Dyson TP02 Pure Cool Link Air Purifier – Review (Real Tests)

Full Review

Dyson is a well-known name in the world of air purifiers, but until recently, I hadn’t had the chance to test any of their models. However, some time ago, I bought and thoroughly tested a second-generation Dyson air purifier, the Dyson TP02 Pure Cool Link.

This model features the classic Dyson tower design, premium build quality, and a few innovative features. Although the Dyson Pure Cool Link is an older model, it remains one of the best choices on the market and is often a top preference among customers.

Despite being a large air purifier, the Dyson TP02 is suitable for rooms up to only 110 sq. ft. (10 m²), which is comparable to some much smaller air purifiers. In a room of this size, it can clean the air approximately 4.8 times per hour. The air purifier has a CADR of just 70 CFM (119 m³/h).

It comes equipped with a 360° Glass HEPA filter, consisting of a HEPA filter and a carbon filter layer. I’ll delve more into the filter’s performance in the following sections, but I must say the Dyson TP02 pleasantly surprised me in all the performance tests.

How We Tested the Dyson TP02?

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 Dyson TP02 in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room. Then, we recorded the initial air quality values using the Temtop laser particle meter and let the Dyson TP02 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 Dyson TP02 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.

When it comes to performance, I test every air purifier in separate rooms using a Temtop laser particle meter.

What’s interesting about the Dyson TP02 is that despite being a large air purifier, 40 inches (101.6 cm) tall, it has a CADR of just 70 CFM (119 m³/h), which is in the range of some smaller air purifiers like the Levoit Core 300S or Core 200S.

In addition to our standard tests, I used the Dyson TP02 in my living room for some time to evaluate its real-world performance. What I like about the Dyson TP02, besides its aesthetics, is the fan-cooling feature, which is why I still use it during summer days.

I also noticed that despite having a small carbon filter, it delivered acceptable results in eliminating everyday odors, such as cooking smells and other unpleasant scents. However, for more challenging tasks—like neutralizing the strong odor of fried fish or cigarette smoke—you may need an air purifier with a more robust carbon filter.

Testing in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) Room

In the first test, performed in a 120 sq. ft. (11 m²) room, which is slightly larger than the recommended, the Dyson TP02 produced impressive results, improving air quality by approximately 93% in just 60 minutes at max speed.

The thing about this Dyson air purifier is that it has a much lower CADR than expected, which is why we mostly compared it with much smaller air purifiers.

One such air purifier is the Honeywell HPA100, which also improved air quality by 93% under the same conditions. Surprisingly, the compact Blueair Mini Max achieved a similar result, improving air quality by 92%.

I was positively surprised by the Dyson TP02’s performance in this test, which clearly demonstrates the high quality associated with the Dyson brand. It shows that the Dyson TP02 can clean the air in rooms slightly larger than recommended without significantly compromising its effectiveness.

To be frank, the Dyson TP02 and the Mila are the only air purifiers I’ve tried that have ten fan speeds.

I really like this feature because it allows users to adjust the noise level according to their needs without significantly compromising performance.

For instance, if the tenth speed is too loud, you can switch to the eighth, and the Dyson will still perform well while operating more quietly.

We measured the noise level of the Dyson TP02 at all speeds using a specialized noise measurement tool that measures noise on the dBA scale. Refer to the table below for the results.

The Dyson TP02 produces just 41.1 dBA at the first speed and about 46.2 dBA at the fifth (middle) speed. Another sign of its well-optimized motor is the noise level of only 59.6 dBA at maximum speed, which, while impressive, falls within the range of some competing devices with similar performance.

A comparable air purifier, the Shark HP102, produces almost the same noise level at the lowest speed but is slightly quieter at the maximum speed. With a CADR nearly identical to the Dyson TP02, it’s an ideal device to be compared with.

As shown in the chart above, the Dyson TP02 is positioned in the middle, ranking as an average air purifier for noise optimization.

Overall, the Dyson TP02 is a quiet air purifier, making it ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, kids’ rooms, offices, or similar spaces.

The Dyson TP02 uses a 56W motor, which, considering its coverage of 110 sq. ft. (10 m²), seems a bit overpowered. I believe Dyson could have done a better job optimizing the motor for energy efficiency.

We tested the power consumption of the Dyson TP02 at all speeds, and the individual results are shown in the table below.

Interestingly, the Dyson TP02 consumes only 3.5W at the first speed and 51W at the maximum speed. This means that if you were to run the air purifier at maximum speed 24 hours a day for a month, your electricity bill would increase by about $4.47.

Compared to some other air purifiers, this is quite costly. For instance, the smaller Levoit Core 200S, which offers very similar performance, would cost about $2.16 under the same conditions.

In addition to power consumption, there’s also the cost of the replacement filter, which fortunately lasts relatively long and doesn’t need to be changed frequently. However, the price of the replacement filter is slightly higher than expected, even though it only needs to be replaced once a year.

While there are many third-party filters available on the market, I wouldn’t recommend using them. I would always opt for genuine Dyson filters.

Overall, my conclusion is that the Dyson TP02 could be more affordable and better optimized for maintenance.

Filtration Technology

The Dyson TP02 uses an innovative 360° Glass HEPA Filter, which consists of two filtration stages – a HEPA filter and a carbon filter. This cylindrical-shaped filter is placed inside the bottom part of the device.

Dyson’s HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, which is similar to the traditional True HEPA filter’s performance. This includes dust, mold spores, allergens, pollen, and other pollutants. It’s undoubtedly the essential and most crucial stage of filtration in this air purifier and the reason why the Dyson TP02 performed so well in performance tests.

The second filtration stage is the carbon filter, which neutralizes bad odors, smoke, and VOCs. Since this filter isn’t pellet-based but a fibrous filter coated with carbon, I must say I am impressed with the performance it delivers. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it in places with extremely strong odors and high VOC pollution. 

Actually, I used the Dyson TP02 in my kitchen for some time, and it didn’t do so well in neutralizing some cooking smells, especially the fried fish smell—more on this in the performance test section.

Initially, the lack of a pre-filter may have seemed like a drawback. However, even though Dyson hasn’t stated that there is a pre-filter, there is a nylon mesh attached to the HEPA filter, which acts as a pre-filter on many competitive air purifiers; so we can say the same for the nylon mesh on this Dyson.

No matter if it’s characterized as a pre-filter or not, I suggest cleaning it from time to time, at least twice per month. In that way, you will prolong the HEPA filter’s life and keep the performance high. 

Furthermore, I strongly recommend always purchasing genuine Dyson filters, despite some third-party filters available on the market that are significantly cheaper. After all, what’s the point of having an air purifier with a third-party filter that doesn’t guarantee as high efficiency as the original ones?

Setup and Installation

When it comes to setting up this device before its first use, the process isn’t complicated, especially since the device is well packaged, making it almost ready to operate straight out of the box.

After unpacking it from the shipping box, you only need to ensure that everything is in its place and remove all the protective tapes. And that’s all there is to it.

Afterward, place the Dyson in your desired location, ensuring there is a minimum distance of 10 inches from walls or other objects; plug it in, and turn it on! Please be careful when placing the Dyson air purifier, and don’t block the airflow, as that could potentially damage the device.

Design

When it comes to design, I must compliment the innovative and very attractive tower-shaped design of the Dyson TP02 air purifier. The model I purchased for testing is in a White/Silver combination, but there’s also an option to buy the Iron/Blue combination.

The Dyson TP02 consists of two parts: the lower part, which includes the filter, motor, display, and control button, and the upper part, which essentially functions as an extension with openings through which Dyson throws out the purified air.

The build quality is top-notch, and upon first contact with the device, you get the impression of its premium craftsmanship. The unit is made of plastic with some metal parts. One drawback I have noticed is that moving the device from one room to another can be awkward due to its large size and lack of carrying handles.

Overall, the Dyson TP02 is a modern air purifier that I’m sure will fit into almost any environment.

Controls

This Dyson model offers three different control methods: through the button on the device, via the remote controller, and via the smart application. The control button is placed at the bottom of the device, just below the display. It’s primarily used for basic operations like switching between fan speeds and turning the device ON/OFF. 

Opposite the control button, the remote controller allows you to manage almost all of the device’s operations. It provides easy access to options such as ON/OFF, Auto Mode, Airflow Control (Fan Speeds), Sleep Timer, Oscillation ON/OFF, and Night Mode.

Lastly, there is the MyDyson smart application, which is truly remarkable. Not only does it offer excellent remote control capabilities, but it also provides a detailed overview of air quality readings from the sensors, voice control settings, and plenty of other options, which I will explain later in the review.

Display

Dyson TP02 features a compact display that doesn’t show too much data. I would like it if it showed real-time air quality monitoring data, the same as seen in some of Dyson’s newer models.

In essence, the display shows indicators for basic controls accessible via the remote controller, such as current fan speed, auto mode indicator, night mode indicator, and WiFi indicator. Let’s focus on understanding the meaning of some of these indicators.

When the WiFi indicator lights in green, it indicates that the Dyson is ready to connect to the MyDyson application. If the WiFi indicator flashes white, the device is in the process of connecting with the app. A solid white WiFi indicator confirms a successful app connection, while the lack of any indicator signals that the device is powered off.

The “A” indicator indicates that the auto mode is activated. If it glows in green, it means that air quality is at a good level, but if it lights in white, the air quality hasn’t yet reached an optimal state.

The display may also show error codes. If you see the letter “E” on display, it indicates that the Dyson can’t execute a specified operation, prompting a need to inspect your device. In such a situation, I recommend resetting the air purifier by turning it off, unplugging it, and waiting for 60 seconds before powering it on again. If the issue persists, then I would contact Dyson directly and ask for assistance.

Additionally, you may come across an “F” code along with three flashing bars, signaling that it’s time to replace the filter.

Airflow

The Dyson TP02 has a cylindrical shape, and we can say that it consists of two parts. The lower part is where the air intake openings are, arranged around the entire device in a 360° way.

Air is drawn in through these openings; it’s then filtered and released through the openings located on the upper part of the device.

Size and Dimensions

This is undoubtedly the tallest air purifier I’ve had the opportunity to test so far. The dimensions of the Dyson TP02 are 44.5 x 8.6 × 8.6 inches (11.31 x 21.9 x 21.9 cm). However, surprisingly, this air purifier doesn’t weigh much; it’s only 8 lbs (3.8 kg).

When discussing its large dimensions, I would point out the lack of carrying handles as a slight drawback. Nonetheless, given its remarkably lightweight nature, I am confident that transporting it from one room to another will not cause you much trouble.

What Will You Get In the Box?

When you purchase the Dyson TP02 air purifier, you’ll get 1x Air Purifier, 1x 360° HEPA Glass filter, 1x Power Cord, and 1x User Manual.

I want to underscore the importance of reading the user manual before starting the air purifier for the first time. Alternatively, you can check out the summarized version of the installation process I described at the beginning of the review.

Features Overview

The Dyson TP02 is a powerful air purifier equipped with many advanced features. This device has everything that makes an air purifier premium and meets all user needs.

These advanced functions not only contribute to more detailed monitoring of air quality in your home but also ease everyday usage of the air purifier.

Air Quality Sensor

The Dyson TP02 has an air quality sensor that continuously monitors indoor air quality. This sensor works in combination with the auto mode and MyDyson smart app.

The auto mode adapts the air purifier’s fan speed according to the data received from the air quality sensor while always ensuring the best performance. On the other hand, the MyDyson smart app shows the air quality data, and what’s best, it archives this data so you can check your historical air quality data whenever you want to.

Such advanced features befit a premium air purifier like the Dyson.

Auto Mode

The auto mode is one of my favorite features of this air purifier. It works in combination with the air quality sensor. So, when the Dyson TP02 operates in auto mode, it intelligently adjusts the fan speed based on the current air quality.

If the air quality is poor and the Dyson is set to auto mode, it will automatically raise the fan speed up to the maximum level. Contrarily, as the air quality improves, the air purifier will slowly reduce the fan speed to lower levels. This is essentially how the auto mode operates.

When the auto mode is activated, you’ll notice the “A” indicator on the display. If this indicator glows in green, it indicates that the air quality in your place is optimal, prompting the air purifier to enter standby mode while continually maintaining the air quality. If the air quality worsens, the fan speed will adjust accordingly.

The way it maintains the fan speed based on air quality reminds me of the ECO Mode in the Coway AP-1512HH or the Levoit Core 400S air purifier auto mode.

Smart App

Dyson TP02 can be connected to the MyDyson smart application, which provides remote control, detailed readings from the air quality sensor, and various other options.

This is a highly beneficial addition that raises Dyson to a higher level. I’m truly delighted with the MyDyson smart app and its easy setup. Especially as I’ve had the opportunity to test some premium air purifiers with flawed smart applications. One such example is the Molekule Air, which I couldn’t connect to the smart application at all.

With Dyson, that’s not the case, as the device connects effortlessly with the app in just a few simple steps without any issues.

Sleep Timer

The sleep timer operates much like the classic timers seen on nearly every air purifier available on the market.

In essence, you can set the desired time for your Dyson to automatically turn off. However, with the Dyson TP02, the air purifier won’t actually power off; instead, it will switch to standby mode.

Night Mode

When switched to night mode, the Dyson TP02 will dim the display and operate quietly, allowing you to use it in a bedroom or similar space.

After activating the night mode, a half-moon symbol will appear on the display, and after 5 seconds, the entire display will dim while the half-moon icon remains slightly visible.

If the device is in auto mode when night mode is being activated, the fan speed will automatically switch to the fourth level. However, if the device is already set to any speed below the fourth level, that setting will remain unchanged.

Oscillation

The oscillation feature is an innovative option unique to Dyson air purifiers, and it’s directly connected to the specific design of the Dyson TP02 air purifier.

Once you activate the oscillation mode, the Dyson will smoothly rotate left and right by 70°, effectively directing the airflow (clean air) across a larger area, ensuring the clean air spreads throughout the whole room.

Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect from this mode, as it’s the first time I’ve encountered such a feature, but I’m pleasantly surprised. In my opinion, this is one of the best innovations I’ve come across in an air purifier, making the Dyson TP02 truly stand out.

Remote Controller

In the section where I described the controls of this air purifier, I explained the functions of the remote controller, so I won’t go into detail about them again.

What I’d like to emphasize further is that Dyson has a magnet on top of it, allowing you to attach the remote controller there. This ensures you will always remember where you left it.

Additionally, if you ever lose the remote controller, you have the option to purchase a replacement directly from the Dyson website, at a very reasonable price. Alternatively, you can use the MyDyson app, which offers the same controls as the physical remote controller.

Warranty

Dyson provides a 2-year warranty for the Pure Cool Link TP02 model. The warranty covers both the entire air purifier and the remote controller. 

Also, Dyson’s customer support is top-notch. I’ve contacted them several times and received a quick response to all my questions each time.

Room Coverage & CADR

The Dyson TP02 has a CADR of 70 CFM, making it ideal for rooms up to 110 sq. ft. In a room of this size, the Dyson will clean the air approximately 4.8 times in one hour. ACH (air changes per hour) of 4.8 times is an industry-standard set by AHAM.

This also means that the Dyson TP02 will clean the air once in one hour in a room of 500 sq. ft. (1 ACH). 

Frankly, I always adhere to AHAM’s recommendations and don’t use devices in rooms larger than the recommended size. However, considering that the Dyson TP02 has shown excellent performance results in tests, I believe this model could perform very well even in slightly larger rooms than the recommended dimensions.

FAQ on Dyson TP02