Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 review

Oct 20, 2026 by Danny Ashton

The Dyson HushJet Compact Purifier is the smallest air purifier I’ve tested from Dyson and it’s also the first one to be released in their new HushJet range.

In the years I’ve been reviewing air purifiers, my opinion on Dyson models has been pretty consistent: average performance for a high price that will definitely won’t be worth it for most.

But could Dyson change my mind with the release of their first small air purifier?

To find out, I bought a Dyson HushJet Compact and have been using it at home since May 2026 to test its air cleaning performance, sound generation, energy consumption, long-term running costs and everyday user experience.

The overall score for the Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 incorporates first-hand data results from our battery of tests, as well as our ratings for customer service, brand transparency, and design & UX. Check out the full scorecard below to see the category breakdown.

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

The pros and cons of the Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10

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

“Dyson’s HushJet Compact comes with a wide range of fan speeds, a very good app, smart functions, and solid air cleaning performance, especially considering its size.

In our particle removal tests, it cleared our test room of incense smoke in 37 minutes, outperforming small units I’ve recommended over the years like the Winix A231 and the Coway Airmega 100. And it did this, generating less noise and consuming less electricity.

So if the $349 price tag doesn’t scare you, then you will be buying a tabletop air purifier with good air cleaning performance with lower yearly running costs than most.”

Danny Ashton HouseFresh — Danny Ashton
HouseFresh Founder
& Lead Tester

CONS

It is very expensive, especially for a small air purifier – for the same price, you could buy yourself a more powerful midsized unit like the Coway Airmega Mighty2 and you’d still have money to spare.

In our tests, it was outperformed by cheaper air purifiers from Levoit, Coway, Winix, Blueair and Switchbot.

PROS

The upfront cost is high but the yearly running costs are some of the lowest I’ve seen.

It completed our particle removal test faster than popular small cylindrical models, and it did so at quieter operation.

It’s very, VERY quiet – sound levels range from 35 to 53 decibels.

You get separate particle and gas filters, so you can replace the gas filter when the carbon is full without having to throw away a perfectly good particle filter.

I was pleased to see that even though it comes with app, Dyson didn’t get rid of the physical buttons as we saw with other models like the Dyson BP04.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 160 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 113 cfm
Filter technology:	Particle filter with electrostatic material and gas filter with 120g of carbon pellets
Recommended room size (5 air changes per hour):	180 sq. ft. (17 m²)
Dimensions:	18.5 x 9.0 x 9.0 in (47 x 23 x 23 cm)
Weight:	6.9 lb (3.15 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	Sleep mode: 36.6 dBA Speed 1: 35.8 dBA Speed 2: 35.7 dBA Speed 3: 35.9 dBA Speed 4: 36.4 dBA Speed 5: 36.4 dBA Speed 6: 40.5 dBA Speed 7: 43.2 dBA Speed 8: 45.9 dBA Speed 9: 49.1 dBA Speed 4: 53.1 dBA
Electricity consumption in watts:	Sleep mode: 3.3 watts Speed 1: 1.8 watts Speed 2: 2.0 watts Speed 3: 2.3 watts Speed 4: 3.6 watts Speed 5: 4.6 watts Speed 6: 6.2 watts Speed 7: 7.7 watts Speed 8: 10.1 watts Speed 9: 13 watts Speed 4: 18.6 watts
Filter lifespan:	Particle filter: 5 years Gas filter: 6-12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Country of manufacture:	Malaysia

Filtration technology

Two separate cylindrical filters that remove particles and odors from the air.

I was really pleased to see that Dyson designed separate filters for the HushJet Compact.

When you press the buttons at each side of the air purifier, the body disconnects from the filters inside.

Once you remove the body of the device, you’ll be met with a cylindrical particle filter.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Particle Filter

Dyson states they’ve used a material with lower resistance than HEPA that’s electrostatically charged to pull particles towards it.

Underneath the particle filter, you get a gas filter with 120 g of activated carbon to remove odors.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Carbon Filter

This is a small amount of carbon that will remove mild odors but won’t help with serious issues with VOCs.

One of the downsides of cylindrical air purifiers is that they generally come with all-in-one filters that combine a particle filter with a gas filter in one cylindrical design.

We’ve found that this kind of bonded filter tends to lead to slightly better air cleaning performance BUT it also forces you to buy replacements more often than you may need.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Separate Filters

This happens because the carbon inside the gas filter portion will generally become full within 6 months or so, and you will get a sense the air isn’t as fresh as before.

So you will go ahead and replace the filter, and will likely end up throwing away a perfectly good particle filter in the process.

Particle filters generally have a longer lifespan than carbon filters, with most of them lasting around 12 months.

Design, controls and app features

A relatively small air purifier that will sit comfortable on top of a desk or side table.

This is a small cylindrical air purifier that will fit on top of a bedside table or kitchen counter.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh Living Room

As you would expect from Dyson, the HushJet Compact HJ10 has a unique design and is manufactured to a high build quality.

It has a laser sensor and a little screen at the front where you can see particle levels in real time.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Controls

It has three buttons to adjust fan speeds, set auto/sleep mode, and switch between air quality readings and filter lifespan estimates.

It takes up as much space as other small cylindrical units BUT it’s slightly taller due to the nozzle.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Top Cone

This nozzle sits at the top of all HushJet devices from Dyson and it helps reduce noise. We tested it and it was 2 full decibels louder without it.

I was glad to see that Dyson added three buttons to the HushJet HJ10, moving away from units with just one button which forces you to use the app or the remote control provided.

If you want to get access to all the different fan speeds in your HushJet Compact and get more insight into the data from the sensor, then you can download the app on your phone.

The Dyson app has a pretty clean UX and has recently had a design face lift that opened up a lot more insight into the air quality readings from the laser sensor onboard.

Air cleaning performance

We tested the Dyson HushJet Compact in our 728-cubic-feet test room, measuring how quickly it removed PM1 particles from the air after we filled the space with incense smoke.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh Performance Test

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows that the HushJet Compact needed 37 minutes to reach PM1 zero. Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 160 cfm.

This makes this Dyson model powerful enough to clean the air five times per hour in rooms no larger than 240 sq. ft. (or 22 m2).

To put this into context, this is faster than the 40 minutes it took popular units like the Levoit Vital 100S but it’s slower than the results achieved by the new generation of small air purifiers like the $130 Levoit Eleva 300X:

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Air Cleaning Performance Full Power

However, this test was conducted at full power and air purifiers running at full power tend to be too loud – – even small models like this one. That is why I tested sound levels at different fan speeds so we could account for noise levels.

Sound levels

The sound levels of the Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 range from 35.8 dBA to 53.1 dBA — which is quieter than most other small models I’ve tested.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh Sound Energy Test

As always, I used our BAFX sound meter to how much sound the Dyson HJ10 generates at each of its fan speeds and on sleep mode from 3 ft. away:

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Sound Levels

As you can see from the chart below, the HushJet Compact is the quietest small air purifier model in our comparison, reaching 53.1 dBA at top speed.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Top Speed Performance

Running at speed 7, it reached 43.2 dBA and cleared our test room in 52 minutes. Based on this result, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 113 cfm at speed 7.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Sub 45 dBA Performance

When it comes to quiet performance, the Dyson HushJet HJ10 is faster than most other small units running at sub-45 dBA fan speeds with the exception of the Levoit Eleva 300X and the Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max.

Long-term running costs

Running a Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 will cost you $87.86 per year, combining energy and filter replacement costs.

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

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Energy Consumption

At top speed, the HushJet Compact draws 18.6 watts, so if you were to leave it running at top speed 24/7 for one year, it will add $29.88 to your energy bill, based on the latest electricity prices in the U.S. as of October 2026.

This is outstanding energy efficiency from Dyson, but electricity consumption isn’t the only cost to consider, so let’s look at replacement filters.

Dyson states that the electrostatic filter should last up to 5 years and the carbon filter up to 12 months. The electrostatic filter costs $64.99 and the carbon filter costs $44.99. So based on these lifespan calculations, yearly filter costs would go up to $58.

I added this to the energy costs and can tell you that you need to budget $87.86 each year to keep your Dyson HushJet Compact running 24/7 in your home:

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh Yearly Running Costs

This makes the Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 the cheapest air purifier in our yearly costs comparison, thanks to the combination of low energy usage and a 5-year filter lifespan.

Bear in mind that most other small air purifier models have filters that last just 12 months so this low filter replacement cost is dependent on the particle filter really lasting 5 years.

When you add the $349 retail price to that first year’s running cost, your total investment in the first year of ownership is $436.86.

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh First Year Total Cost

Looking at the chart, we find that the Dyson HushJet Compact is the most expensive model to buy and to run in that first year of ownership.

And bear in mind that this comparison includes midsized models that offer more air cleaning power like the Winix 5530 and the Coway Airmega Mighty2.

Bottom line: Should you get a Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10?

Is the Dyson HushJet Compact worth the $349 price tag? Well… It depends…

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh Home

Let me start by saying that this is a good air purifier. It comes with a wide range of fan speeds, a very good app, smart functions, and solid air cleaning performance, especially considering its size.

In our particle removal tests, we found that the 40-minute mark is tough to beat for small cylindrical air purifiers. And I’ve got to say, I was worried the HushJet would cost 350 bucks and hit the same wall…

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review Small Air Purifiers Comparison

But it managed to clear our test room in 37 minutes, outperforming small units I’ve recommended over the years like the Winix A231 and the Coway 100.

Based on our test data, it offers a PM1 CADR of 160 cfm at top speed, while generating 53 dBA of noise and pulling less than 20 watts.

And this compares well to other small air purifiers…

Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10 Review HouseFresh CADR Sound Energy

Models that offer more air cleaning power are generally louder or more power hungry than the HushJet Compact. However, they are also cheaper to buy…

The good news is that if the $349 price tag doesn’t scare you, then you will be saving money in the long run. When you combine the use of separate particle and gas filters with the fact that they have a long lifespan, this saves you money on filter replacements.

And Dyson’s engineers managed to pack a lot of power in a fan that is actually really energy efficient, so this will in turn save you money on electricity.

As I always say, if space is not an issue, I recommend that you size up and go for a midsized model instead — you will get a lot more air cleaning power with a Coway Mighty2, a Levoit Vital 200S or a Winix 5530.

HouseFresh Small VS Medium Air Purifiers

If you decide to get yourself a Dyson HushJet Compact HJ10, please use this link. When doing so, we will receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

And if you’re still unsure, you can try using our air purifier comparison tool to see how this Dyson model stacks up against air purifiers with similar prices:

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

Coway Airmega ProX review

Oct 20, 2026Dec 3, 2025 by Danny Ashton

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.

“The ProX isn’t cheap, is heavy and takes up a lot of space… but I have to say I’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.”

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):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 462 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 299 cfm – 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
Manufacturer’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 doesn’t come with an ionizer function.

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.

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 we’ve tested from Coway, weighing 51 lbs (23.1 kg).

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.

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

It doesn’t include app support, but it has a laser sensor and customizable auto modes.

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.

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.

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:

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:

BUT looking at the results of our air cleaning tests in isolation won’t tell us the full story…

Sound levels

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

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:

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:

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.

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 it’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.

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:

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 let’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 I’m benchmarking the ProX against:

$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.

The ProX isn’t cheap, is heavy, and takes up a lot of space… but I have to say I’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 doesn’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.

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 won’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 it’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 Utral 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.

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.

Or if you have a specific model in mind, you can use our comparison tool to see how it compares to the Coway ProX and every other air purifier I have tested since 2020 – – give it a try!

CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 review

Apr 14, 2026Dec 6, 2024 by Danny Ashton

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

I’m based in the UK, so I chose to go with one of the kits available for international customers: the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Sickleflow. We paid £176 for the kit that includes everything except for the filters, and then we added two Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 for £88.47.

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

The lowdown on the CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7

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

The CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 has convinced me that PC fans are the future of air purification.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

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

CONS

The mesh filter guard is an optional extra that will set you back $100.

My wife (who is 5’2″) reported not being able to use the handle to move the Luggable from room to room without dragging the device on the floor.

The case is built with lightweight wood, which looks great but is not as durable as harder materials like the metal in the Tempest.

PROS

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

It offers solid air cleaning performance, making it a good choice for spaces as large as 485 sq. ft.

The DIY kit comes with everything you need, except for the filters.

It was relatively easy to build, compared to other DIY kits like the Tempest or the NorthBox.

It is lightweight and looks pretty good, considering it’s a thing you can build yourself at home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A lightweight, thin, good-looking CR box

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

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

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

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

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

However, you can’t say the same about the CleanAirKits Luggable XL.

While it’s certainly less durable than the steel used for the Nukit Tempest, the Luggable XL is truly lightweight, and it looks modern and clean—especially when compared to the CR box:

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

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

CleanAirKits Luggable XL Smart Air SA600

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tip

If you choose to buy the DIY kit, be aware that it doesn’t come with any filters.

Two widely available MERV 13 filters

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

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

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

However, be aware that if you don’t go with Filtrete, you will need to use 2-inch thick filters to get the same level of performance. This means that the filters will stick out a little more compared to how they look when you use the Filtrete MPR1900 or MPR2200 filters.

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

Tip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I knew CleanAirKits had built something special with the Luggable, but I didn’t know it would be so special.

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

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

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	$189.99
Smart Air SA600	23 minutes	$279.95
AirFanta 3Pro	17 minutes	$159.99
Winix 5500-2 (with ionizer)	23 minutes	$249.99
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	23 minutes	$299.00
Corsi-Rosenthal Box	32 minutes	$85.00
Nukit Tempest	31 minutes	$300.00
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH (with ionizer)	26 minutes	$229.99

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

Noise levels, compared

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

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

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

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dBA)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Levoit Vital 200S	57.7 dB(A)	23 minutes	$189.99
AirFanta 3Pro	56.3 dB(A)	17 minutes	$159.99
Smart Air Blast Mini	56.3 dB(A)	15 minutes	$599.00
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	38.8 dB(A)	23 minutes	$299.00
Winix 5500-2	58.9 dB(A)	23 minutes	$249.99
Levoit EverestAir	57.8 dB(A)	16 minutes	$499.99
Corsi-Rosenthal box	60.7 dB(A)	32 minutes	$85.00

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

But listen for yourself:

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

When comparing the Luggable XL-7 to popular air purifiers running at fan speeds that generate less than 45 dBA (suitable for classrooms and offices), we found that even at these lower speeds, other devices can’t compete with the low level of sounds generated by the CleanAirKits device:

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dBA)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT LOWEST SPEED
Levoit Vital 200S - Speed 2	41.9 dB(A)	40 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 4.84v	38.1 dB(A)	31 minutes
AirFanta 3Pro - 8.01v	47.2 dB(A)	17 minutes
Smart Air Blast Mini - Speed 1	44.9 dB(A)	16 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	38.8 dB(A)	20 minutes
Winix 5500-2 - Speed 2 (no ionizer)	42.5 dB(A)	43 minutes
Levoit EverestAir - Speed 1	39.1 dB(A)	25 minutes
TaoTronics AP-003 - Speed 2	42.8 dB(A)	39 minutes
Air Doctor 3000 - Speed 1	40.2 dB(A)	43 minutes

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

The only device that got close to the Luggable XL-7 in terms of noise levels generated was the $500+ Levoit EverestAir. However, running at this low speed, the EverestAir couldn’t match the air cleaning performance of the Luggable, and needed five additional minutes to complete our particle removal test.

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

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

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

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

1. Electricity costs = $12.22 per year

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

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

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM AT TOP SPEED
AirFanta 3Pro	43.2 watts	17 minutes
PuroAir 240	36.2 watts	51 minutes
NorthBox 6XL [P14Max Build]	15.4 watts	22 minutes
Levoit Vital 200S	44.5 watts	23 minutes
Smart Air SA600	53.8 watts	24 minutes
Winix 5500-2	53.8 watts	23 minutes
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7	10.5 watts	23 minutes
Corsi-Rosenthal box	46.7 watts	32 minutes
Nukit Tempest [P14 Build]	8.8 watts	39 minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Filter costs = $45.94 per year

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

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

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

3M Filtrete MPR 1900 20x25x1

MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR SANCTUARY: 2-pack of 3-month pleated Filtrete 20x25x1 MERV 13 MPR 1900 AC Furnace Air Filter helps capture unwanted particles from your household air to contribute to a cleaner, fresher home environment
TOP PICK: Selected by The New York Times Wirecutter for its ability to clean the air without straining your HVAC system
EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY: HVAC filter designed with Filtrete 3-in-1 technology to pull in and trap unwanted particles, allowing cleaner air to flow through (Compared to MERV 13 minimum filter requirements; microparticles are 0.3 – 1.0 in size)
HIGHEST AIRFLOW: Filtrete MPR 1900 air filters deliver better airflow than any other brand’s residential 1” retail MERV 13 filters, based on California Energy Commission claimed data as of 1/29/2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you don’t want to build anything, you can buy the pre-made version, and the kit itself is easy to put together. And if you are based in Canada, I highly recommend you check out what the team at NorthBox Systems is doing over there with the NorthBox 6XL.

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

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

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

SOURCES

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

AirFanta 3Pro review

Oct 21, 2026Sep 17, 2024 by Danny Ashton

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

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

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

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

The pros and cons of the AirFanta 3Pro

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

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

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

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

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

If you don’t want to read my full review, here are the six things we like about the AirFanta 3Pro and the three things we don’t.

CONS

It is louder (56.3 dBA) than other PC fan kits we have tested (>45 dBA) when running at full speed.

Unlike other PC fan kits, the 3Pro doesn’t use standard HVAC (MERV 13) filters — you have to use OEM filters.

Energy costs are similar to traditional HEPA devices when running at full speed.

PROS

The highly affordable price ($159.99).

Its incredible air cleaning performance — it took just 17 minutes to clean our test room, which is two minutes slower than the almighty Smart Air Blast Mini.

It is A LOT easier to put it together than a standard DIY PC fan air purifier kit.

It’s small in size, especially when compared to a Corsi-Rosenthal box.

It can be assembled and disassembled in just a few minutes.

When taken apart, the parts are small enough to fit inside a backpack or small suitcase.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 353 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 213 cfm
Filter technology:	True HEPA H11 and optional pelleted activated carbon
Recommended room size:	529 sq. ft. (5 air changes per hour)
Dimensions:	12.6D x 12.6W x 12.6H inches (32D x 32W X 32H cm)
Weight:	7.7 lbs (3.49 kg)
Noise level in decibels from 3 ft. away:	3.63 volts: 36.1 dB 4.19 volts: 36.9 dB 5.24 volts: 39.7 dB 6.54 volts: 43.3 dB 7.44 volts: 46.7 dB 8.56 volts: 49.1 dB 12.6 volts: 56.3 dB
Electricity consumption in watts :	43.23 watts
Filter lifespan:	6 – 12 months
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

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

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

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

The AirFanta 3Pro from @Engineer_Wong is the only high CADR air purifier you can fit in a backpack 🎒 pic.twitter.com/AAM8663ESW
— HouseFresh (@ThisHouseFresh) July 31, 2024

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

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

My favorite part of that Velcro strip: makes it very easy to pick it up, place into luggage, and remove it from luggage as a single item: pic.twitter.com/9Z3bLhhQQw
— Ocean𓅃Ridge (@RidgeOcean) August 7, 2024

Filtration technology

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

HEPA ONLY FILTERS HEPA + CARBON FILTERS

Unlike actual DIY air purifier kits, you won’t be able to simply pick up some HVAC filters for your AirFanta 3Pro, so you will need to buy the official AirFanta filters. You can choose between EPA 11 filters only or EPA 11 with activated carbon. We have both because we wanted to test the performance of the 3Pro with and without activated carbon.

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

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

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

We are currently working on our written review of @Engineer_Wong’s AirFanta 3Pro, including new air cleaning performance data using HEPA + Carbon filters 🤓 pic.twitter.com/vYrDG3eGAm
— HouseFresh (@ThisHouseFresh) September 5, 2024

Tip

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

Design and controls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks to the advice from @ParentMishmash
I decide to add a piece of cable management Velcro in the 3Pro package from today.
It would help the installation.
Please note that the batches that already on the way to US and Canada don't contain this. pic.twitter.com/6hkFdoOhhJ
— Adam Wong (@Engineer_Wong) April 18, 2024

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

Air cleaning performance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sound levels

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

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

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

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

VOLTAGE	SOUND LEVELS (decibels)
3.63 v.	36.1 dBA
4.19 v.	39.7 dBA
5.24 v.	36.9 dBA
6.54 v.	43.3 dBA
7.44 v	46.7 dBA
8.56v	49.1 dBA
12.6 v. (top speed)	56.3 dBA

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

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

PC FAN KIT	SOUND AT TOP SPEED (decibels)
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 [Cooler Master SickleFlow 120]	38.8 dBA
CleanAirKits Luggable XL-7 Ultra [Cooler Master Mobius 120]	47.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest	41.8 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [ARCTIC P14 Max]	50.2 dBA
Nukit Tempest Euro	50.5 dBA
NorthBox Systems 6XL [Noctua P14s Redux]	45.1 dBA
AirFanta 3Pro	56.3 dBA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tip

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

Long-term running costs

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

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

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

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

VOLTAGE	ENERGY CONSUMPTION (watts)
Standby	0 watts
3.63 v.	2.19 watts
5.24 v.	5.02 watts
6.54 v.	8.98 watts
7.63 v.	13.31 watts
8.56 v	17.46 watts
12.6 v. (top speed)	43.23 watts

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

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

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

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

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

Tip

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

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

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

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

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

— Adam Wong, Founder of AirFanta

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

If you experience issues with your AirFanta 3Pro, all you need to do is email the AirFanta team at airfanta@air-fanta.com.

Make sure to include photos and/or videos of the issue you are experiencing.

Bottom line: Should you get the AirFanta 3Pro?

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

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

Adam Wong says no.

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

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

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

For those looking for an air purifier they bring along when traveling or to events, there isn’t anything on the market right now that matches the high CADR of the AirFanta 3Pro. You can simply disassemble the device and pack it in your suitcase or backpack just to reassemble it wherever you need it.

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

Now, is sound is a concern but your budget can’t stretch beyond $160, then remember you can run your AirFanta 3Pro at lower fan speeds. It will be much quieter and still outperform the standard retail HEPA air purifier you can find online, costing you less upfront and in the long run.

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

One last thought before I leave you: I believe everyone living outside the U.S. will really benefit from the AirFanta 3Pro, especially those living in places like the UK, where finding box fans and HVAC filters to build your own Corsi-Rosenthal box is virtually impossible. As if that wasn’t good enough, the 3Pro has a much smaller footprint than the standard CR box, is definitely quieter and offers much more adjustable fan speed options.

Do you have any questions about this device that I didn’t cover in my review? Drop a comment below, and I’ll reply right away.

Levoit EverestAir review

Aug 27, 2026Sep 5, 2023 by Danny Ashton

Levoit is one of the leading names in the air purifier space due to the popularity of its Core Series of air purifiers (like the 400S and 600S). I have tested all the models in this series and have found that they offer very good air cleaning performance, especially considering the low price.

Now, unlike the cylindrical and cheap Core series, the EverestAir is a rectangular air purifier with high-end features and a fairly expensive price tag.

But does the $499.99 mean that you’re getting much better air cleaning power compared to cheaper Levoit air purifiers? To find out, I bought an EverestAir with my own money to test everything about it.

The overall score for the Levoit EverestAir 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 EverestAir (or any other model you are researching) to see where it ranks:

The pros and cons of the Levoit EverestAir

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

Use the discount code HOUSE10 for 10% off when buying directly from Levoit.

“I love the look of the Levoit EverestAir and was pleasantly surprised at how well it did in our performance tests.

I have been using it at home since 2023 without any issues. In 2025, I re-tested everything about it and found that it still is an excellent option for those who want an air purifier with smart features and excellent raw air cleaning power even at quiet fan speeds.”

CONS

Selling for $499.99, the initial price is higher than the Core 600S ($289), which offers similar air cleaning performance.

Levoit initially promoted the filters as being HEPA 13 but these claims were removed from marketing materials later on.

The little wheels at the bottom of the device only go in one direction, making it difficult to maneuver the device.

PROS

It looks like an air purifier designed by Apple, which rivals the Dyson units.

Amazing performance — it cleaned our test room in 16 minutes, placing it in the top 10 of the most powerful air purifiers we’ve tested.

You get a laser dust sensor that is more accurate than the infrared sensor you get in the popular Levoit Vital 200S.

At speed 2, it generates just 43.2 decibels and will still provide a PM1 CADR of 205 cfm which is powerful enough to clean the air 5 times per hour in rooms up to 307 sq. ft. (or 28m2).

You can adjust the angle of the vents at the top of the device.

It connects to Levoit’s VeSync app, which is my favorite air purifier app.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 375 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 205 cfm – 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
Manufacturer’s warranty:	2 years
Country of origin:	United States
Country of manufacture:	China

Filtration technology

The EverestAir comes with bonded filter that captures particles and odors.

It comes with a washable, removable pre-filter that will trap larger particles like pet hair and fluff.

The main filter has a pleated particle filter on one side that will capture the tiniest of particles.

While the other side is packed with 400g of activated carbon pellets that trap odors.

Levoit EverestAir Activated Carbon Filter

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:

Design, controls and app features

A large rectangular air purifier with smart features, adjustable air vents and an onboard air quality sensor.

This is Levoit’s largest air purifier. See how it compares to the mid-sized Vital 200S to get an idea of size.

As you can imagine, it is heavier than most Levoit models too. The good news is that it comes with a deep handle at the back and wheels at the bottom, so it’s easy to move it around.

At the top, you can see real time air quality readings from the onboard sensor.

You can switch between displaying filter information (filter life % so you know when it’s time to replace it) and air quality info (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 particles in the air).

One of my favorite features is having the ability to adjust the angle of the air vents at the top.

This is an innovative feature that will come in handy when you want to change the direction of the clean, filtered air coming out of your EverestAir.

If you’ve read any of my other reviews for Levoit models, you will have seen me say that the VeSync app is my favorite air purifier app.

I use the Apple app and have had no issues since I first installed it a few yeard ago. From the app, you can adjust the purifier’s fan speeds, track indoor air quality data in the room and also set timers.

Levoit also give you options to customize the device’s auto mode (offering choices for Default, Quiet, Eco and Efficient) and to set routines with simple smart home automations.

My biggest gripe about the app is that you usually get hit with ads for other Levoit products – this isn’t something I’ve seen in other air purifier apps.

Air cleaning performance

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

When running at top speed, our PurpleAir Zen sensor shows that the EverestAir needed 16 minutes to reach PM1 zero. Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 375 cfm.

This makes it powerful enough to provide five air changes per hour in large rooms up to 562 sq. ft when running at its top fan speed.

When we compare this against other air purifiers with similar performance, you can see that it outperforms more expensive air purifiers like the Jaspr:

Levoit EverestAir Particle Removal Speed

And when it comes to VOC removal, I was surprised to see the EverestAir among the top 5 air purifiers with the best results, matching the performance of the pricier Dyson Big+Quiet.

VOC Removal Performance AC Infinity scaled

BUT air cleaning performance alone won’t tell us the full story…

Sound levels

The sound levels of the EverestAir range from 39.1 to 57.8 dBA — considerably quieter other large air purifiers like the Winix 9800 or the Levoit 600S.

As I always say, if your air purifier is too loud, sooner or later you will end up turning it off. That is why we use a sound meter to measure how much noise in decibels the EverestAir generates at each fan speed from 3 ft. away:

The EverestAir is very quiet considering it’s power, hitting 57.8 dBA at top speed.

Nearly every other model I benchmarked it against is louder than this, with the exception of the commercial Blast Mini and the less powerful Winix 9800.

Levoit EverestAir Top performance HouseFresh

I repeated the particle removal test at speed 2 (43.2 dBA) and it needed 29 minutes.

Based on the natural ventilation of our test room, we estimate a PM1 CADR of 205 cfm at speed 2 – powerful enough to provide 5 ACH in rooms up to 307 sq. ft.

Levoit EverestAir Quiet performance HouseFresh

When we compare this to other devices with similar air cleaning power, you can see that the EverestAir offers excellent performance at quiet operation.

Long-term running costs

Running a Levoit EverestAir will cost you $215.13 per year, combining energy and filter replacement costs.

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

At top speed, the EverestAir pulls 69.8 watts, so if you were to leave it running 24/7, it will add $115.14 to your yearly energy bill, based on the average U.S. electricity price as of July 2026.

But let’s look at the other main factor affecting yearly running costs: filter replacements.

According to Levoit, you need to change the filter in your EverestAir every 12-15 months. As always, I will take the lowest estimate for my calculations here. The original standard filter is available for $99.99. That means that you can expect to spend $99.99 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 I’m benchmarking the EverestAir against:

Levoit EverestAir Total Annual Running Costs

The Levoit EverestAir sits in the middle of the comparison here — it isn’t the most expensive, but it’s also not the cheapest to run in the long term.

Bottom line: Should you get a Levoit EverestAir?

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.

Use the discount code HOUSE10 for 10% off when buying directly from Levoit.

On paper, the EverestAir is a high-performing air purifier, so I expected it to perform well in our particle removal tests. What surprised me the most was how it performed in our VOC removal test, where it outperformed larger and more expensive models like the Coway ProX.

With a list price of $499.99, this is Levoit’s most expensive air purifier model and after using it all day, every day in our TV room, I can say that it’s also the most high-end design in their range. I always say that it looks like an air purifier designed by Apple.

If you are not bothered by the fancy features, then I recommend the Levoit Core 600S instead.

You’ll get similar air cleaning performance, app connectivity, an on-board sensor and smart modes for just $289. Just now that it runs louder than the EverestAir.

READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜

And if you’d like to save some $ and don’t want another app, check out the Coway 350.

For $339 you’ll get performance comparable to the EverestAir, an onboard sensor and smart modes. The biggest downside is that its louder than the EverestAir.

READ MY FULL REVIEW ➜

WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW ➜

But if the $500 price tag of the EverestAir doesn’t put you off, then know that you will be getting an excellent air purifier that not only offers outstanding air cleaning power but it’s also incredibly quiet considering how hard its fan works.

Are you still unsure about which one would be best for you? Try using our air purifier comparison tool to see how the EverestAir stacks up against other models:

If you decide you like this model and want to support the work we do at HouseFresh, be sure to use this affiliate link or the buttons I included throughout this article. We will get a small commission at no extra cost to you that will allow us to continue to buy, test and review air purifiers in the future without having to rely on sponsorship from brands.

Do you have any questions about the EverestAir or about Levoit air purifiers in general? Please drop them in the comments below and I’ll reply as soon as I can.

Smart Air Blast Mini review

Mar 16, 2026Jul 9, 2022 by Danny Ashton

Smart Air’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.

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 it’s like to live with it.

How we test air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Smart Air Blast Mini

“The Blast Mini outperformed all the units we’ve tested so far. It’s not loud, and although it’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.”

— Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder & Senior Writer

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.

£432 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

It’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) – 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 doesn’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 ain’t easy to move this device from room to room — 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) won’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 rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 400 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 272 cfm – 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 × 33W × 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
Manufacturer’s warranty:	1 year
Country of origin:	China
Country of manufacture:	China

Right, let’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 doesn’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 here’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 “Mini” that is not so mini

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

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.

£432 AT SMART AIR UK

The Smart Air Blast Mini’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 stylish—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.

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:

This is the part of the review where I clarify that the Blast Mini is not mini in size at all. The ‘Mini’ 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.

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? That’s it. That’s your control panel.

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

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 I’m also a smart home geek who understands that these IoT features don’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.

🎸 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.

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.

£432 AT SMART AIR UK

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

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 — the Blast Mini HEPA filter is double the size of the Vital 200S filter!

Unlike other air purifiers, which need their HEPA filters replaced every six months, the Blast Mini’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.

Now, if you are reading about the Blast Mini because you’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 Air’s VOC filter as an optional extra.

In the words of Smart Air, “Purifier companies have a financial incentive to convince people to buy carbon filters.” 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 “squirrel cage” fan that can quickly move a lot of air through the HEPA filter.

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.

£432 AT SMART AIR UK

Now we’ve come to the good part: how this air purifier performs in the real world.

If you visit Smart Air’s YouTube channel, you’ll see videos of them testing the performance of their air purifiers in translucent domes. We don’t have a translucent dome, and we guess you don’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 we’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 can’t expect it to be “whisper” quiet, but it’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 — 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:

Here’s how the Blast Mini compares to other units in noise output, cleaning speed and initial price.

AIR PURIFIER MODEL	SOUND LEVEL AT LOWEST SPEED (dB)	SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED (dB)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM	PRICE
Blueair Blue Pure 211+	37.2 dB	55.7 dB	18 minutes	$249.95
Smart Air Blast Mini	44.9 dB	56.3 dB	12 minutes	$599.00
Levoit EverestAir	39.1 dB	57.8 dB	14 minutes	$499.99
IQAir HealthPro Plus	36.9 dB	61.2 dB	24 minutes	$899.00
Austin Air HealthMate HM400	42 dB	61.5 dB	37 minutes	$719.99
AirDoctor 3000	40.2 dB	63.6 dB	15 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.

Our data shows that the Blast Mini isn’t the most efficient air purifier.

We clocked its highest usage at 122.7 watts, which is quite substantial. But that’s when running at its top fan speed, which you are unlikely to need to use for long periods of time. It’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 MODEL	ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT TOP SPEED (watts)	TIME TO CLEAN OUR TEST ROOM
Blueair Blue Pure 211+	54.5 watts	18 minutes
Levoit EverestAir	69.8 watts	14 minutes
AirDoctor 3000	93.2 watts	14 minutes
Smart Air Blast Mini	122.7 watts	12 minutes
IQAir HealthPro Plus	145.2 watts	24 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. That’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 – 99.97% Particle Filtration, Genuine Filter for Smart Air Blast Mini Air Purifier

✔ 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝟏𝟑 𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐑: 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.
✔ 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒: 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.
✔ 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈 - 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: Original Smart Air (aka Smart Health) filters are engineered specifically for the Blast Mini’s high-airflow, high-capacity system. They are built to match the purifier’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.
✔ 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑-𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄: 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 7–14 months depending on air quality and usage.
✔ 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐈𝐑: 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 – VOC & Odor Filtration, Works with True H13 HEPA for Smoke, Chemicals & Household Gases

✔ 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈: 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.
✔ 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝟏𝟑 𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐀: 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.
✔ 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐬 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐒 & 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒: 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.
✔ 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇-𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐀: 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.
✔ 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 & 𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐀 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐌: 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 MODEL	ESTIMATED 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 what’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.

PRICE AT SMART AIR U.S.

£432 AT SMART AIR UK

All in all, I really like what Smart Air is trying to achieve with the Blast Mini. It’s quiet yet performed incredibly well in our performance test. It’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 aren’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 Energy’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

Dec 17, 2025Jan 25, 2022 by Danny Ashton

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 £279.99 ($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 air purifiers

Read our full testing methodology.

The lowdown on the Alen BreatheSmart 45i

“So… is the Alen 45i good for you?

Considering only the initial price and top-speed CADR, it’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.”
—Danny Ashton, Founder & Senior Writer

If you don’t want to watch my full review of the Alen Breathsmart 45i, here are the 4 things I like and the 2 things I don’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 it’s easy to do via a button on the control panel.

Clean air delivery rate (CADR):	– Top speed PM1 CADR: 198 cfm – Sub-45 dBA PM1 CADR: 123 cfm – 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
Manufacturer’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.

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.

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.

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 PMS7003—one of the more accurate laser sensors used in purifiers. It’s the same sensor tech in our lab testing setups.

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 45i’s four fan speeds, turn the LED lights on or off, and lock the controls from meddling kids or pets.

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 shouldn’t cause too much of an issue. However, unlike manufacturers such as Blueair, I’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 doesn’t have app support. However, if you have an older 45i, you should still be able to use the app even if it wasn’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 it’s a very simple app. It looks like Alen has been upgrading the app, as it now has historical data from the sensor and the ability to schedule when it comes on and off.

DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP 

DOWNLOAD ANDROID APP ▶

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.

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 we’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.

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 Model	Carbon Amount
Winix 5500-2	226g
Levoit Core 400S (Basic Filter)	240±10g
Levoit Vital 400S (Smoke Filter)	450g
Alen 45i Fresh Filter	299g
Alen 45i VOC/Smoke Filter	1079g
Dyson Big+Quiet BP06	900g

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.

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 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 Zero	List Price
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	$189.99
Winix 5500-2	23 minutes	$249.99
IQAir Healthpro Plus	28 minutes	$999.99
Alen 45i	30 minutes	$429
Dyson BP06	30 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 doesn’t seem to improve particle removal performance.

Noise levels test results

Of course, performance means nothing if it’s too loud to use. Here’s how the 45i stacks up in our noise tests.

If an air purifier is too loud, you will turn it off eventually.

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 Zero	Sound level at top speed
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	57.7 dBA
Winix 5500-2	23 minutes	58.9 dBA
IQAir Healthpro Plus	28 minutes	61.2 dBA
Core 400S [European]	30 minutes	55.9 dBA
Alen 45i	30 minutes	56.1 dBA
Dyson BP06	30 minutes	51.4 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 Zero	Sound level at top speed
CleanAirKits Luggable XL	23 minutes	38.8 dBA
Winix 5500-2 [speed 2]	43 minutes	41.5 dBA
Levoit Vital 200S [Speed 2]	46 minutes	41.9 dBA
Dyson BP06 [Speed 1]	46 minutes	40.4 dBA
Alen 45i [Speed 2]	48 minutes	42.2 dBA
Core 400S [European]	50 minutes	44.4 dBA
IQAir Healthpro Plus [Speed 3]	68 minutes	40.9 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 can’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 away	Time to PM1 zero	HouseFresh CADR estimate
Alen 45i Speed 1	36.2 dBA	144 minutes	38 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 2	42.2 dBA	48 minutes	122 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 3	51.1 dBA	36 minutes	165 cfm
Alen 45i Speed 4	56.1 dBA	30 minutes	198 cfm

Alen claims it uses ‘pink noise,’ 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.”

Using the spectrometer, I wasn’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.

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 IONIZER	Energy in Watts without Ionizer
Standby	0.8 watts	0.8 watts
1	5.1 watts	4.4 watts
2	10.1 watts	9.3 watts
3	22.8 watts	22.3 watts
4 Top Speed	38.7 watts	38.5 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 Zero	Yearly energy usage at top speed
CleanAirKits Luggable XL	23 minutes	$11.66
Levoit Vital 200S	23 minutes	$49.48
Winix 5500-2	23 minutes	$59.38
IQAir Healthpro Plus	28 minutes	$152.83
Alen 45i	30 minutes	$43.32
Core 400S [European]	30 minutes	$44.03
Dyson BP06	30 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 Cost	Total 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 £29.30 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 don’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.

So… is the Alen 45i good for you?

Considering only the initial price and top-speed CADR, it’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.

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 don’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