Air purifiers have turn out to be more and more well-liked lately. There are a number of the explanation why, resembling rising air pollution in some areas, or individuals who, like me, stay involved about COVID-19 for numerous official causes. Air purifiers have emerged as a option to fight these items, although I stay skeptical about their efficacy.
So, when Coway reached out to me about testing their Airmega 250 air air purifier, for sure, I used to be intrigued. But after working it basically continuous in my house for the final month, I’m undecided it actually made a distinction (although there won’t have been a lot of a distinction to make).
Before I get an excessive amount of additional into my expertise with the Airmega 250, I wish to rapidly go over a few of the options and specs. It’s value noting that there are two variants, the 250 and the 250S. I examined the 250, but the only distinction with the 250S is that it’s Wi-Fi enabled, permitting you to attach it to a smartphone app. Frankly, I don’t assume the added value to get this performance is wanted (hold studying to be taught why). Beyond operate, the design and construct high quality are glorious. It feels actually sturdy, the items match collectively properly, and it even has a woven cable. Plus, it runs very quietly (extra on this under).
The Airmega covers 930ft² or 86m² and presents three-stage filtration, easy-to-clean filters and extra. First up is the pre-filter for catching mud and hair. Then comes the ‘Max2’ filter, which mixes a ‘Green True’ excessive effectivity particulate air (HEPA) filter and an activated carbon filter. The former catches micro organism, mould, viruses and pollen, whereas the latter captures meals smells, cigarette odours, unstable natural compounds (VOCs) and extra.
Coway makes some massive claims on its web site about how properly the Airmega can take contaminants and viruses, like COVID, out of the air. Although HEPA filters can seize COVID virus particles, all of Coway’s numbers had been primarily based on laboratory checks, which seemingly received’t translate into real-world use.
Can my air get any extra clear?
Speaking of real-world use, it’s troublesome to quantify how properly the Airmega labored in my house. I stay in a glorified basement house, and whereas I don’t recall the precise sq. footage, it’s only 200-300ft² greater than the protection boasted by the Airmega 250.
I began by working the Airmega in the principle room of the house, which additionally consists of the kitchen. Later I moved it to my bed room. In each circumstances, the sensors on the Airmega reported ‘good’ air high quality (a blue line on high) or generally ‘moderate’ high quality (a inexperienced line). I by no means noticed it dip into ‘unhealthy’ (yellow) or ‘very unhealthy’ (crimson).
While it was reassuring to see that the air high quality in my house wasn’t dangerous, it additionally made it harder to evaluate how properly the Airmega labored, given there was little for it to enhance. When I ran it in my predominant room/kitchen space, I didn’t discover any distinction from utilizing the Airmega, although I had hoped it’d assist lower down on odours left over from cooking.
When working the Airmega in my bed room, I did discover a marginal enchancment within the ‘freshness’ of the air in my bed room. It’s not an enormous change, but it was welcome because the room doesn’t get as a lot airflow within the winter — the remainder of the yr I wish to hold a window open and/or a fan working to maneuver air round. (I’ve additionally acquired an 11-month-old who likes to discover, so we are inclined to hold the bed room door closed to restrict the place she will go.)
Quiet as a mouse
If working the Airmega in my bed room didn’t clue you in, then let me lay it out: this factor is quiet!
I virtually solely ran the Airmega in ‘Smart Mode,’ which mechanically adjusts the fan velocity primarily based on air high quality. As talked about above, the air high quality in my house was often fantastic, so the Airmega often stored the fan velocity to the bottom of the three ranges. It’s quiet sufficient that you won’t hear it working even when standing subsequent to it. Occasionally the velocity would ramp up when the Airmega moved from ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ air high quality, but it nonetheless wasn’t that loud. At degree three, it was way more noticeable, but removed from the loudest factor in my house.
To get extra concrete numbers, I downloaded a sound-measuring app on my telephone and ran a number of checks. With the Airmega off, my house ranged within the 30-35dB vary, which is fairly quiet (it’s a lot louder when my daughter isn’t napping, in fact). When I ran the Airmega and degree one or two velocity, it barely made a blip on the sound measuring app, whereas degree three pushed it as much as 45-47dB, or the equal of a “quiet library,” based on the app. So even on the loudest, the Airmega was fairly quiet.
It’s additionally value noting that Smart Mode mechanically makes changes for sleep and power conservation. Using a light-weight sensor, the Airmega will mechanically flip off to cut back noise and energy when it detects a darkish room and if the air high quality is good for not less than three minutes. When it detects 5 minutes of sunshine, or if the air high quality turns into average or worse, the Airmega will get up and run.
Likewise, if the Airmega detects good air high quality for over 10 minutes, it’ll flip off the fan till it detects air air pollution once more.
Worth the acquisition?
Overall, my expertise with the Airmega 250 was usually constructive. Still, I’m undecided I may usually suggest it, or any air air purifier, for that matter. At least, to not anybody that doesn’t need one. I’m fortunate sufficient to stay someplace with usually good air high quality, and albeit, the Airmega hasn’t carried out a lot to enhance it.
So, in the end I’d suggest somebody excited by an air air purifier check their indoor air high quality first to see if an air air purifier could be helpful. If you truly need an air air purifier, then the Airmega looks like a strong, if expensive, possibility.
Coway fees $549 for the Airmega 250 in Canada. At the time of writing, the 250S wasn’t listed on Coway’s web site, but Amazon Canada had each the 250 and 250S. At the time of writing, each had been on sale; the 250 was accessible for $447.70 (common $538.02), whereas the Wi-Fi-enabled 250S was listed for $525.39 (common $594.94). It’s not clear how lengthy the sale will final, but if you’re dead-set on the Wi-Fi mannequin, then Amazon is the best way to go.
For what it’s value, I’d say skip the Wi-Fi mannequin and save your self some cash. For me, the Airmega 250 was a set-and-forget expertise, and after I did wish to flip it off or alter the controls, it wasn’t a giant deal to stroll over to it and press a button.
Unfortunately, the price of the Airmega is only a part of the worth dialog. It comes with one Max2 filter, but finally, you’ll need to switch it. Coway advertises that the filters are good for six months to one yr, but at $109, that’s a big repeating value. (Coway does promote a 20 % low cost on filters if you register your system, but it’s nonetheless rather a lot).
Moreover, Coway presents a wide range of air purifiers starting from $269 to $889 with completely different protection areas and options. It’d be value evaluating to see which one would work finest to your house and funds if the Airmega 250 doesn’t match but you nonetheless need an air air purifier. You can examine these out right here.
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…. to be continued
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