Today, I will compare the Coway Airmega 150 and Blueair 511i Max, which are two almost identical air purifiers, specs-wise.
The Coway covers rooms of 237 sq. ft. (22 m²), while the Blueair covers rooms of up to 236 sq. ft. (22 m²).
Both devices come with smart features: an air quality sensor, an air quality indicator, and an auto mode, but only the Blueair works with the smart app.
Additionally, their design principles are totally different; the Blueair is more minimalistic and is cylindrical in shape, while the Coway is rectangular.
Our Verdict
After analyzing all the data, specifications, and considering everything related to these two air purifiers, I picked the Coway Airmega 150 as a slightly better buying option.
It showed slightly better performance, is better optimized for noise, has the option of getting the pleated-based carbon filter, and doesn’t produce ozone.
However, you won’t make a mistake if you, for any reason, decide to go with the Blueair instead, but I think the Coway offers more in this case.
If you have any questions about these two air purifiers, please feel free to ask in the comments section below the article.
Specs: Blueair 511i Max Vs Coway Airmega 150
| Product Image |  20% off |  |
| Manufacturer | Blueair | Coway |
| Model | 511i Max | Airmega 150 |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 10.6 x 10.6 x 18.9 inches (26.9 x 26.9 x 48 cm) | 13.4 x 6.5 x 18.5 inches (34 x 16.5 x 47 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) | 12.1 lb (5.5 kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 152 CFM (258 mÂł/h) | 152.8 CFM (259.6 mÂł/h) |
| Coverage (4.8 ACH)
Room Coverage Explanation: ACH is a measurement used in indoor air quality management to indicate how many times the air within a defined space is changed/moved through the filter media.
For more details, visit our ACH calculator tool. | 236 sq. ft. (22 m²) | 237 sq. ft. (22 m²) |
| Performance Ratings Performance Ratings Score Summary: 8.3 - Average Score (97 products) 9.9 - Best Score (1 products) 1 - Worst Score (1 products) We use the Temtop LKC-1000S laser particle meter to test the particle removal efficiency of every air purifier. It measures PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), Particles (per/L), and HCHO (mg/m3) in the air, and also calculates the AQI. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Filtration Technology | Washable Pre-filter, Particle Filter, Activated Carbon Filter, and HEPASilent | Pre-filter, Carbon Filter, and True HEPA Filter |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Life | up to 9 months | up to 12 months |
| Power Consumption
Power Usage Summary: Our extensive testing of 97 air purifiers revealed the following power consumption insights:
Check out our power consumption calculator tool. | 20W | 35W |
| Operating Costs Ratings Operating Costs Ratings Score Summary: 8.8 - Average Score (97 products) 10 - Best Score (2 products) 1.7 - Worst Score (1 products) We measure the power usage at all speeds using an energy meter, after which we calculate how much it would cost to use the device at a particular fan speed for one month. For reference, we use an energy price of $0.12 per kWh. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Number of Fan Speeds | 4 - Sleep Mode, Speed 1, Speed 2, and Speed 3 | 3 - Silent Mode, Speed 1, and Speed 2 |
| Air Quality Sensor Air Quality Sensor Summary: Out of 97 air purifiers tested, only 49 have the air quality sensor. | Yes | Yes |
| Air Quality Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Mode Auto Mode Summary: Out of 97 air purifiers tested, only 50 have auto mode functionality. | Yes | Yes |
| Smart App Smart App Summary: Out of 97 air purifiers tested, only 28 have smart app functionality. | Yes | No |
| Voice Control Voice Control Summary: Out of 97 air purifiers tested, only 27 have voice control functionality. | Yes | No |
| Other Features | Washable Pre-filter | Washable Pre-filter |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 40.1 – 61.6 dBA | 40.1 – 59.2 dBA |
| Noise Ratings Noise Ratings Score Summary: 9.2 - Average Score (97 products) 10 - Best Score (1 products) 7.6 - Worst Score (1 products) We use a special noise measurement tool to test the noise level of the air purifier at all speeds. We measured the noise level on the dBA scale. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Best Suited For | Bedrooms Allergies Small Spaces Dust Low Energy Cost | Bedrooms Allergies Small Spaces Dust Low Energy Cost |
| Warranty | 3-year | 3-year Limited |
| In-Depth Review | Blueair 511i Max | Coway Airmega 150 |
| Price |
Performance Test – Comparison
Considering these two air purifiers’ CADRs and their room coverage, we have tested their airborne particle removal performance in a room of 194 sq. ft. (18 m²), which is slightly smaller than the recommended size for both devices.
In just 60 minutes, while working at their maximum speed, the Coway Airmega 150 improved air quality by 94%, while the Blueair 511i Max improved air quality by about 92%.
Particle Removal Tests - Comparison
We placed the Blueair 511i Max and Coway Airmega 150 in two separate tests and measured their performance using the Temtop laser particle meter.
These are pretty good results for both air purifiers, but it’s clear that the Coway did it slightly better. It also showed slightly better performance in neutralizing bad odors, but you should keep in mind that I bought the Coway Airmega 150 with the pellet-based carbon filter, and that the original version in the US comes with a fibrous filter coated with carbon, which I’m sure wouldn’t perform as well as the pellet-based one.
Noise Level Test – Comparison
The first thing before moving on to the results of the noise tests is to compare the number of fan speeds these two air purifiers have.
The Blueair 511i Max has four, while the Coway Airmega 150 has three fan speeds. Both models have auto mode as an additional working mode. We tested the noise levels at all speeds.
Noise Level Comparison
Comparing the Blueair 511i Max and Coway Airmega 150 noise levels at minimum and maximum speeds.
At the lowest speed, both air purifiers produce a sound of 40.1 dBA.
However, at the maximum speed, the Blueair 511i Max produces 61.6 dBA, while the Coway Airmega 150 produces a sound of 59.2 dBA.
Not only is the Blueair 511i Max louder at the maximum speed, but it also produces some strange noise at this speed.
All these are the reasons the Coway Airmega 150 is better optimized for noise than the Blueair 511i Max.
Operating Costs – Comparison
As for the power use, that’s where the Blueair 511i Max shows its real power. With the motor of 20W, it’s truly hard to compete with it.
The Coway Airmega 150 uses a motor of 35W. If you were to use these two devices at their maximum speeds, 24h daily, for one month, your electric power bill would increase by about $1.56 in the case of the Blueair 511i Max, and by about $2.52 in the case of the Coway Airmega 150.
Power Usage Comparison
Comparing the Blueair 511i Max and Coway Airmega 150 power use at minimum and maximum speeds.
Besides the cost of the power use, there is also the cost of the replacement filter, which needs to be replaced approximately every 9 months in the case of the Blueair, and approximately every 12 months in the case of the Coway.
It’s clear that the Blueair 511i Max is more affordable for annual maintenance than the Coway Airmega 150.
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