In a 350-square-foot room, it can deliver 5.3 air changes per hour (ACH) based on its CADR measurements, nearly identical to the results that we got from the Coway AP-1512HH and slightly more than what the Winix models can achieve. Levoit claims their purifier can trap 99.97% of fine particles that are 0.3 microns in size, including pollutants such as dust, pollen, and smoke. Three fan speeds allow users to choose quieter settings for nighttime or watching TV, and the dimmable night light makes this purifier a smart choice for kids’ bedrooms. At that fan speed, however, it’s far too loud for anyone to make conversation or watch TV nearby.
Air purifiers should be cleaned often to ensure they’re working properly. Weighing in at just 6.5lbs, the Levoit H132 is light enough for any desktop or shelf and features a cord length of 6 feet. Levoit
is an American-based company with its headquarters located in California. They conduct all the research and development in their HQ, designing units to the highest specification to meet US standards.
Ionizers impart an electrical charge to air molecules that pass through the machine. These ionized air molecules then in theory bind to airborne particles and give them a charge, encouraging them to stick together and to create larger particles that may be easier to filter or large enough to settle out of the air. Most purifiers with an ionizer let you toggle the feature on or off, and we recommend off.
The big promise that the product makes is that it’s quiet—and the filter is certainly very quiet. It has a big range of settings so if for some reason the (still quite quiet) highest setting is undesirable, you can set it lower without having to simply turn it off. I have an issue with a space heater’s volume (it adds extra drama to my Zoom set up!) and I don’t have similar volume problems with the air filter. The other big promise is its design—a lot of air purifiers are ugly—and even though the size of this purifier is quite large, it’s round, space-y appearance is a lot of fun (dare I say it’s a statement piece?). The design is super intuitive and there’s an app you can use too (though I don’t feel a need for it).
Here are other air purifiers to consider, which we include here based on expert guidance from our previous reporting and Select reader interest. They may be worth considering if you need to clear the air in a larger room than mine or if you want a dual-function purifier. Air purifiers are fairly straightforward appliances with minimal installation and upkeep. Still, you want to make sure your unit continues to work correctly — and lasts as long as possible.
The Humidify+Cool has a HEPA filtration system and a separate carbon filter detects formaldehyde. I guess it could be due in part to my obsession with clean air, but, so far, the Dyson has reported good air quality every time I’ve checked in–the only exceptions being after I’ve lit candles or cooked something on the stovetop. With its 3-stage filtration, including H13 grade HEPA and pre-filters that can remove tiny airborne pollutants such as odors and particles like dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and mold spores. The model also has a filter
reset indicator to inform you when the filter needs replacement. Our previous top pick among large-space purifiers, the Coway Airmega 400, is a stellar performer, registering 99.9% and 99.7% reduction of particulates on high and medium, respectively, on both new filters and filters that had been run 24/7 for a year. Those figures slightly topped the results from our current large-space pick, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+, which came in at 99.3% and 99.2% on new filters and 99.3% and 98.4% on filters that had been run 24/7 for eight months.
When retesting our existing air-purifier picks, Tim took four measurements, two using the old filters and two using new filters, to get a picture of how (or even if) their performance changed over time. The TrueAir maintains optimal humidity levels in a large bedroom or living space, with its 5.5-liter water tank and ability to run for an impressive 90 hours of continuous operation, automatically shutting off when it’s empty. The air purifier comes with similar tech specifications to the AROEVE air purifier. It also comes with a flexible set operating time of working for as little as two hours straight to up to 12 hours straight. Experts say keeping doors and windows closed while indoors and utilizing a vacuum to clean out dust are some of the ways to help. The installation of an air purifier is another thing you can do at your home to help alleviate allergies.
The theory is that ozone, which is highly reactive, neutralizes or breaks down pollutants. Setting aside the dubiousness of that claim, even low levels of ozone can be harmful (PDF). It’s crazy to introduce a new pollutant when the goal is to reduce pollution overall. Ionizers produce a small amount of ozone as a by-product, but as laid out by the strict California Air Resources Board, none of our picks with an ionizing function exceed the limit of 0.05 part per million (50 parts per billion).
The Levoit took 10 minutes longer to clean half of the thick cloud of dust particles out of a small room, and after 40 minutes at top speed it still didn’t take out as much as the competitors on their lowest speed settings. If you want to take the precaution of filtering your air, remember that air purifiers are only effective at removing particles that are floating through your room — they can’t do anything about a virus body trapped behind a closed door or stuck to surfaces. If you’re making a lot of dust or smoke inside, ventilation or more effective cleaning will make a much bigger difference than filtering the air.
Since 2017, he has conducted extensive real-world testing of air purifiers in his New York apartment and in Wirecutter’s New York and Los Angeles offices. Tim has also lived with most of our picks, running them 24/7 for months—sometimes years—on end in his apartment. That experience has helped him gather objective data on their long-term purifying performance and any mechanical degradation. The Levoit’s 4.5-liter tank is plenty to cover your plant collection in mid-size to large rooms up to 430 square feet, without turning it into a fogged-up jungle. There’s a built-in humidistat, which allows you to easily control and maintain the desired humidity levels, and is really handy for plants that require strict conditions to thrive in. This unit also features a night light and a built-in timer, making it a convenient and versatile option for any plant lover and a nice comfortable addition to bedrooms too.