IQAir - GCX MultiGas XE

I've used Levoit multiple times for a more economical version, but I love my IQAir GC MultiGas XE (I have MCS) if you can afford it.

Get one Smart Air Blast Mk II (tall) with the charcoal filter (3 lbs). Replace the charcoal filter as often as budget allows (it’s separate from the HEPA). Run it on high 24/7 for maximum CADR. In addition, run an IQAir GC MultiGas XE or GCX MultiGas XE with one of each canister (they hold four total). You will likely have to purchase each type as a four pack. Carbon VOC Canister • High-capacity activated carbon • Best for general VOC removal and chemical fumes Formaldehyde Canister • Impregnated media optimized for aldehydes (especially formaldehyde) • Includes potassium permanganate and other specialized substances Ammonia Canister • Media specifically designed to capture ammonia and amines Acid Gas Canister • Targets acidic gases like hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, etc. The canisters can be mixed and matched for customized filtration. This is rarely done with the GC platform, but I suspect it’s more commonly done with the GCX platform, which is often used in more industrial or lab settings. Run it on low/medium (Speed 2 or 3) for increased dwell time. I would contact IQ Air for more tailored advice given how expensive it is.

Get one Smart Air Blast Mk II (tall) with the charcoal filter (3 lbs). Replace the charcoal filter as often as budget allows (it’s separate from the HEPA). Run it on high 24/7 for maximum CADR. In addition, run an IQAir GC MultiGas XE or GCX MultiGas XE with one of each canister (they hold four total). You will likely have to purchase each type as a four pack. Carbon VOC Canister • High-capacity activated carbon • Best for general VOC removal and chemical fumes Formaldehyde Canister • Impregnated media optimized for aldehydes (especially formaldehyde) • Includes potassium permanganate and other specialized substances Ammonia Canister • Media specifically designed to capture ammonia and amines Acid Gas Canister • Targets acidic gases like hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, etc. The canisters can be mixed and matched for customized filtration. This is rarely done with the GC platform, but I suspect it’s more commonly done with the GCX platform, which is often used in more industrial or lab settings. Run it on low/medium (Speed 2 or 3) for increased dwell time. I would contact IQ Air for more tailored advice given how expensive it is.

Thanks for the great tips! The Airpura C700 DLX does look interesting. My biggest problem with Airpura is a complete void of reviews or testing. Do you have any direct experience with them by chance? I'm leaning heavily IQAir mostly bc there's more reviews and they are mostly positive. I know VOC's are hard and expensive to measure but I'm shocked almost no online reviews even do basic VOC tests using airthings or other sensors. I plan to post my 30 day airthings VOC chart before and after I purchase an air purifier to show some sort of evidence if it does anything. Looking at this chart for my levoit, it's very clear that it's great for PM but useless for VOC's. I would think the internet would be covered in tests like this but there is near zero data out there. This makes me very suspicious that trying to combat VOC's is a hopeless marketing scheme to upsell expensive carbon filters. Any company that showed off real world results would have a huge advantage, but none do which makes me think VOC capture is not practical. I do run a dehumidifier in my room every night and average 37% humidity which helps with the musty smell. Whenever I'm away on vacation and don't run it the smell comes back. Unfortunately can't get the landlord to do anything about it.

I got the small r414 I think is the model. So far I haven't been able to detect any impact on VOCs. In fact I'm currently testing if it's making my VOCs significantly worse or not on my air things. I much prefer my levoit Everest air for PM. For VOCs that does nothing, but as far as I can tell neither does the Airpura. I'm probably going to try an IQAir instead of a bigger Airpura next, you might want to consider that one.

I would add IQAir to this, especially the Multigas GCX (emphasis on X, it's superior to the GC which is already a great unit.) Oransi has a standalone carbon model as well. But yeah this list including your comment is very complete. I spent months researching and created a comprehensive brand list and narrowed it down to the exact same brands you mentioned for actual decent VOC filtration. Real world performance is a different issue however and the one thing I would emphasize to OP is that 2,000 is a *lot* of square footage and these types of purifiers are very expensive and if you're looking to consistently purify the entire dwelling then you'd need at least a half dozen 250CFM units to make a difference. It will be expensive and loud and the filters will saturate and need replacement very often if you have a smoker nearby.

IQ Air GC (does vocs, there is a base model for less though)

I bought directly from Green Building Supply in Iowa (amazing customer service & super fast!) but don’t see it there now, so I’ve linked to the models at the manufacturer. One of these is the XE https://www.iqair.com/us/products/air-purifiers/gc-multigas https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers/gc-multigas ETA: I have MCS. We keep one in the bedroom, office and main living space. We’ll get the house unit when we move.

I ordered the IQAir MultiGas, it’s been running all day, still have a crazy headache and sore throat. Feel like death. How are we going to live like this??

Ah crud, bought another MutliGas too. Both have been running all day, one in the living room, one in the bedroom. Headache and sore throat gone at home, but comes on when I’m outside for 10 mins.

If money is out of the question. IQ Air Multigas.

That IQAIR model is a good one for a mixture of particulate and VOC filtration. You can also look at other companies like Austin Air, Aller Air, or essentially any other "steel can" style air purifiers. They'll come with tens of pounds of activated carbon and HEPA filtration but they are loud and expensive. But they are effective.

Pro X does have activated carbon but not a lot. Just a few lbs and they're connected to the HEPA filters meaning if you want to run it under ideal circumstances you'll have to replace the filters when the carbon is full which happens way faster than the HEPA portion. That's one of the nice thing about the IQAIR unit is that it has separate filters. However the PM2.5 particulate is the most immediate danger from the smoke and the Pro X will absolutely breeze through filtering that. It'll probably do ten or more air changes per hour in a room that small.

I have Austins and IQAir MuliGas. The Austins were recommended by a clinic which treats individuals with extreme chemical sensitivities. You want a unit where the fan feeds the filters (1st in the chain) to avoid contamination from the fan itself. No filter is going to eliminate all VOCs.

I have a couple of models: Immunity Machine, Healthmate Plus, bedroom machine. There have been some reviews stating that Austins are slower at clearing a room of particulates. My main concern is VOCs and since I run 3-4 filters in each room that isn't a concern for me. Am now testing the immunity machine. Seems to do a much better job with VOCs, although final results will take a while. What is your concern with IQAair?

I run 3 filters, Austin and IQAIR, in each of 2 spaces - one 300 square feet the other 600 square feet. If the air is poor outside my Purple Air sensors will still show green. However there are so many chemicals in wildfire smoke, particularly if structures have burned, that they don't get everything. I am sensitive to terpenes and right now they don't help with the Camphor tree flowers. So they can greatly improve air quality but don't expect all VOCs to be removed from the air.

I use Austin Immunity machine and iQair GC Multigas units as VOCs are a major concern for me. Not rated.

Iq air MCS hands down. Entertain no other option, its ability to filter is down to the smallest size I can find.

You’re right, my bad. Guess is a colloquial name we’ve given it in my house. I’ve had two for 9 years and can’t imagine life without them. We do vacuum the bottom pre filter every two weeks to prevent dog hair from reducing flow. I do bring a medium sized new version Air Oasis when traveling.