360° HEPA air purifier
Levoit Core 200S
The Levoit Core 200S is a small air purifier that covers 183 sq. ft. with good purification performance. Our tests showed the 200S removed 91.7% of the air particulates and improved the PM2.5 air quality by 90.9%. Buy at AmazonPros
- Good for smaller areas with coverage up to 183 sq ft.
- Connects with app and gives a variety of options to control the device
- Good performance at this price point
Cons
- No auto-mode
- No information on the real-time indoor air quality
Scoring
Small HEPA air purifier with 360° air intake
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Design - 95%
95%
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Performance - 94%
94%
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Quality - 94%
94%
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Usability - 97%
97%
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Value - 95%
95%
Summary
The Levoit Core 200S is a simple air purifier with straightforward, easy to use controls. It comes with app connectivity, which allows you to set up custom schedules and scenes for the device to run automatically without further input. The 3-part filtration system performed well during our tests improving the air quality by reducing the air particulates from 954 to 79 and the PM2.5 from 5.5 to 0.5. Overall, the 200S performs well and comes in at a good price.
Purification Test
To test the Levoit Core 200S, we set up the air purifier in a medium sized room in our office. I took a baseline measurement before starting the test to measure the current air quality.
Then, I let the Levoit run on the highest setting for 1 hour and then measured the air quality to get another set of measurements.
We can then compare the difference between the starting baseline and the post-run data to determine the performance of the Levoit Core 200S
Starting Baseline
- PM2.5: 5.5
- PM10: 9.2
- Particles: 954
- AQI: 22
After 1 Hour
- PM2.5: 0.5
- PM10: 0.5
- Particles: 79
- AQI: 2
Within the 1 hour test, the Core 200S removed 91.7% of air particulates from the medium-sized room we tested in (~14’x10’).
The 200S improved PM2.5 air quality by 90.9%
In order to get these measurements, we used the Temtop LKC-1000S+ professional air quality detector. This device allows us to get precise air quality readings before and after the test.
Below, we’ve included information on the testing criteria and what defines good vs. bad air quality.
Overall, the performance of the Levoit 200S was pretty good. I would have liked to see the Core 200S bring the PM 2.5 and PM 10 a little closer to 0. However, it’s hard to complain too much given the price point.
The Filters
The Core 200S uses a 3 stage filtration system to purify the surrounding air.
Here are the 3 included filter:
- Pre-filter
- HEPA filter
- Carbon filter
The pre-filter first captures larger particles such as lint, hair, and pet fur, before they enter into the device.
The HEPA filter is the main filtration component, which filters smaller airborne particles like fine dust, pet dander, and pollen.
Finally, the carbon filter neutralizes the smoke, fumes, and other odors from the surrounding air.
Noise Test
We also tested how loud the air purifier was while running. We perform this test by having the air purifier run on the three different modes and use a sound meter to measure noise level.
We tested the 200S from about 3’ away.
Our results showed the following decibel levels from each mode.
Sleep
18.8 dB
Low
23.2 dB
Normal
29.2 dB
High
44.3 dB
Overall, the volume of the device is similar to what we would expect from other air purifiers of this size.
Usability Test
Using the 200S was intuitive and simple. There are no accessories needed that complicate the device. Instead, what’s in the box is all you need to get the device up and running quickly.
Here’s what is included in the box:
- Levoit Core 200S air purifier
- HEPA filter
- User manuals
Set-up
Setting up the device is easy. The important step to remember is to remove the plastic covering on the pre-installed HEPA filter inside the device. After that is done, you can simply plug in the device and it should be ready to go.
Controls
To control the device you can either use the top touch-screen panel, the VeSync app, or Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The touch-screen panel is robust and allows you to control a wide range of the functions the 200S has to offer. Using the panel is straightforward, only requiring a touch of a button to turn it on, change a fan speed, or set a sleep timer.
The Core 200S has 4 different fan speeds you can choose from:
- Sleep mode
- Low mode (I)
- Normal mode (II)
- High mode (III)
There is no auto mode available with the 200S, which was a little disappointing to see.
Additionally, the air purifier screen doesn’t provide information on the air quality.
App
If you are looking for more control over the device, or wish to change a setting when you are not home, you can use the VeSync app.
With the app you can access all the same controls you would be able to from the physical touch screen and more.
While you can set a sleep timer for the device from the physical touch screen, you can only set it with the predetermined 2, 4, or 8 hours. With the app, you can set up a custom time between 1-24 hours.
Additionally, you can also set up a custom schedule for the device, telling it when to turn on or off, what fan speed to run, and even if you want the nightlight to turn on or off. Once the schedule is set, the device will automatically adjust according to your choices.
Another feature the app provides is access to Smart Scenes, which allows you to set up conditions and actions the Core 200S will follow. While this is similar to the custom schedules, this gives you a wider range of options to control your device and have it run automatically.
Through the app, you can also connect the Levoit with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control your device with just your voice.
Maintenance
There are only a few pieces of maintenance required to keep the Levoit Core 200S up and running.
Cleaning the pre-filter is going to be the main maintenance you will need to perform. Levoit recommends cleaning the pre-filter every 2-4 weeks based on usage and environment.
This can be done easily with either a soft brush, or even a vacuum cleaner.
The other piece of maintenance you will need to perform is replacing the HEPA filter. Levoit recommends this will need to be done every 6-8 months, but that time can vary heavily on usage and surrounding air quality.
Luckily, the device itself will notify you via a check filter light on top of the device so you know when that needs to happen. Additionally, you can also check the VeSync app to see how much time remains before you need to replace the HEPA filter.
Replacing the filter is easy and requires only a few steps:
- Unplug the device and remove the cover located on the bottom of the device.
- Remove the old filter and clean the interior of the 200S with a vacuum or simply wipe it down with a microfiber cloth.
- Place the new filter into the housing and screw the lid back on.
Size & Dimensions
The Levoit Core 200S is the smallest air purifier of the Core series by Levoit. It has a simple design that can be placed in a variety of locations depending on your needs.
Here are the exact dimensions of the Levoit Core 200S:
- Length – 8.1”
- Width – 8.1”
- Height – 12.6”
- Weight – 6.6 lbs.
The 200S is designed to cover up to 183 sq ft. and has a 360° air intake, so make sure to keep these in mind when deciding where to place the Core 200S. Generally, a more central location is ideal.
Should you buy the Levoit Core 200S?
I would recommend the Levoit Core 200S if you’re looking for the following features:
- Compact size: This is the air purifier in Levoit’s Core series. While it covers up to 183 sq ft. the smaller size means it won’t stand out as much. Additionally, it is lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to move around to different locations depending on your needs.
- App connectivity and scheduling: The Core 200S is able to connect to the VeSync mobile app, which gives you a wide range of options to control your device. If you want to be able to set up a schedule for your air purifier, the app allows you to do that and much more.
- Good performance for a good price: During our testing series, the 200S improved the indoor air quality by reducing the particulate count by 91.7% and improving the PM 2.5 by 90.9%.
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