Vista 200

The NYT just did a review and ranked the Coway Airmega 200 as the best air purifier. They're under $200. I bought two and like them a lot so far. They have an ionizer, but you can turn it off. They're quiet and move a good amount of air. There are two types -- one has a large circular front and sucks in air around the edges of the circle, and the other is a regular rectangular front that sucks air in across the entire front. I have the rectangular front model. They also have a good handle for moving it around. I really liked the Honeywell HPA300 (I think that was the model), but they stopped making them. The ones they sell now look similar but are about 1/3 bigger, and don't perform any better. I feel like the bigger model is really weak at lower levels and only works well on turbo, which is really loud, while the older models worked better at lower levels. And it's just way too big for the average room and has no handles for moving it around. I have one of those cylindrical Levoit purifiers, and it works fine but I don't like how it only sucks in air at the bottom 1/3 of the purifier. A lot of the bird dust I get (I have a grey) is floating much higher in the room.

Coway Airmega is best. I’ve tried Honeywell, Levoit and Winnix.

Air cleaners/purifiers (I have one in every single room, 2 in the open living dining kitchen area). Some brands offer pet specific filters (I use Winix plasma waves in larger rooms, and Levoit for smaller rooms, both the cylindrical and the rectangular). Regular vacuuming. Blankets on furniture that can be put in washing machines. If you have hardwood, minimize your area rugs and mop once a week, if possible. If you need area rugs, try washable rugs you can toss in the washing machine. I have three dogs, a breed that is notoriously difficult to house train. I keep an armada of enzyme cleaners and a black light on hand. They are also a breed that loves blankets, so I use specially formulated enzyme cleaner in the washing machine when I wash their blankets. The washing machine runs daily here.

I like my winix 5500. I have the levoit cylinder style too among my collection. Go with the winix. It's easy to clean and quieter in my experience. Filters last much longer too.

A Levoit Core 300 is not sufficient at really cleaning the air if you're going beyond PLA, or printing high frequency or long durations. Look at a HEPA for sure, which the Core 300 claims to be. We have their older "200" HEPA model and it barely keeps regular dust and allergens out of the air. I would make sure it's got activated carbon/charcoal. Check out a Medify or Alen air purifier.

Here is my matchup with your list. Levoit 200 Samsung Smartthings Dishwasher Trane/Nexia Thermostat Reolink Doorbell Roborock Vacuum They all have been great with HA

I have had no problems with Levoit. I have the filter life on my openhasp screen. https://preview.redd.it/47cxiigxil3f1.png?width=626&format=png&auto=webp&s=51d050485556a1449ebb8099d056146cdf96bb98

Go on lazada I got a couple of good ones with pm2.5 filters but surprisingly in my house levels are low <5000b just look for brand names I bought the Levoit 400 the 200 works well in my bedroom but no reader for 2.5 but it does filter it!

so for 50 bucks I would suggest a DIY corsi-rosenthal box. You need a 30 dollar box fan, and then you tape the filters around it in a square. You can use regular white filters for particulates, but for smoke you would need black carbon filters. (You can layer them on top of the white ones and use both if you want too, but specifically for smoke you only need the black carbon.) However...this will only do so much I think, as for good results with smoke you would prob need a very expensive unit with a lot of carbon and special carbon filters. I have slim black carbon filters around my apartment to pick up smoke, and many of my purifiers have them in them as well. But for 50 bucks you wont be able to get anywhere near such a setup. (I have like 8 purifiers.) The person who suggested the exhaust fan for 68 bucks is a great idea too, for the most impact I think. 2nd would be corsi rosenthal box which will more a lot more air then a same priced consumer unit. (but the carbon specific filters are expensive, and regular thin carbon filters will help, but I dont know exactly how much.) Also as they are thin you might need to put them over top the regular white ones and buy both. This type of stuff, for that price, can help you, its just a matter of how you want to apply it. Put it behind a fan and you essentially have a carbon filter. Use with exhaust thing and thats prob even more powerful. or square corsi rosenthal. [https://www.amazon.com/Cut-Activated-Carbon-Filter-Sheet/dp/B0DS2WJ459/ref=sr\_1\_1\_sspa?crid=5DNN861JVCDZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ROg5nGFVGvsz0NV4KfsZlTxv8I5kj9FjCFbr8X\_eB8NkAz0nwVxaQSTSK3gfCL\_cR\_UY2uMxc6DSlMDGE2ibFST6lBg1lx5GTW1e-ySZA0jfII5FRA4LLn9zNPEmv6iUsae2lRMcwHYwb4bqoCbbdqls7MbX3IZNaS5\_mDYbeXVdk0Ou2iusKTWWg6LbnGkNW3YFylEfdjQYWd2k9SrLlA\_my7VzIOrkrunfDuRZkEsy4nGlgZWAd3wh4\_1Pgy9tv4fq5istZwEzvWlORJ5Q1cFxTK8P356moF0P03d9Foc.VRJqHRVPgTwOFZhlKehRu3VOxx8WUnMtlpZT1MWBP9c&dib\_tag=se&keywords=carbon%2Bfilter&qid=1771530624&rdc=1&sprefix=carbon%2Bfilte%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&sp\_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Cut-Activated-Carbon-Filter-Sheet/dp/B0DS2WJ459/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=5DNN861JVCDZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ROg5nGFVGvsz0NV4KfsZlTxv8I5kj9FjCFbr8X_eB8NkAz0nwVxaQSTSK3gfCL_cR_UY2uMxc6DSlMDGE2ibFST6lBg1lx5GTW1e-ySZA0jfII5FRA4LLn9zNPEmv6iUsae2lRMcwHYwb4bqoCbbdqls7MbX3IZNaS5_mDYbeXVdk0Ou2iusKTWWg6LbnGkNW3YFylEfdjQYWd2k9SrLlA_my7VzIOrkrunfDuRZkEsy4nGlgZWAd3wh4_1Pgy9tv4fq5istZwEzvWlORJ5Q1cFxTK8P356moF0P03d9Foc.VRJqHRVPgTwOFZhlKehRu3VOxx8WUnMtlpZT1MWBP9c&dib_tag=se&keywords=carbon%2Bfilter&qid=1771530624&rdc=1&sprefix=carbon%2Bfilte%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) [https://cleanaircrew.org/box-fan-filters/](https://cleanaircrew.org/box-fan-filters/) edit: I think the carbon pellets are more effective, but they are more expensive (thats whats in more expensive air purifier filters.) You can buy those filters seperately yourself to get those but those filters alone might be 50 bucks+. You could aslo get a carbon filter and attach to the exhaust thing, but I think thats 100 bucks itself. As for a consumer unit for 50 bucks, a levoit 200 is in that price range, and has some carbon in it, but its a thin layer, so you would probably get more effect by DIYing. But you could keep that 200 when you move as they last many years. Or...get a levoit 200 (or box fan/corsi rosenthal) + get some of that carbon stuff for 15 bucks and put all around your doorway/space.

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.