Air purifiers can be confusing – but I tested a model that’s straightforward, easy to use and conveniently fits into your everyday life

We've tested a number of Levoit air purifiers at Ideal Home, and all of them have impressed us so far. So, I had high hopes for the Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier. I tested it for over two weeks in my family home, putting it through its paces with our usual series of real-world tests - from cooking fumes to aerosol sprays.

But can it compete with the best air purifiers and live up to the brand's reputation for impressive performance? Read on for my full verdict, but in short: while it's not flawless, there's plenty I'd recommend.

In a nutshell

After using the Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier around my home, it proved to be a practical and easy-to-live with option for everyday use, particularly in smaller to mid-size spaces. Although on first glance, it doesn't look the most compact, its slim depth means it doesn't take up as much space as you might expect. It's also lightweight enough to move between rooms, and its clean, white design means it blends seamlessly into most interiors.

It's incredibly straightforward to use. The digital display is intuitive, and the VeSync app is convenient for day-to-day use. Unlike some competitor apps, it's not complicated to use, but it does allow you to adjust settings remotely, set schedules and it's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. One of its standout features is the dedicated Pet mode, making it particularly appealing for homes with animals.

In terms of performance, the Vital 100S is quick to pick up obvious changes in air quality. During testing, it responded quickly to aerosol and cooking fumes, but it did take longer to fully restore the air to optimal levels. Auto mode also doesn't always kick in as expected, so it can require manual input.

Overall, it strikes a good balance between usability and performance. It doesn't offer the same power or detailed air quality readings as more premium models, but it's a reliable and capable option for everyday, particularly for use in smaller spaces.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 6D x 32.1W x 40.6H cm
• Weight: 3.4 Kg
• Power consumption: 24V ⎓ 1.5A
• Recommended room size: 104m²
• Filter: 3-stage filtration system
• Air flow: 143 CFM
• Wattage: 35W
• CADR: 243 m³/h
• Noise levels: 23 - 52 dB
• Smart App connectivity: Yes
• RRP: £169.99

How I tested

Rebecca Lawton

I'm Rebecca, and I write freelance content for Ideal Home, where I test a variety of household appliances, including mops, carpet cleaners, spot cleaners and air purifiers.

I tested the Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier around my three-bedroom family home. As part of how we test air purifiers at Ideal Home, I performed a series of controlled tests to measure how quickly the device could register a dip in air quality and return it to an acceptable level.

Unboxing and setting up

The Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier was packaged in a fairly lightweight cardboard box. Inside, the air purifier was cushioned with a layer of polystyrene. Once removed from its plastic wrapping, the air purifier felt surprisingly lighter than I was expecting.

Contents were refreshingly minimal, consisting of the air purifier, the charger and user manual. The user guide and air purifier were wrapped in plastic packaging, which was labelled PE 04. I know from previous reviews that this type of packaging is recyclable, though it needs to be taken to a specialised collection point, such as larger supermarkets. While I generally prefer fully eco-friendly packaging, I appreciated that nothing felt excessive or overly wasteful.

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Following the set-up guide instructions, I started by gently pulling the sides of the air purifier's front cover to remove it, before taking out the pre-filter. Behind this sat the main filter, which was wrapped in plastic packaging. After removing the packaging, I slotted it back into place. The filter has a blue ribbon which faces outwards, making it easy to position correctly without having to second-guess.

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There's also a dedicated VeSync app, which allows you to control the air purifier remotely and access additional functions and features. As I didn't already have the app, I downloaded it from the App Store and set up an account. It was a really straightforward process and only took a few minutes.

To sync the Levoit to the app, I connected to my WiFi. This was simple: I just pressed and held the power symbol on the air purifier's control panel until it started flashing, then followed the in-app instructions.

You can also connect it to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant if you prefer to use voice commands.

Design

The Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier is noticeably taller than many compact air purifiers, which give it a more substantial presence in a room. I've previously tested the Coway Airmega 50, which is much shorter and overall more compact, making it easier to tuck away on a side table or kitchen worktop. By contrast, the Levoit Vital 100S feels more like a floor-standing unit thanks to its tall, upright design, but its slim, rectangular shape means it doesn't take up much floor space.

In terms of aesthetics, the all-white design is clean and understated. It's more minimal than design-led models like the Dupray Bloom Air Purifier (which cleverly doubles up as a plant or accent table), but I think that simplicity works in its favour - it blends into most interiors rather than drawing attention to itself.

Despite its height, it's also noticeably lighter than I expecting, making it easy to move between rooms when needed. The control panel sits on the top of the purifier and features clear, identifiable touch-screen symbols. These include three air flow speeds, a Sleep mode, light sensor, a preset timer, and a control panel lock - a particularly useful feature if, like me, you have young, curious children around.

Air quality is displayed via a colour-coded AQI light: blue for very good, green for good, orange for moderate and red for bad.

Performance

After switching on the air purifier it begins monitoring the air immediately, using its built-in sensor to assess the air quality. The indicator light cycles through the different colours, before settling on the one that reflects the current air quality level.

When we test air purifiers at Ideal Home, we judge them based on how they function in real-life home settings. To do this, we carry out a series of tests designed to put the appliances through their paces, helping us build an accurate picture of how they perform.

First up, was the match test, which is designed test the air purifier's ability to detect and filter out smoke. With the Levoit Vital 100S set to auto mode, I lit a match a safe distance from the unit and let it burn out, which took around 10 seconds.

It then took around 20 seconds for the air purifier to register the change in air quality, with the indicator ring switching from blue (very good) to green (good), before quickly moving to orange (moderate) and then red (bad), indicating that smoke had been detected. I then timed how long the air purifier took to clean the air, and it took just over three minutes to restore normal air quality levels and for the light to change back to blue.

One thing to note, unlike higher-end models like the Levoit Core 600S, the Vital 100S doesn't display exact PM2.5 readings - instead, it relies on a simple colour-coded system to indicate air quality. While this keeps things simple, it may feel limiting for anyone who prefers more detailed air quality readings.

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Next, I carried out the aerosol deodorant test, spraying the can very generously directly in front of the appliance. Straight away, the light changed from blue (very good) to green (good), before quickly switching to orange (moderate ) and then red (very poor). This all happened within 10 seconds.

I waited for the fan to clear the air, but after almost 30 minutes, there was no change and the indicator light was still red, indicating the air was still bad. I decided to switch from Auto mode to the highest fan speed setting to see if that would speed things up. It took a further 5 minutes for the light to switch to green, where it settled for another 15 minutes. It took a total of 50 minutes to restore the healthy air quality.

Next, was the fried food test, which is always the highlight! Designed to see how air purifiers cope with fumes, this is typically the test that sends the device into overdrive. If there's one dish guaranteed to create strong, lingering odours, it's a curry, so it provided the perfect testing ground.

With all the doors and windows closed, I placed the air purifier directly next to the hob and started by frying onions. Almost immediately the air purifier's fan ramped up and the indicator light cycled through the colours to settle red, indicating it had detected the cooking fumes and classed the air quality as bad.

As expected, the light on the unit and in the app remained red throughout the duration of cooking the curry. I timed how long it took for the indoor air quality light to return to blue (very good levels), and it took almost 40 minutes.

This sits somewhere in the middle in terms of performance. It's slower than more premium models, such as the Levoit Core 600S, which took just six minutes to restore healthy air levels, but still quicker than the entry-level Coway Airmega 50, which took 70 minutes to clear the air after cooking.

It would have been useful to see PM2.5 readings in the app here, as this would have given a clearer picture of how effectively the purifier was working to clear the air.

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The final test, the dust test, involved emptying the contents of my (very full) vacuum cleaner in front of the air purifier to see if its built-in air quality sensor would register any dust particles. Having carried out this test before, I wasn't expecting a strong reaction, as my vacuum's HEPA filter captures the majority of dust particles before they escape from the machine.

As predicted, the indicator light remained a solid blue, suggesting no detectable change in air quality. It's likely that the debris emptied onto the floor didn't contain enough fine airborne particles for the purifier's sensors to pick up - particularly compared to smoke or aerosols which are made up of smaller particles.

Ease of use

Although it has a wide range of features, the Levoit Vital 100S is refreshingly simple and easy to use. The on-board digital display feels intuitively designed and it's straightforward to operate. The multicoloured indicator rings that display the air quality readings is also clear and easy enough to interpret at a glance.

One of the key benefits is the VeSync app, which enables the air purifier to be fully controlled remotely. It's incredibly user-friendly, unlike many other product-based apps I've tested which have a lot of layers and can feel overwhelming.

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At the same time, it still feels genuinely useful, offering more tailored features, including an indoor air quality graph. Overall, I think first-time users would have no trouble getting to grips with it.

Through the app, you can set up schedules, activate the purifier remotely, and turn on Sleep mode or the Display lock. While most of these features can be accessed physically from the air purifier's digital screen, the VeSync app has an additional Pet function, designed to support homes with animals. When activated, the air purifier cycles between fan speeds to target pet-related pollutants more effectively.

Noise levels

In everyday use, the Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier isn't particularly loud when in use. For the most part, it fades into the background, producing a soft-consistent hum that I found easy to ignore during day-to-day activities like working or watching TV.

That said, it does become noticeably louder when the fan ramps up. On the highest setting, or when Auto mode detects a change in air quality, such as cooking fumes - the air flow becomes louder and more pronounced. I didn't find it distracting though (although I do live in a fairly noisy household), but it is likely to stand out more in quieter environments.

Noise levels range from 23 dB when in Sleep mode up to 52dB at maximum power, placing it comfortably in the mid-range compared to similar models. It's not as quiet as the Coway Airmega 50 at its lowest setting, which measures 18.4 dB at its quietest, but its also not as loud as the Shark NeverChange5, which can reach noticeably louder volumes at full speed.

Portability

As someone who's relatively short on storage space, how much room an appliance will take up is always a key consideration. When I first unboxed the Levoit Vital 100S, my immediate thought was where I'd store it and how easy it would be to move between rooms.

At 6D x 32.1W x 40.6H cm, it's fairly taller and wider than some compact models, but the narrow depth means it takes up less space than you might expect. In practice, I found it slotted neatly besides furniture, rather than dominating the room.

It's also noticeably lighter than it looks, making it easy to carry around the house. While it doesn't have dedicated carry handles, the air inlets on either side are deep enough to grip, effectively doubling as an improvised handle when I needed to move it between rooms.

Energy use

The Levoit Vital 100S uses a maximum of 35W whilst it's running on its highest setting, with lower consumption on reduced fan speeds. Put into context, that's roughly equivalent to a small household light bulb, and fairly typical for a mid-range air purifier of this size and performance level.

Based on the current Ofgem energy price cap (April - June 26), running the purifier continuously at full power all day would only cost a few pence per day, making it relatively inexpensive to run. In practice, it's unlikely to operate at maximum output for extended periods, making the actual cost to run even lower.

It's still not quite as energy efficient as some low power models, such as the Blueair Blue Max 3250I, which uses between just 2-20W of energy.

You can find out more about how much it costs to run an air purifier in our dedicated guide.

Filter replacement

You don't need to worry too much about knowing when it's time to change the main filter, as there's a handy 'Filter Life' feature within the VeSync app, which shows the remaining percentage. There's also a handy filter replacement guide, and a link to buy filters, although this didn't actually direct me anywhere when I clicked on it. You can, however, purchase them directly from Levoit's website for £39.99.

How often to replace an air purifier filter does vary depending on usage and environment, although Levoit generally recommends replacing it every 8-12 months as a rough guide.

The pre-filter, meanwhile, is removable and washable. It can be cleaned using a mild detergent and soft cloth, or alternatively you can use a soft brush or vacuum hose to remove any visible hair, dust and large particles. The manual advises cleaning it every 2-4 weeks, and you can use the app to set reminders and stay on top of maintenance.

How does it rate online?

On the brand's website, the Levoit Vital 100S reviews are relatively sparse. At the time of reviewing, it holds a 5 star rating, based on just six customer reviews. Users praise its effective performance, with one reviewer noting it has helped to alleviate her son's hay fever symptoms.

By contrast, customer feedback is far more extensive on Amazon, where the model has accumulated more than 38,000 reviews, and holds a 4.6 star rating overall. Positive feedback consistently highlights its ability to filter dust and allergens effectively, as well being able to quickly detecting changes in air quality. However, opinions on value for money are more mixed.

I couldn't find any further online reviews beyond these websites.

How does it compare to similar models and predecessors?

The Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier sits in the mid-range offering of the brand's line-up It's not as compact as the Levoit Core 300S, but it also doesn't deliver the same level of airflow or large room performance as the Core 600S.

It's worth comparing to wider competitors, including Ideal Home's top rated air purifier, the Blueair Blue Max 3250i, which delivers faster cleaning and a more responsive Auto mode, but is better suited to smaller spaces. I've already mentioned the Coway Airmega, which is more compact and energy efficient, but it offers less coverage and doesn't have smart functionality.

Overall, I'd say the Levoit Vital 100S sits comfortably in the middle - it's more capable than compact entry-levels, but it's less powerful than high-end options designed for bigger spaces.

Verdict: Should you buy the Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier?

The Levoit Vital 100S Smart Air Purifier is a strong choice if you're looking for a straightforward, easy to use model that conveniently fits into everyday life. It combines quick air quality detection with useful features, such as WiFi connectivity and a dedicated Pet mode.

However, if your priority is fast speed or more detailed air quality data, a more premium model might be a better option. While the Levoit Vital 100S is reliable and capable, it doesn't offer the same level of power or in-depth PM2.5 readings as higher-end models.

Overall, it's a practical middle ground choice - ideal if you value ease of use and smart functionality over cutting edge performance.