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Alen BreatheSmart 45i air purifier review: powerful and easy to use
5:56 pm | April 11, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: two-minute review

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is just one of many air purifiers on the market. And, if you’re like me when it comes to tech that doesn’t exactly tickle the dopamine receptors, it’s easy to skip the reviews and simply opt for something from your nearest big box store. However, when it comes to air purifiers, you probably shouldn’t do that.

Not only are you in the market for something that literally cleans the air you breathe, but many of the best air purifiers are either unlikely to be available from that big box store – or, if they are, will go for a price that will make you want to reach for something on a lower, cheaper shelf.

Quality is key when buying an air purifier, then. Having spent a month, if not more, with the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I’d say that it definitely fits that category of product.

Instead of the space-age design of even pricier models, this model is sleek and discreet. And, unlike more budget options, it’s obviously well designed and made. This is before you consider the fact that you can switch out the front panel for a handful of options to match your decor, and choose from four different filters to best meet your needs.

Alen breatheSmart 45i controls

(Image credit: Future)

There really isn’t much not to like here. In fact, my biggest gripe was that it wasn’t obvious that the BreatheSmart comes with app support. While that might be user error – I should have checked the manual – in my view it should have been clearly stated. Luckily, all the necessary functionality is accessible via the capacitive controls.

Easy to set up and use, the BreatheSmart does an excellent job of quickly identifying drops in air quality; an LED indicator changes color to make you aware of the fact. In addition, the unit is fairly efficient at cleaning the air, although you’d be wise to set your expectations according to the filter you have – the basic one will not eliminate all odors, for example.

Really, the only point of contention most people will have with the Alen BreatheSmart 45i – unless they try to use it in too large a space – is its price. While there are far more expensive options out there, it’s still far from cheap. But, in this humble reviewer’s opinion, it’s worth it.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review: price & availability

  • How much does it cost? Starting at $429 (about £340 / AU$660) 
  • When is it available? Available now 
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US 

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is not cheap. The price starts at $429 for the most basic configuration, reviewed here.

Consider upgrading the front panel and this will set you back a further $39. And, if you want to switch out the supplied “Pure” filter to the more powerful “Fresh” filter, that will be another $15; the remaining two filters come in at $30 each. So, you could potentially spend $498 (about £400 / AU$760) for an BreatheSmart 45i with an upgraded panel and filter.

Nevertheless, taking its performance into account, I’d say it’s worth the outlay. Although that cost can be a sticking point when the Blue Pure 411 Auto, for example – one of the highest rated air purifiers here at TechRadar – costs only $140/ £179 (about AU$220).

Note that the Alen BreatheSmart 45i is only available in the US.

  • Value score: 4 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: specs

Alen BreatheSmart 45i controls turning red

(Image credit: Future)

Alen BreatheSmart 45i review: design

  •  Sleek but basic aesthetic 
  •  All functionality available through on-unit controls 
  •  Multiple filters available for different needs 

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is tall, lean, and only slightly boxy. Its design is more discreet than a model such as the space-age Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09, and while the review model arrived with an all-white exterior, there are five other front panels of various color available to fit your personal aesthetic. Personally, I’m happy with the basic look.

The controls are of the capacitive variety and located on the top of the unit. From here you can turn on the ionizer feature, check and reset filter levels, dim the lights of the controls and the LED indicator (which changes color depending on air quality) that surrounds the power button, set the speed, turn on automatic mode, and lock in current settings so they can’t accidentally be changed.

Basically, you can control every one of the Alen BreatheSmart 45i’s features from this panel. There is an app for both iOS and Android available, which lets you control the Alen BreatheSmart 45i from your couch; but the only added functionality it offers is the ability to track usage and cleaning history.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i assembly

(Image credit: Future)

There are four filters available for the unit. The 'Pure' is the default option – a medical-grade H13 HEPA filter for capturing allergens, dust and mold. 'Fresh' adds in carbon for additionally tackling chemicals and VOCs, cooking odors among other household odors. The 'Odor' filter steps up another gear when it comes to neutralizing odors, while the 'VOC / Smoke' filter comes with extra carbon to absorb noxious gases and secondhand smoke. As such, you should consider your air purifying priorities before you purchase; the 'Pure' filter in the review model does very little to neutralizing smells, for instance.

Alen breatheSmart 45i match stick and controls

(Image credit: Future)

Alen offers a subscription program that, by default, delivers a new filter every nine months – the natural life cycle of a filter. While the filter can’t be reused, it’s covered in a pre-filter that catches larger particles that can be cleaned.

Lastly, even though the BreatheSmart 45i is among the smaller of Alen’s purifiers, it’s still bulky. However, a handle at the back, near the top of the unit makes it easy to move it around your home. Also welcome is the indent in the base around which you can wrap any excess power cord for a cleaner look.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 45i: performance

  •  Easy to assemble 
  •  App support is somewhat hidden 
  •  Powerful filter with good airflow 

Before I get into the Alen BreatheSmart 45i’s air purifying performance, let’s discuss setup. On arrival, you’ll find the filter wrapped in plastic, while the front panel has a paper band around it like a freshly cleaned toilet in a high-end hotel. To assemble the unit ready for use, simply pull off the front panel, which is magnetically held into place, attach the filter having removed the plastic, and replace the front panel once you’ve removed the paper band.

Alen BreatheSmart assembly

(Image credit: Future)

The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is WiFi-enabled, but you wouldn’t know just by looking at the unit. As previously mentioned, although you don’t need the app to use the air purifier, access is useful for remote control. To pair the device, start by downloading the app appropriate for your device. Hold one of the capacitive buttons for five seconds until the Wi-Fi symbol lights up and starts blinking. Then, open the app and follow the instructions to connect.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i app screenshots

(Image credit: Alen)

As far as actually using the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I tested it using copious amounts of incense, a candle, and in a couple of stale-smelling rooms. While it didn’t completely remove strong scents (you’d need the Odor neutralizer filter for that), it did minimize smells.

More importantly, via the LED indicator, it quickly recognized when the air quality had dipped and went into action, cleaning the air fairly efficiently. As long as you don’t use it in too large a space – it’s rated for rooms up to 800 square feet – it can completely clean the air in a room in as little as 30 minutes.

The BreatheSmart 45i has a CADR, or clean air delivery rating of 245. This metric measures the efficiency of the filter and the amount of air that’s pushed through it. While you can have an air purifier with a powerful filter, if it doesn’t push a lot of air through it, it won’t be able to clean the air in your room very quickly.

Alen BreatheSmart 45i filter

(Image credit: Future)

This air purifier is capable of moving a good amount of air, but in operation, it isn’t the quietest at the higher settings. Our review unit reached 49dB, which is similar to the noise level of the space heater I use. Or, for a more general example, it’s like having soft music constantly playing. It isn’t too intrusive, but it certainly isn’t silent.

Getting back to my real world tests, the BreatheSmart air purifier took about 20 minutes to clear the air of the powerful sandalwood-scented incense once it had stopped burning. With the unit in my home I also discovered that my space heater actually introduces particles into the air every time I use it, with the drop in air quality indicated via the change in color of the LED.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Alen BreatheSmart 45i?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If our Alen BreatheSmart 45i review has you considering other options, here are two air purifiers to consider...   

How I tested the Alen BreatheSmart 45i

To test the Alen BreatheSmart 45i, I used it for a month to see how it would fare in my bedroom as well as a couple other small to medium-sized rooms in my home. I intentionally put it in areas of strong odors to see how it would perform, and delved into the app to see what functionality it offered.

Having used it over this period I can conclude that this is a powerful air purifier, working particularly well in small to medium-sized rooms. However, if odor is a big concern then you’d be wise to upgrade to the appropriate filter.

I’ve spent the past few years reviewing tech gear for the home, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

  • First reviewed February 2024 
Alen BreatheSmart 75i review: a powerful air purifier for large spaces
4:18 pm | April 5, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

Alen BreatheSmart 75i: two-minute review

While there are plenty of air purifiers on the market, most of them don't come with the power of the Alen BreatheSmart 75i. This model stands out for being suitable for larger spaces – up to 1,300 square feet. In fact, Alen advertises that, at its highest setting, this model can completely cycle through the air in a room in 30 minutes. For that level of suction alone I think it's a worthy contender for inclusion in TechRadar's best air purifier ranking. 

Power isn't the only thing the Alen BreatheSmart 75i has going for it, though. It's available with three different HEPA filters, and it's easy to use with its capacitive controls, an LED indicator for current air quality, and the ability to track your space's air. For more remote control there's app support, although it's strangely well hidden.

Close up of control panel on Alen BreatheSmart 75i in reviewer's home

(Image credit: Future)

The build quality is high and the design is attractive if understated, falling more on the discreet side of air purifier aesthetics. You can change out the faceplate for different colors, to blend in or match your decor. It's also very easy to set up – you basically pull it out of the box and remove some wrapping it's ready to go. 

This is the bigger sibling of the 45i (which I've also tested – review incoming) and it functions in almost the exact same way. There are just two key differences: it delivers slightly more powerful performance, and it's more expensive. That brings me to this model's two main potential drawbacks. When it's pulling in a lot of air at its highest settings, things can get a bit loud. And it's not cheap – you could probably buy seven smaller air purifiers for the cost of one Alen BreatheSmart 75i. If you don't need to clean a large space, this purifier is overkill; but if you do, and can afford the price tag, it's hard to fault. Read on for my full Alen BreatheSmart 75i review.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier review: price & availability

  • Prices from US $749
  • Different filters and front panels cost extra
  • Available now in US only

With a starting price of $749 (about £590 / AU$1150), the Alen BreatheSmart 75i is far from cheap. (Even the smaller 45i cost from $429.) It's available to buy direct from Alen, but also via Amazon.

If you wish to upgrade the front panel to anything besides white, that's going to cost an extra $39. And going from the basic 'Pure' HEPA filter to the 'Fresh' filter adds $30, while upgrading to the 'Odor' filter adds $40. You could be looking at up to an extra $818 (about £650 / AU$2150) if you want all the upgrades.

It's a bit tough to compare the Alen BreatheSmart 75i to the competition as most models are designed for smaller spaces, and are much cheaper. Costwise at least, it's roughly in line with the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 (retail price: $769.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,149). It's meant for a slightly smaller space – a little over 800 square feet – but it does include both heating and cooling as well as the ability to take care of carcinogenic formaldehyde, something that the 75i doesn't do with its most basic filter. However, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i can automatically change its cleaning level according to the surrounding air quality, something that the Dyson doesn't offer.

The Alen BreatheSmart 75i is only available in the US.

  • Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 75i specs

Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier review: design

  • Discreet but sleek aesthetic
  • Easy capacitive controls for full functionality
  • Has three different filters to choose from

Aesthetically, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i is on the discreet side, eschewing the more space-age look of some other pricey air purifiers. It's basically a large box-shaped appliance with a bit of ergonomics thrown in. Its white and black colorway reminds me a little of EVE from Wall-E, though there are currently five other different-colored front panel options to choose from if the white doesn't fit with your decor. Either way, it looks sharp, but in a non-obtrusive way.

Some cool design features include an indentation around the base of the unit, where you can neatly wrap any excess cabling from the power cord, and a handle on the upper back for easy lifting. Also, those front panels are held on by magnets so it's about as easy as it can get to pull it off to get to the filter, whether you're replacing it or setting up for the first time.

Functionally, all the controls sit atop the unit and are of the capacitive variety. They're responsive and offer basically all of the unit's functionality without having to dig into the app. You can turn on the ionizier, check and reset filter levels, adjust the brightness of the button lights and LED indicator, adjust speed, switch on an automatic mode (where the unit will adjust according to air quality level), and lock in current settings so there are no accidental presses. That last one is a necessary feature, because the buttons are ultra-sensitive.

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Alen BreatheSmart 75i in reviewer's home

The central ring indicates air quality. Red means poor... (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 2

Lit match next to Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier, with purple hoop showing poor air quality

... and purple means very poor (Image credit: Future)

Sitting in the middle of the control panel is an LED indicator encircling the power button. It changes color depending on the air quality, so you can see at a glance the level of contaminants in the room. While this is a powerful air purifier, I have seen it reach its highest level (purple) before – at which point I decided to open a window to assist.

If you prefer, you can control the Alen BreatheSmart 75i remotely via the app. The only additional functionality available here is that the app tracks usage and logs cleaning history. The fact that you're not locked out of any key features if you're not using the app is actually good, in my opinion – not least because the fact that there even is a companion app was not apparent to me right away.

Close up of vent on Alen BreatheSmart 75i

A handle makes it easy to move about (Image credit: Future)

While the Alen BreatheSmart 75i is bigger than the 45i, it's slightly more limited when it comes to the filters that are available. Instead of having four different filters to choose from, there are three. There's the 'Pure' one, which is the basic H13 HEPA filter and the one included with my review unit, a 'Fresh' one that adds carbon to capture VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and chemicals that the 'Pure' might not capture, and, lastly, there's the 'Odor' filter that adds in an odor neutralizer. Everything beyond the 'Pure' comes at a small upcharge. Also of note, Alen offers a subscription program where it will send you a new filter every nine months (typically the end of a filter's life cycle).

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Alen BreatheSmart 75 air purifier review: performance

  • Setup is straightforward
  • App support is not immediately apparent
  • Powerful performance designed for large rooms

Let's start this section by discussing setup. It's so easy that you won't even need to crack open a manual. All you have to do is remove the purifier from the box, pull the front panel off (this is magnetically held into place, so doesn't require a lot of pressure), pull the tab out at the top of the filter to take it out, remove its plastic casing, put the filter back in, and remove the paper band off the front panel. Plug it in and you're good to go. It takes maybe five minutes to go from in-the-box to in use.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i open to show filter inside

The front panel is attached with magnets (Image credit: Future)

Setting up the app is pretty straightforward as well… at least, once I realized it had app support. There's nothing on the unit to indicate that this air purifier has app support – the Wi-Fi symbol indicator can only be seen once connected to the app. Even the manual doesn't mention it. Pairing the BreatheSmart 75i with the app requires holding down one of the capacitive buttons, which is not labeled as such, to start the process. Once you've done that, however, the setup through the app is straightforward.

Alen BreatheSmart 75i open to show filter inside

The filter is easy to swap in and out (Image credit: Future)

Since this is the performance section of my review, let's talk about the actual performance. The review unit came with the basic 'Pure' filter so there are no odor neutralizers involved here. If that's part of your concern beyond just having clean air, make sure to upgrade to the appropriate filter.

To that point, this air purifier was used in a family member's apartment after they had unwittingly sublet it to a smoker. They ran the Alen BreatheSmart 75i and it got rid of a lot of stale air. However, the smell of cigarettes did linger a little.

Beyond that, I can say that the Alen BreatheSmart 75i does a great job even without the odor neutralizer. The indicator is very reactive and lets me know right away when the air quality has dropped. I prefer using the air purifier on Auto mode, so it will adjust as needed to the air quality.

When run on turbo, the BreatheSmart 75i can pull in a lot of air. It can completely clean the air in up to 1300 square feet in 30 minutes when on turbo, and has a CADR of 347 cfm (cubic feet per minute). That means that it comes quite a bit of airflow with a strong filter to do the job it's meant to.

Beyond refreshing a stale-smelling apartment, I've also used the Alen BreatheSmart 75i with incense, flatulent family members, and cooking, to see it kick into action fairly quickly and work efficiently. While I don't have a real-world way to test the ionizer, which is designed to slow down viruses and bacteria, I do keep it on and appreciate the fact that it is included.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out 5

Should you buy the Alen BreatheSmart 75i?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Alen BreatheSmart 75i review: also consider

If our Alen BreatheSmart 75i review has you considering other options, here are two air purifiers to consider...  

Alen BreatheSmart 45i
The Alen BreatheSmart 45i is very similar to the 75i, but is designed for smaller spaces and costs less. It also has one more filter option – VOC/Smoke, which has extra carbon, designed specifically for dealing with noxious gases.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09
This air purifier from Dyson will cost you; but it's powerful, can tackle formaldehyde, heats as well as cools, and comes with quite a few smart features.
Read our full Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 review

How I tested the Alen BreatheSmart 75i air purifier

  • Tested for two months
  • Used incense, candles, and stale air to test
  • Tried all the different functions, including the app

To test the Alen BreatheSmart 75i, I used it for a month to see how it would fare in the living room as well as a whole one-bedroom apartment. I intentionally put it in areas of strong odors to see how it would perform, and delved into the app to see what functionality it offered.

Having used it over this period I can conclude that this is a powerful air purifier, working particularly well in larger spaces. That said, you'll need to upgrade the filter if you care about completely killing odors.

I've spent the past few years reviewing tech gear for the home, where I've gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it's worth the recommendation.

  • First reviewed March 2024
Levoit 600S air purifier review: floor-standing air purifier that efficiently extracts whiffs
4:00 pm | October 31, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: | Comments: Off

Levoit 600S: two-minute review

Air purifiers are designed to remove dust, dander and dodgy odours, leaving you with a fresher smelling and healthier home. In the height of summer, or faced with an overly-heated home you soon start to notice the whiff of other people and pets. 

They differ from fans, which waft the air around at speed, creating a cooling effect, instead extracting impurities and particulates that cause smells and cause germs. An electrostatic or fabric filter captures these as they are blown towards them by the air purifier’s gentle fan mechanism and, as with the Levoit 600S model, are collected in a disposable bag at the bottom of the device. Once cleansed, the air is sent back out into the room, leading to a fresher atmosphere. 

The Levoit 600S promises to filter as much as 99.97% of PM2.5 particles (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometre diameter). This covers the fine dust, pollen and pet hair as well as road traffic pollution and pollen. These can all irritate and, in the longer term, damage the lungs and impact respiratory function. Levels of less than 12μg/m3 should pose no health issues, and we were pleased to find that the existing levels in the first of the two properties in which we tested out the air purifier were already below this figure. 

When things get whiffy or lingering sprays have been applied, the Levoit 600S is capable of changing the air in a 147m sq room twice an hour. This is a lower rate of air change than the best air purifiers TechRadar reviewed recently but is plenty for all but larger rooms or the most persistent smells and pollutants. 

Although the 600S can be operated directly using the on/off button on the top, the VeSync app provides far more control, showing current PMS levels and the air quality steadily improving as its four-speed fan whips everything through its HEPA and carbon filters to remove airborne nasties. Both the LED on top of the unit and the app give real-time PMS readings and offer one-touch fan adjustments. The app adds scheduling and light-sensing options, making it ideal for use in a bedroom where the fan will automatically reduce in power so you can drop off to sleep. 

Levoit 600S: price and availability

  • How much does it cost? £299.99 (about $360, AU$574)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the UK

The Levoit 600S is available from Amazon UK for £299 (about $360, AU$574). A £50 discount voucher is currently active, bringing the price down to £249). Although you won’t need a replacement filter immediately, if you like to be organised you can get ahead by adding this £69.99 consumable or a pet allergy version for £101 to your online shopping cart.

This model launched last year in the US, but Amazon notes the current unavailability of the Levoit 600S model (although both branded and third party replacement HEPA filters are for sale there), while Australia has only the filters for sale.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Levoit 600S: Specs

Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)

Levoit 600S: Design

  • Large but lightweight unit
  • Useful status indicator lights
  • Whisper-quiet fan

The imposing but elegant Levoit 600S seems to take up more room than its stated 60cm height suggests. While its 300S stablemate sits happily and fairly unobtrusively on a kitchen countertop, the 600S model is a real presence. Placed alongside our microwave, it dwarfed it. If space is at a premium, you will probably want to store it out of sight and bring it out for specific use rather than keeping it on standby. We found this particularly true when we were in the more cramped environment of our terraced home. 

However, the curved design and off-white finish are stylish, and the materials sturdy.  And, while it weighs 6.2kg, it feels far lighter. The well-positioned recessed handles on either side of the upper section also make it easy to move around. 

Looks-wise, the Levoit 600S is smart with a sleek curved body and large fan blades covering the top. In the centre of the fan are the Levoit 600S’ controls and options to change the fan speed, set a timer, check on the filter and current air quality, and determine whether it is connected to Wi-Fi or using Bluetooth for the associated VeSync app. The lower half of the purifier features a fretwork effect, and contains the filter and the bag into which particles sucked in by the fan are deposited. 

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Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)
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Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)

Setup involves twisting apart the top and bottom halves of the air purifier’s body, extracting the filter that it comes with from inside, and removing its packaging before popping it back in place. There is a bright yellow sticker on the top of the unit that prompts you to do this before use. The two halves of the unit then click to lock together. It doesn’t matter which way round the top half faces, but the corners need to align with the corresponding corners on the bottom half, a simple enough process. 

Although the Levoit 600S is a freestanding unit with no external moving parts, it needs space to operate so it doesn’t overheat. It should, therefore, be placed around 40cm away from the nearest walls. The power cable is more than a metre long, which is ample to accommodate this requirement. 

Once switched on, the Levoit 600S can be used either manually using the controls on top, or via the VeSync app. Each of the on-device controls lights up when you touch them, with multiple presses used to increase or reduce the fan speed.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)

Levoit 600S: Performance

  • Effective dust and dander removal
  • Quickly gets rid of aerosol particulates
  • Less effective on kitchen odours

I tested the Levoit 600S in both an open plan 1960s detached house and a 1930s terraced house, the latter home to two asthmatics and a cat who is less than impressed at the ongoing renovations. The contrasting challenges were larger rooms with carpets, lots of upholstered furniture, and the odours associated with the older generation versus the renovation dust and the pet dander of our London home, which has wooden floors and tiles throughout. 

Both have open plan kitchens where food is often oven-baked or prepared on a hob. I tested the changing air quality while sauteing a variety of vegetables as well as frying fish and meat, and noted whether having the window adjacent to the cooker made much difference to the rate at which the air purifier cleaned the air. 

To set up the Levoit 600S air purifier, I first installed the VeSync app (iOS and Android versions are available). Next, I switched on the device and pressed the on/off switch on top until the Wi-Fi icon flashed blue. It was then recognised by the app and the two paired over Bluetooth. Next, the app searched for my home Wi-Fi network and prompted me for a login and password. 

Although it accepted my previously registered email address, it doesn’t actually want you to provide the password for your VeSync app at this stage and is really after your Wi-Fi password. This tiny misunderstanding took moments to correct. Once connected, you will need to keep the VeSync app open as the firmware is updated. However, the 600S will start operating as soon as it’s connected to Wi-Fi, with its internal fan working at its level 4 maximum rotation speed. 

Once the app has updated the firmware, you will be able to adjust the duration and schedules. You will also be shown the current air quality status based on the level of PM2.5 particulates it detects. What is not quite as apparent is that this screen also gives you the option to change the fan speed. 

Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)

Sitting across the room, I found the Levoit 600S giving off a gentle rhythmic hum that was noticeable but unlikely to upset all but the most sound-sensitive family member. It hums along gently, with an unobtrusive decibel rating of less than 40 on the slowest speed setting and no more than 64dB when it kicks into its top speed rating and then settles at around 52dB. The ambient background noise in the room prior to switching on the air purifier was 38dB, so it barely disturbs the tranquillity. 

Even my sound-sensitive mum was untroubled by its operation at the lower fan settings, but pleased with the improved room freshness after 30 minutes of use. Blasting Febreze at the fan itself for a sustained 10 seconds filled the room with choking levels of air freshener, but the purifier removed the lot in 12 minutes at setting 3 (of 4), while our comparison on opening the patio doors and other windows wide had no discernible effect after the same period. 

I also found the Levoit 600S effective in removing dust from the air after a weekend of DIY, taking less than 20 minutes to clear the hallway and landing of visible particles. Sharing a home with a cat, I also appreciated it filtering stray hairs and slight odours. 

However, it impressed me less when it came to removing cooking smells and signs of domesticity: the kitchen levels were modest before I began frying and sautéing, and the purifier was not much better than the overhead fan and an open window for this use. Given the 600S’ larger dimensions, we would no doubt choose its smaller sibling for this room in any case. 

  • Performance: 4 / 5

Levoit 600S: App

  • Provides full control over the 600S
  • Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls
  • Strong scheduling and light sensing features

The VeSync app is well-designed with attractive graphics in calming shades of blue and turquoise. It provides a visual guide when setting up the Levoit device and has a user manual that you can access from its side menu. 

You can control every aspect of the air purifier once installed, with options to adjust the fan speed, schedule days and times for it to operate, change air quality levels that will trigger it automatically switching on and on, and activate a light sensing feature that seems aimed at use in a bedroom. The rationale here is that the gentle hum of the fan helps promote sleep, especially once the air is duly freshened, so you can nod off without the interruptions from an asthmatic or cat-allergy wheeze. 

The VeSync app is free to install and also works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant. This gives access to voice control options should you want to prompt your air purifier to go about its business without having to reach for your smartphone. I tried each of these without issue, finding the option to turn the fan off using a voice command useful when the phone rang while the 600S was clearing the air in the kitchen after cooking and I wanted to settle in for a chat. 

Levoit 600S in use in the author's home

(Image credit: Future / Rosie Hattersley)

Should I buy the Levoit 600S?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the Levoit 600S

  • I used the Levoit Core 600S air purifier and the VueSync app for 10 days
  • Trialed it in two homes: one open plan; one a terraced house
  • Substances purified included pet odour, cooking smells and air freshener

I used the Levoit 600S air purifier in a number of different rooms, finding it particularly efficient at clearing the odours from a downstairs room that doubles as an elderly person’s bedroom. Being able to effectively cleanse this room of telltale odours associated with ageing, as well as Febreze and other masking sprays that disguise them was a good test since we had lots of visitors during the week in which the 600S was installed there. I react badly to perfumes and sprays due to asthma, so quickly clearing these smells was critical to me too. I continuously sprayed the aerosol contents at the purifier fan until the PM levels rose above 150 before switching on the unit to begin clearing the particulates.

With one family member being particularly sound-sensitive, being able to instantly dial down the fan setting such that she was undisturbed by the fan was vital. I also tested the unit while frying food and after making toast, as well as setting the Levoit 600S to automatically purify the landing of my own home during and after stripping paint from the stairs and sanding them down. I used a decibel meter app on my phone to measure how loud the fan was at various settings.

I compared the effects of simply allowing the air to clear naturally by opening windows either side of the room with the performance of the 600S, timing both to see how long it took for the PM level to drop below 12.

To test the air purification monitoring and speed, I sprayed heavy particulate aerosols (dry shampoo and deodorant) while the purifier was in Auto mode. This mode detects changes in the room and sets the fan speed accordingly.  

I lit a scented candle next to the purifier and also positioned it in the kitchen while frying and grilling different meat and vegetables. I measured the volume with a mobile phone decibel meter. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2023

Ikea Starkvind table review: an air purifier masquerading as a table
2:30 pm | October 27, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Comments: Off

One-minute review

Ikea is a brand most often associated with flat-pack furniture, meatballs, and the occasional viral plush, it’s not the first name you think of when it comes to innovation. However, its smart home line is certainly home to some whacky, creative ideas, including the Ikea Starkvind table, an air-purifying table that’ll freshen up any living space.

Available for $199.99 / £199 / AU$249 directly from Ikea, the Starkvind table joins other novel creations like the Symfonisk lamp speaker and Symfonisk picture frame speaker.

While it’s no show-stopper, the Starkvind table is fairly stylish in a modest, minimal sense, and the 55cm / 21.7-inch tall table has a fair amount of surface area to play with thanks to its 54cm / 21.3-inch diameter.

It’s not the most impressive and capable air purifier I’ve ever used, and it lacks a true HEPA filter. However, if you’re looking for a space-saving device, it’s a great option - albeit a slightly pricey one, for what it is. 

Ikea Starkvind table

(Image credit: Future)

Ikea Starkvind table review: Price

The Ikea Starkvind table is available for $199.99 / £199 / AU$249 directly from Ikea. It’s a little overpriced for what it is, considering that some of our all-time favorite air purifiers, like the Blueair Blue Pure 411 Auto, sit at the $150 / £100 / AU$150 mark, and offer superior performance and specs compared to Ikea’s Starkvind table.

Added to that is the fact you’ll have to buy the Ikea Dirigera smart device hub for $69.99 / £60 / $AU99 if you want to use the app, which provides smart features like air analysis, timers, and scenes. The app also enables you to bring the device into wider smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. There’s also an activated carbon filter for gaseous pollutants like formaldehyde which can be bought separately for $26 / £15 / AU$20. Both this filter and the included particle filter, which costs $20 / £7 / AU$25, need to be replaced every six months or so, depending on your level of usage, meaning that all-in-all, the table’s ongoing costs do add up.

In saying that, it’s robust, well-designed, offers decent performance, and is also a table, so it’s far from terribly priced. 

Price: 4/5

Ikea Starkvind table grooves under the tabletop

(Image credit: Future)

Ikea Starkvind table review: Setup and design

As is to be expected from the Swedish furnishing behemoth, the Ikea Starkvind table is a piece of flatpack furniture that comes in a surprisingly compact box.

It’s incredibly easy to assemble. Simply turn the main console upside down, screw in the legs, remove the filter’s packaging, connect the power supply, click the tabletop into place, and voila; one air purifying table ready to go. If you have the Dirigera smart home hub, pairing is just as easy - simply press the pairing button under the tabletop and follow the in-app instructions. Once in the app, you can check out the air analysis, timers and cutscenes. You can also easily integrate the Starkvind table into your Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant ecosystem here.

The tabletop is pretty simple, but still stylish, offering decent real estate with its 54cm / 21.3-inch diameter and 55cm / 21.7-inch height. Under the hood lies a standard Ikea Starkvind air purifier, its plastic casing designed to seamlessly blend in with the rest of the table’s design. At the front of the table is a dial to switch between the automatic detection mode and five power settings. If you hold this dial down, it triggers the lock function. There are also two indicator lights; one for the lock toggle and the other for when it’s time to replace the filter inside.

There’s some great attention to detail in the table, despite its simplicity. For example, one of the legs has an indent, in which the cable can be fed to keep the underside looking neat and tidy. The underside of the tabletop also features a set of anti-drip grooves, which prevent spilled liquids from reaching the purifier underneath. 

Setup and design: 4.5/5

Close-up of the Ikea Starkvind table controls

(Image credit: Future)

Ikea Starkvind table review: Performance

The Starkvind table’s filter can remove roughly 99.5% of smaller airborne particles, including PM2.5 particles, dust and pollen. On its least powerful setting, the Starkvind table is impressively quiet, registering just 25dB on test. However, the volume amps up pretty quickly once you get to its third, medium-strength setting. 

By the time you get to the most powerful setting, it’s fairly noisy at 55dB, which is just a little quieter than a normal conversation. I had to raise my voice above the sound to be heard. While it’s unlikely you’d need to use this highest setting too often, I’d definitely have appreciated a slightly quieter performance. 

I kept the Starkvind table with air purifier running on its auto mode for much of my testing, and put it through its paces by lighting candles and spraying aerosols in the nearby vicinity. It has a two or three-stage filtration system depending on whether you purchase the gas filter. Air travels through a prefilter to remove larger debris and particles before heading through the main filter and the optional gas filter. The main filter is capable of removing 99.5% of PM2.5, meaning dust, pollen, industrial emissions and smoke are all covered. It’s worth bearing in mind that more sophisticated purifiers can handle a wider range of particulate matter to give your airways the utmost protection, however, PM2.5 tends to carry the greatest risk.

The air sensor in the purifier was very responsive to pollutants, quickly amping up the power to clear out the harassing particles. While it’s hard to assess how good it is at actually filtering out the particles, I did notice the air quality swiftly climbing to a healthy level on my air quality monitor when I did my aerosol and candle tests.

Maintenance is pretty simple with the Starkvind table - simply lift the tabletop off to check the filters and vacuum off any grub regularly, and replace the filters every 6 months or when the LED indicator on the front of the table notifies you to do so. 

While the table works as promised, the inability to take advantage of its smart features without Ikea’s smart home hub plus its fairly basic purification technology means it doesn’t land as well as other air purifiers I’ve researched and reviewed, like the Dyson Hot + Cool Formaldehyde.

Performance: 3.5/5

Ikea Starkvind table review: Specs table

Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if... 

Also consider

Ikea Starkvind table

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Ikea Starkvind table with air purifier

  •  I used the Ikea Starkvind table with air purifier for one month 
  •  I tested its auto mode using candles and aerosols 
  •  I measured its success with an air quality monitor 

I built the Ikea Starkvind and tested it in my living room for one month, mostly keeping it on its automatic detection mode to test its reactiveness and efficiency. 

I kept my air quality monitor nearby to compare results, lighting candles and spraying aerosols in the vicinity of the table to see how quickly and effectively it cleared the particles from the air. 

Lastly, I compared the results to my go-to purifier, the Dyson Hot + Cool Formaldehyde HP09 as a benchmark. 

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: big, quiet, powerful and pricey
1:07 pm | October 26, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde: Two-minute review

It was not love at first sight with the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde, but after just one day of using it in my own home, I don’t want to ever be parted from it – strong words for a rather big and bulky purifier fan, but I stand by it. It’s completely different from any of Dyson’s previous home purifiers – in terms of both design and functionality – although it shouldn’t be confused with the HEPA Big+Quiet that’s specifically for commercial spaces. 

Like its name suggests, it is big and it is quiet. It’s been made to circulate clean air in large rooms while standing in a corner instead of in the center of a space to be at its most effective. Dyson says it can service spaces that are up to about 100sqm / 1,000sqft in size, projecting filtered air up to 10m. Moreover, the angle of the propelled air can be adjusted (there are three to choose from), so it doubles up as a powerful fan as well which, at full bore, isn’t louder than 56dB.

Dyson has adopted cone aerodynamics to more than double the Coanda effect the brand uses in its other purifiers. According to the British brand, this allows the Big+Quiet to process as much as 87 liters of air per second. This is a hard metric to measure, so I’m taking Dyson’s word on this, but it’s easy to believe if you happen to be in the path of the propelled air.

At this point, I think it’s important to point out that there are two Big+Quiet Formaldehyde models identified by their color schemes. For this review I was sent what is the Dyson-exclusive model and is more expensive because it has an additional CO2 sensor and a second filter inside (see the price section below for more details). I found the CO2 sensor very useful as you can never tell if your home needs ventilating or not. I was a little horrified at how quickly CO2 can build up in a space – if I leave my windows closed for about an hour for any reason, the CO2 levels can go from under around 400ppm (which is good) to about 1,500ppm (which isn’t that good). If left in Auto mode, the Big+Quiet will dynamically change its fan speed to circulate the stale air but that’s also an indication that you need to open some doors or windows as high CO2 levels can cause fatigue, headaches and loss of focus.

What the two models share are a whole bunch of other sensors that detect several common pollutants, including dust, pet dander, pollen and formaldehyde (emitted from several household products including new furniture and mattresses), as well NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) from car fumes and volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) from aerosol sprays like deodorants. These are then filtered by a HEPA filter that complies with the H-13 standard, the highest rating for a purification system. This means that the Big+Quiet has a fully-sealed filtration system that can capture up to 99.95% of air particles as small as 0.1 microns, and Dyson promises that the filter used in the Big+Quiet Formaldehyde will last you up to five years.

A tiny onboard display can cycle through the metrics of the different pollutants it’s filtering and shows you what the levels are in your home. These metrics can also be viewed on the MyDyson app if you wish to connect your device to your phone – which is advisable as that will also push out automatic firmware updates to the machine.

That’s a lot of features that will cost you a lot of money – it is Dyson’s most expensive domestic-use purifier to date. If you have the budget for it – and, more importantly, the space for it in a corner somewhere – it could well be worth your while if you’re concerned about your health, especially during wildfire season that’s becoming more common with each passing year.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde standing in a corner

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: price and availability

  • Announced May 2023
  • Two models available in US, Australia and Singapore; UK availability TBC
  • Price starts at $999 / AU$1,499

While Dyson announced the Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde range in May 2023 globally, it was released for Australian shoppers first. 

There are two colorways – Bright Nickel / Satin Dark Blue and Satin Dark Blue / Gold, with the latter being a Dyson exclusive only and will not be available to purchase from a third-party retailer. It’s also the model that will get you all the bells and whistles the Big+Quiet can offer, including the CO2 sensor and an additional K-Carbon filter that can capture three times more NO2 than Dyson’s other purifiers. This model will set you back $1,099 / AU$1,599 (around £830).

The cheaper model – which misses out on the above two features – can be purchased from Dyson and authorized retailers for $999 / AU$1,499 (about £780).

Dyson says that the HEPA filter in the Big+Quiet will not require replacing for about five years – five times longer than the ones used in its other air purifiers – which could make it a little more cost effective than spending on, say, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde that costs $849 / £599 / AU$1,149, although this is also a heater and, thus, more versatile than the Big+Quiet.

Dyson has promised that the Purifier Big+Quiet will be available in other markets subsequently, but no timeline has been revealed and neither have the prices.

There’s no denying that the Big+Quiet range is expensive, especially when you consider alternatives like the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 – which is only available in the US at the time of writing – is $400. But if you have a large, open home whose air you’re keen on keeping clean – or at least monitoring – then this could be worth investing in.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

The bowl or cone of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde specifications

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Design

  • Looks like a large bowl atop a cylinder
  • Needs remote control to operate
  • Designed to be left in the corner of a large room

When I first laid eyes on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde at its Sydney unveiling, I really wasn’t impressed by its looks. ‘Big’ and ‘bulky’ were the words that occurred to me. Then the Dyson engineer moved the machine… gently, with one finger. Yes, it’s big – but only compared to Dyson’s other home purifiers and bladeless fans – and looks a little clunky, but it’s not as heavy as it appears. Even then, it's a good thing there are hidden wheels that move very smoothly over hard floors (wood and tile). They don’t move as well over carpet, though, and that’s when the Big+Quiet really feels bulky.

It looks unlike any other Dyson purifier that has preceded it – it’s basically a large bowl that sits atop a perforated metal cylinder, each of which is packed separately in the box for shipping. You simply adjust the bowl over the cylinder till it clicks into place. It looks heavy, but it’s not and can easily be lifted.

The rim of the bowl is large, enclosing a smaller dome inside, in the middle of which is a square display that shows the metrics of the different pollutants it’s filtering. You can cycle through them by using the information button (denoted by a lowercase i) on the remote control. Below the display is a small power button – it’s black on black and barely visible. Between the rim and the inner dome are perforations from where the jet of clean air is propelled into a room.

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The bowl of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde on the floor beside its cylinder

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde fully dismantled to reveal the two filters

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The perforated cylinder houses the filters – two in the case of the more expensive blue-and-gold model (SCO and K-Carbon filter) and the one SCO filter in the cheaper option. When you need to replace or check a filter, you can quickly unclip the bowl using the toggle switch at the back, then lift off the cylinder by pressing on the two red buttons located across from each other on the inside. A small unperforated strip on the cylinder is where the machine’s tiny remote attaches magnetically.

As I’ve mentioned, there are wheels on the base of the Big+Quiet, but they have been designed to be invisible unless you turn the whole machine upside down. They’re extremely smooth on hard floors, needing just the slightest push to roll, but require some elbow grease to move on a low- or medium-pile carpet. I’m guessing it’s going to be nigh on impossible to move over a high-pile carpet or rug. 

While you’ll either love or hate the overall design aesthetic of the Big+Quiet, you have to keep in mind that it's been built so it can do its thing while standing unintrusively in a corner somewhere. Other purifiers will need to be placed in the center of a room and the fan kept at its most powerful for them to be at their most effective in a small space. But how many of us really plop our purifiers in the middle of a room?

Design score: 4 / 5

The remote control sticking magnetically to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Features

  • Three-phase whole machine filtration
  • Breeze mode
  • Modified filter and the CO2 sensor is handy to have

The top of the Big+Quiet has been designed to harness the power of cone aerodynamics that, Dyson says, more than doubles the airflow passing through the machine in comparison to its other purifiers. Dyson promises that this machine can process up to 87 liters of air per second which, while being a hard metric to measure, is easily believable when you consider the size of the machine and feel the jet of air being projected at full force.

This propelled air is supposed to be mimic the movement of a spring breeze – a Dyson engineer has apparently cracked the code on how to make this happened. I, however, am not quite sure I'd call it a 'breeze', but I found the air circulation very pleasant. 

This air movement is what Dyson is calling the Big+Quiet’s Breeze Mode and there are 10 fan levels to choose from. The air can be projected in three different angles – 0º or parallel to the floor, 25º and 50º. I found that having it set at 0º was ideal for using in the bedroom at night, while the other two suit larger spaces like living rooms. During my testing period, it hit 37ºC / 98ºF on a few days in springtime in Sydney, and I didn’t need to switch on my air conditioning as the Breeze mode was more than enough to keep me comfortable in both a smaller bedroom at night, as well as in a larger living room space with the fan going at the highest setting.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde iOS app screenshots

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The Big+Quiet’s main function, however, is air purification. Filtration here is the same three-step system we’ve seen from Dyson’s best air purifiers, but with significant improvements. It adheres to the HEPA H-13 standard, which means 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns will be captured, and it’s fully sealed so none of them can escape back into the air.

The HEPA filter, according to Dyson, is made up of 21 meters of borosilicate microfibers pleated 459 times to make it fit within the cylindrical base, while also giving it plenty of surface area to capture pollutants and last a few years. It uses selective catalytic oxidization (SCO) to break down the certain pollutants, particularly formaldehyde, and promises to capture them at a molecular level – again, something that’s not possible to test chemically outside of a lab, but I’m willing to take Dyson’s word for it.

The screen on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde displaying a metric

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

According to Dyson, the Big+Quiet’s formaldehyde sensor is powerful enough to detect molecules that are “500 times smaller than 0.1 micron”. The filter then breaks it down into CO2 and water, which then gets let out into the room as part of the stream of cleaned air. It’s important to note that the CO2 from formaldehyde breakdown is so negligible that it won’t be an issue at all.

If you opt for the more expensive Big+Quiet model, you’ll get an additional K-Karbon filter inside that uses a layer of carbon to capture odors, some organic compounds as well as up to three times more NO2 from car fumes (handy if you live on or near a main thoroughfare) than the standard SCO filter.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde iOS app screenshots

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While you get full control of the Big+Quiet via its little remote control, you can also control it via the MyDyson app. A virtual remote control is displayed on the app and everything you can do with the physical remote, you can do on the app. You can also get graphical representations of what the machine is filtering. However, you can only get a per-day look. I wish Dyson would create a way to see a weekly or monthly report to get a broader overview of its performance.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Performance

  • 10 fan settings
  • Auto mode is excellent
  • Quieter than Dyson’s other purifiers

You need some specialized spaces and equipment to properly test a purifier, but I used it in my own home for a couple of months before coming to the conclusion that the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde does everything it promises.

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Display on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Breeze mode displayed on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While you can choose a fan setting between 1 and 10, there’s an Auto mode here that can be your default setting when it’s not too hot. In Auto, the Big+Quiet carries on filtering if it needs to, but will power down to Breeze mode level 1 if ventilation isn’t needed. The moment it detects too much CO2 build up or more household pollutants while you’re cooking, the power of the fan automatically increases. If there’s nothing for it to do, it will idle but not switch off. However, the automatic increase of Breeze mode setting occurred only once during my testing period and I have since not been able to replicate this scenario… which is probably for the best as the CO2 was in the red that time.

Where other purifiers don’t necessarily pick up particles in the air unless they’re really close by, the Big+Quiet is capable of detecting pollutants from a couple of meters away. For example, it was able to pick up that there were more VOCs in the air when I was sitting two meters away using some nail polish remover. I usually have the screen displaying CO2 (which is also its default), but the display changed to the VOC screen automatically to indicate the rise and that it was actively filtering certain particles. I even found that the smell of the remover didn’t linger as long as it usually does when no purifier or fan is on.

The small remote control of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

With the Big+Quiet, I found a lot of food odors tend to stay indoors for a long while unless there's good cross-ventilation – these also disappeared quicker than before I started using the Dyson.

What I really like is how quiet it is. Considering I have to shout to be heard over the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool when it’s at full power, I fully expected to do the same again. On the contrary, the hum of the Big+Quiet, even at full bore, disappears into the background as white noise. 

I don’t have a sound meter to make accurate measurements, but by using a smartphone app to measure the decibels, I got 60dB at level 10. This is with the phone’s mic held just below the main jet of air and standing less than a foot away from the machine. In comparison, the Pure Hot+Cool, which is half the height and a fraction of the diameter of the Big+Quiet, clocked up 62.9dB. The smaller machine’s sound is also higher pitched in comparison to the big one, making it harsher.

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The toggle switch to remove the bowl of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Clip inside the cylinder of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson says it’s been able to lower the noise levels in the Big+Quiet by redesigning the motor for its purifiers. Sharp edges have been reduced and rough surfaces smoothened out to reduce air turbulence inside the machine, thus lowering noise levels.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Perhaps the best alternative to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde would be another Dyson – the Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde. Not only is it cheaper, it’s also a fan and heater, making it a little more versatile for a little less money. However, it won’t do as well in a large space as the Big+Quiet. You can read our in-depth Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde (HP09) review to know more.

If you’re in the US, you could consider the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 as an alternative that costs a fraction of the price of the Big+Quiet. This is also a multifunctional purifier that can cool and heat as well, and it’s quiet too. Our tester was quite impressed with this purifier – read our full Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review to know more. This purifier, however, isn’t available in all markets. 

If you’re in Australia, perhaps the Breville The AirRounder Plus Connect could be a good alternative. It’s got a strange, fully rounded design, but it is quite effective in purifying, heating and cooling a space up to 40sqm. While we haven’t reviewed it on TechRadar, I tested the Breville AirRounder Plus Connect for our sister publication T3 a while back.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde standing beside a bookshelf

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

How I tested the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

  • Used every day for about two months
  • Left it running continuously for 3 days on Auto mode
  • Exposed it to various products, like deodorants and nail polish

I used the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde for about 8 weeks almost every single day. During that period, I tested it in different rooms, including a bedroom, the living room, open-plan dining and kitchen, plus a home office nook.

I tested all three Breeze modes and also left it in Auto mode to see how it would perform. During this time, I monitored how well it detected aerosols like deodorants, as well as how it handled strong odors from perfumes and food. I also had it running while I was cooking to see if the metrics changed.

I closed doors and windows to see how the CO2 sensor would perform and to see if the fan would automatically power up to ventilate the room.

I used an iOS app to measure the noise levels emitted when it was at full power (level 10) and used the same app to see how loud the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool can get when running at full bore as a comparison. I also compared the sound level to the Breville The AirRounder Plus Connect.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed October 2023]

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: big, quiet, powerful and pricey
1:07 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Air Quality Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde: Two-minute review

It was not love at first sight with the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde, but after just one day of using it in my own home, I don’t want to ever be parted from it – strong words for a rather big and bulky purifier fan, but I stand by it. It’s completely different from any of Dyson’s previous home purifiers – in terms of both design and functionality – although it shouldn’t be confused with the HEPA Big+Quiet that’s specifically for commercial spaces. 

Like its name suggests, it is big and it is quiet. It’s been made to circulate clean air in large rooms while standing in a corner instead of in the center of a space to be at its most effective. Dyson says it can service spaces that are up to about 100sqm / 1,000sqft in size, projecting filtered air up to 10m. Moreover, the angle of the propelled air can be adjusted (there are three to choose from), so it doubles up as a powerful fan as well which, at full bore, isn’t louder than 56dB.

Dyson has adopted cone aerodynamics to more than double the Coanda effect the brand uses in its other purifiers. According to the British brand, this allows the Big+Quiet to process as much as 87 liters of air per second. This is a hard metric to measure, so I’m taking Dyson’s word on this, but it’s easy to believe if you happen to be in the path of the propelled air.

At this point, I think it’s important to point out that there are two Big+Quiet Formaldehyde models identified by their color schemes. For this review I was sent what is the Dyson-exclusive model and is more expensive because it has an additional CO2 sensor and a second filter inside (see the price section below for more details). I found the CO2 sensor very useful as you can never tell if your home needs ventilating or not. I was a little horrified at how quickly CO2 can build up in a space – if I leave my windows closed for about an hour for any reason, the CO2 levels can go from under around 400ppm (which is good) to about 1,500ppm (which isn’t that good). If left in Auto mode, the Big+Quiet will dynamically change its fan speed to circulate the stale air but that’s also an indication that you need to open some doors or windows as high CO2 levels can cause fatigue, headaches and loss of focus.

What the two models share are a whole bunch of other sensors that detect several common pollutants, including dust, pet dander, pollen and formaldehyde (emitted from several household products including new furniture and mattresses), as well NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) from car fumes and volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) from aerosol sprays like deodorants. These are then filtered by a HEPA filter that complies with the H-13 standard, the highest rating for a purification system. This means that the Big+Quiet has a fully-sealed filtration system that can capture up to 99.95% of air particles as small as 0.1 microns, and Dyson promises that the filter used in the Big+Quiet Formaldehyde will last you up to five years.

A tiny onboard display can cycle through the metrics of the different pollutants it’s filtering and shows you what the levels are in your home. These metrics can also be viewed on the MyDyson app if you wish to connect your device to your phone – which is advisable as that will also push out automatic firmware updates to the machine.

That’s a lot of features that will cost you a lot of money – it is Dyson’s most expensive domestic-use purifier to date. If you have the budget for it – and, more importantly, the space for it in a corner somewhere – it could well be worth your while if you’re concerned about your health, especially during wildfire season that’s becoming more common with each passing year.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde standing in a corner

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: price and availability

  • Announced May 2023
  • Two models available in US, Australia and Singapore; UK availability TBC
  • Price starts at $999 / AU$1,499

While Dyson announced the Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde range in May 2023 globally, it was released for Australian shoppers first. 

There are two colorways – Bright Nickel / Satin Dark Blue and Satin Dark Blue / Gold, with the latter being a Dyson exclusive only and will not be available to purchase from a third-party retailer. It’s also the model that will get you all the bells and whistles the Big+Quiet can offer, including the CO2 sensor and an additional K-Carbon filter that can capture three times more NO2 than Dyson’s other purifiers. This model will set you back $1,099 / AU$1,599 (around £830).

The cheaper model – which misses out on the above two features – can be purchased from Dyson and authorized retailers for $999 / AU$1,499 (about £780).

Dyson says that the HEPA filter in the Big+Quiet will not require replacing for about five years – five times longer than the ones used in its other air purifiers – which could make it a little more cost effective than spending on, say, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde that costs $849 / £599 / AU$1,149, although this is also a heater and, thus, more versatile than the Big+Quiet.

Dyson has promised that the Purifier Big+Quiet will be available in other markets subsequently, but no timeline has been revealed and neither have the prices.

There’s no denying that the Big+Quiet range is expensive, especially when you consider alternatives like the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 – which is only available in the US at the time of writing – is $400. But if you have a large, open home whose air you’re keen on keeping clean – or at least monitoring – then this could be worth investing in.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

The bowl or cone of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde specifications

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Design

  • Looks like a large bowl atop a cylinder
  • Needs remote control to operate
  • Designed to be left in the corner of a large room

When I first laid eyes on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde at its Sydney unveiling, I really wasn’t impressed by its looks. ‘Big’ and ‘bulky’ were the words that occurred to me. Then the Dyson engineer moved the machine… gently, with one finger. Yes, it’s big – but only compared to Dyson’s other home purifiers and bladeless fans – and looks a little clunky, but it’s not as heavy as it appears. Even then, it's a good thing there are hidden wheels that move very smoothly over hard floors (wood and tile). They don’t move as well over carpet, though, and that’s when the Big+Quiet really feels bulky.

It looks unlike any other Dyson purifier that has preceded it – it’s basically a large bowl that sits atop a perforated metal cylinder, each of which is packed separately in the box for shipping. You simply adjust the bowl over the cylinder till it clicks into place. It looks heavy, but it’s not and can easily be lifted.

The rim of the bowl is large, enclosing a smaller dome inside, in the middle of which is a square display that shows the metrics of the different pollutants it’s filtering. You can cycle through them by using the information button (denoted by a lowercase i) on the remote control. Below the display is a small power button – it’s black on black and barely visible. Between the rim and the inner dome are perforations from where the jet of clean air is propelled into a room.

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The bowl of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde on the floor beside its cylinder

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde fully dismantled to reveal the two filters

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The perforated cylinder houses the filters – two in the case of the more expensive blue-and-gold model (SCO and K-Carbon filter) and the one SCO filter in the cheaper option. When you need to replace or check a filter, you can quickly unclip the bowl using the toggle switch at the back, then lift off the cylinder by pressing on the two red buttons located across from each other on the inside. A small unperforated strip on the cylinder is where the machine’s tiny remote attaches magnetically.

As I’ve mentioned, there are wheels on the base of the Big+Quiet, but they have been designed to be invisible unless you turn the whole machine upside down. They’re extremely smooth on hard floors, needing just the slightest push to roll, but require some elbow grease to move on a low- or medium-pile carpet. I’m guessing it’s going to be nigh on impossible to move over a high-pile carpet or rug. 

While you’ll either love or hate the overall design aesthetic of the Big+Quiet, you have to keep in mind that it's been built so it can do its thing while standing unintrusively in a corner somewhere. Other purifiers will need to be placed in the center of a room and the fan kept at its most powerful for them to be at their most effective in a small space. But how many of us really plop our purifiers in the middle of a room?

Design score: 4 / 5

The remote control sticking magnetically to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Features

  • Three-phase whole machine filtration
  • Breeze mode
  • Modified filter and the CO2 sensor is handy to have

The top of the Big+Quiet has been designed to harness the power of cone aerodynamics that, Dyson says, more than doubles the airflow passing through the machine in comparison to its other purifiers. Dyson promises that this machine can process up to 87 liters of air per second which, while being a hard metric to measure, is easily believable when you consider the size of the machine and feel the jet of air being projected at full force.

This propelled air is supposed to be mimic the movement of a spring breeze – a Dyson engineer has apparently cracked the code on how to make this happened. I, however, am not quite sure I'd call it a 'breeze', but I found the air circulation very pleasant. 

This air movement is what Dyson is calling the Big+Quiet’s Breeze Mode and there are 10 fan levels to choose from. The air can be projected in three different angles – 0º or parallel to the floor, 25º and 50º. I found that having it set at 0º was ideal for using in the bedroom at night, while the other two suit larger spaces like living rooms. During my testing period, it hit 37ºC / 98ºF on a few days in springtime in Sydney, and I didn’t need to switch on my air conditioning as the Breeze mode was more than enough to keep me comfortable in both a smaller bedroom at night, as well as in a larger living room space with the fan going at the highest setting.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde iOS app screenshots

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The Big+Quiet’s main function, however, is air purification. Filtration here is the same three-step system we’ve seen from Dyson’s best air purifiers, but with significant improvements. It adheres to the HEPA H-13 standard, which means 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns will be captured, and it’s fully sealed so none of them can escape back into the air.

The HEPA filter, according to Dyson, is made up of 21 meters of borosilicate microfibers pleated 459 times to make it fit within the cylindrical base, while also giving it plenty of surface area to capture pollutants and last a few years. It uses selective catalytic oxidization (SCO) to break down the certain pollutants, particularly formaldehyde, and promises to capture them at a molecular level – again, something that’s not possible to test chemically outside of a lab, but I’m willing to take Dyson’s word for it.

The screen on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde displaying a metric

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

According to Dyson, the Big+Quiet’s formaldehyde sensor is powerful enough to detect molecules that are “500 times smaller than 0.1 micron”. The filter then breaks it down into CO2 and water, which then gets let out into the room as part of the stream of cleaned air. It’s important to note that the CO2 from formaldehyde breakdown is so negligible that it won’t be an issue at all.

If you opt for the more expensive Big+Quiet model, you’ll get an additional K-Karbon filter inside that uses a layer of carbon to capture odors, some organic compounds as well as up to three times more NO2 from car fumes (handy if you live on or near a main thoroughfare) than the standard SCO filter.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde iOS app screenshots

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While you get full control of the Big+Quiet via its little remote control, you can also control it via the MyDyson app. A virtual remote control is displayed on the app and everything you can do with the physical remote, you can do on the app. You can also get graphical representations of what the machine is filtering. However, you can only get a per-day look. I wish Dyson would create a way to see a weekly or monthly report to get a broader overview of its performance.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde review: Performance

  • 10 fan settings
  • Auto mode is excellent
  • Quieter than Dyson’s other purifiers

You need some specialized spaces and equipment to properly test a purifier, but I used it in my own home for a couple of months before coming to the conclusion that the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde does everything it promises.

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Display on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Breeze mode displayed on the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

While you can choose a fan setting between 1 and 10, there’s an Auto mode here that can be your default setting when it’s not too hot. In Auto, the Big+Quiet carries on filtering if it needs to, but will power down to Breeze mode level 1 if ventilation isn’t needed. The moment it detects too much CO2 build up or more household pollutants while you’re cooking, the power of the fan automatically increases. If there’s nothing for it to do, it will idle but not switch off. However, the automatic increase of Breeze mode setting occurred only once during my testing period and I have since not been able to replicate this scenario… which is probably for the best as the CO2 was in the red that time.

Where other purifiers don’t necessarily pick up particles in the air unless they’re really close by, the Big+Quiet is capable of detecting pollutants from a couple of meters away. For example, it was able to pick up that there were more VOCs in the air when I was sitting two meters away using some nail polish remover. I usually have the screen displaying CO2 (which is also its default), but the display changed to the VOC screen automatically to indicate the rise and that it was actively filtering certain particles. I even found that the smell of the remover didn’t linger as long as it usually does when no purifier or fan is on.

The small remote control of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

With the Big+Quiet, I found a lot of food odors tend to stay indoors for a long while unless there's good cross-ventilation – these also disappeared quicker than before I started using the Dyson.

What I really like is how quiet it is. Considering I have to shout to be heard over the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool when it’s at full power, I fully expected to do the same again. On the contrary, the hum of the Big+Quiet, even at full bore, disappears into the background as white noise. 

I don’t have a sound meter to make accurate measurements, but by using a smartphone app to measure the decibels, I got 60dB at level 10. This is with the phone’s mic held just below the main jet of air and standing less than a foot away from the machine. In comparison, the Pure Hot+Cool, which is half the height and a fraction of the diameter of the Big+Quiet, clocked up 62.9dB. The smaller machine’s sound is also higher pitched in comparison to the big one, making it harsher.

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The toggle switch to remove the bowl of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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Clip inside the cylinder of the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Dyson says it’s been able to lower the noise levels in the Big+Quiet by redesigning the motor for its purifiers. Sharp edges have been reduced and rough surfaces smoothened out to reduce air turbulence inside the machine, thus lowering noise levels.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde?

Buy it if...

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Also consider

Perhaps the best alternative to the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde would be another Dyson – the Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde. Not only is it cheaper, it’s also a fan and heater, making it a little more versatile for a little less money. However, it won’t do as well in a large space as the Big+Quiet. You can read our in-depth Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde (HP09) review to know more.

If you’re in the US, you could consider the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 as an alternative that costs a fraction of the price of the Big+Quiet. This is also a multifunctional purifier that can cool and heat as well, and it’s quiet too. Our tester was quite impressed with this purifier – read our full Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review to know more. This purifier, however, isn’t available in all markets. 

If you’re in Australia, perhaps the Breville The AirRounder Plus Connect could be a good alternative. It’s got a strange, fully rounded design, but it is quite effective in purifying, heating and cooling a space up to 40sqm. While we haven’t reviewed it on TechRadar, I tested the Breville AirRounder Plus Connect for our sister publication T3 a while back.

Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde standing beside a bookshelf

(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

How I tested the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde

  • Used every day for about two months
  • Left it running continuously for 3 days on Auto mode
  • Exposed it to various products, like deodorants and nail polish

I used the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde for about 8 weeks almost every single day. During that period, I tested it in different rooms, including a bedroom, the living room, open-plan dining and kitchen, plus a home office nook.

I tested all three Breeze modes and also left it in Auto mode to see how it would perform. During this time, I monitored how well it detected aerosols like deodorants, as well as how it handled strong odors from perfumes and food. I also had it running while I was cooking to see if the metrics changed.

I closed doors and windows to see how the CO2 sensor would perform and to see if the fan would automatically power up to ventilate the room.

I used an iOS app to measure the noise levels emitted when it was at full power (level 10) and used the same app to see how loud the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool can get when running at full bore as a comparison. I also compared the sound level to the Breville The AirRounder Plus Connect.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed October 2023]