The Coway brand is one of the most reputable in the air purifier industry. Founded in 1989, the Coway brand began as a door-to-door business selling both water and air purifiers. Throughout the years, Coway has dabbled in several industries including cosmetics, homecare, and more, but today Coway holds is spot as a top air purifier manufacturer.
Coway’s line of air purifiers has garnered much praise for being well-rounded and reasonably-priced. Read on to find out which Coway air purifiers are the best.
Top 4 Coway Air Purifiers
Product | Features | Price |
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1. Coway Airmega 400
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2. Coway AP-1512HH
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3. Coway AP-1216L
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4. Coway Airmega 300
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Coway Air Purifier Reviews
1. Coway Airmega 400
Coway’s Airmega 400 is their most high-performance air purifier and is rated to cover a whopping 1526 sq. ft. of space. It makes use of a cutting-edge filter, the Max2, which doubles as a HEPA filter and a carbon filter in one.
As you would expect from a flagship model, the Airmega 400 (and it’s WiFi-capable variant the 400S) is the most expensive model on this list. The Max2 filter is also very expensive, so the long-term costs for this unit remain quite high. On top of that, the Airmega air purifiers have a pretty large footprint, so if you don’t have a lot of space at home, you might want to skip out on this one.
Overall, however, the Airmega 400 is able to service entire homes effortlessly to remove odors, allergens, and even volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with ease. Thanks to the Max2 filter, the Airmega 400 permits a high volume of airflow so it works incredibly quickly to clean the air.
Pros
- Max2 filter permits higher airflow and removes different types of air pollutants quickly
- Automatic air quality monitoring and fan speed adjustment
- Programmable timer and scheduler
- Unique, modern design
- Excellent for large areas
- Long warranty
Cons
- Expensive upfront and long-term
- Large footprint
- No casters
2. Coway AP-1512HH
Quite possibly Coway’s most popular air purifier, the AP-1512HH has long been a cult-favorite among air purifier enthusiasts. This is mainly due to the AP-1512HH’s robust performance and affordability. Rated to cover 360 sq. ft. of space, the AP-1512HH uses a washable pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, a carbon filter, and a Vital Ion ionizer to clean the air.
Unfortunately the replacement filters for this model are quite expensive, so despite the AP-1512HH’s low upfront costs the long-term costs are pretty high. Another complaint with this model is that it operates quite loudly.
Despite a couple of flaws, however, users have continuously praised the AP-1512HH’s ability to purify the air and effectively remove a wide range of household air pollutants. At such a budget-friendly price, the AP-1512HH has a bevy of smart features that are able to match models that are twice its price. If you’re looking for a bang-for-your-buck device, the AP-1512HH is your best bet.
Pros
- Affordable (upfront)
- Good for medium-sized rooms
- Good CADR ratings
- Washable pre-filter
- Sleek, modern design
- Energy Star certified
- Filter replacement indicator
- Air quality sensor offers real-time monitoring
- Auto Mode and ECO Mode
Cons
- HEPA and carbon filter replacements are pricey
- Loud operation
3. Coway AP-1216L
The AP-1216L from Coway is the only tower-type air purifier on this list, but is just as impressive as the others. Rated to cover 330 sq. ft. of space, the AP-1216L uses an air purification system similar to the AP-1512HH: a pre-filter, odor filter, True HEPA filter, and Vital Ion ionizer. The only difference is that the AP-1216L is a relatively older model.
Problematic is that the AP-1216L includes a very bright LED light and buttons that beep when pressed, so it isn’t great to use at night. In addition, it operates quite loudly, and its replacement filters are very difficult to find.
All things considered, the AP-1216L remains one of the most attractive Coway air purifiers because it is affordable despite having a ton of useful features and great specifications. Another advantage to owning this device is that its sleek, tower-type design allows you to place it in any nook or cranny in your home.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good for medium-sized rooms
- Automatic air quality monitoring and fan speed adjustment
- Programmable 8-hour timer
- Space-saving tower-type design
- Auto mode and ECO mode
- 12-hour timer
- filter change indicator
Cons
- Bright LED light
- Loud operation
- Difficult to find replacement filters
- Buttons make a beeping noise when pressed
4. Coway Airmega 300
The Airmega 300 is the cheapest model in the series (but is by no means considered affordable). Rated to cover 1256 sq. ft. of space, this model uses the same air filtration system as the 400: a washable pre-filter combined with a Max2 filter.
Because they come from the same family, the Airmega 300 has the same problems as the 400: expensive, large footprint, and difficult to move around due to the lack of casters. If you’re interested in the Airmega series but can’t quite handle the hefty price tag of 400, however, the 300 is a less expensive option. Despite being cheaper, the Airmega 300 still boasts the same great features and comes in the Airmega 300S variant if you want WiFi capabilities.
Pros
- Max2 filter permits higher airflow and removes different types of air pollutants quickly
- Automatic air quality monitoring and fan speed adjustment
- Programmable 8-hour timer
- Unique, modern design
- Excellent for large areas
- Long warranty
Cons
- Expensive upfront and long-term
- Large footprint
- No casters
Buyer’s Guide:
Coway Air Purifiers
Key Characteristics of Coway Air Purifiers
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Feature-packed
As you may have noticed, Coway doesn’t skimp on air purifier features. Despite having an modest price tag, Coway air purifiers tend to be fully-equipped with all the right features: air quality indicators, filter change indicators, smart modes, and more.
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Medium to large room coverage
Coway air purifiers tend to have medium to large room coverage. This makes them ideal air purifiers for homeowners living in larger homes. A larger room coverage also means an air purifier is able to work faster to clean the air.
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High CADR ratings
Speaking of speed, Coway air purifiers’ Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ratings tend to be very impressive, especially when you take into consideration affordability.
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Sleek, modern designs
Coway’s air purifiers tend to be very sleek and uniquely-designed.
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Reasonably-priced
As echoed throughout this entire article, Coway air purifiers are very reasonably-priced despite having above average specifications and high-end features.
How the Vital Ion Feature Works
Some Coway air purifiers use a Vital Ion feature which is actually Coway’s own brand of ionizer. Despite its flashy name, the Vital Ion feature works the same way as any other ionizer: the bipolar ionizer generates an electrochemical reaction that reduces particle concentrations in the air.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potentially harmful effects of ionizers?
Ionizers tend to produce ozone as a by-product. Ozone is a known lung irritant and can aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases (i.e. asthma). For most air purifiers that have ionizers, the amount of ozone is often measured to ensure compliance with government standards. The US FDA requires devices to produce no more than 50 parts per billion of ozone.
How long will the filters of my Coway air purifier last?
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a high-quality air purifier that’s priced just right, look no further than Coway. Coway develops effective, efficient, and reliable air purifiers that are able to remove harmful air pollutants from your home to keep your family safe.
The best Coway air purifier is undoubtedly its flagship air purifier, the Airmega 400. Powerful, beautifully-designed, and effective, the Airmega 400 is an investment you won’t regret. It effortlessly handles all types of air pollutants, even stubborn VOCs that might be lurking in your home with your knowledge. If you’re strapped for cash, though, there’s always the AP-1216L.