Leitz TruSens Z-1000 Air Purifier Review – Powerful Enough?

Full Review

TruSens is an exciting brand on the market, known for products that combine elegance with unique design.

In this review, I’ll be focusing on the smallest TruSens model: the TruSens Z-1000 air purifier.

The TruSens Z-1000 is a compact air purifier designed for rooms up to 88 sq. ft. (8.2 m²). It features PureDirect technology and uses a DuPont HEPA-type filter.

TruSens sells its air purifiers globally, and the area of their reach is impressive—you’ll notice this immediately when you open the user manual, which is translated into than 25 languages. Because of this wide availability, it would be a shame not to review this TruSens air purifier.

The Z-1000 competes with many popular air purifiers in a similar or even higher price range, including brands like Xiaomi, Levoit, and Philips. Each of these brands has its own strengths and weaknesses, and I’m excited to compare TruSens with the others mentioned.

Some interesting features of the Z-1000 include its 360-degree air inlet, easy-to-use controls, and built-in UV-C light.

Although I’m impressed by the elegance of the TruSens Z-1000, there are still a few aspects that keep it from being my top choice for daily use.

Read on to discover the advantages and drawbacks of this model in my full review.

How We Tested the TruSens Z-1000?

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 TruSens Z-1000 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 TruSens Z-1000 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 TruSens Z-1000 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 Leitz TruSens Z-1000 is a small air purifier with a CADR of 56 CFM (95 m³/h), making it ideal for rooms up to 88 sq. ft. (8.2 m²). This is a relatively small coverage area and is comparable to some much smaller air purifiers, such as the Levoit Core Mini.

The air purifier is equipped with a DuPont HEPA filter, which contributes to its strong performance, as well as PureDirect technology. This innovative technology splits purified air into two streams, efficiently distributing clean air throughout the room.

To be honest, I didn’t expect the TruSens Z-1000 to perform as well as some top-notch air purifiers, mainly because it uses a HEPA-type filter.

However, this model truly surprised me and performed very well in all of the tests. My only complaint is its somewhat weaker performance in eliminating bad odors.

Testing in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) Room

In the first test, we tested the TruSens Z-1000 in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, which is slightly larger than the recommended size.

However, it delivered excellent results.

We placed the device in the room at maximum speed and let it run for 60 minutes. During this time, the Z-1000 improved the air quality by an impressive 93%, reducing the PM2.5 concentration from 99.7 to 6.7 µg/m³.

Compared to similar air purifiers, this is an outstanding result. As shown in the chart where I compared several similar devices, only the Xiaomi 4 Compact performed better in this test, improving air quality by 94%.

Testing in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) Room

In the second test, we placed the TruSens Z-1000 in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room and ran it at maximum speed.

In just 60 minutes, the TruSens Z-1000 improved air quality by approximately 91%, which is an excellent result—especially considering that this room is much larger than the unit’s recommended coverage.

I didn’t expect such a powerful performance, and I can say the Z-1000 truly surprised me. Whether this is due to the DuPont filter, the UV-C light, or both, the most important thing is that the Z-1000 significantly improves the air quality in your room.

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

We tested the performance of the TruSens Z-1000 in our unique smoke test.

This small air purifier managed to remove all the smoke from the glass box in just 40 seconds while operating at maximum speed.

While this is a solid result for such a compact air purifier, it’s clear that some competitors in the same class performed even better (see the chart).

For example, the Levoit Core 300 removed all the smoke in just 20 seconds, while the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG was slower, needing 44 seconds to clear the box.

The TruSens Z-1000 is equipped with three fan speeds. In my opinion, the lack of a sleep mode and the fact that it only has three speeds are disadvantages; it would be much better if it offered at least one more speed.

Without a sleep mode, the Z-1000 isn’t as quiet on its lowest setting as some competing devices that do include this feature. At its lowest speed, the Z-1000 produces 43.8 dBA of noise.

As shown in the chart, it ranks as one of the loudest air purifiers in its class.

For comparison, the Coway Airmega 100 produces only 40.3 dBA at its lowest speed.

At maximum speed (turbo mode), the TruSens Z-1000 reaches 64.4 dBA, which is also quite loud for its CADR output.

There are several similar air purifiers that are better optimized for noise at higher speeds as well. For example, the Bosch Air 2000 produces only 62.7 dBA at maximum speed.

Overall, I would say that the TruSens Z-1000 could be better optimized for noise, and I would also prefer if it offered at least one or two additional fan speeds.

The TruSens Z-1000 is powered by a 40W motor, which is optimal for this device but slightly higher than the power consumption of some competing air purifiers.

If you were to use the TruSens Z-1000 every day, 24 hours a day, for one month at maximum speed, your electricity bill would increase by $3.61.

Although this isn’t a huge cost, the chart below shows that some similar air purifiers cost much less to run.

For example, the Blueair 511i Max would cost you approximately $1.56 under the same conditions.

In addition to electricity costs, there are also filter replacement costs—every 12–15 months for the HEPA filter and every 3–4 months for the carbon pre-filter.

However, keep in mind that these are the manufacturer’s recommended replacement intervals, and actual lifespan may vary depending on your usage and environment.

While the replacement filters are slightly more expensive, their long lifespan and the device’s low power consumption make the TruSens Z-1000 affordable to maintain on an annual basis.

Installation and Setup

TruSens comes fully packaged, and specific preparations must be made before the first start-up. All you need to do is open the cover on the bottom of the unit, remove the filter, and unpack it. Then, return the filter to the device and close the lid.

I recommend that the TruSens be placed at least 15 inches away from walls or other objects. Once you have set it where you want it, turn it on and start enjoying the fresh air.

Design

TruSens Z-1000 is round in shape, with the filter at the bottom and the motor at the top. The device is almost identical to many competing air purifiers in this price range, but with some unique details such as the carrying handle, which is phenomenally designed.

TruSens is designed for your lifestyle. The focus is to use an air purifier that is beautifully designed, easy to use, and valuable for your living space. Trust TruSens and enjoy clean air. The Z-1000 is available in white or dark grey. The model I used for this test is white, except for the grilles on the top, which are black, and the control panel, which is grey.

The build quality of this TruSens model is of the highest standard, and I have no complaints about this. In addition, the plastic is of excellent quality, and I am simply amazed that an air purifier in this price range can be of this quality. The power cord is almost 6 feet long, which is a standard length and not significantly different from the competition.

This lightweight air purifier with a premium design easily fits into any ambiance.

Device Control

The control panel of the Leitz TruSens Z-1000 is located at the top. The control panel has buttons for operating the device and all the necessary indicators. As this model does not have many additional options, the number of buttons and indicators on the panel is small.

On the control panel, you can see the “Power button,” which is used to switch the device on or off. The “Fan speed” button is used to switch the fan speed. It is possible to select speed 1, speed 2, and Turbo mode. There is also a “UV” button that switches the UV-C light on or off. In addition to the above buttons, another button is only visible when it is time to change the filter. This is the “Reset” button, the purpose of which is to reset the filter reset indicators.

The indicators on this model are the indicators that show the current operating mode, which are 1, 2, or Turbo, the UV light indicator, and also the filter change time indicator, namely the HEPA indicator and the carbon indicator. The buttons are touch-sensitive, accessible, and very well arranged, making the device easy to operate.

Airflow (PureDirect technology)

PureDirect’s proprietary technology splits the cleaner air into two streams, allowing the purified air to be conveniently and efficiently distributed throughout the room.

The TruSens Z-1000 filters are located on the bottom, and the filters are 360 degrees, meaning the unit draws in air from all sides. After filtering, the filtered air exits through the vents on the top of the device, which are split into two parts by PureDirect technology.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 7.7 lb (3,5 kg). Dimensions of the device are 11,02 x 10,83 x 21,46 inches. TruSens Z-1000 is a very lightweight air purifier that is convenient to carry.

What’s in the box?

You get a Leitz TruSens Z-1000 air purifier, HEPA filter, and user manual when you buy the device. The packaging of the TruSens Z-1000 is entirely secure. The designers have thought of all the details, so you don’t have to worry whether the device will get damaged during transport.

Features Overview

Overall, the TruSens Z-1000 doesn’t have a lot of extra features, and in my opinion, it is a bit weak when it comes to features. Comparing the Z-1000 with other models in the TruSens series, such as the Z-2000 or Z-3000, I concluded that they have significantly more advanced options than this model.

The only features I would single out are the air quality sensor, the auto mode, and the air quality indicator. It is a pity that the Z-1000 is inferior to the other two models mentioned and doesn’t have these features.

Another significant difference is that the Z-1000 uses a HEPA-type filter, whereas the other models in the series use a True HEPA filter. But let’s see what features are available in the Z-1000.

Filter Reset Indicator

A filter reset indicator is a great option and indispensable in air purifiers.

The need for this option is particularly pronounced with the TruSens Z-1000 because it requires different change times for HEPA and Carbon filters.

Therefore, TruSens uses two indicators: a HEPA indicator that informs you that the filter is worn out. The second is a Carbon indicator that tells you that the Carbon filter is worn out (usually changed more frequently). We have already seen a system similar to the Coway Mighty air purifier.

When the filter reset indicators appear, a “Reset” button appears below them, which is used to reset the filter’s life counter and is used immediately after new filters have been inserted into the unit.

UV-C light

TruSens Z-1000 uses UV-C light as the filtration rate. The UV-C light is attached to the device but is positioned so that it is in the center of the filter when the filter is inserted into the machine.

A direct stare at the light from the bulb in this device may damage the skin or eyes. Always disconnect the power supply before changing or servicing. Replace the bulb with UVLZ1000-01, manufactured by ACCO Brands. Since the UV-C light is surrounded by a filter, you do not have to worry that you may come into contact with the light and that it may harm you in any way.

It is important to note that the Z-1000 does not produce harmful ozone and is CARB-certified.

Warranty

Leitz offers a 2-year warranty on the TruSens Z-1000. The warranty is active from the date of purchase. No additional registration or login is required to activate the warranty.

Room coverage and CADR

TruSens Z-1000 is designed for rooms up to 88 sq. ft. (8.2 m²). In this room, TuSens will clean the air two times in 60 minutes. The CADR TruSens Z-1000 values are smoke 56 CFM (164m3/h) / dust 84 CFM (143m3/h) / pollen 96 CFM (164m3/h).

This CADR is somewhere in the middle when compared to models in a similar price range. For example, the Blueair 411 is a direct competitor to the TruSens Z-1000, but the CADR of Blueair 411 is slightly higher at smoke 105 CFM / dust 120 CFM / pollen 120 CFM.

Based on the recommended dimensions, the TruSens Z-1000 is best used in the living room, study, or even in the bedroom if the slightly higher noise at first speed is not a problem.

Filtration Technology

The TruSens Z-1000 air purifier uses a 3-stage filtration consisting of a carbon pre-filter, a DuPont HEPA filter, and UV-C light. The filter is cylindrical, with a hollow core through the center. Honestly, it’s a bit smaller than I expected. It is positioned at the bottom and proportionally takes up about 1/4 of the unit.

The Leitz TruSens Z-1000 does not have a true HEPA filter, but all other models in the TruSens series (Z-2000 and Z-3000) do.

The main differences between HEPA and True HEPA filters are the filtering efficiency. In general, HEPA-type filters have a 99% capture efficiency for particles as small as 2 microns. True HEPA filters have a better efficiency rate of 99.97% for particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Carbon Pre-filter

The first filtration stage is a carbon pre-filter that can trap large pollutants and remove odors, cooking smells, and smoke from the air.

The Z-1000 uses a carbon-coated fiber filter, which is not the best option. I think this is one of the reasons for the slightly lower performance in gas filtration. I would not recommend using the TruSens Z-1000 air purifier if your primary goal is to neutralize odors.

HEPA Filter

The HEPA filter is the third stage of filtration. The TruSens Z-1000 uses a HEPA filter, which is inferior to the True HEPA filter.

DuPont 360-degree HEPA filtration captures contaminants such as airborne viruses, allergens, and some VOC gases. DuPont is a science company known for quality and innovative materials, and the DuPont filters in the TruSens air purifier are no exception.

The filtration system consists of a pre-filter that traps large allergens, a true HEPA filter that traps 0.3-micron or larger allergens, and a carbon filter that neutralizes odors. Each filter layer wraps around the drum for easy removal. The HEPA filter neutralizes particles such as dust, smoke, pollen, and odor.

UV-C light

UV-C light is the final stage of filtration. Ultraviolet light (UV-C) kills germs and bacteria trapped in the filter. I like the position of the UV-C light because it makes it easier to kill germs from the air.

With UV sterilization, TruSens can kill 99.8% of dangerous germs and bacteria in the air. It also reduces the growth of odor-causing microbes on the filter surface. The UV-C light on the TruSens Z-1000 needs 3W, which is almost similar to the UV-C light on some other air purifiers I have tested, such as the GermGuardian AC4825 or FIWOTTTDA.

Very importantly, and I would like to mention again, the TruSens Z-1000 is CARB-certified. It does not produce dangerous amounts of ozone, and it is allowed in California.

How to Replace the TruSens Z-1000 Filter?

The lifetime of the TruSens Z-1000 filter is somewhat specific, especially as each filter on the device has a different lifetime. Specifically, the carbon pre-filter lasts on average between 3-4 months, the HEPA filter lasts on average between 12-15 months, and the UV-C light lasts 2-3 years.

The lifetime of the HEPA filter is mainly dependent on the maintenance of the device, so I recommend everyone to clean the carbon pre-filter with a vacuum cleaner at least once a month, as this extends the lifetime of the HEPA filter and keeps the quality of the filtration at the highest level at all times.

Total time: 5 minutes.

FAQ on TruSens Z-1000