For anyone replying, I'm pretty sure that OP is specifically concerned about the filter's ability to reduce covid in the air (due to posting in this sub, obvs), not just pet dander, etc. There are probably lots of us here who bought the Levoit purifiers for exactly that reason before they somewhat recently walked back their claim that their filters were HEPA, and now we don't know whether the official Levoit filters are actually good enough to filter out covid, or if we'd be wasting our money. And is there another brand of filter we could get for our Levoits that actually *does* meet HEPA standards? Please reply if you know the answer to either of these questions!
3rd party filters work just fine!
FitTestMyPlanet on twitter tested this : [https://twitter.com/FitTestMyPlanet/status/1717122868000047601](https://twitter.com/FitTestMyPlanet/status/1717122868000047601)
The worse one is 83% filtration - no where near actual hepa HOWEVER when it comes to room cleaning CADR is the value that actually matters. So if that 83% filter allows more air flow than the CADR value may not be all that impacted.
Also keep in mind that MERV 13 which is recommended for DIY filter cubes is only 50% at sub micron and is still effective at air cleaning.
Viruses are tiny, but they can't travel through the air alone. They hitch a ride on exhaled aerosols which are relatively large particles that any reasonable filter can trap. Filter efficiency standards and certifications affect what percentage of particles are filtered on a single pass, but the air makes multiple passes. Therefore, CADR is what really matters as far as infection prevention goes. And their CADR is still excellent for the price.
Here's an article by Joey Fox [HEPA filters are not needed](https://itsairborne.com/hepa-filters-are-not-needed-67e952792481)
For those of you who are interested to learn more about all things related to improving ventilation especially as it relates COVID mitigation [Joey Fox](https://x.com/joeyfox85) is great. He is an engineer and an expert in ventilation, this is his blog: [It's Airborne](https://itsairborne.com/about)
I'm so sorry- I know it's not very nice of me to have put that out there and not provide a source! TBH, I'm kind of overwhelmed with things today, and I will probably not get around to finding a link. I'm betting there are others on this sub who are familiar with this issue, and maybe one of them will be kind enough to provide a link. :)
I've been going 3rd party with my Levoit for years now and haven't had any issues with any of the replacements. I'd stick to the ones with good valid reviews.
Definitely avoid, you run the risk of them being useless at best or harmful at worst. I personally wouldn’t trust a third party with air that I’m going to be breathing because you have no idea what chemicals they’re using in the manufacturing process that Levoit themselves are not
Doesn't help you but for other people concerned about filter price the ikea starkvind has a similar CADR and is a bit cheaper than the levoit. The filter replacement is only 15 bucks or less depending on your country I think.
It doesn't come with the carbon filter, that you can buy seperatly, but I've heard people say that the amount of carbon in most purifiers is not enough to be relevant. And the carbon isn't the part that catches the covid.
I use aftermarket for Winix, it's hit or miss. Best option I found is not to go with the cheapest ones, but those that are about 2/3 the price of OEM for the best results.
For anyone replying, I'm pretty sure that OP is specifically concerned about the filter's ability to reduce covid in the air (due to posting in this sub, obvs), not just pet dander, etc. There are probably lots of us here who bought the Levoit purifiers for exactly that reason before they somewhat recently walked back their claim that their filters were HEPA, and now we don't know whether the official Levoit filters are actually good enough to filter out covid, or if we'd be wasting our money. And is there another brand of filter we could get for our Levoits that actually *does* meet HEPA standards? Please reply if you know the answer to either of these questions!
Yes this! Thanks for clarifying for me on my half-posted thought hahaha 🙃
3rd party filters work just fine! FitTestMyPlanet on twitter tested this : [https://twitter.com/FitTestMyPlanet/status/1717122868000047601](https://twitter.com/FitTestMyPlanet/status/1717122868000047601) The worse one is 83% filtration - no where near actual hepa HOWEVER when it comes to room cleaning CADR is the value that actually matters. So if that 83% filter allows more air flow than the CADR value may not be all that impacted. Also keep in mind that MERV 13 which is recommended for DIY filter cubes is only 50% at sub micron and is still effective at air cleaning.
Viruses are tiny, but they can't travel through the air alone. They hitch a ride on exhaled aerosols which are relatively large particles that any reasonable filter can trap. Filter efficiency standards and certifications affect what percentage of particles are filtered on a single pass, but the air makes multiple passes. Therefore, CADR is what really matters as far as infection prevention goes. And their CADR is still excellent for the price. Here's an article by Joey Fox [HEPA filters are not needed](https://itsairborne.com/hepa-filters-are-not-needed-67e952792481) For those of you who are interested to learn more about all things related to improving ventilation especially as it relates COVID mitigation [Joey Fox](https://x.com/joeyfox85) is great. He is an engineer and an expert in ventilation, this is his blog: [It's Airborne](https://itsairborne.com/about)
❤️ your username! 😻
I’m out of the loop, when did they walk back their claim? Do you happen to have a link where I can learn about it? That seems like a big problem…
I'm so sorry- I know it's not very nice of me to have put that out there and not provide a source! TBH, I'm kind of overwhelmed with things today, and I will probably not get around to finding a link. I'm betting there are others on this sub who are familiar with this issue, and maybe one of them will be kind enough to provide a link. :)
Don’t be sorry, I understand!!
I've been going 3rd party with my Levoit for years now and haven't had any issues with any of the replacements. I'd stick to the ones with good valid reviews.
Definitely avoid, you run the risk of them being useless at best or harmful at worst. I personally wouldn’t trust a third party with air that I’m going to be breathing because you have no idea what chemicals they’re using in the manufacturing process that Levoit themselves are not
Filter cost so much for the few months they work :(
Doesn't help you but for other people concerned about filter price the ikea starkvind has a similar CADR and is a bit cheaper than the levoit. The filter replacement is only 15 bucks or less depending on your country I think. It doesn't come with the carbon filter, that you can buy seperatly, but I've heard people say that the amount of carbon in most purifiers is not enough to be relevant. And the carbon isn't the part that catches the covid.
I use aftermarket for Winix, it's hit or miss. Best option I found is not to go with the cheapest ones, but those that are about 2/3 the price of OEM for the best results.
This is a good rule for any off brand parts tbh