In this comparison, I will compare Levoit Core 300 and GermGuardian AC4825 air purifiers. This comparison could be fascinating, especially since these two products are in a similar price range. I have received many inquiries on which of these two products is better.
GermGuardian is a more simplified air purifier without much electronics. Levoit, on the other hand, offers some advanced device management options. Aesthetically they are pretty different; Levoit Core 300 looks much more modern, in my opinion. Besides, GermGuardian is a much taller device and will take up far more space in the room.
Table of Contents
Another critical difference is the filtering method used by these two devices. In addition to the many differences, I would single out the UV-C light used by GermGuardian as an additional filtration stage.
Levoit Core 300 is intended for rooms up to 219 sq. ft. while GermGuardian AC4825 is designed for 167 sq. ft. Whether the fact that the products are designed for different rooms is so important, and whether a different filtration system in these two devices can decide which is better, more powerful and which of these two devices has better performance, see below in this product comparison.
- GermGuardian AC4825 – is one of the most popular air purifiers on the market. It uses a three-stage filtration technology consisting of a pre/charcoal filter, a True HEPA filter, and UV-C light. It covers rooms up to 167 sq. ft.
- Levoit Core 300 – is a small air purifier intended for rooms up to 219 sq. ft. It uses a classical 3-in-1 filter, including a pre-filter, a True HEPA filter, and an activated carbon filter.
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Specs: GermGuardian AC4825(E) Vs Levoit Core 300
| Product Image |  |  |
| Manufacturer | Guardian Technologies | Levoit |
| Model | AC4825(E) | Core 300 |
| Dimensions (inches / cm) | 9 x 5.5 x 22 inches (22.9 x 14 x 55.9 cm) | 8.7 x 8.7 x 14.2 inches (22 x 22 x 36 cm) |
| Weight (pounds / kg) | 8.5 lb (3.86 kg) | 7.5 lb (3.4kg) |
| Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) | 99 CFM (168 m³/h) | 141 CFM (240 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. | 167 sq. ft. (15.5 m²) | 219 sq. ft. (20 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/Charcoal Filter Combo, True HEPA Filter, and UV-C Light | Pre-filter, True HEPA Filter, and Activated Carbon Filter |
| Filter Replacement Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Life | up to 6 months (HEPA) | 6-8 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. | 55W | 45W |
| 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 – Low, Medium, and High | 4 – Sleep Mode, 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 | UV-C Light | Display LockDisplay OffTimer |
| Noise Level (low – high) | 46.7 – 54.2 dBA | 40.7 – 64.9 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 | Small Spaces Mold | Bedrooms Small Spaces Dust Allergies Children's Rooms |
| Warranty | 3-year | 2-year |
| In-Depth Review | Guardian Technologies AC4825(E) | Levoit Core 300 |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Features
The GermGuardian AC4825 and Levoit Core 300 do not have many common options. The only thing I would single out as a common option is the Filter Reset Indicator.
Device Control
On both devices, the control panel is located on the top. The Levoit Core 300 uses touch buttons, which are arranged in a circle. The buttons respond to any pressure; they are very precise and sensitive enough.
GermGuardian AC4825 uses mechanical buttons; the main button is the power knob, which is used to change speed. Below is a UV button that is used to turn the UV light on or off and reset the Filter Reset Indicator.
Child Lock
The Levoit Core 300 has a Child Lock option. If this option is enabled, all buttons on the device are locked, and the device will not react to any button press.
This feature is excellent if you have children or maybe pets to prevent accidental pressing of a button or possible shutdown of the device.
Timer
The timer is also one handy option that adorns the Levoit Core 300 air purifier. This option is great if you want to set the device to turn itself off after a specific time has passed. The timer can be set to 2h, 4h, 6h, and 8h.
Sleep Mode
When the Levoit Core 300 is switched to sleep mode, the device will dim the lights and reduce fan speed. That way, the device will be almost silent, so you will be able to use it in the bedroom without any problems.
I don’t like that the GermGuardian AC4825 doesn’t have this option because the fact that it doesn’t have sleep mode is limited from use in some situations where the device needs to be quiet.
UV-C Light
Maybe Levoit has much more advanced features, but GermGuardian also has its own trump cards. One exciting option, which adorns the AC4825 model is UV-C light.
UV-C light is essentially a 4th stage filtration in this model that will further improve room air cleaning quality is an exciting addition, for which GermGuardian air purifiers are otherwise known.
Filter Reset Indicator
Both devices possess this fantastic option. It’s great because you won’t have to think about when it’s time to replace the filter. For both devices, the filter reset indicator will light up as a suggestion to replace the filters.
Airflow
Due to the slightly different construction of these two devices, the airflow is also somewhat different. GermGuardian is a tower-shaped air purifier. The device draws air through the grilles on the back, which is then filtered and exits through openings in the device’s front.
Levoit Core 300 is circular in shape, the filter is 360 degrees. Therefore, the device draws in air from all sides on the lower half of the device. The air is then filtered and exits through openings on the upper side of the device.
Filtration
When we compare GermGuardian AC4825 and Levoit Core 300, one of the most significant differences is filtration. The Levoit Core 300 uses a classic 3-in-1 filter that you can see with many other Levoit air purifiers.
The first stage of filtration at Levoit is the pre-filter, the second stage is the True HEPA filter. In contrast, the third stage of filtration is the activated carbon filter.
With the GermGuardian AC4825, the situation is somewhat different. The device uses 4 stage filtration. The first and second stage is a combination of pre-filter and fibrous filter coated with carbon. Honestly, I don’t like this combination, and I think Levoit uses much better filtration when it comes primarily to the carbon filter.
The third stage of filtration is the True HEPA filter. The last stage of filtration is UV-C light which has been proven to be highly effective at killing germs, mold spores, and even some viruses. It is important to emphasize that this stage of filtration is arbitrary. It is turned on or off by pressing the UV button located on the device’s upper side.
How to replace filters on these air purifiers?
With the Levoit Core 300, the filter needs to be changed on average between 6-8 months. With GermGuardian AC4825, the filters are also changed between 6-8 months. While UV-C light needs to be changed on average every 12 months.
Both devices use a filter reset indicator, so you won’t have to worry about when it’s time to replace the filter; the device will let you know.
Noise
Noise is one of the crucial details, and I can say essential to many users. I have noticed that many users run away from loud devices and often decide to buy low noise generating devices.
Fortunately, the GermGuardian AC4825 and Levoit Core 300 are not very loud devices. Both devices use well-optimized and mighty motors.
The Core 300 uses sleep mode, so it is much quieter at the lowest speed and produces only 40.6 dBA. However, it is also much louder than GermGuardian at the highest speed.
In essence, both products are not too loud at certain speeds, and it is tolerable to stay in the room when they are working. The third speed on both devices is a bit louder and can be a problem for some users, especially if they plan to use the machine often at the highest speed.
I would recommend GermGuardian for some busy rooms, such as the living room, because of its higher volume. I would recommend the Core 300 for the office or the bedroom, primarily because it has a sleep mode, which allows quiet operation.
| Product | Noise Range (dBA) |
|---|---|
| GermGuardian AC4825 | 46.7 – 54.2 dBA |
| Levoit Core 300 | 40.7 – 64.9 dBA |
Performance
I tested the Core 300 and AC4825 to determine which of these two devices performs better. GermGuardian AC4825 is designed for rooms up to 167 sq. ft., while the Levoit Core 300 is designed for rooms up to 219 sq. ft.
Because they are designed for rooms of very similar dimensions, I tested them in identical conditions. I tested the devices separately, individually. Below you can see separate tests of these two rivals.
194 sq. ft. Room Test
I tested the devices in a room of 194 sq. ft. I think this is the ideal room to show the performance of these two devices. Both machines worked at the highest speed all the time.
194 sq. ft. Room
* Data measuring time is 60 minutes.
The Levoit Core 300 improved air quality by about 93% in 60 minutes, lowering the AQI from 11 to 8. GermGuardian AC4825 at the same time reduced the AQI from 85 to 7 and thus improved air quality by about 92%.
Air purifiers made almost equally good results in this test.
320 sq. ft. Room Test
The next test is in a room of slightly larger dimensions than recommended for both products. It is a room of 320 sq. ft. Both devices worked at the highest speed in this test as well.
320 sq. ft. Room
* Data measuring time is 60 minutes.
The Levoit Core 300 lowered the AQI from 145 to 12 in 60 minutes, improving room air quality by about 92%.
GermGuardian AC4825 achieved a slightly worse result than Levoit, so at the same time, it improved the air quality by about 90%. In this test, the UV-C light was turned off; however, with the UV-C light on, the result was slightly better, so GermGuardian, in that case, improved the air quality by about 91%.
Operating Costs
Air purifiers usually don’t need much electric power. The Levoit Core 300 is a 25W air purifier, while the GermGuardian AC4825 is slightly more powerful and can use up to 55W.
Both devices use slightly more electricity than some competing devices. So the Core 300 will spend around $ 3.8 in a month of operation at the highest speed. In comparison, the AC4825 will also spend approximately $ 3.8 in identical conditions. As you can see, there is no difference.
| Product | Wattage Range (W) |
|---|---|
| Levoit Core 300 | 0.8 – 43.5 W |
| GermGuardian AC4825 | 30.8 – 43.1 W |
However, a significant difference is made when it comes to filter replacement. The GermGuardian AC4825 uses much more expensive replacement filters, plus you need to change the UV-C light once a year.
Although the power consumption is almost identical, the price of replacement filters is groundbreaking. The conclusion is that the AC4825 has much higher maintenance costs annually than the Core 300.
Which of These two Devices is the Better Choice?
The GermGuardian AC4825 and Levoit Core 300 have their own trump cards, and the things that set them apart also make them a better choice to buy.
However, when it comes to low-budget devices like these two, then in addition to performance, the cost of maintenance on an annual basis is one fundamental matter. In my opinion, the Levoit Core 300 is a much better choice to buy. It has done a bit better performance, has lower maintenance costs on an annual basis, offers a host of advanced features, and uses a higher quality carbon filter.
GermGuardian AC4825 is not a bad choice, and you will not go wrong if you buy it; however, with the Core 300, you will be much happier.
Thank you for this review. I have one of each of these air purifiers. I do prefer the Levoit, but recently read that the company no longer advertises their units as True Hepa. Do you have any insight on this? Thanks!
Thanks for commenting.
That’s true, but Levoit air purifiers are still some of the best performers in our tests, and I don’t think this is a big deal. It won’t affect our ratings too much.