One-minute review

If you were ever confused as to why you should buy something like the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA, you’re not alone. Air purifiers seem to be that kind of basic appliance that you go to the nearest big box store and buy whatever you find on the shelves. And, they’ll usually peak at a couple hundred dollars or quid at most. But, just like everything else, you get what you pay for.

Though the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA’s $399.99 / £349.99 price tag is nothing to sneeze at, going for 4 to 5 times many of the air purifiers you’ll on, say, Amazon, you might want to consider this model over those cheaper options for a few reasons. There’s a few reasons that we’ve included it on our list of best air purifiers.

To start, there are some additional features that could replace other devices such as space heaters and stand-alone fans that make that price a little more justifiable. And, no matter its function, it not only does it well but does it silently.

It’s not a perfect air purifier. There’s no app like you might find with smart air purifiers, for instance. And, if you have central air and don't need any of the other features, you can obviously find plenty of options for much cheaper. 

That said, I found the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA to be a pleasure to use. Maybe there’s no app. But, the control panel doubles as a removable remote control. No matter how hard I push it, it’s much quieter than the single-purpose space heater sitting next to it. It purifies, heats, and fans to your whims.

Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review: price and availability

• List price: $399.99
• Available in the US
• Not available in the UK or Australia

At $399.99, the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA is certainly an investment. But, if you consider that you could spend $300 getting a good air purifier, a good stand-alone heater and a very good fan, the price tag of this 3-in-1 unit makes a bit more sense. So, while it’s not cheap, it provides a lot more value than you might assume at face value.

Consider that the aforementioned Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 goes for $769.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,149.00, you can definitely spend a lot more keeping the air in your home clean. Of course, that Dyson does come with some smart features and extra filtration that you won’t find on this Shark Air Purifier. But, considering how good a job this air purifier does, it’s a matter of preference, in my opinion, of whether you want to spend a little more for all the features and the absolute best air filtration or half the price and still get excellent performance and features.

Also consider this. The Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact, which has just two of the Shark’s three functions is much more expensive, coming in at $549.99 / £499.99. Of course, it does look a little cooler with its Sci-Fi Q-tip look, not to mention its 350 degree oscillation is much wider than what the Shark offers.

You can find the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 available to buy on resellers such as Amazon or when you shop direct with the brand on the Shark website.

Value: 4 / 5

Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review: Specs

Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review: Design

• Somewhat nondescript cylindrical design
• Color-coded LED to show air quality in real time
• Control panel can be used as a remote

Compared to units like the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact, the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA is not going to turn any heads. That’s not to say that it looks bad. It doesn’t. It has a simple, cylindrical design in a dark gray and silver colorway that will disappear into the background the way any nondescript appliance would.

In essence, the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA puts function over form. The bottom half of the unit is filled with tiny holes while the top contains air vents on the front and back for pushing out cool or hot air. The only real color comes by way of the LED screen in the center of the air purifier. It shows readings of the Air Purity level, temperature if you’re using heat, fan level, and a few other indicators. All of this is surrounded by a changing LED ring that will turn to red when the air quality is bad, orange when it’s just ok, and blue when the air is clean.

As far as controls go, for some reason, there’s a dial on the side to switch to engage the heating functionality. Considering that the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA purifies no matter which setting you’re on and the fact that you can still use the fan when the heater functionality is engaged, it’s a strange and seemingly redundant feature.

More interestingly, all the vital controls are in a circular control panel on top. Why is this so interesting? It’s held in place by magnets so that you can pull it out and use it as a remote. You can control the heat and fan functionality with the remote as well as set it to Auto or dim the LED display if you’re going to sleep.

Lastly, I would be remiss not to mention the HEPA filter. Getting to it is pretty easy as you just remove the lower back for access. As it’s meant for a 500 square foot space, it should last about six to twelve months before needing to be replaced.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA review: Performance

• Does a good job purifying
• Heating and fan functionality are quick and quiet
• Remote could be better

The Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA’s core functionality is the ability to purify and it does its job well. When running in a small to medium room, up to 500 square feet, the air is noticeably fresher as this purifier removes all sorts of impurities from the air. In particular, it looks for three sizes of particles to remove: PM1, PM2.5, and PM10.

I was able to experience its purifying in real world testing in a few ways beyond just having it run while I go about my day. The first example is a little gross so skip the next paragraph if you’re squeamish. 

The litter box in my living room was in dire need of being entirely replaced and you could smell it whenever in the vicinity. I set up the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA right next to it where it registered the air quality at around 71% clean. It managed to over a few hours get the air quality up to 88% without the litter box being changed out, meaning the source of the lower air quality was constant. Yet, not only was the air purifier able to offset it but the odor from the litter box was completely mitigated as long as you didn’t get within a foot of it.

For a more palatable example, I burned some strong Japanese Sandalwood incense right next to the air purifier. I placed it on the ground about a foot away and within 10 minutes, the Shark purifier’s LED changed to a bright red with a reading of 27% for the air quality. While the odor of the incense did linger for a while, it is very strong. The air quality hit 40% after an hour and got up to 80% after three hours.

When it comes to the heating and fan functionality, I consider them good enough to replace other stand-alone units. Not only was I able to keep my bedroom heated at a consistent temperature but it starts blowing out hot air fairly quickly.

The fan is equally powerful as it has six different settings and will start blasting cool air immediately, though it’s important to remember that this is not going to replace a swamp cooler or air conditioner. Also be aware that you’re not getting the 350 degree oscillation of some other models. While Shark doesn’t specify, it looks to about 180 degrees.

Regardless of how I used the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA, it operated surprisingly quietly, especially in comparison to the noisy space heater sitting next to it. For instance, with the fan setting on, I registered just 49dB, about the level of a quiet conversation.

Lastly, we should discuss actually interfacing with the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA. Being able to remove the control panel from its cradle atop the air purifier to use as a remote is pretty terrific. However, it’s not the most responsive remote. I have to make sure I’m pointing it at the LED screen and sometimes I have to press buttons harder or more than once for that press to register.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If you would prefer to circulate air rather than purifier it, then one of the best fans would be an alternative to consider...

How I tested the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA

• Tested for a few weeks
• Exposed it to strong odors to see what it would do
• Went through all the various modes and functions

To test the Shark Air Purifier 3-in-1 with True HEPA, I not only used it for a couple weeks to see how it would fare in my bedroom as well as the living room. But, I also intentionally put it in close vicinity of some strong odors to see how it would function. Additionally, I regularly used the heating and fan function. All dials and buttons were pressed to see what they would do as well.

Read more about how we test.

[First reviewed May 2023]

Saucony Guide 16: One minute review

As a runner, stability in a trainer is very important, especially if you tend to overpronate, or roll your foot too far inward when it lands. This is what the Saucony Guides have always been known for, helping to "steer your stride" with a guidance frame. If it works, it's certainly going to be one of the best running shoes for overpronators. 

I’ve never tried any of its previous versions, but the Guide 16 trainers provide stability for not just those who overpronate, such as me, but any runner who wants to feel secure as they complete their miles.

It's also very rare that running trainers are comfortable from the get-go, usually needing a few miles to "break in" so to speak, but I can authoritatively say that the Saucony Guide 16 are just that. As soon as I laced up the trainers they felt like slippers, molding into my feet as soon as I took my first steps. 

This design benefits from upgraded PWRRUN+ technology, a gilley design around the laces that helps then wrap into the shoe further around the upper, and lightweight support on the heel and ankle. Performance is exceptional as its PWRRUN+ insoles and midsoles cradled my feet and helped with comfort and stabilization as I ran. 

The trainers aren't waterproof or as bouncy as some of the other trainers on the market, so aren't going to be suited for trail fans or speed junkies, but their comfort is second to none, and they are now a firm favorite for short runs. 

Saucony Guide 16: Specifications

Saucony Guide 16: Price and availability

• $160 in the US
• £130 in the UK
• AU$219.99 in Australia

Launched in February this year, the Saucony Guide 16 are priced at $160 / £130 / AU$219.99. The shoes are available direct from the Saucony website and from other third-party sites such as Wiggle, Decathlon and Amazon. 

This is about the right sort of price point, at the same mark or slightly cheaper than other running shoes designed for stability and to course-correct your stride, such as the ASICS Gel-Kayano 29. We're satisfied this price is about what you'd expect, and not out of line with the rest of its competitors.

Value score: 4/5

Saucony Guide 16: Design

• PWRRUN+ insole contours the foot
• The unique gilley system gives a secure fit
• Upper mesh is breathable but could be more waterproof

Well-designed with high-tech foam to help with stability it’s a good-looking shoe, as well as designed with comfort in mind. Available in a variety of different colors from the "soot/sprig" red-and-green number to our more somber black testing pair, the sneakers' performance upper mesh gives them some edge, design-wise, and has a thicker material than its predecessor. 

However, the mesh still allows for enough breathability when running. There's next to no waterproofing, which is a shame and precludes them from any trails other than light, hard park paths, but a lack of waterproofing isn't uncommon in these sorts of road shoes. 

The design really benefits from Saucony's unique gilley system, a criss-cross lace-organization design on the midfoot that loops the laces further back on the upper than normal, and gives your foot more support. However, we sometimes found this design slightly too tight. 

With a heel-to-toe drop of 8mm, the trainer's lightweight heel and ankle padding meant no rubbing as I ran, and its deeper footbed added to the comfort of the trainers and gave them a very personalized feel. A little like memory foam.

Its XT-900 outsole, made from carbon rubber, gives the shoe durability, as I took them through a series of short and longer runs, while its upgraded PWRRUN+ insole adds to the comfort, contouring my feet well.

Design score: 4.5/5

Saucony Guide 16: Performance

• PWRRUN+ technology helped cradle and cushion my feet
• Great for runners with overpronation 
• Lightweight but not as bouncy as some other running trainers 

Comfortable from the moment I laced up, I was impressed with just how easily my feet molded into these trainers. I wore the shoes on multiple training runs for an upcoming 10k run - which involved 5-8k runs and some interval training runs. New trainers normally rub on the sides of my feet and sometimes give me blisters as I wear them in, but not these trainers, which could be down to their new PWRRUN+ insoles, which seemed to cradle my feet and keep them stable as I ran.

Unlike other trainers, like New Balances’ latest SC Elite v3 and Brook’s Adrenaline range I didn’t get as much energy return as I ran. The trainers also benefit from PWRRUN+ technology in their midsoles which gave me a firm and cushioned stride, but not as bouncy as I would have preferred. However, they still felt supportive, as my foot rolled from heel to toe, which is probably down to the shoe's HALLOW TECH support frame. 

This frame support also provides more stability for anyone that overpronates when they run, like me. Overpronation is when the arch of your foot collapses inwards as you run, meaning this part of your sole will have more wear and tear. Although I still overpronated in these trainers they felt far more supportive - hugging my feet as I ran. 

Lightweight, they didn’t add a considerable amount of weight to my feet, however, their upper mesh material didn't keep my feet dry. I wore the trainers in multiple weather conditions and although they didn’t keep my feet dry in wet weather, their XT-900 outsole did provide great grip. 

Performance score: 5/5

Saucony Guide 16: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You overpronate when you run 

They feel incredibly supportive for any runner who overpronates due to their insoles and updated foam technology. 

You run mid distances

This is an everyday show for 5k and 10k runners - allowing for comfort and stability.

If comfort is key to you

Lets be honest, most trainers take a few runs to break in - but these were comfortable from the moment I stepped into them. 

Don't buy it if...

You need waterproof trainers 

Running in all weather conditions? My feet were soaked through when I went out on a particularly rainy run

You want a bigger energy return

Although stable and comfortable, these running shoes aren't as bouncy as some of the other models on the market

You prefer more movement in the midfoot

Although their unique gilley system looks great they made our midfoot feel suffocated at times.

Saucony Guide 16: Also consider

First reviewed: May 2023