Levoit

Looking for a compact air purifier that’s easy to use? Levoit is one of the top manufacturers of air quality products today. The newly introduced Vista 200 now joins the product family and offers another buying choice for a slightly lower price.

However, what are the strengths and weaknesses? And how does it compare to the existing super-popular LV-H132 model as well as the new Core 300 model?

In my detailed Levoit Vista 200 air purifier review I’ll tell this and much more – including if it’s a good buy or not.

Getting to know the Levoit Vista 200 air purifier

The family of Levoit air purifiers includes the best-selling LV-H132 and 2 newer models: The Vista 200 and the Core 300. All feature low-noise operation, a short and compact design, and a true HEPA filter. They also include features not found on competitors in their price range.

Levoit has been a long-time popular choice for well-made air quality products. Their LV-H132 is one of the all-time best selling compact air purifiers ever sold, in fact!

What’s different about Levoit air purifiers is their distinctive style, engineering quality, and features they offer while their competition doesn’t.

Some of the common characteristics you’ll find in the Levoit purifiers are:

• Distinctive circular design
• Electronic touch controls
• True HEPA filter with 99.97% efficiency for elements down to 0.3 millionths of a meter (0.3 microns)
• Prefilter with activated charcoal for odor & volatile organic chemical (VOC) absorption
• Low-noise operation with some of the quietest operation available
• White satin finish
• Nice convenience features
• Clear, simple instructions & customer support information
• Very simple, easy-access maintenance

While the LV-H132 has been a top seller for years, it’s a bit mature at this point. Recently 2 newer models were introduced that follow in its footsteps: The Core 300 and the Vista 200.

Let’s dig in and find out more about what makes the Vista 200 different, what you can expect, and if it’s a good choice for your money.

Unpacking & first impressions

Packaging

Unboxing my Vista 200. Like so many other quality Levoit products, my purifier arrived well-packaged and with helpful customer support contact information clearly presented on one of the box flaps when I opened it. Nice! Additionally, the purifier was neatly packaged along with the instruction manual and Quick Start Guide for getting it going easily.

Much like other Levoit purifiers I own and have tested, the Vista 200 arrived well-packaged and safely supported inside.

Upon opening the box you’ll find clearly labeled customer support contact info right on one of the box flaps. That’s always a great sign of things to come and good customer service.

Placed on top of the first recycled cardboard insert is a bag containing the owner’s manual, a Quick Start Guide with basic set-up and operation information, and an insert about the optional warranty extension.

It’s well-packaged and my impression so far was good. However, immediately when removing the purifier from the box I noticed how it’s much lighter than the sibling models.

What’s in the box?

After unpacking the purifier you’ll find the following included: The AC/DC 12V power supply, owner’s manual, quick start instruction sheet, and optional extended warranty insert.

Right away I noticed the Vista 200 has a much lighter & cheaper “feel” than both the Core 300 and LV-H132 which are both solid, well-made models. However, I prefer to stay open-minded and not draw any conclusions too soon.

One thing that’s very different about the Vista 200 is the use of an external AC-DC adapter. None of the other Levoit purifiers at this time use that design.

Differences that stand out right away

Shown: The AC-DC 12V adapter used to power the Vista 200 purifier. Unlike other purifiers including those from Levoit, this model is different in that the power supply is outside the chassis – there’s not a standard AC power cord. Instead, an external AC-DC adapter is used.

It’s important for me to clarify before we go further that the Vista 200 looks very similar to the Core 300 model but is very different in both performance and design.

As I mentioned above it’s very lightweight and simply doesn’t feel as solid in the hand. I’ll explain what I mean as we go.

While other models use an internal supply and a standard AC power cord, the Vista 200 uses an external AC-DC 12V adapter that plugs into a jack on the rear.

The quick start guide is good!

One thing that I really like is the quick start guide included in addition to the owner’s manual. It’s a very short 2-page set of instructions & diagrams to help you get the purifier up and running quickly.

It’s clear, easy for anyone to understand, and saves the trouble of having to hunt for the facts you need when getting started.

Build quality and fit & finish

The Vista 300 features a matte white finish and looks nice – and well put-together. Parts are tight, aligned correctly, and altogether it looks well-made. It’s obviously another quality model just like the others before it.

After opening and unpacking it I moved forward with my first inspection before powering it up and testing it for a few weeks.

The Vista 200 has a nice matte white body with a smart, modern design throughout. However, it’s easy to see that a few compromises were made to make this a budget product unlike its siblings.

Overall impressions and manufacturing quality

The good news is that it’s well-made: No defects, gaps in body panels, or cosmetic flaws to mention. It’s well put-together and the body itself feels good in the hand.

However, the center control panel uses a thin plastic insert and not the thicker, more attractive gloss or satin black insert used on other models. Immediately I picked up on this clue about it being a more budget, basic design.

As I’ll show you later, there’s more to the story than just cosmetics – in fact, the air cleaning performance has been greatly compromised as well, sadly.

Checking out the controls

Diagram showing the Levoit Vista 200 touch control functions & features. It’s very simple to use and a snap to get accustomed to quickly. Select a fan speed or super-quiet Sleep mode, turn the illumination on/off, select an optional auto-off timer choice. Turn the night light on or off any time you like as well.

I have to admit it – just like the other purifiers in the Levoit family, it’s really easy to use! In the picture above, you can see the touch controls, each with a symbol:

• Fan speed button (low, med, and high)
• Night light on/off
• Check filter indicator
• Control lighting on/off button
• Timer function/hour select (2, 4, & 8 hours selectable)
• Sleep mode
• Power on/off

The controls are nice and work well – they’re not too sensitive, and don’t need a hard touch, either. I found them reliable, clear to see, and I got the impression the design work behind them is solid and well-planned.

Unlike the LV-H132 model, the Vista 200 doesn’t beep when you touch the control buttons. It’s completely silent.

Fan speeds & modes

The fan controls are really simple to use: Just push the fan symbol to rotate through the 3 main speeds.

What I like about Levoit purifiers (and that you won’t find on many competitor models) is that they ramp up (or down) gracefully when changing speeds.

There’s no harsh, abrupt fan that “jumps” to a much faster setting, for example.

Sleep mode function

Sleep mode is a low-noise setting that can be entered or exited any time you like by touching the moon-shaped button. It puts the purifier in a whisper-quiet low fan mode to avoid disturbing you at night.

For once, it really is amazingly quiet as advertised! In fact, during testing, I couldn’t even tell it’s running while in Sleep mode.

Additionally, Sleep mode dims the button lighting to avoid disturbing you while you’re sleeping.

The auto-off timer feature

One added feature I really like is the ability to choose an auto-off timer so the purifier will turn itself off automatically. Just touch the button to rotate through 4 settings: 2, 4, or 8 hours of run time.

Oddly enough, while its “bigger brother” the Core 300 also offers a 6 hour option, the Vista only offers 3 options with 2, 4, and 8 hour settings.

However, in my experience, that’s fine for most people.

Other features

There are a few more features worth noting:

• Filter reminder: When lit (after around 6 months) it’s time to check your filters and replace if needed. You can reset the reminder by pushing and holding it for 3 seconds.
• Control lights on/off: Switches off ALL control panel lighting completely (great for sleeping or light-sensitive people like me!)
• Power on/off: Switches off the purifier completely.

Understanding the fan setting memory feature

One feature I really like is the control memory feature. At first I didn’t think it would matter to me, but in fact in daily use it’s really convenient.

The built-in memory feature recalls the last used fan mode settings you used and restores them at the next power-up and use.

Unfortunately, the memory feature does not turn the night light back on if you turned the purifier off when it was in use.

Regardless, it’s a great little touch also found on other Levoit models. I’m very happy to see they didn’t remove it despite the obviously lower-cost design.

Using the night light

As the night light is a cool feature you don’t see in many products I’ve decided to cover it in a bit more detail here.

Two brightness levels are provided: High and low. Just touch the light bulb symbol (night light button) to rotate through high, low, and off settings.

Unlike the LV-H132 model, a “soft white” (soft yellow/amber) light color is provided instead of blue. During testing I found the night light to be a nice little feature I enjoyed.

When set to high it’s not super-bright; it’s enough light for comfort and enough for going to the bathroom late at night.

The low setting is similar but with about 1/2 the brightness of high. Both modes draw a tiny amount of power (1.6W and 0.8W), so feel free to leave it on all the time if you like.

Specifications & CADR ratings

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.

An example of a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) label. Shown are the 3 air quality performance ratings for the Levoit Core 300 for example purposes.

The AHAM is an organization that verifies the testing results of home appliances & perform 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 test to find out their air cleaning effectiveness.

Basically, when shopping for a purifier it’s helpful to have an air cleaning performance rating to compare different models. In the case of the CADR rating, just remember that higher is better.

The Vista 200 and CADR rating problem

While CADR ratings are voluntary, the biggest manufacturers of today’s top products often provide these ratings to buyers.

However, with the Vista 200, that’s not the case. Sadly, for some reason, no CADR ratings are provided.

That makes it much more difficult to compare it to other products on the market. I’ll comment more on this subject below (see the section about air filter & performance further below).

Comparing the Levoit compact purifier vs tower models

The purifier is fairly short unlike some popular competitors such as the GermGuardian AC4825 which is 22″ tall. Measuring slightly under 13.5″ tall, the Vista 200 is pretty compact and fits in many areas bigger models can’t.

At around 13″ in height, it’s pretty small in height (the companion Core 300 is close, within 1″ also).

While most “tower” air purifiers tend to be rather tall at 22″ to 28″ or so (such as the popular competitor the GermGuardian AC4825) that makes the Levoit model a refreshing change if space is tight.

Be sure to give it enough room for airflow (about 15″ from each side) as it needs space to circulate air efficiently. You don’t want to restrict airflow in your room as circulation is important for proper air cleaning.

Weight

One thing I’ve learned is that shorter purifiers are harder to tip over by accident.

However, there’s something that really bugs me: Unlike the Levoit LV-H132 and new Core 300, the Vista 200 weighs less than half of those models and can be knocked over much more easily by accident.

That’s not a “real” issue to worry about in everyday life, but it’s something I noticed right away and that’s an unfortunate side effect of a more cheaply designed product.

At a mere 3.4 lbs in weight (the Core 300 is 7.5 lbs, by comparison) it’s just too light in the hands in my opinion. I miss the solid feel and weight of its sibling models.

Unlike other similar models, the Vista 200 uses a much cheaper – and lightweight and weaker – fan to circulate air. While the LV-H132 and Core 300 models use a far more powerful – and substantially built – fan to give a good air cleaning rate, the Vista 200 isn’t even in the same ballpark.

There are several reasons why this purifier feels cheap and – as I discovered later – has weak airflow and air cleaning ability.

The reasons are:

• The fan used is a low-cost unit that’s substantially weaker than the fans used in the LV-H132 and Core 300 models. It’s not only far lighter in weight but simply can’t give anywhere near the same airflow rate.
• As the electronics are simplified and the power supply is now located outside the body, this contributes to the lack of weight and a much less substantial “feel” than other models.

While the LV-H132 and Core 300 use far more solid & specialized fan assemblies the Vista doesn’t. Instead, I could clearly see a standard off-the-shelf brushless fan mounted inside the body.

Right away that’s a clue this isn’t the value performer I had hoped for. Think of the little DC cooling fan you’ll find inside desktop computer cases, but a bigger version. That’s what I mean.

Carrying the purifier

Much like other Levoit purifiers, one drawback is that there’s no provision for carrying it more easily.

Unlike competing models from Honeywell and GermGuardian, there isn’t a built-in carrying area to put your hand in. You’ll need to use 2 hands in this case.

Not a big deal by any means, but it’s something to be aware of.

Levoit Vista 200 power use measurements

Pictured: I measured power use in Watts for 7 settings: 4 total speeds/modes, power off, and the 2 night light settings.  I recorded power meter readings both with and without the night light featured switched on until I simply recorded each setting separately for best results. (Note: The night light can be used when the fan is off)

How many watts does the Vista 200 use?

While the owner’s manual does specify the largest power draw it uses, it doesn’t give power use measurements for the other settings and modes available.

Rather than guess, I measured power use in Watts for all fan modes as well as the off state and the night light feature, too.

Levoit Vista 200 power use measurement table

I have to say I’m surprised at how low the power consumption is! For example, many air purifiers in the price range of the Levoit small-medium room purifiers use up to about 55W on the high speed.

Comparing the Vista 200 to the Core 300, for example, when set the high the Vista 200 uses the same amount of power as the Core 300’s super-low speed Sleep mode!

While it may seem like the Vista 200 is incredibly efficient, that’s the wrong idea. It’s not.

The reason why is because the Vista 200 uses a much weaker & lower-speed fan that draws much less power than its siblings. You’re using less power, sure – but at the expense of a weak fan that can’t circulate air nearly as well as its siblings.

Air cleaning ability & performance

Shown: A comparison of Levoit true HEPA filters for 3 models. While the LV-H132 offers a better odor-capturing prefilter containing carbon pellets, its HEPA filter size is less than half that of that found in the Core 300 & the Vista 200. Right: The new Core 300 and Vista 200 models share a nearly identical style of filter assembly aside from their size and minor details.

The slightly older model LV-H132 used a very compact filter with real carbon pellets for trapping additional odor and volatile organic compounds (VCOs) from the air. Unlike it, however, the Core 300’s filter uses a standard coated prefilter with activated carbon substance.

While that is a disadvantage, the design does have an interesting benefit: The HEPA filter size is slightly more than twice that of the LV-H132’s filter area. This means a longer filter life capacity.

Levoit Vista 200 square feet coverage and room size

As it’s rated for up to 161 square feet by the manufacturer, it’s well suited for medium-sized rooms, although there’s absolutely no reason you can’t use it in small bedrooms.

161 sq ft is roughly a 10 x 16 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.

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.

In the case of the Vista 200, however, the low airflow rate means its cleaning efficiency is lower than most competitor’s products in its price range.

Filter ability

The Vista 200 HEPA filter section is made 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 good for removing the most common air quality issues (especially those that cause allergies and even sickness!)

Here’s the basic list of air contaminants the Vista 200’s filter 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

What is the 3-stage filter?

Essentially, it’s a 2-stage filter assembly made up of 2 major sections with 3 total stages: The pre-filter/activated carbon filter, an activated carbon filter coating, and finally the HEPA filter.

The pre-filter section is a less dense & thin section covering the active carbon filter. Its job is to first capture larger items in the air like pet hair, dust, and so on. The active carbon filter coating traps odors and other chemical substances in the air.

Finally, the HEPA filter captures a whopping 99.97% of particles passing through it down to 0.3 microns in size. That’s less than 1 millionth of a meter in size.

How effective is the Vista 200’s air cleaning?

During testing I sadly did not find the purifier’s cleaning performance to be as good as other Levoit products and its competitors.

It’s a decent air purifier – don’t get me wrong. However, it’s simply not on par with the likes of its siblings and other competitors in its price range. A good example is the GermGuardian AC4825 I tested and wrote a detailed review about here.

Ultimately, the biggest issue is the weak airflow rate and less effective cycling of air in the room that you’ll want for efficient air cleaning.

It does provide basic air cleaning with a true HEPA filter, but it’s simply not a good performer for what I paid for it. For that reason, I can’t support you paying what I did for mine (around $80).

Additionally, there are no optional filter upgrades available for pet dander problems or odors & toxins like the Core 300 offers.

Does the Vista 200 produce ozone?

As I explain more in this post, as it’s a filter-based air cleaning purifier it doesn’t produce byproducts in the air around you.

The Vista 200 is perfectly safe and healthy as it does not produce any ozone. There’s no need to worry about that unlike some other products on the market today (no very high-quality air purifier would be producing noticeable ozone, anyway!)

Filter replacement indicators & maintenance costs

Replacement indicator light

Example image showing the filter replacement feature which lights after 6 months.

Approximately every 6 months the filter check reminder will light indicating it’s time to check it and replace as needed.

Note that the company recommends you replace the filter sooner under especially heavy use – the filter reminder serves as a general guideline.

Additionally, a nice feature is that you can brush or vacuum the prefilter to extend its life & cleaning efficiency. That’s especially great to see considering how not everyone will completely use up the HEPA filter for a long time.

Filter life, replacement options, and cost

For lighter use, the life can be extended by vacuuming the prefilter and you might be able to exceed 8 months, although I’d still recommend replacing it after 6 to 8 months of use.

You’d be surprised how much nastiness the filter will trap and that will build up quickly!

A typical life expectancy for the HEPA filter can be around 8 months or so and in some cases even as much as 12 months, although that’s unusual. Expect to replace it after around 6-8 months or so as a rule of thumb.

Replacement filters cost around $16 for the original replacement which is quite affordable in comparison to other brands which may cost up to twice as much (or more!).

How hard is it to replace the filter?

Removing & replacing the filter is super easy and one of the simplest I’ve seen yet. You’ll need to turn the purifier upside down, then simply unlock the cover by twisting it then pull the filter out by the handle.

Filter replacement is very easy and only takes a few seconds. Honestly, it’s one of the best designs I’ve seen yet, and I’ve used many few different purifiers.

Basically, it’s just a few simple steps:

1. Turn the purifier upside down (carefully to avoid scratching it).
2. Twist off the cover retaining knob until it’s fully off. Remove the cover.
3. Pull the filter out.

Replacement is the exact reverse and just as fast, too. While not quite as easy as the other Levoit models I’ve mentioned, it’s still super-easy and a snap to do.

Owner’s manual quality

The owner’s manual is clear, easy to read, and full of helpful instructions anyone can understand. It’s an excellent example of a well-done instruction manual and one of the best I’ve come across. (Click to enlarge)

I reviewed the instructions and found the owner’s manual to be very clear, helpful, and it really helps you get started quickly.

In the owner’s manual you’ll find:

• How to best use your purifier
• The control panel operation
• Filter maintenance and replacement information
• Basic specifications and square feet coverage
• Troubleshooting for various performance or functional problems that could arise

It’s very well-done and makes using the purifier an easy task, unlike some lesser brands & products I’ve tested. I’m pretty darn happy with it, honestly.

Noise levels during use

The company advertises it as having low noise operation and in my experience, while it’s true, it’s not as pleasant as its sibling models. In terms of only the volume level, it is in fact very quiet in fact.

• Sleep mode is incredibly quiet – so much so you can’t tell the fan is running
• Low speed (#1) is extremely quiet and not easily detectable to the human ear
• Medium (#2) is very quiet and has a very low operational noise but has a bit of a “hollow” tone to the sound, likely due to the lightweight body and the fan used.
• High (#3) has a fair amount of sound but is still easily covered by the sound of the radio, TV, or music in many cases. However, it’s not pleasing to the ear like other models I own & tested.

The high setting is especially helpful for the quickest cleaning of contaminated air.

According to the owner’s manual when air quality is poor it’s best to run it at the high setting for a while then turn it back to the low or medium setting.

While I’ve been very happy with the LV-H132 and Core 300’s quiet sound levels and pleasing, smooth “white noise” sound during use, in this area the Vista 200 is a disappointment.

The sound tone produced when in use isn’t nearly as pleasing – or easy to overlook – as the LV-H132 & Core 300. 

Because the purifier has a lower-cost build and less mass, there’s an odd “hollow” sound produced that I really don’t like.

Volume measurements

I measured volume levels using a nice digital decibel sound level meter at 1 meter (3.28 ft) from the purifier.

Sleep mode is incredibly quiet – so much my ears can’t even detect it’s on.

Low is extremely quiet as well – essentially impossible to hear. Medium and high noise levels are very good, with the high setting about the same as other purifiers like the GermGuardian AC4825, but around 9 dB louder than the LV-H132’s high setting.

Although it has nearly the same volume on high as the Core 300, somehow that model was less noticeable to my ears – likely due to the “smoother”, more gentle sound the Core 300 produces.

Night brightness

I checked the purifier’s brightness in a dark room and found it to be very good – not bright enough to cause sleep problems overnight. Even so, thanks to the built-in light control feature you can turn off all button lighting any time you like.

If you’re a light sleeper light me you’re always having to worry about little things that make it tough to sleep and can even wake you up later. That’s why I always check the night brightness of products with electronic panels with illumination.

When testing the Vista 200 I found it to be pretty good in a darkened room and the brightness isn’t really a concern. However, if you want it perfectly dark that’s not a problem!

You can completely switch off control button lighting by using the lighting on/off button. I like it!

Don’t forget that the almost silent Sleep mode darkens the button lighting as well.

Levoit LV-H132 vs Vista 200

Above: The Levoit LV-H132 (left) is one of the best-selling air purifiers of all time and set the bar high for what a compact air purifier should be. The Vista 200 (right) offers many similar features but also adds an auto-off timer as well.

While they share a few similarities, the older LV-H132 and Vista 200 do have a few differences worth mentioning.

Here’s a helpful comparison table to cover the basics first:

Image

Model

LV-H132

Vista 200

Filter type

3-stage/HEPA w/carbon pellet odor control

3-stage/HEPA

Room sq ft

129

161

Warranty

2 years

1 yr (extended optional)

Night light

Sleep mode

Beep sounds

Auto-off timer

Noise levels (dB)

40/43/47.9

40.3/40.5/42.8/56.2

Current price

$69.99

$89.99

Image

Model

LV-H132

Filter type

3-stage/HEPA w/carbon pellet odor control

Room sq ft

129

Warranty

2 years

Night light

Sleep mode

Beep sounds

Auto-off timer

Noise levels (dB)

40/43/47.9

Current price

$69.99

Image

Model

Vista 200

Filter type

3-stage/HEPA

Room sq ft

161

Warranty

1 yr (extended optional)

Night light

Sleep mode

Beep sounds

Auto-off timer

Noise levels (dB)

40.3/40.5/42.8/56.2

Current price

$89.99

To keep it simple, the most notable differences are:

• The LV-H132 has a room size coverage of 129 sq feet vs the 161 sq ft of the Vista 200.
• The LV-H132 also has a night light as does the Vista 200, but with a blue color
• The LV-H132 provides a prefilter with real carbon pellets (better) for odor absorption while the other uses a standard activated carbon coating
• The Vista provides 3 fan speed + an ultra-quiet Sleep mode. No sleep mode is provided with the LV-H132
• No auto-off timer on the LV-H132
• Controls on the LV-H132 produce a beep while the other’s do not
• 2 yr warranty included (LV-H132) vs a 1 yr warranty with the option to extend by 1 more year
• The LV-H132 features better airflow and air cleaning performance as it uses a more advanced & higher-quality fan
• The LV-H132 is a more solid, heavier build than the Vista 200

Top view of the control panel on the LV-H132 vs the Vista 200.

Ultimately, while the Vista is listed as providing larger room size coverage (161 sq ft) it’s simply not as good of an air purifier as the LV-H132 with its proven track record.

Filter replacements are about the same price, by the way.

Levoit Vista 200 vs Core 300

Although they look very similar, there are some differences to know below the surface. These two models may share the same design style but they’re built very differently.

Despite (at the time of this post) only a small difference in price, these two models have significant differences in performance and how they’re built. In my opinion the Core 300’s quality and air cleaning performance are far above that of the Vista 200.

Here’s a simple comparison table to highlight some of the biggest differences:

Image

Model

Vista 200

Core 300

Sleep mode

Auto-off timer

Timer choices

2, 4, 8 hrs

2, 4, 6, 8 hrs

Filter type

3-stage HEPA

3-stage HEPA

Warranty

1 yr (extended optional)

1 yr (extended optional)

Night light

Filter upgrades

Fan speeds

3 + Sleep mode

3 + Sleep mode

Room sq ft

161

215

CADR rating

(Not provided)

141/140/145

Current price

$89.99

Price not available

Image

Model

Vista 200

Sleep mode

Auto-off timer

Timer choices

2, 4, 8 hrs

Filter type

3-stage HEPA

Warranty

1 yr (extended optional)

Night light

Filter upgrades

Fan speeds

3 + Sleep mode

Room sq ft

161

CADR rating

(Not provided)

Current price

$89.99

Image

Model

Core 300

Sleep mode

Auto-off timer

Timer choices

2, 4, 6, 8 hrs

Filter type

3-stage HEPA

Warranty

1 yr (extended optional)

Night light

Filter upgrades

Fan speeds

3 + Sleep mode

Room sq ft

215

CADR rating

141/140/145

Current price

Price not available

To keep it simple, the biggest differences are:

• The Vista 200 has 161 sq ft coverage vs the 215 sq ft you’ll get with the Core 300.
• The Vista 200 offers a 2-level night light option. The Core 300 does not (replaced with a control lock feature).
• The Core 300 draws up to 43W while the Vista only 10W maximum.
• The Core 300 offers more effective air cleaning with both a larger true HEPA filter, good CADR rating, and good airflow rate. The Vista 200 doesn’t have CADR ratings provided (I estimate it’s around 100 for each or less) and air flow is mediocre at best.
• Upgraded filter options are available for purchase for the Core 300; No such options exist for the Vista 200.
• The Core 300’s sound levels are not only comparable but are much more pleasant to hear. The Vista 200 produces an unpleasant, coarser “hollow” sound due to its design.
• The Core 300 has a much heavier, solid feel and a much better fan motor is used.

Ultimately, when comparing everything the Core 300 is a better buy and a more effective air purifier for the money.

The Core 300 has a much more powerful fan motor than the very low-cost, lightweight one found in the Vista 200. It’s also a much more solid and heavier unit. I’m a fan of the Core 300, but not the Vista 200 after using both. Also, the Core 300 is simply much more pleasing to the ear when the fan is working!

At this point, I’m honestly confused as to why the company brought the Vista 200 to the market.

If the retail price is almost the same as the older, but better, LV-H132, and within a few dollars of the new and better-built, more powerful Core 300, why buy it?

In my opinion, the Vista 200 is overpriced at this time and I wouldn’t pay above $50-$55 for it. I’d gladly spend more to get the Core 300 as I enjoyed it much and it’s more effective, too!

Alternatively, the good old standby GermGuardian AC4825 is a great choice as well, although you won’t get the same compact size and modern features like Levoit offers.

Review summary & score

The Vista 200 isn’t by any means a bad choice – if it were priced for the budget quality you get. As it stands right now, however, what you get just isn’t worth the price.

I have to say I’m disappointed with the budget feel and cheap design that results in a lower airflow rate (meaning weaker air cleaning). I’m also not happy with a noisier operation than I’ve come to expect from the other very nice Levoit purifiers. It’s a bit annoying to hear while it’s running unlike the others.

Ultimately, when it comes to value and performance it simply doesn’t make sense to buy this at full price vs the LV-H132 or the new Core 300. I enjoyed my Core 300 so much I gave it a good score in my detailed review here.

Those two models are better performers, offer more pleasing noise levels, and are much more solidly built. It’s critical I tell you the truth so you get the best for your money, after all!

Want to read more about the Vista 200? Head over now to see the current buyer Vista 200 reviews and more details at Amazon.

My recommendation is to spend just a few dollars more and get a much better performer – and value – for your dollar. I’m a happy Core 300 owner I’m sure you’ll love it, too!

Find out now why the Core 300 is one of the best new air purifiers at Amazon.