Air purifiers have become an increasingly popular way to remove allergens, pollutants, odors, and more from your home’s air. As more brands jump into the air purification game, it can get tricky to determine which model is right for your needs and budget.
Two brands that often top the charts are Levoit and Medify Air. But how do you choose between them?
I’ve tested both Levoit and Medify models in my small apartment for the past few months. After getting to know these machines inside and out, I’m breaking down how they compare on key factors like effectiveness, features, design, noise level, and cost.
Read on for the nitty gritty details!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Levoit | Medify Air |
| Room Size Fit | Small to extra large rooms | Best for single rooms |
| Filtration Type | HEPA + Activated Carbon pre-filter | HEPA (H13 grade) + Activated Carbon + Ionizer (optional) |
| Fan Speeds | Low, medium, high, turbo | Low, medium, high, turbo boost |
| Noise Level | 24 – 55 dB | 30 – 60 dB |
| Smart Features | Optional app with alerts | App monitoring and controls, RF remote |
| Design | Simple, classic | Sleek, modern |
| Cost | $100 – $500 | $200 – $350 |
Key Takeaways:
- Both Levoit and Medify use proven HEPA filtration to remove 99.97% of particles, great for allergens and pollutants.
- Levoit has activated carbon to absorb odors and VOCs. Medify adds an ionizer for further particle removal but may emit trace ozone.
- For room size, Levoit scales from small to very large spaces. Medify focuses on single room purification.
- Medify takes the lead on smart features like app controls and remote operation.
- Levoit tends to be quieter, especially on lower speeds. Both are quite discreet.
- Stylistically, Levoit has a classic white look while Medify is more distinctly modern in design.
- Medify costs more for comparable coverage capacities, but is competitively priced for single room needs.
- With strong performance in all areas, my top recommendation is Levoit for the range of affordable options. But Medify also delivers on advanced technology in a compact package.
Key Differences Between Levoit And Medify Air Purifiers
Effectiveness and Technology
First and foremost, you want an air purifier that actually cleans the air. Both Levoit and Medify use proven HEPA filtration to remove 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger. This includes allergens like pollen, mold spores, pet dander; air pollutants like car exhaust or wildfire smoke; plus bacteria, dust, and more.
The major difference lies in the supplemental filtration technologies:
- Levoit – Typically includes activated carbon pre-filter to adsorb odors, VOCs, and smoke. Some models add blue light technology to disable bacteria.
- Medify – Uses H13 grade HEPA claimed to be more effective than standard H11/H12. Includes activated carbon layer and optional ionizer to charge particles for enhanced capture.
In room tests, both brands performed well at particle removal on auto mode. The ionizer appears effective for Medify but may produce trace ozone emissions (see FAQ below). I noticed faster odor elimination with the Levoit carbon filter.
Overall, both match up nicely for particulate removal thanks to the HEPA standard. For smells and gases, Levoit perhaps holds a slight edge.
Features and Settings
A good air purifier provides control over the fan speed and helpful bonus settings:
- Fan Speeds – Both offer low, medium, high, turbo options. Medify has a huge turbo boost to purge rooms rapidly. Levoit tends to ramp up/down more slowly.
- Timers – Standard 1/3/6/12 hour timers to automate on/off cycles. Helpful for unattended operation.
- Sleep Mode – Drops to ultra-low noise at night. I find Levoit a tad quieter but both work well.
- Display – Simple LED screens show current mode, speed, timers, etc. Medify has a dimmer control which is great for bedrooms.
- Remote – Allows adjusting from afar. Medify has the edge here with an RF remote and ability to work around corners.
- Apps – Connect these models to optional smartphone apps for monitoring and added controls. I had more luck with Medify’s connectivity.
- Alerts – The Levoit app can deliver filter replacement and other alerts. Nice convenience feature.
For features and flexibility, Medify Air pulls ahead by allowing deeper customization and info access from its app. But Levoit still has all the key options covered at a basic level.
Design and Aesthetics
Here’s where buyer preference comes into play more heavily. Which style best matches your home’s existing decor?
- Levoit goes for simple, classic looks with rounded corners and matte white/black finishes. Size options range from petite all the way up to massive house-wide capacity. It’s a subdued design suitable for any room.
- Medify takes a sleeker, more modern approach. Controls are hidden behind a frosted panel, accent colors add visual interest, and wooden side panels provide warmth. The sizes run smaller – better suited to single rooms than whole homes.
I appreciate both aesthetics but Levoit may blend into more living spaces a little more seamlessly.
Noise Level
One of the biggest complaints against air purifiers is noise. So how do Levoit and Medify stack up?
At lower fan speeds, they run at quiet volumes suitable for sleep:
- Levoit Core 300: 24 dB on low (200 sq ft room)
- Medify MA-25: 30 dB on low (325 sq ft room)
Ramp them up to higher gears and you’ll hear the difference, but likely only in close proximity:
- Levoit Core 300: 55 dB on high
- Medify MA-25: 60 dB on turbo
Due to its louder turbo mode, Medify Air pushes more total air volume for faster purification – but Levoit is likely the better pick if a totally silent operation is a priority.
For most uses, both brands meet the quiet air purification standards buyers demand for undisrupted sleep, work, or relaxation.
Cost and Value
With advanced HEPA filtration carrying an inherent cost, what do these leading air purifier brands charge?
- Levoit Air Purifiers – $100-$500 range depending on size class:
- Small/medium room models ($100-$250)
- Large/extra-large capabilities ($250-$500)
- Medify Air Purifiers – $200-$350 range:
- Single room models only ($200-$350)
You’ll pay around a 25-50% Levoit premium for comparable Medify models. However, Levoit scales up to purify far larger spaces.
Replacement filters represent ongoing costs too:
- Levoit Filters: $20-$100 per pack
- Medify Filters: $40-$100 per pack
The overall value depends on your room size needs. For small spaces, Medify competes nicely on bang for buck. Levoit pulls ahead for whole home air purification.
I’d call it close to a toss up here, leaning Medify if working with 1 room, but the economical Levoit options shine as square footage climbs.
Which One To Pick?
While Medify Air points ahead on smart features and elite filtration claims, leading brand Levoit offers competitive performance at each level plus wider operating capacities.
Choose Medify Air for technology perks, smaller spaces, and modern style. Levoit accommodates rooms of all sizes affordably and oozes reliability. Considering the well-rounded functionality for my needs, Levoit gets my recommendation – but you can’t go wrong with either!
Based on several key factors, here is how I rate the brands compared to each other:
| Category | Levoit | Medify Air |
| Effectiveness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Features | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For quick questions on some common Medify Air and Levoit air purifier considerations:
Yes, Medify air purifiers perform exceptionally well for single room purification. Their combination of H13 filtration, activated carbon for gases/odors, and optional ionizer charge small-medium rooms effectively. I would recommend Medify for their sleek, smart designs overall.
No. Although some Levoit products like humidifiers are made in China, their air purifier manufacturing and headquarters is based in California. So Levoit air purifiers would not be considered Chinese brands specifically.
Potentially in very low quantities. The ionizer in Medify models is intended to put an electrostatic charge on particles to enhance filtration. But ion generators can also produce trace amounts of lung-irritating ozone as a byproduct. However, Medify claims their version stays within safe ozone limits. You can disable the ionizer feature if concerned.
Medify estimates their combined HEPA and carbon filters should last 6-12 months with average usage before needing replacement. Factors like runtime hours, fan speeds used, and pollution levels impact lifespan. Their higher grade H13 filters may maintain effectiveness marginally longer than standard H11/H12 filters before clogging up.
The Bottom Line
Hoping for a straightforward verdict?
My top choice is Levoit thanks to consistent performance across room sizes, intuitive controls/apps, pleasing designs, and reasonable pricing with regular sales.
But Medify Air makes an outstanding option too, especially if prioritizing high-tech integration like phone connectivity and modern aesthetics. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either brand.
Now that you know the scoop comparing these two air purification heavyweights, it’s just a matter of matching their strengths to your space and lifestyle. Breathe easy and stay healthy!