Best for
- Large-room shoppers
- People comparing published smoke CADR
- Buyers choosing between higher airflow and a smaller appliance
Watch for
- Treating different brands’ one-ACH room-size claims as directly equivalent
- Ignoring replacement-filter cost
- Buying extra airflow you do not need
Published airflow separates them
Blueair currently lists the Blue Pure 311i+ Max at 339 CFM smoke CADR, 370 CFM dust and 446 CFM pollen, with a recommended 525 ft² room at 4.8 ACH.
Levoit lists the Core 400S at 231 CFM CADR and 358 ft² at 4.8 ACH. On airflow alone, Blueair is the larger-room machine.
Noise and power are not the whole story
Blueair publishes 23–50 dB and 38 W for the 311i+ Max. Levoit lists 22–52 dB and 38 W for the Core 400S.
Because published noise methods can differ, use the ranges as directional information rather than assuming identical test conditions.
Pick from the room requirement backward
Calculate the airflow target first. If your room needs around 200 CFM, either may work. If it needs closer to 300 CFM, the Blueair has more headroom.
Then compare filter pricing, availability, dimensions and control preferences.
Use the same sizing basis across brands. Room-size claims can use different air-change assumptions. When possible, compare published CADR and calculate the airflow your room actually needs.