Xiaomi - Mi Air Purifier 3H

New or higher end Xiaomi models (I think 3 Pro and later, 4 normal and later) have a laser particle detector and are dead accurate. Earlier models like the 3H I used to have were less accurate.

New or higher end Xiaomi models (I think 3 Pro and later, 4 normal and later) have a laser particle detector and are dead accurate. Earlier models like the 3H I used to have were less accurate.

As a single point of comparison, the PM2.5 reading shown on my Xiaomi 3H reads about 10% lower than my stand-alone meter when sat atop the Xiaomi. Also note that they both read PM2.5 ug/m^3 The AQI number is a calculated value with ug/m^3 as a component, so will be higher than the actual ug/m^3 shown on a meter. One downside of an air purifier with a built-in meter is that it may have a small fan to push air past the sensor, these small fans tend to develop noisy bearing. The small sensor fan on my Xiaomi appears to have this issue after about 3 years of almost constant use. I also have a Bwell air purifier that was about triple the cost of the Xiaomi that hasn't developed this problem yet, but it only has about half the hours on it that the Xiaomi does. Don't have a model number for the stand-alone meter, but it was around 1750 baht when purchased 3 years ago.

By a funny coincidence, I was just checking the output of my Xiaomi 3H with a fresh filter. The room showed a PM2.5 of around 22 ug/cm^3 and the output of the Xiaomi showed 9 to 10 ug/cm^3 when checked with a meter. The display on the Xiaomi showed 10+/- 1. This is with the Xiaomi on auto, running at a quiet setting.

Any HEPA filter air purifier will work. Has to be HEPA filter. Carbon filter won't work that well (takes an hour at least). I used to be a heavy smoker. I smoke literally beside the air purifier that's only meant for my smoking activities. Clears the smell in the room within 15 minutes if it's a new filter. Does not remove the smell from your clothes though, just the air. Only caveat is you need to smoke beside the purifier for it to work decently. Like ash tray and cigarette as close to it as possible and blow smoke into the purifier. I used Xiaomi 3H and swear by it.

Yes. On fan speed 3 i would say it makes just as much noise as a ceiling fan. I have mi air purifier 2, 3 and 4 (models) lol. All of them have noisy-highest efficiency to quiet-lower efficiency modes. Have been using them for 3-4 years now so I guess I'm just used to the noise. It's like when u first turn on the fans in the beginning of the hotter months you notice the sound for a couple of days but later on just forget the noise. You'll get used to it. You can also go into automations in the mi app and decide the logic like 0-100 go fan mode 1, 100-200 go fan mode 2, above 200 go fan mode 3. I have just set mine to fan 3 all the time. I'd rather have cleaner air with more noise. My bedroom aqi is around 20, and living room around 60 (which jumps to around 400-600 when cooking is done or doors are opened for someone to go in/out the house)

Mi Air 3H does a good job with cigarette smoke in a small bedroom. i doubt 4 or 3H would put a noticeable dent in OP's serious need.

i love the mi air filters.. i suggest getting two professional ones and you'll be able to clear this out immediately. after that you can adjust them around your house and it will solve your issue. you also need a big humidifier tho you need to think about it access points, but anything that comes from outside into your house. ie, sinks or drains will have service shafts that run up the building etc, and that air is bad. this will repeat in kitchen etc, and there will also be any form of stove/electrical. another example that i don't think applies for you is the radiators/pipes etc

Even my MI is struggling to keep aqi below 160 today. Need to re seal doors and windows since ive shifted recently.