TCL Breeva A3 Air Purifier Review

TCL is an electronics company designing and manufacturing various types of electronics since they were founded in 1981.

Recently, they tried their hand at air purification and we got to test their Breeva A3 air purifier. Interested to see how this purifier stands up to others in the market? Let’s dive into our full review. 

Pros

• Easy to use via the touch screen controls
• A lightweight design that is easy to move around as needed
• Plug-and-play device that works as soon as you plug it in
• Automatic mode for easy air filtration

Cons

• Low coverage for the size of the device
• Higher price point, consider the smaller area coverage

Scoring

Purification Performance

Overall, the Breeva A3 purifier performed well throughout our tests. While it doesn’t use any new technology, it still get’s the job done.

Testing Series

To test the Breeva A3, we set it up in a medium-sized room in our office. Next, I took a baseline measurement before the start of the test to gauge current air quality. Then, I let the air purifier run on the highest setting for 60 minutes and took another set of measurements. 

The difference between the baseline and post-run data gives a complete look at how well the Breeva A3 performed. 

What were the results?

Within 1 hour the Breeva A3 removed 97.6% of air particulates from the medium-sized room we tested in (~14’x10’).

Breeva A3 improved PM2.5 air quality by 97%.

In order to take these measurements, we used the Temtop LKC-1000S+ professional air quality detector. This device allows us to get precise readings and performance bearings before and after our test.

Below, we’ve included information on the testing criteria and what defines good vs. bad air quality.

TCL Breeva A3 Design

The TCL Breeva A3 is larger than the Breeva A2 counterpart, but smaller than the Breeva A5. It has a simple design with 2 distinct sections to allow for the ambient lighting to show through. The plastic body is durable and lightweight which makes it easier to move around if needed. 

The bottom section is perforated to allow for more air intake and uniformly encases the filtration system inside. We did notice that this section did stick out a little on the bottom of the seam, not being completely flush with the base of the device. However, I only noticed this after closer inspection and it won’t affect the performance of the device.

The bottom of the device has a handle to twist and remove the base lid, in order to access the filter inside. It also has a port for the power adapter to plug into. 

We got the black version of the Breeva A3, however it also comes in white if you prefer. 

The Filter

The Breeva A3 uses a combination of 5 different filtration systems to help clean the air in the environment. It utilizes a pre-filter, HEPA filters, carbon filter, anion ionic filter, and a UV-C filter. These different filters work together to help improve the air quality. 

The Sensors

This air purifier has a laser and VOC sensor to help detect particulates. The sensors enable auto mode, which detects air quality and increases / decreases fan speed based on current air quality.

The Controls

The controls are located on the top of the device via a touch panel that is easy to use. The buttons will light up to help you navigate the different modes and functions available.

Some of the buttons will light up with different colors to convey different information regarding the device and the surrounding air quality. 

Is there a remote control?

The Breeva does not come with a remote, however, depending on the exact model you choose, it may come with Wi-Fi capabilities, app connectivity, and alexa and google assistant integration. Our review here is based on the non-smart model.

How is it different?

The Breeva A3 offers a 5-in-1 filtration system to capture pollutants and purifies the air in the location it is set-up.

The air purifier also has additional features for convenience, like ambient lighting, a white noise mode, and even a panel lock so no settings are accidentally changed. 

How does the filter work?

The A3 air purifier uses its various filtration systems to help clean the air in a 246 sq. ft.radius. The 5 different systems in place to filter the air are the pre-filter, a HEPA filter, a carbon filter, a UV-C filter, and an ionic anion filter.

As air passes through the device, the pre-filter catches larger particles like dust and pet fur. 

The HEPA filter catches PM2.5 like pet dander and pollen. HEPA filters are constructed of  accordian style paper that slowly fills up over time and need to be replaced once that happens. 

After HEPA filtration, the carbon filter eliminates harmful gases, odors, and smoke smells by using activated carbon to absorb pollutants coming through the device. Next, the UV-C filtration system uses ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA/RNA of microbes passing through. 

Finally, the anion filter uses electricity to charge negative ions that then attach to positively charged particles like dust, bateria, and pollen and settle them so they are not being breathed in. 

Size & Dimensions

The Breeva A3 is designed to treat air in a 246 sq. ft. radius around the device. While this isn’t the best coverage we have seen in relation to its size, the air purifier should be able to cover any small to medium sized area. 

These are the exact dimensions:

• Width: 9.8” (250 mm)
• Height: 18.9” (480 mm)
• Weight: 135 oz (3.8 kg)

Accessories & Parts

This air purifier comes with a basic set of accessories to get the device up and running out of the box.

The assembly of the device can be broken down as follows:

• The Base: Is a plastic piece that holds the filter and shell in place
• The Filter: The combination filter that treats the incoming air, improving the air quality in the surrounding area. 
• The Shell: A plastic hollow tube that houses the filter and connects with the base. It also contains the sensors, controls, and light. 
• The Power Cord: A detachable power adapter that plugs into the bottom of the device and into your standard outlet.

How loud is the Breeva A3?

The level of volume produced by the air purifier can vary depending on the current mode it is on. On the lowest setting the A3 produces only 26 dB of noise, while on the highest setting it produces 58 dB of sound. 

While in auto-mode the sound level will fluctuate based on the detected level of filtration needed. 

Setup & Usability

Setting up the Breeva A3 is a simple process right out of the box and takes only a few minutes.

Here’s the step-by-step instructions:

• First, unbox the air purifier and remove all excess packaging.
• Plug in the power cord into the bottom of the device.
• Plug into a wall outlet and tap the power button on the top of the device to turn it on.
• Adjust the settings based on your needs via the touch screen controls on top.
• If you have the Wi-Fi capable model, download the TCL Home app and pair it with your device.

You are all done. The air purifier works right out of the box and will immediately start to clean the air in the room.

Maintenance

The main item of maintenance you’ll need to keep in mind is replacing the filter. The manufacturer recommends replacing the filter every 3 months. However, that seems to be a little aggressive and it depends heavily on the surrounding air quality. 

Many HEPA filters we’ve tested tend to last 6-12 months, but it depends on the environment the filter is in, and how often you have it running. The filter will notify via the control panel that a replacement is needed, and if you have the Wi-Fi compatible device, it will notify you via the app as well. 

TCL Breeva A3 Specifications

Specifications
Manufacturer	TCL
Model	Breeva A3 air purifier
Width	9.8” (250 mm)
Height	18.9” (480 mm)
Weight	135 oz (3.8 kg)
Filters	1 HEPA filter
Wifi Compatible	Depends on model
Room Coverage	246 sq. ft.
Returns	Varies by retailer
Warranty	Varies by retailer
Check Price	Check Price

Should you buy the TCL Breeva A3?

Overall, the Breeva A3 isn’t the most bleeding edge or high performance air purifier we’ve tested. But it’s still a very strong performer and it did exceedingly well in our air purification tests.

I would recommend the TCL Breeva A3 if you are looking for the following features:

• Simple controls: Using the Breeva A3 was incredibly simple and straightforward. The buttons are easy to press and toggle between. Because it uses touch controls, you don’t have any physical buttons that would slowly degrade the more they are used. 
• Easy set-up and use: The air purifier worked easily right out of the box. It had all necessary parts in place and ready to go as soon as you plug it into the wall. If you want to avoid any hassle with set-up and use, the Breeva A3 is a plug-and-play device as soon as you open the box.
• Automatic air filtration: The Breeva A3 has an automatic mode that uses the included sensors to detect the surrounding air quality and adjust accordingly. This means that you can leave the purifier alone as it cleans the air around it.