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There’s a Reason Those Amazon Air Purifiers Are Cheaper…
We’re always looking for the most effective (and most affordable) way to live clean, safe lives in an ever-polluted world, especially in the comfort of our own homes. So we’ve been in love with the Sans Air Purifier ever since it quickly became one of the most sought-after units on the market in 2020. Medical-grade purification for less than $400 is hard (if not impossible) to come by.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sans is running their biggest sale of the year right now. For a limited time, get a bundle of two Air Minis for $100 off.
But for the price-conscious out there, the Sans Mini Air Purifier has quickly become a house-favorite at just $199.99 for nearly 500 sq. ft. of the same medical-grade purification. But is there an even cheaper option out there without sacrificing quality and effectiveness? We decided to investigate Amazon’s “Overall Picks” for air purifiers to find out: the $99 Levoit Core300 and the $49 AROEVE MK01.
To make a long story short, they’re not. Once you go below the tier of Sans’ medical-grade $199 Air Purifier Mini, you’re not really moving the needle in terms of air quality in your home. Let’s break it down.
Some Brand Background on the Internet’s Most Popular Air Purifiers
Of the three brands—Sans, Levoit, and AROEVE—AROEVE is probably the one you’re least likely to have heard of. They seem to have carved a niche out for themselves on the low end of the air purifier market… but with only 215 sq. ft. of coverage and no HEPA filter, it might not be a niche worth exploring.
Levoit is a Chinese brand that calls themselves the “#1 selling air purifier brand.” They were the subject of some controversy in August of 2023 when the Better Business Bureau challenged them on claims that their filters met HEPA standards. Even though Levoit settled the case by deciding to stop claiming HEPA, their Amazon listing still mentions it. Interesting…
Sans, on the other hand, is a Los Angeles-based brand that has gone above and beyond expectations since their launch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Founders Adam Bedford and John Fanelly wanted to bring consumers a medical-grade air purifier with a chic, modern design that wouldn’t ruin a room’s aesthetic—an effort that has Forbes & Architectural Digest on notice. Sans offers two purifiers: the Air Mini (up to 490 sq ft), and the Air (up to 1560 sq ft).
To compare these three tiers of air purifiers, we decided to break it down into three categories: filtration, effectiveness, and bonus features.
Filtration
AROEVE: AROEVE’s filter says it uses a cleanable pre-filter layer, a pollen and pet allergy layer, an “impressive filter layer,” and an activated carbon layer. With AROEVE’s absence of a HEPA filter, it’s worth explaining why HEPA is important. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are designed to capture 99.7% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller. So while AROEVE’s filters might be good for the big stuff floating around, the very fine particles will slip through. (This, of course, is not ideal.)
LEVOIT: Levoit does claim their filters are HEPA certified, but there’s some doubt on that claim as we mentioned earlier. Levoit also offers different filters depending on which particular concern you have for your home, offering options like The Toxin Absorber, The Smoke Remover, and the Pet Allergy Filter. While targeted filter options sound good at first, we find them to be a bit restrictive and limiting. Why not have a filter that can do it all?
SANS: Well, with Sans, you can. Sans’ filters are certified medical-grade, HEPA-13 filters that protect against 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. They also include a cleanable pre-filter layer and an activated carbon layer to absorb odors and kill any volatile organic compounds in the air. It’s worth mentioning Sans uses an entire pound of activated carbon, 3x the amount of the other brands. Sans is the best choice for filtration.
Effectiveness
AROEVE: It makes sense that the cheapest of the three purifies the least amount of area. Reaching only 215 sq. ft. per hour, the AROEVE might be applicable for very small spaces, but even then, the lack of HEPA filtration leaves its effectiveness up in the air (along with all the fine particles)…
LEVOIT: Just as it’s unclear whether Levoit can claim HEPA standards or not, it’s unclear just how large an area the Core300 purifies. The title in the Amazon listing claims “up to 1050 sq. ft,” but the informational video on the posting claims the device covers only 215 sq. ft., placing it more in line with the AROEVE.
SANS: Sans Mini cleans 490 sq. ft. every hour, nearly double both AROEVE and Levoit. Given this wide range, along with the HEPA-13 filtration, the full pound of activated carbon, and the internal UV-C light as a final layer of defense, Sans can cover more ground and ensure any room of the home gets clean, purified air.
Bonus Features
AROEVE: When it comes to “nice to haves,” AROEVE doesn’t have much. But that’s okay, because it’s what you’d expect from an ultra-budget purifier like this one.
LEVOIT: As we’ve mentioned before, Levoit has the option of various, condition-specific filters. (However, we found this limiting rather than useful.) The Levoit also comes with a “Sleep Mode,” which means it runs quieter and turns down the display lights.
SANS: With a device of this tier, you’d expect some additional features, and Sans delivers. For one, this purifier comes with what they call SmartPure™ technology which measures the air quality in your space in real time with precise sensors. Sans also runs at only 30 dB of volume and is easily maneuverable around the home, even with how much area it covers. These units were designed with aesthetics in mind and look great in any space, available in a white or black colorway.
To top it all off, Sans Air Mini comes with multiple light settings, including a complete lights-out function, so it won’t bother you when you’re going to sleep. Plus, while AROEVE doesn’t mention a warranty and Levoit has a 2-year warranty, Sans comes with a 5-year warranty.
Sans Proves That Some Products Just Can’t Be Replicated
When it comes to breathing pure, clean air throughout the home… it’s more than worth it to spend a little extra on the best of the best. With Sans, you’re getting $1000+ level, medical-grade air filtering at just $199.99 with a 5-year warranty to boot.
It’s an investment, but investing in your and your family’s health and safety is no trivial thing. Opting for the Sans Air Purifier Mini over the cheaper Amazon alternatives now gives you elite purification that looks great and performs even better for years to come. Whether it’s flu season, pollen season, wildfire season, or any kind of season, Sans has you (and your home) covered.
