Elechomes EPI081 Air Purifier Review In 2022: HEPA for under 100?
Elechomes EPI081 Specification
| Product | Elechomes EPI081 |
Dimension | 6.3 x 9.3 x 6.3 in (16 x 23.6 x 16 cm) |
| Weight | 3.4 lb (1.5 kg) |
| Fanspeed | 3 |
| Coverage (up to) | 215 sq. ft. (20 m2) |
| Airflow speed | |
| Dust free (CADR) | 47 cfm (80 m3/h) |
| Pollen free (CADR) | 47 cfm (80 m3/h) |
| Smoke free (CADR) | 47 cfm (80 m3/h) |
| Humidifying(H) speed | |
| Filtration | 4-stage |
Pre-Filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | Fine preliminary filter 6 months |
HEPA filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | True H13 HEPA filter 6 months |
Carbon filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | Activated carbon filter 6 months |
| Ionizer/ Technologies | |
UV-light/ PCO | - |
Other filter | Antibacterial filter 6 months |
All-in-one filter - Lifespan - Replacement cost ($) | Elechomes EPI081 Replacement Composite Filter 6 months +- 34.99 |
Optional/ Addon | - |
| Noise level | 22-50 dB |
| Power usage level | |
| Timer/ Scheduler | 1/ 2/ 4/ 8 hours |
| Sensors | |
| Auto mode | |
| Air qualityAQ indicator | |
| Filter change indicator | |
| More color options | |
| Wi-Fi/ BTBluetooth | |
| ENERGY STAR | |
| Remote control | |
| Child lock | |
| Warranty | 18 months |
| Email/ Phone support |
Key Features
- 4-stage filtration system with 360° air circulation
- 3 fan speeds with Auto mode and Sleep mode
- Fine preliminary filter
- Advanced compound filter (Antibacterial)
- HEPA H13 filter - 99.97% particles removal/ 0.3 microns
- High-grade activated carbon filter
- 4 preset timer
- Change filter indicator
- Aromatherapy function (Elimina-te and redu-ce)
- 18 months warranty with 24 hours online customer service
Design And Usability
The only affordable, aromatherapy HEPA air purifier at the point of this writing. Elechomes EPI081 portable 6.3 inches diameter, 9.3 inches height, and 3.4 lb weight are very versatile for everyday use. Bring it along with you during work, travel, or simply leave it in the bedroom for all-day purifying. The white housing is clean but not over-simplistic which would sacrifice its usability. There is 360° air circulation inlet that captures airborne particles at every angle. The top outlet allows further airflow distribution for greater coverage. There is even a slot where you can insert your favorite essential oil pads like lavender, chamomile, rose, or myrrh. Enjoy clean air while you relax and sleep throughout the day. The best of both worlds.
Another surprise design element we like about Elechomes EPI081 air purifier is the easy access front smart panel. There is a dedicated power button to turn on/ off the machine and a timer button cycling 1, 2, 4, 8 hours of operation. You can also select between the 3 fan speed and Auto mode that automatically sets to high speed when there is a high concentration of pollutants detected. Lastly, the filter change indicator will alert you to replace the composite filter after 3,000 of use.
On the whole, the fitting is tight with easy to open base cover for a quick filter change. No harmful off-gassing or ozone detected for our test unit. The extended 18 months warranty (after registration) is a good assurance of its reliability. It is also UL listed, AHAM rated, CARB approved, and pet-friendly. Since it does not comes with an ionizer or similar technology, it is also 100% ozone-free and safe for everyone including pets.
Airflow, Coverage, And CADR
Elechomes EPI081 air purifier can clean indoor air up to 215 square feet with standard air changes per hour. The 3 fan speed output is plentiful but we suggest you leave it in Auto or sleep mode for a seamless operation. Auto mode will automatically set the fan speed to high when there are high pollutants detected. Sleep mode will lock the fan speed to low to prevent any noise disturbance during your sleep. Elechomes EPI081 is best used in small room sizes like bedrooms or dormitory where you will spend the most time in. You can even use it in the living room, basement, or garage, just don't expect the same air purifying outcome due to the larger room space.
| Brand | Purifying Coverage | Fan Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Okaysou AirMax8L | 320 sq. ft. | 3 |
| hOmeLabs HME020248N Purely | 80 sq. ft. | 3 |
| GermGuardian AC4100 | 78 sq. ft. | 3 |
| Hamilton Beach 04384 TrueAir Compact Pet | 140 sq. ft. | 3 |
| Levoit LV-H132 | 129 sq. ft. | 3 |
| TREDY TD-1500 | 200 sq. ft. | 3 |
| Bissell MYair Air Purifier 2780A | 100 sq. ft. | 3 |
Recommended Read
Filters And Performance
The biggest highlight to Elechomes EPI081 is the quadruple filtration and H13 filter. Starting with the pre-filter that captures large particles like dust, pet hair, debris in the air. The pre-filter will also help protect the HEPA filter from being damaged by particulates. Next, the antibacterial filter will inhibit microorganisms from growing in the filter and causes widespread germs. The medical-grade HEPA H13 filter will remove 99.97% of PM2.5 e.g. mold spore, mildew, dust mites, bacteria, and viruses. Compared with a normal HEPA filter, the HEPA H13 filter can capture fine particles as small as 0.1 microns (VS 0.3 microns). For smoke particles, the activated carbon filter will absorb pet odors, musty mold, cooking smoke, toxic cigarette, and anything that smells. After running Elechomes EPI081 for a couple of days, you can truly feel the air quality differences and breathe a lot better.Noise And Energy Usage
Elechomes EPI081 is a very silent air purifier suitable for a bedroom and workstation. It will output a whispering 22 dB noise at sleep speed that is even softer than in the library. Running at 50 dB high speed, we would categorize it under white noise that is not distracting at all. For power usage, Elechomes EPI081 is very energy-efficient given its average airflow distribution. At a standard 12 operation hours, the electric cost will be between the region of 0.02 - 0.04 dollars per day, or a mere 0.6 - 1.2 dollars a month. For the suggested 24 hours of operation, just multiply the figures by 2. Barely a pinch in your electric bill.| Noise Type | Decibels |
|---|---|
| Elechomes EPI081 | 22-50 dB |
| Breathing | 10 dB |
| Rustling leaves | 20 dB |
| Whispering/ Quiet library | 30 dB |
| Light rainfall | 40-50 dB |
| Conversation | 50-60 dB |
| Vacuum cleaner/ Hair dryer/ Washing machine | 65-80 dB |
| City traffic | 80-90 dB |
Pricing And Maintainence Cost
^ Replacement filters/ estimated cost
Elechomes EPI081 VS The Challengers
hOmeLabs HME020248N Purely
Another H13 HEPA air purifier with a slightly cheaper price tag and upkeeping. Features and performance are inferior to EPI081.
LEVOIT Core 300
A more known brand with QuietKEAP and Vortexair Technology. Slightly pricier without auto mode but in return you'll get a better filtration and CADR output.
TaoTronics TT-AP001
Cheaper to own and maintain but utilize a basic 3-stage filtration with no addon features.Final Thoughts On Elechomes EPI081
We are very happy with Elechomes EPI081 air purifier and the internet seems to agree with us. Out of the 788 reviewers, 87% of buyers gave it overwhelmingly 4 to 5 stars ratings. They are happy with the build quality, affordable pricing, essential oil support, and awesome 4-stage filtration. Most users see their allergies gradually go away as they wake up without morning cough and nasal drip. The features particularly autonomous mode also received plenty of praise. As for drawbacks, 6% of the users complained about the loud fan noise or the machine barely do anything at all. Few users also received a lemon unit but those are very uncommon. To sum up, there is no better value than Elechomes EPI081 air purifier. This is far from the best but sometimes you might not need the best for a simple task.
Pros
- Less than $80 for a genuine 4-stage HEPA air purifier.
- Compact travel size body that takes up very little space.
- 360° air circulation with up to 215 square feet of coverage.
- Top grade 4-stage filtration with antibacterial filter, True HEPA H13 filter, and activated carbon filter.
- Silent operation that produced only 30 dB in sleep mode.
- Relax your body and mind with any of your favorite essential oils.
- Auto mode, sleep mode, and timer all come standard.
Cons
- Not the most effective against chemical fumes.
- Dust, pollen, and smoke CADR are only at 47 cfm.
- Short replacement composite filter lifespan that needs change every 6 months/ 3000 hours.
