A recent study led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health established a strong link between PM2.5 and increased genetic mutations in lung cancer tumors among never-smokers. These findings highlight air pollution as a significant driver of lung cancer in nonsmokers. As we can’t control the outdoors air quality, the best we can do is using an air purifier to create a cleaner, healthier home environment. I’ve tested the Provirtec AP-02 for a few weeks and here is my experience.
Disclosure: We received the air purifier as a courtesy for review purposes. However, the review is intended to provide honest, unbiased insights about the product, based on personal experiences and observations.
Design & Setup
When I unboxed the Provirtec AP-02, I was surprised by how lightweight it was at just over 5 lbs. Setting it up was easy, just make sure to remove the plastic packaging from the filter before powering it on. The air purifier features a modern and stylish look, with touch buttons on top and a grey fabric cover. As this is an air purifier for large rooms, it is more suitable to place on the floor instead of on a table.
The machine is ready to use out of the box and most people won’t need to install the app. I like the idea of controlling the purifier from my phone and checking PM2.5 level in real-time, but I almost didn’t open the app again after installing it. The Provirtec monitors air quality and adjusts the fan speed automatically to clean the air faster if needed.
Performance
The purifier’s operation is very silent on its lowest setting (24 dB), so you can use it in your bedroom as well. And when you enable the Sleep Mode, it also turns off all lights for a darker room. However, on higher settings, it reaches 55 dB, which is like a normal conversation and noticeable during quiet activities like reading.
The AP-02’s 5-stage filtration system sounded impressive with a pre-filter for dust and hair, an e-Nylon filter for large particles, an H13 HEPA filter for small particles, a main filter for smaller particles, including allergens and VOCs, and an activated carbon layer for odors. The manufacturer claims it can purify up to 2,000 sq ft but for optimal performance, it’s more suitable for 500-1,000 sq ft.
In practice, the purifier works well just as I expected. As I have a labrador at home, pet dander and hair were constant issues, but after running the AP-02 in my living room, I noticed less sneezing and fewer hairs floating in the air. The air felt fresher, and my allergies improved noticeably. I also tested the activated carbon filter when cooking and it works fairly well. I’d need to move the air purifier closer to the range and it got rid of cooking smells easily. However, this will reduce the filter’s lifespan quickly and you would need to replace the filter more often. I’d recommend you to use your kitchen’s exhaust fan or open windows to ventilate the space while cooking.
Maintenance and Costs
In terms of energy consumption, the AP-02 is ENERGY STAR certified. Its power draw ranges from 3.76-48.4W. So, the monthly electricity cost would be less than $10/month, this is quite reasonable for a device running 24/7 in my home.
Another maintenance is filter replacement. The pre-filter needs replacing every 2-4 months, and the main filter lasts up to a year. The replacement filter cost less than $50 at this time, this is pretty affordable compared to competitors.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Provirtec AP-02 is a solid air purifier for medium to large rooms, especially if you’re focused on allergens and particulates. In my test, it’s been effective at reducing pet dander, hair, dust, and heavy odor. If you’re looking for a purifier for a room smaller than 1,000 sq ft, this is a decent affordable option. It is currently available on Amazon or its official website for just around $100. You can use the coupon code SFWMQC4R to receive an extra 20% discount; The price might fluctuate a bit but that code would bring the price of the black and white version to $103.99 and gray to $95.99 at this time.
