RENPHO Air Purifier (RP-AP088W) – Hands-on Review

Full Review

The RENPHO RP-AP088W is the first air purifier from this brand that I’ve bought and tested.

RENPHO is better known for other electronic products and offers a wide range of product lines, so air purifiers are not its primary focus.

Yet, the RENPHO RP-AP088W is a solid air purifier and, in my opinion, performs better than many similar models in its category.

It’s a cylindrical device with a minimalist design. It lacks advanced features but offers a pretty good filtration technology.

In this article, I’ll analyze its specifications, performance, noise levels, power consumption, and other key aspects to help you decide how good this RENPHO air purifier really is and whether it’s the right choice for you.

How We Tested the RENPHO RP-AP088W?

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 RENPHO RP-AP088W in two separate performance tests, one in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room and the other 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 RENPHO RP-AP088W 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 RENPHO RP-AP088W 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 RENPHO RP-AP088W is a compact air purifier intended for rooms up to 220 sq. ft. (20 m²). At this room size, it can clean the air 4.8 times per hour.

I’d say it’s best suited for smaller spaces such as a small bedroom, a children’s room, a home office, a compact living room, or similar areas.

In addition to using the RENPHO air purifier in my home for some time, we also tested it in our predefined test rooms, just as we do with every air purifier.

From everyday use, I noticed that the RENPHO RP-AP088W performs slightly worse at neutralizing odors, smoke, and similar pollutants.

However, when it comes to capturing airborne particles, its performance is comparable to other air purifiers in this price range.

Testing in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) Room

In the first test, performed in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room, which is slightly smaller than the recommended size, the RENPHO delivered excellent results.

After running at maximum speed for 60 minutes, it improved the air quality by about 91%, reducing the AQI from 136 to 12.

I’d say this is a very good result and a clear indication that the RENPHO is effective at capturing airborne pollutants.

Testing in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) Room

In the second test, we placed it in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, which is much closer to the recommended dimensions for this air purifier. After 60 minutes of operation at maximum speed, the RENPHO improved air quality in this room by about 89%, which is also an excellent result.

For comparison, the Xiaomi 4 Compact improved air quality by 94% in the same room, while the Shark NeverChange achieved an improvement of about 92%.

Honestly, this test is more important than the previous one, mainly because the room size is closer to the recommended dimensions. I have to say that I’m satisfied with the result, although some air purifiers with similar specifications have achieved noticeably better results in the same test.

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

We tested the RENPHO RP-AP088W in our smoke removal test by placing it inside a glass box, which we then filled with smoke.

The RENPHO RP-AP088W needed 31 seconds to remove all the smoke, which is quite fast considering the size of its filter and the power of the unit.

In comparison, it ranks somewhere in the middle among similar air purifiers. For example, the Levoit Core 200S needed 32 seconds to remove all the smoke from the box.

While the RENPHO RP-AP088W didn’t achieve the best result in its class, it performed better than I expected in this test.

When measuring noise, we use a special sound level meter that records noise levels on a dBA scale. This is why our results may differ from the manufacturer’s specifications, which are typically measured under laboratory conditions.

We measured the noise levels of the RENPHO RP-AP088W at all fan speeds. At the lowest speed (sleep mode), it’s slightly louder than some similar air purifiers I’ve tested that also feature a sleep mode, producing only 43.6 dBA. By comparison, the Levoit Core 300S produces 41.4 dBA at its lowest speed.

It is also louder at maximum speed than many comparable air purifiers. At this setting, it produces 65.4 dBA, which places it near the top of our rankings as one of the loudest air purifiers at maximum speed.

For reference, the Coway Airmega 150 produces only 59.2 dBA at maximum speed while offering a similar CADR.

In short, I don’t think you’ll notice it much in everyday use, except when using it in a bedroom, where the higher noise levels may affect sleep.

Given that the RENPHO RP-AP088W is a very small air purifier, I expected it to use a weaker motor and consume less electricity. Instead, it uses a 32W motor.

At maximum speed, it consumes about 31.8W, which is reasonable.

However, in sleep mode, it still draws around 20.1W, which is higher than expected. In my opinion, the engineers could have optimized power consumption better, especially at lower fan speeds.

It’s also worth noting that the night light consumes less than 1W, which is negligible.

Let’s translate the power consumption into real-world costs. If you were to run the RENPHO RP-AP088W at maximum speed, 24 hours a day for one month, your electricity bill would increase by about $2.79.

Frankly, this is a high operating cost for such a small air purifier. By comparison, the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG would cost about $1.16 under the same conditions, while the Morento MR2566 would cost roughly $0.52.

In addition to electricity costs, there is also the cost of replacement filters, which need to be replaced approximately every 6 to 8 months.

Considering the relatively high price of replacement filters, which is comparable to those of some much larger air purifiers, and the less-than-optimal power efficiency, I can’t say that the RENPHO RP-AP088W is affordable to maintain.

Setup and Installation

The most important thing to do before using the RENPHO air purifier for the first time is to prepare the filter. The filter is supplied with the device, packaged, and located at the bottom of the device. You need to remove the filter from the device, remove it from the protective bag, and put it back into the machine.

In addition, I advise you to peel off all the protective strips and foils from the device. With these steps completed, you are ready to place the air purifier comfortably in the desired location, connect it to the electricity and switch it on. Please note that under no circumstances should you block the air inlets, so I recommend moving the machine at least 10 inches away from walls and other objects.

Design

The RENPHO air purifier has a cylindrical shape, reminiscent of many similar air purifiers currently available on the market. This model is characterized by being fully sculpted, and the plastic is not smooth, which is an interesting design addition.

It consists of two parts, the filter on the lower half and the motor and control panel on the upper half. The LED light is just below the control panel, which is initially white; however, it can be set to glow in 7 different colors.

The build quality is OK, and the plastic is OK, but nothing too sensational. It doesn’t have a carrying handle, but it is compact and light and can easily move from place to place. It is available in black or white, so I think it can easily fit into almost any environment. For the purposes of this review, I purchased the RENPHO RP-AP088W, which is white.

Controls and Indicators

The control panel, consisting of control buttons and indicators, is located on the top side of the device. The buttons are touch-sensitive enough, but in my opinion, they are too close to each other. The icons on the buttons are a bit outdated and oversized.

Each button is an indicator of its own so that when it is active, it glows blue. On the left, you can see the timer indicators and fan speed indicators on the right. The buttons on this device are; filter change indicator, night light, sleep mode, child lock, timer, power, and fan speed.

Overall, this air purifier is very easy to use, but an addition such as a smart app or remote control would be very useful and would make daily use much easier.

Airflow

The RENPHO RP-AP088W is a cylindrical purifier with air inlets distributed on the lower half of the unit, on all sides. The air is drawn in through these openings, then filtered, and exits through the grilles on the top side.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 6.85 lb (3,1 kg). The dimensions of the machine are 8.5 x 8.5 x 14.25 inches (21,6 x 21,6 x 36,2 cm). The RENPHO AP088W is a small air purifier, it is very compact, and even if it does not have a carrying handle, you will have no problems moving it from room to room.

What’s in the box?

When you buy the device, you will receive a RENPHO RP-AP088W air purifier, user manual, and warranty card. Before you start using this device, I recommend you read the preparations before the first start-up, which I described in detail at the beginning of this review.

Features Overview

The RENPHO air purifier does not have many advanced features to boast about. This air purifier is not smart. It has no remote control, auto mode, and air quality sensor, but it has enough options for everyday use.

Although there are a few options, some will make the device easier to use. Find out what these options are, what they are for, and what the RENPHO RP-AP088W offers below.

Sleep Mode

Sleep mode is a fantastic option, especially if you like me and need an air purifier in your bedroom. This mode basically switches the fan speed to the lowest speed and turns off all the indicators on the device. Sounds ideal, as it should be if you use an air purifier in your bedroom.

The problem with the sleep mode on the RENPHO air purifier is that this air purifier is slightly louder in this mode than the competition. You will find a much better device for this specific situation in a similar price range. You can read more about what I’m talking about in the device’s loudness tests.

Night Light

The night light is a soft ambient light located between the air outlet grilles and the controls. This light can be a perfect addition if you plan to use the air purifier in a living room, office, or similar room. The night light initially glows white and has the option of automatically switching between 7 different colors, which blend very well in some environments.

Timer

A timer is kind of a standard option, and not many air purifiers on the market have this option. The timer sets the time you want the device to turn itself off. When it comes to the RENPHO RP-AP088W, this time can be 2h, 4h, or 8h.

Child Lock

This is another option that can be very useful, especially if you have young children. Basically, the child lock option locks all the controls on the control panel, preventing accidental or deliberate switching between operating modes and switching the device off.

Filter Reset Indicator

As the name suggests, the filter reset indicator is an indicator that lets you know when it is time to change the filter. On average, this indicator lights up red every 6-8 months to alert you when the filter needs to be changed.

Filtration Technology

The RENPHO RP-AP088W uses a cylindrical filter located on the bottom half of the device. What’s interesting about the filtration is that RENPHO claims that this air purifier has a 5-stage filtration technology, but I can’t agree that the last stage, designed to save the carbon pellets from being wasted, is effective.

Although RENPHO claims to use 5-stage filtration technology, I cannot agree that some layers are effective in filtering anything, so I consider this device to have 4-stage filtration, which I will describe in more detail below.

Basically, the filter quality on this device is fine, as confirmed by the performance tests. The fact that it uses a True HEPA filter, as well as the fact that it uses a pellet-based carbon filter, is very important. I would also like to point out that this filter is not washable, which means that it needs to be changed from time to time when the filter reset indicator, located on the control panel, lights up.

Pre-filter

The pre-filter is the first stage of filtration. Its purpose is to collect larger particles of dust, fibers, lint, and the like to protect and extend the life of the True HEPA filter.

The fact that it is the first to be impacted is the reason why this filter gets dirty very quickly, especially in an environment with pets. I recommend cleaning this filter regularly with a vacuum cleaner or dry cloth at least once a month.

Intercept Coating

This is the second stage of filtration, which aims to remove five allergens from the air. Although it is an interesting level of filtration, I still believe that the True HEPA filter is much more effective at removing allergens.

True HEPA Filter

The True HEPA filter is the third and, in my opinion, the most essential level of filtration on this device. A True HEPA filter removes 99.97% airborne particles down to 0.3 microns. This means that this filter removes dust, pollen, smoke, pet hair, and other particles that may be found in the household.

Activated Carbon Filter

The activated carbon filter is the final filtration stage and is designed to neutralize odors. It is commendable that RENPHO uses a pellet-based carbon filter, but I cannot say that I am satisfied with its performance in neutralizing odors.

How to Replace the RENPHO Filter?

This air purifier does not use washable filters, so you need to change the filter occasionally. The RENPHO RP-AP088W filter lasts 6 to 8 months. Fortunately, this air purifier has a filter reset indicator that lets you know when to change the filter. This means you don’t have to manually track when you need to change the filter.

FAQ on RENPHO Air Purifier