Levoit Core Mini Vs Core 200S – One Healthy Family (2023)

You have probably noticed that many air purifier brands have different product lines/series. Usually, every air purifier series is characterized by specific design principles, specific filtration technology, and of course, by characteristic price range. Levoit is one such company, oriented mainly on producing air purifiers.

In this article, I will compare two air purifiers from the Levoit Core series, the Levoit Core Mini and the Levoit Core 200S. As many of you probably thought at first, these are two very similar devices (almost identical), but believe me, with a lot of differences.

As the name says, the Core Mini is purely minimalistic. It covers rooms of up to only 72 sq. ft. (6.7 m²) and is very affordable for maintenance. The Core 200S, on the other hand, is a Smart air purifier with some innovative and advanced features and a solid motor that covers rooms up to 183 sq. ft.

In regards to the filtration technology, both devices use the classic 3-stage filtration we have seen in many of my previous Levoit reviews.

All in all, keep reading to find out which of these two devices did better in performance tests, which is quieter in operation, more affordable to maintain, and which is a better choice to buy.

Specs: Levoit Core Mini Vs Core 200S

Core Mini and Core 200S Features

Devices with a Mini suffix are usually poor on advanced features. They are mostly made as a basic version, good enough to satisfy the end user, and big enough to keep up and serve their purpose right. All of this could be applied to the Levoit Core Mini air purifier, a plain air purifier version with just a pinch of distinction called Aroma pad. 

As for its opponent, the Levoit Core 200S, there is much more to accentuate. You could say that this air purifier is overloaded with features. Naturally, more features mean more expectations. Different settings like Timer, Sleep Mode, Display off, etc., make this member of the Levoit family attractive to a potential buyer. 

Sometimes our first-look assumptions can be wrong, so let’s go through this comparison together to find out.

Timer

Being the basic version of an air purifier, Levoit Mini doesn’t come with the Timer option, but its opponent Levoit 200S does. The main purpose of this feature is to control the running time of your device, even in your absence. With this option turned ON, you can set it to 2h, 4h, or 8h of continuous purifying. But here comes the catch, and it’s a good one.

Since Levoit Core 200S has a VeSync app available, you can easily connect your Timer with the app and choose for how long you want our appliance to work, between 1 and 24h.

Sleep Mode

Along with the other three fan speeds, Levoit Core 200S also has a Sleep Mode available, while the Levoit Core Mini doesn’t. As always, this feature is pretty convenient if you wish to use your air purifier in the bedroom. The fact that it dims all the lights to a minimum and that it runs in an almost total silence regime makes this air purifier a real gold. 

Night Light 

Along with the Sleep Mode, the Night Light is one favorable feature available with Levoit Core 200S. Since this is the LED ambiance light, you can use it to create a cozy home atmosphere and turn your Saturday night into a movie night. 

Display off and Display Lock

Another convenient feature in a row, Display Off comes in handy if you dislike when the air purifier lights up like a luna park. Even if you put the air purifier to top speed, it won’t mind. You can still dim the lights with a simple press of the Display Off button. 

As for the Display Lock feature, you can surely never be too precautious. If you have guests coming over, or you want to protect it from children’s curiosity by pressing this button, you will lock all other buttons on this appliance. That is until you unlock it. 

Smart App

As you may have noticed in one of the previous sections, I have mentioned a Smart app that is available only with the Levoit Core 200S. Simply called the VeSync App, it is Levoit’s original brand app. This way you can connect some of Levoit’s air purifiers and gain control over your appliance. Not to forget, it is both Android and iOS compatible. 

Filter Reset Indicator

One of the most common features of many air purifiers is the Filter Reset Indicator. This is the case where both Levoit air purifiers have this useful option. It is one of those preferred reminders of what needs to be done.

Filters will need to be replaced at some point, and this Indicator will help you with that. When a little red light flashes, you will need to replace filters as soon as possible. 

Aroma Pad

For starters, I must point out that only Levoit Core Mini is entitled to this feature. This is one of those features you didn’t know you needed. Right on top of the Levoit Mini, you’ll find a small Aroma box with a pad. Sprinkle just a few drops right on this pad, close the box and turn on your air purifier. Soon you’ll be blown away by a beautiful fragrance spreading all over the room. 

Airflow

As you can see for yourself, both Levoit Core 200S and Levoit Core Mini have cylindrical shapes with filters placed at the bottom part. Air inlets are arranged all around the appliances. Once the air goes through filters, it gets spread upwards through the openings on top of the air purifier. 

Warranty

In both cases, Levoit as a manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty. No matter if you buy Core Mini or Core 200S, if you want to obtain full warranty coverage, I suggest you register on their website right after the purchase. 

With Levoit Core 200S, you get to do this through the VeSync App once you pair it with your air purifier. 

Filtration Technology

There is not much of a difference between the Core 200S and Core Mini when it comes to filtration technology. Both air purifiers have a 3-stage filtration system, with a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter on the first and the third place. A minor difference exists in the fact that Levoit Core 200S has a True HEPA filter, while Levoit Core Mini has only a HEPA filter. 

Pre-filters in both air purifiers are well designed to hold all the large particles like dust, fibers, pet hair and dander, lint, and so on. Also, a forever-protecting role keeps the HEPA or True HEPA filter safer, thus prolonging its life. 

Maintenance of the pre-filter is easy; all it takes is to wipe or vacuum it once or twice a month, and you’re good. 

A True HEPA filter that Levoit Core 200S is the main “culprit” for the outstanding performance of this air purifier. This filter captures 99.97% of airborne pollutants, which makes it a reliable alley in your home. 

The HEPA filter that Levoit Core Mini uses captures around 97% of airborne pollutants, which makes it fall behind any air purifier with the True HEPA filter. However, I can’t deny the good results that Core Mini showed while subjected to various tests. I will write about it more in the following lines, so stay with me. 

As the third and final filtration stage, the Activated carbon filter serves to neutralize the odors, mostly the unpleasant ones. This is a pellet-based filter that serves its purpose within both Levoit air purifiers. 

How to Replace Filters on Both of These Devices?

Replacing the filter itself is not a complicated method. The more important thing is when to replace it. Now, since both of these air purifiers have a Filter Reset Indicator, you don’t have to worry about keeping track. 

However, neither Core Mini nor Core 200S have washable filters, so it would be a good thing to keep the filters clean by simply mopping or vacuuming them, once in a while. 

With proper maintenance, Levoit Core Mini filters can last up to 4-6 months, while Levoit Core 200S is even longer, 6-8 months.

Noise Tests

When testing Mini versions of a device, you never know what to expect. Smaller appliances can be surprisingly good, or surprisingly a failure. 

As for the Levoit Core Mini, three basic fan speeds are pretty much three different noise levels. The appliance works neatly while at the first speed, with a pleasant 41.8 dBA noise level. The faster it goes, the noisier it gets. Since it lacks the Sleep Mode, I can’t recommend you use this air purifier in your bedroom, at nighttime. 

The Levoit Core 200S is a bit louder while on the first speed, with loudness accumulating as it speeds up. Reaching the 53.9 dBA on top speed level, it becomes slightly louder than its opponent. Still, the presence of the Sleep Mode in Core 200S is a game changer. The air purifiers become like a kitten that purrs, and the best thing is you can leave it in your bedroom and fall asleep in a second. 

Performance Tests

When deciding on which air purifier to buy, don’t be misled by the actual size of the appliance. More often, I have found myself surprised by how well the results turned out to be when I least expected them to be. 

As for these two appliances, it was kind of easy to test two variations with Core 200S, while I pushed the boundaries of Core Mini, just to see how it would work. 

Two separate tests have been made, by leaving both devices continuously working for a full hour at maximum speed level. 

120 sq. ft. Room Tests

Since both tests are way over the coverage limits of Levoit Core Mini, I was blown away by their results. Core Mini managed to improve the air quality by 91% in one hour of continuous struggle. At the same time, as expected, Levoit Core 200S had a bit better score of 93% improvement. 

194 sq. ft. Room Tests

As I assumed, Core 200S maintained good work with a 91% air quality improvement, while Core Mini kind of failed with only 89%. Actually, this wasn’t a real fail because cleaning the air in a room twice as big isn’t an easy task. With this in mind, I must admit it was quite a good result for the Mini. 

Operating Costs

Pointing out the obvious differences in motor wattage is a must. With only 7 Watts motor, Levoit Core Mini is over five times weaker than a 37W Levoit Core 200S motor. It means, if you left the Core Mini running unstoppably for a whole month, you would receive a 0.62$ electricity bill at the end of the month. 

On the other hand, the more powerful Core 200S would leave you with 2.20$ for the same time interval and under the same terms. 

As for the overall expense, it seems like a tie. Yes, Levoit Core 200S costs more on a monthly basis, but the filter replacement takes place once or twice a year. However, Levoit Core Mini has low monthly expenses but has approximately the same filter price as the Core 200S, which needs to be replaced at least three times a year. 

It all comes down to how you see it as a customer. And your preferences.