GermGuardian AC4825 Vs Levoit LV-H132 – Comparison (2023)

Today’s comparison will be quite interesting and competitive, as we are comparing two great rivals – the GermGuardian AC4825 and the Levoit LV-H132. These two air purifiers are very popular, and both of them are currently the best-selling models!

The GermGuardian AC4825 is meant for rooms up to 167 square feet large, while the Levoit LV-H132 keeps up well with a sum of 129 square feet. In my opinion, this is not a major difference, and it can easily be overridden by device quality overall. The Levoit LV-H132 comes in both black and white, while the GermGuardian AC4825 rocks the dark, black look.

I want to put these two to the test, compare them, find similarities and differences, as well as see whether these devices do what they promise. Let’s get right into our GermGuardian AC4825 Vs Levoit LV-H132 battle.

GermGuardian Vs Levoit Specifications

Features Overview

These two devices have some similar functionalities, but I won’t go as far as to say that they are meant to do the same thing. They both have a filter reset indicator, helping you time the replacement process. This is, in my opinion, a very simple but helpful feature. Both devices have three operating speeds, which means that you can always adapt the purifier to the air in your home or your work schedule.

Controls

The GermGuardian model can’t really brag about any high-technology controls, as it only has a manual mechanical wheel that you turn to control the working speed. Under the wheel is the button that you use to manage the UV-C light, and you can also manually reset the filter reset indicator. 

Our Levoit competitor does much better regarding this aspect – it has modern and aesthetically pleasing touchscreen buttons. You use these to control the power, the fan speed, the filter reset indicator, and the night light, which we’ll talk more about in the upcoming paragraphs.

I have to mention that the GermGuardian AC4825 has something that the manufacturer refers to as “the smart plug.” It’s essentially a plug that you connect to your WiFi, and then you get to control the device wirelessly while it works on speed two. That’s pretty handy, right? 

UV-C Light

The GermGuardian A4825 uses a UV-C light bulb, a pretty interesting feature that you use to kill germs. It is a 5W bulb that won’t add much to your electricity bill, but you do have one more thing to replace from time to time.

With this device, I find the position of the bulb quite problematic. It’s not that it creates problems, but I feel like it doesn’t do much, as it’s on the top of the device, where the air leaves. If the bulb were somewhere in the middle of the device, the air would get much more exposure to the UV-C bulb, making much more sense. 

Night Light

Many people are pleased to hear that an air purifier has a night light, and I understand that, as it’s quite a handy feature. The Levoit LV-H132 has a blue night light that you can also adjust – you can put in on the brighter setting or the dim setting, but you can also turn it off if it doesn’t work for you. 

Airflow

Here we run into the first major difference between the devices, which actually affects the work quality. The AC4825 has a “tower design,” while the LV-H132 looks like a small stereo. The GermGuardian model, because of its tall design, uses the whole backside of the device for air entrance. The air then gets filtered through a pre-filter, a carbon filter, and a True HEPA filter. As discussed, only a part of the filtered air gets quality contact with the UV-C bulb, and it is then pushed out through the narrow bars on the front of the device.

The Levoit model has air entrance holes on the bottom portion of the device all around it. It sucks air in from all sides, all 360°, and it runs the air through a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. The air then leaves through the top of the devices.

Filtration Technology

Both of these devices use a True HEPA filter, but the Germ Guardian has an extra step in the filtrating process – the UV-C bulb. I suggest you check out the performance tests to see whether this creates a difference that is meaningful enough to you. 

The GermGuardian AC4825 has a 4-in-1 filtration – first it pre-filters, then it filters the air through the charcoal filter, then comes the True HEPA filter, and, in the end, the UV-C bulb. The last step is meant to kill germs and get rid of possible mold spores.

With the Levoit LV-H132, which uses a 3-in-1 filtration, we notice a difference with the carbon filter. Naturally, the air first gets pre-filtered, then filtered through a True HEPA filter, but then it enters a slightly modified carbon filter. If you take a good look at it, it will remind you of a honeycomb. Each small section of the filter contains carbon pellets, and both the pellets and the design make this type of carbon filter much more effective.

If you want to get all technical, the GermGuardian AC4825 uses a fibrous filter that is merely covered with carbon, not made of it. And as mentioned, both devices have filter reset indicators. 

How To Replace Filters on These Air Purifiers?

Both devices require your attention every 6-8 months replacement-wise. However, keep in mind that the GermGuardian model needs extra attention regarding the UV-C bulb that has to be replaced yearly. For more details and my tips and tricks, check the detailed review of each purifier to learn about the replacement process.

Noise Test

I was pretty disappointed to see that neither of these devices has a sleep mode! Sleep mode is useful when it comes to noise reduction, as well as power-saving properties. The AC4825 is not really compatible with bedrooms, not even on speed one, while the LV-H132 gives a much better impression.

Overall, considering all speeds and settings, the noise levels out and the devices are pretty similar in this aspect. For more details, especially if you’re a light sleeper, check the numbers below. 

Performance Tests

As always, I wanted to do my own tests and to see how the numbers compare. I have tested these devices in several different settings, and I present the most interesting results I gathered. All tests were made while devices ran on speed three.

194 sq. ft. Room Test

The Levoit LV-H132 worked for 60 minutes on speed three in this room, and it better the air quality by 87%. The GermGuardian AC4825, however, bettered the air quality by 92% in the exact same conditions. This is quite a difference efficiency-wise, mostly thanks to the better airflow and the bigger True HEPA filter.

Other Tests

The GermGuardian has also been put to a 320 square feet room test, again, for 60 minutes on speed three. The air quality improved by 90% in this case. I also wanted to see what the Levoit LV-H132 does when put in a smaller room, so I put it in a 120 square feet large room, and it worked in exactly the same conditions for 60 minutes. The resulting air was 88% better than the one we started with.

Operating Costs

Operating costs are a major factor for many people, as you don’t want to be throwing away your money due to high energy bills if you already invested in a more expensive device. My calculations will be in favor of the Levoit LV-H132, and let me explain why.

The GermGuardin model is a 55 Watt machine, where the additional 5 Watts represent the bulb. In a month, on speed three, the AC4825 ends up adding about 3.8$ to your energy bill. In the same conditions, the 28 Watt Levoit model adds only 1.9$. This is pretty much half of the GermGuardian costs.

Keep in mind that you’ll also have to invest in filters and the replacement process, making the GermGuardian AC4825 even more expensive to maintain.