The innermost layer contains activated carbon, which works to absorb odors, such as burned food smells and smoke. The Molekule Air Mini+ is designed for small spaces, like a bedroom or home office. In our testing, it performed far worse than our pick for those scenarios, the Levoit Core 300—which costs about $100, versus the Air Mini+’s typical $350 or more. On its medium setting (speed three, out of a total five), the Air Mini+ reduced smoke levels by just 58.7%, versus the Levoit’s 92.6%.
With 3-stage filtration, this unit was designed for use in spaces up to 129 ft², despite only having a CADR rating of 40 CFM. One of the significant differences of this model is that it uses one-button control, unlike the others with a multi-button control panel. The one-button design enhances the simplicity of the design and is perfect for those who prefer not to fiddle around with settings but want to let the unit get on with it. This unit fills the void between the Core 300 and 400S perfectly as a purifier capable of cleaning the air in a 516 sq. The LV-PUR131S also has a simple capacitive control panel which allows users to operate the unit with minimal fuss.
Our “best overall” pick, the LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room, has a CADR rating of 260 CFM, which makes it not only an efficient purifier but also an option with a quiet operation that shouldn’t disturb your day-to-day routine. Configuring the water tank for the humidifier can be a little tricky if you don’t follow the directions, but once we viewed the instructional setup video, the process was easier to understand. On some other models, the pre-filter is removable, which makes cleaning and maintenance easier. This way, you will maintain the devices’ high efficiency and prolong the life of the HEPA filters. The replacement process is straightforward and consists mainly of a few simple steps, and is very similar to all Levoit air purifiers.
The two machines are similarly quiet, with the Airmega 400 registering 40 decibels on its quiet/high-medium setting and the Blue Pure 211+ measuring at 43 decibels on medium. But the Blue Pure 211+ comes out on top on cost, as it typically sells for $300 versus the Airmega 400’s usual price of $500. The Honeywell InSight HPA5300B, a large-space model, likely performs well, but after measuring
its electricity demands, we dismissed it. Compared with our pick for large spaces, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+, the HPA5300B is a power hog, drawing 33, 60, 94, and 117 watts on its four (low to turbo) speeds, respectively. The Blue Pure 211+, in contrast, tops out at 64 watts on its highest setting yet is also a slightly more powerful machine in terms of clean air delivery rate (CADR).
We later learned that many of the company’s advertising claims were found to be baseless, and Molekule subsequently retracted almost all of them. (You can read about the saga in our reports from February and June 2020; the Air was then known as the MH1.) That year we also tested a Molekule Air Mini and judged it to be similarly poor. At night, for example, you can shut off its display, which features a far-too-bright air-quality indicator lamp. You do so by holding down the Ionizer button for three seconds—something Coway could frankly do a better job of making clear. The machine keeps running at whatever speed you want, and you get to sleep or watch TV in a nice dark room.
In addition to our picks above, other HEPA cleaners such as the $100 Levoit Core 300, the $70 Bissell and the $100 GermGuardian all offer only so-so power for their prices. The IQAir HealthPro Plus wasn’t among the devices we tested, in part because we were looking at more affordable options. But IQAir’s $799 air cleaner is one of the few devices on the market to contain multiple kilograms of activated carbon, which will filter out odors and gaseous pollutants much more effectively than most consumer air cleaners under $1,000.
But don’t count on air purifiers to protect you from virus particles if you’re cohabitating with a contagious person. When CNET spoke with Richard Shaughnessy, director of indoor air research at the University of Tulsa, in 2022, he said transmission of COVID usually happens due to close contact with an infected person. If you’re sitting on a couch and chatting with someone who is infected, an air purifier across the room isn’t going to remove all the harmful particles exhaled before they have a chance to reach you.
Air purifiers have become an essential household item in today’s world, providing clean and fresh air to breathe. It is a must for people having allergies or sensitive to dust and other particles. Among the various brands available, Levoit air purifiers are widely known for their high-quality filters and efficient performance. However, to maintain this performance, it’s crucial to clean the air purifier regularly.