AirHonest is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through our links. Thanks ❤️

The Core 300 seems like the solution to the market’s demand for an affordable, compact, and effective air purifier.

This is an Energy Star-rated and AHAM-verified 3-stage air purification unit. Levoit says that this model uses Vortexair Technology that makes it ideal for rooms measuring up to 215 sq. ft.

Levoit Core 300 is Best For:

• Homeowners looking for an affordable unit– the Core 300 is one of the most affordable, yet reliable air purifiers at the lower end of the scale. Its filter replacements are much cheaper too.
• Those who want a True HEPA air purifier– this model uses True HEPA filters. These are filters that have been certified to remove 99.97% of 0.3-micron air pollutants, including allergens, mold spores, pet dander, and dust.
• Those who prefer a non-ionizing air purification device– this brand does not use UV/Ion technology on its products.

Check Core 300 on Amazon (Link Opens in a New Tab)

Since you are here, you must be wondering how it performs in an average household setting. You could also be wondering what it offers and what it lacks at its budget price tag. These are some of the queries that we’ll help you answer in this Levoit Core 300 Air Purifier review.

Assembly and set up

The Core 300 comes fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box. This is something that you are going to appreciate if you don’t like assembling things. The only thing that you’ll need to do is to peel off the protective plastic cover on the display.

Construction Quality and Design

This air purifier is made of plastics. However, similar to most products from this American company, its level of construction quality is evident by merely holding it in the hands.

It feels solid and all the parts look tight and fit in perfect alignment. The shell has an impressive matte finish all around- the same finish that we’ve experienced from the LV H132 and LV PUR131– other slightly pricier models from Levoit.

This air purifier utilizes the popular bottom-to-top airflow concept. An important highlight about it, however, is that it sucks air from all sides (360°).

The air-out vent is at the top and boasts a superb design that seems to have been inspired by a jet engine. This vent surrounds yet another thoughtfully designed component of this air purifier- a touchscreen control interface with well-spaced controls.

Size, Weight, and Placement Review

The Levoit Core 300 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 8.7’’ and a height of 14.2’’. These measurements, coupled with its mere weight of 7.5 lb, makes it a highly recommendable model for homeowners looking for a compact air purifier.

Also, this unit’s size plus its 360-degree air suction design opens up a whole lot of placement options. You can decide to place it on the floor, on a raised top, and even on a shelf. The last 2 placement ideas will benefit smokers more.

If your room setting allows you to place it at the center, that will help a lot in optimizing its performance. It will still work even when placed near the wall and beside a couch, though. Wherever you put it, remember to leave some clearance (15’’ to 1 foot) for better air suction and circulation.

How the Levoit Core 300 Works

This model utilizes an internal fan system to suck the air in the room through a series of 3 air filters. As the air passes through these screens, harmful airborne particles are captured and removed from the air. The air purifier lastly ejects and circulates the air back into the room.

3 filtration stages

Nylon Pre-Filter

This one works by obstructing large particles such as pet fur, hair, lint, and fibers.

True HEPA filter

Here, the air is cleaned of viruses, bacteria, mold, and pet dander, dust, and dust mites. A True HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is one that has been certified to remove 99.97% of air pollutants measuring 0.3 microns.

A True HEPA is different from a HEPA filter in that the latter is proven to remove 99% of unwanted air contaminants 0.2 microns or larger.

Activated Charcoal filter

The last stage is a bed of charcoal that has been activated by treating it with oxygen. This treatment opens up millions of active sites that are perfect for adsorbing gases and odors from the air.

Controls and Modes

This air purifier’s touchscreen control is the only way of controlling it. It neither comes with a remote control nor Wi-Fi connectivity. That’s probably because it’s clean interface has all the necessary controls, including a 3-speed fan button with indicators.

It also has a sleep mode that puts the fan in a whisper-quiet speed for a peaceful night. You’ll also find an Auto-timer feature that lets you set the number of hours after which the purifier will automatically turn itself off.

Another great feature here is the display lock. This button locks your current settings to prevent your kids from tampering with them.

Performance Review

Coverage

Levoit says that this air purifier works best in rooms measuring utmost 215 sq.ft. When used in spaces this big, the Core 300 promises a rated ACH (Air Changes per Hour) of 5x.

This means it will be exchanging the air in your room 5 times every 1 hour. This makes it quite potent for small homes with high levels of air pollutants and allergens, including dust, dust mites, mold spores, and VOCs.

Noise level

This is an air purifier that you can comfortably use in the bedroom considering that it is 24 dB loud at its lowest setting. This is much quieter than a whisper.

At its highest fan speed, the noise level gets to around 50 dB. Still, this is quieter than a normal conversation that usually takes place at around 60 dB. This implies that Speed level 2 may be ideal for people who appreciate white noise when sleeping.

Power consumption

This air purifier has a rating of 45 watts (highest setting), and a standby power consumption rate of 0.8 watts. What impact does it have on your energy bills?

Well, this means that if you run this air purifier for 12 hours daily for a whole year, you’d pay around $2 per month and $23 annually.

Maintenance

As with most air purifiers, the Levoit Core 300 does not require complicated maintenance. Besides wiping its shell down whenever necessary, the major maintenance requirement is on the filtration kit.

Levoit advises replacing this 3-in-1 kit after every 6 months using the Core 300-RF. The cost of this kit varies, but is affordable overall depending on your choice from the 4 available options:

• Original filter – best for allergies, dust, and minor odors
• Pet Allergy Filter – best for pollen, dander, house smells, and pet odor.
• Toxin Absorber Filter – best for smoke, vehicle exhaust, and VOCs.
• Mold and Bacteria filter – best for mold and mildew spores.

Warranty – This air purifier comes with a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer. You are also assured of lifetime support.

What are the differences between Levoit Core 300, LV PUR131 and LV H132?

Verdict

If affordability, compact design, and above-average performance are at the top of your wish list, then the Core 300 might interest you. This is a model that we can recommend over and over again for use in rooms with no more than 215 sq. ft.

Besides its compact design, we are great fans of its 5x ACH, customizable filters, and quiet operations.

Dear AirHonest:

AirHonest Expert Tips

• Clean the pre-filter every 2-3 weeks to increase its effectiveness. 
• Identify the key pollutants in your house and get a filter kit that best fits you.
• Leave a clearance of at least 15’’ all round for optimum performance.
• If possible, place it at the center of the room for greater effectiveness.
• If you prefer white noise when sleeping, set the fan at speed level 2.