Levoit Core 300S Review Smart HEPA Air Purifier for Small to Medium Rooms (2025)

The Levoit Core 300S is a compact smart air purifier designed for small to medium-sized rooms. Building on the popularity of the original Core 300, this model adds WiFi connectivity and app control while maintaining the sleek, cylindrical design and powerful HEPA filtration that made its predecessor a bestseller.

With a CADR rating of 141 CFM (240 m³/h), the Core 300S can handle rooms up to 219 square feet (based on 5 air changes per hour), making it suitable for bedrooms, home offices, and small living rooms. It features Levoit's signature 3-stage filtration system with a pre-filter, H13 True HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter to tackle allergens, dust, pet dander, and odors.

The Levoit Core 300S retains the sleek, minimalist cylindrical design that made the original Core 300 popular. Its compact footprint (8.7 inches diameter, 14.2 inches height) allows it to fit unobtrusively in most rooms. Air intake happens through vents around the lower 360 degrees of the unit, while purified air is expelled upwards through the top grille.

Build quality feels solid for its price point, primarily constructed from durable matte plastic (available in white or black). The top panel houses the touch-sensitive controls, which are responsive and clearly labelled with icons for power, fan speed, sleep mode, timer, display lock, and WiFi status. The filter is easily accessed by twisting off the base cover, requiring no tools. Overall, it's a well-thought-out design that balances aesthetics and functionality.

At the heart of the Core 300S is its 3-stage filtration system, designed to tackle a wide range of airborne pollutants:

• Nylon Pre-Filter: Captures large particles like dust, lint, hair, and pet fur, extending the life of the main HEPA filter. It's washable for easy maintenance.
• H13 True HEPA Filter: This is the core component, capturing at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size. This includes fine dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and bacteria.
• High-Efficiency Activated Carbon Filter: Adsorbs household odors from cooking, pets, and smoke, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

With a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 141 CFM, the Core 300S effectively cleans the air in rooms up to 219 sq. ft. five times per hour, making it ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, or home offices. In real-world use, it noticeably reduces dust and allergens, and the carbon filter does a decent job neutralizing common household smells. Levoit also offers specialized replacement filters (Pet Allergy, Toxin Absorber, Mold & Bacteria) for targeted needs, adding to its versatility.

The 'S' in Core 300S stands for 'Smart', and this is where it significantly upgrades from the original Core 300. Connecting to your home WiFi (2.4GHz only) allows you to control the purifier remotely via the free VeSync app (available for iOS and Android).

The app offers a wealth of features:

• Remote Control: Adjust fan speed, modes (Sleep, Auto), timer, display light, and power from anywhere.
• Scheduling: Set custom schedules for the purifier to turn on/off or change settings at specific times.
• Air Quality Monitoring (via App): While the unit itself lacks a sensor display, the app utilizes an internal laser dust sensor to provide real-time PM2.5 readings and trigger the Auto Mode, which adjusts fan speed based on detected pollution levels.
• Filter Life Indicator: Track the remaining filter life percentage and receive replacement reminders.
• Voice Control: Integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allows for hands-free operation using voice commands.

The app is intuitive and setup is generally straightforward. The smart features add significant convenience, especially the Auto Mode and scheduling capabilities.

Levoit advertises noise levels ranging from 24dB in Sleep Mode up to 50dB on the highest fan setting. Our experience aligns with these figures.

• Sleep Mode: At 24dB, it's exceptionally quiet, barely audible even in a silent room. It's comparable to a whisper and shouldn't disturb sleep. The display lights also turn off in this mode.
• Low Speed: Still very quiet, producing a gentle hum suitable for background noise during the day or light sleep.
• Medium Speed: Noticeable but not intrusive, similar to the sound of a typical computer fan.
• High Speed: At 50dB, it's definitely audible, comparable to a moderate rainfall or a quiet conversation. While effective for quick air cleaning, it might be too loud for sleeping or quiet activities.

Overall, the Core 300S performs well in terms of noise, especially at lower settings, making it a great choice for bedrooms.

With a rated power consumption of just 26 watts at its highest setting, the Levoit Core 300S is quite energy efficient. It's Energy Star certified, meaning it meets strict energy performance standards set by the EPA.

Running the purifier 24/7 on lower settings will consume minimal electricity. Even on the highest setting, the cost is relatively low. For example, running it continuously at 26W would consume approximately 0.62 kWh per day. At an average US electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh, this translates to less than $3 per month if run non-stop at maximum power, and significantly less when using lower speeds or Auto Mode. Its efficiency makes it cost-effective for continuous operation.

Maintenance for the Core 300S is straightforward. The primary task is filter replacement. Levoit recommends replacing the 3-in-1 filter cartridge every 6-12 months, depending on usage and air quality. The VeSync app provides a precise filter life percentage, and a filter check indicator light will illuminate on the control panel when it's time for a change.

Replacing the filter is simple: unplug the unit, flip it over, twist off the base cover, remove the old filter, insert the new one (making sure to remove its plastic packaging first), replace the cover, and reset the filter indicator (usually by holding the corresponding button or via the app).

The outer pre-filter layer can be gently vacuumed or wiped clean every 2-4 weeks to maintain optimal airflow and extend the life of the HEPA filter. The exterior of the unit can be wiped down with a dry cloth.

Levoit Core 300S-RF Replacement Filter

Original replacement filter set for Levoit Core 300S air purifier. Includes H13 True HEPA filter and activated carbon layer for comprehensive air cleaning.

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The Levoit Core 300S is an excellent smart air purifier that offers a compelling blend of effective H13 True HEPA filtration, useful smart features via the VeSync app, quiet operation (especially in Sleep Mode), and a sleek, compact design. Its performance in small to medium-sized rooms is impressive for its price point.

While the lack of an onboard air quality display and the potential noise at the highest setting are minor drawbacks, the convenience of app control, Auto Mode, scheduling, and voice assistant integration largely compensates for these. The energy efficiency and availability of specialized filters further enhance its appeal.

We recommend the Levoit Core 300S for: Anyone seeking a reliable, smart air purifier for bedrooms, home offices, or other small to medium spaces (up to 219 sq ft). It's particularly well-suited for allergy sufferers, pet owners (consider the Pet Allergy filter), and those who appreciate the convenience of app and voice control within a smart home ecosystem. It offers great value and performance in the compact smart air purifier category.