Blueair Blue Pure 411 Vs Xiaomi Mi 3H – Comparison

If you’ve ever found yourself making a decision based solely on the information shown in a picture, chances are you’ve made mistakes—just like I have. Sometimes, you really have to dig deeper if you want to make the right call.

At first glance, the comparison table reveals quite a few key differences between the Blueair Blue Pure 411 and the Xiaomi Mi 3H. And that’s exactly why I’m here. So, let’s dive in.

When comparing these two air purifiers, you’ll notice several specifications that favor the Blueair—including an ionizer, a more affordable price, and lower power consumption. However, the Xiaomi still brings a lot to the table. With numerous advanced features, it enhances overall performance and stands out as a powerful tool for improving your home environment.

The Blueair is designed for smaller spaces, like bedrooms, offices, or even nurseries. It’s available in white, but you can choose from five different pre-filter colors, like Dark Shadow or Diva Blue, making it adaptable to various interior design styles.

The Mi 3H, on the other hand, is the kind of device you might be drawn to for the brand alone. But don’t let the name be the only selling point—this air purifier has much more to offer. It’s whisper-quiet, supports voice control, and offers smart functionality that speaks for itself. It only comes in white, but personally, I think the clean look adds to its elegance and design quality.

Take a closer look at what both of these air purifiers bring to the table.

Specs: Xiaomi Mi 3H Vs Blueair 411

Performance Test – Comparison

If you missed it in the comparison table, it’s important to note that the Blueair 411 and Xiaomi Mi 3H are designed for entirely different room sizes.

The Blueair 411 is intended for spaces up to 161 sq. ft. (15 m²), while the Xiaomi Mi 3H goes further, purifying air in rooms up to 484 sq. ft. (45 m²).

With that in mind, I ran both air purifiers through a series of tests to evaluate their actual performance. To ensure a fair comparison, I tested both devices in the same room size, 320 sq. ft. (30 m²), so that the results would be consistent and meaningful.

After running each purifier at maximum speed for 60 minutes, the Blueair 411 improved air quality by 90%, while the Xiaomi Mi 3H achieved a 95% improvement.

It’s clear that the Xiaomi Mi 3H came out ahead in this test, which wasn’t surprising, given its larger filter and higher CADR.

Smoke Box Test – Comparison

It’s hard to expect that a small air purifier, with lower power, a lower CADR, and a less effective carbon filter, could outperform the Xiaomi in a smoke test.

When it comes to neutralizing smoke, the most important factor is a high-quality carbon filter, followed closely by the unit’s CADR.

In this test, the Xiaomi Mi 3H removed all the smoke from the glass box in just 15 seconds, while the Blueair 411 took 20 seconds.

Although the Xiaomi delivered a noticeably better result, I have to give credit to the Blueair 411 as well. Despite my initial skepticism, it impressed me with its efficiency and proved to be an exceptional performer in this test as well.

Noise Level Test – Comparison

In addition to the standard three fan speed levels found on both air purifiers, the Xiaomi Mi 3H also offers sleep, auto, and manual modes.

I must admit, I was a bit surprised to see that both air purifiers delivered roughly the same results in noise level tests.

At lower speeds, both the Blueair 411 and Xiaomi Mi 3H operate quietly and are quite pleasant to use. However, when running at the highest speed, the Blueair tends to produce a slight buzzing sound. While it’s not too bothersome, some users may find it a bit annoying.

On the other hand, the Xiaomi’s motor is generally well-optimized, allowing it to run smoothly without any unpleasant noise.

At the lowest speed setting, the Blueair 411 produces 40.6 dBA, while the Xiaomi Mi 3H comes in at 40.9 dBA.

Refer to the chart below for a full comparison of noise levels across all speed settings.

Regardless of the model, it’s important to remember that any air purifier will naturally be louder at its maximum speed. That’s when it’s operating at peak efficiency—which is, after all, the main reason you’re using an air purifier in the first place.

Operating Costs – Comparison

By the time we reach this “operating” section, I imagine some of you already have a clear opinion on which product is better and worth buying.

Still, no comparison would be complete without taking a closer look at energy consumption and maintenance costs.

The Xiaomi Mi 3H uses nearly four times more power than the Blueair 411, which also means its filter replacement costs are proportionally higher.

If you were to run both air purifiers continuously at maximum speed for a month, the Xiaomi would add about $3.42 to your electricity bill, while the Blueair would cost only $0.67—less than a dollar.

As you can see, the Blueair 411 is far from being an energy hog. In fact, with its impressive airflow and low energy consumption, I have to give credit to the engineers for designing such a cost-effective, high-quality product.

Even though the Xiaomi Mi 3H may seem like an energy drainer in comparison, it’s worth noting that its motor is highly optimized and delivers significantly better airflow.

All things considered, the Blueair 411 stands out as a much more affordable and budget-friendly option than the Xiaomi Mi 3H.

Features Overview

Regarding all that’s been said on both air purifiers, we can easily refer to Xiaomi Mi 3H as advanced, with Blueair Blue Pure 411 keeping it minimalistic at the same time. 

As you can see, Blueair is quite smaller than the Mi 3H, which is exactly what manufacturers’ features point out. With that in mind, Mi 3H can clean up to 3 times bigger space than the Blueair.  Therefore, be aware of the dimensions when deciding on which one to buy. 

Minimalistic as it is, Blueair Blue Pure 411 comes with only one control button, with no advanced features whatsoever. However, it does have some interesting options such as memory of the last used speed and the possibility to use the smart plug, since it turns ON the minute the air purifier is connected to power. 

Contrary to Blueair, Mi 3H comes with a variety of advanced features such as Auto Mode, Air Quality Sensor/Indicator, and, most interesting of all, a Smart App. So, let’s cut to the chase. 

Controls

As I already mentioned in the previous section, having a single control button is what simplifies the usage of the Blueair Blue Pure 411 air purifier. You can find it on the upper side and control the device with a soft touch. That way, not only can you turn ON/OFF your air purifier but also switch between fan speeds and filter reset functions. 

Although sometimes we like to keep things easy, Xiaomi Mi 3H is an example where less isn’t always more. Given its numerous functions, Xiaomi demands a bit more effort if you want full use of its potential. With that said, you will find a frontally positioned button with whom you can power ON or OFF, change operating modes, etc. And if you want a little bit advanced control system, simply download the Mi Home app, and you will be able to control your device from any location. 

Air Quality Sensor and Indicator

Air Quality Sensor and Indicator are features that Blueair is missing, and this is why Xiaomi gets an extra point. This sensor can detect real-time particles by displaying the amount of PM2.5 particles. The current air quality will then be displayed on both the air purifier and your Smart App. As for the Indicator, its color will depend on the air quality in the room. 

There are some extra features that Xiaomi Mi 3H offers, like temperature and humidity sensors, and it really gives you an extra perspective on the real-time air quality. If you want to know more about it, follow the link to get the whole picture of this air purifier. 

Working Modes

This is the part where you don’t get many options to use your air purifier. Since Blueair Blue Pure 411 model is missing out on operating modes, you can only use its button to switch between fan speeds. The good news, though, is that the upcoming fellow model, Blueair 411 Auto, comes with an integrated Auto Mode. 

On the other hand, Xiaomi Mi 3H is full of different working modes. The one mode I like the most is exactly the previously mentioned Auto Mode, and here is why. Once you set your air purifier into Auto Mode, it will connect to the Air Quality Sensor and, based on the current air quality, start switching gears. That way, you can rely on the air purifier’s efficiency. Another cool feature is the Sleep Mode, which allows you to use this device in your bedroom, especially while sleeping. 

And last but not least, there is also Manual Mode which you can only use by sliding through your Smart App. 

Display Off

Having a Display off option can be quite handy. You may not need it all the time, but once you do, you’ll see the difference.

Blueair Blue Pure 411 comes without this option, but if your air purifier is dull for at least 5 seconds, all the indicators will decrease the light to about 10% of its power. 

With Xiaomi Mi 3H, you get the possibility to turn off the indicators on its display by simply pressing the rear-side button. Also, you can do the same thing with your Smart App. 

Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Integration

For those of you eager to make a smart home, Xiaomi Mi 3H is there to offer complete assistance so you can always rely on your smart appliances. Not only can you connect your cell phone to your air purifier, but you can also use the benefits of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. If you remember me mentioning voice commands, well, this is it. It will definitely make your life a lot easier. 

If you prefer having these options, then Blueair Blue Pure is not your type of air purifier. 

Airflow

Looking at both of these air purifiers, you might think that their filtration process differs since one is cylindrically and the other is rectangularly shaped. The truth is, there’s not much of a difference. 

Both Xiaomi Mi 3h and Blueair Blue Pure 411 have bottom air suction through holes that take up to 2/3rds of the appliance. The air comes in all around the Blueair, as opposed to the rear side holes of Xiaomi. 

Once the air is filtered, it comes out on the upper side and spreads over the room. 

Warranty

While Xiaomi Mi 3H comes with a 1-year warranty, Blueair Blue Pure 411 offers a 2-year coverage but only if you register on their website straight upon the purchase. 

Just for the record, Blueair provides the shortest warranties for their Blue Pure appliances, while the Classic series can obtain even a 5-year warranty. 

Filtration Technology

To begin with, both air purifiers use a 3-stage filtration process, with the addition of HEPA silent technology in the Blueair 411 device.

The first stage, as usual, belongs to a pre-filter in both air purifiers. Blueair’s pre-filter is made of fabric that you can pull on and off when needed, so there is no excuse for not washing it. At the same time, Xiaomi’s non-washable pre-filter collects all the great pollutants such as dust particles, hair, etc., while at the same time preventing the HEPA filter from clogging and, therefore, extending its duration. 

The second stage of a Blueair 411 air purifier is the main ‘’particle’’ filter that does most of the job by removing 99% of airborne particles. The True HEPA filter is the second filter in Xiaomi Mi 3H with an assignment of removing PM2.5 particles and many other up to 0.3 microns small allergens, like dust, pollen, or pet dander. 

And, as for the third filtration stage in Blueair 411, that would be a fibrous carbon filter. It is designed to neutralize all the smelly and gassy odors from your living space. Still, if you are a passionate smoker, don’t expect much from this air purifier because its carbon filter does not contain a lot of carbon. That is why this air purifier will not help collect all the smoke from the last night’s party. 

On the other hand, the activated carbon filter in Xiaomi is pretty efficient in removing the unwanted odors and smoke from your private area due to its carbon pellets collection. All those toxic components of your everyday cleaning products like formaldehyde will be processed and neutralized. 

How To Replace Filter On Both These Devices?

Even though Blueair 411 and Xiaomi Mi 3H have different shapes, they share about the same cylindrically shaped filters, hollow on the inside. As I mentioned before, it is important to know if the pre-filter is washable.

Anyway, it takes at least 6 months before you’ll need to check up on your air purifiers’ filters. It can take up to 8 months in the case of Blueair 411 and up to a year for Xiaomi before you have to replace them. 

No matter how you decide to clean them, with a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner, you have to be aware of this necessity if you want your new appliance to hold on against all odds. Proper maintenance is the key to long-lasting. 

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