Levoit Core 300 Review

The Levoit Core 300 stands out for having excellent air-purifying capabilities, particularly for its size. It's also easy to set up and user-friendly. It offers some of the most customizable programming options of any of the models we tested and even includes a sleep mode. It's also lightweight and easy to move this machine from room to room.

Performance Comparison

Air Cleaning Performance

Air cleaning performance is the hallmark ability of an air purifier. If it doesn't do this well, none of the other metrics really matter. For that reason, this metric accounts for most of each device score. A simple but important factor to consider is whether the machine you're looking at has an adequate CADR (clean air delivery rate) score for the space you need. The larger the number, the bigger the space the machine can handle. It's equally important that this number has been authenticated by AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers); not all options go through this verification process. The Core 300 has the AHAM stamp of approval and boasts a CADR of 141 cubic feet per minute. This puts it in a good spot in our testing group, though it's not the highest performer for truly large spaces.

To test the actual air purifying performance of each machine, we sealed off our 150-square-foot testing room and burned paper and other materials in a tin foil lined bowl until the air quality reached our desired level of measurable particulates in the air. We then ran each machine for an hour to see how it performed. After the first 30 minutes of operation, the Core 300 reduced the large particulates in the room pretty drastically. After a full hour, it cleared out 99.92%% of the large particles. While no machine we tested entirely eliminated the odor left behind from the smoke, the Core 300 seriously reduced the smell and greatly improved visibility.

Noise

While different people will find different levels of noise more or less tolerable, we measured how loud each machine is using a decibel reader. When set to high, the Core 300 produced 52.3 decibels, making it one of the louder machines we tested.

Our testers noted that while the noise emitted by the Levoit Core 300 wasn't unpleasant, it did produce an obvious whirring sound similar to a small fan. On the medium setting, we measured 43 decibels, which was still quite noticeable. However, on the low setting, it was virtually silent. This machine also has a sleep setting, which not only keeps the noise to an unnoticeable level but also dims the display lights. All things considered, we don't see the sound levels emitted to be much of a problem unless you need total silence from your purifier.

Ease of Use

Ease of use refers to just how user-friendly and intuitive each machine is to operate. The first thing we did was get out a stopwatch and time how long it took to go from the unopened box to have the machine up and running. Needing minimal effort to assemble, it only took our testers two minutes to get the Core 300 set up.

While it isn't equipped with a remote control or companion app, the LED interface on the Core 300 is easy to understand and use. It has an impressive number of settings and programming options. It includes three control speeds, a control lock, a timer that can be set for two, four, six, and eight hours, and a sleep mode that dims the display lights and is quieter than the low setting, which is great if you're a light sleeper. The only thing this device is really missing is an automatic air sensor. Some of the more premium options will kick on by themselves if the air quality in the room dips below a certain level. Keep in mind you will need to perform simple maintenance. The prefilter needs to be cleaned once a month, and the filters will need changed out every six to eight months depending on usage. Both require little effort thanks to the solid design.

The Levoit Core 300 is relatively small. That combined, with its low weight of just over seven pounds, makes this unit highly portable. You can even place it on your nightstand for added convenience. If you're looking for a compact machine that still cleans the air really well, this is one of the better options available.

Operating Cost

To measure the operating cost of each machine, we hook them up to a kilowatt reader and measure how many kilowatts per hour they consume. When set to medium and used for two hours, the Core 300 used .05 kilowatts. We then assumed an average use time of 12 hours per day, which would be about 109.5 kilowatts used per year. This averages out to cost an estimated $20.00 per year depending on the energy costs in your local area.

The filter for the Levoit needs to be changed every six to eight months. The HEPA-grade filters are quite inexpensive, and we estimate that you'll spend less money on this device compared to most others we've reviewed. In other words, this model is very efficient across the board, and the additional costs to keep it running are relatively minimal.

Should You Buy the Levoit Core 300?

The Levoit Core 300 offers consumers excellent value, combining affordability with solid performance. With a very reasonable MSRP and relatively low operating costs, this compact machine delivers impressive air purification. Outside of the absence of an air sensor and its small coverage, it has no clear weaknesses and should definitely be considered unless you have a larger space to purify.

What Other Air Purifiers Should You Consider?