Our Rating:
Key Features:
360-degree air intake
True HEPA filter
Low-energy consumption
Ultra-quiet running volume
Quiet, Well-Sized Personal Air Purifier for Small Spaces
The Purivortex AC201B Small Air Purifier is a pint-sized purifying unit with a ton of great features. It has the same 360-degree air intake design as many of our favorite large personal purifiers but is compact enough for use in the office, bedroom, and other small spaces.
This little machine features a true HEPA filter, low-energy consumption, and ultra-quiet running volume, making it the perfect deskmate. Unlike many other compact personal purifiers, this one also comes with a timer mode, multi-fan settings, and a decorative blue light to add a little clean air ambiance to any small room.
Review Criteria Ratings
| Air Purifying Performance | 4/5 |
| Build Quality | 4/5 |
| Maintenance and Upkeep | 5/5 |
| Usability | 4.5/5 |
| Operating Costs | 5/5 |
Pros
- Compact design
- 360 degree, optimized airflow
- Timer and fan speed settings
- Low-energy consumption
- Low noise output
Cons
- Button lights cannot be dimmed
- No cord storage
- Non-UV blue light
Should You Buy It?
If you’re after a compact purifier for use in spaces under 100 square feet, this is the machine you want. It utilizes a safe, true HEPA filter for maximum cleaning power and runs at a low volume that won’t annoy even in tight spaces.
Disclosure: This product was sent to us by the manufacturer for free in order for us to provide an honest review. However, this does not affect how we rate and review the product and all opinions are our own. We may earn commissions from any purchases made through links clicked on our website.
Purivortex Small Air Purifier Overview
The Purivortex AC201B “Vortex Mini” air purifier is the first product from this company. The Vortex 1, which is slated as “coming soon” on their website, is bigger than the Vortex Mini and has a more powerful CADR rating than this product.
But if you are looking for a new personal purifier, you don’t have to wait. The Vortex Mini has plenty to offer already.
Most notably, this small purifier features a 360-degree air intake along the sides and a large output vent on the top for maximum airflow. Despite its size, this unit also has a large HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of particles over 0.03 microns, including allergens, pollutants, VOCs, and viruses. It can cycle through the air in a 161 square foot room in about an hour.
Unlike most small purifiers, it also has many functional features, including a 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12-hour timer, three fan settings, and a fun blue night light mode. When unboxing for the first time, you will find the power adapter neatly tucked inside the purifier (like in the picture above).
Purivortex is a relative a newcomer in the purifier industry. You may remember their flagship product ran into trouble early on when replacement filters for the Vortex Mini were difficult to find. Today, it is easy to get the filters via Amazon.
For a personal purifier, the Purivortex Mini shows a lot of promise. But how does it perform? Find out in our full Purivortex AC201B Small Air Purifier review below.
How the Purivortex AC201B Performs
I had the opportunity to try the Purivortex Vortex Mini for myself. Here is where this little machine impressed and where it fell short of my expectations.
Purifying Performance
For its size, the Purivortex moves an impressive amount of air. It isn’t meant for large bedrooms or open areas, but it works incredibly well for removing odors, smoke, and allergens from the air in small spaces.
At the center of this purifier is a one-piece, true HEPA filter, which is rated to remove 99.97% of viruses as small as 0.03 microns from the air. The filter also contains a carbon filter for removing odors. These features, combined with its size and low sound output, make the Purivortex a great choice for offices and desk spaces.
Purivortex tell us that the Vortex Mini will clean the air of a 107 sq. ft room in 30 minutes and can cope with up to a 215 sq ft room.
My only qualm with the purifying performance of the Purivortex–or maybe it’s more of a question–has to do with the blue light feature.
This light is set inside the fan housing and very much resembles the blue lights used in UV air purifiers. However, none of the literature or marketing items mentions UV purification. This is a shame because it seems that having a true UV light installed could significantly increase the purifying potential of this little machine.
Build Quality
In terms of build quality, this little unit has a very similar feel and weight compared to some of my favorite personal purifier units.
It utilizes a brushless DC motor with fewer moving parts than your typical motor, which means less chance of mechanical failure. However, these motor systems rely heavily on complex circuit boards that will fail if any component is compromised. The few negative user reviews I have seen all seem to stem from a sudden breakdown due to circuit board error.
Overall, though, this appears to be a well-made product designed with parts that aren’t meant to wear out easily.
Usability
One of the more impressive features of this purifier is the sound output.
On low, this unit puts out only 24dB. That’s well below a soft whisper. The noise produced is steady and fluid, much like a white noise machine, which means the sound fades easily to the background.
On high, the Purivortex puts out just 40dB, which is below the low noise output of many larger personal purifiers. You could easily work or sleep next to this machine while set to the maximum fan speed.
In terms of size, this little purifier is compact and highly portable. It is about 10 inches tall and 5 inches wide. And it only weighs 1.6 pounds.
The Vortex Mini also has many operational features that make it super usable. These include:
- Five timer settings – 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 hours, or continuous
- Three fan settings – low, medium, and high
- Replace filter indicator light – all three-speed lights will illuminate at once to tell you when to replace the filter.
- A night light setting – the bright blue internal light can be turned on or off as needed.
The Purivortex does not come with a remote and has no phone app connectivity. The operating lights on the buttons are fairly dim but cannot be turned off while the purifier is in use, which might be problematic in the bedroom.
But overall, this is a highly usable machine with a lot more features than your typical mini purifier.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Maintaining the Purivortex is very straightforward and not overly costly.
Like all home purifiers, you should vacuum the housing and filter often. The HVAC filter light will come on after three months of continued use. The manual recommends the filter be changed out at least every 4 to 6 months.
The filters are now available on Amazon and cost about $16 each.
Operating Costs
The replacement filters for this unit are fairly inexpensive, and the running costs are even cheaper.
If you run it for 12 hours per day, this little 6-watt unit would cost you less than a dollar’s worth of electricity per month. As we’ve mentioned, you don’t want to rely on this little machine to purify the air in a large master bedroom, but it is a great choice for smaller bedrooms and offices.
Alternatives to the Purivortex
The Purivortex AC201B is great for personal purifying in small spaces. But if you are looking for something a little more powerful for larger areas, we’ve got some great recommendations.
The Okaysou Cayman 608 is very similar to the Purivortex in design and function but is made for spaces up to 1,000 square feet. It has a timer mode, four fan speeds, and a sleep mode that allows you to turn off all operating lights.
Slightly smaller than the Okaysou is the Homelabs Purely Awesome purifier. This unit is best suited for rooms under 200 square feet. It is fairly compact and comes with the same true HEPA filter type used in the Purivortex.
| Features | Purivortex AC201B | Okaysou Cayman 608 | Homelabs Purely Awesome |
| Filter Type | HEPA – 99.97% of particles greater than 0.03 microns | HEPA – 99.97% of particles greater than 0.01 microns | HEPA – 99.97% of particles greater than 0.03 microns |
| Room Size | 100 square feet | 1,000 square feet | 200 square feet |
| Unit Size | 10 x 5 inches | 14.5 x 7 inches | 13 x 6.5 inches |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Personal Air Purifier
Before you run out and buy a new personal air purifier, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you find the best unit for your needs.
- Room Size Rating – How big is the room you will be using your purifier in? If it is an open area or the purifier will be used while the door is open, opt for a unit with a larger room rating.
- Filter Type – HEPA filters are the gold standard for air purification. Many one-piece filters also feature carbon filters that help neutralize bad odors and VOCs. There are different HEPA filters, with some capable of removing smaller pathogens than others.
- Noise Output – Will you be working or sleeping near your purifier? Anything rated under 40dB is considered to have quiet operation. If you are very noise-sensitive, look for units with multiple fan speeds and an additional sleep or ultra-quiet setting.
- Overall Size – For best performance, you will want to place your purifier off the ground. However, you’ll have to allot a dedicated counter or table space. Smaller units are easier to place but have a smaller room size rating.
Conclusion
A personal air purifier is a great way to improve your respiratory health and add some added protection against viruses and bacteria in the air.
If you’re looking for a compact, effective personal air purifier for use in the office or a small room, the Purivortex AC201B Small Air Purifier is worth considering. This ultra-quiet machine offers many features and is compact enough to sit on your desk. Moreover, it is affordable to maintain and run.
To learn more about what the Purivortex Vortex Mini has to offer, click here.
