Levoit Core 300S vs Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max
Two quiet air purifiers for bedrooms and small spaces, with a recommendation by room size.
The Core 300S is rated for rooms up to 219 sq ft and costs less. The Blue Pure 311i Max is rated for 439 sq ft and has a built-in air quality sensor.
For a bedroom under 220 sq ft, the Core 300S covers the room at the lower price. For a larger room, or if you want a sensor and an Auto fan speed, choose the Blue Pure 311i Max.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Spec | Levoit Core 300S | Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$150 | ~$230 |
| Rated coverage (4.8 air changes per hour) | 219 sq ft | 439 sq ft |
| Noise on low | 22 dB | 23 dB |
| Noise on high | 50 dB | 50 dB |
| Main filter | 3-stage, 99.97% at 0.3 micron | 4-layer HEPASilent, 99.97% at 0.1 micron (not True HEPA) |
| Activated Carbon | Yes | Yes (Particle & Carbon filter) |
| Auto fan speed and air quality sensor | Not listed by Levoit | Yes, built-in sensor |
| Sleep / Night Setting | Sleep Mode | Night fan speed |
| App and smart home | VeSync app, schedules, 1 to 24 hour timer, Alexa and Google Assistant | Wi-Fi app, timer, smart-home integration |
| Power draw | 23 W | 32 W |
| Weight | 5.95 lb | 7.8 lb |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 in | 19 x 12.5 x 12.5 in |
| Where to buy | Core 300S on Amazon (~$150) | 311i Max at Sylvane (~$230) 311i Max on Amazon (~$230) |
Where the Core 300S Fits
The Core 300S is rated for 219 sq ft at 4.8 air changes per hour, which suits a bedroom under 220 sq ft. Its lowest setting is 22 dB and it draws 23 W, the lower figure of the two on both.
It is the less expensive purifier of the pair. Levoit sells this model as the Core 300S-P, which adds the VeSync app with schedules and a 1 to 24 hour timer, plus Alexa and Google Assistant control. Levoit’s product page lists neither an Auto Mode nor an air quality sensor.
Where the Blue Pure 311i Max Fits
The Blue Pure 311i Max is rated for 439 sq ft at 4.8 air changes per hour, about twice the Core 300S rating. That range covers larger bedrooms and open-plan studios. Blueair lists 23 dB on the lowest setting and 50 dB on the highest.
It has a built-in air quality sensor and five fan speeds, including Auto and Night. The Wi-Fi app adds a timer, and Blueair lists smart-home integration.
Its filter is Blueair’s 4-layer HEPASilent, which combines electrostatic and mechanical filtration and is rated to 99.97% at 0.1 micron. Blueair does not call it True HEPA. The default Particle & Carbon filter is rated for up to 9 months.
How close the noise levels are
The lowest settings are 22 dB and 23 dB, and both units top out at 50 dB. The practical difference is room size. Both ratings use the same 4.8 air changes per hour basis, so in a room larger than 219 sq ft the Core 300S falls below that rate even at its highest speed, while the Blue Pure 311i Max stays at it up to 439 sq ft.
Which Is Right for Your Situation
Bedroom under 220 sq ft
The Core 300S is rated for this room. The Blue Pure 311i Max is rated for more floor area than the room has.
Bedroom 220 to 439 sq ft
The Blue Pure 311i Max is the only one of the two rated for this size. The Core 300S’s 219 sq ft rating falls short of the room.
Studio apartment
Measure the floor area first. A studio between 220 and 439 sq ft fits the Blue Pure 311i Max rating, and it is the one of the two with a built-in sensor.
Budget is the primary constraint
The Core 300S is the less expensive of the two and fits rooms up to 219 sq ft. Two Core 300S units cost more than one Blue Pure 311i Max, so the price advantage applies to a single room.
The Products
Levoit Core 300S
Rated for 219 sq ft at 4.8 air changes per hour, with 22 dB on low, a 23 W power draw, and the VeSync app with schedules and a 1 to 24 hour timer. Best for bedrooms under 220 sq ft.
Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max
Rated for 439 sq ft at 4.8 air changes per hour, with 23 dB on low. It adds Wi-Fi app control and a built-in air quality sensor with an Auto fan speed. Best for rooms between 220 and 439 sq ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max worth the higher price?
It depends on the room. Under 220 sq ft the Core 300S is rated for the whole room, so the extra coverage goes unused. Between 220 and 439 sq ft the Blue Pure 311i Max is the only one of the two rated for the room, which is the case for paying more.
Does either purifier have an Auto mode?
The Blue Pure 311i Max has an Auto fan speed and a built-in air quality sensor, according to Blueair’s product page. Levoit’s Core 300S-P product page lists neither.
Which one has the better filter?
Both are rated to capture 99.97% of particles, the Core 300S at 0.3 micron and the Blue Pure 311i Max at 0.1 micron. The two ratings use different particle sizes, so they are not a like-for-like comparison, and Blueair does not call HEPASilent True HEPA. Room coverage is the larger difference, at 219 sq ft against 439 sq ft.