GermGuardian AC4200W Vs Levoit Vista 200 – Which one Does it Better?

In today’s article, I will compare the GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 air purifiers.

While the Levoit Vista 200’s design may initially appear more eye-catching, both appliances are equally elegant. Their round shape and white color allow them to blend seamlessly into any interior. Additionally, the affordability of the GermGuardian AC4200W makes it a more accessible option.

At first glance, you might think there are no significant visual differences between these two models.

However, consider this: the GermGuardian AC4200W is designed for rooms up to 105 sq. ft. (10 m²), whereas the Levoit Vista 200 is suitable for spaces up to 161 sq. ft. (15 m²). Does that change your perspective?

Specs: GermGuardian AC4200W Vs Levoit Vista 200

Performance Test – Comparison

As I previously mentioned, the GermGuardian AC4200W is designed to cover rooms up to 105 sq. ft. (10 m²), while the Levoit Vista 200 is intended for slightly larger spaces, up to 161 sq. ft. (15 m²).

Since the difference in room coverage is relatively small but still notable, I wanted to test both products in two differently sized rooms. Each test lasted 60 minutes.

For the first test, I placed both devices in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room, running them separately at maximum speed for a full hour. To my surprise, the GermGuardian AC4200W outperformed the Levoit Vista 200.

Despite being designed for smaller rooms, the AC4200W improved air quality by approximately 92%, whereas the Vista 200 achieved only 68% effectiveness. In my opinion, this is a significant performance gap between the two purifiers.

Next, I repeated the test in a larger space. Contrary to my expectations, the GermGuardian AC4200W once again outperformed the Levoit Vista 200. In overall performance, the AC4200W improved air quality by 90%, while the Vista 200 reached only 74% effectiveness.

Smoke Box Test – Comparison

It’s quite remarkable that the purifier designed for smaller spaces performed significantly better than the one intended for larger rooms. The GermGuardian AC4200W turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

It managed to remove all the smoke in 43 seconds, while the Levoit Vista 200 needed 126 seconds.

Although it’s easy to conclude that the GermGuardian did better in this test, I can’t say either of these two air purifiers has made a good result.

There are many better air purifiers in the same price range: the Coway Airmega 100 or the Winix A231, for example.

Noise Level Test – Comparison

When buying an air purifier, noise level is an important factor to consider along with other features. You don’t want your purifier acting as an unwelcome “third wheel” if you invite someone special over, right?

Well, rest assured—both of these devices run smoothly, emitting a pleasant “all’s well” sound with no crackling or awkward noises.

Although both the GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 have four fan speed levels, only the Levoit features a dedicated sleep mode.

While the Levoit is relatively quiet at its lowest speed, producing 43.5 dBA, I believe the GermGuardian AC4200W could be better optimized in this regard, as it generates 49.3 dBA at its lowest setting.

At maximum speed, the Levoit Vista 200 is also better optimized for noise control, producing 56.9 dBA, compared to the 63.1 dBA of the GermGuardian AC4200W.

In my opinion, the Levoit Vista 200 is noticeably quieter across all speed levels, which might be a crucial factor when deciding which purifier to choose.

Operating Costs – Comparison

Now that you’ve seen all the specifications of both products, let’s talk about how they impact your budget.

Naturally, energy consumption can be a decisive factor when choosing an air purifier.

The GermGuardian AC4200W operates with a 26W motor, while the Levoit Vista 200 runs on a 15W motor—almost half the power consumption of the GermGuardian.

If you were to run each purifier continuously, 24/7 at maximum speed for an entire month, the GermGuardian would add approximately $2.70 to your electricity bill, while the Levoit would increase it by only about $0.24.

Clearly, the Levoit Vista 200 is a much more affordable option in terms of energy consumption—a satisfying advantage, don’t you think?

Features Overview

Besides the fact that both GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 are very small appliances that will fit perfectly into your space, I can’t help but notice that none of them has any extra special features along with the basic ones that each purifier already has. 

A slight advantage goes in favor of Levoit Vista 200, just for having one or two options more than the other one. 

While you could buy a GermGuardian AC4200W at a cheaper price and get better performance, Levoit Vista 200 offers you better space coverage and control over the power usage.

Filter Reset Indicator

A filter reset indicator is basically a notification light that alarms you when the air purifier filter needs to be replaced. In this case, both GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 have these indicators. I consider this to be an excellent feature that every air purifier should have.

Thanks to the filter reset indicator you will never have to worry about when is the right moment to replace your filter. 

Night Light

While GermGuardian AC4200W is missing out on this feature, with the night light option you can use Levoit Vista 200 to create an almost romantic atmosphere in spaces like your bedroom. 

Thanks to its calmingly yellow light, when turned on, you can adjust the night light at two levels of brightness.

What I like the most is that you can turn on the night light without turning on the purifier, which makes Levoit Vista 200 an utterly interesting night lamp. 

Timer

The timer option is a common feature of both of these air purifiers. You can use it by simply adjusting the time you want the purifier to switch off. In both cases, you can set the time to 2h, 4h, or 8h. 

Given the fact that neither GermGuardian AC4200W nor Levoit Vista 200 have an auto mode option or the ability to connect to a smart app, I find it very useful that with the timer option you can still have control over the usage of your purifier. 

Display Off

This is the feature that both appliances can use but in different ways. Levoit Vista 200 air purifier has an actual Display Off button which, when pressed, automatically shuts down all of the indicators on this device. 

In my opinion, this is a great feature because there are moments when you are struggling to fall asleep, and you don’t want anything to distract you. Especially the lights coming from nearby devices. In that way, Levoit Vista 200 will be purifying your air while you fall into your deepest sleep mode.

On the other hand, GermGuardian AC4200W does not have this particular feature. Instead, its Speed 1 option gives you the opportunity to, when turned on, set the device into sleep mode and shut down all of the indicators on your purifier.  

Warranty

Before I decide to buy any type of appliance, I want to make sure that the appliance I prefer has a warranty. You never know what might happen. 

Both of these purifiers come with a warranty, with slight differences in duration period. With GermGuardian AC4200W, you are protected for 3 years, while with Levoit Vista 200 the period of warranty comes down to 2 years. 

Keep in mind that if you decide to buy Levoit Vista 200, you must register online straight after your purchase in order for your product to be given full warranty coverage. 

Airflow

Speaking of the airflow, you can tell how both purifiers have almost identical cylindrical shapes. This brings us to filters that are integrated into these appliances, which also share the same shape. 

Further on, both GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 have their filters positioned in the device’s bottom part. Due to the purifier’s irregular shape, suction holes are not equally spread all over the device’s ‘’body’’. Instead, the air is being suctioned through the bottoms, then subjected to filtration, and finally spread through the upper bars, all over the room. 

Filtration Technology

Let me begin this section with the fact that both GermGuardian AC4200W and Levoit Vista 200 use a 3-stage filtration. Their filters are pretty much alike, cylindrical and hollow. My biggest remark would be that they are actually too small. 

The thing that makes GermGuardian different is that both carbon and pre-filter are actually one and the same filter. 

Speaking of filtration stages, both of the appliances have their way of functioning. For instance, GermGuardian AC4200W combines carbon and pre-filter in the first and the second stage, whereas Levoit Vista 200 only uses pre-filter in the first stage. 

By the time that GermGuardian jumps to the third stage with the usage of a True HEPA filter, Levoit is already using a True HEPA filter in stage two, leaving the carbon filter for the last stage. 

Unlike many previous GermGuardian purifiers that I tested, this model is missing the UV-C light as the fourth stage of filtration. The fact that we are used to some things doesn’t make it a rule.

How To Replace Filter On Both These Devices?

For a start, let’s point out that none of these air purifiers have a washable filter. But let’s not lose our hopes. Both purifiers have almost identical periods of filter duration, whereas, in the case of GermGuardian AC4200W, you would have to change filters every 6 months, while Levoit Vista 200 gives you an extra month or two to change the filter.

From my experience, filters on these two will last approximately five months.

Did I mention that replacement of Levoit’s filters is cheaper than the ones at GermGuardian? Given the identical average filter usage, Levoit Vista turns out to be quite economical.

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