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Working from home? A TruSens air purifier deserves a spot in your office

Working from home? A TruSens air purifier deserves a spot in your office
Working from home? A TruSens air purifier deserves a spot in your office
Air filters might not protect you from viruses, but they can certainly alleviate allergies and help make it easier to breathe. Now might be as good a time as any to invest in an air purifier if you're stuck at home working.

According to the EPA, indoor air quality can often be worse than outdoor levels. Users who may be working from home more frequently due to the pandemic may want to consider an air purifier for their home offices.

This page will compare three popular air purifiers in the market: the medium-sized TruSens, Germ Guardian AC4825, and the Winix 5300. The TruSens unit was provided by the manufacturer, but all measurements and opinions are our own. These three models provide relative points of reference even though they may not all be in the same price range.

A unique aspect of the TruSens model is that it includes an external air quality probe that requires its own AC power outlet separate from the air purifier. The manual recommends line-of-sight to the main unit in order for the probe to function and relay air quality measurements to the main unit. In our tests, however, the probe functions just fine even if it's hidden behind books or other items from across the room. Note that the probe is required if you want to use the TruSens model in Auto mode. In contrast, the Winix model has an air quality probe integrated onto the main unit for convenience.

Note that the retail box includes a quick start guide with no proper user's manual. Instead, the latter can only be found online.

Winix 5300 is larger than the TruSens and at roughly half the price for nearly the same room coverage. It integrates an air quality probe as well, but it lacks a digital read out. The handle on the TruSens makes it easier to carry around
Winix 5300 is larger than the TruSens and at roughly half the price for nearly the same room coverage. It integrates an air quality probe as well, but it lacks a digital read out. The handle on the TruSens makes it easier to carry around
The Germ Guardian is about as tall as the TruSens while being narrower and with a much smaller room coverage. It integrates a UV light as well, but it is more difficult to replace than the one on the TruSens
The Germ Guardian is about as tall as the TruSens while being narrower and with a much smaller room coverage. It integrates a UV light as well, but it is more difficult to replace than the one on the TruSens
Cat vs. medium-sized TruSens air purifier for size reference
Cat vs. medium-sized TruSens air purifier for size reference
Air enters through the unit via 360-degree holes all around the bottom half
Air enters through the unit via 360-degree holes all around the bottom half
External air quality probe is optional to use but required for Auto mode
External air quality probe is optional to use but required for Auto mode
Though small, the probe must be located in the same room as the main unit and require its own AC power source
Though small, the probe must be located in the same room as the main unit and require its own AC power source

As shown by the table below, the TruSens unit is about as loud as the Germ Guardian despite its larger coverage to imply that it is able to filter more air without needing to run all that much louder. The larger fan also allows for a lower pitch to be less noticeable to the ears.

Mode  TruSens Medium (dB(A))Germ Guardian AC4825 (dB(A))Winix 5300 (dB(A))
Whisper 44.7 -- 44.9
 47.7 48.5 49.4
 60.5 59 55.2
3 (Highest) 71 66.7 69.5
Room Coverage
 375 sq. ft. 167 sq. ft. 360 sq. ft.

From a visual perspective, the TruSens unit has the sleeker and more modern look in contrast to the boxy Winix or no-frills Germ Guardian. Its external probe can be a hassle, however, as it might limit where you can position the main unit in your office. For example, we like to put the air purifier in the corner of the room where it can go unnoticed and be out of the way, but you'll then have to position the external probe at an appropriate location elsewhere in the room as well. It's another item and power cable to deal which may turn off some users.

The TruSens air purifier comes in small, medium or large for $150, $250 or $400, respectively. Additional drum filters will cost another $40 each to be more expensive than most traditional rectangular filters. The manufacturer recommends replacing the carbon filter every 3 to 4 months, the HEPA filter every 12 to 15 months, and the UV bulb every one to three years. The pre-filter can be cleaned by hand every month to extend the life of the carbon and HEPA filters.

Touch-sensitive controls with timer and UV light toggle. If the external air quality probe is not detected, the unit cannot go to Auto mode
Touch-sensitive controls with timer and UV light toggle. If the external air quality probe is not detected, the unit cannot go to Auto mode
Air quality probe detected and in auto mode. The digital numbers and color code (Teal, Yellow, and Red) indicate real-time air quality from 0 to 500
Air quality probe detected and in auto mode. The digital numbers and color code (Teal, Yellow, and Red) indicate real-time air quality from 0 to 500
Drum filter is accessible on the bottom of the unit
Drum filter is accessible on the bottom of the unit
Filter removed. The UV bulb is also accessible here with a screwdriver
Filter removed. The UV bulb is also accessible here with a screwdriver
Drum filter consists of an outer pre-filter layer, inner carbon filter layer, and inner-most HEPA filter
Drum filter consists of an outer pre-filter layer, inner carbon filter layer, and inner-most HEPA filter
Only a quick start guide in the box. The full manual is only available online
Only a quick start guide in the box. The full manual is only available online

Source(s)

Test unit provided by TruSens

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 04 > Working from home? A TruSens air purifier deserves a spot in your office
Allen Ngo, 2020-04- 7 (Update: 2020-04- 9)