Sadly, it appears there’s some false information being presented as the truth when in fact it’s nonsense! As both an engineer and an air purifier owner and reviewer I wanted to bust the myths once and for all.
Do air purifiers give off radiation? You’ll find out the truth here based on the scientific facts, not rumors or superstition.
Fast facts: Do air purifiers emit harmful radiation?
Air purifier EMF radiation truth
Do air purifiers give off radiation? Air purifiers produce a safe & small amount of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. There is no data supporting the claims that they’re harmful. Any such claims have no basis in scientific fact.
A 2002 study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer found no evidence of cancer caused by low-frequency electric & magnetic fields.
What is EMF? Electromagnetic field radiation (EMF) describes the magnetic & electrostatic fields produced by the movement of electrical current in a conductor and devices. They’re also a by-product of electric motors such as in fans as they need magnetic fields to create motion & do work.
Common household, automotive, and workplace electronics produce similar or more EMF than air purifiers. In fact, industrial workplaces often power machinery that create hundreds or thousands of times greater electromagnetic fields due to the huge electrical current moving through them.
Household electronics have not been scientifically proven to cause harm in humans. However, higher-energy (higher frequency, such as radio frequency (RF) and higher power) sources like cell phones have been shown to cause harm in lab rats under extended use.
Most air purifiers use relatively low power (55W or less, typically) and use a household low-frequency 60Hz 120V power source which is “chopped up” to control the purifier’s fan speed. They don’t use a high-frequency design in most cases.
The power of magnetic fields drops dramatically the further away you are from them. In fact, at only a few feet or meters away they’re a fraction of what can be measured right in front of the source. Most people aren’t immediately next to EMF sources, meaning there’s little that reaches them.
When someone claims something that millions of people own is supposedly harmful, shouldn’t they be able to back it up with scientific facts?
In this article I’ll explain:
What the hype is all about
What EMF radiation is and where it comes from
Scientific facts and why it’s much ado about nothing
More things to know that matter
Note: In this article, I’ll be referring to HEPA-based air purifiers, not ionizers or ozone generators sold as purifiers. Those are a completely different type and I don’t recommend them (you can read why here in this detailed article).
The misinformation being spread – What does it mean?
An example from a website providing misleading information about air purifiers. The main concern I’ve heard from readers is that they’re reading that they produce harmful radiation – causing them to become worried when in fact there’s no need to be.
Some time ago I first heard from a reader and more recently I’ve gotten more comments and questions about this topic. In product reviews and in other places, they’re reading statements claiming (or implying) that air purifiers are potentially harmful to your health due to “radiation.”
You’ll notice people making this claim don’t provide evidence or cite studies by reputable organizations to back it up. Also, they may incorrectly refer to magnetic field “limits” or by measuring a product and finding a supposedly high reading with unproven test equipment and not with a controlled & proper scientific test.
You shouldn’t base your decisions on random strangers on the internet who aren’t qualified to make these (incorrect) claims – but instead on facts and what science actually says!
There’s a huge difference between a person at home taking measurements vs a proper study done under controlled conditions and correct test procedures. After all, isn’t that what scientists and labs are for?
That’s why I wrote this article – so you won’t be misled into believing false claims and won’t avoid buying air purifiers based on that.
What is this “radiation” that people are talking about?
When the word “radiation” is used here when we’re talking about air purifiers. We’re not referring to nuclear radiation.
The word “radiation” normally refers to materials that give off radioactive particles like uranium and other radioactive materials that can result in extreme environmental and health problems in both humans and animals.
Magnetic and electrostatic fields are created when electrons flow through an electrical conductor. The strength of the fields depends on the amount of electrical current and other factors. Motors like those to drive a ceiling fan, motors in your car, and inside an air purifier use magnetics field to turn the fan that moves air.
I’ll spare you the very complicated (and boring) physics of it all. Believe me when I say my electromagnetics class was one of the single most difficult engineering classes I had in college!
Don’t worry, though – the basic idea isn’t that hard to understand.
Just saying “radiation” actually isn’t the right description – it can give people the wrong idea and lead to confusion or misunderstanding.
After all, we’re talking about electricity and air purifiers, not nuclear materials for heaven’s sake!
How electromagnetic fields (EMF) are produced and what they do
When the electrical current (electrons, as you might recall from science class) flows through a conductor like a wire, 2 types of fields are produced:
Electrostatic fields
Electromagnetic fields
Electrostatic fields are a type that acts as a voltage potential in the air because of an electrical charge, much as static electricity does. In a similar way, electromagnetic fields are created too, and radiate, or move outward, a lot like how a magnet produces its magnetic fields.
As we all know magnetic fields attract objects. They also can create the movement of electrons (called induction) in nearby metals.
When we talk about radiation, we’re simply talking about the fields that ALL electrical and electronic devices – not just air purifiers – produce.
The strength of these fields is commonly measured in units called Gauss or Tesla, named after the early scientists who pioneered the understanding we have of them today.
Magnetic fields are critical for the things we use
Electric motors like those that turn a fan to blow air for cooling your room or cleaning the air need magnetic fields to create motion. To do that, electric motors use a huge length of wire windings.
When a long length of wire is wound into a coil or winding like in a motor, the magnetic fields “build up” and are much stronger. That, and electrical current flowing in them, create the fields.
The thing is that unless they’re very strong they can’t affect objects or humans or animals nearby. It takes an enormous amount of power to create EMF that is any concern – way beyond anything you’ll get from your electronics, appliances, and an air purifier or fan.
Magnetic and electrostatic field strength drops significantly with distance. Even a few feet or meter away the fields reaching you (as who stands right in front of electronics?) are much weaker than right next to the source.
Another very important thing to know is that these fields are much weaker further away from them – meaning you’re almost never exposed to their full strength, which again is typically very small (a few thousandths of a Gauss (milliGauss).
That’s why radio and television stations, for example, use thousands and even hundreds of thousands of watts of power. It takes an enormous amount of power to get a good high-frequency radio or TV signal to an antenna in your home over a long distance.
The appliances and machines in your home and workplace generate only a fairly small amount in most cases.
How air purifiers work (and where the EMF comes from)
Shown: The main components of a Levoit LV-H132 purifier. Air purifiers use a power source and control an electric fan motor in order to move dirty air through the filters to clean it. Most use alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet in your home and “chop it up” with control electronics. This allows running the fan at different speeds and more efficiently, too. (Note the yellow section in which the motor’s wire windings are)
Ever heard of a direct current (DC) motor? You might remember them from battery powered toys or some of the science experiment kits you played with as a kid. While they’re good for some things, alternating current (AC), which is what is supplied to your home from the power company is used instead.
But why? There are several good reasons AC motors are used in nearly all appliances and electric fans including, but mainly it’s because of their increased power output and efficiency.
Air purifiers use an electric motor, powered from alternating current (AC) in most cases, to turn a fan and move & clean air. An electronic board regulates how much power is applied to the fan to allow different fan speeds. Both the motor and the operation generates EMF fields around it (as do other devices too).
Most air purifiers use standard AC power connected to an electronic motor control board and the fan speed switch (or button). The low-frequency AC is “chopped up” and modified by a pulse width modulation (PWM) electronics circuit board to control how voltage is applied to the motor.
This is how we’re able to get different tightly regulated fan speeds without wasting power as was done with products back in the old days.
The PWM motor control board isn’t a high-frequency controller like you’d find with radio or cell phone signals. Instead, it’s a lower-frequency design that works several thousand times per second typically. This frequency range is called “kiloHertz” (KHz).
Since the fan motor uses a lot of wire wound as coils and also the fast pulsing of the power supply, EMF is generated anytime the purifier is turned on. Note that the amount of EMF changes based on the amount of power being drawn (electrical current required).
However, most air purifiers draw only about 12-55W watts based on my measurements & the fan speed chosen, so they create a small amount of EMF.
Many appliances and machines draw a lot more power and generate more EMF.
The scientific truth about it all
There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields in relation to all other cancers. There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of static electric or magnetic fields and extremely low-frequency electric fields. There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields. No data relevant to the carcinogenicity of static electric or magnetic fields and extremely low-frequency electric fields in experimental animals were available.2002 World Health Organization IARC study findings
What people who make claims about air purifiers (or any other small, typical source of EMF) aren’t telling is that for decades no scientific test has proven any proven harm from exposure to low levels of low-frequency EMF like air purifiers produce.
A 2002 study from the World Health Organizations’s International Agency for Research On Cancer found that there was no evidence of physical harm or cancer in humans or animals under study.
In fact, even much larger amounts like from current-hungry industrial machines haven’t been proven to cause any harm to humans, either.
The simple facts are the following:
Scientists disagree regarding the conclusion that EMF can cause cancer, for example.
There are no studies that have ever found definitive proof of harm (aside from an exception, see below).
You’re likely to be harmed by high levels (high frequency, higher power), if at all possible, and certainly not weak devices like an air purifier.
The EMF from an air purifier or other electrical devices drops drastically the further away you go – so your exposure is even smaller.
It’s important to be realistic – you can’t avoid EMF totally.
There’s an important point I need to make here before we continue: the EMF given off by air purifiers is no different (and even less than) sources you’ve been around already for years.
Here are some examples:
The blower fan in your car or truck (the dashboard fan that blows air through the vents)
Ceiling fans and other cooling fans
Certain types of light fixtures and heaters
Many appliances
Machinery in your workplace (industrial machines, in particular, can be a big source of high EMF levels)
Radio and cell phone high-frequency waves
The truth is that you’re surrounded by EMF everywhere. However, exposure to certain kinds of EMF may be potentially harmful, as you’ll see below.
What EMF radiation types have been proven to be harmful?
There has, in fact, been demonstrated evidence by the National Toxicology Program in the testing of abnormalities in lab rats caused by heavy cell 2G & 3G phone exposure. An increase in DNA damage along with the growth of malignant tumors was discovered in the mice & rats under test.
Additionally, the IARC has also concluded that radiofrequency & microwave EMF fields may possibly be carcinogenic.
Unlike air purifiers and other standard appliances or products around, this doesn’t refer to low-frequency fields but high frequency. Examples of that are signals in the millions of cycles per second (Megahertz [MHz]) and billions of cycles per second (gigahertz [GHz]).
This includes various devices like radio broadcasters, radio & communications towers, and wireless cell phone use.
In summary: the main facts to know
In summary, there’s no truth to the hype about air purifiers generating “unhealthy levels of EMF.” It simply isn’t true, there’s no proof to the claim, and it also ignores several important facts (while providing no proof).
In other words, it’s nonsense.
Here are the main facts to take away after reading:
There’s no scientific basis to the claim that air purifiers produce potentially harmful EMF. In fact, scientific studies have proven otherwise (see cited paper above).
Air purifiers (and many other devices) do produce some EMF, however, these are (1) generally small levels that (2) dramatically decrease in strength the further away you are.
You’re surrounded by EMF from many sources, and from the same type of EMF that air purifiers create: in your home, your car, and in the workplace. It’s nothing new.
Air purifiers produce low-frequency EMF, not the high-frequency/high-power type that has been suspected to create cancer in scientific tests (RF, wireless phone, and other types with high exposure).
If you see a recommendation that you “should” by a DC motor air purifier, you’re being misled. Not only is it not necessary, but very few high-quality purifiers use a DC motor. The best models use an AC design.
Hopefully this helps clear up the confusion and will help avoid being influenced negatively. Air purifiers are a great way to improve your quality of life, your comfort, and even stay healthy.
HEPA filter purifiers are used by millions of happy owners every day and are a safe and effective way to clean your air.
I’ve tested several of Levoit’s top air purifiers and there’s no doubt they’re some of the best I’ve owned & tested yet. But what about those of you with medium to large-sized rooms?
In my hands-on review of the Levoit LV-PUR131 air purifier, I’ll show you how it stacks up versus some excellent competition like the Winix 5500-2. I’ll also compare it to its smaller sibling, the ever-popular Levoit LV-H132 and even the new Levoit Core 300.
Read on to see all the details you need before spending a cent!
Shown: Some of the most popular products in the Levoit air purifier product family. The LV-PUR131 is a medium room air purifier with a different (flat) filter & fan motor versus popular sellers like the LV-H132 & Core 300. Several more models like the LV-H133 & H134 are available for larger rooms.
In case you’re not familiar with Levoit, they’re – without question – one of the most popular air quality product manufacturers today. In fact, the LV-H132 is an all-time best seller and really sets the standard for small to medium-sized purifiers.
While the LV-H132 and others use a cylindrical design (with a round filter assembly) & vertically mounted fan motor, the LV-PUR131 uses a horizontally mounted fan and flat filters.
The LV-PUR131 is well-suited for medium-sized rooms up to 300 square feet (30 sq. m.).
I’ve been wanting to test & review this one for a while, so finally it’s time for me to dig in!
Air filtering features
The LV-PUR131, like the companies, other products, uses a 3-stage filter design:
A true HEPA filter with 99.97% filter efficiency for particles down to 0.3 microns (millionths of a meter) in size
A pre-filter for catching larger particles
An activated carbon filter section
There are a few differences here to know, however:
The pre-filter on this model isn’t replaceable separately like some competitors (it’s part of the HEPA filter)
The activated carbon filter is a more effective and advanced type similar to the Winix 5500-2, which uses real carbon pellets
While some competing models offer a washable or separately replaceable pre-filter the LV-PUR131 doesn’t. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – but something to be aware of.
Additionally, if you’re looking for improved odor control and volatile organic compound (VOC) absorption ability, the odor control filter is a good choice.
Unlike many competitors, it uses a solid frame filter with real carbon pellets inside instead of the typical (and weak) thin mesh pre-filter with an activated carbon coating.
Convenience & control features
The LV-PUR131 also has some more advanced features that set it apart from others:
Auto-sensing operation adjusts fan speed automatically based on the air quality
12 hour auto-off timer option
Electronic touch controls
Sleep mode for ultra-quiet operation
Basically, with the LV-PUR131 you get better-quality air filtering along with automatic “set and forget” operation.
The LV-PUR131S is nearly identical but adds smartphone control along with a slightly larger room size coverage.
In case you’d love even more convenience, there’s another version called the LV-PUR131S. It offers smartphone control via WiFi and slightly larger room size coverage (322 sq. ft. vs the 300 of the LV-PUR131).
Otherwise, it’s essentially the same in how it works & air filtering.
Because it’s so similar to a very competent competitor, the Winix 5500-2, I’ll show you how the LV-PUR131 compares and which offers more for your money as we go.
Unboxing & first impressions
I’m a happy owner of many fine Levoit purifiers and I’ve been so eager to get my hands on this one. Finally, mine arrived from Amazon! I got started unboxing and testing it right away.
My purifier arrived in a nice cardboard box, securely held inside with styrofoam. Honestly, it would have been nice to find recycled cardboard packaging used instead, but that’s ok. (Note that Levoit has used open-cell foam also in some of their other products packaging like the LV-H126).
Everything looked great right away and looked good. After opening the box I found the owner’s manual, quick-start guide, and warranty/company info card placed where you can’t miss them.
Obviously it’s meant to be easy to get set up and working right away (customer support info is printed on them too and easy to find).
The purifier does have conveniently carrying handle areas, but they’re covered by the styrofoam so I had to lift it out using the front & back instead.
What’s included?
The LV-PUR131 comes with sealed & fresh filters, and owner’s manual, a quick start guide, and a warranty information/company info card. You’ll need to remove, open, & reinstall the filters before use.
Inside the box you’ll find:
The air purifier with sealed filters pre-installed inside it
Owner’s manual, quick start guide, and warranty/product info fold-out insert
The quick start guide features the basic (very simple) steps you’ll need to get started quickly. That’s basically because you’ll need to first remove the front cover, remove the filters from their sealed bags, and re-install them as directed.
It’s really easy to do and only took a few minutes. The quick start guide explains the same process (as does the manual), so there’s really nothing complicated to worry about at all.
Getting it set up before use
You’ll need to set up your new purifier before use by removing the new & sealed filters, removing them from their bags, then re-installing them. Let the purifier run a bit with the fan on high then you’re all set!
As I mentioned, I had to remove the pre-installed filters from the unit then remove them from their sealed bags. After doing that and re-installing them, I let the purifier run on high for a little while.
There was a small amount of “new filter smell” for a short time but it went away fairly soon. (It’s not unusual for an air purifier to have an odor for a short while when it’s brand new).
Build quality and fit & finish
Closeups of the Levoit LV-PUR131’s body and fit & finish. It’s a nice-looking and well-made one! The body is finished in a low-gloss white surface with a contrasting glossy black control panel. Panels line up well and I didn’t find any defects or clues to quality problems, etc.
As I always like to do, I had a closer look at my purifier’s body parts to get a better idea about the build quality.
Fit and finish are good, without any noticeable defects or assembly issues. The control panel has a glossy black inset with clearly labeled control touch buttons printed in white.
The quality is just as good as other Levoit products I’ve tested which is saying a lot (I’ve been very happy so far with the company’s products).
Overall, the quality is very good with no noticeable defects or problems I can find. So far, so good!
Controls, the display panel, and how to operate it
The Levoit purifier uses electronic touch controls located on the flat control panel on top. They’re easy to use and well-labeled. During use, I found it very simple to understand and use daily. Even though it’s easy to use, I recommend reading the owner’s manual to get the best use of it.
The LV-PUR131 has some very nice electronic touch controls that work well, similar to some of the best competitors I’ve tested like GermGuardian, Winix, and Honeywell.
Don’t worry – even though it might look complicated, it’s a breeze to use. The panel controls offer the following:
Power on/off
Mode: Sleep, Auto, and manual fan speed selection
Fan speed button: Low, medium, and high
Auto-off: 1 – 12 hours
Display panel on/off
It’s a good-looking design, but I saw one issue: unlike some competitors, the buttons don’t have backlighting. That means you won’t be able to see them in the dark.
It hasn’t been a problem for me personally, but just bear in mind you’ll need a night light or a bit of light turned on if you need to change the settings at night.
Buttons work well and aren’t too sensitive – each touch works well, and there’s a nice gentle chime you’ll hear when a button is touched.
Display panel features
The display panel, while small, is very clear and very easy to read. It shows you the current air quality (when in Auto mode), the remaining timer time, if used, and the fan/operational mode. There’s also a filter reminder light (not shown) that will pop up after enough time.
The display is very clear, easy to read, and does the job very well.
Unlike others I’ve used, the timer is shown using real digits instead of just a simple dot or light – you can see exactly how much time is left before it turns off.
It’s not a huge feature but definitely nice to have.
The air quality indicator (which is used in Auto mode only) is located in the middle and will continuously update as the sensor works. Note that 1 minute is required for a new air quality measurement. (See further below for more about that).
At the bottom is the current fan speed or Auto mode, as selected. By touching the Display button the display panel will turn completely off, but in reality, it’s not very bright so I’ve never found a reason to use it.
That’s a bit different from other purifiers with a brighter display or brighter control panel lighting that you might want to dim at night.
Note: There’s no light sensor built into the LV-PUR131 so it can’t dim itself or switch into Sleep mode only based on the room’s light level.
Fan speeds and special modes
Fan speeds are easy to change. To do that, just touch the fan speed button to cycle through the speeds (low is the first, medium the second, and high is the last).
Touching the Auto button puts the purifier in auto operation in which the fan speed is self-adjusting based on the room’s air quality, as shown by the air quality light color. (See below for more details on that)
To put the unit in the ultra-quiet Sleep mode, just touch the button. Note that Sleep mode is entered automatically when the air quality is sensed to be very good.
When Auto is in use, there’s no need to manually set the Sleep mode. In Auto or Sleep mode, touching the fan speed button brings it out of those and back into manual operation again.
Shown: The auto-off timer button lets you cycle through 1 to 12 hours of delay after which the purifier turns off automatically. It’s a nice feature and works well.
The timer feature is just as simple, too. Touch it to select from 1 to 12 hours of delay time after which it will shut off automatically. Nice!
When 12 hours are selected, touching it again will show “-:--“, which means the timer is disabled until a new selection is made.
After the timer button is used, each new setting blinks 3 times before it’s set and the timer starts.
In order to sense the air quality, a dust sensor is built into the unit. It’s located under a cover on the right-hand side. You’ll need to clean it periodically carefully although that’s not very often. When checking or replacing the filters, you’ll want to clear the filter reminder light by pushing the reset button by using a fine tip to push it (see the image above).
The LV-PUR131 is a bit different from other models in that while there’s a filter check reminder light, resetting the reminder & clearing the light is a bit harder.
I’m not sure why it wasn’t designed into the control panel as other Levoit & competitor models are.
When it’s time to clean and possibly replace your filter the reminder light will turn on in the display area. Unfortunately, you can’t just use a finger – you’ll need a pointed pen or another fine-tipped object to push the button & clear the light.
Located on the right side of the body is a removable cover under which the dust sensor is located. Shortly below that is the reset button. (Fortunately, there are instruction labels near them, so you won’t have to worry about figuring it out).
Dust sensor maintenance
When checking or replacing your filters it’s a good idea to clean the dust sensor using a Q-tip dipped in water. Just remove the cover, gently wipe it, and place the cover back in place.
Air quality indicator light
As I mentioned earlier, the LV-PUR131 detects the air quality in your room and adjusts itself for the best operation automatically in Auto mode.
When the purifier is running in Auto the air quality indicator in the display will glow indicating the current detected air quality. (Note that after turning the purifier on, it needs 1 minute to detect and display the air quality).
There are 4 color colors & fan speed modes for each air condition:
Red – Bad air quality detected. The fan is set to high speed.
Yellow – Moderate air quality. The fan runs at medium speed.
Green – Good air quality. The fan will run at low speed.
Blue – Very good air detected. Ultra-quiet Sleep mode is used.
In my testing, I found it works very well! It’s a pretty cool design I like, despite not being the only purifier I’ve used with this feature.
I think you’ll like it too as it’s really nice having a “set and forget” convenience. Just let it do its thing, and it does!
Beeps and chime sounds
Levoit LV PUR131 air purifier controls demo
[NOTE: You may need to turn up the volume as the purifier’s chimes aren’t loud by design.]
The Levoit has some very pleasant, gentle chimes you’ll hear both when turning it on/off or when using the controls. Check out my video above to hear the sounds.
Each touch of a button gives a gentle chime sound. When turning the purifier on or off you’ll hear a slightly “musical” series of chimes as well.
The chime have a lower volume which could be an issue for people with harder hearing. It hasn’t been a problem for me but I’m aware that what works for me might not work for everyone else, too.
On the other hand, there’s no way to turn them off completely in case you don’t care for them. So far, though, I think they’re pleasing to the ear and don’t distract at all from a nice user experience.
Specifications & CADR ratings
Levoit LV-PUR131 Specifications
Room size coverage (max): 300 sq. ft. (30 sq. meters)
Odor control/VOC using real activated carbon pellets
Fan speeds: Low, med, high
Electronic touch control panel
Auto-off timer: 1 – 12 hr options
AHAM Certified: (No certified lab data provided)
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): 135 (smoke/pollen/dust rating not listed)
Air sensing technology: Dust sensor
4 air quality indicator levels + auto-adjusting operation
Ultra-low Sleep mode (manual or by auto-sensing)
Filter life: 6-8 months
Replacement filters: LV-PUR131-RF
1 year warranty (1 year additional offered)
Power use (Watts): 3.3, 8.7, 16.6, 33.6
Noise levels (dB): 39.7, 41.1, 44.6, 49.3
Weight: 11.2 lbs
Size: 7.25 x 14.5 x 18.5″
To help buyers compare the performance of air cleaning products when shopping, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) was developed as an industry-standard rating system. It’s a standard provided by the AHAM.
The Assocation of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is an organization that verifies the testing results of home appliances & carry out lab testing for appliance manufacturers. The CADR rating tests are voluntary and not required by law.
In simple terms, the CADR ratings are numbers used to help you know an air cleaner’s performance before buying. The rating numbers are based on “higher is better.”
While Levoit lists the CADR as 135+, sadly it’s not AHAM certified and because of that, it doesn’t provide the CADR label with smoke, pollen, and dust particle cleaning performance like they do with some of their other products such as the Core 300.
For comparison purposes, the Core 300 does have CADR air cleaning data and it’s rated at 141 and above. Average medium-sized room purifiers are often somewhere around 100, for comparison.
Additionally, the LV-PUR131’s performance really doesn’t compare well to competitors like from Winix with nearly twice as much air cleaning performance at 232 and above. I found that disappointing.
Thoughts on the LV-PUR131 size & weight
It’s only around 18.5″ tall and not too big in general, either (it’s only about 7.25″ deep and 14.5″ wide) so size hasn’t really been a problem.
Additionally, most higher-efficiency purifiers tend to have a relatively similar size or shape as well. While the Levoit product family includes several models of different sizes with a round or tower shape, I don’t mind the style here, as the flat, rectangular filters are so easy to deal with.
Carrying the purifier
Built-in carrying handles are located on both sides of the Levoit purifier, making it easy to move from place to place. It’s a nice feature that doesn’t interfere with style.
On both the left and right sights near the top you’ll find recessed areas that act as carrying handles. Honestly, I only needed one to move it (it’s pretty easy to move) but having two is even better to avoid an accident.
As the purifier’s shape is somewhat like a large box in ways having the handle available takes the hassle out of moving it around your room when you like.
At about 11.2 lbs (5 kg) moving it around hasn’t been a problem. While a flatter bottom would have been a bit more secure on the carpet, if you’ve got a hardwood floor you don’t have to worry about scratches.
Soft foam feet are located on the bottom to prevent marring or scratches.
Levoit LV-PUR131 power use measurements (Watts)
One of the most annoying things about shopping for air purifiers is the lack of real power ratings to read. What happens is that even if there’s one provided, it’s often only listed for the highest fan speed setting.
What about the others most people use?
I set out to find out myself so I measured power use (in Watts, averaged) for all settings. Here’s what I found:
Mode/Speed
Power Use (Watts)
Off
0.7
Sleep
3.3
Low
8.7
Medium
16.6
High
33.6
As you can see, it uses only a few watts in all but the highest settings! That’s excellent and it’s one of the most power-efficient purifiers I’ve tested so far.
It’s an Energy Star rated appliance, in fact, in case you weren’t aware. Many of the typical (and average performance) purifiers I’ve tested often use 45W to 55W or so, meaning the LV-PUR131 gets high regard for efficiency.
You’ll also be able to leave it running if you like without having to worry about running up a giant electric bill!
Air cleaning ability
My purifier did a good job removing dust in my home (my biggest air quality problem) although the fan airflow could be better. The pre-filter (seen here, on the outward facing side of the HEPA filter) unfortunately can’t be removed and cleaned as some other models offer.
I tested the LV-PUR131 for several things and especially good old-fashioned everyday use – just like you’d use it for. There’s a lot to be said for real-world testing: not just for seeing how well it works but for things like noise levels, any problems that might pop up, or more.
The LV-PUR131 did a good job trapping & removing odors and common air problems (in my case, dust), but it’s not the best I’ve used.
For example, it does do a good job, and I love the auto-sensing, self-adjusting operation. The problem is that while it’s pretty good, it’s not as effective at air cleaning as others I’ve used.
Room Size and square feet coverage
The company provides a recommended room size coverage of about 300 sq. ft and it’s a good fit for medium to some large-sized rooms.
300 sq ft is about 15 x 30 ft (about 3.05 x 9.1 meters). That’s an approximation and you don’t have to have exactly a room that size and no larger.
The main point to know is that coverage is pretty good (many of the most popular competitors offer only up to 165-155 sq ft coverage or so).
Even though it’s recommended for medium rooms, it’s perfectly fine to use in smaller rooms, too. In that case, you’ll get even better results as the room’s air will be cycled and cleaned more quickly than a larger room.
Does the LV-PUR131 produce ozone?
As I explained in this post, air purifiers that use filters (and not electronic air cleaning methods like ozone generators do) don’t normally add anything unhealthy to the air. They don’t produce emissions, gases, or by-products.
The Levoit LV-PUR131 does not produce ozone so there’s nothing to worry about.
In fact, Levoit’s air purifiers have an Air Resources Board (ARB) verification certifying they meet federal ozone emission limits (in this case, zero emissions).
Filters, upkeep, and maintenance costs
Shown: The air cleaner’s filter sections. A permanent pre-filter used to catch larger elements like dust, hair, and more is permanently attached to the HEPA filter. The odor-absorbing filter (which is a unique design containing real activated carbon pellets) inside a “honeycomb” like frame. The true HEPA filter that traps super-fine particles, pet dander, dust mites, and much more down to microscope sizes that pass through the pre-filter.
As I mentioned at the beginning, a 3-stage filter design is used:
A pre-filter for trapping larger elements like dust and hair
What’s different about the LV-PUR131 – and what I don’t like – is that the pre-filter is permanently attached to the HEPA filter. You can’t remove it to clean as you can with some other or replace it separately.
While it might not matter in all cases, if you’ve got pets, dust problems (like me), or other heavy particles in your home, it could possibly become clogged meaning that the air cleaning performance will drop.
For average users I don’t expect this to be a real problem but it’s something to be aware of.
What I really like is the odor control filter I mentioned: it’s pretty unique and very effective! The frame is much like a honeycomb, made up of small “cells” in which real, solid activated carbon pellets are inside.
There’s a mesh material on each side to keep them in place.
While you might be thinking it’s only there to help with odors, it isn’t. The truth is that it’s helpful for trapping volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemical substances in the air that can cause both discomfort, headaches, and even health problems.
2. HEPA filter + pre-filter assembly
Located after the activated carbon filter, there’s the true HEPA filter. Based on the industry-standard HEPA filter specification, it can permanently trap up to 99.97% of all particulates down to an incredibly small 0.3 microns in size.
That’s less than 1/100,000th of a meter in size – microscopic, in fact.
The pre-filter is one I haven’t seen before – it’s a white mesh material that’s permanently attached to the other side of the HEPA filter frame.
Unfortunately because of that (and unlike great other models) it can’t be replaced separately or washed for optimal performance in cases where it becomes heavily used.
The filter replacement reminder appears as a square in the upper corner of the display when it’s time to check the filters.
Filter life is listed as about 6-8 months so you’ll need to check and replace as needed when the filter reminder turns on.
Replacement filters & maintenance costs
When replacement time comes you’ll need to pick up the LV-PUR131-RF filter set, sold as a pair.
You can expect to pay about $25-$30 or so, which isn’t too bad when you consider they last about 1/2 a year or more. You may be able to find some aftermarket (third party) brand replacements to save a bit of money, too.
How to install & replace filters
Fresh out of the box and getting set up. To get started, you’ll need to open purifier, remove the new filters from the sealed bags, and put them back into place. It only takes a few minutes, though. Easy to do.
When my purifier arrived and I unboxed I followed the instructions shown in the nice little “quick start guide” sheet it came with. This is basically just removing the front cover, removing the AOC and HEPA filters from the sealed bags, and then putting them back into place.
It’s really simple and no hassle at all so there’s nothing to worry about there.
Filter replacement is actually very simple and only takes a few minutes.
It’s just a few steps:
Open the front cover and remove the old filters by pulling them out.
Install the HEPA filter
Install the carbon filter
Close the front cover and secure it using the magnetic latches
Did I mention the design uses a really cool magnetic latch feature for the front cover? If not, I should have.
Magnetic latches on the grill and body are one of the best design features I’ve seen yet on a purifier. They’re a snap to use – literally!
Unlike other products I’ve tested (like some from Honeywell), there aren’t any plastic tabs to break or worry about. There’s a small metal plate on the inside of the front cover that touches and connects to the magnets located the cover at the top, one on each side.
It’s super easy to use and I really enjoyed this part of the design.
Owner’s manual quality
Both the owner’s manual and quick start guide are clear, well-written, and helpful. Inside are some basic specifications (which could be more detailed) but plenty of info about maintenance, recommended use, and the replacement filter set model number.
The included warranty card/customer support/company info card includes an offer to extend the included warranty for an additional year for free upon registering it.
Customer contact email & phone number details are easy to find and there’s an offer to extend the provided warranty for an additional year for free. Just register it within 14 days when you receive yours – that’s it!
That’s a pretty nice offer and not one I’ve seen with other companies.
Noise levels during use (measured)
I prefer to personally measure, record, and verify the noise levels of the products I test. I used my sound level meter to get a consistent measurement you’ll find in typical real-world use. After doing many air cleaning product tests it’s a great way to have numbers to compare with.
The LV-PUR131 is a very quiet purifier – only the high setting is really very noticeable. In Sleep mode, it’s so darn quiet you won’t be able to tell it’s running at all.
Low and medium are also very easy on the ears and definitely very quiet, too. The fan’s operation and the airflow have a pleasant, “soft” rushing sound. It doesn’t sound harsh or annoying like some other products produce.
If you hate loud or annoying-sounding products, you’ll really enjoy this one.
Night brightness
Testing the LV-PUR131 brightness level in a darkened room. It’s one of the lowest-brightness units I’ve used, which can be both good and bad. The controls have no backlighting which some people might not like. However, all-in-all, it’s really nice in the dark.
As I’m a light sleeper as some of you all, I always test products to see how they fare in a darkened room just like you’d have at night time. That’s because occasionally I’ve come across products that are a bit too bright and could be an annoyance if you’re trying to sleep.
I’m happy to say the LV-PUR131 looks wonderful in the dark. The display panel is excellent and not bright at all – in fact it uses a very soft light level that’s absolutely no problem at all.
However, as I mentioned in the control section earlier, trying to see the buttons can be a problem in the dark as they don’t have any backlighting.
Levoit LV-PUR131 vs LV-PUR131S
The LV-PUR131S model offers a few differences that improve over the standard LV-PUR131. The biggest feature is smartphone control via the WiFi connectivity.
The LV-PUR131S serves as an upgraded version of the standard model, offer a few differences:
WiFi connectivity and remote operation from your smartphone
320 sq. ft. room coverage vs the 300 sq. ft. of the standard model
Ability to create air cleaning schedules and customize air purifier operation
Tracking filter life via your phone
Receive real-time air quality information
Levoit’s VeSyn smartphone app lets you operate the air purifier, receive air quality data, and set custom air cleaning schedules over WiFi connectivity.
What’s really interesting is that there’s not much difference in price between it and the standard model. I’ve seen it for as little as $10-$25 difference between the two.
As many positives as I can mention about the LV-PUR131, the truth is that it’s been on the market for a few years. Since that time some very good competition has risen up.
While the LV-PUR131 has a suggested retail price of $179, and the Winix is normally (but not always) quite a bit higher at around $269, it can often be found for less. When on sale, there’s a fairly small difference in price between the two ($50-$65 or so when I bought mine).
After owning, testing, and reviewing mine, I found it to be hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure to own. It really is that good!
While they’re both very similar in some of the basic functions, their style, and filters used, there are some serious differences between the Winix 5500-2 and the Levoit LV-PUR131 to know:
The 5500-2 offers up to 360 sq. ft. coverage vs the 300 sq. ft. of the LV-PUR131.
The Winix’s pre-filter can be washed and is permanent; not possible with the PUR131.
Much better air cleaning performance – an AHAM certified CADR rating of 232+ vs the Levoit’s 135+.
The Winix includes a remote control.
Both use a true HEPA filter and an advanced absorption filter with real carbon pellets. However, the Winix’s filters are larger.
The 5500-2 has a filter life of 12 months – nearly 2x as long.
A PlasmaWave ionizer feature is built-in with the 5500-2.
While the LV-PUR131’s filter is located on the rear, it’s located on the front of the Winix.
The 5500-2 features a light sensor that dims the unit automatically.
Resetting the filter reminder can be done from the front panel of the 5500-2.
The 5500-2 has a more powerful motor and features an additional Turbo high-speed mode.
An odor sensor (in addition to dust) allows the 5500-2 to adjust air cleaning not just for air particles but odors & airborne vapors, too (the LV-PUR131 can’t).
While the LV-PUR131 offers up to 12 hours with its timer, the 5500-2 is limited to choosing from 1, 4, or 8 hours only.
The Winix 5500-2 also has a nice touch button panel somewhat similar to the Levoit LV-PUR131. However, all locations (including the filter reminder reset) are located in front. Additionally, the unit has a light sensor that allows it to put itself in ultra-low noise Sleep mode when you dim the room’s lights.
Both offer some very similar functions in that they both have touch controls, an Auto mode, an off timer, and very quiet operation. Both also have one of the best carbon filters you can buy.
However, the Winix 5500-2 is simply a much better performer overall. It’s a bit larger in size too, but not so much that it’s an issue in my experience.
Filters for the 5500-2 are separately replaceable (unlike the LV-PUR131) and the pre-filter can be washed for reuse and to maintain air cleaning performance.
One thing to be aware of, however, is that a replacement filter set for the Winix costs a bit more – $50-$65 or so, although you’ll be replacing it less often.
Don’t get me wrong – the LV-PUR131 is good, but when compared to a real winner like the 5500-2 it’s obvious it’s a much better buy if the price difference & your budget allow it.
Review summary & score: Is it a good buy?
There’s no doubt it’s one of the best-selling medium room air purifiers under $200 today. It’s well-made, super easy to use, and the auto-sensing works really well. I do enjoy mine, and I’ve come to appreciate the quiet & reliable “set and forget” operation it offers.
However, when compared to other models today, it does have some drawbacks:
The pre-filter isn’t separately replaceable or washable.
The air cleaning performance (aside from a great odor filter) is good enough but falls way behind some competitors like the Winix 5500-2
Don’t let that stop you, though. If the drawbacks I mentioned are ok for you, and it’s what’s best for your budget, it’s well worth considering.
My recommendation is to consider spending just a bit more and get a much better performer for your dollar. The Winix 5500-2 is one of today’s best medium/large room purifiers today, and I’m crazy about mine!
Well made, the LV-PUR131 offers adequate air cleaning and great convenience for medium sized rooms. However, the competition offers more.
It’s an affordable, well-made air purifier with nice features. Thanks to smart design and a built-in air quality sensor you’ll get a set-and-forget operation that’s a treat. Air cleaning is adequate, but disappointing for what I’ve come to expect from Levoit. The lack of a washable or separate pre-filter falls short of competing models. The advanced odor filter with real carbon pellets is good, however.
It’s super easy to use and one of the quietest purifiers I’ve had the pleasure to use. Maintenance is easy and affordable as well. An air quality sensor lets you know what it’s doing during use, but works only for particles and not odors. For only a few dollars more the LV-PUR131S version also offers smartphone control. It’s adequate and well-made if budget is your main concern. However, smart shoppers should seriously consider better models like the Winix 5500-2.
Pros
300 sq ft coverage (med.-large rooms)
135+ CADR
No irritating ozone produced
Electronic touch controls
Self-regulating air sensor option
Air quality level indicator light
Super quiet operation
1-12 hour timer options
Great active carbon filter
Easy filter maintenance
Filter reminder light
Ultra-quiet sleep mode
2 year warranty included (free add. year available)
Cons
Air cleaning performance far behind better competitors
In case you weren’t already aware, Levoit is one of the top brands for air purifiers today. In fact, their longtime best-seller, the LV-H132, set the standard in many ways for compact air cleaning. I’m a proud owner myself, having found out why it’s a great choice.
But what about this little guy? In my hands-on review of the Levoit LV-H126 I’ll tell you what you need to know before buying.
How does it compare vs the LV-H132? And is it a better – or worse – buy than its main competitor, the GermGuardian AC4100?
Shown: Some of the most popular products in the Levoit air purifier product family. The smallest of all of them, the LV-H126, is a model best suited for smaller rooms. Most of the other models are designed for medium to large sized rooms.
Levoit is one of the largest & most popular air quality product manufacturers today. In fact, the LV-H132 has been one of the all-time best-selling purifiers for years.
I own and have tested several units including the LV-H132 and the new Core 300 (see my reviews of the LV-H132 here and of the Core 300 here). From personal experience, I can vouch for their quality and why they’re so popular.
Unlike the other models sold, the LV-H126 is designed for smaller rooms rather than large or medium-sized rooms.
It’s a more basic model without the more advanced features its bigger siblings offer. As you might expect, it’s a bit less expensive, too, selling for $50-$60 or so depending upon where you find it. (Side note: I got mine for a better price at Amazon)
Air filtering features
However, while it’s a basic model, the air cleaning features are just as good:
A true HEPA filter with 99.97% filter efficiency for particles down to 0.3 microns (millionths of a meter) in size
A pre-filter for catching larger particles
Odor absorbing section as well
Note that also the pre-filter can be replaced separately, meaning you’ll save a bit of money versus having to replace them both even if the HEPA filter doesn’t need it.
Unlike the other models, a manual fan speed knob is used instead of electronic controls. While there’s no filter reminder light offered, a reminder wheel can help keep track of check & replacement times.
The LV-H126 is also offered in both black and white front vent cover versions as well. However, the blue model I’ll be reviewing here today seems to be the most commonly available one.
Direct competition
A direct competitor, the GermGuardian AC4100 is a small room air purifier with a very similar price range, style, and functional design like the LV-H126. See my detailed comparison later in this review.
The LV-H126 is also very similar in size & design to the GermGuardian AC4100. Don’t worry – I’ll compare the two later as we go.
Unboxing and first impressions
Packaging
Unboxing the Levoit purifier. It’s well-packaged and everything inside looks great from the get-go. Upon opening it you’ll find the 2 extra pre-filters on top as well as the owner’s manual and warranty information.
Unboxing air purifiers may seem like a silly (or unimportant) thing to do, but I enjoy the first impression I get – sometimes you can tell a lot from the packaging!
Opening up the purifier’s box was really no different than any other Levoit I own & enjoy. It’s well-packaged, looks good, and everything arrived safely. Upon opening it you’ll find a pair of extra pre-filters right on top.
Additionally, the owner’s manual booklet and warranty & company info card are conveniently right on top, so there’s no missing them.
So far, so good!
Build quality
Before long-term testing and after unpacking, I inspected both to check out the build quality and appearance. It’s a very well-made purifier, despite being a lower-priced model that’s pretty basic. Fit and finish are excellent and just as good as the other products from Levoit I’ve owned.
I own and use several air purifiers from Levoit already (including the super-popular LV-H132), so I had the same expectations for build quality for here. The great news is that I wasn’t let down.
Fit and finish are great. It’s very put together and I couldn’t find any visible defects, gaps, or assembly problems at all. No visible defects of any kind.
By the way, everything worked great right out of the box!
The finish on the LV-H126 is a glossy white, while a front vent cover has a stitched fabric material and the company logo. Note: The front cover isn’t removable. It’s a nice looking little unit, despite being a lower-priced model.
The finish is a nice gloss white with matching rear filter cover and front grill below the front cover. The front cover isn’t removable, by the way.
It’s covered with a nice fabric material that reminds me of denim. The front cover sits above the fresh air output as the fan works and directs air to the sides and top.
What’s in the box?
Inside the box are several nice items including 2 additional pre-filters. There’s also a brief but good quality owner’s manual as well as a warranty & company info card. Note that there’s an offer inside for an extra 1-year warranty extension if you register it within 14 days!
Inside the box you’ll find the following:
The purifier (sealed filter is pre-installed, needs to be removed)
Owner’s manual & warranty card/customer support card
Two extra pre-filters sealed and fresh
That is to say, the included extra pre-filters, which are nice to have, are extra – the sealed filters installed inside the purifier also includes both the HEPA filter and a pre-filter, for a total of 3 pre-filters included.
The warranty card includes a nice offer for an extra 1 year of warranty coverage for free if you register it within 14 days – pretty nice! Additionally, there’s some great customer service contact info in it as well.
Checking out the controls
The Levoit purifier has no other controls – just a simple 3-speed fan control & off. It’s incredibly simple and gets the job done.
Using the purifier is really simple, especially since there’s only one control: a 3-speed rotary knob.
The fan control has a good, solid feel and doesn’t feel “cheap” like some others on the market. No complaints there from me!
I was very happy with how well it works, despite the simplicity. I will say, though, that I do prefer the front panel control of the GermGuardian AC4100 a bit more as it’s more accessible.
Additionally, the LV-H126 doesn’t provide a power on/off light on the front panel like the AC4100.
That’s more of a side note as it’s not really an issue in everyday use.
Note that unlike other models (but similar to GermGuardian’s AC4100 model), the company doesn’t provide a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating. The CADR rating is a voluntary industry air cleaning efficiency standard used to help compared air purifiers.
In the case of small-room air purifiers, it’s safe to assume the CADR is below 100, based on my experience. Note that 100 and above are fairly typical for today’s popular medium room purifiers which have a more powerful and/or larger fan design.
Additionally, the rate at which smaller purifiers can circulate & clean the air in a room is greatly affected by their limited fan speed. That’s normal, by the way, so it’s not limited to just one brand. When making a purifier smaller in size it’s not possible to use the larger & more powerful fan designs like their bigger siblings.
Setup and placement
As new filters are shipped from the factory sealed to keep them fresh & ready for use, you’ll need to get yours ready. It’s a quick process, though, and it’s as easy as removing the filter in the bag, removing it, and re-installing.
Getting the unit ready for the first use is really easy.
When opening it up for the first time (or when installing a new complete filter) you’ll need to:
Remove the rear cover and the sealed filters
Open the bag and remove the filters
Re-install them into the purifier and close the rear cover
It only takes a few minutes, although I had to carefully hold the pre-filter in place with my hand to keep it from falling down. Once it place, the rear cover just swings upwards and snaps closed.
Note: You’ll need to provide at least 15 inches (38 cm) of unobstructed space in front of and behind the purifier for proper airflow.
At about only about 10″ tall, it’s very compact and can fit on a lot of tables, desks, or shelves. So far I’m pretty happy with it – it’s very similar in overall size & design to the GermGuardian AC4100 I’m very familiar with too.
Air cleaning performance
Right away, the LV-H126 starting trapping nasty dust & particles in the air where I live! As you can see above, larger elements such as dust, lint, and hair are caught in the pre-filter before they can reach the HEPA filter inside.
I tested the LV-H126 by running it 24 hours a day including while away from home.
It works well in small bedrooms but obviously can’t match the performance of larger models, so I had to be realistic about my expectations (especially because of the larger models I already own & have tested).
While it takes longer to circulate the air in a room, it performed well and I definitely found it helpful for capturing dust (my biggest problem), microscopic debris, and much more in the air.
Despite it being a lower-priced model, overall I’d say it works pretty well – just that because the airflow rate is lower than its larger Levoit siblings, please remember it takes longer to move all the air in a room.
Because of that, ideally you’ll use it in smaller rooms up to the maximum recommended size of 161 square feet.
Levoit LV-H126 room size explained
The LV-H126 is recommended for use in rooms no larger than 161 square feet (15 square meters).
To get a better idea what size room that is, that’s about a 10 x 16.1 feet in size, which is more or less how large many apartment bedrooms are.
Ultimately, I classify it as a small room air purifier because of the airflow rate and small fan design. Because of that, you can use it just fine in any bedroom, office, or dorm room that’s smaller than the size listed.
When used in an area that’s smaller than the max. recommended size, it’ll perform better as it’s able to circulate the air more quickly in that case.
Honestly, after owning & testing so many different air purifiers I don’t recommend it for medium-sized rooms as you won’t find the air movement as good. For medium & larger-sized rooms a more competent model like the LV-H132 or Core 300 is a much better bet.
Filters used
The LV-H126’s HEPA filter section is made up of a folded, dense fiber material. It’s capable of excellent filtering ability and works well. The pre-filter is a separate section that traps larger particles like dust & hair before it can clog up the HEPA filter too early. To my surprise, the activated carbon filter is a separate section attached inside (versus a coating on the prefilter as most others use) that captures odors and volatile compounds in the air.
As it’s advertised as a “3-in-1” purifier & filter type, the LV-H126, like many others, uses 3 stages of air filtering:
Basically, it’s a multi-stage filter process as the pre-filter/carbon filter can trap both odors and larger particles like pet hair and dust. The HEPA filter removes smaller particles like smoke elements, pet dander, dust mite products, and much more.
The pre-filter is a thin, mesh material that rests on the outside of the HEPA filter and can be replaced separately any time. It’s not washable, however (although the owner’s manual doesn’t mention it, it can be vacuumed for extended life).
Levoit uses a true HEPA filter meaning it performs to the HEPA standard: a whopping 99.97% of particles passing through it down to 0.3 microns in size are trapped.
That’s particles less than 1/1,000,000 of a meter in size – far smaller than the human eye can see.
What’s different & what surprised me about the LV-H126 is the odor/volatile odor compound (VOC) filter.
While most models use a coating directly on the pre-filter, with the Levoit it’s a separate, more effective section attached to the HEPA filter. I wasn’t expecting that – and it quickly became a turning point for my review, I might add! (You’ll see why later)
Does the LV-H126 produce ozone?
Quite a few people have wondered if air purifiers can cause headaches. As I explained in detail here, a filter-based purifier like the Levoit, for example, doesn’t produce any harmful emissions.
There are no ozone or ion-producing elements inside so it’s 100% free of emissions, and is approved by the California Air
Filter replacement & cost
Replacement indicator wheel
Unlike larger models I mentioned earlier, there’s no electronic filter replacement reminder feature. However, a manual reminder wheel is built into the rear. Using a coin I set the reminder to mark when I set up the new filter (December) so I could check it later without forgetting.
Bigger models like the LV-H132 & Core 300 have an electronic filter replacement reminder feature. Those models track time electronically and use a light to show when it’s time to check the HEPA and pre-filter sections.
Unfortunately, that feature isn’t present in this model. To be fair, it’s also not available in some other small room competitors either.
To their credit, however, Levoit does offer a “date wheel” as a type of reminder. By setting the wheel in one of 2 ways you can track when the date when you should check the filters for replacement.
As mentioned in the manual, there are 2 ways to use the reminder wheel:
Method 1: When you start using the air purifier, turn the wheel to the number of the current month (January is “1”, December is “12”), so you can track how long the filter is used.
Method 2: When you start using the air purifier, turn the wheel 6 months ahead as a reminder. Example: If you replace the filters in February (the 2nd month on the calendar), you can turn the wheel to “8” to remind you to replace your filters again in August (the 8th month).
Filter life and costs
Shown: The LV-H126-RF filter replacementset. It includes the HEPA filter with a built-in activated filter section & 3 pre-filters (2 extra pre-filters).
Filter life for the HEPA/odor filter assembly is about 6-8 months as recommended by the manufacturer. However, in my experience that varies a lot depending upon use. Levoit recommends replacing the pre-filters at around 2-3 months or so (just be sure to check and see if you need to replace it).
Heavy air quality problems like severe dust, cigarette smoke, and especially heavy airborne particles may consume the HEPA & activated carbon filter faster.
Because this model doesn’t use an activated carbon coating on the pre-filter itself, it’s possible to extend filter life for the pre-filters.
When dust or other build-up happens it’s possible to vacuum it off for additional use.
Expect to spend around $12-$15 or so for the replacement filter set (#LV-H126-RF). While it’s about the same price as some other models, unlike them it includes an additional 2 pre-filters as well.
How to replace the filters
Filter replacement is easy and I found it to be a snap to do. It only takes a few seconds to 1) remove the rear grill by pushing down on the release tab, and 2) pulling out the filter assembly using the flexible pull tab or using a finger on top.
Filter replacement is a snap and I found it super-easy. It only takes a few seconds and it’s exactly the same process as when I got my new purifier in the box (aside from the filter already being inside).
To replace the filters:
Push down on the release tab at the top
Swing the grill down and outward
Pull the soft tab or use a finger to tilt the filter assembly out
That’s it! Removing my dirty filter for inspection or replacement (both my HEPA and pre-filter, since both were old) isn’t a problem at all.
Note that as I mentioned earlier, the pre-filter is separate from the HEPA filter assembly. When putting the whole thing back inside you’ll want to hold the pre-filter against the HEPA filter so it doesn’t fall out.
While not a big deal, it’s kind of annoying to have to do that.
Owner’s manual quality
The owner’s manual is typical Levoit quality – clear, concise, and with good instructions & information. While it’s short, it’s pretty good and helps you get the most out of your new purifier.
The provided owner’s manual is very good quality – exactly the same level of quality I’ve come to expect from the company.
It’s somewhat short but very detailed, clear, and helpful.
Inside you’ll find:
Basic operation notes
How to set the filter replacement reminder
Maintenance notes
Very basic specifications
How to contact the company for support
Replacement filter information
Honestly, though, it’s such a simple unit to use that there’s not much you need to know. I did find one mistake, however: there’s a misprint as the replacement filter number (LV-H126-RF) was missing.
Power use measurements (watts used)
Measuring power use for the purifier on all 3 fan speeds. While larger medium room (and other) air purifiers typically use around 55W, the LV-H126 uses less energy.
I measured power use to be 100% of what you can expect in everyday use. Here’s what I found.
Speed
Power (Watts)
Off
0
Low
12.1
Medium
20.4
High
38.4
Those are pretty low power use levels. In fact, aside from the LV-H132 and similar models, many competitor products for medium-sized rooms such as the GermGuardian AC4825 use around 55 watts.
For that reason, you can expect a smaller electricity bill if you’re one of the people who leave it running 24/7.
Noise levels during use
Yep, noise levels are one of the biggest selling points for air purifiers and other air quality products sold. To make matters difficult, as it turns out I’m a light sleeper so I’m always curious to see how they perform.
(I should also note that the Levoit medium-room purifiers like the Core 300 and LV-H132 are some of the quietest on the market).
Volume measurements
I measured volume levels with my handy digital decibel sound meter, performed at 1 meter (3.28 ft) from the purifiers (note that both are same in noise levels).
Measurement/Speed
Volume (dB)
Off (room noise)
39.6
Low
40.2
Medium
44.3
High
53.1
While not as quiet as some others I’ve tested (especially the Levoit LV-H162 and Core 300, for example), it’s still fairly quiet. Just don’t expect ultra-quiet operation on medium or high.
Low speed, however, is extremely quiet.
In everyday use, it’s not very loud, but definitely can be heard with a somewhat low fan noise when set to high. For overnight use, the low speed is almost too quiet to hear and the medium one is fairly quiet.
In either case, it’s still quieter than competitor models like the GermGuardian AC4100 which is fairly louder at 47/51/58 dB.
Levoit LV-H132 vs LV-H126
As I mentioned earlier, the LV-H132, a best-selling model for years, has really set the standard and is one of the best-reviewed purifiers sold today.
While its maximum fan speed is lower than similarly priced competitors from Honeywell and GermGuardian, it makes up for it in other ways.
While both models shown here have 3 fans speeds and a 3-in-1 filter design, the LV-H132 is more refined and has several features that make it a buyer favorite.
Here are some of the highlights of, and contrasts from the LV-H126, it offers:
2-level night light feature
Electronic touch controls with backlight
Filter reminder light
Memory feature restores the last setting used automatically
Easy twist-open filter cover (located on the bottom)
Quieter operation (40/43/48dB) as it sounds much more pleasant
Available in black
What’s interesting is that the LV-H132 is recommended for medium-small rooms up to 129 sq. feet vs the 161 feet of the LV-H126.
Despite the fairly close volume measurements I recorded, the LV-H132 is quieter during use as it makes a softer fan sound when it works.
Both models include a 2 year warranty so that’s not a problem. My personal recommendation is to pick up the LV-H132 if you can afford it as the features and performance make it worthwhile.
(The maximum fan speed is a bit better than the LV-H126 as well).
However there’s not too much actual performance you’ll be missing, so it’s a matter of features, noise level, and price when it’s time to decide between the two. In case you’re interested, be sure to see how it fared in my hands-on review of the LV-H132 here.
The Core 300 is a similar & updated model based on the LV-H132. It’s a competent performer and very quiet too, just like its older sibling.
When comparing the GermGuardian AC4100 to the LV-H126 there are a few differences worth noting:
The AC4100’s odor-absorbing filter section is lesser than that of the LV-H126 (the AC4100 uses a coating on the pre-filter and not a separate filter section)
The AC4100 is also available in blue & pink kid’s versions with color-changing projecting ceiling night light
Germ-killing ultraviolet light (UV-C) feature is built-in with the AC4100
The AC4100 is louder when in use
3-in-1 just like the Levoit
Both units use a rotary fan speed switch with 3 speeds available. However, the AC4100 is a bit louder in my experience – I measured volume levels at 47/51/58 dB (vs 40.32/44.3/53.1 for the LV-H126).
As they’re priced about the same, at first glance it might seem like a close call. However, after owning & testing both I recommend the LV-H126 over the AC4100 just a bit.
Simply put, both are good quality and the UV-C feature of the AC4100 may seem like a huge benefit, but in reality it has a small effect so it shouldn’t be a major buying decision.
Rather, the LV-H126 features a better activated charcoal filter attached to the HEPA filter frame. It’s a bit more capable than that of the AC4100.
Additionally, I like how the LV-H126 blows clean out around the front with a 360° style rather than directly in front like its competitor. To add to that, the LV-H126’s recommended room size (161 sq. ft.) beats the smaller 78 square feet of the AC4100.
If you’re looking for one for child’s bedroom, however, the GermGuardian AC4150 models with the wonderful projecting night light are a great choice.
If you’re considering a small-room purifier, Levoit’s a great manufacturer to look at and the LV-H126 is a good choice, too. Although I still recommend checking out its bigger brothers, it’s worth a look if you’ve got a budget to keep.
I was pleasantly surprised at the filter quality, as, despite their similarities, both the filter quality & room size coverage beats that of the competing AC4100.
Not only that, while it’s a basic model missing the convenience features found in the larger sibling LV-H132, it works well and it’s not too loud during use. Airflow is good and the style is nice as well.
I like it, and if you’re tight on money or only need a smaller room purifier, I believe you will too!
Not fancy, but well-done small purifier that's affordable and works well.
From one of the leading companies today, the LV-H126 doesn’t have the great features of the best-selling siblings the LV-H132 and Core 300. However, it’s an affordable smaller air purifier that does what it’s supposed to well. With a simple control, it’s basic & easy. Styling is nice, and the unique 360° front air output means fresh air is distributed more evenly.
The 3-stage filter design works well and airflow is good. In fact the odor control filter is more advanced than that of similarly priced competitors. Not as quiet as the more advanced models, it’s still lower in noise than many competitors and not too bothersome. While it lacks electronics, it’s a good choice that won’t let you down.
The LectroFan white noise machine has hands-down been one of the best white noise machines for years. However, there’s a new option out there – the updated version called the LectroFan Evo.
How does it compare to the older classic LectroFan? What do you need to know before buying?
In my hands-on review of the LectroFan Evo white noise machine, I’ll show you how it stacks up.
Be sure to check out my sound sample recordings, too, so you can hear what it sounds like in real life without spending a dime!
Getting familiar with the LectroFan Evo white noise machine
Adaptive Sound Technologies Incorporated (ASTI) offers an interesting family of sound masking/sleep machines to choose from. Nearly all have the same basic purpose: they create different types of white noise to help block out annoying & distracting sounds so you can focus, study, relax or sleep better. Pricing & features vary from model to model with the LectroFan Classic & Evo being very similar.
For years Advanced Sound Technologies Incorporated (ASTI)’s bestseller has been the super-popular LectroFan white noise machine, now referred to as the “classic” model.
While the Classic is still a great choice (you can see my detailed LectroFan Classic review here), the Evo is an updated model with a few differences you might like to know before buying.
Almost all of the company’s products are noise machines that help by blocking bothersome noises and can provide relief for relaxing, focusing & studying, and most importantly, sleep.
Solid-state technology
While some competitors offer similar products based on older technology (like the Marpac Dohm for example), the LectroFan Evo uses solid-state electronics technology with no moving parts.
For example, while some older sound machines use a fan and electric motor to generate noise by moving air rapidly, the Evo uses a sound generator board and speaker. (There are a couple of advantages this offer which I’ll cover as we go).
Power supply & new features
You can use the Evo with 2 power sources:
AC (wall) power using the included AD-DC USB adapter
Any computer USB port or USB charger
The Evo offers 2 separate categories of sounds: Fan sounds & noise sounds. 10 fan sounds are offered while noise now offers 12 (the original LectroFan machine offers 10 noise sounds – the Ocean and Surf sounds weren’t part of those).
LectroFan Evo sound list
#
Fan sounds
Noises
1
Large fan
Brown
2
Industrial fan
Chestnut
3
Mellow fan-low
Cinnamon
4
Mellow fan-high
Tan
5
Exhaust fan
Amber
6
Attic fan
Cream
7
Circular fan
Pink
8
Vent fan
Coral
9
Box fan
Champagne
10
Oscillating fan
Pure white
11
—
Ocean
12
—
Surf
A 60-minute timer feature lets you drift off to sleep and have the noise machine turn itself off, which I really like.
In case you don’t like the white version there’s a sharp-looking black available, too. Additionally, the Evo model now adds a headphone jack at no extra cost.
Unboxing & first impressions
Opening up the LectroFan Evo’s packaging to see what’s inside & how good the quality is – first impressions mean a lot!
After owning & testing the LectroFan classic model, I was so curious as to what might be different from the updated version aside from the obvious styling changes.
Mine came quickly from Amazon and I got started using it right away! Right away I got a great impression from the packaging & contents – well done all the way.
Right away after opening the box you’ll find a handy insert telling you how to reach out to ASTI in case you’ve got questions or a problem. Excellent!
What’s in the box?
Shown: Inside the box, you’ll find the owner’s manual, customer support insert, the Evo unit, the AC-DC 5V USB adapter, and a USB power cable.
What are the 2 extra pieces in the LectroFan box?
The box includes:
The AC to DC adapter with USB jack (1 amp output adapter)
A USB to barrel connector power cable, pre-installed in the Evo
Note that you don’t have to use the AC/DC adapter if you don’t want to – other USB adapters or jacks will work just fine too, which is a huge convenience especially if you’re traveling.
Getting it ready to use
While the LectroFan classic model needed to have the power cable inserted before use, my Evo arrived with it pre-installed (top)…not that it’s any real hassle to do. After removing the Evo, you’ll plug the USB end of the power cable into the AC/DC adapter. Just plug it into any outlet and you’re ready.
While the LectroFan classic model requires quickly inserting the DC power cable into the jack, located on the bottom, my Evo came with the cable pre-installed surprisingly. While the Evo also has a built-in cable retainer to keep the wiring in place, it’s straight unlike the curved placement used in the classic model.
Either way, it’s a snap to get going: Just remove everything from the packaging, plug the USB connector on the end into the AC/DC adapter, then plug it into the wall.
You’ll be ready for soothing white noise in seconds.
Build quality & fit and finish
Shown: Close up images of the Evo white noise machine. It’s well-made and has a nice matte finish on the outside which I really like. Build quality and the fit & finish are very good!
I always insist on giving products I test a thorough “once-over” to get a real hands-on look at the quality and also to look for signs of great – or poor – build & manufacturing. It’s a great way to find the little details that tell you what you’re getting for your money.
Once in my hands, what I found was no different than the great little LectroFan classic that came before it: the Evo is well-made, with great fit & finish. It’s well put-together and mine showed excellent signs of build quality with no defects.
I’m relieved because after owning & testing the Classic model I would have been really disappointed if it didn’t live up to ASTI’s reputation anymore. However, I’m really happy with what I found.
It’s also solid in the hand, too – there’s a bit of weight to it, telling me it’s not an “el cheapo” like some of the lower-quality competitors out there.
Taking it apart: What’s inside?
Breaking down the LectroFan Evo assembly. The main parts that make it up are the top & bottom housings, the sound board, and the loudspeaker. To produce good bass that helps block outside sounds, a thin black foam material is used to seal the speaker housing when assembled.
What can I say? As an engineer, I’m always really curious about how different things work. I took it apart to peek into not just how it works but also the quality of the parts used.
The LectroFan uses 2 main parts to work:
A loudspeaker
Electronic sound generator board
The speaker used is small but does well – mostly importantly that’s possible because ASTI has designed the Evo to have equalization (EQ) built into the software. In other words, the audio software used to generate sounds not only makes up for weaknesses of the speaker but also boosts sound frequencies where needed.
Even though it’s a little speaker there’s a hearty magnet that’s used to drive the cone well. Additionally, it’s a full-range model speaker. In my audio design experience, small doesn’t mean weak when it’s well designed.
The sound board
I’ve seen some pretty cheap electronics in my day, but the Evo doesn’t use bottom-dollar parts or a cost-cutting design. It’s a quality double-sided printed circuit board (PCB) with modern parts & fits a whole sound generator plus amplifier into a very small size.
The board contains the push button switches, a sound generator microprocessor chip, and an audio amplifier chip.
What separates the Evo from lower-priced competitors (and makes the soothing white noise possible) is the built-in equalization used for the sound.
Because of that, sound patterns are custom-tailored to generate not just different sound types but also enhanced bass which is important for blocking bothersome outside noise.
I’ll talk more about the actual sound output later as we go.
Checking out the controls & how to use them
I really like the Evo’s controls – so simple & straightforward. It’s a breeze to use and there’s a few more functions included that you don’t see at first glance, either.
What I look for is controls that aren’t a pain to use – and I’m happy to say the Evo didn’t let me down there! While they’re nearly identical to the older classic model, the buttons use printed icons instead of the text labels used before.
The controls are extremely easy to use and getting used to it becomes second nature in no time at all.
The buttons have a great “feel” (feedback and good resistance to your fingertip when pushing) in addition to being really easy to understand. As a built-in convenience feature (which can be disabled), after connecting power, the last used setting will automatically start playing.
Pretty neat!
1. How to use the controls
It’s as easy as powering the unit on-off. From the factory, when turned on, the last setting you used will start playing automatically.
However, one thing I need to explain is that the last mode & volume setting isn’t saved unless the unit is turned off with the power button instead of just disconnecting power. Otherwise, the last one you were using when you turned it off with the power button will be restored.
Fresh out of the box the first sound used is noise sound #1: brown noise.
Don’t worry, though – you can disable this (see below for details).
Choosing sounds & adjusting the volume
Each time you select the Fan or Noise sound button, the last sound you used will start playing. That’s because the last one is saved when you change modes or turn the unit off.
Personally, I’d go crazy if I had to rotate through the sounds all over again every time. Fortunately, it’s smartly designed and everything works smoothly so that’s not a problem.
As I mentioned at the beginning, there are 10 fan sounds and 12 noise sounds to choose from. Selecting sounds works like this:
Push the fan or noise button to scroll through each of the sounds in each category, starting with #1 (Brown noise or Large Fan, accordingly).
Once the last sound is selected, pushing the button again triggers a “whoop” sound indicating it’s starting back again at sound #1.
It’s really simple in practice, and you can also move through them quickly too if you like (the Evo will keep up with your button presses no problem).
2. Using the sleep timer
To use the sleep timer and have it shut off automatically, just push the button. 60 minutes later it’ll turn off by itself.
Unlike the older classic model, however, there’s a sound played you press the timer button. You’ll hear a short “whoop” sound.
You can add additional time, too, which is great. Just push the timer button as many times as you like to add time in 60 minute increments.
The Evo offers a maximum of 8 hours delay before shutting itself off. To disable the countdown, just turn the power off then back on again.
3. Turning off the auto-start feature
From the factory, the device is set to automatically start producing the last sound you used when it was turned off when powered is plugged in again (after having been removed).
What’s cool is that you can turn this feature off easily. To do so:
Turn it off using the power button
Press and hold the volume down button
Push and release the power button
You can also restore the feature but to do so you’ll need to reset it to the factory settings. That’s as easy as holding down the power button when it’s turned off. After about 3 seconds you’ll hear a pulsing sound which means you’ve restored it to the original settings.
Notes about the headphone jack
The Evo model now offers a great feature the classic LectroFan didn’t – a 3.5mm (1/8″) headphone jack. It’s a really cool feature to have, as you can use your favorite standard or noise-canceling headphones to enjoy unlimited soothing sound any time!
The headphone jack works well and it’s a great feature. I rely on both my standard and especially my new Sony noise-canceling headphones heavily. The Evo makes it possible for me to enjoying soothing background sounds without having to play an MP3 or YouTube track in the background
You can also use the headphone jack to play white noise through any audio system with an auxiliary (AUX) stereo input, too!
Unfortunately, there’s a minor flaw with the design. Unlike other devices I’ve used, the volume doesn’t lower automatically when you plug in the headphones.
You’ll have to be sure to turn the volume when using the headphones before plugging them in. Otherwise, you’ll get a loud blast to your ears like I did!
What does the LectroFan Evo sound like?
Yeah, this is definitely one of the most popular questions around for these kinds of sound machines – and an important one, too! I wanted to be as helpful as possible but be brief, too, in sharing how they actually sound.
The Evo uses a built-in equalization (EQ) design to compensate for weaker sound ranges of the speaker as well as boosting or cutting certain sound frequencies to produce the sounds you hear.
Long story short, the Evo generates artificial sounds based on brown noise patterns. Each sound is a variation of brown or white noise and some have pitch & sound adjustments to simulate an electric fan running.
There are a few things to know:
For the Noise function, starting with Brown (#1), each sequential selection increases the pitch in the upper ranges of the noise.
Fan sounds are essentially brown noise but then don’t increase in pitch with each additional sound pattern. Instead, they’re unique with a different combination of sounds to simulate what each type of electric fan would sound like.
To help explain better, I’ve recorded all the sounds from each category for you to hear:
LectroFan Evo demonstration video #1: Noise sound sample video
LectroFan Evo white noise machine noise sounds demo
In this video, I start with the default (first) sounds, brown noise. I then go through the other 11 sounds and loop back to the 1st one again by using the noise sound button to show you how it works.
You can hear the short “whoop” sound after the 10th noise sound is played. That means it’s starting back over at sound #1.
The last 2 sounds, Ocean and Surf, are different as the volume slowly rises and falls rather than being a continuous volume like the other 10. Also, they’re slightly lower in volume, too (see my volume measurements further below).
LectroFan Evo demonstration video #2: Fan sound sample video
LectroFan Evo white noise machine fan sounds demo
In this recording, you’ll hear all 10 simulated electric fan sounds the unit offers. I start with the first (Large Fan) and go through the remaining additional 9 sounds before returning back to the first.
How the LectroFan produces white noise and fan sounds
A real-time analyzer (RTA) snapshot of the sound frequencies produced by the brown noise sound from the LectroFan. As you can see, there’s a “bump” (higher amount of volume) in the bass region. That’s because it’s designed to produce good bass frequencies that help block out distracting & bothersome sounds.
To help explain how it works, I’m posting snapshots from using a calibrated microphone and my sound analyzer program that allows us to “see” the sounds tones & volume for each from the noise patterns generated.
The sounds are noise patterns produced by the microprocessor/sound generator chip on the electronic board inside.
This sound pattern then is amplified and used to drive the loudspeaker.
By looking at the range of sounds on the analyzer we can see how the LectroFan works to help us concentrate or sleep better:
For all sounds you can choose, it produces a higher volume in the bass frequency range that is important for blocking distracting outside sounds.
Additional higher-pitched sounds are used to change the overall sound type and can mask (hide) other sounds, too.
The LectroFan Evo does a very good job of masking sounds by producing enough bass. That’s important because many bothersome sounds like traffic, the human voice, music, and others produce sound frequencies within the bass regions you see here.
Those are some of the most annoying & hard to block sounds so it’s important that a white noise machine is designed to cove up (“mask”) those well.
Mellow fan – low example
The “mellow fan – low” setting for the device is seen here. As with all other sounds, there’s plenty of bass to block outside noise, with the addition of some different higher-pitched sounds to simulate an electric fan.
Pink noise example
The pink noise output of the LectroFan is seen here.Pink noise is often used for audio testing & set up, but also can be used to block outside sounds, too. Here you can see there’s more volume in the higher-pitched range of frequencies than other sounds produced.
Questions & answers: Things to know before buying
Does the LectroFan Evo noise machine get loud?
Measuring the volume of the LectroFan white noise machine using different sounds using a decibel meter.
I think the best way for me to answer the question, “Does the LectroFan Evo noise machine get loud?” is by comparing it to a few other things. Part of the problem is that “loud” can mean different things to different people.
Basically, the Evo has a moderate volume output at the maximum volume setting. When compared to say turning up the volume on a powerful home stereo or very loud TV, then no it’s not as loud – nor is it designed to be.
It is loud enough, however, for many common sounds you’d like to block that are of low to medium volume.
It’s also important to remember that to our ears, certain sounds seem louder as we’re more sensitive to those. Because of that, the volume you hear will depend on the fan or noise sounds you’re playing.
To show you some real data, I measured the maximum volume from 1 meter (3.28 feet) using a sound volume meter. All measurements are in Decibels (dB).
Sound/Noise
Volume (dB)
Large fan
76.5
Oscillating fan
69.1
Brown noise
72.9
Pure white noise
72.9
Ocean (max.)
70.8
Surf (max.)
57.9
To simplify, at its highest volume the LectroFan is about 6-8 dB louder than an average conversation between people (around 60+dB). However, the full-range noise sounds like Pure White seem much louder because they have a lot more upper-frequency sounds than the others.
Ultimately, the best way for me to answer this question is to say this: the LectroFan Evo has a medium loudness, good enough for blocking average & relatively normal volume outside sounds.
It’s not enough to block very loud sounds – but no white noise machine I’ve ever seen can do that. In extreme cases, you’ll still need earplugs or noise-canceling headphones if the outside noise is just too much.
I should note that the Ocena and Surf noises have a lower maximum volume than the others, for some reason. Still, they’re definitely a nice addition vs the older model.
Does the LectroFan Evo sleep machine have noticeable loops?
No, the Evo doesn’t loop or have a fixed recording that stops and starts again as some devices do.
That’s because it’s a continuous sound generator and doesn’t have that problem.
That’s great because the “skip” sound (brief pause & interruption) that happens with looping is distracting and can interrupt your relaxation since many people notice it.
What white noise blocks best?
In my experience, there isn’t a best white noise for everyone – it can depend on both what you like as well as the particular sounds you’re trying to block. However, from my personal experience I find these to be some of the best:
Fan sounds:
Attic fan (#6)
Vent fan (#8)
Oscillating fan (#10)
Noise sounds:
Brown (#1)
Tan (#4)
Amber (#5), Cream (#6), & Pink (#7)
Note that I mentioned the last few as in some cases if you’re dealing with bothersome outside sounds with a higher pitch you’ll need them to help block them.
The new Ocean and Surf noises are really nice for relaxing and drifting off to sleep gently. They’re really not designed to block sounds, at least not like the others you can use are.
I really like them, though, as they’re very relaxing!
Can I plug the Evo into a computer USB port?
Yes! In fact, you can use a wide range of USB 5V power sources:
Home or laptop PC USB jacks
Cell phone chargers with USB ports
External battery packs (take it on the go!)
Car USB phone charger ports
When plugging it into a computer, however, it won’t connect to your operating system so you don’t need drivers or any software. It only uses the electrical provided by the port (0.5 amps or less).
LectroFan Evo vs LectroFan Classic
As I mentioned in the beginning, the Evo is an updated version of the classic LectroFan design and there are a few minor differences to be aware of when shopping.
The Evo model is extremely similar aside from a new cosmetic design & styling. Here’s a list of the differences vs the classic model:
The push button controls are identical in function but are redesigned and use pictures instead of word labels.
A headphone jack is provided.
The fan & noise options are identical, but the noise category adds 2 new sounds: ocean & moving surf (12 total).
The slanted top of the Evo model directs the sound output slightly better – but not in a really beneficial way.
Slightly more bass sound output than the classic model (I noticed the bass produced is several decibels louder).
The timer button now sounds a short tone when you push it.
The AC/DC adapter stands horizontally in a power outlet, not vertically as most do.
When compared to the LectroFan Classic, the Evo is a bit less “crisp” in the sound output – there’s a slightly reduced amount of higher-pitched sounds. (This isn’t really an issue, however).
Those aren’t major differences, though. In case you’re wondering, at the time of this review the Evo and the LectroFan classic are priced close to the same depending on where you shop.
Both have the same great build & design quality, I’m very happy to report!
Ultimately it really comes down to whether or not the few small differences are what you need. For example, the 2 new sounds and the addition of a headphone jack.
Honestly, I’m still very fond of the original LectroFan as after owning it I understand why it’s a best seller!
The original LectroFan design (the “classic” as it’s sometimes called) features a hexagonal design and a more plain control panel than the Evo. Also, there’s no headphone jack available.
I will say, though, that I really like the ocean & surf sounds on the Evo. The gentle changing sound effects they offer are very nice and can really put you in a very relaxing state of mind!
LectroFan Evo vs Marpac Dohm
I’m a former owner of the Marpac Dohm and I happen to know it’s still a popular unit. In fact, I’ve seen it used in many quiet offices such as study rooms & therapy offices where privacy and focus are very important.
After owning and testing both, here’s what you need to know;
The LectroFan Evo is much more energy-efficient and can be powered from both AC power & USB power. The classic Marpac Dohm can only be used with a standard wall outlet.
Both are available with other color options including black.
The Marpac Dohm is larger than the Evo – nearly twice as tall.
The Marpac Dohm is very limited in the sound tones it can produce and volume, too.
While the Evo has no parts to wear out, the Marpac uses a traditional motor and fan design.
Honestly, in my opinion, the LectroFan Evo far outways the Marpac Dohm by a longshot.
The only real advantage I can think of for the Marpac is that it generates “real” white noise (more of a brown noise) since it uses a motor to turn a small fan and move air. To be honest, after using 2 of the best from LectroFan I feel like the Dohm is a poor value compared to them.
The problem with it is that I notice the Marpac’s sound is sort of “hollow” because of the plastic used and that it’s not as solid as the LectroFan, despite them both being made from plastic.
That always bothered me about the Marpac Dohm model.
Advantages of the LectroFan Evo vs Marpac Dohm
The sound made by the Marpac is very limited. You can adjust the sound tone a bit by rotating the outer plastic shell, but there’s almost no real adjustment.
The LectroFan lets you pick from a lot more sounds as it simulates both electric fans and 10 different noise patterns.
While the Marpac has only two volume settings (low speed & high speed, for lower & higher volumes, respectively) the LectroFan gives you a lot more control over it.
One thing really seals the deal for me, though: I can take my Evo anywhere and it’s not a problem finding a power source!
Unlike the Marpac, I don’t have to use it only with an AC power outlet – any USB power jack will do.
Also, the LectroFan is also smaller and fits into my backpack or luggage no problem when I travel.
Owner’s manual quality
One thing I absolutely HATE is a poor quality owner’s manual that doesn’t clearly help you use the product you just bought or leaves you with unanswered basic questions. The Advanced Sound Technologies has done a great job with the manual – it’s simple, clear, and well-written with everything you need to know.
I cover the quality of the owner’s manual because I’ve had experiences in which I couldn’t correctly use something I bought because the manual was terrible! I’m thrilled to say that’s not a problem here.
While it’s short, it’s clear, easy to follow and spells out everything you need to know about your Evo. I love it – it’s a great booklet and you’ll be up and going in no time at all.
My thoughts after using it in everyday life
I’ve been using my LectroFan Evo white noise machine in both my bedroom & small office. I really like it – it’s small enough to stay out of the way, it works great, and it really does improve my quality of sleep & help me focus during my work.
After owning the LectroFan Evo for some time, here’s what I really think:
It does work! Once I picked one of my favorite noise or fan sounds, I noticed I felt calm & more focused right away.
The fan sounds are relatively close to what real electric fans sound like – don’t expect them to sound exactly like a real electric fan. The sounds produced are a simulation for the purpose of helping to block outside sounds.
It’s really easy to use & deal with both during the day and night. I like it, and it wasn’t long before using it became second nature. It really is that easy to use.
I’ve noticed it helped me in several ways: both for sleep and for work. I know many people who’ve told me they need some “background noise” in order to go to sleep and it’s an excellent solution for that.
Not everyone wants to have to hear music or the TV on in the background. With the LectroFan, you can use a soothing sound that won’t bother your spouse, roommates, or other people.
Did you know? You can also use it for helping to calm and relax pets, too!
Review summary: Is the LectroFan Evo worth it?
It may be true that there are cheaper competitors out there. However, in this case, the old saying is true: you get what you pay for.
The LectroFan Evo is an updated design that doesn’t lose track of why its predecessor the LectroFan Classic became an all-time best seller. It’s well-made, smartly designed, and gives you a lot of electric fan and white noise sounds to pick from.
Unlike some others out there, it’s easy to power from any AC outlet, phone charger, or even your computer USB port! I’m impressed yet again with what Advanced Sound Technologies has done and I’ve really enjoyed owning one myself.
It’s just so darn good to hear wonderful, soothing white noise!
A fresh take on a popular & proven classic, the Evo offers very nice white noise options. Good things do come in small packages!
Although the differences are minor, the Evo is an update to the best-selling LectroFan white noise machine. Included are 2 great new sounds in addition to a cosmetic update. The headphone jack is a welcome bonus at no extra cost. It’s well-designed and what you get for your money makes it a much better value than many stale, outdated competitors.
Offering pleasant sleep, study, and calm relief for many buyers, it’s a quality choice that won’t let you down. Ready to sleep better or enjoy quiet on your terms? It’s a sure bet!
Pros
USB & AC power options work well
Headphone jack
New ocean & surf sounds added
Low power draw (0.5A max)
Ideal for travel
Great design & build quality
Good bass response/EQ for effective noise blocking
The LectroFan is one of today’s best-selling and most popular white noise machines you’ll find…but is it all it’s cracked up to be? And is it really worth almost $50?
After hands-on testing and using it in my everyday life, I’ll tell you what I’ve found and if it’s a good choice or not.
I want to help you make the right choice so I really worked hard to share all the details you need before spending a dime.
Be sure to check out my provided recordings of the fan & noise sounds, too!
Adaptive Sound Technologies Incorporated (ASTI) has a full range of different sound machine products they offer. Nearly all share the same basic functionality: they produce white noise to help block distracting sounds & give relief from many common problems. Depending on the model, each has more or fewer features for particular customer needs.
The LectroFan white noise machine (also called the “classic” model for reference) is one of Adaptive Sound Technologies Incorporated’s best-selling & most popular products.
Nearly all of the company’s products are used to provide relief for common problems like distracting noise or sleep issues by generating different types of white noise. Unlike the design used in some competitors such as the Marpac Dohm noise machine, the LectroFan & other ASTI products use solid-state technology.
No moving parts are used such as a fan and electric motor, for example. It’s all done using electronics and a speaker.
LectroFan features & basic things to know
The white noise machine works from a 5V power supply. You can use the provided AC-DC adapter or, for added convenience, you can plug it directly into nearly any USB jack.
The LectroFan Classic provides a total of 20 sounds: 10 noise and 10 fan sounds divided into 2 sound categories chosen from the Fan or Noise button settings.
LectroFan Classic sound list table
#
Fan sounds
Noises
1
Large fan
Brown
2
Industrial fan
Chestnut
3
Mellow fan-low
Cinnamon
4
Mellow fan-high
Tan
5
Exhaust fan
Amber
6
Attic fan
Cream
7
Circular fan
Pink
8
Vent fan
Coral
9
Box fan
Champagne
10
Oscillating fan
Pure white
There’s also 60-minute timer that lets you drift off to sleep and have the noise machine turn off by itself.
In case the white color doesn’t suit your fancy, the LectroFan Classic model is also available in a handsome black color, too.
Unboxing & first impressions
I’ve been looking forward to owning & testing the LectroFan especially since it’s easily one of the best-selling devices out there of its kind.
Finally, I got my hands on one! It’s well-packaged and I got a great impression right away.
When opening the box up, you’ll find a handy insert telling you how to reach out to ASTI in case you’ve got questions or a problem. Very nice.
What’s in the box?
Shown: Inside the box you’ll find the owner’s manual, customer support insert, the LectroFan unit, and AC-DC 5V USB adapter, and the USB power cable.
What are the 2 extra pieces in the LectroFan box?
Inside the box, you’ll find 2 very important parts. These are the AC-DC USB 5V power adapter and the USB-DC plug power cable.
There’s also a nice owner’s manual and a customer service insert in case you need to reach out for help or questions.
Getting it ready to use
Before using the LectroFan and enjoying soothing white noise or one of the fan sounds, you’ll need to install the power cable as shown. It’s easy, however, and only takes a few seconds.
Since it’s not pre-installed, I had to connect the included USB-to-barrel connector style power cable. To do so, it’s just a matter of plugging in the round (barrel) connector into the jack.
On the bottom of the sound machine are two wire guides that help to keep the wire in place on your table or nightstand. The wire simply pushes into those and there’s a line molded on the back of the unit to help you guide the wire.
Once installed, it forms a curved shape as you see here. That’s it – it’s quick and easy!
Build quality & fit and finish
Close up images of the white noise machine. It’s really well-made and looks to be a quality little device. Mine looked great upon closeup inspection with no defects or cosmetic problems, either.
As I always like to do, I gave the LectroFan a closeup lookover to check for any quality control or design defects and so forth. I’m happy to say it looks great!
Quality is excellent, and there are no noticeable gaps or fit and finish problems. It’s well put together and obviously isn’t an “el cheapo” device.
Overall, I’m very happy with mine and it’s all I expected from the company (especially because there are thousands of happy buyer reviews).
One thing I noticed right away that it’s really solid in the hand – and there’s a bit of weight to it, too.
It doesn’t at all feel cheap or flimsy like some others I’ve seen. It’s solid and I’m impressed with what they’ve done!
Taking it apart: What’s inside?
I disassembled my LectroFan to check out the internal parts. Inside is a nicely designed sound generator board and a small but beefy loudspeaker that generates the sounds you hear.
What can I say? As an engineer, I’m really curious about how different things work. I took apart my unit to peek into not just how it works but also the quality of the parts used.
I have to say it’s well done!
The LectroFan uses 2 main parts:
A loudspeaker
Electronic sound generator board
The speaker’s small, but based on my audio electronics design experience it’s a good one. A hefty magnet & decent power rating told me right away they chose this based on the ability of the speaker to create good bass & sound range.
The electronic board inside is well-done and looks good (as opposed to much cheaper boards I’ve seen in products in the past).
The board contains the push button switches, a sound generator microprocessor chip, and an audio amplifier chip. I also noticed there’s a thin foam sheet attached to the plastic housing that helps seal it off for the best sound response just like a speaker box.
That’s not all that’s required, though – the critical part, the sound patterns it makes, are designed into the software to create the right equalization (EQ) needed to help block noise.
More about that later.
Checking out the controls + how to use it
The controls on the LectroFan are really simple & straightforward. It’s a breeze to use and includes an additional feature not shown here which I’ll explain below.
It’s really simple to use – it was like second nature to me in only a minute or two.
The control quality is great and the soft rubber push buttons have a good “feel” to them. After connecting power, the unit will automatically turn on to the default or last set noise sound selected.
That’s an option you can change, however, so don’t worry!
1. How to use the controls
It’s as easy as powering the unit on-off. When turned on, the last used sound you used will start playing automatically.
However, one thing I need to get across is that the last setting isn’t saved unless the unit is turned off with the power button instead of just disconnecting power.
In other words, the last setting you used to be restored automatically the next time you use it, you’ll need to have turned it off with the power button. If not, the last one saved will be used if power is removed then restored.
Fresh out of the box the first sound used is brown noise.
Choosing sounds & adjusting the volume
Each time you select the Fan Sounds or Noise Sounds button, the last sound you used will start playing. That’s because the last one is saved when you change modes or turn the unit off.
That’s great because I’d go crazy if I had to rotate through the sounds all over again each time! Fortunately, it’s smartly designed and everything works smoothly, making it easy.
As I mentioned at the beginning, there are 10 fan sounds and 10 noise sounds to choose from. Selecting sounds works like this:
Pushing the fan or noise button scrolls through each of the 10 sounds in each category, starting with #1 (brown noise).
Once sound #10 is reached, pushing the button again triggers a “whoop” sound indicating it’s starting back again at sound #1.
It’s really easy to use & you can push the button very quickly if you like.
2. Using the sleep timer
To use the sleep timer and have it shut off automatically, just push the button. 60 minutes later it’ll turn off by itself.
What I don’t like, however, is that unlike other models you don’t hear a short tone to indicate you’ve pushed the button. You can also add extra time (in increments of 60 minutes each button push) if you like, which is nice.
Unfortunately, the manual doesn’t state what the maximum time you can use is but I believe it’s 8 hours (8 button pushes).
3. Turning off the auto-start feature
From the factory, the device is set to automatically start producing the last sound you used when it was turned off when powered is plugged in again (after having been removed).
What’s cool is that you can turn this feature off easily. To do so:
Turn it off using the power button
Press and hold the volume down button while pressing & releasing the power button
You can also restore the feature if you like, as the instruction manual tells you how.
What does the LectroFan white noise machine sound like?
Since this is a really important question for this kind of product, I really wanted to do it right! I’ll go into a lot of detail, but I’ll try to keep it relatively short
The LectroFan uses a built-in equalization (EQ) design to compensate for weaker sound ranges of the speaker as well as boosting or cutting certain sound frequencies to produce the sounds you hear.
Long story short, the LectroFan produces artificial sounds that are based on brown noise. Each sound is a variation of brown or white noise and some have pitch & sound adjustments to simulate an electric fan running.
There are a few things to know:
For noise, starting with Brown, each sequential selection increases the pitch in the upper range of the noise.
Fan sounds are mostly similar to noise too, but a little bit different because they’re not made to reproduce pure noise. They don’t increase in pitch but are different unique sounds altogether.
Rather than just reading about it, check out the sounds I recorded here to help.
LectroFan demonstration video #1: Noise sounds
LectroFan Classic sound machine white noise sound demo
In this video, I start with the default (first) sounds, brown noise. I then go through the other 9 sounds and loop back to the 1st one again by using the noise sound button to show you how it works.
You can hear the short “whoop” sound after the 10th noise sound is played. That means it’s starting back over at sound #1.
LectroFan demonstration video #2: Fan sounds
LectroFan Classic fan sounds demo
In this recording you’ll hear all 10 simulated electric fan sounds the unit provides. I start with the first (large fan) and go through the remaining additional 9 sounds before returning back to the first.
How the LectroFan produces white noise and fan sounds
A real-time analyzer (RTA) snapshot of the sound frequencies produced by the brown noise sound from the LectroFan. As you can see, there’s a “bump” (higher amount of volume) in the bass region. That’s because the unit is purposely designed to produce good bass frequencies to help block out distracting & bothersome sounds.
To help explain how it works, I’m posting snapshots from using a calibrated microphone and my sound analyzer program that allows you & I to “see” the sounds produced for some example noises.
The sounds are noise patterns produced by the microprocessor/sound generator chip on the electronic board inside.
This sound pattern then is amplified and used to drive the loudspeaker.
By looking at the range of sounds on the analyzer we can see how the LectroFan works to help us concentrate or sleep better:
For all sounds you can choose, it produces a higher volume in the bass frequency range that is important for blocking distracting outside sounds.
Additional higher-pitched sounds are used to change the overall sound type and can mask (hide) other sounds, too.
The LectroFan does a very good job of masking sounds by producing enough bass. That’s important because many bothersome sounds like traffic, the human voice, music, and others produce sound frequencies that within the bass regions you see here.
Those are some of the most annoying & hard to block sounds so it’s important that a white noise machine is purposely designed to help.
Mellow fan – low example
The “mellow fan – low” setting for the device is seen here. Still plenty of bass to block outside noise, with the addition of some different higher pitch sounds to give simulate an electric fan.
Pink noise example
The pink noise output of the LectroFan is seen here.Pink noise is often used for audio testing & set up, but also can be used to block outside sounds, too. Here you can see there’s more volume to the higher-pitched range of frequencies.
Questions & answers: Things to know before buying
Does the LectroFan noise machine get loud?
Measuring the volume of the LectroFan white noise machine using different sounds.
To give you the basic answer, in general, it’s moderately loud to medium, depending on the sound you choose. It’s not “loud” when compared to other things like a loud stereo, a TV turned up very high, and so on.
It’s also important to remember that to our ears, certain sounds seem louder as we’re more sensitive to those. Because of that, the volume you hear will depend on the fan or noise sounds you’re playing.
To show you some real data, I measured the maximum volume from 1 meter (3.28 feet) using a sound volume meter. All measurements are in Decibels (dB).
Sound/Noise
Volume (dB)
Large fan
73.8
Oscillating fan
69
Brown noise
71
Pure white noise
77.5
To sort of summarize, at the highest volume, the LectroFan is about 6-8 dB louder than an average conversation between people (around 60+dB). However, the full-range noise sounds like Pure White seem much louder because they have a lot more upper-frequency sounds than the others.
Ultimately, the best way for me to answer this question is to say this: the LectroFan has a medium loudness, good enough for blocking average & relatively normal outside sounds.
It’s not enough to block very loud sounds – but no white noise machine I’ve ever seen can do that. In extreme cases, you’ll still need earplugs if the outside noise is just too much.
(Yes, that’s me speaking from personal experience as a light sleeper!)
Does the LectroFan sleep machine have noticeable loops?
The LectroFan doesn’t loop or have a fixed recording that stops and starts again as some devices do.
That’s because it’s a continuous sound generator and doesn’t have that problem.
That’s great because the “skip” sound (brief pause & interruption) that happens with looping is distracting and can interrupt your relaxation since many people notice it.
What white noise blocks best?
In my experience, there isn’t a best white noise for everyone to use with it. However, from my personal experience I find these to be some of the best:
Fan sounds:
Attic fan (#6)
Vent fan (#8)
Oscillating fan (#10)
Noise sounds:
Brown (#1)
Tan (#4)
Amber (#5), Cream (#6), & Pink (#7)
Note that I mentioned the last few as in some cases if you’re dealing with bothersome outside sounds with a higher pitch you’ll need them to help block them.
Can I plug my LectroFan into a computer USB port?
Yes! In fact, you can use a wide range of USB 5V power sources:
Home or laptop PC USB jacks
Cell phone chargers with USB ports
External battery packs (take it on the go!)
Car USB phone charger ports
When plugging it into a computer, however, it won’t connect to your operating system so you don’t need drivers or any software. It only uses the electrical provided by the port (0.5 amps or less).
LectroFan Evo vs Classic
The LectroFan Evo is the company’s update to the LectroFan white noise machine. That’s why I mentioned the name “Classic” at the beginning of my review, as it helps separate the original (Classic) from the Evo.
The Evo model is extremely similar aside from a new cosmetic design & styling. Here’s a list of the differences vs the classic model:
The push button controls are identical in function but are redesigned and use pictures instead of word labels.
A headphone jack is provided.
The fan & noise options are identical, but the noise category adds 2 new sounds: ocean & moving surf (12 total).
The slanted top of the Evo model directs the sound output slightly better – but not in a really beneficial way.
Slightly more bass sound output than the classic model.
The timer button now sounds a short tone to indicate you pushed it.
Those aren’t major differences, though. In case you’re wondering, at the time of this review the Evo and the LectroFan classic are priced almost exactly the same.
The Evo still has the same quality design & construction I’ve enjoyed with its older sibling, I’m very happy to say.
The small differences are worth considering if you love ocean sounds or use headphones regularly. Aside from that, don’t lose any sleep over buying the Classic vs the Evo.
I’m still a fan of the classic and I’ve been happy with it so far. (Don’t feel like you’re missing out on any big features if you don’t buy the Evo, that is!)
The Evo is an updated version of the classic LectroFan design. Functionally, it’s nearly identical but adds 2 new noise sounds, a headphone jack, and otherwise minor changes.
Honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference and whether or not having access to a headphone jack is a dealbreaker for you.
I will say, though, that I really like the ocean & surf sounds on the Evo. The gentle changing sound effects they offer are very relaxing.
LectroFan vs Marpac Dohm white noise machine
I’m a former owner of the Marpac Dohm and I happen to know it’s still a popular unit. In fact, it’s often used in “quiet rooms” and therapy offices, for example, for added privacy and calm.
After owning and testing both, here’s what you need to know;
The LectroFan is more energy-efficient and can be powered from both AC power & USB power. The Marpac can only be used with a standard wall outlet.
Both are available with other color options including black.
The Marpac Dohm is larger than the LectroFan – almost twice as tall.
The Marpac Dohm is very limited in the sound tones it can produce and volume, too.
While the LectroFan has no parts to wear out, the Marpac uses a traditional motor and fan design.
Honestly, in my opinion, the LectroFan far outways the Marpac Dohm by a longshot.
The only real advantage I can think of for the Marpac is that it generates “real” white noise (more of a brown noise) since it uses a motor to turn a small fan and move air.
The problem with it though is that I notice the Marpac’s sound is sort of “hollow” because of the plastic used and that it’s not as solid as the LectroFan. That always bothered me about the Marpac Dohm model.
Advantages of the LectroFan vs Marpac Dohm
The sound made by the Marpac is very limited. You can adjust the sound tone a bit by rotating the outer plastic shell, but there’s almost no real adjustment.
The LectroFan lets you pick from a lot more sounds as it simulates both electric fans and 10 different noise patterns.
While the Marpac has only two volume settings (low speed & high speed, for lower & higher volumes, respectively) the LectroFan gives you a lot more control over it.
One thing really seals the deal for me, though: I can take my LectroFan anywhere and it’s not a problem finding a power source.
Unlike the Marpac, I don’t have to use it only with an AC power outlet – any USB power jack will do!
The LectroFan is also smaller and fits into my backpack or luggage no problem when I travel.
Owner’s manual quality
Not too much to add here, except that the owner’s manual is well done. It’s clear, helpful, and explains how to use your noise machine properly.
It’s a bit short since there isn’t much material to cover, but it’s great for getting started with your LectroFan right away. Advanced Sound Technologies is also a really good company to deal with for customer service, I might add.
My thoughts after using it in everyday life
I’ve been using my LectroFan white noise machine in both my bedroom & small office. It’s a nice little unit, and I noticed I felt calmer & more focused right away after picking a sound I liked! It’s also great for taking naps too (haha).
After owning the LectroFan for some time, here are my honest thoughts, both good and bad:
It does indeed help! Once I picked one of my favorite noise or fan sounds, I noticed I felt calm & more focused right away.
The fan sounds are fairly close to what real electric fans sound like but don’t expect them to sound the same. Some tones that you hear with a real electric fan (like a box fan) just aren’t there.
It’s really easy to use & deal with both during the day and night. I like it, and it wasn’t long before using it became second nature.
I’ve noticed it helped me in several ways: both sleep and for work. I know many people who’ve told me they need some “background sound” in order to go to sleep, and it’s a great choice for that.
Not everyone wants to have to hear music or the TV on in the background. With the LectroFan, you can use a soothing sound that won’t disturb others as well.
Review summary: Is the LectroFan worth it?
While there are cheaper units out there, ASTI’s LectroFan proves the old saying that “you get what you pay for.” In my opinion, it’s definitely worth it.
It’s a great little unit that works well, is simple to use, and really does help for blocking typical sound problems to help you focus, sleep better, or just unwind and relax.
Don’t expect it to be able to block extreme noises as no white noise machine can do that.
While I wish the fan sounds were as accurate as real-life fans, that’s a small gripe. It’s a great little unit that’s well-designed and helps keep unwanted bothersome sounds from affecting your quality of life.
Add the ability to power it from any USB or AC source and you’ve got a winner. I’m glad I bought mine and I’m sure you will be, too!
A great little white noise machine that does it right. Solid quality, ease of use, and good design make it a smart choice.
Is it the cheapest you can find? No. However, the LectroFan is one of the best-selling & most popular white noise machines for a reason: It’s a quality product that does what it’s supposed to well. While the electric fan sounds could be better, they provide soothing & effective masking of bothersome outside sounds. With 10 fan sounds & 10 noise options, you’re sure to find several that work best for you.
Controls are super simple and a breeze to use. Power options are good both at home and on the road. Compared to competitors like Marpac, it’s a better value & offers a lot more features & control. Thanks to smart design it’s effective at blocking many common noise problems to help you sleep, relax, and enjoy a better quality of life. You won’t regret picking one up!
Pros
USB & AC power options work well
Low power draw (0.5A max)
Ideal for travel
Great design & build quality
Good bass response/EQ for effective noise blocking
In my review of the GermGuardian AC4900CA, I’ll cover performance, quality, features, any flaws I found, and much more.After being an owner for so long I’ve learned a lot.
I wanted to find out how the AC4900CA stacks up not just against other popular products from the company (like its twin the AC4825) but also its main competitors.
Read on to find out what I found and see if it’s a great choice for your home, too. (Hint: I love mine!)
My AC4900 purifier arrived well-packaged and securely held in place. After opening it I found the owner’s manual located conveniently on top. There’s practically NO setup! Just unbox it, unwrap, and get started enjoying it!
My new purifier came well-packaged. The AC4900CA arrived in great shape as its held in place both at the top and bottom using recycled cardboard inserts. It’s an eco-friendly touch I appreciate.
Unboxing is simple and there’s no fuss whatsoever: just remove the packaging inserts, power cord plug cover, and the protective plastic bag.
You’ll find the owner’s manual placed on top upon opening the box.
As I already own and really enjoy similar and incredibly popular GermGuardian AC4825, I was really curious how it would compare. Is it just as good? How does it look, sound, and work?
It’s time to dig in and find out!
Build quality
Build quality is just as good as I’ve come to expect after owning & testing many GermGuardian products. Fit and finish are great, with no manufacturing defects or cosmetic issues. The AC4900 has a unique brushed metal appearance that’s stylish and modern. It’s a satin silver-gray effect I like.
As I always do, I ran the purifier through a series of once-over inspections I do as a basic check for build quality issues and any noticeable problems.
I’m happy to say the AC4900 is just as nicely put together as its sibling the AC4825.
Despite having a sturdy plastic housing, it looks more expensive than it really is (just like its sibling, it usually sells below $100) and looks quite nice.
Build quality & overall impression
The assembly is great. Construction is solid, with no misaligned body parts or noticeable flaws of any kind. The body features a very nice simulated brushed metal (satin) finish that works well.
Both the front air grill and the controls are smartly matched in color just right.
While it’s very modern and stylish in design, it manages to not stand out too much. That is, it doesn’t look out-of-place in modern rooms.
Quite the contrary – it resembles a classy and modern appliance.
Checking out the controls
Just like the AC4825, the controls are extremely simple to use and are together in one place. On this model, they’re forward-facing (and not on top). The controls work well and have a great “feel” when used. They’re tight, responsive, and don’t feel cheap. I like them.
Using the purifier is extremely easy. While it doesn’t have the more advanced electronic controls of some competitors, one advantage is simplicity.
Not everyone is well-suited to push button controls, after all.
To use the AC4900, just turn the fan speed to 1 of 3 settings (low, medium, and high). The power light will show when the unit is switched on.
To use the UV-C germ killing feature, there’s a momentary on-off push button switch. When turned on the blue UV-C light will light on as well.
The controls feel good – they’re not too “light” and not too firm. In other words, they’re firm enough to be easy to use but not easy to accidentally change.
The fan switch is also quiet and doesn’t add any annoying sounds when in use.
However, one thing kind of irritates me although it’s not really a big deal: when using the UV-C feature, turning the main power off sets the UV-C option back to the off state the next time you use it.
There’s no memory feature for that. I don’t understand it…but again, it’s a minor complaint I have, and that’s all.
Specifications
GermGuardian AC4900CA Specifications
Room size rating: 155 sq. ft (medium room)
UV-C germ killing light
Titanium Oxide odor molecule remover
3-speed fan control
True HEPA filter w/ activated carbon filter
CADR Rated 101+ (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
Low-noise fan setting
Replaceable UV bulb
Dual-section blower fans
Simple rotary control
Pushbutton on/off UV switch
Filter replacement reminder
UV bulb replacement indicator
3-year limited warranty
Replacement filter: FILTER B (FLT4825)
Power use: 55W (max. fan speed)
Carrying handle
Weight: 9.84 lbs (21.7 kgs)
Cord length: 6 ft.
Control location: top front
Size: 8.87 x 7.125 x 21.75″
Size and thoughts on using a “tower” purifier
At just under 22 inches in height, the AC4900 definitely isn’t a small model. “Tower” purifiers are those that are taller than they are wide and don’t use a low-profile design.
They’re normally taller by design due to the use of more internal fans which is the case for this model as well. Additional fans are used to offer better air cleaning performance by a higher airflow rate.
It’s definitely important to make sure you have enough room for it before buying. However, at only about 9″ or so at its widest point, it fits nearly anywhere in my experience.
Note that you’ll need to be sure to keep a few feet (say 3 feet) unblocked space behind and in front of it to allow proper airflow so it can work as intended.
Purifiers need a fair amount of unrestricted space to circulate and clean the air in a room.
Carrying the purifier
The built-in handle works well to help you move it within a room. It’s a nice feature I’ve always loved in the other models I own as well.
One feature that I really appreciate is the built-in carrying handle that’s in the top rear of the body. It’s large enough so that you can grip the purifier easily when moving it around.
It’s a nice touch that you don’t always see on competing products. On occasion when I needed to reposition the unit (like during cleaning, opening doors, etc) it came in handy.
Air cleaning ability & performance
The purifier’s filter (the FLT4825 filter included from the factory) trapped a LOT of dust! You can extend the pre-filter life by vacuuming off excessive hair or dust as needed as you can see I did here. Dust is a very bothersome air quality problem in my home and the AC4900 made a big difference when I used it regularly.
Recommended for medium-sized rooms up to around 155 square feet in size, it’s well suited for many homes, offices, and other living areas.
While you can use it in larger rooms, I don’t recommend doing so as that increases the time required for it to cycle the air and trap particulates. For larger rooms, you’re better off with a larger model like the AC5000 large room purifier.
During testing my AC4900 was really helpful at helping me deal with my biggest air quality problem: dust.
As you can see above, it trapped a lot of that terrible dust that plagues my air and covers surfaces regularly. Additionally, the activated carbon filter cut down on odors and any nasty airborne vapors I had due to cleaning products or even food in the room.
Just be sure to remember that air purifiers work by cycling air in the room. It takes a few hours to completely cycle and clean a room’s air. You’ll also want to use it regularly as well.
I often leave mine running all day while I’m gone.
The AC4900CA HEPA filter with prefilter attached alongside the rear cover/grill.
GermGuardian AC4900 square feet coverage and room size
While it’s recommended for medium-sized rooms (up to 155 square feet) there’s absolutely no reason you can’t use it in smaller rooms!
In fact, smaller rooms would greatly benefit even more – you’ll find it cleans the air even faster in that case.
For reference, rooms about 155 square feet in size are roughly a 10 x 15.5 ft. Also, note that this is an estimated size recommendation. It’s doesn’t have to be used in a room that’s exactly that size.
Filter ability
The AC4900’s HEPA filter (white) is made of a folded, dense fiber material. The prefilter is a (black) thin mesh material that works to trap larger elements like dust and hair as well as trap odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The HEPA filter is a “true” HEPA model in that it meets the requirements for excellent air filtering performance. It’s a great filter and works well in my experience.
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is combined with a prefilter/activated charcoal filter. The HEPA filter is fantastic for trapping the most common air quality contaminants like those that cause allergies.
Some of the most troublesome air contaminants the AC4900 can remove are:
Pet dander
Pet hair (thanks to the pre-filter)
Dust mite allergens
Pollen
Dust
Home construction particles
Smoke residue
Smoke odors
Chemical and organic odors
Chemical vapors
The “3-in-1” name used for advertising purposes comes from the 2-section filter and the addition of the UV-C germ killing feature.
The filter is an assembly in which the replaceable prefilter is attached to the HEPA filter using a Velcro-type attachment.
The prefilter’s job is to capture larger particles (such as dust, pet hair, lint) and prevent them from wasting the HEPA filter material. Additionally, the activated carbon filter in the material can absorb and trap odors, airborne chemical vapors, perfumes, and more.
The true HEPA filter captures an amazing 99.97% of particles passing through it down to 0.3 microns in size. That’s less than 1/1,000,000 of a meter. That’s incredibly small! Such elements aren’t visible to the human eye as they’re microscopic in size.
It’s a great filtering system and works well. After having an initial break-in period in which the “new product smell” had time to disperse, the filters worked great and I came home to very fresh and comfortable air.
Note: the prefilter can be replaced separately to savemoney. You won’t have to buy a complete replacement filter set, I’m happy to say.
The ultraviolet light (UV-C) germ killing feature
One trademark feature of the family of air purifiers from Guardian Technologies is the addition of an ultraviolet (UV) based germ killing feature.
The system operates using a special UV-emitting bulb along with a titanium oxide (TiO2) germ killing device. Working together these render sickness-causing germs and other microbes harmless.
The UV light bombards the molecular structure as they pass through the purifier and works to destroy them, essentially. In order to work, you’ll have to have the fan speed in positions 1-3 as it requires airflow to work.
You’ll also need to manually switch on the feature when you’d like to use it.
There’s a built-in safety switch that prevents the unit from operating when the rear cover and rear filter are removed. The light is totally enclosed so there’s no chance of UV exposure as well.
Unlike the AC4825, the feature’s on-off switch keeps the feature on the next time you turn the purifier back on.
UV-C LIGHT UV-C light technology works with filters to enhance the elimination of airborne germs. Titanium Dioxide is activated by the UV-C light to decompose remaining odor molecules caused by smoking, cooking and pets.AC4900 owner's manua
Does the AC4900CA produce ozone?
Does the AC4900CA produce ozone that can potentially cause headaches? That’s a common question I’ve learned is on the minds of many potential air purifier owners.
As I explained in this post, filter-based purifiers won’t contribute anything unhealthy to the air as they don’t produce emissions, gases, or by-products.
The AC4900CA is perfectly safe and healthy. It does not produce ozone.
Filter & UV bulb replacement indicators & cost
Replacement indicator lights
Both filter replacement and UV bulb replacement indicators use the existing power and UV on/off lights. When a replacement is needed or the filter should be checked the indicators change colors.
There’s a great set of features built in to let you know when it’s time to check the filters for replacement and install a new UV bulb.
After 6 months of use the front green LED light will change to red and blink indicating it’s time to check the filters. Likewise, the UV indicator will change from blue to solid red to show the bulb is no longer working and should be replaced.
If your filter has had very light use and isn’t in need of a replacement you can reset the indicator by holding the UV-C button for 5 seconds.
Condition
Meaning
UV indicator turns from blue to red
(UV bulb needs replacement
Power light turns red & blinking
Filter needs check/replacement
Filter life and costs
The FLT4825 is the genuine replacement filter from GermGuardian. The package includes a HEPA filter and the active carbon filter section. While the original filter set is only around $30+, you can save money by buying 3rd party replacements.
Filter life is around 6-8 months depending upon use and the level of particulates in the air where it’s used.
As an example, consider that cigarette produces a significant amount of particles as well as odors that will become trapped in both filter sections. You can definitely expect a limited filter life in that case.
For lighter use filter life will be extended, however, and replacement periods will be fewer and further in between.
If you’re trying to keep costs down those are great options. Don’t forget that the prefilter can be replaced separately if the HEPA filter isn’t totally used-up.
Prefilters are also available in economical 4-packs as well.
How to replace the filter
Filter replacement is VERY simple and only takes a handful of seconds to do. I was very happy with how easy and straightforward it was.
Filter replacement is a breeze! So simple and fast. I was very happy with the design and how I was up and going in only a few seconds.
To do so, you’ll just have to do the following:
Press down on the release tab on the rear cover
Pull the cover down and out (there’s 2 tabs on the bottom that sit in slots)
Using your fingers, pull the filter out to remove it
Replace filter using the opposite motion
Insert the cover’s tabs in the base
Swing the cover up and snap the release tab back in place
That’s it! You’re done and ready for more great air cleaning.
UV-C bulb replacement & pricing
Image showing the UV bulb cover removal screws. Replacement is simple and only really takes a handful of minutes. You’ll need a Phillips screwdriver (not included) to replace a dead bulb.
The replacement UV bulb, part #LB4000. They’re priced around $25. The life rating is 10-12 months, although some few owners have reported shorter life. However, I haven’t had any issues with mine.
Expect to pay close to $25 for a replacement UV bulb. You’ll need a Philips head screwdriver (not included) to remove the rear metal shield that covers it. Afterward, replacement is as easy as unplugging the old one and inserting the new one.
I found it easy to do. If you’re not comfortable with tools I’d recommend having a friend or family member do it for you.
Bulb life is estimated at 10-12 months of use, although a few owners have reported that their bulbs died after only a few months. However, mine has been fine.
The owner’s manual
Just as I’ve come to expect the owner’s manual was again clear, detailed, and easy to read. All basic & important information is included. There’s also information about how to contact the company as well as replacement part numbers.
I always check the owner’s manuals when reviewing products because I know how frustrating it can be when information is lacking or confusing.
After unpacking my purifier I flipped through the manual. It’s clear, well-written, and gets right to the point. It’s also printed in English, French, and Spanish.
Although short (about 10-12 pages for English, I think) it’s concise and good. Inside you’ll find:
How to use your purifier
The indicator lights (power, air filter replacement reminder, and UV light bulb replacement)
Replacement filter model specs
How to contact support
Power consumption
Specifications: size, weight, and square feet coverage
Honestly, the purifier is so darn easy to use it’s really not necessary, although if you’re a first-time buyer I’d recommending brushing up on product use tips.
However, one thing did annoy me: the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ratings aren’t inside as well as a few other specs missing. They’re available elsewhere (especially the GermGuardian site).
The manufacturer lists the AC4900CA as a quiet (low-noise) purifier, and in my testing I found it to be true.
Low speed (#1) is fairly quiet, and suitable for sleeping if you’re a light sleeper like me
Medium (#2) is actually not very loud. It’s hardly noticeable at all if I’m watching YouTube or listening to music
High (#3) has a moderate level of noise and can be masked by the sound of your TV or radio. However, it’s fairly noticeable but not loud.
The high setting is useful for fast and the most powerful cleaning of air contaminated with odors, smoke, etc.
I think most people will be able to sleep well with it on low or medium. While not as quiet during low-speed as others like the Levoit LV-H132, I’m happy with it.
Additionally, you’re trading performance for lower noise, unlike others.
The main reason it’s not as quiet as some competitors is because it uses 2 fans for more airflow to be more effective at cleaning the room’s air.
Volume measurements
I prefer to personally measure, record, and verify the noise levels of the products I test. My sound level meter is used with a consistent measurement to get a good reading of typical real-world use. It’s a good way to be sure the data backs up my opinions & experiences during testing.
One thing I’ve noticed – and let me be very clear…it’s not a big deal – is that during use, there’s a characteristic “hum” of some type produced.
It’s a by-product of how this family of air purifiers work. The electric motor is driven by a control board which quickly switches power on and off to the motor to keep a desired speed.
It’s just a minor trait, and I actually rarely hear it at all. However, after first buying the purifier, you may hear it for a few hours since it’s brand new and hasn’t been broken in yet.
Based on my testing, measurements, and personal use I believe it’s a quiet purifier and has a nice, pleasant sound.
Night brightness
Although the design has front-facing LED indicators, it real use at night they’re not a distraction for me. Unlike some others they’re dim enough that they don’t annoy me or interrupt my sleep. However, it’s important to note that the human eye is especially sensitive to blue light, so you may want to switch off the UV-C feature at bedtime.
Unlike some competitors in its room size range that I’ve tested, there’s no way to dim or turn off the indicator lights.
However, in practice, I didn’t find them to be a bother at night. Then again, as the human eye is especially sensitive to blue light, I did switch off the UV-C feature at bedtime.
Both lights have a soft glow that’s not overbearing in my opinion. They don’t “light up the room” or anything like that. Fortunately it’s obvious that smart design went into keeping the brightness level low.
If you’re a light sleeper like me you don’t have anything to worry about. If necessary, you can always face the purifier at an angle if you’d like to use the UV-C feature at night but not see the blue light.
AC4900CA vs AC4825
The AC4825 (left) is the super-popular counterpart to the AC4900CA (right). They’re essentially identical in performance, features, and even share the same internal functional parts. Both also use the same replacement filters, making more filters available.
There are few, if any differences between the two. However, as far as details go, one is the unique glowing blue trim ring around the top which the AC4825 has. It’s a very handsome design and looks great.
While not as popular as it’s twin, the AC4900CA offers a cool and fresh take on the traditional black design of the other. Air cleaning performance and specs are the same as well.
GermGuardian AC4900CA vs the Honeywell HPA100
Of the products on the market, in my opinion one of the best and most comparable is the Honeywell HPA100. It offers some features the AC4900 doesn’t but it’s also lacking in a few areas. It’s available in a white version as well. Room size coverage is also the same at 155 sq. ft. It’s a competent rival to the GermGuardian.
After testing, owning, and enjoying the AC4900CA I can confidently say it’s a winner and a great choice. However, there are other choices out there, and one of the best comes to mind.
Although it’s not even close to the popularity of GermGuardian models, the Honeywell HPA100 is a truly solid performer, is well made, and offers electronic touch controls instead of manual controls.
If you prefer those features it’s worth considering as well.
Filter replacement is a bit more complicated as it uses multiple standard-sized Honeywell replacement filters. Additionally, the design is a bit odd in that the prefilter doesn’t attach to the HEPA filter(s) like the GermGuardian design.
Features the HPA100 offers that the AC4900 doesn’t are:
Electronic touch controls
A Turbo high-speed setting
Auto-off timer
However, there’s no germ killing feature offered. That’s absent in the Honeywell HPA series of purifiers, and it’s unfortunate. You’ll also pay a few dollars less for the GermGuardian model as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I love some of the features of the HPA100, but I’m a happy GermGuardian owner and have become really fond of them. I’m not sure if I could ever give them up!.
Review summary
The AC4900CA is a worthy bearer of the GermGuardian name. It shares the same performance, quality, and ease of use I’ve come to love from the ones I own.
While not as popular as its sibling AC4825, it’s great-looking and gets the job done quietly. I’m sure you’ll grow to love yours just as much as I have.
Well-made and solid, the AC4900CA provides great air purification in a uniquely style package.
The GermGuardian AC4900CA turned out to be a real treat to own, test, and use daily – I love mine! A functional twin to the incredibly popular AC4825 model, it provides identical performance with a unique style. Just like its sibling it’s incredibly easy to use, works, well, and it’s quiet too. And just like the other one, I’ve grown fond of it quickly. People who want an air purifier that “just works” without any fuss or complicated controls will appreciate it.
Noise levels are low, filter replacement is super easy, and the UV-C germ killing feature is an added bonus not found on most competing products. While it doesn’t offer fancier features I really love such as electronic controls or an auto-timer like Honeywell, the benefit is a better value for your dollar. You get the same (or more) room coverage for less money than many others sold today. Air cleaning performance is great and the ability to replace the prefilter separately can really help keep costs down. It’s a great choice and I’m happy to recommend it to anyone.
Pros
Great air coverage for its price range
AHAM Verified & Energy Star Certified
True HEPA filter + prefilter/carbon filter
Very easy to operate
UV-C feature kills germs – not found in many competitors
Carry handle built-in
Dual-fan design
Filter replacement reminder
UV bulb replacement reminder
3-year warranty
Maintenance is easy to perform
Low operational noise
Reliable
Well-built
Available in functionally identical AC4900CA model
Prefilter/carbon filter separately replaceable
Won’t tip over easily
Cons
UV-C feature has no memory feature
No auto-sensing self-operation feature
No auto-off timer feature
Blue light may draw attention to eyes at night
Tall height may not be suitable for all users
Rotary manual control fan speed switch (vs electronic)
No other color options available for this model
You’ll need to buy 3rd party filters to save money as originals are more expensive
I own several air fryers and absolutely love them! In fact, the food I cook with mine is better than the overpriced, greasy food you’ll get in a restaurant.
Ready for great food of your own, too? In this post, I’ll show you 4 of the best air fryers under $100 for your money.
I’ll share with you the details, pros & cons, and what to know before buying. There’s also some helpful info if you’re just getting started with air fryers.
Illustrated diagram showing how an air fryer works and the main sections inside. Air fryers share a lot in common with traditional ovens which have a convection baking design. Food in an air fryer’s cooking basket is exposed to hot air forced onto it using a fan.
Air fryers don’t actually “fry” food. Hot air is forced onto the food in a way much like a convection oven.
Because they can cook food well and also crisp the outside similar to how a grease or shortening fryer works, they were given the name. It’s also because of how they’re more appealing if they’re seen as a healthy alternative to oil fryers.
How they work
Air fryers come in a variety of styles but all have the same basic design: A heating element creates very hot air which is blown across the food using an electric fan.
Additionally, much like a traditional oven you may have used before they also have a cooking time control and temperature control.
An air fryer has several basic sections which may vary slightly depending on the brand or model:
A food container (also called a basket) in which food is placed. These normally have a nonstick coating and a slotted bottom (or a slotted tray that fits inside) to allow fat and other residues to fall to the bottom & away from food.
A drip tray or basket bottom section where melted fat, water, crumbs, and other residue collects. After cooking this is easy to separate from the food section for easy cleaning. These have a nonstick surface also.
Electric heating element (electric eye). These are usually a small version similar to those you see in a standard oven.
Electric fan. Place over or below the heating element, these force hot cooking air over the food.
Temperature and cooking time controls. For standard (dial) models these are electromechanical. Digital models offer push button controls and presets – these use more complicated electronics than more basic models.
Is an air fryer the same as a convection oven?
In this comparison graph, a typical air fryer and a typical convection oven are compared. Air fryers use much less electricity and also have a faster preheat time (about 3 to 5 minutes). Additionally, they use a lower maximum temperature than ovens. There’s much less air to heat since they’re smaller, making them great for saving energy & hassle.
An air fryer is very similar to a convection oven, with a few differences.
For example:
Convection ovens have a higher maximum temperature (450-500°F). Air fryers use a lower maximum temperature (typically 400°F).
You’ll normally cook food in an air fryer with a lower temperature than in an oven ( 350°F-370°F for example).
Air fryers, thanks to their size & cooking efficiency, use less electricity. Average models use about 1,000 to 1,300 watts. Ovens, however, often have a power rating of 2,500-3,000 watts.
It takes roughly half the time (or less) for an air fryer to reach its full preheat temperature. Convection ovens/traditional ovens often take around 10 minutes and have a great deal more air volume to heat.
Air fryers include the cooking container (food basket) which ovens don’t.
Food cooked in an air fryer is cooked by much more intense heat as the heating element is very close to the food.
Not only that, but air fryers with digital control features also provide preset buttons which make cooking common foods much easier than an oven.
On the other hand, more basic models are a much more economical way to get the same kind of food as you can cook in an oven. They’re a great choice if you’re usually only cooking food for yourself or a few people (like a small family).
Is an air fryer bad for your health?
Are air fryers healthy to use? Indeed they are! In fact, they offer the same quality oil-free cooking as a traditional convection oven but with reduced cost & hassle.
Because they cook air including crisping the surface of food using hot air, air fryers are a very healthy way to cook food.
You might not be aware of it but many fast food (and other) restaurants reuse dirty cooking oil for several days! That’s correct – when foods are fried you could be eating food contaminated with several day’s worth of food fat residue and other matter.
That’s one reason fried foods often have a dull, somewhat odd flavor. Fried foods with fresher shortening or oil are better in flavor but still aren’t as healthy.
Fried foods may be crispy and crunchy, but they’re saturated with oil inside and out! Unfortunately because of that, you’ll be eating a lot of fats or grease that just aren’t good for you can also cause you to put on the pounds.
Air fryers completely avoid all of this.
Buying an air fryer: Is it worth it?
That’s a good question – and my respect for asking the right question and being smart with your money!
Air fryers have both pros and cons vs other appliances like microwaves, for example:
Microwaves can cook food much faster (for heating) but can be terrible for foods that should be crunchy or crisp
Convection ovens can hold much more food like large frozen turkeys or trays of cookies or bread vs air fryers
Steamers are great for vegetables, but again can’t cook crisp foods
Overall, the pros far outweigh the cons vs other kinds of appliances in general.
Reasons why an air fryer is worth it
Air fryers are a great way to save money and can pay for themselves vs the cost of a traditional oven or dining out
Food cooked in an air fryer tastes great. In fact, some of the best foods like tater tots I’ve ever had I cooked in an air fryer!
They’re affordable. Some of the best models are less than $100 in fact.
You can choose one based on how many (or how few) features you need. Dial (non-digital) models vs those with digital controls.
They’re much better for warmed food quality than a microwave and crisp the outside of food. You can also use the warming feature to keep your lunch or dinner fresh until you’re able to eat.
Easy clean-up. Because fat, crumbs, and water drain into the lower basket section, everything’s easy to wash right out. The nonstick coating means it’s only a few minutes of washing with water, a sponge, and a few drops of soap and you’re done!
Healthy food without grease or oil. As I mentioned earlier, you can get nearly the same crispy & crunchy taste with your favorite foods without having to worry about nasty & unhealthy grease, oil, or fat.
I own several models and I’ve been really glad I bought them. In fact, I bought one for my mother as they make great gifts, too.
★ 4 of the best air fryers under $100 ★
Our top picks at a glance
Image
Product
Details
★OUR #1 PICK!★Omorc 6 Qt
Excellent all-round value! Cook more food in less time w/ 1800W power.
Unique rotary dial & moisture-resistant control panel.
Includes recipe book, acessories available. 2 yr warranty
1. Omorc 6 Quart 1800W – Cook more food in less time. Packed with features and a snap to use!
Want the best for your money, but still want to keep the price reasonable? The Omorc 6 quart air fryer with digital controls is our top pick for a long list of reasons.
Once you understand the fantastic features, capacity, and ease of you get it’s easy to see why!
Check out what you’ll get:
6 quart capacity feeds 2-8 people
The unique dial control makes cooking super easy
1800W of cooking power for great results
Durable nonstick coating in the food & drip basket
Water/food resistant touch control panel
Clear & easy to understand display
Food warming/reheating feature
2 year warranty
Available in 3 colors: black, green, and red
Choose from 3 great colors – here’s your chance to enjoy a fun choice for your home or apartment’s kitchen. Note that availability may vary.
Excellent controls
Unlike the competition, with the Omorc air fryer the unique dial control makes cooking a lot easier and hassle-free. Instead of having to use slow push buttons to change cooking times & temperatures, just dial it in – it’s a great feature I love.
One thing that really stands out to me is the rotary dial feature that you won’t find with most other brands.
While most brands use push buttons that can be slow and kind of annoying to use, with the dial you can quickly & easily dial in the right cooking time & temperature.
It’s a snap to use and becomes like second nature in only moments.
Great cooking capacity & easy-to-handle basket
The Omorc has one of the better food basket designs I’ve seen. To separate the drain from the basket, just slide the release guard (which helps prevents accidents) and push the button. Voila! The basket lifts right out for easy serving.
There’s no question you get some of the best food capacity & cooking power for your money – a generous 6 quarts!
While other brands in the same range or even higher off a smaller food capacity, the Omorc 6 quart can hold enough food to cook for your whole family.
A strong 1,800 watts of power makes it one of the most powerful air fryers sold today. It cooks well, cooks faster, and food is nice and tasty, too.
I’ve enjoyed the great results from everything like chicken wings to fries and even hamburgers – they turn out great.
Great features you’ll love
If the clear, simple controls and rotary dial weren’t enough, the Omorc’s design makes everyday cooking even easier! Choose from one of 7 presets to preload the correct time & temperature for perfect food every time.
It’s not short on features, either. As easy as the rotary dial is, why should you have to fiddle with the same routine every time you want to enjoy great food? Guess what – you don’t have to!
Choose one of 7 food cooking preset buttons to preload the air fryer with just the right cooking time & temperature for great results every time.
It works great, and I find it to be a real time & hassle saver. Cooking becomes like second nature and makes the routine so easy you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Want to reheat or keep food warm? Use the warm feature to keep your delicious food fresh.
Sticky fingers? No problem! Don’t worry – the moisture-resistant controls can handle it and make clean up as simple as wiping it away.
The controls are moisture-resistant, too, meaning you won’t have to worry with wet or sticky fingers when using the controls. Clean up is easy, too, as you can just wipe away fingerprints & residue.
Final thoughts
While I’m fond of some other brands I’ve tested (and own!), the Omorc won me over. It’s hands-down one of the best values I’ve come across and the cool rotary dial makes cooking a pleasure every time.
It’s powerful too – food cooks fast and very well – I was surprised how great chicken, hamburgers, and much more taste. Delicious!
The included recipe book is a nice touch too, although it could be a bit better (needs editing) and some brands offer a better cooking guide.
PROS:
Large 6 qt capacity feeds more
Unique rotary dial works great
Touch control buttons
Clear, simple display
Quiet operation
1,800W power
Recipes booklet included
Heating element guard protects against burns
7 cooking presets
Non-stick basket & drip pan
Safety basket guard & release button
Easy clean up
Super easy operation
3 color options
2 yr warranty
CONS:
Uses more counter space vs others
Instructions/recipe booklet needs editing
Heat released from bottom, not top (beware some surfaces)
Larger basket size is harder to shake food
Recipe book could be better/suggest more
Hands-down it’s one of the best air fryers under $100 I’ve had the pleasure to recommend. It’s powerful, really easy to use, and well-designed. I love it and you will too!
2. Cosori 3.7 quart 1500W digital – A top-selling, well-made model you’ll love. Good food doesn’t have to be hard!
Let me tell you, I own a Cosori 3.7 quart model and I love it!It’s one of today’s best air fryers for healthy, crispy food any time you like. It’s a breeze to use too and includes a great recipe booklet.
In fact, I love mine so much I gave one to dear old mom for Mother’s Day. How’s that for a recommendation.
Check out why it’s one of the best-selling models today:
3.7 quart capacity & 1500W power for great food
More food presets than others – 11 to choose from!
Moisture/food resistant control panel wipes clean
Built-in pause/shake reminder
Automatic stop/restart with basket removal
Durable nonstick basket coating
Easy basket separation and release safety guard
Food warming/reheating mode
High-quality 100 recipe booklet included
Cooking accessory set available
Handsome color options (black, white, red)
1 year warranty (option to extend 1 year)
Did I mention? It’s also one of the best-made you’ll find, too.
Choose your favorite of the 3 colors available for a wonderful complement to your kitchen & home.
Great features & controls
Controls are simple and straightforward – just use one of the 11 convenient presets or set the cooking time & temperature as recommended in the owner’s manual. Want to reheat last night’s dinner or keep food ready & fresh? Use the Keep Warm button and it’s a snap! During cooking the shake reminder tells you when to shake the food for best cooking.
It’s not lacking in features, that’s for sure! Controls are easy to understand and straightforward: use the cooking time & temperature buttons to adjust up to 400°F temperature and up to an hour (60 minutes) of cooking time.
Another great feature is the Keep Warm button. I’ve found it really helpful for warming refrigerated leftovers from the night before or keeping cooked food warm and fresh. It’s as easy as pushing a button!
No muss, no fuss! For some of the most common foods you love, just push a button and you’re off! The Cosori air fryer will load the correct cooking time & temperature for great results every time.
One thing that’s really helpful vs competitors is the number of cooking presets you get: 11 in total. While most offer a maximum of 7 or so at the most, that’s a nice advantage.
Power, cooking capacity, & basket features
With 1,500W of power it’s a very capable model and I’ve gotten great results every time.
In my honest opinion, the 3.7 qt capacity is pretty good and it’s enough for 2-4 people or so depending on your cooking needs.
For larger foods and bigger families, it might be worth spending the extra $20 or so to get the larger model (the larger 5.8 qt model Cosori Max XL offers 1700W).
Regardless, frozen foods cook very well in 25 minutes or so. Meats, fish, and popular sides like tater tots or french fries are amazing and delicious! I love how good my food tastes.
Unlike some other brands, Cosori’s cooking basket design is not only easier to deal with but safer, too. Removing the basket is easy & you won’t have to worry about accidents with hot food. There’s a push button release and a safety guard, too, to avoid mistakes.
The basket’s especially easy to deal with. Unlike some other models I’ve used, there’s a pretty cool design that’s unusual in that’s not just easier but safer too:
Avoid spilling hot foods: A sliding cover prevents accidentally pushing the basket release
Easy in, easy out: Just push the basket release button to unlock the basket. Unlike other brands the basket comes out easily with the handle.
Clean up is a breeze thanks to both the nonstick coating and easy access to the drip pan. It takes only a moment to wash with warm water and a drop or two of soap and you’re done.
Final thoughts
It’s a great buy for the money – no doubt about it. I really like the instructions & especially the recipe booklet, too, which has 100 detailed recipes for great food. It’s easy to use, reliable, and really clean up is a breeze.
It’s not as quiet as some others while it’s working, though, so be aware of that. Also, when not using one of the presets the shake reminder doesn’t work, so you’ll need to keep track of that yourself.
PROS:
Great food results w/ 1,500W power
Clear, moisture-resistant touch panel
Good build quality
Clear & easy controls
Built in shake reminder
11 food cooking presets
Basket separates easily with button
Easy clean up
Food warming/reheating mode
3.7 qt capacity can cook several servings
Includes 100 recipe booklet
Accessory set available
3 color options
Option to extend warranty by 1 yr
CONS:
Somewhat louder while cooking
1 yr warranty included vs 2 yrs of others
No shake reminder when using manual cook settings
Pricier than some competitors
No memory feature for storing custom settings
The Cosori air fryer is a smart choice that works well and delivers hot, delicious food you’ll love just like I do. If you’re shopping not just based on price but instead for quality, it’s a great one you shouldn’t pass up!
3. GoWise USA 3.7 quart 1,400W – An affordable value that’s hard to beat!
Need a more affordable option but don’t want to give up features? The GoWise USA 3.7 quart air fryer is a great compromise between price, features, and performance!
Check out what you’ll get for under $75:
Great 1,400W power for 170-400°F cooking
3.7 qt size hold enough for 1-2 meals
1-30 minutes cooking time
Durable nonstick basket coating make cleanup easy
Clear, easy controls & display
8 cooking presets including warm/reheat mode
4 color options (where available)
50 recipe booklet included
Compact size
1 year warranty
Choose from several great colors to suit your fancy. Even a nice Plum (purple) for something that matches your personality.
Features & controls
Controls are simple, clear, and easy to use. Use of 7 food presets to bring up the perfect cooking settings for your favorite foods. Push the warm button to reheat or keep food fresh & delicious until you’re ready to eat.
One of my favorite things about the GoWise is that it’s really easy to use:
Controls are very clear and well-labeled
Pick one of 7 food presets (or warm/reheat) for the perfect settings
Alternatively, adjust the temperature & time using the “-” & “+” buttons
You’ll see the fan indicator show you when it’s cooking and a 5-beep reminder will let you know when cooking is done.
You won’t get as many presets as with more expensive models, but it’s a compromise that comes with a more compact & less expensive model like this. Unlike the touch type of buttons some bigger models offer, the GoWise uses raised push buttons but in my experience, it works pretty well.
Not to worry if you get food on the controls while handling your meal: just wipe off the front with a moist towel and it’s clean.
Cooking basket, power, and more
No muss, no fuss! A great basket design means it’s a snap to handle food, serve it, and clean up later, too. Thanks to a smart design the food basket locks into place in the drip pan and separates
With a 3.7 quart capacity I had plenty of room for 12 wings (my favorite!), a medium-sized bag of french fries, and even two chicken breasts. It’s not enough for a full family but plenty enough for 1-2 or even a few more people.
(Note: A larger capacity 5.8 qt GoWise air fryer is available, too)
The basket design is pretty good, too. Like other better brands I’ve tried, there’s a nice locking feature which allows securing or removing the food basket from the drip pan.
Not only that, but it’s also really easy to serve foods like crispy fries or my favorite: tater tots. Just tilt the basket and pour.
The cooking power (1,400W) is higher than many competitors in its price range which surprised me.
It cooks really well, in fact – and there aren’t any undercooked food problems like you’ll get with the unknown brand air fryers you see in stores.
Final thoughts
It’s affordable, has good features, and it’s pretty compact too meaning it’ll take less counter space than others. Overall, it’s a good choice with only a few minor complaints.
Pure touch button controls & more food presets would be nice. Unlike other products like from Cosori, you’re limited to 30 minutes of cooking maximum vs 60. There’s also no built-in shake reminder offered either.
Regardless, those are pretty small gripes and don’t change my opinion: it’s a good value and a good performer worth checking out.
PROS:
Cooks well w/ 1,400W power
Great value for the money
Clear, moisture-resistant touch panel
Compact size (11.5 x 12.25 x 14 in.)
Simple & easy controls
Comfortable basket handle
7 food presets + warm mode
Basket separates easily with button
Easy clean up
3.7 qt capacity can cook several servings
Includes 50 recipe booklet
4 color options
CONS:
30 minute max. cook time
More limited 1 year warranty
No shake reminder feature
Push button controls vs touch controls of others
For less than $65-75, it’s a good one! It’s compact, powerful, easy to use, and more importantly, the food turns out nice & tasty! Want the best of both worlds – features and affordability? With the GoWise you can have it.
4. Dash Compact 1.6 qt (1.2L) 1000W – Affordable & reliable healthy cooking you can count on.
How about a choice that’s super-simple, reliable, and saves money? The Dash Compact air fryer is all of these and more for around $50 or less.
It’s a great little choice for people who want to spend less and don’t need the bells and whistles that more expensive models offer. If you don’t need to cook meals for a family, it’s just right!
What really makes me happy about the Dash Compact (besides that it’s also pretty darn nice looking) is that it’s so darn easy to use! It’s also about 1/2 the size of many of its competitors too.
Just add your food, set the temperature dial, adjust the timer dial, and you’re done!
While it’s good a classic, simple design, the features are pretty good for the money:
1,000W power gives great-tasting & crispy meals
Better value per dollar vs other brands
Reliable dial controls don’t need electronics
Takes up less space (only 10.2 × 8.1 × 11.4 in)
Auto-off timer prevents overcooking
Cool touch handle prevents burns
Durable nonstick finish in basket & drip pan
Power-on & cooking indicators
Available in 5 classic & sleek colors
Includes clear instructions & 15+ recipe booklet
Simple, reliable controls
It doesn’t get any easier than this! Just rotate the temperature & timer dials and you’ll have hot, delicious, and crispy food in a handful of minutes. With no electronic controls to worry about, you’ll get years of reliable use.
Let me be honest: while I do love electronics (who doesn’t?), there’s something to be said for non-digital electromechanical controls like the Dash compact offers.
They’re ultra-reliable, with years of foolproof reliability. They’re also so easy a child can do it!
The Dash offers not just affordability but also ultra-simple and super-reliable operation that’s as easy as rotating the dials. That’s it!
Select from 170 to 400°F temperature range and 1-30 minutes of cooking time.
Power & cooking quality
While you might think that with 1,000W vs the higher power of more expensive models is a drawback, it’s not. Since it’s a more compact air fryer the power is plenty and food turns out great!
I’ve gotten great results with wings, shrimp, cheese sticks, and much more. Food is hot, fresh, and crispy – delicious!
With a maximum of 30 minutes with the cooking timer, once the timer runs out the unit shuts off automatically so there’s no danger of overcooking or an accident.
With the 1.6 qt capacity, 12 wings or 1/2 bag of potatoes are no problem.
Basket features and easy cleanup
Example of how fats & grease are caught in the drip pan after use. To clean up, you’ll remove the basket (food) tray from the pan and wash it with warm soap & water.
Clean up is easy once you’re done, although unlike some other models, unfortunately, there’s no easy release design that pulls a food basket from the drip pan with the handle. Instead, the food “basket” is a tray you remove by hand.
While not quite as convenient, it’s not hard and clean up is easy. Before removing the tray it’s easy to pour foods like french fries & wings directly onto a plate using the handle.
Clean up is easy! Just wash using a cloth or soft sponge and warm water with soap.
Final thoughts
It’s a great little affordable air fryer – perfect for 1-2 people, whether at work, home, or your college dorm. Food turns out very nicely and is tasty & crispy just like you love.
While fancier features are nice, what makes the Dash Compact great is the simple & reliable dial controls that won’t let you down. It’s amazingly easy to use, too.
The one downside is the basket design as there’s no quick-release button like with other models. However, in practice, it’s not a big drawback and doesn’t take away from a very nice little air fryer I’ve enjoyed using.
PROS:
Cooks well w/ 1,000W power
Affordable & well-made
Ultra-simple use
Compact size (10 x 8.1 x 11.4 in.)
Lightweight design
Shuts off automatically
Handle stays cool
Power & cooking indicators
Simple basket design
Easy clean up
Good for 1-2 people
Includes 15+ recipe booklet
5 color options
1 year warranty
CONS:
30 minute max. cook time
More limited 1 year warranty
No shake reminder feature
Recipe booklet has fewer cooking ideas
I’ve grown to love the simplicity and small size of the Dash Compact. It’s a great little air fryer & perfect for work and people with smaller cooking needs.
At around $50 or so, it’s a good buy, too. You’ll love it as much as I have!
Want to make the perfect food but don’t know how? Check out my helpful articles showing you exactly how long to cook foods in an air fryer plus other tips:
Yeah, shrimp is great. But have you ever noticed how many restaurants give you greasy, bland shrimp when you eat out? To make matters even worse, the cost really adds up, too!
There’s got to be a better way. As it turns out there is – and it’s easy if you know what to do! In my detailed how-to guide, I’ll show you how (and for how long) to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer.
I’ll cover some of the most popular shrimp types many people love:
Frozen breaded shrimp (popcorn, butterfly, and coconut)
Frozen raw shrimp
Read on to find out how to get crunchy and delicious shrimp at home. Anyone can do it!
Infographic – How to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer
Quick summary: How to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer
It’s really easy if you know how – but it’s also important to know a few basic things before you get started. That helps avoid undercooking or overcooking (and wasting) shrimp meals. Here are a few quick facts to get you started:
Basic tips for cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer
Preheat the air fryer – Typically you’ll just need to let the air fryer run at the cooking temperature for about 3-5 minutes depending on your model. Warm at the recommended cooking temperature (350°F for breaded shrimp, 370°F for raw shrimp).
Place the shrimp in the basket – For best results, shake the container to even them out inside. This helps them get the best exposure to the hot cooking air as it works. Covered shrimp won’t cook as well. For raw shrimp, you don’t need to thaw them first like some packages may mention. Straight from the package is fine.
(Optional) Lightly coat breaded shrimp with a cooking spray for crispness. Just like with french fries & potatoes, feel free to lightly coat the pieces before cooking. Canola oil is a good choice.
Cooking – For breaded shrimp, cook at 350°F with the timer set to 12 minutes. For raw shrimp, cook at 370°F set to 6 minutes. For breaded shrimp, after 6 minutes shake the container a bit to rotate and expose the uncooked sides or use tongs. Reapply cooking spray if you like.
Time to eat! You can serve both breaded or raw shrimp right away. Breaded shrimp should be slightly browned and very crunchy. Don’t overcook raw shrimp, as it can make peeling hard (the shell will be stuck a bit to the shrimp inside). Enjoy with your favorite sauce or sides!
The great thing about using an air fryer for shrimp that it’s both more time & energy-efficient than using a standard oven. Also, unlike a microwave oven, it will crisp the outside for the crunchiness you can only get otherwise with greasy fried foods.
Note that while most packages call for cooking breaded shrimp at 450°F, that’s not necessary with an air fryer, since the heat is more intense and cooking is more efficient for its size.
Note: In this article, I’ll be showing the results of using both a digital and a standard air fryer to make sure I cover the 2 different types people may use.
How & why to preheat your air fryer
Preheating an air fryer is important for great cooking! Top: Models like this Cosori 3.7 quart model have a preheat button which makes it simple. Bottom: For regular models with a dial or similar controls, set the cooking temperature then the timer for about 5 minutes.
Much like with regular ovens, to get your air fryer ready it’s best to preheat it to the cooking temperature before you start cooking. But why exactly is that?
There are several reasons why you should preheat your air fryer:
It gets the electric heating element hot and ready to use
Internal surfaces that touch & cook food are hot and ready to work properly
Preheating avoids a warm-up delay that would happen otherwise
Air fryer manufacturers recommend doing so because it gets it ready to start cooking right away – it’s preheated and ready to go. It starts you off immediately cooking you won’t have to figure out the extra time needed if you started with a cold air fryer.
It’s sort of like how you warm up a cold vehicle in the wintertime before driving it.
Preheating means proper cooking
For food that’s heated properly and cooks well, you’ll need to let your air fryer warm up. Doing this allows your meals to cook consistently and reliably.
It’s true that air fryers are small and don’t take as long as larger traditional ovens do. However, they still need a few minutes before they’re ready.
How to preheat your air fryer
I recorded preheating times needed to get my air fryers ready before cooking frozen raw and breaded shrimp. I found out that they actually reach the cooking temperature before 5 minutes. However, the air fryer self needs the extra time (4-5 minutes total) to get completely ready. When properly hot, food will start cooking as soon as it touches the basket inside.
It’s super easy to preheat an air fryer! There are just a few small differences, however, depending on what kind you own.
You’ll do it one of 2 ways:
Digital controls/push button models: These often have a preheat button. When used, the unit will heat itself for the time required then turn off. You can also set the temperature and cooking time manually to do the same thing. (Note: Some models may use a bit less time to preheat with automatic settings, which is fine).
Air fryers with dial controls can be set to the cooking temperature then set for 5 mins cooking time. When the timer is done you’re ready to add food and start the cooking process.
For both kinds, a good rule of thumb is to set the timer for 5 minutes for enough preheating. For the preheat temperature itself, use the cooking temperature you need.
For frozen shrimp use:
370°F for frozen raw shrimp
350°F for frozen breaded shrimp (popcorn, butterfly, and coconut – all types)
Getting your shrimp ready to cook
Getting frozen shrimp ready for cooking is easy and fast! It only takes a few seconds and will help make sure your shrimp turn out crunchy from even cooking. Add the frozen shrimp to the air fryer basket and spread them out to allow as much exposure to the hot cooking air as possible (don’t pile them on each other). For breaded shrimp, just like other foods are normally fried in oil you can lightly spray with cooking oil for better crisping.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, it really is super easy to make delicious shrimp without the nastiness of fried foods. There are a few simple things I recommend for best results, though:
Add the frozen shrimp (raw or breaded) to the fryer basket. If you’ve got a big container of them, be sure you don’t pile them above the top edge of the container.
Shake the basket container until the pieces even out. That is, shake them until they spread out a bit and don’t cover each other. This helps them cook better as they get even exposure to the hot air that cooks them (This is really important if you’re cooking a full meal’s worth of shrimp).
Optionally coat breaded shrimp with a light cooking spray. Since frozen shrimp are more enjoyable when they’re crunchy and browned slightly, you can help them crisp better by using a light cooking oil before you start the timer. Spray them lightly until they look slightly wet. I use an inexpensive, healthy canola oil spray.
Place the fryer basket back inside the air fryer.
It’s not as much of a problem with raw shrimp but still important to avoid letting the pieces cover each other up. That’s because when cooking in an air fryer, sides of the shrimp that are covered won’t be able to fully cook.
Food that’s covered won’t be heated enough by the hot cooking air inside. Leaving the shrimp in a stack or piled inside is a bad idea and you won’t get the fantastic results I did.
That’s one reason I recommend shaking them a bit or using your fingers to move them out evenly
Remember: after preheating, the fryer basket will be hot. Avoid touching it with your hands or wrists when adding your food.
Using a cooking spray with your air fryer
Use your air fryer often? I recommend keeping a healthy & inexpensive cooking spray handy. It works great for getting excellent results for crunch foods – especially those like french fries, tater tots, and cheese sticks.
Like I mentioned above, using a cooking spray is a great idea. It’s not required for cooking crunchy shrimp (they’ll still be crunchy and tasty!) but it’s great for helping them brown and crisp a bit more.
The same is true not only for frozen shrimp but also chicken wings, tater tots, french fries, and many other great foods you’ll want to cook in your air fryer. It’s a tip I picked up from my Cuisinart air fryer & toaster oven owner’s manual.
You don’t need much, and if you’re like me you love to get the best for your cooking effort so it’s a great idea to keep some ready.
I recommend canola oil as it’s healthy and only costs around $2.
How long should I cook frozen raw shrimp?
To get the best results, I carefully cooked frozen raw shrimp and measured the cooking times. In both cases, I got good results at 370°F after 6 minutes, just as mentioned in the Cosori air fryer’s owner’s manual.
Since raw shrimp are a bit different from breaded shrimp, it’s important to understand that you can’t cook them for the same amount of time. To get the best info to help you I carefully cooked a serving in each of my 2 types of air fryers.
I measured the time needed (as suggested by the owner’s manual of my Cosori air fryer) and how they turned out. I also cooked them for slightly longer too as a test.
Here’s what I found out for cooking large frozen raw shrimp:
Don’t worry about thawing them out first, even if it’s mentioned on the package. They’ll cook great without it!
Cooking for 6 minutes provides good results. You can tell they’re ready by the insides turning slightly pink (unlike the original pale color with a bit of gray-blue inside).
Don’t overcook them! After 6 minutes, the shell is easy to peel off. If you cook them too long (let’s say 9 minutes) the shrimp dries out a bit and they’re harder to peel and eat.
Unlike breaded shrimp, you won’t need to shake or turn them halfway through cooking.
You can always be sure how well food is cooked by using a digital food thermometer. As you can see here, after 6 minutes my shrimp was well-done as it had reached a temperature of 165°F or above.
I got good results by cooking them at 370°F for 6 minutes. I wouldn’t recommend going past 7 minutes.
Closeup of what raw shrimp look like after being cooked well. They’re slightly white-pink on the inside and slightly browned on the outside shell. The shell should be easy to remove, too. Tasty shrimp, ready to go!
Once the 6 minutes are up, they’re ready to serve right away! Add your favorite side dish and sauce, then enjoy delicious, fresh, hot shrimp!
Mine were very good and rivaled what I paid a lot more money for in restaurants.
Here’s the result: Wonderful fresh, hot, and tasty restaurant-style shrimp at a fraction of the cost! I served mine with air fryer cooked hash browns and healthy mixed vegetables. Add the perfect sauce (cocktail or tartar sauce) and you’ve got a great meal!
As a side note, you may find it helpful to keep some serving tongs handy when dealing with hot & fresh food.
How long should I cook breaded shrimp and coconut shrimp?
Shown: Cooking times for some of the most popular frozen breaded shrimp kinds people enjoy. In each case, I cooked the shrimp and measured the time needed to get a delicious and crunchy breaded shrimp taste.
For breaded shrimp, I used 3 different kinds that are some of the most popular based on my research. In each case, I cooked them for different times and temperatures, measuring the time used for the best results.
Here are the 3 kinds of frozen breaded shrimp I cooked:
Butterfly shrimp
Popcorn shrimp
Coconut shrimp
For this article, I used 3 kinds of delicious breaded shrimp seen here.
Coconut shrimp is just like other kinds of breaded shrimp with the addition of coconut for a different taste. Popcorn shrimp are small and bite-size while butterfly shrimp are larger.
All use breading on the outside and cook the same way in an air fryer.
How long to cook coconut shrimp, popcorn shrimp, and butterfly breaded frozen shrimp
Here are the steps and time needed for cooking fantastic tasting frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer:
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F as mentioned earlier.
Add the shrimp, placing them as evenly as possible in the basket for good hot air exposure in the basket.
(Optional) For better crisping, lightly spray with cooking oil as shown above.
Set the timer for 12 minutes and cook at 350°F.
After 6 minutes, quickly remove the basket and shake or turn the shrimp pieces to expose the uncooked side. Put the basket back in place and continue cooking. Coat with cooking spray on the newly exposed sides if you’re using it.
Let’s eat! After the timer expires, they’re done. Serve immediately and enjoy a great meal!
Don’t forget to shake and turn them over!
When cooking frozen breaded shrimp it’s important to turn them over halfway through cooking. This exposes the lesser-cooked bottom sides of the pieces to hot air. You can shake them to do this, although I recommend using a fork or even better, tongs. Don’t forget to spray cooking oil again if you’re using it.
It’s important to remember to turn over or shake the shrimp halfway through cooking (when 6 minutes have passed) for the best results. That’s because the bottom of the shrimp pieces won’t have the same amount of heating and cooking as the top sides.
You’ll want to turn over the shrimp by shaking the basket or using a utensil like a fork or tongs.
Note: Frozen shrimp may leave water in the cooking basket that can spill if you shake it. For that reason, I recommend using tongs or something like that to gently turn the pieces over to avoid spills.
If you’re using a cooking spray for more crisping, now’s the time to spray it again on the formerly bottom sides (now turned up) and start the cooking again.
Cook for the remaining time left (6 minutes).
Dinner’s served! Once the air fryer timer is finished, feel free to serve your meal while it’s hot. I highly recommend adding a favorite sauce or even ketchup can be a great choice.
Once the full 12 minutes are done, you’re ready! Serve with your favorite sauce (I recommend trying ketchup with breaded shrimp).
How is good is air fryer frozen breaded shrimp?
Air fryer shrimp is excellent when cooked well! I was very happy with the results: all the crunchy breaded shrimp taste without the bad fryer shortening aftertaste like from restaurant food. It’s not just healthier but cheaper to make at home, too.
I have to say the results were great! My shrimp tasted wonderful and had a nice, crunchy outside – without the nasty greasiness you’ll get in a restaurant.
Regardless of which kind of breaded shrimp or type of air fryer (digital or standard), 12 minutes at 350°F gave the same excellent results.
You may find it helpful to use tongs or a fork instead of turning the basket on its side when serving them, though.
Air fryer breaded shrimp has a great crunchy, crispy taste you’ll enjoy. Your shrimp will be slightly browned on the outside when finished cooking.
While it’s nice that fried shrimp cooks quickly (about 3-5 minutes in restaurant fryer machines), it’s cooked in dirty grease which is sometimes reused several days.
From personal experience, I can tell you it definitely affects the flavor and is unpleasant. The biggest advantage of air fryer shrimp is not just that it’s healthier, but also that it’s completely without any problem that comes with fried foods.
I was really happy with how mine tasted and I’m sure you’ll love it just as much.
Clean up & last notes
There isn’t much leftover to clean after cooking, but there is a bit you’ll need to wash up afterward. Top: Frozen raw shrimp will leave a dry residue that can be cleaned easily with warm soapy water and a sponge. Bottom: Breaded shrimp will leave both crumbs and a bit of oil, too. Both take only moments to wash up.
The great news is that there’s nearly no work involved cleaning your air fryer after cooking shrimp.
For example, raw shrimp will leave a dry residue that can be wiped away with a soft sponge and warm water. Breaded shrimp leave a very small amount of crumbs and oil behind.
In both cases, it’s only a matter of seconds to wash up and you’re done.
Cleanup is fast and easy. Just quickly run a bit of warm water, add a drop or two of dishwashing detergent, and clean with a non-scratch cleaner like a soft sponge to avoid damaging the nonstick finish.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to wash up the fryer basket when you’re done. If it’s left alone for a day or two bacteria can begin to thrive and the smell is awful! Take my advice and wash up as soon as you can so you don’t forget.
When cleaning a fryer basket, always use a non-scratch cleaner like a soft sponge to avoid damaging the nonstick coating inside.
More air fryer cooking guides
Shrimp is great, but there’s a ton of other fantastic foods you can make with your air fryer.
Check out my other helpful how-to air fryer cooking guides:
After having to deal with dust and other air quality issues, I picked up a GermGuardian AC4825 of my own. It wasn’t hard to find – after all, it’s one of the most popular purifiers sold today.
In my GermGuardian AC4825 review I’ll help you decide if it’s a good buy or not. I own it and I’ve put it through its paces personally.
I’d love to help you make the best buying decision for your money and experience better air at home just like I have. Believe me when I say a good air purifier is a great buy – but you’ve got to shop wisely.
GermGuardian AC4825 Air Purifier Review - Honest Review
Unpacking & first impressions
Packaging
My AC4825 arrived quickly and after removing it from the shipping box, inside was a purifier I’d come to love soon enough. It’s well-packaged and the owner’s manual is placed right on top to be sure you find it easily. Eco-friendly recycled corrugated cardboard is used for the packaging and it’s easy to unbox. We’re off to a great start!
I’m no stranger to air purifiers and home air quality products, so I didn’t think I would get excited about another air purifier. It turned out I was wrong.
For some reason, it was still fun to pick up my AC4825 from the UPS Store for the first time and unbox it. What is it really like, I wondered? How well does it work?
It arrived well-packaged and features recycled cardboard inserts that hold it in place. The owner’s manual is right on top so you can’t miss it when opening it up the first time.
Build quality and fit & finish
After opening and unpacking it (which consisted of removing the corrugated cardboard inserts – styrofoam isn’t used with this one) I finally to check it out and turn it on!
The AC4825 is built with a solid, good-feeling ABS plastic body and has a nice low-gloss black finish. The top features a matte silver finish with a satin black top section surrounding the controls.
I didn’t get any kind of impressions of it having any poor-quality construction or any similar flaws. It looks good, and honestly, I’m happy with it.
Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of shiny finishes on products like this, so it’s a relief that it doesn’t stand out in a flashy way in the rooms I’ve used it in.
I have to say it’s well put together and well-made. Parts line up well, are tightly assembled, and there aren’t noticeable gaps or quality control issues to speak of.
Overall, it looks like it cost more than I spent.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that gaps and misaligned parts are a sign of build issues. There’s none of that here.
Checking out the controls
Operating the AC4825 is extremely easy. In the picture above, you can see 1) the 3-speed fan control, and 2) the ultraviolet-light (UV-C) germ killing feature button switch.
The fan control feels great, and the switching is somewhere between a “soft” feel and a firm feel. It’s not too light, and yet not too hard to turn. I’m pretty happy with it, because it doesn’t feel like you’re going to miss position #2 and skip over to #3, for example.
The fan switch is actually quiet in operation and smooth to use.
The ultraviolet light (UV-C) germ killing feature
The AC4825, like several other GermGuardian air purifier models, features a bulb and titanium-oxide germ killing feature which radiates germs passing through it and renders them inactive by affecting their molecular and protein structures.
However, you’ll have to manually turn on this option.
To do so, the purifier must be at least in position #1 (low speed) before the control will work. You can tell it’s on by the glowing blue trim around the body as pictured here.
When activated, you’ll see the small, thin light strip on the base of the silver decorative top glow blue from inside. Don’t worry though – you’re not in any danger from exposure to ultraviolet light. It’s safely contained inside.
I like how this feature is used as a decorative accent when active. That’s a nice touch!
One complaint I have, however, is that once it’s in use, switching the purifier off then on again won’t re-activate the feature.
You’ll have to do so manually, as there’s no memory feature (unlike some competitors) to restore the setting the next time you switch it on.
While not a “deal-breaker”, that’s a small detail to be aware of.
If you’re not already familiar with it, it’s helpful to understand more about the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) standard used by the industry. This is a voluntary lab-tested rating of an air purifier’s cleaning ability.
The AC4825’s CADR ratings are shown here.
The AHAM is an organization that verifies the testing results of home appliances & performs lab testing for appliance manufacturers although it’s not required by law.
In simple terms, it’s a rating used to help you know before buying an air purifier’s effectiveness. The rating numbers mean “higher is better” as they’re lab tested using a series of tests to measure their air cleaning effectiveness.
In the case of this model, the specs are good and you’re assured you’re getting proven performance.
Size and thoughts on using a “tower” purifier
At nearly 22″ in height, it’s not a small device. “Tower” air purifiers are simply those that are taller and don’t have a low-profile design and stand tall on the floor.
They’re taller due to having more fans to provide more airflow.
It’s important to make sure you have enough room before buying. A great place is near a door and not backed into a corner in the room.
Be sure to give it lots of room (about 2 feet in front and back) as it needs space to circulate air efficiently.
Carrying the purifier
One thing I like is being able to carry it easily from place to place at home using the built-in carrying handle area. At the rear of the top, there’s a recessed area where your fingers have plenty of room to pick it up securely.
It’s a nice touch I didn’t notice at first bout after moving it around to find the ideal place in my home, I found it handy.
AC4825 power use measurements
Pictured: I measured power use (in Watts) for all 4 recordings (3 speeds plus off). I recorded power meter readings both with and without the UV-C feature switched on. Overall, it uses a relatively small amount and it’s not an energy hog at all.
How many watts does the AC4825 use?
Unfortunately, the owner’s manual doesn’t go into detail about energy for the various modes you can use.
Rather than guess, I measured power use in Watts for all speed settings with and without the UV-C feature switched on. Note that the UV-C option uses about 4W of power (larger models use 8W).
Mode
Power Use, UV-C Off
Power Use, UV-C On
Off
0
0
High
46.4W
50.6W
Medium
42.2W
46.4W
Low
38.6W
42.7W
Overall, it doesn’t use much power at any setting although it’s a bit more efficient on high or medium. For those speeds, the fan is running faster and you’ll get faster air cleaning. The drawback is a bit more noise.
As the UV-C feature uses only about 4W, there’s no need to worry if leaving it on all the time will affect your energy bill.
Air cleaning ability & performance
My purifier’s filter (the FLT4825 filter that’s installed at the factory) trapped a HUGE amount of dust! You can prolong the pre-filter life by vacuuming off excessive dust or hair as needed, which I did. Dust is a really big air quality problem in my home and the AC4825 made a big difference when in use.
I’ve let it run all day while at work so I could come home to fresh, clean air, and it works well. Where I live I have to suffer every day from heavy dust which I absolutely hate!
The purifier’s filter picked up a HUGE amount of dust and did well to relieve my problems, in addition to capturing light odors well, too.
As far as odor absorption performance goes, it’s not on par with more expensive models like the Winix 5500-2, but it’s pretty good for everyday needs in my opinion.
The thing to remember is that air purifiers work by cycling air in a room and it takes time to cycle & filter the entire room’s air.
GermGuardian AC4825 square feet coverage and room size
This model is recommended for room sizes that are medium in size. That being said, there’s absolutely no reason it can’t be used in a small room!
You’ll find that it cleans the air even faster in that case.
It’s sized for rooms about 167 square feet in size which is roughly a 10 x 16.5 ft room. Bear in mind that this is an approximate size used – it doesn’t have to be used in a room exactly that size.
When used in larger rooms the amount of time required to fully cycle and clean the air increases depending on the amount of space inside the room.
Filter ability
The AC4825’s HEPA filter (seen here) section is made up of a folded, dense fiber material. A second section, the pre-filter/activated carbon filter is responsible for trapping larger particles as well as odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. It’s capable of excellent filtering ability and works well. The filter can capture nearly 100% of all particulates in its airflow down to 0.3 microns in size!
The high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is fantastic for removing the most common air quality issues (especially those that cause allergies!).
Here’s the basic list of air contaminants the AC4825 can remove:
Pet dander
Pet hair (thanks to the pre-filter)
Dust mite allergens
Pollen
Dust
Home construction particles
Smoke residue
Smoke odors
Chemical and organic odors
Chemical vapors
Essentially, this is a 2-stage filter assembly made up of 2 parts: the pre-filter/activated carbon filter and an extra 2nd section, the HEPA filter, for a total of 3 filters.
The pre-filter section is a less dense & thin section covering the active carbon filter. Its job it to capture larger items in the air like pet hair, dust, and so on before they reach the HEPA filter.
The active carbon filter traps odors and other chemical substances in the air.
Finally, the HEPA filter captures an amazing 99.97% of particles passing through it down to 0.3 microns in size. That’s less than 1/1,000,000 of a meter!
That means it’s capable of capturing elements that are much smaller than you can see with your eye (microscopic).
It’s a great filter and works well. I noticed fresher air soon after using it for the first time, and I’m pleased with it.
The UV-C germ killing feature
By touching the UV button on top, you switch on the germ killing feature. It’s a great addition not found in many competing products.
It’s also perfectly silent and doesn’t cause any noise or produce any side effects.
When on, the blue trim on the base of the silver top section glows blue to show the bulb is working. The technology works using the science of ultraviolet light (UV) to affect microbes in the air, coupled with titanium dioxide to remove airborne contaminants.
As stated in the owner’s manual:
UV-C LIGHT UV-C light technology works with filters to enhance the elimination of airborne germs. Titanium Dioxide is activated by the UV-C light to decompose the remaining odor molecules caused by smoking, cooking, and pets.Author
Essentially, air passing through has the UV light irradiating into it and microbes in the air are destroyed. It can help prevent sickness and other respiratory problems caused by germs.
Does the AC4825 produce ozone?
Some people wonder if air purifiers can cause headaches. As I explain more in this post, an air purifier that uses a filter to clean the air doesn’t produce emissions to cause unwanted effects.
The UV-C option is completely enclosed and you’re in no danger of skin UV exposure. The AC4825 is perfectly safe and healthy as it does not produce unsafe ozone levels.
In fact, it produces 1/20th of the level considered acceptable by the Health Canada Guideline 2010 based on exposure levels & time considered acceptable.
You’re perfectly safe and won’t have to worry about ozone while using it.
Filter & UV bulb replacement indicators & cost
Replacement indicator lights
The purifier features a helpful way of indicating when it’s time to check and possibly replace the filters. After about 6 months of use, the green LED near the fan switch will blink red to indicate this (see the chart below).
If your filter has had very light use and isn’t heavily used, you can reset the indicator by holding the UV-C button for 5 seconds.
In the case of replacement for the UV-C feature’s bulb, the blue light will blink.
Blinking Light Type
Meaning
Blinking blue light
(UV-C glow trim blinking) UV bulb needs replacement
Red blinking light
The filter needs check/replacement
Filter life and costs
The FLT4825 is the genuine replacement filter from GermGuardian. It includes both the HEPA filter and an active carbon filter section, too. While the genuine replacement filter is only around $30+, you can save money by buying 3rd party replacement filters.
Expect to replace a filter after about 6-8 months; however, this depends greatly on use. For example, if you’re a smoker or have indoor pets you can expect to replace the filter when reminded.
For situations where the air quality demands are lower you’ll get even more life out of it.
Filter replacement is easy and only takes a few seconds. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it is.
It’s just a few simple steps:
Press down on the release tab on the rear cover
Pull the cover down and out (there are 2 tabs on the bottom which rest in tab slots)
Using your fingers, pull the filter out and down to remove it
Replace filter using the opposite motion
Insert the cover’s tabs in the base
Swing the cover up and snap the release tab back in place
…and you’re done! I’ve demonstrated this in my video review as well, so be sure to watch that if you’re interested.
UV-C bulb replacement & pricing
UV bulb replacement is pretty straightforward. The owner’s manual clarifies what you’ll need to do for bulb replacement (which is typically after 10-12 months). You’ll need a Phillips screwdriver (not included) to remove 2 screws, unplug the old bulb, and insert then a new one. Overall, it’s pretty simple to do, so don’t worry about it. Additionally, if you rarely use the feature you’ll never have to do it, anyway.
The GermGuardian replacement UV bulb #LB4000. Expect to pay around $25 or so for one when replacing it. The company’s life rating is 10-12 months, although a few owners have reported shorter life (which unfortunately is a problem with many bulbs in general).
Replacement bulbs cost about $25. To replace the bulb, you’ll need a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the rear metal bulb cover. It’s accessible once you’ve removed the filter after opening the cover.
Once the metal cover is removed you simply slide out the old bulb and replace it with a new one. Overall, it’s easy to do.
The bulb is rated at 10-12 months of life expectancy, although a few owners have reported that their bulbs died after only a few months.
The owner’s manual
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the purifier included a solid, well-made owner’s manual with clear instructions and helpful information. Basic information like replacing the filter, UV bulb servicing, and user operation is clearly explained.
After unboxing my new purifier I reviewed the instructions and found the owner’s manual to be very clear and helpful. It is provided in English, French, and Spanish. At only 20 pages long, it’s fairly concise, but it’s good. The manual tells you the basics you need:
How to operate your purifiers
The indicator lights (power, air filter replacement reminder, and UV light bulb replacement)
Replacement filter model specifications
Power consumption
Specifications: size, weight, and square feet coverage
The English section is very clear and helpful. It contains 12 pages of information you’ll want to review before operating it, but honestly? This model is so easy and hassle-free to use you won’t need instructions though, honestly!
Don’t worry, I won’t leave any of the specifications off – I’ll provide them below.
The manufacturer claims that the unit has low noise during use and in my testing I found it to be mostly true.
Low speed (#1) is indeed fairly quiet, and suitable for sleeping if you’re a light sleeper like me
Medium (#2) is not very loud. It’s hardly noticeable at all if I’m watching YouTube or listening to music
High (#3) has a moderate level of noise and can be masked by the sound of your TV or radio. However, it’s fairly noticeable but not loud.
The high setting is especially helpful for fast and maximum cleaning of contaminated air. Smoke, dust, and more come to mind.
It’s honestly very quiet and I’ve found it pleasant-sounding when in use. While not as quiet during low-speed like a few competitors such as the Levoit LV-H132, I’m happy with it.
The main reason that the AC4825 is a few decibels louder is that it has not one but 2 fan sections and produces a bit more sound. Two fans move much more air than 1 and therefore, of course, add a little bit more noise than one alone.
That’s a trade-off when using a more powerful purifier like this.
I do have one minor gripe: while in operation, and although it’s fairly quiet, there’s a characteristic sound these devices produce.
Because of the dual-fan section design as well as both the motor and its electrical drive, the combination of these factors causes it to produces a “whirring” noise while in use. The noise isn’t annoying or bothersome in my opinion, but it’s something to be aware of beforehand.
Night brightness
The top-facing power-on LED is a green soft-glow type of indicator. It’s not too bright, but still slightly noticeable in the dark. The blue glow is produced when the UV-C feature is switched on isn’t very bright, but the human eye is more sensitive to blue light.
For that reason, my opinion is that for many people it will be fine, but if you’re especially sensitive to light when concentrating on a task on sleeping it could be an issue.
In that case, I recommend leaving the UV turned off during those times or moving it out of the way where you can’t notice it.
Not to worry though: the light brightness isn’t enough to “light up a room” or something unacceptable like that. Instead, it has a soft glow that’s not a problem in my opinion.
The AC4825 vs AC4900CA – A cool looking twin worth checking out
The AC4825 (left) has a cool-looking twin, the AC4900CA (right). It’s identical in features and performance. Interestingly enough, sometimes one model is priced lower than the other and you can save a few dollars!
You might not know this, but the AC4825 has a sibling called the AC4900CA, which is identical in performance, features, and specifications.
It’s well worth considering, as while not as popular as its counterpart it has the same great quality and is otherwise identical.
AC4825 vs AC5000 comparison
The “big brother” to the AC4825, the AC5000E is nearly identical except for room size coverage and the UV-C bulb. It’s a great addition to your home as well. Be sure to check out my detailed comparison if you’re interested in the AC4825 but have a large room!
In case you’re not familiar with it, the AC5000 is almost identical except for its size (near 28″ tall) and better room coverage. It too is an excellent large-room air purifier and is recommended for rooms up to 193 square feet in size (med.-large).
The closest rival to the AC4825, in my opinion, is the Honeywell HPA100. It offers some features the GermGuardian doesn’t, although it’s lacking in a few areas. It’s also available in a white version. Room size coverage is 155 sq. ft.
In my opinion, the AC4825 is a solid, well-built, and easy to use purifier. However, there’s no shortage of competition. Although it can’t come close to the popularity of the AC4825, the Honeywell HPA100 is a solid contender with about the same room size coverage.
As I’ve reviewed several other Honeywell models like the HPA160 you see here, I can’t verify their quality and they’re pleasant to use.
Some of the features the HPA100 offers that the AC4825 doesn’t are:
Electronic touch controls
A Turbo high-speed setting
Auto-off timer
However, there’s no germ killing feature offered. That’s absent in the Honeywell HPA series of purifiers, and it’s a shame. You’ll also pay a few dollars less for the GermGuardian model as well.
Additionally, the pre-filter in the HPA series is a little bit more thin than the GermGuardian family uses. The touch controls of the HPA100 are nice to have but to be honest, I’ve haven’t missed them at all.
I still use my AC4825 regularly and find it so simple and easy to use…it’s still one of my favorites! However, if having an auto-off timer is an important feature for you, it’s worth your while to check out the impressive reviews for the HPA100 at Amazon today.
Review summary
Honestly, I’ve got very little to complain about with the AC4825. It cleans the air well, it’s extremely simple to use, and it’s quiet. I love it!
The AC4825 makes enjoying clean, fresh air easy and affordable.
A well-performing air purifier that you'll be glad to own. No wonder it's one of the best-selling models today.
The GermGuardian AC4825 is a no-frills tower air purifier with simple operation and good air cleaning ability. It lacks a few fancier features when compared to more expensive models, but it’s a better value. Room coverage (med. rooms, 155 sq ft) is better than many similarly priced competitors.
Quality and build are very good; maintenance is easy to perform. It’s a quiet and pleasant-sounding purifier in my testing. The prefilter/HEPA filters work well to remove airborne particulates and odors. The UV-C feature is a bonus germ-killing option. One of the best-selling air purifiers available today, it’s a solid, sensible choice for fresher air.
Pros
Great air coverage for its price range
AHAM Verified & Energy Star Certified
True HEPA filter + prefilter/carbon filter
Easy to operate
UV-C feature kills germs
Carry handle built-in
Filter & UV replacement reminders
3-year warranty
Maintenance is easy to perform
Low operational noise
White version available
Prefilter/carbon filter separately replaceable
Cons
UV-C feature has no memory feature
No auto mode or auto-off timer feature
Blue glowing trim could be noticeable to some with high sensitivity
Tall height may not be suitable for all users
Rotary manual control fan speed switch
You’ll need to buy 3rd party filters to save money as originals are more expensive
Got allergies, odor, or other air quality problems in your dorm? Picking a great air purifier’s a smart decision.
In this post, I’ll show you 5 of the best air purifiers for college dorms along with the details & pros and cons to know before buying.
There’s also some helpful basic information to help you learn more about air purifiers and what they do. Read on to find out more and see some of the best buys for your money!
Most popular air purifiers sold today like this GermGuardian AC4825 use a highly effective design with one or more filters. These are efficient at cleaning the air as, unlike other products sold using gimmicks, they remove contaminants from the air you breathe. They do so by circulating the air in a room and cleaning it as it passes through the filters.
While there are different kinds sold out there, most air purifiers work using a simple, but effective, concept: They use fans to move air through a very dense type of filter material called a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter to permanently trap unwanted particulates.
They’re both efficient and safe as they don’t produce any by-products that can cause headaches or other symptoms that products like ozone generators can cause. In addition, most of the better quality purifiers sold also include 1 or more added filters or cleaning stages to do things like trap hair or dust and odors, too.
To trap odors and airborne chemical vapors, also called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a filter with activated carbon is used because of its odor-absorbing properties.
A filter stage called the pre-filter may or may not be separate from the odor-absorbing filter and has another purpose. It catches larger particulates like pet hair, dust, and fibers before they can reach the main (HEPA) filter and can even be vacuumed for longer life.
It’s all about cycling and cleaning the air
As they run they circulate the air in a room, continuously cleaning it. Purifiers are recommended for rooms like dorm rooms based on the square foot size which affects how much air must be circulated.
For example, a small room purifier has less air to circulate and clean and can use a smaller fan. While a large or medium-room purifier has to use faster or multiple fans to circulate & clean the air efficiently.
Purifiers are often (but not always) rated on how many times they can circulate & clean the air for their greatest recommend room size.
Most also have selectable fan speeds and you can set them to a low speed for quiet operation at night. You can also find some with bonus features like a germ killer to eliminate airborne microbes.
What is a HEPA filter?
A “true HEPA” is a filter meeting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard set back in the 1950s. This standard requires that the filter can trap 99.97% of all substances entering it.
A HEPA filter can remove contaminants smaller than a microscopic 1/1,000,000 of a meter (1 micron) in size! That’s way below what the human eye can see.
As an example, dust and hair are very large while dust mite particles are close to 5 microns in size. Pollen is close to this size as well. However, some air quality problems like smoke can be much smaller, including below 1 micron wide.
An up-close look at a HEPA filter with a foam seal around the edges. Used in air purifiers and other air cleaning systems, they’re made up of very dense fibers in a folded shape held in place inside a frame.
HEPA filters are made of a very dense, folder material made up of fibers that allow air to pass but stop airborne contaminants. Electric fans draw in air, force it through a filter, and the clean air is released back into the room.
As I mentioned earlier, HEPA filters meet a standard in which they can trap 99.97% of all particles that pass through them. This means that for every 10,000 particles than enter a HEPA filter, only about 3 escape!
They’re used for a range of air problems such as:
Allergens (plants, pets, etc)
Pet dander & hair
Dust mites
Dust & fibers
Smoke particles
…and more.
What is a pre-filter/activated carbon filter?
The most effective air purifiers include both the HEPA filter section and a pre-filter/activated carbon section, too. They work together to remove not just microscopic particles (as the HEPA filter is best at) but also odors, vapors, and larger elements like pet hair or dust.
As I mentioned earlier, air purifiers may include an extra filter called the pre-filter. This is a section which, when added along with the main HEPA filter, gives some extra benefits. They’re often a mesh-like material and in many cases can be replaced separately as needed.
As a HEPA filter can last a range of months (8-12 months for example, depending on circumstances) it’s great if we can extend its life before replacement is needed.
A pre-filter can trap things like larger fibers, hair, and dust before they can reach and prematurely clog up the main filter.
An example of dust buildup on one of my air purifier’s pre-filters. Since there’s so much buildup of dust, it’s smart to vacuum it off to keep the filter working and airflow good until replacement time.
In many cases, once the pre-filter has become very dirty (like dust buildup) you can brush it off or vacuum it to keep it working well until replacement time comes.
Most quality brands include an activated carbon treatment on the pre-filter itself. Activated carbon can absorb and trap odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are bad for your health or can cause headaches, coughing, and other problems.
In many, but not all, purifiers, you can replace these separately to keep maintenance costs low. That’s great, since why should you replace the HEPA filter and spend money when it’s not needed yet?
Room size and choosing the right purifier for your needs
A purifier is usually recommended by the manufacturer based on the (largest) room size to use it in. While in a few cases it may be listed in cubic feet, normally this room size is given in square feet. To figure out a room’s size in square feet, just multiply the width times the length. In the example above, this AC4825 model is good for rooms up to 155 sq. ft. in size. That’s a room of about 10 x 15 1/2 feet in size.
What you’ll find when shopping is that many have a recommend maximum room size they’ll work for. It’s not that they can’t work in larger rooms. However, an air purifier that’s good for smaller rooms like college dorms can’t move enough air efficiently in larger rooms.
Most of the time, an air purifier is recommended for a room size (small, medium, large, etc) based on square feet. To find out the square feet size of a room, just multiply the length times the width.
Understanding the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating
Example of a CADR label provided by some, but not all, air cleaning appliance manufacturers. The 3 numbers shown tell you the effectiveness of the purifier’s air cleaning.
In case you’ve never heard of it, the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is an industry-standard way of testing and determining an air cleaner product’s effectiveness.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is an organization that verifies home appliances for the industry. While they’re nice to have for comparing similar products, CADR rating tests are voluntary and not required by law.
CADR ratings are numbers used to help you know an air cleaner’s performance before buying. The rating numbers are based on “higher is better.”
In order to find out how well an air purifier cleans the air, 3 types of tests (smoke, pollen, and dust) are performed in a controlled lab environment and the performance is given a rating. The purifier is then given a rating the manufacturer may display in ads or specifications if they like.
What to know when shopping
There’s one problem, though. For lower-priced air purifiers, even from high-quality brands, it’s not unusual for them to not include CADR performance numbers.
When it comes to small room air purifiers, you can definitely assume that there aren’t any CADR numbers provided then it’s somewhere under 100.
In fact, somewhere around 75 is probably a good guess. That doesn’t mean they’re not good quality, but it’s just harder for a very small purifier to move as much room air as a bigger model can.
Therefore, it’s easy to see why better-performing models are those recommended or medium or large-sized rooms – they have more fans or a more powerful fan design.
Note: You can always use a purifier recommended for a larger room in a small room. They’ll simply work faster than a small room purifier would the same space.
What kind of air purifier do I need?
Examples of products that claim to use special features like ozone or ions (charged air elements) to clean the air. Left: An ionizer air purifier. Right: An ozone generator. Ionizers aren’t as effective as a filter-based purifier and aren’t recommend. Ozone generators are similar, but can be more effective but only at dangerous ozone production levels. Both can produce by-products that can irritate your breathing passageways and are best avoided.
Stay away from “ionizers” and ozone generators! These are often very ineffective and a waste of your hard-earned money! The level of ozone at which point they become effective at purifying the air is unsafe and will cause several health problems (or at the very least, discomfort).
I recommend picking a quality HEPA filter air purifier. Ionizers and ozone generators sold as “purifiers” just don’t have the proven performance of a good filter-based purifier. That’s because the don’t remove contaminants quickly & efficiently like how a HEPA purifier does.
★ 5 of the best air purifiers for college dorms ★
Our top picks at a glance
Image
Product
Details
★ OUR #1 CHOICE ★GermGuardian AC4825
Best seller and overall an excellent value! Easy to use and quiet.
155 sq ft coverage, 100+ CADR lab tested rating
True HEPA, carbon filter for odors, UV-C germ killer
1. GermGuardian AC4825 – A best-selling model that’s also a good value, too.
Hands-down, the GermGuardian AC4825 is one of the all-time best-selling air purifiers today and it’s easy to see why!
You’ll get not only more room coverage for your money but the addition of an ultraviolet (UV) germ killing feature, too.
Take a look at why it’s one of the best well-rounded values today:
True HEPA filter
UV-C germ killing feature
Super-easy filter maintenance
Inexpensive replacement filters
Separate pre-filter for reduced costs
Filter check reminder feature
Carrying handle for easy moving
Available in white or the AC4900 style, too
Lab tested CADR rating of 100+
155 sq. ft. room coverage
Good air purification performance
The true HEPA filter and odor-absorbing pre-filter work together to keep your dorm room fresh, reduce allergies, and let you breathe & enjoy college the way you deserve.
Nasties such as dust, hair, and more get blocked by the pre-filter which can be replaced separately to keep costs down. The HEPA filter works great to block all kinds of terrible allergens, dust mites, pollen, and even mold spores to freshen the air you breathe and reduce sickness.
Unlike many competitors in its price range, the AC4825 also offers lab-tested performance with a CADR of 100+.
While it may lack the fancier features found in others, it’s one of the easiest to use and very reliable as well. I’m a big fan as I own one myself!
Top-down view of the control panel. A simple 3-speed fan rotary control is easy to use for anyone. The power indicator LED will blink to remind you when it’s time to check the filters.
A 3-speed fan control is provided and a great choice for those who prefer simple controls & operation.
The filter is easy to remove and replace by opening the rear door and simply swapping it out. A replacement reminder is included as well.
UV-C germ killing feature
When switched on, the UV-C feature also doubles as a nice glowing blue trim around the front and sides. It’s a cool look I love as I own one myself!
The ultraviolet light feature (UV-C) works with titanium oxide to break down & destroy illness-causing microbes & germs in the air around you. It’s a nice addition that most competitors don’t offer.
When switched on, you’ll see a soft, safe glow in the translucent trim around the base of the top that lets you know it’s working to destroy germs.
Overall opinion
At 22 inches in height, it’s not as compact as other models, but fits well into corners or other spaces. Replacement filters cost about $15-20 and last about 6 months depending upon use. You’ll also find many 3rd part options offered for those of you on a budget, too!
The GermGuardian line of purifiers is one of the most reputable on the market, and without a doubt the AC4825 is a true “workhorse” that people love, judging by the thousands of great buyer reviews.
I’ve enjoyed mine, too, and I love how hassle-free it is to use. The fan speeds are good, it’s relatively quiet, and works well to solve a whole range of air quality issues.
The true HEPA filter and pre-filter are some of the easiest to replace I’ve ever used! If you’re in the market for a good value but not a wimpy purifier, it’s a great compromise between cost & performance.
While it’s not as quiet as some competitors, it’s still pretty low in noise when running. But that’s one of the few tiny gripes I have since I’ve enjoyed mine so much.
PROS:
Simple 3-speed fan switch is great for nearly everyone
Better overall value for the dollar vs competitors
Great filtering performance
Quiet fan operation on low speed setting
Germ & microbe-killing UV-C feature not found in many others
Filter replacement reminder
Nice blue glow when UV-C is on
Soft LED when power is on
Tower shape is great for corners or areas with vertical space
Good room size coverage (155 square feet)
3-year limited warranty
CONS:
No auto-sensing modes
No electronic controls
No auto-off feature
Cannot wash & reuse filter (can vacuum)
Older design vs competitors like Levoit
Warranty requires paying for return shipment for service
As a happy owner, I can say it’s a solid, reliable purifier that works well to clean the air and is definitely a good choice for the money. I love mine so much I bought other GermGuardian models to use and test, too!
It’s a great match for your dorm room or bedroom while you’re at college.
2. Levoit LV-H132 – A great addition to your college dorm. Quiet air cleaning + nice features.
GermGuardian isn’t the only air purifier company to pay attention to – Levoit has produced some true winners like the LV-H132 for a few years now.
Without a doubt, it’s one of the quietest purifiers I’ve ever tested & owned!
Because of its stylish looks & compact design, it’s a great match for dorms, bedrooms, study halls, and much more. The LV-H132 uses a 3-stage true HEPA filter that’s great at eliminating odors, allergens, pet dander, dust mite by-products, and a lot more.
The LV-H132 provides electronic touch controls. It’s simple to use and works well. Additionally, a memory feature means that upon the next power up it returns to the last settings you used.
Of the products listed here, it offers the most features in addition to a very pleasant and quiet operation on low speed.
A built-in night light with 2 brightness settings is a bonus feature.
The convenient filter replacement reminder lets you know when it’s time to inspect the filter and replace it if needed.
Replacement filters run around $30 and are simple to replace by opening the top cover.
Overall, I’m impressed. After much testing and use, I really enjoyed using it.
PROS:
Shorter height than competing tower purifiers
2-year warranty
3 fan speeds
Night light with 2 brightness levels
Nice looking, modern design
Electronic soft button controls
Quiet operation on low level won’t disturb sleep
Filter replacement reminder
Great build quality & high reliability
Easy filter replacement
CONS:
Smaller room coverage than others in its price range (129 sq. ft.)
No auto-off timer feature
No air quality sensor
Electronic controls may not be suitable for some
It’s an excellent purifier with wonderful buyer reviews and great air cleaning performance.
3. GermGuardian AC4100 3-in-1: Super-compact air cleaning for offices, dorm rooms, and for a lower price.
A great budget-priced model (around $50 or so), the AC4100 has an excellent reputation and is a nice little purifier that’s great for smaller rooms.
Measuring only 7.5 x 6.5 x 11″ in size, like other best-selling GermGuardian models it uses a true HEPA filter & activated carbon section to produce fresh, clean air and permanently remove those terrible air contaminants and odors that make your college dorm uncomfortable.
Check out what you’ll get for how little you pay:
True HEPA filter
UV-C germ killing feature
Super-easy filter maintenance
Inexpensive replacement filters
Separate pre-filter for reduced costs
Filter check reminder wheel
Also available in kids version (AC4150) in 3 colors w/ night light
Ultraviolet (UV-C) germ killing feature
You wouldn’t expect it for the price, but you’ll also get a germ killing feature activated by a switch on the front. A UV light along with titanium dioxide work to destroy germs and microbes for healthier air and reduced sickness.
Filters and replacement
Filter maintenance on the AC4100 is super-easy! Just pull the tab and remove the rear cover. Next, you can easily remove the filter assembly. You’ll be done in seconds.
Replacement filters cost about $10+. For your convenience, there’s a filter installation date wheel on the rear to help you know when it’s time to replace it.
Using it is very easy with the 3 speed fan control. It’s quiet and generates a pleasing low noise level on the lowest setting. When set to high a sound like white noise is produced.
Unlike other models, the UV-C is an on/off switch and not a pushbutton control.
Final opinions
Like some other GermGuardian models I’ve tested, I’m not thrilled that there are no indicator lights for the UV-C feature being turned on or filter replacement. You’ll have to check the switch to see if you left it turned on as there’s no light.
Also, because of the compact size, it’s not the absolute quietest you’ll find, either. Still, it’s fairly quiet compared to others I’ve owned, and shouldn’t be a problem for sleeping or studying.
However, those are fairly minor complaints and overall it’s a well-made little purifier that’s a good choice. In fact, I reviewed the AC4100 in more detail here.
PROS:
Simple 3-speed fan control and on/off UV-C switch
UV & titanium dioxide design to kill germs
Great filtering ability for its small size
High speed setting moves a lot of air for purifying quickly
4. Hamilton Beach TrueAir Ultra Quiet – Compact, affordable, and quiet!
have a tighter budget? The Hamilton Beach TrueAir Ultra Quiet isn’t just affordable but also a well-made and compact popular model.
The genuine HEPA filter can be vacuumed clean. With the exception of heavy use, you won’t have to replace it as often as other products. You’ll not only save money for the upfront cost but in maintenance, too!
Controls are simple and easy to find on top. There’s an easy-access release for opening the filter for maintenance, too.
What I really like is how simple it is to use via the 3-speed rotary control. It’s a pretty quiet purifier, too, and you can sleep peacefully without worrying about being disturbed at night.
It’s small at only 8.5 x 13.5″ but the room coverage is a great 140 square feet. It’s a good choice for small rooms & offices.
One of the best things about the True Air is that it can be turned on its side to fit into smaller areas. Nice!
Nice! With the True Air, you can easily vacuum off the HEPA filter for extended life. It’s a great feature I love.
One drawback is that there’s no activated carbon/pre-filter section like some more expensive competitors or the GermGuardian AC4100. However, the easy access for cleaning the HEPA filter helps make up for that.
It’s available in both a nice black color and white as well. One weak point is the lack of odor absorption, so if bad smells are an issue in your room it’s not a good choice.
Otherwise, if you’re in the market for a small room purifier that’s affordable (below $50) and great for dorms, it’s a great option.
PROS:
HEPA filter effective for average dust and allergens
Main (HEPA) filter can be vacuumed and reused
Can be used on its side
Quiet operation
Nice design
2 color options
Simple 3-speed operation control
CONS:
Limited room size coverage
No pre-filter or carbon filter section
No power indicator lights or filter replacement reminder
No sleep or auto-shutoff mode
Need small-room relief for dust, allergens, and more? It’s a nice affordable option worth checking out, especially withthousands of great buyer reviews!
5. Holmes HAP9240 HEPA-type desktop purifier – A low-cost performer & great for dorms!
Looking for a competent but lower-priced choice? The Holmes HAP9240 may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. You’ll get a great compromise between performance, filter options, and price. It’s not the smallest but measures a reasonable 14.8 x 11.4 x 7.2 inches in size.
Featuring a small size that’s perfect for countertops, shelves, and even desks, the Holmes can also be placed vertically on its back. The purifier features built-in rests on the rear to allow it to stand on its end.
For around $50 or so, it’s a good value. Check out the features:
Near-HEPA air filter quality for less money (filters 99% of particles)
Up to 100 sq. ft. room size coverage
3 cleaning speeds and low noise operation
Filter reminder indicator light
Optional ionizer feature
Can be used in a vertical position
Black color option (availability may vary)
3-year limited warranty
Washable pre-filter
Affordable replacement filters
12 month HEPA filter life
The Holmes desktop air purifier includes a washable filter and HEPA-type filter (left). (Right) Have special air cleaning needs? You’ve got some good options! Pick one of the 3 additional filter options for specialized air cleaning relief.
It uses a HEPA-type filter that’s similar to the filtering qualities of a true HEPA filter. The filter can remove 99% of all particles down to 2 microns in size (as opposed to the 0.3 micron standard of a genuine HEPA filter.)
It’s a budget model but still a good performer for many common air quality problems. The 2-micron particle size rating works well for pet dander, dust, and standard allergens.
I wouldn’t recommend it for cigarette smoke, however, at least not without a carbon filter.
Shown: The Holmes HAP9240 controls are super-simple to understand and use. The filter reminder (left) shows the filter condition and can be reset as needed. Right: The optional ionizer feature is as simple as an on/off switch with light. Center: Choose from Off or 3 fan speeds with low-noise operation.
A built-in ionizer with off/on control is an extra feature that produces a safe level of charged molecules that bond with pollutants in the air. While it’s not the main air cleaning contributor, it’s a nice touch you may enjoy.
Filter check reminder
At power up, the unit will check and show you if it’s time to check and clean or replace the filters using the dual-color light on the control panel. When needed, you can easily reset the check filter light using the reset button provided.
It’s unique in that the pre-stage filter can be removed and washed to be reused. Fan speed is adjustable and while not as quiet as the Levoit and others here, it does offer low noise when at low speed.
Room size coverage and air cleaning performance
It’s recommended for rooms up to 100 square feet in size – just right for dorm rooms! The air cleaning performance is good, too, as it removes allergens, dust, pet dander, and much more from the air very well.
While there are quieter models out there, you’ll pay at least $30-$40, and in my opinion, it’s very quiet on the lower 2 settings. Overall, it’s a nice little budget model I’m sure that’s a great match if you’re on a budget.
Just like experience with it, buyers love it, too, as it’s one of the best-reviewed budget purifiers today.
PROS:
One of the most affordable and biggest sellers on the market
100 sq. ft. room coverage
Easy slide control switches & 3 speed settings
Pre-stage filter can be cleaned and reused
Low replacement filter cost
Additional filter options
Can be positioned vertically
Includes ionizer with on/off control
Lower cost version of a true HEPA filter with nearly the same standard of performance
Available in black
3-year limited warranty
CONS:
Not as sophisticated as pricier models
No germ-killing feature like the GermGuardian products offer
Cannot turn off light indicators on panel
Styling is more bland
Overall, it’s a very good budget air purifier that’s a great combination of price, performance, and features.
Want delicious eggs that are hassle-free, inexpensive to make, and fast, too? While it may seem too good to be true, it’s not!
I’ve been thrilled with how easy it is to make great-tasting eggs at home – even restaurant-style omelets. Anyone can do the same!
Below are 5 of the best microwave egg cookers for your money along with helpful info and tips to help you get started making easy and tasty eggs right away.
Let’s get started with some helpful basic information if you’re new to making eggs in a microwave oven.
How to use microwave egg cookers
Microwave egg cookers take about 1 minute on average to fully cook each egg. Cooking times vary by microwave power, the number of eggs being cooked, and the type of egg cooking used (Example: Poached eggs vs standard microwaved)
Basic preparation: Crack an egg (or eggs) over a regular bowl then break the yolk with a fork. In most cases, it’s ideal to mix the egg with the egg whites by heavily stirring it for about 60 seconds.
For omelets and other egg cooking that needs a very well-mixed egg preparation, a fork is much hard to use. In this case, it’s easier to use an egg beater or even a blender.
Want perfectly round eggs for your egg sandwich just like a restaurant? Use an egg sandwich maker as they keep just the right size and shape.
For egg whites or “sunny side up” style eggs, break the yolk but don’t stir or remove the yolk completely if you like.
Cook at standard power in the microwave for 45-60 seconds as directed. Check the eggs – if they’re still a bit uncooked or look slightly wet, cook for an extra 15 seconds to avoid overdoing it.
Omelet makers take longer, especially those using 2 or more eggs. Expect to cook for 1:45 before flipping it over and cooking for another 30-60 seconds.
Keep oven mitts handy! Eggs and their containers are HOT after cooking – don’t burn your hand!
These are the basic tips you can use – just remember that there are sometimes small differences between different microwaves, different egg cookers, and the various styles of eggs.
The power level (in watts) of your microwave will affect the time a bit just as the number of eggs you’re making will also. Don’t worry though – they’re always fast and easy!
Do microwaved eggs taste good?
It looks good AND tastes good: A meal I cooked myself at home. As shown above, you can make your favorite egg meal (in this case an omelet) you’ll really enjoy. There’s nothing like doing it at home any time you like for a fraction of the time & cost of dining out.
Believe me when I say I’ve had plenty of bad eggs in my lifetime! There aren’t many things as disappointing as a breakfast meal you hate. What a shame!
I was a bit nervous at first about making eggs in a microwave. How good can they be?
As it turns out, properly cooked microwave eggs are very good!
What’s important is to do them the right way. There’s why it’s important to get a good egg maker: They make the job really simple, fast and give great results.
They’re also very affordable, too. Before getting my microwave omelet maker I had to drive across town to spend both money & time just get enjoy one. I don’t have to anymore.
Examples of typical microwave egg cookers
Shown: 4 of the most common microwave egg cookers you’ll come across when shopping. (1) Egg sandwich makers, (2) a ceramic egg cooker which can also serve as the eating dish, (3) an egg poacher with 2 egg capacity, and (4) an omelet maker.
When shopping, you’ll find a variety of egg cookers to choose from. However, they’re nearly always one of a few types:
Egg maker for egg sandwiches
Ceramic egg cooker
Poached egg maker
Omelet maker
Each one works essentially the same but is different in the result (type of eggs) you’ll get. They may also change the shape of the cooked eggs, like in the case of an omelet or sandwich egg maker.
The great news is that most are very affordable – many models are less than $10, in fact! Considering the quality of the food you can prepare, that’s a bargain.
Can you use instant eggs in a microwave egg maker?
Liquid instant eggs are another option if you can’t (or don’t want to) use real eggs. However, there are some drawbacks despite their convenience and low cost.
I was curious how instant eggs (liquid form eggs) would work when cooking them in a microwave. What I found out was interesting:
Cooking times increase – real eggs are faster
The taste of real eggs just isn’t there
Fewer cooking options
When I say “fewer cooking options”, of course, you won’t be able to make egg styles such as poached or sunny side up. Additionally, what I noticed was that the egg flavor I enjoy simply wasn’t there.
That flavor, after all, is part of the reason I wanted a better make to make the great breakfast plates I love.
However, those are pretty minor complaints. The most important thing to know is that liquid eggs take longer to cook in a microwave than real eggs.
In several cases, food I made that only takes around 1 minute with real eggs took an extra 45 seconds to 1 minute for instant eggs. That also means that you’ll need to do a bit of trial-and-error to figure out how to get them right.
★ 5 of the best microwave egg cookers for your money ★
Our top picks at a glance
Image
Product
Details
Great value!Sistema Easy Eggs
Latching top avoids spills, take eggs to go!
Make up to 4 kinds of great eggs in 1 minute
2 egg capacity. BPA free plastic features steam vent
1. Sistema Microwave Easy Eggs – Makes enjoying great eggs fast, easy, and affordable. Take it with you!
Want a great compromise between cost, features, and ease of use? The Sistema Microwave Easy Eggs cooker offers this and more!
You’ll get a long list of features to please even the pickiest egg fanatic:
Cooks 4 delicious styles of eggs
Made from BPA & Phthalate-free plastics
Stackable, lockable design
Freezer safe & dishwasher safe
Microwave cooking made safe! Top vent prevents pressure build-up
2 egg capacity
Only 30 -40 seconds to cook (1 egg)
Clear, easy-to-follow directions
Thanks to the smart design, there’s a latch to make sure the cover doesn’t pop open like it can on lesser models. You’ll enjoy accident-free cooking and won’t have to worry about kids spilling it either.
Need a fast meal to go? Take it with you for a great breakfast on the way or at work!
Don’t be stuck with same kind of eggs every day! With the Sistema Easy Eggs maker, you’ll get to choose from 4 tasty varieties of eggs. There’s something for everyone!
Despite the super-low price (under $7-8), you won’t be stuck with only one kind of breakfast. There’s not 1, not 2, but 4 delicious kinds of eggs you can make:
Poached
Scrambled
Mini omelet
Sandwich/muffin sized eggs
Not only that, but there’s no need to whisk them in a bowl – just crack and add them directly before mixing. That means it’s even more convenient, plus no bowl to have to wash afterward.
Just crack and add up to 2 eggs to get started.
Simple to use, with clear instructions
You’ll get super-simple & clear instructions to get you started right away. The cooking guide is extremely direct and easy to follow. Anyone can cook eggs like a pro!
What I really like are the clear, simple, and well-done instructions provided. It helps take the worry and confusion out of getting started. If you’re worried about being an inexperienced cook, don’t be.
The cooking steps are amazingly easy to follow and you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality breakfast in seconds!
Poached eggs need only 30 seconds per egg to finish! Mix 1 egg and cook for 40 seconds you’re ready for home-style eggs right away. (Note that cooking times can vary a bit depending on microwave oven power).
Why it’s a great choice
It’s cheap, incredibly easy to use, and makes getting delicious eggs about as easy as is humanly possible. I love it – and I’m sure you will too. Being able to take it with you & not having to worry about spills (unlike so many other products out there) is a definite bonus.
A clear top to allow you to see the eggs while cooking would be nice, but that’s a pretty small drawback for what you get and the incredible convenience.
PROS:
Fast cook time
2 egg capacity
4 egg style ability
Acts as mixing bowl
Latch prevents accidental opening/spills
Sliding vent for safe cooking
BPA/Phthalate-free material
Dishwasher safe
Easy to add ingredients
CONS:
Best used with 2 eggs, not 1
Omelets aren’t traditional shape/size
No clear top to view while cooking
Optimal cooking with 2 eggs, not 1
Without a doubt, it’s one of the best microwave egg cookers I’ve seen for personal use. It’s one that anybody can use to make a delicious breakfast in a snap.
2. Chef Buddy Microwave Egg Maker – Simple and great-tasting eggs with a quality basic cooker.
Love keeping things simple but want great quality? The Chef Buddy microwave egg maker has you covered!
You’ll get an egg cooker that’s super-easy to use and made from BPA plastic. It’s also well-made and will last you for years. You’ll get your money back and then some vs dining out for eggs.
It’s got the right features you need, too:
Clear viewing top means you’ll see what’s happening as it cooks
2 egg capacity
Low cost
Easy-open tabs mean hassle-free use
Tabs keep the heat away from your fingers
Only 6.6 x 2.5 x 4.6″ in size – fits anywhere!
BPA-free plastic construction
Easy clean up afterward
It’s also great for adding ingredients like ham, peppers, and whatever you love to your eggs for cooking. Why settle for plain eggs when the Chef Buddy lets you have a different flavor every day?
Features you get
The Chef Buddy egg maker is both small in size and well-made. Cook up to 2 eggs in the compact interior without hassle for fuss: Just crack the eggs, break the yolk with a fork, and cook for ~40 seconds. See the eggs as they cook, and enjoy deliciousness in less than a minute!
Despite being budget-priced, the features are good and you get more than your money’s worth. It’s only 2.5″ tall and fits great in cabinets and even a drawer.
Unlike other products I’ve tried, you can check on the eggs & cooking by looking through the clear top.
Worried about hot eggs? Don’t be! The extended tabs not only making opening it a breeze but also keep the heat where it belongs: In the cooking bowl inside and away from your fingers when removing it.
Gourmet eggs for a budget price – and in a flash!
Ready for REAL eggs, but want to time AND money? For once, you can! You’ll use much less electricity than skillet eggs and in a flash, too: Cook 1-2 eggs in most microwaves in only 40-60 seconds. Enjoy sunny side up, scrambled, mini omelet, or sandwich eggs any time of the day.
You’re not going to come up short on flavor, despite the budget price (under $7-8). Enjoy a variety of great eggs, as the Chef Buddy lets you choose from one of several classic egg tastes:
Sunny-side up eggs
Scrambled
Sandwich style
Mini omelets
The only drawback, however, is that no instructions are included (why?) so you’ll need to do just a few minutes of reading, then it’s easy.
Ultimately, though, it’s super-easy to cook eggs anytime with the basics:
Crack 1 or 2 eggs into the container
Break the yolks with a fork
Microwave for 40-60 seconds (varies by microwave power)
Remove and enjoy!
Of the egg makers I’ve had the chance to check out, it’s one of the most popular and a great value, too. The clear viewing top is a feature I love because of being able to check on them while they’re cooking.
It’s annoying that instructions aren’t included, but you can use them from nearly any similar competing product, and in fact you don’t even need instructions to get started – it’s that easy!
While it’s not a good choice for food on the go (the top doesn’t lock closed), it’s a smart choice.
PROS:
Fast cook time
2 egg capacity
4 egg styles available
Clear viewing top
Easy to open
Tabs keep hot temp. away from fingers
BPA free material
Dishwasher safe
Easy to add ingredients
CONS:
Not for travel/bags (top doesn’t lock closed)
No other colors offered
Instructions not included (but not really needed)
No air vent for poaching egg steam
Not all of us need fancy features or eggs to go – some of us just want a good, affordable, and easy egg maker that gets the job done. That’s what the Chef Buddy does best.
3. Easy Eggwich Sandwich Egg Cooker (Pair) – Hands-down, the easiest way to make PERFECT egg sandwiches. Cheap, too!
Great new – the answer to making perfect egg patties for sandwiches & burgers is here! Even better, it’s super affordable, too.
The Easy Eggwich maker set includes one of today’s best microwave egg maker products sold. Don’t just take my word for it: buyer reviews are great and people love them!
Here’s what you’ll get for only a few dollars:
Cooks perfectsandwich-sized eggs in just 1 minute
Two microwave & dishwasher safe containers included
BPA-free plastic is safe & healthy
Non-stick containers help keep egg removal & cleanup simple
No butter or oil needed
Clear top for viewing during cooking/checking
The stay-cool handles keep it cool to the touch
Plastic guides help keep the top in place until removed
Easy to use!
They’re super easy to use! Just crack and add 1 egg to each container. Break the yolk with a fork (mix also for yellow eggs, or leave as-is for sunny side up) and cook for 1 minute. You’re ready to eat!
They’re some of the easiest I’ve gotten my hands on, too! Making delicious eggs for sandwiches, hamburgers, eggs Benedict, and much more is a snap:
Add 1 egg for each container. Break yolk with a fork.
Mix slightly if yellow eggs are preferred.
Cook in the microwave for ~1 minute.
Serve and place on sandwich.
That’s it – it really is that easy.
Get restaurant style food for 1/4 the price
Want your own delicious egg muffins on a tasty English muffin at home? You can have a great breakfast as I made here in a jiffy thanks to the Easy Eggwich makers. The eggs taste great, too!
What’s impressive is just how good the food I made with them was – even though they cost less than dining out. Yes, they pay for themselves in one 1-2 uses.
You’ll get perfectly round egg patties sized just right to fit any burger, sandwich, biscuit…or whatever suits your fancy. It’s surprising what’s possible at home.
Simple, yet well-made. Despite the low cost, the Eggwich makers get the job done and are well designed. Unlike some products, you won’t worry about a burning-hot container when it’s time to eat. The container shape gives you perfectly round eggs with less to clean every time.
They’re well made, a breeze to use, and the included instructions are as easy as 1, 2, 3. The eggs I made were some of the best I’ve ever had!
There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious egg and cheese sandwich for a fraction of the cost of dining out. I can’t recommend them enough!
Unfortunately, they’re limited to a 1-egg capacity each and aren’t good for omelets, either. That’s a minor gripe for the great results you’ll get, however.
PROS:
Fast cook time (1 minute)
Includes 2 egg makers
Nonstick container
Clear viewing top
Tabs prevent touching a hot surface
BPA free material
Dishwasher safe
Easy to add ingredients
Great value/low price
CONS:
Limited to 1 egg each container
Not portable
Not suitable for heavy egg mixing inside
Not ideal for poached eggs
Can’t make omelets
If it sounds like I love the Easy Eggwich makers, I do! They’re fun and easy to use, plus having perfectly round eggs hassle-free is fantastic.
My sandwiches have never been tastier! Start enjoying that delicious egg taste you deserve now.
4. Nordic Ware Microwave Omelet Pan – Restaurant-style omelets in minutes at home…and an amazing warranty!
Love omelets? I sure do. What I don’t love is how much time, money, gas, and frustration it takes just to get a couple of eggs made into an omelet at a restaurant.
Want to avoid all the hassle, cost, and wasted time? The Nordic Ware Microwave Omelet Pan lets you make fantastic restaurant-style omelets at home!
You’re going to love it! For less than the price of a single meal dining out you’ll get FANTASTIC eggs and this, too:
Only 7.9 x 3. x 2″ in size (great for drawer storage!)
5 year warranty
Simple directions, great results!
Only a few simple steps to get an amazingly delicious homemade omelet of your very own! Using the Nordic Ware microwave omelet egg cooker is really easy in my opinion. Just crack/mix 2-4 eggs, cook for about 2 minutes, add toppings as desired, then cook for another 1 1/2 minutes. Finally, just fold to make your omelet nice and complete, then enjoy it!
Using the Nordic Ware microwave egg cooker to make omelets is easy. In less than 5 minutes you’ll have a hot and fresh omelet as good as anything you’ll get at 2 times the price dining out!
Just a few steps, and in less than 5 minutes you’re done:
Crack & mix 2-4 eggs
Pour 1/2 of the eggs into each half of the cooker
Cook for ~2 minutes in the microwave (leave both halves open)
Add toppings as desired
Cook for 1 1/2 minutes more
Fold both halves, serve, and enjoy!
Great quality, warranty, and most of all…taste!
It’s like having a restaurant at home 24 hours a day! Just gather a few fresh ingredients plus eggs and you’re set. You’re always only minutes away from an omelet that’s as good as anything money can buy.
I’m happy to say that I’m already a happy Nordic Ware microwave egg cooker owner. Just like with their poached egg maker, the omelet maker is the same quality I’ve come to love.
It’s well-made, durable, and you get an amazing 5 year warranty. That’s truly unusual for a product that’s priced less than $11.
You’ll also get a nonstick interior surface and BPA & Melamine free construction for any health concerns you might have. Not only that, but it will last for years without issues.
The verdict
If you’re in the market for tasty, fresh, and hassle-free omelets that will satisfy like none other, it’s an excellent value and you’d be crazy to pass it up.
Is it perfect? No: I’ve seen some omelet makers that required fewer cooking steps and can cook in less time, but they also sell for more. For my money, it’s one of the best well-rounded values I’ve seen in a long time.
PROS:
Delicious omelets in 5 minutes or less
2-4 egg capacity
Nonstick container
Simple, clear instructions
5 year warranty
BPA, Melamine free material
Dishwasher safe
Easy to add ingredients
Great value/low price
Excellent omelet taste
CONS:
Pricier competitors offer faster cooking
Not for travel or bag use
No scrambled or poached egg options
Requires folding before serving
It’s hard to describe how nice it is to finally have not just a great omelet at home, but for a fraction of the time, money, and hassle it takes to dine out.
5. Egg-Tastic Ceramic Cooker – Keeps your tasty eggs warm and fresh. Also doubles as the eating container.
Want a unique way to make your favorite eggs and eat them right out of the container? With the Egg-Tastic ceramic microwave egg cooker, you’ll get that and more.
It’s one of the few on the market not made from plastic. Instead, both the lid and container are made from sturdy ceramic and are great at keeping foods warm
It’s also one of the most convenient you can buy. Check out what you get:
Holds up to 4 large eggs
Whisk your eggs right inside – no bowl needed!
Ceramic pot circulates heat for even cooking
Vented cover allows steam to escape, preventing microwave messes
Nonstick interior – easy cleanup
Keeps food warm after cooking
Non-slip bottom cover
Dishwasher safe
Easy to understand instructions
It’s easy to use
Making great eggs fast is easy with the Egg-Tastic cooker. Just crack and mix up to 4 eggs, cook as directed (1 minute or more), and enjoy! You can chow down on a delicious right out of the container! No extra bowl needed to have to wash later, either!
You can make several tasty kinds of eggs in about 1 minute with the Egg-Tastic:
Poached
Scrambled
Egg sandwich style
Scrambled egg whites
What I like about it is how easy it is to use and how keeps things incredibly simple. You won’t need a separate mixing bowl for your eggs or a separate dish, either!
Clear & simple instructions are included. It’s one of the easiest egg makers I’ve used and you’ll only need a few steps: Crack and mix up to 4 eggs, cook for 1 minute or more (as directed), then serve and eat right out of it!
Great design & features
Made from ceramic, the Egg-Tastic features even cooking, great durability, and easy cleanup thanks to the non-stick surface. There’s also a vent to release steam safely as well as a non-slip base and silicon lid seal.
It’s well-made, too, and speaking from personal experience, it feels good in the hand and works great. Mine kept my eggs warm and cooked some great-tasting scrambled eggs I enjoyed.
While it’s a few dollars more than some plastic product out there, it saves even more hassle & time thanks to how little clean-up you’ll have to do. You can also take it with you if you like as the seal does a great job of keeping the lid in place.
It’s a great choice for eggs at any time!
PROS:
4 egg capacity
Serves as both mixing bowl & eating container
Nonstick interior
Simple, clear instructions
Safe, strong ceramic build
Silicon lid seal and non-slip base
Cooks eggs evenly in around 1 minute
Easy to add ingredients
Keeps food warm
Resists scratching unlike plastic products
Good for food on the go
CONS:
Not suitable for omelets
Ceramic could crack if dropped on floor
A bit more expensive than plastic egg cookers
Ideal for individual meals, not families
Delicious, hot, and fresh – that’s what kind of eggs you’ll get with the Egg-Tastic cooker. Add to that the convenience of being able to eat right out of it, and you’ve got a winner!
Cooking boiled eggs isn’t exactly a hard thing to do – but it could definitely be a bit easier. I hate having to wait for water to start boiling and then deal with adjusting the temperature.
What if there was an easier way to make delicious eggs everyday?
In my hands-on Dash Rapid Egg Cooker review, I’ll tell you how it can make your life easier, what it’s really like, and if it’s worth the money.
In this review, I’ll be covering the red 6-egg model, Dash #DEC005RD. It’s also available in a 12 egg model (DEC012RD), with more colors to choose from depending on what’s in stock at retailers.
A well-known manufacturer of a range of home appliance products (including the Dash Compact air fryer I own), Dash offers a variety of affordable products. Not surprisingly, the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker is another appliance sold and advertised as making cooking eggs much simpler.
In this review, I’ll be covering the 6 egg model but it’s available in a 12 egg version as well.
The company offers a total of 5 color options:
Aqua
White
Red
Black
Yellow
I’ve picked up the red version as it also matches my Dash Compact air fryer. That’s one less-important but nice benefit: If you buy more Dash appliances it’s possible to have a matching set by choosing the same color.
You might be asking yourself, “Why should I buy the Dash egg cooker instead of just using boiling water?” I can answer that very easily.
There are several great reasons to consider the egg cooker:
No need for hot and dangerous boiling water that quickly spills can cause problems
Stops heating automatically when the water is used up
Provides hands-free operation once it’s set up
Near-perfect results every time
It’s very affordable (6 egg model: under $20; 12 egg model: $30 and below)
Lower energy use
Dash claims you can get boiled eggs in only 6 minutes.
But can you really cook eggs without the hassle of dangerous, hot boiling water, and in only 6 minutes? Read on to see what I found and my honest opinions.
Unboxing & first impressions
Packaging
Time to check it out! I unboxed the egg cooker and finally got a chance to get a feel for the quality. Not only that, but I was curious about how it works, too.
My Dash Rapid Egg Cooker arrived in a small box that doesn’t weigh very much. It’s well-packaged in a small square box.
Upon opening it up, there’s a user information packet placed right on top where you can’t miss it.
It’s a nice touch I like, and hopefully a great sign of what I can expect!
The egg cooker isn’t heavy & expensive like some air quality products I’ve tested and reviewed, so there’s no need for more packing like styrofoam or corrugated cardboard.
Regardless, the packaging is just like I’ve come to expect from the company: Nice-looking, professional, and looks good. It doesn’t feel cheap like some of the more generic products I’ve run across.
Getting it out and ready
After unboxing the cooker, you’ll need to remove the plastic bag, the twist tie, power cord plug cover, and the timer note tag too.
After removing it from the box I had to remove a few things:
The plastic bag (a simple loose knot, easy to undo)
AC power cord twist tie & power prong cover
The auto-off info tag on top
For some reason, although it’s also covered very clearly in the instructions, a note tag is included to explain that the unit will stop the heating plate automatically and sound a chime when the cooking water runs out.
That’s fine, and nice too, but a bit redundant I suppose. No problem, though!
What comes in the box?
After unboxing it and unpacking (note: the parts are stored from the factory inside the lid) I found the following parts included:
Boiling tray for 6 eggs & detachable tray handle
Poaching tray
Omelet bowl
Lid + base
Measuring cup
Card paper packet with the owner’s manual, quick start guide, and warranty registration note
Once open, the good news is that you’ll notice right away you won’t need any extra parts, aside from water, eggs, and the recommended non-stick cooking spray (optional).
Overall, I’m happy with what I found. Let’s check out the quality, shall we?
Shown: Some of the most popular products in the Levoit air purifier product family. The LV-PUR131 is a medium room air purifier with a different (flat) filter & fan motor versus popular sellers like the LV-H132 & Core 300. Several more models like the LV-H133 & H134 are available for larger rooms.
My recommendation is to consider spending just a bit more and get a much better performer for your dollar. The Winix 5500-2 is one of today’s best medium/large room purifiers today, and I’m crazy about mine!
It’s just so darn good to hear wonderful, soothing white noise!
In case the white color doesn’t suit your fancy, the LectroFan Classic model is also available in a handsome black color, too.
Take my advice and don’t pass it up! Take a moment and 
Need a bigger one? Check out it’s big brother, 
Need a more affordable option but don’t want to give up features? The GoWise USA 3.7 quart air fryer is a great compromise between price, features, and performance!
Watch out for high prices, however! Head over to 
Want some a bit different looking? Check out its twin, 
Using it is very easy with the 3 speed fan control. It’s quiet and generates a pleasing low noise level on the lowest setting. When set to high a sound like white noise is produced.
Looking for a competent but lower-priced choice? The Holmes HAP9240 may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. You’ll get a great compromise between performance, filter options, and price.
Love omelets? I sure do. What I don’t love is how much time, money, gas, and frustration it takes just to get a couple of eggs made into an omelet at a restaurant.
