Blueair and Levoit are major rivals in the air purifier market. What they have in common is that both produce outstanding, high-quality, and highly efficient air purifiers.
This time, I will compare the Blueair 511i Max and the Levoit Vital 200S to determine which one is the better buy.
I will compare their performance, noise levels, power use, and overall specifications.
What’s interesting about these two air purifiers is that they follow completely different design principles and use different filtration stages, yet they also share some similarities, such as an advanced smart app.
Keep reading to find out which one is my top recommendation!
Our Verdict
In general, the Blueair 511i Max is a slightly smaller air purifier, with a lower CADR and slightly weaker results in our performance tests.
So, it’s clear that the winner of this comparison is the Levoit Vital 200S. In addition to offering a higher CADR, a better filter, and a better-optimized motor, it doesn’t produce ozone, includes plenty of smart features, and is one of the best air purifiers I have ever tried.
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 Levoit Vital 200S
| Product Image |  |  16% off |
| Manufacturer | Blueair | Levoit |
| Model | 511i Max | Vital 200S |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 10.6 x 10.6 x 18.9 inches (26.9 x 26.9 x 48 cm) | 15.6 x 8.5 x 19.8 inches (39.6 x 21.7 x 50.2 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) | 13.2 lb (6 kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 152 CFM (258 mÂł/h) | 245 CFM (416 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) | 380 sq. ft. (35 m²) |
| Performance Ratings Performance Ratings Score Summary: 8.3 - Average Score (100 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, Main Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Life | up to 9 months | about 12 months |
| Power Consumption
Power Usage Summary: Our extensive testing of 100 air purifiers revealed the following power consumption insights:
Check out our power consumption calculator tool. | 20W | 50W |
| Operating Costs Ratings Operating Costs Ratings Score Summary: 8.8 - Average Score (100 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 | 5 – Sleep Mode, Low, Medium, High, and Turbo |
| Air Quality Sensor Air Quality Sensor Summary: Out of 100 air purifiers tested, only 50 have the air quality sensor. | Yes | Yes |
| Air Quality Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Mode Auto Mode Summary: Out of 100 air purifiers tested, only 51 have auto mode functionality. | Yes | Yes |
| Smart App Smart App Summary: Out of 100 air purifiers tested, only 29 have smart app functionality. | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Control Voice Control Summary: Out of 100 air purifiers tested, only 28 have voice control functionality. | Yes | Yes |
| Other Features | Washable Pre-filter | Light DetectionDisplay OffDisplay LockTimer |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 40.1 – 61.6 dBA | 41.0 – 62.2 dBA |
| Noise Ratings Noise Ratings Score Summary: 9.2 - Average Score (100 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 | Pets Living Rooms Bedrooms Kitchens Allergies Dust Smart Home Integration |
| Warranty | 3-year | 2-year |
| In-Depth Review | Blueair 511i Max | Levoit Vital 200S |
| Price |
Performance Test – Comparison
Before moving on to the test results, I want to point out that the Blueair 511i Max has a CADR of 152 CFM (258 mÂł/h), while the Levoit Vital 200S has a CADR of 245 CFM (416 mÂł/h).
This means that the Levoit Vital 200S is suitable for rooms of up to 380 sq. ft. (35 m²), while the Blueair 511i Max is designed for rooms of up to 236 sq. ft. (22 m²).
Particle Removal Tests - Comparison
We placed the Blueair 511i Max and Levoit Vital 200S in two separate tests and measured their performance using the Temtop laser particle meter.
What’s important is that we tested both air purifiers in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room using a Temtop laser particle meter.
In just 60 minutes, running continuously at maximum speed, the Levoit Vital 200S improved air quality by about 96%, while the Blueair 511i Max achieved a 90% improvement.
Although both delivered outstanding results, it’s clear that the Levoit Vital 200S performed better overall and is, in general, a more efficient air purifier.
Smoke Box Test – Comparison
We also tested how these air purifiers performed in our unique smoke tests.
The procedure was simple: we placed each air purifier in a glass box, filled it with smoke, then turned the device on at maximum speed and measured how quickly it removed all the smoke from the box.
The Levoit Vital 200S needed 15 seconds to clear all the smoke from the glass box, while the Blueair 511i Max needed 20 seconds.
As in the previous airborne particle removal tests, both devices delivered outstanding results, but the Levoit Vital 200S again demonstrated higher efficiency, clearing the smoke 5 seconds faster.
Noise Level Test – Comparison
Both air purifiers have an auto mode, but the Levoit offers one additional fan speed compared to the Blueair. In my evaluation, I not only measured the noise produced at each fan speed, but also factored these results into the overall rating.
What I noticed is that the main issue with the Blueair 511i Max is the strange noise it produces at maximum speed. Even though it isn’t particularly loud, this sound makes continuous operation at the highest speed annoying.
Noise Levels - Comparison
Comparison of noise levels at all fan speeds between the Blueair 511i Max and Levoit Vital 200S air purifiers.
At maximum speed, both the Blueair 511i Max and the Levoit Vital 200S produce a noise level of 61.6 dBA.
At the lowest speeds, the Levoit Vital 200S produces 41.0 dBA, while the Blueair 511i Max measures slightly lower at 40.1 dBA.
| Fan Speed | Blueair 511i Max (dBA) | Levoit Vital 200S (dBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Mode | 40.1 dBA | 41 dBA |
| Speed 1 (Low) | 41.3 dBA | 44.4 dBA |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 44.1 dBA | 45.7 dBA |
| Speed 3 (High) | 61.6 dBA | 57.9 dBA |
| Speed 4 (Turbo) | - | 62.2 dBA |
You can also view and compare noise levels at other speeds directly in the chart or table provided.
Overall, I would say that the Levoit Vital 200S is more comfortable and far less annoying to use at maximum speed than the Blueair, making it generally better optimized for noise.
Operating Costs – Comparison
Power consumption is the only test in which the Blueair 511i Max clearly outperformed the Levoit Vital 200S.
With a motor of just 20W, it is hard to compete with the Blueair in this area. In comparison, the Levoit Vital 200S uses a 50W motor.
Monthly Power Consumption Cost - Comparison
Comparison of monthly power consumption costs for the Blueair 511i Max and Levoit Vital 200S air purifiers at all fan speeds.
If you were to run both air purifiers at their maximum speeds, 24 hours a day for one month, your electricity bill would increase by about $4.22 with the Levoit and about $1.56 with the Blueair.
| Fan Speed | Blueair 511i Max (W + $/month) | Levoit Vital 200S (W + $/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standby | 0.6W ($0.05) | 1.4W ($0.12) |
| Sleep Mode | 1.9W ($0.17) | 3.5W ($0.3) |
| Speed 1 (Low) | 2.5W ($0.22) | 5.8W ($0.5) |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 4.7W ($0.41) | 7.9W ($0.69) |
| Speed 3 (High) | 17.8W ($1.56) | 26.3W ($2.3) |
| Speed 4 (Turbo) | - | 48.2W ($4.22) |
Taking both electricity costs and replacement filter costs into account, I would say that the Blueair 511i Max is more affordable in terms of annual maintenance than the Levoit Vital 200S.
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