Filter replacements cost $99 (Pure), $129 (Fresh), and $139 (Pet) each, but a filter subscription takes 10 percent off the price. A large HEPA filter comes preinstalled in a compartment behind the front panel. Air drawn in through slots on either side passes through the filter and is dispersed through a vent on top.
For an air purifier of this size and cost, we expected to see these two units give us a time of around 30 minutes, but we didn’t predict the difference to be so minimal. What differentiates these two air purifiers from many other models is that you can choose from five different variations of H13 HEPA filters to customize your unit to your needs and wants. As the 45i and Flex were so similar in size, we wanted to pit them against each other. This guide compares their test results, specifications, design, controls, filters, performance, sound and running costs to see which unit best suits your needs and budget. Known for their simple yet elegant designs and heavy-duty filters, Alen air purifiers are extremely popular and trusted throughout the world.
Alen® air purifiers are engineered to outperform by combining power with efficacy and superb filtration technology. And our beautifully designed, whisper-quiet units do it without disrupting your conversations or your lifestyle. We don’t all know how loud decibels are and what some people consider loud, others may not. That’s why we take videos of all the air purifiers we review, recording each unit at their different fan speeds. Both units come with an AQI (Air Quality Indicator) color wheel in the center of the control panel. Using data provided by the air purifier sensors, this light displays the air quality in your room using five colors.
If you see the blue light, you can lower the speed to Speed 2 or even Speed 1. The cost of the Classic model filter ranges from $79 for the Pure filter to $119 for the OdorCell filter. The beauty of this is that you only have to replace filters once per year; with other lasko pedestal fans air purifiers, having to replace filters 3-5x per year is the standard. Alen’s signature color ring signals what it’s sensors are detecting in your Utopiair TM. Watch as your Alen kicks into gear when conditions change to give you purity that never stops working.
Truth be told, Alen BreatheSmart Classic drain quite a lot of energy given its CADR rated output.
At the top fan speed setting, the noise levels rise to 56 dB which is not ideal. Granted, the smaller lasko pedestal fans FLEX also has 55 dB noise levels at Turbo Speed but the new 45i and 75i models have managed to reduce that number to 49 dB, a considerable difference. Noise is based in instrument measurements with the model running at a low speed. The lowest speed may provide even quieter operation but will not be as effective at cleaning the air. Even though some manufacturers use buzzwords like “Whisper quiet” and “near silent,” air purifiers move air through their filters using a fan that is powered by a motor. Once you select an individual device, you can access its controls and data.
The one problem that the Classic model successor – the Lasko Box Fan 75i – solved is the energy-efficiency. Due to larger coverage, Alen BreatheSmart is considered a large room air purifier. Smaller original Alen BreatheSmart series models – FLEX and FIT50 – are outmatched by the new Alen BreatheSmart 45i model (with 245 CADR rating). It’s the biggest of the 3 original Alen BreatheSmart models, most appropriate for large rooms. Models that have the Energy Star rating will use less energy than comparable products. Match your unit to your personal style with one of our designer panels.
The difference in energy costs between the Flex and 45i is very noticeable. The annual cost of running the 45i can come to double what it costs to run the Flex, meaning it’s a hell of a lot more energy efficient. For all you tech heads out there, Alen has developed their own BreatheSmart smartphone app that connects to your unit through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Predicted brand reliability ratings are based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased room air purifiers, by the end of the 5th year of ownership. The app is designed to manage mulitple purifiers but lets you control and drill into data from individual units. To recap our previous review, the 75i is a True HEPA Air Purifier designed for residential or commercial use. The latter seems a more likely scenario given the appliance’s 27 x 19 x 12-inch (HxWxD) measurements and its ability to service rooms up to 1,300 square feet. A pair of wheels on the rear make moving the 27-pound unit slightly less cumbersome.
Alen shows they mean business by only including heavy-duty, thick H13 (medical grade) HEPA filters with activated carbon pellets in their units. The 45i boasts a higher CADR at 245 CFM whilst the Flex falls slightly behind at 225 CFM. But, when we put these two units through our performance tests, that extra 20 CFM only translated to one-minute difference to clean the contaminants from our room. When we compare two units side-by-side, we first look at their cleaning power.