
Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Reddit Reviews
Just got 2 levoits. In NYC. Definitely less cooking/food odors in the home and a reduction in dust and soot from the window sill. Love them. Got the 300SP for bedroom and 400SP for living room.
I use this LEVOIT in both bedrooms https://a.co/d/4UdIxew I use this one in my living room https://a.co/d/am3GNeF
Ich hab den levoit core 400S auch mit aktivkohlefilter, ich kann ihn wärmstens empfehlen! Hätte es selbst vorher nicht gedacht, dass das so einen Unterschied macht.
Für mein Empfinden ja. Hab ihn nach ca.8 Monaten zum ersten Mal getauscht. Empfehle da aber eindeutig die original Filter, die billigeren Versionen waren Schrott.
I like the Honeywell HPA series - I have a HPA 5300. It is HEPA. I like that there are various pre-filters you can buy to tailor to your needs. I use a A pre-filter, an S pet-odor filter, and the standard HEPA filters. The unit circulates air in a large room about 3 times per hour. Noise levels are fantastically quiet, and the auto setting allows me to run the unit 24/7 without changing anything. While it’s lacking smart features, I don’t feel I need it. I also have a Levoit 400S-P that I run a different room, without the ionizer. It gives me comparable performance as the Honeywell but I don’t like lack of filter options, is slightly more expensive to maintain, and slightly noisier.
Levoits are great. Someone on here said the thing about the "not true Hepa" or whatever is not a big deal, as it might take it a fraction longer to filter of its hepa 12 vs 13, something like that. It's still going to filter particles, and it does it well. I think it may be a semantical argument/technicality etc. But not something to worry about it. Levoits have even tested and perform very well at removing particles in tests. You can see in a video like this that was just done. Levoits were one of the top performers at removing particles. So I wouldn't worry about that. (I have many levoits +Iove them. They perform very well, and last a long time...as I've had two core 300s running near continuously for 5-6 years now....) I've never owned a Winix but people seem to like them. I don't know if either is "better" as both perform very well on tests. And have slightly difference of preference, as you mentioned plasma thing with the Winix. Either is probably good imo. But Levoits are great, and perform well, so I wouldn't worry about whatever thing that was. Some kind of technicality/semantical debate I think. Ultimately they perform very well on tests, so it's not very important imo, which is what someone with more knowledge of it that me was saying. So get whicher you like. Both are great brands. I don't know if either is "better", it just comes down to preference as they perform very similarly in testing. (I like Levoits for longevity + durability as they last forever and are affordable ..I don't know how long Winix lasts but they seem to be a very good brand too.) So it's all about preference at that point. (Same with Coway another good brand that performs well, all 3 great.) At 20:54 in this video the guy shows the chart with all the results comparing them. He says after testing them all he would pick the levoits for the medium and small units as those performed the best there and the Winix for the bigger sizes he tested, as those got #1 or tied for #1 in each category. (7 of the brands all had 0 particles remaining in one test, so Levoit, Winix, Coway, another Levoit, a Dyson and 2 others...all did well with 0 particles left in 2 minutes in one test.) Winix, Levoit, and Coway all the top 3 I believe, so all good, and all performing almost identicalyl within like 1% of each other or so. So it just comes to what preference and what features/aspects do you prefer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQGfO4hNb60#
Well, I think I see that Levoit for 181 for sale on levoit.com and same on amazon. When I Google it. And the Winix I only see 70 for a refurbished one. Ive never gotten a refurbished purifier so is id just go with the new unit, esp if you get the Levoit for 180, as i see. Also consider what warranty a refurbished unit has. If it's just a 1-year warranty that's not great...as it could break in 1 year and then you have to spend more to buy another proper unit. Levoits have excellent durability/longevity...so id go with the Levoit. But if you don't have the budget, and don't mind the prospect of possibly having to buy another unit in maybe a year or two...then the Winix is probably OK too. For 180 id easily pick the Levoit and you will get a long lasting unit.
An affordable and long lasting one is Alen 45i, around 300-400 bucks and they have a lifetime warranty. (if you stay signd up with the filter replacement plan, with one every 9 or 12 months, your choice.) It has black carbon filter material, and is good overall, would be very good for a 300 sq foot area. Levoits are great for lonevity as I've had mine running continuously for 5 years...still going...most other affordable brands will break or have problems but the Levoits last forever. However, they dont have a huge amoount of carbon, only a litlte in some of the filters I think. If you can afford a lot consider the pricey units others are suggesting. I cant afford that and use a combination of levoits + an Alen + RIA Breezeguard (my best unit overall with carbon fiber layer + UVC + humidifier all built in, however it doesn't have a lifetime warranty but so far its been great after a few years. Around 400 I think. The RIA Breezeguard is bigger + pushes more air and has more options (also app/phone control.) But you prob wont need that so much in a small studio apartment. So if you want longevity/lifetime warranty and good effectiveness for the area you have...the Alen 45i is a good choice imo. If you had a bedroom then add a levoit in there for more coverage etc. The only downside to my Alen 45i is that it doesn't super forecefully move air on high, it just kind of goes pretty steady....but it lasts forever and for your small space, if placed in a decent spot where air is flowing...then would still be very good for now + long term. Add in more units once you move to a bigger space. You can also just buy some black carbon filters (for any brand really) and place a few around if you want to capture more odors, esp smoke. So Ria BreatheSmart great all-around unit with excellent features, good carbon, but unsure about longevity Alen 45i seems to meet all your needs with longevity, carbon, size etc. Levoits awesome for longevity as well (not lifetime warranty but they last a long time) but just so-so on carbon I think. (Don't know thier newer/more pricey models as my 2 100 dollars ones have lasted years....) Ofc I like all 3 brands and use all 3 in my bigger space (+ more in bedroom etc.)
I like Levoits myself, as well as Alen. I've never had a Coway but people seem to like them too, and they likely perform well. Dyson I think seems over priced for the performance you get, but it may have some other bells and whistles. (The fan power on a Dyson for instance wasn't very strong in a comparison I saw, but yet they prob cost the most. Maybe paying for aesthetics + brand name as well.) Doesnt mean it's bad, just probably not the best value for what you get. I also really like my RIA Breezeguard, as that's my current favorite unit I have. (Don't know longevity yet though as it's maybe a newer brand and Ive had it 2.5 years vs 6+ for Levoits and Alen units usually have a lifetime warranty.) If I was looking to get another unit I would definitely consider Coway, and if I could afford a Dyson I would consider that too. But Levoits are affordable, reliable + last years. Alens same idea but little pricier with lifetime warranty, and built to run continuously. (With yearly filter subscription enrolled.) So no I don't think there is a consensus ? As others are saying DIY it which gives good value for the CFM performance you get too. (but has some drawbacks as well.). For instance I am disabled so I can't be messing with a unit if it has a problem, or putting stuff together, and I don't have the funds to buy a replacement if it breaks. So I need something preferably affordable, easy to use, reliable, and with excellent longevity/warranty. So that's Levoit + Alen. Other people will have other needs/preferences. A lot of the well regarded brands units perform decently well, and have various small differences so it comes down to preference a lot. Just avoid random/new/cheap brands as those are the ones I've had break down and have the most problems.
I keep two levoits in the corners of my living room, but i also have an Alen in a more central location along a wall where a lot of air passes through. But Levoits shoot the air upwards and are circular, so they sort of can work in a corner - but you still should have I believe 12 inches of space or so officially. (Mine are maybe 6 inches as I am not relying solely on either of them for coverage.) Ideal coverage i think would be near center of a room, but also good to have it near where you are most of the time, and ofc its not always practical to put a purifier in the center of a room. (None of mine are.). So along a wall is OK, and in a corner can be OK esp if you have air movement, so I have a box fan next to one my corner levoits, to help circulate the air. If it's just put in a cluttered corner where no air will flow - then it won't be able to do as much. So you will get better results if air can circulate through it with ease. So put a fan near a corner unit and that can help offset that for instance. (A fan draws air in towards the back of it, and shoots air out the front - thus driving circulation.). So If you have at least some circulation.....corner units can be OK, but you do need at least a few inches of space from wall.
If you can afford 800 then probably consider AustinAir, people on here seem to hold it in high regard and one of their good units is 750 I think. I could never afford that, and have never had Air Doctor,.so I can't say anything on that. I do love my Levoits but they are good affordable units, that last a long time. If I had 750 I'd probably get an AustinAir, which has very thick filters and good for odors + VOCs. (Levoits excellent, but more "normal" purifiers that get particles in the air, they have some carbon in filter but not as much as more expensive units.) Mid range options I could afford are Alen Flex (350+) and Ria Breezeguard (370). Coways are also highly liked on here, but again, haven't had one so can't speak to that. So for odors/VOCs id prob recommend AustinAir given that you are fortunate enough to afford it. That's the one that I've seen recommended for odors/VOCs, and In your price range. (Or maybe 2 350 Alens, if you want coverage in 2 spots.). The AustinAir filters are pretty expensive, some said theirs lasted years and some said they change them once a year. My Alen Flex ones are about 90-120 and last me around 11 months avg. And you get a lifetime warranty with the unit if you maintain the yearly filter replacement with them every 9 or 12 months. But for 800 budget...look into AustinAir. Edit: it looks like Levoits newer/larger units like Everest Air have a decent amount of carbon filter, so that's seemingly a decent all-around mid range option too. But for VOC/odors specifically, Alens same price range units will still be a little better likely, and AustinAir even better.
I second the 45i is a great unit, and they are sold at some hardware stores and such. However I would also suggest getting the IQ AIr or Austin Air as well - as those are even better for VOCs - with many more pounds of carbon/charcoal pellets to absorb VOC gasses. Alen will be the the best you can find at a store. (They are good at both particulate and VOCs, but for VOcs you need to get it with their best filter, which is like 10-30 bucks more.). They also come with a lifetime warranty if you remain in the filter replacement program. Although they don't move a huge amount of air so getting a Winix, Levoit, or Coway also a good idea to move more air/better/faster particulate capture. The IQ Air and Austin Air also don't move a lot of air, so it's best to pair them with units that move a lot of air, so you get full coverage. (Unless you could afford a lot of VOC minded units, but that is ofc very expensive.) So for me I have a mix of various brands with 2 Levoits, an Alen 45i, a Pure Enrichment Elite , RIA, and many others. Some are good for VOCs, one has ionizer, and some are just strong for Hepa/participate coverage. In a basement id suggest a corsi Rosenthal box/CR Box. As they don't look aesthetically pleasing....however for about 90 bucks....it will so about 400CFM power....which probably double the CFM power as all of those VOC type units do. As VOC units move a bit slower....as that is better for the absorption of the gasses the charcoal/carbon pellets material. Hepa-focused units will move air more quickly....so better for getting particulates and cleaning your air faster ..as they aren't focused in the VOC aspect (but can still help.). So I would definitely get at least an IQ Air or Austin Air for the VOC issue (they aren't in stores) a few Alens are down for general coverage+ effective at both, and then some stronger units for participate capture, which can be any of Winix, Levoit, or Coway. All perform pretty similarly in tests of participate capture as the top 3 (with Dyson, which is overpriced for what it does but slightly quieter and with better sensors.). But if you get a 30 dollar box fan and tape it to a set 4 merc 13+ filters...you get 400CFM power on high....which is as much or more than pretty much every consumer purifier under 400-500 bucks. (And all the VOC units too.). Lastly, ventilation for VOCs important as someone else said, so box fans great anyway. Even putting a merv13+ filter behind a box fan...can help with CFM coverage and get you around 150Cfm...which is = to a 160 dollar air purifier about.
I think the answer is both. Although you can just put in a merv 15 or 16 filter yourself in the HVAC I believe, so you may not need to spend thousands of dollars there. But the HVAC only runs at certain temperatures right ? Vs air purifiers you can run them 24/7 all the time...for constant coverage. That Lennox system seems cool, it's Merv 16 filters plus a PCO photocataltyic oxidation light purifier system. Pco is in some purifiers too. It can kill germs + converts VOCs into water vapor + carbon dioxide. (VOCs are gasses essentially, stuff that creates odors, and sometimes even stuff we can't smell, that can still harm us.). Idk what the data is on the light in that Lennox unit though. Not an HVAC expert. So idk if that's worth the money or not. You can get PCO technology in purifiers such as PuraClenz, kaltech and others. Older Uvc lights can produce ozone, but apparently newer PCO technology may not produce ozone. One issue thigh, is that it might produce other unknown byproducts, when various chemical VOCs are converted. So it's a new technology and IDK what possible compounds could occur. I believe hfs generally considered safe thigh and I have two units. (I use them sparingly and not daily like my other units.,) I would avoid the ion stuff as that will create at least a little ozone usually. I am more comfortable with ionization in purifier units that I can easily toggle on/off. So a larger unit like that might produce a concerning amount of ozone, idk, and it might or might not be easy to turn off. But those would be things to consider there. The higher the merv generally good. You want merv13+ I think esp for virus control. So Merv 15 is very good. I would avoid merv 11 as that might not capture certain viruses as well. So it's a good idea to improve your HVAC, but you still want air purifier coverage for when the HVAC isn't running, I believe. So you can get clean air with a lot of white hepa filter units they will capture virus particles. Black carbon strips in fitness can Bind with smoke + help w smoke and odors. Even better units for VOCs/odors will have like 10-15 pounds of carbon)charcoal pellets ..which absorb VOCs in the air. You can try absorbing VOCs, or blasting them/covering them with PCO. White hepa filters can't capture gasses so useless there. But they are excellent at capturing partuculates, allergens, and viruses, if a good Hepa 13 filter I think. So you have options. But this a multiple approach as there are multiple needs. I have 8x units in a large 2 bedroom apartment, each that does various things. (One has ionizer, some are good for VOCs with carbon pellets, and some are just good for more HEPA coverage/particulate capture.). I wasn't sure on safety with the PCO so I don't use those often, as that's a newer technology, and I test units before other people do. If it were me, and I have the extra funds, I would consider the Lennox thing. But can't say if I would get that or not. As you can still get excellent air coverage just from people size + amount from air purifiers. And you can buy yourself a merv 15 or 16 and prob put that in the HVAC yourself. (Or have them but it's just a 150-180ish dollar filter, you don't NEED to spend all that money to have clean air.) But if you really want to be thorough....and you have the funds....and if you can toggle it on/off if there is an issue...then maybe consider that. But you still prob need proper air purifier coverage too. (I would avoid the ion stuff/merv 11 etc.) Ionization fine in purifiers, for most, but can produce ozone and respiratory issue in some people. So needs to be able to toggle on/off for first time user in my opinion. Ionization can help particles bind together and fall to floor so you dont breathe them in as much. It can help. But you still then have particles on floor that need to be vacuumed up. And some bothered by even small/safe amounts of ozone. So id avoid In HVAC myself, but I do use daily in my main purifier unit. White Hepa grade filters most important will capture particles, viruses etc. That's the main thing. Good units for VOCs/odors are 1,000 dollar IQ AIr and 750 dollar Austin Air. Among others. But those don't move a lot of air, slower better for the carbon pellets to absorb odors. So best to pair with other units that move more air with HEPA. Lots of good brands there like Winnix, Levoit, and Coway, that all perform well, have various sizes, features etc.
I have a big purifier right next to my computer myself. (but not because of dust but more so because I have 8x purifiers in a 1 bedroom apartment so that happened to be the best spot for it.) So as others said you dont really need to put a purifier there, although it is more useufl to be near you. But also does not need to be. But next to a computer is an OK place, esp if you are using the computer a lot. But fine anywhere in the room thats gets good airflow. As per units Winix + Levoit are both excellent, however they are not known for being quiet per se. I find my Levoit quiet, and Winix scores about the same in decibel testing. However "quiet is subjective to the user, so you can always run them on low if needed. Thing is, if you run it on low you you are losing a bunch of the CFM effectiveness, so I suggest trying to run high and see if you adjust to minor noise. As CFM ratings are based on it running on high speed. (I got accustomed to the mild noise and now its a nice background noise....that I don't even notice.) Or at least run it on high when not in the room, or try to adjust over time, as you get more out of it the more/higher you run it. But certainly on low most units wont make much noise. My Levoits to me are not loud even on high. (Winix should be same.) I would not get a Xiaomi over Winix or Levoit, as I am not that familiar with Xiaomi, although those might be OK too. I do know that Winix + Levoit are both great. So either of those should be fine. Levoits dont have ionizer unless it says Plasma Pro. Some Winix I think might have it, but idk which models as I dont have Winix myself. (You also dont need ionization but if you get additional units you can always try out one of of those, just make sure you can toggle it on/off in case you dont like it.) But you should be fine with any Winix or Levoit.
I would not buy a Xiomi over a Winix unless there was a substantial price difference. (as in almost for free.) As I think it is a brand with less quality, so the units may break more frequently. As well they seem to discontinue units and then people can't find filters to even use them. Thus why they are cheap. The units I have had the most problems with...with units breaking within 6 months to 1 year...are cheap random brands. (they often usually only have a 1 year warranty.) I would strongly recommend Winnix or Levoit, as those are good quality, you wont be able to not find a filter etc. and they perform the best in recent testing. Here is a recent thread on people saying not to buy Xiaomi. [https://www.reddit.com/r/AirPurifiers/comments/1mgg0bo/do\_not\_buy\_xiaomi\_air\_purifiers/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirPurifiers/comments/1mgg0bo/do_not_buy_xiaomi_air_purifiers/)
For smoke you need the black carbon strips that bind to the carbon in smoke, so you don't breathe them. And carbon pellets/activated charcoal that absorb smoke + odors in the air. The normal white Hepa material is excellent for particulates in the air, but does 0 for smoke + odors. Some purifiers will have a thin strip of carbon, and maybe even a few pellets, but at the low price range it's not much/would only help a little. So the most cost effective thing....is probably a ventilator with carbon filter, such as that weed growers use. AC Infinity makes a line of them and a set of both costs around 120-160. https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Filtration-Ventilation-Hydroponics/dp/B09NXKGK89 Another affordable idea is a corsi Rosenthal box, but with carbon filters. Air Fanta Pro sells their unit with carbon filter for about 15 bucks more (180 I think.). So you might want both that + a ventilator with carbon filter. You can also just buy packs of carbon strips for like 15 bucks...and place around your space, especially around doorways some places where air might seep or where air flow. Or put one behind a fan..and now you have a DIY carbon filter essentially. Most typical air purifier units are geared towards particulates, so you would be paying a lot, to get only very little carbon effect. With most units under 200 bucks or so. Good units for smoke + VOC would be like an Austin Air which is 750. IQ Air great but like 1,000 dollars. Mid-range would be Alen which has different sizes like 250-400 range I think. But a vebtialtor with carbon filter will be far cheaper and probably more effective for smoke + odors. Likewise CR box. A good affordable brand in general is Levoit,and they do have a little carbon in their filters usually...but they can only help a little. You will need much more than what normal air purifiers can give....unless you have like 10 or 15 or 20 air purifiers each with carbon strip + pellets maybe. So most cost effective by far...are the other options.
I bought this one! Huge improvement. Core 400s-p Levoit hepa sleep mode, 3 in 1 filter
Currently have the levoit in my primary room, have no complaints. Looking at the coway for a 12x13 room.
You may want to make your own post. Please list the square footage of the livingroom/dining room/kitchen area. We need this to calculate minimum Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs).
The coverage rating is misleading marketing my Levoit. The 1,718 sq. ft. is at 1 Air Change per Hour (ACH). You need a bare minimum of 4.8 - 5 ACH. But that's not the most important metric. I would instead go by Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs). Using the [AHAM 2/3 rule](https://ahamverifide.org/ahams-air-filtration-standards/), the [Levoit Core 400S](https://levoit.com/products/core-400s-smart-true-hepa-air-purifier) has a Smoke CADR of 231 CFM. Therefore the largest room size it should be used in is 346.5 sq. ft., assuming an 8 ft. high ceiling.
Not a big fan of the Levoit Core series purifiers. I think the Levoit Vital series and the EverestAir model are superior because they use separate permanent pre-filters. That and I've read about more issues (malfunctions or unit failures) with the Core series. Ultimately the right purifier depends on pollution levels, health conditions like allergies, and room volume (length x width x height).
The stuffiness you describe may due to higher indoor relative humidity (RH) and/or carbon dioxide build-up. High RH can lead to mold and mildew growth, which in turn produces odorous mVOCs (microbial Volatile Organic Compounds). Purifiers only capture *airborne* mold and mildew; they can't mitigate moisture sources or pathways. A dehumidifier would be much better instead. I'm guessing you have one or more ductless mini splits for air conditioning? Unfortunately "whole home" dehumidifiers require ductwork. You would need to buy a freestanding dehumidifier instead. I'd prefer the Levoit or Philips over Xiaomi or Blueair. Just keep in mind that Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs) are typically given for the highest airflow speed/setting *only*. Lower settings have lower CADRs, which reduces cleaning effectiveness.
The results would **not** surprise this sub. The CBC News video you linked is common knowledge. The CBC team selected some pretty lousy purifiers to start. Dyson is terrible and pure marketing; most of their purifiers have low particulate CADRs relative to price. The Levoit is a very small unit. Neither the GermGuardian nor the Honeywell are very powerful. Only the Blueair has good CADRs, but it relies on an always-on ionizer to enhance the mechanical filter's efficiency. Regarding what to look for... The AutoModerator comment mentions the importance of Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADRs). Our [FAQs wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirPurifiers/wiki/index/faqs/) mentions CADRs 16 times. Our [Buying Guide for particulates focused purifiers lists CADRs](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16bOQoFE9rKYMlo1AR_cged3yRpxfmiey54U65UeBCR4/edit?gid=0#gid=0); ideally these include dust, pollen, smoke, and PM2.5. The [AHAM 2/3 rule](https://ahamverifide.org/ahams-air-filtration-standards/) is listed in multiple places. The link to Harvard's [Portable Air Cleaner Sizing Tool (PACS)](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirPurifiers/wiki/index/calculatorsortools/#wiki_portable_air_cleaner_sizing_tool_.28pacs.29) in our wiki helps you explore CADRs while factoring in room ventilation. And yes, the DIY air cleaner comprised of MERV furnace filter(s) plus box fan is very well known. Most MERV filters are less restrictive than HEPA filters, allowing for more passes through the filter media in the same amount of time. But IMO using just one MERV filter is sub-optimal. The more effective DIY cleaner is a [Corsi-Rosenthal box](https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/news/science-action-how-build-corsi-rosenthal-box). This typically employs four MERV filters. I've recommended them many times and C-R boxes are mentioned several times on the FAQs wiki page. However, many people will find a box fan very loud. A highly energy efficient and quiet variation would be a C-R box with PC fans. See the article ["PC Fan Corsi-Rosenthal Guide"](https://itsairborne.com/pc-fan-corsi-rosenthal-guide-a611dabf7e0c) from the *It's Airborne* blog. There are also various products or kits out there requiring some amount of assembly: [Clean Air Kits](https://www.cleanairkits.com/), [North Box Systems](https://aidankepo.wixsite.com/northboxsystems), [Nukit Tempest Pro - Complete](https://cybernightmarket.com/products/the-nukit-tempest-pro-complete-air-purifier-kit-usa). And lastly... linked in the right sidebar is r/crboxes.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Car and vehicle use

Top pick
TEQOYA - Nomad
Best for Construction dust mitigation

Top pick
CleanAirKits - Corsi-Rosenthal Box
Best for Heavy smoke and odors

Top pick
Coway - Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Best for Homes with shedding pets

Top pick
Winix - 5500-2
Best for Large open rooms

Top pick
Coway - Airmega 400
Best for Quiet bedroom use

Top pick
Coway - Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty





