Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier Review

This Levoit LV-H132 review was updated on the 3rd April 2020

Back in 2018 we rated the LV-H132 as the best air purifier under $100 .

3 years on and we’re currently going back through all of the air purifiers we have reviewed to see if we still think the same as we did when they first came out. Lets see if in 2020, the H132 is still as good as it once was.

I originally chose to make this Levoit LV-H132 review for two obvious reasons. One of them is it’s sleek design. The other one is the price. At first glance, for an air purifier under $100, this model seems to have everything a homeowner may need and more.

We have made quite a few Levoit air purifier reviews over the past year or so, mostly because the company keeps turning out new models nearly every month!

The compact design of the LV-H132 with a soft blue light on top is appealing, especially to those looking for something to suit a contemporary décor.

The air purifier is equipped with a 3-stage filtration system and comes with a few smart sensors.

Important note: This is a small air purifier and therefore only designed to service rooms up to about 86-87 square feet or personal space.

OK on with the review…

Filtration System

Considering the size of this air purifier, the number of filtration stages is impressive. Even today in 2020, this little machine offers great value for money with its 3 filters. They’ve not neaded to change anything here. Levoit make a very commendable HEPA filter which passes all the right tests.

Filter replacement: I would say that the inability to wash the pre-filter is somewhat a downside since it leads to a frequent replacement of the filter package.

You can purchase a filter replacement package that contains all three filters. It will cost you about $30 but you can find deals and discounts. I haven’t found a place where you can buy these filters separately so I guess you have to go with the package. Filter replacement process is rather straightforward. It’s easy to take off the lid, remove and replace all three filters at once. The yearly cost of the air purifier servicing is about $60.

The purifier is not equipped with UV lamps or ionizers. However, some people may consider it an advantage since they use these features very rarely. After all, paying extra for something you don’t use is annoying.

 

 Design

I’m giving the manufacturer high scores for the design of this air purifier.  It has a modern simplistic beauty about it as there is throughout all of the Levoit air purifier range. They have a unique style about them, which appears to be pretty timeless.

The unit is very compact (the downside of which is the small coverage area). It’s only 12.6 inches high and 7.5 inches in diameter and weighs just under seven pounds. You can place the unit anywhere you wish as long as it’s at least 15 inches away from any obstacles. You can put it on top of a table or hide it behind the sofa.

However, I wouldn’t want to hide such a nicely designed purifier. It looks like a great gadget. Wherever you are planning to use it, be it a small room or an office cubicle, you’ll definitely find a place for it.

In fact, the portability of this purifier makes it easy to travel with. People with respiratory problems can take it on trips and use them in hotel rooms.

The control panel is conveniently located on top of the unit, making it easy to access and has 5 straightforward buttons.

I would like to pay special attention to the blue light. The light shining from the top part of the unit adds the design some extra oomph. Worry not, if you are planning to use the purifier during the night, you can turn the light off. For those of you, who prefer nightlights, or have children who do, this unit can become a two-in-one gadget. The blue light has two brightness settings.

I would recommend placing this unit away from the routes you usually walk in the room. It’s so small that it’s easy to trip over. The best place for such a purifier is on an elevated surface.

Sensors and Controls

The variety of sensors and features make the air purifier an impressive model as long as they all work as promised.

The Levoit is a small air purifier without too many smart options. In fact, the only sensor it offers is the filter replacement indicator. Since you can’t buy the filters separately (perhaps you can, but I just haven’t found such an offer), it’s convenient to know when all three need to be replaced. After changing the filter, you need to press the filter reset button and hold it for 3 seconds.

The fan comes with 3 speed settings. By default, the second speed is the optimal option. When you go to sleep, I would recommend switching the fan setting to low in order to reduce the noise. The highest speed setting is great for the initial stages of air cleaning. For example, if you haven’t turned the air purifier on for more than one day, run it on the highest setting for several hours to improve the air quality faster. If you run the unit on a regular basis, the medium setting is sufficient.

The controls of this unit are intuitive. The lack of smart sensors is compensated by the simplicity of use. After all, the fewer sensors an air purifier has the fewer chances they have of breaking down.

Noise Levels

This is one of the smallest air purifiers on the market today so don’t expect it to make a lot of noise. In fact, at the lowest setting, it produces less than 43dB, which is the noise level you usually hear at the library.

Medium and high fan settings don’t produce what you would call a loud noise either. When the fan is in the second setting, you can easily go about your business, watching TV or reading. The high-speed setting is quiet enough not to interfere with regular conversations.

Overall, this unit is not noisy and can easily be used in a bedroom or office.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of this air purifier is rather small. This is the price we pay for it being so lightweight and compact.

If you’re looking for a Levoit air purifier that can handle a larger space, then take a look at our review of the LV-Pur131. It’s larger brother.

you may want to consider buying a couple of the LV-H132. Since the air purifier is well under $100, buying two may turn out to be cheaper than buying one with a larger coverage area.

In addition, I would like to note that this air purifier is energy efficient. It uses only about 28 watts, which will save you money on energy bills even if you run the unit 24/7.

We just finished off another article on energy efficient devices. In this guide we were looking at energy efficient air conditioners – so if that also interests you, check it out too.

Warranty

For such a moderately priced product, this air purifier has an excellent warranty. Levoit offers a 2-year warranty. If you use the unit according to the instructions and change the filters timely, you can take advantage of the warranty. To me, a 2-year warranty means that the manufacturer is reasonably sure that nothing bad will happen to the air purifier for at least two years after the purchase.

As a bonus, those, who read the manual (or my review) carefully, can extend the warranty for one more year. All you have to do is visit Levoit website and register the unit. In order to do this, you’ll need an order number (for example Amazon or Houzz).

Pros: Cons:

Levoit LV-H132 Air Purifier Review Conclusion

After doing an extensive review of the LV-H132 air purifier, I recommend it to people, who need to keep the air in small spaces clean and want to save some money in the process. This unit is a great choice for small rooms, kitchens, and offices. Even though it has a few smart options, it’s easy to use, comes with a long warranty, and can be carried around with ease. It doubles up as a nightlight too!

Also to note. I’ve just realised this little purifier has given me more work to do on the site! I think we have a new winner of the best air purifier under $100 catagory. Check out what other air purifiers made our overall top budget air purifier chart. Without question this unit takes the top spot – as it’s simply superb at cleaning the air in your immediate vicinity and comes in well under 100 dollars. It’s coverage size isn’t quite as good as the Fellows aeramax 100 but it does pack in an extra filter. All things you should consider when looking to purchase one.

2020 Update: Well, we still love this little air purifier. In fact I have given it 1pt extra, as not only does it still hold up as the best value air purifier, but somehow Levoit have managed to make it even cheaper! It’s now well under $100. Simply amazing.

If all you’re looking for is a simple little air cleaner that can handle a small room or your personal space (sitting on your desk) then this is the one to buy. No need to spend more.

This article was written by Julia Montague – check out her author bio here