Coway Airmega ProX review

Coway Airmega ProX TV Room

The highest CADR air purifiers I have tested were designed for commercial spaces.

But what if you wanted something that not only looks good in the home but also comes with all the features you expect from a residential air purifier? Enter the Coway Airmega ProX.

The ProX is the largest model in the Coway Airmega line of air purifiers. But does size equal better performance? We bought one to find out.

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

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

The pros and cons of the Coway Airmega ProX

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

โ€œThe ProX isnโ€™t cheap, is heavy and takes up a lot of spaceโ€ฆ but I have to say Iโ€™m a big fan.

I like that Coway has dropped the use of an ionizer that we have seen in older models but still managed to provide outstanding air cleaning power with mechanical filtration alone. And they did this without the loud noise and high energy consumption that usually comes with high CADR.”

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
Danny Ashton
HouseFresh Founder
& Lead Tester

CONS

The replacement filters are expensive and will set you back around $200 each year.
The bonded filter design means you will need to replace a perfectly good HEPA filter if the carbon element runs out first.
The filter covers sometimes will pop off when you lift the ProX using the handles on each side.
It takes up a lot of space.

PROS

It has an incredible performance-to-noise ratio. It’s powerful and quiet in a way that surprised me.
It comes with a responsive and low-maintenance laser particle sensor.
It has very low energy consumption for a device with such high CADR.
Coway included thoughtful ‘smart’ features, like the light sensor for auto-sleep mode.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):โ€“ Top speed PM1 CADR: 462 cfm
โ€“ Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 299 cfm
โ€“ AHAM dust CADR: 586 cfm
Filter technology:Two washable pre-filters and two Max2 filters (Green True HEPA and activated carbon)
Recommended room size:693 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:18.9 x 36.6 x 24.3 in (48 x 93 x 62 cm)
Weight:51 lbs (23kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:Speed 1: 37.4 dBA
Speed 2: 44.4 dBA
Speed 3: 53.6 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:Standby mode: 0 watts
Speed 1: 11.76 watts
Speed 2: 26.09 watts
Speed 3: 58.88 watts
Filter lifespan:12 months
Manufacturerโ€™s warranty:3 years
Country of origin:South Korea
Country of manufacture:China

Filtration technology

You get Coway’s signature Green True HEPA and pelleted activated carbon, times two.

The ProX has two sets of Max2 filters, one at each side, and unlike the popular AP-1512hh, it doesnโ€™t come with an ionizer function.

Coway Airmega ProX Filters

The filters themselves are bonded filters that combine two Green True HEPA filters with an activated carbon filter.

The filters are bonded, so you’ll need to replace them once the carbon is full, which might happen before the particle filter is at the end of its life.

Coway ProX Carbon

According to this Redditor, the Max2 filters in the ProX container 0.88 lbs of pelleted activated carbon. Be aware that this won’t be enough to address serious odor and VOC issues.

Design, controls and app features

It has the same retro feel as other new Airmega models, with muted colors and hard lines.

The ProX is the largest air purifier weโ€™ve tested from Coway, weighing 51 lbs (23.1 kg).

Coway Airmega ProX TV Room

Considering how heavy it is, I was glad to see it has four wheels to move it around – great for hard floors, not so great for carpets.

If you want to lift it, you can use the handles at each side of the device.

ProX Handle issue

The only problem is that if you pull the handles from the wrong angle, you will end up removing the filter coverโ€ฆ which is a little annoying.

It doesnโ€™t include app support, but it has a laser sensor and customizable auto modes.

Coway Airmega ProX Controls

You also get an air quality indicator at the far right, in the form of an LED light that changes color based on your air quality.

Coway ProX Fans

The large body of the ProX houses two fans stacked on top of each other on either side of the device, which is something I had never seen before.

Air cleaning performance

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

Coway Airmega ProX Test

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows that the ProX needed 13 minutes to reach PM1 zero. Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 462 cfm.

This makes the Airmega ProX powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in large rooms up to 693 sq. ft.

As you can see from the chart, 13 minutes is the same amount of time it took for our DIY 30×20 Corsi-Rosenthal Box to reach PM1 zero:

Coway Airmega ProX HouseFresh Test

The only device to perform quicker than this was the even larger Smart Air Blast, which completed our particle removal test in a speedy 11 minutes.

We repeated our particle removal test three times across all available fan speeds, which allowed me to estimate PM1 CADR at each fan speed:

Coway Airmega ProX CADR

BUT looking at the results of our air cleaning tests in isolation wonโ€™t tell us the full story…

Sound levels

The sound levels of the ProX range from 37.4 dBA to 53.6 dBA โ€” considerably quieter than every single large air purifier we have benchmarked it against.

Coway ProX Sound Test HouseFresh

As I always say, if your air purifier is too loud, someone in the house will eventually turn it off.

That is why I used our BAFX sound meter to measure how much noise in decibels the Airmega ProX generates at each fan speed from 3 ft. away:

Coway ProX Sound Results

I was surprised by how quiet the ProX is! Hitting 53 dBA at top speed is nothing considering its power.

When comparing particle removal speed to noise levels at top speed, it becomes clear that Coway has nailed performance at quiet operation:

Coway Airmega ProX Top speed sound

I repeated the HouseFresh CADR test at each fan speed with excellent results.

At speed 2, it reached PM1 zero in 20 minutes while generating 44.4 dBA. And at speed 1, it took 28 minutes at just 37.4 dBA.

Coway Airmega ProX Sound

When we compare this to other high-CADR air purifiers, you can see that, in terms of quiet performance, the ProX is only outmatched by the much larger Blast from Smart Air. And itโ€™s clear that even at speed 1, this device delivers excellent air cleaning performance without the noise.

Long-term running costs

Running a Coway Airmega ProX will cost you $264.64 per year, combining energy and filter replacement costs.

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

Coway ProX energy consumption

At speed 3, the ProX pulls 58.88 watts. Running it at top speed 24/7 for one year will add $65.54 to your energy bill, based on the average U.S. electricity price of 0.1268/kWh at the time of our test.

After conducting our particle removal test, I knew the Airmega ProX offers impressive raw performance, but I didn’t expect it would deliver this high CADR with such low energy consumption.

So I went one step further and created a chart to compare its CADR, noise levels AND energy usage at quiet fan speeds to see how the ProX compares to other popular high-CADR air purifiers:

Coway ProX CADR energy sound

As the table above shows, the Coway Airmega ProX delivers incredible CADR at lower fan speeds without excessive energy use or noise, vastly outperforming most large air purifiers I benchmarked it against. The exception would be the Luggable XL-7, which is A LOT more energy efficient and noticeably quieter than the ProX — that said, it’s not nearly as powerful.

But letโ€™s look at the other main factor affecting yearly running costs: filter replacements.

According to Coway, you can expect to change filters every 12 months, and you can buy a new filter set for $199, so you can expect to spend $199 each year on filter replacements alone.

We can add this to energy costs to work out the total yearly cost and compare it with the other devices Iโ€™m benchmarking the ProX against:

Coway Airmega ProX Running Costs

$199 for a set of filters is steep, and it pushes the total annual cost to over $260, which is more than the Alen 75i and Levoit EverestAir, and doesn’t come close to the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 with its standard 3M HVAC filters.

Bottom line: Should you get a Coway Airmega ProX?

The ProX is one of the best options for those looking for an air purifier to help with dust, pollen, pet allergens, or smoke in large spaces.

Coway Airmega ProX Kids room

The ProX isnโ€™t cheap, is heavy, and takes up a lot of spaceโ€ฆ but I have to say Iโ€™m a big fan.

I like that Coway has dropped the ionizer we saw in older models without dropping performance. Even without the ionizer, the ProX still provides outstanding air-cleaning power with mechanical filtration alone. And they did this without the loud noise and high energy consumption that usually comes with high CADR.

This air purifier doesnโ€™t have an app. However, it still comes with a ton of features that most consumers will appreciate, such as a customizable auto mode, a particle sensor, an air quality indicator, a child lock, and the ability to adjust the sensor’s sensitivity.

Coway also innovated in how the ProX handles sleep time. Instead of a useless sleep mode, the ProX running in auto mode will automatically switch all lights off without you needing to do anything else. It won’t disturb your sleep, but it will ramp up the fan speed when detecting pollutants in the air.

Coway Airmega ProX Side

And even if you were to leave your ProX running at speed 1 all day, it would still provide you a higher CADR than you would get from a medium-sized unit like the Levoit Core 400S running at full speed.

For those looking for an air purifier to help with dust, pollen, pet allergens or smoke in large spaces, the Coway Airmega ProX is one of the best options out there because it wonโ€™t cost you an arm and a leg to run, it will offer excellent performance at quiet operation AND it will look good in your home while itโ€™s at it.

Sadly, it is only available in the U.S. right now but I’ll update the review if that changes.

Now, for those looking for the best bang for buck, know that PC fan models like the Luggable XL-7 and the AirFanta 3Pro will still provide a lot more value — and you will be able to get multiple of these devices for the price of the ProX.

ProX first year cost

And if youโ€™re looking for a high CADR air purifier for a commercial space, an office, or a classroom, then check out the Smart Air Blast, which will offer more air cleaning power than the ProX with a full metal body and no smart features, so you can set it and forget it.

But for those who want a large unit that looks good AND has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a standard consumer air purifier, the Airmega ProX is a solid choice.

If you do decide to buy one, please use this link to support the work we do here at HouseFresh. In doing so, we will receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you that we will use to continue buying and testing air quality products.

Did I miss any details? Do you have any questions I left unanswered? Just drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I see it.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 review

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Living Room

Today, I am excited to review another PC fan-powered air purifier: the Luggable XL from CleanAirKits, a business operating out of Missouri.

CleanAirKits came about in 2022 as an online community of engineers from around the world experimenting with PC fan-powered Corsi-Rosenthal boxes. The goal was to design a solution that could offer air cleaning in a quiet, cheap and efficient way to keep classroomsโ€™ air clean and safe after mask mandates were dropped.

The result? A series of snap-together kits that aim to bring energy-efficient and super quiet PC fan-powered air purifiers to as many people as possible. 

We received tons of messages from readers after we published our review of the Nukit Tempest asking us to test a DIY air purifier kit from CleanAirKits, so I hope you will find this review insightful and helpful in your search for the best PC fan-powered unit for your home.

It was great to see that CleanAirKits offers several different options with each device they sell on their online shop: you can choose the number of fans, the type of wood, the size, and even whether you want your kit pre-built. 

As with all the air purifiers we reviewed here at HouseFresh, we bought the device from CleanAirKits ourselves. We do this for two reasons: Firstly, we want to remain unbiased, without any special relationship or deal with the manufacturer. Secondly, we like to experience the full customer journey just as you would.

If you buy a CleanAirKits Luggable XL through one of the links on this page, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to youโ€”this is how we can afford to spend months testing air purifiers like this one.

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

Iโ€™m based in the UK, so I chose to go with one of the kits available for international customers: the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Sickleflow. We paid ยฃ176 for the kit that includes everything except for the filters, and then we added two Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 for ยฃ88.47. 

If you are in the U.S., you can get the same kit for $227, and the filters will be much cheaper at around $45. If youโ€™d like to go with the pre-built option with filters included, that figure will go up to $299.

The lowdown on the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
โ€œThis DIY PC fan-powered air purifier reached the top tier of our ranking with two MERV 13 filters and without any ionization or electrostatic filtration technology.

The CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 has convinced me that PC fans are the future of air purification.โ€
โ€” Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

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

What we really like

This air purifier is the best-performing air purifier we have ever tested under 40dB.
It offers solid air cleaning performance, making it a good choice for spaces as large as 485 sq. ft.
The DIY kit comes with everything you need, except for the filters.
It was relatively easy to build, compared to other DIY kits like the Tempest or the NorthBox.
It is lightweight and looks pretty good, considering itโ€™s a thing you can build yourself at home.

What we think could be better

The mesh filter guard is an optional extra that will set you back $100.
My wife (who is 5’2″) reported not being able to use the handle to move the Luggable from room to room without dragging the device on the floor.
The case is built with lightweight wood, which looks great but is not as durable as harder materials like the metal in the Tempest.

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

The best Luggable XL-7 feature: Only 38.8 dB of noise without compromising on air cleaning power

The Luggable XL is a great choice for classrooms, offices and rooms where a quiet environment is important.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Living Room

One would think Iโ€™d get used to quiet operation after having tested and reviewed five different PC fan-powered air purifiers, but the CleanAirKits team really pushed the limits with the Luggable XL. 

When running at top speed (which is also the only speed), the Luggable XL-7 hit 38.8 dB(A). That is as quiet as leaves rustling, and it compares incredibly well against other air purifiers we have tested:

As you can see, CleanAirKitsโ€™ choice of Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 fans paid off: the Luggable XL is the quietest air purifier we have tested to date even when compared against other PC fan-powered devices (in red).

A lightweight, thin, good-looking CR box

Combining a lightweight wood case, seven PC fans and two 20x25x1 MERV 13 filters.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Front

The design of the CleanAirKits Luggable XL is inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box, but looks a lot slicker and is easier to move from room to room.

The Luggable XL’s body is made of hardboard panels and houses only two filters (versus four in the CR box), one on each side. We bought the XL-7 model, which has seven PC fans on top and two more on one of its sides.

One of the big downsides of the original Corsi-Rosenthal Box is that they are very big, take up a lot of floor space and can potentially look pretty ugly if you suck at DIY as much as I do. 

CR

However, you canโ€™t say the same about the CleanAirKits Luggable XL.

While itโ€™s certainly less durable than the steel used for the Nukit Tempest, the Luggable XL is truly lightweight, and it looks modern and cleanโ€”especially when compared to the CR box:

CR Box VS CleanAirKits Luggable Front

However, keep in mind that even though itโ€™s not as deep as the CR Box, the Luggable will be wider than other similarly-powered air purifiers if you use it with the five filters on top. 

That said, you can turn it on its side to have the shorter side on top and this will reduce its width. See how it compares to the Smart Air SA600 in the photo below:

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Smart Air SA600

When it was time to buy the Luggable XL, I chose the DIY kit to assemble it at home. I was pleased to see that it came with clear instructions. 

Inside the box, I received seven Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 PC fans, four hardboard panels (one with an integrated handle), a power supply, internal pre-tensioner cords, foam tape strips and seven fan guard grills. The whole process took me around 45 minutes but bear in mind that Iโ€™m not great at building stuff.

The internal pre-tensioner cord helped me neatly connect all the PC fans, while keeping the cables out of the way of the filters for when the time comes to replace them.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Open

I particularly like the side suitcase handle as it makes it easy for me to grab my Luggable to move it around the house. That said, my wife (who is much shorter than me) mentioned that it would be great to have a handle on the longer side of the Luggable as the current placement means that she will drag the device on the floor.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Handle

If you prefer, you can get a mesh filter guard, which may improve durability and looks. Personally, I quite like the open filter design, but if you want the mesh, it’s another $85.

For a more interesting look, they sell versions that are higher priced but made with Cherry wood, starting at $285 without filters.

cherry wood cleanairkits

Tip

If you choose to buy the DIY kit, be aware that it doesnโ€™t come with any filters.

Two widely available MERV 13 filters

You can choose any 20×25 MERV 13 filters. CleanAirKits recommends 3M Filtrete MPR1900+, and I agree with their recommendation.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Fireplace

On their website, CleanAirKits recommends two 3M Filtrete MPR1900+ filters, but you can use any other brand of MERV 12 or MERV 14 filters, which is the beauty of PC fan kits like this one.

However, be aware that if you donโ€™t go with Filtrete, you will need to use 2-inch thick filters to get the same level of performance. This means that the filters will stick out a little more compared to how they look when you use the Filtrete MPR1900 or MPR2200 filters.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Fans

After testing multiple MERV filters with other DIY air purifiers, I have to say I really like how well-constructed the filters from Filtrete are. They are sturdier and hold their shape incredibly well, thanks to the thick cardboard border.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Filter inside

Tip

At the moment, there are no carbon filters available for the Luggable XL-7, so if you are looking for a PC fan-powered air purifier to help you deal with odors and gases, then I recommend you check out the AirFanta 3Pro instead.

The Luggable XL-7 cleared our test room in 23 minutes

As fast as the Winix 5500-2, the Levoit Vital 200S and the Smart Air SA600.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Closeup

After some controversy with the r/AirPurifiers subreddit, CleanAirKits sent the Luggable to Intertek for AHAM AC-1 CADR testing. The report is here and shows the following figures:

  • Smoke: 259 cfm
  • Dust: 323 cfm
  • Pollen: 370 cfm

Based on dust CADR figures, I expected our performance results for the Luggable XL-7 to be somewhere between the Levoit Core 400S (247 cfm, 28 minutes in our test) and the Levoit EverestAir (365 cfm and 18 minutes in our test).

We tested the Clean Air Kits Luggable in the same 728 cubic feet test room where we tested 90+ different air purifier models since 2020. By testing every device in the same room doing the same job (removing incense smoke), we can quickly compare performance across devices.

Our trusted PurpleAir Zen laser particle counter shows that the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 reached PM1 zero in 23 minutes.

I knew CleanAirKits had built something special with the Luggable, but I didnโ€™t know it would be so special.

This DIY PC fan-powered air purifier reached the top tier of our air purifier ranking with two MERV 13 filters and without any type of ionization technology.

Check out how its performance compares to other air purifiers in its same price range:

AIR PURIFIER MODELTIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOMPRICE
Levoit Vital 200S23 minutes$189.99
Smart Air SA60023 minutes$279.95
AirFanta 3Pro17 minutes$159.99
Winix 5500-2 (with ionizer)23 minutes$249.99
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-723 minutes$299.00
Corsi-Rosenthal Box32 minutes$85.00
Nukit Tempest31 minutes$300.00
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH (with ionizer)26 minutes$229.99

The Luggable XL-7 performs as well as popular retail HEPA air purifiers coming from well-known brands such as Levoit, Winix, Coway and Smart Air. 

Noise levels, compared

While air cleaning performance is very important, if the air purifier sounds like a jet engine then it will be turned off. That is why we use a sound level monitor from 3 ft. away to record the sound levels generated by air purifiers at each fan speed.

Now, the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 has made my job easier as it has only one speed. In our test, I recorded 38.8 dB on average, which is incredible.

The first PC fan air purifier we ever reviewed was the Nukit Tempest with Artic P14 fans and it generated 41.8 dBA of noise โ€” super quiet! However, the Luggable XL-7 with its 120 SickleFlow fans is even quieter.

AIR PURIFIER MODELSOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dBA)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOMPRICE
Levoit Vital 200S57.7 dB(A)23 minutes$189.99
AirFanta 3Pro56.3 dB(A) 17 minutes$159.99
Smart Air Blast Mini56.3 dB(A)15 minutes$599.00
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-738.8 dB(A)23 minutes$299.00
Winix 5500-258.9 dB(A)23 minutes$249.99
Levoit EverestAir57.8 dB(A)16 minutes$499.99
Corsi-Rosenthal box60.7 dB(A)32 minutes$85.00

The background noise in our house is around 35.5 dBA, so I would often forget that the Clean Air Kits Luggable XL was runningโ€”which is exactly what you want from an air purifier.

But listen for yourself:

Most air purifiers we test sit between 50-60 dBA at their highest fan speed, could be considered too loud for some use cases such as a classroom, an office or any other space where you need quiet. That’s why we recommend that most people choose bigger devices than they need and run them at lower fan speeds. 

When comparing the Luggable XL-7 to popular air purifiers running at fan speeds that generate less than 45 dBA (suitable for classrooms and offices), we found that even at these lower speeds, other devices canโ€™t compete with the low level of sounds generated by the CleanAirKits device:

AIR PURIFIER MODELSOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dBA)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT LOWEST SPEED
Levoit Vital 200S - Speed 241.9 dB(A)40 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 4.84v38.1 dB(A)31 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 8.01v47.2 dB(A)17 minutes
Smart Air Blast Mini - Speed 144.9 dB(A)16 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-738.8 dB(A)20 minutes
Winix 5500-2 - Speed 2 (no ionizer)42.5 dB(A)43 minutes
Levoit EverestAir - Speed 139.1 dB(A)25 minutes
TaoTronics AP-003 - Speed 242.8 dB(A)39 minutes
Air Doctor 3000 - Speed 140.2 dB(A)43 minutes

As you can see from the table, some of our most highly recommended air purifiers running at sub-45dBA fan speeds are still louder than the Luggable XL-7 running at its main fan speed.

The only device that got close to the Luggable XL-7 in terms of noise levels generated was the $500+ Levoit EverestAir. However, running at this low speed, the EverestAir couldnโ€™t match the air cleaning performance of the Luggable, and needed five additional minutes to complete our particle removal test.

So, when you account for sound levels, the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 offers just incredible air cleaning performance.

The cost to run a CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7: $58.16 per year

The use of PC fans and HVAC filters leads to lower long-term running costs, compared to traditional HEPA retail devices.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Dining Room

1. Electricity costs = $12.22 per year

We used a power meter to measure how much energy is pulled by the Luggable XL-7 when running at its only fan speed. Similarly to what we saw with noise levels, the energy consumption of the Luggable XL is also very low: 10.55 watts with all seven PC fans running.

Energy consumption figures are even more impressive when we compare the Luggable XL-7 with other devices running at their top speed:

AIR PURIFIER MODELENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT TOP SPEED
AirFanta 3Pro43.2 watts17 minutes
PuroAir 24036.2 watts51 minutes
NorthBox 6XL [P14Max Build]15.4 watts22 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S44.5 watts23 minutes
Smart Air SA60053.8 watts24 minutes
Winix 5500-2 53.8 watts23 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-710.5 watts23 minutes
Corsi-Rosenthal box46.7 watts32 minutes
Nukit Tempest [P14 Build]8.8 watts39 minutes

The only air purifier I have tested that pulls less energy than the Luggable XL-7 is the Tempest by Nukit.

When compared with other devices running at lower fan speeds, the energy difference is less pronounced in itself but it becomes clear how powerful the Luggable XL is in terms of air cleaning:

When you account for energy usage and air cleaning speed at sub-45 dBA fan levels, the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits is much more efficient than mostโ€”especially when compared to standard retail HEPA devices.

Clearly, CleanAirKits made a solid choice going for the super energy-efficient Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 fans. 

If you were to leave your Luggable XL-7 running 24/7 all year around, it would add $12.22 to your energy bill in a year. This is one of the lowest we have seen!

The Luggable XL-7 uses a 12V power supply, so you can connect its cable directly to a battery pack using a USB-C adapter.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Cable

This means you can use this air purifier on the go and in locations where you might not have an easily accessible power outlet. 

According to the CleanAirKits website, a 20,000mAh battery can last 12 hours. Just be aware that not all battery packs work at full voltage. My Anker PowerBank worked well, if you want to try it.

2. Filter costs = $45.94 per year

As with any air purifier, the filters for the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 will need to be replaced eventually.

CleanAirKits recommends replacing the filters every 12 months, but filter life will be dependent on the air quality in your area and the severity of the issues youโ€™re tackling with your air purifier.

The recommended Filtrete MPR1900 filters cost $45.94 for two, so this is how much youโ€™d need to spend on filters each year.

Sale
3M Filtrete MPR 1900 20x25x1
  • MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR SANCTUARY: 2-pack of 3-month pleated 1โ€ Filtrete 20x25x1 MPR 1900 AC Furnace Air Filter helps capture unwanted particles from your household air to contribute to a cleaner, fresher home environment
  • DIFFERENT FROM NOMINAL SIZE: Slightly different from the nominal size, this air filterโ€™s exact dimensions are 19.69 x 24.69 x 0.78
  • TOP PICK: Selected by The New York Times Wirecutter for its ability to clean the air of ultrafine particles without straining your HVAC system.
  • EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY: HVAC filter designed with Filtrete 3-in-1 technology to pull in and trap unwanted particles, allowing cleaner air to flow through

The total cost of running your CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 all year is $58.16. This also compares favorably with other air purifiers we have tested: 

AIR PURIFIER MODELESTIMATED ELECTRICITY COST (per year) FILTER REPLACEMENT COST (per year)YEARLY MAINTENANCE COST
Nukit Tempest$9.25$40.86$50.11
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7$12.22$45.94 $58.16
Levoit Vital 200S$46.83$49.99$96.82
Corsi-Rosenthal box$50.56$60.32$110.88
AirFanta 3Pro$46.56$78.67$125.23
Winix 5500-2$57.82$79.99$137.81
Smart Air SA600$63.07$54.99$118.06

With its significantly reduced energy costs and the ability to use HVAC filters, this air purifier offers excellent performance at much lower running costs than a traditional HEPA retail device.

Bottom line: Is the Luggable XL from CleanAirKits worth it?

When you take into account sound levels generated and energy consumption, the Luggable XL-7 can out-clean anything sold in retail. 

The Luggable XL-7 is the quietest, most cost-effective high CADR air purifier we have tested. This is a highly contended spot in our rankings as we believe that the Holy Grail of air purification is a device that can move a lot of air quickly without excessive noise or long-term running costs.

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Front room

I appreciate that CleanAirKits has been making kits for a while, and it shows. They are continually improving their designs to make them easier to construct. The Luggable is easier to put together compared to the other DIY kits like the Nukit Tempest. However, it is worth mentioning that the Tempest’s steel material will likely be more durable than the Luggableโ€™s hardboard body, That said, the fact that the case material is more flexible makes adding the filters easier compared to the inflexible metal case of the Tempest. So you get pros and cons with both.

With the Luggable XL, CleanAirKits has convinced me that the PC fan DIY kit movement is the future of air purifiers. The big benefit of DIY air purifier kits like the Luggable XL is that they are repairable and much more environmentally friendly than a traditional shop-bought air purifier. These devices have been designed with easily available parts and filters. 

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Open

If you donโ€™t want to build anything, you can buy the pre-made version, and the kit itself is easy to put together. And if you are based in Canada, I highly recommend you check out what the team at NorthBox Systems is doing over there with the NorthBox 6XL.

Just to wrap this up, I want to touch upon the unwarranted controversy around CleanAirKits over at Reddit in the past year or so. After some negative comments made about CleanAirKits on Reddit by a former moderator of the popular r/AirPurifiers subreddit, CleanAirKits have invested into getting their device CADR tested by an independent third-party and these results match our in-house tests.

I hope that our air cleaning performance data will add to the body of work that supports the high levels of air cleaning performance you can expect from a CleanAirKits Luggable XL, compared to even the best retail HEPA devices on the market.

If you have any questions about this PC fan-powered air purifier DIY kit, please drop a comment below and I will reply as soon as possible. Thank you for reading!

SOURCES

We calculated energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator. We calculated yearly costs associated with running a CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of $0.1268/kWh as of December 2024.

AirFanta 3Pro review

AirFanta 3Pro Living Room

If you like the idea of a Nukit Tempest but you worry about the process of building it yourself from scratch with multiple PC fans, parts and screws, then this device by AirFanta might be the perfect option for you.

The AirFanta 3Pro is a creation of Adam Wong, someone who is very active on social media platforms โ€” you might recognize him by his handle: @Engineer_Wong. Wong started his journey developing air purifiers in 2022, right after China left the Covid Zero policy. His beginnings involved assembling Corsi-Rosenthal boxes for friends and family, powered by his engineering background. Over time, he started receiving CR box requests from the local Covid Cautious community. This led to him designing and developing a new kind of DIY box that could be assembled and disassembled easily.

As with all the air purifiers we tested, we paid for the AirFanta 3Pro with our own money to experience the entire customer journey, conduct various tests and write an honest (and unbiased) review. If you decide to buy an AirFanta 3Pro after clicking on a link from this review, you will be supporting our work, as we will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The overall score for the AirFanta 3Pro incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the split of categories.

The pros and cons of the AirFanta 3Pro

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

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

This is the only high CADR air purifier that you can disassemble and bring along wherever you go inside a backpack or suitcase.

The AirFanta 3Pro blew me away with its air cleaning performance, which is powered by a smart CR box-inspired design and the choice of combining four low-resistance H11 filters with four PC fans.

The market for PC fan air purifiers is booming, and AirFanta has made its mark with a device you can buy for a fraction of the price of its competitors ($160).โ€

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
Danny Ashton
HouseFresh Founder
& Lead Tester

If you donโ€™t want to read my full review, here are the six things we like about the AirFanta 3Pro and the three things we donโ€™t.

CONS

It is louder (56.3 dBA) than other PC fan kits we have tested (>45 dBA) when running at full speed.
Unlike other PC fan kits, the 3Pro doesnโ€™t use standard HVAC (MERV 13) filters โ€” you have to use OEM filters.
Energy costs are similar to traditional HEPA devices when running at full speed.

PROS

The highly affordable price ($159.99).
Its incredible air cleaning performance โ€” it took just 17 minutes to clean our test room, which is two minutes slower than the almighty Smart Air Blast Mini.
It is A LOT easier to put it together than a standard DIY PC fan air purifier kit.
It’s small in size, especially when compared to a Corsi-Rosenthal box.
It can be assembled and disassembled in just a few minutes.
When taken apart, the parts are small enough to fit inside a backpack or small suitcase.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):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

The best feature: it fits inside a carry-on bag

This is the only high-CADR air purifier you can bring with you wherever you go.

AirFanta 3Pro Travel Backpack

Adam Wong designed the AirFanta 3Pro to be not only highly powered but also portable. You will not find any other air purifier with a CADR above 400 that you will be able to fit inside a large backpack or small suitcase.

The 3Pro can be disassembled and reassembled in just a few minutes, making it the best option for those looking for devices they can travel with.

You also get a long piece of cable management Velcro that you can use to wrap all the parts neatly once you have disassembled your AirFanta 3Pro:

Filtration technology

Four HEPA 11 filters (with the option of activated carbon) with an expected life of 6-12 months. Wong stated that they can last a full nine months before they need to be replaced.

AirFanta 3Pro Filters

HEPA ONLY FILTERS HEPA + CARBON FILTERS

Unlike actual DIY air purifier kits, you wonโ€™t be able to simply pick up some HVAC filters for your AirFanta 3Pro, so you will need to buy the official AirFanta filters. You can choose between HEPA 11 filters only or HEPA 11 with activated carbon. We have both because we wanted to test the performance of the 3Pro with and without activated carbon.

AirFanta 3Pro HEPA

When it comes to the HEPA 11 design, AirFanta states they developed a new pleating technology in order to produce powerful filters in such a small package. The 126×11.4โ€œ particle filter material has been pleated eleven times into a much smaller 11.4×11.4×1″ area.

AirFanta 3Pro Cover

Whether you choose to go with the particle filter only or the particle+gas filter, you will find that AirFanta filters come with an aluminium cover on the outside that protects the air filter and serves as a (sort of) pre-filter for large dust particles.

For those needing to tackle odors and gases, the best option is the carbon filter. It is a bonded filter (similar to those we see in Levoit devices) that combines a 15mm thick HEPA 11 filter with a 10mm layer of activated carbon. 

Tip

Remember to remove the filters from the plastic bag they come in before you switch on your AirFanta 3Pro.

Design and controls

The 3Pro is a small and light with a design inspired by the Corsi-Rosenthal box.

AirFanta 3Pro Fireplace

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

The AirFanta 3Pro is basically a box with a base at the bottom, one filter at each side and a fan array on top โ€” much like the design of the Corsi-Rosenthal box.

The thing with the AirFanta 3Pro is that it is A LOT smaller than a CR box and that other PC fan kits using large HVAC filters:

CR Box VS AirFanta 3Pro Front CR Box VS AirFanta 3Pro Top
DIY air purifiers Size comparison

Now, while this is not a DIY kit like the Nukit Tempest or the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7, you still need to put the AirFanta 3Pro together, but it’s a lot easier to do compared to the Tempest and the Luggable.

You just need to put the four filters in place on the sides of the base, which are clearly marked.

AirFanta 3Pro Open Corner

Once the four filters are in place at each side, you just need to clip the fan array on top.

AirFanta 3Pro Open

As I mentioned briefly above, the AirFanta 3Pro has been designed to be cheap and portable: when you take it apart, you will be able to fit it neatly inside a standard carry-on bag. It even fits snuggly inside Gisele’s Osprey Proxima backpack:

In terms of controls, the AirFanta 3Pro comes with a 110-220v AC to 3-12v stepless DC power adapter which will allow you to control the speed of the fans and the noise output.

AirFanta recently launched a new edition of the 3Pro, which is certified by CARB and is the only option if you live in California. 

This new edition has an independent speed controller that allows you to control the speed even when it is connected to a power bank of 12v/3A (or higher current) DC 5.5mm x 2.1 mm port.

Something that I really appreciate about AirFanta and Adam Wong is how committed they are to keep improving their devices based on customer feedback.

A few days after we ordered our 3Pro, I saw a tweet from Wong in which he announced the introduction of a handy Velcro strap in response to an idea from @ParentMishmash:

As mentioned at the top of this review, you can use this very same Velcro strip to strap the filters + fan array + base together once you have disassembled your 3Pro to ensure all parts fit nicely inside your suitcase or backpack. Simple yet effective!

Air cleaning performance

The AirFanta 3Pro cleared our test room in 17 minutes โ€” it is nearly as fast at cleaning the air as the MUCH larger Smart Air Blast Mini.

AirFanta 3Pro Sidetable

Iโ€™ve been really keen to test the AirFanta 3Pro because there has been a lot of hype around it โ€” especially after it was independently tested by Rob Wissmann and David Elfstrom. These are the results of their CADR tests:

  • CADR: at 13V: 436 CFM
  • CADR at 12V: 413 CFM 
  • CADR at 9V: 328 CFM 
  • CADR at 6V: 213 CFM 

Iโ€™m happy to report that the hype is completely warranted. Let me walk you through how the 3Pro performed in our tests.

According to our PurpleAir Zen sensor, the AirFanta 3Pro needed 17 minutes to achieve PM1 zero in our 728 cubic ft. test room running at top speed (12.6v). We estimate a PM1 CADR of 353 cfm, which would allow the 3Pro to provide five air changes per hour in rooms no larger than 529 sq. ft.

Swapping the filters for the HEPA + activated carbon option added three more minutes to the test, bringing the time to clean all traces of PM1 smoke pollutants to 20 minutes:

This matches the incredible CADR score tests performed by David Elfstrom and Rob Wiss, and compares quite favorably with other air much more expensive air purifiers.

As you can see in the table below, the AirFanta 3Pro is not only affordable but also incredibly fast at cleaning the air:

12v performance airfanta 3pro

Our air cleaning performance test showed that at its highest fan speed (12.6v), the AirFanta 3Pro is as powerful as devices costing upwards of $450 and more effective at removing particles from the air than much more expensive air puriifers like the Dyson BP06.

Sound levels

In our testing, the sound levels of the 3Pro ranged from 36.1 dBA to 56.3 dBA. It is much quieter than the new Winix T810 (62.5 dBA) and the Coway AIrmega 200M (64.3 dBA)

The second most important thing to look at when choosing an air purifier is the amount of sound it generates. A device that is too loud is unlikely to be used regularly or, even worse, is likely to be switched off.

That is why we record (from 3 ft. away) the sound levels generated by every air purifier we test running at each fan speed in the same location (our basement). 

The AirFanta 3Pro comes with an AC-to-DC power adapter, which includes a dial for adjusting the voltage and the sound level generated by the air purifier. Here are the results at each fan speed we measured:

VOLTAGESOUND LEVELS (decibels)
3.63 v.36.1 dBA
4.19 v.39.7 dBA
5.24 v.36.9 dBA
6.54 v.43.3 dBA
7.44 v46.7 dBA
8.56v49.1 dBA
12.6 v. (top speed)56.3 dBA

At top speed, the AirFanta 3Pro reaches 56.3 dBA, which is quieter than most mind-sized popular traditional air purifiers available on the market today:

sound top speed airfanta 3pro

However, you may be wondering how this compares to other devices, especially other PC fan-powered air purifiers. Check out our table below:

PC FAN KITSOUND AT TOP SPEED (decibels)
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 [Cooler Master SickleFlow 120]38.8 dBA
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Ultra [Cooler Master Mobius 120]47.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest41.8 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [ARCTIC P14 Max]50.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest Euro50.5 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [Noctua P14s Redux]45.1 dBA
AirFanta 3Pro56.3 dBA

Compared to other PC fan devices from Nukit, CleanAirKits and NorthBox Systems, the AirFanta 3Pro is much louder at its highest fan speed. However, itโ€™s still in line with the top-speed sound levels of the traditional retail HEPA devices we have tested. 

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

That is why we always identify a fan speed where the air purifier generates less than 45 dBA of noise to assess its quiet performance. In the case of the AirFanta 3Pro, we repeated the particle removal test multiple times across different voltages:

My recommendation is to go for 6.54V for top performance at sub-45 dB noise levels. Running at this speed, the 3Pro generates 43.3 dB of noise while still being able to clean our test room in 28 minutes.

airfanta quiet performance

When we account for sound levels, we see the performance of the AirFanta 3Pro getting beat by the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7, which managed to clean our test room in 23 minutes even when running at only 38.8 dBA. However, the Luggable XL-7 costs upwards of $200 (plus filters), so considering the low cost of the AirFanta 3Pro ($159.99 including filters), I am super impressed. 

What impresses me the most is how incredibly well the AirFanta 3Pro compares to the shop-bought HEPA air purifiers I have tested. At its top speed, it is faster and quieter than most of the devices we have reviewed here at HouseFresh.

Tip

If youโ€™re considering getting an AirFanta 3Pro, I suggest experimenting with the voltages to find a sound level that works for you. Personally, I have stuck to having my 3Pro running at the 8-volt mark as I find it offers an excellent performance-to-sound ratio.

Long-term running costs

Running an AirFanta 3Pro will cost you $165.76 per year, combining energy consumption costs ($47.76) and filter replacement costs ($118).

AirFanta 3Pro Corner

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

As always, I calculated the long-term costs associated with running your AirFanta 3Pro all day, every day at its top high speed for a full year โ€” an unlikely scenario as youโ€™ll probably want to have it running at a lower fan speed, but itโ€™s a good baseline for running costs.

I started by using our energy meter to measure how much electricity the 3Pro uses at different voltages and, when running at top speed (12.6V), it pulled 43.23 watts.

VOLTAGEENERGY CONSUMPTION (watts)
Standby0 watts
3.63 v.2.19 watts
5.24 v.5.02 watts
6.54 v.8.98 watts
7.63 v.13.31 watts
8.56 v17.46 watts
12.6 v. (top speed)43.23 watts

This means that if you had to leave your 3Pro running 24/7 at top speed, it would cost $47.76 in energy costs for a year, using average U.S. energy rates as of July 7th, 2025.

Considering you need to replace the filter every six months and that the replacement costs $59 (HEPA only), you can expect to also spend $118 per year on filters.

When compared to other similar-performing air purifiers, the 3Pro has low energy consumption costs but it’s the OEM filter replacement costs that drive the yearly running costs up.

airfanta long term costs scaled

At 43.2 watts, the AirFanta 3Pro is more energy-efficient than many popular units, such as the Winix 5510 or the Levoit Vital 200S. However, compared with another PC fan-powered air purifier like the Luggable XL-7 from CleanAirKits, itโ€™s clear that the 3Pro consumes more electricity at its maximum speed of 2900 RPM. 

That said, running costs for the 3Pro are similar to those of standard HEPA retail devices, but you do get much higher performance levels especially when you consider the much lower initial purchase cost.

cadr vs price airfanta

Tip

For a more efficient operation of the AirFanta 3Pro, I recommend going for 6.54V.

At this fan speed, the 3Pro consumes just 8.97 watts, so it will just add 10 bucks to your energy bill in a year while still being able to clean the air effectively as Levoit Core 400S or the IQAir HealthPro Plus running at full speed.

AirFanta’s creator, Adam Wong, explains how this big drop in energy consumption is possible:

“The power consumption of a fan is proportional to the cube of its RPM, while the airflow is proportional to the first power of the RPM. So higher RPM will result in less efficient of electricity consumption. The fan in the AirFanta 3Pro has a maximum speed of 2900 RPM, which is much higher than other PC-fan-based air purifiers, making it look less energy-efficient.

In fact, running it at 9V or lower would significantly improve energy efficiency. It still has a quite good CADR at lower voltage.”

โ€” Adam Wong, Founder of AirFanta

All AirFanta products come with a 1-year warranty. AirFanta will send you a new 3Pro and you won’t need to return the faulty device.

If you experience issues with your AirFanta 3Pro, all you need to do is email the AirFanta team at airfanta@air-fanta.com.
Make sure to include photos and/or videos of the issue you are experiencing.

Bottom line: Should you get the AirFanta 3Pro?

It’s totally worth it. This is the only air purifier with a a high CADR that you can travel with.

Hereโ€™s the thing: if you were to have come to me selling an air purifier with a CADR of 353 cfm for $159.99, I would have assumed it was some sort of a scam. The sheer power of such a device would surely cost a lot more, right? 

Adam Wong says no.

The AirFanta 3Pro can provide large rooms with multiple air changes for a price that is three times cheaper than what you normally pay for a standard, shop-bought HEPA air purifier. That is an incredible achievement that goes to show how brilliant Wong is and how much he actually cares about creating truly affordable solutions to clean the air. 

AirFanta 3Pro Sofa

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

While the 3Pro is not totally plug-and-play (as you need to fit the filters and put the fans in place), it is MUCH easier to put together than all the other PC fan-powered DIY air purifier kits I have tested. That said, the 3Pro is also louder than all of them, so that is something to keep in mind.

For those looking for an air purifier they bring along when traveling or to events, there isnโ€™t anything on the market right now that matches the high CADR of the AirFanta 3Pro. You can simply disassemble the device and pack it in your suitcase or backpack just to reassemble it wherever you need it. 

For those wanting a quiet and energy-efficient air purifier, they can leave running in the background even when having work calls or meetings at the office, then a PC fan kit like the Luggable XL by CleanAirKits or the Tempest by Nukit will be a better choice โ€” just know that they will both cost over $100 more than the 3Pro.

Now, is sound is a concern but your budget canโ€™t stretch beyond $160, then remember you can run your AirFanta 3Pro at lower fan speeds. It will be much quieter and still outperform the standard retail HEPA air purifier you can find online, costing you less upfront and in the long run.

I really love this device, so I expect you will find it across many of our lists of recommended devices. 

One last thought before I leave you: I believe everyone living outside the U.S. will really benefit from the AirFanta 3Pro, especially those living in places like the UK, where finding box fans and HVAC filters to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box is virtually impossible. As if that wasnโ€™t good enough, the 3Pro has a much smaller footprint than the standard CR box, is definitely quieter and offers much more adjustable fan speed options.

Do you have any questions about this device that I didnโ€™t cover in my review? Drop a comment below, and Iโ€™ll reply right away.

SOURCES

We calculated energy consumption costs with the help of the Department of Energyโ€™s appliance energy calculator. We calculated yearly costs associated with running an AirFanta 3Pro for 24hs a day for 365 days. We ran this calculation utilizing the U.S. average utility rate of 0.1235/kWh as of September 17, 2024.

Levoit EverestAir review

Levoit EverestAir Living Room

Levoit is one of the leading names in the air purifier space due to the popularity of its Core Series of air purifiers (the 200S, 300S, 400S and 600S). We have tested all of these air purifiers in our test lab, and they scored very nicely – especially considering they are often much cheaper than competitors. 

I first got an email from a reader asking about the Levoit EverestAir in October last year. We had many units scheduled for testing and review at the time, but the idea of a premium model from Levoit interested me, so I added the EverestAir to our list of upcoming reviews. 

While the Levoit Core series is all about performance, the EverestAir has the same level of performance in a much more unique and better-looking design. 

The EverestAir is currently the only model in this new category from Levoit. It comes with a high CADR of 360 CFM, meaning it can clean the air 4.5 times in a room sized up to 600 sq. ft. 

CADR isnโ€™t the only way to evaluate an air purifier, though โ€” our testing showed that the EverestAir performed better than units with a bigger CADR (more on that below).

how we test
How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

All this to say, here at HouseFresh, we do not rely solely on manufacturers’ claims or suggest any air purifiers until we thoroughly evaluate them. 

Using our own testing data allows us to compare units like for like, so we can tell you whether you should go for it or just consider a better/cheaper alternative instead.

The lowdown on the Levoit EverestAir

Danny Ashton HouseFresh
โ€œI love the look of the Levoit EverestAir and was pleasantly surprised at how well it did in our performance tests. Itโ€™s official: this is the second fastest air purifier we have tested. The EverestAir removed tiny smoke particle pollutants and odors from the air in our test room in just 13 minutes. And it looked great doing it, making it worth the higher price.โ€
โ€” Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer

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

As always, let me start by sharing the main pros and cons I have identified for the Levoit EverestAir including findings from all my experiments and details from my experience using this unit at home for six months:

What we really like

It looks like an air purifier designed by Apple, which rivals the Dyson units.
It has the same app support as with the other high-end Levoit units.
The ability to adjust the vent angles is something that is unique to this model.
Amazing performance โ€” cleaned our test room in 16 minutes.
The screen of the onboard air quality sensor is clear and easy to understand.
It is nearly silent on the lowest fan speed AND still able to clean our test room in 25 minutes.

What we think could be better

The initial price is much higher than the Core 600S.
Filter costs are higher but do last longer than cheaper Core series units โ€” up to 15 months.
The little wheels at the bottom of the device only go in one direction, making it difficult to maneuver the unit.

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

If Apple designed air purifiers

The Levoit EverestAir broke the mold Levoit has gotten us used to, taking some inspiration from modern consumer electronics.

Levoit EverestAir Front Design

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

The design of most Levoit air purifiers is pretty standard and generally heavily inspired by existing lines. Looking at the Core series, youโ€™ll quickly grow bored of the same white, boxy look with rounded edges. 

But thatโ€™s not what the EverestAir is all aboutโ€ฆ

Levoit EverestAir Fireplace

When looking at the unit from the front, I immediately got Blast Mini vibes:

Levoit EverestAir Top Front

But all that changes the moment you turn the unit around and find a sleek silver back panel:

Levoit EverestAir Back

The design lines are reminiscent of what we like in the Dyson air purifier combo: a touch of futurism. The key difference here is that the EverestAir not only looks good, but it also does a fantastic job at cleaning the air. Point for Levoit.

Most high CADR air purifiers have to be big so that they can house the enormous fan. But the engineers at Levoit have managed to provide large CADR in a smaller body. Just to give you an idea of size, we took a photo comparing the EverestAir against the powerful IQAir Healthpro Plus:

Levoit EverestAir VS IQAir HealthPro Plus

The Levoit EverestAir has a much more manageable size, yet it performs at a high level. But I have to say that this is not a small unit. The good news is that Levoit gave it wheels to make it easier to move from room to room:

Levoit EverestAir Wheels

With the EverestAir, Levoit has brought the Apple design aesthetic everyone knows and loves to the world of air purifiers. 

I particularly like the combination of a white front panel with silver for the main body and the black glass-effect plastic used for the control panel:

Levoit EverestAir Controls

In terms of the controls available in the EverestAir, from left to right, you get touchscreen buttons for sleep mode, auto mode, turbo, fan speed, fan angle, timer and on/off button. 

In the middle of the panel, you will see a screen where you can display filter info (filter life % so you know when itโ€™s time to replace the filter) and also air quality information (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particles in the air).

Thatโ€™s right. Air quality info on your display.

The EverestAir comes with a three-channel laser sensor that detects dust particles of PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10. 

Levoit EverestAir .AQI Sensor

We were impressed by how quickly the screen changed when we started burning incense next to it to release pollutants into the air. When we turned on the unit, we could quickly track the speed at which the EverestAir was cleaning the air:

Levoit EverestAir AQI Working

The best part? The air quality sensor in the Levoit EverestAir matched what we could see in our trusted PurpleAir Indoor Sensor, which uses an industrial-grade particle sensor. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Before I move on to discussing air filtration technology, I have to mention the Levoit VeSync mobile app. It is super handy to be able to add my new EverestAir to my already existing account, allowing me to control the settings of this unit in addition to all the other Levoits I’ve got placed in different rooms around my house:

everest smartphone screens

Filters that can deal with anything

Like other filters from Levoit, the 3-stage filtration technology in the EverestAir combines a washable pre-filter, a main filter and pelleted activated carbon. 

Levoit EverestAir UnitFilter

This large filter can deal with both pollutants and smells: 

Levoit EverestAir Replacement Filter

One side of this filter features a high-quality main filter to tackle the tiniest airborne particles:

Levoit EverestAir HEPA Filter

The other side features a honeycomb activated carbon filter:

Levoit EverestAir Activated Carbon Filter

I was very impressed by the filter’s size, quality and amount of activated carbon. 

For tackling odors or chemicals, you need a good amount of carbon in your air purifierโ€™s filter, so it is great to see such a large quantity of activated carbon pellets included in the EverestAirโ€™s filter.

Just to show how big the filter is, I took a comparison photo showing the size difference between the EverestAir and the IQAir HealthPro Plus:

Levoit EverestAir Filter VS IQAir HealthPro Plus Filter

During our performance test, we saw that the VOC levels were reduced much quicker than units with smaller levels of carbon: the EverestAir brought VOC levels back to baseline in 160 minutes โ€” it takes many other air purifiers most of the day to achieve this. 

Changing the filters on the Levoit Everest is easy as they are accessible from the front. You can see how easy it is in our video below:

As with all brand-new air purifiers, the filters for the EverestAir will come in plastic bags. Make sure to remove them before you switch them on, or they wonโ€™t be able to do anything to remove pollutants from your air. 

The EverestAir cleared our test room in 16 minutes

As with all the air purifiers we review here at HouseFresh, we timed how fast the Levoit EverestAir could remove incense smoke particles from the air in our home lab.

Levoit EverestAir Testing

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

In our 728 cubic ft home lab, we simulate particle pollution and VOCs with an incense stick and use a Purpleair Indoor Sensor to monitor particulate levels. We then activate the air purifier at its maximum speed and measure the duration required to reduce the room’s air quality to a PM1 level of zero.

This is what happened when we performed this air cleaning test on the Levoit EverestAir:

The results we saw with the Levoit EverestAir blew us away. We repeated the test three (3) times because we couldnโ€™t believe what we were seeing.

Air cleaning performance test results

We expected good results with a CADR of 360 CFM but assumed it would be the same as the Alen BreatheSmart 75i and certainly not faster than the Levoit Core 600S. 

But we were delighted to see even better air cleaning performance results than the CADR we expected:

Excellent air cleaning performance at its lowest fan speed

I didn’t stop there. In addition to testing the air cleaning performance when running at its top fan speed, I also ran the test at the lowest fan speed, and the EverestAir delivered: this air purifier cleared all traces of incense smoke in our test room in just 29 minutes.

When comparing the EverestAir against all of the other Levoit air purifiers we have tested, you can see how it clearly defeats most of them when it comes to air cleaning speed, only outbeat by the Smart Air Blast Mini (15 minutes):

For those with larger rooms or large ceilings, the EverestAir will be more than capable of keeping the air clean. However, I would still push for a specialist air purifier for significant issues like VOC or chemicals like the AustinAir Healthmate, as they have much larger carbon filters,

Noise levels, compared

It hits up to 57.8 dB using the Turbo mode but is much quieter at the lower fan speeds, going as low as 39.1dB, which sounds like no noise to my ear.

Donโ€™t just take our word for it, have a listen for yourself as we go through the different fan speeds in the video below:

The cost to run an EverestAir: $173.57 per year

The cost to run the Levoit EverestAir is similar to other large air purifiers like the Blue Pure 211+ and Alen 75i

When comparing the long-term costs associated with replacing filters and energy consumption, you can see

1. Electricity costs = $73.58 per year

Energy costs always seem to go up, so itโ€™s essential to be aware of the long-term costs as air purifiers, in most cases, will be run continuously to keep the air clean. The Everest hit 69.8 watts using its turbo at the highest speed and went down to 9.85 watts at the lowest fan speed. 

The energy usage is higher than that of other smaller units, but it makes sense when you consider the performance. It compares well with similar big units like the IQAir Healthpro Plus, which pulls a whooping 145.2 watts. 

When comparing wattage usage to performance, the EverestAir is one of the most efficient air purifiers on the market. 

2. Filter costs = $99.99 per year

Many smaller air purifiers need their filters replaced every six months, so they can quickly add up to nearly $100 per year. While the filters for the EverestAir are not cheap, considering you can replace them every 12-15 months, the cost is very much in line with even the budget air purifiers we recommend. 

This chart shows how the costs stack up against other Levoit air purifier filter replacement costs:

As of writing this review, you can get two filters for under $99.99 if you donโ€™t get the genuine ones from Levoit, bringing costs down to nearly $65.98 per year.

Filter
LEVOIT EverestAir Air Purifier Replacement Filter
2 Pack EverestAir-RF Replacement Filter, 3-in-1 H13 Grade True HEPA Filter
LEVOIT Genuine EverestAir-P Air Purifier Air Filter Replacement, Lasts for 12 -15 Months, Supports HEPA Sleep Mode, Efficient 3-In-1 Washable Filters, EverestAir-RF, 1 Pack, Black
2 Pack EverestAir/EverestAir-P Replacement Filter, Compatible with LEVOIT EverestAir Air Purifier, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filters Filter Set
Technology
3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter, H13 HEPA and activated carbon)
2-Pack Replacement True HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Price
$99.99
$59.39
Filter
LEVOIT EverestAir Air Purifier Replacement Filter
LEVOIT Genuine EverestAir-P Air Purifier Air Filter Replacement, Lasts for 12 -15 Months, Supports HEPA Sleep Mode, Efficient 3-In-1 Washable Filters, EverestAir-RF, 1 Pack, Black
Technology
3-Stage Filtration (Pre-filter, H13 HEPA and activated carbon)
More information
Price
$99.99
Filter
2 Pack EverestAir-RF Replacement Filter, 3-in-1 H13 Grade True HEPA Filter
2 Pack EverestAir/EverestAir-P Replacement Filter, Compatible with LEVOIT EverestAir Air Purifier, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filters Filter Set
Technology
2-Pack Replacement True HEPA and Activated Carbon Filter
More information
Price
$59.39

Bottom line: Is the Levoit EverestAir worth it?

The EverestAir comes with a premium price tag that will be too expensive for most, but you can usually find it on deal during Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.

Levoit has been creating very efficient air purifiers that perform well for a reasonable price, and it makes sense that they would create something for the premium market. That is exactly what the EverestAir is: a premium product that competes with the likes of Dyson and Air Doctor.

Levoit EverestAir Living Room

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

On paper, the EverestAir is a high-performing device, so we expected it to perform well in our home lab tests. It is one of Levoit’s most expensive units at $499.99, but we predicted it would fall short of the Levoit Core 600S in terms of performance.

You will get more power for your money with the Levoit Core Series, but the EverestAir beats them hands down for looks. We tested running this air purifier at the lowest fan speed, and it still cleaned our room in 25 minutes at 39.1 dB โ€” which was silent to my ear. 

Itโ€™s an easy air purifier to live with, but it doesnโ€™t come cheap.

SOURCES

We calculated yearly costs associated with running the Levoit EverestAir 24 hours a day, 365 days per year utilizing the Appliance Energy Calculator developed by the U.S. Department of Energy using the national average of of $0.12/kWh as of June 2024.

Smart Air Blast Mini review

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

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

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

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
  • 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.

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
  • 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.

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

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.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review

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.

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
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