I’ve received many questions about my opinions on the Levoit Core Mini and Xiaomi 4 Compact air purifiers. In this article, I’ll compare their performance, noise levels, operating costs, and features to determine which is the better option for buyers.
Levoit and Xiaomi are reliable, trusted, and well-known brands in the air purifier industry. In terms of trustworthiness, you won’t regret choosing either. However, the two models I’m comparing today have quite different characteristics.
The Levoit Core Mini is a small air purifier with a room coverage of only 72 sq. ft. (6.7 m²). On the other hand, the Xiaomi 4 Compact covers rooms of up to 206 sq. ft. (19 m²). Not only is the Xiaomi suitable for larger rooms, but it also uses a larger filter and more advanced features and is overall a much more powerful air purifier.
What I like about the Xiaomi are the air quality sensor, air quality indicator, smart app, and auto mode features, which aren’t included in the Core Mini. Both air purifiers use three-stage filtration technology, don’t produce ozone, and are 100% safe to use.
Our Verdict
After analyzing all the specifications, features, and test results, it’s clear that the Xiaomi 4 Compact is a much better option than the Levoit Core Mini and is my top recommendation.
The Xiaomi offers more features, performed better in all tests, uses Xiaomi’s High-Efficiency Filter, and is a significantly more powerful device.
If you have any questions about these two air purifiers, please feel free to leave a comment in the comment box below the article.
Specs: Levoit Core Mini Vs Xiaomi 4 Compact
| Product Image |  |  |
| Manufacturer | Levoit | XIaomi |
| Model | Core Mini | 4 Compact |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 6.5 x 6.5 x 10.4 inches (16.4 x 16.4 x 26.4 cm) | Φ8.6 x 14 inches (Φ22.0 x 35.5 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | 2.2 lb (1 kg) | 4.85 lb (2.2 kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 46 CFM (78 m³/h) | 135 CFM (230 m³/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. | 72 sq. ft. (6.7 m²) | 206 sq. ft. (19 m²) |
| Performance Ratings Performance Ratings Score Summary: 8.4 - Average Score (80 products) 9.8 - Best Score (2 products) 2.5 - Worst Score (2 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 | Pre-filter, HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter | Primary Filter, Xiaomi’s High Efficiency-Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Life | 4-6 months | 6-12 months |
| Power Consumption
Power Usage Summary: Our extensive testing of 80 air purifiers revealed the following power consumption insights:
Check out our power consumption calculator tool. | 7W | 27W |
| Operating Costs Ratings Operating Costs Ratings Score Summary: 9 - Average Score (80 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 | 3 – Speed 1, Speed 2, and Speed 3 | 3 – Automatic Mode, Sleep Mode, and Manual Mode |
| Air Quality Sensor Air Quality Sensor Summary: Out of 80 air purifiers tested, only 40 have the air quality sensor. | No | Yes |
| Air Quality Indicator | No | Yes |
| Auto Mode Auto Mode Summary: Out of 80 air purifiers tested, only 41 have auto mode functionality. | No | Yes |
| Smart App Smart App Summary: Out of 80 air purifiers tested, only 25 have smart app functionality. | No | Yes |
| Voice Control Voice Control Summary: Out of 80 air purifiers tested, only 24 have voice control functionality. | No | Yes |
| Other Features | Aroma Pad | Light SensorDisplay Lock |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 41.8 – 53.6 dBA | 41.3 – 60.4 dBA |
| Noise Ratings Noise Ratings Score Summary: 9.3 - Average Score (80 products) 10 - Best Score (1 products) 8.2 - 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 | Low Energy Cost Portable Use Quiet Operation | Bedrooms Small Spaces Portable Use Smart Home Integration |
| Warranty | 2-year | 1-year |
| In-Depth Review | Levoit Core Mini | XIaomi 4 Compact |
| Price |
Performance Test – Comparison
Before I publish the performance test results, I want to point out that the Xiaomi is three times more powerful than the Levoit.
The Xiaomi 4 Compact has a CADR of 135 CFM (230 m³/h), while the Levoit Core Mini has a CADR of 46 CFM (78 m³/h). Considering this, we tested these two devices in rooms of different sizes suited to their recommended coverage areas.
Particle Removal Tests - Comparison
We placed the Levoit Core Mini and Xiaomi 4 Compact in two separate tests and measured their performance using the Temtop laser particle meter.
What’s important for this comparison is that we tested both devices in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, running at max speed for 60 minutes.
After that time, the Levoit Core Mini improved the air quality by about 89%, while the Xiaomi performed significantly better, improving air quality by about 94%.
Although this result was expected, I have to say that the Levoit performed quite well in this test, though it wasn’t nearly as good as the Xiaomi 4 Compact.
Smoke Box Test – Comparison
When I compare air purifiers as different as these two, I often know from the start which one is better and which will excel in smoke tests.
In the smoke removal test performed in a glass box, it was clear from the beginning that the Xiaomi 4 Compact would outperform the Levoit Core Mini.
The Xiaomi removed all the smoke from the box in just 22 seconds, an excellent result and more than three times faster than its competitor.
The Levoit took 74 seconds, which is very slow and comparable to some of the worst-performing air purifiers we’ve tested so far.
The results here are clear: the Xiaomi 4 Compact won this test.
Noise Level Test – Comparison
Considering the size of these two devices and the power of their motors, it’s easy to predict the results of the noise test. The Levoit Core Mini has more fan speeds, uses a lower-power motor, and has a lower CADR, making it much quieter at all speeds.
Noise Levels - Comparison
Comparison of noise levels at all fan speeds between the Levoit Core Mini and Xiaomi 4 Compact air purifiers.
At the lowest speed, the Levoit Core Mini produces a sound level of 41.8 dBA, while the Xiaomi 4 Compact produces a sound level of 41.3 dBA.
At maximum speed, the difference is even larger, favoring the Levoit, which produces a sound level of 53.6 dBA, while the Xiaomi produces a sound level of 60.4 dBA.
| Fan Speed | Levoit Core Mini (dBA) | Xiaomi 4 Compact (dBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | - | 60.4 dBA |
| Sleep Mode | - | 41.3 dBA |
| Speed 1 (Low) | 41.8 dBA | - |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 46.5 dBA | - |
| Speed 3 (High) | 53.6 dBA | - |
Overall, as I mentioned at the beginning of this test, the Levoit Core Mini is much quieter in operation due to its smaller motor.
Operating Costs – Comparison
It’s very difficult to compare the power usage of small devices like the Levoit Core Mini (7W), which has a motor power under 10W, with devices like the Xiaomi 4 Compact, which uses a motor almost four times stronger at 27W.
It’s clear that the Levoit consumes much less electricity, but it also has a much lower CADR, covers smaller rooms, and performed slightly worse in performance tests.
Monthly Power Consumption Cost - Comparison
Comparison of monthly power consumption costs for the Levoit Core Mini and Xiaomi 4 Compact air purifiers at all fan speeds.
If you were to use these two devices 24 hours a day at maximum speed for a month, your electricity bill would increase by about $0.63 with the Levoit and about $2.12 with the Xiaomi.
In addition to the cost of electricity, there’s also the cost of replacement filters, which are somewhat cheaper for the Levoit but require more frequent replacement.
| Fan Speed | Levoit Core Mini (W + $/month) | Xiaomi 4 Compact (W + $/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standby | 0W ($0) | 1.8W ($0.15) |
| Sleep Mode | - | 2.6W ($0.22) |
| Max Speed | - | 24.2W ($2.12) |
| Speed 1 (Low) | 1W ($0.09) | - |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 2.8W ($0.25) | - |
| Speed 3 (High) | 7.2W ($0.63) | - |
All in all, the Levoit Core Mini is a smaller energy consumer and much more affordable to maintain compared to the Xiaomi 4 Compact.
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