Clearing the Air: Inside the Market of the Levoit Core 300 Series

Written By: Dr Fahad Yasin

BASIC PURIFIER, GREAT PERFORMANCE

The Levoit Core 300 air purifier is a basic air purifier with 3 fan speeds, a timer, and a sleep mode. It can treat rooms up to 215 sf. in size and had strong performance in our at-home tests. The 300S steps it up with air quality sensors and app connectivity.

Pros

  • Good for small areas, maxing out coverage around 215 square feet.
  • Lightweight and easy to move to various locations
  • 360° HEPA filtration
  • Auto Mode and real-time air quality monitoring (Core 300S only)

Cons

  • No auto mode with the standard Core 300
  • No LED light to display current air quality with the standard Core 300

Purification Test

Picture this: a medium-sized room, the Levoit Core 300 humming away, and a timer set for an hour. I could almost visualize the particles being sucked away, the graphs in my mind showing a downward trend of pollutants. The baseline and post-run data were as contrasting as a bull and bear market.

We used the Temtop LKC-1000S+ professional air quality detector to get a baseline reading for the existing air quality.

From there, we let the purifier run for an hour and then re-ran measurements.

The difference between the baseline and post-run data gives a solid picture of how well the air purifier was able to improve indoor air quality.

Levoit Core 300

Starting Baseline

PM2.5: 4.0

PM10: 6.7

Particles: 214

AQI: 16

After 1 hour

PM2.5: 0.4

PM10: 0.4

Particles: 29

AQI: 0

Levoit Core 300s

Starting Baseline

PM2.5: 3.7

PM10: 5.7

Particles: 859

AQI: 15

After 1 hour

PM2.5: 0.1

PM10: 0.2

Particles: 54

AQI: 1

Within 1 hour the Levoit Core 300 removed 96% of air particulates from the medium-sized room we tested in (~12’x12′).

The Core 300S removed 94% of air particulates from a medium-sized room we tested in (~14’x10′).

The Core 300 improved PM2.5 air quality by 87% while the 300S improved PM2.5 air quality by 97.3%. Overall, the Core 300 and 300S air purifiers did an exceptional job of purifying the air.

Below, we’ve included information on the testing criteria and what defines good vs. bad air quality.

The Filters

This Levoit Core 300 and 300S uses a trio of filters including:

  1. Fine pre-filter: captures larger particles like dust, lint, or fibers
  2. HEPA filter: captures particles as small as 0.3 microns
  3. Activated carbon filter: for odors like smoke, food, or pets

When it’s time to replace the filters, a filter indicator light on top will glow to let you know.

Noise Test

The Core 300S was tested from about 3’ away.

Our results showed the following decibel levels from each mode.
Sleep

17.5 dB

Low

22.0 dB

Normal

29.1 dB

41.6 dB

45.0 dB

According to the manufacturer, the Levoit Core 300 has a range of 17.5-45 db.

So even on the highest modes the Core 300 / 300s is still extremely quiet.

Levoit Core 300 vs. Core 300s

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison for the Levoit Core 300 vs. Core 300s.

Levoit Core 300

No air quality sensor
No auto mode
No app connectivity
Reduced PM2.5 to 0.4
Reduced PM10 to 0.4
Weighs 7.5 pounds

Levoit Core 300s

Includes air quality sensor
Includes an auto mode
App connectivity
Reduced PM2.5 to 0.1
Reduced PM10 to 0.2
Weights 5.95 pounds

Usability Tests

The unboxing felt like cracking open a company’s annual report. The Core 300 and its sleeker sibling, the 300S, made a solid first impression. The contents:

Levoit Core 300 or 300S air purifier

– The revered True HEPA 3-Stage Original Filter

– A User Manual that might as well have been an investor’s guide

Optional Levoit Filters

Original

Best For: Allergies, dust, and minor odors

Pet Allergy

Best For: Pet allergies and strong odors.

Toxin Absorber

Best ForHigh air pollution, smoke, and environmental toxins

Mold & Bacteria

Best ForMold, bacteria, and musty environments

Set-up

 

Setting it up? It’s a breeze. A bit like understanding a company’s revenue streams once you’ve got the hang of it.

  1. First, unbox the purifier.
  2. Remove the shell from the base by twisting it counterclockwise.
  3. Remove the plastic bag of the filter before running the air purifier. 
  4. Twist the shell to lock it back in place.

Controls

Ah, the controls. They’re as intuitive as reading a market trend, with functionalities to make even a Luddite feel tech-savvy.

The features include:
  • Timer (2, 4, 6, 8 hours)
  • Sleep mode
  • Adjust fan speed (sleep, low, medium, high)
  • Display lock
  • Filter reset
  • Display off
The Core 300S has all the same features as the 300, with a few extra.
The display also shows rings that indicate the current air quality in the surrounding area.

The Levoit 300 and 300S both have 4 fan speed options to choose from.

  • Sleep
  • Low
  • Normal
  • High
  • App

    The VeSync app for the 300S? Think of it as the Bloomberg Terminal for your air quality, offering insights and controls right at your fingertips.

    IQAir Atem X Size Comparison
    The app allows the user to set up a custom schedule, which can:
    • Turn on / off
    • Change the fan speed
    • Turn display on / off

    Maintenance

    Like any prized asset, it needs its check-ups, its moments of introspection to ensure it remains in top form.

      1. Wipe down the air intake and outlet grills with a dry, lint-free cloth
      2. Replace the filters every 6-8 months as recommended by the manufacturer
    Because the Core 300S has app connectivity, it will also notify you via the app if the filter needs to be replaced.

    Size & Dimensions

    The Levoit Core 300 and 300S are compact, unobtrusive and like any agile investment firm, it punches well above its weight.

    Unlike larger air purifiers that are designed to sit on the floor, the Levoit Core can be used on the floor, a table, or a desktop.
    • Length: 8.7″
    • Width: 8.7″
    • Height: 14.2″
    The Core 300 and 300S are similar in weight as well, although there is a slight difference.
    Core 300 Weight

    7.50 lbs.

    Core 300S Weight

    5.95 lbs.

    Should you buy the Levoit Core 300 or 300S Air Purifier?

    After days of analysis, it became evident: For the urban dweller, the tech enthusiast, or the health-conscious individual, the Levoit Core 300 or its sophisticated sibling, the 300S, is akin to that blue-chip stock—consistent and reliable.

    Overall, I would recommend the Levoit Core 300 or 300S if you’re looking for an air purifier with the following features:

    • Compact size
    • Value priced (Core 300)
    • App Connectivity (Core 300S)
    • Excellent performance
    Budget-Friendly, Compact Design
    Design - 94%
    Performance - 97%
    Quality - 94%
    Usability - 95%
    Value - 96%

    Summary

    The Levoit Core 300 air purifier is an excellent small to mid-size air purifier with a simple design and user interface. It has a 360° HEPA filter that maximizes air input and output to help cover more area faster. There are 4 modes on this purifier; high, medium, low, and sleep. The Core 300S has wifi connectivity and an “Auto Mode”, which senses the current indoor air quality and adjusts the fan speed appropriately.

    guest
    0 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments