Philips Series 800 Review – Small but Powerful!

Full Review

The Philips Series 800 (AC0830) is a small, compact, cylindrical air purifier that combines a simple design with high-quality filtration technology.

Philips is known for producing reliable, competitive, and well-built air purifiers, and this is the first model I decided to test from their lineup.

This compact device is available almost worldwide, though some features may vary depending on the market.

According to AHAM standards, the Philips Series 800 is suitable for rooms up to 176 sq. ft. (16 m²), meaning it can purify the air in such a space up to 4.8 times per hour. However, during tests, it also performed impressively well in rooms slightly larger than the recommended size.

The Philips Series 800 has a minimalist design; it lacks many advanced features but includes an air quality sensor, air quality indicator, and auto mode, which are more than sufficient for everyday use. I must say, this air purifier reminds me of many other popular cylindrical models that have recently flooded the market.

How We Tested the Philips 800 Series?

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 Philips 800 Series in two separate performance tests, one in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room and the other in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the Philips 800 Series 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 Philips 800 Series 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 performance test is one of the most important evaluations for any air purifier, and Philips has met all my expectations in this area.

Not only did it achieve excellent results in rooms of the recommended size, but it also significantly improved air quality in slightly larger spaces.

Most importantly, Philips has lived up to its reputation. This test confirmed that the Series 800 is a high-quality air purifier and a strong competitor within its class.

I would also emphasize that I recommend the Philips Series 800 for rooms up to 176 sq. ft. (16 m²), as in spaces of this size it can purify the air 4.8 times per hour, which is the industry standard defined by AHAM.

Testing in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) Room

In the first test, performed in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, which is slightly larger than the recommended size, I ran the Philips 800 air purifier at its maximum speed for 60 minutes.

During this time, the air purifier improved the air quality by approximately 93%, reducing the AQI from 122 to 9.

I have to say, this is an excellent result and far better than expected, especially considering that this air purifier doesn’t use a True HEPA filter.

Testing in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) Room

In the second test, performed in a much larger room than the recommended size, the Philips Series 800 also delivered very good results.

In a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room, this air purifier improved air quality by about 91% after 60 minutes of operation at maximum speed.

For comparison (see the chart), not many air purifiers in this category have achieved better results. For instance, the Blueair 511i Max improved air quality by 90% in the same test, while the Levoit Vital 100S achieved a 94% improvement.

Although the Philips Series 800 didn’t perform quite as strongly as it did in the smaller room, I would still consider it a highly efficient air purifier.

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

We placed the Philips Series 800 air purifier in our unique smoke removal test to measure how quickly it could clear all the smoke from a glass box.

The air purifier took just 33 seconds to remove all the smoke — not the fastest result compared to some similar models, but still a solid performance overall.

For comparison, the Xiaomi 4 Compact cleared all the smoke in just 22 seconds under the same conditions.

Although the Philips Series 800 isn’t the top performer when it comes to smoke removal, I’d say it still performed quite well in the smoke test.

The Philips Series 800 air purifier offers three operating modes: Sleep, Auto, and Turbo, though, in practice, it essentially has only two fixed fan speeds.

I noticed that in Sleep mode, this air purifier is extremely quiet and perfectly suitable for use in a bedroom or similar environment. In this mode, the Philips produces just 41.8 dBA of noise.

For comparison, the Coway Airmega 150 generates 40.1 dBA at its lowest speed but delivers a higher CADR than the Philips.

In Turbo mode (maximum speed), the Philips Series 800 is somewhat louder, producing around 62.8 dBA.

It’s a bit disappointing that an air purifier like this has only two functional fan speeds. Among all the models I’ve tested, this one has the fewest speed options.

While the Auto mode works efficiently, I still believe that having at least one additional manual fan speed would be a must.

In short, the Philips Series 800 isn’t too loud overall, and thanks to its Sleep mode, it’s an excellent choice for bedrooms or any other space where quiet operation is essential.

The Philips Series 800 uses a 20W motor, which is remarkably low, even within this price range. It consumes less electricity than a standard light bulb.

What truly impressed me is that this air purifier delivers such a high CADR relative to its power consumption.

If you were to keep the Philips running in Turbo mode 24 hours a day for an entire month, your electricity bill would increase by only around $1.53, which is a negligible cost considering the benefits this device provides.

Compared to similar air purifiers in its class, the Philips Series 800 is among the most energy-efficient models. As shown in the chart, for example, the AirFanta 3Pro would cost about $2.89 to operate under the same conditions.

In addition to power consumption, you’ll need to factor in the filter replacement cost. The filter should be replaced approximately once a year, and it’s reasonably priced.

Overall, I’d say the Philips Series 800 is a very affordable air purifier in terms of annual maintenance costs.

Setup and Installation

By the way, air purifiers are known for not requiring any advanced and time-consuming preparation before the first start-up, but a few steps still need to be taken to make sure everything is ready for the initial run.

To start with, the most important step is to remove the filter from the casing, from the bottom of the device, then unpack it from the plastic bag and insert it back into the device. This completes the most important step, as not unpacking the filter can lead to possible overheating and possible damage to the device. In addition, the device cannot serve its purpose without a functional filter.

Once you have prepared the filter, you need to unpack the adapter, connect it to the appliance, connect it to the electricity, and switch on the air purifier. Note that this air purifier has a slightly unusual starting system, and to switch it on, you need to switch from 0 to 1 on the button located at the back of the device, somewhere near the bottom.

Design

The Philips Series 800 is a cylindrical air purifier of very good quality and a beautiful design. The model I tested is gray in color, looks very modern, and fits easily into almost any environment. Philips has a few other models in other colors, but the most common is white.

This air purifier is made up of two parts, the lower part contains the filter, and the upper part contains the fan and the touch control button.

The build quality is very good, the device is much lighter than I first thought, but it is very stable. It is not cumbersome during operation; in short, the whole construction of the device is of top quality.

What I could criticize are the carrying handles, which are absent, and the power button, which is located at the back and is somewhat inaccessible. However, since this is a small device, grabbing it with two hands and moving it should not be a problem. Everything else about this model is without reservation, and I think that the Philips 800 air purifier fits easily into almost any environment.

Controls

When it comes to the device controls, there isn’t much to say. The controls of this model consist of two phases. The first phase is to switch on the device, which is done by pressing a button on the back. The second phase is to operate the device using the touch button located on the top of the device.

In addition to switching the operating mode, the touch button also serves as a filter reset indicator. Basically, each press of the button switches between sleep mode, auto mode and turbo mode, and so on in a circle.

To be honest, I don’t like this solution with a separate and inaccessible starting button, but I don’t think it’s a big deal because this is a very interesting, reliable, and high-quality air purifier.

Airflow

This air purifier is cylindrical in shape, with air inlets arranged on all sides, occupying the lower half of the unit. The air enters through these openings, is filtered, and exits through the openings on the upper side of the device.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 5.3 lb (2,4 kg). The dimensions of the device are: 14.4 x 9.8 x 9.8 inches (36,7 x 25 x 25 x 25 cm). The Philips Series 800 is small and compact, so it easily finds its place on an office desk, bedside table, or any other place where space is somehow limited.

What’s in the box?

When you buy the device, you will receive an air purifier with a 3-in-1 HEPA filter (pre-installed),  power adapter, and user manual. Before you connect the air purifier to the electricity and start the process of purifying the air in your room, I recommend that you carefully study the information I have written in the setup and installation section.

Features Overview

The Philips Series 800 is basically a small air purifier without many advanced options and can perhaps be classified as a minimalist air purifier like the Blueair 411 Auto, which reminds me a lot of the Philips in terms of options.

However, Phillips is not completely naked; it has some of its own advantages and advanced options that justify the name, make it a better choice, and, most importantly, make it easier for the average user to use the device on a daily basis.

Air Quality Sensor and Air Quality Indicator

The air quality sensor is what sets the Philips Series 800 apart from other competing air purifiers. This sensor is located on the back of the device, and it can detect PM2.5 particles in real-time and works in combination with some other options such as the air quality indicator and the auto mode.

This sensor is always active and collects information on the current air quality, while the air quality indicator, which is basically an LED light located around the knob, glows in a different color depending on the current air quality.

In the table below, I have shown how the air quality indicator works and what color it lights up depending on the current air quality. I must say that the auto mode also uses these values to switch the operating mode and the fan speed.

PM2.5 level	Air quality light color	Air quality level
≤12	Blue	Good
13-35	Blue-purple	Fair
36-55	Purple-red	Poor
55	Red	Very poor

Auto Mode

Auto mode is an option that works in combination with the air quality sensor so that when the unit is in auto mode, it automatically switches the operating mode and fan speed according to the current air quality.

Although the Philips Series 800 does not have a smart application and frankly does not have that many options, I have to say that I am very positively surprised by the Auto Mode option and that it is an option that raises the quality of this device to a whole new level.

Filter Reset Indicator

A filter reset indicator is a fantastic option that allows you to easily keep track of the filter replacement time. This indicator is not always visible; it is located just below the control knob and will only light up red when it is time to change the filter.

Given that the filter on this machine lasts up to 12 months, this is a much-needed feature, and I believe it makes it easier for many users to keep track of when to change the filter.

Warranty

Philips is a serious global company and I therefore really like the fact that they provide a warranty that is available worldwide. So once you register your device for warranty, you can use it at an authorized Philips service center anywhere in the world. Philips gives a 2-year warranty on this model, which is the industry standard and quite sufficient for this type of device.

Room Coverage and CADR

As I have said many times before, I recommend the Philips 800 Series air purifier for rooms up to 176 sq. ft. In a room of this size, this air purifier will clean the air 4.8 times, which is the industry standard. This air purifier has 190 m³/h of clean air (CADR), which is very good considering its dimensions.

Let’s say in a room of 430 sq. ft., this air purifier will clean the air twice in one hour, which means that in a room of this size, there are 2 ACH. This is perhaps the reason why this air purifier scored very well on the performance tests in a room larger than the recommended dimensions.

Overall, I would recommend this air purifier for a bedroom, small living room, kitchen, or other small room. I also think that this device would be perfect in a modern office.

Filtration Technology

The Philips Series 800 air purifier uses 3-stage filtration technology with an innovative manufacturing technology that is unique to Philips air purifiers. The filter is cylindrical in shape, hollow in the center, and almost identical to the filters in many competing air purifiers.

Commendably, it is a high-quality filter that drastically improves the air quality in the room. It is important to note that the filter is not washable, so it needs to be changed from time to time, but it is also very durable and can last up to 12 months.

Pre-filter

The first stage of filtration in the Philips 800 air purifier is the pre-filter, which is designed to trap larger dust particles, hair, pet hair, etc. In this way, this filter also extends the life of the HEPA filter, making it an extremely important filtration stage.

I recommend cleaning this filter regularly as you will not only extend the life of the HEPA filter but also keep the quality of filtration at a consistently high level.

NanoProtect HEPA Filter

The second stage of filtration is the NanoProtect HEPA filter, which traps dust particles, pollen, allergens, and similar particles from the air, drastically improving the air quality.

I wish Philips used a True HEPA filter, but that’s not the case, as the True HEPA filter is much more efficient and reliable than the NanoProtect HEPA or other similar filters. However, performance tests have shown that this is not necessarily a big disadvantage and that despite not having a True HEPA filter, this air purifier performs fantastically.

Activated Carbon Filter

The activated carbon filter is the final stage of filtration, and its purpose is to neutralize odors, unpleasant smells, and similar toxic particles from the air.

I like the fact that Philips uses a carbon pellet-based filter, which is much more reliable and efficient than ordinary carbon-coated fibrous filters. In short, this filter is very much the reason for the good results in the smoke test, but also for the good results in the tests in the kitchen and similar rooms where it is necessary to neutralize unpleasant odors.

How to Replace the Philips Series 800 Filter?

It is important to understand that the Philips Series 800 air purifier uses a filter that is not washable and needs to be replaced from time to time.

Fortunately, the filter on this model lasts up to 12 months, making it one of the longest-lasting filters on the market, comparable to the filters in some larger air purifiers such as the Coway AP-1512HH.

Philips uses a filter reset indicator that lets you know when it’s time to replace the filter. In addition to regular filter changes, I would definitely recommend maintaining and cleaning the pre-filter at least once a month, maybe twice a month.

However, if you are using the air purifier in a room with pets, then I would recommend more frequent cleaning due to the potentially higher build-up of dust, hair, and similar particles. By cleaning the pre-filter, you protect the HEPA filter and prolong its life, keeping the efficiency of the appliance at a high level at all times.

FAQ on Philips Series 800