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Awair Glow C air quality monitor and smart plug review


REVIEW – Each day when I walk back and forth to take the railroad to and from work, it seems that there is a new building being constructed in the city. With all of the construction and materials and digging and trucks going back an forth, pollution seems to be at an all-time high. Since just about everyone in my family suffers at some level from allergies, any device that can help me to keep pollutants to a minimum in my home is of interest to me. Lets checkout the Awair Glow C to “C” if it gets an “A” or an “F”.

What is it?

The Awair Glow C monitors chemicals (VOCs), temperature, and humidity levels and provides real-time information on your air quality in the room it is installed in. When you plug in a “non-smart” humidifier or air purifier or fan into its built-in smart plug, it automatically turns the plugged-in device on/off to maintain the air quality in your space.

What’s in the box


1 x Awair Glow C
1 x Quick Start Guide

Design and features

Features

On the front of the Awair Glow C, there is the on/off touch switch, the sensor below the switch and the pass-through AC smart outlet.


On the back of the Awair, there is a vent and a 3-prong AC plug.

There is a vent on each side of the Awair.

On top of the Awair, there is a vent and the status LED.

Performance

This device is very easy to use. it is plug and play, and it begins to work as soon as you plug it into the AC outlet. It has a LED on top that uses colors to indicate the air quality level. It also can be controlled via smart devices.

The LED can also be used as a night light and the color can be customized via the app.

 

The device has an app that allows you to set up an account and to manage the functionality. It helps you to understand your air quality and track improvements in real-time. You also get notifications and tips via the app that include air quality and temperature updates, etc. One issue I had with the app was the amount and type of personal information it requests. In a time when data security is a big deal, information like date of birth and gender, etc should not be a part of the process regardless of whether it is voluntary or not. Here are some screenshots from the app:


















What I like

  • The compact size
  • The build quality
  • The pass-through AC on/off functionality

What I’d change

  • Remove the personal data information collection part of the app

Final thoughts

The Awair Glow C is a nice device that in some cases can be a key component for managing air pollutants especially for folks like me and my family who suffer a lot from allergies. However, it struggles to fit into my specific home environment because all of my humidifiers and air purifiers are smart devices, and my touch fans cannot be controlled just from the presence of AC power. The auto-triggered smart AC through-plug only works with non-smart devices that likely have hardware on/off switches that can be left on, or devices that can be triggered by the presence of AC power. Since it has a manual on/off switch for the AC outlet, it can still serve as a through-plug to extend access to the AC wall outlet that it occupies. I do suspect that for most consumers, the decision to purchase this device will be based on the capabilities of their existing humidifiers/air purifiers/fans. However, I do not want to overshadow the value of the useful information, notifications and alerts that this device provides even when used as a stand alone device. It also works great as a night light. In my opinion, there is enough overall value in it to make it quite useful.

Price: $79
Where to buy: Awair website and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Awair.

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Awair Glow C air quality monitor and smart plug review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 23, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Airthings Wave Mini smart indoor air quality monitor review

REVIEW – Last year I reviewed the Airthings Wave smart radon detector and it revealed a significant radon gas problem in my home which prompted me to have a radon mediation system installed. Then earlier this year, I reviewed their new Airthings Wave Plus unit which adds an air quality feature to the radon detector. These units help me keep an eye on radon levels and the air quality levels where the Wave Plus unit is located. Now Airthings has a smaller sensor that you can place in various places around your home to keep an eye on air quality. Let’s take a look at the Airthings Wave Mini smart indoor air quality monitor.

What is it?

The Airthings Wave Mini is a small battery-powered sensor that the tracks air quality by providing TVOC, humidity, and temperature levels.

What’s in the box?

  • Airthings Wave Mini
  • Batteries
  • Device stand
  • User guide

Design and features

For size comparison, in the image above you see the Airthings Wave on the left and the new Airthings Wave Mini on the right.

Like previous Airthings devices, the Mini is made of white plastic with the Airthings logo embossed into the top. Although you can’t see it, there’s a status LED under the top of the device that glows through the plastic when you wave your hand over it. The LED glows green, yellow, or red depending on the air quality levels.

The back of the Mini has a magnetic cover that protects the battery compartment.

When you pry off the cover, you see 3 AA batteries that are included with the sensor and are rated to last for up to 2 years.

If you don’t want to mount the sensor on the wall, included in the box is a small plastic table stand that snaps into the battery cover.

The Wave Mini is designed to provide insights into the chemical and odor levels (TVOCs – total volatile organic compounds) in the air inside your home that can negatively affect your health with short term problems like headaches, nose and throat irritation, and more. Long term exposure to high levels of TVOCs can include liver damage, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and more.

Some examples of VOCs include the smoke and fragrances from burning candles, air fresheners, cleaning products, paints, varnishes, and more.

To start using the Airthings Wave Mini sensor, you will first need to set it up in the Airthings mobile app.

Airthings app






Set up is quick and easy. Basically, you install the app, make sure the batteries are installed in the sensor, and prompt the app to search for new devices. Then you are asked where the device will be located and are also asked for location data.

After the set up is complete, the sensor will start a calibration phase for 7 days.

At any time, you can wave your hand over the front of the Wave Mini and see a visual indicator of the air quality in your home. If the LED is green, all is good. If yellow, it’s time to check the settings for TVOCs, humidity, and temperature. If the LED is red, you definitely should go to the app and check the level information.


Here you can see how the app provides information for TVOC, humidity, and temperature levels. Levels in the “good” range are shown in green, and the color changes to yellow and red when the levels start getting too high.


You can filter the data based on time by choosing just to see the last 48hrs, a week, month, or year graphs.

What I like

  • Small enough to place on a shelf
  • Long battery life

What I’d change

  • None

Final thoughts

Unlike the Airthings Wave and Wave Plus units that I reviewed, the Wave Mini sensor is considered to be an entry-level product for indoor air quality beginners to begin tracking their indoor air quality levels without spending a lot of money on devices that can be difficult to understand and set up. The Airthings Wave Mini air quality monitor is affordable and easy to use.

Price: $79.00
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Airthings.

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Airthings Wave Mini smart indoor air quality monitor review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier review


REVIEW – Here we are once again in the season of summer in NYC. Every year, I have to battle against whatever allergens there are that are running rampant in the air. Some years are better than others, but this year has been extremely difficult for me. Whatever I am allergic to, has left me with asthmatic like attacks and mandated that I walk with a portable nebulizer machine and Albuterol refills each day when I go to work. At home, I am less susceptible to the attacks once I am in a room with or in close proximity to one of my air purifiers. Unfortunately, while I have a great air purifier in each bedroom, I have nothing in the living room and I can tell the difference when I am in that room. I desperately need another competent air purifier for my living room. Enter the Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier as a possible candidate for relieving my allergy stress.

What is it?

The Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier Is a HEPA air purifier suitable for a large room and capable of removing allergens caused by the usual suspects like pets, smokers, mold, pollen, dust, odors, etc. It can be remotely controlled via an IOS/Android app as well as by voice control via services like Alexa and Google Assistant.

What’s in the box


1 x Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier
1 x Preliminary/HEPA Combination Filter
1 x Activated Carbon Filter
1 x User Manual

Design and features

Specifications:
Power Supply: AC 120V, 60Hz
Rated Power: 40W
Effective Range: ≤ 322 ft² (30 m²)
Operating Conditions: 14°F–104°F / -10°C–40°C
Noise Level: ≤ 52dB
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): 135 CFM (230 m³/h)
Standby Power: < 0.8W

The air purifier ships with both filters installed but each one is covered in a clear plastic bag for protection. When you open the cover of the device the Preliminary/HEPA Combination Filter is at the front, with pull tabs on the top and bottom that allow you to easily remove it.

When all of the filters are removed, you can see the internal surface of the device, with the fan cover.

The first filter that you install over the fan, is the Activated Carbon Filter. That filter also has pull tabs for easy removal.


Once the Activated Carbon Filter is installed, then the Preliminary/HEPA Combination Filter is installed in front of it.


On the bottom right of the air purifier between the cover and the main body of the device, there is a safety switch that will shut the device off should the cover be removed while the device is on.

On one side of the filter near the top, there is a dust sensor cover that protects the dust sensor lens. The dust sensor lens should be cleaned whenever the main filters are changed. A damp cotton swab will work. There is a vent below the dust sensor compartment, that has a Filter Indicator Reset Button embedded in it. Like most device reset buttons. you can use something like a pin or pen tip to press this button and reset the filter lifecycle when you change the filters.



On top of the air purifier, there is a vent and a control panel. On the control panel as seen below, from left to right there is the On/Off button, the Display button, the Sleep Mode button, the Auto button, Fan Speed button, and the Timer button. In the middle of the control panel in between the Sleep and Auto buttons, there is a LED display that provides information like power status, WiFi connectivity, filter status, timer status, air quality status, etc when the device is on.

Performance

This Levoit Air Purifier comes completely put together and all that is needed to start using it is to open the front cover and remove the plastic protection that the filters come packaged in. After that, you plug it in, and it is good to go. Next, you download the VeSync app, and connecting it to the air purifier via WiFi is straightforward. The beauty of it using Wifi is that you can control the device from anywhere in the world. The purifier has fan speed controls and is very quiet at the lowest speeds. It also has a sleep timer, scheduling abilities via the app, and the display shows you the quality of the surrounding air. And, in Auto Mode, the internal sensor is used to automatically adjust the fan speed based on the air quality.

Apps
Below are various screenshots from the app that show functionality, control and the information provided.


 


 


The following pictures and screenshots below show the purifier’s response before I vacuumed the carpet in the room (pictured on the left) and after vacuuming (pictured on the right) when I must have disturbed dust particles in the room.


 


Overall, this filter performs very well based on the easement of the severity of the allergy attacks I have experienced since using it. The app makes it easy to use and provides important information like the filter life remaining, etc. The device is attractive enough to fit into the decor of any room and silent enough that it is not a distraction.

What I like

  • Cool looking design – Clean lines
  • Made me feel much better
  • The app control
  • The settings choices

What I’d change

  • Nothing I can tell so far

Final thoughts

In keeping with my aggressive hunt to find air purifiers for each of the rooms in my home that will effectively alleviate my horrible symptoms caused by my allergies, I have tested several brands that all boast the ultimate best results. Many have failed, but this Levoit is one that has succeeded. Not only has it alleviated my symptoms when in my living room, but it also does the same for my kids who suffer from allergies and are asthmatic. It is well built, and the app control is great. The filters should last a few months and are reasonably priced and available via the Levoit website. While I do already have a higher-powered air purifier in another room, it also cost a whole lot more. I give this one a well done and two thumbs up.

Price: $189.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Levoit.

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Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 16, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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LEVOIT LV-H134 Air Purifier review

REVIEW – When you combine a pet with a wife that has asthma, you’ll find yourself in need of air purifiers. The chance to review the Levoit LV-H134 Air Purifier came along and I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

What is it?

The Levoit LV-H134 Air Purifier is a large air purifier with a true HEPA filter that is capable of filtering a very large room.

What’s in the box?

  • Levoit LV-H134 Air Purifier
  • Power cord
  • Quick Start guide and warranty info

Hardware specs

  • Rated Space: 710 ft2 / 66 m2
  • Air Flow: CADR rating of 312 CFM (530 m3/h)
  • Item Weight: 27.7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 12.5″ W x 12.5″ D x 29.5″ H

Design and features

The Levoit LV-H134 Air Purifier is certainly a large unit, and as such, it can filter a lot of air without making as much noise as smaller units. Unlike smaller units that I’ve had, this one moves so much air at the high fan setting that you can actually feel the airflow in the room, something my wife really likes. At 29.5″ tall, it will be primarily a floor based unit for most people, however, I found that putting it on my fireplace mantel was a nice location for it. The unit has wheels on the bottom to make moving it easier, although I didn’t feel as though it was so heavy that it would require it.

The filter is 14″ (35.56 cm) tall and 10.5″ (26.67 cm) in diameter, its installation was as easy as pulling the door open, sliding in the filter, and popping the door back on. This is a large filter and the unit is designed to take in air 360°, fully utilizing the cylindrical filter design. The filter is rated to remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns including Allergies and pets, smokers, mold, pollen, odor, mold and dust. The filter construction has a fine screen on the outside to trap large particles such as hair, dander and dust. The main part of the filter has a true HEPA filter, and the inside has activated carbon to handle odors.


One of the neat features of this unit is that it has an indicator ring on the display that changes color based on the quality of the air. Red = Bad, orange = moderate, green = good, and blue = very good. During use, it has run at blue most of the time and only occasionally displaying green. The laser sensor for this feature seems to be located after the air has been filtered and detects the number of particles in µg within a cubic meter within 30 seconds for real-time air quality feedback.

The touch display makes operation easy, a light touch is all it takes to change settings. It has three fan speeds, an auto setting, a sleep setting, display brightness, filter replacement warning, and a timer function that will turn off the unit in 1 to 12 hours.

The lowest fan speed only produces 25dB noise that you can hardly hear. The auto mode adjusts the fan speed settings automatically according to the real-time air quality while saving energy. The top of the unit features a fin design that optimizes airflow throughout the room. The unit draws in air at the bottom and expels filtered air out the top.

I’ve got several smaller air purifiers, but they don’t move nearly as much air and are not as easy to operate as the Levoit LV-H134 air purifier. I’m so happy with it that I’ll probably get one of their smaller units for our home offices.

The filters are rated for about 6 months and currently cost $64.99.

What I like

  • Moves a great amount of air
  • Air quality display
  • Large filter
  • Ease of operation

What needs to be improved

  • Nothing that I can think of.

Final thoughts

I’m really pleased with the Levoit LV-H134 air purifier. It really helps clean the air as well as move air around the room to keep it from feeling stagnant.

Price: $399.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Levoit.

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LEVOIT LV-H134 Air Purifier review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 11, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Elechomes Ultrasonic Humidifier (6L) review

REVIEW – The Elechomes Humidifier offers a large tank and several modes and options, so you can customize it for exactly how you intend to use it, including aromatherapy.

What is it?

Featuring a timer and remote control, Elechomes UC5501 Ultrasonic 6L Vaporizer adjusts the humidity of your home or office to your exact specification.

What’s in the box?

  • Humidifier
  • Remote control
  • Cleaner brush
  • Instruction manual

Hardware specs

  • Product dimensions: 11.6 x 7.7 x 11 inches
  • Item weight: 5.07 pounds
  • Material: ABS
  • Voltage: 120V/60Hz, Power: 280W
  • Warm mist : 550mL/h
  • Cool mist: 300mL/h
  • Coverage: 750 sq. ft.
  • Consecutive working time: Up to 40 hours

Design and features

Setup

It comes fully assembled. To fill the tank, just lift it up by the handle, pop it upside down and unscrew the cap.

The instruction manual says to use cool water and fill it with at least 3 liters. For this, I needed to use a measuring cup the first few times. For all it’s impressive features, I was shocked there was no fill line on the water tank. Even my cheapest, most basic humidifier has a minimum and maximum fill line.

To use the aromatherapy feature, there’s a small box on the side where you can pour a few drops of essential oils. I noticed the scent wasn’t as strong as my tiny humidifier solely intended for aromatherapy, where you drop the oils right into the water. However, I really appreciate the dual functionality. Before this, I needed two devices to humidify the air and disperse scents, and this does it all in one.

Performance

This worked like a charm and had some really useful features.

You can decide if you want a low, medium or high level of mist with the Max/Min button.

The humidity setting lets you set a specific humidity level percentage, and it will automatically adjust throughout the day and night to keep your space at your desired humidity until you turn it off or the tank runs out.

You decide if you want a cool, low heat, medium heat or high heat mist temperature.

And my favorite settings were the timer and sleep options. My son gets bloody noses, and we’ve found they’re greatly reduced if he sleeps with a humidifier. This model let me set the mist to only run during his sleeping hours, where other humidifiers just went continuously until they burned out of water. Since it’s only working when I need it, I only have to fill it every two or three days instead of every single day. Plus, the sleep mood makes it nearly silent so it doesn’t disturb my little guy’s slumber.

I also appreciated that you can adjust where the mist is dispersed directionally with two rotating nozzle pieces. For me, it was simple to direct the mist toward my son’s pillow. If you had a large room, you could adjust the nozzle to disperse in opposite directions for better coverage. Or if you had it sitting in a corner, you could manually point the mist outward into the room. Our previous humidifiers simply shot mist straight out, and I was surprised at how much I used and enjoyed having this customization.

What I like

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Aromatherapy option
  • Timer and sleep functions
  • Adjustable mist nozzle

What needs to be improved

  • Add a fill-line to the water tank, maximum/minimum lines would be even better

Final thoughts

For everyday humidifier users, Elechomes Ultrasonic 6L Vaporizer comes with useful features and customizations that are well worth the cost.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by ElecHomes.

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Elechomes Ultrasonic Humidifier (6L) review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 31, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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