NEWS ROOM

Air purifiers have develop into more and more well-liked in recent times. There are a number of explanation why, reminiscent of elevated air pollution in some areas, or individuals who, like me, proceed to be involved about COVID-19 for varied legit causes. Air purifiers have emerged as a technique to fight these items, though I stay skeptical of their effectiveness.

So when Coway approached me about attempting out his Airmega 250 air air purifier, for sure, he was intrigued. However after operating it basically continuous in my residence for the final month, I am undecided it actually made a distinction (though there might not have been a lot of a distinction to make).

Earlier than I get too deep into my expertise with the Airmega 250, I wish to shortly go over a number of the options and specs. It’s value noting that there are two variants, the 250 and the 250S. I’ve tried the 250, however the one distinction to the 250S is that it is Wi-Fi enabled, permitting you to attach it to a smartphone app. Frankly, I do not assume the additional value to get this performance is critical (learn on to search out out why). Past perform, the design and construct high quality are glorious. It feels very sturdy, the items match collectively properly, and it even has a woven cable. Additionally, it runs very quietly (extra on that under).

The Airmega covers 930 sq. toes or 86 m² and presents three-stage filtration, easy-to-clean filters, and extra. First is the pre-filter to catch mud and hair. Subsequent comes the ‘Max2’ filter, which mixes a ‘Inexperienced True’ Excessive Effectivity Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and an activated carbon filter. The previous traps micro organism, mould, viruses, and pollen, whereas the latter captures meals odors, cigarette odors, unstable natural compounds (VOCs), and extra.

Coway makes large claims on his web site about how properly the Airmega can take away contaminants and viruses, reminiscent of COVID, from the air. Though HEPA filters can seize particles of the COVID virus, all of Coway’s numbers have been primarily based on laboratory testing, which most likely does not translate to precise use.

Can my air be cleaner?

Talking of real-world utilization, it is onerous to quantify how properly the Airmega labored in my area. I stay in an excellent basement residence, and whereas I am unable to bear in mind the precise sq. footage, that is solely 200-300 sq. toes greater than the protection the Airmega 250 presents.

I began by operating the Airmega in the principle room of the residence, which additionally contains the kitchen. Later I moved it to my bed room. In each circumstances, the Airmega’s sensors reported “good” air high quality (a blue line on the high) or typically “reasonable” high quality (a inexperienced line). I by no means noticed it dip into ‘unhealthy’ (yellow) or ‘very unhealthy’ (purple).

Whereas it was reassuring to see that the air high quality in my residence wasn’t dangerous, it additionally made it tougher to evaluate how properly the Airmega was performing, since there was little room for enchancment. After I ran it in my essential room/kitchen space, I did not discover any distinction from utilizing the Airmega, though I hoped it’d assist cut back odors left over from cooking.

After I ran the Airmega in my bed room, I seen a marginal enchancment within the ‘freshness’ of the air in my bed room. It isn’t an enormous change, however it was welcome because the room does not get as a lot airflow within the winter; the remainder of the yr I wish to maintain a window open and/or a fan on to maneuver air. (I even have an 11-month-old who likes to discover, so we are inclined to maintain the bed room door closed to restrict the place she will be able to go.)

quiet as a mouse

If utilizing the Airmega in my bed room did not provide the clue, then let me lay it out: this factor is don’t fret!

I ran the Airmega virtually solely in ‘Good Mode’, which mechanically adjusts the fan velocity primarily based on air high quality. As talked about above, the air high quality in my residence was typically good, so the Airmega sometimes stored the fan velocity on the lowest of the three settings. It is quiet sufficient that you do not hear it operating even whenever you’re standing subsequent to it. Often the velocity would choose up because the Airmega went from “good” to “reasonable” air high quality, however it nonetheless wasn’t as loud. On degree three, it was rather more noticeable, however removed from the loudest factor in my residence.

To get extra concrete numbers, I downloaded a sound measurement app on my telephone and ran some exams. With the Airmega turned off, my residence hovered round 30-35 dB, which is fairly quiet (it is a lot louder when my daughter is not napping, in fact). After I ran the Airmega and velocity degree one or two, it barely made a flicker within the sound meter app, whereas degree three introduced it as much as 45-47dB, or the equal of a “quiet library”, relying on the app. . So even on the highest degree, the Airmega was fairly quiet.

It is also value noting that Good Mode mechanically makes changes for sleep and vitality conservation. With a light-weight sensor, the Airmega will mechanically shut off to scale back noise and energy when it detects a darkish room and if the air high quality is sweet for not less than three minutes. When it detects 5 minutes of sunshine, or if the air high quality turns into reasonable or worse, the Airmega will kick in and run.

Equally, if the Airmega detects good air high quality for greater than 10 minutes, it’s going to flip off the fan till it detects air air pollution once more.

Is it definitely worth the buy?

General, my expertise with the Airmega 250 was typically constructive. Nonetheless, I am undecided I can suggest it usually, or any air air purifier for that matter. At the very least, to not anybody who does not want it. I am fortunate to stay someplace with typically good air high quality, and admittedly, the Airmega hasn’t accomplished a lot to enhance it.

So in the end I might suggest somebody excited about an air air purifier first check their indoor air high quality to see if an air air purifier can be useful. If you really want an air air purifier, then the Airmega looks as if a strong, if costly, possibility.

Coway fees $549 for the Airmega 250 in Canada. On the time of writing, the 250S was not listed on Coway’s web site, however Amazon Canada had each the 250 and 250S. On the time of writing this text, each have been on the market; the 250 was obtainable for $447.70 (common $538.02), whereas the 250S with Wi-Fi was listed for $525.39 (common $594.94). It is unclear how lengthy the sale will final, however when you’re uncertain of the Wi-Fi mannequin, then Amazon is the way in which to go.

For what it is value, I might say skip the Wi-Fi mannequin and avoid wasting cash. For me, the Airmega 250 was a set-and-forget expertise, and once I wished to show it off or alter the controls, it wasn’t a giant deal to stroll as much as it and press a button.

Sadly, the price of the Airmega is just one a part of the pricing dialog. It comes with a Max2 filter, however finally, you will want to interchange it. Coway advertises that the filters are good for six months to a yr, however at $109, that is a major repeat value. (Coway promotes a 20 p.c low cost on filters when you register your machine, however that is nonetheless so much.)

Moreover, Coway presents quite a lot of air purifiers starting from $269 to $889 with totally different protection areas and options. It may be value evaluating to see which might work greatest to your area and price range if the Airmega 250 does not match the invoice however you continue to want an air air purifier. You’ll be able to test them right here.

MobileSyrup makes use of affiliate associations. These associations don’t affect our editorial content material, though MobileSyrup might earn a fee on purchases made via these hyperlinks.