This time, I will compare one of the first Levoit air purifiers, the LV-H132, with the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG. What these two devices have in common is a low price, affordable maintenance, and a good price-to-quality ratio.
The Levoit LV-H132 is a small, cylindrical air purifier available in a few different colors, and it covers rooms up to 129 sq. ft. (12 m²). The IKEA FÖRNUFTIG, on the other hand, is a rectangular air purifier available in white and black. It is quite minimalistic and covers rooms up to 108 sq. ft. (10 m²).
When speaking of design, I must say that I fancy the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG a bit more, especially the fibrous front cover, which gives a modern touch to this air purifier. The Levoit LV-H132 is also an attractive air purifier with decent build quality, but, in my opinion, the IKEA will fit into almost any ambiance much easier.
Regarding features, neither of these two has any advanced features. The only features these air purifiers have are a filter reset indicator and a night light feature that is built-in only on the Levoit.
I also want to mention reliability, which goes in favor of the Levoit LV-H132, mostly because it comes with a 2-year warranty, while the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG has no warranty (in the US).
Our Verdict
This was an extremely tense fight, and deciding a winner wasn’t an easy job. The Levoit LV-H132 and IKEA FÖRNUFTIG performed almost the same in all tests, are cheap to maintain, and, most importantly, do their intended job well!
But, a winner must be chosen, so I pick the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG as the better buying option and my personal recommendation over the Levoit LV-H132.
The IKEA has a modern look, performed slightly better in performance tests, is very affordable to maintain, and is initially a very cheap air purifier.
If you have questions about these two air purifiers, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.
Specs: Levoit LV-H132 Vs IKEA FÖRNUFTIG
| Product Image |  |  |
| Manufacturer | Levoit | IKEA |
| Model | LV-H132 | FÖRNUFTIG |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 8.5 x 8.5 x 14.5 inches (21.6 x 21.6 x 36.8 cm) | 18.1 x 12.2 x 4.3 inches (46.1 x 31 x 10.9 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | - | 7.84 lb (3.56 kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | - | 70 CFM (130 m³/h) |
| Coverage (4.8 ACH)
Room Coverage Explanation: ACH is a measurement used in indoor air quality management to indicate how many times the air within a defined space is changed/moved through the filter media.
For more details, visit our ACH calculator tool. | 129 sq. ft. (12 m²) | 108 sq. ft. (10 m²) |
| Performance Ratings Performance Ratings Score Summary: 8.5 - Average Score (67 products) 9.8 - Best Score (2 products) 2.5 - Worst Score (2 products) We use the Temtop LKC-1000S laser particle meter to test the particle removal efficiency of every air purifier. It measures PM2.5 (µg/m3), PM10 (µg/m3), Particles (per/L), and HCHO (mg/m3) in the air, and also calculates the AQI. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Filtration Technology | Pre-filter, True HEPA, and Activated Carbon Filter | Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter and Carbon Filter |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Life | 6-8 months | 4-6 months |
| Power Consumption
Power Usage Summary: Our extensive testing of 67 air purifiers revealed the following power consumption insights:
Check out our power consumption calculator tool. | 28W | 19W |
| Operating Costs Ratings Operating Costs Ratings Score Summary: 9.1 - Average Score (67 products) 10 - Best Score (2 products) 8 - Worst Score (1 products) We measure the power usage at all speeds using an energy meter, after which we calculate how much it would cost to use the device at a particular fan speed for one month. For reference, we use an energy price of $0.12 per kWh. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Number of Fan Speeds | 3 – Speed 1, Speed 2, and Speed 3 | 3 – Speed 1, Speed 2, and Speed 3 |
| Air Quality Sensor Air Quality Sensor Summary: Out of 67 air purifiers tested, only 31 have the air quality sensor. | No | No |
| Air Quality Indicator | No | No |
| Auto Mode Auto Mode Summary: Out of 67 air purifiers tested, only 32 have auto mode functionality. | No | No |
| Smart App Smart App Summary: Out of 67 air purifiers tested, only 20 have smart app functionality. | No | No |
| Voice Control Voice Control Summary: Out of 67 air purifiers tested, only 20 have voice control functionality. | No | No |
| Other Features | Night Light | Smart Plug |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 43.1 – 57.7 dBA | 42.2 – 58.2 dBA |
| Noise Ratings Noise Ratings Score Summary: 9.3 - Average Score (67 products) 10 - Best Score (1 products) 8.2 - Worst Score (1 products) We use a special noise measurement tool to test the noise level of the air purifier at all speeds. We measured the noise level on the dBA scale. You can read more about our testing methodology here. | ||
| Best Suited For | Bedrooms Low Energy Cost Small Spaces | Bedrooms Low Energy Cost Small Spaces Quiet Operation |
| Warranty | 2-year | No (US) |
| In-Depth Review | Levoit LV-H132 | IKEA FÖRNUFTIG |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Particle Removal Test – Comparison
These two air purifiers have many similar features and showed almost identical results in all tests, including performance tests.
Before presenting the test results, I want to mention (once again) that the Levoit LV-H132 covers rooms up to 129 sq. ft. (12 m²), while the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG covers rooms up to 108 sq. ft. (10 m²). Both devices will clean the air 4.8 times per hour in rooms of the recommended dimensions.
Particle Removal Tests - Comparison
We placed the Levoit LV-H132 and IKEA FÖRNUFTIG in two separate tests and measured their performance using the Temtop laser particle meter.
Based on their CADR values, we tested them in two rooms of approximately the same size. In the first test, in a room of 120 sq. ft. (11 m²), the Levoit LV-H132 improved air quality by about 88%, while the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG was slightly better, improving air quality by about 91%.
Both devices ran for 60 minutes at maximum speed during the testing.
In the second test, this time in a slightly larger room of 194 sq. ft. (18 m²), both devices showed okay performance, but the IKEA was again slightly better. In 60 minutes of running at maximum speed, it improved air quality by about 89%, while the Levoit improved air quality by about 87%.
Overall, we can say that the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG performed better in our tests. However, I must also emphasize that it better neutralizes bad odors. I purchased the activated carbon filter; without it, I doubt it would have performed better than the Levoit in terms of neutralizing bad odors.
Smoke Box Test – Comparison
These two are small air purifiers with low CADR and small room coverage. Also, they don’t have enough carbon pellets inside their filters, so I wasn’t expecting them to make above-average results in these tests.
The Levoit LV-H132 needed 50 seconds to remove all the smoke from the smoke box, while the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG needed 44 seconds to remove all the smoke.
The difference isn’t that big, but the IKEA was still faster, even though it covers smaller rooms than the Levoit.
Noise Level Test – Comparison
First, I want to mention, before we move on to the noise test results, that both devices have three fan speeds and neither has a sleep mode.
However, both the Levoit and IKEA air purifiers are relatively quiet when operating at the lowest speeds. The Levoit produces a sound of 43.1 dBA, while the IKEA produces a sound of 42.2 dBA.
Noise Levels - Comparison
Comparison of noise levels at all fan speeds between the Levoit LV-H132 and IKEA FÖRNUFTIG air purifiers.
At maximum speeds, the difference is almost identical, with the Levoit producing a sound of 57.7 dBA, while the IKEA produces a sound of 58.2 dBA.
In conclusion, the Levoit LV-H132 is louder at the first and second speeds, while the IKEA is louder at maximum speed by about 0.5 dBA.
| Fan Speed | Levoit LV-H132 (dBA) | IKEA FÖRNUFTIG (dBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed 1 (Low) | 43.1 dBA | 42.2 dBA |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 52.5 dBA | 49.3 dBA |
| Speed 3 (High) | 57.7 dBA | 58.2 dBA |
Although the results of this test are almost equal, I would still say that the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG is a slightly quieter air purifier.
Operating Costs – Comparison
When it comes to operating costs, the first thing I want to do is compare the power use of these two air purifiers. I was surprised that the Levoit has a slightly stronger motor (28W), especially since this device is much smaller than the IKEA, which has a motor of just 19W.
Monthly Power Consumption Cost - Comparison
Comparison of monthly power consumption costs for the Levoit LV-H132 and IKEA FÖRNUFTIG air purifiers at all fan speeds.
This means that if you used these two devices at maximum speed, 24 hours a day, for a month, your electricity bill would increase by about $1.99 in the case of the Levoit and about $1.16 in the case of the IKEA.
In addition to these costs, there is also the cost of replacement filters, which are similarly priced (but only if you also purchase the carbon filter for the IKEA). The filters last slightly longer for the Levoit.
Levoit recommends replacing the filters about twice a year, while IKEA recommends replacing the filters approximately three times a year.
| Fan Speed | Levoit LV-H132 (W + $/month) | IKEA FÖRNUFTIG (W + $/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Standby | 0W ($0) | 0W ($0) |
| Speed 1 (Low) | 11.1W ($0.97) | 1.2W ($0.11) |
| Speed 2 (Medium) | 14.6W ($1.28) | 5.5W ($0.48) |
| Speed 3 (High) | 22.7W ($1.99) | 13.2W ($1.16) |
All in all, although IKEA is known as one of the most affordable air purifiers on the market, in this test, the Levoit LV-H132 showed better characteristics, and I would say it is more affordable to maintain on an annual basis.
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