Levoit Core 600S Air Purifier Review – Best For Large Rooms?

Full Review

I have to admit that the Levoit Core 600S is a refreshment and a device that Levoit has needed, mainly because of the lack of smart air purifiers for large rooms in the Core series.

The Core 600S is a large air purifier designed for rooms up to 635 sq. ft. (59 m²), and in a room of this size, it can clean the air 4.8 times in one hour. It’s equipped with three-stage filtration technology, has many advanced options, can connect to the VeSync smart app, has a built-in air quality sensor, and much more.

I spent some time testing this air purifier in everyday use, in different conditions such as a smoky room, a cooking area, and dusty rooms. In addition, I have carried out the standard tests I do with every air purifier I test.

In this article, I am describing the Core 600S in detail. I am listing some tricks you may not have known, as well as showing the results of all the tests I have done, explaining how to use the VeSync app, and, of course, finding out if this air purifier is worth buying.

With that said, I suggest you sit down and read the whole article, especially if you want a deep and detailed analysis of this air purifier.

How We Tested the Levoit Core 600S?

1. For the filter efficiency testing, we used the Temtop LKC-1000S laser particle meter, which measures PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), Particles (per/L), and HCHO (mg/m3) in the air, and also calculates the AQI.

2. We placed the Levoit Core 600S in two separate performance tests, one in a 560 sq. ft. (52 m²) room and the other in a 730 sq. ft. (68 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the Core 600S run at maximum speed.

3. After 60 minutes, we measured the new values using the Temtop laser particle meter and saved the data.

4. Next, we placed the Levoit Core 600S in a glass box, which we then filled with smoke. Then, we measured how much time was needed for the air purifier to remove all the smoke from the box.

5. Using a special noise measurement tool, we tested the air purifier’s noise level at all speeds. We measured the noise level on the dBA scale.

6. Finally, we measured the power usage at all speeds using an energy meter, after which we calculated how much it would cost to use the device at a particular fan speed for one month. For reference, we used an energy price of $0.12 per kWh.

The Levoit Core 600S is the largest air purifier in the Levoit Core range. This device is interesting because of its very high airflow but also because of its highly efficient filtration technology, which is why it achieved fantastic results in performance tests.

In addition to the tests I carried out in the special rooms where I tested all air purifiers, I used this air purifier daily for a longer period than usual. I wanted to match the Levoit Core 600S with the slightly smaller Levoit Core 400S, which I also really like and which gave a fantastic performance. My conclusion is that the Core 600S is somewhat more efficient, which may even make it one of the best Levoit air purifiers at the moment.

Without further delay, read on to find out how the Levoit Core 600S fared in the performance tests.

Testing in a 560 sq. ft. (52 m²) Room

In the first test, in a room of 560 sq. ft., which is slightly smaller than the recommended dimensions, the Levoit Core 600S performed fantastically.

In just 60 minutes of operation at maximum speed, this air purifier improved air quality by an incredible 96% and lowered the AQI from 137 to 6.

The Levoit Core 600S outperformed its top competitors. It made 4% better results than the Blueair 211+, which is its main competitor. 

The closest in efficiency is the Levoit LV-H134 (with a difference of only 2%), but keep in mind that this device showed lower results in other tests. Therefore, this is just further confirmation that the Core 600S is unbeatable and has outperformed all competitors in performance tests.

This is an excellent result, even if the room is slightly smaller than the recommended dimensions, and proof that the Core 600S is a very efficient air purifier.

Testing in a 730 sq. ft. (68 m²) Room

I placed the Core 600S in a 730 sq. ft. room in the second test. This time in a room with slightly larger dimensions than recommended.

I was also very positively surprised by what Levoit did in this test. In fact, this air purifier improved air quality by about 93% in just 60 minutes of operation at maximum speed. This test confirmed what I have been saying, that the Levoit Core 600S is a highly efficient, reliable, and powerful air purifier!

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

Besides the standard performance tests, we also test every air purifier’s performance in a glass box filled with smoke.

In this simple test, we place an air purifier in a glass box, fill it with smoke, and measure how long it takes for the air purifier to remove all the smoke.

This is a unique test in the market, making Air Purifier First’s reviews not only more valuable but also more interesting. We’ve received many comments from people wanting to compare the smoke test performance of different air purifiers.

In the chart above, I picked a few air purifiers that I think would compare well with the Levoit Core 600S. This comparison shows that the Levoit Core 600S cleaned the smoke from the glass box the fastest. It’s about 3 seconds faster than its main competitor, the Blueair 211+, and more than three times faster than the popular Alen BreatheSmart FLEX.

The Levoit Core 600S is a huge air purifier, and I somehow expected that it would be louder, at least at the maximum speed.

I used a special noise measurement tool to measure the Levoit Core 600S noise level on the dBA scale. I measured noise at all speeds, and what I found is that it produces 68.5 dBA at the maximum speed, which places it among the loudest air purifiers tested.

What’s interesting is that this isn’t the loudest Levoit air purifier; actually, the Levoit LV-H134 is louder by almost 2 dBA, with 70.3 dBA at max speed. But, as we can see in the chart below, some of the biggest competitors of the Levoit Core 600S produce much lower noise at their maximum speeds.

For example, the Levoit Core 400S produces just 59.9 dBA, while the Blueair 211+ produces only 59.7 dBA. What’s more, the Core 400S is even quieter at the lowest speed, while the Blueair 211+ produces an identical noise level at low.

What amazed me when analysing the chart is that the Levoit Core 300S produces just slightly quieter noise at the maximum speed, which is almost unbelievable, considering the Levoit Core 600S has almost twice the CADR of the Core 300S.

However, I’m positively surprised with its noise level at other speeds. Please refer to the table below to see the noise level at all speeds.

You will notice that it produces only 58.7 dBA at the high mode, but at the same time, it has a larger CADR on the high mode than some other air purifiers at the max speed.

Overall, the Levoit Core 600S is a much louder air purifier than you probably thought, which is why I wouldn’t use it in places such as bedrooms, kids’ rooms, libraries, and similar.

However, it’s the best large-room air purifier we have tested. It produces lower noise at high speed while also having a much larger CADR than some competitive air purifiers at their max speeds.

I was positively surprised that the Levoit Core 600S has a motor power of only 49W. To be honest, I was expecting at least a two-thirds more powerful motor, especially considering how powerful the airflow of this device is.

The Core 600S consumes 48.2W at maximum speed, while in sleep mode, it consumes only 4.1W. See the consumption at other speeds in the table below.

For example, if you were to use the Core 600S at maximum speed, 24 hours a day, for one month, your electricity bill would increase by approximately $4.22, which is a very small cost considering the specifications of this model.

This means that the Winix 5500-2 or the Coway AP-1512HH (refer to the chart above) will use much more power and in the same time will provide much lower CADR than the Levoit Core 600S.

Add to the electricity consumption the cost of replacement filters, which on average, need to be changed once a year. We can say that the Levoit Core 600S is a very affordable air purifier to maintain. I can even say with certainty that it is more affordable to maintain than almost all the air purifiers in this range that I have tested so far, and especially the other large air purifiers from Levoit.

Filtration Technology

The Levoit Core 600S uses a cylindrical filter consisting of three filtration layers, is hollow in the middle, and is located inside the bottom half of the unit. Overall, I do not think this filter differs much from other filters. Levoit tries from time to time to introduce some new formulas, materials, and filtration technologies, but given that the filters in almost all of their devices are of the highest standard, I find it unnecessary to criticize.

The filter is located inside the housing, on the bottom half of the device, and is very large, like the Core 600S itself. It is important to remember that these filters are not washable and should not be washed under any circumstances. In addition, the filters can be damaged in very humid environments with humidity above 85% RH.

Levoit Core 600S is CARB certified, has no ionizer, does not produce ozone, and is 100% safe to use.

Pre-filter

The pre-filter is the first stage of filtration. It is basically a nylon mesh attached to the True HEPA filter, the primary purpose of which is to capture large particles such as dust, lint, fiber, pet hair, and pet dander. In addition, this filter extends the life of the True HEPA filter by collecting all larger particles.

As the pre-filter is the first to be hit, it accumulates the most particles, so it is recommended to clean it with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner at least once or even several times a month if necessary.

The True HEPA filter

The True HEPA filter is definitely the most essential level of filtration, but also the one that is most responsible for this air purifier’s outstanding performance in the tests. This filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns in size.

The True HEPA filter is undoubtedly the most efficient filter you can find in a home air purifier. It traps small particles such as fine dust, smoke particles, and allergens such as pollen and pet hair.

Activated Carbon Filter

The activated carbon filter is the last stage of filtration and is the filter on which Levoit occasionally makes innovations. For example, this filter in the Core 600S uses Levoit’s exclusive ARC formula, which is characterized by its outstanding effectiveness in neutralizing cooking and pet odors.

In fact, the primary purpose of this filter is to physically adsorb smoke, odors, and vapors. The manufacturer claims this filter filters out compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). And importantly, this filter is made of carbon pellets, which have proven to be much more efficient than some other solutions, such as carbon-coated fiber filters.

How to Replace Levoit Core 600S Filter?

This air purifier does not use washable filters, so they need to be changed continuously. Levoit suggests replacing the filter between 6 and 12 months on average, which is to be expected given that the filter is much larger than some of the other, smaller units whose ratings you’re used to seeing on Air Purifier First.

In addition to regular filter changes, you should definitely clean the pre-filter at least twice a month and vacuum out any dust residues in the casing. It’s also important to note that the Core 600S has a filter reset indicator that lets you know when it’s time to change the filter, so you don’t have to manually check and keep track of when you need to change the filter.

Room Coverage

In fact, when I do reviews of air purifiers, I always recommend using them in rooms of the size where the device can clean the air 4.8 times in one hour. This is a kind of industry-standard issued by AHAM, which I follow, and after a lot of testing, I have found it to be reasonable so far.

Therefore, I recommend using the Levoit Core 600S air purifier in rooms up to 635 sq. ft. (59 m²) In a room of this size, the Levoit cleans the air 4.8 times in one hour.

However, if the environment is less polluted, this air purifier can be effective even if the room is larger. Thus, in a room of 1588 sq. ft., the Core 600S cleans the air 2 times in one hour.

Condition	Required minimum Air Changes per Hour (ACH)	Suitable room size	The time it takes to clean the air in the room
Smoke or VOCs	8	405 sq. ft.	8 min
AHAM standard (recommended for many conditions)	4.8	645 sq. ft.	13 min
Normal conditions	2	1588 sq. ft.	30 min

With a CADR of an incredible 410 CFM, this is one of the most powerful air purifiers I’ve tried, and definitely my absolute recommendation for large rooms.

Setup and Installation

Before you switch on the Levoit Core 600S and start purifying the air in your home, you must make certain preparations.

To begin, remove the device’s packaging from the shipping box, peel off all tapes and protective films, and separate the cover from the top of the device by moving it counterclockwise and removing it.

Then, remove the filter from the bottom of the device, remove it from the plastic bag, and return it to the device.

Your Core 600S is ready to use. Please place it in the desired location and move it at least 15 inches (38 cm) away from the wall or other objects. Plug it in and turn it on.

Design

Levoit air purifiers do not differ much when it comes to design. They mainly consist of two parts, the lower part where the filter is located and the upper part where the control panel, the air quality sensor, and the motor are located. The same applies to the Core 600S.

The first thing I noticed immediately after unpacking this device is that it is incredibly light in terms of dimensions and that it has carrying handles that make it much easier to move from room to room. I should mention that it has carrying handles because the lack of them in the Blueair 211+ air purifier is one of the most significant drawbacks and obstacles to its daily use.

As for the build quality and the plastic quality, they are fine, not top-notch, but in my opinion, quite adequate for this type of device. This air purifier is rectangular in shape with rounded edges. It comes in several colors, and I am almost certain it will blend in with virtually any environment and potentially brighten up some rooms.

Controls and Indicators

The first thing I have to say when talking about the controls is that I am very disappointed with the color choice of the control panel. The silver color of the panel is so illegible in daylight that sometimes I cannot see which button I am pressing. Apart from that, I have no complaints about the control panel.

The panel consists of buttons and indicators. The buttons are arranged in a circle, and there are buttons for power, screen lock, screen off, auto mode, fan speed, sleep mode, filter reset, and timer. In addition, each button is an indicator in itself. In addition, there is an air quality indicator, filter reset indicator, Wi-Fi indicator, screen lock indicator, and PM2.5/Timer display.

Although I said that the control panel is not very easy to read and that I would like it to be a little more prominent, I don’t think it will be a problem because not many people will use the manual buttons on the control panel since they can use the VeSync smart app.

Airflow

The Core 600S has a rectangular shape with slightly rounded edges. It consists of two parts, a lower part containing the filter and an upper part containing the motor, the air quality sensor, and the control panel.

The device draws air through openings in the lower half, which are arranged on all sides. The air is then filtered and exits through the grilles on the upper side.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 13.7 lb (6,2 kg). The unit’s dimensions are 12.3 x 12.3 x 23.6 inches (31,3 x 31,3 x 60 cm). I must stress that the Levoit Core 600S is a huge air purifier, and you should think carefully about where you will put it before buying it.

Nevertheless, the Core 600 is much lighter than I thought it would be, which, combined with the very accessible carrying handles, makes me say that this air purifier is highly mobile.

What’s in the box?

When you buy the device, you get a Levoit Core 600S air purifier, 3-in-1 filter,  quick start guide, and user manual. I recommend that if you have not yet read the tips and preparation procedure for this air purifier, you go back to the beginning of the text and read all the tips before starting it up for the first time. I say this because motor damage can occur very quickly if you don’t prepare the machine properly.

Features Overview

The Levoit Core 600S is a smart air purifier equipped with the latest innovations from Levoit. Voice control, smart app control, air quality sensor, and air quality indicator are just some features that adorn this device.

In addition to the above, standard options that are part of almost all newer production air purifiers are also available, such as a filter reset indicator and timer options.

Air Quality Sensor and Indicator

The Levoit Core 600S has a built-in AirSight Plus laser particle sensor located on the rear of the unit that detects the current air quality. This sensor detects PM2.5, also known as fine particulate matter, in real-time and communicates this information to other options in the device.

For example, the current air quality is displayed on the PM2.5 display located in the middle of the screen and on the light ring around the control panel, which lights up in different colors depending on the current air quality.

If the air quality is excellent, the ring will light up blue; if the air quality is good, it will light up green; if the air quality is moderate, the ring will light up orange; and if the ring lights up red, the current air quality in your room is very poor.

Indicator Color	Air Quality	Auto Mode Fan Speed	PM 2.5 Range
Blue	Very Good	Sleep Mode	0-35 ug/m3
Green	Good	Low	36-75 ug/m3
Orange	Moderate	Medium	76-115 ug/m3
Red	Bad	High	> 115 ug/m3

In addition, the air quality sensor also works in combination with the VeSync app, where you can monitor all the data in real time and on the dashboard. You can also view historical data on the air quality in your home by day/week.

Auto Mode

Auto Mode works in combination with the AirSight Plus air quality sensor, so the device switches its operating mode according to the current air quality. This mode means you can leave the air purifier in Auto Mode and rest assured that the air quality in your home remains at the highest level. It’s important to remember that auto mode never uses the Turbo Fan speed. 

In addition, if you connect the app to VeSync, you’ll get access to additional Auto Mode settings such as Quiet Auto Mode, Efficient Auto Mode, and ECO Auto Mode.

The Quiet Auto mode only uses low and medium fan speeds, despite poor air quality because it doesn’t produce much noise.

Efficient Auto mode allows you to choose the size of the room you want to clean. Then the device uses Turbo Fan Speed for a while, depending on the room size; it cleans all the air in the room once (1x ACH), then switches mode according to the current air quality.

Finally, there is the ECO Mode, which reminds me very much of the ECO Mode of the Coway AP-1512HH, which has the same function that I first saw in the model mentioned. Namely, in ECO Mode, the Core 600S switches off completely if the current air quality in the room is excellent. However, it continues to monitor the air quality, and the device will automatically switch on if the air becomes lousy again.

Light Sensor

So far, I have had the opportunity to test several devices that have a Light Sensor, including the Winix 5500-2 and the Airdog X3, and what is distinctive about the Light Sensor on these two devices is that it is straightforward and basically just switches the operating mode to sleep mode if there is no light in the room.

However, with the Levoit Core 600S, this sensor is much more advanced and has more options. But before I describe what these options are, it is essential to point out that you first need to activate this option via the VeSync smart app. After that, the Light Sensor will automatically adjust some settings depending on how much light is in the room.

If the room is dark, the Light Sensor will automatically activate the display Off option and dim all indicators on the device. The device will not use the High and Turbo modes when in Auto Mode. And when there is light in the room, the device will return to standard settings.

Sleep Mode

Sleep Mode, as the name suggests, is for when you use the air purifier in a bedroom or other room requiring silent work. When the Core 600S is set to Sleep Mode, it automatically switches the fan speed to the lowest possible setting and turns off all indicators on the unit within 6s (if no buttons are touched in the meantime).

Timer

The timer is another option that can be very useful. However, I don’t use the timer option very often due to the highly advanced VeSync smartphone app and its possibilities. This option is more suitable for some older models or devices that cannot connect to the smart app. You can set the timer on the Core 600S between 1-12 hours via the Control Panel and between 1-24 hours via the VeSync app.

Switching Off the Screen and Locking the Screen

Locking and unlocking the screen can also be very useful options, especially locking the screen if you have small children around who like to touch and press buttons on almost every device they come across. This option is very useful as it allows the screen to be locked entirely before use and not react to any button press.

Display off serves, as the name suggests, to dim all the indicators on the device, like switching the operating mode to sleep mode.

Filter Reset Indicator

The filter reset indicator is a great option to let you know when it’s time to change the filter. The filter reset indicator is located on the control panel and will light up red when it’s time to replace the old filter. This option is very useful!

Warranty

Levoit also provides a standard two-year warranty for this air purifier.

To be honest, I think Levoit is already a serious brand that has gained a considerable user base, and in the near future, they might consider increasing the warranty by at least another year. But considering that Levoit air purifiers have proven to be very durable and reliable, that shouldn’t bother you so much.

VeSync Smart App

VeSync is a universal app that controls all Levoit air purifiers that can connect to it. Since this app came out, I have had the opportunity to witness its rapid progress and the addition of many improvements and extras that you rarely find in other air purifier apps. I feel Levoit is highly dedicated to maintaining and building the best possible app.

VeSync is not just a remote control app; you can find many different information, notifications, and access to some options that are not available directly on the device. Above all, I would like to praise exciting notifications that make it seem that the air purifier is alive and talking to you all the time. 

Some additional options that I like are the voice control options via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. What I don’t like and what annoys me a little about the VeSync app is the community section because I personally want the app to be “clean” and to do only what it is designed to do.

Setting Up the App and Adding a Device

Before adding a device to the VeSync smart app, you need to download it from the Android or iOS app store. Once the app has been successfully installed, you will need to register with a valid email address on the app. Then, by logging into the VeSync app, you will be taken to the start screen, where you will see many options; the one you need the most at the moment is the “+” in the top right corner, which you need to press. After that, you’ll be taken to the Add New Device screen, where you’ll see all the devices you’ve currently detected. Select Levoit Core 600S and follow the on-screen instructions.

The app will ask you to connect the air purifier to a Wi-Fi network, which means you need to know your Wi-Fi password. After successful setup, add a name to your product, the name of the room where you will place it, and update the firmware if necessary.

After successful addition, you will see your Core 600S on the home screen in the app.

PM2.5 Readings and Control Options

Connecting to the VeSync app opens up various advanced and additional options. For example, as soon as you select Core 600S in the app, you will be taken to the initial screen to control the device.

Initially, you will see the current air quality data displayed in PM2.5 format. In addition, the background of the app will light up in a different color depending on the current air quality, just like the air quality indicator ring on the device.

Just below the air quality data are control buttons where you can select the desired operating mode. Auto, 1, 2, 3, 4, and sleep modes are available.

If you move your finger across the screen, you will see information on filter consumption, a historical display of PM2.5 per hour (click on the graph to open a more detailed view), and some fancy statistics that don’t necessarily have a specific purpose.

If you scroll a little further down the screen, you’ll see the words for schedule, on/off, timer, and below that, the settings for display, light detection, screen lock, and auto mode. Basically, lots of different options and lots to explore and customize.

Auto Mode and Device Settings

As I mentioned when I described Auto Mode, you can set how you want it to work via the smartphone app. The app gives you a detailed insight into each of the three options, and you can read what it’s all about before selecting which mode to use.

There are Default, Quiet, and ECO modes. There aren’t many options in the basic settings, but there’s information about the device name, changing the icon for the device, accessing the user manual if needed, turning notifications off and on, and some other options.

Of course, there’s also a setting to connect the device to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and a list of all the voice commands you can use with these two assistants.

FAQ on Levoit Core 600S