Do dual air purifiers/air conditioners really work?

In the past, we have written multiple articles about the quality of Dyson’s air purifiers, notably in ‘Eoleaf air purifiers vs. Dyson Hot+Cool: how do they compare?’ and ‘The new Dyson Big+Quiet still leaves a lot to be desired’. Dyson air purifiers typically offer 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 technologies (air purification plus heating/cooling/humidification) and is one of the only companies to do so in today’s air purification market. Since we’ve already discussed Dyson’s 2-in-1 heating air purifiers in previous articles, we’d like to focus today’s article mostly on Dyson’s 2-in-1 air conditioning air purifiers, but we will be covering other brands as well. Do these devices really work? Are they worth the money? Read on to learn more.

Why are Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers an aberration?

Just like Dyson’s 2-in-1 heating air purifiers, their air conditioning air purifiers (also known as their Pure Cool models) are unique in today’s air purification market. According to the Dyson website, these devices cool you when you need it, all whilst capturing harmful gases and pollutants and purifying the whole room¹. However, do these talk the talk and walk the walk? We had a look at their technical specifications and customer reviews.

Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers have poor performance

We have, yet again, been left disappointed by both the lack of transparency and quality of air purification offered by Dyson Pure Cool devices.

Lack of transparency

In each article we’ve written about Dyson air purifiers, we come back to the same subject: lack of transparency. Dyson is infamous for not making certain technical specifications available to the public, most notably Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR). CADR is a standard used by all air purification companies that allows customers to compare air purification efficiency between different brands and make the most informed choice. 

We are not the only ones perplexed by this. Smart Air, an air purification brand based in China, dug deeper. Companies selling air purifiers in China are required by law to publish their CADR ratings, and after scouring Dyson’s Chinese shop, they made some shocking revelations: Dyson’s Pure Cool devices offer extremely disappointing CADR ratings of only 164m3/hr for fine particles (like those generated from cigarette smoke and road traffic) and 56 m3/hr for formaldehyde². To put this into perspective, Eoleaf’s smallest device, the AEROPRO 40 (designed for spaces from 1 to 40m2), offers a CADR rating of 420 m3/hr. The higher the CADR, the better.

We have mentioned in previous articles about Dyson air purifiers that, instead of using the CADR standard to demonstrate efficiency on pollutants, the company uses its own standard called the ‘POLAR’ test. Apparently, when Dyson performed poorly on CADR tests (the standard air purifier testing procedure), this is when it began using its own tests in an attempt to convince consumers that their products perform better than they do. Using a standard that no one else does naturally makes it impossible for customers to compare Dyson devices to other brands and fully understand the efficiency of the products they are buying.

Insufficient air purification

Thorough testing of Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers was performed by CHOICE Australia. Not only did these air purifiers ‘fail to impress’, but these models were found to ‘not clean indoor air as quickly and effectively as other air purifiers that were tested’³. According to CHOICE, this may be due to the fact that these devices are designed to perform two functions, forcing a compromise on how much air is filtered at any given moment. CHOICE went on to recommend purchasing separate devices for cooling and air purification as they simply perform better. This is particularly important if your health is at risk due to indoor air pollution, poor indoor air quality, and/or respiratory conditions or symptoms.

Even if the technologies contained within the Pure Cool devices worked perfectly, as with other Dyson air purifiers, these devices do not offer anything remarkable when it comes to air purification. They offer a HEPA-certified fine particle filter (for smoke and road traffic-generated emissions, for example) and a chemical pollution filter (an activated carbon filter to target VOCs and odours). These are indeed very effective air purification technologies that Eoleaf also employs in its air purifiers, but they alone do not necessarily justify the price at which Dyson markets its Pure Cool devices (read more below in the section regarding price-to-quality ratio).

Again, for comparison’s sake, Eoleaf devices offer 8 different air purification technologies including:

• Pre-filters
• Bamboo filters with an antibacterial coating
• Medical-grade HEPA H13 filters (for fine particles like smoke)
• Activated carbon filters (for chemical pollution like VOCs and bad odours)
• Photocatalysis
• UVC sterilisation
• Ionisation (negative ions)

Another aspect worth mentioning, and this is universal amongst most Dyson air purifiers, is that this device only offers a 70° oscillation and a horizontal airflow. We have been extremely critical of this in other articles because a horizontal airflow makes it difficult to properly place an air purifier. An air purifier should never be placed where the airflow may be obstructed: with horizontal airflow, it is almost guaranteed that there will be airflow obstruction since rooms have furniture. This severely impacts an air purifier’s ability to mix purified air with polluted air.

Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers do not cool the air

Multiple customers have left reviews on the Dyson website stating that they have had trouble with the Pure Cool air purifier’s cooling function. Some have stated that they were unable to reduce the Dyson air purifier’s temperature to a temperature cool enough to provide relief from the heat. Others have said that initiating the cooling function of the air purifier simply switches off the heating function and releases room temperature air rather than cooling airflow.

Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers are noisy

Another complaint from customers is that the Dyson Pure Cool air purifier makes significant amounts of noise. Certain customers report high-frequency hissing, whistling, and screeching that are loud enough to disturb people that are sleeping or studying. Some users report this as a continual problem with other Dyson devices and even claim that there are Reddit forums on the subject. We have read similar complaints in reviews of other Dyson products: the blades in Dyson air purifiers are too close to the enclosure (causing the blades to touch the enclosure) and they use the same blower motor across all of their air purifiers.

Dyson are unable to maintain sufficient stock of replacement filters for their Pure Cool air purifiers

Customers have reported an inability on Dyson’s part to keep filters and other replacement parts in stock for their Pure Cool air purifiers. Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers require filter changes every six months when left running on a 24-hour basis. Not only is Dyson unable to maintain adequate stock of filter replacements, but they provide no information regarding when the filters will once again be in stock when they are out of stock. This creates a high level of frustration amongst customers who are unable to use their expensive devices for long, often indeterminate periods of time. This is particularly concerning for those whose health is at risk. This may include individuals who are exposed to a high level of pollution particles in their homes or professional spaces (perhaps living or working with a smoker or near a busy road) or those with respiratory health conditions or symptoms.

Furthermore, Dyson customer service is often of little help. As a massive international conglomerate, communicating with a human is complicated, and finding one that is competent enough to help with a problem proves even more complicated.

Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers have a terrible price-to-quality ratio

As mentioned above, the Dyson Pure Cool air purifier does not offer anything particularly groundbreaking regarding air purification technologies. For an asking price of £399.99 in the UK, customers receive a device that makes big claims but fails to deliver. A device that provides neither sufficient air purification nor sufficient cooling makes one wonder: what are customers paying for? The consensus is unanimous amongst both consumers and organisations that review these types of products: more is expected from a supposedly leading manufacturer.

Dyson Pure Cool air purifiers are dangerous

During CHOICE’s testing of Dyson Pure Cool devices, a major flaw was discovered: the Pure Cool devices pose a potential safety hazard. During their towel drape safety test (when a towel is draped over the device to see if a safety switch is activated), it took over eight minutes for the device to turn off². This is particularly concerning if a device is left running when you leave the house or overnight. A couple of other comments mention that the Pure Cool devices emit a toxic aroma/disturbing odour.

Why are other cooling air purifiers ineffective?

Besides Dyson, there are limited 2-in-1 products available on the European continent. The following two products also offer 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 functionalities:

ULTTY Bladeless Tower Fan Air Purifier

The ULTTY Bladeless Tower Fan Air Purifier is a 2-in-1 device that contains a HEPA H13 filter for air purification (for fine particles like those generated from smoke) and offers air conditioning. It does not have an activated carbon filter, so it is unable to remove odours or VOCs. It has a short filter lifespan, requiring changes every three to six months. Like Dyson air purifiers, it does not offer a CADR rate and very limited technical specifications available, so we do not know how efficient this device is in combatting air pollution particles. At £158.47, it is difficult to know exactly what kind of air purification a customer is getting with this product.

Vortex Air Cleanse Air Purifier

The Vortex Air Cleanse Air Purifier is similar in design to Dyson’s Pure Cool devices. It offers a 70° oscillation and a HEPA filter (HEPA 13). Like the ULTTY device above, it does not contain an activated carbon filter or a way to remove VOCs/odours. Additionally, like Dyson products, it does not include a CADR rating. That said, we do not know how efficient this device is. It is significantly cheaper at £179.99, but due to the limited technical specifications available on the Vortex Air website, we do not know what kind of air purification quality customers are getting.

Eoleaf doesn’t recommend air purifiers with cooling capabilities

Cooling function

Based on our findings, the cooling function found in 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 air purifiers is a back-up function that increases electricity bills and energy consumption without providing consistent or real comfort. Air purifiers with cooling and/or heating functions simply offer flashy features that do not add real value. It is equally important to remember that filters are sensitive to drastic changes in temperature and humidity. These changes may lead to filter fibre damage, degrading the longevity and the air filtration capacities of your air purifier.

Eoleaf air purifiers

We are proud of the air filtration quality offered by our devices here at Eoleaf. We specialise in air filtration, making us experts on the subject. We are not here to offer you shiny bells and whistles: we are here to protect your health from the dangers of indoor air pollution particles. We do this by combining the best medical-grade air filtration technologies available on the market consisting of 8 elite and efficient technologies to bring you the highest-quality air filtration in your homes and professional spaces.

Eoleaf products also offer:

• Optimised air circulation: our devices come equipped with 360° air intake and vertical discharge for superior air mixing
• Superior power: high CADR ratings show that our devices are some of the most efficient on the market
• Intuitive use: smart features like gesture control, voice commands, and app compatibility (Tuya Smart) facilitating the control of your Eoleaf air purifiers from your smartphone
• Convenient: our devices come equipped with either wheels or handles for easy movement, an Automatic mode that allows the fan speed to adjust with the presence of new air pollutants, and a Night mode for quiet operation and all indicator lights switched off whilst you sleep
• Real-time data: a Bluetooth terminal display allows you to continuously monitor and control your air quality
  

Frequently asked questions

Do air purifiers with air conditioning capabilities work in large rooms or spaces?

This depends upon the size of the air purifier. Air purifiers must be properly sized to your home or office. When making your purchase, make sure to choose a device that is designed for large spaces (like Eoleaf’s AEROPRO 150, for example).

How do air purifiers with air conditioning impact energy consumption and bills?

Customer reviews have noted that air purifiers with air conditioning consume a great deal of energy, contributing to increased energy bills. Many consumer product review websites often recommend purchasing two separate devices for these purposes in order to achieve real comfort and reduced energy usage.

Are air purifiers with air conditioning as effective as standalone air purifiers in removing specific contaminants like smoke, pet dander, or pollen?

Most air purifiers with air conditioning offer at least a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are guaranteed to remove 99.97% of all pollutant particles down to a size of 0.1 microns, including smoke, pet hair and pet dander, and pollen. However, HEPA filters do have their limitations: they do not remove VOCs or other types of chemical pollution particles. The device would have to equally be equipped with an activated carbon filter. Your health continues to be at risk unless all types of air pollution are combatted.

What is the impact of the air conditioning function on the overall noise level of the purifier?

This depends upon the device. According to customer reviews, Dyson 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 air purifiers with air conditioning function produce significant levels of noise due to poor design: the fan’s blades are located too close to their enclosure, creating a scraping, hissing, or whistling sound. These devices have often not been recommended for light sleepers.

Can these devices effectively filter out pollutants while providing cooling or heating?

This depends upon what kind of filtration you are trying to achieve. If you want basic air filtration, these devices may be sufficient. Same goes for cooling and heating: these devices do not replace more high-quality HVAC systems and may, but not always, provide the bare minimum regarding comfort. However, for the price these multipurpose devices cost, it is recommended to purchase two separate devices for air purification and for heating/cooling, especially if you are exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution and/or if you have a respiratory health condition or symptoms.

Can air conditioners act as air purifiers?

No. Regular air conditioners are not equipped with air filtration technologies. Some are equipped with a basic filter for very coarse particles like large allergens (hair or dust, for example) in order to avoid them from clogging up the machine, but air conditioning devices are not equipped to filter fine particles like those generated from smoke, road pollution, industry, and even pollen particles.

Can you use an air purifier and air conditioner together?

Of course you can! Air purifiers and air conditioners are two separate devices that perform their jobs well when used simultaneously.

Do air purifiers also cool the air?

No. Air purifiers are designed to remove indoor air pollution particles and improve indoor air quality, focusing on removing air pollutants like fine particles (smoke, road traffic, industry), chemical pollution (VOCs), and allergens (pollen, pet hair and dander, dust and dust mites, and mould and spores). They do not have cooling or heating technologies.

Resources

¹ Dyson. (n.d.). Dyson Pure Cool Purifying Fan. https://www.dyson.co.uk/air-treatment/purifiers/pure-cool/tower 

² Robertson, P. (2023, October 18). Paddy Robertson. Smart Air. https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/dyson-pure-cool-air-purifier-filter-review/ 

³ Engel, P. (2023, June 6). Dyson heaters, fans and Air Purifiers: Are They Worth the money?. CHOICE. https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/cooling/fans/articles/should-you-buy-a-dyson-fan