Shark NeverChange Review

One of the trickiest parts of owning and frequently using an air purifier is remembering to order and then change the yucky, dust-ridden filter every several months. The Shark NeverChange eliminates the fuss of filter changing, with its system of particle barriers and a built-in HEPA filter that doesn't need to be altered for an impressive five years. Though this model didn't clean air as quickly and efficiently as our overall winner, our team was impressed with its amazing sensor (which can be set to three different particulate matter sizes), low noise level, and built-in air quality monitor.

Air Cleaning Performance

While it wasn't the fastest at clearing large and small particulate matter from the air, the Shark NeverChange offers decent indoor air filtration for harmful particles, like smoke, pollen, and pet dander, and it's quiet, to boot.

In the first 10 minutes of our test, the NeverChange cleared out roughly 45% of small particles. In total, it took this machine 76 minutes to clear out 99% of the smoky and dirty air in our medium-sized testing space.

Sporting a combination of a removable (and cleanable) debris blocker, a pet dander barrier, an activated carbon filter, and a HEPA filter, the Shark NeverChange can filter up to a 650-square-foot space at the rate of one air change per hour, per the manufacturer's recommendation. It's a hefty device that's suitable for medium to large rooms. Unlike most other air purifiers we tested, it also boasts an easy-to-read air quality monitor right on its interface, so it's a cinch to tell when your room is clear of pollutants.

“Performing about average, I still like this unit because it is the only one that has odor reduction capabilities,” said one tester in California.

The Shark NeverChange would be an excellent choice for users who want to mask upsetting garbage or cooking odors in their home. Out of the 14 units we tested extensively, this was the only one that provided an effective odor neutralizer, in the form of a sea foam scented cartridge. “It's tough to know if this thing was just masking the smoke smell from our tests or actually eliminating it, but either way, it works great,” said our lead tester.

Noise

In terms of quiet operation, the Shark NeverChange scored among the best air purifiers we tried out, with a measured decibel rating of 49 on its highest setting and 32.2 on its lowest fan speed, when measured from six feet away. Its average measured decibels was 40.1, similar to a quiet office setting or library.

The muted operating sounds of the Shark NeverChange make it ideal for a living room, office, or bedroom setting, where focus and relaxation are key and a low noise profile is of utmost importance.

Ease of Use

Because of its extra features and on-unit air quality monitor, the Shark NeverChange performed very well in our Ease of Use metric. Weighing in at a modest 7.1 pounds, this unit was also decently portable and a breeze to set up.

A large number of different fan speeds makes the NeverChange incredibly convenient. Choose between low, medium, high, ultra, max, or auto, and let the machine quietly get to work. This unit also sports a handy timer that can be set for 1 to 12 hours, meaning it's easy to keep your space pollutant-free while you're at work or sleeping. Though this device does not come with a mobile app, its hefty on-unit functionality makes it just as full-featured as other models with an app.

Perhaps most impressively, the Shark NeverChange boasts a powerful air quality sensor that can be set to monitor for various percentages to keep the air quality above. “This is the king of sensors,” said our lead tester. “Having sensors for three different particle sizes makes this one of the smartest air purifiers.”

Operating Cost

Listen, because of its suggested filter lifespan of five years, the Shark NeverChange is, far and away, one of the most affordable air purifiers to operate over time. It's also amazingly energy efficient, pulling a scant 21.7 watts on its high setting when we tested it with a plug-in power meter.

It's in the name. The true standout feature of the NeverChange is that users can get away without changing its powerful HEPA filter for five years, per the manufacturer's instructions. “This drops its filter cost per year dramatically,” said our head tester. “I think this is a great feature, it makes it a compelling product, just from this metric alone.”

Assuming that users run this device 24/7 and 365 days per year on a mix of low, medium, and high fan settings, we estimate that the NeverChange will cost roughly $17 per year in electricity costs (using the current national average of $0.17 per kilowatt hour).

Should You Buy the Shark NeverChange?

Even though it costs a bit more upfront, our team loved the Shark NeverChange for its full suite of features and money savings over time, due to not having to change the internal HEPA filter for a lengthy five years. It provides decent air cleaning power and amazingly quiet operation, making it great for living rooms, offices, and bedrooms, when noise is a top concern.

What Other Air Purifier Should You Consider?

The Coway Airmega 1512HH is another high-end and slightly pricey air purifier that offers excellent cleaning power and good energy efficiency. If you plan on cleaning a smaller space of 200-300 square feet, check out the Levoit Core 300-P, which boasts excellent air filtration at a fraction of the sticker price of many similar models.