywell has created a unit to suit most room sizes. In the HPA series, it starts with the small 060, right up to the larger, more tech-heavy 5300.

Today, weโ€™re looking at the HPA300, which falls into the middle section of the series and is a good gauge of what the range has to offer.

As with all our hands-on reviews here at HouseFresh, we bought this unit with our own money, so we have no biases to give a better review than we would under normal circumstances.

Opposite to most reviews, you will read when searching for info about the Honeywell HPA300, we have actually tested this air purifier and used it in our own home for over six months BEFORE telling you what we think of it.

We tested the Honeywell HPA300 in three stages, as we do with all the air purifiers we review:

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

All this to say that this review is not a simple copy-paste of the manufacturer’s marketing materials peppered with photos we took without even turning on the unit once.

This is a reflection of our experience testing the Honeywell HPA300 and also using it daily in our own home.

The lowdown on the Honeywell HPA300

danny

“The Honeywell HPA300 is a no-thrills, hard-working air purifier for those on a budget.”

โ€” Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer

Honeywell HPA300 Living Room 2

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Youโ€™re busy; we get it. Hereโ€™s a Too Long Didnโ€™t Read low down showing you the main pros and cons I found when testing the HPA300.

What we really like

It has a high CADR rating for its budget price.
Ready to use straight out of the box.
It doesnโ€™t take up much floor space.
Replacement filters are easy to come by.
It has straightforward controls.

What we think could be better

It can get quite loud at higher fan speeds.
You have to replace the pre-filter quite often.
It doesnโ€™t come with a remote control or app.

Itโ€™s amazing to see a CADR this high in an air purifier that costs under $300. This can be attributed to Honeywell’s high-powered fan. The HPA300 is a workhorse, clearing medium-sized rooms fast and effectively. The downside to having a powerful fan is that it uses a lot of energy to run and usually, this comes hand-in-hand with higher energy bills.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):20 minutes
Air purifier technology:Activated Carbon pre-filter and True HEPA filter
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):465 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 320 CFM
Smoke: 300 CFM
Pollen: 300 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):20.8L x 10.83W x 22.38H inches (52.8L x 27.5W x 56.8H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):17 lbs (7.7 kg)
Filter life:HEPA every 12 months, Pre-filters every 3 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 43.6 dB
Speed 2: 48.8 dB 
Speed 3: 53.9 dB
Speed 4: 59.5 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 28.35 watts
Speed 2: 42.92 watts
Speed 3: 55.8 watts
Speed 4: 76.2 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$205.22 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.84
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:5 years
Country of manufacture:China

Matt, black and discrete

If there were an international beauty pageant for air purifiers, the HPA300 wouldnโ€™t be on the podium.

Honeywell HPA300 Close Up

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If you compare it to Rabbit Airโ€™s MinusA2, which is focused on style, youโ€™ll see that Honeywell makes units that look like air purifiers and act like air purifiers.

It has a simple, flat base with no wheels, which isnโ€™t an issue for maneuverability as it weighs 17 lbs and has an inset handle on each side. My mom mentioned she liked this style better, as it doesnโ€™t make a mark on her new carpet.

The metallic touch control panel is easy to operate with minimal buttons. You do have to press them hard, so if at first you donโ€™t succeedโ€ฆ

I did find an issue with the front panel of the HPA300. It is held on by clicking it into place, and if it isnโ€™t clicked in properly, it tends to fall off, especially when you move the unit from room to room.

Honeywell HPA300 Issue NO LOGO

To compare the design with another unit, we sat the HPA300 next to the Winix 5300-2 as theyโ€™re both similar in size and had a similar performance in our testing room. I personally prefer the design of the Winix, and it has the smart features that are missed on the HPA300.

Winix 5300 2 VS Honeywell HPA300 logo

Why have one filter when you can have three?

When you remove the front panel of the HPA300, you have access to the three mini filters. Each uses a two-stage process:

  • Stage 1 – Activated carbon pre-filter: Instead of having a pre-filter and a carbon filter, they are combined in one handy sheet. It captures larger particles in the air, such as dust and hair, whilst reducing odors and VOCs.
  • Stage 2 – HEPA filter: Instead of one large HEPA filter, theyโ€™ve opted for three smaller ones that fit snugly behind the pre-filter. The bonus of using smaller filters is that if one gets dirty, you only need to replace one instead of all three.

Usually, the third layer of a filter is the activated carbon layer, which is either packed full of loose activated carbon or bonded into a sheet. In the HPA300, you get that thin layer of bonded activated carbon to adsorb odors and other VOCs in the home.

Honeywell HPA300 Filters Shot

I can see the logic behind why Honeywell has gone for this approach, but the carbon filter feels a bit flimsy. Compare it to the Coway Airmega 300, and you can see the difference. With Coway, you can see the bits of carbon in the filter. 

Honeywell HPA300 Activated Carbon Filter

I prefer the loose-fill carbon filters as thereโ€™s more surface area for VOCs to adsorb, so this sheet is a little disappointing.

Honeywell advises changing the HEPA filters every 12 months and the pre-filters every three months. Luckily, you can buy both types in one pack to last you 12 months or purchase them both separately if needs be.

Honeywell HPA300 Unit Without FIlters 1

Replacing the filters is a simple process that takes around 30 seconds. Hereโ€™s the process and a video to show you how. 

  • Step 1: Unplug the unit
  • Step 2: Remove the front panel
  • Step 3: Remove the activated carbon sheet
  • Step 4: Pull the red tabs on the top of each HEPA filter to remove
  • Step 5: Insert your new HEPA filters and reverse the steps

Tip

Itโ€™s important that you remember to remove any plastic packaging from the filters before installing them into the unit. If you donโ€™t, the filters simply wonโ€™t be able to work, and youโ€™ll probably start to smell plastic burning over time.

Simple operation

The Honeywell HPA300 is for those who want to turn it on and let it be.

Honeywell HPA300 Control Panel

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With no app, air quality indicator, ionizer, or remote to deal with, the control panel is easy to navigate, responsive and very straightforward.

There are four speeds to choose from germ, generally clean, allergen, and a separate button for turbo. Thereโ€™s no need to get confused over the names; they basically mean low, medium, and high.

You have a timer to set for 2 hours, 4 hours and 8 hours for extra ease, and indicators will light up when itโ€™s time to change the filters.

Lastly, a dimmer button dims the blue lights or turns them off completely, making it handy for use in the bedroom whilst sleeping or if you donโ€™t want to draw any extra attention to the unit.

The Honeywell HPA300 cleared our test room in 20 minutes 

Itโ€™s all good discussing design and functions, but how does this air purifier perform?

Honeywell HPA300 Testing

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We tested the HPA300 to measure its effectiveness at removing airborne contaminants from our testing room and compare it with other units weโ€™ve tested in the same conditions.

As with all our reviews, we test these units in real-world situations. You donโ€™t live in a sterile laboratory environment, and neither do we, so we test them in our home.

We placed the HPA300 inside our 728 cubic ft test room and recorded how fast it cleared the air from thick incense smoke pollution when running on turbo mode. We used our indoor sensor from Purpleair to update us on PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10.0ug/m3 levels throughout the test.

Hereโ€™s what we found:

As you can see from the data collected, the HPA300 clears our room of contaminants in 20 impressive minutes. Thatโ€™s due to the powerful fan I keep mentioning. It may be loud, and it may use a lot of power, but this is the result you get because of that.

Update December 2023:

We received a comment asking us to see how well the Honeywell HPA300 cleaned the air when running on lower fan speeds, so we tested performance at Speed 2 and Speed 1.

At Speed 1 (Germ), which is less than 45 dbA, it is 43.6 dBA and achieved PM1 Zero in 50 minutes.

At Speed 2 (General clean), which is under 50 dBA, it is 48.8 dBA and achieved PM1 zero in 34 minutes.

Air cleaning performance, compared

When we compare it to other units on the market with similar CADR ratings, the HPA300 was only two minutes away if the fastest air purifier we have tested so far: the Smart Air Blast Mini. Besides, it cleared our room at the same time as Levoit’s EverestAir and the AirDoctor 3000, two units that cost nearly double the price of this Honeywell.

Noise levels test results, compared

Unfortunately, noise is where the HPA300 lets itself down.  The big fan, which allows it to have high CADR levels in this unit, means you must compromise on noise. Thereโ€™s no โ€˜silentโ€™ or โ€˜sleepโ€™ mode, which is an asset to Alenโ€™s 75i and 45i units, only a turbo mode which makes this unit the focus in any room.

SPEEDSOUND LEVEL (at 3 ft. away)
Speed 4 [Top Speed]59.5 dBA
Speed 353.9 dBA
Speed 248.8 dBA
Speed 143.6 dBA

Hear for yourself with our noise video.

The cost to run the Honeywell HPA300: $205.22 per year

1. Electricity costs = $116.23 per year

When investing in an air purifier, itโ€™s not only the cost of the unit you need to think about. Air purifiers use electricity to operate, so you will need to consider the cost of running, especially if it is recommended to run the unit for at least 8 hours per day.

As energy costs keep rising, itโ€™s beneficial to have an air purifier thatโ€™s as energy-efficient as possible.

On Turbo mode, the HPA300 draws 76 watts of power, which is quite substantial compared to other units. We clocked the Winix 5300-2 at 51 watts on full and the Levoit Core 600S (one of our favorites) at almost 30 watts less at 49 watts. 

We calculated that if you ran the HPA300 at full fan speed for 24 hours a day, every day, it would cost $116.23 per year. We got this figure using the average energy prices as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Looking at the performance test results, you shouldnโ€™t ever need to run this unit for that long on turbo every day; that would be overkill. We use these perimeters to show the highest it could cost you.

2. Filter costs = $88.99 per year

Electricity isnโ€™t the only extra expense when operating an air purifier in your home. You will also need to replace the filters in your unit periodically.

HEPA filters were developed during WWII and have been used to filter airborne contaminants. This technology has proved itself as the most effective way to remove micropollutants from the air by trapping them in a maze of intertwined fibers. The thing is, HEPA filters become less effective over time as they start to fill up with these trapped contaminants. Depending on the filter, it will become full and ineffective at some point, so itโ€™s paramount you change the filters at this time.

As the HPA300 uses three small HEPA filters instead of one large one, Honeywell has put plenty of thought into replacement filters. They offer packs of 1, 2, or 3 replacements, so if one filter is full but the others are okay, you donโ€™t need to fork out the extras. 

A pack of three genuine Honeywell HEPA filters will set you back around $78, but that doesnโ€™t include a replacement activated carbon sheet, so we recommend purchasing the all-in-one box with three HEPA filters and four pre-cut activated carbon sheets for $88.99.

Filter
Honeywell Genuine HPA300 Filter Replacement Bundle
Durabasics Generic Honeywell HPA300 Filter Set
Honeywell HEPA Air Purifier Filter Replacement Kit for HPA300, HPA3300, HPA5300, HPA8350 series Air Purifiers, Value Combo Pack Includes 3 HEPA R & 4 A Carbon Pre-Cut Pre-Filters
Durabasics 3 Air Filter Set for HPA300 Honeywell Air Purifier Filters & Honeywell HPA300 - Compatible with Air Purifier Replacement HPA 300 - Replacements for Filter R & HPA 300 Filter
Technology
3 HEPA Replacement Filters and 4 Activated Carbon Pre-Filters
3 HEPA Replacement Filters and 4 Activated Carbon Pre-Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$83.99
$41.99
Filter
Honeywell Genuine HPA300 Filter Replacement Bundle
Honeywell HEPA Air Purifier Filter Replacement Kit for HPA300, HPA3300, HPA5300, HPA8350 series Air Purifiers, Value Combo Pack Includes 3 HEPA R & 4 A Carbon Pre-Cut Pre-Filters
Technology
3 HEPA Replacement Filters and 4 Activated Carbon Pre-Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$83.99
Filter
Durabasics Generic Honeywell HPA300 Filter Set
Durabasics 3 Air Filter Set for HPA300 Honeywell Air Purifier Filters & Honeywell HPA300 - Compatible with Air Purifier Replacement HPA 300 - Replacements for Filter R & HPA 300 Filter
Technology
3 HEPA Replacement Filters and 4 Activated Carbon Pre-Filters
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$41.99

Bottom line: Is the Honeywell HPA300 worth it?

Overall, Honeywell has produced another sturdy air purifier covering all room sizes in the HPA range.

Unfortunately, thatโ€™s all it is, another sturdy air purifier. With none of the cool features weโ€™ve become accustomed to, the HPA300 does what itโ€™s meant to do, but in the least exciting way possible. Its noise levels let it down, and it wouldnโ€™t be advised to have it running when watching a scary movie.

Honeywell HPA300 Editorial logo

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Donโ€™t get me wrong; this unit works hard. It boasts high CADRs and passes the test when it comes to eliminating airborne pollutants. Itโ€™s easy to use, replacing filters is no trouble and itโ€™s simple to move from room to room. Itโ€™s just a bitโ€ฆ meh.

If youโ€™re looking for a unit that will fit into your home, work hard and has a few more features, I would recommend going for the Winix 5300-2 or the Levoit Core 600S over the HPA300. And if your budget is tight, then you can’t go wrong with the Core 300S or the TaoTronics AP003.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Honeywell HPA300 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.

Levoit LV-H133 review

by
Levoit LV H133 Living room logo

If youโ€™ve already started researching air purifiers, youโ€™ve most likely come across the brand name Levoit before. They are one of the major players in household products and their range of air cleaners is more popular than most.

Currently, they have their Core, LV-H, LV-PUR, Vista, and Vital ranges with the Core having the biggest choice of units. Weโ€™ve already reviewed the 600S, 400S, 300, and 200S from the Core range so we wanted to try something different Levoit has to offer.

One plus to buying an air purifier from Levoit is the signature technology they come with. As with most of their new products, the LV-H133 comes with a 360-degree HEPASmart filter, VortexAirโ„ข technology, and a centrifugal fan wheel.

On your journey to buying new products online, youโ€™ll no doubt come across heaps of โ€˜Best-ofโ€™ articles from big media sites telling you what to buy when the writer hasnโ€™t ever seen or touched it. At HouseFresh, we cut the bulls**t. 

We buy every air purifier we test with our own money, so we can test it ourselves and be free to share our data with no strings attached to any manufacturer.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Levoit LV-H133

danny

โ€œIf you don’t mind the size and aren’t too concerned about the lack of smartphone connectivity, this is a good-performing unit with a great design.

However, if you’re not too concerned about aesthetics, then the Core 600S is a superior model with its 410 CFM CADR, 635 sq. ft. room capacity, cheaper replacement filters, app connectivity… All for an extra $50 โ€” and it’s 7 lbs lighter, too.โ€

โ€” Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer

Levoit LV H133 Living room logo

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The LV-H133 is a great addition to the Levoit range. Itโ€™s pretty stylish (especially in black), has enough smart features to keep it current, and performs amazingly in medium to large size rooms. And all at under $250*, thatโ€™s a feat not many purifier brands can boast.

What we really like

It has an LED air quality monitor color wheel.
It offers solid air cleaning speed โ€” it cleaned our test room as fast as the IQAir HealthPro Plus and the Coway Airmega AP-1512hh Mighty.
The touchscreen controls are easy to operate.
Replacing the filter is a simple process.
The numeric display shows how long the timer is set for.

What we think could be better

It would be better if it had handles on each side for maneuverability.
I wish the numeric display showed PM levels.
Other units at a similar price range performed better in our testing, like the Winix 5500-2.

Levoit excels at producing high-performing air purifiers at budget prices without sacrificing quality. The LV-H133 retails at $249.99, which is not bad compared to other units with similar CADR, like the Alen BreatheSmart 45i (costing over $430) and the Coway Airmega 300 ($330).

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):25 minutes
Air purifier technology:3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):360 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 274 CFM
Smoke: 284 CFM
Pollen: 287 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12.5L x 12.5W x 23.6H in (31.8 x 31.8 x 60 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):6.6 lbs (3kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (as reported by manufacturer):Speed 1: 28 dB
Speed 2: 36 dB
Speed 3: 46 dB
Speed 4: 54 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (as reported by manufacturer):Lowest fan speed: 0.8 watts
Highest fan speed: 28.1 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$155.43 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.91
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:China

The curvy cleaning tower and top-loaded touchscreen 

Sleeker design than other Levoit units, but it is a large device

Levoit LV H133 Close up front logojpg 2

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For the LV-H133, Levoit has opted for a sleeker design over the cylindrical Core 400S or the more traditional boxy stylings of the 600S. It has curves in all the right places, making it quite pleasing to the eye.

If youโ€™re like me, you donโ€™t want your air purifier to be the main focus of a room. You donโ€™t want to hide it away, but you donโ€™t need it taking up space in the middle of the room. This is where the LV-H133 ticks all the boxes for me, as it sits comfortably in a corner without taking up too much space.

The control panel sits comfortably on top of the unit, sunken into the middle of the outlet, making it easy to access regardless where it sits in your room.

Levoit LV H133 Control panel logo

The round control panel contains 6 touch buttons, 3 icons to indicate fan speed, a filter check light, a color-changing air quality monitor ring, and a numerical display for the timer function. Each button is quite sensitive and doesnโ€™t need to be pushed hard to engage. Theyโ€™re all labeled and well-spaced, so you wonโ€™t accidentally hit the wrong one.

Hereโ€™s what each one does:

  • On/Off – Turns the air purifier on/off
  • Timer – Set the timer for anywhere between 1-12 hours to match your schedule
  • Display lock – Press and hold for 3 seconds to lock/unlock the display
  • Display lights on/off – Turns all display lights on/off for night time or movie time
  • Auto function – Adjusts fan speed automatically based on air quality
  • Fan speed – Select from 3 speeds; Low, Medium, and High
  • Sleep mode – Switches fan speed to Low and turns off display lights

The color-changing ring gives you a clear indication of the quality of the air in your room in real-time. You can adjust the fan speed yourself or use the unit’s Auto Mode where the purifier changes fan speed automatically in accordance with the air quality.

Indicator ColorAir QualityAuto Mode Fan Speed
BlueVery GoodSleep Mode
GreenGoodLow
OrangeModerateMedium
RedVery BadHigh

You can see here how the Levoit LV-H133 compares to the Coway Airmega 300 in terms of size and design aesthetics – the height of this unit stands out clearly against the Airmega 300:

Levoit LV H133 Coway Comparison 2 logo

When the time comes to replace the filter, you’ll find out that it’s a fairly easy job. Simply remove the back panel and you will see the filter ready to be changed.

Without the filter inside, you will be able to spot the large fan that powers the LV-H133. I donโ€™t like to judge a book by its cover, but you can tell by the look that this fan means business.

360-degree filter technology

The Levoit team are big fans of the 360-degree filter. It obviously works, considering that youโ€™ll find them in each of their Core air purifiers, as well as the LV-H133.

Levoit LV H133 FIlter 3 logo 2

The LV-H133 filter is made up of three layers:

  1. Nylon Pre-Filter – The main job of the pre-filter is to act as the first line of defense. It works by capturing the larger airborne particles from your room and trapping them. This also means that the HEPA filter doesnโ€™t need to work as hard, giving it more life before it needs replacing.
  1. Main Filter – Highly effective at removing 99.97% of fine airborne particles like mold, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. This is the part of the filter thatโ€™s doing the heavy lifting when it comes to cleaning the air.
  1. Activated Carbon Filter – The last stage in the process is by no means the least. This layer is packed with activated carbon, which is used to adsorb orders and other VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) like cooking smells, pet odors, fumes, and smoke.
Levoit LV H133 Filter change logo 3

Not only is the LV-H113โ€™s filter highly effective, but itโ€™s also straightforward to replace when the time comes, as I said earlier in this review.

All you need to do is:

  1. Remove the back panel
  2. Pull out the old filter
  3. Slide the new one in 

Itโ€™s that easy. Check out this instructional video if those steps werenโ€™t clear enough.

Tip

Do yourself a big favor, and make sure you remove any packaging from the filter before you start using this (or any) unit. If you donโ€™t, it will not be able to clean any particles from the air and will create a burning smell โ€” which is the opposite of what you want, right?

The Levoit LV-H133 cleared our test room in 25 minutes  

Okay, down to the nitty-gritty, the performance. 

When we review an air purifier, we donโ€™t just look at it, turn it on for a minute, and take some photos to copy/paste specs into an articleโ€”ahem, most review websites out there.

We test each air purifier in a real-life environment, putting it through its paces. This way, we can tell you exactly how they perform compared to one another.

Levoit LV H133 Testing logo

We do this by putting each unit in our 728 cubic ft test room, filling that room with pollutants using incense sticks, and then setting the purifier on full to see how long it takes to clear the room of pollutants. 

We can then monitor every minute of this test using our Purple Air Indoor sensor, which gives us data on PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10.0 ug/m3. We then use that data to show you our findings in a simple graph.

Hereโ€™s what we found when testing our LV-H133:

The graph shows the pollution filling the room up to 10:19 a.m., which is the moment we switched the Levoitsโ€™ fan on to full speed. After that, contaminants swiftly declined as the LV-H133 filtered out those airborne pollutants and reached zero for PM1.0 particles at 10:44. That was exactly 25 minutes later.

Air cleaning speed, compared

The performance we’ve seen in the LV-H133 is impressive for a unit that could be seen as ‘old’ by today’s standards. Letโ€™s compare that to other units we have tested in the same room.

You can see that modern units like the Levoit Vital 200S or the Winix 5500-2 outperformed the LV-H133 by a fair share. However, this air purifier is still more powerful than similarly priced units such as the Alen BreatheSmart Flex.

Noise levels, compared

The sound these units emit is a major factor in whether I will use them again. I like to make music at home, so if the air purifier Iโ€™m using is loud, itโ€™s not gonna stay. 

The LV-H133 kicks out 28 dB on its lowest setting, which is hardly noticeable in an average household. On high, it goes up to 54dB, which is no jet engine, but you will hear it. As this unit clears your room of pollutants so fast, youโ€™ll never need to have it on high for too long.

Check it out for yourself in this video.

The cost to run a Levoit LV-H133: $155.43 per year

1. Electricity costs = $42.86 per year

With the ever-rising costs of electricity and our environmental duty to be more energy-efficient, you need to factor in how much an air purifier costs to run. Thereโ€™s no point in having clean air if youโ€™ve got a monster energy bill to pay for it.

Luckily, Levoit has you covered. Each of their units is rigorously tested for its energy consumption as it strives to achieve an Energy Star Certificate to prove its efficiencyโ€ฆwhich it has. 

As with all our units, we donโ€™t rely on what the manufacturers say, so we always test their energy consumption ourselves. We found that on its highest setting, the LV-H133 pulls 28.1 watts and less than 0.8 watts on its lowest. But what does that mean in terms of $$$?

Using the average energy prices of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we worked out that if you had the LV-H133 on full fan speed, for 24hrs a day, 365 days a year (which is ridiculously pointless and wasteful), it would cost you $42.86 a year to run.

2. Filter costs = $126 per year

Unfortunately, electricity is not the only cost to factor into your purchase.

The HEPA filters in air purifiers donโ€™t last forever. Over time they lose their efficiency as they become clogged up with the fine particles theyโ€™ve trapped. If you want your LV-H133 to operate to its potential, youโ€™ll need to replace the filter every 6 to 8 months. 

Levoit LV H133 Filter logo

Donโ€™t worry, you wonโ€™t have to check the filter daily. The filter change indicator light will go on when the unit recognizes needing a replacement.

You can pick up an official Levoit replacement filter online for $62.99* or an unofficial one for $52.99*.

Filter
Genuine Levoit LV-H133 Replacement
Generic Unofficial Levoit LV-H133 2-Pack Filter Replacement
Levoit LV-H133 Replacement Filter, Genuine Air Purifier Filters, 1 Pack | High-Efficiency Activated Carbon for Removal of Smoke, Odor, Allergens, Pollen, Dust, Pet Hair, LV-H133-RF, White
Flintar LV-H133 Replacement Filter, Made in Taiwan, Compatible with LEVOIT LV-H133 Tower Air Purifier, H13 Grade Filtration & Activated Carbon Filter Set, Part Number LV-H133-RF
Technology
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$62.99
$39.99
Filter
Genuine Levoit LV-H133 Replacement
Levoit LV-H133 Replacement Filter, Genuine Air Purifier Filters, 1 Pack | High-Efficiency Activated Carbon for Removal of Smoke, Odor, Allergens, Pollen, Dust, Pet Hair, LV-H133-RF, White
Technology
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$62.99
Filter
Generic Unofficial Levoit LV-H133 2-Pack Filter Replacement
Flintar LV-H133 Replacement Filter, Made in Taiwan, Compatible with LEVOIT LV-H133 Tower Air Purifier, H13 Grade Filtration & Activated Carbon Filter Set, Part Number LV-H133-RF
Technology
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$39.99

It is worth mentioning that we haven’t tested the unofficial filter, so we canโ€™t testify to its efficiency.

Spending potentially $126 every year on filters does seem quite expensive, especially when the Core 600S out-performs the LV-H133 and its filters are slightly cheaper at $59.99*

Bottom line

The Levoit LV-H133 has most of the smart features I expect from units these days, such as a timer, Sleep mode, Auto mode and an air quality indicator, but it lacks app connectivity.

We canโ€™t deny that the LV-H133 outperforms many other units on the market at a fraction of the price. Itโ€™s also energy-efficient, saving you money on electricity bills, but the cost of replacement filters lets it down.

Levoit LV H133 Living room logo

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I like this unitโ€”I really doโ€”but I canโ€™t help pointing out that the Core 600S is a superior model with its 410 CFM CADR, 635 sq. ft. room capacity, cheaper replacement filters, app connectivity, and it’s also 7 lbs lighterโ€ฆ all for an extra $50.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Levoit LV-H133 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.

Coway Airmega 300 review

by
DSC00224

If youโ€™ve already started your journey into home air purification, you will likely have come across Coway units in your research. With over three decades of experience under their belts, the engineers at Coway have made it their mission to โ€œhelp people live happier, healthier livesโ€ by innovating technology through research, development, and design.

Coway has developed their HyperCaptiveโ„ข air filtration system, combining their washable pre-filter, Green True HEPA filterโ„ข, and activated carbon filter. 

Since its release, the 300 has had an update in the 300S, which has WiFi capability to connect to the Coway smartphone app, which can also connect to your Google Home device if you have one. Also, with new models released like the Airmega 250S and Airmega Icon (which has a wireless phone charging dock), the 300 might look a little ancient.

Based on our data, Coway has made a great little unit with a high CADR for its size at 300 CFM. It may be a bit more expensive than other units of this size like the Honeywell HPA300, but youโ€™re also getting some pretty neat smart features and its Max2 HyperCaptiveโ„ข filters.

The lowdown on the Coway Airmega 300

danny

“During our air cleaning performance test, the Airmega 300 cleared our testing room in an impressive 26 minutes and based on its CADR of 298.7 cfm its good for rooms up to 459 square feet with 4.8 air changes per hour.

Yes, itโ€™s a bit plasticky, no, it doesnโ€™t have as many features as some of the units in this price range, but its a popular large CADR air purifier for a reason – its performance.”

โ€” Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer
Coway Airmega 300S Living room 1

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If youโ€™re too busy to check out the full review, here are the pros and cons I found with the Coway Airmega 300 when putting it through its paces.

What we really like

A modern design that will fit into many different decors.
It has an air quality indicator light.
It features an auto-mode.
Having a filter on each side maximizes the cleaning of contaminated air

What we think could be better

The four legs can mark carpets. Wheels would have been better.
That on/off jingle will haunt my dreams.

HouseFresh Rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our test room:26 minutes
Air purifier technology:Three-stage HyperCaptiveโ„ข Max2 filters (pre-filter + activated carbon + Green True HEPAโ„ข)
Recommended room size:459 square feet (4.8 air changes)
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):306 CFM (589 mยณ/h)
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):13.6W x 21.2H x 13.6D inches (34.5W x 53.8H x 34.5D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):21.4 lbs (9.7 kg)
Noise level (low โ€“ high):22dB – 52dB
Filter life:12 months
Warranty5 years from the date of the original retail purchase
Estimated energy consumption:$55.71 per year

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A clear focus on design

As soon as the 300 landed on my doorstep, you could tell from the packaging that this came from a company that values its design, as it shows you what the unit looks like from all angles before you even open the box.

Pulling it out of the box, you instantly feel itโ€™s quite light, so moving it from room to room isnโ€™t a problem using the handles on each side.

Coway Airmega 300 Close Up Front

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The power button is recessed and the rest of the controls are touch sensitive. This took me a few seconds to work out, as I skipped the instruction manual (I like to delve straight in).

Coway Airmega 300 Top Down

On the front of the unit is the circular LED air quality monitor. The color changes let you know the air quality in the room so that you can adjust the fan accordingly. A great feature of the Coway units is that the colors donโ€™t change drastically; they blend seamlessly into the next, making it very unintrusive.

ColorAir Quality
BlueGood
PurpleModerate
PinkUnhealthy
RedVery Unhealthy

A design issue I found with the 300 is that the side and front panels detach a little too easily and when they do, they feel a little flimsy. Also, the legs are thin and leave marks on the carpet. This unit would benefit from either a flat base or wheels.

Placing the 300 next to the Levoit LV-H133 (which is very similar in performance), you notice the size difference. Coway have taken what could have been a plain white front and added a fake grill to give it that extra design feature. I prefer the lighter black finish of the 300 over solid black on the top of the unit, but the overall shape of the Levoit is more appealing.

Levoit LV H133 Coway Comparison 2 logo

Operating the 300 is easy. A pro to not having a butt load of features is that you donโ€™t get confused when making adjustments. There are four buttons on the control panel:

Coway Airmega 300 Manual Controls NO LOGO NEEDED

  1. On/Off button
  2. Fan speed/Auto mode selector
  3. Timer
  4. Display light on/off

The timer function has three modes, 1hr, 4hr, and 8hr. You press on the clock icon on the left-hand side to scroll through the modes until you hit your desired time. The โ€œbuttonโ€ next to the timer is a little light bulb. This allows you to turn on/off the lights on the color quality monitor. Perfect for using this in the bedroom as you sleep or if you donโ€™t want it to draw any attention to the unit.

Coway Airmega 300 Controls 2 1

On the right-hand side is where you control its four fan speeds. Tap the circle to scroll through each speed, or leave it on smart mode. If youโ€™ve read any of my other reviews, youโ€™ll know this is my preferred option. The smart mode works with the quality monitor to automatically adjust the fan speed to adapt to the quality of the air in real-time.

Tip

The air quality sensor should be cleaned every two months for absolute accuracy. You can access the sensor through the front panel.

Coway Airmega 300 Controls

Another great feature of Smart mode is that if the air quality doesnโ€™t change after 10 minutes, the unit will shut the fan off automatically to save energy. If the air quality then changes, it will automatically start again. The controls are easy to adjust, and it takes little time for the fan to reach your desired speed. 

The lowest speed is their night mode. This ensures that the fan stays at a constant speed, making the least noise possible so it doesnโ€™t disturb your much-needed rest.

There isnโ€™t a whole load of features on the Airmega 300. I wanted an app to control and monitor the unit without being in front of it. If you agree, check out the WiFi-enabled Airmega 300S, which you can control through the Coway app.

Two three-stage HyperCaptiveโ„ข Max2 filters

Okay, down to the nitty-gritty, the main reason we want an air purifier in the first place. How does the Airmega 300 perform at cleaning your room of airborne contaminants? 

Coway Airmega 300 Pre Filter HEPA Filter

Each Coway unit is fitted with two signature three-stage HyperCaptiveโ„ข Max2 filters. One for each side of the unit.

  • Stage 1 – Pre Filter: This acts as the first line of defense. It captures the larger particles in the air like hair, dust, and dust mites. By filtering these particles early, it prolongs the life of the rest of the filters. It can be washed at home as well, so thereโ€™s no need to replace it.
  • Stage 2 – Activated Carbon Filter: This uses a large amount of activated carbon to remove and deodorize odors from your home. From cooking, cigarette/vaping, and pet smells, to odors that contain harmful gases like VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These VOCs can cause headaches, nausea, and in the long term have been linked to liver damage and even cancer.
Coway Airmega 300 Carbon Filter

  • Stage 3 – Green True HEPAโ„ข Filter: The last line of defense is arguably the most important. This โ€œone of a kindโ€ filter captures 99.999% of ultra-fine particles down to 0.01 ใŽ›ยฒ, including bacteria, mold, viruses, and pollen. Ideal for those who suffer from allergies.

The filters are hidden behind the removable grill on each side of the air purifier. Coway suggests replacing these every 12 months, but if you forget, an indicator light on the control panel will tell you exactly when itโ€™s time. One indicator is devoted to the pre-filter. When this lights up, you need to remove it, wash and dry it, then return it to its position. The second will indicate when the Max2 filter needs replacing. 

Replacing the filters isnโ€™t a hard task. 

Step 1: Unplug the unit and remove the magnetic side panel

Coway Airmega 300 Filter Change 2

Step 2: Unclip the pre-filter

Coway Airmega 300 Filter Change 3

Step 3: Pull the tab on the top of the Max2 filter to remove

Coway Airmega 300 Removing Filter

Step 4: Insert your new Max2 filter and reverse the steps

Tip

Before inserting your new Max2 filter, remove all the plastic packaging first.

We recorded a video showing you how to do this, in case the step-by-step above isn’t clear enough:

The Coway Airmega 300 cleared our test room in 26 minutes

At HouseFresh, we put every air purifier through its paces to see how they perform in real-world conditions. We do this because we want to give you, the reader, an idea of what it can do in your home. We donโ€™t live in airtight labs, so why should we judge an air purifier’s performance in one?

For our performance tests, we always use the same conditions each time. This means we can easily compare each unit against the other. 

We test each air purifier in our 705 cubic ft office. By filling the room with different-sized contaminants created from incense sticks, we turn the unit onto its top fan speed and measure how long it takes to clear the pollutants.

To measure each unit’s performance, we use a Purpleair indoor monitor, which tracks the number of airborne pollutants of sizes 1.0ug/m3, 2.5ug/m3, and 10.0ug/m3 every few minutes.

Hereโ€™s what we found with the Airmega 300:

Coway airmega 300 AHAM CADR

With a CADR of 296.3 for Smoke, 298.7 for dust, and 389.8 for pollen, we expected the 300 to perform well in our testing room, and we werenโ€™t wrong. As you can see on the graph, the Airmega cleared the pollutants created by incense in just 26 minutes.

Air cleaning performance, compared

The result wasn’t a surprise when we compare this to other air purifiers weโ€™ve tested. It shows that the 300 is right up there with the other major players like the Honeywell HPA300 with the same performance time and the Levoit LV-H133, which was only 1 minute faster.

Noise levels test results, compared

Sound is a big part of my life. I love all things music and spend a lot of time playing guitars, synthesizers, and many (maybe too many) other weird handmade instruments. For an air purifier to live in my house, it has to be stealthy. 

Compared to some of the other units weโ€™ve reviewed:

When you look at the decibels produced, the Coway seems like an average unit. But when you compare that to the size of the room itโ€™s working in and the size of its fan, youโ€™ll see that it does a quieter job than most when working in larger rooms.

 Hereโ€™s a sound video for you to gauge the hum it produces:

The cost of running a Coway Airmega 300: $144.50 per year 

1. Electricity costs = $55.71 per year

When buying an air purifier, itโ€™s not only the price of the unit you need to consider. You also need to think about how much it will cost to run. Air purifiers use electricity, electricity costs money, and those costs are growingโ€ฆrapidly.

Luckily, manufacturers are making air purifiers more energy efficient. As efficiency is at the forefront of our global warming, brands are starting to show they care by getting energy-certified products from companies Energy Star.

When it comes to the Airmega 300, Coway has made a pretty efficient unit. We clocked its highest energy consumption at 52.5 watts. This was on its highest fan speed which, as youโ€™ve seen from our performance test, wouldnโ€™t need to be on for long periods of time.

We figured out that you would be paying around $55.71 yearly to power your unit. In my opinion, thatโ€™s a pretty small price for all the health benefits and fresh, clean air the 300 provides.

We calculated this cost using the average price of energy in the U.S. with the help of the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator.

2. Filter costs = $88.79 per tear

Not only do you need to power your air purifier, you also need to keep it working at its maximum efficiency. This includes replacing its HEPA and Activated Carbon filters. Over time, these filters become clogged with all the contaminants theyโ€™ve pulled out of the air in your home. Once they become full, they become less efficient.

Replacing these filters is an expense you canโ€™t skip on. After all, thereโ€™s no point paying to run an air purifier if the filters are too full to do their job.

Luckily, when you buy a replacement from Coway, they come in sets of two, so thereโ€™s no need to double the cost. Each set can cost up to $99, depending on where you shop. There are unofficial Max2 filters that cost less, but I canโ€™t testify to how efficient they are.

Filter
Genuine Coway Airmega 300 Filter Replacement
Generic Unofficial Coway Airmega 300 Filter Replacement
COWAY Airmega 300/300S Genuine Replacement Filter Set includes Max 2 HEPA and Activated Carbon, AP-1515-FP
300/300S Replacement Filter for Coway AIRMEGA Max2 300/300S Air Purifie-r | 2-in-1 High Efficient filtration of particles, Combined with Activated Carbon, AP-1515-FP
Technology
Coway Airmega Max2 filter is an all-in-one HEPA filter system that combines True HEPA filter technology with an Activated Carbon filter
Combined True HEPA with Activated Carbon 2-in-1 Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$89.99
$35.99
Filter
Genuine Coway Airmega 300 Filter Replacement
COWAY Airmega 300/300S Genuine Replacement Filter Set includes Max 2 HEPA and Activated Carbon, AP-1515-FP
Technology
Coway Airmega Max2 filter is an all-in-one HEPA filter system that combines True HEPA filter technology with an Activated Carbon filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$89.99
Filter
Generic Unofficial Coway Airmega 300 Filter Replacement
300/300S Replacement Filter for Coway AIRMEGA Max2 300/300S Air Purifie-r | 2-in-1 High Efficient filtration of particles, Combined with Activated Carbon, AP-1515-FP
Technology
Combined True HEPA with Activated Carbon 2-in-1 Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$35.99

When you add that to the cost of changing the filter every 12 months, this unit costs $144.50 per annum. Of course, these calculations are conditional on how much you use it, what size room youโ€™re using it, and which state youโ€™re in. 

Bottom line: Is the Coway Airmega 300 worth it?

Although the 300 does have its faults; no wheels, annoying jingles, and a top grill (in which you could lose a penny), it is still one of my favorite units Iโ€™ve reviewed and will remain in my office. 

It may not have the features we expect from recent models, such as an app to control and monitor or even a remote control, but the 300 still holds its own against its competitors in our performance tests.

Coway Airmega 300 Editorial

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It clears the air of contaminants and odors rapidly, and the color wheel air quality monitor is a great feature to reassure you that the unit is working. It doesnโ€™t take up too much room compared to other units that service larger rooms, like the Alen BreatheSmart 75i. 

Overall, the Coway 300 would make a great addition to your home. My only advice would be (if you have it) to spend a little extra and go for the Airmega 300S for its extra features.

SOURCES

We used the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator to calculate yearly costs associated with running the Coway Airmega 300 for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of March 12th, 2023.

GermGuardian AC4825e review

by
Germ Guardian AC4825e Kitchen Counter NO LOGO 1

The GermGuardian AC4825e is the top-selling unit for Guardian Technologies – a US company based in Ohio that was founded in 2002 and creates air purifiers, humidifiers, and essential oil diffusers. Guardian Technologies was bought by Lasko Products, a manufacturing company that has been operating for around 100 years. Lasko Products makes humidifiers, portable heaters, and fans with 376 employees based in Philadelphia.

The AC4825e has been around since 2013, and while demand for this unit has waned over the last few years, it has regularly been on a major top-selling air purifier list. The main area that the AC4825 stands out is that it is Aham verified, and itโ€™s available for less than $100.

Here at HouseFresh, weโ€™re unashamed air purifier nerds, so we constantly research CADR rankings and all the other science bits published by the manufacturers. BUT we put them to one side to perform our tests. I wouldnโ€™t be 100% confident recommending a unit without playing with all its settings and putting it through our real-life performance testing first.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the GermGuardian AC4825e

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
โ€œA budget air purifier that is not worth your money in 2023, where you will find budget units that perform better and have lots of additional features for the same price as the AC4825e.โ€
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
GermGuardian AC4825 Living Room logo

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Not in the mood to read the full review? We know that feeling. Save yourself some time and check out our pros and cons. You never know; you just might want to read on.

What we really like

55dB (sound level) at the most powerful speed is similar to other units at this price level.
You can find generic filters for a good price – $17 for four carbon filters and one HEPA filter.
Cheap initial price
Great clear screen onboard sensor

What we think could be better

Performance scores were poorer than we expected, with the CADR od only rating of 125 CFM.
It’s a power-hungry unit – 45 watts to clean our test room in 104 minutes.
UV-C is useless – we didnโ€™t see any difference when switching it on or off and would recommend choosing the non-UV-C version as it uses less electricity.

The GermGuardian AC4825e is aimed at the budget range of air purifiers, with its top competitor being the Levoit 300.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):1 hour and 44 minutes
Air purifier technology:True HEPA with UV-C
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):167 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 118 CFM
Smoke: 99 CFM
Pollen: 125 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):21.5H x 6.75W x 10.25D inches (54.61H x 17.14W x 26.03D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):8.6 lbs (3.9 kg)
Filter life:6 โ€“ 8 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 40 dB
Speed 2: 44.8 dB 
Speed 3: 51.6 dB
Speed 4: 55.6 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 35.45 watts
Speed 2: 39.76 watts
Speed 3: 44.25 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$121.49ย per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.72
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:3 years
Country of manufacture:China

Old-fashioned design

1990โ€™s called and they want their design back.

GermGuardian AC4825 Close Up logo

But in all seriousness, the design does feel a little old-fashioned, but it does have a small floor space required as itโ€™s so tall. It looks more like a fan than an air purifier which might be a good thing, depending on how you want to use it.

It has a super simple menu system with a circular wheel to control power and a one-click button to switch the UV mode on or off.

GermGuardian AC4825 Controls logo

At the $99 price point, the best comparison to make is with the Levoit Core 300. I prefer Levoitโ€™s design, but maybe you might like the GermGuardian AC4825e – beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.

Germ Guardian AC4825e VS Levoit Core 300S logo

HEPA filters below par

The GermGuardian AC4825e is a relatively simple unit with two filters (true-HEPA and activated charcoal), which you can access by removing the back panel.

GermGuardian AC4825 Open Filter logo

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The quality of the True HEPA filter is fair, and it covers the entire flow space of the air purifier.

GermGuardian AC4825 Filter true HEPA logo

Itโ€™s worth noting that the activated charcoal filter is relatively cheap as it is made of fabric covered in charcoal.

GermGuardian AC4825 Dual Filter logo

This is a big difference when compared with higher-end and more modern air purifiers that use pellets of charcoal -but it’s not just about expensive units; when looking at other budget air purifiers such as the Levoit Core 300 and TaoTronics AP003, they both use pellet-based charcoal for the activated carbon filters.

GermGuardian AC4825 Fillter activated charcoal logo

Tip

If you are serious about removing odors, I would always look away from the GermGuardian AC4825e and instead go for air purifiers that use pellets of activated charcoal and have filters packed with at least 1lb of carbon.

If you have an issue with VOCs or Formaldehyde, go for something like the IQAir Healthpro Plus, which uses a combination of zeolite and other chemicals within a filter along 5 lbs. of activated charcoal.

Returning to the GermGuardian AC4825e, the filter is rated at H13 HEPA. After spending some time reading the reviews for replacement filters, there seems to be a change in manufacturer as some customers found that the latest filters donโ€™t seem to have the same quality as those bought previously.

Replacing the filter when the time comes is not complex:

It is worth mentioning that the GermGuardian team has reported a new manufacturer has been found for the HEPA and activated charcoal filters. Hence, they expect newer filters to perform better than older ones.

The last point I will make on the filter technology of the GermGuardian AC4825e is that I think UV-C lights are useless on portable air purifiers, especially at this low price point, and this air purifier has yet to change my mind.  

The GermGuardian AC4825e cleared our test room in 104 minutes

The big question with any air purifier is how well it cleans the air.

GermGuardian AC4825 Performance Testing logo

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For all the air purifier tests we conduct at HouseFresh, we test them in the same-sized room. This allows us to compare units with one metricโ€”how long did it take to remove pollutants from the air?

We use incense to create pollutants of different sizes and use a Purpleair indoor monitor to track how quickly these are removed over time. The sensors on the Purpleair device can track the number of pollutants of size 1.0ug/m3, 2.5ug/m3, and 10.0 ug/m3 every few minutes. The room we test is the size of a small bedroom with a total capacity of 728 cubic ft – this allows us to test units designed for all types of spaces.

Based on the CADR score of 125, we expected this unit to perform at the same level as the Levoit PUR131, which cleared our room of all pollutants in 60 minutes. 

Air cleaning performance, compared

Sadly, the GermGuardian AC4825e took 104 minutes to remove all pollutants from our test room. This is a lot more time than we would expect based on the pure CADR score and is one of the big reasons we like to do our own testing. This score is not too far from the much cheaper Levoit Mini that cleaned the room in 113 minutes for far less money and electricity. 

These numbers make it hard to recommend this unit on a pure performance to $ ratio.

Noise levels test results, compared

One area in which the GermGuardian AC4825e fared OK was with sound: it reached a maximum of 55.6 dB, which is in the same range as other units at this price level.

Take a listen for yourself below to get a better idea:

The cost to run a GermGuardian AC4825e: $121.49 per year

1. Electricity costs = $67.49

One of the costs many people ignore when looking to buy an air purifier is running it. If you have an issue with an allergen in your outdoor environment, you will need to ensure your unit is running 24/7, and costs can quickly add up. 

When we review air purifiers at HouseFresh, we use an electricity meter to see how much power is being used at the highest speed. At the maximum power setting with the UV-C mode on, the GermGuardian AC4825e pulled 44.25 watts which equates to $67.49 in one year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This compares very unfavorably to many of the newest air purifiers on the market. The Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto uses a maximum of 32 watts but can clean our room in 21 minutes. I have to assume that there have not been any changes to the fan efficiency since the first AC4825 came out in 2012, as it shows poor levels of efficiency.

2. Filter costs = $54

Another cost often forgotten about when buying a new air purifier is replacement filters. The way that mechanical filters like HEPA and Activated Charcoal work are that, over time, they become full of pollutants and beyond a certain point, performance will drop unless you replace them. 

Itโ€™s recommended that for the AC4825e air purifier, you must replace the filters every six to eight months, depending on usage.

Assuming that you will have to change them every 6 months, the annual cost of filters for the original filters would be $54. This compares fairly well with other units, such as the Levoit Core 300, which could cost you up to $80 in filter replacements in one year. Still, itโ€™s also worth noting that the activated charcoal filter used by the AC4825e is much cheaper and less effective than the Levoitโ€™s, which uses charcoal pellets instead of the less effective impregnated fibers.

Filter
Genuine GermGuardian AC4825e Replacement Filter
Unofficial Generic GermGuardian AC4825e Replacement Filter
GermGuardian, Filter B HEPA Pure Genuine Air Purifier Filter, Removes 99.97% of Pollutants, Wildfire Smoke, Odors, for Ac4825, Ac4300, Ac4850, Ac4880, Ac4900, Cdap4500, Ap2200, Flt4825
Filter-Monster โ€“ Replacement Filter with Carbon Pre-Filter Set, 2 Filters and 2 Carbon-Filter Pack - Compatible with GermGuardian Air Purifier FLT4825 Size B
Technology
True HEPA filter with Activated Charcoal layer
True HEPA filter with Activated Charcoal layer
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$19.88
$18.99
Filter
Genuine GermGuardian AC4825e Replacement Filter
GermGuardian, Filter B HEPA Pure Genuine Air Purifier Filter, Removes 99.97% of Pollutants, Wildfire Smoke, Odors, for Ac4825, Ac4300, Ac4850, Ac4880, Ac4900, Cdap4500, Ap2200, Flt4825
Technology
True HEPA filter with Activated Charcoal layer
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$19.88
Filter
Unofficial Generic GermGuardian AC4825e Replacement Filter
Filter-Monster โ€“ Replacement Filter with Carbon Pre-Filter Set, 2 Filters and 2 Carbon-Filter Pack - Compatible with GermGuardian Air Purifier FLT4825 Size B
Technology
True HEPA filter with Activated Charcoal layer
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$18.99

Bottom line

The AC4825e is an old air purifier, and itโ€™s starting to show when you compare it with newer units from brands like Levoit and Medify.

The Levoit Core 300 and Medify MA-14 are found for less than $100 and perform much better in our performance test than the AC4825e. 

Germ Guardian AC4825e Kitchen logo

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Combined with its high electricity costs, even the fairly cheap replacement filters for the AC4825e canโ€™t make us recommend the GermGuardian AC4825e over many other budget units on the market. 

If you are looking to buy the AC4825e, be sure to check out our reviews first for the Levoit Core 300 and Medify-14 as you will get much more for your money both in the short term and long term.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the GermGuardian AC4825e 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.

Smart Air Blast Mini review

by
Blast Mini MKII Corner

Smart Airโ€™s story is one of humble beginnings. It all started in 2013 when founder Thomas Talhelm was a student in Beijing, working on his PhD. 

Air pollution is an ongoing issue in Beijing, mainly due to smog, traffic pollution, coal burning and sandstorms. This led Talhelm to want to buy an air purifier, but he was shocked to find the cost of air purifiers was way outside his budget.

Talhelm decided to take matters into his own hands. 

He solved his problem at a fraction of the cost by simply strapping a HEPA filter to a fan. When he posted his results online on his blog, Particle Counting, he started to receive positive feedback and questions from folks wanting to do the same.

And so, Smart Air was born. Initially, they focused on selling DIY kits (a box fan, a HEPA filter and a strap) and hosting workshops in Beijing to teach people how to build their own air purifiers.

smart air 2013

Over time, Smart Air took the plunge and released its own line of no-nonsense, affordable air purifiers. That’s when units like the Blast Mini were introduced into the market.

The Blast Mini MkII is the second version of the Blast Mini. When designing the MkII, Smart Air made improvements to the original MkI design. They redesigned the air outlet to increase its airflow from 1200 to 1400 m3/hr, got rid of the metal wire guard and introduced hand twist screws to make it easier to remove the pre-filter, and upgraded the cardboard frame of the HEPA filter to make it lighter and more environmentally friendly.

In this review, I will walk you through the results of our performance tests, including how well the Blast Mini cleans the air, how loud (or quiet!) it is, how much money you will need to spend every year to keep it running, and how itโ€™s like to live with it.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Smart Air Blast Mini

Danny Ashton HouseFresh

“The Blast Mini outperformed all the units weโ€™ve tested so far. Itโ€™s not loud, and although itโ€™s heavy (mainly due to its metal body), it has wheels that move it around with ease. 

This is an air purifier that will stand the test of time.”

โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

Blast Mini MKII Corner

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.
ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

If you want a quick summary, these are my main likes and dislikes for the Blast Mini.

What we really like

Itโ€™s made from metal instead of plastic, making it more durable and better for our planet.
It has a high CADR rating of 435 CFM (740 m3/h) โ€“ it cleaned the air in our test room in just 15 minutes.
The filter boasts a longer life than most other brands (13 months).
It doesnโ€™t look out of place in my home, and I like the design of the front plate.
It is incredibly easy to use thanks to its one-dial operation. No fluffy functions.
Our sound tests showed it is incredibly quiet, considering how powerful its fan is.

What we think could be better

At 59 lbs, it ainโ€™t easy to move this device from room to room โ€” luckily, it comes with wheels.
The control dial sits at the back, making it difficult to access if you have the unit close to the the wall. But that also means that your kids (or your pets) wonโ€™t be able to access the controls easily.
Our electricity consumption test showed it is not as energy-efficient as other units (122.7 watts at its highest fan speed).

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 400 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 272 cfm
โ€“ Manufacturer provided CADR: 437 cfm
Filter technology:H13 HEPA filter (and optional pelleted activated carbon filter)
Recommended room size:600 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour):
Dimensions:22.6L x 13W x 24.8H inches (57.5L ร— 33W ร— 63H cm)
Weight:59 lbs (26.8 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 44.9 dB
Speed 2: 51.2 dB
Speed 3: 56.3 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 51.9 watts
Speed 2: 87.4 watts
Speed 3: 122.7 watts
Filter lifespan:13 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of origin:China
Country of manufacture:China

Right, letโ€™s find out if the Blast Mini is the right air purifier for you.

The best Blast Mini feature: it is powerful yet quiet

Outstanding air cleaning speed that doesnโ€™t disturb you.

The Smart Air Blast Mini has a high-performance motor that moves air through the filters a lot faster than every other air purifier I have tested. But hereโ€™s the thing: it is super quiet, too.

After our performance tests, the Blast Mini took the #1 spot as the fastest unit at cleaning the air (15 minutes, according to our PurpleAir Zen sensor) and the #1 spot as the quietest large air purifier (56.3 dB at top speed). 

Have a listen for yourself:

The โ€œMiniโ€ that is not so mini

No more plastic โ€” you can now choose this metal beast with wheels and a one-dial control.

Blast Mini Living room

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ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

The Smart Air Blast Miniโ€™s body is fully made of metal. This material will stand the test of time and is also a far more sustainable option compared to the plastic body of every other air purifier on the market.

Despite all odds, the metal body is actually quite stylishโ€”mainly because of the beautiful front plate. Upon closer inspection, you can see that these cutaways are carefully polished to ensure there are no sharp metal edges anywhere in sight.

Blast Mini Design

The front plate is tightly secured by a metal top plate, which can be easily removed so you can access the filters. I say easily but be wary of the weight of each component of this air purifier, as everything is made of metal:

Blast Mini MKII Top Cover Removed

This is the part of the review where I clarify that the Blast Mini is not mini in size at all. The โ€˜Miniโ€™ in the name has been added in relation to size compared to the Smart Air Blast (the big brother of the Blast Mini), which is double the height.

For reference, I took a photo of the Blast Mini next to the popular Levoit Vital 200S just to show you how big this device is:

Smart Air Blast Mini vs Levoit Vital 200S

The good news is that, unlike other large air purifiers like the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ or the Levoit Core 600S, the Blast Mini has high-quality, lockable wheels that allow you to move the unit from room to room. 

Blast Mini MKII Wheels

That said, the size makes complete sense when you realize how powerful this air purifier is. I will go through our performance test results further down in this review, but I can tell you now that this thing is IMPRESSIVE.

Moving on, let me show you one of my favorite things about the Blast Mini: its minimalist control panel.

Do you see the black dial in the picture below? Thatโ€™s it. Thatโ€™s your control panel.

Blast Mini Control panel

There are three speeds to choose from. Simply turn the dial to select which speed you want, and voilร .

The downside of the Blast Mini is the lack of smart functions or app capabilities. I generally prefer air purifiers with Auto Mode and on-board air quality sensors, but Iโ€™m also a smart home geek who understands that these IoT features donโ€™t equal better air cleaning performance.

Smart Air believes that air purifiers should concentrate on their basic function without the need for bells and whistles, and they have designed a device that perfectly makes this point.

๐ŸŽธ The Blast Mini was spotted being used by The Anchoress, who is clinically vulnerable and used a number of these air purifiers to keep the air she breathed clean; check out the photos over at NME.com.

A large, long-lasting H13 HEPA filter

The filter is the most important part of any air purifier, and the Blast Mini does not disappoint.

Blast Mini Close up

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ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

Smart Air made it their mission to have the best HEPA filter in the market by testing different filters in order to find the highest-performing option to match their powerful fan. They decided on an H13 (medical grade) HEPA filter, which removes 99.95% of particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and viruses.

Blast Mini MKII HEPA Cover

Another thing worth mentioning is that the HEPA filter in the Blast Mini is huge, measuring 57 x 57 cm (23 x 23 inches). 

Just to put this into perspective, check out how much larger the filter looks next to the filter in the Levoit Core 200S โ€” the Blast Mini HEPA filter is double the size of the Vital 200S filter!

Blast Mini MKII HEPA vs Vital 200S

Unlike other air purifiers, which need their HEPA filters replaced every six months, the Blast Miniโ€™s filter can last up to 13 months.

In addition to the HEPA filter, the Blast Mini comes with a pre-filter at the back of the unit. This pre-filter captures larger particles like dust and hair, prolonging the lifespan of the HEPA filter.

The pre-filter is screwed in with twist screws, so you can easily unscrew it when you want to vacuum it and wash it with water or a damp cloth.

Blast Mini Back

Now, if you are reading about the Blast Mini because youโ€™re considering it to help you tackle issues with VOCs or smells, be aware that Smart Air doesn’t provide an Activated Carbon filter as standard. 

That means you will have to purchase Smart Airโ€™s VOC filter as an optional extra. 

In the words of Smart Air, โ€œPurifier companies have a financial incentive to convince people to buy carbon filters.โ€ In their view, consumers should only buy a carbon filter if they truly need it.

The Blast Mini cleared our test room in 15 minutes

The large body of the Blast Mini hides a heavy-duty motor with a centripetal โ€œsquirrel cageโ€ fan that can quickly move a lot of air through the HEPA filter.

Blast Mini MKII No Filter

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.
ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

Now weโ€™ve come to the good part: how this air purifier performs in the real world. 

If you visit Smart Airโ€™s YouTube channel, youโ€™ll see videos of them testing the performance of their air purifiers in translucent domes. We donโ€™t have a translucent dome, and we guess you donโ€™t either.

So, we tested the Blast Mini in an actual room to see how fast it could clear our 728-cubic-feet test room of airborne pollutants we generated by lighting an incense stick. We turned the Blast Air on at full speed and monitored each stage of our test using two indoor sensors, our Purpleair Touch and PurpleAir Zen, which provided us with updates on PM1.0 Ug/m3, PM2.5 Ug/m3, and PM10.0 ug/m3 levels in real-time.

With a fan of this size, I expected great results from the Blast Mini but the data still managed to surprise me. This unit cleared our simulated airborne contaminants from our home lab in an astonishing 15 minutes.

This placed the Blast Mini at the top of our leaderboard: it is the fastest air purifier we ever tested. You can see in the chart below how it compared to the top 10 fastest units weโ€™ve tested;

The closest units are the Levoit EverestAir and the AirDoctor AD3000, both of which trail behind the Blast Min by just two minutes.

Fan speed test results

The cleaning performance of an air purifier depends on two factors: how good the filter is and how much air the unit pushes through it. Basically, the more power a unit has, the more clean air it can circulate in your room.

We used an anemometer to measure air speed when running our Blast Mini at each fan speed:.

Our data shows that at its lowest speed, the Blast Air pushes out an average of 0.55m of air per second (m/s). At medium fan speed, it pushes 1.6 m/s on average and at its highest speed, it pushes an average of 2.6 m/s.

Noise levels test results

As part of our tests, we also measured the noise levels generated by the Blast Mini at each of its fan speeds while standing 3 ft. away from it.

Because of the size and power of the fan in this unit, you canโ€™t expect it to be โ€œwhisperโ€ quiet, but itโ€™s by no means loud. 

At its lowest speed, you will hear the hum of the motor at 44.9 dB, and as you crank it up, it reaches 56.3 dB, which is about the sound of a conversation โ€” pretty outstanding considering the average decibels at the highest speed across all the units we’ve tested sit at 64 dB.

I know that sound can be subjective, so it is worth listening to the noise generated by the Blast Mini  with your own ears to decide if it is too noisy for you:

Hereโ€™s how the Blast Mini compares to other units in noise output, cleaning speed and initial price. 

AIR PURIFIER MODELSOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dB) SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dB)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOMPRICE
Blueair Blue Pure 211+37.2 dB55.7 dB18 minutes$249.95
Smart Air Blast Mini 44.9 dB56.3 dB12 minutes$599.00
Levoit EverestAir39.1 dB57.8 dB14 minutes$499.99
IQAir HealthPro Plus36.9 dB61.2 dB24 minutes$899.00
Austin Air HealthMate HM400 42 dB61.5 dB37 minutes$719.99
AirDoctor 300040.2 dB63.6 dB15 minutes$519.00

The cost to run a Smart Air Blast Mini: $285.29 per year

1. Electricity costs = $136.29 per year

When choosing the right air purifier for your home, you need to consider a few more things besides the size of your space and your taste in design. You need to think about how much it will cost to run, especially with ever-rising electricity prices worldwide.

That is why we used an energy monitor to measure how much electricity in watts the Smart Air Blast Mini consumes when running at each of its fan speeds.

Blast Mini MKII Energy Test

Our data shows that the Blast Mini isnโ€™t the most efficient air purifier. 

We clocked its highest usage at 122.7 watts, which is quite substantial. But thatโ€™s when running at its top fan speed, which you are unlikely to need to use for long periods of time. Itโ€™s recommended that you keep an air purifier on 24/7/365, but keeping the Blast Mini running at full speed for that long would be pointless and wasteful in most situations.

On its lowest setting, this unit pulls around 51.9 watts, which is still a lot compared to air purifiers with similar cleaning performance. For example, the Levoit EverestAir cleared our home lab in 14 minutes yet only pulls 69.8 watts at full fan speed.

AIR PURIFIER MODELENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Blueair Blue Pure 211+54.5 watts18 minutes
Levoit EverestAir69.8 watts14 minutes
AirDoctor 300093.2 watts14 minutes
Smart Air Blast Mini 122.7 watts12 minutes
IQAir HealthPro Plus145.2 watts24 minutes

2. Filter costs = $149 per year (HEPA only) or $236.99 (HEPA + VOC filter)

Another cost to consider is replacing the filters. The filter is the most important part of your air purifier; without it, you just have a fan in a box circulating polluted air. As HEPA filters work by trapping these pollutants, they become full and less effective over time. Thatโ€™s why they need replacing.

Even though Smart Air has redesigned their H13 HEPA filters for the Blast Mini, making them lighter and more environmentally friendly, they still come with a high price tag:

Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini Genuine Replacement HEPA Filter โ€“ 99.97% Particle Filtration, Genuine Filter for Smart Air Blast Mini Air Purifier
Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini Genuine Replacement HEPA Filter โ€“ 99.97% Particle Filtration, Genuine Filter for Smart Air Blast Mini Air Purifier
  • โœ” ๐Ž๐‘๐ˆ๐†๐ˆ๐๐€๐‹ ๐’๐Œ๐€๐‘๐“ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐“๐‘๐”๐„ ๐‡๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‘ ๐‡๐„๐๐€ ๐‘๐„๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐„๐Œ๐„๐๐“ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐๐‹๐€๐’๐“ ๐Œ๐ˆ๐๐ˆ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐๐”๐‘๐ˆ๐…๐ˆ๐„๐‘: This original Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini HEPA replacement filter is designed exclusively for the Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini Mk II air purifier(ASIN B09S4HDQDQ), ensuring proper fit, correct airflow, and reliable filtration performance in large rooms, offices, classrooms, and shared spaces.
  • โœ” ๐‘๐„๐Œ๐Ž๐•๐„๐’ ๐–๐‡๐€๐“ ๐Œ๐€๐“๐“๐„๐‘๐’ ๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐“ ๐ˆ๐ ๐‘๐„๐€๐‹ ๐ˆ๐๐ƒ๐Ž๐Ž๐‘ ๐„๐๐•๐ˆ๐‘๐Ž๐๐Œ๐„๐๐“๐’: These True H13 HEPA filters capture PM2.5, dust, pollen, mold particles, pet dander, allergens, bacteria, and airborne viruses. For families, allergy sufferers, pet owners, and high-occupancy spaces, this means fewer airborne irritants and cleaner air throughout daily life.
  • โœ” ๐„๐๐†๐ˆ๐๐„๐„๐‘๐„๐ƒ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐๐‹๐€๐’๐“ ๐Œ๐ˆ๐๐ˆ - ๐๐Ž๐“ ๐€ ๐†๐„๐๐„๐‘๐ˆ๐‚ ๐‘๐„๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐„๐Œ๐„๐๐“: Original Smart Air (aka Smart Health) filters are engineered specifically for the Blast Miniโ€™s high-airflow, high-capacity system. They are built to match the purifierโ€™s airflow, pressure, and filtration balance - helping the Blast Mini perform the way it was designed: powerfully, efficiently, and consistently. For Original Genuine Activated Carbon Filter for Blast Mini ASIN B09SJVSTFP.
  • โœ” ๐Œ๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐•๐„ ๐‡๐„๐๐€ ๐’๐”๐‘๐…๐€๐‚๐„ ๐€๐‘๐„๐€ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐‹๐Ž๐๐†๐„๐‘-๐‹๐€๐’๐“๐ˆ๐๐† ๐๐„๐‘๐…๐Ž๐‘๐Œ๐€๐๐‚๐„: The Blast Mini HEPA filter features an extra-large filtration surface, significantly larger than standard home air purifier filters. This allows it to maintain strong airflow while capturing more pollutants, supporting a long lifespan of 7โ€“14 months depending on air quality and usage.
  • โœ” ๐๐‘๐Ž๐“๐„๐‚๐“๐’ ๐˜๐Ž๐”๐‘ ๐ˆ๐๐•๐„๐’๐“๐Œ๐„๐๐“ ๐ˆ๐ ๐‚๐‹๐„๐€๐ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘: Using poorly made or overly restrictive filters can strain the fan and reduce purifier lifespan. Original Smart Air (aka Smart Health) HEPA filters are built to the correct specifications, helping protect internal components and ensuring long-term reliability of your Blast Mini air purifier.
$149.99
Buy on Amazon

The cost increases if you get the HEPA and the VOC filter, which I highly recommend you do:

Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter โ€“ VOC & Odor Filtration, Works with True H13 HEPA for Smoke, Chemicals & Household Gases
Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Blast Mini Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter โ€“ VOC & Odor Filtration, Works with True H13 HEPA for Smoke, Chemicals & Household Gases
  • โœ” ๐Ž๐‘๐ˆ๐†๐ˆ๐๐€๐‹ ๐’๐Œ๐€๐‘๐“ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐€๐‚๐“๐ˆ๐•๐€๐“๐„๐ƒ ๐‚๐€๐‘๐๐Ž๐ ๐…๐ˆ๐‹๐“๐„๐‘ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐๐‹๐€๐’๐“ ๐Œ๐ˆ๐๐ˆ: This genuine Smart Air carbon replacement filter is designed specifically for the Blast Mini air purifier (ASIN B09S4HDQDQ), ensuring proper fit, correct airflow, and reliable gas-removal performance. Using original filters helps your purifier operate the way it was engineered to - efficiently and consistently.
  • โœ” ๐ƒ๐„๐’๐ˆ๐†๐๐„๐ƒ ๐“๐Ž ๐–๐Ž๐‘๐Š ๐ˆ๐ ๐“๐‘๐”๐„ ๐๐€๐‘๐“๐๐„๐‘๐’๐‡๐ˆ๐ ๐–๐ˆ๐“๐‡ ๐“๐‘๐”๐„ ๐‡๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‘ ๐‡๐„๐๐€: HEPA filters capture particles like PM2.5, dust, pollen, and allergens. This activated carbon filter complements HEPA by addressing gases and odors, creating a more complete air-cleaning system that handles both particulate and gas-phase pollution.
  • โœ” ๐“๐€๐‘๐†๐„๐“๐’ ๐•๐Ž๐‚๐ฌ ๐…๐Ž๐”๐๐ƒ ๐ˆ๐ ๐‘๐„๐€๐‹ ๐‡๐Ž๐Œ๐„๐’ & ๐Ž๐…๐…๐ˆ๐‚๐„๐’: Helps reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, paint fumes, smoke, and chemical odors - common pollutants from cooking, cleaning products, furniture, renovations, traffic pollution, and cigarette smoke.
  • โœ” ๐‡๐ˆ๐†๐‡-๐๐”๐€๐‹๐ˆ๐“๐˜ ๐€๐‚๐“๐ˆ๐•๐€๐“๐„๐ƒ ๐‚๐€๐‘๐๐Ž๐ ๐–๐ˆ๐“๐‡ ๐Œ๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐•๐„ ๐’๐”๐‘๐…๐€๐‚๐„ ๐€๐‘๐„๐€: Made with porous activated carbon pellets engineered to provide a huge adsorption surface area, allowing gas molecules to bind to the carbon instead of lingering in the air you breathe.
  • โœ” ๐”๐’๐„๐…๐”๐‹ ๐–๐‡๐„๐‘๐„ ๐†๐€๐’๐„๐’ & ๐Ž๐ƒ๐Ž๐‘๐’ ๐€๐‘๐„ ๐€๐‚๐“๐”๐€๐‹๐‹๐˜ ๐€ ๐๐‘๐Ž๐๐‹๐„๐Œ: Ideal for spaces with recent painting or renovation, persistent smoke or odors, limited ventilation, or proximity to outdoor pollution sources. Carbon filtration is optional - but essential when gas pollution is present. For Original Smart Air True H13 HEPA Filter for Blast Mini, ASIN B09SK7R7KT.
$84.99
Buy on Amazon
 

Use the table below to see how the long-term costs of running a Smart Air Blast Mini compare to other large air purifiers:

AIR PURIFIER MODELESTIMATED ELECTRICITY COST (per year) FILTER REPLACEMENT COST (per year)YEARLY MAINTENANCE COST
Levoit EverestAir$73.58$99.99$173.57
Blueair Blue Pure 211+$57.29$139.98$197.27
Austin Air HealthMate HM400 $164.39$57.90$283.03
AirDoctor 3000$104.63 $178.00$282.63
Smart Air Blast Mini $136.29$149 $366.29
IQAir HealthPro Plus$221$200$421

Bottom line: Is the Blast Mini worth it?

A high-performance, quiet air purifier ideal for classrooms, offices and commercial spaces.

Smart Air has stepped up the game when it comes to CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate). The Smart Air Blast Mini shows us whatโ€™s possible when you use a high-performance motor in your unit. It outperformed units like the Alen BreatheSmart 75i and the IQAir Healthpro Plus, saving you a couple of hundred dollars on the price.

Unfortunately, the high-performance motor does come with its own cost: the cost of electricity to run it. But the fact that filters can last up to 13 months, will save you money.

Blast Mini MKII Kids Room

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.
ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

All in all, I really like what Smart Air is trying to achieve with the Blast Mini. Itโ€™s quiet yet performed incredibly well in our performance test. Itโ€™s easy to operate, built to last, and has wheels that make it easy to move around, even if it’s heavy.

If you want a hardworking unit and arenโ€™t concerned about smart features, the Blast Mini might be the right choice. This is especially true if you are buying an air purifier for a large space like an office or a classroom, where keeping noise levels down is important to allow people to focus and concentrate.

Before I close this review, I want to mention how rare it is to find a brand that cares so much about its cause. Smart Air not only engineers its air purifiers for maximum cleaning performance but also dedicates their time, money and energy to help more people breathe clean air.

They invest 60% of their profits in educating people about air pollution, 20% in running experimental tests to contribute first-hand knowledge to the air quality community, and the remaining 20% into bringing clean air to people in need around the world.

We need more companies like Smart Air.

SOURCES

We calculated the yearly costs associated with running the Blast Mini 24 hours a day for 365 days using the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of May 9th, 2024.

Do air purifiers help with smells?

by
Levoit Core 300S Kitchen Smells

Our sense of smell is one of the most acute senses we have. Surprisingly, we can distinguish more than one trillion scents.

Now, sensitivity to smell varies from person to person. But when it comes to the place we call home, all living spaces have a distinguished smell (or a mix of them). Some can make us feel safe and at ease. Others, like the infamous old house smell, pet urine, or dog smell, are unwelcome, to say the least.  

Good ventilation and proper cleaning make a world of difference. But air purifiers also offer a practical solution for those unwanted stenches.

However, youโ€™ll need a unit that has an activated carbon filter. HEPA filters can help to some extent, such as getting rid of moldy odors. But the true hero is an activated carbon filter.

Understanding how activated carbon filters remove smells

Activated carbon is a sorbent material that can deal with molecules that HEPA filters canโ€™t.

Unlike the solid particles HEPA filters can capture (such as pollen, dust, or mold spores), smell molecules are in a gaseous state. Gas plumes, like odor, move at much higher speeds than solid particles. Besides, the molecules are much smaller and capable of slipping through the fiber maze of HEPAs.

How activated carbon filters work

The activated carbon filter on air purifiers removes gaseous pollutants (and odors) through physical adsorption. The gas molecules drawn into the air purifier get trapped on the surface of the activated carbon filter as they pass through. 

Physical adsorption also means no added electronic processes, such as ionization or UV light cleaners, that could generate hazardous chemical by-products. 

However, the bounded pollutants accumulate in the charcoal. So, regarding activated carbon, the amount of sorbent area available is important. The larger the surface, the better. More molecules can be trapped in the material before reaching saturation. 

This is why the carbon is โ€œactivated,โ€ meaning itโ€™s injected with oxygen to create countless microscopic pores. The process maximizes the sorbent capacity of the carbon while minimizing pellet size so it can fit in the filter.

Winix 5500 2 Activated Carbon close up

This brings us to the difference between granular or pelleted carbon filters and carbon-impregnated fabrics. The latter is cheaper and more common in air purifiers, but the available surface for adsorption is limited.

Comparing Carbon Filters Winix 5500 VS Winix 5300

What activated carbon filters can and cannot help with

Activated carbon can filter more than smells โ€”but not everything: 

What activated carbon filters can remove from the air

All kinds of odors from cooking,  smoking, pet smells, etc.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene glycol, toluene, and xylene (among others).
Ambient harmful gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, and ozone.

What activated carbon filters canโ€™t remove from the air

Dust, dust mites, or lint.
Indoor biological particles such as pet dander, viruses, and bacteria.
Outdoor biological particles, such as pollen and mold.

A safety note on cigarette smoke

Activated carbon can reduce the lingering stench of cigarette smoke. There are various techniques to clear the smoke out of a room. However, itโ€™s worth noting that no consumer air purifier can eliminate all traces of third-hand smoke produced by smoking indoors and the risks it poses.

As activated carbon is so efficient at removing gasses such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), an air purifier with a charcoal filter comes in handy against gaseous contaminants if you:

  • Made renovations at home
  • Want to remove burnt smells
  • Live near construction sites, industrial areas, or busy roads
  • Painted your home recently and want to reduce exposure to paint fumes.
Best air purifiers for dealing with smells

Weโ€™ve selected three units based on our hands-on performance tests and data. From over 50 air purifiers weโ€™ve reviewed, our top three choices (with pelleted carbon) are:

  • The Winix 5500-2 as our best overall choice. It boasts an impressive CADR for its price, itโ€™s fast (22 minutes to clean our test room without an ionizer), and comes with an auto mode so you can set and forget it. 
  • The IQAir HealthPro Plus is unbeatable for larger spaces. Packed with 5lb of activated carbon, the HealthPro Plus can tackle odors, VOCs, and all kinds of airborne pollutants. Its immediate downside is the price, but the company tests every unit in Switzerland to ensure its performance meets the IQAir standards. Worth every penny.

  • The Levoit Core 300 is a basic yet reliable small unit for those on a budget. Besides, for under $100, this is one of the only budget air purifiers equipped with pelleted activated carbon.

Should you use an ozone generator to remove odors?

Ozone generators are advertised as miraculous fix-all solutions for severe odor issues. Promotion of such devices is based on the ozone (O3) capacity to react with other chemicals, deteriorating particles and gas molecules to eliminate the source of smell.

Ozone can sound like an efficient air cleaner, but itโ€™s actually the opposite. O3 is highly reactive. While it can deal with some molecules, itโ€™ll also create other toxic and dangerous byproducts. Not to mention that, on its own, it’s a potent lung irritant and a health hazard. 

For odors, when ozone concentrations are kept below public health standards (0.005 ppm), itโ€™s ineffective against odor-causing chemicals. In addition, ozone can alter your sense of smell and mask unwanted stenches instead of eliminating them. Or even worse, transform them into more toxic compounds. 

But then, itโ€™s not just the research that discourages ozone generators. Real users have shared their dangerous and hazardous experiences. 

Even if you used an ozone generator for a short time in an empty home, thereโ€™s still little information available about the by-products ozone could leave behind.

Besides, I find it hard to understand the logic of pumping ozone into the air. Why pollute our environment with more of this toxic gas?

Wrapping up

The bottom line is air purifiers can help with unwanted smells, but they need to have activated carbon. 

However, if youโ€™re considering investing in a robust air purifier, make sure it features these three filtration stages: a pre-filter that removes large particles such as hair, lint, and dust, a HEPA filter that traps fine particulates as small as 0.3 microns, and the activated carbon filter to remove harder-to-eliminate contaminants, such as odor molecules and toxic fumes.

SOURCES

How to smoke weed inside without leaving a smell

by
How to Smoke Weed 04

Nothing beats rolling one up and taking a hit after a long day. But for some of us, smoking weed is more akin to a covert operation than the relaxing experience it should be. Despite a recent wind of change bringing in new, more open-minded attitudes and laws surrounding smoking pot, itโ€™s still far from being widely accepted in mainstream society. 

Whether you are concerned about your neighbors, family, or even law enforcement catching the scent of your joint, or perhaps you’re just tired of your home smelling stale after smoking weed, weโ€™ve put together some top tips on how to smoke indoors without leaving a trace. 

In order to smoke weed indoors without leaving a smell, you will need to take a few precautionary steps before and after lighting a joint. By finding the ideal space, preparing the room, and removing smoke once youโ€™ve finished, you can be confident you will eradicate any unwanted odor and keep your space feeling fresh.  

Before you smoke: How to choose the best area for smoking weed indoors

How to Smoke Weed 03

First things first, youโ€™ll need to find the perfect pot-smoking spot. Now I know most of you will be heading straight to the comfiest seat in the house, ready to relax in style within close proximity to both the TV and fridge. However, this probably isnโ€™t going to help keep your space odor-free. 

In order to prevent smells from traveling around the house, follow these tips to find the best area for smoking weed indoors.

1. Consider the location of the room and who else might use it

If youโ€™re trying to smoke without affecting other people in your household or alerting an angsty neighbor, avoid communal areas or places where smoke will travel into other people’s personal space. This common courtesy is rule number one when smoking as the last thing you want to do when getting high is annoy the people around you.

Tip

Designate a specific smoke-friendly room and only light up in there to limit the smell of weed taking over the whole house.

2. Be aware of your surroundings

Scan any potential room and avoid areas with lots of soft furnishings or pristine white walls. Carpets, drapes or throws will absorb odors over time and will begin to stink of weed smoke. While walls and ceilings that are painted white can soon become discolored, which is the first thing your landlord will notice, so you can kiss your security deposit goodbye.  

3. Head to the bathroom

This room is almost tailor-made for smoking indoors. As most bathrooms have tiled walls or a linoleum floor, you can rest assured these surfaces won’t absorb odors. As bathrooms have excellent ventilation too, just switch on the extractor fan or open the window and you’re good to go.

Tip

Run the shower and allow the room to steam up, this will help quash smoke and minimize any odor.

While you smoke: How to prepare the room before lighting a joint inside

How to Smoke Weed 02

Once youโ€™ve found the ideal spot, it’s now time to take a couple of precautionary measures to minimize the spread of smoke and ensure you donโ€™t give the game away. 

1. Ventilate the space

Nothing rids odors as effectively as flooding the room with fresh air. Open any windows and doors within your immediate vicinity to increase airflow and allow smoke to dissipate.

Tip

When smoking, try to be as close to the window or door as possible and exhale directly outside.

2. Close interior air vents 

Your HVAC system is responsible for circulating air throughout your home. So when smoke is present indoors, it can enter the duct system and travel from room to room. By closing the vent in the specific room where you are smoking, you will isolate any odor to that room. Most vents have a small sliding mechanism, which allows you to easily open and close the vent. 

3. Seal gaps between doorways

If you want to stop smoke from spreading from one room to another, temporarily place a rolled-up towel at the base of your doorway. This will block a good section of space where smoke and odors would otherwise pass through.

Tip

Damp the towel slightly before placing it at the door for extra odor absorption.

After you smoke: How to get rid of weed smells after smoking indoors

How to Smoke Weed 01

Admittedly, the last thing youโ€™ll want to do is carry out more precautionary steps once youโ€™ve smoked your joint. But it’s important to rid the room of any smoke before it spreads, or seeps into any soft furnishings. So, before you relax, follow these quick, final steps to rid your room of weed smoke.  

1. Turn on your air purifier

When it comes to removing traces of weed smoke, an air purifier recommended for weed should be your first port of call. Ensure it comes with a heavy-loaded Activated Carbon filter, which targets volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as odors, along with a HEPA filter which helps remove harmful smoke toxins.

In our study of the best air purifiers for weed smoke, we found that the Airfanta 3Pro with carbon filters provides great support for a really good price.

airfanta 3pro video housefresh
Tip

Be sure to leave the purifier running for an hour or two so it can carry out multiple air cycles.

2. Invest in Activated Charcoal bags

Much like the filter in your air purifier, Activated Charcoal bags are filled with carbon that adsorbs gasses and odors, eradicating them from your space. These offer an excellent, budget-friendly alternative, however, they are only effective in an immediate range as they have no means to circulate the air.

Tip

Place numerous bags around the room and target desk fans towards them to increase their efficiency.

3. Remove the evidence

Leaving the end of joints to sit in your ashtray will only continue to emit odors into your home. Ensure they are stubbed out and thrown away as soon as you’re finished to cut smells off at the source. Likewise, pack away all your weed in airtight containers to stop smells spreading.

Tip

Invest in a sealable ashtray so all you have to do is pop the lid on until you are ready to dispose of any waste.

4. Light a scented candle or use an essential oil diffuser

Although these will only temporarily mask the smell, they offer a short-term solution to covering up the smell of weed, which is especially useful if you are expecting visitors.

Frequently asked questions about smoking weed indoors

Trying to secretly smoke in your room is probably going to end in you getting busted, despite how good our odor-eliminating advice is ๐Ÿ˜‰. So it’s best to be open and honest from the outset or smoke elsewhere. 

However, if you are hell-bent on secretly smoking indoors, ensure you maximize ventilation and airflow in your space, either by opening a window or utilizing an air purifier. Remember smoke travels easily and its odor can become absorbed by your bedding, carpet or drapes so be sure to block any spaces where smoke could escape into the rest of the home and eradicate any reminisce of smoke right away. Itโ€™s probably best to avoid masking the odor with air freshener too, as this might draw unwanted attention. 

This will vary depending on the room you are in and how you smoke weed. If your space is full of soft furnishings and youโ€™ve smoked with the windows closed, you can expect the odor to linger a lot longer than if you smoked in a well-ventilated kitchen or bathroom. 

Whether you smoke a joint, bong, or pipe will also affect the longevity of lingering odors too. A pipe or bong uses relatively small amounts of combustible material, so they will emit less odor than a joint (especially if rolled using tobacco).

Generally speaking, if you smoke a joint or two indoors without following our odor-busting advice, the smell can remain for a day or two before returning back to normal. Regular smoking indoors will contribute to a constant odor in your home, which smokers often become nose blind to. 

Vaping is much more odor-friendly than smoking combustible joints, bongs or pipes. Providing a more discreet way to smoke. As vapor is less dense than smoke, it dissipates far quicker so won’t leave as much of a lingering smell in your home. However, over time it can attach to soft furnishings and belongings and may pose more of an odor issue in the long run. Be sure to check out our top air purifiers for vaping to keep your home smelling fresh for longer. If its cigarette smoke as well then look at higher powered units in our list of the best air purifiers for smokers.

Final thoughts

The lingering odor left from smoking weed can turn your home into a stale, smelly environment. Not to mention it can be a nuisance to your family, roommates or neighbors. By increasing natural ventilation or investing in an air purifier loaded with Activated Carbon filters, you can dramatically reduce any unwanted odor and create a fresher environment. 

It’s important to state that the smoke produced from burning weed has been shown to contain many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Prolonged exposure or persistent inhalation of weed smoke can result in serious health complications, where the smell it creates will be the last of your worries. However, if you are going to continue smoking weed, by following each of our top 10 tips, you will not only reduce the odor but lower the risk of secondhand smoke for those around you. 

Levoit Core 200S review

by
Levoit Core 200S Living Room

Levoit is a brand launched in 2016 by Vesync Co., a company originally called Etekcity that began trading in the U.S. in 2011 as an Amazon seller of small home appliances.

If you look through our air purifier reviews, youโ€™ll notice a few different models from Levoit pop up. This is no coincidence. Since 2016, Levoit has proven that high-performing air purifiers, with plenty of smart features, can be produced at a price we consumers love.

The Levoit Core 200S is aimed toward a new generation of mini air purifiers, a trend that the Molekule Mini propelled. Even though the Core 200S outperforms the Molekule without it even being switched on, it still doesnโ€™t do quite enough for us.

These are our opinions. 

We donโ€™t take bribes.

The lowdown on the Levoit Core 200S

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
โ€œIf you hace a small room and want a unit that is easy to use and looks quite stylish, then the Core 200S will take care of your needs without breaking the bank.”
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
Levoit Core 200S Living Room

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):25 minutes
Air purifier technology:3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):360 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 274 CFM
Smoke: 284 CFM
Pollen: 287 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12.5L x 12.5W x 23.6H in (31.8 x 31.8 x 60 cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):6.6 lbs (3kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (as reported by manufacturer):Speed 1: 28 dB
Speed 2: 36 dB
Speed 3: 46 dB
Speed 4: 54 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (as reported by manufacturer):Lowest fan speed: 0.8 watts
Highest fan speed: 28.1 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$155.43 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.91
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:China

Donโ€™t want to read the full review? Here are the main pointers from our performance test of the Levoit Core 200S.

What we really like

Itโ€™s not big so can fit snug in the corner of an office or bedroom.
The control panel is easy to navigate.
The app is simple to set up.
The fan sound is barely noticeable on sleep mode.
Itโ€™s incredibly light at just 6.6 lbs.

What we think could be better

Iโ€™d like to see it with an air quality sensor.
Would look cool if it came in different colors.
There are better-performing units from Levoit at a little extra cost. 

The specifications

One reason why Levoit is one of the market leaders is because of its price point. They manage to cover all bases with units for different-sized rooms whilst keeping costs down. The 200S retails at $89.99*, which, compared to other units catering for the same room size like the Medify MA-15 at $129* or Blueairโ€™s Blue Pure 411 at $119.99*, makes this unit very attractive.

HouseFresh Rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our test room:61 Minutes
Air purifier technology:Levoit 3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)
Recommended room size:183 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):118 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12.6H x 8.07W x 8.07D inches (32H x 20.5W x 20.5D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Filter life:6 – 8 months
Noise level (low โ€“ high):Speed 1: 39.6 dB
Speed 2: 43.7 dB
Speed 3: 49.1 dB
Estimated energy consumption:$43.32

Sleek and modern design

If youโ€™ve seen any other units in the Core range like the 300 or 400S, youโ€™ll notice that they nearly all have a cylindrical design. The Core 200S is no different. 

Levoit Core 200S Kitchen Close Up

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

Itโ€™s sleek, itโ€™s modern, and itโ€™s unintrusive, but it still only comes in white and canโ€™t be disguised as anything other than an air purifier.

I know itโ€™s only a budget unit but, for me, Levoit could put a little more effort into making their units more attractive to the eye (hence why Iโ€™ve tried to be a little arty with the pictures).

Levoit Core 200S Front logo 2

Itโ€™s not a bad-looking air purifier by any means. This is only my humble opinion. But if you had a little more money to spend, and design is a key factor, I would go for BlueAirโ€™s Blue Pure 411 or the Medify MA-25.

The 200S comes well packaged. Levoit has ensured that it wonโ€™t suffer any damage at the hands of cavalier delivery drivers when shipped. My only objection is that each component is wrapped in a lot of plastic which isnโ€™t particularly needed. Come on Levoit, think of the turtles!

Levoit Core 200S Filter inside bag logo 1

3-stage filtration technology

The filters and the fan are the key components in every air purifier; bad filters = bad air. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about filter technology when buying a Levoit Core 200S.

Levoit Core 200S Filter logo

Each of Levoitโ€™s units in the Core range comes equipped with a 3-stage filter to maximize the filtration of nasty airborne pollutants nobody wants in their home:

  • Stage one: Nylon pre-filter
    The pre-filter is designed to be the first line of defense. It captures the larger particles that float around your home like dust, hair, pet dander, and lint. Not only is it trapping these particles, but itโ€™s also prolonging the life of the main filter allowing it to concentrate on smaller particles instead of being bombarded by everything.
  • Stage two: Main filter
    This is where the magic happens. Levoit’s Main Filter captures at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size (one micron is equivalent to one one-thousandth of a millimeter, so yeah, small). This takes care of fine dust, smoke particles, and pollen for all you fellow hay fever sufferers.
  • Stage three: High-efficiency activated carbon filter
    This is the part of the filter that takes care of odors. To remove odors like smoke, cooking smells, and other ominous smells from your home, youโ€™ll need an activated carbon filter thatโ€™s packed full of charcoal to adsorb those VOCs.

Levoit has shown us that they can do filters rightโ€ฆ very right; just check out our review of the Core 600S.

The 200S contains the exact same filter as the 600S, but there is a big difference. This comes down to size rather than the filter itself.

In this smaller unit, the Core filters donโ€™t have nearly the same cleaning ability.

Levoit Core 200S Filter 2 logo

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

Iโ€™m sure you will have worked it out, but I still need to remind you. Remember to remove all the packaging from the filter before turning the air purifier on. If you donโ€™t, youโ€™ll notice two things;

  1. The air in your home wonโ€™t get any cleaner
  2. After a while thereโ€™ll be a strange burning smell coming from the unit, thatโ€™s plastic your smellingโ€ฆ not cool

Controls that are easy to navigate

After youโ€™ve unwrapped everything, youโ€™re pretty much ready to go. Simply plug the 200S into a wall socket and switch it on. The controls are really easy to navigate.

Levoit Core 200S Controls logo 1

When I look at an air purifier, Iโ€™m always thinking about how easy it is to use. Not just changing the fan speed but also navigating its features. Levoit has always been great at setting out its controls to maximize space and usability. 

The 200S keeps this tradition alive.

The circular touch panel is very user friendly and is set out with clear icons for each function. There are no physical buttons that tend to stick over time, and each setting is spaced out enough that youโ€™re not hitting the wrong one by accident.

Hereโ€™s what each one does:

ButtonFunction
IwEU0Wf6NlNtdIpQXUL09xCJJ4B57nV4cDa7zBT4bFjdFDjEy37EP1mb6aFi6znkKR091BeKAjnN2ztB8Eym1L8utq8hUl w6DZ3Turns the air purifier on/off. Press and hold to configure the air purifier.
Y6BQwDGLFblVck31A6RM8Ioj9oBJIH ajSD X8hkeRrf3QB3H uAyL4uQlVjo R6bW Kcilq9GSxu8BKHDTRUVEHq eW2aU5CjiRI rclELa7HX gR1Y87Nf6zScPgOY4erWWp2O6Xhrpmi3dgTurns on, off, or blinks to indicate configuration status.
m33VZAloCr32ZphijJ5AFykGipj3U4owyvHPYMySJlc4X59gOsLREIO3813Gaw8GSg6Cycles through fan speeds: I (low), II (medium), and III (high). Tapping the Fan Speed Button while the air purifier is in Sleep Mode will exit Sleep Mode
v8 Ad4AAMPLKzstXtaWL5Kn5 DzpKo3pZk7MKTnyXrk9suk qO9X2Tch8L0F DZ6UiQaHFTTF3yn3KYoiYgK7YLIsQpNLzz9UYJ7q6Gt6WyFNoUJy744Turns Sleep Mode on. Press and hold for 3 seconds to reset the Check Filter Indicator.
Wmipac7AfpIkoemo6je2Dh2PCO4XpqsECHdVBwdkYsUHMwG8SpG9KikFlxnudHxRPZZ9PerGgO2AIicic9GvsUBiF2RWZsePrU 1zMNCycles through timer options.
aTTl0vnVHYGh3B48d6sFJ0EjDUHVK63At85bqStlkyWulW8FDWvhZ9DdnUoy5D0SRYt7TU9lcMzp76Pdh40fs6 jDXc3kOGzIBKnl4774CI2XoMTIcG3NSuzdkUZHqjLelN1RDfogq9kttn8cATurns the night light on/off.
ADmTn5opZeJFurCKAQrbMwMrXfmgFC7Zhvq3qs4DUEDtVm6wFFdCvhMAKbCR0YBGMa5kG4fy3oocag2XAZBGDpXTFUaLG gNjtWaAaTlEJDqSZkJVzRN0SWGSWKJP4rD7LoqZtHnS hJp9ED gTurns the display off (not including the night light).
Prevents current settings from being changed. Blinks when any other button is tapped to indicate that Display Lock is on.
VjDS5zu4rVv1FnlJP7 B1132ehe7ba1ykmP7X23TAC6HijEkI3KM3x hrhjVD9ta0xLolx1X0fEqrkJ 7oKpfgHq7Wp5nvVBJF4kYUarheTHFLDcbhzAqcNmvwH1KJkEi1PwVpvDoCHmzB86ywLights up when the filter should be checked.  Reset the Check Filter Indicator light by pressing and holding the Sleep Mode button for 3 seconds.

You’re in luck if youโ€™re anything like me and like to use an app wherever possible. 

You can connect the 200S to the Levoit smartphone app through Wi-Fi. Itโ€™s the same app Levoit uses for all their units, so if youโ€™ve already used it on a previous device, youโ€™ll know your way around. If youโ€™re new, donโ€™t worry. The app is easy to navigate and doesnโ€™t take too long to set up.

Levoit Core 200S App logo

Here, you can control fan speed, set the timer, monitor the filter life, and turn the unit on/off, as well as schedule it to come on when needed. Unfortunately, as the 200S doesnโ€™t have the AirSight Plusโ„ข air quality sensor like the 600S, you cannot monitor the air quality in your room from another location.

After testing it with the Android version, I found it handy, but there is no real smart tech. Itโ€™s just a remote control you can take anywhere. Also, they try and sell you stuff on the app, which lets it down for me.

DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD ANDROID APP

The Levoit Core 200S cleared our test room in 61 minutes

We put every air purifier we buy through the same set of tests. We do this so we can get accurate results of how well it performs in a real-world scenario and also so we can measure it against other units weโ€™ve tested.

Levoit Core 200S Performance test logo 2

When it comes to air cleaning performance, the test is simple: we placed the Core 200S in our 728 cubic ft test room and filled that room with incense stick smoke so we could measure how long it takes this specific unit to clear the room of those contaminants when running at its highest fan speed.

Hereโ€™s what we found out about the Core 200S:

As you can see from the graph, it took 61 minutes for the Core 200S to clean the air in our testing room.

Air cleaning performance compared

Because of the size of the 200S, we were never expecting it to outperform our top-tested units like Levoits powerhouse 600S or Blueairโ€™s Blue Pure 211+ as theyโ€™re in completely different leagues. So we would need to compare it to similar-sized units.

Looking at the 200S side by side with similar air purifiers shows that this isnโ€™t a bad-performing little unit, especially for the price.

Noise levels test results

As for noise, Levoit is pretty good at keeping their purifiers to a reasonable level. The Core 200S at its highest level hits 49.1 dB and 39.6 dB at its lowest. This means noise levels are pretty average, which is not a bad thing in itself.

The cost to run the Levoit Core 200S: $95.3 per year

1. Electricity costs = $43.32

When buying an air purifier, you have to consider the extra costs that come with it. One is how much it costs to plug it in and use it daily. With rising energy prices hitting households, it’s paramount that clean air in your home isnโ€™t going to make a dent in your wallet.

Luckily, most air purifiers on the market are specially built to be energy efficient. Energy Star is a company that tests each unit for efficiency and offers a seal of approval to appliances that pass their tests which the 200S wears with pride.

We used the latest average energy prices reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Department to calculate the annual cost of using the Core 200S daily. On full power, this unit pulls 28.4 watts which will cost you around $43.32 annually.

This is okay for a unit of this size but not amazing. You are unlikely to have your air purifier on 24 hours a day, all year round, so it shouldnโ€™t cost you that much. 

2. Filter costs = $51.98

Another running cost to consider is replacing the filters in the unit.

Air purifier filters work best when they are brand new. Over time they begin to get blocked with all the particles theyโ€™re trapping and become less efficient. To counter this, you need to replace the old filters with new ones to keep efficiency high.

Different units use filters with different life spans, so itโ€™s good practice to check how often youโ€™ll need to replace them when looking to purchase an air purifier.

The filter life for the 200S is 6-8 months, depending on how often you use it. Donโ€™t worry about checking the filter every day, thereโ€™s a light indicator on the unit which will tell you when yours needs replacing.

A new filter will set you back around $25.99, which is average for purifiers of this size. You can purchase filters for this model made by different brands, but we canโ€™t vouch for their performance. 

Filter
Levoit Air Purifier Replacement Filter
Levoit Core 200S-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter,Genuine Air Filter,1Pack | AHAM VERIFIDE,HEPA Sleep Mode, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon, Removes Smoke, Odors, Allergens,Dust,Pet Hair, Core 200S-RF
Technology
3-in-1 True HEPA, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon, Core 200S-RF
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$19.55
Filter
Levoit Air Purifier Replacement Filter
Levoit Core 200S-P Air Purifier Replacement Filter,Genuine Air Filter,1Pack | AHAM VERIFIDE,HEPA Sleep Mode, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon, Removes Smoke, Odors, Allergens,Dust,Pet Hair, Core 200S-RF
Technology
3-in-1 True HEPA, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon, Core 200S-RF
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$19.55

Bottom line

At the end of the day, Levoit is a great brand to invest in when it comes to air purifiers. They have the technology, the performance power and, to top it off, a great price point.

Levoit Core 200S Close up logo

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

While the 200S showcases many things that make Levoit units great, itโ€™s hard to see why you would choose this air purifier over other Levoit Core models. I get that they want a unit in their line-up to reflect the โ€œmini purifierโ€ trend, but looking at the performance levels, you could get so much more out of the Core 300S for a little extra cost.

This unit would fit your home if you have a small bedroom or office with little room to place a larger unit. It connects to the Levoit app so can be controlled from anywhere and doesnโ€™t cause a nuisance with noise levels. 

Any air purifier with these features and the reliability of the Levoit brand name at under $100 should never be sniffed at.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Levoit Core 200S 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.

Molekule Air Mini review โ€” Will you regret buying it?

by
Molekule mini review

Molekule is relatively new to the world of air purifiers. Dharendra Yogi developed a photo-voltaic technology called PECO or photoelectrochemical oxidation which is meant to be able to eliminate pollutants at a molecular level instead of using mechanical filters that trap pollutants like the rigorously tested, scientifically proven, industry-standard HEPA.

In the early days, it got a ton of great press with awards from Popular Science, SXSW, and even a design award from Fast Company.

Since then, the press hasnโ€™t been so kind, with both Consumer Reports and The Wirecutter giving poor reviews of their units. In 2019, after a complaint from Dyson, the Better Business Bureau National Advertising Division recommended that Molekule stop 26 advertising claims, including the discontinuance of superiority claims vs. HEPA filters. Molekule removed all these false advertising claims from their marketing materials. 

You can see this by checking their corporate website from 2018 on Archive.org and comparing it with their current homepage at Molekule.com. You will notice that many of the previous scientific claims are now totally missing from the website.

Following this controversy, itโ€™s safe to say I wasn’t particularly excited about any of the air purifiers from Molekule. Still, itโ€™s only fair that we test these units in the same way we test all air purifiers at HouseFresh. 

As always, we paid with our own money for the Molekule Air Mini to avoid any biases and we donโ€™t have any existing relationships with Molekule or any air purifier manufacturer. Our ultimate goal is to move beyond the marketing jargon to share our experience using these units in our home, running our own tests on them so we can compare them with other available units on the market.

We put the Molekule Air Mini through a three-stage test we designed to evaluate the performance of air purifiers:

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Right, let’s get to it.

The lowdown on the Molekule Air Mini

danny

“The Molekule Air Mini is the worst air purifier I have tested. It uses a ton of energy, is painfully loud, and takes forever to clean the air. With so many great units on the market, there is no reason to buy this air purifier.”

โ€” Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer

Molekule Air Mini Living Room

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On a rush? Here are the main pros and cons you need to keep in mind before considering investing your money on the Molekule Air Mini.

What we really like

When I forget everything else, I can say that the Molekule Mini is a good-looking gadget
Fairly simple touchscreen that works
Small, portable size
PECO is an interesting technology โ€” maybe there are some health benefits beyond removing particulate matter efficiently, but I fail to see an obvious one

What we think could be better

I found the performance-to-price ratio aligned with what The Wirecutter found โ€” even a very cheap sub $100 HEPA unit will perform better
The Android app just didnโ€™t connect
It uses a lot of electricity, compared to other units, such as the Levoit Core 300S
It is very loud, it was uncomfortable for me at the highest level
High filter costs mean you would need to spend $199.98 to ensure your Molekule Air Mini is cleaning the air efficiently

The specs

This Molekule Air Mini has an RRP of $329.99.

It doesnโ€™t have a published CADR with is annoying, but not to worry as we will test this unit in the same room we test all our units so we can compare its air cleaning performance with similar units that do have a published CADR. Molekule suggests the Air Mini is suitable for rooms size of 250 square feet so we would assume it has a CADR of 160-180 to be able to clean the air in the room four times in an hour. 

As a fan/air purifier, we would expect a much lower CADR score for the price, and as expected, this unit is really designed for smaller spaces or those not needing to clean a lot of air quickly. Although at this budget, Iโ€™m expecting a better performance than Honeywell HPA300 or the Levoit Core 400S which are both available for less money.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):53 minutes
Air purifier technology:PECO Air Purification Filter Technology
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):Up to 250 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Not available
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):12H x 8.26W x 8.26D inches (30.48H x 21W x 21D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):11.8 lbs (5.35 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 35.6 dB
Speed 2: 38.3 dB 
Speed 3: 46.4 dB
Speed 4: 57.8 dB
Speed 5: 68.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 15.38 watts
Speed 2: 16.78 watts
Speed 3: 18.7 watts
Speed 4: 24 watts
Speed 5: 49.62 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$275.66 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$6.10
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:U.S. and Malaysia

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The Molekule Air Mini looks the part

You can totally understand why this device has won design awards

The Molekule Air Mini is small, cute, and wouldnโ€™t look out of place in any high-end modern-designed home. 

Molekule Mini Close Up

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The size is something that really stands out when compared to traditional โ€œmechanical air filtersโ€ which are often much bigger, as filter size directly equates to their performance. The assumption is that the PECO technology is able to achieve similar efficacy but without the requirement for large filters that you find with HEPA and activated charcoal. 

You can see a big difference in size when we compare it with the Dyson HP04, and you could easily hide a unit of this size without taking over the room. 

Molekule Mini vs Dyson HP04

Similar to the Levoit Core series of air purifiers, the Molekule is a cylindrical shape that you turn to reveal the PECO filter unit.

Itโ€™s worth noting that the bulk of the filtering doesnโ€™t happen inside the filter but instead, it uses UV-A light that interacts with the chemicals inside the filter to destroy pollutants. 

Molekule Mini Top Down

The filter was easy to remove, as you can see in the video below:

The controls are easy enough to use

If buttons arenโ€™t your thing, the Molekule Air Mini also comes with app support

The Molekule Air Mini comes with touchscreen buttons on the top of the unit, making them a little hard to see in bright light. That said, the controls are easy to use.

If buttons arenโ€™t your thing, it also comes with app support for Google Play and Apple. I only got a chance to test the Android version of the Molekule app. 

Similar to the Dyson Link App, you need to sign up for an account before you can use it. Getting my account set up and the app installed was simple – the challenge started when I tried to connect Molekule Air Mini…

Molekule Mini App

DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD ANDROID APP

Iโ€™m by no means a technophobe and have a solid Wi-Fi connection around the house, but I just couldnโ€™t get the air purifier to connect to my Wi-Fi, rendering the app pretty useless in my experience. 

I saw that I wasn’t alone when I looked at the Google Play reviews. The app has many reviews complaining about this very issue:

Molekule Air Puriifier App Review Android

 

A quick search through app user reviews on Apple’s App Store made it clear that this is not an isolated issue or a problem with the Android app:

Molekule Air Puriifier App Review iPhone

Considering the price of the Molekule Air Mini, itโ€™s unfortunate that the app is failing the users and that these smart features are not working as well as they do for other air purifier brands.

That said, I was still able to use the unit using the touch buttons, but itโ€™s a little concerning that a company supposedly at the forefront of a new type of technology (PECO) canโ€™t create an app that works.

A non-mechanical filter: PECO Technology

This is the first non-mechanical filter that we have reviewed here at HouseFresh. The reason is fairly simple; we generally avoid new technologies that have not had the level of peer review analysis compared to HEPA and activated charcoal. 

Mechanical filters have been in use since WW2, and there is a ton of scientific analysis and performance testing that we can trust. In a review of the academic literature, the team at Reading University showed the effectiveness of different filter technologies: 

Air purifier filter technology

Filtration and adsorption stood as clear winners for particles and VOCs of the filter technologies analyzed.

Itโ€™s worth noting that PECO was not included in the Reading University study, but it was included in an MIT study and was shown to be less effective than Adsorption when dealing with VOCs.

Molekule Mini Filter PECO

Over the years, there have been numerous air purifier technologies that have been brought to market with the hype that their technology is far better than mechanical-based filters, but they often lead to disappointment. Such as the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze that promised so much with its electrostatic precipitation but failed to do anything apart from releasing small amounts of ozone (if you didnโ€™t know, ozone = bad). 

So you can understand that I might be cynical of another new technology that promises:

โ€œIt destroys pollutants regardless how small, incl. those 1000x times smaller than what HEPA can collect.โ€

– Molekule*

*Taken from the Molekule.com homepage from 2018 that has now been removed after the complaint from Dyson to the BBB

But itโ€™s totally true that HEPA systems are pretty much useless against VOCs, chemicals and odors. This is the reason why the vast majority of air purifiers use other technologies like activated carbon (adsorption). These have been shown in many peer-review papers to be highly effective, and activated charcoal has been in use since the Egyptian era. The downside to activated carbon is that you need a lot to make a big difference which is why the $1000 IQAir Health Pro Plus has 15lbs of carbon pellets as part of its filtration system. 

PECO promises that it can achieve better results without the downsides of size and weight that come with HEPA filters and with the added benefit that it destroys pollutants vs. just trapping them, so we can also assume it will require a less costly filter replacement.

Molekule Mini Filter 1

Sounds too good to be true? 

Well, let’s find out.

The Molekule Air Mini cleared our test room in 53 minutes

The Molekule Air Mini needed almost an hour to remove all the pollutants from the air in our small testing room.

Molekule Mini Performance Test

At HouseFresh, we test all our units in the same room of 728 cubic ft, which is my home office. The reason we use this room is so we can compare the performance of different air purifiers in the same environment.

Before I take you through the results of my test, let me walk you through the process:

  1. I burnt a powerful incense stick to create smoke pollutants.
  2. Once the room is filled with pollutants, I switch the Molekule Air Mini to full speed.
  3. I used the Purple Air Indoor sensor to evaluate how long it takes the air purifier to remove PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 pollutants from the air.

We clocked the Molekule Mini in 53 minutes, which is not impressive for the price nor lives up to the expectations generated by the cool looks. 

Air cleaning performance compared

Frankly, we expected more. Especially considering there are much more affordable units in the small-sized range that can outbeat the Molekule with ease. 

With a similar room coverage as reported by Molekule, the Levoit Core 300 (219 sq. ft.) cleaned the air in our test room 13 minutes faster and can be found at under $100. Or the Smart sibling Core 300S, which only took 32 minutes, was a whopping 21 minutes quicker. 

Meanwhile, the similarly priced but more powerful Blueair Blue Pure 211+ outperformed the Air Mini by no less than 43 minutes. 

The unit was, in fact, 10 minutes apart from being below the cleaning speed average. The data speaks for itself.

Based on this performance, I couldnโ€™t, in my right mind, recommend this air purifier to anyone, as incense smoke is a fairly minor pollutant when compared to significant outside pollution or wildfire smoke.

Noise levels test results

But we didn’t just test the performance in terms of cleaning pollutants from the air. We also tested noise levels, and I’ve got to say, here it’s where it gets worse.

At the highest speed, the sound level is high at 68.2 dB, which compares poorly to competitors, with the Blueair Blue Pure 211+  having a maximum of 56 dB. 

To put things into perspective, the American Academy of Audiology considers 70 dB to be Loud noises and the CDC establishes 70 dB as the threshold for noises capable of producing hearing damage. The Molekule is not at all far from that.

In comparison, many of the quiet air purifiers we tested have a maximum of 55dB and some run as low as 49dB at the highest speed!

Feel free to have a listen yourself, check out the video below:

It really did sound like a jet plane and it makes me think that they are trying to use extra power to push more air through the unit to overcompensate for filters that are not effective at removing pollutants.

According to our testing, the Molekule Air Mini has some of the highest values for both electricity usage and noise levels generated, which means significant costs and negative externalities to consider when looking at use 24/7 over the long term. 

The cost to run a Molekule Air Mini: $275.66 per year

The cost to run an air purifier is a significant concern as you will want to run your air purifier on most of the time if you have any issues with your outside air. So we always want to consider the price of the unit at its highest speed 24/7.

1. Electricity costs = $75.68 per year

As always, I tested the Molekule mini with one of my trusty power meters:

  • Speed 1: 15.38 watts
  • Speed 2: 16.78 watts
  • Speed 3: 18.7 watts
  • Speed 4: 24 watts
  • Full power: 49.62 watts

This means that running a Molekule Air Mini in your room 24/7 could cost up to $75.68 per year in electricity bills only calculating with the average energy prices in the U.S. as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, assuming you’d need to run the unit for 24 hours per day 365 days per year.

2. Filter costs = $199.98 per year

Another long-term cost to consider is regular filter replacements. With mechanical filter technology like HEPA, the filters get full of pollutants and if you donโ€™t change them, they will become less effective. 

But, I wasnโ€™t sure if this also applied to PECO. 

Looking at their site, I see that they recommend changing filters every 6 months to make sure that you are using the latest technology and to avoid performance issues with dirty filters.  

The Molekule air has filters available for $99.99* and they suggest replacing them every 6 months, so a filter replacement cost of $199.98 per year or $160 as part of a subscription. This is on the high side when compared with Levoit Core 400S, which has a HEPA and Activated Charcoal filter for $49.99 that also needs replacing every 6 months, so a $100 per year. It is a little less than the $250-300 that the IQAir Healthpro Plus requires on a yearly basis but that is spent over 3 different filters with heavy activated carbon filters that donโ€™t come cheap.

Bottom line

Overall the running costs for the Molekule Air Mini per year, assuming you change the filters every 6 months and use it 24/7 as recommended, will be $264.10 per year, which is much higher than competitors that perform significantly better at keeping a room clear of particle-sized matter of PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10.0ug/m3 which have been proven to be the worst type of particles to breath in for human health.

On top of this, its performance is extremely poor across the board to the point where even the very cheapest of HEPA filter-powered units, like the Levoit Core 300 or the TaoTronics AP003, perform much much better but a fraction of the cost.

2 Molekule Mini.jpg 2

PRICE on amazon PRICE on EBAY

Donโ€™t get caught up in the hype โ€“ look elsewhere for a good air purifier.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Molekule Air Mini 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.

How air pollution could ruin our most beloved views

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Header Tainted Views 1

For a moment, every neighborhood radiated the glamor of a picture postcard landmark.

When the first 2020 lockdown struck, a temporary bonus was the drop in air pollution. The view through our windows seemed freshly polished. Tourist attractions shone with an intensity unseen for decades. Environmentalists keenly told us that this was a wake-up call, not a turning point. Despite decades of campaigning and policy change, air pollution is still worsening for more than half the worldโ€™s population.

You might not notice the worsening effect in your daily, hometown life. But when you travel, the sight of industrial smog has a sobering effect. As part of our mission to draw attention to the quality of the air you breathe, HouseFresh wanted to show you how 10 famous views could look if local human-made air pollution levels increase.

We found iconic photos of the views and, on each one, emulated the visual effect that air pollution has on the skyline of Ghaziabad, India, frequently ranked as the โ€œmost polluted city worldwide.โ€ At the time of writing, the PM2.5 level in Ghaziabad is 18.2 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169. A โ€˜Goodโ€™ rating is 0-50 AQI.

Use the sliders below to reveal ten of the worldโ€™s loveliest views now and how they could eventually look if air pollution levels rise unchecked to Ghaziabad levels.

Rockefeller Center (New York, USA)

In the 20th century, New York City was the poster child for the modern city. And the 1939 Rockefeller Center was an art deco emblem of American sophistication. But, as early as the 1960s, the eroding effect of air pollution on its buildings was cause for concern. Today, the Department of Environmental Protection suggests that 6% of NYC deaths are connected with air pollution.

The Shard (London, UK)

The โ€œimposing and majesticโ€ Tower Bridge, seen here from up in the Shard, was built to facilitate urban commerce in the late 19th century โ€“ just a few years before a London doctor, Harold Des Veaux, invented the word โ€˜smogโ€™ (smoke + fog). But the pollution of London air by the burning of coal predates the Victorian bridge by at least six centuries. In 2021, the cityโ€™s mayor unveiled a 10-point plan to reduce air pollution, pointing out that โ€œthere is a significant peak in concentrations during the morning school run.โ€

Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

It took nine years to build the 130-foot concrete Christ into Rio de Janeiroโ€™s skyline. But that skyline has since been tainted by the fumes of Brazilโ€™s main steel complex as well as numerous other industrial sites. And the city failed to reduce air pollution โ€œwithin the limits recommended by the World Health Organizationโ€ as promised ahead of the 2016 Olympics. 

โ€œA lot of attention has been paid to Rio’s water pollution, but far more people die because of air pollution than the water,โ€ declared Paulo Saldiva, a University of Sao Paulo pathologist and WHO committee member. โ€œYou are not obligated to drink water from Guanabara Bay but you must breathe Rio’s air.โ€

Victoria Peak (Hong Kong)

Victoria Peak is a must-visit when in Hong Kong, offering contrasting views from the hills to the cyberpunk cityscape โ€“ and a rare breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, the air down in the city is1nโ€™t as fresh. The annual hours of reduced visibility in the city near-quadrupled from 295 to 1,100 in the two decades leading up to 2008, seriously reducing your chances of an Instagram moment. By 2016, the cityโ€™s largest coal and gas power stations were churning out 8,020 tons of sulphur dioxide and 310 tons of PM2.5 pollution.

Centre Island (Toronto, Canada)

Centre Island is one of the worldโ€™s largest car-free (or at least car-resistant) urban areas. As a veritable Ontario oasis, the Toronto Islands are the site of hearty, outdoor pastimes and sunset selfies. Unfortunately, the air from nearby forest fires drives the region up as high as second place in the โ€˜worldโ€™s worst airโ€™ challenge โ€“ with the altered skyline almost grotesquely beautiful.

Mrs. Macquarie’s Point (Australia)

Elizabeth, wife of Governor Macquarie, had a seat chiseled into the peninsula that has borne her name since 1810. The chair remains today, but the view has changed, first with the iconic expressionist โ€˜shellsโ€™ of the Sydney Opera House, and later with the onset of headline-grabbing smog levels. In addition to motor vehicle exhausts, bushfire smoke has been known to drive the Sydney air 11 times over the โ€˜hazardousโ€™ limit, obscuring the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from view. Power station fumes and occasional dust storms also contribute to Sydneyโ€™s smog problem.

Montparnasse Tower (Paris, France)

In addition to the beauty and romance of the Eiffel Tower, the industrial revolution introduced serious air pollution to Paris, which is now the second most polluted city in France. A 2019 court case found that the state was taking insufficient measures to protect Parisians from poor air quality, with a contemporaneous study suggesting it will take 20 years for the measures to bring Parisian air quality under the European Limit Value. Local efforts to hasten improvements include the pedestrianization of city center roads, adding protected bike lanes, and banning cars made before 1997.

St. Peterโ€™s Basilica (Rome/Vatican City, Italy)

This 400-year-old Renaissance-style church is a beacon for pilgrims of Catholicism, history, and architecture alike. But, until a recent renovation, a closer look at the walls of St. Peterโ€™s Basilica would reveal black crusts, white erosion patches, and other discoloration due to air pollution. Rome is not an industrial city, but packed roads and a high proportion of diesel vehicles have blighted its historic views. Pope Francis has attributed the effects of pollution to our โ€œpredatory attitude, which makes us feel that we are masters of the planet and its resources, and authorizes us to make irresponsible use of the goods God has given us.โ€

Kerry Park (Seattle, USA)

Kerry Park is a popular spot for photographers seeking a shot of Elliot Bay, the Space Needle, and even Mount Rainier when the sky is particularly clear. But pollution from motor vehicles, outdoor burning, and wood smoke is now a common blight on Seattleโ€™s views and breathability. While outdoor fires are discouraged โ€“ lately with regard to aggravating Covid-linked respiratory conditions โ€“ wildfires remain a serious issue. Air conditioning is rare in the city but becoming more common as homeowners try to alleviate the effects of wildfires and heatwaves. 

Tokyo Skytree (Japan)

The worldโ€™s tallest tower is used for television broadcasts and observation โ€“ including monitoring local air quality. You will also find a sky restaurant, โ€œthe worldโ€™s highest skywalk,โ€ and observation decks with dizzying views of one of our most iconic cityscapes. Tokyo has monitored air quality since 1927 and regulated towards the offset of industrial and vehicular pollution since World War II through urban planning, traffic control, and even canceling of a planned petrochemical complex. However, today Tokyoโ€™s PM2.5 levels remain two points above the WHOโ€™s guideline figure.

Ultimately, the effects of air pollution on our beloved views may be a gift in disguise. Poor air quality tends to go unnoticed day-to-day, and it takes events such as Beijingโ€™s orange skies โ€“ or the unusually blue skies of lockdown life โ€“ to draw attention to the air we breathe.

But seven million people still die each year from air pollution-related causes. The World Health Organization recently warned that bad air is more dangerous than previously thought, reducing its maximum safe levels and suggesting that โ€œalmost 80% of deaths related to PM2.5 could be avoided in the world if the current air pollution levels were reduced to those proposed in the updated guideline.โ€

Even in areas where air quality is improving, there is a long and smoggy road ahead to reaching safe levels of PM2.5. On a personal level, you probably canโ€™t do much to redeem these beloved and tragically obscured views, but you can regulate the air quality in your immediate environment. While house plants may have some limited effect (and are lovely all the same), the most effective way to do so is with a home air purifier.

METHODOLOGY & SOURCES

We curated a list of the most beautiful city views around the world, pulling examples from articles from Insider, RTE, and The Times. 

The air pollution levels for each city with regards to PM2.5 concentration were sourced from IQAir.

The sliders show how the views in each city might look if pollution levels reached that of Ghaziabad, India, the second-most polluted city in the world, according to IQAir. The most polluted city in the world is Hotan, China, which reports air pollution predominantly as a result of desert dust storms rather than man-made pollution, which is why we chose the second-most polluted city.

To replicate the visibility levels, we sourced images that convey the smog levels experienced in Ghaziabad.

The data was collected in February 2022.

Smart Air Sqair review

by
Smart Air S Corner

The creators of the Smart Air Sqair have an interesting backstory.

Back in 2013, the founder of Smart Air (Thomas) was working on his PhD in Beijing and, affected by the terrible outdoor pollution in the area, he looked into buying an air purifier. He was shocked when he saw how much air purifiers were retailing for. Instead of buying a pricey device, he created his own DIY purifier using just a fan and a filter. 

Realizing the potential, Thomas got together with some friends to start his own company focusing on no-nonsense, affordable air purifier DIY kids: a HEPA filter, a box fan and a strap to tie it all together. Smart Air also started to host workshops all over Beijing, showing attendees how to build their own DIY air purifiers.

smart air 2013

Since then, they have perfected their HEPA filters and started developing their own air purifier models. Their main goal remains the same from day one: excellent air cleaning performance without the high price tag that most models come with.

I like sharing this story whenever I discuss Smart Air because I think their ethos is remarkable and rare in this day and age. Their mission is one of the reasons why so many consumers are die-hard fans of Smart Air, and you will often find them recommending the Blast Mini or the SA600 to others on social media platforms.

This Smart Air Sqair air purifier only reached the U.S. in 2020. It is Smart Air’s response to small units like the Levoit Core 300 or the Winix A230.

As with all the air purifiers we review here at HouseFresh, we bought the Sqair with our own money to ensure we can be unbiased and completely transparent about what it’s like to have this device in our home. But, of course, we didn’t stop there.

We put the Smart Air Sqair to the test, completing a series of experiments to assess its particle removal capabilities, its energy consumption levels and the noise it generates. You can read more about each test below.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

It is worth clarifying that this review was written AFTER we conducted all these tests. You can rest assured I didn’t just grab some numbers off an Amazon listing or Smart Air’s website like most other review sites would.

Right, enough with the intro.

The lowdown on the Smart Air Sqair

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“The Smart Air Sqair might be the perfect option for those looking for a stylish air purifier with solid air cleaning performance for less than $200.

This unit surprised us in our performance tests and quickly found a permanent place in our home.”
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

Smart Air S Close up

$189.95 AT SMART AIR U.S. ยฃ132.00 AT SMART AIR UK

These are my main pros and cons suitable for even the lightest of skim readers:

What we really like

Smart Air’s ethos. Other air purifier manufacturers have been selling overpriced machines for years, but Smart Air drew a clear line.
Powerful mechanical filtration thanks to a high-quality H12 HEPA filter and an efficient fan.
Long-term cost savings for both electricity usage and filter replacements.
Beautifully designed to fit into even the most stylish of homes. I particularly like the European Beechwood legs.

What we think could be better

It does not have smart features or an auto-mode that automatically adjusts fan speeds, which is common in modern air purifiers. That said, these features would have an impact on the price of this air purifier without necessarily improving its air cleaning performance.
It does not come with an activated carbon filter as standard, so you need to buy one separately if you want the Sqair to help with VOCs and odors.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):32 minutes (without carbon)
Air purifier technology:H12 HEPA and optional activated charcoal filter
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):163 sq. ft. 
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 127 CFM
Smoke: 105 CFM
Pollen: 144 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):13H x 13W x 14.3D inches (33.02H x 33.02W x 36.32D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):10.1 lbs (4.58 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 35.5 dB
Speed 2: 49.1 dB
Speed 3: 58.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 5.6 watts
Speed 2: 19.7 watts
Speed 3: 39.4 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$120.10 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$1.42
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

The best Smart Air Sqair feature: it is compact and stylish yet powerful

Excellent air cleaning speed that will look good in your home.

The Smart Air Sqair hides a powerful motor that allows it to move air through the filters at the same speed as much larger (and bulkier) air purifiers.

I will walk you through our particle removal test later down in the review, but let me mention here how the Sqair completed the test 10 full minutes faster than the much more expensive Mila and 15 minutes faster than the popular Levoit Core 300.

It truly surprised me with its air cleaning power because it looks like a small stool. I can’t begin to understand how Smart Air managed to fit in such a powerful motor inside this cute little thing.

Elegant design that will stand out for the right reasons

โ€œOh wowโ€ฆ This one is cute!โ€ was the first thing my wife said when the Smart Air Sqair arrived.

Smart Air S Design

$189.95 AT SMART AIR U.S. ยฃ132.00 AT SMART AIR UK

My wife is not normally so positive about the many air purifiers I bring to our home, but she immediately fell in love with the design of the Smart Air Sqair. This might not seem like an important point (and it’s definitely subjective), but she spends a lot of time choosing furniture and dรฉcor for the house, so she is a tough critic.

Another element she liked was the lack of lights on the control panel. This makes the Sqair a great option for a bedroom, as it won’t disturb your sleep โ€” this is where we have kept this air purifier since the moment I finished running all the tests:

Smart Health S Top down logo

But it’s not just about this air purifier fitting into a trendy home.

Another design aspect worth mentioning is that the Smart Air Sqair is a fairly small unit. It doesnโ€™t take up too much space and could easily be placed in small rooms or tight spaces.

You can see here how small it is compared to the Levoit LV-PUR131 (which has the same size of units such as the Levoit Vital 200S, the Winix C545 and the Coway Airmega 150) and the dirty laundry basket in our room.

Levoit LV PUR131 VS Smart Air Sqair Air logo

Undoubtedly, this little unit looks a hell of a lot better than your โ€œnormalโ€ air purifier. Its cute, short body and Beachwood legs blend into the room instead of looking like something you would find in a science lab.

Speaking of the legs, you will find them packed separately inside the box and must be screwed on before switching the unit as you would with the legs of an IKEA chair:

Smart Health S Box setup logo

I experienced one build quality issue when screwing the legs: one of the screws had become loose, so I had to re-screw it before securing the final leg. Itโ€™s definitely a minor thing, but I’m mentioning it here to make the Smart Air team aware of it.

Smart Health S Missing screw issue logo

The control panel of the Sqair is incredibly straightforward. You get three fan speed settings and can switch between them with a giant dial that sits at the top of the device. That’s as simple as it gets!

Smart Health S Controls logo

$189.95 AT SMART AIR U.S. ยฃ132.00 AT SMART AIR UK

Now, if you are looking for smart features, this is not the right air purifier for you.

I personally like the simplicity, but I also appreciate that there are cases where having smart features such as auto-mode makes sense. For example, I wouldn’t want to use the Sqair in my kitchen as I would rather not have to drop everything while cooking just to set the dial on three or bring it back down to one. But that could be just me.

However, there is a reason why this unit doesn’t have such features. The team at Smart Air thinks auto-features are a waste of time, as built-in air quality monitors could be inaccurate, and air purifiers might not thoroughly clean the air before the auto-mode switches them back to speed one.

Just high-quality filters and a powerful fan

The Smart Air offers H12 HEPA filtration with an optional activated carbon filter.

This air purifier is one of the simplest units I have come across. As you can see in the video below, itโ€™s simply a large fan combined with a HEPA filter housed in plastic. 

The Smart Air Sqair comes with an H12-type HEPA as standard rather than the trendier medical-grade H13 HEPA. The reason for this is airflow.

H12 allows more air to pass through the filter, meaning that the air purifier can clean more air without working as hard. This not only makes it more efficient at cleaning the air but also reduces the amount of electricity it consumes.

That said, you can choose to get your Sqair with a H13 filter, but you need to be aware that using a stronger grade of HEPA will reduce the airflow.

Tip

The HEPA filter for the Sqair arrived wrapped in plastic packaging to ensure it doesn’t start filtering air until you use it.

Make sure to remove the filter from the bag BEFORE you switch on the air purifier.

The Smart Air Sqair comes with a HEPA filter, but you will need to buy the activated carbon filter separately (for an extra $29.99).

Smart Health S Carbon filter logo

Most manufacturers include both HEPA and activated carbon as standard, partly because it makes for a more well-rounded air-cleaning solution and partly because it will keep you buying more filters.

But Smart Air doesn’t include these filters as standard because the truth is that not everyone needs an activated carbon filter, and using one will reduce airflow.

I highly recommend you buy the activated carbon filter only if you want to use your air purifier to remove unwanted smells, gases and VOCs, as HEPA won’t be able to help with that.

Activated Carbon Filter logo

Installing the activated carbon filter is super easy. There are no fiddly, twisty mechanics or screws to find the right tool for. You just need to follow three easy steps:

Step 1: Turn it upside down and remove the bottom cover by pressing in the sides and lifting.

Smart Health S Open bottom logo


Step 2: Remove the filter from the bag and place it in the unit. Donโ€™t force it, it will sit comfortably.

Smart Health S Place filter logo

Step 3: Secure the bottom cover back on top of the filter, and turn the device upside down.

Smart Health S Close bottom logo

Told you it was easy. Want to get one for your Sqair, too? Here you go:

Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Sqair Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter (1 Pack) |Verified VOC & Odor Reduction| Activated Carbon Pellets for Smoke, Chemical Fumes & Pet Odors
Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Sqair Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter (1 Pack) |Verified VOC & Odor Reduction| Activated Carbon Pellets for Smoke, Chemical Fumes & Pet Odors
  • โœ” ๐•๐„๐‘๐ˆ๐…๐ˆ๐„๐ƒ ๐•๐Ž๐‚ & ๐Ž๐ƒ๐Ž๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐Œ๐Ž๐•๐€๐‹: Scientifically tested with an Industrial Scientific MX6 iBrid gas detector, this activated carbon filter has been proven to reduce harmful VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene from cigarette smoke and household sources. Ideal for homes concerned with chemical or smoke exposure.
  • โœ” ๐†๐„๐๐”๐ˆ๐๐„ ๐’๐Œ๐€๐‘๐“ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐’๐๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐‘๐„๐๐‹๐€๐‚๐„๐Œ๐„๐๐“ ๐…๐ˆ๐‹๐“๐„๐‘: Engineered for a precision fit in the Smart Air Sqair Air Purifier, ensuring proper airflow and maximum adsorption efficiency. Maintains your purifier's tested clean air delivery rate for gas pollutants.
  • โœ” ๐‡๐ˆ๐†๐‡-๐’๐”๐‘๐…๐€๐‚๐„-๐€๐‘๐„๐€ ๐€๐‚๐“๐ˆ๐•๐€๐“๐„๐ƒ ๐‚ARBON ๐๐„๐‹๐‹๐„๐“๐’: Each pellet enabling strong adsorption of odor molecules, toxic gases, and VOCs. Designed in a durable honeycomb mesh for stable air distribution and long-term performance.
  • โœ” ๐ƒ๐”๐€๐‹ ๐…๐ˆ๐‹๐“๐‘๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐‚๐Ž๐Œ๐๐‹๐„๐“๐„ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘ ๐๐”๐‘๐ˆ๐…๐ˆ๐‚๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐: When paired with the True H13 HEPA filter, this carbon layer captures odors, fumes, and gases while allowing the HEPA to focus on fine particles. Together, they deliver cleaner, fresher, and odor-free air across your living spaces.
  • โœ” ๐“๐„๐’๐“๐„๐ƒ ๐…๐Ž๐‘ ๐‚๐‹๐„๐€๐๐„๐‘, ๐‡๐„๐€๐‹๐“๐‡๐ˆ๐„๐‘ ๐€๐ˆ๐‘: Independently lab tested for VOC reduction under controlled conditions, including cigarette smoke and formaldehyde. Helps reduce throat irritation, dizziness, and odors from volatile organic compounds.
$29.99
Buy on Amazon

The Smart Air Sqair cleared our test room in 32 minutes

As with every air purifier we review here at HouseFresh, I tested the Sqair in our 728 cubic ft. test room (a fairly small home office) and used an incense stick to create airborne pollutants. I then used two different Purple Air indoor sensors (Touch and Zen) to track how quickly the Smart Air could reduce PM1 pollutants down to zero while running at its top fan speed.

The Smart Air Sqair removed all PM1 pollutants in 32 minutes.

Air cleaning speed, compared

Let’s put these results into perspective by comparing the Sqair to other units we have tested. So, hereโ€™s how it compares to other air purifiers in terms of noise output, air cleaning speed and initial price. 

AIR PURIFIER MODELSOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dB) SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dB)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOMPRICE
Shark HP10236.1 dB52.2 dB58 minutes$179.99
Coway Airmega 15035.2 dB55.6 dB38 minutes$189.99
Levoit Vital 200S38.3 dB57.7 dB23 minutes$189.99
Winix A23039.1 dB57.8 dB40 minutes$99.99
Smart Air S35.5 dB58.2 dB32 minutes$179.95
Mila37.5 dB59.2 dB38 minutes$419.99

Noise levels, compared

When you compare noise levels generated by the Sqair to other units, itโ€™s perfectly average. Yes, youโ€™ll hear it when itโ€™s on full power, but it wonโ€™t command the whole room.

Now, I always explain that sound can be subjective, so I shot a video so you can listen to the noise levels it generates:

The cost to run a Smart Air Sqair: $114.98 per year

The costs associated with running air purifiers in the long term are usually overlooked, but they are an important factor to consider โ€” especially if youโ€™re planning on actually using your air purifier regularly enough to keep the air in your home clear of pollutants.

Smart Air S Front

1. Electricity costs = $41.00

As part of my testing, I used a power meter to measure how much electricity in watts the Smart Air Sqair pulls at each fan speed.

  • Power 1 – 5.6 watts
  • Power 2 – 19.7 watts
  • Power 3 – 39.4 watts

The team at Smart Air has created something very special with the Sqair, a good-looking air purifier with a decent CADR that also uses less energy than most other similarly sized units. 

AIR PURIFIER MODELENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Coway Airmega 15031.55 watts33 minutes
Smart Air S39.4 watts25 minutes
Mila38.32 watts35 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S44.55 watts18 minutes
Winix A23045.6 watts35 minutes

The energy savings might be down to the fact that the Smart Air Sqair uses a H12 filter instead of a H13, no-pre filter, and (what I assume to be) a more efficient fan.

2. Filter costs = $73.98

Another long-term cost to consider is filter replacement. With mechanical filter technology like HEPA, the filters get full of pollutants and need to be replaced regularly.

The Sqair has filters available for $36.99, and they suggest replacing them every 6 months. Running a Sqair will cost you $73.98 per year on HEPA filters alone.

Here is how that compares to other units:

Filter
Genuine Smart Health S HEPA Filter
Genuine Smart Health S Activated Carbon Filter
Smart air BLAST air purifier with HEPA & Carbon filter 9000 sqft (2 pack)
Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Sqair Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter (1 Pack) |Verified VOC & Odor Reduction| Activated Carbon Pellets for Smoke, Chemical Fumes & Pet Odors
Technology
Smart Health S HEPA Filter
Smart Health S Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
Price not available
$29.99
Filter
Genuine Smart Health S HEPA Filter
Smart air BLAST air purifier with HEPA & Carbon filter 9000 sqft (2 pack)
Technology
Smart Health S HEPA Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
Price not available
Filter
Genuine Smart Health S Activated Carbon Filter
Smart Air (aka Smart Health) Sqair Genuine Replacement Carbon Filter (1 Pack) |Verified VOC & Odor Reduction| Activated Carbon Pellets for Smoke, Chemical Fumes & Pet Odors
Technology
Smart Health S Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$29.99

When it comes to long-term costs, the Smart Air Sqair is not the cheapest air purifier to run 24/7 but close: the S is the second cheapest option when comparing its running costs to those of units in the same price range or the same size:

AIR PURIFIER MODELESTIMATED 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
Winix A230$69.55$49.99$119.54
Levoit Vital 200S$67.95$59.99$127.94
PuroAir HEPA 14 240$57.35$96.00$153.35
Mila $58.45$150$208.45

Bottom line: Is the Smart Air Sqair worth it?

Smart Air is a brand on a mission and with the Sqair, theyโ€™re showing us they mean business. 

By taking a simplistic approach to air purification, they have achieved amazing air cleaning performance without the energy consumption and filter replacement costs you can expect from competitors. 

Its a good device for smaller spaces and benefits from the simple controls and attractive design.

Smart Air S Fireplace

$189.95 AT SMART AIR U.S. ยฃ132.00 AT SMART AIR UK

The Smart Air Sqair is not the right air purifier for you if you care about smart features and are looking for an air purifier with a fancy touchscreen or an on-board air quality sensor. If those are the kind of things you want in your device, then you should check out my review of the Levoit Vital 200S.

However, if you are on the market for a good looking device that will blend into the decor of your home and STILL be able to clean the air as efficiently as units priced upwards of $200, then the Sqair might just be the thing. Just remember to buy the additional activated carbon filter if you are wanting to rid your home of unwanted smells and VOCs.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Smart Air Sqair 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.

Blueair Blue Pure 211+ review

by
Blueair Blue Pure 211 Front Room

I will review one of the most popular air purifiers of the last few years: the Blue Pure 211+ from Blueair.

Since we started housefresh.com, we have tested and reviewed a few Blueair air purifiers.

Looking at Google Trends to gauge popularity, we can see that the 211+ first arrived in 2016 and reached its peak popularity in 2021 โ€“ too late for a review?

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I donโ€™t think soโ€ฆ

Although Blueair has now replaced the 211+ with the new Blue Pure Max 211i, many people are still looking to buy a 211+ as itโ€™s still widely available, and many others own a 211+ and are wondering if itโ€™s time to upgrade it, so this review is for them.

As always, we bought the Blue Pure 211+ with our own money. I paid ยฃ110 for our 211+ in early 2022, but you can find the 211+ on Amazon today for $319.99 โ€” or you can get the latest Pure Max 211i in the U.S. for $349.99.

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In this review, I will compare the Blue Pure 211+ to the more than 100 air purifiers we have tested at HouseFresh, based on our first-hand data on air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy efficiency, real-life user experience and long-term running costs. If you want to know more about how we test our air purifiers, please read this article or watch this video.

The lowdown on the Blue Pure 211+

Danny Ashton HouseFresh

โ€œWhen I first tested the Blue Pure 211+ in 2022, I was blown away by its performance as it was a fairly cheap device yet could clean air very effectively.

As our new data shows, even when running at speed 2, the 211+ has an estimated CADR of around 230 cfm, and at speed 1 you will get the same performance as the Levoit Core 300 running at top speed (140 cfm).

So why do Blueair air purifiers never make it on my list of the best air purifiers?

Well, the Blueair Blue Pure range uses an ionizer process to help clean the air, which you will find in devices from Coway, Winix and Alen.

However, and unlike Coway, Winix and Alen, with the Blueair 211+ the user has no way of switching off this function. “

โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

Looking for the quick-fire facts? Here are my main pros and cons of the Blueair Blue Pure 211+.

What we really like

It is a powerful air purifier that offers solid performance at top speed
Air cleaning is still good when running at fan speeds sub-45 and sub-40 dBA 
It has a simple yet stylish, with color options for the pre-filter
One-touch operation make this air purifier easy to use right out of the box

What we think could be better

When we disconnected the ionizer, performance dropped significantly
It is big and bulky, without any handles or wheels
The top can easily disconnect from the base when moving the device around
Filter costs are higher compared to other air purifiers with similar performance
You canโ€™t disable the ionizer.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):20 minutes
Air purifier technology:HEPASilentโ„ข Technology and Activated Charcoal Filter + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):540 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 350 CFM
Smoke: 350 CFM
Pollen: 350 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):20H x 13W x 13D inches (51H x 33W x 33D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):12.98 lbs (5.89 kg)
Filter life:6 โ€“ 8 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 37.2 dB
Speed 2: 45.8 dB
Speed 3: 55.7 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0.1 watts
Speed 1: 16.9 watts
Speed 2: 40.5 watts
Speed 3: 54.5 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$197.27 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.71
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:Designed and engineered in Sweden, assembled in China

Blueair’s signature Scandi design with one-button operation

A bulkier Blueair device with a removable pre-filter fabric you can replace and customize, similar to other models in their range.

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Living Room

Before jumping into the performance data, letโ€™s look at the design of the 211+.

Blueairโ€™s Blue Pure range has a distinctive aesthetic. The fan sits at the top of the device and the filter is tucked in underneath, covered by a colorful pre-filter fabric.

Comparison Photo Blueair Blue Pure 211 VS 411 VS 311

The 211+ is the largest unit in the Blue Pure range, and it takes up much space. 

It takes up as much floor space as the Levoit Core 600S but it doesnโ€™t come with any handles, so you need to carry it around in your arms to move it.

It is much bulkier than the AirFanta 3Pro, which has a higher CADR (430) and costs half the price. 

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Close up

The filter sits underneath the top half of the 211+ and is covered by a fabric pre-filter that comes in 5 color options to match your decor. 

The controls for the Blue Pure 211+ couldnโ€™t be simpler. There is one large circle button at the front that you can tap to move across three fan speeds and the on/off switch.

This makes the 211+ super easy to use right out of the box, but you donโ€™t get any extra features like child lock, timers, disabling the ionizer, or any of the other buttons we see on other air purifiers as standard. As an older model, it also doesnโ€™t have any app support.

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Box
Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Top down
Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Comparison

  

One annoying aspect of the 211+’s design is that when you pick it up to move it, the bottom half may or may not detach from the fan and fall to the ground. This doesnโ€™t happen every time but it definitely has gotten worse over the years for my device, after each time I replace the filter.

Which brings me to the filter.

Tip

If, like me, you simply canโ€™t live without smart mod-cons, it’s worth checking the 211+ Auto or 211i Max.

A particle filter with a layer of carbon that is supercharged with bipolar ionization

The 211+ uses Blueairโ€™s trademarked HEPASilent filters to remove microscopic particles without noise.

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Filters

The filter in the 211+ consists of four layers of filtration:

First, you get the pre-filter which is made out of fabric and comes in different colors. 

As with any pre-filter, you will need to keep it clean by vacuuming it regularly. Blueair has made it easy to remove it for cases when it needs a deeper clean, so you can wash it in a washing machine using cold water.

Then, you get an ultra-thin polypropylene filter, which is the main particle filter. 

As shown by the new generation of PC fan kits that use MERV 13 filters, lower-grade particle filters are not a bad thing for air purifiers, as air will pass multiple times through the filters and the higher airflow helps to improve the speed of cleaning.

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus No filter

Going deeper, you get a carbon filter for odors and gases.

Unfortunately, this is just a layer of carbon-impregnated fabric, so it will be less effective for VOCs and bad odors compared to the pelleted activated carbon we see in other models of air purifiers. 

Tip

Looking for more protection from VOCs? Supercharge the carbon quantity in your filter by upgrading to the SmokeBlock filter.

Lastly, you get Blueairโ€™s trademarked HEPASilent technology.

According to Blueair, its HEPASilent technology “electrically charges particles that are drawn into the device, causing them to adhere to the particle filter, where viruses and bacteria are inactivated.” The marketing materials also state that “HEPASilent filtration can deliver up to 45% more clean air faster than HEPA H13.”

What Blueair is describing sounds a lot like ionization.

Air ionizers emit electrostatic discharges into the air that alter the particlesโ€™ structure, making them heavier and forcing them to drop onto surfaces or within the device itself so they can be cleaned.

However, Blueair’s marketing materials do not mention ionization. Instead, they mention โ€œelectrostatic filtration.โ€ 

This makes sense as ionizers donโ€™t have a great reputation because they can produce potentially dangerous by-products, including ozone, aldehydes, and fine particles, which can negatively affect the health of those with respiratory conditions.

It is worth mentioning here that Blueair air purifiers sold in the U.S. are CARB-certified, which means that their ozone emissions have been tested and proven not to surpass 50 parts per billion (ppb). They are also certified by Intertek as ozone-freeโ€ฆ

After digging deep into their website, I found a page where they clearly explain the difference between ionizers and HEPASilent technology:

hepasilent blueair

Blueair states that HEPASilent technology canโ€™t be associated with ionizers because their devices combine electrostatic filtration with mechanical filtration. 

Itโ€™s important to note that the ionizer feature cannot be turned off on this device. Many people wrongly assume it will generate ozone, but a third-party lab test by Intertek provides a certificate for zero ozone (โ‰ค 0.005 ppm).

In terms of the filter itself, it is straightforward to install; simply twist the body of the purifier and slot it inside with the carbon filter facing upwards.ย ย Here’s a video on how to do it.

Tip

As with all new filters, remember to remove the filters from the plastic wrapper before turning on the air purifier.

The Blue Pure 211+ cleared our test room in 20 minutes

Blueair Blue Pure 211 look

We first tested the Blueair 211+ back in 2022 using our PurpleAir Indoor sensor, so before I started working on this video review, I re-tested the 211+ using our new PurpleAir Zen sensor:

According to our Zen sensor, the 211+ needed 20 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:

blueair 211 performance housefresh

Considering this air purifier was released in 2016, the results at top speed are impressive. 

As I mentioned above, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ comes with electrostatic filtration through their HEPASilent technology but (unlike manufacturers such as Winix, Alen and Coway) Blueair doesnโ€™t allow you to turn off the HEPASilent in the 211+.

Smart Air has long stated that โ€œadding an ionizer is an extremely cheap way for an air purifier company to increase its purifierโ€™s CADR,โ€ so I was intrigued to see how much of an effect Blueairโ€™s HEPASilent has on the 211+’s performance.

After much deliberation, I made the drastic decision to remove the ionizer:

blueair remove ionizer

With HEPASilent enabled, the Blue Pure 211+ completed our air cleaning test in 20 minutes. Without HEPASilent, the same test took a whooping 38 minutes.

Before running the test, I assumed that HEPASilent would boost air cleaning performance a little, helping the 211+ complete our particle removal test just a few minutes faster than without HEPASilent as this is what we usually see with other air purifiers when we disable their ionizers.

blueair 211 ionizer on off

However, as the table above shows, removing the ionizer in the 211+ had a much bigger impact on air cleaning performance compared to other air purifiers.

In fact, our test shows that removing the ionizer in this Blueair device led to a 62% drop in performance.

So if you were considering removing the ionizer inside your Blue Pure 211+, keep in mind that you will significantly reduce its air cleaning performance.

I believe this explains why Blueair doesnโ€™t include an option to disable HEPASilent in the same way other manufacturers do.

Incredibly quiet considering its size

In our testing, the sound levels of the 211+ ranged from 37.2 dBA to 55.7 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. 

These are the results for the 211+:

blueair 211 sound levels

Be aware our background noise is 35 dBA, so the 211+ running at speed 1 is likely to generate less sound if you could measure it in a silent room.

But feel free to have a listen for yourself:

As these figures won’t tell you much in isolation, I made a comparison with other devices that have similar performance:

Blueair 211 sound compare

The 211+ is quieter than most when compared to other similarly powered HEPA retail devices. However, it is out-matched when we compare it to PC fan-powered devices like the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits.ย 

One of the benefits of a high-CADR air purifier is that you can use it on a lower fan speed and still achieve a good level of air cleaning performance.

So we retested the particle removal performance of the 211+ when running at its lowest fan speeds.

Running at speed 2 it generates 45.8 dBA, which is just above the 45 dBA limit that CleanAirStars recommends for noisy classrooms or offices. it managed to reach PM1 zero in 28 minute

When running at speed 1,ย it generatesย 37.2 dBA, which is below the 40 dBA recommended for quiet classrooms and offices. At speed 1, the 211+ reached PM1 zero in 45 minutes.

We can compare these results with other air purifiers running at sub-45dBA:

Blueair 211 performance test sub 45dbA compare

Running at lower fan speeds, the Blue Pure 211+ performs well when benchmarked against other similarly powered devices we have tested at low speeds. This is likely to be thanks to its HEPASilent technology.

However, concerning performance at low sound levels, the 211+ is still no match to PC fan-powered air purifiers like the AirFanta 3Pro or the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7.

Letโ€™s look at how much the 211+ will cost you in the long term, starting with your energy bill.

The cost to run a Blueair Blue Pure 211+: $197.27 per year

1. Electricity costs = $57.29 per year

As always, we used our energy meter to record the 211+’s energy use when running at each fan speed and also while on standby.

I also measured how much power was used once I removed the ionizer.

blueair 211 energy consumption

If you had to leave your Blueair 211+ running 24/7, it would cost $57.29 per year in energy costs.

With this calculation in mind, we can compare the annual energy costs you can expect from the Blueair 211+ to other devices we have tested:

blueair 211 energy consumption costs

Energy usage compared to performance is very fair with the Blue Pure 211+, which must be due to the combination of a lower-grade particle filter and electrostatic filtration.  

2. Filter costs = $139.98 per year

Itโ€™s not just energy costs that add to the running cost of an air purifier and you will also need to replace the filters eventually. 

Blueair says you need to replace the filters for the Blue Pure 211+ every 6 months. The recommended OEM filters cost $69.99 for the standard filters, but they do offer options with extras that go up to $89.99.

This means the total filter costs for one year for the Blue Pure 211+ is $139.98; We can combine that with energy costs and compare with other similar performing air purifiers:

blueair 211 yearly running costs

The Blue Pure 211+ is this group’s second most expensive air purifier, costing over three times more than the Luggable XL-7 and nearly twice as much as the Vital 200S. 

This is likely due to the lower filter life, as the filter needs replacing every 6 months, compared to 12 months for the Levoit Vital 200S.

Bottom line: Is the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ worth it?

Its combination of a lower-grade filter and ionization function provides good air cleaning power at lower fan speeds.

Blueair Blue Pure 211 Front Room

When I first reviewed the Blue Pure 211+ in 2022, I was blown away by its performance because it was a relatively cheap air purifier, yet it could effectively clean the air.ย 

As our new data shows, even when running at speed 2, the 211+ has an estimated CADR of around 230 cfm, and at speed 1 you will get the same performance as the Levoit Core 300 running at top speed (140 cfm). 

Blueair Blue Pure 211 plus Living Room logo

So why did Blueair air purifiers never make it to my list of the best air purifiers?

Well, the Blueair Blue Pure range uses an ionizer process to help clean the air, which is also found in devices from Coway, Winix and Alen. 

However and unlike Coway, Winix and Alen, with the Blueair 211+, the user has no way of switching off this function. 

To be clear, I donโ€™t believe that the Blue Pure 211+ creates large amounts of ozone. I was unable to detect any with my ozone detector after leaving it running and it also has a certificate from Intertek to state it creates less than 0.005pm of ozone.

If you do have one, the performance is good as long as you have no issue with the ionizer, and know it can be very effective even when running on lower quiet fan speeds.  

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, utilizing the Appliance Energy Calculator developed by the U.S. Department of Energy as of March 2025.

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot + Cool Review

by
Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Fire Place

Dyson was started in 1991 by James Dyson in the UK who originally brought the cyclonic vacuum technology or bagless vacuum cleaner to the mainstream. I personally have the Dyson Outsize Absolute and we are super happy with it.  

Since then, Dyson has released several products, including the Dyson bladeless fan in 2009 and then their first air purifier in 2015. Air purifiers are just fans connected to filters. Hence, with indoor pollution becoming more and more of an issue around the world it makes total sense that Dyson would make the move into air purifier manufacturing.

This particular model that I am reviewing is the Dyson HP04 Hot + Cool, which is priced at $690*, not cheap when you compare it with other air purifiers on the market. But then again, no other devices offer fan cooling and heating. 

In general, the technological improvements in the air purifier world relate to the filter types. Still, Dyson is bringing something very new with its bladeless fan, and Iโ€™m excited to see how this unit compares with other air purifiers.

As with all the air purifiers we review here at HouseFresh, we bought the Dyson HP04 Pure Hot + Cool with our own money to ensure we can share our unbiased opinion. We also performed a series of tests on this unit that allow us to compare it like for like against all the other air purifiers we have reviewed over the years.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Right, let’s get into it.


The lowdown on the Dyson HP04 Pure Hot + Cool

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“Unless you really need a combo unit with a fan, heater, and air purifier, then we would suggest passing on the Dyson HP04 as the air cleaning performance doesn’t match the large price tag.”
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Fire Place

PRICE on amazon PRICE on DYSON
PRice on SYlvANE

Letโ€™s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are the key points we found when reviewing the Dyson HP04. 

What we really like

The design of the unit and app is excellent
The fan mode is great, and I can see myself using this a lot as the temperature increases
Auto mode works well and detects pollutants as quickly as my air quality sensor
Dyson has good after-service support, based on my existing Dyson gadgets
The ability to rotate and move air up to 350 degrees around the room

What we think could be better

The price is very high for a unit with this level of air-cleaning performance
Genuine filters cost a lot for a fairly small surface area.
Dyson is not as transparent about their own performance data in their marketing aimed at English-speaking countries

The specifications

At $745, the Dyson HP04 doesnโ€™t come cheap. For around this price, you could look to buy the Alen BreathSmart 75i with a CADR rating of 347 ($636.65) or the Mila Air Purifier with a CADR score of 263 CFM ($408). As the Dyson only scores a lowly 89 CFM, itโ€™s fair to say that on paper, it doesnโ€™t cut the mustard. But letโ€™s see how it got on in our real-world review. 

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):1 hour and 24 minutes
Air purifier technology:HEPA and activated carbon filter
Recommended room size (estimated by HouseFresh to achieve 4.8 air changes per hour):139 sq. ft. 
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Estimated: 89 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):30.1H x 8.1W x 5.1D inches (76.5H x 20.7W x 13D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):12.36 lbs (5.6 kg)
Filter life:12 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 37.2 dB
Speed 2: 43.5 dB
Speed 3: 49.1 dB
Speed 4: 54.6 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0.5 watts
Speed 1: 4.6 watts
Speed 2: 9.1 watts
Speed 3: 16.8 watts
Speed 4: 25.5 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$81.88 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$4.59
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of manufacture:Malaysia

Futuristic design fit for modern homes

Intuitive controls, high-tech features and smart capabilities

Air purifiers these days can come in all shapes and sizes, but for the most part, they are usually a box-type design that pulls in air from either the front and back or the sides. Dyson is known for their innovative designs, and the HP04 is no different. 

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Top Close

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This has to be one of the best-looking air purifiers I have ever encountered. It would fit perfectly with the interior design of the modern home without taking up too much space as you would find with a box unit like the Coway Airmega 300.

The top half of this air purifier combo is the fan whilst the bottom section is where the filters sit. Simply put, it pulls air from the bottom through the two filters and then blows it out via the air outlets at the top. 

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Above

The bladeless fan is great for homes with curious kids who like to put their fingers into anything (as mine tend to do) and whilst itโ€™s tall, it doesnโ€™t feel intrusive to the room. 

When comparing the Dyson HP04 to the Smart Air S, you notice the contrast in design styles. Although the Smart Air S is still a cute-looking unit with its own charming features, the HP04 takes on a futuristic aesthetic that challenges the everyday design of household appliances. 

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Comparison Smart Health S

As weโ€™ve come to expect from Dyson products, the HP04 comes well-packaged in a branded box. Thereโ€™s still a little too much plastic for my liking, but theyโ€™re getting better at reducing their carbon footprint with their packaging. 

If you have used a Dyson before, youโ€™ll know that they provide a great user experience; the same is true of the HP04. 

It has a digital display on the front that tells you the quality of the air in the room and which fan speed itโ€™s currently set to. Using the remote control, you have ten different speeds to use, allowing you to harmonize the unit with the air quality or temperature.

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Control Panel

In older models, you could only use both functions simultaneously. If you wanted to clean the air, you would also have to put up with the fan cooling/heating the room. With the HP04 you can set the unit to purify the air and not use the fan, which is certainly useful for those living in colder climates. 

The fan can turn at varying degrees from 90 to a maximum of 350 which I would use during the summer to get as much cool air around me as possible. 

Auto mode allows the unit to only come on when it detects pollutants in the air and is a useful feature for those who have occasional issues with air pollutants like rush hour traffic on the adjacent road or dinner-time cooking odors.

The remote comes in its own box with the function of each button printed on it, making it so much easier to learn what each one does without spending time surveying the manual. However, you still do receive a physical manual with the unit. Like a lot of people now, I instantly lose any manual because I know everything I need is online. With a progressive company like Dyson, I expected them to not waste paper.

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Bottom Close

The remote is pretty small but very functional. You can control each function of the unit including fan speed, heating or cool mode, sleep timer, and the direction you want the air to flow. It even has a magnetic element so it can easily be stored on the top of the air purifier without it falling and being lost. 

The next step is to set up the app which is super simple once youโ€™ve downloaded it from the Android or Apple app store.

Dyson Link App

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DOWNLOAD ANDROID APP โ–ถ

Not only can you control the unit’s functions, but you can also monitor the air quality of your room, the air quality outside, see your unit’s activity, and get reports on temperature, humidity, and filter life. 

Once itโ€™s set up you get a big tick and the air purifier is ready to work its magic.

Button 1

Small filters leave question marks over purifying capability

A round filter comprised of two separate halves that clip together in place, similar to other Dyson air purifiers

The one thing I was surprised about was the size of the filters. They are a lot smaller than I expected for such a big machine. This probably goes to explain why the CADR scores are so low when compared to other smaller units with bigger filters.

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Unit Filters

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The activated carbon filters are fairly narrow, and I just canโ€™t imagine that this amount of activated charcoal is going to be able to remove much beyond minor odors in small rooms. In comparison, the Austin Air Healthmate Pro comes with 15 lbs of activated carbon – this unit weighs 12.36 lbs in total.

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Carbon Filter

A lot of new units come with a washable pre-filter. These act as the first line of defense as they are able to stop bigger particles before they hit the HEPA filter. Being washable prolongs the life of the other filters, saving you from having to replace them more often. 

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool HEPA Filter

However, there is no pre-filter here, which is disappointing as youโ€™ll notice decreased performance relatively soon once hair, lint, and fur start to clog up your HEPA.

When it comes to changing the filter, the first thing you need to do with this unit is take off the covers and attach the charcoal filters. There is a big warning sign on the unit so youโ€™re not going to forget. The activated charcoal filters clip in easily and you can see that the seal is airtight thanks to the rubber elements around both filters.

The filters then clip into the unit in two halves. Once youโ€™ve removed the outer panels of the purifier section of the unit, they fit in as two semi-circles that make up the 360-degree air intake. 

The Dyson HP04 cleared our test room in 1 hour and 24 minutes

That’s 14 minutes longer than the Dyson PH03 and more than double the time than the Dyson Cool TP07

To test this unit I used our home office and generated smoke using an incense stick. I used the Purple Air Indoor Sensor to evaluate the change in air quality over time.

I wanted to know how quickly the Dyson HP04 could reduce the amount of PM2.5 and PM10 particles in the air. These tiny particles are the most important to remove as they can get deep into the lungs and cause long-term health issues.

The room was 728 cubic ft. I started the air purifier once 50% of the incense had burned, and my air quality sensor showed 500 PM10 and 500 PM2.5.

Similar to the team at IQAir, but for different reasons, the Dyson team are not big fans of CADR methods.

They argue that their fan air purifier can move more air around the room than standard air purifiers, so they use their own POLAR test. 

Like any test, CADR has its limitations, but I still think itโ€™s a good benchmark to allow consumers to compare units. 

Unlike the US, China has strict rules around air purifiers, so Dyson does reveal the details for the slightly upgraded HP07 unit on their site in China.

image1

A CADR of 151.m3/h equated to 88.9341 CFM for a unit costing $700 is not great, considering you can purchase a unit that is less than $100 that achieves a higher CADR of 140 with the Levoit Core 300.

Air cleaning performance compared

While this unit does have way more features than the Levoit 300 (such as a fan, heating element and a smartphone app), I still expected this unit to perform a lot better than the Levoit 300 during our tests.

Noise levels test results

A concern for many with air purifiers is the amount of sound generated. In our tests, it clocked up to 54.5 dB on its highest setting, which is fairly low when compared to other units. It even matches some SilentHEPA Blueair units, such as the Blue Pure 411.

But I know that sound can be very subjective, so I created a video to show the sound at each speed level from 1-10.

The cost to run a HP04 Pure Hot + Cool: $81.88 per year

1. Electricity costs = $38.89

The running costs of an air purifier are something you should always consider, both in the costs of electricity usage and the required amount of filter replacements. 

This unit has a recorded power consumption of 36-44 watts, but when I tested it using a power meter, I found that on the maximum setting, it only pulled 25.5 watts.

Speed settingWattage used
13.5
23.8
34.6
45.2
56.5
69.1
711.7
816.8
920.2
1025.5

Using the average energy prices as registered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can see that at its highest setting, this air purifier will cost $38.89 a year if left to run 24/7, which is excellent efficiency for a larger unit. 

When I used the heating element – the power wattage jumped significantly, with an average of 2500 watts which shows how energy-intensive space heaters are, so ensure you are aware of the incurred costs ($3.813 per year) if youโ€™re planning to use the heater feature regularly.

2. Filter costs = $42.99

Replacing filters is another cost that many donโ€™t think about. However, this can get costly, so itโ€™s best to know what youโ€™re committing yourself to. 

The genuine HEPA and activated carbon filters are $65, which is above average for a unit with this level of performance. There are also generic filters available on Amazon for $42.99 which may not perform as well as the original Dyson filters, but itโ€™s good to know that there are cheaper options out there. 

Dyson recommends you replace the filters every 12 months, but based on their size and lack of pre-filter, I would expect this to be more like 6 months. We will keep an eye on this as we use it over the long term and report back on how long they lasted. 

2 Pack TP04 Replacement Filter for Dyson HP04 TP04 DP04 Air Purifier | Sealed Two Stage 360ยฐPure Cool Fan Combi Glass HEPA Filter & High Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter
2 Pack TP04 Replacement Filter for Dyson HP04 TP04 DP04 Air Purifier | Sealed Two Stage 360ยฐPure Cool Fan Combi Glass HEPA Filter & High Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter
  • โœ…ใ€COMPATIBIE MODELSใ€‘This TP04 HP04 filter replacement fits Dyson Pure Hot + Cool HP04, Pure Cool TP04, Pure Cool DP04 tower fan, also compatible with TP05 & DP05 models, reference part numbers: 968707โ€‘04, 968708โ€‘04, 969048โ€‘01. (NOT compatible with TP01/TP02/TP07/TP10, HP01/HP02/HP07/HP09/HP10, DP01/DP02 and all PHโ€‘series units. )Doubleโ€‘verify your device model prior to purchase.
  • โœ…ใ€Dualโ€‘Layer Composite Filtration ใ€‘Built with dualโ€‘layer filter structure including highโ€‘efficiency filter media and activated carbon layer. Wellโ€‘suited for petโ€‘owning families, cooking households and indoor spaces with unwanted household smells. Physically captures fine airborne particles, while absorbing unpleasant household odors from pet fur, pet dander, smoke,cooking smells and daily living environments for fresher indoor air.
  • โœ…ใ€Userโ€‘Friendly Installation ใ€‘No extra tools needed for quick swap. Install the carbon filter with buckle side facing upward. After physical installation, complete filter reset: hold the โ€œOscillationโ€ button for 5 seconds for carbon filter reset; hold remoteโ€‘control โ€œNight modeโ€ button for filter reset following machine countdown prompt. Ideal for daily home maintenance in bedrooms, living rooms and home offices.
  • โœ…ใ€Durable Replacement Filterใ€‘Made of highโ€‘quality filter material for stable dailyโ€‘use performance. This is aftermarket replacement, brand & part numbers are only for compatibility reference. Package contains 1 set highโ€‘efficiency filter plus 1 set activated carbon filter. Suitable for families with kids, pets and people sensitive to indoor air quality.
  • โœ…ใ€Replacement Reminderใ€‘For satisfying purification performance, we suggest replacing your filter every 12 months. Shorten replacement cycle if you live in areas with poor air quality, keep pets indoors frequently or do heavy home cooking. Regular filter change helps keep your air purifier work in good condition.
$58.99
Buy on Amazon

Bottom line

If you want an air purifier that works as a fan and a heater, then you donโ€™t have any other options apart from the Dyson HP04. 

Iโ€™m a big fan of the innovation that Dyson is bringing to the air purifier market. Still, its air cleaning performance has a long way to go before I would recommend this unit over getting a separate fan and a much cheaper air purifier. 

Dyson HP04 Pure Hot Cool Living Room

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I dislike that they donโ€™t make the CADR clear for consumers and hope that they update their marketing material to align with what they have for China.

Itโ€™s certainly a great-looking machine, and the auto-mode and app work as well as you would expect for a $700 unit. But, for those looking for the best bang for the buck for cleaning the air – there are far better options. 

If youโ€™re looking for a top-end unit, youโ€™d be much better off going for the superior AlenBreathSmart 75i, the โ€˜godfatherโ€™ IQAir Healthpro Plus, or save yourself some cash and opt for the quickest purifier to undertake our real-world tests the Levoit Core 600S.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Dyson HP04 Pure Hot + Cool 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.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 review

by
Rabbit Air MinusA2 Front 1 1

Rabbit Air has gone full-on making this air purifier either blend into your home or be the centerpiece of any room. Boasting a 5-stage BioGSยฎ HEPA filtration system, highly sensitive odor and particle sensors, WiFi compatibility, app control, and cutting-edge Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors, this unit covers most bases when it comes to purifying the air in the home.

With one look at the MinusA2, youโ€™ll realize that Rabbit Air is trying to do something different. In a market full of white boxes, the MinusA2 takes air purifier design to the next level with its innovative way of living comfortably with a unit in the home.

Coming in at just over $600, the MinusA2 is aimed at an audience who appreciate the finesse of design and those who love their gadgets with featuresโ€ฆ lots of features.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 alongside its box

As with all our hands-on reviews here at HouseFresh, we bought this unit with our own money, so we have no biases to give a better review than we would under normal circumstances.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Will this futuristic unit triumph? Or is it style over substance?

The lowdown on the Rabbit Air MinusA2

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“The wall-mountable Rabbit Air MinusA2 may not be the simplest to set up and get your head around, but once you do, youโ€™ll see why itโ€™s worth the price tag.โ€
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

ed sherbenou
โ€œRabbitAir SPA-780A is a modern, attractive, automatic, ultra quiet, quality air purifier, suitable for living and sleeping areas up to 270 square feet.

MinusA2 SPA-780A could be improved by doubling the weight of the carbon filter.

Rabbit Air has come a long way, in just a few years, achieving a reputation for good customer service and innovative high quality products.”

โ€” Ed Sherbenou, Air-Purifier-Power Founder
Rabbit Air MinusA2 Front 1

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What we really like

Its design is modern and customizable, with different design covers that transform the MinusA2 into a functional piece of wall art
You can leave it freestanding or mount it on the wall (and it comes with everything you need for wall mounting)
Rabbit Air offers different filter options for the MinusA2 that cover all cases: Germ Defense, Toxin Absorber, Pet Allergy or Odor Remover
It comes with a 5-year warranty in case of any mishaps, which isn’t a standard
It features an onboard air quality sensor, which allows it to include an Auto mode

What we think could be better

The filter replacement indicator is located on the side of the control panel and is small, so it wouldn’t be hard to miss it
The app needs work: it was incredibly challenging to get it to connect to the wifi and even when it did, it kept randomly disconnecting

The specs

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Air purifier technology:BioGS HEPA filter with an activated carbon filter
Recommended room size:815 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Pollen 200 CFM
Dust 193 CFM
Smoke 180 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):20H x 21.4W x 7D inches (50.8Hx 54.4W x 17.8D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):19.4 lbs (8.8 kg)
Filter life:12 months
Noise level (low โ€“ high):25dB – 51dB
Estimated energy consumption:$64.12 per year
Warranty:5 years
Country of manufacture:South Korea

Customizable look and simple operation

Five different cover designs to personalize your MinusA2

Okay, so Iโ€™ve already gone on about the design of the MinusA2, but letโ€™s take a closer look. We opted for the black version over the normal white model because, let’s face it, it looks so much cooler.

The shiny gloss front panel holds a Knight Rider-esque light bar stretching most of the unit. Down the front right-hand side is where the controls live, along with more lights and indicators.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Close up

But if youโ€™re more into decorative aesthetics, Rabbit Air has you covered, as it offers five different designs to choose from that will transform your air purifier into a functional piece of wall art.

Webp.net gifmaker

A great feature of this unit is its free-standing or wall-mounted ability. You receive all the parts youโ€™ll need for both options without buying any extras. If you choose to have it freestanding, it measures just 19.25 inches in height, which means it wonโ€™t be towering over anything, and (size permitting) you could even have it on a desk or table. The MinusA2 has a remote control; super handy when mounting the unit to the wall.

The control panel is clearly labeled and extremely easy to navigate. There are four buttons: Speed (to control fan speeds), Mode (to switch modes + to reset the filter indicator), Mood Light (to turn the light on and off + to turn the Negative Ion Generation on and off) and Power button.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Control Panel

Here are some notes on the buttons:

  • You must press and hold the Power button for two seconds to turn the unit on or off. 
  • There are five speeds, so pressing the Speed button takes you through Silent > Low > Medium > High > Turbo.
  • The Mode button is a dual control button: pressing it briefly allows you to change between Pollen Mode and Auto Mode. But when you press and hold this button, it will reset the Replace Filters Indicator.
  • The Mood Light button is also a dual control button. When pressing it briefly, it turns the mood light on and off. Pressing it and holding it for three seconds allows you to turn the Negative Ion Generator on and off.

We found that for general use, Auto mode worked better for us. When you set it to Auto, you can forget about it and let it do its job. We noticed the fan speed and air quality sensor changing when cooking and moving around the apartment more than usual. 

A great feature of the Rabbit Air is the light sensor. When testing the unit in the bedroom overnight, we noticed that when you turn the lights out, the A2 will turn its light out so it wonโ€™t disturb your sleep. This happens because when the room is dark for three minutes, the MinusA2 goes into Sleep Mode. It’s worth mentioning that Sleep Mode doesn’t override Pollen Mode or the fan speed you have set manually.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Sensors

Something I like about the MinusA2 is that it comes with an air quality sensor onboard, allowing you to track air quality levels in your home — by the way, this makes the air purifier capable of offering Auto Mode in the first place!

The Air Quality Indicator light indicates the air quality in the room the air purifier is in. Depending on the amount of pollutants in the air, the colors shift from blue (good air quality) to purple to pink to red (bad air quality).

Another thing I like about the onboard air quality sensors is that you can adjust the sensitivity levels. All you need to do is press and hold both the Speed and Mode buttons for three seconds. Afterward, you will see the Air Quality Indicator and Auto Mode Indicator blinking. This means that you can now use the Speed button to set the sensitivity level you prefer: low (Replace Filters), standard (Pollen Mode) and high (Auto Mode). Press and hold the Speed and Mode buttons for three seconds to save the new sensitivity level.

Unfortunately, the RabbitAir app is not great.

Youโ€™d think it would be standard practice to have wireless capabilities with air purifiers by now, but it still seems to be an extra feature (I hope this changes soon). The MinusA2 has these capabilities, and Rabbit Air has created its own app for their units. 

Screenshot 2022 02 03 at 10.04.20

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You can connect to the MinusA2 from the comfort of your couch or before you get to your house to remotely turn your unit on/off, check the room’s current air quality, change fan speeds, and engage Auto Mode.

The app is probably greatโ€ฆ when itโ€™s working. At first, the unit wouldnโ€™t connect to my wifi at all. Eventually, when it did connect, it would work for a while, then disconnect by its own free will.

This continued until I got to the point where I didnโ€™t use it all. I hope Rabbit Air updates the app to improve its UX and functionality as being able to access the air purifier remotely would be extremely useful.

Tip

There is an option to use Alexa if you like shouting commands from across the room.

6-stage filtration system

This is where Rabbit Air stands tall over other brands.

The MinusA2 comes with a large six-stage filter to battle airborne contaminants, which fits snugly in the front of the unit.

Minus A2 6 filter visual

Here’s a breakdown of the six stages:

Stage 1: Pre-filterThe pre-filters main task is to capture larger airborne particles like dust mites, pet hair, and pollen. This filter is hand washable, which means it not only doesnโ€™t have to be replaced with the other filters, but it prolongs its lifespan (if you wash it regularly, of course).
Stage 2: Medium filterYou donโ€™t commonly find a medium filter on a lot of units, so this is a bonus. Itโ€™s designed to care for particles larger than 1 micron, like bacteria, mold, and dust particles. Having a medium filter means the HEPA filter doesnโ€™t have to work as hard and should last longer.
Stage 3: BioGSยฎ HEPA filterA HEPA filter has the most critical role in any air purifier: it removes the tiniest particles out of the air to make it clean. Rabbit Air’s BioGSยฎ version traps 99.97% of allergens and particles 0.3 microns in size. Basically, whatever sneaks through stages 1 and 2 will be caught here.
Stage 4: Customized filterThe MinusA2 allows you to tailor the unit to match your needs. Each of the 4 customized filters is engineered to tackle different contaminants. You can choose from Germ Defense, Toxin Absorber, Pet Allergy, or Odor Remover.
Stage 5: Activated carbon filterRabbit Air claim that its filter is more effective than typical Activated Carbon filters. It reduces chemicals and odors in the home, like vape/cigarette smoke, VOCs, and cooking odors by trapping them in its activated carbon layer.
Stage 6: Negative ionsNot strictly a layer of the filter, these invisible molecules released from the unit latch onto contaminants, weighing them down. This makes it easier for the filters to trap these particles.

Something I didn’t like as much is that the (dreaded) filter replacement indicator is located on the side of the control panel and is pretty small, making it easy to miss. This means that youโ€™ll have to keep an eye on it. Rabbit Air states that you should replace the filter every 12 months if youโ€™re operating the unit 24 hours a day. 

Tip

You can prolong the filter life by regularly cleaning the pre-filter and making sure you vacuum and dust more regularly.

Air Cleaning Performance [CADR]

The Rabbit Air SPA-780A was sent for an AHAM CADR test and certified in 2011. You can see the full CADR report at Energystar.gov:

Rabbitair A2 CADR report

Noise levels test results

Noise is a key factor for me. As the fan spins around, collecting all those harmful toxins, it starts to generate noise, and if itโ€™s too loud, itโ€™ll deter me from turning the unit on. 

On Silent mode, you can hear the fan gently hum away, which is great if you have it in the bedroom as it wonโ€™t keep you awake. Turbo mode, on the other hand, is where the MinusA2 ramps noise levels up. Unfortunately, it does get quite loud and noticeable even over the TV. It’s no jet engine though!

Hereโ€™s a video so you can hear it by yourself:

The full Air-purifier-power.com noise to airflow specification for the Rabbit Air SPA-780A (decibels per cubic foot per minute) is:


Speed 1 – 25.6 dBA @ 58 CFM
Speed 2 – 31.1 dBA @ 80 CFM
Speed 3 – 37.4 dBA @ 112 CFM
Speed 4 – 44.5 dBA @ 159 CFM
Speed 5 – 51.3 dBA @ 218 CFM

Air purifiers are engineered around the motor.

The current state-of-the-art engine is the Brushless Direct Current Motor (BLDC) motor.

These produce no sparks, no ozone, less heat, low noise, low vapor emissions, weaker electromagnetic fields, and last longer than the older designs prevalent in the industry.

With the ionizer on and the fan on low, there are trace ozone emissions, approximately .002 parts per million.

This is very low ozone, comparable to many other air purifiers which may claim “zero” ozone emissions.

Rabbit marketing is up to date with published specificationsโ€”many builders hide noise and other emissions behind vague platitudes.

MinusA2 has roughly the same noise emissions as its predecessor, the near-silent 582A.

Cost to run the Rabbit Air MinusA2: $169.12 per year

1. Electricity costs = $64.12 per year

At its minimum fan speed, the Rabbit Air MinusA2 only recorded 7 watts, the same as a compact fluorescent. Compared to competitors, it pulls much less power; the Honeywell HPA300, for example, recorded 30 watts when running at its lowest fan speed. When setting the MinusA2 at its top fan speed, however, the unit pulls 61 watts. If you were to run this air purifier at its top speed non-stop for a full year, it would cost you $64.12 per year.

Over the life of the MinusA2 low power consumption will offset some of the higher purchase price.

2. Filter costs = $105 per year

The filter costs are not cheap, but luckily, you shouldn’t need to replace the filters sooner than 12 months. The good news is that generic replacement filters are easily available online if the official MinusA2 replacement is too expensive for your wallet.

Filter
Official MinusA2 Filter Replacement kit
Unofficial MinusA2 Filter Replacement Kit
Rabbit Air,Genuine Original Air Purifier Filter - MinusA2 Filter Replacement Kit and HEPA Filter Replacement Compatible with Models SPA-700A and SPA-780A/N (with Toxinn Absorber Customized Air Filter)
Filter-Monster Filter Replacement Kit Compatible with Rabbit Air MinusA2 | Odor Remover air filter kit. Compatible with SPA-700A, SPA-780A, SPA-780N, and SPA-625A. Full replacement kit.
Technology
Medium Filter, BioGS HEPA Filter, Customized Filter, Charcoal-Based Activated Carbon Filter
True HEPA filter, medium filter, customized filter and activated carbon filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$105.00
$59.99
Filter
Official MinusA2 Filter Replacement kit
Rabbit Air,Genuine Original Air Purifier Filter - MinusA2 Filter Replacement Kit and HEPA Filter Replacement Compatible with Models SPA-700A and SPA-780A/N (with Toxinn Absorber Customized Air Filter)
Technology
Medium Filter, BioGS HEPA Filter, Customized Filter, Charcoal-Based Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$105.00
Filter
Unofficial MinusA2 Filter Replacement Kit
Filter-Monster Filter Replacement Kit Compatible with Rabbit Air MinusA2 | Odor Remover air filter kit. Compatible with SPA-700A, SPA-780A, SPA-780N, and SPA-625A. Full replacement kit.
Technology
True HEPA filter, medium filter, customized filter and activated carbon filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$59.99

Bottom line

The Rabbit Air MinusA2 is a hard worker and looks great.

Its six-stage filter system makes light work of airborne pollutants, and you can see it working with its air quality indicator. 

Yes, the app can be a little problematic, and the buttons are small, but it makes up for these issues when cleaning the air in rooms up to 815 sq. ft.

Rabbit Air MinusA2 Front 1 1

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The Rabbit Air MinusA2 fits perfectly well into creative spaces, apartments with little floor space (thanks to its mountable nature), and those who want their gadgets with a little more style.

SOURCES

We calculated the monthly energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator. We calculated the yearly costs associated with running the Rabbit Air MinusA2 24 hours a day for 365 days. We chose to run this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of February 13th, 2024.

Updated on Dec 17, 2024: Links to eBay were removed and replaced with Rabbitair.com, and a broken image was replaced.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review

by
Alen BreatheSmart 45i Fireplace

Alen is one of the most respected names in the air purifier business. Based out of Austin, Texas, the company has been making top-of-the-range air-cleaning solutions for over 15 years.

In fact, the Alen 350 was one of the first air purifiers I tested over a decade ago and is still a device that stands up to many modern appliances. 

Alen has built on this pedigree to develop powerful purifiers for both commercial and residential settings. Their most popular product line is the BreatheSmart range, which includes the Flex, 45i and 75i. 

The BreatheSmart 45i is the mid-size model in the BreatheSmart series, sitting between the 35i and 75i.

I picked mine up for ยฃ279.99 ($375.67) on eBay in 2023, but it sold on Alen.com and Amazon for around $428 when I published this review.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Alen BreatheSmart 45i

danny

“Soโ€ฆ is the Alen 45i good for you?

Considering only the initial price and top-speed CADR, itโ€™s difficult to argue that the Alen 45i will ever be a top budget pick.

However, the Alen 45i does have some interesting benefits that could make it worth the extra price.

It has the same quiet fan speed performance as some of the best mid-sized air purifiers and fairly low energy usage, which means running costs are also on par with some of the best models out there.”

โ€”Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer
Alen BreatheSmart 45i Front

If you donโ€™t want to watch my full review of the Alen Breathsmart 45i, here are the 4 things I like and the 2 things I donโ€™t

What we really like

Alen makes high-quality units that come with a lifetime warranty (but you need an active filter subscription).
Great air cleaning performance even on quieter fan speeds
Low energy costs compared to similar-performing units, which means low overall running costs
Filter options at purchase (Pure, Fresh, Odor, Smoke)
A less intrusive overall sound, thanks to pink noise output 

What we think could be better

A higher purchase price than models from Levoit, Winix and Coway
The lifetime warranty requires you to use OEM filters or have a subscription

The BreatheSmart 45i currently retails for $419.00. It has a CADR test report on the EnergyStar Website, and the device was certified in 2018.

For this dust CADR score of 207.9 cfm, we would expect it to clean the HouseFresh test room of all PM1 particles in a similar time to the Dyson Big and Quiet BP06, which managed to clean our test room in 30 minutes.

We will also examine its effectiveness at lower fan speeds, as sadly, CADR only tests at top speed.

This device has 0 ppb of ozone, which suggests it uses a low-power ionization process. According to Alen, it releases only 0.001 ppm. In comparison, the background level in the United States is 0.015 and 0.045 ppm. I do appreciate that Alen allows you to disable the ionizer for those who might have a sensitivity. When disabled, it will mean zero ozone, and I appreciate that itโ€™s easy to do via a button on the control panel.

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 198 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 123 cfm
โ€“ AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 207.9 cfm (dust)
Filter technology:True HEPA H13 filter with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size:297 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:25H x 15W x 8.5D inches (63.5H x 38.1W x 21.6D cm)
Weight:15 lbs (6.80 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 36.2 dB
Speed 2: 42.2 dB
Speed 3: 51.1 dB
Speed 4: 56.1 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby: 0.8 watts
Speed 1: 4.4 watts (5.1 w/ionizer)
Speed 2: 9.3 watts (10.1 w/ionizer)
Speed 3: 22.3 watts (22.8 w/ionizer)
Speed 4: 38.5 watts (38.7 w/ionizer)
Filter lifespan:9-12 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

The 45i is a serious unit with sophisticated features

Alen has managed to give a white box appliance a sleek style that shows off its quality.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Fireplace

Before we jump into the design, the Alen 45i was released in November 2019, so it is 6 years old at this point.

The reason I share this historical tidbit is that many air purifiers look mightily similar to the Alen 45i.

Like we have seen with Levoit’s popular models, I believe the Alen 45i has been a big inspiration for other air purifier designers over the years.

It uses a front cover that can be changed to 5 colors/textures for an extra cost. 

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Bedroom


The rectangular design’s benefit is that the filter can be easily accessed. The cover is held shut by magnets.

There is a solid handle underneath the control panel at the back. 

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Control Panel

From left to right, you get an ionizer button,then a  filter light that shows green, yellow and red, and a light button for low, high, and off.

The on/off button is in the middle, and it includes a light that adjusts color depending on the level of air quality detected by the sensor from Blue (low) to Purple (very significant.) This is based on data from the sensor at the side of the device; The onboard sensor is a PMS7003โ€”one of the more accurate laser sensors used in purifiers. Itโ€™s the same sensor tech in our lab testing setups.

PupleAir Zen Sensors

Most sensors used for auto-modes in air purifiers are optical sensors, which are much cheaper. The benefit of laser sensors is that they react quickly to particle-level changes and don’t need continual cleaning, as you can see with cheaper optical sensors.

From here, you can cycle through the 45iโ€™s four fan speeds, turn the LED lights on or off, and lock the controls from meddling kids or pets.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i AQI

Depending on your preference, You can switch on or off the unit’s ionizer function. This technology releases positive and negative charges into the air, which causes particles to lump together, making capturing the HEPA filter easier and also helping to slightly reduced VOC’s.

The downside is that this technology can create ozone as a byproduct. Alen states that the 45i emits less than 0.001 PPM, which is less than what is naturally found in the atmosphere, so it shouldnโ€™t cause too much of an issue. However, unlike manufacturers such as Blueair, Iโ€™m glad they still gave users the choice to use or not to use.

Those looking for more technical features will be glad to hear that the 45i is compatible with the Alen Air app.

The unit I’m testing here was purchased as a UK version, so it doesnโ€™t have app support. However, if you have an older 45i, you should still be able to use the app even if it wasnโ€™t sold as having app support. Alen installed Wi-Fi functionality in many of the older 45is years before they rolled out the app, so if you do have an older 45i, be sure to try to connect to the new Alen app. 

I plan to when we test the latest Alen 35i later in the year, so I will be sure to update my thoughts on the web version of this review.

For the app, Apple had 2.6 out of 5, and Android had 3.2 out of 5. After reading the reviews, I noticed that there is no standout issue as of mid 2025, but some customers complain that itโ€™s a very simple app. It looks like Alen has been upgrading the app, as it now has historical data from the sensor and the ability to schedule when it comes on and off.

DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP ๏ฃฟ
DOWNLOAD ANDROID APP โ–ถ

High-quality H13 HEPA filters to tackle tiny particles

Alen offers some of the best filters on the market, with different options to suit different needs.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Filter

One unique feature of the Alen range of air purifiers is that you can choose your filter when you buy from them directly. 

The Pure uses only a medical-grade HEPA filter and no gas carbon element. For $15 more, you can get the Fresh filter, including 0.66 lbs of pelleted carbon.

Although weโ€™ve seen a few rival manufacturers being called out for improperly advertising H13 filters without actually using them, it’s great to see that Alen has sent theirs to be independently verified by LMS Technologies.

Alen BreatheSmart Flex HEPA Filter

The odor filter, which includes a carbon pellet and a specific catalyst to more effectively neutralize specific gases that cause odors, costs $30. 

For $50, you can choose the VOC/Smoke filters with the most pelletized carbon, which gives you 2.38 lbs of activated carbon.

We can compare these carbon amounts to other air purifier models:

Air Purifier ModelCarbon Amount
Winix 5500-2226g
Levoit Core 400S (Basic Filter)240ยฑ10g
Levoit Vital 400S (Smoke Filter)450g
Alen 45i Fresh Filter299g
Alen 45i VOC/Smoke Filter1079g
Dyson Big+Quiet BP06900g

The Alen VOC/Smoke filter has much more carbon than what we generally see from other air purifier brands, with even more than the much larger and pricier Dyson BP06.

Alen BreatheSmart Flex Activated Carbon Filter CloseUp

This filter choice at the point of purchase allows you to customize it to your specific needs.

Another highlight of Alen is that they have a lifetime warranty if you have an active filter subscription or can prove that you only used OEM filters for your device.

The pre-filter used is a black mesh layer connected with Velcro, which Alen recommends keeping in place for cleaning with a vacuum. However, I still prefer having a separate pre-filter that can be removed for cleaning, making life a little easier.

One final thing about Alen and filters is that I have a 2010 Alen model, the Alen A350. I was pleased to see that even though it’s been 15 years, you can still buy new filters directly from Alen! While the A350 is much more energy-hungry than modern devices, it can still clean the air well.

Installing the filter couldn’t be simpler. Open the front panel and slot in the filter with the pre-filter facing you.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Back Panel

Tip

New filters will be delivered in a plastic wrapper. Be sure to remove this before installing it into your unit.

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i cleared our test room in 30 minutes

The results of our air cleaning performance, noise levels and airflow speed tests.

According to our Zen sensor, the Alen 45i needed 30 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 198 cfm, which matches up well with the AHAM DUST CADR result.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The first test is the air cleaning performance test. We fill our 728 cubic foot office with incense smoke and time how long it takes for the purifier to reduce all levels of PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3 and PM10.0 ug/m3 pollutants to zero, with the help of two PurpleAir air quality sensors: the PurpleAir Touch and the PurpleAir Zen.

It took 30 minutes for the Alen BreatheSmart 45i to clean the air in our test room:

Air cleaning speed test results compared

We can compare this to other similar performing devices running at their top speed:

Time to PM1 ZeroList Price
Levoit Vital 200S23 minutes$189.99
Winix 5500-223 minutes$249.99
IQAir Healthpro Plus28 minutes$999.99
Alen 45i30 minutes$429
Dyson BP0630 minutes$899.99
Core 400S [European]30 minutes$292.79

The table shows that for raw speed at top speed, the Vital 200S and Winix 5500-2 offer more CADR at a lower unit price.

I also made sure to test the Alen 45i without the ionizer, and it also managed to remove all PM1 in 30 minutes. The ionizer function might be helpful for gases and odors, but according to our tests, it doesnโ€™t seem to improve particle removal performance.

Noise levels test results

Of course, performance means nothing if itโ€™s too loud to use. Hereโ€™s how the 45i stacks up in our noise tests.

If an air purifier is too loud, you will turn it off eventually.

Image 28 04 2024 at 11.40

When recording the decibel levels created by the 45i from 3ft away, we got the following results:

This compares well with other devices we have tested:

I also made a comparison with other devices that have similar performance:

Time to PM1 ZeroSound level at top speed
Levoit Vital 200S23 minutes57.7 dBA
Winix 5500-223 minutes58.9 dBA
IQAir Healthpro Plus28 minutes61.2 dBA
Core 400S [European]30 minutes55.9 dBA
Alen 45i30 minutes56.1 dBA
Dyson BP0630 minutes51.4 dBA

The Alen 45i is the fourth quietest on our list, but it is still 5 decibels higher than the Dyson BP06.

At speed two it hits 42.2dBA, which is below the 45dBA limit we use for our quiet test, and when we tested it again in our test room, is cleared all PM1 in 48 minutes, which we estimate a CADR of 123 cfm

We can compare these results with other air purifiers running at sub-45dBA:

Time to PM1 ZeroSound level at top speed
CleanAirKits Luggable XL23 minutes38.8 dBA
Winix 5500-2 [speed 2]43 minutes41.5 dBA
Levoit Vital 200S [Speed 2] 46 minutes41.9 dBA
Dyson BP06 [Speed 1]46 minutes40.4 dBA
Alen 45i [Speed 2]48 minutes42.2 dBA 
Core 400S [European]50 minutes44.4 dBA
IQAir Healthpro Plus [Speed 3]68 minutes40.9 dBA

When accounting for lower sound usage, the Alen 45i is on par with the best-performing midsize air purifiers.

But as with many HEPA retail devices, it just canโ€™t compete at low sound levels with devices like the Luggable XL, which use PC fans.

I also tested PM removal performance for the Alen 45i at Speed 3.

At Speed 3 it hit 51.1 dBA and cleaned our test room of PM1 in 36 minutes with an estimated PM1 CADR of 165 cfm.

You can see the results for all the different fan speeds here: 

Sound levels at 3ft awayTime to PM1 zeroHouseFresh CADR estimate
Alen 45i Speed 136.2 dBA144 minutes38 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 242.2 dBA48 minutes122 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 351.1 dBA36 minutes165 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 456.1 dBA30 minutes198 cfm

Alen claims it uses โ€˜pink noise,โ€™ which should sound smoother than regular white noise, especially when sleeping. But does it really sound better? I used a calibrated mic and audio analyzer to find out.โ€

Screenshot 2025 05 05 at 15.26.11

Using the spectrometer, I wasnโ€™t able to differentiate between the other models, but to my ears, the Alen 45i did have a smoother fan sound than the Winix 5500-2, which seemed to oscillate a little at lower fan speeds and top speed.

But have a listen for yourself:

The cost to run an Alen BreatheSmart 45i: $136.64

1. Electricity costs = $43.32 per year

As energy prices soar around the world, it’s never been more important to check how much electricity your new appliance will use. 

Image 28 04 2024 at 11.40 1

We used our energy meter to record how much energy the Alen 45i  uses when running at each fan speed and with and without its ionizer, and also while on standby.

Energy in Watts WITH IONIZEREnergy in Watts without Ionizer
Standby0.8 watts0.8 watts
15.1 watts4.4 watts
210.1  watts9.3 watts
3 22.8 watts22.3 watts
4 Top Speed38.7 watts38.5 watts

This compares well with other devices with similar air cleaning power levels, especially when looking at the amount of energy used.

Time to PM1 ZeroYearly energy usage at top speed
CleanAirKits Luggable XL23 minutes$11.66
Levoit Vital 200S23 minutes$49.48
Winix 5500-223 minutes$59.38
IQAir Healthpro Plus28 minutes$152.83
Alen 45i30 minutes$43.32
Core 400S [European]30 minutes$44.03
Dyson BP0630 minutes$36.66

2. Filter costs = $93.32 per year

Energy costs are not the only costs that add to an air purifier’s running cost; eventually, you will need to replace the filters.

Alen says you need to replace the filters for the 45i between 9 and 12 months, and as always, we will use the lowest estimate.

The recommended OEM Pure Filters cost: $69.99

This means the total filter costs for 1 year for the Alen 45i are $93.32

We can combine that with energy costs and compare it with other similar performing air purifiers:

Annual Energy Cost Annual Filter CostTotal Annual Running Cost
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7$11.66$43.64$55.30
Levoit Vital 200S$49.48$49.99$99.47
Alen 45i$43.32$93.32$136.64
Coway Airmega 200M$85.56$39.98$125.54
Winix 5500-2$59.38$79.99$139.37
Levoit Core 400S [Europe]$43.32$99.98$144.01
Dyson BP06$36.66$157.98$194.64
IQAir Healthpro Plus$152.83$244.53$397.36

With OEM filters, the Alen is more affordable than the Dyson BP06, IQAir Healthpro Plus, and Winix 5500-2. However, it is more expensive than the Levoit Vital 200S, Coway Airmega 200M, and, as expected, the Luggable XL-2 from Clean Air Kits.

Be aware that these costs are based on the standard Pure filter that contains no carbon. I expect this particle-only filter to last at least 12 months in the average home environment.

Generic filters are available, and we had a chance to test the Pureburg version of the B4-Fresh, which does contain some carbon and paid ยฃ29.30 or ($39) for one filter and 4 pre-filters.

When testing top speed performance with the Pureburg filters, it took 40 minutes to achieve PM1 Zero. We know that using carbon with a particle filter will reduce the top speed CADR, but we donโ€™t know the total amount of carbon that Pureburg uses in this filter.

For most people, I recommend sticking with the OEM filters as Alen backs them, and it will also mean you keep the lifetime warranty. If you can, I would choose the subscription for 1 filter every 12 months, as you will also save 10% compared to buying when you need them.

Soโ€ฆ is the Alen 45i good for you?

Considering only the initial price and top-speed CADR, itโ€™s difficult to argue that the Alen 45i will ever be a top budget pick.

However, the Alen 45i does have some interesting benefits that could make it worth the extra price.

It has the same quiet fan speed performance as some of the best mid-sized air purifiers and fairly low energy usage, which means running costs are also on par with some of the best models.

The noise itself is also worth talking about.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i Bedroom

Many good-performing devices sometimes have strange whirring, especially when running on lower sound levels.

To my hearing, the Alen 45i has a more stable fan speed, which might be preferable to some people.

Another big plus for Alen is that they have been manufacturing air purifiers for over 20 years and are still providing filter support for their older models today. A big worry is that you buy a great-performing device that loses filter support in just a few years, and I donโ€™t have this worry with Alen.

Their lifetime warranty is also unique, but be aware that you must register and then use OEM filters via the subscription, or be able to prove that you have only used Alen filters on your device.

If you are looking for a more premium model and care about the type of sound produced, then the Alen 45i is well worth your consideration for rooms up to 300 square feet. Those with bigger spaces will need to upgrade to the Alen Breathsmart 75i with its dust CADR 351 cfm and I am looking to review the latest 75i very soon.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running Alen BreatheSmart 45i for 24 hours a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.1268/kWh as of May 5th, 2025

How much electricity does an air purifier use?

by
enery meter

When you buy an air purifier, itโ€™s not only the initial price of the unit you need to keep in mind. They come with additional running costs that can add up if you choose the wrong air purifier for your space.

Thatโ€™s why itโ€™s crucial you research how much energy an air purifier needs before you purchase.

In this post, Iโ€™ll examine the factors that affect an air purifier’s energy consumption and teach you how to optimize its energy usage.

electricity consumption test air purifiers

First, let’s look at the data collected from the air purifiers we purchased and tested for our HouseFresh product reviews.

As well as testing each air purifierโ€™s cleaning performance, features, and sound levels, we use an energy meter to measure precisely how much electricity a unit uses at its lowest and highest fan speeds.

With all this data, weโ€™ve calculated that the average electricity pull of the 60 air purifiers we tested on their highest fan speed is 57.69 watts.

The most energy-efficient unit we’ve tested so far is the Nukit Tempest. This DIY air purifier uses six PC cooling fans to pull air through two MERV 13 filters and when running at its top (and only) speed, it only consumes 8.8 watts!

Factors that affect an air purifierโ€™s energy consumption

Specific factors determine how much energy an air purifier uses to remove contaminants from your home effectively. If youโ€™re not using your air purifier correctly, itโ€™ll use more energy than it needs and cost more to run.

1. Size matters

Air purifiers are designed to work in specific-sized spaces. Brands will generally use this specification as a selling point and market it. This specification is determined by measuring an air purifier’s cleaning performance, AKA Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).

The general rule is the higher the CADR, the more powerful the unit. However, not all rooms need an air purifier with a high CADR.

Larger units use more power, so introducing an air purifier thatโ€™s too big for your room will waste energy and cost you more to run than a unit suited to your space. On the other hand, running an air purifier thatโ€™s too small for your room means it wonโ€™t be able to clean your environment as intended.

HouseFresh Air Purifiers Reviews

In order to determine the performance of an air purifier, theyโ€™re tested to measure their clean air delivery rate. This standard measurement shows how much air a unit can clean over a period of time. The results are displayed in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).

If you want to know more about CADR, check out our in-depth post, โ€œWhat is CADR rating?โ€ where we go through everything you need to know about the metric in-depth.

Tip

You can use our CADR calculator to find out what type of air purifier you should be looking for depending on the size of the room where you are planning on using it.

2. Energy efficiency

Now you know what size air purifier you need for your room, itโ€™s time to look at how much electricity each unit needs to run. The more electricity an air purifier uses, the more it costs, naturally.

Luckily, we live in an age where energy efficiency is a hot topic, and air purifier manufacturers compete to make their units as energy-efficient as possible. There are also strict criteria set by the U.S. Department of Energy that products need to follow.

If an air purifier passes these criteria, theyโ€™re awarded with an Energy Star certification. I highly recommend checking a unitโ€™s Energy Star status before purchasing it so you donโ€™t get stuck with a costly investment.

Levoit 600S Front
Levoit Core 600S Energy Star Certified

Tip

Every certified air purifier is listed on the Energy Star website, where you can check a unit’s specifications and compare them with others.

3. Filter type

To compete in the merciless air purifier market, brands need to be the best. This means engineering the latest advancements in filter technology to remove pollutants from your home.

Air purifiers constantly work to remove airborne contaminants. If the filter isnโ€™t trapping them, the unit has to move more air for multiple passes, which means using more energy to power its fan.

The more effective the filter, the more energy-efficient the air purifier.

When choosing an air purifier for your home, be sure to research what type of filters it uses. I personally advise you find an air purifier that contains HEPA filters, as theyโ€™re highly effective at eliminating microscopic pollutants.

IQair Healthpro plus HEPA vs Levoit EverestAir
Levoit EverestAir and IQAir Healthpro Plus HEPA filters

How to optimize your air purifierโ€™s energy usage

So, youโ€™ve bought the right-sized, Energy Star-certified, and high-grade HEPA filter air purifier. Woo-hoo! Go you. Now, read these doโ€™s and donโ€™ts to ensure your air purifier isnโ€™t unnecessarily siphoning electricity.

What you should do

Use auto mode if available. Auto mode will adjust your unit’s fan speed to correspond with how many pollutants are in the air.
Replace the filter when instructed. HEPA filters need replacing periodically to ensure they remain effective.
Keep the pre-filter clean. A clean pre-filter will ensure your HEPA can work without hindrance.
Monitor your air quality. Using an air quality monitor will allow you to adjust your unit’s fan speed for maximum efficiency.
Maintain your air purifier. Performing regular maintenance will keep your unit working efficiently.

What you should avoid

Leave your unit on full fan speed all the time. This will use an unnecessary amount of electricity.
Ignore the filter replacement indicator. A dirty filter will cause the unit to use more energy.
Create more indoor pollution. This will make your unit work harder and increase running costs.
Turn your air purifier off. You should run your unit 24/7/365 at a fan speed to match your air quality.
Hide your air purifier. An air purifier canโ€™t work effectively if itโ€™s hidden away.

Replacing a filter is generally a painless task. 

We have step-by-step instructions on our product review pages and have an entire playlist on the HouseFresh YouTube channel dedicated to this process.

Many units have a filter replacement indicator light that will illuminate when your unit needs a new filter (some even have a filter lifespan monitor if your product has an app). As soon as you see this light, buy a new filter and install it as soon as possible.

Wrapping up

Doing a little research into which specifications you need from an air purifier will save you $$$ when that bill comes in.

  • Find an air purifier with a CADR that matches your space
  • Check how much electricity it uses on Energy Star
  • Pick a unit that contains HEPA-type filters
  • Take steps to optimize the energy usage of your air purifier

SOURCES

How clean is the air at your college?

by
joel danielson k5Y0kpekCyU unsplash

You can get a real brain fog trying to decide what college to attend.

There are so many variables to consider. Does your college have inspiring teachers? Impressive grades? A supportive community?

How about the air quality? You want your brain to be at its best when you study. But studies have linked air pollution with poorer cognitive performance, impaired memory, reduced attention span, anxiety, and depression.

โ€œPolluted air can cause everyone to reduce their level of education by one year, which is huge,โ€ according to Professor Xi Chen, author of a study at Yale School of Public Health. Researchers associate high levels of pollution with oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Thereโ€™s nothing like gulping great breaths of leafy air on your way to class in the morning. So, HouseFresh decided to highlight the college campuses with the best air quality. We used IQ Airโ€™s database to find the Air Quality value (AQI) of the areas around every university in the US. Weโ€™ve created an interactive tool so you can compare colleges and โ€˜top 20โ€™ tables revealing the colleges with the cleanest air in every region.

AQI is the United States Environmental Protection Agencyโ€™s tool for measuring air quality, giving a score from 1 (low) to 500 (high). An AQI of 50 or lower is โ€˜good,โ€™ while an AQI value over 300 indicates โ€˜hazardous air quality.

Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, has the best air quality in Americaย 

Adams State University is the only Colorado university out of Americaโ€™s 100 most breathable colleges โ€“ but itโ€™s right in there at number one. With an AQI of just seven points, the area of Alamosa immediately surrounding the college carries barely a trace of pollution โ€“ although asthma rates along the San Luis Valley are higher than average due to natural grit and sand, and possibly worsened by climate change.

01 How Clean is the Air at Your College Top 20 Overall

New York is the most-represented state in the top 20, with five colleges among those with the best air quality in the land. A handful of New York colleges lay just off the table on equal AQI points โ€“ we split tied places using the percentage of โ€œgoodโ€ air quality days in each area.ย 

Hamilton College in Clinton is the best-ranked New York college, with students reporting that they โ€œoften sit outside for meals or in Adirondack chairs scattered around campus doing work.โ€

Alaska and Washington Colleges have best air in Americaโ€™s West

A Colorado college takes number one place for air quality in the west (and the whole US), but the top 20 is most populated by Alaska and Washington state universities. Despite concerns that cruise ships are polluting the area, the Juneau campus of University of Alaska Southeast is that stateโ€™s most breathable college.

02 How Clean is the Air at Your College Top 20 West 1

Washingtonโ€™s Columbia Basin College equals Juneauโ€™s AQI score. But Columbia Basin pips Alaska Southeast to second place by virtue of having a fraction of a percent more โ€˜goodโ€™ days. Sadly, the good local air is regularly compromised by the effects of climate change. โ€œI feel like every year during the summer, the air quality becomes bad from wildfire, and the heat makes it worse,โ€ says local fruit-picker Luis Cisneros.

Shawnee State University in Portsmouth has the best air quality in the Midwest

Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, takes top spot in the region. Portsmouth is ranked among the cities with the cleanest air in the US. Southern Ohioโ€™s newest public university is well-positioned to breathe in the best of the Ohio and Scioto riversโ€™ air with minimal effect from the rust belt pollution that troubles the broader area.

03 How Clean is the Air at Your College Top 20 Midwest 1

The air is nice in Bemidji, โ€œamid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota.โ€ The next top two universities for good air in the Midwest are both found in this Beltrami County town. Pollution is generally low, but smoke from wildfires leads to occasional alerts to stay inside, particularly for asthma sufferers.

Texas Tech University in Lubbock is the Southern City with the best air quality

You might expect Texas Tech University to have good air quality. After all, the school has its own Climate Center specializing in air pollution. Some TTU boffins even think they can teach Alaska a thing or two about โ€œdiffering effects of woodburning and electrical thermal storage heating.โ€ Others have developed their own mobile air pollution monitoring system โ€“ that fits on the back of a bicycle.

04 How Clean is the Air at Your College Top 20 South

Lubbock colleges account for the three most breathable in the south of the US. But a special mention goes out to Bethany College in West Virginia, which ties with the Lubbock colleges on an AQI score of 20. However, Bethany achieves a โ€˜goodโ€™ air rating on just 90.98% of the days when measurements are taken, so it is edged out by the Lubbock trinity, where you can expect good air 93.47% of the time.

Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, is the Northeastern college with the best air

New York state colleges take the top 18 spots for clean air in the northeast of the US. SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Utica College in Oneida County both tie with Hamilton with identical figures for AQI and number of โ€œgoodโ€ air days (95.7%).

05 How Clean is the Air at Your College Top 20 Northeast

Even the relatively urban Brooklyn makes a mark, with seven schools among the regionโ€™s top 20 for best air. As a suburban spot bordering the sprawling metropolis, Brooklyn offers the best of both worlds for students who want to party but also, you know, to breathe. โ€œLiving in Brooklyn means more space and sky exposure than what you get in Manhattan,โ€ as one real estate agent explains the recent population boom. โ€œYouโ€™re also closer to parks. Basically, it offers the things that have become a priority for people since COVID.โ€

You donโ€™t need to live in China (or watch Spaceballs) to know that โ€œgood airโ€ is a political issue. Across your lifetime, you are most at risk of breathing damaging levels of polluted air if you are Black, Hispanic, or from a low-income family. College is an opportunity to change the pattern โ€“ which is why the air quality on-campus should be one more factor to consider when choosing where to study.

Use the interactive table below to find out which colleges enjoy the cleanest air, and which ones have the highest percentage of days when the air is deemed unhealthy according to EPA data:

METHODOLOGY & SOURCES

We used uniRank to compile a list of all US Colleges and their counties. Then we pulled annual county air pollution data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. We ranked counties by their median annual AQI and removed counties without at least 50 days of AQI sensors. Colleges tied with AQI were split by the % of “good” air quality days in that county.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 review

by
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Living Room

Founded in Sweden by Bengt Rittri, Blueair has been around for over 20 years. Rittri wanted his children to breathe the same clean Stockholm Archipelago air while they spent time in the city. Thus, faithful to this vision, he started the company, creating simple and efficient air purifiers inspired by nature.

Back in 2016, Blueair became a Unilever brand. According to Rittri, the global company would help expand Bluairโ€™s capability to reach more people in need of simple and affordable solutions for air pollution. The brand obtained a B Corp certification in 2023 with a clear mission of improving air quality in homes, schools and offices worldwide, focusing on childrenโ€™s right to clean air.

I love the social and environmental commitment of the brand, as well as Rittriโ€™s belief that freedom to breathe is a basic right. But weโ€™re not here for the charms and chimes of brand positioning and marketing. 

When it comes to cleaning power, Blueair mixes simplicity with efficiency and offers an array of models for different space sizes. All units, however, feature the trademark HEPASilentโ„ข Technology that combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration. Iโ€™m not a big fan of ionization, but weโ€™ll get into that later.

As for the Blue Pure 411, itโ€™s better suited for small rooms. Itโ€™s worth noting, though, that since Blueair became part of the Unilever family, its product range has broadly expanded. The launching of the Pure Max line in 2023 replaced some of the older models, including the Blue Pure 411. 

With such a prolific portfolio, navigating models can be a bit confusing, especially regarding filter replacements. Blue Pure 411, 411 Auto, and 411+ are three separate models but share the same filter; the 411a Max, on the other hand, use different ones. In a core comparison, however, they are not that far apart: the CADR rating, filter mechanism and Blueairโ€™s HEPASilentโ„ข Technology are scarcely different when not the same.ย As of 2025, Blueair has released a smaller Blue Pure 511i Max ‘s that is cheaper and has a lower CADR.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

But if youโ€™re here, you probably want to know more about the Pure 411 and its performance. So, let’s get to it.

The lowdown on the Blueair Pure 411

Innovative concept but has no outstanding cleaning power.

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
โ€œA very efficient device thanks to its HEPASilentโ„ข process that combines an ionizer with a lower-grade filter than HEPA. This means it can clean the air quickly and with a low level of noise generation. The only downside is that you can’t disable the ionizer; something to be aware of if you just want mechanical filtration. A little outdated now with much lower air cleaning performance ratio when compared with the latest budget devices.โ€
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Drawers

PRICE on BlueAIR

Weโ€™ll delve into a detailed analysis of the Blue Pure 411, covering design, performance and noise output, among other things. But if you want to know black over white, our take on the pros and cons of the unit, check out the chart below:

What we really like

Made the 2024 Energy Star Most Efficient list, for its low energy consumption.
The washable (and interchangeable) pre-filter is functional and stylish.
Straightforward operation with the one-button control.
Itโ€™s lightweight and compact.

What we think could be better

It is not a fast unit, nor does it have a high CADR.
Thereโ€™s no option to turn off the ionizer.
Not having a protecting grill for the filter makes it somewhat fragile.

The specs

The range of small air purifiers was much more limited when the Blueair Blue Puro 411 was launched. It wasnโ€™t the most budget-friendly air purifier back then, but its CADR was ok (120 CFM) compared to other popular small units, such as the Levoit Core 200S (118 CFM). 

However, the standout point of the Puro 411 was the original design that disrupted the scene with lively colors and scandic aesthetics.
Since the newer Max Pro line became the key product Bluair focuses its communication on, the Puro 411 can now be found at $119 on Amazon โ€” although still more expensive than the reliable Levoit Core 300 or newer and highly efficient units like the Winix A230.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):1 hour and 8 minutes
Air purifier technology:Washable pre-filter, activated carbon filter, HEPASilentโ„ข filter + Ionizer technology
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):161 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 120 CFM
Smoke: 105 CFM
Pollen: 120 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):16.7H x 8W x 8D inches (42H x 20W x 20D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 36.2 dB
Speed 2: 42.1 dB
Speed 3: 53.1 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 0.9 watts
Speed 2: 2.9 watts
Speed 3: 7.8 watts
Speed 4: 10 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$57.03 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.49
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:Designed and engineered in Sweden, assembled in China

Minimalistic build, playful design

A thoughtfully engineered structure with customizable looks, although somewhat on the flimsy side.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Side Table 1

PRICE on BlueAIR

Blueair was created with children in mind. It only makes sense that the original Blue Pure line is so colorful and lively yet has straightforward controls. I opted for the Diva Blue fabric pre-filter (which brings this iconic Diva to mind), but there are six colors to choose from, ranging from buff yellow to a sober dark gray for those who prefer a more subtle approach.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 vs 411

The top white cylinder houses the fan and ionizer, crowned by an organic-shaped control panel. The lower body accommodates the pre-filter and main filter, which fit neatly into a plastic honeycomb structure. The rounded body allows for an efficient 360 air inlet, while the clean air is then released from the top grill.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 With FIlter

Designed for ergonomic efficiency with the minimum amount of elements, the Pure 411 is both compact and lightweight (5.3 lbs). As the smallest unit of the Blue Pure line, it will easily fit even in tiny rooms, not using up too much space, while it weighs close to nothing to move around. 

Comparison Photo Blueair Blue Pure 211 VS 411 VS 311

However, this also means the structure requires gentle handling as thereโ€™s no outer casing or grill to protect the filer when manipulating the unit. Besides, most of the weight is at the top cylinder, so itโ€™s somewhat flimsy and easier to tip over. 

Simplicity peaks with the control panel. Thereโ€™s only one button on the Blue Pure 411 to switch on and off and cycle through three fan speeds. Thatโ€™s right, even the young members of the family could operate it. 

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Control panel

Press the big round button once to start the air purifier at the lowest speed; a second and third press will step up the unit to the following fan speeds. One last touch will switch it off. The white LED lights around the button indicating the speed itโ€™s on will dim after seven seconds of no interaction. 

This is one of those nice touches that show how thoughtful Blueair designers are, especially if youโ€™ll be placing the unit in the bedroom. For that matter, however, it would be nice to have a no-lights function.

Although the one-button control is modest and straightforward, the Pure 411 has a built-in memory, so if you unplug the unit, the unit will remember your settings once replugged. Yet, this is the only โ€œsmartโ€ feature, as thereโ€™s no auto mode, timer or app support. 

Blueairโ€™s trademark HEPASilentโ„ข filtration system

Whatโ€™s this technology all Blueair purifiers feature? 

In short, HEPASilentโ„ข technology is no more than a HEPA-type filter boosted by an ionizer. Itโ€™s a bit misleading, as the filter is not a real HEPA. But many brands coin creative names for their products using keywords we look out for to feel secure about our purchases. With this trademark, brand communications can use the word without the certification required for it to be real HEPA.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 HEPA Filter

Blueair filters are less dense than HEPA. This is not all bad, as a thinner filter media requires less power to create an airflow capable of passing through it. Thatโ€™s how their units can clean the air with low energy consumption and more silently โ€”hence the HEPASilentโ„ข.

But to remove 99.97% of airborne pollutants, this type of filter is not enough. Thatโ€™s why Blueair combines mechanical (HEPA-type) with electrostatic filtration. An ionizer within the fanโ€™s hood produces an electrostatic discharge, releasing ions that attach to airborne pollutants making them stickier and heavier, thus easier for the unit to capture and filter.

The downside of this technology is that it produces ozone as a byproduct. According to Blueairโ€™s website:

All Blueair air purifiers are CARB certified which means that they are considered safe and do not exceed ozone emission limits.

Not exceeding ozone emission limits isnโ€™t the same as not producing ozone at all. And then, even a slight amount of ozone can react with common gasses found in every home (including fumes from cleaning products) and produce further VOCs such as formaldehyde.  

However this type of combination device is unlikely to introduce any ozone as the particle and carbon filters will help to remove the ozone from the ionizer before it leaves the device. The larger 211 of the Blue Pure series has a certificate showing that it produces zero ozone emissions โ€”check the certificate at Intertekโ€” so we can assume the same with this smaller device in the series.

Sadly, the ionizer cannot be switched off on Blueair purifiers. Both technologies are engineered to work together, unlike other units that have an ionizer as a plus (such as the Winix Plasmawave).

Blueair Blue 311 Activated Carbon Filter

The filters also feature an activated carbon layer, although itโ€™s an impregnated fabric instead of granular or pelleted charcoal.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Carbon Filter

This media is not robust enough to deal with serious odor or VOC issues, but it will help with mild everyday smells.  

Lastly, thereโ€™s the outer pre-filter that traps bigger particles such as lint, dust and pet fur before they reach the mail filter. Washable prefilters are a functional upgrade as they can be thrown into the washing machine or vacuumed easily. Blueair recommends cleaning the pre-filter every three months to extend the lifespan of the main filter.

Now, the steps to change the Blue Pure 411 filter are somewhat different compared to other more traditional air purifiers. But the process is still pretty straightforward. 

After six months of continuous use, the LED lights on the one-button control will turn red, indicating itโ€™s time for a filter replacement. After unplugging the unit, unscrew the top cap with a gentle twist. Remove the fabric pre-filter and pull out the main filter using the tabs on the sides. Place the new filter on the plastic structure, then the pre-filter and finally, replace the cap.

Tip

Like with most air purifiers, Blueair filters come sealed in a plastic bag to protect them until itโ€™s time they get to work. When unboxing your new Blue Pure 411, make sure to remove any packaging from the inside of the unit before running it. The same applies to filter replacements. Otherwise, the unit wonโ€™t be able to operate properly.

The Blueair Blue Pure 411 cleared our test room in 68 minutes

Silent and easy to look at, but far from being the fastest.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Test

PRICE on BlueAIR

We often find that brands claim (and big publishing companies spread all over the internet) far more than their products actually deliver. Thatโ€™s why, at HouseFresh, we like to take things into our own hands. 

We conduct our performance tests in our 728 cubic ft. home laboratory. What does the HouseFresh testing process involve? We first generate pollutants by burning incense sticks. The PurpleAir Touch Indoor Air Quality Monitor โ€”one of the most accurate sensors in the marketโ€” then helps us track how fast (or slow) each unit removes the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 produced by the incense smoke.

As all of our tests are conducted in the same space, we can easily compare results across units. 

Now, without further ado, let’s get a look at the data:

Air cleaning performance, compared

Cleaning speed is a good indicator to asses an air purifierโ€™s performance. Knowing the Blue Pure 411 took 68 minutes already gives us an idea of its efficiency. But it’s usually not as graphic as comparing it with other units. 

Letโ€™s start by saying the Blue Pure 411 is an air purifier designed for small rooms. According to the Energy Star testing, it can achieve five air changes per hour in spaces of 163 sq. ft, with a CADR rating of 120 CFM. 

Itโ€™s only fair, then, to compare its performance with other small air purifiers. The most straightforward comparison is with its upgraded version, the Blue Pure 411+ (which is not the 411 Auto nor the 411 Max models). The 411+ is not only 25 minutes faster, but it also comes with smart features and app support. 

The Levoit Core 200S is another similar unit that, with a lower CADR (118 CFM) and for less money, cleaned our lab seven minutes faster than the Blue Pure 411. Besides, Levoit units only use mechanical filtration.

Itโ€™s not all bad news, though. There are slower air purifiers on the market, such as the Aroeve MK01 or the $700 Dyson PH03. In truth, neither of these are air purifiers we recommend. But, then, speed is not the only determining factor in choosing an air purifier. Other aspects of the Blue Pure 411 make it a suitable option for small roomsโ€” take the noise output, for example.

Noise levels test results, compared

Using a commercial sound meter, we registered the decibels (dB) emitted by the Blue Pure 411 at every fan speed from three ft. away. 

The HEPASilent โ„ข technology is indeed quiet, at least to a certain extent: at its lowest fan speed, the noise output was 36.2 dB โ€” which is equivalent to a soft whisper. Plus it gets quieter in Sleep Mode. In fact, you need to be really close to the unit to hear its hum in this setting. 

But then, at top speed, there’s a noticeable change. The dB rises to 53.1 dB at its fastest. For reference, 50 dB sounds like a quiet office.

With these results, I can only say the Blue Pure 411 delivers the Silent promise to a limited extent. Yes, at 36.2 dB is fairly quiet. But then, we should factor in the fanโ€™s power at each speed.

As you can see, the airflow changes drastically among speeds. It can be quiet at the lowest, alright, but the cleaning power is significantly reduced. With that fan power, the small Blue Pure 411 would make little changes to your air. 

Besides, the AHAM CADR testing is always done at an air purifierโ€™s highest speed, meaning that the unit should be running at top speed to achieve the 120 CFM and five air changes per hour in a small room.

But decibels are a rather abstract measurement. And perception of sound varies from person to person. Thatโ€™s why weโ€™ve recorded the unitโ€™s noise output. Hear the Blue Pure 411 in action for yourself.

The cost to run a Blueair Blue Pure 411: $57.03 per year

An outstandingly energy-efficient unit with affordable replacement filters.

1. Electricity costs = $15.25 per year

The initial purchase price is only one variable to determine if an air purifier is a good investment. Then thereโ€™s the fixed costs youโ€™ll be facing in the long run, including energy consumption and filter replacements.

In terms of electricity costs, Blueairโ€™s HEPASilentโ„ข technology is remarkably efficient. The Blue Pure 411 is no exception: it made the 2024 Energy Star Most Efficient list, which features the yearโ€™s most energy-conscious appliances. For a somewhat old model, this is saying a lot.

The 411โ€™s power consumption ranges from 0.1 W to 10 W at the lowest and fastest speeds, respectively. This means that if you were to use the unit all year round, 24/7, at top speed, the cost would be $1.3 a month. To put it into perspective, an average LED light bulb uses about 10 watts. Not bad at all.

2. Filter costs = $41.78 per year

In addition to energy usage, itโ€™s important to factor in the filter costs. Eventually, all HEPA (and HEPA-type) filters need replacement. The airborne pollutants trapped by the air purifier accumulate on the filterโ€™s surface โ€” which, in the long run, becomes clogged with those same filtered particles. 

Now, the frequency of filter replacement depends on how much you use the unit and the level of air pollution in your area. But as a general rule, Blueair recommends changing the Pure 411 filters every six months. This brings us to two filters per year, summing up to $41.78 if you buy the original ones.

When compared to similar units, Blueairโ€™s filters are reasonably priced. The Levoit Core 200S and 300S filters, for example, cost between $25 and $30, slightly varying on the unit. Then, the Winix A230 replacement filters can be found at $49.99, although you need to replace these only once a year.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto, 411, 411+ Genuine Replacement Filter
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto, 411, 411+ Genuine Replacement Filter
  • Genuine Blueair replacement filter designed for Blue Pure 411 Auto, 411, and 411+
  • Particle + activated carbon filtration helps reduce allergens, dust, and odors
$23.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Besides, as the Blue Pure 411 has been around for quite a long time, there are plenty of generic, cheaper options available. Although weโ€™ve only tested the unit with genuine Blueair filters, so we cannot vouch for their performance.

Sale
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto, 411, 411+ Generic Replacement Filter
Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto, 411, 411+ Generic Replacement Filter
  • Compatible with Blueair Air Purifier 411 Auto, 411, 411+ Model. Premium 2-in-1 PARTICLE and ACTIVATED CARBON filter. Get back to having a clean air to breathe again!
  • Particle 411 Auto, 411, 411+ filters can clean up 99.97% airborne particles, including dust, pet dander, common pollutants, and fabric fibers.
$18.88
Buy on Amazon

Bottom line

Thereโ€™s a playfulness about the Blue Pure 411 that makes it unique.

The simple one-button control adds the perfect touch to that lively flair I miss in the new Blueair Max line. The brand has taken a more sober turn on the latest designs, aligning with current trends that demand desaturated colors and textures. But I kind of miss the old cheerfulness. 

Blueair Blue Pure 411 Hallway

PRICE on BlueAIR

In terms of performance and functionality, the Blue Pure 411 is compact, has low running costs and operates reasonably well. All these features make it a good choice for small rooms like bedrooms. 

However, if you prefer pure mechanical filtration, then the Levoit Core 300 (or 300S if you would like to upgrade to a smart unit) is one reliable unit I know I can trust. Then, if you are looking for an air purifier for bigger rooms, Iโ€™d take a look at the Levoit Vital 200S, which can achieve five air changes per hour in 375 sq. ft. in 21 minutes.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Blueair Blue Pure 411 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.

Levoit LV-PUR131 review

by
Levoit LV PUR131 Hallway

Levoit has been making waves in the air purifier market since they first arrived in 2017 thanks to the quality of their air purifying technology at an accessible price. Levoit’s air purifiers perform at the level of much more expensive units from older, more well-known brands.

Levoit changed my view on โ€œcheapโ€ air purifiers with their Core 300, so I was VERY excited to test a larger unit: the LV-PUR131. 

At $180, the Levoit LV-PUR131 seems like an excellent option for cleaning the air in a medium-sized room with a unit that includes features like automatic mode, which are normally only found on units that cost well over $200. After seeing glowing reviews for this unit on Amazon, I decided it was time to test it.

As with all our reviews here at HouseFresh, we bought the Levoit LV-PUR131 with our own money to make sure we would be free to give our unbiased opinion.

We also bought the unit so we could test its air cleaning performance in our home lab. That’s right, unlike the vast majority of air purifier reviews you will read from ‘reputable’ lifestyle magazines or even tech sites, I actually tested the LV-PUR131 as opposed to just describing it based on the marketing materials from Levoit.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

This is to say that you can rest assured that this review is impartial and that you will read an accurate account of the unit’s pros and cons. 

The lowdown on the Levoit LV-PUR131

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
“At this point in the history of Levoit, there are better options than the Levoit PUR131.
The LV-PU131 is underpowered, it pulls a lot of energy (which will add to long-term costs), and I have received reports from readers who explained various issues they experienced with this unit outside the warranty.
My Levoit PUR131 hasn’t broken yet, but it lives in my basement, so it doesn’t get used as often as other units I’ve got in my home.”
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer
Levoit LV PUR131 Bedroom

PRICE on amazon PRICE on LEVOIT

Donโ€™t want to read the full review? If you can find the Levoit PUR131 in stock and have a room size of 500 sq. ft, this is the best performance air purifier you can get without spending more than $180.

What we really like

The simple touchscreen control panel is easy to understand and use.
It comes with an on-board air quality sensor and an LED air quality indicator (but it will only work when on auto mode).
It’s light and easy to move around the house.
It is one of the few Levoit units you could find today with a separate set of filters โ€” the particle filter is separate from the activated carbon filter.

What we think could be better

It is underpowered compared to other more modern Levoit devices, such as the Levoit Vital 200S.
It doesn’t come with a pre-filter for capturing larger particles. This is unfortunate as pre-filters extend the life of main particle filters.
Something small, but that matters to me as I have two young children in the house: the controls don’t include a child lock.

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):60 minutes
Air purifier technology:Main particle filter and activated carbon filter
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):152 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 102 CFM
Smoke: 98 CFM
Pollen: 138 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):18.5H x 14.6W x 7.2D inches (47H x 37.1W x 18.3D cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):11.22 lbs (5.1 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Sleep mode: 37.5 dB
Speed 1: 39.9 dB
Speed 2: 45.2 dB
Speed 3: 50.5 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 1.9 watts
Speed 1: 11 watts
Speed 2: 18.8 watts
Speed 3: 29.7 watts
Estimated running costs (electricity consumption + filter replacements):$108.58 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$2.89
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

A boxy and dated design from Levoit

When it comes to design, the LV-PUR131 is more of a plain Jane than a showstopper. 

Levoit LV PUR131 Close up

PRICE on amazon PRICE on LEVOIT

The LV-PUR131 is a simple-looking, white and boxy air purifier that stands just under half a meter tall and has oversized branding across the top corner. It certainly looks like what most people probably think of when they think of an air purifier.

It isnโ€™t the worst-looking unit I’ve seen but it definitely looks plain and boring compared to the Smart Air S, which combines different materials, design lines and textures.

Levoit LV PUR131 VS Smart Air Sqair Air 1

The Levoit LV-PUR131 has an easy-to-navigate touchscreen control panel on top of the unit. Each button has a clearly labelled icon, so you will quickly figure out how to operate the air purifier straight out of the box with little instruction.  

You can turn the machine on/off through the control panel and cycle through its three fan speed settings:

Levoit LV PUR131 Controls

For use during the night, you can hit the Display button to turn off the LED lights and press Sleep to switch the fan speed to its lowest fan speed, which only emits a whisper-like sound at 27dB. 

The unit also comes with a programmable 12-hour timer so you can leave the unit to run without worrying about switching it off again. 

While the Auto setting utilizes the inbuilt air quality sensor to monitor for pollutants and automatically adjust the fan speeds for minimal fuss and maximum peace of mind. 

Three stages of filtration

The LV-PUR131 is one of the few Levoit units with separate particle and gas filters. We wish they did this for more devices.

Levoit LV PUR131 Filter change

Before purchasing an air purifier, it is important to know what filters the unit uses and what effect they will have. The LV-PUR131 comes with a main HEPA-like particle filter and a large pelletized activated carbon filter.

The primary filter will capture ultra-fine particles commonly found indoors, such as dust, pollen and mold spores. It is worth mentioning here that Levoit has removed all mentions of HEPA from its advertising and marketing materials after Dyson complained to the BBB National Programs National Advertising Division.

As I briefly mentioned above, the LV-PUR131 also comes with an activated carbon filter. This layer of filtration will tackle volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as chemical fumes, smoke, and household odors. 

My favorite thing about the filters in the LV-PUR131 is that they are two separate filters, which means that you won’t need to throw away both filters if you only need to replace one. Most other Levoit units come with bonded filters, where you get one chunky filter with one side for particles and another for gasses. The biggest issue with this is that activated carbon filters generally have a shorter lifespan, so in many cases with units like the Levoit Core 400S or the Vital 200S, you will need to get rid of the entire thing, even when the particle filter might still be effectively removing particles.

All this to say, the filter setup in the LV-PUR131 is definitely a pro.

Tip

At the risk of stating the obvious, we always like to remind readers that the filters will come in plastic wrapping that needs to be removed before using the air purifier. As the filters usually come delivered pre-fitted, this often trips users up as they think they are ready to use. 

Simply remove the filters, remove any packaging and re-fit, and then youโ€™re good to go.

The Levoit LV-PUR131 cleared our test room in 60 minutes

This was impressive when we first tested it, but four years later, the air cleaning speed of the LV-PUR131 is not good enough.

To put an air purifier through its paces, we utilize our home office, which measures up to 728 cubic ft, so it is roughly the same as a small to medium-sized bedroom. 

We burn incense sticks to fill the room with airborne pollutants and measure how quickly the purifier can remove all PM1.0ug/m3, PM2.5ug/m3, and PM10.0 ug/m3 particles using our indoor sensor from Purpleair. 

We keep these conditions the same for each test, allowing us to compare and contrast different purifiers and see which unit performs the best in a home setting against common pollutants. 

Let’s see how the LV-PUR131 did:

Once the incense had finished burning at 12:15pm, we recorded the number of pollutants in the room, with levels reaching:

  • PM10.0 – 1847.99 ug/m3 
  • PM2.5 – 1577.53 ug/m3
  • PM1.0 – 581.41 ug/m3

We then fired up the LV-PUR131 at its highest speed, allowing it to tackle the airborne pollutants head-on. 

Within 60 minutes, each particle reading had reached 0.0, showing that within one hour, the unit had performed three air cycles and removed all traces of pollutants.

Air cleaning performance, compared

When comparing these results to alternative purifiers within a similar price range, we found the Levoit eradicated all pollutants faster than the Blueair Blue Pure 411, which took 1 hour and 8 minutes and the GermGuardian AC4825, which took 1 hour and 44 minutes. 

However, the Levoit Core 300 (which is $100 cheaper than the LV-PUR131( completed the same test in just 40 minutes, proving that there are other better alternatives. The one I would suggest is the Levoit Vital 200S, which is being sold for the same price as the LV-PUR131, yet it can clean the air A LOT faster as our air cleaning speed shows (the Vital 200S completed the test in just 18 minutes).

Noise levels, compared

Alongside purifying performance, it’s essential to gauge how loud this unit is when operating on its various fan speeds. 

When cycling between the three standard fan speeds, this unit runs between 52.2 – 65.6 dB, which is louder than most of the other air purifiers we have tested. However, when set to the Sleep setting, this comes down to a much more tolerable 27 dB. 

Check out our sound guide below to hear the LV-PUR131 for yourself. 

The cost to run a Levoit LV-PUR131: $108.58 per year

1. Electricity costs = $32.59 per year

Many of us are feeling the pinch as soaring energy prices affect the cost of living. So itโ€™s a good idea to figure out what youโ€™re likely to pay across the lifetime of your air purifier. 

We used the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator to estimate how this unit might impact your electricity bill to save you the headache of doing the math. 

This unit uses 30.5 watts of power on its highest speed setting, which is pretty efficient. If we imagine you run the air purifier on this setting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the LV-PUR131 will set you back $32.59 a year. 

Bearing in mind as youโ€™re more likely to run the unit on its lowest speed for around 8 hours a day, it wonโ€™t cost much at all to operate this air purifier. 

2. Filter costs = $75.99 per year

Over time, as your HEPA and Activated Carbon filters work their magic, they will become clogged with pollutant particles and eventually lose efficiency. 

To keep your purifier performing at its peak, you must replace the filters, adding another additional cost to consider before you purchase.  

The LV-PUR131 has two filters that need replacement every 6 months (both the Activated Charcoal and the HEPA filter). They are both available in replacement packs for $45.99 but the 2-pack will set you back $75.99 per year.

However, several filters available from third-party manufacturers on Amazon are cheaper than the official Levoit filters (which are often out of stock across the U.S.)  These alternative filters come with great reviews from fellow users who claim there is no difference in performance when used.

Filter
Genuine Levoit LV-PUR131 Replacement
Generic Unofficial Levoit LV-PUR131 2-Pack Filter Replacement
Levoit LV-PUR131 Replacement Filter, Genuine Air Purifier Filter, 1 Pack | High-Efficiency Activated Carbon for Removal of Odor, Smoke, Pollen, Allergens, Dust, Pet Hair, LV-PUR131-RF
LV-PUR131 Replacement Filters for Levoit LV-PUR131 & 131S Air Purifier | LV-PUR131-RF, 2 Pack
Technology
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
2-Pack Replacement H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Price
$39.99
$29.99
Filter
Genuine Levoit LV-PUR131 Replacement
Levoit LV-PUR131 Replacement Filter, Genuine Air Purifier Filter, 1 Pack | High-Efficiency Activated Carbon for Removal of Odor, Smoke, Pollen, Allergens, Dust, Pet Hair, LV-PUR131-RF
Technology
H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$39.99
Filter
Generic Unofficial Levoit LV-PUR131 2-Pack Filter Replacement
LV-PUR131 Replacement Filters for Levoit LV-PUR131 & 131S Air Purifier | LV-PUR131-RF, 2 Pack
Technology
2-Pack Replacement H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$29.99

Comparing the Levoit LV-PUR131 to the LV-PUR131S

Shortly after releasing the LV-PUR131, Levoit launched the LV-PUR131S to offer users a purifier with enhanced smart features. 

In addition to the Auto mode found on the original model, the S includes the option to connect your purifier to your phone or smart device such as Alexa. 

This enables the user to operate the purifier remotely using voice activation or at your fingertips through your phone. 

The app also allows you to remotely set timers and create schedules, providing updates on the current air quality in your space.

FeaturesLevoit LV-PUR131Levoit LV-PUR131S
Purifier technology:H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon FilterH13 HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
Recommended room size:360 sq. ft. 360 sq. ft. 
Filter life:6 months6 months
Weight (in pounds / in kg):11.22 lbs / 5.1 kg11.22 lbs / 5.1 kg
Energy consumption:$66.26 per year$66.26 per year
Auto Modeโœ…โœ…
Smartphone FunctionalityโŒโœ…
User reviews
List Price$179.99$189.99

So, should you pay more for the S? 

In reality, these two units are identical. The only difference is that the S is compatible with Levoit’s smartphone app and can be connected to smart devices such as Alexa for voice control. 

At only $10.00 more, it seems reasonable to pay the extra if you feel these additional features will be of use. However, if you canโ€™t see yourself utilizing such features, then why not save yourself 10 bucks?

Bottom line: Is the LV-PUR131 worth it?

A good choice for those who want a Levoit unit with separate particle and carbon filters โ€” but look at newer models if you want better air cleaning performance.

Your particular use case will depend on your situation. The team at Levoit produced a unit with top performance at an affordable price compared to most other air purifiers on the market. 

That being said, the Levoit LV-PUR131 doesnโ€™t have the power to deal with serious air pollutants, such as those from traffic pollution or cigarette smoke. The reality is that there are many other devices that are currently available for cheaper prices that will do a much better job of cleaning the air.

Levoit LV PUR131 Hallway

PRICE on amazon PRICE on LEVOIT

If you like the rectangular look, I suggest you check out the Levoit Vital series instead. The Levoit Vital 200S performed much better than the LV-PUR131 in our tests (cleaning the air in our test room in just 18 minutes), and it costs roughly the same. Alternatively, you can save yourself $60 and go with the smaller Levoit Vital 100S, which still managed the clean the air in our small test room in 28 minutes โ€” that’s 32 minutes faster than the PUR131.

And if you’re not specifically looking for a Levoit unit, then you should definitely check out the Winix 5500-2, which can be found for $159.99 (around $30 less than the PUR131), has separate filters and was 40 minutes quicker at completing our air cleaning performance test.

The Levoit LV-PUR131 doesnโ€™t have the power to deal with serious air pollutants, such as those from traffic pollution or cigarette smoke. And the reality is that there are many other devices that are currently available for cheaper prices that will do a much better job at cleaning the air.

SOURCES

We used the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator to calculate yearly costs associated with running the Levoit LV-PUR131 24 hours a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.12/kWh as of May 9th, 2023.

Medify MA-40 Review

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DSC08168

The Medify MA-40 could be your new go-to unit for air quality control in rooms up to 840 sq. ft.

[verdict]

DSC08173 1

Specifications:

Air Purifier
Medify MA-40
Medify MA-40
CADR
380 Dust/380 Smoke/380 Pollen
Technology
H-13 True HEPA + Activated Carbon
Recommended Room Size
840 sq. ft
Weight
15 Ibs
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$249.99
Air Purifier
Medify MA-40
Medify MA-40
CADR
380 Dust/380 Smoke/380 Pollen
Technology
H-13 True HEPA + Activated Carbon
Recommended Room Size
840 sq. ft
Weight
15 Ibs
More information
Buy on Amazon
Price
$249.99

The Look 

The body sports a glossy premium-feeling finish, and it wonโ€™t look out of place in a modern apartment or house. 

On the front, you have the larger air outlet, and on the back, there is a large air inlet and a handle, which comes in handy when moving the unit around. It was super easy to install the composite 3-in-1 filter, and the back cover has magnets for easy locking. So far so convenient. 

The top is very handsome indeed, with classy minimal looking tempered glass and an easy-to-navigate display panel. 

DSC08175

The controls feature the latest capacitive touch technology, but if you donโ€™t know what that means donโ€™t worry, just press the power switch, timer, fan speed, and ionizer switches and youโ€™re good to go. Oh, and thereโ€™s a child lock too to stop the little ones meddling with the settings and giving the whole family a cold (the Medify MA-40 pumps out cool air, which is awesome in summer, but leave it on too long and youโ€™ll end up with a freezer for a living room).

There are 3 manual fan speeds settings and a sleep mode. Itโ€™s nice to see a filter replacement indicator on the top panel too, meaning you shouldnโ€™t forget to replace the filter when the time comes. 

All in all, itโ€™s a slick-looking unit with a solid feel. 

Filtration 

Now for the technical bits โ€” the filtration system on any air purifier is basically the single most important thing to look at if you want to know how well itโ€™s going to work. The Medify MA-40 comes with a pre-filter, an H13-grade True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. 

DSC08163

Letโ€™s take a closer look at the numbers: the removal efficiency of this filter is 99.9% at 0.1microns (MPPS). That means it can capture tiny airborne pollutants such as fine dust, smoke particles, and microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, archaea, or protists. The first line of defense is a pre-filter net, which traps larger pollutants such as lint, pet dander, mold spores, and dust. It also stops the core HEPA filter from getting clogged up. 

DSC08164

Next, we have the pellet-based Activated carbon filter, which takes care of all your odor and gas filtration needs. The honeycomb-shaped filter is filled with activated carbon pellets, which adsorb odors and VOCs from the air including smoke, pet smells, and all those odors that come from cooking. 

This filter needs to be replaced every six months or after 3000 hours of usage. These are easy to come by online and do cost a little more than some smaller units. Medify does offer a service they call Filter Club. If you sign up, they will send replacement filters to your door every six months and you save 10% on the list price plus free shipping. This isnโ€™t only a money-saving tip but will make sure youโ€™re never left without a new filter.

Sale
Medify MA-40 Genuine Replacement Filter for Allergens, Smoke, Wildfires, Dust, Odors, Pollen, Pet Dander | 3 in 1 with Pre-filter, HEPA and Activated Carbon for Removal to 0.3 Microns | 1-Pack
Medify MA-40 Genuine Replacement Filter for Allergens, Smoke, Wildfires, Dust, Odors, Pollen, Pet Dander | 3 in 1 with Pre-filter, HEPA and Activated Carbon for Removal to 0.3 Microns | 1-Pack
  • EXTENDED FILTER LIFE & COST-EFFICIENCY: Our long-lasting filters deliver up to 3,000 hours or 4-5 months of continuous, high-quality air purification. With fewer filter changes needed, enjoy cost savings and a healthier, cleaner home environment.
  • EFFORTLESS FILTER REPLACEMENT: Our user-friendly design ensures a hassle-free filter change. Keep every room in your home, school, or office filled with fresh, irritant-free air. Regularly updated filters effectively neutralize lingering odors.
  • SUPERIOR TRUE HEPA H14 FILTRATION: Our advanced HEPA H14 filters capture 99.99% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns. Breathe easier with effective removal of dust, pollen, allergens, smoke, and pet danderโ€”better than HEPA H11.
  • 3-STAGE PURIFICATION PROCESS: The MA-40 boasts a three-layer filtration systemโ€”pre-filter for large particles, HEPA H14 for microscopic contaminants, and activated carbon for odor elimination. Ideal for pet owners, allergy sufferers, and smokers.
  • EXTENDED FILTER LIFE & COST-EFFICIENCY: Our long-lasting filters deliver up to 3,000 hours or 4-5 months of continuous, high-quality air purification. With fewer filter changes needed, enjoy cost savings and a healthier, cleaner home environment.
$40.17 Amazon Prime
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The Medify MA-40 has an optional ionizer โ€” when itโ€™s turned on, it releases charged particles that attach to any dust floating in the air. Then the heavy particles fall to the ground, just like magic! Beware though, you shouldnโ€™t use this feature if someone has asthma or breathing difficulties at home.

Noise 

Aside from the filter, noise is probably the next most important thing to consider if youโ€™re in the market for an air purifier. Clean air is essential, but noise pollution is a thing too, especially in a small flat. 

The Medify MA-40โ€™s noise level is 46 decibels on the lowest fan speed and 66 decibels on the top fan speed. 70 decibels is the level of noise generated by a vacuum cleaner, so, this thing can seem pretty loud on its highest setting, but will only take around 30 minutes to completely clean the air then you can knock it down a speed or two. 

Cost of running

Another worry I had was with energy consumption. Clean, pollution-free air must come at a price, right?

Wrong. Running the Medify MA-40 eight hours a day can cost as little as $24 a year. This sets top models like the MA-40 apart from the cheaper units on the market.

Combine that with the initial cost of the unit and replacement filters and youโ€™ve got a great deal for clean, fresh air in your home keeping you and your family healthy and allergen-free.

What I love:

  •  Easy to navigate, responsive touch panel controls
  •  Replacement filters are easy to come by, especially with Filter Club
  •  Itโ€™s lightweight and super easy to move between rooms

What I donโ€™t like as much:

  • Its flat top does collect surface dust
  • I would prefer a longer power cable 
DSC08152

Bottom Line

When purchasing an air purifier, a little research is required. With so many on the market right now, itโ€™s paramount that you find one for your needs. 

I chose the Medify MA-40 because it fit the size of my apartment perfectly. I was concerned with both pollution and VOCs coming in from the busy traffic outside and with my open plan kitchen/living room, I didnโ€™t want to be smelling of my cooking whilst I chill on the sofa.

The filters in this unit promised to address these issues and they didnโ€™t fail to deliver. 

I can now cook the most fragrant of dishes without worry of stinking out the place and whilst I can still hear the hustle and bustle of the city streets, I no longer fear what it might be doing to my health.

To be honest, Iโ€™m sure how I ever lived without it.

Medify MA-40 Air Purifier with HEPA Filter | 1,793 ftยฒ Coverage in 1hr for Smoke, Wildfires, Odors, Pollen, Pets | Quiet Removal to 0.3 Microns | White, 1-Pack
Medify MA-40 Air Purifier with HEPA Filter | 1,793 ftยฒ Coverage in 1hr for Smoke, Wildfires, Odors, Pollen, Pets | Quiet Removal to 0.3 Microns | White, 1-Pack
  • MAXIMUM COVERAGE: Cleans large spaces up to 1,793 sq ft in one hour, 896 sq ft in 30 minutes (CADR 406). Ideal for homes, apartments, bedrooms, living rooms, offices, schools, universities, classrooms, hospitals, restaurants, and other businesses.
  • HEPA H13 FILTRATION: Trusted to remove 99.9% of harmful particles including allergens, odors, VOCs, smoke, pollen, pet dander, dust, smog, contaminants, and more down to 0.1 microns in size. Captures finer particles than HEPA H11 (0.3 microns).
  • ULTRA QUIET: Choose from 3 fan speeds, with the lowest setting operating virtually silent. Runs at 110 Volts at a min noise level of 46dB and max of 66dB. For the most discreet operation, enable sleep mode to completely dim the unit's panel lights.
  • EASY TO USE FEATURES: Includes a sleek touch screen operation panel with 0-8 hour timer, fan speed, sleep mode, filter replacement indicator, and child lock, great for both kids and pets.
  • QUALITY TESTED & BACKED: CARB and ETL. Backed by a USA registered Lifetime Warranty. The replacement filter (B07MTQFFNT) lasts 3,000 hours or about 6 months.
$249.99 Amazon Prime
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53 indoor air quality statistics

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43 Indoor Air Quality Statistics 1 1

Throughout history, man has become an increasingly indoor animal. According to the EPA, the average American now spends 90% of his time indoors, breathing in a stew of airborne pollutants that scientists and the public know relatively little about. 

While shelters are designed to keep environmental hazards out, indoor spaces can be hotbeds of pollution. Pollutants from outside air can become trapped inside a home, along with molds, fungi, dust, and toxic gases that can harm and even kill their human occupants. 

Common household activities like cleaning and cooking can also release harmful compounds that reduce air quality and have negative effects on human health. In some experiments, indoor air has been found to have concentrations of fine particle pollutants several times greater than outdoor air. 

With the average human breathing approximately 10,000 liters of air per day, it is of utmost importance to ensure healthy air quality indoors. 

While, as a field of research, indoor air quality is relatively overlooked in comparison to outdoor air, increased concern over the airborne transmission of disease during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an uptick in interest in indoor air quality. 

According to the Verdantix Global Corporate Survey 2020, 59% of real estate executives are planning to make new investments in air quality sensors and analytics in the wake of COVID-19. 

As more workers return to the office, proper ventilation and air quality will become all the more important.

Below is our roundup of the most important statistics you should be aware of when it comes to indoor air quality.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw more people working from home than ever before. While many companies made investments in home office equipment for their workers, most homes lack the well-designed ventilation systems of office buildings, leaving many remote workers in indoor environments with poorer air quality than before the pandemic. 

In one study, 100% of home offices were shown to have unacceptable levels of air pollution.

While indoor air quality remains relatively low in many homes, COVID-19 has also led to a surge in interest in the subject. Google searches for indoor air quality spiked in 2020 and 2021, and the market for indoor ventilators skyrocketed. 

Indoor Air Quality Trend Air purifier market

We identified some of the biggest trends in indoor air quality from the last few years:

  1. Research on air quality control has shifted from outdoor to indoor environments, as more people around the world move to dense urban areas. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  2. Air quality in home offices is often worse than in office buildings – In one recent study, particulate matter was found to exceed the recommended maximum of 12 ยตg/m3 in 100% of home offices used for remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Atmosphere)
  3. Google searches for indoor air quality in the United States rose 65% during the pandemic, and peaked in September 2021. (Google Trends)
  4. Finland searches for โ€œindoor air qualityโ€ way more than any other country โ€” Hong Kong and Ethiopia follow, but with notable fewer searches. (Google Trends)
  5. The global residential air purifier market grew to 21 million in 2021โ€” Thatโ€™s up from roughly 6 million units in 2015.  (Statista)
  6. Just 27% of families experiencing indoor breathing issues will attempt to improve them by introducing an air purifier. (Current Allergy and Asthma Reports)
  7. 40% of consumers will spend more than $200 on an air purifier for their home. (Kaz, Inc.)
  8. 46% of two-parent homes have an air purifier โ€” while just 3% of single-parent homes have one. (Kaz, Inc.)
  9. Consumer products account for 38% of smog-forming emissions โ€” more than the 33% caused by gas and diesel combustions. (Science News)
  10. Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCโ€™s) are at least 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

6 key indoor air quality facts and statisticsย 

According to a number of public health specialists, public awareness around indoor air quality is relatively low. While laws controlling outdoor air pollution have been around for decades, there are relatively few regulations dealing with the indoor environments in which we spend the majority of our time. 

There is voluminous research on how different natural processes and human activities affect outdoor air quality, but there is comparatively little research on what causes indoor air pollution or even how best to measure it. 

Key Indoor Air Quality Statistics

In light of this gap in public health information, it is important to know some of the basic facts about indoor air quality and its effects on health.

  1. Indoor air pollution is responsible for the deaths of 3.8 million people annually. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Mortality due to indoor air pollution is 50% higher in women than men โ€” Women spend more time indoors on average, and are exposed to more indoor irritants. (Archives of Public Health)
  1. According to air quality researchers, minimum ventilation rate standards (the minimum number of times the air in a room should be replaced by a ventilator) are rarely met in the United States. (Nature)
  1. Breath circulates in small spaces – in a crowded room with no windows, one in every seven breaths a person breathes is air another person had breathed out. (RNZ)
  1. Exposure to household air pollution almost doubles the risk for childhood pneumonia. (WHO)
  1. Outdoor pollution events like wildfires and 4th of July fireworks can increase indoor air pollution two to three-fold. (The University of Utah)

6 facts about indoor air pollution sources

Some of the most ubiquitous household products are also some of the biggest contributors to indoor air pollution. Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and even petting your dog or cat have been shown to result in statistically significant increases in indoor air pollution. 

Facts About Indoor Air Pollution Sources

Knowing the numbers behind the causes and effects of indoor air pollution can be a critical step towards controlling it.

  1. Smoking is a major source of indoor particulate matter, and is associated with an increase in PM2.5 concentration of 25 to 45 ยตg /m3. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Cooking is a common source of indoor air pollution โ€” According to researchers, articles emitted from cooking account for approximately 30% of indoor fine particulate matter. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Different styles of cooking emit different levels of particulate matter โ€” In one experiment, fine particulate matter emitted from cooking Chinese stir fry was roughly seven times greater than that emitted from cooking Italian pasta. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Consumer products like hairspray, cleaning liquids, and air fresheners on average contribute 10% to 20% of volatile organic compounds in indoor environments. (GreenFacts)
  1. Everyday chores can create indoor air pollution โ€” A few minutes of mopping with cleaning products can generate as many airborne particles as vehicles on a city street. (Science)
  1. Major sources of indoor air pollution include exhaust from gas stoves and fireplaces, candles, air fresheners, tobacco smoke, laser printers, household cleaning products, pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

10 U.S. household air quality statisticsย 

America invented the modern office building, and introduced many of the innovations that are now standard regulation for public indoor spaces. But while the United States has been at the vanguard of indoor air quality innovation, many Americans are relatively uninformed about ventilation and proper maintenance of indoor spaces, according to a recent survey. 

Still, the degree of awareness varies across the country, with the volume of Google searches for โ€œindoor air qualityโ€ in some states outnumbering others by more than 10 to 1.

U.S. Household Air Quality Statistics

These statistics help paint a picture of indoor air quality and awareness in the United States.

  1. 87% of U.S. homeowners are not aware that the air quality inside their home may be less than the air quality outside their home. (American Lung Association)
  1. $75 billion a year is lost in productivity due to adverse health effects caused by poor air quality in buildings in the United States. (Atmosphere)
  1. 29% of Americans never change the air filter in their home. (The Zebra)
  1. 82% of Americans fail to change their air filter monthly. (The Zebra)
  1. 1 in 5 Americans say itโ€™s not important to change their air filter. (The Zebra)
  1. In the United States, Google searches for indoor air quality are greatest in Oregon, and lowest in Iowa. (Google Trends)
  1. New York is the state with the most premature deaths due to indoor air pollution from fuel combustion in buildings โ€” followed by Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. (RMI)
  1. The air purifier manufacturing industry is worth about $7 billion in the United States. (IBIS World)
  1. There are about 474 businesses involved in the manufacturing of air purification equipment in the United States. (IBIS World)
  1. In the United States, the average cost of a whole-home air purification system ranges from $400 to $4,000. (HomeGuide)

9 U.K. household air quality statisticsย 

In 1952, a number of natural and man-made factors combined to envelop London in a thick layer of smog for several days. The pollution event โ€“ known as the Great Smog โ€“ resulted in thousands of deaths, and ultimately led to the passage of the UKโ€™s Clean Air Act 1956. 

But while the UKโ€™s mix of urbanization and industry has put it at the center of the regulatory debate over clean air, much of the country still suffers from poor air quality, indoors and out. 

U.K. Household Air Quality Statistics

By some estimates, Britons spend even more of their day inside than Americans, making knowing the facts about indoor air quality in the United Kingdom all the more important. 

  1. Britons spend on average 95% of their time indoors on weekends. (Ribble Cycles)
  1. In the UK, more than 97% of homes are located in areas where air pollution exceeds WHO-recommended limits. (The Guardian)
  1. The UKโ€™s legal limit for fine particulate matter is five times higher than the World Health Organization limit. (The Guardian)
  1. In the UK, Plymouth is the city with the worst air quality โ€” while Llangefni has the best air quality. (AQI)
  1. It is estimated that tobacco smoke in the home causes 11,000 deaths every year in the UK. (UK Government)
  1. Residents of the United Kingdom search โ€œindoor air qualityโ€ on Google at about one-third the rate of Americans. (Google Trends)
  1. In the United Kingdom, Google searches for indoor air quality are greatest in Northern Ireland, and least in Wales. (Google Trends)
  1. Residential radon exposure contributes to about 3% of lung cancer deaths in the UK. (UK Government)
  1. In the United Kingdom, ultrafine particle pollution levels are on average 3.5 times higher inside than outside. (Air Quality News)

8 indoor air quality and health statistics

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought indoor air quality into the spotlight, indoor air pollutants have long been a serious public health issue, causing serious health problems and costing billions in health care spending. 

Researchers have yet to quantify the exact health toll of breathing indoor air for 90% of the day, but some statistics help shine a light on the public health situation. 

Indoor Air Quality and Health Statistics

Weโ€™ve rounded up several statistics showing the effects of indoor air quality on health.

  1. The WHO estimates that indoor air pollution is responsible for 2.7% of the years of life lost to early death worldwide. (MIT)
  1. Particulate matter is mostly generated from combustion activities and cleaning activities โ€” they can lead to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, irregular heartbeats, and aggravated asthma. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Volatile organic compounds are generated from paints, fuels, plastics, and cleaning products โ€” they can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and liver damage. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Exposure to indoor radon can cause an increase in lung cancer risk from 3% to 14%. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Indoor air pollution increases the risk of childhood acute lower respiratory infections by 78%. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
  1. Indoor air quality problems cost an estimated $15 billion a year in direct medical costs. (Burroughs and Hansen)
  1. Air pollution is a major cause of hospitalization โ€” An estimated 15% of admissions to hospital emergency rooms could be attributed to dust mites and other airborne allergens. (Burroughs and Hansen)
  2. Air pollution has been shown to be associated with negative effects on cognitive function โ€” A 25% increase in particulate matter has been associated with a 0.82% decrease in response times in office workers. (Environmental Research Letters)

4 facts about the history of air purification

While there are few comprehensive regulations dealing with indoor air quality, concerns over how to control pollution in indoor environments date back to antiquity. 

Facts About The History Of Air Purification

We rounded up the most interesting facts on the history of air purification to see how concerns over indoor air quality have evolved over the years.

  1. Egyptian historians have found evidence of modern social attitudes toward indoor air quality dating back to 1500 B.C. Burroughs and Hansen)
  1. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in the form of charcoal-based masks worn by coal miners. (IQAir)
  1. Modern ventilation technology began with the development of high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) in the 1940s, as part of an effort to shield soldiers from atomic radiation during World War II. (IQAir)
  1. Workplace standards for indoor air quality are roughly three decades old โ€” OSHA first announced its intention to regulate indoor air quality in April 1994. (Burroughs and Hansen)

9 authoritative air quality reports you should read

COVID-19 is not the first time indoor air quality became a hot topic in the research world. Environmental regulations in the 1970s and concerns over ambient air pollution in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks both inspired new research in the field, resulting in a number of new insights and landmark studies on indoor quality. 

To help you stay informed, we rounded up some of the most authoritative air quality reports you should read. 

  1. Indoor Particulate Matter (EPA)
  2. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality (EPA)
  3. Air Cleaners and Air Filters in the Home (EPA)
  4. Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality (EPA)
  5. Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home (EPA)
  6. Indoor Air Quality and Health Outcomes in Employees Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study
  7. Measurement of Ultrafine Particles and Other Air Pollutants Emitted by Cooking Activities
  8. Indoor Air Pollution, Related Human Diseases, and Recent Trends in the Control and Improvement of Indoor Air Quality
  9. Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry

A cleaner future

Concerns over indoor air quality are not new. Historians speculate that early humans likely struggled to contain combustion contamination from fires in caves, and have found notations documenting the effects of airborne dust on health dating back thousands of years.

While the dwellings have changed since antiquity, the basic facts around indoor air quality have not. Indoor spaces are complex habitats, consisting of a physical building, environmental setting, HVAC system, and air pathways, as well as occupants and their activities. COVID-19 has made apparent the lack of proper ventilation infrastructure in public and private buildings, but has also placed air quality issues at the center of the public health conversation. As indoor air quality becomes more relevant, staying informed becomes all the more important.

Air Quality Reports You Should Read

SOURCES

These are the air purifiers we recommend for a basement

by
we buy every air purifier

Basements are usually the most neglected space in the house. The โ€œugly ducklingโ€ room โ€” filled with pipes, exposed walls, and limited natural light (if any). It can feel like a dingy dungeon, an outlier compared to the rest of the home.

There are many reasons why your basement can turn out this way, from external factors such as radon or rising damp to dusty old belongings stored away. All of these are made much worse by the fact that the basement has restricted ventilation, which intensifies pollutants.

One good way to ensure your basement is free from particulates, gasses, and odors is to install an air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters. 

An air purifier in the basement means airborne particulates like mold will be trapped in the filter instead of on your walls. Additionally, the activated charcoal filter catches nasty odors to boost freshness.

But knowing which air purifier is best for you isnโ€™t simple. So, the HouseFresh team tested over 80 different devices to truly understand which devices work and which donโ€™t.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Using our in-house data, Iโ€™ve hand-picked the five best air purifiers that can tackle basement maintenance, paying close attention to filters, purification speed, and long-term running costs.

Staff picks: Top 3 air purifiers for basements

For those in a hurry, hereโ€™s a look at our top three purifier picks for your basement. 

BEST OVERALLFOR TIGHT BUDGETSFOR LARGE SPACES
Levoit Core 600STaoTronics AP003 or Lago Air PurifierAlen Breathsmart 75i
Levoit Core 600S Room 1 logoTaoTronics AP003 VS Lago Air PurifierAlen BreatheSmart 75i Living Room logo
Air cleaning speed15 minutes26 minutes24 minutes
CADRDust: 373 CFM
Smoke: 377 CFM
Pollen: 437 CFM		Dust: 202 CFM
Smoke: 198 CFM
Pollen: 215 CFM		Dust: 335.3 CFM
Smoke: 330.5 CFM
Pollen: 403.4 CFM
Filter tech3-stage filtration (Pre-filter for large particles, main filter for airborne particles, high-efficiency activated carbon filter for odors and gasses)Pre-filter, H13 HEPA with activated carbon pelletsTrue HEPA H13 filters with activated carbon pellets + Ionizer technology
Max room size635 sq. ft.322 sq. ft.512 sq. ft.
Weight13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)18 lbs (8.16 kg)27 lbs (12.2 kg)
ReviewLevoit Core 600S reviewTaoTronics reviewAlen 75i review
Price$259.97Price not available

Last update on 2026-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Of course, all basements are different. So, itโ€™s important to understand your specific needs and assess all available options. Read on to find a range of units that cover different-sized spaces, have multiple features, and fit into various budgets. 

1. Best overall: Levoit Core 600S

The Levoit Core 600S is the best basement air purifier on the market that provides rapid results, even in larger spaces.

Levoit Core 600S Fireplace

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

The Core 600S is a no-brainer when facing the stubborn pollutants found in basements. Its powerful fans can clean large volumes of air every minute with a CADR of 373 CFM. Another plus is its relatively inexpensive price tag ( just $0.61 per CADR), which means you probably wonโ€™t mind keeping it on around the clock. 

Our review shows that Levoitโ€™s filters can remove even the smallest airborne particles. The 600S uses a high-quality 3-in-1 filter consisting of a pre-filter for larger pollutants like dust, a primary filter for smaller particles such as mold spores, and an activated carbon filter for odors and other VOCs rife in the space. 

What we really like

Provides excellent cleaning power without being too costly
Designed for speedy particle removal, even in larger basements
Low energy use and reasonable filter replacements keep costs down
Auto mode and app support give you greater control over your air quality

What we think could be better

Relatively low amount of carbon in the standard filter (160g), so itโ€™s worth upgrading to the Toxin Adsorber (360g) if you want to tackle odor and VOCs
Levoit no longer advertises its filters as being tested to the HEPA standard
The location of the AIRSIGHT sensor is on the back of the unit, so must be placed away from walls and furnishings

During our clean air speed test, the unit removed all traces of pollutants in just 15 minutes โ€” the second-fastest purifier to do so. Although our test space is slightly smaller than the average basement, Levoit designed this unit to perform 4.8 air changes every hour in spaces up to 584 sq. ft., providing plenty of fresh air to larger rooms.  

Despite this powerful performance, this unit is also ultra-energy efficient. This will be particularly useful as you can leave the device to run at its top speed around the clock to ensure it cleans up any pollutants. Once youโ€™re happy that the air is safer to breathe, you can utilize the 600Sโ€™s auto mode to operate at lower fan speeds and automatically react snappily whenever pollutant levels rise. 

Levoit Core 600S Front Room
Levoit 600S Filter

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 375 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 156 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ Read our full review

2. Less than $100: TaoTronics AP-003

If you want a cost-effective solution to your basement’s poor air quality, look no further than the TaoTronics AP-003.

TaoTronics TT AP003 Room 2

PRICE ON EBAY
PRICE IN EUROPE PRICE IN THE U.K.

The TaoTronics AP-003 is proof that not all cheap electronics made in China are junk. This unit from a lowkey brand promised a lot in its sales pitch, but boy, did it deliver with performance and specifications to rival units 2-3 times its RRP. 

Setting you back just $79.99, this air purifier has many features to combat basement pollutants. First up is its medical grade H13 HEPA filter. Itโ€™s proven to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is far smaller than the average dust or mold particle. Couple this with a granular carbon filter, and the TaoTronics AP-003 will take care of any musky odors, too.  

What we really like

One of the best-value air purifiers for CADR to $ ratio
Comes with a medical-grade filter to capture minuscule particulates
You get carbon pellets, which are much more efficient than other VOC filter types
Features a highly accurate air quality sensor for real-time feedback

What we think could be better

Rarely in stock on Amazon, which is annoying
Shorter filter lifespan, but with cheap replacements
Tricky to gauge customer support and warranty as the unitโ€™s from a newer brand

One of the main features that jumped off the spec sheet for this unit was a CADR of 202 CFM. This is super powerful for a unit costing less than 100 bucks, so we had to see it for ourselves. Lo and behold, the AP-003 made light work of our speed test, removing the smallest PM1 particles in less than half an hour, which is exactly what youโ€™ll need when cleaning a basement. 

With a low energy draw and a highly accurate air sensor to monitor pollutant levels, this purifier continues to prove its worth. You might be wondering what the catch is. Well, it can be tricky to find in stock online (perhaps an indicator of its popularity). Still, we discovered that many other brands use this model as part of ODM, so there are models available that use the same design, and we had a chance to test one of them, the Lago air purifier.

Lago Air Purifier VS TaoTronics AP003

Its performance in our test room was the same as that of the Taotronics AP003, and even the filter that came with it looks to be exactly the same and has the same model number.

The only downside of the Lago is that its price seems a little higher than Taotronics, but it is available on Amazon.com, so if you have trouble getting it from Taotronics.com, then this might be a better option for keeping your basement clean.

BUY FROM EUROPE BUY FROM THE UK

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):26 minutes
Air purifier technology:H13 HEPA with activated carbon pellets
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):307 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 202 CFM
Smoke: 198 CFM
Pollen: 215 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):21.8 x 14.1 x 7.9 inches (55.4 x 35.8 x 20cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):13.64 lbs (6.19 kg)
Filter life:6 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 38.4 dB
Speed 2: 42.8 dB
Speed 3: 54.2 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0.7 watts
Speed 1: 5.9 watts
Speed 2: 10.5 watts
Speed 3: 36.5 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$90.66 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.49
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ Read our full review

3. Oldie but goodie: Honeywell HPA300

Honeywellโ€™s HPA300 offers powerful performance without the premium price tag. 

Honeywell HPA300 Editorial logo

PRICE on amazon PRICE on EBAY

To put it simply, the HPA300 is a workhorse of an air purifier. It may not come with the latest smart features or a shiny new design, but it clears pollutants quickly thanks to its powerful fan and quality HEPA filters.

What we really like

Super powerful fans make this a stellar choice for large basements
Easy to set up and use straight out of the box
Clear control panel makes operating this unit fool-proof
Timer functions come in handy when using the unit in a basement

What we think could be better

Carbon filter is integrated into the pre-filter, so donโ€™t expect much protection from VOCs
Lacks features like auto mode or app support
Operating volumes do run on the louder side

Available for less than $200, this air purifier offers valuable bang for your buck. With a CADR of 300 CFM, this equates to just 80 cents per CFM, which is incredibly cost-efficient. 

This power makes the HPA300 a great option for use in basements as large as 465 sq. ft, as we saw when reviewing the unit, taking just 14 minutes to clear our test space of all PM1 particles.

Being an older unit, it’s not quite as energy efficient or quiet as its counterparts on this list, but this is traded off by a low initial purchase price and cheap True-HEPA filter replacements that are readily available online and in many stores, allowing you to keep your basementโ€™s air clean and healthy long into the future.

1 Honeywell HPA300 Living Room
Honeywell HPA300 Filters Shot

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†โ˜†
Time to clean our 728 cubic feet test room (with the device running at top speed):20 minutes
Air purifier technology:Activated Carbon pre-filter and True HEPA filter
Recommended room size (4.8 air changes per hour):465 sq. ft.
Clean air delivery rate (CADR):Dust: 320 CFM
Smoke: 300 CFM
Pollen: 300 CFM
Dimensions (in inches / in cm):20.8L x 10.83W x 22.38H inches (52.8L x 27.5W x 56.8H cm)
Weight (in pounds / in kg):17 lbs (7.7 kg)
Filter life:HEPA every 12 months, Pre-filters every 3 months
Noise level in decibels (measured from 3 ft. away with a sound level meter):Speed 1: 43.6 dB
Speed 2: 48.8 dB 
Speed 3: 53.9 dB
Speed 4: 59.5 dB
Electricity consumption in watts (recorded with an electricity usage monitor):Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 28.35 watts
Speed 2: 42.92 watts
Speed 3: 55.8 watts
Speed 4: 76.2 watts
Estimated running cost (electricity consumption + official filter replacement):$205.22 per year
Cost per CADR cfm (based on dust CFM as reported by AHAM):$0.84
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:5 years
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ Read our full review

4. For large basements: Alen BreatheSmart 75i

Big basements meet their match with the Alen BreatheSmart 75i. 

Alen BreatheSmart 75i Dining Room

The 75i is a giant among air purifiers. As the largest of Alenโ€™s BreatheSmart range, it takes on the mantle of the beefy big bro to the average-sized 45i and FLEX. With this added size comes added versatility, as the unit can take on huge spaces and eliminate larger quantities of pollutants thanks to its customizable filters.

What we really like

Perfectly suited for large basements
Comes with highly effective H13 HEPA filters 
Use of Alenโ€™s app or smart features such as auto mode make cleaning the air even simpler
Customizable filters allow you to target the VOCs that affect your space
Comes with a lifetime warranty

What we think could be better

Most expensive option on this list
Giant size makes it stand out (sometimes in a bad way)
Unitโ€™s weight might make moving it to the basement challenging

So just how large of a basement are we talking about? Alen designed this unit to circulate air 4.8 times per hour in a 512 sq. ft. space, with a generous CADR of 335 CFM. Yet somehow, this unit draws a meager 45 watts on its top speed setting, allowing you to run the purifier for longer without racking up higher energy bills. 

What I love about this option is that Alen offers a range of filters to suit your needs. Each option includes an H13 HEPA that captures particles as small as 0.1 microns with impressive effectiveness, but you can also tailor the amount of activated carbon the filter contains. Higher carbon quantities (found in the Odor or Smoke filter) provide enhanced protection from VOCs and odor, which is paramount if your basement is subject to radon or other chemical pollutants.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i Controls
Alen BreatheSmart 75i Carbon Filter

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 333 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 164 cfm
โ€“ 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.ย (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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ Read our full review

5. On/off ionizer function: Winix 5500-2

Sleek style meets speedy performance. The Winix 5500-2 is one of the latest units to light up our clean air speed test.

Winix 5500 2 TV Room

Winix has been making air purifiers for a while. But with the 5500-2, the company has mastered its craft. This air purifier utilizes four stages of purification, including Winixโ€™s trademark PlasmaWave technology (a type of bipolar ionizer), which can help remove particles from the air even faster.

What we really like

It provides excellent value for money, costing just $160
Rapid particle removal and top-quality filtration 
Washable pre-filter and activated carbon filter for extra longevity and cost savings
Auto mode, timers and a remote control make it super user-friendly 
Excellent air cleaning performance even without the ionizer function on โ€” the 5500-2 took just four minutes longer to clean our home lab without ionizer

What we think could be better

It offers fast cleaning in smaller spaces, but it struggles if your basement is larger than 360 sq. ft.
Some users with respiratory conditions may prefer to stay away from the ionizer technology
No memory settings means you have to reset all settings if you lose power, including the ionizer

This unit blends style and function, with impressive qualities under the hood. As well as Plasmawave technology, youโ€™ll find a washable pre-filter ideal for dirty spaces, a granular activated carbon filter for odors and VOCs and a True HEPA filter to remove the smallest dust and mold particulates. 

Boasting a CADR score of 243 CFM when independently tested against dust makes for a highly efficient unit to use in a basement environment. We were blown away by how fast the 5500-2 performed in our speed test, clearing all pollutants in just 20 minutes. 

Winix 5500 2 Controls
Winix 5500 2 Activated Carbon close up

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 year
Country of manufacture:South Korea

โžœ Read our full review

Other air purifiers we tested but donโ€™t recommend for basements

Having reviewed and tested over 50 different air purifiers, there were more than many that didnโ€™t quite meet our high standards. To help our readers avoid wasting their money, weโ€™ll happily call out a disappointment when we see one. So, if youโ€™re looking to improve the air quality in your basement, steer clear of these units:ย 

  • GermGuardian AC4825e – GermGuardian has been a staple in the air purifier world for some time. Yet, its products are unfortunately stuck in the past. When we tested the AC4825e, it took almost 2 hours to clear our test space of pollutants. At the same time, its bacteria-killing UV-C technology failed to impress and instead managed to spike electricity use. 
  • AROEVE MK01 – Billed as a medical-grade air purifier, AROEVE seemingly put all its eggs in the H13 HEPA basket, forgetting that for the filter to work, the purifier must circulate air effectively. With lackluster fans providing a poor CADR of 25 cfm, this unit would always struggle to reduce indoor air pollution, especially in an enclosed basement environment.  

What to look for when buying an air purifier for basements

Basements are usually where youโ€™ll find the worst air quality in your home. 

The reason is simple: basements lack ventilation. This means that excess moisture has nowhere to escape, resulting in mold, mildew, and an unmistakable musky odor. Other pollutants, such as dust, allergens, and VOCs, are left to linger, exacerbating the issue further. 

To fix this, you need to take action by increasing airflow and rooting out the causes of your air pollution problem. Utilizing an air purifier is an easy solution. However, to guarantee you get a device up to the task at hand, be sure to look for the following features: 

1. High-quality filters

Itโ€™s vital that your air purifier can remove the smallest particles to improve air quality. Itโ€™ll need tightly woven filters to capture minuscule dust, mold, and any other particulate lurking in your basement. 

As a rule of thumb, HEPA filters guarantee results. Theyโ€™re rigorously tested to show they can remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The average dust and mold spore particles vary in size between 2 and 10 microns, so they fall comfortably within the HEPA range.

While not all manufacturers use HEPA-certified filters (see Levoit), weโ€™ve tested each option on this list, making sure each unit is a safe choice for you. 

2. Odor-busting activated carbon

As well as an excellent primary or HEPA filter, youโ€™ll need activated carbon to remove VOCs such as musky odor and chemical fumes. 

These filters work by trapping gaseous pollutants in the pores of a carbon substrate found inside the filter in a process known as adsorption. The more carbon a filter possesses, the more effective it will be, so keep an eye out for that when purchasing your device.

3. Energy efficiency

Tackling build-ups of air pollution in your basement is a big task for any air purifier. Youโ€™ll need to use your air purifier 24/7 to remove these pollutants as quickly as possible. 

If you opt for a power-hungry unit, this could skyrocket your electricity bill. 

Look for an air purifier with an Energy Star rating, or check out our annual energy expenses for each unit we test, where we measure how many watts a unit uses at its top speed and calculate an estimated cost using the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator. 

4. Room size suitability

Air purifiers are most effective when used in an appropriate-sized space. Some units are effective in smaller rooms, and others can clean the air in much larger rooms, like a basement. 

Ensuring youโ€™ve found a suitably sized air purifier is critical, as an underpowered unit used in a basement will struggle to make a difference in your air quality. 

The advertised space should indicate that the device can perform 4-5 air changes every hour, helping to increase ventilation and deliver much-needed clean air throughout your basement. 

Manufacturers usually share what size room they have developed the unit for, so take a close look at the specifications or check out our specs and features table, where we always list the correct room size. 

Common questions about air purifiers in the basement

Place your air purifier as close as possible to the source of the pollutants. Leave at least five centimeters between your purifier and any wall or large furniture to allow air to flow freely in and out of the unit

Radon is a radioactive gas that seeps through cracks in a building’s foundation or vents. Seal any entry points before using a HEPA and activated carbon filter air purifier.

Air purifiers remove harmful airborne pollutants, while dehumidifiers expel excess moisture from the air. If you have a damp basement, using a quality dehumidifier and air purifier together can eradicate musty air and stop its spread or inhalation.

Using an air purifier if you live in a basement improves airflow and captures pollutants. This means less exposure to allergens, dust particles, and odors, creating a happier and healthier living environment.

Wrapping up

Basements are notorious for their poor air quality, so investing in an air purifier is a surefire way to keep the space cleaner and healthier.

As these spaces have a large footprint, measuring the space and purchasing a purifier that can circulate the air is extra important. Opt for as high a CADR as your budget will allow, even if this means overlooking smart features and operating volumes that are less useful in a basement. Finally, make sure the unit you choose is cheap to run, as youโ€™ll likely use it much more to combat the challenges in a basement setting.

What is the best whole house air purifier?

by
HVAC Whole House Air Purifier

When we talk about โ€˜Whole Houseโ€™ air purifiers, there is often some confusion about which types of units weโ€™re referring to. While most might assume this includes large air purifiers like the IQAir HealthPro Plus or Levoit Core 600S because they can clear contaminants from vast spaces, these are still classified as โ€˜Portableโ€™ air purifiers.

A whole-house air purifier is a unit that installs directly into your existing HVAC system. When attached, your air purifier will use its filters to remove harmful pollutants that can plague the air you breathe, including dust, pollen and other allergens.

An HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system pulls air through its vents. The air travels through ductwork in your home as it is heated, cooled or simply used like a fan. The air is then blown into your room(s).

When introducing an air purifier into your HVAC system, the air is passed through a series of strong filters that eliminate airborne particles, leaving fresh, clean, unpolluted air circulating throughout your home.

Whole-house air purifiers can feature a combination of filters to remove pollutants:

  • Media Filters: This thick stack of professional-grade filters is installed into the ductwork of your HVAC system. The design of these filters differs from system to system, but all do the same job.

  • Electrostatic Filters: Also known as UV air purification filters or germicidal light filters, they discharge concentrations of charged particles that attach to contaminants and force them to stick to other surfaces, removing them from the air. They are usually installed near the cooling coils of your HVAC system.

  • Electronic Filter: These types of filters use the principle of electrostatic filters. But, instead of releasing a flurry of charged particles, they feature a network of wires that creates a constant electrostatic field to capture contaminants.

What to look for when buying a whole house air purifier 

If you have a suitable space, buying a whole-house air purifier can be more effective than buying a portable one.

  • It will efficiently remove harmful contaminants from all the air in your entire home without boundaries
  • You wonโ€™t have to buy an air purifier for each room, which saves on money and floor space
  • The filters will work constantly when your HVAC system is on
  • It doesnโ€™t emit any extra noise

If you live in a home with many rooms, a whole-house air purifier will simultaneously provide clean air to each room so that you donโ€™t need to worry about moving a portable air purifier.

Hereโ€™s how to choose the right solution for you:

1. Consider the type of filter you will need

You must choose the kind that best suits your needs. There are three main types of filters to be aware of:

Media FilterCapture pollutants in a maze of tiny fiberglass filaments. They are highly effective but need replacing when they become full of the particles theyโ€™ve removed from the air. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Ideal if the air outside your home is contaminated with suspended particles like dust and pet dander.
Electrostatic Filter Caโ€‹โ€‹n produce ozone as a by-product, which can be harmful to our health. They donโ€™t need to be replaced periodically; they only require cleaning occasionally. ๐Ÿ‘‰ The most effective at removing bacteria and viruses from the air.
Electronic Filter Great at removing smoke particles that may slip by media filters. They donโ€™t need replacing either, but they do need a lot of energy to run, so the cost to run them is more significant. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Good choice if you live in an area of smoke pollution.

2. Consider the upfront and long-term costs

When you’re in the market for a whole-house air purifier, it’s crucial to factor in the upfront cost and ongoing operating costs. Whole-house air purifiers are commonly more expensive than portable units, so you will need to consider your budget carefully.

According to the latest data from Angi, a new HVAC unit could cost between $3,000 and $16,000. This is without accounting for professional installation costs, which could amount to $1,500 on average. 

But it will all depend on the design of the system, the size of the unit, where in your home you want to install it, and other factors. And as with every other appliance, you will also be paying more or less depending on the brand you go with:

HVAC BrandAverage Price
Amana/Goodman$2,750
American Standard$3,750
Bryant$3,000
Carrier$4,250
Coleman$3,000
Lennox$3,500
Magic Pak$4,750
Mitsubishi$4,500
Trane$6,000
Rheem/Ruud$3,250
York$7,500

It is also worth mentioning that not all units consume the same amount of power; some will have higher energy costs than others. Also, pay attention to the expense of replacing the filters if needed. They don’t all have the same lifespan or carry the same price tag.

3. Consider whether other options could be better suited

Apart from the initial and running costs of a whole-house air purifier, you need to consider whether a whole-house air purifier is right for your home. If the contaminants come from outdoors, a whole-house air purifier is right for you. If the source of your pollution is indoors, you might be better off with a portable air purifier.

Ask yourself: 

  • Do you have an HVAC system installed in your home?
  • Do you have the budget for a whole-house air purifier?
  • Is your home the right size for a whole-house air purifier?

If youโ€™ve checked every box, a whole-house air purifier would be the best way. 

But what if a whole house air purifier is not an option?

If buying a whole-house air purifier isnโ€™t possible for you, I recommend purchasing a portable unit for your home that will still be powerful enough to clean the air in large spaces.

Iโ€™ve picked out three of the best high-powered enough to purify the air in a large area: 

BEST OVERALLFOR TIGHT BUDGETSFOR LARGE SPACES
Levoit EverestAirLevoit Core 600SIQAir HealthPro Plus
Levoit EverestAir Front DesignLevoit Core 600S FireplaceIQair Healthpro plus Corner
Air cleaning speed14 minutes15 minutes25 minutes
CADR363 CFM377 CFM250 CFM
Filter technologyPre-filter, particle filter and carbon filterPre-filter, particle filter and carbon filterPre-filter, HyperHEPA and V50-CELL carbon filter
Max room size563 sq. ft.584 sq. ft.1,125 sq. ft
Weight20.7 lbs (9.38 kg)13.7 lbs (6.2 kg)35 lbs (16 kg)
Our reviewEverestAir reviewCore 600S reviewHealthPro Plus review
Price$189.97$89.99Price not available

Last update on 2026-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

As each of you will have different-sized homes and requirements, Iโ€™ve included three excellent options to suit varying needs and budgets. Each unit has the powerful fans, filters and technology required to clean air in large spaces, so check out the complete list below. 

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

1. Best overall: Levoit EverestAir

The EverestAir is the best Levoit air purifier I’ve tested. It looks good and it cleans the air incredibly fast.

Levoit EverestAir Front Design

Use the discount code HOUSE10 for 10% off when buying directly from Levoit.

On paper, the Levoit EverestAir looks like a powerhouse of an air purifier as it boasts a large fan and a robust Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 360 CFM, so I was excited to test it in our performance room and itโ€™s safe to sayโ€ฆI was impressed. It cleared the contaminants from the HouseFresh testing room in just 14 minutes, making it the second-best-performing air purifier weโ€™ve ever tested.

I lifted off the front grill to reveal Levoitโ€™s 3-filter setup, which includes a washable pre-filter, a HEPA and an activated carbon filter. This thick H13 True HEPA filter will remove more than 99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including allergens, viruses, pollen and bacteria. The activated carbon filter will deal with cooking odors, pet smells, and VOCs.

What we really like

Levoitโ€™s already great Auto Mode is even better on this unit
Features a smart control panel that displays PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 readings 
Sleek design
Voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant 

What we think could be better

The manufacturer’s warranty spans only two years, which seems brief for a premium-level device

One feature I was surprised to see was the ability to change the airflow direction with the touch of a button. With four distinct vent angles, the EverestAir allows you to direct the air output precisely where you need it in your home.

It also includes a timer, sleep mode, turbo mode and an auto mode that automatically adjusts fan speed to counter the amount of pollutants in the air. I tested this out by blowing vape smoke towards the unit. The sensor immediately detected new contaminants, set the fan to a higher speed and showed me how polluted the air was on its AQI (Air Quality Indicator).

Levoit EverestAir Living Room
Levoit EverestAir Replacement Filter
Levoit EverestAir Controls

SPECS & FEATURES

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 375 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 205 cfm
โ€“ AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 365 cfm (dust)
Filtration technology:Removable pre-filter, particle filter and 400g of pelleted activated carbon.
Recommended room size:562 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:18.9L x 8.5W x 23.2H inches (48L x 21.6W x 58.9H cm)
Weight:20.7 lbs (9.39 kg)
Filter lifespan:12-15 months
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 39.1 dB
Speed 2: 43.2 dB
Speed 3: 48.6 dB
Turbo: 57.8 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby mode: 1.26 watts
Speed 1: 9.85 watts
Speed 2: 15.59 watts
Speed 3: 26.6 watts
Turbo: 69.8 watts
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ Read our full review

2. Best budget option: Levoit Core 600S

This is the second best performing air purifier we have tested and it costs less than $300, offering excellent air cleaning speed for spaces of up to 584 sq. ft. 

Levoit Core 600S Dining Room

๐Ÿ’กexclusive code for HouseFresh for 10% off a single purchase on Levoit.com: HOUSE10

Before we bought the EverestAir, the Levoit Core 600S was the king of cleaning performance among our units. With its high Clean Air Delivery Rating (CADR) of 410 CFM combined with a powerful motor, the 600S made light work of our performance tests, is easy to use and comes with all the features Iโ€™ve come to expect from a modern air purifier.

After filling our performance testing room with simulated contaminants, the 600S managed to eliminate them in an outstanding time of 15 minutes at its highest fan speed. When I compare this to some of the other air purifiers weโ€™ve tested, you can see why itโ€™s so impressive.

Their trademarked VortextAir fans allow the unit to draw in vast air from the room through a top-of-the-line H13 True HEPA filter with activated carbon pellets wrapped in a pre-filter, eradicating even the smallest particles.

What we really like

Three stages of filtration, protecting you from both VOC and Particulate Matter particles
Rapid removal of pollutants, even in large spaces
Ultra-quiet on low fan speeds for round-the-clock purification
Easy to control, with a simple touchscreen panel, along with App and Smartspeaker compatibility

What we think could be better

The design of this unit isn’t the most attractive
It would be great to see longer-lasting filters

With a host of smart features, including a timer, sleep mode, display lock and an auto mode that uses the unit’s in-built sensor to monitor the air quality in your room and automatically adjusts its fan speed accordingly. The 600S also uses this data to display your air quality numerically and through an LED light color wheel.

SPECS & FEATURES

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 375 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 156 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

โžœ  Read our full review

3. Best for larger spaces: IQAir HealthPro Plus

This Sweadish-made air purifier is one of the top units on the market and is perfect for spaces as big as 1125 sq. ft. 

IQAir Healthpro Plus Hallway logo

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

If you have a larger space to clean, check out the HealthPro Plus from IQAir. This Sweadish-made air purifier is one of the top units on the market and will offer true peace of mind that your home will be protected from pollutants. When Danny (Founder and Senior Writer) saw this beast of a unit, he bought it with zero hesitation.

What we really like

Incredible filters that last for 5 years!
Trusted by hospitals and schools to clean the air from harmful allergens and viruses
Unrivaled particle removal efficiency
320ยฐ EvenFlow air distribution  

What we think could be better

It is a huge purifier that will need a designated space
Higher initial cost and long-term operating costs than other units on this list

When I first lifted off the top to take a closer look at the HealthPro Plusโ€™s filters, I found three stages of protection. The first is a Pre-Max Filter tackling larger particles such as hair, dust or lint. 

The second is a V5-Cell Filter that contains over 5 lbs of Activated Carbon, and Iโ€™m not talking tiny pieces; there are actual chunks of carbon packed into these filters to capture VOCs, chemicals and odors from the air. HealthPro Plus contains the most activated carbon Iโ€™ve ever seen in an air purifier.

This third was IQAirโ€™s patented HyperHEPA filter, whose innovative design goes above and beyond what you will find in other purifiers, removing 99.95% of ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns in size. 

It may not be as fast at clearing contaminants as the two Levoit units above, but with its vast size, it can clear rooms up to 1125 sq. ft., making it our top recommendation for those of you who have an ample space to clean.

IQair Healthpro Plus Living Room
IQair Healthpro plus Controls
IQair Healthpro V5 Cell 01

SPECS & FEATURES

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 213 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:10 years
Country of origin:Switzerland
Country of manufacture:Germany

โžœ Read our full review

Wrapping up

Whole house air purifiers are great if you have an HVAC system installed in your home. They have the ability to filter contaminants from the air that gets circulated into your rooms. They are great if you live in a highly polluted area. But they are expensive to buy, install and operate, so make sure youโ€™ve calculated all the running costs first.

The simple answer is no; they have a similar objective but use different methods to achieve it.

An HVAC filter is installed to remove particles from the air that it pumps into your entire home. These filters are designed to stop larger particles from passing through but arenโ€™t the strongest at removing the smallest particles that can enter your home, like bacteria & viruses.

A central air purifier is designed to clean the air of a specific space. Air purifiers that use high-grade HEPA filters can remove up to 99.99% of airborne particles. 

Yes, if you have the budget.

If you live in an area with a high amount of outdoor pollution (e.g., If you live in a city, by a busy road, by a factory), an air purifier in an HVAC system will significantly reduce the number of airborne contaminants that enter your home by removing them with its filters.

It all depends on what you need it for.

Whole house air purifiers are able to filter pollutants from outdoor air blown throughout your home utilizing only one unit installed in an HVAC system. Unfortunately, they are only active when the HVAC system is turned on.

Portable air purifiers concentrate on removing contaminants from indoor air in specific spaces. They usually come with highly efficient HEPA filters, and some have extra features like auto mode and air quality monitoring. The downside is they are designed to work in one room at a time.

The best activated charcoal air purifiers

by
AirDoctor AD3500 Activated carbon filter pellets

One of the most common uses of activated carbon is for filtering impurities from drinking water, as it removes dissolved organic molecules, chloramines, chlorine, and some heavy metals. But did you know that it is also used to remove chemicals from the air?

Activated carbon is derived from charcoal and is a form of carbon that has been processed to increase its surface area. When carbon is activated, it has small, low-volume pores that make it possible for a larger number of atoms or molecules to adhere to it.

The process through which activated carbon removes chemical gases from the air is called adsorption and it is not be be confused with absorption.

Through adsorption, odors and VOCs adhere to the carbon surface, effectively being removed from the air. This leads the carbon to become full over time so you need to replace the carbon filter as it becomes unable to continue to remove chemical gases from the air.

The right air purifier with a good amount of activated carbon will be able to rid your air from fumes from household cleaners, cooking, cigarette smoke and organic odors. Specialist models containing large amounts of carbon can also remove volatile organic chemicals (or VOCs), which are man-made chemicals used and produced in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, paints, refrigerants, etc.

Most small to medium-sized air purifiers contain only a small amount of activated carbon, which will get saturated quickly when used in a room with high levels of gases or odors. That is why on this list, we will only recommend devices with large amounts of pelleted activated carbon.

Carbon Quantity AC Infinity

1. AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S8 fan with an 8-inch filter (16 lbs of activated carbon)

This is a DIY specialist device that I built with parts from AC Infinity and the only one with a refillable filter.

AC Infinity Build

Okay, so this is not a traditional air purifier. This is a DIY activated carbon filter that I built with parts from AC Infinity, including a CLOUDLINE S8 fan, two noise reduction clamps, a pre-filter cloth and an 8-inch Carbon Filter with two (2!) years’ worth of carbon refills. The whole setup will set you back just $410, which isn’t a lot compared to other units with large amounts of carbon.

In our VOC removal tests, the AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S8 outperformed all other carbon-packed air purifiers we tested. It’s worth mentioning that performance dropped at top speed, so make sure to stick to speed 5 and below.

VOC Removal Performance AC Infinity

It’s designed for indoor gardeners so it’s supposed to be attached to the wall or ceiling, so when you place it on the floor, the fan blades are exposed. I fixed this by cutting out a circulat piece of carbon-impregnated fabric for the top .

AC Infinity Cover

CONS

This device only removes VOCs from the air. You wonโ€™t get any particle filtration, so you will need to use it alongside an air purifier if you want to remove particles as well as gases and smells.
This isn’t a traditional air purifier. You have to build it yourself and it doesn’t come with any fancy touchscreens or smart features.
It is LOUD. When set to speed 5 (optimal speed), it generates 61.9 decibels. The good news is that VOC removal improves at lower fan speeds.

PROS

The 8-inch carbon filter comes with 16 lbs (or 7.2 kg) of activated carbon, which is the largest amount we have seen.
It is much cheaper than specialist odor-busting units from Austin Air, Allerair and Airpura can cost as much as $1,000.
This filter is refillable, so once the carbon is used up, you can dispose of it and refill the cylinder with more carbon.
The price of a yearsโ€™s worth of carbon is just $89.99! This is A LOT more accessible than the nearly $400 youโ€™re expected to spend on filter replacements with other specialist brands.

Filter technology:VOC and odor adsorption
Carbon type:Australian RC412 at 1200+ IAV (38mm thickness)
Carbon quantity:16 lbs (7.2 kg)
Airflow:857 cfm
Dimensions:Fan: 3.3 x 2.9 x 0.5 inches (8.5 x 3.6 x 1.3 cm)
Filter: 18.1 x 10.9 inches (46 x 27.7 cm)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 37.6 dBA
Speed 2: 45.7 dBA
Speed 3: 50.8 dBA
Speed 4: 57.2 dBA
Speed 5: 61.9 dBA
Speed 6: 66.5 dBA
Speed 7: 71.9 dBA
Speed 8: 74.9 dBA
Speed 9: 77.8 dBA
Speed 10: 79.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:Speed 1: 3.7 watts
Speed 2: 7.4 watts
Speed 3: 12.3 watts
Speed 4: 20.2 watts
Speed 5: 30.3 watts
Speed 6: 43.2 watts
Speed 7: 60.3 watts
Speed 8: 86.2 watts
Speed 9: 113.2 watts
Speed 10: 148 watts
Filter lifespan:12 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

2. Austin Air HealthMate (15 lbs of activated carbon)

This air purifier comes with a mix of activated carbon and zeolite, and it’s one of the few models made in the U.S.

Austin Healthmate Hallway

This is the most powerful air purifier you could get for dealing with VOCs as it contains the largest amount of activated carbon you will find in a residential air purifier (15 lbs). That said, in terms of particle removal, it will only be able to provide five air changes in spaces up to 234 sq. ft. with a PM1 CADR of 156 cfm.

The filter in the HealthMate is larger than most small air purifier models youโ€™ll see ranking highly as best-sellers on Amazon.

Austin Healthmate Filter VS Core 300

Its body is made completely out of metal and you don’t get any fancy features other than a dial to rotate through the different fan speeds.

Austin Healthmate Front

CONS

It’s great at removing odors and VOCs but its particle filtration is on par with much smaller devices like the Levoit Core 300.
It’s a power hungry unit, pulling 147.6 watts at top speed. It would add $164.39 to your energy bill each year to run it 24/7.
The filter replacement is expensive and will set you back $315, but you only need to replace it every five years.
It doesnโ€™t have any smart features or smartphone app connectivity.

PROS

It comes with the largest amount of carbon of all the residential air purifiers we have tested.
The filter has a combination of activated charcoal and zeolite, which increases its efficiency.
It comes with a 5-year warranty.
It’s made in the USA.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:5 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:United States (Buffalo, New York)

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

3. IQAir HealthPro Plus (5 lbs of activated carbon)

An air purifier manufactured in Germany with a large filter packed with 2.26 kg of carbon and KMnO4-impregnated alumina.

IQAir Healthpro Plus Entrance

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

In addition to a large HyperHEPA filter, the HealthPro Plus comes with a V5-Cell, which contains 5.5 lbs of activated carbon and KMnO4-impregnated alumina to increase the effectiveness of the charcoal. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 213 cfm which will provide five changes per hour in rooms up to 319 sq. ft.

The gas filter inside this device is very different from the usual honeycomb rectangular filter you get with most residential air purifiers.

IQair Healthpro plus Activated carbon vs Levit EverestAir

You need to know that this device is large — here you can see how its size compares to the Austin Air HealthMate (above).

IQAir Healthpro Plus VS Austin Healthmate

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.
It is big and heavy but it comes on wheels and a large handle on top that make it easy to move around the house.

PROS

Even though it comed with 5 lbs of activated carbon, it still offers solid particle removal performance thanks to its large HyperHEPA filter.
It is manufactured in Germany and the performance of each unit is manually tested before itโ€™s delivered to your home.
It comes with a 10-year warranty, compared to the 1-year warranty you get with most other air purifiers.
The filters can last up to 4 years, when most units come with filters that need to be replaced every 6-12 months.

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 213 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:10 years
Country of origin:Switzerland
Country of manufacture:Germany

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

4. Smart Air Blast MKII (3.74 lbs of activated carbon)

A commercial air purifier with excellent particle removal performance and a large H13 HEPA filter with optional pelleted activated carbon.

Smart Air Blast MKII

PRICE AT amazon PRICE AT SMART AIR

The Blast is a commercial air purifier completely made out of metal that can handle the bumps and scrapes of a busy environment, making it perfect for classrooms, offices, event venues and gyms. Based on our tests, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 547 cfm so it can clean the air five times per hour in large spaces up to 820 sq. ft.

The Blast has the third largest amount of carbon (3.74 lbs) we have seen after the IQAir HealthPro Plus and Austin Air HealthMate.

Smart Air Blast Carbon Filter

Whether you choose to go with HEPA only or HEPA + Carbon, the filters in the Blast is much larger than what youโ€™ll see in a standard air purifier.

Smart Air Blast Danny

CONS

It comes at a high price (costing nearly $1,000) but doesn’t have any smart functions.
This unit is extremely heavy, weighing 38 kg — the good news: it comes on wheels.
The design feels quite utilitarian so it wonโ€™t be a good fit for everyone.
It will add $136.29 to your yearly energy bill.

PROS

It has unmatched raw air cleaning power: the Blast is the fastest air purifier weโ€™ve ever tested (PM1 CADR 547 cfm).
It offers great performance even at its quietest speeds — we estimate 375 cfm at speed 1 while generating just 41.9 dBA.
The stainless steel body makes it durable in the long run.
It’s a set-and-forget air purifier without any apps or fancy modes, and you can use it with a smart plug.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 547 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 375 cfm
– Manufacturer provided PM2.5 CADR: 559 cfm
Filter technology:H13 HEPA particle filter with optional activated carbon filter (3.74 lbs)
Recommended room size:820.5 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:22.6L x 14.4W x 25.3H inches
Weight:59 lbs (38 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 41.9 dB
Speed 2: 49.4 dB
Speed 3: 54.7 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 56.3 watts
Speed 2: 94.5 watts
Speed 3: 133.5 watts
Filter lifespan:19 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of origin:China
Country of manufacture:China

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

5. Alen BreatheSmart 75i (3.6 lbs of activated carbon)

An air purifier with a H13 HEPA filter and 1.63 kg of pelleted activated carbon that comes with smartphone connectivity.

Alen 75i Corner

The 75i is the largest and most powerful air purifier from Alen’s BreatheSmart line. Based on our particle removal tests, we estimated a PM1 CADR of 333 cfm, which will be able to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 448 sq. ft.

There are different filters available but the one that has the largest amount of activated charcoal is theย Freshย filter, which comes with a HEPA H13 filter and 3.6 lbs of carbon.

Alen 75i V2 Carbon filter

It also has a high quality laser particle sensor onboard, an air quality indicator in the form of an LED ring in the control panel and smartphone connectivity through the Alen app.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i Controls

CONS

Itโ€™s a large and heavy unit that wonโ€™t fit in small spaces. That said, it is MUCH smaller than the IQAir HealthPro Plus and the Smart Air Blast (above).
It comes with an ionizer function, but you can switch it off and this wonโ€™t impact the performance of your 75i.

PROS

It removed all PM1 particles in our test room in 18 minutes at top speed, while generating a relatively quiet 57.5 dBA.
It offers good quiet performance with 164 cfm when running at speed 2, while generating just 40.2 dBA.
You get real-time air quality readings at the top of the device through a color-coded air quality indicator light.
It comes with a lifetime warranty from Alen, as long as you buy filter replacements directly from them.

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 333 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 164 cfm
โ€“ 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.ย (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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:Lifetime (with product registration & active filter subscription)
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

Special mentions

The air purifiers with large amounts of carbon that didn’t make the cut, but that might be a good choice for you.

โžœ Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 or BP04

With a list price of around $1,000, these Dyson Big+Quiet units are pretty expensive. In terms of particle removal performance, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 198 cfm at top speed, which is powerful enough for rooms up to 297 sq. ft. (or 27 mยฒ).

Dyson BP06

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

In terms of carbon, it comes with a pretty unique wraparound filter that is made out of carbon-impregnated fabric and packs 1.9 lbs (900g) of carbon. The BP06 and the BP04 both performed well in our VOC removal tests but the filters become saturated quickly.

Dyson BigQuiet Carbon Filter

โžœ Levoit EverestAir

This is a premium model from Levoit that comes with app support, a laser dust sensor, adjustable vents and wheels to move it around your house. It has a PM1 CADR of 375 cfm so can clear rooms up to 562 sq. ft. (52mยฒ).

Levoit EverestAir Hallway

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

It has a bonded filter with a side of gas filtration and another side of particle filtration. The gas filter comes with just 0.88 lbs (400g) of carbon, which isn’t a lot. That said, it ranked 5th in our VOC removal test – not bad!

Levoit EverestAir Activated Carbon Filter

โžœ AirFanta 3Pro

This is the cheapest option on my list. The 3Pro is box with four PC fans on top and a filter at each side. Even though it’s small, it offers a whopping PM1 CADR of 353 cfm so can clean the air five times per hour in spaces up to 529 sq. ft. (49 mยฒ).

AirFanta 3Pro Living Room

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

You can get a HEPA only version but for $180, you can get a HEPA + carbon version which comes with bonded filters packed with 1.3 lbs (or 600g) of activated carbon pellets to tackle unwanted odors and small levels of VOCs.

AirFanta 3Pro Carbon Filters

โžœ Levoit Core 400S (with Smoke Remover filter)

This is a cylindrical air purifier from Levoit that usually goes on sale for less than $200 and has a PM1 CADR of 249 cfm – this is powerful enough to clean the air five times per hour in spaces no larger than 373 sq. ft. (34 mยฒ).

Levoit Core 400S Living Room 2 logo

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

You get multiple filter options: The Original filter has 240g of carbon. The Pet Allergy and Toxin Absorber filter have 400g of carbon. Finally, the Smoke Remover filter comes with 450g of carbon.

levoit core 400s filters

Final thoughts

Many cheap air purifiers include carbon, such as the Levoit Vital 200S and the Coway Airmega Mighty2. However, while these will be fine to deal with the mild odors created in a home, they will be unable to deal with major issues with VOCs and gasses such as cigarette or cigar smoke.

If you have a serious issue with chemical gasses, you will need an air purifier with a large filter packed with as much pelleted activated carbon as possible to ensure the carbon doesn’t become saturated too soon.

I hope the above guide is helpful and be sure to email me if you have any specific questions or issues that you need help with.

And if you’ve got a specific air purifier in mind, you might want to use our comparison tool to see how it compares to other models we have tested:

The best air purifiers for cigarette smoke

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Cigarette smoke

According to the CDC, 11.6% of all adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes and 3.7% smoke cigars; if thatโ€™s you, then you most likely donโ€™t mind the odor, but that potent smoke can travel far.

Cigar and cigarette smoke can enter your home from neighbors or even from one person smoking as they walk by. The smell is pervasive and can make it hard to sleep or spend time in a room where the smoke has invaded.

We all know the dangers of secondhand smoke. Still, smoke particles from cigarettes can even cause thirdhand smoke, a residue of toxic particles that becomes embedded in furniture, carpet or walls. Thirdhand smoke particles can last for years and remain toxic as long as they are in your home. 

While there are things you can do to clear smoke from a room, a long-term solution is to get an air purifier. This will allow you to remove smoke particles and odors before they cause harm.

Cigarette smoke is one of the hardest pollutants to remove, so I included only air purifiers that excelled across all our tests and have filters packed with activated carbon pellets.

Tip

You should know that no consumer air purifier can reduce the risk of lighting a cigarette in your room. There are many dangers of this beyond just the particles and odors, and we recommend you always go outside or, if you have the funds, look at a commercial smoke eater device, but be aware that you are looking at costs of $3k and up.

1. Best overall: AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S8 fan with refillable carbon filter

A specialist device with a refillable filter packed with 16 lbs of activated carbon.

AC Infinity Build

To remove the gases and smells from cigarette smoke from your air, you need to look beyond traditional air purifiers. Standard models usually use gas filters with a small amount of charcoal that will become saturated quickly in spaces with high levels of VOCs. For serious cigarette smoke issues, I suggest you build your own odor-busting device with parts from AC Infinity.

My recommendation is to go with AC Infinity’s CLOUDLINE S8 fan, an 8-inch Carbon Filter, two noise reduction clamps and a pre-filter cloth. All parts will set you back around $410.

AC Infinity HouseFresh Parts

When using it on the floor, the fan blades are exposed at the top. To fix this, I cut out a circular piece of carbon-impregnated fabric and placed it above the fan before adjusting the top clamp. This also reduced carbon particles floating around.

AC Infinity Cover

In our VOC removal tests, this AC Infinity build outperforming every other carbon-packed air purifier. We found that performance dropped when you set it to speed 6 and above.

VOC Removal Performance AC Infinity

This could be explained by the fact that this 8-inch Carbon Filter from AC Infinity is packed with 16 lbs (or 7.2kg) of activated carbon pellets. And the best thing about it is that it is refillable, so you can replace the carbon when it’s used up.

Carbon Quantity AC Infinity

CONS

This device only removes gases and odors from the air. You wonโ€™t get any particle filtration, so you will need to use it alongside an air purifier with a MERV 13 or HEPA filter if you want to remove smoke particles too. A cheap model could work.
This isn’t a traditional air purifier. You have to build it yourself and it doesn’t come with any fancy touchscreens or smart features.
It is LOUD. When set to speed 5 (optimal speed), it generates 61.9 decibels. The good news is that VOC removal improves at lower fan speeds.

PROS

The 8-inch carbon filter comes with 16 lbs (or 7.2 kg) of activated carbon, which is the largest amount we have seen.
It is much cheaper than specialist odor-busting units from Austin Air, Allerair and Airpura can cost as much as $1,000.
This filter is refillable, so once the carbon is used up, you can dispose of it and refill the cylinder with more carbon.
The price of a yearsโ€™s worth of carbon is just $89.99! This is A LOT more accessible than the nearly $400 youโ€™re expected to spend on filter replacements with other specialist brands.

Filter technology:VOC and odor adsorption
Carbon type:Australian RC412 at 1200+ IAV (38mm thickness)
Carbon quantity:16 lbs (7.2 kg)
Airflow:857 cfm
Dimensions:Fan: 3.3 x 2.9 x 0.5 inches (8.5 x 3.6 x 1.3 cm)
Filter: 18.1 x 10.9 inches (46 x 27.7 cm)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 37.6 dBA
Speed 2: 45.7 dBA
Speed 3: 50.8 dBA
Speed 4: 57.2 dBA
Speed 5: 61.9 dBA
Speed 6: 66.5 dBA
Speed 7: 71.9 dBA
Speed 8: 74.9 dBA
Speed 9: 77.8 dBA
Speed 10: 79.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:Speed 1: 3.7 watts
Speed 2: 7.4 watts
Speed 3: 12.3 watts
Speed 4: 20.2 watts
Speed 5: 30.3 watts
Speed 6: 43.2 watts
Speed 7: 60.3 watts
Speed 8: 86.2 watts
Speed 9: 113.2 watts
Speed 10: 148 watts
Filter lifespan:12 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

2. Best traditional option: Austin Air HealthMate

An air purifier made in the USA with a filter packed with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite mix.

Austin Healthmate TV Room

If you’re looking for a more traditional air purifier that offers both odor and particle filtration, the HealthMate from Austin Air might be just the thing. Unlike the AC Infinity DIY unit above, the filter in this model also has a layer of HEPA filtration that will remove allergens from the air.

It has a metal body that is robust and heavy but comes on wheels to move ir around your house. You also get a dial to change between fan speeds.

Austin Healthmate Front

In terms of size, it is small enough to fit in the corner of a room. The top is completely flat so it can double as a table, which is handy.

Austin Healthmate TV Room

It comes with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite mix and reached excellent results in our VOC removal test, second only to the AC Infinity.

Austin Healthmate Filter

Its particle removal performance isn’t great though, with a PM1 CADR of 160 cfm that is powerful enough for rooms smaller than 15 m2 (169 sq. ft.)

Austin Air HealthMate HouseFresh Test

CONS

At maximum fan speed, it pulls 148 watts which are on the higher side compared to similar-performing units,
It has no app support, on-board sensor or smart features.
At 61.5 dBA, it gets pretty loud when running at top speed.

PROS

You get 15 lbs of activated carbon with zeolite, which is the largest amount we have seen in a traditional air purifier.
Filters can last up to five years before they need to be changed. That said, this depends on how much cigarette smoke you’re trying to remove from the air.
It has a one-dial operation that is easy to use right out of the box.
It comes on castor wheels that run well.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:5 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:United States (Buffalo, New York)

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

3. Best cheap option: AirFanta 3Pro

An air purifier powered with quiet and energy-efficient PC fans and packed with 1.3 lbs of activated carbon.

AirFanta 3Pro Sidetable

The AirFanta 3Pro is a small box with a plastic base, one filter at each side and four PC fans on top, inspired by the design of the Corsi-Rosenthal box. You can buy one without carbon for 165 bucks but if you stretch your budget to $180, you can get four bonded filter with particle filtration on one side and pelleted carbon on the other.

This air purifier is smaller than most popular air purifiers – small enough to fit on top of a side table or a window sill, and it still packs incredible air cleaning power.

Airfanta 3Pro VS Coway Mighty

Based on our tests, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, which means it can clean the air five (5!) times per hour in rooms up to 49 m2 (529 sq. ft.).

AirFanta 3Pro HouseFresh Performance Chart

The carbon filters come packed with 600g (or 1.3 lbs) of activated carbon pellets, making this an excellent budget option for those wanting to tackle cigarette smoke.

AirFanta 3Pro Carbon Filters

And something cool about the 3Pro is that you can disassemble it in just a few minutes to take it with you when you travel.

AirFanta 3Pro Travel Backpack

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of origin:China
Country of manufacture:China

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

Special mentions

Other air purifier models that didn’t make the cut, but that could be a good choice for you.

I have tested over 140 different air purifiers in the past six year and, along the way, we have found some incredible units. Below I share some excellent air purifiers for tackling cigarette and cigar smoke, in case you find they are available in countries where my top picks are not.

โžœ Levoit EverestAir (400g of carbon)

With a list price of $449.99, this is a premium model from Levoit that comes with all the bells and whistles: an onboard sensor, smart functions, app connectivity and even adjustable vents at the top. Keep an eye out for Black Friday deals.

Levoit EverestAir Hallway

It ranked 5th in our odor removal test and we calculated a PM1 CADR of 375 cfm, so I recommend it for rooms up to 52 m2 (or 562 sq. ft.). It’s also very quiet and not too power-hungry. READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

Levoit EverestAir HouseFresh Test Data

โžœ Dyson Big+Quiet BP06 or BP04 (900g of carbon)

The Big+Quiet line includes the best-performing air purifiers I’ve tested from Dyson. They ranked 4th in our odor removal test and we estimate a PM1 CADR of 198 cfm, which will be powerful enough for spaces no larger than 27 m2 (or 297 sq. ft. ).

Dyson BigQuiet BP06

It comes with a HEPA filter that removes smoke particles from the air and a wraparound carbon-impregnated filter that adsorbs VOCs from burning cigars and cigarettes. The filter only lasts a few months but it works. READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

Dyson BigQuiet BP06 Carbon

โžœ Alen BreatheSmart 75i (3.6 lbs of carbon)

The BreatheSmart 75i from Alen ranked 3rd in our odor removal test. We calculated a PM1 CADR of 333 cfm, which will be powerful enough to clean the air in rooms up to 41 m2 (or 448 sq. ft. ) five times per hour.

Alen 75i Corner

To tackle cigar and cigarette smoke, you should choose Alen’s Fresh filter which comes with 3.6 lbs (or 1.6kg) of activated carbon pellets and a layer of H13 HEPA that will also remove particles from the air. READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

Alen 75i V2 Carbon filter

Or if you already have a specific model in mind and would like to know how it compares to other models, you should definitely check out our comparison tool to see how different air purifiers did in our range of tests including air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy consumption and long term running costs.

You can also explore our leaderboard with the scores and test data for every air purifier I have tested so far โ€“ just use the search bar to look for specific brands and models, or filter the results based on your budget to find the best-performing models overall and also those that provide the best value for your money:

Units we don’t recommend for cigarette and cigar smoke:

  • PuroAir 240 – This is a hyped unit that simply lacks the performance to back it up. Smaller devices like this have very low CADR and small amounts of carbon so will lose effectiveness quickly with a pollutant like cigarette smoke.
  • Levoit LV-H132 – I was shocked to see this device recommended for smoke by a well-known magazine. While it’s cheap, its performance in our particle removal test was very poor. It took 1 hour and 38 minutes to make our test room clean. It is underpowered for most situations, but it would be dangerous if you relied on it to remove smoke.
  • Okaysou AirMax 10L Pro – A super popular air purifier thanks to its slick use of TikTok influencers, but it failed to match our expectations. It cleaned our test room in 4 minutes, longer than the much cheaper Core 300, and it made claims about its 5-in-1 filter technology that werenโ€™t true.
  • Jaspr – This is a big air purifier with a CADR of 353 cfm and one pound of (or 453g) or carbon, which isn’t bad but won’t be enough to help with cigarette smoke. The main reason why I don’t recommend it is that it costs nearly $1,200 to buy and you can expect to pay an additional $704.36 per year in electricity bills and filter replacements. Way too expensive for what it is.
  • Levoit LV-H128 – At less than $40, this is a great price but a terrible air purifier as it took 2 hours and 42 minutes to clean our test room of 728 cubic feet of particle pollutants measuring at least 1 micron. It will be totally useless for any-sized room to deal with smoke from cigarettes and cigars.
  • Molekule Air Mini+ – You have probably seen adverts for this good-looking device from Molekule. We were a little suspicious of its PECO technology, and it took almost an hour to bring down the levels of PM1 to breathable levels. At this price level, itโ€™s just a total waste of money, and you are better off with any of the other air purifiers we recommend. There is even a class action settlement in progress for devices sold by this brand.

What to look for when buying an air purifier for smoke

1. A minimum of 5 air changes per hour in your room

Many air purifier manufacturers overstate the room size they can work in. While the EPA recommends a minimum of five air changes per hour, many brands will give the room size for 1 air change. 

Be very wary of manufacturers who donโ€™t provide a CADR rating or donโ€™t send their devices to AHAM for testing, as we have seen many of these devices exaggerate their performance when we test them ourselves.

Measuring room for air purifier

One air change is almost useless, especially with something as pervasive as cigarette or cigar smoke. 

That is why when we list room sizes, we always base them on their reported CADR and the maximum size when providing at least 5 air changes per hour. 

To make things simpler, we produced a tool that tells you the CADR in CFM you need for your room size – enter your room size and adjust the ceiling height if required and our tool will let you know what CADR is needed:

2. A serious amount of activated carbon

While HEPA and MERV 13 filters do a great job of removing particles from the air, these filters can’t do anything against odors and gases from cigarette smoke. Instead, you will need a gas filter with a large amount of activated carbon that can adsorb and remove gases and odors from your air.

When it comes to activated carbon, bigger is better, which is why the top two choices we recommend for dealing with smoke are to measure their carbon filters in lbs. 

AC Infinity Filter
Austin Healthmate Filter

Look for activated carbon filters that use pellets instead of impregnated fabric, as they will last longer and will be more effective at removing odors.

Wrapping up

Whether you found the unit that sounds right for you in this guide or will keep browsing the internet for other options, make sure to check if the one that catches your eye has the right CADR to clean your space and comes with enough activated carbon to actually be helpful in removing cigar and cigarette smoke from the air.

If you have any question that I havenโ€™t covered in this guide, please from a comment below or send me an email to danny@housefresh.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

October 20th, 2026:

  • Reduced the size of the photos on the page to help make the page faster for readers.

August 28th, 2026:

  • Replaced the IQAir HealthPro Plus with the AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S8 fan + 8-inch carbon filter after completing our new round of VOC removal tests.
  • Replaced the Levoit Core 600S with the AirFanta 3Pro with carbon as the best option for those on a tight budget.
  • Added the Jaspr to the section of units we don’t recommend.
  • Created a new section with ‘Special mentions’ to include three models that performed well in our VOC removal test but didn’t make the main list.
  • Added our comparison tool and full ranking to the page.

January 14th, 2026:

  • Added ‘Jump to’ sections for easier navigation.

June 23rd, 2025:

  • Fixed a few typos.
  • Updated the selection of air purifiers we don’t recommend based on our latest tests.

May 12th, 2025:

  • We removed the Mila air purifier because we found the performance and overall design of the Alen Breathsmart 45i to be of better value.
  • Updated data points with our latest test results.
  • Improved guide to focus on carbon filter quantities.
  • Added charts with particle removal performance data.
  • Added detail on how we test air purifiers.

Vaping indoors? These air purifiers will reduce secondhand vape exposure

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air purifiers for vaping header 1

An increasing number of countries across the globe are banning e-cigarettes. In the U.S., the use of e-cigarettes in public places has been banned in cities and towns across 47 states, with the only ones that do not regulate indoor vaping being Nebraska, Nevada, and Tennessee.

As the crackdown on e-cigarettes intensifies, it leaves fewer options for consumers to find a place to vape. And this makes vaping at home the most obvious option, since you can vape when and where you want. But indoor vaping has one drawbackโ€”nicotine build-up and smell. 

Although vaping is considered a healthier alternative to smoking, it creates smelly fumes containing chemicals and compounds that pollute the indoor air. In this guide, I’ll share the best air purifiers on the market for people who vape indoors, based on our first-hand data after testing nearly 150 different models.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

1. Best for most people: Levoit Vital 400S (with Smoke Remover filter)

If you choose the Smoke Remover filter, you’ll get 450 grams of activated carbon pellets to remove vape fumes from the air.

Levoit Core 400S Living Room

With a list price of $219.99, the Levoit Vital 400S is an affordable air purifier for those looking to remove vape smoke from the air in medium sized rooms up to 373 sq. ft. (or 35 m2).

To tackle vape odors and chemicals, you will need a good amount of activated carbon. The Core 400S offers the largest amount across all Levoit air purifiers.

carbon filters compared

As you’ll find with other Levoit air purifiers, there are different filter options with the Core 400S. Make sure to choose the Smoke Remover filter, as that is this custom filter comes packed with 450 grams of activated carbon pellets.

400s smoke remover filter scaled

The filter is cylindrical and offers three levels of filtration, with a pre-filter mesh on the outside, a particle layer in the middle and the carbon on the inside.

Core 400S filter

It also has a laser sensor that tracks air quality in real time, so you can leave your Core 400S running in the background autonomously.

Core 400S control panel

CONS

The filter is bonded so the particle filter is attached to the gas filter. This means, you will need to replace the whole thing when the carbon gets full – which might happen within a few months if you vape a lot.
Levoit originally marketed the filter as HEPA but it later removed all mentions after Dyson challenged this claim. This doesn’t affect performance but it’s worth mentioning it.
It is louder at top speed (60.3 decibels) compared to more modern air purifiers, like the Coway Airmega Mighty2.

PROS

It only needed 24 minutes to clear our test room of incense smoke โ€” we estimate a PM1 CADR of 249 cfm.
It is energy efficient, drawing 38 watts on its highest speed setting
The cylindrical design takes up less floor space than the traditional boxy air purifier design.
It offers great performance at sub-45 dBA fan speeds (134 cfm).

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 249 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 134 cfm
โ€“ AHAM PM2.5 CADR: 247 cfm (dust)
Filtration technology:Pre-filter, particle filter and pelleted activated carbon
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):373 sq. ft. (35 mยฒ)
Dimensions:10.8L x 10.8W x 20.5H inches (27.4L x 27.4W x 52H cm)
Weight:11.2 lbs (5 kg)
Filter lifespan:6 months
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Sleep mode: 35.5 dBA
Speed 1: 38.3 dBA
Speed 2: 43.2 dBA
Speed 3: 51.2 dBA
Speed 4: 60.3 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby: 0.93 watts
Sleep mode: 3.05 watts
Speed 1: 5.28 watts
Speed 2: 8.51 watts
Speed 3: 16.41 watts
Speed 4: 39.64 watts
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

2. Best for heavy vapers: Austin Air HealthMate

This air purifier is made in the U.S. and comes with 15 lbs of activated carbon – the most you can get in a residential air purifier.

Austin Healthmate Hallway

If you live in a house with multiple people who vape, or you consider yourself a heavy vaper, then the Austin Air HealthMate might be just the thing you need.

The filter inside is larger than most small air purifiers and it comes packed with 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite mix – the largest quantity we’ve seen in a residential unit.

Austin Healthmate Filter

In terms of size, it takes up more space than the Levoit Core 400S (above) but the top is completely flat, so it could make for a handy side table.

Austin Healthmate TV Room

It’s sturdy and made completely out of metal, but you don’t get any smart features or an onboard sensor. There is only a dial to switch between fan speeds.

Austin Healthmate Front

The downside is that its particle removal performance isn’t great. We estimate a PM1 CADR of 160 cfm, so it can clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 15 m2 (169 sq. ft.)

Austin Air HealthMate HouseFresh Test

CONS

At maximum fan speed, it pulls 148 watts which are on the higher side compared to similar-performing units,
It has no app support, on-board sensor or smart features.
At 61.5 dBA, it gets pretty loud when running at top speed.

PROS

You get 15 lbs of activated carbon with zeolite, which is the largest amount we have seen in a traditional air purifier.
Filters can last up to five years before they need to be changed. That said, this depends on how much cigarette smoke you’re trying to remove from the air.
It has a one-dial operation that is easy to use right out of the box.
It comes on castor wheels that run well.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:5 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:United States (Buffalo, New York)

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

3. Best cheap option: AirFanta 3Pro (with carbon)

This PC fan-powered air purifier comes with four filters packed with 1.3 lbs of activated carbon in total.

AirFanta 3Pro Living Room

The AirFanta 3Pro is a box that you’ll have to build yourself but it will only take you a couple of minutes. You place the plastic base on the floor, a filter at each side and secure everything togther with the array of PC fans on top.

You’ll find that the 3Pro is small enough to fit on top of a side table, so it can be a good option for those with limited space.

AirFanta 3Pro Sidetable

But don’t let the size fool you! This is a powerful air purifier with a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, so it clean the air five (5!) times per hour in rooms up to 529 sq. ft. (or 49 m2).

AirFanta 3Pro HouseFresh Performance Chart scaled

To deal with vape fumes, you need to get the $180 version, which comes with four bonded filter with particle filtration on one side and activated carbon pellets on the other.

AirFanta 3Pro Carbon Filters

Just like the Austin Air HealthMate (above), the 3Pro doesn’t come with any smart features or app support. You will get a controller to adjust the fan speed.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of origin:China
Country of manufacture:China

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

4. Best tabletop option: Levoit Eleva 300X

A small cylindrical air purifier you can buy for less than $130 that can tackle vape fumes in small spaces.

Levoit Eleva 300X HouseFresh

The Eleva 300X is a new model from Levoit that has come to replace the popular Core 300S for a cheaper price. If you’re looking for a small air purifier you can have on top of a side table or in a small space, this is my top pick.

Based on the results of our particle removal test, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 165 cfm so it’s powerful enough to clean the air five times per hour in rooms up to 247 sq. ft. (or 23 m2) while generating just over 55 dBA.

Levoit Eleva 300X Review CADR Sound Energy

In terms of design, it comes with a laser sensor, smart features like auto-mode and app support through the VeSync app.

You get two separate filters: a HEPA filter for particles and a carbon filter for odors and gases. To deal with vaping fumes indoors, I recommend you to get the Premium carbon filter as it comes with 260g of activated carbon.

It has a touchscreen at the top with particle readings from the sensor and there’s also an LED ring that changes color based on the air quality.

CONS

You must register the filters to pair them to the device. If you donโ€™t do this, you lose the filter lifespan tracking function.
The use of AI in the data reporting seems to add complexity and lag for no obvious benefit.

PROS

It offers excellent value for your money! It has the lowest cost per CADR across all other small units Iโ€™ve tested.
Its performance at quiet fan speeds rivals that of the $349 Dyson HushJet Compact but for a much cheaper price.
You get two separate filters for particles and gases โ€“ no more all-in-one cylindrical filters youโ€™ll be throwing away sooner than you need to.
It comes with a high quality laser sensor that provides data on PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particle levels.
The new app enables a Dynamic Manual mode Iโ€™m in love with: you can manually set your Eleva to run at speed 2, for example, while also allowing it to momentarily go up to Turbo whenever the sensor notices a rise in pollutants.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 165 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 115 cfm
Filter technology:Separate HEPA particle filter and gas filter with activated carbon pellets.
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):247 sq. ft. (23 m2)
Dimensions:9.4 x 9.4 x 15.1 in (23.8 x 23.8 x 38.3 cm)
Weight:9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Sleep mode: 35.8 dBA
Speed 1: 36.8 dBA
Speed 2: 39.8 dBA
Speed 3: 44.9 dBA
Turbo speed: 55.4 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby: 0.65 watts
Sleep mode: 1.85 watts
Speed 1: 5.33 watts
Speed 2: 6.91 watts
Speed 3: 10.03 watts
Turbo speed: 23.91 watts
Filter lifespan:HEPA filter: 2 years
Carbon filter: 6 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 years
Country of origin:United States
Country of manufacture:China

READ MY FULL REVIEW โžœ

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW โžœ

Find the best air purifier for you

If you already have a specific air purifier model in mind, you can use our comparison tool to see how it compares to other air purifiers we have tested, based on results on their air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy consumption and long term running costs.

You can also explore our leaderboard with the scores and test data for every air purifier I have tested so far โ€“ just use the search bar to look for specific brands and models, or filter the results based on your budget to find the best-performing models overall and also those that provide the best value for your money:

And if you’re still unsure, drop me a comment below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

The best air purifiers for bacteria and viruses, based on 80+ tests

by
IQair Healthpro plus Corner

Bacteria and viruses are one set of pollutants you really want to keep at bay.

While other pollutants, be it dust mites or cooking odors, are inconvenient, bacteria and viruses can wreak havoc on your health in no time at all.

We have all witnessed the devastating effects viruses and bacteria can have on our society. As recent global events like the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the importance of stopping the spread of infection in our homes and workplaces. 

Guidance from health authorities like the CDC and NHS now recommends using HEPA-equipped air purifiers to curb the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19. Advice that, if shared earlier, could have helped save lives and open up public spaces sooner.

Microscopic bacteria and virus particles can be introduced into a space by an infected person or recirculated as you clean down surfaces and vacuum flooring. 

Once inside, they can remain suspended in the air for hours and soon start accumulating in an enclosed space.

UVGI devices 1

To reduce this build-up of particles, you should aim to change the air inside your space as often as possible. This can be achieved by opening doors and windows and by utilizing a fan or HVAC system. However, the average home only manages to complete 0.5 air changes per hour. 

Air purifiers, on the other hand, can achieve much better air circulation. With the right unit, you should be able to see as many as 5 air changes per hour. Plus, if equipped with medical grade H13 filters, it can remove the smallest bacteria and virus particles, leaving clean and healthy air to be redistributed throughout your space.

Bacteria and virus particles will exist in every home. Whether the cold and flu virus, mold, E. coli, salmonella, or even super viruses such as MRSA. If left unchecked, exposure to these particles can have severe health implications.

As these particles are so small, they can remain airborne for hours. This is where an air purifier can help keep your home free from viruses and bacteria. When compiling this list, Iโ€™ve paid close attention to units utilizing HEPA filters (ideally H13 certified) to guarantee the removal of the smallest virus particles. 

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Having analyzed our testing data, I have selected the best air purifiers for bacteria and viruses available on the market right now.

Staff pick: IQAir HealthPro Plus

With industry-leading filter technology, the HeathPro Plus is trusted in hospitals around the world.

IQAir Healthpro Plus Hallway logo

$1,199.99 at IQAIR U.S. $1,199.99 at amazon

IQAir has been in the air purification business since 1963, making it a leader in the industry. It is a family-owned business headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Germany, the U.S. and China. All their air purifiers are developed in Switzerland, with manufacturing facilities located in Switzerland and Germany.

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is a powerful air purifier perfect for large rooms up to 1,125 square feet, winning several awards for its performance in cleaning indoor air, including the top air purifier award from the Evening Standard in the UK. 

IQair Healthpro plus Corner

What we really like

Each unit is tested in a lab before being sent to customers
High-grade filters combined with a large amount of activated carbon
Independently tested filters that can remove 99.5% of particles as small as 0.003 microns 
The filters can last up to four years
It comes with a 10-year warranty

What we think could be better

The price is quite high for 300 CFM performance
It requires extra space due to its large size
With no smart features and a plain appearance, the design of this unit is a little dated

Part of the reason why the IQAir HealthPro Plus is so well regarded is due to the powerful filtration under the hood. The HealthPro Plus employs what the company calls HyperHEPA filtration technology, which is independently verified to capture ultra-fine particles that are ten times smaller than a virus.

When we tested this air purifier in our home lab, we weren’t surprised to see how fast it could clear the air from incense smoke pollutants and the associated smells. You can see the speed at which the HealthPro Plus works in the video below:

The filter of the HealthPro Plus also contains a powerful V5 Cell activated carbon filter that removes odor, VOCs and other gaseous pollutants from the air in your home.

IQair Healthpro V5 Cell 01
IQAir Healthpro Plus V5 Cell Close Up

Unfortunately, all this high-performing technology comes at a cost. With each unit made and tested meticulously in IQAirsโ€™ Swiss factory, the HealthPro Plus is the most expensive unit on our list. Having tried this unit in my home for a while, I can testify that it is worth the price.

IQair Healthpro plus Controls
IQAir Healthpro Plus Controls

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 213 cfm
โ€“ 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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:10 years
Country of origin:Switzerland
Country of manufacture:Germany

Read our full review

Best for less than $200: Winix 5500-2 

The Winix 5500-2 provides comprehensive cover from bacteria and viruses without costing a fortune.

Winix 5500 2 TV Room

Winix has been making air purifiers since the 70s, so it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about keeping indoor spaces free from pollutants like bacteria and viruses. Each of their units is designed and made in South Korea to meet the needs of the modern user in a complex, modern world.  

Despite its wallet-friendly price tag, the Winix 5500-2 ticks all the right boxes. It provides powerful air circulation in rooms up to 360 sqt ft. and high-quality filters to remove tiny particles, which we saw firsthand during our air cleaning speed test, where it cleared all traces of simulated pollutants in just 19 minutes. Another key stat to take away is the excellent CADR score of 240 CFM. This figure is AHAM verified and really drives home the great value on offer.   

What we really like

Performs just as well as units twice its price
The units Plasmawave technology (ionizer) can be switched off
Without its ionizer, it completed our speed test just 3 minutes slower than with it switched on. (22 vs 19 mins)
It uses True HEPA filters that are independently tested
Youโ€™re able to remove and clean the unitโ€™s pre and carbon filter

What we think could be better

When comparing the speed performance without an ionizer, the Levoit Vital 200S is slightly faster
Important to remember to switch off the Plasmawave if you are immunocompromised
No Winix app for remote operation

The 5500-2 uses a True HEPA filter that, according to Winix, is capable of capturing 99.99% of the particles as small as 0.003 microns. This means even the most minuscule virus particles will be removed from the air. The 5500-2 also comes with a pre-filter and activated carbon filter. both of which are removable and washable to keep them performing at their best for longer.

This unit also uses Plasmawave, which is just a fancy name for an ionizer. For those who have respiratory conditions, the good news is that this function can be switched off completely. And even without it, you wonโ€™t see a drop off in air cleaning functionality either โ€” we ran two tests with this unit, and without its ionizer, it completed our speed test just three minutes slower.  

Winix 5500 2 Controls
Winix 5500 2 HEPA filter

HouseFresh rating:โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
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
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:2 year
Country of manufacture:South Korea

Read our full review

Best for large spaces: Smart Air Blast Mini

The Blast Mini is a behemoth air purifier that will surprise you with its super quiet operating volume.

Blast Mini Living room

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.
ยฃ432 AT SMART AIR UK

Smart Air is relatively new to the market, but their Blast Mini air purifier is a force to be reckoned with despite its โ€œMiniโ€ title. The Smart Air Blast Mini is a high-capacity, quiet HEPA air purifier effective for schools, hospitals and homes. This unit can deliver 820 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air, making it excellent for use in large spaces of up to 915 sq. ft. 

What we really like

True HEPA 13 filters and activated carbon filters
Despite being the most powerful unit on this list, it remains the quietest weโ€™ve tested when used at its top speed
Simple design, which makes it easier to operate
High-capacity purifier can deliver 820 CFM
It comes on castor wheels for easier maneuverability

What we think could be better

A very heavy unit, weighing a whopping 59 lbs
It doesnโ€™t include an activated carbon filter as a standard
It may prove to be overkill for the average home

The Blast Mini comes equipped with a True H13 HEPA filter, capable of capturing both 0.3-micron and 0.07-micron particles. These filters can effectively eliminate dangerous airborne viruses, bacteria and other pollutants from the indoor air. A heavyweight activated carbon filter also traps gaseous pollutants such as radon, smoke and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Blast Mini Close up
Blast Mini Filter 1

The Blast Mini is easy to operate as it lacks intelligent controls. It only features one dial that allows you to select between its three-speed settings. While you wonโ€™t find a smart sensor or digital display, youโ€™ll appreciate its power and ability to deliver clean air in extra-large rooms. 

Blast Mini Back
Blast Mini Control panel

Clean air delivery rateย (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 400 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 272 cfm
โ€“ Manufacturer provided CADR: 437 cfm
Filter technology:H13 HEPA filter (and optional pelleted activated carbon filter)
Recommended room size:600 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour):
Dimensions:22.6L x 13W x 24.8H inches (57.5L ร— 33W ร— 63H cm)
Weight:59 lbs (26.8 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 44.9 dB
Speed 2: 51.2 dB
Speed 3: 56.3 dB
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 51.9 watts
Speed 2: 87.4 watts
Speed 3: 122.7 watts
Filter lifespan:13 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:1 year
Country of origin:China
Country of manufacture:China

Read our full review

Other air purifiers that can help with bacteria and viruses

  • Honeywell HPA300 – With a CADR of 300 CFM (509 mยณ/h), the HPA300 is a powerful air purifier for rooms as large as 465 sq. ft. that will cost you less than $250. It uses True HEPA filters, so you can rest assured that virus and bacteria particles as small as 0.3 microns will be removed. This unit didnโ€™t make our staff picks because it is a little dated (no smart functions) and, despite being Energy Star certified, it is power-hungry in comparison to more modern air purifiers.
  • Alen BreatheSmart 75i – The Alen 75i is an excellent air purifier for large rooms up to 1,300 sq. ft. It boasts a CADR of 347 CFM and comes equipped with a True HEPA filter and large amounts of activated carbon, meaning it can remove 99.99% of airborne contaminants down to 0.1 microns as well as odors and VOCs. The 75i didnโ€™t make the staff picks because it is bulky and it comes at a high price tag, considering its performance.
  • Mila Air Purifier – Packed full of high-tech air sensors, the Mila is the smartest purifier on the market, with a CADR of 263 CFM (447 mยณ/hr) and a selection of seven customizable HEPA filters to tackle the main indoor pollution issues the average household is likely to experience. It looks like a beautiful piece of furniture but it didnโ€™t make it to our staff picks list because it is really expensive due to the eight sensors that make the smart magic happen.

  • Levoit Vital 200S – With a CADR of 245 CFM, the Levoit Vital 200S is capable of delivering 5 air changes an hour in a room as large as 375 sq. ft. This makes it one of the best-performing air purifiers on the market for less than $200. Levoit currently advertises that the Vital 200S comes with a medical grade H13 HEPA filter, but this unit didnโ€™t make the staff picks because we canโ€™t 100% trust that claim after Levoit had to stop advertising the use of True HEPA H13 filters in other units after being challenged by Dyson through the BBB National Programs National Advertising Division (NAD).

The units we tested but donโ€™t recommend for bacteria and viruses

  • Austin Air HealthMate – With one of the biggest carbon filters out there, the Austin Air certainly has its merits. When it comes to bacteria and viruses, however, I found it lacks the air cleaning speed to capture particles before they pose a threat. 
  • Levoit EverestAir – Despite being the fastest air purifier weโ€™ve ever tested, we wanted to focus our top picks for bacteria and viruses on units that use medical grade HEPA filters, which are guaranteed to remove the smallest particles.

  • Levoit Core 300S – For everyday use, the 300S is a great, cost-effective unit. Yet as a small unit with less powerful fan speeds, itโ€™ll struggle to make a dent if pitted against a room with a high viral load.

  • Blueair Blue Pure 211+ – Blueair makes a range of excellent air purifiers, with the 211+ being the pick of the bunch. But their stellar performance is seriously let down by the fact you canโ€™t switch off the unitโ€™s ionizer function. This feature is far from ideal for any users with immunodeficiency disorders or respiratory issues.

What to look for when buying an air purifier for bacteria and viruses 

1. Does the air purifier use high-quality filters? 

Air entering the air purifier will pass through a series of filters responsible for removing pollutants such as bacteria and viruses. 

To remove these particles effectively, the air purifier must use high-quality filters. A great rule of thumb is to look for the HEPA certification. This guarantees the filter will be able to remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns – the average particle size of a virus. 

Variations of HEPA Filtration

Many other types of filters exist, including HEPA-type, UV-C, Ionizoer and PECO. After reviewing each of these types of filters, I advise you to steer well clear of any unit that relies on these technologies. 

HEPA-type and PECO are simply not good enough to remove the smallest particles. While Ionizers and UV-C technology, which is often described as a bacteria neutralizer, can be even more problematic as they have both been found to emit ozone into the atmosphere. Which in turn can trigger respiratory conditions and exacerbate illness and disease. 

2. Is the air purifier powerful enough for your space?

As the CDC recommends a minimum of 5 air changes per hour to reduce the risk of viruses such as COVID-19, youโ€™ll need to ensure the air purifier you choose is powerful enough to achieve such results. 

Manufacturers often share a recommended room size for each of their units to allow consumers to gauge if the purifier can adequately circulate the air in their space. 

This is a good starting point to help you narrow down options, but I recommend looking into each option’s CADR score for a better (and independently verified) picture of how powerful an air purifier is. 

Use our easy-to-use calculator below to find the minimum CADR requirements an air purifier will need to circulate air effectively in your specific space.

3. Is the air purifier easy to live with?

Bacteria and viruses exist in our homes around the clock, so in order to remove particles and limit your exposure, youโ€™ll likely need to use your air purifier 24/7 too. 

This means you need to consider how much the purifier will cost to run and whether or not it will create sound volumes that will disturb your day-to-day life.

During our hands-on air purifier reviews, we measure the watts consumed on each speed setting as well as the volumes an air purifier creates. Be sure to check out our findings on your chosen air purifierโ€™s in-depth review or take a peek at the Specs and Features table found below each unit in this article. 

Common questions about air purifiers, bacteria and viruses

Studies have found that approximately 60% of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections affecting humans are contracted indoors.

The most common viruses found indoors are:

  • The common cold is characterized by sneezing, a runny or congested nose, sore throat, coughing, watery eyes and sometimes fever.
  • The flu is marked by fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
  • Bronchitis presents with chest congestion, wheezing, coughing, headaches, body aches, fever and fatigue.
  • Gastrointestinal infections lead to symptoms like gastroenteritis, diarrhea and vomiting.

Common bacteria found in homes include:

  • Staphylococcus can induce skin infections ranging from minor boils to severe antibiotic-resistant or flesh-eating conditions, depending on the strength and depth of the infection.
  • Bacillus is associated with two forms of food poisoning โ€” a rapid-onset variation with nausea and vomiting and a slower-onset version with diarrhea.
  • Micrococcus can provoke skin infections with intense itching, occasionally escalating to severe conditions like septic shock and pneumonia.
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis triggers TB disease, and the symptoms depend on where TB bacteria are growing in the body. Typically, TB bacteria grow in the lungs and can cause bad cough, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or phlegm, fatigue, fever and lack of appetite.

Germs spread through direct and indirect contact. Through direct contact, germs can spread person-to-person through a handshake, hugs, or kissing. As for indirect contact, they move around via people touching a surface with germs and then touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). They can spread through saliva as well from sharing drinks.

Germs can also be airborne. When someone coughs or sneezes, the droplets fly into the air, containing contagious bacteria and virus particles. They can travel up to 6ft away, remaining airborne for hours at a time, before landing on either a surface or another person.

Understanding the difference between bacteria and viruses requires some biological insight. With bacteria, they are free-living cells. They can survive as quickly outside a body as they can inside it. On the other hand, viruses are a collection of non-living molecules. So, they need a host to live.

Viruses are some of the smallest airborne particles found inside the home, measuring as small as 0.1 micron. So in order to remove them, youโ€™ll need an air purifier with dense enough filters.

Filters are made up of tightly woven fiberglass strands. How well they perform correlates to how dense these strands are packed, which creates a tighter net to catch particles. 

Look out for a HEPA certification to identify a quality filter that will work against the smallest virus particles. This sliding scale determines how effective a filter is, ranging from H10 HEPA, which is guaranteed to remove 85% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, to H14 HEPA, which can remove 99.995% of particles:

Variations of HEPA Filtration

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have looked into how effective HEPA filters are at removing coronavirus particles, which can measure as small as 0.1 micron. Results showed that HEPA filters were highly effective at removing the microscopic virus, with increased air changes leading to a 99.97% removal rate.

Portable air purifiers have seen an increase in popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed to be worn on a necklace by the user, they claim to offer protection from viruses in the wearer’s immediate airspace.

Although this sounds like a great idea in practice, in reality, the technology isn’t there just yet. 

As these are super small devices, they lack the powerful fans and filters required to circulate air and remove pollutants before being inhaled by the user. Instead, manufacturers are opting for ionizer technology to achieve better results. 

Besides running the risks of exposure to ozone with this filtration method, it can also act as a magnet for harmful pollutants. As the ions attach to the virus particles, they then land on your clothing, skin or face without being drawn into the personal purifier device – actually increasing the risk of being exposed to a viral pathogen.  

An independent study looked into personal purifier effectiveness, with pretty dismal results. Having tested four different options, each utilizing an ionizer to enhance performance, three units only managed to clear 10% of particles from the controlled space. With even worse performance expected in the real world.

Similar to viruses, air purifiers can work wonders against bacteria if they possess powerful fans and quality filters. 

Bacteria particles range between 1 and 10 microns, meaning they fall within the size range that HEPA filters can remove.  

Remember that an air purifier can only remove bacteria particles that are airborne. Bacteria that exist on surfaces like handrails, cell phones and tables will continue to pose a threat. Use your air purifier in conjunction with regular sanitizing of surfaces for comprehensive protection.

Wrapping up

Bacteria and viruses are sadly a part of life, and each time you go outside, there’s a chance you or your family can bring them back home. So, one of the best ways to combat this situation is by installing a high-quality air purifier in your rooms.

Air purifiers can reduce contaminants like germs, as they contain HEPA filters of different gradients. Household air purifiers’ most effective HEPA filters are H13 or medical grade. These will clear 99.99% of pollutants like bacteria and viruses from the air in your home.

You must choose the right air purifier for the size of your room. Choosing one too large or too small wonโ€™t work as efficiently as it should. So make sure to measure your space before shopping.

At HouseFresh, we have been reviewing air quality products since 2010. In all these years, we learned not to rely on manufacturers’ claims and the ever-so-glowing marketing materials. That is why we buy products with our own money, so we can write unbiased reviews after we’ve had enough time to evaluate air quality products in our home lab. Every unit we recommend has been thoroughly tested to assess its performance, energy consumption, and noise levels emitted in real-life environments. If you have any questions about our testing process for different types of air quality products, just drop us an email at danny@housefresh.com.