Medify MA-CAR: Do You Really Need a Car Air Purifier?

Full Review

If you’re aware of the importance of indoor air quality, you’ve probably also wondered about the quality of the air inside your car.

Even though cars come equipped with built-in cabin filters designed to pull in and clean outside air, the air inside a car is often more polluted than you might expect.

In this review, I’ll share my test results of the Medify MA-CAR, which is an air purifier meant exclusively for use in cars or vans, and definitely not for home use.

Keep reading to find out how the Medify MA-CAR performed in our tests.

How We Tested the Medify MA-CAR?

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 Medify MA-CAR in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the Medify MA-CAR 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 Medify MA-CAR 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.

Although the Medify MA-CAR is designed primarily for cars, we also tested it in a small room to evaluate how effective it is in real-life conditions.

For this test, I bought an AC adapter, connected it to the Medify MA-CAR, and was able to plug it into a standard wall outlet without any issues.

Testing in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) Room

In a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room, we ran the Medify MA-CAR at its maximum speed for 60 minutes and measured its performance using a Temtop laser particle meter.

Over that time, the Medify MA-CAR improved the air quality by about 71%. This is a good result considering the device is only designed to cover spaces up to 31 sq. ft. (2.9 m²).

However, when compared to other air purifiers, it’s clear that the Medify MA-CAR is among the weaker performers.

For example, the Levoit Vista 200—one of the least powerful Levoit models we’ve tested—improved the air quality in the same test by around 74%.

Overall, while the Medify MA-CAR didn’t deliver perfect results, I’m sure it’s effective enough for use in a car.

P.S. Don’t expect miracles, especially if you plan to smoke inside your car.

We measured the noise levels of the Medify MA-CAR at all three fan speeds using a specialized tool that records sound in decibels (dBA).

At its lowest speed, the Medify MA-CAR produces 50.7 dBA, while at its highest speed it reaches 56.2 dBA.

Compared to similar devices, the Medify MA-CAR is very quiet on its highest setting but is among the loudest we’ve tested on its lowest setting.

For instance, the MOOKA B-D02L, which has a much higher CADR and is designed for larger rooms, is better optimized for noise than the Medify MA-CAR (see the chart).

However, noise tends to be less of an issue in a car than it is when using an air purifier in a bedroom.

So, even though it’s somewhat louder at its lowest speed, I don’t think it will be an issue while driving.

When it comes to power consumption, the Medify MA-CAR is a very small air purifier with a low CADR, designed specifically for cars.

Because of this, its power usage is minimal.

The unit uses a 4.8W motor, making it one of the most energy-efficient air purifiers we’ve tested so far.

In practical terms, you won’t even notice its power draw when using it in a car, so electricity consumption is almost irrelevant for people who plan to use it only in a car.

However, if you choose to use it in a small room at home, running the Medify MA-CAR at maximum speed, 24 hours a day for a full month, would only add about $0.50 to your electricity bill.

Compared to its competitors, the Medify MA-CAR consumes significantly less power.

For example, under the same conditions, the Airtok AP0601 would cost about $0.59 to operate.

However, electricity costs are not the main concern here; the bigger cost is the cost of replacement filters, which typically need to be changed every 3–4 months.

Considering how expensive these filters are, the Medify MA-CAR isn’t very cheap to maintain annually.

Filtration Technology

The Medify MA-CAR uses a four-stage filtration technology that includes a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, and an ionizer.

Its rectangular filter is located behind the device’s front cover.

While Medify is known for using high-quality filters, it’s worth noting that replacement filters for this model are relatively expensive.

Pre-filter

The first stage of filtration is a pre-filter, which is essentially a nylon mesh attached to the HEPA filter.

Its primary purpose is to capture larger particles such as dust, hair, pet fur, and similar debris.

By trapping these particles, the pre-filter helps protect the HEPA filter and extend its lifespan.

True HEPA Filter

The second—and most important—stage of filtration in the Medify MA-CAR is the True HEPA filter, which removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

This stage is responsible for capturing fine particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and other similar airborne particles.

In my experience, Medify uses some of the highest-quality HEPA filters available on the market.

Activated Carbon Filter

The third stage of filtration is the activated carbon filter, which is designed to neutralize unpleasant odors, VOCs, and harmful gases.

Although the Medify MA-CAR uses a pellet-based carbon filter, a type generally more effective than coated filters, I wasn’t particularly impressed with its performance in removing odors.

For effective odor and VOC removal, you really need a more powerful air purifier equipped with a filter that contains a much larger volume of activated carbon and has a higher CADR.

Ionizer

The final stage of filtration is the ionizer, which is optional and turned off by default.

You can activate it with a simple press of the ionizer button.

When enabled, the ionizer releases negative ions into the air. These ions attach to airborne particles (positive ions), causing them to clump together and fall down.

However, there is a potential concern: the Medify MA-CAR is not CARB-certified and doesn’t have an Energy Star certification.

Because of this, there is no official data on how much ozone the unit may produce when the ionizer is activated, so I would recommend leaving this feature off.

In reality, the True HEPA filter alone is enough to clean the air inside your car without relying on the ionizer.

How to Replace the Medify MA-CAR Filter?

The Medify MA-CAR is equipped with a filter replacement indicator that alerts you when it’s time to change the filter.

In most cases, this will be about every 3–4 months, though the exact interval can vary depending on how often you use the purifier and the air quality in which it operates.

The procedure of replacing the filter is very straightforward and can be done in just a few simple steps.

Design

When it comes to design, there isn’t much to criticize. The Medify MA-CAR is a solidly built air purifier made from high-quality plastic, which is, I think, better than what you’ll find on some much more expensive models.

It’s available in black, which allows it to blend nicely with the interior of most cars.

The only drawback, in my opinion, is the size. I feel like it takes up a bit too much space.

For comparison, the Medify MA-CAR is noticeably bigger than the Autowit Fresh 2. However, its larger size also allows it to have a filter that is a few times bigger than the filter on similar air purifiers.

One design detail I do like is the strap for easily attaching the device to your car.

Overall, I think the Medify MA-CAR’s design will work well in almost any car interior.

Controls

As for the controls, the Medify MA-CAR control buttons are located on the top of the device.

Similar to other Medify models, such as the Medify MA-15 (which I’ve also tested), these buttons are quite small, which can make changing settings a bit inconvenient at times.

I believe it would be a significant improvement if this model offered smart app support, as that would significantly enhance both the user experience and overall ease of control.

Airflow

The Medify MA-CAR has air intake vents on both the top and bottom of the unit.

It pulls air in, passes it through its 3-in-1 filter, and then releases the purified air through the vents located on the top and sides.

When placing the purifier in your car, be sure not to block any of these vents to ensure unobstructed airflow and optimal performance.

Size and Dimensions

The Medify MA-CAR air purifier weighs approximately 1.9 lb (0.87 kg) and measures 7 × 10.8 × 2.8 inches (17.8 × 27.4 × 7.1 cm).

While it’s a bit larger than many car-specific air purifiers, it should still fit comfortably in most cars, and finding a suitable spot for it shouldn’t be a problem.

What’s in the box?

When you purchase this air purifier, the package includes:

• 1× Medify MA-CAR air purifier (with a 3-in-1 filter pre-installed)
• 1× User manual
• 1× Strap for attaching it to a car seat
• 1× Car power adapter

Features Overview

The Medify MA-CAR is a very simple air purifier with almost no advanced features.

It doesn’t even include a timer function, which is a standard feature on many other models I’ve tested.

The only feature it has is the filter reset indicator, which alerts you when it’s time to replace the filter.

FAQ About Medify MA-CAR