Levoit LV-PUR131 Review
Pros: Good air cleaning performance, quiet operation
Cons: Lifetime cost similar to better performing models
Manufacturer: Levoit
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Levoit LV-PUR131 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $180 List $171.05 at Amazon | $250 List $159.99 at Amazon | $230 List $177.07 at Amazon | $279 List $279 at Amazon | $90 List $88.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Good air cleaning performance, quiet operation | Exceptional air cleaning performance, very quiet operation, simple user experience | Excellent air cleaning performance, quiet operation, average lifetime cost | Good air cleaning performance, seperate air quality meter, quiet | Quiet, low operating costs |
| Cons | Lifetime cost similar to better performing models | Expensive | Expensive up front cost | Expensive upfront cost, no CADR rating | Somewhat weak |
| Bottom Line | A decent performer, but can get better performance for the same price elsewhere | Excellent, high quality air cleaning performance from a quiet and convenient appliance | A top performing model that combines average lifetime costs to create a great value | Easy to use and powerful, great for those dealing with common pollen and pet allergies | It's quiet, well designed, and relatively inexpensive but feels a bit underpowered |
| Rating Categories | Levoit LV-PUR131 | Winix 5500-2 | Coway AP-1512HH | TruSens Z-2000 | Levoit LV-H132 |
| Air Cleaning Performance (40%) | |||||
| Noise (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (25%) | |||||
| Operating Cost (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Levoit LV-PUR131 | Winix 5500-2 | Coway AP-1512HH | TruSens Z-2000 | Levoit LV-H132 |
| Dimensions | 14.5" x 7.25" x 18.5" | 8.2" × 15" × 23.6" | 16.5" x 9.5" x 18.5" | 12.6" x 11.6" x 25.4" | 7.5" x 7.5" x 13" |
| Weight | 11.4 lb | 15.4 lb | 12.7 lb | 7.4 lb | 8.45 lb |
| CADR | 135 CFM | 246 CFM | 240 CFM | N/A | 110 CFM |
| True HEPA | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Estimated Lifetime Cost | $589 | $660 | $556 | $548 | $323 |
| Airborne Particulate Reduction After 1 Hour (%) | 99.30% | 99.99% | 99.84% | 99.85% | 95.66% |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Levoit LV-PUR131 offers decent performance, but its lifetime costs make it as expensive as other models the perform better.
Performance Comparison
The LV-PUR13 received a high overall score due to its decent air cleaning and quiet operation, but expensive replacement filters kept it from earning an award.
Air Cleaning Performance
With a CADR (clean air delivery rate) spec of 135, it has enough power for 200 square foot rooms. This is average amongst our fleet.
This is likely enough for most bedrooms, but may be a little on the weak side for a living room. It achieved an 86.7% reduction in airborne particles after half an hour in our testing room. This was about average, as the top models had broken the 99% threshold by the half-hour mark. After an hour, it reached a 99.3% reduction — only about a half a percentage point off of the top scorers. This performance makes the Levoit great for a pollen allergy sufferer with a bedroom less than 200 square feet. In terms of odor reduction, the Levoit was middle of the pack, though we wouldn't consider any of the models we tested decent in that regard.
Noise
The well-designed fan and noise dampening body of the Levoit made it one of the quietest models we tested. On high, it produces a low pitch that is as inconspicuous as that of the Coway. You would likely be able to read without being disturbed by it at all. The Levoit is even quieter but noticeable on low and medium, whereas the Coway is essentially silent.
Ease of Use
The Levoit was one of the best performers in our ease of use testing, sharing the top score with the Coway. It features a simple set of buttons to adjust settings, and only has three fan speeds, but it also has a sleep mode for the quietest operation and an automatic off timer. It includes an auto mode that automatically uses a built-in air quality meter to adjust settings based on the current conditions. However, like most models with such a feature, we found it inconsistent in our testing. You're probably better off just turning on the highest setting that doesn't annoy your ears. It has a rail that you can grab onto when you want to move it around, and at 11.4 pounds, it is fairly easy to do so.
Operating Cost
Though the Levoit's energy usage is quite low (0.015 kWh per hour of operation or about $7.88/year), its estimated lifetime cost was still right around average at $589. It lists for $200 up front, and its filters last six months and cost $35.
Value
The LV-PUR131's list price of $200 may seem enticing compared to other larger capacity models, but in the long run, it ends up costing about the same as models like the Coway, which offers much better performance. This makes the Levoit a poor value for most users.
Conclusion
While the Levoit LV-PUR131 had decent performance across all of our testing metrics, other machines are a better value when you consider the price. The Coway outperforms this machine in almost every aspect and costs about the same. You likely won't be disappointed with the Levoit but can find a better value elsewhere.
— Buck Yedor, Max Mutter, and Steven Tata