Curious about all the hype around air purifiers? We tested one popular model that purifies over 2,500 square feet.
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I Tried the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier and Noticed Less Dust Around My House
Updated on Feb. 07, 2024
Air purifiers have increased in popularity in recent years. From HEPA air purifiers to UV purifiers to ozone generators and more, there are many different kinds of air purifying devices to choose from. Not to mention, there are portable air purifiers, whole-room air purifiers and even fan-air-purifier combos. At Family Handyman, we are continuously on the hunt for products that will improve our homes and the quality of our living spaces. So, we decided it was time to test the popular NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier, a whole-room HEPA air purifier with smart technology.
In case you’re wondering, HEPA purification technology has been widely used for decades, and it’s a tested and proven method for filtering and purifying indoor air. It’s standard filtration for pulling out microparticles by using a fan and filter system. Once the air passes through the filter(s), it’s put back into the room. Eventually, most of the air in the room will cycle through the air purifier, decreasing particulate matter, odors, dust and more.
I ordered the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier, had it delivered to my home (which is full of hard flooring and prone to collecting dust and dander) and tested it for about a month to see if there were any noticeable differences in my indoor air quality. Here’s how it went.
What is the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier?
The NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier (AKA the OxyPure 1200) is a smart air purifier that removes airborne lead, pollen, dander, allergens, gasses and more from the air in your home. Specifically, the air purifying system claims to capture airborne particles as small as .09 microns, which means it should capture most pet dander, bacteria, household dust and dust mites, mold spores and pollen.
The NuWave OxyPure is designed to clean air in rooms as large as 2,671 square feet by taking in air and running it through its five-filter system for safer, cleaner air. It connects to your home’s Wi-Fi so that you can control and monitor it from an app on your phone. And if you want to clean the air in another room of the house, the purifier has wheels. So, all you have to do is unplug it, wheel it into another room and plug it back in! (If app-controlled devices aren’t your thing, the top of the purifier has all of the app functions in big-button form.)
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I Tried It
NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier
NuWave is a five-stage HEPA air purifier that cleans more than 2,500 square feet of indoor air in your home.
NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier Features
The NuWave air purifier has five filters: A true HEPA filter to catch fine particles; a carbon filter to remove vehicle emissions, fumes and odors; an ozone emissions removal filter; a patented bio-guard (ESP) filter to catch particle pollutants; and a stainless-steel pre-filter that catches dust, fiber, hair, pet fur and lint. Additionally, the purifier has two main sensors: An air quality sensor and an odor sensor. So, it’s designed to adjust its fan speed when it senses air particles and smells.
Apart from the HEPA and carbon filters (which are combined), the rest of the five-layer filtration system is designed to last a whopping 20 years and can be washed for maintenance. The HEPA/carbon filter should be replaced every 12 months, but the air purifier comes with four of these filters, so you’re set for a while.
The air purifier plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet and takes 125-128 watts to run. It weighs just a little under 27 pounds and is 14 inches long, 14 inches wide and 26 inches tall. I initially thought it would be a bulky eye-sore, but I put it right off my kitchen, tucked behind a long storage table, and I barely noticed it. It’s also very quiet, which is a huge plus!
How We Tested It
I had the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier delivered to my home so I could test it in a real living environment. Quite frankly, I was in desperate need of an air purifier, as my house constantly seemed to accumulate dust and dander despite daily vacuuming and cleaning. I have hard floors throughout my house, which tend to show dust more than carpet. So, I was excited to test the NuWave OxyPure to see if it helped eliminate some of the dust and floating particles.
Unboxing and Placement
As mentioned, I set the NuWave OxyPure right off my kitchen, in my dining nook that leads into a small living room (the main part of my home). It’s all open, and less than 2,000 square feet (the air purifier claims to clean rooms up to 2,671 square feet). So, I figured that was the most beneficial place to put the purifier, as the kitchen, living room and dining nook are essentially one large room.
The device arrived at my doorstep in one box about the size of the device itself. Setting up the purifier was easy and simply required unboxing it, flipping through the instructions, unwrapping the filters and reinserting them. Then, after removing the stickers and tape from the device, all I had to do was plug it in and download the app (to control the air purifier remotely, but this last step isn’t necessary).
Fan and Speed Modes
Once I plugged my new air purifier in, I set it to auto mode which allows the system to run at the lowest (and quietest) fan speed for the PM (particle matter) level detected. In other words, if the device detects a low PM level, the fan speed will be at a one or two, and if the PM level is high, then the fan speed will be at a five or six. There are six different fan speeds altogether.
Additionally, the air purifier has an ultimate clean button that switches to the highest fan speed when PM levels rise. If you know there is something in the air that may be polluting your home, then the ultimate clean function may come in handy. The device also has an eco-mode that allows you to conserve energy by keeping the fan off until it’s needed. This mode is achieved by pressing and holding the power and ultimate clean buttons together. Lastly, you can put the purifier in sleep mode if you want to keep the device on but turn off the LED control panel. You can also set the fan speed and a device timer manually.
Checking Airflow
One way to test that an air purifier is working is by checking the airflow. The NuWave OxyPure, like most air purifying systems, has a fan that pulls in air from the room and runs it through a filtering system that removes harmful pollutants. Then, it blows out clean air. I like that I can feel (and sometimes hear, depending on the fan speed) the clean air coming out of the NuWave OxyPure whenever it’s on. I’ve also noticed that it detects a pickup when I walk by with laundry, for instance, as it is likely sensing an uptick in lint or dust from the clothes I’m carrying.
I’ve also noticed less dust and dander in the area around the purifier, which has meant less vacuuming. There also seem to be fewer odors, and I even removed my plug-in air freshener as it doesn’t seem necessary with the purifier running (we will see how long this lasts).
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Detects air quality and odors
- 5-stage filtering system
- Filters last up to 20 years, except for the HEPA/carbon filter
- Includes 4 extra HEPA/carbon filters, which last 12 months each
- More sustainable than other air purifiers with lower lifespans
- Wheels make device transport from room to room easy
- Quiet operation
- Wi-Fi connectivity and app control
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
- App is minimalistic and easy to use but could provide more information and specifics regarding device and air quality
FAQ
How long do NuWave OxyPure filters last?
Apart from the 2-in-1 HEPA/carbon filter, all filters in the NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier last up to 20 years with proper cleaning and maintenance. The HEPA/carbon filter lasts a year, but the system comes with 4 extra HEPA/carbon filters.
Is the NuWave air purifier worth it?
After sifting through several customer reviews across multiple sites and testing the product, we can say that we do think the NuWave OxyPure is worth it. People cite a noticeable difference in their air quality, the air in their home feeling less stuffy, fewer odors and less dust and dander while using the device.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
With nearly 2,500 ratings on Amazon, the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier has a 4.5-star average. Here’s what people are saying about the device.
Verified purchaser Megan loves it so much she has two. She says, “Our house is around 3,000 square feet but a portion of the basement is closed off like it’s an apartment. I have one in this area, where my daycare is, and one in our main portion of the house. I have them set to ultimate clean and I can tell a difference. My daycare kids are way less sick and when they do it normally doesn’t spread and they don’t get as bad. I have noticed a huge difference in the dust that gets or well doesn’t get on things. I don’t worry about the daycare smelling like diapers anymore. These are amazing and if I ever have to replace the two I have I would buy this brand again.”
Tim T. gives it five stars and says it has helped clear his stuffy nose. He writes, “I used to wake up every morning with a stuffy nose which took hours to clear or use nose spray. After using this for two days I almost never have a stuffy nose anymore and have used it since May. I used to use small machines but did not work that well and filters had to be changed a lot. What a relief. The only time I shut it off is if my windows are open on nice days.”
Product Comparison
NuWave makes other air purifiers that have similar features to the OxyPure air purifier. While other NuWave air purifiers are more affordable and some are even portable, the OxyPure Smart Air Purifier is the only one with a five-stage filter, so it filters out more pollutants than the other models. It also has a sleeker, stainless-steel appearance, while the other air purifiers are white. Depending on your appearance preferences, budget and portability needs, you may want to consider other NuWave air purifiers too.
Final Verdict
If you’re someone who notices a lot of dust and pet dander throughout your home, an air purifier is worth looking into. Some people also say they notice a decrease in symptoms of allergies and illness while using an effective air purifier. While I haven’t noticed that (yet), I have noticed a decrease in general odors, dust particles and dander in the room where my NuWave OxyPure sits. For me, those are enough reasons to continue using an air purifier, and I would recommend one to anyone who notices a buildup of dust and dander or unpleasant odors in their home. Furthermore, I love that NuWave OxyPure has smart technology and that its filters have a longer lifespan than many other commercial air purifiers.
Where to Buy the NuWave OxyPure Air Purifier
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I Tried It
NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier
NuWave is a smart air purifier that eliminates dust, pet dander, gasses and other pollutants in your home.
You can buy the NuWave OxyPure Smart Air Purifier directly from NuWave for $600. You can also shop the device on Walmart or Amazon with Prime delivery. Retailers frequently run discounts on the product, so you’ll likely pay less than the marked retail price.
