The home for most people is the place for relaxation and relief from all the stress. To some it is described as a safe haven. However, do you know that if you had a microscope to view the surroundings of your house, you would be shocked at the number of germs and pollutants roaming about.
When you hear “air pollution”, common thought is about the exhaust from bad vehicles, cigarette smoke or chemical industrial emissions. Basically, you tend to think “outside”. The reality is that indoor air quality poses more threat to human life than outdoor pollution.
This kind of indoor pollution occurs from burning of food from fireplaces, cooking gases, cigarette smoke and so on. Research has shown that 50% of non-smoking women who are exposed to fuel from coal burning are at the same level of risk for lung cancer as men who smoke lightly.
This is where and air purifier is needed. These home appliances can keep pollutants away as much as possible and make homes the real haven as they ought to be. However, how do you find the best air purifier Malaysia for your home? This Xiaomi air purifier review might help you out!
We also discuss the types of air purifier models that are available, the benefits of using one and the guide to choosing one for yourself. This article might be just what you need, so keep reading!
What Types of Air Purifiers Are There On The Market?
- HEPA Technology
The full meaning of HEPA is High Efficiency Particulate Air. The HEPA technology uses the HEPA filters to trap particles that are larger than 0.3 microns. It has been shown to be able to effectively trap 99.97% of particles greater than 0.3 microns.
The HEPA filter has an accordion-like shape because of the way the fibre it is made of is folded. As air passes through the filter, the fine particles of bacteria and bad substances are trapped by the filter while the good air is released.
The quality of the air released by this filter improves the more the filter is used. However, as the filter becomes full with particles, air would not be able to pass as much as expected and the filter would need a replacement.
Replacement filters can often be obtained quite easily and are generally affordable. However, not to worry as a HEPA filter life is quite satisfactory. You can use the purifier for 2-4 years on average before you need to swap out its filter. Some purifiers come with an air quality sensor or air quality meter that will clue you in on the filter life status.
This filter has 3 mechanisms of action.
i. Interception: this is when particles get stuck to the fibre of the filter within 1 radius
ii. Impaction: this occurs when particles that are bigger in size get embedded in the fibres
iii. Diffusion: it involves the reduction in velocity of smaller particles through their combination with gas molecules and may lead to either of the first or second processes.
Features
- Filtration of particles greater than 0.3 microns
- Removal of pollen, grains or dander from air
Pros
- Good for asthmatics or people with allergies
- No recontamination of air
Cons
- Cannot remove unpleasant odours
- Activated Carbon Technology
Though an old method of air or water purification, the activated carbon is still very effective and potent for absorbing pollutants like smoke from tobacco, odors, chemicals, gases, formaldehyde, perfumes and so on. They are clinically important for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
The activated carbon technology uses a type of processed carbon that absorbs these chemicals and microbes. The carbon has high porosity and a large surface area to make absorption faster and easier.
The property that makes them very effective for absorbing chemicals is their ability to form chemical bonds with these pollutants, thereby trapping them. Once this happens, the chances of recontamination of the air is very slim because the pollutants are not resuspended into the air.
Functions
- Removal of odor, smell and smoke
- Bonding with chemicals and bacteria in air
Pros
- Effective for odor elimination
- No recontamination of air with already absorbed particles
Cons
- Not suitable for pollen, dust, and grain removal
- UV Technology
You must have guessed right! Just as the name suggests, some other types use Ultra Violet (UV) technology to eliminate harmful or potentially harmful pollutants from the air. The UV technology is good for killing pathogens, bacteria, germs, mold and their spores effectively, up to about 99.9%.
UV technology purifiers work by using a chamber in the machine that is filled with UV light. Through the effect of this light on the pathogens, it destroys them by destroying the molecular bonds in their smallest unit of composition, which is the DNA.
Due to the advancement and complexity in function of the UV technology air purifiers, they may be expensive to purchase and maintain.
Function
- Destruction of pathogenic substances in the air
- Destruction of molds and their spores
Pros
- 99.9% elimination of pathogens
- Small and compact size
Cons
- Need to change the bulb yearly
- Negative Ions
Air purifiers that work using this mechanism release negative ions into the air. These negatively charged ions then bind to positively charged particles in the air. The process goes on and on till the fully bonded pathogens or air contaminants become heavy and then fall to the ground, walls or windows.
Indeed this is a very advanced form of technology, nonetheless, its effect does not match or meet the required standards. Basically, what it does is that it temporarily suppresses the amount of contaminants in the air and dumps them around the environment. It doesn’t kill or eradicate them.
It has also been found that after some time, these bonded particles soon disintegrate and are resuspended back into the atmosphere.
Functions
- Binding with positively charged particles in the air
- Reduction in amount of active pollutant in air
Pros
- Noiseless operation
- Removal of dust, smoke, dander and bacteria
Cons
- Resuspension of pollutants into the air
- Ozone
The use of ozone air purifiers is still controversial today. Ozone (O3) at high levels is known to have deleterious effects on the health of humans. Increased exposure to ozone may cause asthma symptoms and eventually affect the lungs. Some countries have disapproved of the use of such types of air purifiers.
Air purifier models with ozone cannot eliminate pollen or dander. Most of them work in a way similar to the negative ions. Hence, only masking the pollutants for a time being.
Research has shown that ozone may slow down the growth of microorganisms however, it may not totally clear the air from these microbes.
Functions
- Reduce the growth of microbes
- Release ozone into the air
Pros
- Noiseless operations
Cons
- May be hazardous to health
Features of Air Purifier
Different brands and models of air purifiers have a number of features that may be general or unique to the brand or model. However, some of these features cannot be overlooked or set aside. Some of them include:
Light Sensor / Air Quality Sensor
Some modern or more recent models have light sensors that can show you the level of quality of air being released. They may also show you the mode that you’re operating on, for instance night mode, day mode and so on.
Filtration Process
In the previous section we nailed down the 5 basic filtration mechanisms that air purifiers have and we also discussed their merits and demerits. Having known that, you’re equipped with the knowledge to determine which one would serve you best and meet your home requirements.
Odor Reduction
Not all models have the ability to eliminate odor. If you’re looking for something that can get rid of smell for furniture finishings or whatever source, you’re definitely not going to be looking at the HEPA filtration system. You should be considering air purifiers with Activated Carbon Technology.
Connectivity
Recently, brands have been innovative with the features they input into air purifiers. Now, we have smart air purifiers that can work with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Furthermore, some can be controlled remotely by connecting them to the App. Each smart air purifier would have an App that is particular to it.
This added advantage definitely comes with an increased cost
Benefits of Using Air Purifier
Air purifiers have been effective in reducing the risk or exposure to substances that can cause certain conditions related to air pollution. Here are some ways these appliances can help.
Removal of Asthma Triggers
Triggers for asthma are most often pollen, grains, dust, pet dander and so on. Many of which are suspended in air. When these substances are inhaled, they could cause allergic reactions. To mitigate this, an air purifier can come in handy by removing substances that double as triggers. A good choice here would be purifiers with HEPA filters.
Removal of Toxic Chemicals from Houses
In one way or the other toxic chemicals from the environment enter your house no matter how much you try to keep them from entering. Asides from the ones from the environment, most cleaning agents in the home contain chemical agents that may have adverse effects on prolonged exposure to them.
Neutralization of Unpleasant Odour
Odours in the house may arise from different things. Chemicals used in the house may produce formaldehyde and gasolene which when broken down, cause off-gassing odor. The chemicals that cause the release of these gases are called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Usually, they are found in air fresheners, paints, upholstered furniture or aerosol sprays.
Better purifiers with multiple air filtration techniques including an activated carbon filter would help mitigate bad smells.
Reduces the Risk of Cancers
Canceration of different parts of the body occurs due to exposure to different agents. One commonly found agent in the home that causes cancer is Asbestos. Asbestos is found mostly in furniture and building materials. As deadly as it can be, it is still in use. You can help yourself out by using an air purifier that will absorb this agent and reduce your exposure to it which one the long run, would reduce your risk of lung cancer.
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Air Purifier
Frequency/Usage
In terms of usage, you should answer the question, “What do I want my air purifier to do for me?”
If you want it to remove odor, you look for those that have an activated carbon filter.
If you want it to remove microorganisms and improve current air quality, you look for one with a multiple layer pre filter or a HEPA filter.
Determining the problem to be solved before purchasing an air purifier is a key step to buying the right model.
Size
Making the right choice of an air purifier should start from the size. Determine the size of the room that the purifier would clean.
After that, you consider the number of air changes per hour of the purifier. What this indicates is the number of times that the purifier can filter all the air within the space where it is put in an hour. A purifier that has a rate of 4 changes in an hour would be a good option.
Budget/Price Factor
Air purifier models come at a range of difference prices. Depending on the features that it has to offer and sometimes, the brand you’re buying from.
In summary, you can get an air purifier within your budget and still enjoy the basic benefits that the product offers.
Brand
Different companies today offer services in the production of air purifiers, none particularly can be regarded as the best, however you can get a variety of options of high quality purifiers with the Xiaomi brand. Xiaomi manufactures better air purifiers than many of its counterparts.
Read on as we review our top picks of Xiaomi air purifiers.
Best Xiaomi Air Purifiers
1. Mi Air Purifier 3C Global Version
The basic air purifier
The Mi 3C Global Version air purifier is one of the best from Xiaomi. With this Mi air purifier you can be certain that you’re breathing nothing but healthy air. The Mi 3C air purifier uses a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter (HEPA filters) to purify the air. With this, it can absorb very small particles and microorganisms greater than 0.3 microns.
This Mi air purifier is 99.97% effective. It has a laser sensor that can read the quality of indoor air in real time and an auto mode for easy purification. The automatic mode is efficient and has a low power consumption. The filter has a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 320m³/h and it does this at a very high speed in order to provide purified air that is long lasting, hence providing 5330 liters of clean air in a minute
Mi 3C Global Version air purifier has smart control through the Mi Home app or the Xiaomi Home App. It also has voice control. The Mi air purifier can conveniently purify the air in a room of 106m2 in an hour.
Features
- Uses HEPA filters
- CADR of 320m³/h
- Smart air purifier
- 360 degree three-dimensional circulation for a 106m2 room per hour
Pros
- LED display for checking air quality
- Connectivity to phone
- Voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant
Cons
- Cannot remove odor
2. Mi Air Purifier 3H EU Global Version
The improved Mi air purifier for homes
Looking at this Mi 3H EU Global Version air purifier, you might think it’s the same with the Mi 3C Global Version, however, they are different. This air purifier is an improved version of the previous model. It provides adjustable modes (including manual mode, sleep mode and auto mode). It also offers optimal air quality with its multiple filtration systems.
This Mi Air Purifier 3H first uses a primary filter or pre filter that removes dust and other particles, then a 360° cylindrical true HEPA filter for microorganisms, viruses and pathogens. After the cylindrical filter, the air is then passed through a carbon filter which removes any residual microbes and any odor, leaving you with healthy air.
Features
- Uses HEPA filters and activated carbon
- CADR of 380 m³/h
- OLED touch screen display
- 6330 litres of air per minute
Pros
- Uses multiple filtration systems
- Smart control with Google assistant
- Energy saving
- Quiet operation with fast fan speed
Cons
- Pricey
- Fan speed cannot be adjusted
3. Mijia Air Purifier Pro
The triple action air purifier
The Mijia brand is under Xiaomi, in Chinese language, it means Xiaomi Smart Home. So, it is no different from Xiaomi.
The CADR of this Xiaomi air purifier is very high making it proficient for large spaces. It can effectively purify a room of about 750 sq.ft.
The tower shaped design of this Mijia Air Purifier is made to allow air to enter into it from the roof rotating at 360° to the floor of the purifier. This design is to form a unique fresh air tree.
The purifier uses 3 mechanisms to purify air. It uses a primary filter, HEPA filter and a high quality activated carbon.
Features
- Uses Primary filter, HEPA filter and activated carbon
- Covers 750 sq.ft room.
- 735 x 260 mm (HxW)
Pros
- Triple filtration systems
- Can cover large room
- OLED display
Cons
- Not compatible with less than 4.0 android versions and less than iOS 8.0
Air Purifiers For Cars
Xiaomi Roidmi P8S Car Air Purifier
The perfect car air purifier Malaysia
Other air purifiers by Xiaomi include the Xiaomi IOT car air purifier is portable and efficient for purifying air in the car. It uses High Efficiency Particulate Air filters which can pick very small microbes or allergens that are present in your car but may not be visible to your eyes. Normally, the eye can see substances from 10 microns above but the HEPA filters can be anything above 0.3 microns.
Air flows in from three inlets and out from 2 outlets in this air purifier. It also has a CADR of 70m/h and an OLED display that tells you the quality of the being delivered. It is one of the best car air purifier Malaysia.
Features
- Uses HEPA filters
- CADR of 70m/h
- Has Laser Particulate Sensors
- Uses Centrifugal Turbine Fan
Pros
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t make noise
- Can be controlled with a smartphone app
Cons
- Expensive
Air Purifier Replacement Filters
Xiaomi IOT Original Mi Air Purifier HEPA Filter / M8R-FLH
Easy to change high particulate filter
In this Xiaomi IOT Original Mi Air Purifier, you get three levels of purification. The pre filter at the outer level which filters out dirt or dust particles suspended in the hair, High Efficiency Particulate Air filter for micrograms, viruses or pathogens in the middle and activated carbon in the inner part for odor removal and other smaller microorganisms.
Filter cost typically depends on the model type. These filters can work with a number of the Mi air purifiers. For example, Mi 2, 2H, 2S, Pro or 3 air purifiers.
It can also work effectively for about 6 months before requiring a replacement. The replacement filters are easy to attain and install.
Features
- CADR of 380m3/h
- 360 degree triple layer filter
- Compatible with several air purifiers
Pros
- Multiple filtration layers
- Absorption of dirt, allergens and odors
- Acid, base, fat or grease resistance
Cons
- Short term effectivity (3-6 months)
Alternative Air Purifier Models
Here are other air purifiers that are considerably more affordable than the Xiaomi purifier.
Air Purifier Build in UV Technology And HEPA Filter
Budget friendly Ultraviolet air purifier!
As indicated in the name, this air purifier uses ultraviolet rays to purify air. The rays penetrate the smallest unit of life of these pathogens and destroy their DNA. This advanced technology makes it very effective for destroying 99.9% of the harmful or potentially harmful substances in the air.
You do not have to worry about getting a UV light source in your home, the purifier has a built-in UV lamp from which it operates. Asides the UV light for bacteria destruction, the purifier also features a HEPA filter for the removal of dirt, dust or other suspended particles in the air. The combination of these two provides you with optimum clean and healthy air.
Features
- UV lamp and HEPA filter
- For this air purifier Malaysia, it uses a 3 pin plug
- For within 35-50 meter square room
- LCD display
Pros
- Touch control
- Effective air cleansing
- Very affordable
Cons
- Small size
Air Purifier HEPA filter With Remote Control
Remote control air purifier
If you’re looking for something that would cost you less and still provide you with good air purification services, you’ve come across the best bet! This air purifier Malaysia by KL SEND is not only cheap, it has 4 levels of air purification which provides healthy air at the end of the filtration process.
On the purifier, there are 6 buttons which are used to manage its functions, first is the sleep wind, next is the purification button, then the smoke removal button, then the timing button followed by the negation ion button and then the power switch. However, you don’t have to get up anytime to want to activate one mode or the other, you save yourself a lot of stress by using the remote control which also has all these 6 control buttons embedded in it.
Features
- Remote control
- LCD display
- Multi filtration system
- 25-45 meter square room
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Smart touch sensor
- Efficient purification
Cons
- Small in size
Conclusion
Health, they say, is wealth. Air is also required for survival. It is therefore important to take in air that would not pose more threat to health. And that is why the need for a good air purifier cannot be overemphasized.
Be it in your home, in the office or in your car, Xiaomi air purifiers can be counted on to keep your indoor or interior air clean. Our top pick is the Mi Air Purifier 3H, but you can take your own pick from our Xiaomi air purifier review. Check out their other models online and you’re sure to find a model that will vastly improve the air quality of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Xiaomi Air Purifier is best?
Best, is actually relative. What might be best to you might be average to someone else. So, to determine which purifier would be best for you, you have to identify what you need it to do for you. Using your needs to choose an air purifier would help you get the best one for you.
2. Is a Xiaomi Air Purifier safe?
All Xiaomi purifiers are safe to use and have a low energy consumption. They make use of the recommended, standard filtration systems such as HEPA filters, activated carbon or most times, a combination of both and more! Improve your home’s air quality with a Xiaomi model today.
3. How does a Xiaomi Air Purifier work?
Like many other air purifiers, mechanism of action of Xiaomi air purifiers differ depending on the filtration system used in each of them. Basically what they do is absorb or trap particles, microbes or dust suspended in the air and produce better air quality. They also work through connection to electricity.