OneLife X High-Tech Plasma Air Purifier – Test and Review

Full Review

OneLife X is a major refresh in the air purifier market. It is a device that does not require filter replacement, is very stylish, and, at the same time, is effective in purifying the air in your environment. This air purifier was recently successfully funded on Indiegogo, with an incredibly high response from users who recognized the quality and idea behind OneLife.

OneLife X is a small air purifier designed for spaces up to 270 sq. ft. and equipped with innovative plasma filtration technology. In addition, it uses a prefilter and a carbon filter as extra filtration stages.

All in all, a very nicely designed device and, in many ways, innovative and unique. The advanced air quality sensor, the possibility to connect to a smart app, and the automatic mode are the features that I would highlight as the most exciting and most important to mention on this device.

This device is made of the highest quality materials. It is very innovative.

I will tell you how efficient it is in this review. I will describe the performance tests, volume, and power consumption. I did all the tests personally.

How We Tested the OneLife X?

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 OneLife X 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 OneLife X 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 OneLife X 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 OneLife X is an air purifier intended for rooms up to 270 ft² (25 m²). In accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations on the room size for optimal use, we have tested it in the most suitable rooms and will present the results below.

I always find it fascinating to test air purifiers that use new filtration technologies, which differ significantly from standard HEPA filters. With plasma and similar technologies, I have generally noticed slightly slower filtration but with no reduction in effectiveness compared to HEPA filters. It’s the same for the OneLife X air purifier as well.

In addition to the standard tests we perform for all air purifiers, I have used the OneLife X in my living space during the day for much longer than some other air purifiers. I have noticed a significant improvement in air quality, especially in winter when the air where I currently live is very polluted. I feel an incredible difference in air quality when I come inside from outside into the room where the OneLife X is operating.

I think this air purifier is one of my favorites at the moment, and I will probably continue to use it every day, but not only because of its performance but also because of beautiful and modern design.

Testing in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) Room

In the first test, performed in a 194 sq. ft. (18 m²) room, I set up the OneLife X and put it in Boost Mode.

The device improved the air quality by about 89% in 60 minutes, which, in my opinion, is an excellent result considering the filtration technology.

This is a much better result than I expected. Furthermore, I left it running, and after an additional 60 minutes, it continued to improve the air quality.

When compared with some other air purifiers we also tested in the same room, its true that there are many better ones, but also many more worse as well. One of the best sellers, the Aroeve MK01, improved the air quality by about 82% in the same room size, but on the other hand, the Levoit Vital 100S improved the air quality by about 95%.

Testing in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) Room

In the second test, performed in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room, which is slightly larger than the recommended dimensions, the OneLife X improved air quality by about 76% in 60 minutes while running in Boost Mode.

The result of this test is slightly weaker than I expected, but as in the previous test, the device continued to improve air quality after an additional 60 minutes of operation.

These results confirm that the OneLife X has slightly lower performance in rooms larger than 270 sq. ft. (25 m²), which is why I wouldn’t recommend using it in larger rooms than the recommended.

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

The OneLife X actually surprised me in the smoke test, especially because it has a low CADR, which led me to believe it would clean the smoke very slowly.

However, it removed all the smoke incredibly fast, in just 41 seconds. I compared this result with similar air purifiers and must say it did well.

For example, the much larger Hathaspace HSP001 needed exactly the same time to remove all the smoke, but the much smaller Levoit Core 200S needed about 32 seconds. So, not only is the CADR important in this test, but also the filtration technology!

The OneLife X air purifier has two speeds and an auto mode. The manual fan speeds on this device are in sleep mode and boost mode. However, auto mode adjusts the fan speed based on the air quality in the room.

What really surprised me was the quality of the motor, which is very high quality and well-optimized in terms of CADR. I can say with confidence that I’ve never seen a better-optimized motor in air purifiers designed for rooms of a similar size to the OneLife X.

At its lowest speed, the OneLife X produces only 41.3 dBA, which is good to know if you plan to use an air purifier in your bedroom. However, when switched to sleep mode, the OneLife X doesn’t dim the unit’s indicators, and the indicator above the power button stays on. I find this very annoying if I use the air purifier in the bedroom.

Not many competitive air purifiers are this quiet. However, the Blueair 411 Auto with 41.6 dBA and the Levoit Core 200S with 42.1 dBA may also be great options for bedrooms.

The OneLife X is also very quiet at its maximum speed. It produces only 53.8 dBA, which is well below its competitors (refer to the chart provided for details).

Overall, the motor is very well optimized, and the device does not make a loud sound. I would rate the OneLife X as a very quiet air purifier, which I’m sure you will hardly notice when running in sleep mode.

The OneLife X is a small air purifier with a motor power of just 6W, making it a very low-power consumer.

If you run this air purifier at maximum speed, 24 hours daily, for one month, your electric bill would increase by about $0.82, which places it among the best-optimized air purifiers we tested.

As you can see on the chart above, only the Blueair 411 Auto consumes less energy at maximum speed, costing about $0.80 under the same conditions.

Considering its low-power motor, I’m positively surprised that the OneLife X has a CADR of 71 CFM.

If we add up all the costs, we can easily declare the OneLife X one of the most affordable air purifiers to maintain, if not the most affordable.

Filtration Technology

OneLife X uses an ionizer as the primary filtration method, which is essentially a special ionizing electrode that can remove 99.99% of airborne particles – as little as 0.01 micrometers.

OneLife X uses a 3-stage filtration consisting of a prefilter, a fan grid (primary filter), and a carbon filter, which is essentially optional and does not need to be used.

I have already encountered a similar type of filtration with the Airdog X3 air purifier, which I tested a few months ago. Both devices use a patented filtration technology; this technology also works on a very similar principle.

Thanks to the patented OneLife filter technology, 99.99% of all particles in the air are filtered out. Even the smallest pollutants and pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, don’t stand a chance.

OneLife X is built with a precision laser sensor detecting indoor air pollutants, humidity, and temperature. Its optimized axial fan produces a precise and targeted airflow that ensures clean air without disturbing noise.

Filter Unit – The Primary Filter

The primary filter unit is the largest filter in the OneLife X. It is the essential and most deserving filtration stage in this model. It is basically a removable plasma filter that ionizes particles as they float through the unit. This allows the filter to capture airborne particles and deposit them so that they do not continue to float around the room.

This filter is washable; it does not need a replacement; it just needs to be cleaned when the filter reset indicator lights up. OneLife X comes with a brush to make cleaning this filter easier.

Fan Grid – Pre-filter

The pre-filter is the first filtration stage; it is honeycomb-shaped and made of high-gloss metal. I don’t like this filter because the holes are bigger than they should be. So far, I have come across prefilters with much smaller holes extremely good at keeping out large dust particles and other similar particles.

This prefilter on the OneLife X leaves a little more particles than standard prefilters. Still, it will quickly stop hair, pet hair, and similar particles.

In any case, my strong recommendation is to clean the prefilter at least once a month, although OneLife suggests doing it every 6 months.

Carbon Filter

The carbon filter is the last stage of filtration; it is not included with the OneLife X but can be purchased if you wish when ordering the machine.

This filter improves gas filtration and certainly improves efficiency when filtering odors.

The carbon filter somewhat distorts the whole story of this air purifier, as it is the only filter that needs to be replaced on this device. In any case, as this filter is not very expensive, I would recommend that everyone buys it when ordering.

Does the OneLife X produce ozone?

According to a report made by the independent IUTA laboratory, the OneLife X does not produce illegal amounts of ozone.

The autonomous IUTA laboratory examination reveals that OneLife X is qualified to deliver an average of roughly 121 cubic meters of particulate-free air per hour, including viruses and little exhaled droplets that are potentially infected with viruses. The filtration efficiency for bigger exhaled droplets is even higher, resulting in a CADR of 131 cubic meters per hour.

IUTA also tested ozone emissions and discovered that OneLife X does not add ozone to the room even after 60 minutes of constant work. The laboratory stated, “The quantity of ozone emitted is quite below the 50 ppb limit specified by UL 867-37 with (1.6 ± 1.8) ppb.“

The ions are produced in a multi-stage plasma field, permitting the device to filter the air without making harmful ozone levels.

HEPA Vs Plasma

HEPA: Standard HEPA filters can’t seize viruses or particles less than 0.3 microns.
Plasma: Removes ultra-fine particles and viruses down to 0.01 microns.
HEPA: The fan has to rotate at high speeds to push air through the fiberglass mats inside the air filter, resulting in wasted energy and money.
Plasma: Plasma collector panels need low airflow for highly efficient function.

How to Wash the Primary Filter Unit?

The filter reset indicator lets you know when to clean this filter, which is, on average, every 3 months. 

Total Time: 15 minutes.

How to Clean the Pre-Filter?

The pre-filter and the primary filter are washable; they don’t need to be changed; they only need to be cleaned occasionally. As the manufacturer recommends, this should be done at least once every 6 months. 

Total Time: 10 minutes.

How to Change the Carbon Filter?

If you decide to replace the carbon filter, remember that it is not washable like other filters and should be replaced if necessary.

The replacement process is straightforward. Open the lid from the top, remove the carbon filter, replace it with a new one, and put the lid back. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Installation and Setup

OneLife X is an air purifier that requires some preparation before starting. The primary filter unit is packed in the device together with a prefilter. Still, some additional preparation is needed before switching on the device.

To start, tilt the main body forward, then immediately remove the top grid. Here you will notice the transport guard, which must be removed from the device as if it remains, it can block the airflow and, in the worst case, damage the motor.

The next step is to insert the carbon filter in its intended place, behind the back of the cover that you removed from the appliance in the previous step. Once you have done everything, put the cover back on the main body, and you are done with the preparation. You can now connect the power cord to the power supply and switch on the device without fear.

The optional next step is to connect the smartphone app to the device. This will open up the possibility of some options not available on the device itself, as well as the possibility of monitoring the current air quality directly on your smartphone.

Design

The OneLife X is one of the most beautiful air purifiers I have tried so far. It exudes a luxurious look, superior build quality, and an unusual design that fits into almost any ambiance. This air purifier is made from premium materials, with bamboo and recycled PET.

The device is rectangular in shape, made of a bamboo casing and a plastic part in the middle that rotates up and down. This part can turn at angles of 0°, 22,5°, 45°, 67,5°, and 90°.

The frame of OneLife X is made of natural bamboo, while the plastic part is white. There is a plastic cover on the front and back, covered with a grey fabric by default, and another set, black, comes with the device.

I have tried many air purifiers, and I can say that this one is one of the most unique and beautifully designed air purifiers I have had the opportunity to test so far.

The OneLife X is easy to carry, has a long enough power cord, fits into almost any ambiance, and gives your room an extra touch of charm.

Control Button

At the top, at the top, there is a control button. The button responds to each press by switching between operating modes. In addition, the button is used to help connect the air purifier to a smartphone.

The OneLife X is a minimal device that is very easy to use, even though it has only one control button. For slightly more advanced users, a Smart App is a little richer in controls and options.

Airflow

OneLife X is rectangular in shape, consisting of a frame to which the main part of the device is attached. The device is designed so that the main part moves up and down, giving us the possibility to control the airflow ourselves.

OneLife X draws air through openings on the underside of the main body of the device, which is then filtered and exits through openings on the top of the main body.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 8.8 lb (4 kg). The dimensions of the device are 15.9 x 7.4 x 7.4 in. Maximum tilting depth: 13.9 in. It is a very lightweight device, convenient to carry and install in any location, whether on the floor, a closet, or a desk; OneLife X fits perfectly.

What’s in the box?

When buying the OneLife X air purifier, you get OneLife X, a power cord, a fan net, a carbon filter, and a user manual. I recommend you go back to the beginning of the text, where I explain the steps to be taken before the first start. Do not skip anything to install this device correctly.

Features Overview

The OneLife X is a minimal air purifier that does not have many features built directly into the device. You can switch modes directly on the device, monitor your current air quality, and be notified when it’s time to change the filter.

Connecting OneLife X to a smart app opens up a whole new range of possibilities, as well as new screens and graphs for air quality readings.

Air Quality Sensor

OneLife X uses a laser sensor designed to detect airborne particles of PM10 (as pollen), PM2.5 (as dust), and PM 1.0 (as smoke), as well as the humidity and temperature of the area.

The sensor is integrated into the device. It is a high-quality and accurate monitoring tool. I have tested it and compared it with air quality measuring devices. I can say that it is one of the most precise sensors I have had the opportunity to encounter on air purifiers so far.

Air Quality Indicator

The air quality indicator is an LED light located above the start button.

This indicator gathers information about the current air pollution from the air quality sensor. It lights up a different color based on the air quality.

If it glows green, the air quality in your environment is good. If it glows dark yellow, the air quality could be better. If it glows strongly purple, the air quality in your room is extremely poor.

You can get a much more detailed view of air quality on the smartphone app available for Android and iOS devices.

Auto Mode

Auto mode is another option that works with the air quality sensor. Suppose the device is switched to auto mode. In that case, it will monitor the current indoor air quality and change the operating mode based on the current indoor air quality. This mode is a great way to turn on the air purifier and forget about it while keeping the air in your living space clean.

OneLife X has a combined auto mode with ultra-low energy consumption and washable filters. Hence, OneLife X is the ideal combination of efficiency and price.

Filter Reset Indicator

The filter reset indicator is a great option to let you know when to clean the filter. This indicator lets you know when to clean the primary filter. However, I definitely recommend cleaning the prefilter as needed and much sooner than the primary filter. The indicator is located next to the buttons; it is the last indicator in the row on the display panel.

The indicator can also be accessed via a smartphone app in a slightly more graphically accessible format.

Smart App

OneLife X uses a smart app that is available for Android and iOS devices. Given that the app is still in development and the developers are still refining and correcting it, I was, unfortunately, unable to connect OneLife X to the app. However, this is no reason not to touch on some of the great features offered by this app.

It is a very nicely designed app with fantastic UI and UX features. If you connect OneLife X to the app, new controls and views open up. I would highlight the real-time overview of the current indoor air quality and the detailed overview of the air quality for specific hours. Just below the instant air quality display is an ambient air quality display based on the location you entered when setting up the app.

I hope that OneLife X will soon resolve the connectivity issue and that I will be able to connect OneLife to the Smart app.

FAQ About OneLife X