The Best Air Purifier Tier List Version 2.0 - Surprising Results!

Summary

This video ranks and reviews the most popular air purifiers based on their performance, features, and value. From the highly efficient Wix 5500-2, which offers excellent airflow and filtration at an affordable price, to the underperforming AOE MK01, the video provides an in-depth analysis of each purifier’s strengths and weaknesses. The models are categorized into S-tier, A-tier, B-tier, C-tier, D-tier, and E-tier, based on factors such as airflow, energy efficiency, noise output, and filter quality. The review helps viewers make informed decisions on the best air purifiers for their needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Levoit Core 300 is popular for being small, light, and affordable but lacks a certified HEPA filter.
• 😀 Testing methods for air purifiers often focus on larger particles, missing the evaluation of ultra-fine particles that HEPA filters capture.
• 😀 The Levoit Core 400S and Core 600S are larger, more energy-efficient models compared to the Core 300, but still do not feature a certified HEPA filter.
• 😀 The Levoit Vital 200S offers a better pre-filter than Core Series models, but still lacks a HEPA filter, limiting its overall effectiveness.
• 😀 Dyson air purifiers stand out for their selective catalytic oxidation filter, which removes formaldehyde, but have low air flow and poor value compared to their price.
• 😀 The Dyson Big and Quiet has low air flow relative to its price and does not include a pre-filter, making it a poor value despite its formaldehyde filtering ability.
• 😀 Shark air purifiers, including the HP12, are compact but have low air flow for their price and expensive replacement filters, placing them in the D-tier for value.
• 😀 Shark Air Purifier 4 is quieter due to its use of four smaller fans, but has a poor CFM to price ratio and still suffers from expensive filter replacements.
• 😀 New Wave Oxypure Smart combines high air flow and multiple filters, including a biog guard filter and an ozone filter, but is loud and not very energy-efficient.
• 😀 The IQAir HealthPro Plus offers superior air filtration with high-quality filters but is costly and lacks energy efficiency, resulting in a lower ranking in the B-tier.
• 😀 The Austin Air HealthMate has excellent gas filtration but is expensive, and though it’s durable, it’s not energy efficient, positioning it in the A-tier.
• 😀 The Metaphy MA112 is notable for its high air flow but comes at a steep price and with expensive replacement filters, though it excels in performance for large rooms.
• 😀 The Wicks 5500-2 is the best value air purifier, offering a combination of high-quality filters, energy efficiency, low noise, and affordable replacement costs, earning it the top spot in the S-tier.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the Levoit Core 300 and other models in its series?

The Levoit Core 300 is smaller and more affordable than the Core 400S and Core 600S models, but it lacks a certified HEPA filter, using a lower-grade proprietary particle filter instead.

Why is it important to buy an air purifier with a certified HEPA filter?

A certified HEPA filter is crucial because it can effectively capture ultra-fine particles smaller than 0.3 microns, which other filters may not adequately handle. This ensures better filtration and air quality.

How does the Dyson Big and Quiet air purifier perform compared to other units in terms of airflow?

The Dyson Big and Quiet has relatively low airflow compared to many other air purifiers, even though it's marketed for large rooms. Its low airflow makes it less efficient at processing air compared to other models, especially considering its higher price.

What makes the Dyson Big and Quiet unique in its filtration capabilities?

The Dyson Big and Quiet features a HEPA filter along with a catalytic oxidation filter specifically designed to target and remove formaldehyde, a toxic gas. This makes it effective for people concerned about formaldehyde in their indoor air.

Why is the Shark HP12 air purifier placed in the D-tier?

The Shark HP12 is placed in the D-tier because it has low airflow for its price and comes with an expensive replacement filter. It also lacks a dedicated pre-filter, which can impact its overall filtration efficiency.

How does the Shark Air Purifier 4 differ from the HP12 model?

The Shark Air Purifier 4 uses four smaller fans instead of one large fan, allowing it to run more quietly while maintaining better airflow efficiency. It also provides better value relative to its airflow-to-noise ratio compared to the HP12.

What unique features does the New Wave Oxypure Smart offer?

The New Wave Oxypure Smart features a HPOP particle filter, a high-quality carbon filter, and adds a BioGuard filter with ionization to help capture particles. It also includes an ozone filter to remove the ozone produced by ionization.

What are the drawbacks of the IQAir HealthPro Plus air purifier?

The IQAir HealthPro Plus is very expensive relative to its airflow and has low energy efficiency, leading to high noise output. Despite its high-quality filters and effective gas removal, these negatives place it towards the lower end of the B-tier.

What makes the Austin Air HealthMate stand out in terms of gas filtration?

The Austin Air HealthMate stands out due to its 15 lbs of activated carbon and zeolite in its gas filter, which is significantly more media than most other air purifiers. This allows it to remove gases much faster and more efficiently.

Why is the Wix 5500-2 air purifier ranked in the S-tier?

The Wix 5500-2 is ranked in the S-tier because it offers an excellent combination of performance and value. It includes a washable pre-filter, a pellet-based carbon filter, a HEPA filter, and efficient air flow at a very affordable price, with low filter replacement costs.