DREO Macro Max S: Smart Air Purifier Test & Review

Full Review

More and more air purifiers are now equipped with smart features such as air quality sensors, air quality indicators, auto mode, smart apps, and other advanced options. Simply put, the market is evolving, and brands are becoming increasingly competitive.

In this review, I will present an in-depth test and review of an air purifier from DREO, a brand that has only recently started offering air purifiers.

The DREO Macro Max S is a smart air purifier designed for rooms up to 423 sq. ft. (39 m²), featuring exciting capabilities and great build quality. It’s equipped with three levels of high-quality filtration layers.

This air purifier has pleasantly surprised me in many tests. I didn’t expect that a relatively new brand in the air purifier market could deliver such an impressive device.

I encountered no issues while using the device. Even the smart app worked flawlessly, which isn’t the case with some much more expensive air purifiers (e.g., the Molekule Air, which I couldn’t connect to the smart app).

In short, this review will provide a detailed explanation of all the features the DREO Macro Max S offers, including test results, noise levels, operating costs, and an overview of the smart app.

So sit back, relax, and dive into this in-depth review—you might just discover that the DREO could be the perfect air purifier for you.

How We Tested the DREO Macro Max S?

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 DREO Macro Max S in two separate performance tests, one in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room and the other in a 560 sq. ft. (52 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the DREO Macro Max S 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 DREO Macro Max S 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 DREO Macro Max S isn’t a very large air purifier, but it has a powerful motor that offers a CADR of 273 CFM (464 m³/h), allowing it to cover rooms of up to 423 sq. ft. (39 m²).

This air purifier cleans the air in a room of the recomended size 4.8 times per hour.

To evaluate its performance, we ran two tests, which I will detail below. One was in a room slightly smaller than the recommended size, and the other was in a room slightly larger to assess the device’s capabilities.

The DREO uses TurboPure X enhanced aerodynamics, which boosts performance for an impressive 50% faster cleaning.

Additionally, I tested the DREO in various everyday situations. For example, it was highly effective at neutralizing odors and performed well in the kitchen. It also neutralizes the smell of smoke quickly and efficiently.

Testing in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) Room

In the first test, we placed the DREO Macro Max S in a 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room and measured how much it improved air quality while running at maximum speed for 60 minutes.

The DREO Macro Max S reduced the PM2.5 particulate matter from 104 to 5.2 µg/m³, achieving a 96% improvement in air quality.

As shown in the chart above, it ranks near the top and stands out as one of the best-performing air purifiers in our 320 sq. ft. (30 m²) room test.

To be honest, I’m positively surprised and impressed with the results of this test, which confirm the high quality of the H13 HEPA filter used by this air purifier.

Testing in a 560 sq. ft. (52 m²) Room

In the second test, performed in a 560 sq. ft. (52 m²) room, the DREO Macro Max S delivered good results, though not as impressive as in the previous test.

However, despite the room being larger than the recommended size, the DREO Macro Max S managed to improve air quality by 88% in just 60 minutes while running at maximum speed the entire time.

Performance – Smoke Removal Test

The DREO air purifier uses three-stage filtration technology and has a CADR of 273 CFM (464 m³/h), which is why it achieved one of the best results in the smoke test.

It took only 17 seconds to remove all the smoke from the glass box, placing it in the same range as some top-rated air purifiers, such as the Coway AP-1512HH (which took 18 seconds) and the Levoit Core 400S (which took 15 seconds).

Overall, the DREO Macro Max S performed excellently in this test, reinforcing its reputation as a powerful and efficient air purifier.

I can’t help but say that I’m amazed by the number of fan speeds this air purifier offers.

In addition to the standard five fan speeds that you can select directly on the control panel, there is also a manual speed selection via the smart app, which allows you to choose between 18 different speeds. This makes it much easier to find the perfect setting to suit your needs.

Additionally, it uses a brushless motor that produces significantly less noise than standard motors.

When testing noise levels, we didn’t test the manual mode, but we did run tests on the five main fan speeds using a specialized noise level measurement tool, the same one we use for all our reviews.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the results, especially in sleep mode, where the DREO produces just 42.1 dBA. This is excellent, particularly if you plan to use the air purifier in the bedroom.

For comparison, this is only slightly louder than the 41.2 dBA produced by the Alen FLEX at its lowest speed, which is ranked as one of the quietest air purifiers we’ve tested.

In turbo mode, the highest setting on this device, it produces a sound of 64.7 dBA. While this is much louder than in sleep mode and other speeds, it’s important to remember that this is when the device is at its most efficient.

All in all, the DREO Macro Max S performed very well in the noise tests, and I believe you will easily find a balance between fan speed and noise, especially with the manual mode. I highly recommend this air purifier for bedrooms!

Although the DREO Macro Max S uses a 56W motor, I must say that I’m satisfied with its power consumption and believe this is a very well-optimized air purifier.

It consumes only 6.3W in low mode, while in turbo mode, it consumes 36.1W. This means that if you used this air purifier in turbo mode 24 hours a day for a month, your electricity bill would increase by approximately $3.16. This isn’t a significant cost, especially considering the airflow this air purifier provides.

When compared to other air purifiers in the same class, the DREO Macro Max S is one of the most energy-efficient. For instance, the Winix 5500-2 would cost you about $5.08 under the same conditions, which is significantly higher, particularly when considering that the DREO has a larger CADR.

In addition to electricity costs, there are also filter replacement costs, which typically occur about twice a year.

Fortunately, the cost of replacement filters isn’t high. Interestingly, when analyzing the price of replacement filters, electricity consumption, and the device’s price, I found that this air purifier is almost identical to the Levoit Core 400S. It will be a pleasure to compare these two and see which performs better.

In summary, considering both the power consumption and the price of replacement filters, we can conclude that the DREO Macro Max S is affordable for annual maintenance.

Filtration Technology

The DREO uses a 3-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre-filter, an H13 True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter. The filter is cylindrical in shape, identical to many air purifiers of similar design. It is located in the lower part and occupies almost half of the unit. It is surrounded by air inlets at the sides and rear.

I do not recommend washing the filter as it is not washable. The HEPA is essentially a paper filter that, if crushed, would most likely fall apart and almost certainly lose its effectiveness. It is also important to note that the DREO is CARB certified, which means that it is approved by strict California law and is entirely safe to use. It also means that it produces ozone in the quantities the law allows or not at all.

This filter should never be exposed to a humid environment or soaked in water, as damage is guaranteed.

Pre-filter

The pre-filter is the first stage of filtration. It is essentially a nylon mesh attached to the HEPA filter. It is designed to trap any large particles, such as hair, large dust particles, and other dirt, thus extending the life of the HEPA filter.

It is essential to clean this filter at least 1-2 times a month, either with a vacuum cleaner or with a dry cloth. This way, the filtration will be much better, and the HEPA filter will last longer.

H13 True HEPA Filter

The H13 HEPA filter is the second level of filtration. This filter is medical grade, which means it can be used in hospitals and is much more efficient than HEPA, H12 HEPA, and similar filters.

DREO claims that this filter traps 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 μm in size, including allergens, pet dander, and pollen. In addition, the SGC filter is tested to filter out certain bacteria. Overall, the quality of this filter has been confirmed in our performance tests, where the DREO Macro Max S achieved fantastic results.

Activated Carbon Filter

The third filtration stage is the pellet-based activated carbon filter, which aims to neutralize odors. This filter neutralizes various odors, smoke, harmful gases, and VOCs. It is ideal for households with pets, in the kitchen, and in smoking rooms.

I must mention that I tested the DREO for some time in the kitchen, and it gave okay results!

How to Replace the DREO Filter?

This air purifier uses non-washable filters, which cannot be washed and need to be replaced from time to time. You don’t have to manually keep track of the replacement time because the DREO has a filter reset indicator that will let you know when it’s time to change the filter. You will receive the notification directly on your device and via the smartphone app.

The filter on the DREO Macro Max S lasts 6-8 months on average. In addition to regular filter changes, it would be a good idea to clean the pre-filter (first layer of filtration) two times per month. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or with a dry cloth.

So, when the filter reset indicator lights up, the filter needs to be changed. The replacement process itself is straightforward and consists of only a few steps:

Total time: 10 minutes.

Setup and Installation

Before switching on the DREO air purifier, you must make specific preparations, mainly for unpacking and getting ready for first-time use.

First, unpack the air purifier from the transport box. Peel off all protective foils and tapes, open the cover on the back of the device and pull out the filter. Next, remove the filter from the plastic packaging and insert it back into the machine, ensuring that the straps face outwards.

After preparing the filter, the next step is to position the air purifier in the desired location, ensuring that it is at least 15 inches (38 cm) away from the wall and that the air purifier is placed on a firm surface.

Design

When it comes to the design of the DREO Macro Max S, it is very different from the other air purifiers I have tested so far and that I have generally come across on the market. In fact, this air purifier is very stylish, and the build quality is even reminiscent of some premium devices such as the Molekule Air.

The quality of the plastic, workmanship, color, and design are top-notch, especially for this price range. This air purifier is available in silver, with black detailing, which makes its appearance so elegant.

The DREO comprises two parts: the lower part contains the filter, and the upper part has all the device controls. Another detail that caught my eye is the Air Quality Indicator on the device, which extends through the entire device’s height and lights up in different colors according to the air quality. This elegantly designed indicator gives the DREO air purifier an extra luxury.

A drawback is a lack of carrying handles, especially since this is not a fully portable air purifier and is a little heavier than it looks. There are rubber plugs at the bottom to prevent the air purifier from slipping, which is good, especially if the room’s surface is slippery. Overall, I think the DREO Macro Max S fits into almost any environment and potentially brightens your room.

Controls and Indicators

The DREO Macro Max S has two different control options. The first is via the control panel located on the top of the device, and the second is via the DREO smart app, which I will explain in more detail later in this article. The control panel on the device consists of touch buttons and indicators. 

The buttons on the panel are the power, timer, auto mode, fan speed, sleep mode, and information buttons. The touch buttons are sufficiently sensitive, well-spaced, and easy to use.

One fascinating detail that caught my eye was the display located on the front, in the top right-hand corner. The display is made up of several parts and always shows the current fan speed and all the other indicators when they are active, such as the timer, Wi-Fi, child lock, and filter reset indicator.

In addition, you can read the current amount of PM2.5 in the air, directly on the display. The information shown on the display can be changed by pressing the information button on the control panel so that instead of PM2.5, it can display the percentage of air quality cleaned and filter wear information. It is up to you to decide what you want to show.

Below the display is an air quality indicator that glows in different colors depending on the air quality, further complementing the already stylish look of this air purifier.

Airflow

The DREO Macro Max S is a rectangular-shaped air purifier with slightly rounded edges. This air purifier consists of two parts, the lower part where the filter is located and the upper part where the motor, control panel, and air quality sensor are located.

The device draws air through openings in the lower part, located at the sides and rear. The air is then filtered and exits through the grilles on the upper side.

Size and Dimensions

The air purifier weighs 11.89 lb (5,35 kg). The machine’s dimensions are 11.22 x 11.22 x 20.86 inches (28,5 x 28,5 x 53,0 cm). The DREO is not a very large air purifier, but it is a bit heavier than I expected, so I feel that the lack of carrying handles may be a problem.

What’s in the box?

When you buy the device, you get a DREO Macro Max S air purifier,  3-in-1 H13 True HEPA filter,  quick start guide, and 1x user manual.

I can’t help but mention that I’m impressed with the packaging of the DREO air purifier. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a device so well packaged, with the filter vacuumed inside the machine and such high-quality printing on the user manual. That being said, a big plus from me for this.

Features Overview

The DREO Macro Max S is a smart air purifier with several advanced options and additional features activated by connecting to a smart app.

Options such as the air quality sensor, air quality indicator, auto mode, and smart app are all part of this device, and these are options that will make the daily use of the air purifier much easier. Without further ado, I will describe below all the basic features of this air purifier.

Air Quality Sensors and Indicators

The air quality sensor is personally my favorite feature on this device. I simply like machines with an air quality sensor, as I want to know the current air quality in my home at any given moment.

This sensor is located at the back of the device, right on top of the filter cover. It detects PM2.5 particles in real-time and works in combination with some of the other options on the device. DREO claims to use a high-quality air quality sensor that will quickly, efficiently, and accurately detect the current air quality.

The air quality indicator on the front of the device lights up in different colors depending on the current air quality. In the table below, you can see which color indicates which air quality. In addition to the air quality indicator, there is also a display where you can read the current amount of PM2.5 in the air at any time.

Best of all, you’ll be able to monitor even more detailed air quality analysis via the DREO smartphone app, where you’ll see hourly data alongside historical data.

Light Color	Air Quality Level
Blue	Excellent
Green	Good
Orange	Moderate
Red	Poor

Auto  Mode

Auto mode is another option that works in combination with the air quality sensor. Basically, when in Auto mode, the air purifier automatically switches the fan speed according to the current air quality.

Additionally, suppose you connect the air purifier to a smart app. In that case, you can select additional settings for Auto mode in the app.

So you can select the “Standard” settings for Auto mode and the “Soft” settings.

In short, this is an exciting option that allows you to turn the device on, switch it to auto mode and completely “forget about it”. At the same time, the air in your home remains exceptional.

Sleep Mode

This mode is for people who plan to use an air purifier in their bedroom. Namely, when you switch to Sleep Mode, the device changes the fan speed to the lowest setting and dims all the indicators on the device.

Light Detection

The DREO Macro Max S has a built-in light sensor that detects light intensity in the environment. If there is not enough light or if it is night, all LED lights will turn off. It is important to note that if you do not want light detection, you can deactivate this option in just one step via the smartphone app.

Timer

A timer is a great option that I find to be an integral part of almost all air purifiers I’ve tested so far. The timer is used to set the time you want the device to switch itself off. By pressing the timer button, you can set the timer between 1-12 hours. What surprised me is that you can only set the timer between 1-12 hours via the smartphone app and minutes via the app, but only round hours directly on the device.

Display Info

I have already touched on the information display when explaining the device’s controls. Again, it doesn’t hurt to mention that this display is a handy feature that initially shows the amount of PM2.5 in the air. You can change what you want the display to show by pressing the “Info” button. This can be the percentage of air cleaned or the current filter wear.

Smart App

The DREO air purifier uses a smart app for Android and iOS devices. This app is not mandatory, but it is absolutely recommended as it opens up many additional options and possibilities that are not available directly on the air purifier. I will tell you more about the DREO smart app below, where I will describe all the essential features of the app.

Child Lock

This is an option that is only available via the DREO smart app. As the name suggests, the air purifier will not respond to any button press when you activate Child Lock. This way, you prevent children messing with your settings or switching the assigned commands.

Safety Lock

For your safety, the DREO automatically switches off if the filter cover is opened during operation or if the filter cover is not closed correctly.

Warranty

I must say that I am positively surprised by the generous warranty of the DREO, which lasts for a full 5 years. Just a few air purifiers have such a guarantee, which is a confirmation that DREO is a competitive brand.

Please note that you must register the purchased device via the DREO website in order to activate the registration.

DREO Smart App

Recently, more and more new air purifiers can connect to a smart app. Many brands invest a lot of heart into developing apps and their various innovations. The DREO app is available on Android and iOS devices, it’s easy to activate and even easier to customize, and the app works very smoothly.

Not only will you be able to remotely control your home by connecting to the DREO app, but you will also open up many other options and possibilities that are only available through the app. For example, you will get a much more detailed view of the current air quality and a historical view of the air quality by day and month.

In addition, options such as voice control or manual fan speed adjustment are just a few of the additional options offered by this app. Although it is not compulsory, I recommend everyone to connect the DREO air purifier to a smart app, you will not save anything, but you will gain many benefits.

Essential Settings and Adding Devices to the App

Before you can start using the DREO smartphone app, you must download and install it. Then open the app, register with a valid email address, and log in to the app after a successful registration.

After logging in to the app, proceed further by pressing the “+ Add device” button to add/connect your air purifier to the smartphone app. All you need to do is to follow the on-screen instructions, and in just a few steps, your DREO Macro Max S is successfully connected to the smart app.

Functions and Controls in the App

When you connect to the app, you will see a brand-new interface with many options. So you’ll be able to turn your device on or off from anywhere with just one press of the power button.

Under the start option, you’ll see a display of the current air quality, the amount of PM2.5 in the air, and the air quality percentage. Clicking on this box will display the air quality by hour, day, and month. Immediately below is a display of the current filter wear.

Behind these two fields is a section to control the device, where you can switch to one of four modes: Auto, Turbo, Sleep, and Manual mode. I find the Manual mode the most interesting, which basically allows you to switch the fan speed to one of 18 different speeds.

Under the commands are all the other options necessary for the device’s operation, namely the Timer option, the option to turn off all the indicators on the device (“Light”), and then the option to turn off the sound when you press a key. The touch button “Panel Sound” and the option to switch on/off the light sensor (“Light Detection”). Below you will also find settings for Child Lock, Display Info, Auto Mode settings, and some others, including options for setting voice controls.

FAQ on DREO Macro Max S