Head to head
Levoit Core 300S vs Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max
Updated Aug 27, 2026 · prices dated per offer
These are the two purifiers people keep landing on for a bedroom: small enough for a nightstand, app-connected, and cheap enough that the filters end up mattering as much as the sticker price.
The mechanisms differ. Levoit runs a conventional three-stage stack, a pre-filter then an H13 True HEPA sheet then activated carbon, and rates the Core 300S at 141 CFM CADR with a 22 to 50 dB range. Blueair's HEPASilent approach combines an electrostatic charge with mechanical filtration, which is how it reaches 19 dB on low, and Blueair's own page lists CADR of 174 pollen, 159 dust and 153 smoke.
Then there is the part nobody puts on the box. Filters are the running cost, and today Levoit lists replacements at $29.99 to $39.99 while Blueair lists $38.99 to $44.99 with a stated life of up to nine months. Blueair also offers an optional filter subscription that saves 15 percent on replacements; neither app itself requires paying anything.
Full pages: Levoit Core 300S · Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max · all air purifiers we track
| Spec | Levoit Core 300S | Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max |
|---|---|---|
| Best price | $149.99 at Levoit | $118.99 at Target |
| Checked | ✓ AUG 30 | ✓ AUG 26 |
| Filtration | 3-stage: pre-filter, H13 True HEPA, activated carbon (per Levoit) | HEPASilent dual filtration, electrostatic plus mechanical; washable pre-filter with a particle and carbon filter (per Blueair) |
| CADR | 141 CFM (240 m3/h) (per Levoit, page checked Aug 27, 2026) | 174 pollen, 159 dust, 153 smoke, in CFM (per Blueair, page checked Aug 27, 2026) |
| Rated coverage | 219 sq ft at 4.8 air changes per hour, up to 1,051 sq ft at 1 ACH | Recommended for 237 sq ft; 569 sq ft in 30 minutes, 1,138 sq ft in 1 hour |
| Noise range | 22 to 50 dB (per Levoit) | 19 to 48 dB (per Blueair) |
| Filter cost | $29.99 to $39.99 per replacement depending on filter type (per Levoit, page checked Aug 27, 2026) | $38.99 to $44.99 per replacement depending on filter type (per Blueair, page checked Aug 27, 2026) |
| Filter life | Levoit recommends replacing roughly every 6 to 8 months depending on use | Up to 9 months, tracked in the app by Blueair's RealTrack filter monitoring |
| Recurring cost | Filters only. The VeSync app is free and no subscription is required | Filters only. The Blueair app is free; an optional filter subscription saves 15 percent on replacements |
| Smart features | VeSync app, air quality sensor driving auto mode, Alexa and Google Assistant | Blueair app with scheduling, indoor and outdoor air quality, filter life tracking, geofencing, Alexa |
| Size | 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 in | 14.5 x 9.3 x 9.3 in |
| Power draw | 23W rated, about 21.8W at top speed | About 20W |
| Known weak point | Users report recurring VeSync connectivity problems and devices showing as offline | Weaker on odors and VOCs than carbon-heavy designs, and the filters cost more per change |
Every price we verified
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Prices verified on the dates shown. Check the retailer for the current price.
Levoit Core 300S
| Store | Price | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levoit Best price | $149.99 | ✓ AUG 30 | Go to store |
Prices were checked on the dates shown and can change at any time. The store page is always authoritative. Shipping and taxes are not included.
Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max
| Store | Price | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Best price | $118.99 | ✓ AUG 26 | Go to store |
| Blueair | $139.99 | ✓ AUG 30 | Go to store |
Prices were checked on the dates shown and can change at any time. The store page is always authoritative. Shipping and taxes are not included.
Which one to buy
Pick the Levoit Core 300S if...
You want the lower running cost and an auto mode that reacts to the room. The Core 300S has the cheaper filters, a real air quality sensor driving automatic fan speed, and the smaller footprint of the two on a nightstand. The app is the weak spot, so if you plan to control it mostly by phone, read the VeSync complaints first.
Pick the Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max if...
The bedroom needs to be genuinely silent and the room is on the larger end of small. 19 dB on low is the quieter figure of the two, the airflow numbers Blueair publishes are higher, and the app is the more dependable one. You pay for it twice, once at the till and again at every filter change, and it is the weaker choice if cooking odors are what you are trying to clear.
Common questions
Which purifier is quieter at night?
On the published figures, the Blue Pure 511i Max, rated at 19 dB on its lowest setting against 22 dB for the Levoit Core 300S. Both are quiet enough that the low setting is meant to be run through the night; the difference on paper is small.
What do the filters actually cost to run?
Levoit lists Core 300S replacement filters at $29.99 to $39.99 depending on the variant and recommends changing them roughly every 6 to 8 months. Blueair lists 511i Max filters at $38.99 to $44.99 with a stated life of up to 9 months. Both were checked on the brand pages on Aug 27, 2026, and both change over time, so treat them as a guide rather than a quote.
Does either one need a subscription?
No. Both apps are free to use. Blueair offers an optional filter subscription that takes 15 percent off replacement filters, but nothing about the purifier is locked behind it.
Which handles a bigger room?
Blueair publishes the higher airflow numbers, 174 CFM CADR for pollen against 141 CFM for the Levoit, and a 237 sq ft recommendation against 219 sq ft at Levoit's 4.8 air changes per hour. Read the large coverage claims from both brands carefully: they assume a slower single air change per hour, which is a much weaker clean.
Which is better for smells rather than dust?
The Levoit, on mechanism. It runs a dedicated activated carbon stage, and Blueair's own strength is particle capture rather than odor and VOC removal. Neither is a substitute for extraction in a kitchen.